Big game for Jackson??

[CaliforniaCheez]

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20070905_Bob_Ford___Shoring_up_a_porous_line_again st_run.html

Jim Johnson's defense didn't necessarily get away from the basics last season, at least not in terms of the coaching philosophy or the stress placed upon the basics in practice. The defense just got away from executing them properly, and nowhere was that more apparent than the middle of the defensive line.

There is little in the game of football as fundamental as beating the man lined up across from you and halting the rushing tide of an offense.

The reputation as a soft defense was mostly gained in the second half of the season. While the offense rallied around Jeff Garcia and helped create the late run to the playoffs, the defense was often just running - or being run over.

In the end, the Eagles were ranked 26th in the league against the rush, giving up 136.4 yards per game, and 24th in the league in average rushing gain allowed, at 4.5 yards.

In the last nine games, including the two playoff games, the defense gave up 161.4 rushing yards per game and saw five running backs rack up 137 yards or better.

Opponents could control the clock, the field position, and, too often, the Eagles.

[LL2]

I would love to see Jackson have a good game. It would be a great way to start the season.

[Joemailman]

Football is all about exploiting the other team's weaknesses. Philly's run defense is weak in the middle. The question is whether the Packer's RB situation will allow them to exploit that weakness. If they can, they have a great chance at winning.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Philly's run defense was weak in the middle last year. 2007 is a new year. All three of their starting LBs are new. Takeo Spikes should certainly upgrade the run defense, and Chris Gocong (a big SLB) and Omar Gaither may also. Darwin Walker was a decent player, but new starting DT Brodrick Bunkley looks like a different player this year and may provide better run support in the middle of their DL.

[Joemailman]

Rookie back likely to start for Pack

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Note to the Green Bay Packers: Please cancel any sort of military aircraft flyover planned for Sunday's pregame ceremonies.

Given the likelihood of starting his first game as a rookie, running back Brandon Jackson is having a hard enough time relaxing right now.

"I'm just trying to stay calm now," Jackson said Wednesday. "I'm very excited now. It's my first game as a rookie, my first home game. If I get the start, it's a lot. I try to go out there calm and relaxed. It can get crazy, especially with those jets flying by."

Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, wasn't even the Cornhuskers' starter at this time last year. Now that the Packers' running back situation has gone from Ahman Green to just plain green, he'll likely be lining up behind Brett Favre for the Packers' season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the guy right now," Jackson said. "I guess coach and them will make that decision I guess tomorrow or Friday. Hopefully I'll get the start."

Third-year player Vernand Morency came into camp as the projected starter, then hurt his knee in the first practice. Morency has returned to practice this week, but only on a limited basis.

Green left town in the offseason, accepting a staggering free-agent offer from the Houston Texans. Third-down back Noah Herron is out for the season with a knee injury, and reserve running back P.J. Pope reached an injury settlement with the team after hurting his knee.

Even Jackson hadn't been officially cleared to play as of Wednesday after missing last week's practice and the final preseason game because of a concussion. But Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he expected Jackson to play.

"He is explosive," McCarthy said. "I think he has natural running instincts. As far as how he's adapted to our offense, I think he continues to get better. I feel good about him on first and second down. He's getting better at third down and some of the specialty things that we're doing."

Blocking is a major question for any running back, especially for one as inexperienced as Jackson, who didn't become the featured back at Nebraska until their final nine games last season. He has shown running ability during practices and preseason games, but the Eagles' defense will test his blitz pickups.

"I just want to go out there and play up to the best of my ability and protect No. 4," Jackson said.

No. 4, of course, is Favre, who has started a quarterback-record 237 games -- 257 including playoffs -- and doesn't want to see it come to an end just because his running back made one wrong move.

"For our younger guys who haven't faced Philly, they're in for a big challenge," Favre said.

McCarthy said Jackson is steadily improving his blocking and blitz pickups, but acknowledged the Eagles' defense is no easy task for any player to face the first time out.

"This will be a challenge for our protection," McCarthy said. "We have spent a lot of time on it. It's something that we spend a lot of time on regardless of who we're playing. This will be an excellent challenge for us and our guys will be ready to play."

McCarthy said he has "no doubts" about the Packers' overall plans in the running game. But Favre seems to think the jury's still out.

"Time will tell," Favre said. "I think in my career this is the first time we've been faced with this. I'll say this, there's a lot of competition there, there's some injuries within those guys, but this is an opportunity where one or several of these guys can really step up."

