Packers Run Game Gets No Love

The Green Bay Packers are a pass-first team.  As long as Aaron Rodgers is quarterback, the pass will always rule in Green Bay.  But the run game isn't as far behind as many think.  

In looking at the snap count last season, the Packers threw it 620 times and ran 374 times.  That's a 60% to 40% split, pass to run.  How many, without looking, knew that?  

Many look at the Packers running back depth chart and see question marks.  (For the purposes of this discussion, I'm leaving Rodgers out of the conversation as a runner but I'm not ignoring the fact that he was the team's second-leading rusher with 369 yards last season and the team leader with four touchdowns).

Ty Montgomery is still wearing number 88, so is he really committed to being a full-time back?  Well, Montgomery led the team in carries last year with 77.  He racked up 457 yards in the regular season and that was despite the Packers trying, on the fly, to figure out how to transition him from receiver to running back.  He also didn't take on that role until over a month into the season.

Montgomery also had 162 yards in a single game, the most in a regular season game in over a decade.  Yes, it was against the hapless Chicago Bears, but Montgomery had a nice long run in that game that was the result of his ability to keep his feet moving and drive forward.

It makes sense that a lot of analysts and writers out there still aren't sure what the Packers run game can be with Montgomery still a bit of an unknown and a bunch of rookies competing to round out the position group.  But given what Montgomery has already shown and the success that the Packers offensive line has had recently, it's not the worst assumption in the world that the Green Bay ground game will get results.

The loss of guard T.J. Lang is a big factor in the questions about how effective the line can run block in 2017.  Lang's replacement, Jahri Evans, is a much better pass blocker than he is in the run game.  He's also a year older so will that factor?

Recently-acquired veteran tight end Martellus Bennett should give a boost to the run blocking effort.  He's graded in the top third in terms of run blocking in every season he's played.  When was the last time the Packers had a full time and consistent run-blocking tight end?  I don't know either. 

As far as the rookies, we know virtually nothing about them.  Jamaal Williams is going to be on the active roster, barring injury.  Beyond that, it's anyone's guess who else the Packers keep.  Aaron Jones and Devante Mays will both get ample opportunities in preseason to showcase their talents.  

Mays is a thicker-bodied back that would seem to offer something similar to what Eddie Lacy did during his time with the Packers.  Mays is listed at 5'11" and 229 pounds.  That's 30 pounds lighter than Lacy weighed when in Green Bay but he still looks to be a pounder who can wear down a defense late in games.

There is a lot the Packers have yet to prove about their ground game but to sleep on it would be a mistake by their opponents.  When Lacy went down last season and the Packers struggled to find a rhythm with the run, they had to rely on the pass to keep the ball moving and control the clock.  If the run game gets out to a fast start this season, the Packers offense can quickly become the most potent and deadly in the league.

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (18)

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NickPerry's picture

July 10, 2017 at 06:45 am

The Packers also have a really nice blend of running backs. I still believe Montgomery will be a stud this year. Williams and Jones will contribute but I think it's mostly going to be Montgomery. Now with Kendricks and Bennett and the versatility Rodgers will have at the LOS, the Packers running game will be at it's best in years.

BUT the key to it all will be the O-Line. As long as the starting 5 can stay healthy I think the running game will just fine. The Packers lose something replacing Lang with Evans, but I'd imagine Taylor will be even better. Lindsey says he feels great and he'll need to STAY healthy this season, that will be huge in the O-Lines overall success and the success of the running game.

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hodge555's picture

July 10, 2017 at 06:51 am

Running backs are a position that's much easier to transition to a starting position quickly making the draft picks more able to produce early.
Barring injury and/or a really bad camp then I can actually see a possibility that we will keep all 3 drafted running backs on the roster, which could make it a very interesting running game this season.
If the numbers can't be made to fit then I would expect the likelyhood being that 2 would make it and try for the 3rd on our PS.

