This Needs to be the Year Pack Commits to the Run
Do they have it in them?
By KenLass
If ever there was a coming football season that screams RUN THE BALL to the Green Bay Packers, it would be this one. The Pack enters the season with its most undistinguished set of wide receivers in recent memory, and a quarterback who will turn 39 in December and is not nearly as mobile as he used to be. Because the receivers are young and inexperienced, that quarterback is probably going to be looking at heavy blitzing and high risk of injury.
By contrast, the Green and Gold will field one of the most impressive running back tandems in the league, supported by, when healthy, an offensive line with at least two All Pro caliber starters. So, if you are truly playing to your strengths, logic would seem to indicate you run, run, run, right?
Well, not if you’re the Packers. Running the ball just doesn’t seem to be in their DNA. Last season, Green Bay threw the ball 593 times, and ran it 446 times. In fact, it’s been nineteen years since the team ran the ball more than it passed the ball during a regular season. That was 2003, when Ahman Green put together that franchise record year, rushing for 1,883 yards and 15 touchdowns. But the ground attack was more than just Green. Najeh Davenport added 420 yards on the ground, and Tony Fisher chipped in 200 more.
The Packers went 10-6, losing to the Eagles in overtime in the divisional round. That was the infamous 4th and 26 game. Green Bay seemingly had the contest wrapped up, leading 17-14 with 1:12 left in regulation. The defense had the Eagles in 4th and 26 on their own 26 yard line. But the defense allowed Donovan McNabb to complete a 28 yard desperation throw to Freddie Mitchell to keep the drive alive. The Eagles went on to kick the game tying field goal, and went on to win 20-17 in OT.
But I digress. Sorry to reopen that scab. That game still tortures me. The point I wanted to make is, a less-than-great Packers team likely went much further than expected that year because of their willingness to commit to the run. Since then, they haven’t even approached a balance between the two. The closest they have come was in 2014, when they passed the ball “only” 101 times more than they ran it. The most lopsided year was 2018, when the team threw a whopping 307 times more than it passed! Small wonder that team went 7-8-1, and coach Mike McCarthy did not survive the season.
The Packers, of course, are far from the only team in the NFL that routinely throws much more than they run. The current rules invite you to pass. The league has added protection to the quarterback, and made it more difficult to defend a receiver and tackle him legally. Green Bay has also been blessed with back-to-back Hall of Fame signal callers, and to take opportunities to throw the ball away from them might seem to be a waste of their talent.
But the 2022 season presents a unique set of circumstances. You are paying your quarterback an average of $50 million per year. He is your franchise. He’s not a kid anymore. It is paramount that you keep him healthy, and that he is able to answer the bell for all seventeen games. The best way to do that is to discourage the pass rush with a persistent, strong running game. Especially when you have a good one. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon ran for a combined 1,602 yards last fall. Run the ball. Make those safeties come up. Then use the speed of Christian Watson, or the craftiness of Allen Lazard, or the experience of Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins, to hurt them with the pass.
An idea of what this might look like would be Green Bay’s game plan at Arizona last season. The Packers entered that contest without their three top pass catchers. Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Lazard were all out. Forced to lean heavily on the run, Jones and Dillon rushed for a combined 137 yards against one of the league's best defenses. When Rodgers did throw, his mark was often Jones out of the backfield, targeted eleven times with seven catches. The Packers put it up 37 times, compared to 34 rushes. That excellent balance enabled Green Bay to pull off a thrilling upset of the undefeated Cards, preserved by Rasul Douglas’ spectacular interception on Arizona’s final drive. They beat a very good team despite having just 184 yards through the air. That's the kind of offensive template that should work for the Pack in the coming year, at least until all of their new receivers get comfortable.
Let’s be honest. It’s highly unlikely Green Bay’s passing game is going to be as good this year as it has been in the last three under the Matt LaFleur regime. The losses of Adams and MVS will be hard to replace with rookies, and a veteran who has never justified his early first round draft status. That means the run game is going to have to be better. To do that, it has to be used more.
