Running backs have trouble picking up the blitz

Rookie Brandon Jackson had better improve in his pass blocking and soon.

It's been widely reported in both the Green Bay Press-Gazette and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Jackson has been struggling in trying to pick up blitzing linebackers during training camp practice.

The Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein has an interesting take on the situation, but it doesn't cover the entire story: "Halfback Noah Herron (pictured) and fullback Brandon Miree are the top two blockers, but neither is guaranteed a roster spot, so McCarthy better get that group in shape or he'll have to line his tight ends back there again this season."

Not mentioned in the article is that while Jackson may be assured of a roster spot, he's not assured of major playing time yet. If Jackson cannot prove himself in pass blocking situations, Herron might win a roster spot and steal some playing time.

The Packers were forced to keep the tight end blocking last season due to such a young offensive line, but they are going to want to avoid that at all costs this season. Brett Favre is going need as many targets as possible running pass routes this season if the offense is going to improve. At times last year, the Packers had as little as two receivers running routes past the line of scrimmage, which severely limited their effectiveness.

The Packers may, on occasion, keep an extra tight end to block, but such will not be the case this year with a more experienced offensive line. The running backs are going to have take some of the pressure off the offensive line like the tight ends did last year.

If it takes Noah Herron to provide extra security, that's who's going to play. As a rookie, Brandon Jackson might not play as much as people expect this season especially if he can't be relied upon during passing situations. He might share some carries with Vernand Morency on first and second downs. But if he can't protect Favre's backside, look for Herron to step in. It's not like Herron is a slouch as evidenced by a 100 yard rushing game last season.

No one is throwing the book in on Jackson yet, but his contributions on offense may hinge upon how much he improves in his blitz pick-up. Otherwise he may be relegated to occasional first down substitutions for a tired Morency.

Jackson isn't the only one struggling with pass blocking either.

"Coach Mike McCarthy said rookies like Jackson, Corey White and Korey Hall will get better with time, but he had to be concerned about rookie free agent Juwan Simpson throwing Jackson aside on one turn, rookie Desmond Bishop juking fullback Ryan Powdrell out of his socks on another and Tim Goodwell knocking White on his backside on another," according to Silverstein.

Running the ball will not be the be-all, end-all factor in making the team. Players like White, Hall, and Powdrell will have to prove themselves in pass blocking to make the team. For fullbacks, especially, their blocking technique is way more important than their running skills anyway.

People may criticize the Packers' lack of acquiring playmakers this past offseason, but they might fail to notice how the Packer offense is going to change.

Unlike how Silverstein suggests, the Packers will avoid the tight end blocking during passing downs as much as they did in '06. That will result in an extra option for Favre to throw to, which will be a marked difference from a year ago.

Photo credit: Rusty Kennedy for the AP