Packers on the Prowl: Green Bay Look to Steal Ben Johnson’s Most Electrifying Weapon
As someone who likes to write about football from a film perspective, the offseason can be a tricky thing to navigate. The Green Bay Packers didn’t extend their season into the Divisional Round (which I find to be pretty inconsiderate of them), so their offseason has already started. What is a film watcher to do when there is no more film?
The answer, of course, is to watch the film of other teams. Because there is still football being played and there are good and fun ideas everywhere.
So today – and throughout this long, dark offseason – we’re going to be watching teams around the league (and perhaps dipping into the college ranks), finding cool ideas & seeing how the Packers can run them. We’re kicking things off with a play from a Divisional rival: the Lions running a pitch/shovel against the Commanders.
I know it can be hard to praise a rival but man that’s a cool play. It’s creative while also being something that fits into the run attack. Let’s get into it.
The Lions are in 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) in 2×2 formation. Jared Goff [16] is in shotgun with David Montgomery [5] set to his left. They’re in a tight formation, with Amon Ra St. Brown [14] attached to the formation (but off the ball) on the right.
At the snap, Montgomery flares out and Goff pitches him the ball. On the left, Tim Patrick [17] initially looks like he’s cracking down on the line before releasing up to the slot. On the right, Christian Mahogany [73] and St. Brown pull to the left. From the initial movement of the blocking – combined with the pitch to Montgomery – this looks like an outside run.
With the linebackers flowing to the outside, Montgomery then pitches to St. Brown, who follows Mahogany through the line for a 20-yard gain.
Beautiful play, man. Great misdirection then knifing the defense in the spot they’ve vacated.
