My Take -> Week 10

Greetings, G-Force.

3-4-1. 0-2 in the defining 5-game stretch of the season. Quite simply, thus far, the 2018 Green Bay Packers do not appear to know how to win. In back-to-back weeks, the Packers have fumbled away games at crucial 4th Quarter moments. Both times, the fumbles occurred at the exact moment in which it felt like the Packers were going to be victorious on the road. Still, all is not lost. This team is capable of getting hot, but in order to do so, the 2x MVP has to play like an MVP.

As I write with disappointment, I listen to “The Pizza Tapes” album by Jerry Garcia, David Grisman and Tony Rice. After all, as a Packers fan, over the last year, when talking football, it’s easy to feel like a “Man of Constant Sorrow.”

Here are my quick vibes over the last week:

Congrats to Ted Thompson! I’m stoked that he’s being inducted into the Packers HOF! I’m surprised that it’s happening so soon. It makes me wonder about his health. It’s popular to frown on Thompson and his achievements. I’m not one of them. When it’s all said and done, I’m confident that people will remember TT fondly. Much like Wolf, Thompson inherited a poor roster. Both Wolf and TT quickly brought the Packers to prominence. Wolf put together 11 teams and won 1 Super Bowl. Thompson put together 13 teams and won 1 Super Bowl. Wolf made three NFCCG. Thompson made 4. Wolf gave us Favre. Thompson gave us Rodgers. Wolf brought in Reggie. Thompson brought in Sir Charles. Wolf drafted Freeman and Driver. Thompson drafted Jennings, Jordy and Jones. Wolf drafted KGB. Thompson drafted Clay. Wolf drafted Tauscher and Clifton. Thompson drafted Bulaga and Bakhtiari. For every Damarious Randall, there is an Antuan Edwards. For every Jason Spriggs, there is a John Michels. For every Jerron McMillan, there is a Bhawoh Jue. Thompson had the Brett Hundley fiasco to close his tenure. Wolf hired Ray Rhodes and took a team that went to back to back Super Bowls in 96 and 97 to 8-8 in 99. With Mike Sherman, Wolf's team went 9-7 in 2000. In both instances, the Packers missed the playoffs with Favre in the prime of his career coming off of 3 consecutive MVP seasons. With Rodgers, the only time Thompson missed the playoffs was in Rodgers’ first year as a starter and when Brett Hundley was his primary QB. It’s important to remember that in 2016, the Packers made it to the NFCCG and in 2017, when Rodgers got hurt, the Packers were 4-1. I don’t write this to point out Wolf’s faults. Ron Wolf is an icon, a historical phenomenon. He brought consistent legitimacy to football in GB for the first time since the 60’s. Without Wolf, there is no Thompson. But, it’s worthwhile to recall the striking similarities between the two. And, in the end, we should all remember TT fondly.

With that said about TT, there's no debate. The Packers present day roster is not good enough. In large part, it's not good enough because of TT's last 3 drafts. And, because of it, Mike McCarthy is enduring the worst stretch of his professional career. His team seems unprepared and dysfunctional. I hold onto hope that his team will find it’s stride down the stretch, just like it has for most of Mike McCarthy’s tenure.

Prior to the opening kickoff, Aaron Rodgers sat on the bench to tie his shoes. He parked himself right next to Aaron Jones. They meant business together.

I love Aaron Rodgers. I love Mike McCarthy. But, for some reason, they can no longer co-exist. They clearly have operational differences. The 2-minute drive at the end of the first half was unbelievably disgusting.

I watch a lot of football. The Packers are among the worst pre snap football teams in the game. Rodgers is often letting the clock run down to zero. And, because of it, we are burning timeouts and being penalized for delay of game penalties. It’s complete amateurism.

Keep pounding, Aaron Jones. I dig you!

The first time that we see Josh Jones on the blitz to the outside, we get a sack by Mike Daniels as Brady is forced to step up in the pocket. Really liked seeing Clay and Jones lined up on the same side of the field showing rush. Great design. Want that in abundance!

