Losing Martavious Odoms and its impact on the running game
December 1st, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
December 1st, 2010 at 2:33 PM ^
First off, a WR (or even a slot receiver) will generally provide down field blocking. So, for that blocking to become relevant, you need the RB (or QB) to penetrate the LOS and often break through the second level.
If you look at where our running game faltered, it was usually the result of being caught behind or shortly after the LOS - i.e. downfield blocking by a receiver would not have an impact.
Now, if someone runs the numbers, I would bet that they will show that our running game declined sharply around the time that Odoms went down. But, I think that much of that was a function of the level of competition (the largest factor), teams somewhat being able to figure out Denard over the course of a season, injuries to Denard and Denard's regression from super-human to an exceptionally good soph QB.
December 1st, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^
I think the drop in run production over the 2nd half of the season can be attributed to three things:
- Better competition
- Denard's ever mounting list of injuries
- Loss of Tay Odoms
Now, determining the amount each of those factors played into the drop is something I am way too lazy to attempt, but I think it is fair to say that the running game was impacted by the loss of Odoms. Conversely, the passing game may have experienced a bump as Tay has never been a "big play" WR and his absence allowed Hemingway and Stonum to be on the field at the same time.
December 1st, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
any possibility of Odoms for the bowl game?
December 1st, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
If I remember right the answer was possibly, but don't necessarily count on it.
December 1st, 2010 at 3:03 PM ^
December 1st, 2010 at 3:08 PM ^
I think that his blocking was mostly missed in breaking off long runs since WR's dont usually have a role in blocking near the line of scrimmage. It definitely seemed like we had fewer long runs after he got injured, but that might just be because we started playing higher quality competition after that.
December 1st, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^
Not a huge factor. Our downfield blocking has remained pretty solid all season.
December 1st, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^
If he did not get injured Gallon may not have been given so many opportunities. Odoms and Stonum might have been the primary returners if we had the depth at WR.
December 1st, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
I'd argue that MSU's cheap shot on Martin's ankle had a larger impact overall than the loss of Odoms, although its a close call.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:28 PM ^
When did Martin injury his other ankle?