Watching the games today, I am seeing a few things the Packers do not do, or do infrequently, and I'm wondering if it's due to our scheme, or the players on the field.
The Seahawks frustrated the Saints offense all day, especially their receivers, because they are so physical off the snap. Instead of having their cornerbacks lining up 5-10 yards off the line of scrimmage, and the receiver, they come up and jam the receivers right off the snap. Yet every time I look at the Packers on defense, we are lined up way off the ball. Receivers are allowed to run pretty much uninterrupted, and if there's any kind of miscommunication in our secondary, by the time the receiver gets the ball, they are at full speed and can take off down field. And we know our safeties and linebackers aren't going to chase them down. Are our cornerbacks not physical enough to do this? Is this something inherent with the version of the 3-4 we run?
Wouldn't it make sense for us to play up on the receivers, and bump off the snap? Anything we could do to slow up a receiver's route is that much more time the front seven have to get pressure on the quarterback. It also throws off the timing of the quarterback. They're expecting a receiver to be at a particular spot, and I'd think they are better able to go through their progressions because they know where their first or second option will be on the field if they cannot find another receiver open.
Another thing I am seeing comes from the Patriots-Colts game. Even though the Patriots have lost Gronkowski and Hernandez, as well as Welker, they still run the short passing game as well as any team in the NFL. Why? Because Brady is such an incredibly accurate passer. They clearly have a better offensive line then we do, but if a line is not able to protect long enough for intermediate and long pass routes to develop, wouldn't it make sense to take advantage of the short passing game more?
Aaron Rodgers is one of the most accurate passers to ever play the game. Our receivers, specifically Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin, have incredible hands. If we're being blitzed, why not call some of those fast developing, short yardage plays? Slow down the opposing team's blitzes by burning them with quick strikes. Use the middle of the field. Take advantage of our receiver's speed with some crossing patterns. The likelihood of them breaking a long pass is pretty high. It seems that Mike McCarthy doesn't call these as often as some other teams with similar talent.
Am I alone in wondering why we don't do either of these things more?
