Tyler Ervin helped spark the Green Bay Packers’ return game to life over the last three games, and the backup running back provided another spark – this time for the Packers offense – on Monday night in Minnesota.
On four different snaps, Ervin was used as the motion man on the jet motion look. He caught a push-pass from Aaron Rodgers for six yards and was a decoy on three other plays, including Aaron Jones’ 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Jet motion has been a part of Matt LaFleur’s offense all season. However, the offense has lacked a dynamic player with the right combination of speed, short-area quickness and vision to really threaten in the role.
Ervin, who was claimed off of waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 8, helped change that. And LaFleur didn’t wait long to take advantage of his new toy, especially now that Ervin has locked in his role as the team’s primary punt and kick returner.
On the first play of the Packers’ second drive against the Vikings, Ervin lined up to the right of the formation, motioned across and caught the push-pass from Rodgers while moving to his left. He cut upfield and gained six quick yards.
It was a modest gain, but Ervin’s speed – and the fact he actually got the football on the play – ensured the Vikings would respect the motion the rest of the night.
Jingle all the way! 🏃💨@Showtyme_33 rips off the 56-yard TD run! #GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/JucU3imSz7
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 24, 2019
The set up paid off in a big way in the fourth quarter. With just over six minutes left and the ball at the 44-yard line, the Packers lined up Ervin to the left of the formation and motioned him right. His motion took away safety Jayron Kearse, who followed him across the formation. And it caused just a moment of hesitation after the snap for linebackers Eric Wilson and Kentrell Brothers, who each briefly stopped pursuing right and then got walled off when Jones took the handoff and raced to the left side.
Safeties Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith took bad angles and Jones exploded down the sideline for the 56-yard score, essentially putting the game away.
Jones made it happen, sorting through traffic and using his incredible burst to find the lane and create the score. But Ervin gets an assist for helping take three players out of the action.
LaFleur called Ervin a “dynamic playmaker” who is been implemented into the offense “more and more.” He could be on the field more on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, especially if Jamaal Williams (shoulder) can’t go.
LaFleur said he trusted fullback Danny Vitale and rookie backup Dexter Williams go play more at running back if Williams is out, but Ervin could have a legit role as the jet motion man moving forward.
Ervin isn’t a big guy, but he ran 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, finished the three-cone drill in just over seven seconds and hit 39″ in the vertical and 10-10 in the broad jump – providing evidence of his straight-line speed, short-area quickness and lower-body explosiveness.
Ervin uses all those attributes to be an effective returner. He’s now using those same attributes to drastically improve the personnel for one of LaFleur’s favorite offensive wrinkles.