Once again, Rodgers didn’t bring his best performance to start the game. If he had his A game, it would’ve been 14-7 after 1.

When Trey is singing, “three wrong turns can make a right.” When the Packers are playing, three wrong turns means a punt. Unfortunately, against NE, 30% of the Packers offensive possessions resulted in a 3 and out. One other netted 18 yards. Another was a turnover. That’s putrid.

Drives me crazy to hear Randall Cobb say that this year feels different. Be a part of the solution, Randall. Not the problem. For years, I've believed that one of McCarthy's greatest strengths was that he was a player's coach. He was the epitome of a player's coach. Today, I wonder if players like Randall Cobb are taking advantage of his approach. What might feel different, Randall, is that the Packers have a couple of rookie WR's that are pushing you. They're outperforming you. They're stepping up as you deal with injury. That hasn't happened much in the past.

Jermaine Whitehead has to keep his composure. In that instance, you flop to the ground like Vlade Divac and you draw the 15 yard penalty. Still, I’m shocked he lost his job. Pettine often talked about him being the smartest player on the defense.

Will Redmond replaces Whitehead on the roster. Here is what I wrote about Will Redmond before the 2016 NFL Draft: Will Redmond, Mississippi State. Round 5. If he puts on weight and can keep his ability to dance, he could have a good future. He turns, he runs and he sees the ball. He's agile. He's a natural on his toes. He can jump. But, he's a softy. And, he's recovering from an injury. He has all of the traits to be a perimeter CB if he can stay healthy.

When I think of the best Packers defenders in my life, I think of Reggie White, Sir Charles, LeRoy Butler and Clay Matthews. Sadly, Clay Matthews no longer has the bend required to turn the corner. He can no longer dip underneath the Tackle. It hurts to watch.

Two weeks in a row, on a crucial 3rd down in the 4th Quarter, Lane Taylor has been completely demolished.

Before the season, I thought that Gutekunst overpaid for Byron Bell. I liked the signing, but I felt the money was too hefty. Bell has played well. He hasn’t been dominant, but he hasn’t been a sieve either.

In the past, I’ve frequently written about the Championship Drive. This years version of the Packers has lacked all killer instinct.

MVS is displaying traits of a premier WR. He needs more targets. Other than Calvin Ridley, is there a better rookie WR in the NFL? It was telling when Billy B took Gilmore off of Davante Adams in the 4th Quarter and put him on MVS. Respect is earned and MVS has earned it from both his teammates and the opposition. Good lookin' Gutekunst might've hit a HR with MVS. His star is shining bright!

When ESB is on the field, Rodgers is looking for him. Rodgers seems to have great confidence in him.

Antonio Morrison has shown well this year on the delayed inside blitz. He runs through the QB.

I would be really excited about this defense if we had two bonafide pass rushers. Over the next 8 weeks, I want to see Breeland playing on the Perimeter. I want Jaire on the Perimeter. I want Josh Jackson in the slot. I want Josh Jones attacking the line of scrimmage from a box safety position. With that said, I'm not only playing for the future, but I'm playing for today. Not only do I want to see if they're good enough, but all 4 of them seem to have a desire to be good football players.

Kevin King seems really fragile. I am not sure how the Packers can count on King being in their future. When he plays, he's a very good perimeter CB. But, his availability is significantly less than what is desired.

Breeland showed rust. He was in position. He didn’t finish the plays. Still, if you consider that he hasn’t played football in roughly a year, you have to be encouraged that he was in the right position to make a play.

Another stellar game from Jostling Jaire.

Fun to see TMon flying through the air to make a goal line tackle. Made me reminisce about Nintendo Nick!

It’d be nice to see Josh Jones on the blitz 3-5 times per game. I want to see him lined up next to Clay.

I don't think we know how good we have it with Aaron Jones. I seriously think he has the talent to be a top-5 RB in the league. He's that lethal. FEED. HIM!

Where are Reggie Gilbert and Nick Perry?

