My Take -> Preseason Week 3

Greetings, G-Force.

Ah. The start of a riveting two weeks. This week - the Packers COme to visit me. Next week - it's Phish COming to visit. Back to back thrilling weekends of epic proportions. "Everything's right. So, just hold tight."

Phish. 7/21/17. MSG. The kick-off to the Baker's Dozen. It's in my ear. An exhilarating night. I'll forever hold it close. It's a fun one to relive.

Here are my quick vibes on the win over the Redskins:

* Mike McCarthy looks intense. He looks determined to get this team off to a fast start. He's all business. In command of the team.

* Aaron Rodgers appears to be having more fun. Liked seeing him crack a semi smile after Bennett dropped his opening pass. Rodgers seems to be having a lot of fun taking on a heavier leadership role with the team. It feels like he's taking a different approach with his attitude. He's carrying the cool California feel again. His play looked like he was in midseason form. Moving the sticks with his quick-count, his arm and his feet. A treat to watch. He looks like he's ready to be the MVP.

* Jamaal Williams really drives forward. Might need to be a more patient and let the play develop. He seems to be pressing a little bit. I'm hoping to see him get loose this weekend. I want to see him running at the secondary. He hasn't been able to get started yet. Admittedly, I wonder if he's quick enough to play at this level. I was hoping for more speed at the position, which is why I was pining for Marlon Mack prior to the draft. The Packers had a shot at Mack, but drafted Williams instead. I'll forever compare their careers.

* Rodgers to Jordy. Rodgers to Cobb. Rodgers to Adams. Rodgers to Bennett. Get used to it. Spreading the ball around. Using all of his weapons.

* The fade to Bennett will help elevate vocal chords.

* Nice to see Aaron Jones finding the end zone. Jones has displayed soft hands so far. I wonder if he's fast enough to outrun a LB on a wheel route? If so, that could be something to watch at some point this year.

* The Packers have clearly studied the way the Patriots have used RB's over the last couple of years. We're seeing a lot of swing passes in the flat to the RB's. Last year - we saw that when Davante Adams was playing RB - at times - but not much other than that. I've liked what Devante Mays has brought to the swing pass. Want to see if he can step through arm tackles. I'm hoping that he gets a 1st Quarter touch or two this weekend, so that he gets to taste an Aaron Rodgers-led huddle.

* Jordy. I love that guy.

* Adams on the slant for a 1st down!

* Bulaga and Bakhtiari are book-ends at Tackle. Really enjoy watching the Bakhtiari and Rodgers bond grow. It's clear that they've become great buddies.

* Bulaga's injury better not cause him to miss a down this year. Jason Spriggs looks awful. Kyle Murphy looks like he can run block, but as a pass blocker? Well, he'll need Bennett lined up next to him to help double team. If so, look for Bennett to chip often and to be available as a quick dump off option as a receiver.

* It's worth reiterating. Jason Spriggs. WOW. What a disappointment.

* With Lance Kendricks' versatility, it's really tough to see the Packers keeping two FB's. Kendricks can easily step into that role, if needed. Either RIP or Kerridge has to go. I'd keep RIP.

* Janis vs Davis. Advantage Janis. The only thing Davis could not do during the preseason was to fumble. Had he not fumbled, I'd have considered him a near lock to make the team. But, he fumbled and now, his spot has to be questioned. Mike McCarthy prides himself on building a football team that protects the football and wins the turnover battle. That was a huge error by Davis. Meanwhile, Janis had a solid day as a receiver and as a gunner on punts.

* Brett Hundley looks like he's ready to start in the NFL.

* Joe Callahan needed a perfect preseason in order to be considered for the 53-man roster. That didn't happen last weekend.

* Taysom Hill excites! You can't teach determination. You can't teach intensity. You can't teach will. Hill has all of those things. If Hill continues to play this way, he will make it easier for the Packers to stomach a Hundley trade after the year as Hill could be penciled in as the back-up. At this rate, I'd think it'll be tough to sneak Hill onto the practice squad.

* Geronimo Allison playing as though he's ready to have a break-out year. Might be tough to keep him on the sideline. His fancy dancing led to some riveting yards after the catch.

* Marwin Evans can play on my football team any day.

* Mad props to HAHA. Monster year ahead for HAHA.

* Liking the pace that Blake Martinez is playing with. Playing in attack mode.

* With Blake Martinez, Jeff Janis, Jayrone Elliott, Jordan Tripp and Marwin Evans; I really like the Packers punt coverage unit. Need someone else to become a reliable gunner.

* Ricky Jean Francois will add good snaps throughout the 2017 season. Like him as a rotational defender.

* Fantastic to read the story of Aaron Rodgers being the first to visit Malachi Dupre at the hospital. I want to see more of Dupre in uniform. Hoping he's fit to go. Really optimistic about the size and athleticism that he brings to the field.

* The Packers DL was absolutely dominating. Glad Lowry's injury doesn't appear to be serious. He looks like a man. So, does Kenny Clark.

* Christian Ringo is a fighter. He'll be tough to cut.

* Izaah Lunsford is a fun watch. Great effort. Tenacious. Slippery. He won't make the team, but he has to warrant practice squad consideration. He's been active the past two weeks.

* Q-Rollins. Why would we ever consider playing him on the outside? He really flashes his quickness in the slot. I like seeing him on the blitz. He's fearless. He plays with no care for his body. He understands how to dip his shoulder underneath the tackle and then he quickly transitions into attack mode. I like his burst when he's in pursuit and motivated around the line of scrimmage. It's clear that the Packers are going to have to find new ways to get to the QB. I believe Rollins could get home a couple of times this year on a slot blitz.

* Kevin King. Love the attitude he brings to the field. Dude has confidence. Wants to be THE MAN.

* Our young secondary has so much swag.

* Kinda hope Pipkins makes the team. He has style. Wish he'd have come down with the late pick to seal the game.

* Josh Hawkins. Who is he? Is he the guy that we've seen in the preseason over the last two years? Or is he the guy who was horrible against the Lions last year? He was a stud agains the 'Skins.

* Happy to see the quickness that Clay is playing with right now. He brings speed to the defensive front - when he's healthy. Hoping this trend continues.

* Justin Vogel deserves to be the Week 1 punter.

* If Jason Spriggs and Kyler Fackrell could play in this league, the Packers roster would be littered with depth. Instead, we have two GAPING holes at crucial positions. LT and OLB. Our depth is razor thin.

This week - it's the Donkeys. In Denver. I can't wait. I'm taking my wife and my 4 year old, Dylan.

I'd only play Rodgers for a couple of series. And, I'd be really cautious. Especially without Bulaga. It'd be a lot of quick hits and hand-offs. I'd like to see Montgomery getting a couple of hand-offs out of shotgun. I want to see him attacking the hole with intensity. I want to see his quickness.

Hundley comes in and once again, Hundley performs. He dominates. He moves the sticks. Again, he hits Janis on a deep ball. Hundley hits Jones in the flat. Hundley is in complete control and again, he engineers a TD drive. This time on a pass to Kendricks.

The Packers second string DL applies good pressure and wins the line of scrimmage.

Again, Taysom Hill leads the Packers dancing into the end zone. He uses his mobility to elude pressure and to move sticks. He uses his arm to find Yancey in the end zone.

Pipkins makes another big play this weekend. Wouldn't shock me to see him come down with an interception. And, if so, I can't wait to see him boogie.

Packers 27.
Broncos 24.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
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