The Pass/Run Ratio - What Has It Been? Will Marty Help?

[PhillyPhreak54]

One of the most debated things on Eagles message boards throughout the internet is Andy Reid's run/pass ratio. I have been curious about what it has been since Andy took over in 1999. So I went back and looked at the total plays, running plays and passing plays and want to share the numbers. I also went back to Marty Mornihinweg's days as the San Francisco offensive coordinator (1997-2000) to see what his teams did out there. We'll look at the Eagles from 1999-2005 first...

1999
898 Total Plays (474 passing + 424 running)

53/47 pass/run ratio

2000
972 Total Plays (575 passing + 397 running)

60/40 pass/run ratio

2001
934 Total Plays (522 passing + 412 running)

56/44 run/pass ratio

2002
1037 Total Plays (548 passing + 489 running)

53/47 pass/run ratio

2003
902 Total Plays (485 passing +417 running)

54/46 pass/run ratio

2004
923 Total Plays (547 passing + 376 running)

59/41 pass/run ratio

2005
986 Total Plays (621 passing + 365 running)

63/37 pass/run ratio

But wait. What about Donovan's running? I took those into account and since we don't know exactly how many were designed runs and how many were scrambles I subtracted all of McNabb's (and every other QBs) rushing attempts as well as the few that Akers had and the one that Landeta had.

So here are the adjusted breakdowns without any of the QB runs...

1999
424 running attempts - 47 McNabb runs - 2 Detmer runs = 375

474 passing + 375 running = 849 Total Plays

56/44 pass/run ratio

2000
397 running attempts - 86 McNabb runs - 1 Akers run - 1 Detmer run = 309

575 passing + 309 running = 884 Total Plays

65/35 pass/run ratio

2001
412 running attempts - 82 McNabb runs - 8 Detmer runs = 322

572 passing + 322 running = 894 Total Plays

64/36 pass/run ratio

2002
489 running attempts - 63 McNabb runs - 1 Akers run - 12 Feeley runs - 2 Detmer runs - 1 Landeta run = 410

548 passing + 410 running = 958 Total Plays

57/43 pass/run ratio

2003
417 running attempts - 71 McNabb runs = 346

484 passing + 346 running = 830 Total Plays

58/42 pass/run ratio

2004
376 running attempts - 41 McNabb runs - 3 Blake runs - 10 Detmer runs = 322

547 passing + 322 running = 869 Total Plays

63/37 pass/run ratio

2005
365 running attempts - 34 McMahon runs - 25 McNabb runs - 1 Detmer run = 305

620 passing + 305 running = 925 Total Plays

67/33 pass/run ratio

A quick re-cap for those of you still awake; the first number is pass %

1999 - 53/47
2000 - 60/40
2001 - 56/44
2002 - 53/47
2003 - 54/46
2004 - 59/41
2005 - 63/37

And the numbers after I subtracted QB runs;

1999 - 56/44
2000 - 65/35
2001 - 64/36
2002 - 57/43
2003 - 58/42
2004 - 63/37
2005 - 67/33

So it appears that the QB running has accounted for about 4% of the running plays on average. Don't forget that in 2000 the pass numbers were up big time because that is when Duce got hurt and we saw Darnell Autry, Brian Mitchell, Chris Warren and Stanley Pritchett running the ball.

And when TO arrived in 2004 the pass/run ratio was at its highest since 2000 when McNabb had to throw it a ton. 2005 was bad. Combine the team being behind a lot and combine them attempting to pacify Owens somewhat and you have the biggest differntial in Reid's tenture.

Andy has said that he wants it in the area of 60/40 and that is generally where its been. It's actually been lower than 60/40 on occasion. So those of you out there who think that Andy will not get back to a better balance after 2005, look at the numbers. But will Marty Mornhinweg help? Let's see...

Marty was the OC in SF from 1997-2000. In 1998 the 49ers were the first team since the 1941 Bears to be #1 in gross passing yards and gross rushing yards..

1997 - 432 passing/523 rushing = 45/55 pass/run ratio
1998 - 556 passing/491 rushing = 53/47 pass/run ratio
1999 - 560 passing/418 rushing = 57/43 pass/run ratio
2000 - 583 passing/416 rushing = 58/42 pass/run ratio

The 1999 and 2000 seasons are when the Niners went downhill. They were 4-12 in 1999 and 6-10 in 2000. They also had Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, JJ Stokes and Steve Young for most of this time (except when Rice blew his knee out '97).

Despite having a very potent passing attack the Niners still were committed to the run. So Marty's history says that he will run the ball.

My overall thoughts are that the Eagles will be in the 55/45 to 60/40 area of the run/pass ratio. That is where most teams are. There are exceptions of course, like the Steelers, but this is a passing league. But the Eagles will run it more this year in my opinion.

[The BIGSTUD]

I agree. People who still think the Eagles will pass over 60 percent are farging morons. I'm sorry but you have to be a total idiot to think they'd throw that much this year. Especially when a receiver like TO is gone from your WR corps.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

You'd have to be a total idiot (which you are) to call anyone an idiot for predicting greater than 60/40.  The Eagles are one likely injury away, even if you actually want to factor in Buckhalter, from having poop at running back.  That's all Andy needs for an excuse to go completely pass-wacky.  I HOPE the ratio, including QB runs, will stay under 60/40 this year, but I certainly think it's a distinct possibility that it won't.

58/42 or so seems to be most likely.

[The BIGSTUD]

You'd have to be a total idiot to think that even if one RB got hurt they would go back to passing over 60%. That will never happen again. For one they could always pick someone up in free agency and two, they can't get McNabb killed again or the season is definitely over.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Don't look now, but they just traded for another excuse to pass more.

[California Eagle]

Don't look now, but they just traded for another excuse to pass more.

As much as I hate to agree with you .....I do

[Sgt PSN]

Phreak, you forgot to throw Amp Lee in that stable with the rest of the runningbacks from 2000.  And that makes this the retardedest thread ever.  Congrats. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

I considered it. And as awesome as Amp's 22 total yards were - he did not make the cut. Sorry to the Amp Lee fans like yourself out there, Sas.