Packers' Offense Needs to Get Creative
By ChrisWanless
With no game on Sunday to prepare for, the Packers’ coaching staff remains hard at work with plenty of self-scouting and “across-the-hall” projects to keep them busy. Among the answers they’re trying to find is how they can further adapt their offensive attack in Aaron Rodgers’s absence.
The first game post-Rodgers, a 26-17 loss to the Saints, left much to be desired on the offensive side of the ball. The protective approach the Packers seemingly used with Brett Hundley resulted in a noticeable lack of splash plays in the passing game and took the ball out of his hands in some key situations. The bright spot on offense was rookie running back Aaron Jones, who, with an admittedly small sample size, looks to be a star in the making. Jones carried the ball 17 times for 131 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown scamper on the Packers’ first possession of the game.
If the Packers have indeed found a consistent playmaker in Jones, he figures to be a big part of their plans as long as Rodgers is sidelined. No matter the level of confidence the team has in Brett Hundley, it’s not likely they can lean on his arm to the extent they do with their future Hall-of-Famer—and that’s perfectly fine.
Despite how flat the offense looked at times in Hundley’s first start, the Packers were in the game until the late stages of the contest. So what does that say? Well, for one, it says that the Packers are absolutely capable of winning with a game plan similar to the one they had in place against the Saints.
Will Hundley be allowed to take a few more chances as the season progresses? Probably. But the focus of the offense is still going to be on getting the ball into the hands of their playmakers in the most efficient manner possible. To do that, the Packers likely won’t have to throw caution completely to the wind. They will, however, have to get creative.
That creativity will have to start with their sensational rookie running back. In three games as a significant contributor, Jones is averaging just under six yards per carry, with nine runs of 10 yards or more. As impressive as his vision and shake have been, he’s also had the benefit of being relatively unknown. After his recent success, it’s safe to assume that won’t be the case going forward. Defenses will be more attuned to his whereabouts, and they’ll make stopping him a priority in their game plans.
Green Bay will have to counter those plans by finding ways to create opportunities for Jones to do what he does best: find daylight. Using formational quirks and changing up personnel groupings could go a long way in getting the Packers into favorable matchups across the board, ensuring their newfound talent can continue to be productive.
It doesn’t end with the running game, however. While Hundley will have to challenge defenses down the field to keep them honest, Green Bay can continue to be effective in the short and intermediate passing game. Against the Saints, they showed a new wrinkle by using jet-motion to move Randall Cobb across the formation, where he essentially ran a swing route that resulted in a 14-yard gain. The play did two things: put the ball in the hands of playmaker in space, and set Hundley up with an easy throw. By accomplishing those two things, the chance for success on the play rose significantly. It's only one example, but it serves to showcase the kind of thinking that can turn a disappointing effort against New Orleans into a more than adequate offensive attack going forward.
Comments (22)
TarynsEyes
October 27, 2017 at 11:42 am
WILDCAT.....WILDCAT.....WILDCAT!!!!
RCPackerFan
October 27, 2017 at 11:58 am
I completely agree that the offense needs to get more creative. We have the weapons, just need to figure out different ways to get them the ball, and get them the ball in space.
Here is a link to the play mentioned above.
https://twitter.com/AaronNagler/status/922572086723399681
During the game the announcers were talking about Hundley setting up the read option play, which later he ended up pulling the ball out ran with it which I believe resulted in a 1st down.
Creating deception and getting the defense to take a false step is definitely going to help Hundley as a QB. It will create just enough separation to give Hundley easier throwing options.
Rodgers is so good that he can make any throw and does need as much of a window. Hundley needs a bigger window.
Running more pick plays and rub routes would definitely help. Stacking WR's, and putting them into motion will also help.
Another thing I'd like to see them do is find a way to use both Montgomery and Jones together at the same time. Against the Saints they did that on a drive and the Saints came out in base personnel, so they lined both RB's out wide as WR's. It instantly created matchup problems. I would like to see more of this.
