Blessing in disguise (rambles)

[call_me_ishmael]

I think some of these injuries to the receiving corps are going to prove to be good for this team long term.

This Packers team is pretty darn scary offensively when slinging the ball around like crazy.

Now imagine a Packers team where you have to keep 7 men in the box all the time because of the play action and Eddie Lacy busting skulls? That is freakishly scary!

What I'm saying is... I hope the Packers take the next few weeks while guys get healthy to continue pounding the ball and showing the rest of the league that they can play smash mouth football and will be ready to run over some jokers come January. Remember James Starks in the playoffs? I would like to see Lacy continue to get 100 yards per game for the next 4 weeks. How crazy would that be?

MM drives me crazy with his play calling. I would like to see some non-shotgun offensive snaps in the next few weeks. I would love to see some i-formation and a lead blocker. I would like to see the Packers get some in-game reps to practice getting the tough yards. Words cannot describe how sick I am of seeing passes on 3rd and 1/2/3 when we have a hoss in the backfield.

IF the Packers can say to the league "Hey, we're running, try to stop us" and be successful, watch out. This team will have a super bowl quality offense. I would like to see MM do that the next few weeks.

Thanks.

[red]

when was the last time we ran the i-formation?



can kuhn even be a blocking fullback?

[call_me_ishmael]

Can kuhn even be a blocking fullback?

I'm not sure about Kuhn, but they do line up Quarless back there. What about Taylor? He is used to getting into the thick of things on special teams. Perhaps he could by a decent lead blocker.

[mraynrand]

IF the Packers can say to the league "Hey, we're running, try to stop us" and be successful, watch out.

Of course. But this isn't gonna happen

[Rutnstrut]

I think one blessing of having this many top receivers hurt will be that stubby will have no choice but to stick with the running game. He will probably get away from it once all are healthy though, even if it is working. Remember the mindset of many on this board is that if you have Rodgers, that's all you need. So as long as Rodgers stays healthy, it's all good;)

[Cheesehead Craig]

I think one blessing of having this many top receivers hurt will be that stubby will have no choice but to stick with the running game. He will probably get away from it once all are healthy though, even if it is working. Remember the mindset of many on this board is that if you have Rodgers, that's all you need. So as long as Rodgers stays healthy, it's all good;)

Disagree with MM going away from the run. This is the Packers best running season by far in the last 4-5 years. MM has usually called a good number of run plays in the past, but is getting much better results this year.

[CaptainKickass]

IF the Packers can say to the league "Hey, we're running, try to stop us" and be successful, watch out. This team will have a super bowl quality offense. I would like to see MM do that the next few weeks.

What was it - 2003 maybe? The year Ahman Green had such a stellar season because the QB broke her thumb? They had this one "stutter step" play they ran down teams frickin' throats again and again and nobody could stop it. That was fun football. Henderson and Luchey at Fullback I think.

Also - someone tell MM to dust off the 'ol "Packers Sweep" will ya? Seems like as good a year as any.

[hoosier]

...What I'm saying is... I hope the Packers take the next few weeks while guys get healthy to continue pounding the ball and showing the rest of the league that they can play smash mouth football and will be ready to run over some jokers come January. Remember James Starks in the playoffs? I would like to see Lacy continue to get 100 yards per game for the next 4 weeks. How crazy would that be?

Well that is certainly optimistic of you. Here I was thinking to myself, hmmm, which four new players are going to go down with major injuries in the next two weeks?

[mraynrand]

What was it - 2003 maybe? The year Ahman Green had such a stellar season because the QB broke her thumb? They had this one "stutter step" play they ran down teams frickin' throats again and again and nobody could stop it. That was fun football. Henderson and Luchey at Fullback I think.

Also - someone tell MM to dust off the 'ol "Packers Sweep" will ya? Seems like as good a year as any.

They had U71. You know, put in place by the moron Sherman, who couldn't win a game to save his life. Sherman was worse than Infante and Devine put together.

[George Cumby]

They had U71. You know, put in place by the moron Sherman, who couldn't win a game to save his life. Sherman was worse than Infante and Devine put together.

That was such a fun formation. Everyone knew a run was coming sure as shit we'd run the ball and get positive yards.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Nobody likes to see injuries to key men. That said, you've got to make the best of a bad situation. I agree that the Packers could come out of the Cobb, Jones injuries a much stronger team.

The impact of Lacy and the revived running game can't be denied. The OL run blocks, Lacy busts one and the OL blocks better the next time it's contagious.

And it helps the passing game. The long TD to Nelson was a thing of beauty. Lacy had established the run. So Arod fakes to Lacy and rolls out. The OL literally has no one to pass block until Arod releases the ball.

I think Arod's numbers are actually going to improve now that a few of his big weapons are silenced for a time. Because opponents will have to play up, not only to defend the run, but to defend against multiple TE crossing patterns and bubble screens. Then, when the time is right, as it was Sunday with Nelson, the deep throw for a score looks ridiculously easy.

