Get the running game going!!!

[LL2]

This weekend would be a perfect time to finally get the running game going. Most likely the Bears and possibly future teams will not prepare that much for the running game because the Packers are the worst in the league in that category and for the most part the Packers have made the running game a non-factor. It would be a good time to catch a team off guard by game planning for it and using it around 45% of the time.

[Carolina_Packer]

Re: Get the running game going!!!

This weekend would be a perfect time to finally get the running game going. Most likely the Bears and possibly future teams will not prepare that much for the running game because the Packers are the worst in the league in that category and for the most part the Packers have made the running game a non-factor. It would be a good time to catch a team off guard by game planning for it and using it around 45% of the time.

I don't know about the percentages of plays idea, but I agree with your basic premise. So, if you are in Chicago-land, I can only imagine what they are saying about the Bears about now? What's it like being a Packer fan in enemy territory?

[retailguy]

Re: Get the running game going!!!

What's it like being a Packer fan in enemy territory?

It sucks, most of the time. This week has been OK.

[Zool]

The natives are usually restless on this side of the Mississippi before the Dome game each year. This year they were mysteriously quiet.

Oh baby, back in Moss' rookie year, I got to work and everything I had was upside down and strewn with purple and gold streamers. That was a tough pill to swallow.

[Joemailman]

I think MM's gameplan will depend on what he is seeing in practice. If he sees improvement in the running game during the week, he'll probably run a bit more against the Bears. Weather could be a factor too.

[Partial]

I bet they'll run upwards of 25ish times between all the guys.

[MJZiggy]

I think MM's gameplan will depend on what he is seeing in practice. If he sees improvement in the running game during the week, he'll probably run a bit more against the Bears. Weather could be a factor too.

I think the results of the first one or two runs of the game will have a bearing on what he does for the rest of the game. If the line falls apart and we lose yardage, he may opt out of it again unless weather does become an issue.

[LL2]

Re: Get the running game going!!!

This weekend would be a perfect time to finally get the running game going. Most likely the Bears and possibly future teams will not prepare that much for the running game because the Packers are the worst in the league in that category and for the most part the Packers have made the running game a non-factor. It would be a good time to catch a team off guard by game planning for it and using it around 45% of the time.

I don't know about the percentages of plays idea, but I agree with your basic premise. So, if you are in Chicago-land, I can only imagine what they are saying about the Bears about now? What's it like being a Packer fan in enemy territory?

Last year it wasn't to fun dealing with the Bears fan, but this year they are quiet. Most Bears fans are happy Grossman was benched. It was fun cheering for the Colts and watching Bears fans in misery after the SB loss!

Partial - I hope your right and they run around 25 times this weekend.

[4and12to12and4]

I think MM's gameplan will depend on what he is seeing in practice. If he sees improvement in the running game during the week, he'll probably run a bit more against the Bears. Weather could be a factor too.

I think the results of the first one or two runs of the game will have a bearing on what he does for the rest of the game. If the line falls apart and we lose yardage, he may opt out of it again unless weather does become an issue.

I concur. I will add that MM will try to run four to five times per quarter, pending on how many drives we have per quarter, but, if we can get good gains on 1st down, that will be the key to the game, because it makes second down impossible for the defense to know what's coming. It is imperative that we get 6,7, or 8 yards on 1st down. If we can do that, we have a good chance in this game. If we go into 2nd and 3rd down with 7 or more yards consistently, we play right into the Bears hands, and it will be tough to win. I say, spread 'em out from play one, use the tight ends, rbs, and receivers to get those 1st down yards and then play with the running game. MM seems to have no problem with that so far, I hope that's the gameplan Sunday Night.

[4and12to12and4]

BTW, IMO, the Colts really don't have that good of a running game, and Addai isn't all that great a back. He is average at best. The passing game is SO daunting, it makes it easy to run. The defensive lineman are in constant "get to Manning" mode, and it opens up huge gaps. That's why the rookie averaged almost 7 yards a carry in the season opener when Addai was knocked out on the first play. But, Manning has the respect of the LONG ball, so they can't bring up their back 7. This is the difference, IMO, as to why our passing game hasn't opened up the run game. We need to establish downfield dominance, not just short passes. Everyone is still hovering 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. It makes it impossible to run with all those defenders so close, as if it weren't hard enough with this offensive line that, well, isn't as dominating as I hoped they'd be at this point. They are much less cohesive then I expected, and I think we may need to make some changes. Colledge better get his shit together, cuz he gets beat a lot. Badly. Don't even get me started on Coston. I just hope it's their youth, and they start getting it together.

One last thing, our running backs have no idea how to cut back. I swear, I rewind so many run plays and rewatch them screaming, Oh, my god, stop, and turn and go the other way, there's nothing but daylight, it's like the coaches tell them they have to hit a hole "inside the line" and can't swing it out. Frustrating.

[The Leaper]

Go with what works. The Bears are beat up on defense, so I would prefer to keep doing what is working and let Favre carve them up. Get a lead and let the DL have a field day going after Griese.

[The Leaper]

We need to establish downfield dominance, not just short passes. Everyone is still hovering 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. It makes it impossible to run with all those defenders so close, as if it weren't hard enough with this offensive line that, well, isn't as dominating as I hoped they'd be at this point.

I agree. As much as I like Jennings and Jones, neither is a guy that will consistently beat their man deep on speed alone. The game plan has to start using counters to the crossing patterns that teams will be focused to stop. We need to incorporate some double moves and continue to attack the middle of the field with the TEs to keep the LBs honest.

[4and12to12and4]

We need to establish downfield dominance, not just short passes. Everyone is still hovering 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. It makes it impossible to run with all those defenders so close, as if it weren't hard enough with this offensive line that, well, isn't as dominating as I hoped they'd be at this point.

I agree. As much as I like Jennings and Jones, neither is a guy that will consistently beat their man deep on speed alone. The game plan has to start using counters to the crossing patterns that teams will be focused to stop. We need to incorporate some double moves and continue to attack the middle of the field with the TEs to keep the LBs honest.

Excellent point, and announcers during the game are saying things like "they know what's coming, yet, they can't stop it" and that's not true. That's why I started a thread about how well our TE's have been doing this year. Without Lee and Bubba making plays, the short routes wouldn't be working. Now, if we can get our damn line to block and get Morency or Jackson or SOMEBODY out there too, it makes it even harder for the LB's and DB's to cover everyone, and there will always be an outlet somewhere. The offensive line is key, and they need to get their collective shit together.

[The Leaper]

Morency will be a big addition...simply as another receiving threat out of the backfield. He's clearly not close to 100% yet, but he will be important in the second half of this season if this team wants to make a run.

I'm not seeing much of anything from Grant in terms of running or receiving that thrills me. Morency has the tools to be a solid RB in the league...he just has to get healthy and remain healthy, which certainly isn't something we should hold our breath on.

At least Favre's ability to utilize pump fakes and not lock onto one receiver helps in keeping the defense honest.

[4and12to12and4]

Morency will be a big addition...simply as another receiving threat out of the backfield. He's clearly not close to 100% yet, but he will be important in the second half of this season if this team wants to make a run.

I'm not seeing much of anything from Grant in terms of running or receiving that thrills me. Morency has the tools to be a solid RB in the league...he just has to get healthy and remain healthy, which certainly isn't something we should hold our breath on.

At least Favre's ability to utilize pump fakes and not lock onto one receiver helps in keeping the defense honest.

Is that a pun?