My Take -> Week 6

Greetings, G-Force.

2-2-1. The intent of this blog has always been to take an optimistic yet realistic approach towards the Green Bay Packers. Here’s the optimistic part: the NFC looks to be very mediocre. After 5 weeks, the Packers are still tied for the last Wild Card spot.

Here’s the realistic side: Presently, the Green Bay Packers are a team without an identity. They’re a team that’s been unable to get into an offensive rhythm, has been overwhelmingly inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball and has struggled mightily in the kicking game.

I put my mind at ease with Bob Dylan in the background. As the Packers continue their carousel at RB, I think to myself: “Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head. And pretend that he just doesn't see?”

Here are my quick vibes for the week:

We’ve reached the point in this season where it’ll be commonplace for fans to call for McCarthy to leave. At this stage, it appears as though we’ve reached that point. But, I’m not going to focus on that. I’m going to try and enjoy the season. I’m going to root on the Packers as I always have. I am going to envision Packers victories in the future. Bleak as it may seem.

Mike McCarthy actually called a decent first half. Yet, his team scored zero points. There was creativity. There were crossing routes. Good play action. But, his QB did not play well over the first 30 minutes of the game. Additionally, his normally reliable kicker was pathetic.

All things considered, the defense didn’t play terribly either. There was the bad break on the punt. By the way, that was terrible officiating. The ball hit a Lion, not King. The defense was also dealt a bad hand after the first Rodgers fumble and held the Lions to a FG.

As I watched the game, I started to feel bad for Mike Pettine. He can’t call a defense that rushes 4 people and expect to receive positive results. The Packers front 4 applies so little pressure that it’s really difficult to watch. It has to be even harder for Pettine to stomach. All in, I thought he called a decent game.

This team is built around Aaron Rodgers. Right now, Aaron Rodgers is not the QB that we are used to watching. He can’t extend plays with his legs. He’s not making good decisions and he’s missing a number of passes that we are accustomed to seeing him make. I hope this isn’t the new normal. I trust that his play will improve as the season goes along and his knee continues to feel better. A victory over SF and a bye week will be good for Rodgers’ buzz.

Through 5 weeks, it appears as though the Packers have three Pro Bowl caliber players: Davante Adams, David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark. The slow start to the season is not indicative of their performance.

I read a tweet that sparked disbelief by the Packer Report: Rodgers ranks last in the NFL in first-quarter completion percentage.

I was so excited when Tony Brown jammed the receiver and broke up the pass. He showed attitude and physical determination. He followed it up with a nonsensical taunting penalty.

I was really happy with the way MVS and ESB played. Big games from both of the rookies.

Jimmy Graham has to catch the ball.

Thought Oren Burks showed great speed. Didn’t always wrap up, but I liked his presence.

Kevin King plays well when he can use the sideline as his friend. When he’s stuck in the middle of the field, he’s a liability.

Need more from Mike Daniels. He was in pursuit, but the Packers need a game changing play from him.

Kenny Clark. Superstar.

If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I’ve been a big fan of Nick Perry since he was in college. Thus far, other than Rodgers, he’s been the most disappointing performer on the team.

I’m was more disappointed that Crosby missed the kick to beat MN than I was with his performance in DET. Post the MN kick, he hasn’t looked the same with the way he’s striking the ball. Remember that he also missed an XP against Buffalo.

My gut tells me that the Packers are on the brink of an offensive explosion.

I still want to believe that Jaire, TMon and JJ will combine for double digit interceptions. Big plays are on the horizon. They have to be!

As I think about the 2019 NFL Draft, I can’t help but think that Gutekunst is kicking himself for how he approached the 2018 NFL season at the EDGE. While I fully believe that Gutekunst was convinced that he was going to land Mack, he missed out and his team is paying the price for it. The Packers drafted 3 RB’s in the 2017 Draft and 3 WR’s in the 2018 Draft. The 2019 Draft will require 3 EDGE players. Here is my weekly fanspeak mock draft:

Round 1a.) Devin White, LB, LSU.
Round 1b.) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2.) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3.) Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[]
Round 4.) JR Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5.) Marvell Tell, S, USC.
Round 6a.) Kendall Baker, OT, Georgia.
Round 6b.) DeMarcus Christmas, DT, FSU.
Round 7.) Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State.

This week - it’s the 49ers coming to Lambeau Field. On Monday Night Football. I expect a celebratory Packers victory.

The 49ers entered the season full of hope. But, their dreams were dashed due to injury. Now, CJ Beathard will lead the 49ers into Titletown, U.S.A. You can guarantee that he'll see Mike Pettine's full arsenal of blitz packages. Pettine will be on a blitzing voyage. Matt Breida is questionable. If he plays, he's shown to be a worthy RB. If he doesn't play, Alfred Morris will get the bulk of the carries. If Alfred Morris hurts us at this stage of his career, the Packers have major problems. George Kittle is an under-appreciate, unknown TE. Kittle can flat out play. The 49ers will target Kittle in bundles. They love to run him underneath the line and to get him the ball in the flat. He's constantly in motion. He's moved all over the field. I think that Kyle Shanahan is one of the brightest offensive minds in football. He'll be creative in his ways to get Kittle open. Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon are tough WR's. They'll out-physical DB's. Dante Pettis is a big target that I wanted in Green Bay. He has a bright future. The 49ers possess a strong, imposing OL. They'll duke it out with the Packers DL and should be able to win most of the match-ups in 1 on 1 battles.

The 49ers defense is better than they appear. Solomon Thomas, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead have the length that gives the Packers OL all kinds of problems. Fred Warner and Reuben Foster are young football warriors who hunt down the ball with a mean mentality. Richard Sherman can still play CB in this league. Ahkello Witherspoon has all of the tools to be a 10-year starting CB. Jimmie Ward is a talented nickel CB. The 49ers Safety play leaves a lot to be desired. They can be beaten deep down the middle of the field. It'll be interesting to see if Rodgers is willing to look over the middle of the field on Monday Night. He's normally shy in regards to taking the field between the hashes.

The Packers need an evening to celebrate. Green Bay, WI deserves a night to celebrate. Under the lights in grand fashion.

The 49ers try to slow down the clock and the game by running the ball early and then mixing in basic underneath play-action calls. Then, Shanahan opens up the play book and attacks the Packers deep down the field. He's specifically looking at Kentrell Brice.

I fully anticipate that Aaron Rodgers has an MVP style of performance. I think he snaps out of his funk. Rodgers goes wild.

Davante tops 100 yards and scores 2. Graham also scores a TD.

Finally, the Packers have a game in which they finish Red Zone drives.

Packers 38
49ers 13

Go Pack Go!

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