This should be the year Green Bay finally commits to the run. But will they?
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (58)
NickPerry
May 30, 2022 at 07:19 am
I'm REALLY excited about the possibilities of what Jones and Dillon can do on the ground this season. I actually believe Rodgers will buy into the running game a little more this year. Rodgers, as complicated of a fellow as he can be is also a really smart man. I mean if my sister knows the strength of the 2022 Packers is the Defense and RB's, then I'm sure Rodgers has/can figure that out too.
davekenya
May 30, 2022 at 10:51 am
...all of which points to NOT using Jones on special teams
NickPerry
May 30, 2022 at 07:20 am
Double post...Sorry
pantz_bURp
May 30, 2022 at 05:09 pm
No worries, NickP...a double post is much better than a DOUBLE DOINK... da Bears...doink, doink.
egbertsouse
May 30, 2022 at 07:25 am
Right, Diva is going to suddenly morph into Bob Griese and hand off 40 times a game. And a pig just flew by my window.
greengold
May 30, 2022 at 08:34 am
This has killed the dreams of many a Packers season.
All they have to do is run the rock MORE, run clock, capitalize with play action, score, let D give you the ball back 3 downs later. Repeat.
murf7777
May 30, 2022 at 08:50 am
GG, I respectfully disagree. In fact, only one out of the last 6 teams in the SB was in the top 14 running the ball and all of the last 3 winning teams were pass happy teams. The more you run, the more likely it will be that you won’t make it to the SB. Your reasoning are rationale, but with the rule changes they no longer are accurate.
I will also add that I think running the ball effectively today is even harder because of the speed and size of defensive players. Teams find it easier to get those yards on WR screens and RB rolling out. The WR position must block more than ever so that makes players like Lazards more valuable. Maybe I can convert you to passing game GG.
greengold
May 30, 2022 at 08:59 am
Yeah, I agree the rules changes favor the passing game, and we have great players to be legit contenders. Problem has been when the Packers forget about the running game. I just want them to run more than they do. Not asking for the world.
Aaron Rodgers will be so enamored with his passing options/new WR talent, it renders the point moot.
BALANCE. SMART FOOTBALL. That’s all I want to see.
10 carries each for 2 premiere RBs per game is not enough. 19. 13. 15. - RB rushing attempts in our last 3 playoff losses.
I’ve spent years pounding the fuck outta this horse and I’m done.
murf7777
May 30, 2022 at 08:56 am
I agree GG, it’s just we don’t get it both ways. What I mean by that is many times us fans see a pass play not work and our arm chair QB in us says, “why the hell didn’t the run the ball”. Do we have very good play callers, I’m not savvy enough to know. Every call has a reason and it might just be the best play called on a given play, but what happened is the Defense just made a better executed play. Many times it comes down the team who executed better and not the play that was called IMO.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
May 30, 2022 at 03:36 pm
Here's the thing, if you dont run it, you can forget about playaction which is why the Packers playaction game was terrible last year. In 2020, when they were running it down people's throats, the playaction game was off the charts. But then 12 heldout for more control and the run game and playaction both took a nosedive in 2021. If anything, running the ball has gotten easier because defenses have emphasized speed over size but very few teams have the balls or the patience to truly commit to running the ball. There's literally no negative with running. You shorten games, wear out opposing pass rushers which helps keep your qb's jersey clean, and open up passing lanes by forcing linebackers and safeties to guard against the run. Packers will have 8 or 10 play drives without a single run and then they wonder why playaction doesnt work. You dont have to be a 20 year veteran coach to spot things like this. If i was a defensive coordinator, i would literally never play to stop the run against them. Give them their occasional 10 yard run cuz you know theyre going to get right back to the pass anyways. This is what the better defenses have done to the Packers for years and its exactly why their usually vaunted offense falls flat in the playoffs against the best defenses. Its not about going all run, its about maintaining balance and making the defense defend the whole field. You cant have balance without running the ball.
murf7777
May 30, 2022 at 08:34 am
And why should he? It’s not a winning formula, look at my email below for the facts.
pantz_bURp
May 30, 2022 at 11:27 am
Egbert, when you shine...you really SHINE. Just takes so dang long...like a strike FINALLY from the beast known as the mighty tiger musky.
