For the Green Bay Packers, winning games depends on the play of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Still, that didn’t stop new head coach Matt LaFleur from talking about the run game shortly after being hired. LaFleur understands that Rodgers is the key, but he wants to make his job easier. LaFleur believes if the Packers can establish a productive and sound run game, it will open up the passing game for the Packers and Rodgers. Under LaFleur, it appears that the Packers run game will be emphasized in 2019.
Packers Run Game to be Emphasized in 2019
This isn’t just lip service by the first time head coach. Last season, with LaFleur as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator, the Titans top running back Derrick Henry rushed for 1,059 yards with 12 touchdown carries. The year prior, with LaFleur as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, Rams starting running back Todd Gurley rushed for 1,305 yards with 13 touchdown carries. LaFleur has shown that he wants a strong run game for his offenses.
But if the Packers run game is going to be at the same level as some of LaFleur’s past offenses, key players are going to need to step up their play. Here are the players that will need to produce in 2019 if the Packers run game is going to be productive.
The Packers Offensive Line
It might be a cliche, but a strong run game all starts up front. First-time offensive line coach Adam Stenavich will be under pressure this season. Not only will this be his first time in charge of an NFL offensive line, but he is implementing a new blocking scheme for the Packers.
One of LaFleur’s mentors is former Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Shanahan. Shannahan’s offenses were known for highly productive run games. Shanahan’s offenses implemented the outside zone blocking scheme. This is the same type of blocking scheme Stenavich and LaFleur will install for the Packers run game this season.
Under former Packers offensive line coach James Campen, the Packers used a combination of power and zone blocking schemes. So using a zone scheme won’t be totally foreign to Packers veteran offensive linemen David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, and Bryan Bulaga. Newly signed offensive lineman Billy Turner, the expected starter at right guard, has experience in the zone blocking scheme when he played for the Denver Broncos.
While getting adjusted to the new scheme will be vital for the Packers run game, so will the health of the Packers offensive line. Excluding Linsley, the rest of the Packers offensive line starters dealt with injuries last season. If the offensive line is able to stay healthy, they should be able to create creases for the running backs in the Packers run game.
Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, and Dexter Williams
While the key for the Packers ground game will be upfront, the Packers trio of running backs will need to show they are able to produce.
Out of the three running backs, Aaron Jones will be the one under the biggest microscope. In his first two professional seasons, Jones has shown the biggest playmaking ability. In his rookie and second season with the Packers, he averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Under former head coach and offensive play-caller Mike McCarthy, Jones received very limited carries. However, the criticism McCarthy received might have been unwarranted. Even with receiving limited carries, Jones dealt with injuries in both of his professional seasons. He will need to prove he can stay healthy.
Jamaal Williams might not be the type of game-breaker Jones is, but he still has a place in the Packers run game. Williams possesses a bruising style of running, which might not be a perfect fit for the outside zone blocking scheme. However, he is the Packers top pass protector out of the three running backs. He also has shown he is capable of being a receiving option out of the backfield and can gain the tough yards.
The Packers spent a sixth-round pick on Dexter Williams in this past NFL draft. The former Notre Dame product rushed for 995 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last season with the Fighting Irish. He has the type of running style that should be a fit for the Packers new outside zone blocking scheme. Williams could see quite a bit of playing time this season if Jones continues to deal with injuries.
If the trio of running backs can establish their own roles, they could develop a three-headed attack for the Packers run game.
Danny Vitale
It appears that LaFleur will run the same style of offense that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan runs. If that is the case, the fullback position will be a major position in the Packers run game.
Not only will the fullback be asked to catch the ball out of the backfield, but will also need to be the lead blocker for the Packers running backs. Danny Vitale looks to be the favorite to be the Packers starting fullback this season. During his college days at Northwestern, Vitale displayed the type of hands that are needed in the NFL.
What he will need to display for the Packers run game is the ability to open up holes for the Packers trio of running backs. Vitale hasn’t been asked to do much lead blocking, but he does have the build and power to do so.
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