The peak Popovich Spurs started the NBA’s player rest trend. The team knew it was full of vets who could turn it on in the playoffs, so they rested veterans often during the latter half of the season and played rookies and other young players who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten playtime. The Packers coaches could learn from this strategy over the next several games.
Not only did the Spurs’ strategy make it so the team’s veterans were rested going into the playoffs, but it gave the young players experience that they wouldn’t have gotten on other teams. When injuries inevitably happened, they could step in and the team wouldn’t miss a beat.
Following the Sunday games, the Packers have a 98% chance of making the playoffs. They could literally lose every remaining game and still have a 33% or so chance at making the playoffs. It’s time to start trying stuff. Give some young guys more playing time. Do freaky scheme stuff. Generally, do what you think about doing but don’t because you’re worried about winning – because they don’t need to worry about winning.
Rest Josh Jacobs and other vets
The most obvious move is to rest Josh Jacobs. That doesn’t mean sit him for five games straight. But maybe use him more like they used Aaron Jones. Spell him often and don’t be afraid to do it mid-drive.
He had a ton of touches a few years ago, spent last season injured and has had a ton of touches again this year. Letting him recover a little more than he otherwise would have before the playoffs could give him new life once the important games start. It would also give Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson time to keep improving. Both of these backs have been incredible in a change-of-pace role. it’s time to see what they can do as bell cows.
I think you could also benefit from giving Kenny Clark and maybe TJ Slaton fewer snaps. Clark plays a ton of snaps for a nose tackle and none of the other interior d-linemen have really stepped up to be the second guy.
Play Ty’Ron Hopper
Edgerrin Cooper is still hurt. Quay Walker is hit or miss. Eric Wilson is miss. And Isaiah McDuffie might be the worst cover linebacker in the NFL. We need to see what Ty’Ron Hopper can do.
Most reviews of Hopper coming out of camp were positive. He should bring the type of physicality we haven’t seen much from the linebacker spot. And if he’s terrible, as most rookies are, what’s the difference? McDuffie gave up something like 160 yards in coverage against the Dolphins and the Lions attacked the same part of the field. We need to see what Hopper can do.
In the same vein, get Kalen King some snaps from the slot. Bullard hasn’t been great and is hurt. Nixon is average at best. What do you have to lose from giving him 12-15 snaps a game?
Get creative on offense
This isn’t to say the Packers aren’t creative on offense already – I would say they’re one of if not the most creative offenses already. But I mean get real crazy. Two QB packages, 4-receiver packages, Malik Willis red zone packages. Tucker Kraft at runningback packages. If you can think it, they should do it.
Part of the point with this one is the same as the others – let’s see what we have. LaFleur has never used 4-WR sets. What if they unlock a part of the offense we’ve never unlocked consistently? What if putting Jayden Reed at RB and mimicking 11-personnel gives you a free eight yards every play?
Obviously, you don’t want to take a premier QB off the field, but Malik Willis brings something to the table that Love doesn’t – the ability to run the ball at a high level. Love can scramble, sure, but Willis is a game-changer as a runner. Let him run a single wing/option offense in the red zone. Bring him onto the field with Love and hand him the ball to pass the opposite direction the defense thinks.
If you hit on one of these, great! If not, who cares, it was fun and now the defense you play in the playoffs will need to prepare for something funky and distract themselves from the real offense.
Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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