The Packers Running game

[bobblehead]

Re: The Packers Running game

And - Didn't we also conclude that Bulaga, Spitz, Lang, College and Wells are better run blockers than pass blockers, and more ideally suited to a power running game?

I don't think you'd classify Spitz, Lang, Colledge, and Wells as better suited for the power running game. None of them have the size you want out OL for a power running game. It's too early to tell on Bulaga. I'm also not sure that these guys are better run blockers than pass blockers. With some of them, I think the opposite is true.

You don't need size to run block, you need it to pass block. The denver OL that ran over us in the superbowl was small, but played with great leverage (read pad level so I can satisfy MM).

[pbmax]

I just don't agree with M3's philosophy, sure, they have great receivers and they often gain a lot of yards after the catch, but Super Bowl contenders have a balanced offense, he's going to need the running game when the snow is flying and Lambeau gets sloppy. Lombardi knew that, it made them champions.

Super Bowl contenders do not have balanced offenses. The vast majority of the last decade of Super Bowl winners have been pass happy. Even before that, the Ravens were a singular instance running against the grain of Super Bowl winners passing more.

Balance is an poor goal for an offense because it is too general. You need to know how to put pressure on and succeed against a defense based not only on its weaknesses, but of your own strengths. Offenses need first downs, any way they can get them.

During the game, McCarthy, probably by design in the game plan, had a pass heavy plan against a poor secondary. But once they had the lead on the road well into the second half, he should have adjusted. To help the D and to eat clock. His 4 minute offense, I believe, is designed to do that. He should have extended its principals to the end of the 3rd Quarter. This was the problem with not running more. Not balance.

There was evidence of this. The screen to Jackson on the offense's right was wide open, with Wells needing to block one player. That one player put Wells on the ground and tackled (or held up) Jackson for next to nothing. It was a perfect clock killer and they failed to execute it. It should have been a near first down.

Overall, I still rank running game problems (McCarthy's and the talent's) behind penalties shorter passing game and Special Teams. Its possible there is no fix at this point in the season for Special Teams, so the running game might be third.

[pbmax]

I just don't agree with M3's philosophy, sure, they have great receivers and they often gain a lot of yards after the catch, but Super Bowl contenders have a balanced offense, he's going to need the running game when the snow is flying and Lambeau gets sloppy. Lombardi knew that, it made them champions.

What about Holmgren's Packers? Did they pass less in the cold and snow? Or did they run with a lead?

[pbmax]

By the way, while the Packers were losing in the second half, they won the TOP battle.

So consider this, today's exercise in logic:

The best offenses often have less TOP than average to good offenses. Why is that?

[Joemailman]

I just don't agree with M3's philosophy, sure, they have great receivers and they often gain a lot of yards after the catch, but Super Bowl contenders have a balanced offense, he's going to need the running game when the snow is flying and Lambeau gets sloppy. Lombardi knew that, it made them champions.

What about Holmgren's Packers? Did they pass less in the cold and snow? Or did they run with a lead?

In the 1996-97 playofffs, the Packers ran the ball 39 times and passed it 15 against the 49ers on a cold, wet day.In the NFC Title Game against the Panthers on a bitterly cold day, they ran the ball 45 times and passed it 29. I don't have the play-by-play to tell what the breakdown was in the 2nd half with a lead.

In the dome at the Super Bowl, they ran it 36 and passed it 27. My recollection is that Holmgren would often shut down the passing game if he had more than a touchdown lead in the 4th quarter.

[pbmax]

I just don't agree with M3's philosophy, sure, they have great receivers and they often gain a lot of yards after the catch, but Super Bowl contenders have a balanced offense, he's going to need the running game when the snow is flying and Lambeau gets sloppy. Lombardi knew that, it made them champions.

What about Holmgren's Packers? Did they pass less in the cold and snow? Or did they run with a lead?

In the 1996-97 playofffs, the Packers ran the ball 39 times and passed it 15 against the 49ers on a cold, wet day.In the NFC Title Game against the Panthers on a bitterly cold day, they ran the ball 45 times and passed it 29. I don't have the play-by-play to tell what the breakdown was in the 2nd half with a lead.

In the dome at the Super Bowl, they ran it 36 and passed it 27. My recollection is that Holmgren would often shut down the passing game if he had more than a touchdown lead in the 4th quarter.

If he had the lead. That is the important part. And it is the part McCarthy forgot about last Sunday. I will amend my statement to include mud as a mitigating factor in the passing game if the 49er game is the one I remember.