Despite his unimpressive rushing average (3.6 per carry) and despite Aaron Jones’ bonkers rushing average (5.6 per carry), the Green Bay Packers are sticking with Jamaal Williams.
Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that this week. Williams will remain the lead back.
“Jamaal is in the front seat; he’s earned it,” McCarthy said. “And Aaron’s done an outstanding job with his opportunities. But they both need to play, they’re both young. They have nothing but good days ahead of him.”
This isn’t totally unexpected. The Packers view Williams’ as a better three-down option, meaning he’s more trusted in pass protection.
It isn’t that Williams hasn’t done some good things. There was the 113-yard game against the Buccaneers. He has 22 receptions for 231 yards. He’s scored six touchdowns — four rushing and two receiving.
However, Jones is the big-play threat that Williams isn’t. Jones carried just three times against the Panthers last week and gained 47 yards, which led the Packers in rushing.
It’s hard to argue with the sort of success Jones has had. But then, McCarthy hasn’t actually ever demonstrated the mental acuity to be able to figure out the running game before, has he?
Of course, with Brett Hundley back at quarterback, we’re sure there will be plenty of carries to go around.
I really think pass protection plays a big role in this. Williams is just a lot better at picking up blitzes. Jones still struggles. Can’t get every QB killed.
At this point, WGAF. They aren’t playing for anything. Hundley is virtually worthless coming up an off-season that will see 2/3 of the Vikings QBs be FAs, Kirk Cousins potentially be available, Eli Manning will probably be traded or released, and as many as 5 QBs will be taken in the first round. Play Aaron Jones, get him some live reps at game speed in pass protection, and not in a preseason game against borderline NFL talent. If he gets Hundley hurt, who cares? It doesn’t make a difference. Aaron Jones needs to be their lead back next year, it will make the offense that much better
Worthless??!! A 7th round compensatory pick baby. Ted likes volume in the draft remember? Jones looks like a superstar to me but what does on field production mean? Nothing to McRib I guess. I remember when Brandon Jackson was great at blitz pick up…too bad I’m faster than him. Jones looks like he can break ANY run and Williams looks like just a guy that has a job because everyone else is hurt. Stupid
No surprise. Fuck this team.