My Take -> Week 9

3-3–1. 0-1 in the season defining 5-game stretch. Still, the Packers fully reside in the mix of the parity laden NFC North.

As I write, I listen to the Beatles “Rubber Soul” album. I think about Ty Montgomery and his “try and see it my way” approach to his interview. No, Ty. I’m sorry. We cannot “work it out.”

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

The Packers had to move on from Ty Montgomery. What he did on Sunday was a colossal disaster. It was pure insubordination. It was cause for an immediate termination of his status on the roster. It’s unacceptable to completely disobey your coach’s orders. And, then, to fumble on the play? Well, that’s absolutely intolerable. To show how little interest that was generated, the Packers couldn’t even get a 2019 7th rounder. And, really, they were fortunate to even get the 2020 7th rounder.

I’m sad to see HaHa go. But, it was a smart business move by Gutekunst. It was clear that HaHa was gone after the year. And, since the Packers will likely be aggressive in Free Agency, it’s highly unlikely that the Packers would’ve even received a compensatory pick for him. Gutekunst is wisely playing the compensatory pick game. I imagine teams will mimic his move in the future. For what it’s worth, Detroit also did the same thing with Golden Tate this year. Further, the trade should allow for Breeland to see playing time as Tramon will likely see snaps at Safety.

I liked hearing the reports that Gutekunst seemingly held out on a HaHa trade to the Cowboys and his patience won him a better deal. Josina Anderson reported: “I'm also told #Cowboys did their due diligence engaging in some talk on one of the players the #Packers traded too, since it was thought Dallas may be a good landing spot for that player. Ultimately another team showed more love, after asking for more time to watch tape.”

The one guy that I would’ve liked to have traded for was Landon Collins. But, Gutekunst clearly has a long term plan and draft capital is a crucial component to his puzzle. Gutekunst has positioned himself to be able to fully rebuild the defense next year and he’s being wise with how he stacks picks. And, maybe, just maybe, Collins will be a Target in Free Agency.

The Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy combination should be disappointed in themselves. Let’s be real. Aaron Rodgers is superhuman, at times. He makes plays that no other player on the planet can make and he’s willed us to two victories when the Packers had no business winning the game. But, as a whole, Rodgers hasn’t been as sharp as we’re accustomed to seeing him. He’s missing throws that he normally connects on. And, with the injury, he has not been as mobile as in past years. He hasn’t been able to extend plays and because of it, he’s been taking sacks and putting the Packers in difficult down and distance situations. Also, in past years, Rodgers was a master at drawing defenders off-sides. That hasn’t happened this year. In essence, the free play has been taken away from the Packers. And, with regards to McCarthy, his use of the running back position has been absolutely baffling. Every time Aaron Jones steps on the field, it seems like something really good is happening. Yet, he still isn’t consistently fed the ball. He needs to touch the ball 20 times per game. He needs to get into a rhythm. When that occurs, big plays will continue to follow.

I’m convinced that McCarthy wanted to pass to MVS on a slant out of the end zone. Rodgers checked to a run and got burned for a safety.

The Packers led 10-8 with 10:33 to play in the 3rd. I’m certain that McCarthy wanted to run the ball on 2nd and 2. Rodgers checked to a pass and threw incomplete. The same thing might have happened on 3rd down, but it was less clear. Nonetheless, Rodgers was sacked on the play for a 9-yard loss. There appears to be a continued power struggle between McCarthy and Rodgers.

Most will have an issue with McCarthy’s decision to attack when he was up 2 with the ball and less than 7 minutes to play. Me? I liked it. An aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. He went aggressive. Lane Taylor failed him.

A fantastic defensive performance had the Packers on the brink of victory. The defense was well prepared. They played with confidence. They were inspired. And, the enhanced motivation led to a handful of tremendous individual performances. The players who are supposed to make plays — made plays on Sunday. Kenny Clark is an All Pro quality player. He played like it on Sunday. Blake Martinez has top-tier ILB potential. He played like it on Sunday. Jaire Alexander showed why Gutekunst was so aggressive in trading up to get him. Kevin King made plays on the outside in both run support and in the pass game. Both Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews played their best game of the year. If Nick Perry were to decide to show up to the party, I think that this defense could continue with that type of performance during this crucial 5-game stretch.

I’m excited to see what TMon brings to the Safety position. One thing is for sure: TMon will be physical and he will play with reckless abandon. TMon will fly to the ball. He will toss his body around. And, while he can’t run like he used to, TMon is still really quick in short spaces.

Jostling Jaire! Say it is so! Throwing two-handed punches to jam at the line of scrimmage. Flashing his quickness. Showing good ball awareness. In my lifetime, the only CBs that I’ve seen play with that type of physical and mental intensity are: Sir Charles, Mike McKenzie and Craig Newsome. What a performance!

Kenny Clark looked like an All Pro! He could not be blocked. He was a dynamo along the line of scrimmage.

Blake Martinez on the inside blitz was a thing of beauty. He wasn’t thinking, he was reacting. He was using his instincts. I’d like to see Oren Burks or Josh Jones teaming with Martinez on inside blitzes.

At one stage in his career, Clay Matthews was terrific in space. Today, he can’t function. Pettine should no longer drop him in coverage. He’s lost.

