2020 Wide Receivers

[pbmax]

I think a lot of the problem was Rodgers... whenever they showed all22, guys were open, but Rodgers was hyper-focused on Adams.

Rodgers will be gone after the '21 season though, so develop the young guys and see what ya got.

This is the problem with a vet QB. Its one of the hallmarks of "things won't end well" QB careers (unless you are damn Elway).

They need to corral this to help the offense. Brady talked about doing this too, just rejecting certain WR as not trustworthy. You need receivers they trust and you have to get them to bend too.

Flower Power got a run game last year (it was more inside than he would prefer but still) but Rodgers was running a lot of the extended offense (11 personnel) especially when they were behind (see all games in California).

I still am holding a grudge against the big slot personnel preference. Remember this pre-dates LaFleur (see 3 WR draft) and Flower Power has used small receivers before. I hold Gute responsible for this poor choice in personnel acquisition.

[RashanGary]

I do expect lazard, MVS and EQ to have the best years of their careers and AR to have a huge return to glory year.

[texaspackerbacker]

+ 1, RG. And don't forget Aaron Jones having a stellar contract season.

I'm not nearly as optimistic about the D, though.

[Radagast]

The GB offense now, even with Rodgers at QB, will be geared more to the running game. Jones, Dillon, and Williams I predict will platoon at RB and I believe will set the pace of the offense. That said, defenses will have to pay more respect to the run. This should take some of the pressure off the passing game. WRs should do better this season, but I still feel that personal changes at WR are not finished.

[ThunderDan]

Packers were 42/58 run/pass in 2019.
49ers were 51/49 run/pass in 2019.

Most teams are running around 1,000 plays a season.

If the Packers got to a more 50/50 split we are talking 5 to 6 running plays more per game.

[RashanGary]

Packers were 42/58 run/pass in 2019.
49ers were 51/49 run/pass in 2019.

Most teams are running around 1,000 plays a season.

If the Packers got to a more 50/50 split we are talking 5 to 6 running plays more per game.

I would expect something like 46/54 run/pass. I do expect the pass game to be more productive. Lazard and MVS both in second year in the offense and both should be on a more common page with 12 from day 1.

Funchess and EQ are kind of bonuses. This years Lazard and MVS are already paper upgrades over last years versions of themselves.

With the running back depth being improved, the WRs being more experienced and game ready. The OL being more in tune with the offense. I will be surprised if they're not better in every way.

[mraynrand]

Improved first down running will be the key to the entire offense.

[RashanGary]

Improved first down running will be the key to the entire offense.

Pretty much. Domino effect from there.

The gains in the WR group could make for an equally potent run and pass attack. The offense has a chance to be pretty good.

[pbmax]

Improved first down running will be the key to the entire offense.

I am sorry, did you say stop running on first down so much?

[mraynrand]

I am sorry, did you say stop running on first down so much?

While that's funny, there's probably some truth to it, but from the opposite angle: If you show you can run on first down, you strengthen play action significantly, so you pass more and run less.

[pbmax]

While that's funny, there's probably some truth to it, but from the opposite angle: If you show you can run on first down, you strengthen play action significantly, so you pass more and run less.

Agreed. But I would like them to do whatever works best on first down and then be free to break tendency or go away from that on second down.

Unless its third and short, 3rd downs are always schemed for passing (even 75/25 split would be weird to see here). Unless you run like the 49ers or Titans.

I just don't see this line winning at a better rate on runs on first down in 2020. Getting Taylor the start at RG might help. But Ricky Bobby at RT might offset that.

[texaspackerbacker]

Improved first down running will be the key to the entire offense.

No no no. Running on first down is basically wasting a down most of the time. Even if you gain 3 or 4 or even 5 yards, 2nd and 5, 6, or 7 is not significantly easier than 2nd and 10. The way to use the running game is as a change of pace - pass, pass, pass, then when they get conditioned to the pass, bust a quick opener for a big gain.

[mraynrand]

No no no. Running on first down is basically wasting a down most of the time. Even if you gain 3 or 4 or even 5 yards, 2nd and 5, 6, or 7 is not significantly easier than 2nd and 10. The way to use the running game is as a change of pace - pass, pass, pass, then when they get conditioned to the pass, bust a quick opener for a big gain.

....

If you show you can run on first down, you strengthen play action significantly, so you pass more and run less.

[bobblehead]

No no no. Running on first down is basically wasting a down most of the time. Even if you gain 3 or 4 or even 5 yards, 2nd and 5, 6, or 7 is not significantly easier than 2nd and 10. The way to use the running game is as a change of pace - pass, pass, pass, then when they get conditioned to the pass, bust a quick opener for a big gain.

yep. Exactly how SF owned us twice.

[ThunderDan]

No no no. Running on first down is basically wasting a down most of the time. Even if you gain 3 or 4 or even 5 yards, 2nd and 5, 6, or 7 is not significantly easier than 2nd and 10. The way to use the running game is as a change of pace - pass, pass, pass, then when they get conditioned to the pass, bust a quick opener for a big gain.

Of course as usual you are wrong.

From PhD Football, on 2 and 10 you roughly make a first down 55% of the time.
On 2nd and 8 the chances are 60% or 5% greater.
On 2nd and 5 the chances jump to roughly 75%.