Packersnews.com:
More protection sparks pass attack
By Rob Demovsky
[email protected]
Though every offensive game plan is different, the Green Bay Packers may have to at least consider using the same type of ultra conservative passing game that was so successful in Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions.
Coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski used a variety of six-, seven- and even eight-man protections, and the result was the Packers' most efficient passing attack of the season. Brett Favre never came close to throwing an interception, was not sacked, completed 69.4 percent of his passes and threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
By using multiple tight end formations and keeping the tight ends in to block longer than usual, it limited Favre's opportunities to throw deeper down the field but also eliminated some of the risky throws he made the first two weeks when he was under heavy pressure.
"We had the ability to protect with seven but still get five (receivers) out," Jagodzinski said on Monday. "You're protecting with seven guys, but if their (blocking) assignment doesn't come, you still have the ability to get five out. That's the way we went."
It was almost a must after the trouble the Packers had protecting Favre the first two games, when he was sacked a combined five times and hit 14 times. Also, it was a way to help rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Tony Moll against Lions' Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.
"You've got to help those guys out a little bit," Jagodzinski said. "To put those guys on their own would be so negligent. You don't put your guys in a position like that. You've got to put them in a position to succeed."
To be sure, the Packers still used their share of multiple-receiver sets. They opened the game with No. 3 receiver Robert Ferguson on the field in place of a tight end, and Favre completed a play-action pass to Donald Driver for a 7-yard gain.
However, on at least 17 of their 63 offensive plays, they had multiple tight ends on the field, many times to help with pass protection.
"I think it helps," Colledge said. "It builds confidence. It gives you a chance to eliminate guys that are going to be big-time players like a Rogers. It gives you a chance to lean on those guys and wear them down."
McCarthy and Jagodzinski also put Favre in the shotgun as much or more than they had in the first two games as a way to help with protection.
Not only did the Lions fail to sack Favre, they weren't credited with a quarterback hit, a new category on the official game stats this season. Part of that was due to the multitude of quick throws and short drops Favre took.
Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that Driver had his least productive game of the season with only three catches for 20 yards, but Jagodzinski said that type of game plan shouldn't limit what Favre can do.
"You still have the ability to get five guys out," Jagodzinski said. "You have to be able to mix it up. It's not just one protection. It's one of maybe five or six we carry into the game."
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We discussed this after the game, and it looks like other people are taking note of it as well. The pass protection was good due to extra blockers. This didn't happen in 2005(worse line too) and we all saw Favre get laid out multiple times. After 2 games of 'suspect' pass blocking, the coaches are helping the line out, and giving Favre time to do his thing. I like it.
Hopefully in 2-3 weeks we can slowly start taking off the 'training wheels' and see what the young kids on the o-line can do!
this makes me like Jags a bit more!
More protection sparks pass attack
By Rob Demovsky
[email protected]
Though every offensive game plan is different, the Green Bay Packers may have to at least consider using the same type of ultra conservative passing game that was so successful in Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions.
Coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski used a variety of six-, seven- and even eight-man protections, and the result was the Packers' most efficient passing attack of the season. Brett Favre never came close to throwing an interception, was not sacked, completed 69.4 percent of his passes and threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
By using multiple tight end formations and keeping the tight ends in to block longer than usual, it limited Favre's opportunities to throw deeper down the field but also eliminated some of the risky throws he made the first two weeks when he was under heavy pressure.
"We had the ability to protect with seven but still get five (receivers) out," Jagodzinski said on Monday. "You're protecting with seven guys, but if their (blocking) assignment doesn't come, you still have the ability to get five out. That's the way we went."
It was almost a must after the trouble the Packers had protecting Favre the first two games, when he was sacked a combined five times and hit 14 times. Also, it was a way to help rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Tony Moll against Lions' Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.
"You've got to help those guys out a little bit," Jagodzinski said. "To put those guys on their own would be so negligent. You don't put your guys in a position like that. You've got to put them in a position to succeed."
To be sure, the Packers still used their share of multiple-receiver sets. They opened the game with No. 3 receiver Robert Ferguson on the field in place of a tight end, and Favre completed a play-action pass to Donald Driver for a 7-yard gain.
However, on at least 17 of their 63 offensive plays, they had multiple tight ends on the field, many times to help with pass protection.
"I think it helps," Colledge said. "It builds confidence. It gives you a chance to eliminate guys that are going to be big-time players like a Rogers. It gives you a chance to lean on those guys and wear them down."
McCarthy and Jagodzinski also put Favre in the shotgun as much or more than they had in the first two games as a way to help with protection.
Not only did the Lions fail to sack Favre, they weren't credited with a quarterback hit, a new category on the official game stats this season. Part of that was due to the multitude of quick throws and short drops Favre took.
Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that Driver had his least productive game of the season with only three catches for 20 yards, but Jagodzinski said that type of game plan shouldn't limit what Favre can do.
"You still have the ability to get five guys out," Jagodzinski said. "You have to be able to mix it up. It's not just one protection. It's one of maybe five or six we carry into the game."
--------------------------------------------
We discussed this after the game, and it looks like other people are taking note of it as well. The pass protection was good due to extra blockers. This didn't happen in 2005(worse line too) and we all saw Favre get laid out multiple times. After 2 games of 'suspect' pass blocking, the coaches are helping the line out, and giving Favre time to do his thing. I like it.
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Hopefully in 2-3 weeks we can slowly start taking off the 'training wheels' and see what the young kids on the o-line can do!
this makes me like Jags a bit more!