Thanks, I got that song, "Turn Around Bright Eyes" swimming in my head now...(I'm humming..."total eclipse of the heart...once upon I time...")
mrtundra
May 30, 2022 at 07:49 am
If the Packers are committing to the run, this season, Patrick Taylor, Kylin Hill and UDFA RBs Goodson and Baylor had better be in the rotation. GB will need all to contribute for the run game to last. We know injuries are a possibility and we will need these other back up RBs to be ready, if Heaven forbid, either Jones or Dillon gets injured. We will see what Rodgers does with a new run heavy philosophy. That will be a big change for him, but one he will have to face, now that Davante is gone and until he can get to know and trust his new WRs.
13TimeChamps
May 30, 2022 at 08:12 am
I'd like to acknowledge my fellow Veterans on this Memorial Day, particularly the ones who didn't make it home.
Semper Fi!
Since'61
May 30, 2022 at 10:40 am
Semper Fi! 13Times. Our fallen comrades live on as long as we remember them. Be well. Thanks, Since ‘61
pantz_bURp
May 30, 2022 at 11:30 am
The most true and heartfelt comment, thanks 13Time! All this seems so trivial compared to what they and their loved one's sacrificed. I have always loved the Billy Ray Cyrus song..." "Some Gave All, All Gave Some".🙏
jannesbjornson
May 30, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Won't be forgotten, cannot be replaced.
Spock
June 01, 2022 at 08:20 am
Who the Hell down voted a comment thanking our troops?! Shame on whomever did that.
#disgusted
murf7777
May 30, 2022 at 08:40 am
Just STOP it with this silliness……..Yeah and let’s go back to the Packers 70’s and 80’s and run, run and than pass on 3rd down. In Today’s game Super Bowl winning teams pass the ball way more than run. In fact, it’s not even close. Seldom will a running team or even one who is close to 50% running the ball will win a Super Bowl any longer. The rules have changed and so has the game. The game is won thru the air.
Here are the last three years SB Contenders with the 2nd one as the winner. The percentage number is the amount of time they ran the ball vs pass with their ranking rated by FF. I’ve also included Green Bay’s run %.
Cinci 44%. 15th Vs. Rams 40.9%. 24th. GB 42.9%. 17th
KC. 39%. 27th. Vs. TB. 37.1%. 30th. GB 45.7%
SF. 51%. 2nd. VS. KC. 39.4%. 24th. GB. 41.8
The numbers prove out that passing teams win the Super Bowl. The last 3 SB winning teams pass the ball less than 40%. As Ken states in the article the rules have changed. Although, Ken you worry to much about the ability of our “pass catchers”, the Packers will be just fine. Let’s also not get too worried about Rodgers being 39, he’s still mobile enough and Tampa Tommy, who isn’t mobile at all, continues to throw the ball more than almost all teams.
Running the ball is mostly used now to keep defenses honest and create play action where you hold the LB’s and Star position for a moment. You don’t need to run the ball 50% of the time to create those opportunities. Do you really want to see the Packers run the ball on 3rd and 3 or 4? Most teams will get killed doing that.
“The times, they are a-changing” as Bob Dylan made famous. Actually, they have been for quite awhile, it’s just taken some longer than others to realize this. It’s no longer a football game where you must run the ball and stop the run. You now have to pass the ball and stop the pass!!!
dobber
May 30, 2022 at 09:20 am
" You don’t need to run the ball 50% of the time to create those opportunities. Do you really want to see the Packers run the ball on 3rd and 3 or 4? "
Absolutely agree. It's as much about effectiveness and the threat of running the ball as much as anything else. Get that ypc well north of 4.5 and run any number of plays out of what looks like obvious rush sets. Having the personnel to impose your will whether it's throwing or pounding a team into the dirt. It doesn't need to be Badger football (even though I love to watch a team methodically grind an opponent play after play).
