Aaron Jones: Packers need to lean heavily on rookie
Aaron Jones has emerged as the Green Bay Packers’ MVP the past three weeks. Instead of putting all the pressure on quarterback Brett Hundley, the Packers need more from the running back if they plan on making a run for the playoffs.
Aaron Jones has earned his keep, having jumped the depth chart rungs with impressive performances over the course of the past three weeks.
With the bye week behind the team, it’s time Packers fans are rewarded with a renewed vigor and enthusiasm from this team … and it starts by focusing more around the running game and Aaron Jones.
When you throw Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams into the mix, you’ve got players who will provide a change of pace that should keep defenses guessing.
It will also help to take pressure off quarterback Brett Hundley. He’s been struggling in the spotlight and McCarthy’s Aaron Rodgers-focused offense. Our hope is that McCarthy and his staff huddled over the break to come up with an offense designed to Hundley’s strengths.
Getting him in space and designing more running plays where he can spread a defense out should be the focus. Also designing a passing game that utilizes players like Jones and Montgomery out of the backfield should also help this offense get back on track.
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Putting the ball into Jones’s hands between 20 and 30 times a game is crucial. Throw in some touches to Montgomery (who can also be utilized more at wide receiver once again) will also give the offense a new dimension that will make defensive coordinators focus more on the run game instead of bringing the house against Hundley.
Of course, getting the offensive line back in sync would also help this strategy immensely. Relying on players like Justin McCray to play every position along the line at various times is not the way to bring consistency.
Granted, the injuries have required that to occur, but now that the Packers have had a week to heal, one figures that David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, and Lane Taylor will be back to join center Corey Linsley and right guard Jahri Evans.
Getting the band back together at offensive line will be a huge boost coming out of the break. And with the Packers favorable schedule over the next month, there’s really no reason why Brett Hundley can’t help lead this team to some wins and keep them in playoff contention.
With the hope that Aaron Rodgers could come back in mid-December, Hundley could then hand the torch back to the team’s leader.
But it’s Jones who will be the crucial link in this last half of the season.
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Hand the rock to him and let the rookie help carry this team.
He’s earned it and the Packers need him to be the man in the backfield.
Stay tuned.