Nagler goes on to make some pretty good points about McCarthy's statement. There are a lot of called runs that end up being passes, because Rodgers has so much freedom at the line. This is a good thing, no doubt. McCarthy and Rodgers are on the same page, and there seems to be a significant degree of mutual trust. Now, when you crunch the numbers we pass the ball with a ratio of roughly 57/43 (209 pass attempts/157 rush attempts). When you solve for Rodgers' scrambles it becomes 64/36. When you add in plays that would be pass attempts but ended in sacks the ratio is 68/32.

So, it would appear that on 68% of plays, we are attempting to pass the ball. Who knows exactly how many run plays Rodgers has changed at the line. Let's say conservatively, there have been 20 plays (so, a little more than 3 a game) that would have been runs that ended up checked at the line to become pass plays. Now the ratio (including sacks and scrambles as pass attempt plays) is 62/38.

At the end of the day, hovering around a 60/40 ratio is -- my guess -- close to league average.

Are we still a passing offense? Unquestionably. So, to that end, McCarthy's statement is a little bizarre. But he has said this type of thing before. And I think the point he was trying to make is that in their system, it's something they preach. Even if the Pack end up throwing it a lot -- which makes sense given their surplus of talent at receiver -- the fact that they spend time with the run game in their preparation is worth noting.

And to restate the earlier point, you can't ignore the role Rodgers plays at the line. This is something to celebrate, definitely. Jacksonville, for example, runs the ball quite a bit (43/57 pass-run ratio). Part of this is because they aren't built to throw with their rookie QB and relative lack of playmaking receivers. They also have MJD to pound the rock with. But their ratio is also where it is because Blaine Gabbert isn't likely making a ton of checks at the line. I'm just speculating, but I doubt there are numerous occasions where he makes a sophisticated pre-snap read, changes the play, and delivers a TD strike. For Rodgers, it's just another day in the neighborhood.

Originally Posted by: evad04 

And finally -- friends, Wisconsinites, Packer fans, lend me your ears. I come to praise these Packers. Enjoy the journey. Last year we were 10-6 and won it all. But when week 22 rolled around, we were the top team. Right now, we're 7 weeks in. There are hopefully 15 more. GO PACK GO!

Originally Posted by: evad04