Can Sean Rhyan Be the Answer for the Packers Run Blocking Woes?
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers have struggled to run the football this season and there has been a myriad of reasons for it. But one issue has been the inconsistent run blocking of the offensive line.
If you look at the run blocking grades of the Green Bay offensive line on Pro Football Focus, the issue becomes crystal clear. Zach Tom is the only offensive lineman grading out as a good run blocker. Elgton Jenkins grades out as average at best while Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr., and Rasheed Walker all need significant improvement.
The depth has also been an issue. Royce Newman, who was the primary backup at guard to start the season, struggled mightily blocking for the ground game. Yosh Nijman, the primary backup tackle, graded out as very average.
Too often, we have seen Aaron Jones or A.J. Dillon met in the backfield because a defensive player overwhelmed the Green Bay offensive line, got penetration behind the line of scrimmage, and met the ball carrier before he could get started on the play.
Last week against the Rams, two things helped change that. The first was that Jones was as healthy as he’s been since the season opener in Chicago and was able to carry the ball 20 times and have 24 total touches. But the second was that when injuries struck at guard in this game, head coach Matt LaFleur put Sean Rhyan into the lineup. Rhyan is a strong, solid, run blocker.
Runyan was being evaluated for an injury and came off the field and Rhyan was inserted into the lineup. That drive was run heavy and led to a Green Bay touchdown.
Who was Rhyan primarily asked to block on that series? None other than Rams All Pro defensive lineman, Aaron Donald. Rhyan used his strength to move Donald out of the way on several plays.
Head coach Matt LaFleur spoke about Rhyan during his Wednesday press conference this week. “I was really proud of how he stepped in there,” said LaFleur. “We had a bunch of productive plays, mainly on the ground. But I thought he got a lot of good movement up front. He went in there and did his job at a high level.”
It was clear during training camp and the preseason that Rhyan was playing better than Newman. But Newman, who had started 22 games in his NFL career entering the season, was still the first player the Packers called on when injuries struck at guard.
“It’s been a competitive situation,” LaFleur said when trying to justify why Newman was initially ahead of Rhyan on the depth chart. “He’s done it in practice. It was good to see that when he went out there, he was able to do his job at a really high level. We’re always going to evaluate though and try to put the best guys out there that we feel the most confident are going to help us move the ball.”
Rhyan suffered through a lost rookie campaign in 2022. The third-round pick out of UCLA had to change positions in the NFL after primarily playing left tackle in college. He got off to a slow start in training camp and was buried on the depth chart.
Once the season started, Rhyan played in only one game and took exactly one snap on special teams. He served a six-game suspension at the end of the season for violating the league’s policy on PEDs. His rookie season was a big disappointment.
But Rhyan got off to a better start in training camp this year and seemed determined to make good. He has now passed Newman on the depth chart and is the primary backup at guard. Rhyan also took some reps at center during the preseason but would likely not be the top backup at that position if anything were to happen to Myers.
Right now, the arrow for Rhyan appears to be pointing up. He still needs to work on his pass protection and on some of the nuances of the position although he continues to make progress.
With Runyan’s contract expiring at the end of this season, the Packers coaching staff may opt to get a longer look at Rhyan to see if he’s ready for a larger role in 2024 and beyond.
Until then, Rhyan will work hard and be ready to step into the lineup whenever the team calls on him. And if the Packers want to run the football, they know they have a strong option in Rhyan who continues to improve.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (24)
PatrickGB
November 11, 2023 at 11:09 am
I was extremely disappointed with him last year. But I see him as a starter next season. If there is an injury at guard he might even start this season.
jannesbjornson
November 11, 2023 at 04:59 pm
He should be starting, now. That's the point of bagging a guy with a higher selection. He was solid at UCLA and he set the tone when he was in the game, last week.
splitpea1
November 11, 2023 at 11:23 am
We'll never know if MLF doesn't get him in there for more extended periods or even start him. Why not now? This is supposed to be an evaluation season for everyone, not just the quarterback. It will be interesting to see how he performs against bulkier opponents in the run game.
Once again, this coaching staff seems to prefer playing veterans, even if they're on the downswing, over up-and-coming young players--like Lowry over Wyatt last year. It especially doesn't make any sense for a rebuilding team like the Packers.
PhantomII
November 11, 2023 at 11:47 am
Yet another player like Yosh that should have started this season. Going up against Donald...a multiple defensive MVP should give Rhyan confidence in his run/pass game. I just hope we get the long term monster LT and Monster Center we need to really do some pushing DL's around. I read Jenkins feels finally healthy...that's great news. Hopefully Yosh starts at LT and Rhyan at RG. GPG
SicSemperTyrannis
November 11, 2023 at 03:06 pm
While I'm not ready to say Nijman should definitely be the starting LT, he's a huge guy and I see no reason he shouldn't be. Whatever this mystery is, I hope the coaching staff solves it. I also see no reason why Mt Caleb hasn't played his first down yet.