Kyler Fackrell has had some moments in which he’s played decent football in the run game.

I’m hoping that Trevor Davis can add a spark to the Return game. He’s capable.

Yes, it feels bleak. But, we must keep the faith. I trust that this team has a run in them. They’ll get hot. McCarthy has consistently rallied his team when his back has been against the wall. He’s displayed mental mettle. This team is not on the brink of playoff elimination. There’s still room for error. Wins cure all. I firmly believe that the future of the 2018 season is bright for the Green Bay Packers.

Here’s my Fanspeak Packers mock draft for the week. I too a different approach as I tried to hold off on drafting EDGE in the 1st round. My strategy might have backfired.

Round 1a) Greg Little, OT, Mississippi.
Round 1b) DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia.
Round 2) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3) Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU.
Round 4a) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4b) Demarcus Christmas, DL, FSU.
Round 5) Tanner Muse, S, Clemson.
Round 6a) Joey Alfieri, ILB, Stanford.
Round 6b) CeCe Jefferson, EDGE, Florida.
Round 7) Kavontae Turpin, KR/WR, TCU.

This week - it's the Dolphins. In Green Bay. On Sunday, temperatures in Green Bay will be in the low-30's. In Miami, they will be in the low-80's. If the Packers can't beat Brock Osweiler at Lambeau Field, then I give up on the season. But, of course, the Packers will be victorious. It's November and the Packers are about to get hot.

The Dolphins are banged up. Osweiler should not be capable of scoring 17 points this weekend. Especially with his current arsenal of weapons. Kenny Stills, Jakeem Grant and Danny Amendola are among the worst group of current starting WR's in football. If the Dolphins are going to have any chance, they'll have to play great defense -- which they will -- and they'll have to run the ball 30+ times. Expect Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake to both get at least 15 touches in the pass + run game. They'll interchange Gore and Drake. Gore will punch it at the gut of the Packers defense. Drake will try to get to the edge of the defense. Drake will also be used in the passing game as the Dolphins will try to get him isolated in space. The Dolphins will be without Ted Larsen at Guard. Laremy Tunsil is also questionable. If the Packers cannot dominate the left side of the Dolphins OL, it's our own fault. Pettine should target Osweiler's blind side with heavy pressure. Dolphins, RT, JaWuan James is also questionable. Both Tunsil and James will likely play -- even if they're hobbled. Nonetheless, the Packers have to win the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, the Fins play with an aggressive attitude. They're an underrated unit who flies to the football. They got Cameron Wake back from injury and he instantly made his impact felt with two sacks against the Jets. Davon Godchaux is a brute force in the middle of the defense and Robert Quinn can still pressure the QB. Kiko Alonso has been a leader at LB. Jerome Baker has been a really solid draft pick. In the secondary, the Fins make plays. Minkah Fitzpatrick has been really solid. Xavien Howard has been rock solid on the perimter. Bobby McCain plays with a smiling personality. He's a fun CB, but he can be picked on. At safety, Reshad Jones is a superstar. TJ McDonald is a long, lanky safety who has faired better in Miami than he did in LA.

If the Packers can protect Rodgers and slow down the Gore and Darby combination, this should be a blowout.

I expect Gore to pound it at Clark, Lowry and Daniels between the tackles. Right behind the guards. It'll be vital for Morrison, Martinez and Burks to plug holes.

Osweiler is bound to make a mistake. I expect Josh Jackson to grab his first career interception.

Offensively, the Packers pound Aaron Jones. Early and often. The Packers offense should be able to lean on the Miami DL. And, really, if the Packers don't try to wear down the Dolphins DL, they might not try to pound the ball at anyone from here on out. I can't see Miami slowing down the Packers run game.

The run opens up the play action. It's Rodgers to MVS for 6!

I expect a Lambeau party and a number of Truffle Shuffle dancing fans in the freezing temperatures.

Packers 27.
Dolphins 16.

Hey Lambeau! Get lit! Let's do this!

Go Pack Go!

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