Over and over this past season we heard that the Badgers’ problem was simply that they had no identity. No one really explains what that means – though you can infer that it used to be run the ball and have a good defense (until they play the top spread teams at least). The Packers’ identity is also pretty easy to divine. Let’s discuss.
Packers identity: Offense
The offensive identity is probably clearer than it has been in years. Give Josh Jacobs the ball. Years ago the Titoons attempted to run an “exotic smashmouth” offense. This was supposed to mean that they would run the ball but not just straight forward three yards and a cloud of dust every play. The Packers actually run a succesful exotic smashmouth offense.
They don’t just run outside and inside zone like the Mike Shanahan offenses did. They don’t even major in zone and then use counter and trap as a change-up like the Kyle Shanahan offenses do. They run just about every run concept you can think of and they have integrated more motion, spinner concepts and misdirection than just about any other team. And they pair it with their pass concepts to have a complete a full offense.
In prior years with LaFleur the run game was productive and was a huge part of the offense, but it wasn’t like this.
Packers identity: Defense
Coming into the season we were all convinced that the defensive identity would be press man coverage and plenty of blitzing. This would hopefully slow the run, but definitely stop giving up the slow bleed short pass plays that Joe Barry’s defense gave up constantly.
It has evolved into a zone-heavy (and a lot of inverted cover-2, not just cover-3) defense that stops the run and the deep pass. For the first time in years, the Packers have a top-ten run defense and no one wants to target Xavier McKinney who has been the best center fielder in the NFL.
As far as the pressure goes, until recently the front four wasn’t getting it done so much of the pressure was coming from simulated pressures, stunts and creativity on third down. Thankfully, the front four has improved since the Preston Smith trade.
Identity Needed
The team’s current identity has been good enough to get them into the playoffs, to go all the way they’re going to need to fix some things. Starting with an identity in the pass game – hard to pay a QB $55mm and not really have a passing identity.
Right now the passing offense is based too much on big plays and Jordan Love creation. These plays are amazing when they happen but it’s hard to base your whole offense around them. Get the offense back on schedule with traditional West Coast passing offense as well as the integrated play-action plays.
On defense, there’s too much given up by the linebackers in the middle of the field. I don’t know how you fix that without a change in personnel at this point but it’s imperative that they figure something out.
Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in Utah. You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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