My Take -> Preseason Week 3

Greetings, G-Force.

What a performance! I sit with glee. Listening to Phish’s concert from Raleigh on 8/10/18. I happened to be in attendance that day. A magical second set. They covered The Who in “Drowned.” It was glorious. Even though the second set will be remembered for the Runaway Jim -> Antelope -> Runaway Jim -> Antelope -> Makisupa -> Antelope; for my ear, the Drowned started the musical fire that was the second set. It's helping me to recollect my thoughts from a firmly remarkable preseason football display by the Packers.

Yes, it was only the 2nd preseason game. And, yes, I know that Big Ben, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell did not play. Regardless, there’s significant reason for optimism on this team. With four big question question marks:

1.) Can the Packers OL stay healthy?

2.) Do the Packers have enough at OLB to get to the QB? And, if so, can they stay healthy?

3.) Are Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson and Kevin King up to the task for 2018? The Packers need two of three to be able to ball out this year. King and Alexander have undeniable durability concerns.

4.) What do we make of our highly concerning play at the Safety position? Presumably, the talent is there. But, thus far, it feels as though there are as many concerns as positives.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

The biggest impact that Joe Philbin has brought to this team is the return of the crossing route. Consistently, the Packers are running multiple WR’s across the field. He’s also adding a wide variety of RB routes to the passing game. The offense looks like it’ll be a lot less predictable this year. And, it might be less reliant on Rodgers’ magician plays to consistently move the ball. It’s already obvious that McCarthy seriously missed Philbin’s mental wizardry.

Welcome back, T-Mon!

This Packers team has a chance to be highly entertaining. But, in order to be, the OL has to stay healthy. With Adams looking like he’s on the brink of becoming a top 5 WR in the league, with Cobb returning to the slot and with the 4 young WR’s; I wonder if you could trade G-Mo Allison for OL depth?

Kumerow! It feels like he’s in position to make the team. He’s a powerful runner after the catch.

MVS and ESB are sensational getting in and out of their breaks. Silky smooth. They didn’t pack the box scores like the week before, but they look to be ideal fits for this revamped offense.

Jimmy Graham could be an absolute animal for this offense. He’s a match up nightmare. He brings an attitude. A new intensity.

Marcedes Lewis looks really happy to be in GB. Fun to see him getting in on the action. He’s going to be an impactful player this year. In all phases of the offense.

Mike Pettine talks with a muscle-infused philosophy. He seeks players who crave the notion of inflicting punishment. He wants to deliver pain to the soul of the opposition. Brice and HaHa missed that memo. George Iloka was released by the Bengals. Isn’t he exactly what we need? He’s a heavy hitting safety. He has experience in the box and playing deep. He’s showed durability by only missing 4 games in 5 years. I’d think that if the Packers were to sign Iloka and Eric Reid, they’d have a better safety combination than what they have today.

Oren Burks is a special teams demon. A witty craftsman slicing his way through blockers and lowering the boom upon contact with the ballcarrier.

Against Tennessee, the Packers flashed their depth at WR. Against Pittsburgh, the Packers TE depth was on display.

I have no idea how well Alexander, Jackson and House will play together. But, after viewing how they celebrated Jackson’s TD, I’m happy they’re on the team I root for. True camaraderie on display.

Josh Jones looks like he belongs at ILB. He looks lost in coverage. When he’s attacking the line of scrimmage, he’s lethal and looks explosive. I’d like to see him active in the box. In pursuit mode. He’s not a reactor, he’s an aggressor.

Lance Kendricks looks quicker this year than he did last year.

Reggie Gilbert is destroying 2nd team Offensive Lineman. Montravious Adams is doing the same.

While I’m not in favor of the contract terms for Byron Bell, I applaud Gutekunst for looking for a Spriggs replacement. Thus far, Spriggs has been a 2nd round bust. Spriggs’ best wasn’t anywhere near good enough. So, Gutekunst looked to move on. Now, I wish he’d do the same thing with Fackrell. From an extremely small sample size, it appears that Donnerson has far more upside than Odom and Fackrell.

Oren Burks offers a Desmond Bishop flavor of energy. His eyes are possessed with intensity.

I would like to see Dillon Day taking a couple of snaps at Guard. If he were able to show versatility, it’d greatly enhance his prospects for making the roster. He’s anchoring well.

I am pining for MVS to break a long one on a kickoff return.

I really enjoyed seeing Kizer finishing drives. He was a good QB last year until he got into the Red Zone. If he can show sustained improvement with finishing drives, he’ll be a legitimate NFL QB. It was highly entertaining to see Rodgers offering a smile to Kizer after the TD pass to Tonyan. Rodgers is in full leadership mode.

Rodgers had good lovin’ for Hundley after his TD run, too. “In his mind, he was a child. And, it felt good!”

This is worth a second mention: I can’t get over how happy Marcedes Lewis appears to be in GB. Hopefully, there’s a top-down culture shift taking place in Titletown, U.S.A. One which, once again, makes it cool to play in Green Bay and attracts veterans to play in the Dairyland State. By all means, it appears as though our bright-eyed, sharply dressed GM is going to attempt to reel them in. Good score, Gutekunst!

Jimmy Graham also appears to be fully stoked with his life in Green & Gold. Well done, Gutekunst!

Let’s review the first 4 plays of the game. Opening kickoff: Burks, a rookie, makes the tackle before the 20. T-Mon, a FA signing, goes paydirt with the pick 6. Burks, a rookie, makes a tackle on the kickoff again. Again, before the 20. Mo Wilk, a FA, makes a tackle for no gain. 4 plays. All wins for the Packers. All created by players that weren’t on the roster last year. Gutekunst putting his stamp on this team. Big ups, Brotherman Gutekunst!

