More about our running game from ESPN:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/stor...free-agency-offseason-plans-green-bay-packers
Team philosophies
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Offense -- This is a well-defined offense that rarely changes, and its philosophy suits its personnel well. It is a pass-first offense led by an excellent and creative playcaller, head coach Mike McCarthy. When the Packers do run the ball, they zone block up front and use a lot of finesse plays -- the stretch, draws and misdirection -- but they are not very effective at being physical between the tackles.
Aaron Rodgers runs this offense to perfection with multi-receiver sets and spread formations. He can extend plays with his feet, is uncanny when it comes to keeping defenses confused with his cadence, is terrific at identifying and beating the blitz and will use a variety of personnel groupings.
Offensive line -- The lack of a consistent run game is partly a result of poor offensive line play, and inconsistent pass protection is resulting in too many hits on Rodgers. However, with a healthy group in 2013 and improvement by the Packers' young players, this group has a chance to quickly get better. With center
Jeff Saturday gone, they will probably look for an interior backup player. The left side also needs to be examined, as that is where the most breakdowns in protection occur.
Running back -- How many years have we watched this team consistently win games without a legitimate run game? Part of the problem is an offensive line that struggles to open holes, but even if it did, none of these backs threaten a defense. This position has been a revolving door of fringe players, and without a solid run game, defenses are able to sit back in deep coverages and take away Rodgers' vertical passing game. They need a physical back with some explosiveness and speed to at least force defenses to play honestly.
Key free-agent move
Steven Jackson, RB, UFA
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The Packers offense may never rely on a bell cow running back with Rodgers under center, because they don't need to. This passing attack is among the most prolific in football, and McCarthy manufactures yards at or near the line of scrimmage by using Cobb and inside shovel passes to tight ends, among other wrinkles.
Jackson has a lot of tread on his tires at age 29, but he's one of the more physical running backs in the NFL and has missed just two games over the past four seasons. He's an adept pass-catcher out of the backfield, and
would form a nice one-two punch with late-season revelation DuJuan Harris, who the team appears to like quite a bit.
Jackson recently voided the final year on his contract and sounds intent on signing with a winning team that gives
him a shot to reach the playoffs for the first time since his rookie season.
Green Bay remains the cream of the crop in the NFC North, but adding a physical presence in its backfield to help balance the offense would make this team an even stronger bet to challenge in the NFC next season.