a big key to running the ball is 1st down. if you can get 6 or 7 yards on 1st down, then you can easily run the ball on 2nd and 3rd down to get the first down.

the question is, how do you get 6 or 7 yards on first down? unless you are playing the cardinals, the answer is typically that you throw the ball.

thereby using the pass to set up the run. then, once you have them off balance, you throw in some deep passes and some play action fakes and all is good.