jimmybones wrote:thomchatt3rton wrote:
I also think it's an issue of not wanting to overuse those sets and 1. give more film on it and 2. give a defense more time/chances to adjust to it. I liken it to pitching. Stay with me. I'm a pitcher and when you start a game the goal is to go through the lineup 2-3 times so you can get through 6+ innings. I have 3 pitches(4th if you count a 2 seam as a separate pitch) and I like to save one of them as long as I can. For example, I like to try to make it through the full batting order using primarily fastball and some sliders. The second time through, I'll throw a 2 strike circle change and the hitters timing is mind blown.
I think the Packers offense does something similar in that they have certain sets, looks or plays that they will save until they need them in a game. If they can win the game running more basic stuff, there's less film out there on the exotic stuff. If they have to go to that stuff, at least save it until there's a crucial drive and you give the defense little chance to make an adjustment. You throw something at them they haven't seen all game, with a no huddle and no halftime or even in between drives for coaches to make strategic adjustments, and it's that much harder to stop. The question is, how long do you wait to pull out your good stuff? The get the impression that the Packers are very confident, almost stubborn, and think their base stuff is always good enough to win. So they will run that stuff until the very last moment the other looks are needed. I understand the thinking, if we can keep a lot in our back pocket for a big moment or drive late in the playoffs, it can be that much more effective and at a time where it's most needed. But, if you save too much you may never even reach that moment. There's a very fine line between showing too much and saving too much and I think the Packers are very big on playing the long game and saving as much ammo as possible, probably more than any other team.
Yep, you make good points and I think I buy why they would wait to use that specific package (no-huddle, empty backfield, moving Cobb around a bit etc) sparingly and late. But I'd still like to see them incorporate some more variety into their everyday playcalling, and I guess that was the larger point I wanted to make. Maybe Clements is the man to do that.
I agree with you. Overall, I agree with the Packers approach to many things, both in game and in roster assembly. But, one of the main things I'd like to see is a tad bit more aggressive, cut throat going for it mentality and a tad less saving bullets. Not a huge shift, but just a little more going for it now mentality. I like that they think big picture, and are confident they can beat teams straight up. But, it's a risky and ballsy move to save something in your back pocket that could help you win today for the sake of winning later. (Whether that be saving things for the end of the game or the end of a season)