Apparently MM doesn't even open it up in practice. That "Turtle Shell" approach to offense has to change. I know it's practice but still isn't this where you start working in the plays that actually score? Being in the "Red Zone" means score the TD. FG's are for pansies!

"Well, it is now 2009 and it is time for Rodgers to be a little less careful."

No it's not. I'd much rather see Mason Crosby come in than see Rodgers become "a little less careful." If teams are dropping extra defenders into coverage when the Packers are in the Red Zone, the solution is pretty obvious: run the freaking ball.

I don't mind field goals if you gave it 3 good tries at the end zone and couldn't do it. I for one am tired of seeing Mason Crosby come in because we were so conservative the three plays before.

As for inside the five, one of the best ways to score a TD is to use your tight end. He steps over the goal line, turns around, blocks off the defender with his body, you throw it in his gut and you score 6 points. (see B. Franks) is that out of our playbook?

I hear people talk about the Packers RZ inefficiencies, but I just don't get it.

<blockquote>2008 RZ Stats:
6th in TD %
Tied for 1st in Scoring %</blockquote>

Seems like the offense is taking care of business inside the 20.

The problem probably lies in actually getting inside the 20.

<blockquote>19th in RZ possessions
12th in TD's scored</blockquote>

Im not concerned about the offense. Curious about your opinions on Grant, aaron. I expect him to have a stronger year...he did really well when you go back and consider the significance of his injury last year.

And ironically enough, the 2008 numbers are better than the 2007 numbers. Two less possessions, two more TD's scored. And better %'s. The circumstances behind those drives don't really matter, because I would imagine that evens out over the entire season.

So as far as the RZ goes, there really isn't a problem.

I would be curious what the overall drive statistics are for 2008. Especially in the 1st quarter. I think that is where a big part of the problem was for the offense in 2008.

The first drive was definitely the biggest issue. They needed to start off strong...and McCarthy recognized that. I think it could be attributed to Arod jitters or nervousness in the beginning of games.

I probably didn't explain myself well. I do agree that it matters. But, it's a moot point unless someone analyzes each one from 2008 and 2007. If the ratio of quality TD's vs. garbage time TD's significantly favors 2007, then we have a problem that McCarthy needs to fix. But until someone compares the two, it is purely speculation.

I totally agree with swany11. The impression from the games is that we sucked at RZ, but when the statistics show that we were #1, I can't argue with that. It's just too high for circumstances to determinate that we were bad at it...

I'm with Nick. they need to get into the red zone MORE, especially on the first drive (who cares too much if you score, your winning field position), at the end of the first half and at the start of the 3rd quarter. Holmgren coached teams made a point of taking away halftime, I'd like to see a return to that.

You need a dominant TE threat in the red zone to free up the outside wr's and slants. Its not about play calling, its about having the right players, especially a credible run threat that can take it to the house at any time. I would prefer 12 yard TD runs instead of TD passes of the same distance.

When that field gets shortened, the pressure on our WRs goes up, we need a relief valve that becomes more important in that strategic down and distance. That's the TE and the third down back.

The plays we have are fine, McCarthy's calls are fine, Rodgers choices are fine until the end of the game when he forces it (which it seems is being advocated here).

Tend to agree - without a Chmura or a Jackson out there in the RedZone, defenses just play the QB that close to the line.
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RON - That “Turtle Shell” approach is my most extreme beef against McCarthy. You call it Turtle Shell - I call it Prevent Football Mentality. He tries so hard to protect his possession of the ball, he might as well take it and go home. The rest of the guys can find a suitable rock and keep playing FOOTBALL.
Like said previously, and I do think we will find it with the personnel we've brought in, I want Rodgers to have all day in the pocket. And, that means even in the Red Zone.
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Here's the other rub. How often did we see MAC use the 2-minute Offense? Especially when the rest of us could see the time on the clock? How often did he mis-use it? Wasn't it in the first game against Detroit, where we gave them 3.5 minutes left in the game and they could have come back and tied it up or won? If not for Woodson and (was it?) Collins.
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While I certainly prefer MAC over SherRossley, it doesn't bode well that Mike cannot rid himself of his Schottenheimer roots. IF it's actually true that Rodgers is petitioning for, and getting, more freedom to call plays (out there) as Favre was allowed, then I would auto-think that the Offense will get tricky on Defenses, and that (fellas) translates into more WINS. How many remember that Article in '07 which discussed how Rodgers had one serious duty, and that was to prep for the next game, beginning Sunday evening (?) His report was to be ready by the next Wednesday and he would give his recommendations to the Coaching Staff and the Offense. After game 6, he was coming to the same conclusions as the Coaches. ....So, yea.... Rodgers can be a thinking man's QB, much like Bart Starr. AND, he also knows when to throw it away. I would look for his INT percentages to go even lower.