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The Green Bay Packers are challenging some of their running backs with the zone-blocking scheme installed by new coach Mike McCarthy and new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.
Samkon Gado, who was impressive as rookie free agent last season when injuries to Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport gave him a chance to play, has struggled with it so much that lesser talented Noah Herron managed to move ahead of him on the depth chart during offseason workouts.
In zone blocking, where two or three offensive linemen are working in combination to block a certain area while double-teaming a particular defensive lineman on the move, it is vital for the back to quickly explode to the heels of the linemen and know precisely when, how, and where to make the proper cut behind the center.
This takes plenty of practice, and it could take some time before all of the backs and linemen are comfortable with the scheme.
Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com
Samkon Gado, who was impressive as rookie free agent last season when injuries to Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport gave him a chance to play, has struggled with it so much that lesser talented Noah Herron managed to move ahead of him on the depth chart during offseason workouts.
In zone blocking, where two or three offensive linemen are working in combination to block a certain area while double-teaming a particular defensive lineman on the move, it is vital for the back to quickly explode to the heels of the linemen and know precisely when, how, and where to make the proper cut behind the center.
This takes plenty of practice, and it could take some time before all of the backs and linemen are comfortable with the scheme.
Vic Carucci
National Editor, NFL.com
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