I think--as much as anything else--the Packers need to develop an identity as a team that opponents must respect the run in most down-distance situations. I'll pick the extreme example of Derrick Henry: whenever he's on the field, the defense respects the fact that he could get the ball and wreck their day regardless of all but more extreme situations. A commitment to the run isn't so much running more than passing, but a commitment to it being an ongoing part of the game plan.
Coldworld
May 30, 2022 at 10:57 am
Agree. Running for the sake of running is just as flawed an approach as not running at all. What we need to do is use our tools, including the run to attack opponents weaknesses and to then stress and stretch their defensive game plan. Pounding the middle is a legitimate tool are the use of 2 back sets, passes to players out of the back field and so on.
Unfortunately I don’t think we have been very good at game planning to use the run as an effective tool unless forced to. We should have used Dillon more early in the last two championship games. We should use 2RB sets more and we should be more willing to use Dillon to set up Jones and interchange within drives. Keep the defenders in the back foot.
In my opinion it’s not that we need to run more but that we need to employ the run and the threat of it more astutely.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Exactly Dobber. Balanced offenses are nice not because they're balanced every game but because they can take advantage of the defenses weaknesses. YPC is much more important than overall yards. In 2020 they averaged 4.8 YPC compared to 4.3 in 2021. Carries were 443 to 446 last year and they ran for 218 less yards last year. They don't need to run the ball more so much as more efficiently. Getting that YPC up to 4.8-5 would go a long way in helping the passing game out.
It's also been shown that play action freezes the defense for a second whether to you're a good running team or a crappy running team. It's counterintuitive but the ability to run doesn't affect play action efficiency.
marpag1
May 30, 2022 at 11:47 am
I don’t think the stats are as compelling as you make them out to be. Here are the years prior to the three you quoted, showing the SB winner and how much they ran.
2018 NE - Only 7 teams ran more than NE
2017 PHI – only 11 teams ran more
2016 NE – only 4 teams ran more
2015 DEN – 17 teams ran more
2014 NE – 17 teams ran more
2013 SEA – 0 teams ran more
2012 BAL – 14 teams ran more
On average, Super Bowl winners ranked 10.8 in MOST runs from 2012-2018. In all of these seasons the SB winner ranked average or above average in run percentage. (I’m counting 17th as average in a 32 team league). So to say, as you did, that the stats “prove out that passing teams win the Super Bowl” seems highly debatable.
SEA led the league in run percentage in 2013 and won the SB. I think we all know that they should have won a second SB in 2014 – they led the league in run percentage that year, too – but Pete Carroll inexplicably had a brain fart and forgot that his team won by RUNNING.
Perhaps like you, my first reaction to Ken’s article was that run heavy teams don’t win. So I asked myself some questions. In the past 10 years, which teams have run more often than they passed? And how did those teams perform?
In the past 10 years, on average only 3.4 teams per year have run more than they passed. I thought they would all suck, but they didn’t. In fact, those teams averaged 9.9 wins per season.
True, there were some few teams in there that sucked and/or ran only because they had no QB or WRs – the Bills and the Jets for example. But most teams in this group were excellent. If you take one team out of the mix – Buffalo – the number of wins per season jumps to 10.2. If you take Buffalo and the Jets out, the number jumps to 10.7 wins per season. That’s pretty damn high.
I wondered, “Maybe these teams have high run percentages simply because they are killing the clock after piling up a big lead. Nope. Most of the teams were decidedly run-heavy from the get-go. Most of the teams were SEA, TEN, SF, BAL, etc.
