I’m about as disheartened about the loss to the Saints as anyone, but Aaron told us all to relax. So, I’m going to relax and talk about one thing I really liked about the game against the Saints. (Yes, there was some good stuff to talk about.)Initially, when I looked at Eddie’s rushing stats, I was disappointed. Lacy was averaging 4.5 yards a carry and we only got him the ball 13 times. However, the reality of the situation is that Lacy had 182 yards of rushing. After all, the yards he gain in the passing game were really rushing yards. Sure, it all starts with a pass, but when the throw is only two yards downfield and the gain is 15, it’s really a run play by Lacy. Just a much longer hand off.
This is something we’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve mentioned several times in the past that when the run game is stalled, a great way to get your backs into the action is to dump little passes to them in the flats and on screens and you have a running game that starts several yards downfield.
It really worked like a charm. The Saints defense was so concerned about our potent wide receiving corp and so keyed on Lacy as a runner that they really weren’t prepared for Lacy the receiver.
Of course, a couple interceptions deep in enemy territory completely nullified the good things the Packers were doing with Lacy. However, the fact that the Pack has displayed Lacy as a receiving threat will just force future opponents to play far more disciplined defense. They won’t be able to key only on Lacy as a rusher and they won’t be able to provided added help defending our receivers and ignore Eddie out of the backfield.
What do you think? On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being irrelevant and 10 being bigger than huge) how important do you think it was for the Packers to get Lacy involved in the passing game?
11
Twitter: GPN_JR
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Ha! That’s about where I would mark it.
I agree we need to get Lacy the ball more and I like the way they did that. But I disagree with your assessmente that a screen in as good as a run. Running the ball allows the offence to work in playaction pass. Screen plays do not. We need to run the ball in order to beat good teams like 49rs and Seattle.
Twitter: GPN_JR
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Point taken Luke. When I stated that I simply meant it from the standpoint of using a running back to gain yardage and keep the sticks moving. But, you’re right, establishing a run game creates a threat that makes the play action work. Thanks for commenting.