Lacy -- and I think eventually Franklin -- add a dynamic option to the backfield that didn't exist before. Is it the OL or the RB? I still say a dynamic RB is the difference-maker. The OL can open holes for a journeyman RB and he'll gain some yards. But to see a guy like Lacy crashing through the holes and punishing tacklers -- that gets the OL juices flowing like nothing else! Not to mention making pass blocking easier.

[mraynrand]

The impact of Lacy and the revived running game can't be denied. The OL run blocks, Lacy busts one and the OL blocks better the next time it's contagious.

At least the Packers can make teams pay for putting six in the box. I still don't think they are much for short yardage situations, and consistency is so-so, but things have improved.

[Pugger]

Of course. But this isn't gonna happen

With all these injuries to our receiving corps we may have to be more of a running team.

[Maxie the Taxi]

You can almost see the wheels turning in Stubby's fat head. More from Rotoworld (http://www.rotoworld.com/playernews/nfl/football-player-news?r=1):

Brandon Bostick is expected to see a bump in playing time as the Packers implement more two-tight end sets.
Our ears perk up anytime we hear Bostick's name because he's a former NCAA basketball player with heaps of athleticism. The Packers' primary two-tight end set is Andrew Quarless in-line and Jermichael Finley at the "move" spot, but there's a need for pass-catchers with Randall Cobb (leg) on short-term IR and James Jones (knee) hobbled. Bostick is a deep Dynasty sleeper hold with Finley in the final year of his contract.

And this [Wow! The joy of being smart and sharp at the same time!]:

Jarrett Boykin will be the Packers' No. 2 WR in Week 7 if James Jones (questionable, knee) can't play.
Randall Cobb (leg) was placed on IR/recall Tuesday. Boykin is a second-year undrafted player out of Virginia Tech that struggled when pressed into 58 snaps last week. But with a week to get coached up, the Packers are expecting a better performance against the Browns. "Jarrett's one of the smartest guys we've got on the football team, and he's very sharp," Aaron Rodgers said. Any receiver playing every snap with Rodgers is worth a long look as a plug-n-play, even if they are somewhat talent-deficient.

And this:

Packers promoted TE Jake Stoneburner from the practice squad.
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, Stoneburner was released at final cuts. He caught three passes for 12 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. He'll play on special teams if he's active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

[Zool]

2012 - 16th in attempts
2011 - 26th in attempts
2010 - 20th in attempts
2009 - 15th in attempts
2008 - 14th in attempts
2007 - 28th in attempts
2006 - 21st in attempts

If you want the Packers to be in the top 5 in rushing attempts, you're going to be waiting a long time.

[pbmax]

The running game is wonderful. However its magical ability to improve pass protection has been in awfully short supply. This is going to continue to be a problem.

[Patler]

The running game is wonderful. However its magical ability to improve pass protection has been in awfully short supply. This is going to continue to be a problem.

ya, how many years have we heard that pass protection would be so much better if they only had a legitimate running game? In reality, it seems to have gotten worse. What may occur is the re-emergence of big plays, like the TD to Nelson. That shouldn't be confused with good pass protection, should it?

[Maxie the Taxi]

We have argued whether or not it's the OL or the RB that causes the biggest improvement in the rushing game.

When it comes to pass protection per se, I think the burden of responsibility still falls mainly on the OL. Tactics merely makes the task of the OL a bit easier at times.

[mraynrand]

The running game is wonderful. However its magical ability to improve pass protection has been in awfully short supply. This is going to continue to be a problem.

Sherrod, I just want to say good luck, we're all counting on you.

http://blog.itsmartdesk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IT-SmartDesk-Good-Luck.jpg

[pbmax]

ya, how many years have we heard that pass protection would be so much better if they only had a legitimate running game? In reality, it seems to have gotten worse. What may occur is the re-emergence of big plays, like the TD to Nelson. That shouldn't be confused with good pass protection, should it?


We have argued whether or not it's the OL or the RB that causes the biggest improvement in the rushing game.

When it comes to pass protection per se, I think the burden of responsibility still falls mainly on the OL. Tactics merely makes the task of the OL a bit easier at times.

Maybe the running game improving pass pro is the lie coaches tell mediocre QBs about why they are running the ball so much.

To his credit. McCarthy hasn't had as many empty backfields recently though there were plenty early in this season. That has to help a little.

Rodgers is simply very comfortable holding the ball waiting for something to open up if his initial read is not good. That makes his O line's job quite hard. If the O line from 2010 was here with this running game, we might notice a difference because they already excelled at pass pro.