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Roadrunner23's picture

July 10, 2017 at 07:12 am

The Packers will once again be a "Pass First Offense" which will open up the running lanes. Think of opposing Defensive Coordinators sleepless nights in preparing for the likes of Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Bennett, Kendricks and Montgomery catching passes out of the backfield.
Yep, spread them out and the hand it off, not to mention Aaron Rodgers taking a few "safe" ten yard runs here and there just for fun. If you look at seasons past under Coach Mike, he has gotten his Offense in a funk when he got into his stubborn "we have to establish the run" mentality. The Packers draft Offensive linemen that are athletic pass-protecting types, not maulers. A note for your fridge Mike McCarthy "Pass to set up the run", remember you have a two time MVP behind Center. Again Big Mike in case you've not learned your lesson, Pass to set up the run! With the weapons this team has on Offense, the Packers should unstoppable in 2017!
Go Pack

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

July 10, 2017 at 10:26 am

nostradanus: "If you look at seasons past under Coach Mike, he has gotten his Offense in a funk when he got into his stubborn "we have to establish the run" mentality. The Packers draft Offensive linemen that are athletic pass-protecting types, not maulers. A note for your fridge Mike McCarthy "Pass to set up the run", remember you have a two time MVP behind Center."

I don't think McCarthy has an "establish the run" mentality; I think he uses the run to add balance which helps to protect Rodgers. For example, if you look at the last five seasons and use scoring to measure offensive success, you'll find the season McCarthy's offense had the highest running percentage (44.8%), they finished first in the league in scoring. McCarthy has actually been pretty consistent during that time, running the ball about 42.8% of the time and his offenses have finished in the top 10 scoring 4 of those 5 years. (The exception being the 2015 season when Rodgers had the worst passer rating and completion percentage as a starter.)

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Handsback's picture

July 10, 2017 at 07:15 am

That 60/40 split seems to me about right. The writers outside of the Packer's sphere of operation usually don't seek a lot of detail when they write about the Packers. So these writers see Monty with half a years experience, a weak Oline w/o Lang, and no depth besides rookies that were drafted or signed as UDFA.
On the surface, can you blame them for questioning the Packer's run game?
A fan, like myself, sees Monty scoring on 1-2 yard TD runs. (That is important) We see Rip carrying the student body on his back while running for 5-6 yards. We see rookie RBs that have the ability to make the NFL as RBs. Last but not least, Green Bay has some depth to keep their Oline strong with the loss of Lang. The devil is in the details and most fans are looking at those details in order to determine if the Packer's run game will be real. I bet if you asked most of the NFL coaches they would say Green Bay has the potential for a very strong run game.
That 1-2 yard runs for TD are important for a RB like Monty. Lacy/Starks/others were also asked to get those TDs during their time here and more often than not....didn't get them. Monty showed a lot of patience waiting for that small hole to open so he could squeeze through. That showed many he had the ability to wait and let the holes develop before he blew through them. He showed that he wasn't a WR playing RB, but a RB who seems to have some real talent. A big difference and this season will be his opportunity to prove it and silence all his critics. Well not all, but maybe most!

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 10, 2017 at 07:23 am

The run game doesn't need love. It needs to be productive when called upon. Rodgers at the line will keep GB in favorable playcalls. This year's offense looks versatile and deadly!

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RCPackerFan's picture

July 10, 2017 at 07:42 am

While the Packers RB's are very inexperienced the RB, I still really like the RB's they have.

Montgomery showed last year that he has all the skills to be a great RB. He has the vision, patience, explosiveness, strength, to be very, very good.

Ripkowski really showed that he is an old school power RB that can be a Mike Alstott type of RB.

While the rest of the RB's on the roster are rookies, RB is the easiest position for RBs to come in and be effective. They all bring something to the table as well.

Williams is kind of a Frank Gore type of RB. While he won't out run a lot of players, he is quick and is really good as a one cut and go type of runner. His running style should really compliment Montgomery.

Jones really impressed me while watching his tape. His size and speed would suggest he is a 3rd down RB type of player. But he is more then that as he runs guys over. In the Packers offense he could fill in as a good replacement for Montgomery especially in the passing game.

Mays is likely the most athletic of the 3 drafted RB's. He is a bit of an unknown because he really only played 1 year of high level college football, after 2 years of Junior College football. He missed most of his senior year.

Phillips had a good college career at UNC Charlotte. I don't know a lot about him, but he will have an uphill battle to try and unseat 3 drafted players.

