Rushing game last few weeks

Honestly, I think our UDFA RT Barclay has a little to do with this. The guy is pretty impressive so far in run blocking, he will carry his block 10 yards down the field and then find someone else to hit, I like it. Very aggressive. The other thing, is that it seems that Alex Green is making better choices. It seems that his vision is improving. Just in time too. Without a run game, I don't think we win last night. This really helps win games in Dec/Jan.

Stats wise, I guess it is working. I just want to see green rip off a big time run ( 40+ yds ) and not get tackled by a shoelace. He seems to go down easy.

That Harris TD run was beautiful, especially when NBC did the slow-mo replay to show the LG pull into the hole. Everyone put a hat on a hat, and there were OL blocking at the second level. That's where it really counts. Guys need to sustain blocks at the point but then also reach the second level to ensure that these aren't just 1-3 yard gains but going for 5-7 yards.

Somewhere, Hannibal Smith is saying "I love it when a plan comes together"

I've been up and down on Green and now am back "up" on him. Perhaps its his continued recovery from injury or greater familiarity with the O, but he's running with more determination than he was earlier in the season. And who didn't sit up and take notice with DuJuan Harris' first carry? Apparently he's been beating up the first team D in practice (on the rare occassions they put pads on). Rodgers said Harris has a chance to be special. High praise from a very credible source.

Yup that's when i said to myself...no way that was Green

Here's Green's breakdown on QB-over-center vs. shotgun in those 4 games:

QB-over-center: 33 / 134 / 4.1
Shotgun: 13 / 76 / 5.9

In those games, he was not asked to carry the load. He's carried between 10 and 13 times in each of those 4 games.

Green's a long-strider, he's got a nice burst, and he works best in space. He doesn't break tackles or move the pile, but I've noticed in the last couple games he's getting some fall-forward yardage.

His carries out of shotgun enforce patience since they're by nature delays to one degree or another...the hole has a chance to develop for his burst/stride or he has the time to spot a burst-to-the-edge opportunity. He's just not the type of back who can slip and slide at the line until he finds a hole. He's the guy on this squad most likely to make a big gainer when getting clean to the second level or in the passing game.

Harris is interesting because he's a different type of runner...he looks to be one of those quick-twitch type runners, characteristic of a lot of the short guys in the league. He gets to the line quick, and his cut-and-go looks to be more of a quick lateral move. He could be a nice change of pace to compliment Green.

The all-run 7 play / 41 yard game-winning drive was the best running we've seen since 2010, alternating 3 backs with contrasting styles, all with fresh legs, working against a D-line running out of gas. One of the three things you need to get out of your running game is 4th. quarter productivity. +1

As a postscript, this is another +1 in the Rodgers 4th. quarter game winning drive column. I'm too lazy to back and find that thread. What are we up to...3? 4?

Pretty slick, huh? It makes you wonder, "where has that been all season?" I noticed the Redskins running exactly this blocking call out of their zone scheme against the Giants two weeks ago, to good effect. Take a note.

Sitton and Barklay have jelled we can run on that side. Green cuts have improved.

Here's a great chart ESPN posted this morning on our running game, specifically our success running behind Sitton and Barclay compared to the left side:

Packers Rushing by Direction, Last 2 Games

Left/MiddleRight
Rushes 29 31
Yds per rush 3.3 6.4
1st downs 4 10
TD 0 3
>>Excluding kneeldowns
Source: ESPN Stats & Information
Packers Rushing to Right, This Season

1st 11 GamesLast 2 Games
Pct. of rushes 33.6 51.7
Yds/rush 3.9 6.4
1st down pct. 18.3 32.3
10-yd rushes 5 7
TD 0 3

I think this proves much of what we've said: Barclay's stepped in nicely and the run game has taken off running behind him. Now, I'm not nearly ready to jump on the Barclay bandwagon and promote him to starting RT like some on this forum - see another post - but, he's proven he was ready to step-in when needed. Moving Lang back to guard seems automatic now, or at least should be.

Barclay is very good compared to our most recent RT when it comes to run blocking, but will he improve enough in pass protection to garner Rodgers trust?

Wait.......I thought running games weren't needed anymore and that it was a passing league. Or was that another forum?

I did the same double-take on that first run. I first thought to myself, "Self, did Green just run over someone?" Then I noticed the jersey (#26) and asked myself, "Self, who dat?"

Nooooo, not this can 'o worms again!!!

Apparently it was here. On another Packer forum they are currently discussing trying to get Reggie Bush for next year.


Packer fans think alike.

Do Not Want. Bush can blow away into obscurity for all I care.

There was more to that can of worms than Bush. I've never believed you don't need a running game. Some throw out stats saying otherwise but I think you help your QB, help your OL, and help your offense by having one.

I think the running and passing games both hinge on the OL, and that a shiny new toy isn't always the quick fix everyone thinks it is

Although I assume this was meant in jest, I don’t remember a single poster saying running games were no longer needed. What we were reading from some on this forum is the Packers need a great/fantastic/pro-bowl RB. So the question that can just as easily be asked is, ‘where did that idea go?’

After Ds got smoked by the Packers’ offense last season teams are daring the Packers to run. IMO the Packers running game has to be just good enough to dissuade them of that idea.

It’s great Barclay has done so well run blocking but for him to compete to be the RT of the future, his pass blocking will have to improve. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the play of an UDFA making his first starts in the NFL. All I’m saying is if it were reversed and he was great in pass pro but struggled run blocking, and if the rest of the OL passed blocked like they did during the 2010 title run, we’d be seeing a lot more pass plays. And the O would be more explosive.

I too look forward to seeing Barclay improve his footwork and technique to become a more complete lineman.