A possible explaination for the sloppy run blocking

[RashanGary]

We all know that the cut block is a vital part of running the ball in a zone scheme. It happens to be a pretty dangerous technique, a technique that opposing teams constantly complain about.

I've noticed that the Packers have not done much, if any, cut blocking this preseason. I think it's something similar to Troy Polamolu easing up when he hit Favre. It might be a preseason courtesy thing.

When the regular season comes, so will the cut blocking and untill we start cut blocking, we're rendering our run game useless.

As for now, our pass protection has been very good with just 5 or 6 depending on if it is a blitz. We've been better this year in pass pro than we have in 2-3 years. If both areas were down, you could say "the oline is just bad AGAIN", but it's not like that.

When the gloves come off and the regular season begins, will the run blocking catch up? If cut blocking has anything to do with it, it might

[RashanGary]

Re: A possible explaination for the sloppy run blocking

double post

[pack4to84]

I was telling my brother the same thing last night. I notice we didn't do any cut
blocking until all starters and 2nd string defenders for the Jags where out. Sure enough the running game look better when White was running he had a cut back lane.

[RashanGary]

I was telling my brother the same thing last night. I notice we didn't do any cut
blocking until all starters and 2nd string defenders for the Jags where out. Sure enough the running game look better when White was running he had a cut back lane.

Good to see someone else noticed. The backside was just collapsing and that is where the cuts should be.

[BallHawk]

It's common courtesy not to cut-block during the preseason. It's a dangerous thing and there's no point in potentially injuring a player in a meaningless game.

Does this mean that there should be no concern for the running game? No way. I'm still scared to see what we look like against Philly. However, it is not as bad as it looks.

[RashanGary]

In the spirit of this thought, I decided to listen to Scott Wells' interview after the game to see if he mentioned them not cut blocking and how that might have effected the run game. Here is what I found,

Reporter "Scott, are you concerned about where the running game is at?"

"No, I'm not concerned about it, really at all. I would have been more comfortable if we would have generated more yards off of those nine attempts but that's why you do it in the preaseason. At the same time we've had a LIMITED game plan in each preseason game. There is more to come from us and hopefully it will generate more in the running game."

He said that last part sort of matter of factly.

I didn't listen to this before I made the cut blocking observation. I just listened to it now to look for evidence. I think it's a courtesy thing and although it gets fans in a panic, I think it's the right thing to do. If we come out and run block as well as we've pass blocked when the cut blocking begins, I think all will be forgiven.

[RashanGary]

Favre has been pretty impressed with that group as well. I thought they were the key to the season and still do. The way they've pass blocked has inpired confidence. The way they've run without cut blocking just makes the run game a question mark. It doesn't mean they are bad, it just means we don't know. If they can run block with all of their run blocking technique as well as the pass block now, we could have a pretty good offense to go with our good ST's and potentially great defense.

[Merlin]

It's common courtesy not to cut-block during the preseason. It's a dangerous thing and there's no point in potentially injuring a player in a meaningless game.

Does this mean that there should be no concern for the running game? No way. I'm still scared to see what we look like against Philly. However, it is not as bad as it looks.

Yeah it's kind of an un-written rule, you know like blitzing 9/10 of the first defensive plays, like the Broncos and Steelers did against us. I know the Steelers didn't blitz that much but they did and we returned in kind. If you watch the pro-bowl, when the starters are in, that's almost how it should be played according to the un-written rules. When TP was going to lay Favre out against the Steelers, you could see him hold up because he is a class act. Unfortunately, some coaches take pre-season to mean a little more then it does and some starting players do as well. Over-all I think the players do a pretty good job of not trying to hurt anyone.

Our running game? If Jackson doesn't start making the right cuts and hitting the hole sooner, we are in trouble. He made the wrong read a few times last night and a few times he juked himself out of his jock for a loss.

[Rastak]

Passing game looked pretty good though....Favre had time....I'm guessing they'll be all kinds of funky blitzes in the regular season if teams believe the Pack can't run.

[retailguy]

Passing game looked pretty good though....Favre had time....I'm guessing they'll be all kinds of funky blitzes in the regular season if teams believe the Pack can't run.

BINGO! That's what worries me. A LOT. If you don't have to respect the run, you pare your ears back and come hard and fast.

Yeah, Favre can burn you, but not EVERY time.

We'll just have to see.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Teams didn't exactly respect our running game last year. We were 23rd in rushing yards and averaged 3.9 yards/carry. I'm hoping our OL will be better, Bubba and Lee bounce back a bit, Jennings stays healthy (well, all of the receivers but Jennings didn't last year), and Jones is for real. If we can put 20 points/game again this year, we may be solid if our defense plays like it should. Also, special teams needs to improve. I think it will.

[Rastak]

Teams didn't exactly respect our running game last year. We were 23rd in rushing yards and averaged 3.9 yards/carry. I'm hoping our OL will be better, Bubba and Lee bounce back a bit, Jennings stays healthy (well, all of the receivers but Jennings didn't last year), and Jones is for real. If we can put 20 points/game again this year, we may be solid if our defense plays like it should. Also, special teams needs to improve. I think it will.

Defense has been playing great and it sure looks like Jones is a real NFL receiver.....

[BallHawk]

Teams didn't exactly respect our running game last year. We were 23rd in rushing yards and averaged 3.9 yards/carry. I'm hoping our OL will be better, Bubba and Lee bounce back a bit, Jennings stays healthy (well, all of the receivers but Jennings didn't last year), and Jones is for real. If we can put 20 points/game again this year, we may be solid if our defense plays like it should. Also, special teams needs to improve. I think it will.

Defense has been playing great and it sure looks like Jones is a real NFL receiver.....

You think its fair to compare James Jones and Sidney Rice for the next few years?

[Rastak]

Teams didn't exactly respect our running game last year. We were 23rd in rushing yards and averaged 3.9 yards/carry. I'm hoping our OL will be better, Bubba and Lee bounce back a bit, Jennings stays healthy (well, all of the receivers but Jennings didn't last year), and Jones is for real. If we can put 20 points/game again this year, we may be solid if our defense plays like it should. Also, special teams needs to improve. I think it will.

Defense has been playing great and it sure looks like Jones is a real NFL receiver.....

You think its fair to compare James Jones and Sidney Rice for the next few years?

Yea, you can compare any guy you want from this draft class. It'll be interesting to examine what they do at the end of the year.

I like Rice's potential and I like what I've seen of Jones in the preseason.

[Guiness]

Don't know if I agree that their holding back on the cut blocking as a courtesy. Maybe if they'd been doing it a couple of years, knew they could execute it, etc. But this is our second season after using it a limited amount last year. So I think the coaches would want them to work on it and perfect it as much as possible.

More likely we just aren't going to use it as much as we all thought.