Packers/Rams Postgame

[Flames24Rulz]

10 of our drives started with a Grant run. We averaged less than 3 yards each.

That was the #1 thing that bothered me. Whatever happened to playing to our strengths? Our offensive line is below average. Our starting runningback is average, at best. But running him into a wall on first down did nothing but put us in 2nd and 8 or 9 or 10 all day. When they started to open it up a bit and pass in the 3rd the Packers moved the ball.

This isn't brain surgery. Use the pass to open up the run, not the other way around.

Exactly. We're sort of backwards when it comes to what we should do. We have to pass to set up the run, not the other way around. It's been that way since 07. I don't know why we've gotten away from that.

I did notice that there must have been an additional emphasis on quick releases and quick passes/catches because we ran more slants and quick curl routes in this game than the first two combined. We're still attacking downfield too much. I guess I can sort of accept their reasoning if they were just employing their corners on our wideouts in single coverage because STL's secondary outside of Atogwe is dreadful. Rodgers needs to shore up his deep ball accuracy, though. I'm not really all that concerned about that though.

[El Duderino]

10 of our drives started with a Grant run. We averaged less than 3 yards each.

That was the #1 thing that bothered me. Whatever happened to playing to our strengths? Our offensive line is below average. Our starting runningback is average, at best. But running him into a wall on first down did nothing but put us in 2nd and 8 or 9 or 10 all day. When they started to open it up a bit and pass in the 3rd the Packers moved the ball.

This isn't brain surgery. Use the pass to open up the run, not the other way around.

I think McCarthy was forcing the run in an attempt to open up play action and bootlegs. Even if the runs weren't a big success, the Rams still had to buy that runs were coming simply because McCarthy was actually running it and their defense did end up biting on some bootlegs and play actions which we converted into big plays.

I understand the frustration a bit on the play calling, but last week McCarthy was constantly throwing in the second half and this it rendered our play action throws and bootlegs nearly worthless. By showing today that he was willing to continue running the ball even though many of the gains were for only 2-3-4 yard, the Rams had to actually buy into the run fakes instead of right away just assuming it would be a pass even if there was run action by the OL and Rodgers looking like he was going to handoff. Plus, i think McCarthy feared getting into a bunch of 2nd and 15 plus situations via sacks or holding calls as the Rams DL just pinned their ears back as pass rushers because we rarely ever even attempted to run.

[xTitan]

There is a reason the McCarthy went away fromt Tauscher (injury played a part) and Wells, it is because of there inability to run block. Wells absolutely killed this team today, he is just way to small, knocked into the backfield on several occasions plus throw in 1 huge holding penalty. I think it is time to roll the dice with Lang, Spitz needs to move back to the center spot and in a perfect world move College back to guard and let Lang have a shot at left tackle, it is a huge roll of the dice but Wells has zero chance against the Vikings tackles. adding Wells to the starting line-up and having to move Spitz and College weakens 3 positions, if Lang can hold his own at left tackle you would definitely strengthen 2 of those 3 spots and a "hold your own" at the third spot.

[Wade-A-Holic]

There is a reason the McCarthy went away fromt Tauscher (injury played a part) and Wells, it is because of there inability to run block. Wells absolutely killed this team today, he is just way to small, knocked into the backfield on several occasions plus throw in 1 huge holding penalty. I think it is time to roll the dice with Lang, Spitz needs to move back to the center spot and in a perfect world move College back to guard and let Lang have a shot at left tackle, it is a huge roll of the dice but Wells has zero chance against the Vikings tackles. adding Wells to the starting line-up and having to move Spitz and College weakens 3 positions, if Lang can hold his own at left tackle you would definitely strengthen 2 of those 3 spots and a "hold your own" at the third spot.

And you would take this gamble going into Minnesota, thus asking TJ Lang to block Jared Allen all game?

[jimmybones]

I wouldnt mind doing that with Lang at LG though. Lang, Spitz and Sitton give us our best size combo on the inside and I'd rather have Lang inside in his first start. Colledge is still our best option at LT with Clifton out, imo. Give him another week to try and get comfortable out there, his strength is supposed to be pass blocking and not power, he just seems to be a better fit on an island than Lang. I'm not a fan of Wells either though.

[El Duderino]

There is a reason the McCarthy went away fromt Tauscher (injury played a part) and Wells, it is because of there inability to run block. Wells absolutely killed this team today, he is just way to small, knocked into the backfield on several occasions plus throw in 1 huge holding penalty. I think it is time to roll the dice with Lang, Spitz needs to move back to the center spot and in a perfect world move College back to guard and let Lang have a shot at left tackle, it is a huge roll of the dice but Wells has zero chance against the Vikings tackles. adding Wells to the starting line-up and having to move Spitz and College weakens 3 positions, if Lang can hold his own at left tackle you would definitely strengthen 2 of those 3 spots and a "hold your own" at the third spot.

And you would take this gamble going into Minnesota, thus asking TJ Lang to block Jared Allen all game?

Yea that could be ugly, but i expect Allen to whip Colledge also, that's a mismatch.

[xTitan]

Lang would have started aginst the Rams at tackle if I was in charge....Wells just can't block, zero chance of running against Minny with him.....Lang was at left tackle for 2 plays against the Rams and I believe the Packers had by far there longest run going left with Lang in the game.

[Ayt]

Did you guys think Colledge was all that bad all things considered? He looked bad in the 1st quarter, but beyond that he was solid. Another week of practice to get the different technique down and I think he'll be fine. I was happy with how he played beyond about the middle of the 1st quarter or so.

Lost in all of this is how much better Barbre has played as well since week 1. He struggled in the 1st quarter a bit, but after that he was solid and we only gave him help some of the time. I think he'll get to a point in the not too distant future where we won't have to worry too much about chipping his guy very often unless he's going up against a true stud.

[Ayt]

Lang would have started aginst the Rams at tackle if I was in charge....Wells just can't block, zero chance of running against Minny with him.....Lang was at left tackle for 2 plays against the Rams and I believe the Packers had by far there longest run going left with Lang in the game.

On the one near the goalline all he did was fall over, and it wasn't a designed cut block. He just tripped. That run had basically nothing to do with him despite him being on the strong side.

[El Duderino]

Did you guys think Colledge was all that bad all things considered?

He wasn't terrible, but he wasn't facing Jared Allen either. Allen can cause fits to even good left tackles, i have a real bad feeling about Colledge trying to contain Allen, especially in what should be an extremely loud baggy on Monday night. That crowd is going to be rocking.

[Wade-A-Holic]

I'm positive that the majority of our offensive game plan will be to negate the Vikings pass rush. McCarthy and Rodgers remember what happened last year in the Metrodome, even with Clifton in there.