The Packers play a ton of dime defense. With the HaHa trade, it’ll create opportunities for Josh Jackson, Breeland, and Josh Jones. I’d like to see Alexander and King on the outside with Breeland, Jackson and Jones alternating in the slot, depending on the call. It’s clear that Tramon’s role is changing and we will see Williams and Whitehead also rotating between safety and the slot role. It’s unlikely that we’ll see Tramon on the perimeter anymore, but I think the current roster make-up will allow for Pettine to become really creative with his secondary packages.

I was surprised that they didn’t try to match up Burks with Gurley. Use Burks’ speed and cover skills to man-up against Gurley as he punished the Packers for nearly 200 yards.

As for how they use him moving forward, I’d like to see Burks and Josh Jones – for that matter – on the blitz. In the preseason, Burks looked like he had the ability to rush the passer on inside blitzes and early last year, we saw Jones flashing skills on the outside as a blitzing LB. Both might be able to improve our highly inconsistent pass rush.

It was definitely a frustrating day at the office for the offense. In general, I’d like to think that Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham are the solution to the Packers Red Zone struggles. Both have size that presents significant match-up problems. However, in the open field, both seem to have lost a step and might not be separating as much as we expected they would before the season. When the playing surface changes with the weather and the field slows down, maybe Graham and Lewis will be able to gain more separation as the turf equals out the speed portion of the game. But, as the season progresses, I’m not positive that we’ll see consistent production from either player. Especially with the recent plays that MVS and ESB have made. MVS and ESB will continue to steal their snaps. Regardless, Graham and Lewis need to be targeted more frequently inside the 20.

Aaron Jones. FEED. HIM! The Ty Montgomery trade might be a major blessing for Jones, too. He will see more playing time because of it.

It felt like the Packers got decent snaps from Tyler Lancaster and Montravious Adams along the DL.

I like that Robert Tonyan is seeing the field. I believe in his future. I watch George Kittle for the 49ers and I wonder why Tonyan can’t do the things he does.

Davante Adams continues to show himself as an elite WR in the league.

MVS!! Winning the arm battle to get a release? If that starts happening, look out.

ESB. 6 snaps. 2 targets. 2 catches. 31 yards.

Kyler Fackrell, once again, gave us some good snaps.

Gutekunst will likely have 6 of the top 130 picks and 10 overall picks heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.

There’s an added pick in this weeks Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft. My aim is to grab a Tackle and to build a defense:

Round 1a) Greedy Williams, CB, LSU.
Round 1b) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3) Yodny Cajuste, OT, Dub-V.
Round 4a) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4b) J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5) Delvon Randall, S, Temple.
Round 6a) Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming Round 6b) Tanner Muse, S, Clemson.
Round 7) Oshane Ximines, EDGE, ODU.

This week - the Packers travel to New England to play the Patriots. Normally, this section is reserved to show how the Packers can win the game. This week - I genuinely believe that the Green Bay Packers will go into New England. On Sunday Night. And leave with victory.

Tom Brady has weapons on offense. Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman are reliable targets. Both are gritty and play with tremendous football smarts. Josh Gordon is a weapon on the outside. I'm really excited to see Kevin King guarding Gordon. Rob Gronkowski, when healthy, remains the best TE in football. Cordarrelle Patterson is an elite Kick Returner. He's also a lethal gadget play weapon. The Patriots OL is beat up and could be a major weakness. The Packers DL must beat them up. Additionally, Clay Matthews should only rush Brady on speed rushes to the outside. Brady needs to be forced to step up into the pocket. If so, Clark and Daniels might be able to do damage on the interior. Brady will undoubtedly try to get James White involved in the passing game. The Packers would be wise to use Oren Burks as a match-up to White. I'd expect Belichick to try and pound Sony Michel - if he's healthy - at the heart of the Packers defense early in the game.

From a talent perspective, this is the worst defense that the Patriots have put on the field in many years. Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn are talented DE's, but they aren't anywhere near Pro Bowl level. Lawrence Guy, the ex-Packer, is a hard working interior defender. Don’t'a Hightower is a hard working, highly intelligent ILB. Kyle Van Noy is a product of the system. The Patriots have talented players in the secondary, but they can all be beaten over the top. Gilmore is a high profile CB who is solid in man coverage. Jonathan Jones is an all or nothing CB on the outside. JC Jackson needs to be targeted. I'd expect Rodgers to throw the ball at Jackson at least 15 times. Devin and Jason McCourty are mentally tough, sound football players. Patrick Chung has been a great Patriot, but his game is not what it was 5 years ago. This version of the Patriots is solely scheme based. They don’t have playmakers on defense. The Packers OL should offer time for Rodgers to pass and room for Jones to run. The Patriots don't match up well on the outside. I believe that MVS should hit over 100 yards as the Patriots try to take away Adams. Belichick won’t let Adams beat him. MVS will see single coverage. He will do damage. If Rodgers targets him. I’d like to see MVS as the #1 option on 3 deep balls this week.

Brady is still Brady. He’s going to work the middle of the field. He’s going to attack the slot. He’s going to make plays.

The Packers secondary is too talented for them to not intercept a pass per game. Someone will grab one this weekend. I’m guessing it’s Jaire.

Rodgers plays error free football and wins the perimeter of the field.

The Packers also concert in the Red Zone.

Packers 38.
Patriots 27.

Go Pack Go!

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