Yes, receivers run a lot of open routes rather than crossing routes with picks/rubs, but it has never been a big weapon in McCarthy's arsenal. There's a reason. Cross routes are a riskier invitation to interceptions. If you keep your receivers separated, then it forces the defense to have to spread out to cover them. Back in 2008-2010 with Nelson drafted, we had a nearly unstoppable passing game.

Everyone's saying, "oh we're missing Jordy" but this he was on the second string from 2008 to 2010, and moved up to 1st string with the loss of Driver and Jennings. Let's remember that Driver and Jennings were double trouble enough for most defenses those years, but with Nelson added in 2008, we ended up with three big-play receivers. The best defenses in the league struggled to contain the Packer passing rushing game.

Driver, Jennings and Nelson were a triple threat. The big plays are never quantified in the statistics, but we had 3 receivers that were able to run the open routes, shake loose and make big plays in 2009 and 2010 - and despite o-line injuries, we had the manpower to hold off the rush that allowed our receivers to get down field and spread out the secondary. In short, we had one hell of a passing game.

Now McCarthy is faced with running crossing routes and he's not a fan. I understand why. I well remember the Mike Holmgren years and how Favre's turnovers cost us games - particularly the last 3 seasons. McCarthy has come in with an alternate strategy that works well as long as the o-line can buy a few precious seconds for the receivers to get down field and press the secondary. Unfortunately, our receivers are unable to shake loose, and when they do - Rodgers is hesitating because he's always throwing under pressure.

I believe McCarthy has a solid play package, we simply lack enough athletic talent between our receivers and o-line to execute his game plan this year.