Certain people on this board will probably be thinking "I'm not going to comment here because Zombieslayer might see this thread."
"zombieslayer" wrote:
Possibly, because even when provided with visual evidence some won't acknowledge it. Seen it personally in a thread, but then was accused that I couldn't admit I was wrong and told I only see what I want to see. ;)
But that is for another day.. but ear marked.
This much I will say.. it will be a mistake to think that we will be able to only spread them out all day long, because sooner or later LeBeau will make some adjustments and start taking things away.. and applying heat.
If you want Rodgers to make it through this game, we better attempt to run the ball enough to pause that pass rush, we better vary up the formations enough to keep their personnel off balance, and we better make it more difficult on Harrison and Woodley than to allow that to release free in pass rush. Otherwise.. Rodgers might get the ball away.. but he might be picking up teeth after the game.. if he makes it to the end that is.
Watching film on the Steelers will show you that even the slightest threat of the run will suck Farrior and Timmons in and expose the middle of the field. I highly suspect that the Packers are going to focus on Timmons especially because watching him play he is the weakest of the backers in coverage, but playing in the middle he is dropping often. Even the threat of the run is going to help open that shallow middle up and give Rodgers a place to go on a hot read with Timmons biting up and then slow to recover.. Farrior seems a little quicker to identify and drop.
That said, I do think the Steelers weakness is their corner play.. and in this game the situation should dictate to attack that weakness. And there will be plenty of opportunity to expose them.
But the game of football and the game inside that game is much deeper than pass, pass again and pass some more. It is what you are dictating to the defense that opens things up for your bread and butter, which this season is our passing game.
I expect us to struggle to run the ball for a high YPC.. but I expect us to put in the attempts similar to post the Lions game. IMO.. it was that game where MM realized that he has to mix up play calling enough and varying the looks in which he ran the ball enough to truly open the passing offense up.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"