Being Offensive

[pbmax]

Need views on the status of the offense.

Did it improve or get worse?

What adjustments did you see?

Jennings for Nelson. Good trade?


Overall I say its a wash, with some hopeful signs.

Saw the O regularly feature a shallower receiver that Rodgers still avoided regularly, though he did complete a few here to be fair. Saw a couple of good screen attempts. These will continue to be successful as long as Ds attack the O Tackles and play 2 deep. Both Starks and Green, whatever their other shortcomings, can run this play better than, say, Brandon Jackson.

Barclay, no matter what M3 said, changed the play calling for the better. Even if he just forced M3 to use the other side of his sheet, it was good.

Jennings for Nelson will be OK when Jennings gets his wind back. He also survived a couple of decent hints. Would have loved seeing him work middle but Rodgers isn't throwing there much.

Finally, Finley. Not sure his drops are behind him a he dropped another and Bubba Franked another (bounce off one hand, bobble, two handed clutch, constant fear of drop/fumble all the way to the ground). But the rest of the offensive disarray seems to have convinced the coach and QB to keep throwing him the ball which is probably the only way he breaks out of this. Like a flooded motorcycle, the only way to fix/cure him is to pour gas on him til he ignites*.


*Not a joke about self-immolation. A normally aspirated motorcycle carburetor, when flooded, can often be started by cranking the accelerator full bore and kick starting. Of course, you should then change the oil.

[denverYooper]

I think Jennings for Nelson is an upgrade right now. My totally unsubstantiated hand-wavy theory on Jennings is that he makes those "plays when they need a play" -- mostly in the form of 3rd down receptions. His reception at the sticks at the front end of the 11-play clock killer is the most recent example. During the SB run, he seemed to come up with 1 per game. Cobb has some of that in him too, but Jennings is the original in this offense.

[sharpe1027]

I'm not saying Jennings is necessarily "better" than Nelson, but I think the Packers have less of a drop off with Nelson out than with Jennings when you compare their respective replacements.

Although he has a history of disappearing for stretches of time, Jones does a respectable Nelson impression (big body that also threatens DBs down field). Jennings offers the precision route running and deep seam threat that no other receiver has right now. Driver used to be a reasonable substitute for Jennings, but not anymore.

[Guiness]

*Not a joke about self-immolation. A normally aspirated motorcycle carburetor, when flooded, can often be started by cranking the accelerator full bore and kick starting. Of course, you should then change the oil.

Yup, works like a dream. Equally well for pre-86 Ford F150 pickups sporting a 5.8L (351cu in) engine. Mat it and hold the starter till it 'FIRED'.

[sharpe1027]

Yup, works like a dream. Equally well for pre-86 Ford F150 pickups sporting a 5.8L (351cu in) engine. Mat it and hold the starter till it 'FIRED'.

It also works well for a '76 Chevy Nova. (Of course, I would not know from personal experience because, on the Internet, I am nowhere near old enough to know that).

[woodbuck27]

Need views on the status of the offense.

Did it improve or get worse?

What adjustments did you see?

Jennings for Nelson. Good trade?


Overall I say its a wash, with some hopeful signs.

Saw the O regularly feature a shallower receiver that Rodgers still avoided regularly, though he did complete a few here to be fair. Saw a couple of good screen attempts. These will continue to be successful as long as Ds attack the O Tackles and play 2 deep. Both Starks and Green, whatever their other shortcomings, can run this play better than, say, Brandon Jackson.

Barclay, no matter what M3 said, changed the play calling for the better. Even if he just forced M3 to use the other side of his sheet, it was good.

Jennings for Nelson will be OK when Jennings gets his wind back. He also survived a couple of decent hints. Would have loved seeing him work middle but Rodgers isn't throwing there much.

Finally, Finley. Not sure his drops are behind him a he dropped another and Bubba Franked another (bounce off one hand, bobble, two handed clutch, constant fear of drop/fumble all the way to the ground). But the rest of the offensive disarray seems to have convinced the coach and QB to keep throwing him the ball which is probably the only way he breaks out of this. Like a flooded motorcycle, the only way to fix/cure him is to pour gas on him til he ignites*.


*Not a joke about self-immolation. A normally aspirated motorcycle carburetor, when flooded, can often be started by cranking the accelerator full bore and kick starting. Of course, you should then change the oil.

Wow ! Who knew that pbmax is a hard ass'd biker. Rrrrruuuummmm !

[Patler]

Like a flooded motorcycle, the only way to fix/cure him is to pour gas on him til he ignites*.


*Not a joke about self-immolation. A normally aspirated motorcycle carburetor, when flooded, can often be started by cranking the accelerator full bore and kick starting. Of course, you should then change the oil.

"Back in the day" that was how we attempted to start any flooded engine, and flooding was not uncommon.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I think Jennings is an upgrade over Nelson as Jennings is a better route runner, IMO. He runs a cleaner route and has a better chance of getting open.

Jennings should be able to get back into shape fairly quickly, especially if he gets back into the Old Spice routine.

The running game showed a big improvement and it was something that was good all game long. THAT is what really made me happy. Starks ran with power and Green ran with some conviction.

I think this is a watershed game. Crosby hitting clutch FGs and Finley catching passes and making plays cannot be just coincidence. It means everything is coming together.