This surprised me.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2022 at 12:57 pm
The Eagles were actually 3rd in the league for yardage and 3rd in YPC in 2017. Attempts don't mean much if the YPC is low.
marpag1
May 30, 2022 at 02:06 pm
I'm not real clear on what you're saying. The 2017 Eagles were 3rd in rushing yards (2115) and 4th in yards per carry (4.5).
They were 13th in passing yards (3737), 15th in yards per catch and 23rd in completion percentage.
This would seem to confirm that they were a primarily run-first team, and yet they were able to win the super bowl. My point is that run first teams can and do win super bowls.
LLCHESTY
May 31, 2022 at 07:25 am
I wasn't disagreeing with you, just saying attempts doesn't tell the whole story. They were super efficient rushing the ball that year, probably top 3 in DVOA.
greengold
May 31, 2022 at 08:29 am
Yeah, They definitely have been efficient, LL.
The Packers do have the OL & RB talent to add more run play as a percentage of their game planning. In simpler terms, run blocking is just way more fun, with less wear and tear on your own guys, and way more on theirs.
murf7777
May 30, 2022 at 02:28 pm
Fair enough, but you have to agree over the past 5 years the enforcement of DB hitting defenseless receivers and protecting the QB has increased and it all helps the passing game. Also, to be clear, I’m not stating you don’t want to run, just be very effective when you do…it’s not about how many times you run the ball or the Pack should run more IMO. They are middle of the pack over the last three years and that seems about right.
wildbill
May 30, 2022 at 09:22 pm
Carroll didn’t have a brain fart in that super bowl loss, he wanted Wilson to win the MVP. A game winning TD pass would have set that up. Serves them right.
PackEyedOptimist
May 30, 2022 at 08:50 am
Personally, I think MLF's plan is to be completely flexible.
I don't think the answer is to be "X-friendly" as an offense OR defense, it is to be whatever works best against the current opponent. The Packers' roster is built to handle all sorts of situations.
Defense? "Clark-Wyatt-Reed-Slayton, Gary-Smith-Walker-Campbell, Alexander-Stokes-Douglas-Savage-Amos" can play ANY defensive style, being completely unpredictable.
Offensively, they have a line who can both run and pass block, two RBs who are excellent runners AND receivers AND pass blockers, receivers who can run-block well, or win in space (both shallow and deep), with an MVP QB who run-fakes well and is one of the NFL's greatest passers ever.
This team doesn't need an "identity" beyond "We do everything well--try to stop us."
PeteK
May 30, 2022 at 09:26 am
The Pack has little choice but to run the ball more than past years. That could change later in the season if the young WRs and veterans gel. Rodgers especially at this point in his career wants to win a title so he will still get his chance to play hero ball , but with a bit less emphasis on the passing game.
A very strong running attack could hinge on the T positions and to a lesser extent the H back position. Yes, the LBs are faster in todays football, but they are lighter and teams use the dime and nickel defenses very often which can leave teams susceptible to a grinding run attack. Also, a very good defense could give the offense more attempts. However, we can discuss and argue, but usually balance wins out in the end.
greengold
May 30, 2022 at 11:13 am
When will the maulers we’ve drafted at OL be let loose to maul? There are advantages to running more than we have, especially this season. I anticipate seeing that early, while new WRs/AR get up to speed.
30 carries per game between Jones/Dillon is an elusive reasonable minimum for two solid RBs.
Premier, dominant, All-Pro RBs require carries to be so regarded. When was the last time we committed to Jones & Dillon carrying the load? Or Jones & Williams previously?
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2022 at 01:02 pm
They don't draft maulers, they're an outside zone team. Maulers are for power gap teams that don't ask their O lineman to move sideways. Look at the RAS scores, they look for athletes with quick feet.
MainePackFan
May 30, 2022 at 01:38 pm
LLCHESTY, I don't think there is a rule that says players with high RAS scores aren't capable of being maulers when needed. If a man is 6'5" 325 lbs. and a good athlete, I see no reason why he can't be a mauler.