Jackson will likely get the first crack at that opportunity.

For now, he's just trying to take it easy. He doesn't plan to watch any football at the team hotel on Saturday night because watching games gets him "hyped." Instead, he might channel-surf for "Fresh Prince" reruns.

"When I'm relaxed, that's when everything goes smooth," Jackson said. "That night, I know I probably won't be able to sleep, because I'll probably be getting a lot of phone calls too. So I'll just shut my phone off and just relax."

[mmmdk]

A big game for Jackson or any Packer RB for that matter? I don't think so - not in the first few weeks. The Packer run game might take form by midseason. We'll see but I don't see it (a run game) coming.

You can always hope but I don't believe Jesus knows football...maybe punting!?

[LL2]

So I'll just shut my phone off and just relax."

Smart thinking fella! We don't need our starting RB getting the jitters.

[Partial]

Philly's run defense was weak in the middle last year. 2007 is a new year. All three of their starting LBs are new. Takeo Spikes should certainly upgrade the run defense, and Chris Gocong (a big SLB) and Omar Gaither may also. Darwin Walker was a decent player, but new starting DT Brodrick Bunkley looks like a different player this year and may provide better run support in the middle of their DL.

if, if, if.

I think they'll improve because their athleticism has certainly improved, but it will take a little time. Like Brady Pop, I foresee Gocong being raw at this point. I think they'll have some success if they stick with the run consistently. Maybe not 137 or however much, but I predicted they'd hit 120 between all their backs. I stick with that prediction.

[Carolina_Packer]

Hopefully now in the regular season they can employ the cut block and create space against the back side pursuit and we can really see what one of our backs can do, whether it be Jackson, Wynn or Morency (or Grant, I guess).

[Deputy Nutz]

The linebackers for the Eagles are less than average. Spikes is not the same player he was three years ago.

Gocong is having problems playing linebacker and you will only see him probably one maybe two downs in and three down set. He might put his hand down and rush the passer but the eagles have three good pass rushers.

The Tackles are small for the Eagles and that spells good things for the Packers offensive line.

[Joemailman]

This may be a case of the Packers being fortunate to catch the Eagles early. With a complete turnover at LB, there are bound to some growing pains. An article at Sporting News suggested the Packers will likely test those LB's with the passing game. That is probably correct. Look for the Tight Ends to be instrumental in this game.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Look for the Tight Ends to be instrumental in this game.

If Jackson, Wynn, and/or Hall don't hold up in pass protection, you'll likely see the TE in the backfield helping out with pass protection.

[Freak Out]

Look for the Tight Ends to be instrumental in this game.

If Jackson, Wynn, and/or Hall don't hold up in pass protection, you'll likely see the TE in the backfield helping out with pass protection.

This is more than likely to transpire unfortunately...unless the run game really gets going.

[The Leaper]

An article at Sporting News suggested the Packers will likely test those LB's with the passing game. That is probably correct. Look for the Tight Ends to be instrumental in this game.

I agree.

The Eagles KNOW their run defense was poor, and will do what is necessary to support it this week...namely bringing an 8th man up in run support against a Packer pass attack viewed as largely missing a deep threat.

The Packers will have to exploit the deep middle of the Eagle defense to have a chance at victory. We aren't going to just line up and stuff it down Philly's throat in the run game.

[wist43]

I'll be surprised if we can avg 3.5 ypc, and I expect Favre to have a boat load of attempts.

I expect the Packers to be on the wrong end of the field position battle most of the day.

[oregonpackfan]

I believe it is unreasonable to expect a rookie playing his first pro game to do well. Jackson may have to end up watching a major portion of the game from the sidelines.

If he does well, that is great. Realistically, he is bound to make a number of crucial mistakes for his first game as a starter.

[BooHoo]

I do not like the idea of starting a rookie. But it looks like we don't have any other choice.

[Harlan Huckleby]

ya, and a rookie who looked like a rookie in preseason. He came out of college a year early.

I have a hunch Morency is going to play as much Sunday as Jackson, though.

Umm, this was covered in another thread, but Morency's injury has variously been reported as "petelar tendonitus" (which Hodge has) and a "ligament strain". Google sez the more recent local reports are "ligament strain". That should heal OK. I hope he can work his way back to 100%.

[BooHoo]

Yes, I hope he heals soon. We do not have many good options at RB and the more RBs available to play the better.
We will certainly be hurting if our running game smells.