Perhaps coaches just want to keep the clocks rolling in the preseason.
But there have been a number of outstanding rushing performances tonight, or at least enough to make you think the art of handing off to the guy behind the quarterback isn’t dead.
The best of the bunch was an 86-yarder by Lions veteran Reggie Bush. He took one good block from Eric Ebron and took it to the house against the Jaguars, showing the kind of burst that will get him plenty of looks in a high-powered passing game as well.
The surprise might have been Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew’s 40-yard touchdown, as he showed a bit of popped he lacked in Jacksonville last year. He looks to be in condition, which didn’t always seem to be the case last year.
The Jets also showed the ability to pound the ball, with Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory each popping long runs (18 and 17 yards), combining for 62 yards on 11 carries.
On the other sideline, Giants running back Rashad Jennings had 67 yards on 13 carries in the first half.
So while all the attention this preseason has been on the emphasis on certain rules to free up the passing game, old man football can still work from time to time.