Since assuming the lead running back role from Benson in the middle of the Colts game, Green has actually been pretty consistent. He cannot gain yardage when running to the left. On 32 attempts, Green has gained only 44 yards. That’s an average of 1.38 per carry. In two games, he actually averaged less than a yard per carry when running to the left.

Yet, when Green isn’t running to the left he’s much better. Up the middle he averages 5.29 yards per carry and to the right he averages 2.63. Combined, when not running to the left, Green averages 3.73 yards per carry, and has gained 153 yards.

Is Green simply incapable of running to his left? Or is there something schematically wrong with the left side of the Packers line?

Cedric Benson had more luck than Green when running to the left, but not consistently. In week 3 versus the Seahawks, Benson averaged .75 yards per carry to the left. And in week 5 versus the Colts, before getting hurt, Benson averaged 1.6 when running to the left.

The left side of the Packers offensive line is anchored by T.J. Lang and Marshall Newhouse. Newhouse’s play has been up and down this season, and while Lang is an outspoken player on twitter and quickly becoming a fan favorite, perhaps his, and Newhouse’s, play on the line is also to blame for the Packers running problems.

I do believe the run game problem is a combination of bad blocking and the scheme not working. This zone scheme hasn't really worked since McCarthy brought it in. Even in its best year, it was very unconsistent with many 0 and 1 yards runs. Only then Grant would blow up for a 60yrd TD which made it look better. Today we are getting the same normal runs, just not breaking the big ones.

It is supposed to be the stick in any back and gain a 1000 yards. Well that worked on Denver because they could block it. When we run to the edges, especially to the left, the defense always beats our line to the point of attack. The biggest single reason I do not like the scheme, is because it is designed to be blocking on the LOS or behind it. Not on the defensive side.

We do not have a finese Oline, we have road grinders. We need to let them get off the ball and drive the dline backwards. We need to get back to playing the run game on their side of the LOS.

Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins 

This has been a consistent theme since Philben and Campen took the reigns and continued to the pairing of Campen and Fontento.. we look around the roster and see development in almost every other unit on the team.. that alone speaks volumes to me.

That and the fact that we all the lineman we have ran through here since Ted has come to town.. we can't find a solid starting 5?

Something is amiss.. we see that the players have the ability for stretches of time.. lacking consistency to get it done on a week to week basis.

Yes.. I am banging the drum for a change at the units coaching.. something we have been commenting on since 06 and 07.. 06 we had three rookies starting.. I can sort of expect that.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

It seems like we don't run well either left or right. Only good up the middle probably going between saturday and sitton or saturday and lang. Going outside of that we drop backwards.

Starks should be used. At least he has a history of good games and averaged much, much better yards per carry than what we are getting this year. McCarthy is being bull-headed.

Originally Posted by: Rios39 

In the last two games, 23 of Green’s 42 attempts have been to the left. Despite the poor production, the Packers are running to the left. Until the Packers can find a way to block that side of the line better, no matter who is running the ball, the Packers running game will struggle.

It doesn't matter weather it's power or zone, the Packers haven't been able to run with it. Yet zone blocking seems to get most of the blame.

Also there are different types of zone blocking, not all types of zone stay on the LOS. Sitton ran a lot of inside zone in college and he was often times on LBers, and really that's when Lang is at his best, zone where they get to double team and then one gets to move to the second level.

I agree that Sitton and Bulaga are road grinders, maybe D-Smith as well... not so sure about the others. Newhouse has looked finese at times. Lang seems like a tweener with everything, jack of all trades king of one (getting to the second level and getting him some).

Originally Posted by: beast