As a matter of fact, If the Packers want the playoffs to come through Green Bay, they better figure out how to be the more physical team IMHO.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2022 at 05:06 pm
No, once in awhile you get lucky and find a guy good at doing both. But it's a rarity for the most part.
Before the draft they had a Georgia O lineman in for a visit and I said I didn't understand why. His agility testing was bad and he didn't fit the Packers OL profile. The Packers aren't interested in below average athletes that can fire out and push the guy in front of them, it's just not a big part of their running game. There's just not that many teams playing power gap anymore. It wasn't hard to predict that Faalele was going to end up on the Ravens.
greengold
May 31, 2022 at 06:51 am
Get over it, LLCHESTY.
Sean Rhyan is a goddam mauler… it doesn’t matter what the scheme. Yeah he’s got a phenomenal RAS, and light feet are always a plus, regardless of scheme. Sean Rhyan as a pulling Guard? OMG.
“Maulers,” are not unique to gap. The Packers run both outside zone, inside zone AND POWER GAP. We use counters all the time. The Packers employ both power gap and zone regularly, and our RBs are good at both.
LLCHESTY
May 31, 2022 at 07:45 am
There's nothing to get over. The Packers have been more finesse than maulers since Ahman Green left. How often do you see a Packer guard pull these days? Once a game maybe? Their use of power running is pretty much limited to just short yardage plays
I read a lot about Rhyan before and after he was drafted and don't remember anyone calling him a mauler. I watched quite a bit of him too. In fact I remember a couple people saying he gets to narrow when drive blocking and sometimes gets too upright causing him to lose leverage. Watch Tyler Smith, now that's a mauler.
jannesbjornson
May 30, 2022 at 12:14 pm
I would open the season with a Five-wide look , take it to the House and blow the Fan's minds...
Leatherhead
May 30, 2022 at 09:20 am
Quite a few of our passes are just long handoffs. The RB ends up with the ball over half the time. I don’t think it’s going to 70% or anything. I’d suggest that instead of saying “commitment to run” , it would be more accurate to say “commitment to getting the ball into the hands of the RB.
PeteK
May 30, 2022 at 10:04 am
Simply take what the defense gives you.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
May 30, 2022 at 03:45 pm
Defenses have literally been daring the Packers to run for decades and yet here we are still wondering why this team falls short in the playoffs every single year.
Since'61
May 30, 2022 at 10:57 am
Leatherhead you have it correct. Many of our passes are just long handoffs including the quick passes to
a WR at the LOS with other receivers blocking for him.
If our OL is effective our offense will move the ball via the run or the pass. Thanks, Since ‘61
greengold
May 30, 2022 at 11:17 am
The problem there in overusing that is it CONSTANTLY forces your OL to absorb energy in pass blocking, as opposed to teeing off across the line in run blocking.
It also opens your QB to taking more hits.
jannesbjornson
May 30, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Holmgren liked to save his RBs until the latter part of the season for the very same reason. The RBs take the blows, try to measure their loads.
greengold
May 30, 2022 at 01:02 pm
True, and to wear out, or finish off opposing defenses in the 2nd half of games. He was masterful. I’m hoping for a return of that with LaFleur. Opens up some of those kill shot deep throws. Daggers.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2022 at 01:05 pm
Holmgren often went "mad scientist" in the 3rd quarter of games, abandoning the run even when it was working. I guess to show he was a genius. It was especially noticeable in 1998.
PhantomII
May 30, 2022 at 10:07 am
I would be much happier saying " Just move the chains ". Whatever you have to do to do that is what we need to do. I'm okay running more and we should, but we also need to use more than AJ2 to do it in case someone gets hurt we don't omit it from the game plan which is what has been (ML) biggest problem. It's not run it until you can't, it's run it until someone is hurt then completely abandon the run because I did not think far enough ahead to rotate fresh runners throughout the season so I feel comfortable doing it. Unfortunately
this has happened in back to back playoffs.....He still has not learned " HE " is his biggest obstacle in the PLAYOFFS. Apparently Gute needs to tell him so it is not 3 PLAYOFF GAMES IN A ROW.