Mixing and matching personnel will also aid in creating favorable matchups. Switching from 11 personnel to 12, to 10 to 20 to 21.
I am hoping McCarthy and the offensive staff have come up with some new looks over this bye week to help Hundley and the offense.
I believe we will see some new things against the Lions.
Razer
October 27, 2017 at 12:11 pm
... Mixing and matching personnel will also aid in creating favorable matchups. Switching from 11 personnel to 12...
I sure it can be done - Capers has his defense playing anywhere from 10 to 12 guys at any given time.
RCPackerFan
October 27, 2017 at 12:19 pm
lol. right.
And to add to that when he does have 11, I think 6 of them are on the same page.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 27, 2017 at 12:29 pm
I don't mean to be dogging you, RC. This play drove me crazy. First, the play isn't new or creative. See the link. 2nd: Monty is wide open 12 yards down the hash marks with tons of green and a two way go. It is possibly a TD, and if not it is a 20 to 30 yard chunk play. Jets ran this exact play and it goes for a TD for them. Instead, Hundley completes a swing pass to Cobb 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage and he gets 16 yards after the catch. Swell.
https://twitter.com/jco3215/status/914925689702424576
Thegreatreynoldo
October 27, 2017 at 12:47 pm
[Site won't let me edit with the link]. Swell means that the two main options on this play are Monty and Cobb. Cobb is going to be open for another tick or three. I am sure in my own mind that AR looks downfield at Monty FIRST, then and only then at Cobb. McCown tosses this for a TD, but not Hundley. It is a nice play call (I was too harsh above) but Hundley has to take advantage. The toss to Monty has to be within his ability: if not, time to move on from Hundley.
RCPackerFan
October 27, 2017 at 12:52 pm
No worries. I like discussions.
No this play isn't new, but it is somewhat new to Green Bays offense. GB hasn't ran many jet sweep or jet motion plays. Getting the motion helps create some confusing looks. Green Bay would be wise to use plays from other teams. Its a copycat league so why not take what works from others.
The part I disagree with you about is with Montgomery being wide open. If you look at it frame by frame, the LB that is covering Montgomery doesn't come off of Montgomery until after Hundley throws the ball to Cobb. Also if the S that is following the TE turns he could have an easy interception if the ball is thrown in a bad spot. The right choice was to Cobb in the flat.
With Hundley who was struggling a bit in this game, this play was a perfect play for him. He had an easy completion. As he gets more comfortable down the road he will likely look to hit the players down the field.
But also what this does is it now gives defenses something to watch out for. Perhaps the next time the LB comes off of Montgomery and goes after Cobb and leaves him wide open.
Overall this was a really good play. One they can build off of.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 27, 2017 at 01:26 pm
I suspect a strike in stride to Monty when Monty is at the 44 allows Monty to get by the LB. Angle and all, but it looks like the LB is 3 or 4 strides away from Monty. Looking closely, it doesn't appear that Monty looks back that quickly, and Hundley would have to wait. If Hundley pumps to Cobb to move the LB, Hundley would have had to step up in the pocket since Bulaga gets beat around the edge in 2.34 seconds or so (Bulaga has been so-so this year). Another couple of tenths of clean pocket would have made a difference. Stepping up would have put a lot of stress on the D since there is a fair amount of green there as well, but I can't expect AR's pocket movement from Hundley. As galling as this is to write, I suppose you're correct: the safe thing was to take the nice gainer to Cobb.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 27, 2017 at 01:26 pm
I suspect a strike in stride to Monty when Monty is at the 44 allows Monty to get by the LB. Angle and all, but it looks like the LB is 3 or 4 strides away from Monty. Looking closely, it doesn't appear that Monty looks back that quickly, and Hundley would have to wait. If Hundley pumps to Cobb to move the LB, Hundley would have had to step up in the pocket since Bulaga gets beat around the edge in 2.34 seconds or so (Bulaga has been so-so this year). Another couple of tenths of clean pocket would have made a difference. Stepping up would have put a lot of stress on the D since there is a fair amount of green there as well, but I can't expect AR's pocket movement from Hundley. As galling as this is to write, I suppose you're correct: the safe thing was to take the nice gainer to Cobb.
