Cory's Corner: Feed Aaron Jones
The most viable threat on Green Bay's offense has not had more than 11 total touches this season. That needs to change.
The most important person on the Packers isn’t Jordan Love. And it isn’t Rashan Gary or Kenny Clark.
It’s Aaron Jones. But ever since the versatile back injured his hamstring in Week 1, the Packers have treated the seventh-year pro with bubble wrap. Last year, Jones was eighth in the league with 476 yards after contact. This year, Jones has 27 yards after contact — good for No. 82, three spots ahead of Daniel Jones.
“We’re still going to be smart with him,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “I don’t think he’s 100 percent by any stretch.”
That of course means the Packers will limit Jones’ touches and the Packers will be swimming upstream offensively. If the Packers came out of the bye with no presnap motion or anything creative, why would they do it now?
The Packers (2-4) have lost three straight games, but before you start saying that this team is the worst ever, the Packers lost five straight last year — and that season included back-to-back forgettable losses to the Giants and Jets.
I’m not signing off on this team, but it needs a B-12 shot on offense. It needs a spark. Jones is that guy. He is the anti-boring that will make the offense viable again. Will there still be screwed up routes by the receivers or whiffed blocks by the offensive line? There sure will. But at least the Packers will put the rock in the hands of the person most capable to change the game.
Jones has played so little, he has two broken tackles, which is the same number as Love and Patrick Taylor — who is now a member of the Patriots practice squad.
What I don’t understand is, what’s the point of being so cautious with Jones? Are the Packers holding out hope for a late rally and another NFC North title? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t see it. This team has a lot of glaring holes combined with a coaching staff that appears to be clueless in certain situations. I don’t think the defense has been the No. 1 issue this year, but defensive coordinator Joe Barry hasn’t done a lot to justify his job after constantly getting checkmated by the opposition.
This team needs to stop thinking about the here and now and it needs to start thinking three steps ahead. The Vikings will obviously blitz Love plenty on Sunday. How is he going to be protected? Will the Packers run short routes in order to get the ball out quickly? And will the Packers experiment with any misdirection to keep the Vikings off balance?
These are things that need to be answered because the Vikings lead the league by blitzing 56 percent of the time, which results in knockdowns on 6.9 percent of every pass attempt.
A tidal wave of Vikings is coming to Lambeau Field and without Jones as a dynamic force to balance things out, Love will be marooned on an NFL island bereft of any offensive help.
Now is not the time to save Jones for the future, because this team still doesn’t know what lies in their future.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (32)
stockholder
October 28, 2023 at 07:36 am
Jones is Not the most important person.
We're in a sell mode now.
Bigger ,Stronger, Faster. For the future.
Gutey shouldn't have a big mistake eraser now.
The make-up of this team must change.
The Reload doesn't work with so many injuries.
And the questions still are obvious with Love.
We now must come back to earth.
Fiscal responsibility is priority one.
And lets play these draft picks until, they
earn their worth to be called Green Bay Packers.
The season is now a official waste.
And every once of energy must directed at Love.
Throw the Damn ball.
jannesbjornson
October 28, 2023 at 08:16 am
The Bears and Lions loaded up their RB depth. Gutey churned the leftover hotdish. To be efficient in this wide-zone scheme, you need three guys with speed to the edge and cutting ability. Dillon should be playing fullback. He did well receiving the ball in space, bulldozing DBs, then they stop using these play sets. The checkdown/wheel route to #28 probably gets them to Carlson for the Win last week. LaFleur seems clueless? The Denver safeties were waiting for the predictable pitch to the right hash, just like Detroit poached Rodgers for three picks last campaign.
Mattison is a THIRD Rd. pick, how unusual. The purple dumped Cook and brought Akers onboard for a 6th rd pick and also took a seven rdr from L.A. The "we like our guys" crew still twiddling their thumbs talking about a running game. Will A. Jones have over 15 reps?
dobber
October 28, 2023 at 09:02 am
" Dillon should be playing fullback."
Agreed. He's more Mike Alstott...not Derrick Henry. At this stage at least try 21 personnel with Dillon and Jones (or Wilson, I suppose).
jannesbjornson
October 28, 2023 at 09:22 am
They could toss it to him ten times into the hook zones, or the wheels and nobody would try to tackle him.
ImaPayne2
October 28, 2023 at 09:31 am
LeFleur and the coaches know exactly what they have in Love and they know turning him loose means loses and they are not ready to accept this is a losing season.
End the end someone has to put on the big boy pants and right this ship and not just blame everything on youth or your going to have another losing season next year.
stockholder
October 28, 2023 at 10:28 am
The Training Wheels must come Off.