Oppy
May 30, 2022 at 10:54 am
It's not about the packers commitment to running the ball, it's about Rodgers' commitment to running the ball. Always has been.
Even back when most Packers fans were going out of their mind trying to understand why McCarthy kept on saying we need more rushing attempts week in and week out.. Rodgers was very carefully playing the "I'm not technically lying" game by answering questions from the media about lack of rush attempts with very deliberate quotes like "We need to get the RB's more involved in the gameplan" or "We definitely need to get [insert RB name here] more touches", but Rodgers would never say "hand off the ball", "rush attempts", "run the ball".
That's because Rodgers wants those passing yards. Pure and simple. And he has always knowingly deflected the lack of consistent rush attempts in meaningful minutes to the feet of his head coach.
pantz_bURp
May 30, 2022 at 11:22 am
And #12, "I am not technically lying" when I say you sucked it up the last couple playoff games. I am thinking about starting a GoFindMe for you during the playoffs.
No more excuses, no more money...just get it done finally. I don't care about your personal life, your personal habits...I care when you talk about the TEAM and represent the GBPs and WI...then I am all ears. Mannn, this silence is deafening....😁
Ya_tittle
June 01, 2022 at 02:01 pm
Thank you!
Vforrest
May 30, 2022 at 11:01 am
Do they have it in them? We’ll, MLF does I would believe.
The question I have that nobody knows or is willing to share if they do, is how many called run plays a year does AR audible out of?
It’s been said AR can audible any time he wants…so the question is if they want to be more run than pass but end up more pass than run…what is the commitment to the run? Is it a MLF question or a AR question?
Oppy
May 30, 2022 at 11:10 am
Just 7 minutes before you posted, I said the exact same thing, albeit with many more words. Lol.
I need to get an editor.
Bure9620
May 30, 2022 at 11:06 am
I expect Dillion to have a huge year and to get a significant bulk of the carries as I expect Jones to be featured more in the pass game on screens, swings, wheels and gettting split out in motion for the quick game where Adams was featured frequently. The AJ Dillon show is upon us.
pantz_bURp
May 30, 2022 at 11:15 am
I have an itch, a feeling that #12 will buy into the run more than ever this coming season. Also, when the gales of November come early...running can be more effective than the pass when inclement weather is in WI for home games. But, you do need both.
Runs can complement and set up the pass and vice versa. #12 is taking a liking to the runs like any colon cleansing smooth operator should. So, thanks Ken with, "Do they have it in them?"...the real question is, does #12 have it out of him?
Run Forest Run! (Happy Memorial Day!)
Kevin10
May 30, 2022 at 12:44 pm
The o-line will be the key to their offense. Lots of questions, for sure. With the injuries and rotations seen last year, I never felt they had a reliable, consistent run game. They were adequate for the personnel used, and deserve credit for getting by. Lots of competition this year; hopefully, they gel early on.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
May 30, 2022 at 03:50 pm
They didnt even try to establish the outside zone run last year. It was by a large replace by weak inside rpo runs where dillon was expected to just carry piles. The few times they did go with outside zone, they would get a good gain then go right back to passing.
K-Town262
May 30, 2022 at 08:30 pm
I believe the running game SUSTAINS drives and PROVIDES play-action opportunities, eg. San Francisco 49ers.
Apart from the running backs doing their traditional tasks of running and blocking, Green Bay's running backs thrive when they are out in the open in the passing game.
If your definition of running the ball includes utilizing the RBs in the passing game too, then all that Green Bay needs to do is keep getting the ball in their hands in all shapes and forms.
wildbill
May 30, 2022 at 09:33 pm
Not as worried about run percentage as effectiveness. It would be nice for the defense to worry about us running on 3rd/4th and 2 or 3 yards.