Zero2Cool
14 years ago
http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101128/PKR01/101128036/Lack-of-running-game-proves-costly-at-goal-line 

ATLANTA The lack of a running game finally caught up to the Green Bay Packers.

When they needed a running back to complete the most elementary play in football to gain merely a yard or two they didnt have one who was up to the task.

So at one of the most critical points of Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, the Packers looked to their quarterback to convert at the goal line.

But on two consecutive goal-to-go situations in the second quarter, Rodgers couldnt get in the end zone with his feet.

Whats worse, after he managed just 1 yard on second-and-goal from the 2, Rodgers fumbled the ball away on a third-and-goal sneak from the 1-yard line, and the Falcons recovered, robbing the Packers of what seemed like sure points in what was a tied game at the time.

The Packers can lament any number of plays from Sundays 20-17 loss, but that goal-line failure has to be near the top of the list.

We just need to convert those, whether its running it or throwing it, Rodgers said. Third-and -1, you expect to convert those.

Ever since the Packers lost starting halfback Ryan Grant in Week 1 to a season-ending ankle injury, the Packers running game has been mostly unreliable. Against the Falcons, it was practically nonexistent.

Brandon Jackson carried 10 times for 26 yards, and Dimitri Nance carried once for no gain. Rodgers, in spite of his short-yardage failings, provided the only semblance of a running game with 51 yards on 12 attempts.

Perhaps if Nance had not failed to convert a third-and-1 from the Falcons 5-yard line late in the first quarter, when the Packers had to settle for a field goal, coach Mike McCarthy wouldnt have called Rodgers number on the third-and-goal sneak on the next possession.

It was pretty tough down there, Nance said. It was just tough to get yards. A hole opened and a linebacker was right there in the hole, and I just couldnt convert it. Its frustrating. They did a pretty good of stopping it.

On the second-and-goal play from the 2 right before Rodgers goal-line fumble the quarterback changed the play at the line of scrimmage. The Packers were in their empty backfield spread formation, and Rodgers saw what he believed to be a soft spot in the middle of the defense. Not only did he not score on the play, he hit his funny bone when he got drilled by Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry.

On the next play, McCarthy sent in an extra offensive lineman, T.J. Lang, tight ends Tom Crabtree and Andrew Quarless plus Jackson and fullback Quinn Johnson, who were in the I-formation.

From under center, Rodgers tried to sneak between center Scott Wells and left guard Daryn Colledge, but Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton jarred the ball lose and it ping-ponged into the end zone, where Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson recovered it for a touchback.

I went to bring it in and started moving and the guy hit me right on the ball, and the ball came out, Rodgers said. Inexcusable.

While Rodgers failed in short yardage, he was masterful when he ran in space. With the Falcons often rushing three and dropping eight into coverage usually without a spy on the quarterback Rodgers ran free. On a second-and-10 play in the first quarter, Rodgers broke from the pocket and picked up 11 yards to help set up a field goal. He also had runs of 9, 10 and 7 yards in the second half.

But when Rodgers gave the ball to his backs, they were stymied. On two different drives in the second half, the Packers opened with gains of 9-yards on first-down passes only to move backwards on the next play. On the first, Jackson was dumped for a 6-yard loss on a toss play. On the second, Jackson was stopped for a 1-yard loss on a handoff. Jackson looked more hesitant and indecisive than he has in recent games, although he may not have had much running room, either.

It was pretty hard; they were attacking, Jackson said. When I get the ball and theres guys in my face, Ive just got to try to make something happen.
It wasnt until a 12-yard run by Jackson on an outside zone play in the fourth quarter that the Packers got anything out of their backs.

I dont know that we had a lot of quantity to get a real good feel (for the running game), Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. A couple of times we had second-and-1s, and we ended up in a second-and-7 or third-and-6. I was disappointed in those, for sure. What did Brandon have 10, 12 carries?

When told it was 10 carries for 26 yards, Philbin added: That tells you right there its not very good.


UserPostedImage
PackFanWithTwins
14 years ago
Oline consistently gets beat in the run game. Atlanta showed the proper way to block the Zone. They block on the defensive side. Our offense blocks in our backfield.

either the coaches can't coach the scheme, or the lineman just can't execute it. Even at its best with Grant getting 1200+, it was inconsistent at best.
The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!
RajiRoar
14 years ago
"Packers can't run ball against Atlanta Falcons"

he really dug deep there....

also, why is the title in present-tense :whipitgood:

MintBaconDrivel
Dec, 11, 2012 - FOREVER!
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Zero2Cool (2m) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (11m) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (34m) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (55m) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (1h) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (10h) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (10h) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (20h) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (20h) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (20h) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
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Zero2Cool (21h) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (21h) : Check
Zero2Cool (23h) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
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Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
dhazer (25-Apr) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens
TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Hopefully she had some comfort that her son will be live his dream when she passed away. Sad news.
Mucky Tundra (25-Apr) : Damn that sucks
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : News about Derrick Harmon mom, saddening.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Mark Murphy: "I predict we will trade up once and down twice."
beast (25-Apr) : Rip the Packers and getting the fans yelling and booing him
beast (25-Apr) : Super competitive Bears fan and WWE "superstar" wrestler, Seth Rollins is supposed to announce a Bears pick and absolutely rip Packers
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