Will we maintain our rushing this year, or not?

I would be content if we make it around the same, so 10th place

JABF, it's possible for us to do better than 115 YPG and still not be a top 10 rushing team as it's not a static benchmark.  I also don't think it's unlikely we have more carries this year but fewer overall yards as we transition into a new blocking scheme and a mostly reconfigured offensive line. 

With that said, I'm skeptical of The Log and his offensive play calling abilities. He's known as a predictable play caller who likes to run the ball but in looking at his brief stint as an OC for the Titans the overall number of carries was not far off that of other teams in the NFL despite having a healthy and young Chris Johnson.  

The 2012-13 Titans ran the ball 378 times and threw the ball 539 times (318 receptions)
The 2015-16 Bears ran the ball 468 times and threw the ball 519 times (334 receptions)

Projecting this team's year end stats is difficult as it's so dependent on health and success. Last year, I think the main reason we ran the ball so much was because of the epidemic to our receiving core. I think the number of carries this year declines if we have more health at WR. Having fewer rushing attempts though doesn't necessarily mean fewer yards. In fact, within reason it can often mean more yards as defenses are respecting the passing game allowing fewer initial contact points for RBs and their blockers. 

In short, I think we run the ball less (probably closer to 400 carries), pass the ball more, and fall on the league rushing board to around 11-15.

I won't try to predict it because to me the entire OL is too unsettled yet to have a feel for how well they grasp and can execute that zone scheme.  We have the right RBs for it now but the OL still needs to create the running lanes for them and the backs need to have the vision and the burst to take advantage of them. 

Fox prefers to run the ball and control the TOP and in Loggains I think he actually has more of the type of OC he prefers. Loggains may be less creative than Gase was because he seems to be more of a throw back type OC who depends more on perfect execution than raw deception as far as his schemes and play calling goes.

I think the hiring of another old school type taskmaster in CJ as a WR coach was also another Fox inspired move.  I think the offensive players are gonna get schooled in some football fundamentals and be consistently faced with evaluations on how well they execute the basics of running their plays.  For once I think these younger players will get the coaching they need to develop correctly.

There's one more wild card in play now that could also come into play.  No doubt Pace has an interest in Josh Sitton or he wouldn't have asked him in for a serious talk less than 24 hours after he was released.  If they can come to terms with him he adds another element to that OL now and for the foreseeable future.  Even at age 30 if he's healthy he has several more years of productive play in him and maybe more if he can move to OC which may be on Pace's mind.  Or they play him at OG which mean Long could once again move to OT.  He's being paid like one now.

This deal with Sitton is worth keeping an eye on.  I would have thought we'd have had to wait 'til next spring to get a shot at a vet OL in FA but this could be and early gift.  I just don't know yet.

Fox is an old school coach : and old school = more rushing attempts , which will = more yds .