Jimx29
02-26-2008, 04:47 PM
Packers to keep run game, seek help for Grant
INDIANAPOLIS – Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has no plans to de-emphasize his zone-run scheme in favor of a more power-oriented rushing attack for the cold climate of Wisconsin.
McCarthy brought the zone scheme as part of his version of the West Coast offense when General Manager Ted Thompson hired him in 2006. It was a significant departure from the more power-oriented run games of previous coaches Mike Sherman, Ray Rhodes and Mike Holmgren.
Ryan Grant showed in the second half of last season that a good running back is more important than any particular running scheme, but the Packers still had crucial times when they couldn’t run the ball well enough, including short-yardage situations and most notably in the NFC championship loss to the New York Giants.
In arctic-like weather at Lambeau Field, a decent running game might have gotten the Packers to the Super Bowl, but Grant gained only 29 yards on 13 carries that day, whereas Giants running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 130 yards on 37 carries, which was just good enough to control the ball in the bitter cold.
The rest of The Story (http://www.wisinfo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880224033)
INDIANAPOLIS – Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has no plans to de-emphasize his zone-run scheme in favor of a more power-oriented rushing attack for the cold climate of Wisconsin.
McCarthy brought the zone scheme as part of his version of the West Coast offense when General Manager Ted Thompson hired him in 2006. It was a significant departure from the more power-oriented run games of previous coaches Mike Sherman, Ray Rhodes and Mike Holmgren.
Ryan Grant showed in the second half of last season that a good running back is more important than any particular running scheme, but the Packers still had crucial times when they couldn’t run the ball well enough, including short-yardage situations and most notably in the NFC championship loss to the New York Giants.
In arctic-like weather at Lambeau Field, a decent running game might have gotten the Packers to the Super Bowl, but Grant gained only 29 yards on 13 carries that day, whereas Giants running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 130 yards on 37 carries, which was just good enough to control the ball in the bitter cold.
The rest of The Story (http://www.wisinfo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880224033)