Not sure why 2 RB set isn’t considered more often

Read this brief update from profootball weekly:

The Cowboys are playing around with using Marion Barber and Felix Jones — something it did sparingly last season when the two were healthy — on the field at the same time. It doesn’t have to be in traditional, two-back sets, either; Jones has the flexibility to split out and motion into or out of the backfield.

Normally such an insignificant off-season bit piece, especially about the Cowboys, wouldn’t register on my NFL radar. But this just makes sense to me and I wonder why more teams don’t do it. It seems that in the last 15-20 years at least, teams have quietly obeyed some unwritten rule that they should NOT play 2 RBs at the same time. Now, I’m not including FBs here, just RBs – and I’m not referring to the now popular sharing of the running load by 2 RBs (Chris Johnson, Lendale White, etc). My question is: why don’t more NFL and even college teams consider putting 2 talented backs on the field at the same time? Just think of the match-up issues it could cause for the defense? Imagine for a moment…when the QB drops back and 2 talented RBs are lined up in the I formation behind him – a defense would immediately have to account for a variety of play possibilities for just the 2 RBs – not to mention any talented WRs or TEs or even a sneak or roll-out by the QB. With the traditional FB and RB backfield, defenses can almost count out the possibility of a FB getting a hand-off or pass and even if they do, FBs are usually too slow to do much damage. But having to account for 2 play-making RBs would be a very different story.

It got me thinking of the trouble a defense would have accounting for Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Barber and Jones on the same play; or, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White on one play; or Darren Sproles, LT, Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson on one play. This idea isn’t necessarily new – we’ve already seen this 2RB game plan have some success with Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and the Saints and even Darren McFadden and Felix Jones when at Arkansas – it’s just not used as much as it should be.

I am a big proponent of any offensive philosophy that focuses on creating mismatches and being unpredictable. That may be an obvious offensive focus, but few offenses are able to consistently create mismatches and be unpredictable over time. I’m a bit surprised Mike McCarthy hasn’t experimented with something like this 2 RB set. Perhaps putting Grant and Wynn or Wynn and Jackson out there for the same play would cause coverage issues for defenses. (Or Lumpkin and Tyrell Sutton – who knows). Granted, a present Packer 2 RB set wouldn’t be the nightmare that defending Barber and Jones simultaneously would be, but it could be a needed creative boost that at least makes other teams have to account for more play options. McCarthy already has introduced (or perhaps re-introduced) the novel idea of using 5 WRs at the same time – so I could see him warming to an idea like this.

Vikes’ brass messing with crack?

While many NFL fans/bloggers/media-types (including Packergeeks) have focused on Favre/Vikings news, I am growing more and more interested in another Viking story – the holdout by Antoine Winfield. I read recently (forgive me, I can’t recall the source), that Winfield is simply asking to be paid as a top 10 NFL cornerback. If this is even close to being true, the Vikes must be on crack for not having this figured out yet. In my opinion, Winfield is one of the top 2 or 3 corners in the NFL right now behind Asomugha and maybe Charles Woodson. Despite his shorter stature, he plays big, he hits hard, he is a stellar open-field tackler, has tremendous instincts and often draws the most talented WR from the opposing team. I realize he is 32 years old, but he can still play at a very high level. I would be surprised if Vikings’ management didn’t give a little in these negotiations soon – a Vikings’ defense without Winfield would be a lot easier for opposing offenses to attack.

Favre deposit paid?

St. Paul Pioneer Press claims that Favre has put a deposit down already on an Edina Condo.

Again, deal is done. Vikes are just waiting for the right time to announce the signing – apparently they will be requiring those who purchase Packer game tickets to also buy tickets for the pre-season game against the Chiefs – which would have otherwise sold 10-15 tickets, experts estimate.

“Vikesrule” has this to say…what do you think Packergeek readers?

Vikesrule Says: June 25, 2009 at 9:08 pm – I can’t wait to watch Favre charge out on to Lambeau in purple!! What a beautiful slap in the face to you toothless one sport town losers!! And how funny would it be if Favre wins not just one but two super bowls in a Vikings uniform. He’ll retire a Viking if that happens. Then we can start talking about Green Blah as the Viking “farm team” Thanks for the player development!!!! #

Vikesrule Says: June 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm – 56Coop: You sound like you just ate some sour grapes. A little afraid he might actually produce big time with a legit offense? Hunting better in Wisconsin??? Who cares!! The fact that you clowns wear your blaze orange and cammo to games frames you up as the stereotypical knuckle dragging neanderthals that everyone thinks you are. And yeah, a guy with money like Favre is going to buy a hunting outpost home in MN?? Whatever!! And afraid to step in Wisconsin. OOOOO!! What is someone going to do, mug the guy?? Yeah I suppose a townie cheeshead would do just that!!

My response? Thanks for getting our blood moving Vikesrule and as always, despite the lameness of your comments, your comments are welcome here.

• First of all, “one sport town losers“? We’ve won more championships in that one sport than Minnesota has in all of its pro sports.
• Second, nice stadium.
• Third, nice history of choking in big games.
• Fourth, I think blaze orange is far less offensive football fan attire than a carefully assembled $400 “outfit” with $200 Italian leather shoes (Vikesrule rolling his eyes right now saying “what a clueless loser, who spends only $200 on shoes anymore?”).
• Fifth, nice loyalty – Vikings fans don’t even reach the level of being appropriately considered “fair-weather fans” because even when things are going well, there are fan loyalty issues. Just last year, the Vikes needed to rely on some dude to buy up a bunch of tickets at the last minute to avoid a blackout…FOR A PLAYOFF GAME!!! On the other hand, Packer fans are truly loyal fans who are excited about our team whether we’re playing well or not . We always sell out our games and the only time the word “blackout” enters our minds is when we see a Vikings “fan” laying on the floor after having 3 beers (actually, really just 2 beers because he opens up a new one once the old one starts “getting a little warm”).
• Sixth, um, again, nice stadium.

