Up Next
  • There are no Events to display in this category.
View More Events » Show More Close
On Now
Coming Up
  • Tue., May. 21, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.
  • Tue., May. 28, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.
  • Sat., Jun. 01, 2013 8:30AM - 3:30PM CDT Junior Power Pack Clinic The 16th Annual Junior Power Pack Clinic will take place June 1, 2013 inside the Don Hutson Center, the Packers indoor practice facility. Reserved exclusively for members of the Junior Power Pack kids fan club (ages 5-14), this event features the chance to run skills and drills with other Packer backers and a few up-and-coming Packers players.
  • Sat., Jun. 08, 2013 3:00PM - 5:00PM CDT Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 10th annual Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer event, set for Saturday, June 8. The event once again features a motorcycle ride, but non-riding fans who want to support the cause are welcome to attend the post-ride party at Lambeau Field’s North Loft, the rooftop deck below the TundraVision in the north end zone.
     
    On the day of the ride, registration begins at 9 a.m. and will continue through 10:30 a.m. at Vandervest Harley-Davidson in Green Bay. The post-ride party begins at 3 p.m. at Lambeau Field in the North Loft, which can be accessed through the Bellin Health Gate. The party will include food and drink for purchase, a silent and live auction and fun while bringing awareness to cancer. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get autographs from Packers players in exchange for a $10 donation to the event.
  • Tue., Jun. 11, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.
  • Wed., Jul. 24, 2013 11:00AM - 1:00PM CDT Packers Shareholders Meeting

    The Green Bay Packers 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held Wednesday, July 24, at 11 a.m., at Lambeau Field. The meeting will take place rain or shine.
View More Events »

News

Print
RSS

Packers have turned to the run

Posted Oct 19, 2012

Vic Ketchman packers.com editor

Comments:

As the running game goes, so goes Aaron Rodgers’ pass protection. That fact has become abundantly clear in recent weeks.

“Against a rush team like Houston, you make them play run and it wears them down,” Offensive Coordinator Tom  Clements said of the run-pass balance that helped limit the Texans to two harmless sacks in the Packers’ 42-24 win last Sunday.

“We want to run the ball and make sure the defense doesn’t know what we’re going to do all the time,” Clements added.

Twenty-two carries by Alex Green kept the Texans from focusing on the pass. In Indianapolis, 12 rushing attempts by Cedric Benson in the first half helped keep Rodgers sackless, but with Benson lost to injury for the second half, the Packers turned hard to the pass and Rodgers went down five times. The eight sacks vs. no sacks difference in the two halves in Seattle brought the whole issue to light.

“It makes the defender he has to play go both ways,” Offensive Line Coach James Campen said of the edge offensive linemen enjoy over their counterpart when he has to first play run before rushing the passer. “When you get some chunk runs, it allows you to get your hands on guys quicker. It allows the linemen to be more aggressive.”

The Packers hope to get some chunk runs out of Green in St. Louis this Sunday. Green enjoyed the biggest workload of his young pro career last week and should the Packers be able to get the same workhorse production out of Green this Sunday, Rodgers might enjoy a game similar to the six-touchdown-passes performance he produced in Houston.

“That’s what we’re striving for. We had a big win in Houston but that’s in the past,” Clements said.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy is challenging his team to “stack success.” As it would pertain to the Packers, it would mean winning consecutive games for the first time this season.

Rodgers’ performance in Houston has him back atop the NFL passer rankings with a 105.4 rating. He also has the Packers at the top of the red-zone efficiency ratings, with 14 touchdowns vs. two field goals in 18 red-zone possessions.

“We’ve been fairly good in the red zone the last several years. We’ve been hot lately. When you get down there, your guys have to make plays,” Clements said.

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers’ unit made key plays in Houston that protected the Packers’ big lead. Rookie cornerback Casey Hayward intercepted two passes and cornerback Sam Shields intercepted one. The key to the Packers’ defensive performance in Houston, however, was its ability to stop the run, and Capers is looking for more of that this Sunday.

“They have two good running backs,” he said of the Rams’ Steven Jackson and rookie Daryl Richardson, the 252nd player selected in this year’s draft. “Richardson might be the most impressive guy on the team. He hits the hole quick and he’s capable of making the big play.”

Jackson continues to be the Rams’ dominant runner. New Head Coach Jeff Fisher has long been a believer in the value of a strong running game, and he hopes it will do for quarterback Sam Bradford as it’s doing for Rodgers.

“They have a quarterback that’s capable of getting hot. Bradford can make all the throws,” Capers said.

Did the Packers defense turn a corner in Houston?

“I don’t know about turning a corner. I feel we’ve played three very good defensive games and three not so good. I see some young guys that are starting to get into a groove. Sunday will be a big challenge for us and I think our guys are looking forward to it.”

Additional coverage - Oct. 19

You May Also Be Interested in...

Subscribe More Headlines »

Recent Videos

  • Packers reflect on fun week on road, raising money

    Packers reflect on fun week on road, raising money

    (6:12) Posted 7 hours ago

    The Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour's eighth year came to a close after a 691-mile trek through Wisconsin and Iowa. See what the traveling party had to say about the tour coming to an end. More than $300,000 was raised collectively for the benefitting charities.

  • Cobb and Bush continue push-up battle on tour

    Cobb and Bush continue push-up battle on tour

    (3:22) Posted May 18, 2013

    While the players continued demanding push-ups for lost card games, the Tailgate Tour made stops at Challenge Academy and Fennimore High School, before heading to the tailgate party at Tomah Recreation Park.

  • Video Ask Vic: Lightning Round

    Video Ask Vic: Lightning Round

    (2:58) Posted May 18, 2013

    In this week's 'Video Ask Vic,' packers.com editor Vic Ketchman in the bowl at Lambeau Field with a twist, a lightning round of questions from fans.

Subscribe More Videos »