Article - The Eye in the Sky

[MJZiggy]

Trouble on the Horizon

by Eric Baranczyk

This is the second week in a row the Packers offensive line has demonstrated...Read the rest!

[Joemailman]

Well, I haven't studied things as much as Eric has. However, when Ryan Grant has 15 rushes for 20 yards, and the other 2 guys have 8 rushes for 80 yards, I wonder how much of the problems running the ball have to do with the offensive line.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Well, I haven't studied things as much as Eric has. However, when Ryan Grant has 15 rushes for 20 yards, and the other 2 guys have 8 rushes for 80 yards, I wonder how much of the problems running the ball have to do with the offensive line.

A lot.

[boiga]

Wow, great article, Eric. It's great to have some educated analysis on the players who don't get as much press attention. It's extremely comforting to hear that Cole is performing consistently considering our limited depth at DT.

About the offensive line, who isn't performing on running downs and who is? Colledge last year was a horrible in the run game, but my impression so far this year is that while he hasn't been consistent, he is much improved. There is no way he could have made that block on Williams for the Rodgers QB sneak last year. Is Spitz better at center or at right guard? Is Moll be the weak link? And how much will Wells' return this Sunday improve the run blocking?

Well, I haven't studied things as much as Eric has. However, when Ryan Grant has 15 rushes for 20 yards, and the other 2 guys have 8 rushes for 80 yards, I wonder how much of the problems running the ball have to do with the offensive line.

What Eric said was that our run game was successful on stunts, but we couldn't run up the middle when we needed to. The difference is that when Grant was in the backfield, the Lions expected the run. Why would they think we would rely on a guy named Lumpkin when the game was on the line in the 4th quarter?

Lumpkin and Bjack caught them unawares. Grant ran into their waiting arms. We need to be capable of busting through even when they know it's coming. That's the O-Line's job.

[pbmax]

Phenomenal article Eric, thank you. I post this assuming he might be responding. Otherwise ignore my questions.

Two things. Goal line versus Vikings on Rodgers sneak. Both Colledge and Spitz seemed to get a push. Colledge got Pat Williams (I think it was Pat) moving to the offense's right and back. I couldn't believe my eyes on the replay, but it happened. When Spitz held the center-guard gap, it gave Rodgers a clear path to the end zone.

I did notice Colledge's pad level was higher than Williams, at least at the shoulders. Does this mean Colledge is that strong or did Williams take himself out of the play?

Item two: Do you think the inconsistency is the reason Barbre got some reps in the Lions game and both Sitton and Wells are being discussed (at least in the papers) as possible starters on their return?

Thanks again.

[Lurker64]

I'm wondering how much of the troubles we're having here come from having sort of a patchwork offensive line due to injuries to two guys we were counting on for this year. Though Spitz seems like he might be better at C than Wells in terms of "controlling the line of scrimmage" (Spitz is bigger, and seems stronger and more of a brawler), would having an interior of "Spitz Wells (Colledge/Sitton/Moll/Barbre)" help more?

There's really nothing to be done right now about the fact that we don't appear to have good ZBS tackles (Clifton is world class at pass blocking, but he doesn't cut off backside pressure like we probably need them to.)

I'm sort of afraid that, until Clifton retires (a sad day for Packer fans and especially Aaron Rodgers), we're not going to be all that effective at running the ball.

[mission]

Great article.. was disappointed at the end actually.

Ryan Pickett really IS the unsung hero of this team... I'd say Hawk but it's hard for a #5 to go without notice. 79 is a man beast.. like two of them

[Bretsky]

Great article; on D they can't afford to lose Pickett. Good of MM to rest him and get him better during the preseason.

On the Run Offense, this is spot on. Hopefully it will get better

[sheepshead]

For anyone that watches the position more than me or has played it, what are the fundamental issues with guys that can pass block better than anyone and are not quite as good (so far) at run blocking?

[texaspackerbacker]

The article is true about lack of consistently controlling the line of scrimmage. I would suggest, though, these days, no offensive line is all that consistent in that kind of control. The defenses have too much talent, but more than that, there are a bunch of schemes and games that D Lines play which defeat the O Line push as often as not.

And while the claim of lack of consistency may be valid, it is just as true that the O Line has been overall very successful at getting the job done. Get Grant healthy, and suddenly our O Line will seem a lot better. As it is, with a lame Grant and a healthy but not quite as good Brandon Jackson, they STILL are doing enough with the running game that Rodgers can pass without facing all out ignore-the-run type rush and coverage.

And yes, Hawk IS maturing and coming through big time. Part of that, however, is due to some intelligent role reversal by our much-maligned Bob Sanders. He has Hawk--who is more physical--doing more physical stuff against the run and blitzing, while Nick Barnett--who is probably more mobile--dropping into coverage more. Last year it was the other way around, and I, for one, think this year's way is working better.

[sheepshead]

Tex, that's kind of where I was going. It takes a healthy NFL running back to gain yards in the NFL , no matter how big the holes are.

[Guiness]

Good read about the OL.

I'm not an OL guy, and know even less about how to run the ZBS, so I don't know what you can do about a problem like he describes. Seems to me though that with the WR corp we have, and an RB who is prone to breaking the long one, the answer is to go pass heavy like we did in the past, and do a lot of play action. Get the D co-ord thinking nickel packages on first down, and the run game will come.

[Cleft Crusty]

Although Cleft Crusty is not one to question playcalling, I have to wonder if Eric thinks that the O-line is superior at pass protection, then possibly one way to open up the running game is to go against tendencies, passing on running downs, and running in passing situation, to a certain extent. The Packers seemed to telegraph the run somewhat against Detroit. The second related point would be to recognize that if the pass is working, you don't need to run the ball. Force the defense to stop your pass and the running lanes ought to open up. Still, Eric is right: the actual, individual blocking must improve.

[Goat]

Eye in the Sky

Great responses, it is nice to talk with educated people.

Here is the deal with the OL that makes my skin crawl. How can they continue to waste draft picks and can't get anyone to block. Christ just get in the way once and awhile. They are never going to be 100% but if you can get 75% that is pretty good.

They make the same mistakes over and over and never seem to be able to learn. My blame at this time has to fall on Coach Campen's shoulders. He sees the same thing we do...

As far as running backs go, put LT, Bryant Westbrook, or AP on the Packers and their production will fall. YOU need to be able to run and if there is ZERO daylight and no where to cut back (even in NICKEL) then you might as well pass it all day and thumb your nose at the D. Run 3-4 wides and keep your best blocking back in and throw. forget about even trying to run. run a draw in the fourth quarter and call it a day!

Don't confuse the ability of the Backs to make a big play as a successful running game. That shows the back have talent. BJack and the rest. There is no where to run. Imagine if they could get some movement on 75% of their running plays what kind of sick yards those backs would put up... The backs aren't the problem. Take away all runs over 20 yards and where are you?? if you average 2 yards a carry and rely on the explosive play, you end up watching the super bowl like last year.

We will see sunday, if they are ready to step it up. If they could run consistantly, on sunday the Lions never make the comeback. Thank god for Benzcain and Charles Woodson or it could have be shameful.

-the EYE in the SKY!

[boiga]

Re: Eye in the Sky

Welcome to the forum Goat. (you are Eric, right?)

If you were Campen, what would you do to rectify the situation? Is the problem personnel, system, or individual mental errors?

If personnel is the issue, how would Wells and Sitton effect this equation?

I agree that there is a problem here. It seems the only way to gain 1 yard is the recently rediscovered QB sneak. Can these guys improve or do we need to overhaul the system?