2016 in Review, Bob's Grades for the Packers

[pbmax]

We can break all the other stuff down later. But I did not want to lose this:

Aaron Nagler @AaronNagler 22h22 hours ago
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Incredible note from @BobMcGinn: Opponents blitzed on 23.7% of passes in '16, lowest against GB in at least 20 years

http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2017/01/28/mcginn-2016-packers-team-grades/97137244/

[red]

yet a-rod was running around even more then usual

[pbmax]

yet a-rod was running around even more then usual

In most offensive systems, having to wait 9 seconds for someone to come open would be considered a bug. In Green Bay, its a feature.

I wonder if its a conscious reaction to the move away from Driver and Jennings to Nelson and Jones?

[red]

i said before and i'll keep saying it

the year after the super bowl, at training camp, they had a giant shot clock like device. it counted down down 2.5 seconds then a horn would go off

the clock started at the snap, a-rod had 2.5 seconds to get the ball out. we went 15-1 that year

why the massive change away from that kind of thinking?

[Cheesehead Craig]

i said before and i'll keep saying it

the year after the super bowl, at training camp, they had a Giant shock clock like device. it counted down dowm 2.5 seconds then a horn would go off

the clock started at the snap, a-rod had 2.5 seconds to get the ball out. we went 15-1 that year

why the massive change away from that kind of thinking?

He started dating Olivia and she wanted someone who could last longer and be more creative.

[vince]

i said before and i'll keep saying it

the year after the super bowl, at training camp, they had a Giant shock clock like device. it counted down dowm 2.5 seconds then a horn would go off

the clock started at the snap, a-rod had 2.5 seconds to get the ball out. we went 15-1 that year

why the massive change away from that kind of thinking?

It's been a unique evolution that adds onto conventional west coast ideas (quick strike short passing game) to increasingly leverage the greatest competitive advantage the Packers have - Rodgers' unique ability to see the field, move both in and out of the pocket, and deliver the ball downfield with amazing accuracy and velocity - whether stationary or on the move.

When they have a reasonable complement of healthy receivers and pass protectors, it's pretty lethal. You should check it out it's a lot of fun to watch.

[pbmax]

When they have a reasonable complement of healthy receivers and pass protectors, it's pretty lethal. You should check it out it's a lot of fun to watch.

It is. But there are two problems;

1. He takes a lot of abuse and needs to run at times, subjecting himself to more stress and risk

2. Sometimes, that offense flat fails, as it did versus pressure in the first half versus Atlanta

[texaspackerbacker]

The obvious difference between the 2.5 seconds and the 9+ seconds is O Line blocking. I'm not nearly as much against our O Line this year as in the past, because they got damn good at scramble blocking and allowing Rodgers those 9+ seconds. Unfortunately, however, our O Line was like a sieve in letting pass rushers through in the first place. Aaron Rodgers the great majority of the time NEEDED to run for his life, reset, maybe run for his life again, then finally get rid of the ball. I watched Bakhtiari in the Pro Bowl yesterday, and he kinda stuck out like a sore thumb in terms of letting pass rushers through. Contrast the Packers situation with Tom Brady in the most extreme case, but really with almost any other team's QB in terms of time until the rushers are on the QB. If Aaron Rodgers had that kind of time, or even if he had a clean 2.5 seconds, he'd be a lot better even than he is - and he's already the best in the history of the NFL.

[vince]

It is. But there are two problems;

1. He takes a lot of abuse and needs to run at times, subjecting himself to more stress and risk

2. Sometimes, that offense flat fails, as it did versus pressure in the first half versus Atlanta

It's football. I'll be very surprised if Rodgers doesn't play at a high level well into his late 30's. Plus he's a pretty big weapon running too - particularly when he sees man coverage. He's also good at getting out of bounds and sliding to take advantage of the QB protection rules that have been introduced.

I'm not gonna defend against hand-picked instances of players' failure to execute. They all get beat at one time or another or miss a blindside blitz on occasion. Identifying only the failures doesn't negate the overwhelming success. The Packers offense was lethal very consistently against the league's best defenses for an extended period. The offense works and it works very well when the don't turn it over, miss scoring opportunities and/or miss blocking assignments.

Plus, they have the short quick-hit timing attack in their arsenal when they need it. In fact they used it when Cook was out and Jordy's knee was still stiff to get/keep things moving early on. It so happens that Rodgers' ability to get the ball on the money farther downfield is more consistently explosive and productive. (Please don't handpick the exceptions again. Every offense has drives that don't produce - every game.)

[vince]

The Packers were 15th best sacks allowed and 11th best in QB hits allowed this year so its light years from a David Carr or RGIII situation.

[vince]

Unfortunately, however, our O Line was like a sieve in letting pass rushers through in the first place. Aaron Rodgers the great majority of the time NEEDED to run for his life, reset, maybe run for his life again, then finally get rid of the ball.

Are you talking about this year?

[texaspackerbacker]

Are you talking about this year?

Absolutely. They let 'em right through horribly. The difference, though, is they have gotten good at scrambling around and allowing Rodgers to scramble around. Letting 'em through is why Rodgers needs to dance around for 9+ seconds so much. The O Line, however, at least helps him do that dancing. Last year, the badness was there without much of the goodness.

[Pugger]

Absolutely. They let 'em right through horribly. The difference, though, is they have gotten good at scrambling around and allowing Rodgers to scramble around. Letting 'em through is why Rodgers needs to dance around for 9+ seconds so much. The O Line, however, at least helps him do that dancing. Last year, the badness was there without much of the goodness.

So our O line only looks competent because Rodgers can escape pass rushers so well?

IMO the reason why AR had to hold onto the ball so long is our WRs had problems getting open...

[texaspackerbacker]

So our O line only looks competent because Rodgers can escape pass rushers so well?

IMO the reason why AR had to hold onto the ball so long is our WRs had problems getting open...

Yeah, that was the other half of the problem for half or so of the season. Jordy getting better and Cook playing, etc. fixed it for the most part during the win streak. The hard pass rush and escapability thing was still there, but at least he had people to throw to then.

[Deputy Nutz]

So our O line only looks competent because Rodgers can escape pass rushers so well?

IMO the reason why AR had to hold onto the ball so long is our WRs had problems getting open...

Yes and no. Rodgers at times had open receivers on the cut but the ball would remain in his hands. I think at time he gets locked on to a route pre-snap and when that route doesn't open up he has missed the other routes that do come open. Rodgers holds onto the ball longer than most quarterbacks, that is apparently his thing, I don't think it is fair to put all the blame on a pretty decent receivers corp. Aaron is a high percentage tosser, he will use the sideline to limit INTs, but rarely will he throw to receiver that has less than two steps on a defensive back. He would rather hold on to the ball, take some sack rather than utilize the pocket and make contested throws. It works until it doesn't, it's even hard for me to argue his strategy when it comes to his production.