My Take -> Week 16

Greetings, G-Force.

5-8-1. The 2018 Packers season has been a complete bust. There is no way to put a positive spin on it. Along with 1999, the 2018 is unquestionably my least favorite Packers season that I’ve suffered through. There is no silver lining. And, with 2 games to play, other than Jaire’s ascension, there is nothing to hold onto going into the offseason. For that reason, I’m hoping that one of our youngsters can make a play that has me dreaming of big things throughout the offseason. If not, in my eyes, the 2018 season will go down as a complete waste. Outside of Jaire, that is. See, we already knew that Kenny Clark and Davante Adams were ascending Pro Bowl caliber players. Yes, it was nice to see them live up to the expectations, but it was not a surprise.

As I write, I listen to Christmas Music. ‘Tis the season. To start, I always pop on John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War Is Over). It’s my favorite “Christmas Song.” And, it’ll forever remind me of Mac (My Dad) playing it at Lambeau Field on 12/24/95. The Yancey Thigpen game that helped the Packers secure a Division title. After Lennon, I normally choose Paul McCartney’s “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time.”

Here are my quick vibes for the week:

Joe Philbin has his team prepared to play. He had his team in position to win. The Packers had the ball at their own 26 yard line. It was 14-14. There were just over 14 minutes to play. The defense had just recovered a fumble. It felt like victory was waiting in the wings. And, then, much like most of the 2018 season, the offense faltered. Rodgers got sacked on first down after holding onto the ball too long. On second down, Rodgers missed a wide open Randall Cobb deep down the field. And, on third down, Rodgers had MVS wide open for an apparent 76 yard TD. Except Rodgers overthrew MVS by 3 yards. It was a crippling series for Rodgers when it mattered most. In the Packers 8 losses and 1 tie; the Packers have had the ball with the lead or with a chance to take the lead in the 4th Quarter in 6 of those game. The Rodgers led offense didn’t deliver. He did in the first Bears game and he did in the SF game. But, really, in 8 games in which he had a chance to either deliver a knock-out punch or put the team in position to win, Rodgers only came through on 2 occasions. What a buzzkill!

Nonetheless, in classic 2018 fashion, after the Rodgers incompletions, the Packers folded. JK Scott mishit a highly returnable low lining 40 yard punt that Cohen easily returned for 9 yards. The Packers defense melted down and gave us 45 yards on 5 plays for a Bears TD. Again, the Packers went 3-and-out. Yes, on two crucial 4th Quarter drives, the Packers offense, uh-um, respectably gained -2 and -5 yards. Again, JK Scott failed to flip the field position. Again, he hit a low liner. This one traveled 39 yards. Cohen got on his horse and easily ran 44 yards to Packers 15-yard line for the dagger.

Somehow, someway, the Packers are 14 games in the season and Rodgers is still talking about not the Packers lack of details. So, over the next two weeks, let’s get this team on the same page. Let’s get Davante Adams his record breaking catches. I don’t care if we throw him a bunch of bubble screens, but let’s get the record out of the way and then let’s work on getting MVS, ESB and Kumerow on the same page. There’s a definite learning curve for rookie WR’s. Let’s put in the work right now to try and expedite their development.

Jamaal Williams is a physical beast. He might not be a game breaking runner, but he’s a reliable pass blocker, he’s a hard fighting runner and he’s a reliable receiver. He’s steady. He’s dependable.

I want Aaron Jones to be a superstar in this league. He has the potential. I am concerned about his durability. This is his third injury in two years.

Tyler Lancaster had a really solid game. He was stacking, shedding and getting to the ball carrier. He’s been an impressive player for the Packers down the stretch. He has a stop in this league.

Fadol Brown played with great energy. He was active along the DL. Hustling to chase down the ball from behind. He did a good job extending his hands and fighting play-in and play-out.

I was happy to see Clay grabbing a sack.

The Rodgers interception was another reason that Jimmy Graham needs to be cut. Yes, the pass was slightly behind Graham. But, Graham did not have the quickness coming out of his break to create separation. Throw the stats out the window. Stats are for fantasy football. Graham has been a total disappointment. He has not been able to catch the ball in traffic. He has not been able to create separation. He doesn’t block. He is scheduled to make $12,666,666 next year. He is scheduled to be the highest paid TE in the game. When the season is over, I’d be quick to release him to save $5,333,333 in cap space for next year and to make sure that he wasn’t carried onto the 2020 cap. If Graham happens to be on the roster, he will absolutely be the worst contract on the roster.

Eddie Pleasant. A total stiff. He couldn’t make the plays in the passing game against AZ. And, then, against Chicago, Pettine sent him on a blindsided blitz on 3rd down. It was a masterful call by Pettine. Trubisky did not see it coming. Pleasant had a clear shot at Trubisky. He whiffed. And, then, Trubisky picked up the first down. Sorry, Pleasant. But, if you can’t make the play in either the passing game or if you can’t make the play while attacking the ball; I don’t want you on the team. I’d have understood if you were out of position because you didn’t know the defense; but that hasn’t been the case.

I hope Natrell Jamerson is fit enough to play this weekend. I want to see Jamerson.

I also want to see Donnerson rushing the passer on 3rd down. I’m curious to see if he can get home once before the season is over. Let’s play him!

Can we please see Tonyan? Why doesn’t he play? I can’t be convinced that he can’t offer us what Kendricks is giving us. Also, consider this: he’s a better block than Graham. And, we’ve seen Tonyan do something that we haven’t seen Graham do this year: he outfought a defender for a deep ball that resulted in a TD. I want to see Tonyan running down the seam and going to get the ball in traffic.

It’s time for Oren Burks to get significant playing time as well.

I want to see Looney play as well. If we’re going to keep Gutekunst’s picks around, let’s get them some action, at this stage. Let’s see if we have something to work with or if they’re just going to be training camp fodder next year.

Josh Jackson needs to toughen up. He’s playing way too soft.

In my Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft, the board fell significantly different than it has in past weeks.

Round 1a: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 1b: Greg Little, OT Mississippi.
Round 2: Irv Smith, TE, Alabama.
Round 3: Oshane Ximines, EDGE, ODU.
Round 4a: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State.
Round 4b: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan.
Round 5: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State.
Round 6a: J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 6b: Jamal Peters, CB, Mississippi State.
Round 7: Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State.

This week – it’s the Jets. In New York. Is this the Tankathon battle? Man, oh man. Who would’ve thought that the 2018 Packers would’ve dreamed to be the Browns, Texans, Dolphins, Chargers or Colts? I mean, have any of those teams won a playoff game since 2014? Nonetheless, here we are.

It’s hard for me to jump on the let’s lose bandwagon. If Rodgers is healthy and if he doesn’t need surgery after the year, I want him to play. I want him to work on his chemistry with the youngsters. I want to end the season on a positive note. But, I see the other side. If you play Kizer, you’re able to see how he’s developed and you’re likely to lose. And, if you go 5-10-1, you’re likely going to secure a top 9 selection; which would all but secure one of the top 3 EDGE players in the draft. There’s value in that, too.

Packers 23.
Jets 20.

I wish all of you a Happy Holiday season. Thank you for keeping me going during both the good and bad times.

Go Pack Go!

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