RashanGary
07-31-2007, 06:09 AM
Offensive Line 'Miles Ahead' Of Last Year
by Mike Spofford, Packers.com
posted 07/30/2007
Last year at this time, the Green Bay Packers had a veteran, established running back and a new blocking scheme that took some getting used to.
This year, the Packers are trying to establish a backfield, and that quest took a bit of a hit on Monday when the team found out Vernand Morency's knee injury from the opening training camp practice is more serious than originally thought.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy didn't go into specifics about Morency's injury but said he'd be out a couple of weeks, which will leave rookie second-round pick Brandon Jackson as the No. 1 back, and lead to more extended looks in practice for P.J. Pope, Noah Herron and combo back Corey White.
But while the Packers continue exploring possibilities in their young backfield, it's important to remember that the other half of last year's equation has changed as well.
The zone-blocking scheme is no longer new to Green Bay's five entrenched starters up front, and they're already noticing a difference in their feel for the ground game compared to last July.
"I think we're miles ahead of where we were last year at the beginning of training camp," center Scott Wells said. "We're able to install faster and not really focus as much on who has who but how we do it, really correct a lot of the mistakes and technical errors we had last year. I think being able to improve on that rather than just assignments is going to help us be a whole lot better."
Having so much to learn last year with the zone scheme, combined with having three rookies among the top six linemen, made the ground game a work in progress the entire year. Training camp was all about the basics for rookies Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll as well as veterans Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher and Wells.
Now, with a year in the system under their belts, the offensive linemen can continue to become more cohesive, which should make who the ballcarrier is less relevant and the running game productive with a committee of backs if necessary.
"Last year we were focused on making sure everybody was (blocking) the right people, so we didn't have guys coming free and guys going the wrong way," Wells said. "This year we're able to focus more on making sure our combo blocks are good, making sure we can take that offense to the next level and execute better."
That execution is vital, whether it's a rookie like Jackson taking the bulk of the handoffs this week or Morency again in the near future.
"It's a blow anytime you lose a guy who has played for a year and is comfortable in this system," Wells said. "But at the same time for it to happen now is kind of a blessing as well, so that other guys can step in there and get more comfortable, and we can get more comfortable with them. It gives them an opportunity to shine."
by Mike Spofford, Packers.com
posted 07/30/2007
Last year at this time, the Green Bay Packers had a veteran, established running back and a new blocking scheme that took some getting used to.
This year, the Packers are trying to establish a backfield, and that quest took a bit of a hit on Monday when the team found out Vernand Morency's knee injury from the opening training camp practice is more serious than originally thought.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy didn't go into specifics about Morency's injury but said he'd be out a couple of weeks, which will leave rookie second-round pick Brandon Jackson as the No. 1 back, and lead to more extended looks in practice for P.J. Pope, Noah Herron and combo back Corey White.
But while the Packers continue exploring possibilities in their young backfield, it's important to remember that the other half of last year's equation has changed as well.
The zone-blocking scheme is no longer new to Green Bay's five entrenched starters up front, and they're already noticing a difference in their feel for the ground game compared to last July.
"I think we're miles ahead of where we were last year at the beginning of training camp," center Scott Wells said. "We're able to install faster and not really focus as much on who has who but how we do it, really correct a lot of the mistakes and technical errors we had last year. I think being able to improve on that rather than just assignments is going to help us be a whole lot better."
Having so much to learn last year with the zone scheme, combined with having three rookies among the top six linemen, made the ground game a work in progress the entire year. Training camp was all about the basics for rookies Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll as well as veterans Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher and Wells.
Now, with a year in the system under their belts, the offensive linemen can continue to become more cohesive, which should make who the ballcarrier is less relevant and the running game productive with a committee of backs if necessary.
"Last year we were focused on making sure everybody was (blocking) the right people, so we didn't have guys coming free and guys going the wrong way," Wells said. "This year we're able to focus more on making sure our combo blocks are good, making sure we can take that offense to the next level and execute better."
That execution is vital, whether it's a rookie like Jackson taking the bulk of the handoffs this week or Morency again in the near future.
"It's a blow anytime you lose a guy who has played for a year and is comfortable in this system," Wells said. "But at the same time for it to happen now is kind of a blessing as well, so that other guys can step in there and get more comfortable, and we can get more comfortable with them. It gives them an opportunity to shine."