Zone Blocking - Will it work in GB?

smacks1 · Post #1 » by **smacks1** » Mon Sep 3, 2007 12:04 am

The zone blocking scheme that has been put in place does not seem to be that effective. Is it the line, the RB or the coaching?

The line has pretty much the same personel as last year, yes Tauscher and Clifton are a year older, but the guards have their rookie years out of the way too. So I think O-line personel is not the problem.

The RB situation is poor at best. This group of guys makes Harlan Huckleby look like he should be in the HOF. Last year we did have Green who is an experienced runner in the zone blocking from his days @ Nebraska. However, I don't think Ladanian could average 3.5 YPC with the blocking the backs have been getting.

That brings us to #3 and perhaps the most important piece, coaching. Jagodinski was the guy who was responsible for bringing the system here. As we know, he took off for BC. So do we have the coaching in place to continue this zone blocking scheme and make it effective like in Denver and Atlanta? The O-line was pretty succesfull last year under this system, although it was with Jagodinski and Green.

So what are the thoughts on the problem. I know it is just the preseason, but there are definately reasons for concern. At what point do you scrap the whole zone system and tell your O-line just to match up and smash the D off of the line. I also don't believe that zone blocking has the same effect traditional run blocking as far as wearing down the D-line over the course of the game. I am not ready to give up on it yet, but if 4 games into the regular season we are still strugling you have to give some thought to abandoning it. One of the strengths (or claims) of zone blocking is that it didn't really matter who you put in the backfield. If that is the case, where are the problems stemming from?

So what are the thoughts? O-line, RB, coaching or some combination of the three?

shortstrokes · Post #2 » by **shortstrokes** » Mon Sep 3, 2007 12:34 am

From what I have read in training camp reports, the Packers do not run their full out ZB scheme in practice for fear of injuring their own D linemen. If that is true, it must be tough to practice zone blocking at 50% and then be expected to execute perfectly in game situations.

deep throat · Post #3 » by **deep throat** » Mon Sep 3, 2007 12:24 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8QafXvR5ug

smacks1 · Post #4 » by **smacks1** » Mon Sep 3, 2007 1:14 pm

deep throat wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8QafXvR5ug

I know how zone blocking works and the premise behind it, thank you.

However posting a video of a couple of high school kids doing a walkthrough in the backyard does nothing to answer the questions regarding the packers and what may or may not be their own problems.

Are you suggesting the fat kid "sam" play guard for the packers? Or....do you want the guy running the backyard practice to be a coach?

deep throat · Post #5 » by **deep throat** » Tue Sep 4, 2007 2:41 pm

smacks1 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I know how zone blocking works and the premise behind it, thank you.

However posting a video of a couple of high school kids doing a walkthrough in the backyard does nothing to answer the questions regarding the packers and what may or may not be their own problems.Are you suggesting the fat kid "sam" play guard for the packers? Or....do you want the guy running the backyard practice to be a coach?

it was just a joke. The Packers ZBS lost their lead man in Jags-not good. I would say this takes time and that you wont see the real deal in preseason (not a lot of cut blocking till the real deal begins). I don't think Taush or CLifton are great fits either. Overall I think there is reason to have some concerns and you make some good points.