Has Favre signed a 2 or 3 year deal?

Rumor now is that Favre is looking at houses in Bearpath neighborhood – Eden Prairie, MN. Now, I’m getting a bit out of control here speculation-wise, I’ll freely admit, but if he’s looking to buy a house there, is he thinking of being there for more than a year? (Not sure, but I can’t remember if he bought a house in NY/NJ or not last year – I think he just had an apartment/condo or something, no)? Anyway, I know he’s loaded and $ isn’t an issue, but it’s just interesting he’d actually be looking for a home and it makes me wonder for some reason if he’s planning to stick around there for a bit.

(Bearpath, by the way, surrounds a really nice golf course – a Jack Nicklaus signature course…I wonder if that’s where Longwell lives.)

Jennings signs

Jsonline and Fox 6 Sports are reporting that Greg Jennings has signed a new deal estimated to be worth a cool $9 million a year. I say – finally. I’m very pleased with this. He is a stand up guy who won’t let a new fat contract alter his effort on the field. He is a very very good WR right now but he could end up being one of the best WR the Packers ever have. Nicely done TT, Packers and Jennings. Nicely done.

“Self-adjusting” shampoo???

This isn’t the first time I have written about shampoo. Brother Steve and I have openly questioned the legitimacy of the shampoo industry in previous posts. Well, this morning, I noticed that the not-so-cheap bottle of shampoo my wife bought recently claimed that the shampoo was “self-adjusting”. At first I didn’t think anything of it because it was too early in the morning to process anything and because I’ve become numb to outrageous advertising claims anymore. But after letting it sink in for a moment, I thought about how nice using this shampoo would be because  I wouldn’t have to make any “adjustments” while using this shampoo like I must be doing unknowingly with all the others – this fancy shampoo would take care of any adjustments by itself. What the ….???

(And for those who follow closely, yes, this shampoo had Australian Tea Tree Oil in it).

Some random Packer thoughts

Random Packer thoughts:

• Apparently Greg Jennings is close to signing a deal. This is very good. I could see Greg seeking exactly what’s fair and not being an idiot about negotiations because ultimately, he’s just a really good guy. The general number people are putting out there for him from what I’ve heard is $8 million per year. I think the only thing the Packers need to be somewhat concerned about frankly, is not giving Jennings too many incentives because he’s the kind of guy who will find a way to realize most of them! Let’s get him signed – I hope this happens soon.
• Aaron Kampman has quietly grown more comfortable in his new role. Relieving significant pressure from the whole transition is the fact that Brady Poppinga has been named his main back up  – so there is virtually no competition.
• After reading Greg Bedard’s article last week about Anthony Smith – it really does seem as though he could wind up the starter. He  understands the 3-4 scheme so well and would be a good defensive quarterback. (Though I will say I still have a fresh memory of Marquand Manuel – another guy who was supposed to have a great understanding of the scheme…) But what I like about Anthony Smith may in fact be something I didn’t like about Anthony Smith at all when we signed him: his trash talking. I saw the game when he played for the Steelers and talked some trash against the Pats. He was horrendous in that game – approaching the worst game I’ve seen from a safety ever. At the time, I hadn’t read his full quote (which to me is not nearly as bad as the few words the press ran away with). Anyway, I got to thinking the other day that maybe having someone who apparently speaks his mind like Smith does is not such a bad thing. A byproduct of drafting and acquiring “coachable” players is that the team can take on a bit of a boring/flat-character collective persona. While this team has some personalities for sure, I don’t think many would argue that it’s collective persona is that riveting. I think people like Anthony Smith and Jermichael Finley might serve to mix it up a bit – which could help remind teammates that football is fun and not so serious. This is another reason I want to see Desmond Bishop play more – I think the guy has an energy/excitement to him that most of the other LB options lack.
• On Sunday, Greg Bedard wrote a feature for jsonline about Aaron Rodgers (here). There was one small paragraph in this article that struck me more than anything else – quote from Rodgers:   “There are always going to be distractions, we just have to manage them,” Rodgers said. “We have so much talent in this room; the only thing that can stop us is ourselves. And we stopped ourselves way too many times last year. If we can limit the distractions, I think we’re going to be in a position to make a big run.” It was this last sentence in particular that struck me – Rodgers saying they could be in a position to make a “big run”. As he admits earlier in the article, Rodgers is not one to stir the pot or make things particularly interesting for the media. So, to me, when he throws out there the possibility that the Packers could make a “big run”, this is significant. He could have said something a lot more tame, but he chose “big run”. My guess is that Rodgers indeed has fairly high expectations for this team – and that’s a good thing.He has to feel confident after demonstrating clearly last year that he can comfortably handle the hardest position in football. I’m glad he’s confident – I wouldn’t want it otherwise.

I’ll say it again, Favre already signed

Thanks to 56Coop for pointing out this article.

As Packergeeks wrote in an earlier post (citing an anonymous source inside the Vike’s organization), Favre has already signed with the Vikes and now it’s just a matter of Favre/the team announcing it. Read here from NBCsports.com, quoting profootballtalk.com. They too indicate the deal has already been completed but that they just want to wait for the right moment to announce it.

If you have any doubts about the veracity of these claims, read Brad Childress’ comments in this article.

Nice

Deadspin features a new Brett Favre t-shirt.