More Banjo: Week 5 Lions Aftermath

[Brandon494]

Its clearly a combination of both, O-line is blocking better and we don't have Green or Kuhn running the ball this year.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I don't think anyone is arguing that a RB can function without an OL. The question is what makes your running game marginally better. The same old RB and an improved OL? Or the same old OL and an improved RB. I say RB. Minn has the same old OL whether its Toby Gerhardt or AP at RB. Why do they let AP have most of the carries?

[Fritz]

Speaking of Banjo - which I thought this thread was - how'd he play? I watch the games more like a fan, so I don't really follow particular players.

All I know is that a free agent guy has beaten out Jerron McMillan for the backup safety spot. Doh~!

If the lights don't go on for McMillan next training camp, I think he'll be long gone.

[Fritz]

I don't think anyone is arguing that a RB can function without an OL. The question is what makes your running game marginally better. The same old RB and an improved OL? Or the same old OL and an improved RB. I say RB. Minn has the same old OL whether its Toby Gerhardt or AP at RB. Why do they let AP have most of the carries?

I think the offensive line in Minny plays magically better when AP has the ball. It's the o-line, Maxi. Your mom could run behind a good o-line, and she probably can't even run.

[Guiness]

Anyone hear why CJ Wilson was out for the game? That surprised me, I thought he'd been a solid presence. Was he a healthy scratch?

[Fritz]

I think so. That's the second time this season he's been a healthy scratch. Weird, huh?

[pbmax]

More Banjo - yes about Banjo but also about postgame effluvia in general. Answering questions the game or commentary raised, etc.

Banjo did play but his biggest moment was a personal foul I think. Only saw dime snaps at deep safety. Doc Jennings was busy not tackling deep in base and nickel, McMillan was dime slot CB.

CJ Wilson was inactive because Packers wanted to run jumbo nickel (Raji/Pickett) and did not expect to play much base thereby reducing need to relieve Jolly.

I think Starks success points to the O line being the difference.

[pbmax]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-packers-vs-the-lions-b99115036z1-226852321.html

Bob weighs in. No blitz percentages so Harlan and I will have to continue to disagree unless someone has a subscription to Pro Football Focus.

Best games according to Bob? Crosby, Masthay and the O Line. Only Bach showed serious signs of struggle (charged with allowing 5 pressures).

Worst games? Not so Special Teams and the Secondary.

Point of contention? Dinging Lacy for going down easy on frontal shots by safeties. I remember two of those and he went down because he was dragging along a hitchhiking defender when he was about to be popped.

[pbmax]

A complete primer on 4th down calls.

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/62665328/

Be careful, the fullback dive receives a favorable review.

[hoosier]

Both. Lean goes to RB this year.

Ain't no lean in that backfield this year, son.

[hoosier]

I don't think anyone is arguing that a RB can function without an OL. The question is what makes your running game marginally better. The same old RB and an improved OL? Or the same old OL and an improved RB. I say RB. Minn has the same old OL whether its Toby Gerhardt or AP at RB. Why do they let AP have most of the carries?

I would like to argue that. My first and last piece of evidence is Barry Sanders.

As for the marginal improvement matter, Peterson's success compared with Gerhart suggests it's the running back, but then how do you explain the fact that Ahman Green's success in the Sherman years was pretty much duplicated (YPC with fewer carries of course) by lesser backs like Davenport and Fisher?

[hoosier]

Point of contention? Dinging Lacy for going down easy on frontal shots by safeties. I remember two of those and he went down because he was dragging along a hitchhiking defender when he was about to be popped.

I have to agree with McGinn, there were several times in the first half when Lacy went backwards or got stopped dead by the safety, and I didn't see him dragging any riff raff when he got hit.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Bob weighs in. No blitz percentages so Harlan and I will have to continue to disagree unless someone has a subscription to Pro Football Focus.

All I have on my side of the argument are the facts. I fast-forwarded through the whole game tape, and the Packers rushed 5 or 6 significantly more often than they rushed 4. I count 5 rushers as a blitz. If I was wrong I would not admit it, I would quietly drop the subject. But no need to hide on this one.

[swede]

I have to agree with McGinn, there were several times in the first half when Lacy went backwards or got stopped dead by the safety, and I didn't see him dragging any riff raff when he got hit.

He may need some time to get his head right over having his head wrong. I agree that his last game produced tape with enough correctable errors for him to look at and consider that he could still do better.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I would like to argue that. My first and last piece of evidence is Barry Sanders.

As for the marginal improvement matter, Peterson's success compared with Gerhart suggests it's the running back, but then how do you explain the fact that Ahman Green's success in the Sherman years was pretty much duplicated (YPC with fewer carries of course) by lesser backs like Davenport and Fisher?

Maybe they weren't really "lesser backs." Or maybe the sample size ain't big enough. Damn statistics!!!!