AJ Dillon

[paco]

Another good piece from Tyler Dunne. I'm so excited to see Dillon get the ball more.
https://www.golongtd.com/p/its-coming-t ... or-packers

[YoHoChecko]

To date, my favorite AJ Dillon memory is when our second round pick was approaching, and trying to think of the pick that would most infuriate the board after the Jordan Love pick the night before, I posted in the draft thread "what if we pick AJ Dillon?"

I love the kid. Can't wait for him to create memories that eclipse draft night

[YoHoChecko]

But honestly, refreshing content; love the offseason reads about young players who believe in themselves; could have done without the new weird football card craze being the metaphor for betting on yourself, but it's fine.

Realistically, I think a healthier Nick Chubb/Kareem Hunt kind of production and output from this duo should be the goal, in terms of how that worked for the Browns last year--we should have the OLine and the scheme. The backs should have the talent.

[Waldo]

I've always thought you could tell if a RB has juice from their very first preseason snaps in their first camp. It was obvious in Jones from day 1, dude was electric. Early Lacy was the same. Dillon really showed it too last year, at no point has his running failed to impress. I think he has what it takes to be this era's quintessential power back, supplanting Henry. Earlier eras you had guys like Riggo and Bettis being that guy. Dillon stays healthy (big ask...) and he'll leave a mark on the NFL.

I'm so glad we brought back Jones. This combo has the talent to be the most lethal backfield assembled in the 21st century, THIS YEAR. I remember that line by one of the 80's NYG linebackers (I think in their HoF speech) "we knew in that huddle we were capable of bringing the kind of pressure that had not been seen before". That's what this backfield feels like to me, that the RB assault GB is going to unleash will be the kind of potency that has not been seen before. I mean Jones is already on the James Brown tier of efficiency. Dillon's running is clearly better than Williams. I love the guy and he did everything right, but Willams is no Dillon running it.

[go pak go]

If there is one fault to blame MLF last year, it was that he did not give Dillon the ball enough.

Dillon would have carried the Packers to the Super Bowl if MLF gave him the chance. He was on a tear and then never saw the ball.

I think the Covid impact is also under appreciated. He missed a lot of time because of that and could have had more big games if it weren't for it.

[Drj820]

I just hope we actually become a running team. We have big dog, two great backs, a good OL, a stable of other TEs and a true WR1. I feel we often run the ball when we are leading, or when it is easy. But as soon as it becomes difficult or we are down, I feel we get pass happy. The talent of this offense is in the backfield, coach claims he wants to run the rock, I hope we show a commitment to it unlike anything my eyes have seen in GB.

Rodgers can get by converting third downs, hitting adams and tonyan, and throwing to open WRs as the defense is so preoccupied with stopping the run. Thats the kind of team I want, like SF became two years ago...throwing becomes easy bc teams stay up at night praying they can stop the run.

Dillon, Big Dog, and A Jones give us the fire power to pull that off.

[Yoop]

Dillon wasn't on my radar last year, never even saw that pick coming, but it made a lot of sense at the time, AJ had played 2 years straight like a HOF RB, hardly a stretch to think he was in for a big pay day, however it wasn't as big as I thought and we resigned him, these two should be a great tandem of thunder and lightning.

Last year had to be our most balanced run to pass that we've had since the Ahman Green years and the run opened up the pass quite often, hope the run blocking improves a little, minus Linsley though and I have my doubts about the interior some.

[go pak go]

I just hope we actually become a running team. We have big dog, two great backs, a good OL, a stable of other TEs and a true WR1. I feel we often run the ball when we are leading, or when it is easy. But as soon as it becomes difficult or we are down, I feel we get pass happy. The talent of this offense is in the backfield, coach claims he wants to run the rock, I hope we show a commitment to it unlike anything my eyes have seen in GB.

Rodgers can get by converting third downs, hitting adams and tonyan, and throwing to open WRs as the defense is so preoccupied with stopping the run. Thats the kind of team I want, like SF became two years ago...throwing becomes easy bc teams stay up at night praying they can stop the run.

Dillon, Big Dog, and A Jones give us the fire power to pull that off.