[ThunderDan]

I was just looking at NFL.com

GB is 2nd in total offense per game at 450.2 ypg
GB is 4th in passing at 309.4 ypg
GB is 5th in rushing at 140.8 ypg
GB is 5th in points per game at 27.4

[Patler]

I was just looking at NFL.com

GB is 2nd in total offense per game at 450.2 ypg
GB is 4th in passing at 309.4 ypg
GB is 5th in rushing at 140.8 ypg
GB is 5th in points per game at 27.4

Maybe the offense as a whole, the passing game specifically and Rodgers individually are not as broken as it feels they are watching them.

[ThunderDan]

Maybe the offense as a whole, the passing game specifically and Rodgers individually are not as broken as it feels they are watching them.

Yeah, looking at P Manning so far this year and Denver everyone else's offense looks broken.

Even after what felt like a shitty game for ARod he was second in the league for passing yards last week.

[pbmax]

They do not seem to be getting points at the rate you expect, but since they have played only 5 games they are in the Top 10 in scoring. Rk (Rank) is for total point, list is sorted by Avg Pts/game.



Rk Tm G Pts AvgPts/g
1 Denver Broncos 6 265 44.2
2 Dallas Cowboys 6 183 30.5
3 Chicago Bears 6 172 28.7
4 Philadelphia 6 166 27.7
13 Green Bay Pack 5 137 27.4
5 Detroit Lions 6 162 27.0
6 New Orleans 6 161 26.8
7 Seattle Seaha 6 157 26.2
8 Kansas City Ch 6 152 25.3
18 Minnesota Viki 5 125 25.0
9 Indianapolis C 6 148 24.7
19 Atlanta Falcons 5 122 24.4
10 San Francisco 6 145 24.2
11 San Diego Cha 6 144 24.0
12 St. Louis Rams 6 141 23.5
22 Miami Dolphins 5 114 22.8
14 Buffalo Bills 6 136 22.7
15 Baltimore Rav 6 134 22.3
24 Carolina Panth 5 109 21.8
25 Washington 5 107 21.4
16 Tennessee Tit 6 128 21.3
17 New England 6 125 20.8
20 Cincinnati Ben 6 121 20.2
21 Cleveland Bro 6 118 19.7
23 Arizona Cards 6 111 18.5
26 Houston Texa 6 106 17.7
30 Pittsburgh St 5 88 17.6
27 Oakland Raiders 6 105 17.5
28 New York Jets 6 104 17.3
29 New York Giants 6 103 17.2
32 Tampa Bay 5 64 12.8
31 Jacksonville 6 70 11.7

[denverYooper]

Maybe the offense as a whole, the passing game specifically and Rodgers individually are not as broken as it feels they are watching them.

San Fransisco, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Baltimore all have pretty good defenses, and all can put on a strong 4 man rush -- frequently a problem for the GB offense, and sometimes a huge problem. Cleveland also has a good defense.

[packer4life]

They do not seem to be getting points at the rate you expect, but since they have played only 5 games they are in the Top 10 in scoring. Rk (Rank) is for total point, list is sorted by Avg Pts/game.



Rk Tm G Pts AvgPts/g
1 Denver Broncos 6 265 44.2
2 Dallas Cowboys 6 183 30.5
3 Chicago Bears 6 172 28.7
4 Philadelphia 6 166 27.7
13 Green Bay Pack 5 137 27.4
5 Detroit Lions 6 162 27.0
6 New Orleans 6 161 26.8
7 Seattle Seaha 6 157 26.2
8 Kansas City Ch 6 152 25.3
18 Minnesota Viki 5 125 25.0
9 Indianapolis C 6 148 24.7
19 Atlanta Falcons 5 122 24.4
10 San Francisco 6 145 24.2
11 San Diego Cha 6 144 24.0
12 St. Louis Rams 6 141 23.5
22 Miami Dolphins 5 114 22.8
14 Buffalo Bills 6 136 22.7
15 Baltimore Rav 6 134 22.3
24 Carolina Panth 5 109 21.8
25 Washington 5 107 21.4
16 Tennessee Tit 6 128 21.3
17 New England 6 125 20.8
20 Cincinnati Ben 6 121 20.2
21 Cleveland Bro 6 118 19.7
23 Arizona Cards 6 111 18.5
26 Houston Texa 6 106 17.7
30 Pittsburgh St 5 88 17.6
27 Oakland Raiders 6 105 17.5
28 New York Jets 6 104 17.3
29 New York Giants 6 103 17.2
32 Tampa Bay 5 64 12.8
31 Jacksonville 6 70 11.7

Chicago ahead of us in points per game. I just puked a bit in my mouth.

[mraynrand]

I didn't realize Tennessee Tit was averaging 21.3 points/game

[pbmax]

I didn't realize Tennessee Tit was averaging 21.3 points/game

No one is better than Mike Munchak at milking talent out of an offense.

[denverYooper]

No one is better than Mike Munchak at milking talent out of an offense.

He's just got the winning formula.