Green Bay Packers: Why the offense will be better in 2017
By Ben Hertel
The Green Bay Packers have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and Aaron Rodgers and company were among the best in 2016. However, the offense will be even better in 2017.
The offense for the Green Bay Packers was excellent in 2016. They finished 8th in total yards, 7th in passing yards, and 4th in points per game.
That’s about as good as it gets, but the offense can still be better in 2017. With the new personnel and some schematic changes, the Packers should have no problem getting their offense back to the top of the league.
Aaron Rodgers is still in his prime, and the Packers need to take advantage of that while they can.
Green Bay Packers – New Packages
The Packers revamped the tight end position this offseason and added Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers were a solid combo, but bringing Bennett and Kendricks to this offense is a huge upgrade.
Last season Bennet caught 55 passes for 700 yards and 7 TDS, while Kendricks caught 50 passes for 500 yards and 2TDS while playing with some awful Rams quarterbacks.
Bennett is a top ten tight end in the NFL, and he should be a monster in this offense. He’s a good blocker, as PFF notes that he was the top-ranked blocker at the position through October 2016.
The Packers offense should look quite a bit different in 2017. I can’t wait to see the new packages Mccarthy is going to roll out.
Bennett also was top 20 in the NFL in YAC, according to SportingCharts. That’s crazy for a guy that only caught 55 passes. The 6’6 275 pound Bennett is an animal and a matchup nightmare.
He can also line up in the slot, outside, and of course as a traditional down lineman tight end. Most corners can’t cover him, which means a slower safety or linebacker will have to come down. Bennett should be able to win matchups against most linebackers, and probably most safeties.
Kendricks is 6’3 and ran a 4.57 back in his combine time. He’s not as good as Bennett, but he’s a great second tight end and will cause matchup problems. He can line up outside, in the slot, as well as a traditional tight end. According to playerprofiler, he lined up in the slot 16.2% of the time, which was 15th most among NFL tight ends.
Mike Mccarthy should be excited to draw up two tight end packages. Kendricks and Bennett will both use the middle of the field as Finley once did in the Packers offense, which will require more safety and linebacker help. That should pay dividends for the Packers wideouts as well.
Green Bay Packers – Running Back Diversity
The Packers new additions at Running Back will make the 2017 offense better. Ty Montgomery was brilliant at running back in 2016 after being tossed there roughly half way through the season.
Eddie Lacy was a bruiser, and James Starks was somewhat of a change of pace back, I guess.
Jamaal Williams, Devante Mayes, and Aaron Jones, all 2017 Packers draft picks, bring a diverse skill set to the position. Ty Montgomery added some more weight during the offseason and came in looking to be the lead back. He’s honestly a great all around back. He can run, pass block, and catch the ball.
However, each of the three backups, if the Packers keep all three rookies active, can bring their own specialty to the backfield.
Jamaal Williams, the BYU all-time leading rusher, is 6’0 212 pounds and is a hard runner. He could take the role of short yardage back and should take Ripkoswi’s role from last year.
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Big Rip is a great fullback, but he carried the ball more than a fullback really should last year. I’d much rather have Williams be the power back following Rip through the holes.
Aaron Jones out of UTEP was the all-time leading rusher at his school as well. He stands 5’9 and weighs 208 pounds, and ran a 4.56 40. Jones was a workhorse at UTEP, and besides being the all-time leading rusher, he caught 71 passes for 646 yards and 7 TDS in his four years.
That’s fantastic production, and Jones could easily carve out a niche in the backfield as a pass catcher. After watching some UTEP game film, it’s clear Jones is an explosive back and did a good amount of running out of the shotgun.
He could easily find himself on the field for third down situations if he can learn the pass blocking game.
Devante Mayes had trouble staying on the field at Utah State, but when he could, he was productive. He’s a bruiser, coming in at 5’11 230 pounds. Without a doubt, he could challenge Williams for the short yardage back.
So, there’s obviously more skill to the backfield than just Ty Montgomery. Williams, Jones, and maybe even Mayes have the opportunity to come into Green Bay and add their little skill set to the Packers backfield. An improved running game and backfield will help the offense in 2017.
Green Bay Packers – Tying it all together
The Packers offense should look quite a bit different in 2017. I can’t wait to see the new packages Mccarthy is going to roll out. Having two capable tight ends line up with Nelson, Adams, and Cobb is very exciting.
I think Randall Cobb will benefit from the new tight ends the most. Bennett and Kendricks are going to open the middle of the field up more for him. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Cobb with a high reception, lower yardage season. The Packers could send him on more underneath routes.
I can’t remember the Packers ever having a jammed backfield like this. Recently, it’s been a semi-effective Lacy and James Starks running sideways. Montgomery will get the most work. He will be the first down back, and he will probably see the third down packages right away because he’s a great pass blocker.
I think Williams will grab the short yardage carries almost right away, and eventually, Aaron Jones should get his touches. Even a backfield with him and Montgomery would be fun to watch. It could turn out to be a James White Dion Lewis where is the ball going to end up backfield. It’s fun thinking about the possibilities facing the running back position group.
Ted Thompson has given the Packers the tools to improve their offensive attack. It’s now up to Mike Mccarthy and Aaron Rodgers to implement and execute it.