dobber
October 27, 2017 at 01:20 pm
I agree: creative in this sense isn't necessarily putting entirely new plays in your playbook, but more dusting off plays you don't run very much with #12 (and hence aren't really showing up in your tendencies in a scouting report) or running plays you regularly use but from different formations or personnel groupings. The read option is a new wrinkle, and teams will have to prepare for that now that they've seen it. That's a start: new for the Packers, but something Hundley is familiar with from his past.
Tundraboy
October 28, 2017 at 08:38 am
Great point. MM used to pull a rabbit out of his hat, going back to when Finley was still playing. Of course he almost never went back to a given play that worked or showed a different wrinkle. Recent years he hasn't even done that and the playbook (used portion) keeps shrinking.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 27, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Hundley was 0-8 on passes longer than 14 yards. [ESPN wrote 0-4, but I think they're wrong. I don’t remember a GB receiver losing yards after the catch, so:
9 yds to Monty pushed oob. Monty hadYAC.
14 yds to Cobb 2 yds behind LOS, 16 YAC.
12 yds to Bennett middle. Can't recall if YAC.
14 yds to Allison. Tackles right away.
13 yards to Nelson – short right.
8 yards to Adams – on 3rd and 18.
I think it is a close question as to whether any completed pass actually traveled more than 10 yards past the LOS in the air. Maybe 2: the one to Jordy and to Allison. These 6 catches account for 70 of Hundley’s 87 passing yards. The 6 other receptions were for 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 5. There was a 25 yarder to Bennett that drew a PI. I thought we could exploit NO’s LBs, but even slow LBs can get that kind of depth on their drops. Without All 22, I can’t tell whether the WRs got open downfield.
Regardless of the playcalls, Hundley has to complete passes farther downfield than 10 yards or we'll see 8+
in the box from here on out. Can't play in the NFL if you can't go downfield.
RCPackerFan
October 27, 2017 at 12:57 pm
I think Hundley will be better at it. He had players available downfield but he was hesitant. The deep throw to Nelson if he throws it right away he likely connects with Nelson. He hesitated which allowed the CB from the other side of the field to catch up.
He had the deep throw to Bennett which resulted in pass interference.
To be honest though, he doesn't have to complete a high percentage of passes 30+ yards down field. But if he can hit 10-15 yard plays and allow the WR's to have YAC, that can open the offense up as well.
I agree though they do have to connect on deeper plays. Another week practicing with the WR's should help too. Also doing more film study and learning from his mistakes will help.
Thats another reason why the bye week came at a good time. He gets an extra week to learn what he needs to do better.
Now its time to do it on the field.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 27, 2017 at 01:37 pm
Here are a few tidbits from a bit of research I did and wrote in a post on another site.
See below for NFL.com play by play for this year's. games. NFL only uses short or deep as descriptions. A 17 yd completion was listed as a deep pass.
Seattle: AR 8 deep. 2/53 yds, 1 TD. (2 were on offsides)
Atlanta: AR 4 deep passes. 1/4, 33 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
Bengals: AR 7 deep passes. 4/7, 181 yds (+ PI 33 more).
Bears: AR 4 deep passes. 2/4 for 84 yards.
Dallas: AR 5 deep passes. 2 for 57 yards.
New Orleans: BH 7 deep passes. 0-7 but PI for 25 yards.
So, AR attempted 28 deep pass attempts in 5 games = an average of 5.6 (but at least 2 were after AR drew the opponent offsides – still over 5).
BH attempted 7 deep passes. Hundley threw downfield enough, even if a couple were just throwaways.
al bundy
October 27, 2017 at 12:41 pm
I like creative but it wasnt creative with Rogers so I'm wondering if they know creative? I do feel like a lot of you that those long throws down the sidelines are the ones he is not yet prepared for.