TKWorldWide
November 11, 2023 at 11:58 am
Get him in there now and let him get cohesion with his line mates. Does he know how to line up in short yardage situations?
jvole
November 11, 2023 at 12:27 pm
People complain about Barry, but how this coaching staff decides on the OL lineup has had me baffled for two years. Tom was so clearly better than Newman last year and yet, out trots Newman, again and again. Nijman is better than Wallace. If we see more of Rhyan and he is much better than Runyan; again "What the heck"?
dblbogey
November 11, 2023 at 02:02 pm
They kept jake Hanson for 3 1/2 years when we could all tell he didn't have it. They played Newman forever as he destroyed 5-6 plays a game with embarrassing blocking. Meanwhile, Yosh and Zach Tom sat on the bench. Wallace was horrible for 4 games in a row, before they finally tried Yosh. The logical move now obviously is to play Rhyan, but the Packers personnel decisions continue to defy logic.
pack1487
November 11, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Favorite part of the article: “It’s been a competitive situation,” LaFleur said when trying to justify why Newman was initially ahead of Rhyan on the depth chart.
Just more coach speak and anybody that's watched Newman play knows he shouldn't have been out there. Over and over again they talked about wanting this young team to grow together and yet they have a 2nd year player who had a good preseason just sitting there on the bench. You know Newman isn't the answer, JRJ hasn't looked great and is on the last year of his contract so how about we as a team solidify the OL going into next year and find out what we have with those that will be here a year from now.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 11, 2023 at 03:12 pm
And the biggest man on the team has never played a down.
Tundraboy
November 11, 2023 at 12:48 pm
So many people wrote him off, and with this coaching staff that is an even bigger mistake because we are so damn slow and reluctant to go away from what's not working. All for the sake of continuity?!
SicSemperTyrannis
November 11, 2023 at 03:13 pm
The award for the most continuity is more valuable than wins and experience.
jhtobias
November 11, 2023 at 01:02 pm
Myself and I would assume most packer fans never came into this season thinking we would be a co tender .
The most infuriating thing about this coaching staff and it starts lafluer is more than not they keep guys in who wont here and never give a chance to evalute certain guys to see if they are part of the future going foward. Here is just another example.
It is mindblowing and almost malpractice that is accepted.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 11, 2023 at 03:14 pm
Incompetence.
WD
November 11, 2023 at 02:06 pm
I agree. Also, it is time to take Caleb Jones out of mothballs.
PackerBO
November 11, 2023 at 02:54 pm
Why not? If Jones is healthy then give him a shot. Wallace has been bad an Yosh is dinged up so why not?
SicSemperTyrannis
November 11, 2023 at 04:29 pm
I don't think Rhyan can play five positions at once so he can't be "the" answer, but he might be at least a temporary improvement and not just a depth piece. I don't think it makes any sense to play linemen hurt when competent depth is available. From what we've seen so far, neither Rhyan nor Nijman are a step backwards, why not play them?
It complicates the evaluation of Myers, but if he plays better next to Rhyan that's not a problem.
packerbackerjim
November 11, 2023 at 05:01 pm
The real issue is the OL individuals are better at either run blocking or pass blocking. The coaches need to determine how to play to the strengths of them. And then figure out what they want the OL to look like going forward before the draft and free agency.
PhantomII
November 11, 2023 at 08:08 pm
Well, we are not setting records thru the air, so I'm for run blocking and using the RB in the back field and a TE or two to rub on the way to a check down pass if need be. The run game or lack there of is the first thing to fix and if a big boy can move another in the run game...Let's start there, we've already tried the other way and it does not work...GPG.
canadapacker
November 11, 2023 at 10:04 pm
So he screwed up last year and he also played poorly some games in this season's preseason. But he does have the tools and he needs to get a chance. Especially when there is a lack of success elsewhere on the Oline. But if there is a personnel flaw with Lafleur - it is not trusting and playing some guys when other are not playing well especially with rookies. I would also see big Caleb get a chance - and if not on a regular play - what about him lined up besides Rhyan on first and goal from the 1. Push that pile with the big guys.
MooPack
November 11, 2023 at 10:26 pm
"I would also see big Caleb get a chance - and if not on a regular play - what about him lined up besides Rhyan on first and goal from the 1. Push that pile with the big guys."
Doesn't that just make too much sense.
Tundraboy
November 12, 2023 at 12:11 am
Let's see if if any of the sense we are discussing makes it's way to the field today. GPG
WD
November 12, 2023 at 10:06 am
BINGO! Years ago the Bears used Refrigerator Perry with success. Give credit to coach Mike Ditka for creativity.
TxFred
November 12, 2023 at 08:33 am
MLF wouldn't know an offensive lineman, if saw one. Sad.
Would be a hoot watching that bunch attempt the Packer sweep.
Worth the price of a ticket. 21st century version of the keystone cops. Sickening. If it wasn't laughable.