Hold The (O)Line!

Offensive Line Continues To Crumble

When comparing the performance of this year's Packers O-line unit to that of last season, it's easy to sit back and think how far they've come. After all, It seems such a distant memory to recall the offensive line leaking defenders like an old hose, practically spraying the quarterback with sacks. Indeed, the sack totals are improved this year. So far, Green Bay has allowed 29 sacks in 2010, compared to 51 sacks in 2009. With just 3 games to go, it looks like that number will be vastly improved. But to say that 30 sacks allowed is "good" simply by virtue of being less than 51 is like saying a car crash is good because only 2 people died instead of a potential 4. OK, so that analogy is a bit morbid - but try telling QB Aaron Rodgers, now nursing his second concussion of the season, that being sacked in the NFL isn't at least somewhat like being run over by a car. The fact of the matter is, when looking around the league at this year's elite teams, sack totals go a long way to help dictate win/loss records. The New England Patriots, whom the Packers have the privilege of grappling with next Sunday, have given up just 21 sacks this year. Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons has been dropped just 20 times. See where this is going? Better pass protection leads to a larger window of opportunity, which translates directly to wins in the NFL. It's all about opportunity.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy certainly knows that. Once RB Ryan Grant went down for the season, McCarthy looked at it as perennial backup Brandon Jackson's opportunity to show the NFL he was more than just a backup. Jackson, with just 546 yards and 3 touchdowns, has all but squandered that opportunity. But can all that flack be aimed at Jackson? Is that fair? Packer fans will say Jackson is indecisive, and slow to find a hole. To be clear, decisiveness and "finding the hole" are all problems a running back must face when his offensive line is not clearing the lane for him. Think about this. If a running play is called, and Jackson is instructed to look for the #2 gap, there is no "decision" to be made in the backfield as long as that gap appears as planned. Certain running backs can create plays without blocking, but Jackson was a backup for a reason. He can't be expected to extend plays beyond what the offensive line has provided for him. Here's another thought, Jackson has 313 passing yards on 39 receptions. That's literally more than twice the rate of production he sees when relying on the o-line to clear a path for him. It's also another indication of extra pressure being brought on the QB by a struggling offensive line. This isn't the west coast style of the Mike Holmgren era. These Packers are a deep-threat team. Short screens are definitely an indication that something is fundamentally wrong. To make matters worse, Aaron Rodgers is now the team's second leading rusher. With his own life in his hands, he's been forced to scramble his way to 309 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Packers attempted to fix the problem by drafting OT Bryan Bulaga in the first round of last year's draft. Granted, he's been steady and will certainly anchor the line with time. But tackle Mark Tauscher went on IR with a shoulder injury and is likely done for good. And tackle Chad Clifton's pre-game regimen of hot-tubs, cold-tubs, rub-downs, and acupuncture, is certain only to get him through the rest of this season, and no further. Couple those losses with the fact that the rest of the line, while accounted for, has performed poorly, and the Packers may be back to where they started. Hopefully, the line will again be a priority this offseason, as improved line function is paramount in improving the team's overall record.