In theory, it should be a rarity the Packers are in 3rd down and longer than 5 yards. I agree make a commitment to run the ball. Use high % passes and don't get behind the chains.

I mean when your offense is looking at having as many TE's as WR's on the roster....run the damn ball.

[salmar80]

I don't wanna label this team as a "running team" nor a "passing team", and I'm glad we have enough talent at both not to need to do so. I like "pick your poison -team", or "we'll exploit your weaknesses -team". Gutey has the pieces to build different game plans depending on the opponent, and also to adapt to different situations within games. Dillon is sure to have role in all that.

Haven't been this excited about our RB situation since the short prime of Lacy. Jones/Dillon kinda reminds me of Green/Davenport as far as RB types, but I expect Dillon to become a much better RB than the laundry hamper pooper.

[BSA]

This is an excerpt from the Ask Vic column talking about the value of AJ Dillon

Matt from Minneapolis, MN
Q: Dillon and Jones: "Thunder and Lightning." I know we all love a catchy nickname but, in reality, what does having a "Thunder and Lightning" backfield do to a defense? What are the benefits other than it sounds neat?

A: It allows you to dictate to the defense. When you go big, they have to go big, too. When you go small and quick, they have to do the same. Having a running back with the size and power Dillon possesses will keep a linebacker on the field. The defense doesn't dare get light in the pants up front with Dillon in the game, or the Packers will pound. We saw that with Eddie Lacy. This is why I say you're not really running the ball if you're not running it with power. The defenders a defense uses to stop a speed back like Jones are the same defenders it uses to defend against the pass. The big back opens up the passing game."

[TheSkeptic]

This is an excerpt from the Ask Vic column talking about the value of AJ Dillon

Matt from Minneapolis, MN
Q: Dillon and Jones: "Thunder and Lightning." I know we all love a catchy nickname but, in reality, what does having a "Thunder and Lightning" backfield do to a defense? What are the benefits other than it sounds neat?

A: It allows you to dictate to the defense. When you go big, they have to go big, too. When you go small and quick, they have to do the same. Having a running back with the size and power Dillon possesses will keep a linebacker on the field. The defense doesn't dare get light in the pants up front with Dillon in the game, or the Packers will pound. We saw that with Eddie Lacy. This is why I say you're not really running the ball if you're not running it with power. The defenders a defense uses to stop a speed back like Jones are the same defenders it uses to defend against the pass. The big back opens up the passing game."

The thing is, most D's do not have the players to stop a power running team. What do defenses normally do on 3rd and 5 - they pull a Dlineman and an ILB and insert a safety and a CB. Why not run Dillon up the middle in 3rd and 5. Even if it does not get the first down you might be in 4th and a foot and have options you would not have had at 4th and 5.

[lulu]

This is an excerpt from the Ask Vic column talking about the value of AJ Dillon

Matt from Minneapolis, MN
Q: Dillon and Jones: "Thunder and Lightning." I know we all love a catchy nickname but, in reality, what does having a "Thunder and Lightning" backfield do to a defense? What are the benefits other than it sounds neat?

A: It allows you to dictate to the defense. When you go big, they have to go big, too. When you go small and quick, they have to do the same. Having a running back with the size and power Dillon possesses will keep a linebacker on the field. The defense doesn't dare get light in the pants up front with Dillon in the game, or the Packers will pound. We saw that with Eddie Lacy. This is why I say you're not really running the ball if you're not running it with power. The defenders a defense uses to stop a speed back like Jones are the same defenders it uses to defend against the pass. The big back opens up the passing game."

The thing is, most D's do not have the players to stop a power running team. What do defenses normally do on 3rd and 5 - they pull a Dlineman and an ILB and insert a safety and a CB. Why not run Dillon up the middle in 3rd and 5. Even if it does not get the first down you might be in 4th and a foot and have options you would not have had at 4th and 5.

And if Dillon can catch the ball like Jones or Williams? Whoa nelly!

[Labrev]

When he was out for that long with the 'Roner, I was really worried about how bad of a case he had gotten. Turns out (per this article) it was BAD indeed.

Thankfully he was able to recover enough to have that great game against Tennessee.