The Packers first possession ends with a TD pass to newly acquired, Jimmy Graham. Graham is a savage. Gutekunst!

Josh Jackson, a rookie, with the pick-6! Gutekunst!

Jimmy Graham deserves another mention. Gutekunst!

Kumerow, a FA acquisition, drops an 82-yard dash on the Steelers. Gutekunst says, “POP TARTS!”

Positional depth for my eye:

* The Packers QB situation looks terrific. Kizer looks like a guy who could be in GB for the next 10 years. He’s still in developmental stages, but it feels like he has s future. Hundley looks like he’s responded to the criticism and appears to be more prepared this year. Boyle feels like a solid practice squad addition and he could net an R7 pick via trade with a solid performance this weekend.

* RB: Fun to think about Williams and Jones lined up next to Rodgers for this year and two more after it. It feels like Montgomery is a guy that should be running wheel routes and halfback circles. He’s also look good motioning out of the backfield and into the slot. Could be a matchup issue for the opposition.

* WR depth looks very promising. Super excited about the youngsters. Feels like MVS, ESB, and Kumerow have already established themselves as players with a promising future. Jah ‘Mon, I still believe in you. Focus, my man.

* With Graham, Lewis and Kendricks; this is the best we’ve appeared at TE since Chmura, Thomason and Jackson. Tonyan looks like he could be one of the toughest cuts on the roster. And, he feels like a guy that won’t make it to the Practice Squad as he will get claimed elsewhere.

* OL depth looks highly questionable. Spriggs and Murphy don’t appear to be NFL worthy. Day and Pankey are gritty fighters and appear to be in position to earn a roster spot. Bell isn’t a capable Tackle. Bell showed much better at Guard. Wish they’d give Murphy a look at Guard.

* DL: Daniels, Clark, Mo Wilk, Lowry and Adams makes you feel good. Looney has had moments, too. Lowry looks like he is much bigger. Well constructed, but seems to be playing higher and losing the point of attack. Lowry needs to focus on the leverage battle, so he can use his added muscle to move the pocket. It’s also Lowry’s job to eat up blocks and to find the double team, so Martinez and Burks can roam free behind him. As a whole, the DL looks yoked up!

* OLB: Clay looks like he’s playing not to get hurt right now. Wants to be ready for Week 1. Contract year. I imagine he wants to put up 10+ sacks this year. Desperately. Perry looks like he’s been inactive for much of the offseason. Huge game from Gilbert, once again. Gilbert eats up the opposition’s backup OL’s. Hope it translates to the Regular Season. Biegel seems to be a half-step weak and a half-inch of bicep small. Why aren’t we seeing more of Donnerson? He has fantastic burst off of the snap. A quick twitch to him. Looks mean. They have to be trying to store him on the practice squad because he isn’t receiving much playing time, but when he’s on the field, he looks like a more-than-worthy competitor.

* ILB: I’m bullish on the Martinez and Burks combination. I am also becoming a believer in Ahmad Thomas. I wish that Josh Jones would move to the ILB role, too. Martini seems like he’s too much of a developmental prospect to make an impact this year.

* CB: T-Mon, House, King, Alexander, Jackson and Pipkins. I like the depth, but have two concerns. Are King, Alexander and Jackson ready to play this year? And, if so, how does House respond if he’s relegated to backup duty?

* A year ago, I thought the depth at Safety was our strongest position group. Today, not so much. HaHa, Brice, Evans and Jones haven’t taken the next step. In fact, it feels like they’ve all regressed. Whitehead is a journeyman who may fill out the back end of the roster.

* Gotta love Crosby. Scott has been inconsistent, for my eye. But, he will get it together. I’m confident in that.

This week the Packers travel to play the Raiders. It’d be wildly entertaining if Khalil Mack joined the Packers on their flight back to GB, but that’s not going to happen. Nonetheless, fancy the notion!

It’ll be fun to see Jordy Nelson again. You can bet that Gruden will get him the ball early. I imagine Jared Cook touches the ball on the first possession, too.

It sounds like the Packers aren’t playing the 1st team offense on Friday. Rodgers is likely done for the preseason. If so, all 11 starters would be in position to be healthy for Week 1. But, the first time the OL will see live action together will be Week 1. I’d do things differently.

I would play Aaron Rodgers for two possessions. Especially if Bulaga can go. The first two regular season games are must wins for the Packers, if the season is intended to have Super Bowl aspirations. It’s important for Rodgers and Bulaga to work on their cadence together. Likewise for Lane Taylor.

I’d like to see Aaron Jones grabbing carries and eating yards.

It was great to hear that Nick Perry is off of the PUP list and onto the active roster. I’d like to see him deliver some contact as well. He, too, needs to get some work in before the regular season. I feel the same way about Mike Daniels.

It’d be a treat to see Jaire Alexander and Kevin King running in the defensive backfield together. Would be grand to witness the youthfully confident spirit side-by-side.

Once again, expect the Packers back-up QBs to perform well. Look for Hundley and Kizer to both deliver TD drives. I anticipate that Kizer will lean on ESB for a couple of first down completions.

MVS grabs a deep ball this weekend for 6.

Jah ‘Mon. Make a play, my man!

Expect Mike Pettine to show a couple of his cards this weekend. He will want to have a mini walkthrough to see what he needs to work on. Thus far, he has been fairly basic. Look for him to show disguise this weekend in an attempt to bolster heightened confidence into his unit.

Packers 30.
Raiders 20.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com