Strategy for GB vs MN

[Fritz]

Maybe someone can catch the ball 40 yards downfield and run it back until it's a 12 yard gain.

Or maybe the blocking can get better and the runs can go for a higher average.

[The Shadow]

Maybe someone can catch the ball 40 yards downfield and run it back until it's a 12 yard gain.
Or maybe the blocking can get better and the runs can go for a higher average.

That would solve the problem!

[gbgary]

strategy for the upcoming game? simple...run on first-down as usual (up the gut for three or less yards), then a negitive play resulting in a loss of yardage (either a strung-out run toward a sideline or sack), then go deep (keeping our fingers crossed for a catch or some sort of defensive penalty), then either repeat this sequence or punt. the 45-55 yard field-goals are key. our defense must stay on the field for at least three first-downs (this keeps the offense rested and fresh). we must continue to rely on the miracle offensive play and/or the defensive turn-over for a touchdown.

[Fritz]

Don't be so upbeat, GBGary.

[swede]

strategy for the upcoming game? simple...run on first-down as usual (up the gut for three or less yards), then a negitive play resulting in a loss of yardage (either a strung-out run toward a sideline or sack), then go deep (keeping our fingers crossed for a catch or some sort of defensive penalty), then either repeat this sequence or punt. the 45-55 yard field-goals are key. our defense must stay on the field for at least three first-downs (this keeps the offense rested and fresh). we must continue to rely on the miracle offensive play and/or the defensive turn-over for a touchdown.

Reminds me of old school 70's Packer football, when the leading scorer was a kicker and Jimmy Carter was both a middle linebacker and an obscure peanut farmer.

Run for one. Run for two. Incomplete pass. Punt. Repeat.

[Harlan Huckleby]

i say it all comes down to blocking and tackling.

[denverYooper]

i say it all comes down to blocking and tackling.

Ahhh, reminds me of courting my wife.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I approve of your caveman approach to romance. Pad level is everything.

[Fritz]

Uh, knee bend, too. Knee bend.

[sharpe1027]

Uh, knee bend, too. Knee bend.

Aye. Knee bend is the means to the end. Bend the knees to get the desired pad level. A sure fire way to a 16-0 season.

[wist43]

Well, obviously they have to run the ball effectively... but even if the run game were firing on all cylinders, that is a tough task against Minn.

Our TE's aren't much for run blocking, and man for man our OL can't move their DL... so 2 TE sets will probably be ineffective.

That leaves you with spreading em out with 3-4 WR sets... 3 step drop, short rhythm passes to loosen their defense up, get the LB's to drop out a bit, then run in behind that.

If MM thinks he can line up in 3-4 WR sets, and start heaving the rock downfield, it will be "Katie bar the door".

Defensively, they need to concentrate on AP... forget about Favre. Give them a lot of presnap movement; run blitz, zone blitz, and blitz some more... always with an eye on taking AP out of the game. Make Favre beat you.

In the end... don't see how they win this game. Minnesota has better all around talent, is playing better now, and is the more physical team.

[Fritz]

I would dearly love to see the packers win, and if they do not it will pain me for about a week. It will hurt.

In the larger picture, what may be almost as important as winning is improvement. What if the Packers battle to the end, it's tight, there is clear improvement on both sides of the ball against a team that the pundits - at the moment - adore? What if this occurs and the team suffers no big injuries?

It the team plays tough and smart and improves yet loses, then all will not be lost. The team gets a bye and IF it beats two teams it seems more talented than - the Browns and Lions, I think - then how will people feel in three and a half weeks, when the team is 4-2?

That's a scenario that I've painted to try to show that this is NOT a be-all or end-all game for this team in terms of winning and losing.

But it is - I believe - a be-all and end-all game in terms of improvement. If this team absolutely flounders - offensive line a sieve, defense defenseless, the game a pounding, the penalties a-mounting - then this team with that game calls into question the entire McCarthy coaching regime, and beyond the Thompson's assessment of talent.

So it's a big game in that regard.

Having said that, I do so want the Packers to win. And most people would agree with Wist - they see no way, they see Minnesota as superior.

I don't. I think the Packers match up. They can win.

[pbmax]

In the end... don't see how they win this game. Minnesota has better all around talent, is playing better now, and is the more physical team.

You do know that people have been repeating this exact breakdown since 2006. And in that time, the Packers have won 5 of 6.

5 of 6 is a small sample size. But its also possible that this critique needs a reevaluation. The supposed Vikings edges are either not as great as we imagine or not as important.

Might depend a great deal on the QB.

[pbmax]

strategy for the upcoming game? simple...run on first-down as usual (up the gut for three or less yards), then a negitive play resulting in a loss of yardage (either a strung-out run toward a sideline or sack), then go deep (keeping our fingers crossed for a catch or some sort of defensive penalty), then either repeat this sequence or punt. the 45-55 yard field-goals are key. our defense must stay on the field for at least three first-downs (this keeps the offense rested and fresh). we must continue to rely on the miracle offensive play and/or the defensive turn-over for a touchdown.

Don't make me go to the Game Book again gary. McCarthy was calling it even on first downs until he had a two score lead in the fourth. At least in the Rams game.

[Fritz]

Facts = Inconvenient

Gets in the way of what I know is true.