Packerpasty
October 28, 2023 at 11:07 am
even Packer player say youth is not an excuse anymore, Rasul Douglas for one said after five games its time to grow up...these guys been playing football forever they should be ready to roll by now...
pantz_bURp
October 28, 2023 at 12:09 pm
"The season is now a official waste".
Stock, I feel quite the opposite. This season might be the most valuable to the Packer organization in a long while. It needed to happen. #12 didn't seem happy and wanted out, even with a large sum of money to try and keep him here. We need to see if #10 is the long term future as QB1 and we need to get these contracts off the books. Injuries suck, but they can be a silver-lining to some.
Go Pack Go!
*What does a stolen vehicle and the Vikings have in common? [no title]
Let's start working on our team identity. Know who you are. I like Leroy Hoard's response when explaining who he is (was) as a running back in the NFL. (paraphrasing): "I'm the kind of back that when you need 3 yards, I will get you 4. When you need 5 yards, I will get you 4."
your Burpster
stockholder
October 28, 2023 at 01:05 pm
As far as "RESULTS" it's Over.
The Bahk injury with several PART -Timers.
Has Done it in.
As far as The REBUILD, you are right.
LLCHESTY
October 28, 2023 at 07:43 am
It's a bad year to be a Packer and have hamstrings.
Also limiting Jones is probably wise but it does prevent the RBs from getting in a rhythm. I guess that's par for the course in the NFL these days but maybe try series by series and give Wilson a few more chances.
dobber
October 28, 2023 at 09:04 am
Hammies are a problem league-wide this year.
Untylu1968
October 28, 2023 at 09:25 am
Stop it with the rational talk dobber. Nobody wants to hear it! Our strength and conditioning staff is the worst, and the only one dealing with injuries. Must fire everyone now!!
Packerpasty
October 28, 2023 at 11:10 am
Maybe these training staffs shouldn't make these kids "bulk up" as soon as they enter the pro's...add muscle to stay injury free seems to backfire for some..
LLCHESTY
October 28, 2023 at 03:06 pm
This article was written at season's start before Jones tweaked his.
https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/packers-receiver-corps-hamstrung-by-...
Coldworld
October 28, 2023 at 09:17 am
Is there a good time to not have hamstrings?
PeteK
October 28, 2023 at 09:43 am
We're being hamstrung by these injuries! :)
LLCHESTY
October 28, 2023 at 03:06 pm
If you don't have them you can't injure them!
SicSemperTyrannis
October 28, 2023 at 05:27 pm
Definitely Wilson should be given touches.
Coldworld
October 28, 2023 at 06:29 pm
But if he is, they need to be enough to get him into a rhythm, he’s a rookie after all, not the off one each quarter or so we have seen.
NickPerry
October 28, 2023 at 08:09 am
"Are the Packers holding out hope for a late rally and another NFC North title? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t see it. This team has a lot of glaring holes combined with a coaching staff that appears to be clueless in certain situations."
Wow...What a difference a few years makes. This team went from being one of the better teams, many thought the BEST in 2021 to THIS. They went from being coached by a guy who we ALL were excited about at one point, to a guy many of us feel shouldn't coach the JV High School team at a Green Bay High School. Forget about an NFC North title. Worry about winning even one more game this season.
Hell, now the Offensive Coordinator who I once thought was once a pretty good O-Line coach, now thinks Josh Meyers is playing some of the best football of his career. Wow, REALLY Steno? Hey sticking up for your guys is admirable but that just made you sound foolish, even stupid.
I'm actually at a complete loss on what to think. I still think this team has some talent, at least I'm hoping it does. As a matter of fact hope is the ONLY thing I have left for the future. But I don't think we'll know until MLF and his staff are gone. After Stenos comments even Mark Murphy's ears should have perked up after such a ridiculous comment...BUT, I bet they didn't. Not even a smidgen, and that my friends is a huge problem. Talk about the blind leading the blind.
The things that make you go Hmmm...
Dragon5
October 28, 2023 at 09:57 am
Careful using absolutes Nick...I can only offer compliments to MLF when it pertains to male grooming and his empath tendencies--the frequency to which is quite unappealing in a violent man's sport. I am of the few that took heat trying to get CurdNation to see the forest through the trees--they thought they were getting Mr. Right and they did--the (Randy) Wright version.
Speaking of, here's a short story on Randy. I grew up 2 miles from Lambeau and Mr. Wright moved into the house kitty-corner behind us. My Dad ran into him one day and what a first impression--vanity like he had earned Tom Brady accolades. He immediately goes into a monologue about how he just wants to be treated like a normal person. My Dad, smelling the stench on this high hog, said "certainly," and abruptly wished him well ending the conversation.
