Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Archives for Alex Green

Why can’t the Packers run the football?

By

Why haven’t the Green Bay Packers been able to get their running game off the

Alex Green

ground? 

The Packers ran the ball a total of 26 times for 2.5 yards per carry in Sunday’s 24-15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Alex Green got 22 of those 26 carries and also averaged 2.5-yards per run. 

After the game, Green wasn’t willing to push the blame on the offensive line.

AUDIO: Green says they could have done more on the ground :11

AUDIO: Green was asked if there are holes :10

How much of this is Green’s fault though?  The offensive line didn’t appear to be blowing any holes wide open for Green to run through.  Green rushed for 2 or fewer yards on 10 his his 22 carries.  His longest run of the day covered just 7-yards. [Read more…]

Packers running game is grounded

By

On a day when Aaron Rodgers was once again near perfect, the Green Bay

Alex Green – UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt

Packers running game was non-existent.

Alex Green, who just took over the starters job last week, rushed the ball for only 35 yards on 20 carries in Green Bay’s 30-20 win over the St. Louis Rams.

Three weeks ago, Green Bay offensive lineman T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton were calling for more running plays.  After yesterday’s performance, they may want to ask Mike McCarthy for less.

McCarthy stuck with the run.  With 25 snaps on first down Sunday, the coach called run 15 times.  The result was a scant 36 yards. 

Green’s longest gain of the day was 15-yards.  It came in the 3rd quarter and gave the Packers a first down. 

AUDIO: Mike McCarthy said he had 2-things for his team at halftime :21

The Packers will likely have to make improvements from within.  Cedric Benson is on I.R., with the designation to return after 8-weeks.  James Starks is healthy again, but the Packers didn’t use him at all yesterday.

More balance in the Packers offense could help

By

Alex Green (20) is confirmed to be the starter for the Packers this Sunday

Despite being the reigning NFL MVP, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can’t do it all alone.  Guard T.J. Lang says everything starts with an effective run game which will relieve pressure on Rodgers.

AUDIO: Lang on how run game pressures Rodgers :16

With news that running back Cedric Benson will be sidelined for eight weeks with a Lisfranc injury to his left foot, all eyes are now on the Packers’ running backs.

Coach Mike McCarthy has confirmed that Alex Green will be the official starter, but Green, Brandon Saine, and James Starks will all see action.

AUDIO: McCarthy on which running back will start :10

Lang believes the way they’ve practiced, McCarthy has been forced to side with the passing game and not the run. [Read more…]

Benson expected to miss considerable time

By

The Green Bay Packers may be playing running back by committee for awhile.

Cedric Benson

Alex Green got the work when Cedric Benson left Sunday’s game against the Colts with a foot injury.  Brandon Saine and James Starks are also waiting for their opportunity.

Mike McCarthy said Monday that Benson has already been ruled out of this Sunday’s game at Houston.  ESPN reported Monday night at Benson could miss at least eight weeks with a Lisfranc fracture of his left foot.  The recovery time is at least 6 to 8 weeks and for many it can be season ending.

AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on Cedric Benson :14 [Read more…]

Packers cave in second half, fall to Colts

By

Mike McCarthy says his Green Bay Packers didn’t let up when they led 21-3 at

Mike McCarthy

halftime, but how else would you explain what happened in Sunday’s 30-27 Colts victory at Lucas Oil Stadium?

The Packers suffered their fourth-largest blown lead in franchise history.  They had a chance to put the Colts away and didn’t.  Then, with a chance to tie late, Mason Crosby missed a 51-yard field goal badly, pushing the Colts to 2-2 and dropping the Packers to 2-3.

AUDIO: Mason Crosby on missing potential game tying FG :12

Crosby also missed earlier from 53-yards, wide right. [Read more…]

Benson could be looking at opening day start

By

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said running back James Starks

Cedric Benson

could still miss at least a couple more weeks, which could give the starting tailback job to start the season to veteran Cedric Benson.

Benson worked in full pads for the first time on Sunday and McCarthy was happy with what he saw. 

Second year back Alex Green is still in the mix, but Benson should have the edge given his experience and Green’s lack of it, not to mention the fact that he’s still recovering from a knee injury. 

AUDIO: Cedric Benson on getting back into full contact :11

If all goes well in practice this week, Benson will not only get some extended opportunities to run the ball, but he’ll have a chance to do it against his old team, the Cincinnati Bengals. 

AUDIO: Cedric Benson says no grudges against his old team :07

 

Packers vs. Browns tonight

By

Here’s what I’ll be watching when the Green Bay Packers and Browns meet

D.J. Smith

tonight in NFL preseason action at Lambeau Field.

1)  The Packers so far are staying the course with backup QB Graham Harrell,
despite an average performance last week against San Diego.  Harrell’s 2-minute work at the end of the first half was good.  But the rest of his game was inconsistent.  He missed a number of downfield shots in the game and needs to improve there.  Management has stayed away from looking for a 
veteran to back up Aaron Rodgers, but it’s important that Harrell have a 
strong showing to re-enforce that support.

2)  The Packers suffered a major loss with the injury to MLB Desmond Bishop.
      The reigns on the inside get turned over to D.J. Smith, who filled in as a
      starter for 3-games last season while Bishop was recovering from a calf
      injury.  The Packers like Smith, but we’ll see how much of a drop-off there
      is after the loss of Bishop.

3) Marshall Newhouse returns to the lineup tonight at left tackle, but I’ll have
      my eyes on the backups.  The Packers are not very deep on the offensive
      line and are hoping to see some improvement from week 1 at San Diego.
     
4)  The Packers will be dressing 3 healthy running backs tonight, including
      Alex Green, who will get his longest look of the preseason tonight.  He’s
      coming off of a major knee injury and has been brought along slowly to this
      point in camp.  He’ll still be limited tonight, but it’ll still be the next step for
      Green.  For the second week in a row, Marc Tyler will get most of the
      carries tonight as he looks to pick up where he left off last week, minus a
      late fumble.

5)  Davon House appeared to be headed for a starting job at right corner until
      he went down for 2 to 3 weeks with a shoulder injury.  Rookie Casey
      Hayward gets the nod tonight, a golden opportunity to show what he
      can do.

6)  The top two picks, Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy will be counted on to
      make pays this season.  Perry was OK in the preseason opener, but Worthy
      didn’t stand out at all.  Tonight is his chance to pick up the pace against
      the Browns.

7)  It’s the first game inside Lambeau Field for kicker Mason Crosby with
       the renovation to Lambeau.  There’ll be some different twists with the
       wind inside the stadium and we’ll see just how well Crosby adjusts.

The Packers kickoff at 7pm tonight at Lambeau Field.