My first point is that the two backs break tackles at the same rate, which, as you can see, is factually correct.

On a per-carry average, given half the actual touches, and with a greater quantity of those missed tackles forced as a receiver as opposed to traditional rushing. In an offense that philosophically would never have featured him as a fulcrum. For all of one year.

Yes, that I can see.

From that point, I make the point that breaking tackles, and RB play in general, is largely overvalued in evaluating a run game.

Coincidentally, it's where you lose me.

I would not necessarily agree there is less talent along our offensive line this year.

• LT: Okung->Same - He missed more games in '13, but played injured and hemorrhaging penalties much of '14. Push.
• LG: Carpenter->Same - Improved somewhat in contract year. Still often lost in space, but at least he wasn't wheezing on the sideline at the end of long drives. Small improvement.
• C: Unger+Friends->Unger+More Friends - Still effective when he's on the field, but missed more time and was responsible for more false starts than just the two credited to him based on several instances of groups of players false starting on missed hike. Inconsistency at this position had far reaching negative effects, it definitely deteriorated.
• RG: Sweezy->Same - It ain't easy. Small improvement.
• RT: Giaco->Britt - Rookies gonna rook. Calling it a push would be exceedingly generous.
• TE: Miller->Willson - Luke impersonates a blocking tight end while the rest of the unit was in triage all year. Deteriorated.
• WR: Tate->Lockette - Baldwin is willing, Kearse less so, but these two were the real difference makers. Primary target vs. over achieving benchwarmer speaks for itself. Deteriorated, and that's as blockers AND as their own unit relieving the run game.
• FB: Robinson->Tukuafu - Trukafoo unloaded on anybody he lined up right, but too many agile backers gave him the matador act, combining with him being more valuable to the defense than as a relief receiving threat. Deteriorated.

It's hard to be a difference maker at guard, and everything else was a crapshoot.

There's something to be said about the organization-level commitment to the run, even late into scary games like the Championship round, but does that success come from their confidence in that strategy, or in Lynch to deliver year to year the way somebody like Richardson just never will?