Packers Vs Steelers - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' game against the Pittsburg Steelers
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.
Blitzburgh
Interesting blitz here. Both Burks and Campbell are showing blitz. Burks actually goes so far as make contact with the guard before dropping back in coverage. This insures the Pitt OL have to account for him, leaving a nice little gap for Campbell to shoot through, forcing Ben to get rid of the ball early. The Packers secondary are manned up with the wide receivers, anticipating pressure will force a quick throw. This is a real nice concept and the perfect time to do it, when you have a team backed up in their own end. It's not rocket science, but after all the no pressure and soft coverage on 3rd down designs we saw last year, a welcome sight.
All-Purpose Aaron
When Aaron Jones is not breaking off big runs, he contributes in other ways. In this game, while "only" gaining 48 yards on 15 carries, he caught 3 passes for 51 yards. I personally love seeing him get the ball out in space like that. However, beyond all of that, here's something no one ever talks about - Jones has dedicated himself to becoming a better pass blocker. I noticed him successfully helping out in that department several times in this game. Here is just one example:
Smart Shemar
This is nothing earth shattering. but I want to give this rookie some credit. He reacts quickly to the dump off and closes down the space, but most importantly, he takes an outside position, steering the ball carrier away from the sideline. WIth under two minutes left in the game and the Steelers with no timeouts, keeping the clock running is the best thing you can do here.
BONUS! BONUS!
A little extra for you today...
I tweeted about this at the time, but isn't it great to have a linebacker that can actually make plays that help stop drives?
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (22)
flackcatcher
October 05, 2021 at 03:38 pm
It's interesting to watch the adjustments in the Packer defense as they sort their personnel out. More and more I think Barry is not running this defense, and is working with the LB. This is still a Pettine scheme and Gray (my guess) is probably making the calls on the defensive side. The main difference is the DL is playing more 3 than 2, but that is mostly about making up the loss of Z Smith on inside press. More press cover in the secondary, but more likely due to what they saw with Big Ben in the last couple of games. But Big Ben missed some when his WR had clearly beating both Stokes and Alexander deep early on. NFL football has truly become a game of inches. Good picks Al.
4thandinches
October 05, 2021 at 05:18 pm
I haven't heard anything indicating the calls are being made by anyone other than Barry. Do you have a source?
jannesbjornson
October 05, 2021 at 08:17 pm
Q
flackcatcher
October 06, 2021 at 05:10 pm
I do look good in a tux....
flackcatcher
October 06, 2021 at 05:09 pm
Do you expect the Packers to announce that Matt Lafleur has demoted his newly hired DC for being incompetent, really? (Did you read my whole comment or skim it) The shift between games one and three was too massive not to be noticed, if one was watching. For example, Pettine as DC always played a gap and hold at the LOS letting his OLB to attack mostly at the edge. Gray, while DC at the Vikings always had his DL run stunts and slants to force gaps for his DT and OLB. Both ran combo coverage and like to play 0 coverage if they felt their front 7 could get to the QB. What do you think the Packers were running last Sunday. The other factor, one which I have hammering here on CHTY, is Barry was hired way too late in the cycle. The odds that he would get to know his defensive personnel, and put his defensive scheme into place was slim and none given the way the NFL operates these days. Every DC has a style, and the Packers were playing exactly as Gray ran his defense at the Vikings. (I said it was a guess, an educated one, but a guess. Next time read my whole comment)
The_Justicar
October 06, 2021 at 02:35 pm
Ah yes, the packers hired someone to be the DC, pay him a salary to do that job, announced it to the world, but have a super secret plan to have someone else call the plays. Ha ha. Good one.
flackcatcher
October 06, 2021 at 05:14 pm
I don't mind the cheap comment, but at least understand the why and how Barry was hired, and how Lafleur action put the Packers in a bind, all right.
PeteK
October 05, 2021 at 03:50 pm
Jones is a complete back and worth the extension. Dillon is also starting to show some pass catching and blocking ability. This one two punch could really wear down defenses.
splitpea1
October 05, 2021 at 03:48 pm
Campbell: What a bargain. He's been everything we've wanted and needed so far. If he keeps it up, it will be interesting to see how his situation is handled in the off-season; he's only 28.
PatrickGB
October 06, 2021 at 09:03 am
Extend him now!
marpag1
October 05, 2021 at 03:56 pm
On the Shemar play, even if it's not under two minutes you never want to get beat to the outside. You want to turn him back inside because that's where your help is coming from.
jannesbjornson
October 05, 2021 at 08:19 pm
As long as King stays off the field, this guy gets reps and as far as I'm concerned, he can take all of them.
BAMABADGER
October 05, 2021 at 04:16 pm
Al, proof the Pack can't neglect the LB position any longer. At ILB you draft high (1-3 round) not 4-7, unless you already have a good ILB tandem. They need to hold on to Campbell.
dobber
October 05, 2021 at 09:57 pm
Jaylon Smith released by Dallas today...
PatrickGB
October 06, 2021 at 09:06 am
$9.2 million might be the reasons.
Bure9620
October 06, 2021 at 01:01 am
I am not sure they necessarily neglect off ball backer, they simply do not prioritize it the way they do other positions. With the salary cap you have to..all teams have holes, or patchwork on their rosters.
Since'61
October 05, 2021 at 04:43 pm
Good selections again Al. I particularly like the Shemar and Campbell plays. Both are solid, NFL defensive plays and both needed to be made.
The play that made me go hmmm was Gary reaching over an OL and sacking Roth with one hand. A demonstration of the strength that Gary has to bring a guy the size of Roth down with one hand. Just an incredible play. GPG!
Thanks, Since ‘61
PeteK
October 05, 2021 at 05:13 pm
61, that was shear power. I just wish he would develop some swim/rip moves which could make him an unstoppable force.
jannesbjornson
October 05, 2021 at 08:22 pm
He should be up and down with a lot of Bruce Smith plays and some Hendricks with the speed off the Edge. Keep feeding the dogs.
Since'61
October 05, 2021 at 10:07 pm
Agree. Hopefully more moves will come with more snaps. Thanks, Since '61
Savage57
October 06, 2021 at 05:52 am
Reminded me of LeRoy Butler walking Meggett back into Beldsoe's lap and sacking them both in the Super Bowl.
Fritz told LeRoy, "Bring me his head."
PeteK
October 05, 2021 at 05:15 pm
Also, blocks by Lazard and Rodgers that sprung Jones were things of beauty.