Maybe they should go with the play action and keep it simple for now. But I'm not talking about going out five yards when you need 11. Never understood that ploy?
Razer
October 27, 2017 at 01:43 pm
...I like creative but it wasn't creative with Rogers so I'm wondering if they know creative?...
This is the crux of the matter and this will be the make or break of this team going forward - particularly with Hundley at the helm. The game against the Lions will tell us what kind of coach McCarthy is and whether Hundley can play with the big dogs in this league.
Lphill
October 27, 2017 at 04:01 pm
Yes be creative, you take the snap and then you throw it to one of your outstanding
Receivers , seems creative to me but not
To MM .
TarynsEyes
October 27, 2017 at 06:15 pm
Yes, but the QB can't be counting to 10 like he's playing hide and seek with them while running from home base.
MarkAlan
October 27, 2017 at 07:11 pm
At what point do the Packer Brass try to salvage the playoff chances ?
Rossonero
October 28, 2017 at 06:14 am
One thing that keeps me hopeful is the schedule:
Week 9: home vs. Lions. MM has a very good record coming off of bye weeks. Golden Tate could miss this game with his AC joint injury too. Packers 24, Lions 23. Packers record: 5-3.
Week 10: away to Chicago. Mitch Trubisky is barely throwing any passes. Stuff the run, but respect the Bears pass rush. Packers 17, Bears 14. Packers record: 6-3.
Week 11: home vs. Baltimore. Baltimore's offense has been very erratic, as has their defense. Packers take care of business at home. Packers 26, Ravens 22. Packers record: 7-3.
Week 12: away to Pittsburgh. Steelers are too much with Bell, Brown and Big Ben plays a lot better at home than away. Steelers 31, Packers 20. Packers record: 7-4.
Week 13: home vs. Tampa Bay. Tampa has been one of the friendliest defenses around. Jameis Winston has a penchant for INTs too. While the Packers should win this game at home, some injuries and penalties doom them in this one. Bucs 27, Packers 17. Packers record: 7-5.
Week 14: away to Cleveland. The Browns actually have a pretty good run defense, but it's not enough to stop Hundley 'n Co. Packers 24, Browns 16. Packers record: 8-5.
Week 15: away to Carolina. Which Cam Newton will show up? Also a rematch with the ageless Julius Peppers, who's having another superb season. Panthers 23, Packers 20. Packers record: 8-6.
Week 16: home vs. Minnesota. Rodgers returns after an 8 week layoff and sinks a dagger into the hearts of Vikings fans everywhere. Packers 31, Vikings 17. Packers record: 9-6.
Week 17: away to Detroit. With momentum and confidence back on their side, Rodgers leads the Packers in a thriller, 27-24. Packers finish 10-6.
porupack
October 28, 2017 at 08:57 am
Well,
Trubisky has his first breakout game and get's noticed as franchise QB potential.
Flacco and company Baltimore suddenly right their ship, and offense looks elite.
Rogers doesn't return, or even if he did, Vikes still understand how to handle the Packers predictable game and any of their QBs will do.
My best scenario is 9-7. More likely 7-9. But I'm staying optimistic. It will be a nice year of training camp, and anything beyond that will be an enjoyable surprise. So sure, MM..., go get creative.
TommyG
October 28, 2017 at 09:18 pm
Three years in which to prepare Hundley for this playbook and MM himself says that the game plan must be even more simplified. I don't buy it. I watched BH while he was at UCLA and the guy doesn't have trouble remembering complex plays. I think the truth is that MM doesn't know how to design plays to his players' abilities. I think he relies on isolation and having time to create plays. The packers are criticized by outside sources as having a pick play which they run in short yardage situations; in particular in goal line situations. Perhaps this is the style of play MM needs to explore. I wouldnt call that being creative. I would say he just needs to be a coach.