The Packers used plenty of 4 and 5 wide sets, particularly in the second half of the Dallas game.
Going through the play-by- play, I come up with the following Rodgers stats for the second half:
16 - 20 for 80%
159 yds.
1 TD
1 INT
1 Fumble
Short passing was the running game proxy in Lacy's absence.
My pregame recommendations included using the 4 wide sets and throwing to Montgomery against Dallas' slowish LBs, which was used to good affect.
Considering the Packer punted only once in this game, the overall game plan was effective. This was yet another game with very good 3rd. down efficiency: 7 of 13.
The plan was derailed by (1) that ridiculous 0:33, 97 yard drive and (2) the 3 second half turnovers and the end zone misfire to Cobb.
A couple of additional random observations:
1) Nelson is not "back". He's functioning as a James Jones equivalent circa 2015, for good and ill, with the somewhat disturbing hands issues.
2) It's interesting to note that while the screen/swing/check-down passes to Lacy and particularly Starks leading up to this game were noticeably ill-timed and generally dismal, with Montgomery, the connections were spot on. This would indicate the problem was not with the QB.
3) I do believe Rodgers footwork on downfield passes out of a clean pocket is a bit off, where he throws too much off the back foot and is not driving the ball. By "driving" I don't mean velocity...he throws bullets off his back foot. But without the driving mechanics of shifting weight to the left foot, downfield accuracy suffers typically resulting in balls sailing. One wonders if the left knee that was operated on in the off season is still gimpy.
3) Speaking of Starks, who earlier in his career I had dubbed Mr. Knee Sprain, has now undergone a knee scoping. It would not surprise me if he was trying to play through an issue resulting in his uncharacteristic non-explosiveness.
4) Note the Davis punt return. He had blockers face-up on the lead coverage guys providing. This has been rarely seen the last 2 seasons. Let's see if that can be repeated.
5) Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8(d) states that unnecessary roughness includes:
"running or diving into, or throwing the body against or on a ball carrier who falls or slips to the ground untouched and makes no attempt to advance, before or after the ball is dead".
There is considerable leeway in the interpretation of this rule with respect to the defenders momentum. But these borderline incidents are beginning to be a habit. Start with Collins hit on Cobb in the Giants game. I expected a flag. So did Collins as he quickly scurried away from the play to avoid attribution. Cobb took another borderline shot against Dallas...Church went helmet to helmet with Cobb on his knees. Lee's high tackle on Adams' concussion play was a borderline "defenseless receiver". And it's lucky Lee took out Claiborne instead of contacting Adams on the earlier play because he was coming in high to the head.
In particular, the league should take a look at Mr. Sean Lee's film. With age and accumulated injuries he's slowed considerably. In compensation for diminished skills, the guy consistently tackles high, leads with his head and comes in for the borderline late hit...something of a head hunter, or as close to that as you can be in the gray area of the current rules.
