{"id":14776,"date":"2017-03-06T10:31:20","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T15:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=14776"},"modified":"2017-03-08T17:34:33","modified_gmt":"2017-03-08T22:34:33","slug":"packers-running-back-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/03\/06\/packers-running-back-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"The Packers Running Back Identity Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amidst the discussion going on, among fans and in the halls of power, regarding the future of Eddie Lacy<\/a><\/strong> in Green Bay, there is an underlying factor left out.\u00a0 That factor is the vision for the Packers running back position within the framework of the offense.<\/p>\n

Packers Running Back Identity Problem<\/h2>\n

Too much conversation around roster constructions in the NFL ignore the scheme they were built to support.\u00a0 For example, while people like to point out that the Patriots seem to have small wide receivers without big names, they forget that the Patriots did that on purpose.\u00a0 Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> is not very mobile and he is very accurate.\u00a0 He does not have the deep arm as much anymore.\u00a0 The Patriots built a roster full of slot receivers and pass-catching running backs to help get the ball out of Brady’s hands quickly.\u00a0 In this line, the Patriots are part of a collection of teams with this same versatile understanding of running backs.\u00a0 This is something the Packers should consider.<\/p>\n

Packers and Patriots<\/h3>\n

Beginning with the comparison between two contending teams with championship quarterbacks.\u00a0 The Patriots featured a smaller pass catching running back in the Super Bowl victory.\u00a0 James White<\/a><\/strong> scored three touchdowns, including the game-winning in overtime.\u00a0 He also set the Super Bowl records for points (20) and receptions (14).\u00a0 It was a clear plan on the part of the Patriots to feature the smaller back.<\/p>\n

The Packers started the 2016 season featuring Eddie Lacy and James Starks<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 It should be pointed out, Lacy did very well when given the ball.\u00a0 Lacy was averaging 5.1 yards per carry.\u00a0 While he only played in five games before a season-ending injury, he managed greater than 4.0 yards per carry in four of those five games.\u00a0 However, Lacy only saw 15+ carries in two of those games.\u00a0 He was not consistently given the chance to carry the ball.\u00a0 Behind Lacy was James Starks.\u00a0 Beginning the year, Starks was the pass catching option.\u00a0 Still, at 6’2″ and 220 pounds, Starks was hardly a shifty back and more a big back with very good hands.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Patriots have a big basher in LaGarrette Blount<\/strong>.\u00a0 Still, the Patriots supplement the rest of their backfield with guys like Dion Lewis<\/a><\/strong> and James White.\u00a0 White was among the top receiving running backs in football.\u00a0 He was targeted 86 times this year.\u00a0 That was good for second most on the team (partly due to injuries with Rob Gronkowski<\/a><\/strong>).\u00a0 The Patriots use their running backs as a crutch for their quarterback and it has worked.<\/p>\n

Running Backs With Other Top Offenses<\/h3>\n

The Patriots are often seen as leaders in shifting trends.\u00a0 Many teams have looked to use running backs in this same manner (whether as a copycat or through a similar independent philosophical switch).\u00a0 New Orleans had the top offense this year (in terms of yards).\u00a0 Mark Ingram<\/a><\/strong> was not just a runner, he had 58 targets.\u00a0 Now, that number is similar to Ty Montgomery<\/a>‘s<\/strong> 56 targets, but there are two key caveats.\u00a0 One, Montgomery lined up as a wide receiver on quite a few of those targets.\u00a0 Two, Travaris Cadet<\/strong> also has 54 targets on that Saints team.\u00a0 That shows a very different dedication to the passing attack.<\/p>\n

Right behind New Orleans was the dynamic Atlanta Falcons offense.\u00a0 Devonta Freeman<\/a><\/strong> and Tevin Coleman<\/a><\/strong> were very key figures in the passing game.\u00a0 Freeman ended the season with 65 targets on a team with Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Even Washington had Chris Thompson<\/a><\/strong>, a part time starter, get 62 targets.\u00a0 The Cowboys may have only targeted Ezekiel Elliott<\/a><\/strong> 40 times, but they used Lance Dunbar<\/a><\/strong> frequently in passing situations and even lined him out wide sometimes.\u00a0 Latavius Murray<\/a><\/strong> and Jalen Richard<\/a><\/strong> shared 82 targets in Oakland.\u00a0 Finally, Le’Veon Bell<\/a><\/strong> had 94 targets in 2016, and D’Angelo Williams<\/strong> was also involved in the passing game.<\/p>\n

Back to the Future<\/h3>\n

Looking back at the Packers 2010 championship season, we see Ryan Grant<\/a><\/strong>, Brandon Jackson<\/a><\/strong> and James Starks.\u00a0 Grant stayed around through the 2012 season.\u00a0 In the interim, the Packers had players like DuJuan Harris<\/a><\/strong> and Brandon Saine<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 None of the bruisers, decent size and pass catchers all.<\/p>\n

The 2013 draft saw the Packers add Eddie Lacy.\u00a0 The backfield became a tandem of Lacy and Starks.\u00a0 Packers started adding guys like Alonzo Harris<\/a><\/strong> and John Crockett<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 It became more of a power running game based on the idea of using the running game as a threat to open up the downfield passing game.\u00a0 This is not to say the Packers have not had success in this system, but it has not generated the results the team wants.<\/p>\n

Where the Packers Should Go<\/h3>\n

Eddie Lacy has decent hands and is a nice dump off target. His shiftiness is inconsistent and depends greatly on his motivation and weight. \u00a0The Packers released James Starks this offseason.\u00a0 Ty Montgomery is now the future of the Packers backfield.\u00a0 What else needs to happen here?<\/p>\n

The Packers should fully embrace the Patriots line of thinking on this topic. \u00a0They can likely retain Eddie Lacy on a reasonable deal.\u00a0 He should work as the LaGarrette Blount type.\u00a0 He can do short yardage and he can be the battering ram depending on the defense the Packers face.\u00a0 Blount has big games, but he is only the feature back when the situation calls for it.\u00a0 Ty Montgomery needs to be on the field more and needs to be used more for his ability catching than running.\u00a0 Yes, he still needs to get his carries, but his value is going to be in getting him in space.\u00a0 It will draw linebackers, make blitzing harder, open up space elsewhere, and create more options for Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Furthermore, the Packers could make better use of guys like Randall Cobb<\/a><\/strong> and Geronimo Allison<\/a><\/strong> if they use them the way the Patriots use their bevy of slot receivers.<\/p>\n

Moving forward this also means the Packers need to add another James White\/Dion Lewis player.\u00a0 With the draft coming up, some have mentioned\u00a0Christian McCaffrey<\/strong>\u00a0as a possible match.\u00a0 There will be plenty of other pass catchers available in later rounds too.\u00a0 As far as making the offense the dynamic weapon it once was, this should be a key target.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: <\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n