Pass to get ahead, pass to stay ahead!
By Chris Havel
Brett Favre has been sacked by birthday wishes this week.
The Green Bay Packers’ future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback turned 38 on Wednesday, a landmark anniversary that reaffirms his greatness and begs the question: What does one give to a man that already has everything?
How about a gift that keeps on giving—as in first downs, touchdowns and victories?
How about receiver Koren Robinson to provide Favre and the offense with another weapon? How about a game plan that doesn’t apologize for being pass-heavy? How about a clever way to utilize rookie running back Brandon Jackson’s extraordinary skills as a receiver out of the backfield? How about a no-huddle attack that maximizes Favre’s experience, savvy and cool under pressure?
All of this is possible provided the Packers are blessed with a positive decision from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding Robinson’s reinstatement, and an unwavering commitment from coach Mike McCarthy to the passing game.
The former may be easier to attain than the latter.
Robinson’s return to the Packers after a yearlong suspension seems likely. Those that know the troubled receiver swear he has been diligent and undeterred in his attempt to rehabilitate himself and overcome his alcoholism.
One of Robinson’s most vocal proponents has been Favre. The Packers’ quarterback owes his own illustrious career to an ability to eradicate demons, and he also knows a talented receiver when he throws to one. If Robinson allows the Packers to help him, and vice-versa, Favre and Co. will receive a welcome offensive infusion.
Robinson is a special athlete that can and will spark the offense if given a chance. He may be reinstated after the Packers’ upcoming bye week, if everything checks out with Goodell, and his return should be welcomed with open arms. That in turn should lead to more wide-open receivers.
Simply put, Robinson can play, and given the Packers’ sheer volume of passes the receiving corps can use all the able-bodied athletes it can get. Remember, running backs aren’t the only players that run the risk of wear and tear with excessive use.
McCarthy is the key element in the second half of this equation.
It is obvious the second-year head coach prefers to run the football and employ a smash-mouth style. He has said as much on numerous occasions. McCarthy’s approach is the correct one, especially in cold-weather Green Bay, but the team’s current personnel doesn’t fit that style.
I suspect GM Ted Thompson will change that in the coming months, but as the 4-1 Packers get ready to play the Washington Redskins on Sunday, it is painfully apparent Green Bay’s best chance is to attack through the air.
McCarthy needs to embrace the reality of his situation. He needs to focus on establishing a running game that enhances his passing attack and feeds off of it. He needs to devise plays that can move the ball on the ground despite featuring passing personnel in passing formations.
A key weapon in the aerial attack is the third-down back. Whereas that used to be the specialty back, if not the afterthought to the early down workhorse, it now must become the main staple. That position and role suits Jackson to a tee, and to only a slightly lesser degree, the oft-injured Vernand Morency.
DeShawn Wynn is a capable short-yardage back, and Ryan Grant is a willing special teams player, but the rushing yards must come from Jackson and Morency. The draw ought to be the Packers’ go-to play, perhaps second only to the screen.
Draws and screens should get Jackson and Morency in the open field where they excel, and they also should slow down opposing pass rushers.
Some say the Packers must develop a sound running game in order to protect second-half leads. Baloney. The Packers’ best way to protect second-half leads is to continue to score and not allow opponents to catch up.
McCarthy was caught in no man’s land against the Bears and it resulted in a discouraging 27-20 loss to Chicago. The Packers’ play calling became conservative, and McCarthy acted as if a 10-point lead should stand up, which it didn’t.
Favre completed 19 of 20 passes in the first half (along with two spikes to stop the clock) and should have thrown it at least that many times in the second half.
Instead, the Packers dilly-dallied in an attempt to establish a running game. The fact is the Packers’ passing attack is the best way to accomplish that, and to apply constant pressure on opposing defenses.
McCarthy’s mantra needs to be this: “Pass to get ahead, pass to stay ahead!”
It isn’t ideal, but for this season it is the best way to go. A coach’s No. 1 task is to give his team its best chance to succeed. If that means throwing the ball so be it.
Chris Havel is a freelance writer, best-selling author and host of northeast Wisconsin’s top-rated sports radio talk show, Sports Line, heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 107.5 FM and 1400 AM THE FAN. He writes a weekly column exclusively for Packers Fan Tours’ Website throughout the 2007 season.
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