Comments on: Lombardi Hit and Miss On Packers Offense

By: bomdad

bomdad — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:23:47 +0000

This will be Grant’s first full camp. Shoot, its only his second with the Packers, and he missed some with the Giants because of a coffee table or something like that. Heres to hoping he gets the timing down. Hey, how about the fact that Clifton doesn’t practice? Think that plays into it?

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:13:58 +0000

Graham – You can pretty much throw out NFL history now. The rules are just so different. There is a paradigm shift going on in the NFL and we are witnessing it first hand.

By: Ron La Canne

Ron La Canne — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:11:52 +0000

The backs will be a key if the Packers ever try to put the Screen Pass back into their play book. Jackson seem to be much better at that than Grant is. Aaron you are right, it will be Rogers who will either be blamed or celebrated at the end of this season.

By: InFact

InFact — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:18:35 +0000

There’s PLENTY of other NFL writers who have more acumen and incisive thoughts than Mike Lombardi.

Aaron, you are more spot on than Mike Lombardi.

He rarely adds insights that I/we haven’t pondered.

By: Graham

Graham — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:14:50 +0000

I’m going to side with Mike on this one. Grant is the key from taking this offense from Good to Great. Last year they were good, but you can’t be great unless you run the ball.

We all know running the ball makes passing the ball all that better. Perhaps our okay running last year is why we gave up so many 4th Q leads (and the defense) but if we hold onto the ball all of a sudden we win 2 or 3 more games and make the playoffs. Running allows you to open up more passes, something that would take this offense from good to GREAT.

Pitt was in the SB because of defense not offense, Ari was in because of their D and passing O, but how often does that really happen?? Not much if you look at past SB champions. Dead last in the league in rushing has NEVER made a super bowl befor last year. There is a reason.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:42:27 +0000

This is the make or break year for Jackson. I really believe in his ability and hope he takes advantage of any opportunity that he gets.

By: Aaron Nagler

Aaron Nagler — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:06:27 +0000

Jayme – not sure I agree on Grant/Jackson being the same type. Grant is much more of a power runner. The reason he grabbed the starting job in the first place is because he was able to see the cutback lane, make the one cut necessary and then hit the hole with power. Jackson just never did that his rookie year. He’s seeing the hole better now and is running with power – I agree with Keith. Jackson has the potential to be much more of an explosive runner.

By: WoodyG

WoodyG — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:53:46 +0000

Have to agree whole heartedly. It’s a passing league which is exactly why Grant is not key to GB’s offense. Grant’s numbers in 2008 were 18 receptions for a paltry 116 yards. A long ways from the days of A. Green or D. Levens.
If Jackson or Wynn can prove to be more productive catching passes than Grant, they’ll play more. It’s sad that GB looks like a HS team running the screen-pass. Everytime I see them set-up to try & run a screen I just hope the pass isn’t picked off.

By: Jayme

Jayme — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:19:56 +0000

Keith, I really do feel that they are the same kinds of back. Yes, there are some differences, but they are relatively interchangeable as far as the role that they play. Neither is really a scat back and neither is really a big power back.

By: Aaron Nagler

Aaron Nagler — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:35:54 +0000

mark – If you go and read Lombardi’s post you’ll note that I point out in the comments the o-line as a major factor that was missing from his analysis.
-
That said, the Steelers won the Super Bowl with a truly sub-standard offensive line.
Rodgers is the key much more so than any member of his line.

By: retiredgrampa

retiredgrampa — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:14:25 +0000

I’m praying for more Jackson this year, and not just on 3rd down. If MM had been “convinced” to use Grant much more, the fact that Grant got the heavy work last year (and thrilled no one) might open it up for another RB this year. In our system, with Rodgers at the helm, we need just a guy who can get 3-4 yds at the right time. Our improved OL should be a bigger help/

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:44:10 +0000

Jayme, you really think Grant and BJax are the same kind of back? I think BJax has the potential to be much more explosive than Grant.

By: Nerdmann

Nerdmann — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:58:51 +0000

I still think Wynn has the ability to be special, if he ever goes through puberty.
Another issue is the Zone Blocking Scheme. I hate it, but I do think they’re getting away from it.
MM says he wants “bigger, stronger” type guys on the right side. So that means we’ve got more ZBS “quicker, athletic” type guys on the left side, with guys who are more like brawlers on the right side. Should be interesting to see.
I do think Grant will bounce back.

By: mark

mark — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:32:48 +0000

you’re both wrong, it’s the O-line. outside of a hobbled chad clifton, name 1 player on our line who has been consistently solid…

By: Jayme

Jayme — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:30:29 +0000

I think the biggest problem with the Packers running backs is that they are all basically the same guy. Similar body types, similar running styles. Jackson will never unseat Grant if they do all the exact same things and Grant has more experience.
—
That said, Grant was injured for part of last year and still played when he probably should have been on the bench. As you state above and I’ve believed for some time, Grant got extra playing time because of his contract.