We’ve long harped on how Aaron Jones is the Green Bay Packers best running back. That he and not Jamaal Williams should be getting the bulk of the carries.
Jones is the far more explosive back of the two. His average per carry has always been much higher.
And so, what the hell is Mike McCarthy doing not utilizing his best running back more?
The Press Gazette says the plan is to try to make sure Jones is healthy at the end of the season.
Coach Mike McCarthy isn’t going to say it publicly, but his plan with Aaron Jones seems straight forward: He’s limiting Jones’ snaps now because he wants his best running back healthy and effective at season’s end.
They go on to point out the number of injuries Jones has had.
He’s missed time with two torn MCLs and a hamstring injury. So it’s starting to look like Jones is injury-prone.
In two games since returning from a suspension, Jones has just 17 carries. He has turned those into 107 yards, 6.3 yards per carry.
This approach actually would be nothing new for McCarthy. When Eddie Lacy was at his best, we complained about the same thing. Why are you only giving the guy 15 carries? The Packers had a great record when Lacy would get 20 carries a game. But his workload typically didn’t go up until late in the season. He also split time with James Starks.
In Lacy’s two 1,000-yard seasons, it worked. Lacy was rolling down the stretch in both 2013 and 2014. In fact, he carried the Packers in 2013 while Aaron Rodgers was hurt.
It’s still hard to see McCarthy getting Jones 20 carries a game at any point. That’s not his style. Still, maybe he’ll at least amp it up to 15 per game at some point.
Jones brings a dynamic element to the Packers’ offense. He needs the ball in his hands to do that, of course.
Last updated on October 3rd, 2018 at 01:38 pm
Hmmmm….
I can’t believe Big Mike has revealed his “strategy”….!!!!!
I can see the Rams using that on Gurley, Cowboys on Elliot and Saints on Kamara and getting even tougher…
Damn…..!!!!!
Eh, Jones was a workhorse in college and was fine, and it’s not like Montgomery or Williams haven’t also had their share of injuries.
MM plan? Doubt that very much. Kinda like his new playbook. Joke.
Isn’t this the same thing the Packers did with Starks in 2010? Everyone knew Starks was pretty good, but he only ran him a few times during the regular season, near the end of the season. Then in the playoff run, he ran for over 100 yards against the Eagles.