[denverYooper]

I think Jennings is an upgrade over Nelson as Jennings is a better route runner, IMO. He runs a cleaner route and has a better chance of getting open.

Jennings should be able to get back into shape fairly quickly, especially if he gets back into the Old Spice routine.

The running game showed a big improvement and it was something that was good all game long. THAT is what really made me happy. Starks ran with power and Green ran with some conviction.

I think this is a watershed game. Crosby hitting clutch FGs and Finley catching passes and making plays cannot be just coincidence. It means everything is coming together.

Thus spoke the Oracle Rat. And so it shall be.

[swede]

...

the rest of the offensive disarray seems to have convinced the coach and QB to keep throwing him [Finley] the ball which is probably the only way he breaks out of this. Like a flooded motorcycle, the only way to fix/cure him is to pour gas on him til he ignites*.


*Not a joke about self-immolation. A normally aspirated motorcycle carburetor, when flooded, can often be started by cranking the accelerator full bore and kick starting. Of course, you should then change the oil.

Did you get this from "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" or "Just Give Me the Damn Ball"?

[ThunderDan]

Need views on the status of the offense.
Jennings for Nelson will be OK when Jennings gets his wind back. He also survived a couple of decent hints. Would have loved seeing him work middle but Rodgers isn't throwing there much.

I think we both noted in the game day thread that WRs and TEs were breaking open across the middle on short throws but that ARod was going somewhere else with the ball.

[woodbuck27]

We won that game 23-14 and until Mason Crosby's 47 yard FG trailed 14-10 on a long Aaron Rodgers ** pass and amazing catch by WR James Jones and a Mason Crosby 30 yard FG.

** Look at that play. Again we saw LT Marshall Newhouse allow a Vikings defender to get around him and that man and another Viking defender almost sacked AR; forcing him up into the pocket and just in the nick of time.... get that rocket pass to James Jones off. That was very nearly a sack as our OL failed to contain a pass rush again. Take that outstanding play away and we're minus seven points and that game is tied, as all else went.

Add this into the analysis.

We got a rare six points with a James Starks rush around the right edge and down the sidelines. Our first rushing TD in seven games and in somewhat dramatic fashion for our team. Take that rushing TD away and trade it for another Mason Crosby FG and we lose four more points (in exchange) and given the above 7+4 = 11. 23-11=12 and the score could easily have been Vikings 14 - Packers 12 and a loss at home.

We got three FG's in four attempts (that miss was 'out to lunch' too long a try IMO) from a kicker who is struggling to find some confidence.

Just before that FG it appeared to me that our play was again lack luster. Our tackling was poor (again) like last season. Recall AP's long run down the left side line for six and the futile attempts of the packer 'D' to tackle him. Tackle him...they couldn't corner or catch up to him for any decent chances. Granted this is the best RB in the NFL this season and he's never been easy to bring down.

Third down efficiency was 9/16 or 56%.

We got Greg Jennings back in some limited capascity and saw Jordy Nelson forced out to the locker room. Hopefully what appeared to me as a hammy strain for Jordy Nelson isn't serious.

On a plus side. I was pleased that Aaron Rodgers didn't quit on TE Jermichael Finley after an early flubbed pass. Finley made some good plays for our offense (6 receptions for 60 yards and a long of 21 yards). We also saw Aaron Rodgers look to and hit players in the slot ie Randall Cobb. Our leading receiver with 60 yards on 6 catchs. I'm still not sure if AR is using his checkdowns properly and not going with the blinders on but time will tell us the answer there.

A real plus. We got production from our RB's (Starks and Green) team total rushing for 152 yards and one TD. We need to see more of that as our OL is or we will not compete with solid teams. The two teams that go to the Super Bowl will have one thing in common. Both will be solid in all aspects of the game.

Overall I'm just so glad we did enough to secure this huge win Vs the Vikings. That team will not finish this season on a losing streak if they use AP to ensure wins. He was unstopable yesterday and somehow his HC ( Frazier) IMO, under utilized Adrian Peterson. That man can be a one man wrecking crew.

GO PACKERS !

[swede]

I liked the point about Starks' TD, Woody. Big Mo is an important ally.

Ever since Cleft Crusty hooked you up with his Canadian pharmacist your posts have been fizzing with clarity.

[woodbuck27]

I liked the point about Starks' TD, Woody. Big Mo is an important ally.

Ever since Cleft Crusty hooked you up with his Canadian pharmacist your posts have been fizzing with clarity.

Thanks Swede but lately I've been employing a new option.

I edit my posts before submitting them. It's not a miracle.

GO PACKERS !

[RashanGary]

Jennings > Nelson IMO. Gets off the line better. Runs great routes. Seam down the middle was vintage AR/GJ. Nelson and Jones will benefit from Jennings presence..

Jennings is your #1. Green and Starks are the RB. 3 perimeter spots are going to be shared between Nelson, Jones, Cobb, Finley, Kuhn, Crabtree and DJ Williams. Might have to shelve someone, probably Williams. Nelson probably plays every snap when he's healthy. He's our best blocking WR and a good receiving weapon. That leaves Cobb, Jones and Finley fighting for 1 spot. . . . How do you split that up? It's going to be crazy.

Barclay better than I expected. Nasty run blocker. Lang at LG seems like it could be the way to go.