Packerpasty
October 28, 2023 at 11:12 am
"empath tendencies" perfect!!!....I like how he grew facial hair to look tougher...it dont work though..
TxFred
October 28, 2023 at 08:26 am
It is strange, how winning eliminates "injuries".
As far as AJ goes, even he can't run consistently without O Line blocking. The O Line will be finally exposed to the low IQ entertainment fans. No place to hide. Blitzing will make them the laughing stock of the league. I wouldn't be surprised if there are new "injuries" crop up. Sad.
Ryan3468
October 28, 2023 at 08:41 am
They fear Jones getting hurt and that lowering ticket sales. Having hope is better than not having hope.
Since'61
October 28, 2023 at 11:30 am
The stadium is sold out well into the future. I don't think that ticket sales are an issue for the Packers.
Thanks, Since '61
LambeauPlain
October 28, 2023 at 09:25 am
Is this coaching staff capable of solving their on field problems? Sure, if they knew what the problems were.
MLF is displaying the Peter Principle that states people often get promoted to a position of incompetence.
So is Stenovich. An OC? He owned a thin resume when MLF hired him as OL coach. And when Hackett and Getsy left for greener pastures, MLF panicked, fearing Steno would leave too so MLF promoted him into the Peter Principle. Butkus followed the PP and now the Pack has a dysfunctional offense and an OL that get easily manhandled by NFL defenses, especially in the run game. The OL is the "best five" only because they are "best liked" by the O coaches.
Barry has made a lucrative career out the Peter Principle. He was fortunate MLF had his phone number when the HC again panicked after losing out on Jim Leonard. How the HC could swing from a potentially inspired hire with Jim to hire a consistent DC failure is an enigma, wrapped in a shroud, surrounded by a mystery. And to keep Barry for "consistencies sake" when Brian Flores was available is more PP "feet of clay" from MLF.
This is a poor coaching staff. The team's performance has been getting worse with each game. Fans see it. So do the players. That's coaching. They need a quick turnaround or injuries will begin to "linger", players will go through the motions, and the all important NFL "edge" will be with the opponents. Under MLF, the Packers have always had difficulty with physical teams. Being both soft and unmotivated earns high draft picks.
MLF's dour "we have to get better" after the mounting losses as they instead get worse has to be taking a huge toll in the locker room and may earn MLF a new job as a QB coach somewhere...probably where Peter should have kept him.
ImaPayne2
October 28, 2023 at 09:34 am
Close game? Really? Did people not watch the Vkes destroy the Niners and the Packers cough up a fur-ball.
If you take the weather out of it, I would not be surprised to see the Vikes put 24 points on the Packers and the pack eke out a couple of field goals.
I really hope LeFleur (the pussy) lets Love air it out so everyone can see his skill set. Time for Love to shine or have his switch dimmed.
Ferrari-Driver
October 28, 2023 at 09:50 am
Yesterday I listened to a 40 minute video of Andy Herman talking Packers with former Packer offensive lineman Mike Wahle and it was perhaps the best football talk I ever recall watching. Wahle is a former all pro offensive lineman and his attention to detail impressed me and based upon what I heard from him we may have some serious coaching problems with our offensive line. If you would like to both see and hear the discussion, I found this link that will provide the video in addition to the audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8T6NrYwcSU
LambeauPlain
October 28, 2023 at 11:07 am
Thanks for the link.
Wahle gives a damning critique of the O coaching staff.
The coaches are "schemers", not teachers. How many times has MLF opined he can" fix the O with a better scheme". Wahle says NO, they need better on field football skills, especially for the OL footwork. Scheme is futile when good footwork is not taught or worse yet bad footwork is "allowed" he says. Wahle sees a common denominator for failed snaps...poor footwork by the OL (Tom excepted...his footwork is good, says Wahle). And we are almost to November!
Same for route running and QB processing skills. Scheme can work if it follows ingrained, mastered, on field basic football skills. And Wahle believes they do not practice the basics such as footwork.
Wow. Quite an indictment.
Ferrari-Driver
October 28, 2023 at 04:40 pm
After I listened to the comments made by Mike Wahle, I was thinking he would be a terrific line coach for the Packers and perhaps more over time. He certainly has an eye to detail and explains it well to lay fans like myself.
SicSemperTyrannis
October 28, 2023 at 05:38 pm
Wahle is the real deal. He could replace anybody on the coaching staff and it would be an upgrade except for RB or Tom Clements.
Packerpasty
October 28, 2023 at 11:16 am
Trade Jones and a few others while they still have value...he's getting hurt more and more plus he's fumbled at the worst times in big games once too often for me...build for the future with draft choices...I have to laugh at a few who say get Adams back from the Raiders...he would void that trade immediately, he wants to play for a winner with a good QB...