Zombieslayer
Cheesehead
For those of you who want to see the Packers win some games, this post is for you.
I don't want this post to degenerate into a Holmgram vs Sherman vs MM post, I'm just stating what works with the current team. Let's not say we should have done this or that in the offseason. Let's assume we have the same players today that we'll have at the end of the season.
On offense, whether we like it or not, Green of '06 is not the Green of '03. He's lost a step, and doesn't have as much explosiveness as he had several years ago. He's also now injury prone, and shouldn't carry the workload he had in the past. He is however still quite intelligent and follows blockers better than just about anyone else. Therefore, we'll play to our strengths.
Our strengths on offense are our passing game, but we can't just throw 40 times a game and expect it to work, because opposing teams know we're going to do that and don't even prepare for our running. They focus mostly on stopping Favre.
Holmgrem knew how to work with what he had and passed to open up the run. That's what we need to do. Green + Herron = a decent RB set. Get the short passes going to Driver and occasionally throw a few downfield to Robinson, and a few slants to Jennings. Keep the defense off balance. Then throw in a few screen passes here and there. Build a rhythm. Get momentum. Most importantly, keep the opposing offenses off the field.
Pass first, but mix it up with runs. Pass to open up the running game. Include those Packer screens, the ones that Sherman was good at with Green, and that's how I'd like to see Green mostly involved.
Use Green and Herron as Holmgram used Bennett and Levens. Each of them get about 10-15 carries a game, plus a lot of short passes thrown their way.
Now, our offense isn't the problem though. It's our defense. Our offense always has to play catch-up because our defense is so bad.
2 major things we need from our D:
1) put some pressure on opposing QB's. So far, Kampman has been good. Everyone else has sucked. We need to blitz, whether you all like it or not. ANY QB in the NFL looks good with 5 seconds to throw. We can't give opposing QBs that much time.
So we blitz, but mix up the blitzes. Blitz with LBs, have both Harris and Woodson blitz at different times. Remember when Harris used to record sacks? We need to do that again. Have the safeties blitz. We all know they can't cover. Then put them to use. Make them blitz occasionally. The whole point of this is to keep the QB on their toes. Keep them scared. If we give up the big play, so be it. We're giving them up anyways. Believe me, with a scared QB, he's going to throw the occasional INT.
2) Takeaways. How come we've played five games and only intercepted three passes? We've had opportunities. It's not like opposing QBs haven't thrown the ball right into our hands. Why can't we hold on to the ball when they do that? This is killing us. We can't continue to give away the football and not take the ball away back, then expect to win. Why are the Rams so good? Simply because of their turnover ratio. Turnovers change the tide of a game, and our coaches need to drill into our D's heads that we need Takeaways.
In summary, on offense, we need to control the ball. Play to our strengths, and have the pass open up the run.
On D, we need sacks and interceptions (or fumbles). Our D is no good, but if we can get some takeaways, we'll turn the tides of the games. Pressuring a QB is always a good way to get takeaways.
By the way, our run D isn't that bad. That's why I haven't brought that aspect up.
I don't want this post to degenerate into a Holmgram vs Sherman vs MM post, I'm just stating what works with the current team. Let's not say we should have done this or that in the offseason. Let's assume we have the same players today that we'll have at the end of the season.
On offense, whether we like it or not, Green of '06 is not the Green of '03. He's lost a step, and doesn't have as much explosiveness as he had several years ago. He's also now injury prone, and shouldn't carry the workload he had in the past. He is however still quite intelligent and follows blockers better than just about anyone else. Therefore, we'll play to our strengths.
Our strengths on offense are our passing game, but we can't just throw 40 times a game and expect it to work, because opposing teams know we're going to do that and don't even prepare for our running. They focus mostly on stopping Favre.
Holmgrem knew how to work with what he had and passed to open up the run. That's what we need to do. Green + Herron = a decent RB set. Get the short passes going to Driver and occasionally throw a few downfield to Robinson, and a few slants to Jennings. Keep the defense off balance. Then throw in a few screen passes here and there. Build a rhythm. Get momentum. Most importantly, keep the opposing offenses off the field.
Pass first, but mix it up with runs. Pass to open up the running game. Include those Packer screens, the ones that Sherman was good at with Green, and that's how I'd like to see Green mostly involved.
Use Green and Herron as Holmgram used Bennett and Levens. Each of them get about 10-15 carries a game, plus a lot of short passes thrown their way.
Now, our offense isn't the problem though. It's our defense. Our offense always has to play catch-up because our defense is so bad.
2 major things we need from our D:
1) put some pressure on opposing QB's. So far, Kampman has been good. Everyone else has sucked. We need to blitz, whether you all like it or not. ANY QB in the NFL looks good with 5 seconds to throw. We can't give opposing QBs that much time.
So we blitz, but mix up the blitzes. Blitz with LBs, have both Harris and Woodson blitz at different times. Remember when Harris used to record sacks? We need to do that again. Have the safeties blitz. We all know they can't cover. Then put them to use. Make them blitz occasionally. The whole point of this is to keep the QB on their toes. Keep them scared. If we give up the big play, so be it. We're giving them up anyways. Believe me, with a scared QB, he's going to throw the occasional INT.
2) Takeaways. How come we've played five games and only intercepted three passes? We've had opportunities. It's not like opposing QBs haven't thrown the ball right into our hands. Why can't we hold on to the ball when they do that? This is killing us. We can't continue to give away the football and not take the ball away back, then expect to win. Why are the Rams so good? Simply because of their turnover ratio. Turnovers change the tide of a game, and our coaches need to drill into our D's heads that we need Takeaways.
In summary, on offense, we need to control the ball. Play to our strengths, and have the pass open up the run.
On D, we need sacks and interceptions (or fumbles). Our D is no good, but if we can get some takeaways, we'll turn the tides of the games. Pressuring a QB is always a good way to get takeaways.
By the way, our run D isn't that bad. That's why I haven't brought that aspect up.
