Make no mistake: Jackson’s continuing problems in pass protection did more to help Vernand Morency’s chances of sticking with the team than Jackson’s two big runs did for his chances at more playing time. (Mike Lombardi shares this sentiment today over at the National Football Post)
Morency is simply a stud in pass pro, and with a first time starter at quarterback, that skill becomes all the more important. All the great breakaway runs in the world from Jackson won’t save the Packers’ season if Rodgers is taken out by a blind-side blitz that is missed by the running back. Now some blitzers are the responsibility of the quarterback, like the play in Dallas where Favre was injured by a free rusher off the corner. Favre and McCarthy both admitted that Brett had simply missed him and never made the proper adjustment. But last nights ineptitude was on Jackson, especially the first sack. Jackson simply jumped up to block a man that was already accounted for in the scheme. Watching the play, you see that the offensive line slants right and the fullback picks up the backside. Jackson has got to stay disciplined on the weak side, as the whole point of having him in there is to pick up the exact type of blitz Cincinnati was running. His jumping at ghosts ruined a perfectly designed protection.
On one hand, it’s the first preseason game and you understand. On the other hand - this was Jackson’s biggest deficiency LAST YEAR at this time. If he has gone through an entire training camp, pre and regular seasons, the playoffs, OTAs, mini-camps, and now another training camp and he is STILL making the same mistakes? Well, that just doesn’t bode well…
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