Stanback has been compared to Eddie Lacy. He seems to have good feet and seems to stay balanced especially for a guy his size. He will definitely be one to watch this training camp.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 10, 2017 at 10:00 am

Very intrigued with Mays. Great tools. Would love to see him run with this opportunity.
Literally.

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RCPackerFan's picture

July 10, 2017 at 10:11 am

Mays is a powerful runner. He could also be a really good compliment to Montgomery. The one thing I wonder is if his running style (bowling over guys) can hold up on the NFL level.

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TKWorldWide's picture

July 10, 2017 at 09:56 am

Between the threats in the passing game and 12's ability to audible, will GB's runners EVER have to run into a stacked box?

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Handsback's picture

July 10, 2017 at 10:25 am

I know Williams is getting most of the ink regarding rookie RBs, but two I'm super excited about have already been mentioned: Mays, and Stanback.
Mays film looks like a Lacy w/o the extra weight. Stanback has film that makes you shake your head and feel sorry for any DB that has to tackle him. The big unknown for both of those guys are can they grasp all the protection and pro team playbooks.

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Packer_Fan's picture

July 10, 2017 at 10:31 am

I like what the Packers have for running backs. Very serviceable starting the season with Montgomery and Ripowski running the ball. Then work the best and varied rookie crop into the game. I don't see that the Pack has to dominate the running game. But with the mismatches they have with the new tight ends, the Pack will run the ball and be effective. And please, no jumbo packages like in the Giant playoff game that got stuffed for loss in the third quarter on fourth down. No mismatches and no surprise. Run the ball to keep the defense honest, run when the mismatches dictate it, run when the defense is expecting pass.

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BPEARSON21's picture

July 10, 2017 at 10:34 am

The Green Bay Packers team is a dream scenario for a rookie running back. There is absolutely no pressure for any of these young running backs to carry a heavy load offensively at all.

Last year we ranked 20th in total rushing and our leading rusher didn't exceed 500 yards on the year (lol). But we still ranked 8th in total offense, so we've proved we simply don't need a run game to be effective.

There is no pressure on these young guys. Anything and everything they can give us is just a cherry on top. Our offense will roll with or without a run game so it just sort of doesn't matter. Montgomery (our presumed #1 RB) will hopefully only get around 12-14 carries a game anyways.

It's such a low pressure/high reward situation for young running backs.

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Since'61's picture

July 10, 2017 at 11:13 am

The Packers running game will be as effective as the Packers OL. Now that we have a TE (Bennett) who can actually block I'll be interested to see how much that improves our run game regardless of who is carrying the ball. Unlike other positions RBs can come in and be effective even without much NFL experience, especially if the blocks are there. As has been posted by others on this article the Packers run game does not need to great, just effective when called upon and good enough to chew up the clock when we have a lead late in the game. Keep our defense off the field as much as possible and we'll be OK. Thanks, Since '61

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Packmaniac's picture

July 10, 2017 at 06:51 pm

Good added point about being solid enough to chew clock late in games

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kag715's picture

July 10, 2017 at 07:32 pm

The Packers don't necessarily need to be world-beaters on the ground. They just need to be effective enough to keep the D-line from thinking about pass-rushing all the time. Speaking of the O-line, I'm curious to see how Lane Taylor will progress in his second year as a starter after being a surprise week 1 starter last year.

I'm also curious as to how Montgomery will look after an offseason of conditioning as a RB rather than a WR.

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croatpackfan's picture

July 11, 2017 at 02:33 am

Well, I think Zeke Elliot showed us last season how important is for RB to have experience... As did Bell in his rookie year. Should I mentioned Eddie Lacy in the mix? He was terrible w/o experience... He was carried Packers on his back for more than a half of his rookie, 2013 season.
So, my dear colleagues, my fellow fans - it is obvious from your discussions here, that experience is the most important ingredient for RB to have to be successful...
I, with my little knowledge predict that RB dept after TC will be: Ty Montgomery, Devante Mays, Aaron Jones and on PS will see Jamaal Williams and William Stanback...
Yeah, I know, there is always that momentum. I lack experience in NFL, so what I know...

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Cartwright's picture

July 11, 2017 at 06:14 pm

If you had to choose between keeping all three drafted RB's and letting RR go or keeping RR and letting one RB loose which would it be? Or will we have the luxury of keeping all.

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