Greetings, G-Force.
A win is a win in this League. The Packers were fortunate that they played the hapless Lions, so they could ensure a victory in front of the hometown fans. At Lambeau Field. On Monday Night.
As I write, I sip an Epic Brewing Big Bad Baptist. The evenings have cooled off in Colorado and the Stouts are tasting smooth. When I’m as worried about the Packers as I am right now, I like my beers high in ABV. This one clocks in near 12%. I listen to the Beatles “Let It Be” album.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Matt LaFleur cannot be happy with the start to the season. The team looks lethargic. It’s a long season and I have hope that the teams physicality will mightily improve with the return of Za’Darius and Bakhtiari. But, right now, this team looks more like a team that’ll finish close to .500 than a team that’ll return to the NFC Championship Game.
Aaron Rodgers. Love the dart to Tonyan. The bomb to Davante was unbelievable. But, he doesn’t look comfortable to me. It looks as though he’s still finding his footing. He’s still learning how much he can trust his OL. Rather than seeing the Field post snap, his decision making seems predetermined by his pre-snap read of the defense.
Thank the Good Lord for Jared Goff. Without Goff, we might be talking about an early change being needed at Defensive Coordinator for the Packers: instead, the defensive flaws were masked by Goff’s ineptitude. Goff didn’t see the Field on 4th and 1. Goff mishandled a snap that led to a fumble. Goff gifted the Packers a sack. Goff missed an open receiver to essentially hand an interception to Campbell. That was the difference in the game.
Aaron Jones is an absolute superstar of a Football player. He’s seemingly a better dude than he is a Football player as well. That’s a remarkable feat.
Davante Adams. These are days to remember.
Rodgers to Cobb to pick up a 1st down on a free play. Just like old times.
Love the weak side screen call to Tonyan. Tonyan is earning himself a monster contract.
Tonyan, Adams, Jones and Rodgers having big statistical games on a night in which TT is honored. So many hearts.
Jenkins is an elite football player.
Stoked for Stokes is the message. Kid plays with speed. Enjoy watching his youthful spirit. Kid has passion. Hoping his energy can bring a spark to the defense.
Kingsley Keke. ¿Donde esta? This team needs Keke to be a rising star.
Campbell has been a bright spot at ILB through two weeks. He’s active. Like the dreads flowing on this defense!
Kevin King moving to the slot. In an attempt to save his career.
This defense has looked as bad as any since 2016. The best player in the secondary that year? Ladarius Gunter. He wouldn’t even make this team.
Brian Gutekunst has assembled a quality roster. Have to hold out hope that this all comes together.
This week - it’s the 49ers in SF. I fear the thought of thinking about what Kyle Shanahan will do to our new Defensive Coordinator. I’m scared of what the SF DL will do to the young Packers OL, especially if Jenkins is unable to play.
The 49ers are banged up at RB. They’re hunting for people off of the streets to potentially suit up for the game this Sunday Night. Still, somehow, I envision SF being able to run the ball. It feels like Shanahan will draw up successful play action to Deebo, Aiyuk and Kittle. He’ll find ways to get the ball to Juszczyk. He will confuse the Packers the Packers with excessive motion. He’ll creatively get the ball to Aiyuk and Deebo in space.
The Packers will have to pound the ball at the SF front. I’m expecting a heavy dose of AJ Dillon in an effort to match the strength of the SF front. I expect to see Dillon and Jones on the field at the same time. LaFleur must come with imagination. Jones acts as the jet sweep option to open up the LB’s. Dillon pounds away between the tackles.
And, then, the only way I envision the Packers winning this game is if they connect on a couple of deep shots to MVS. I think it happens. Rodgers clearly felt awful about missing MVS on a couple of open passes on Monday Night. This week, he connects. MVS finishes with 2TD’s and over 100 yards.
Somehow, the Packers survive in a game that will define the current of the Packers union. Are they strong enough? Are they prepared enough? Are they able to compete with a talented roster on the road? Many questions will be answered this week. It’s a long season, but it feels like this week might foreshadow what the 2021 season might bring. I’m doing my best to keep the faith.
Packers 24
SF 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, September 24, 2021
Monday, September 20, 2021
My Take -> Week 2
Greetings, G-Force.
There’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence. The Packers crossed that line and because of it, they’re 0-1. In embarrassing fashion.
As I write, I sip a Crooked Stave Juicy West Coast IPA. 6.2%. A good blend of two wildly different styles of IPA. Cloudy. Hoppy. I listen to the Saturday Night Phish show at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Denver. The Packers must “Cool It Down” with their egos and focus on the game at hand.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
This was the worst version of a Matt LaFleur team that we’ve ever seen. Zero spark plug over the course of a 4 Quarter game. Things can only improve.
The NFC NORTH might be really bad. I believe that MN will be really good. But, I would like to think the Packers can go 5-1 in the division. Even with a subpar defense. This is not the time to panic. But, there were so many concerning moments.
The two things that changed the most in the offseason were the Defensive Coordinator and the OL. Both were comically bad.
Expected the new DC to be assertive. Couldn’t have been more bland. Not the 1st impressive that I anticipated we’d see. They played on their heels. Looked as poor as any team that I watched over the weekend. Interested to see how they adjust.
Aaron Rodgers showed terrific leadership skills in the press conference when asked about the OL and his protection. The interior of the OL did not play well. There was too much push up the middle. There was also few holes in the running game. Rodgers was complimentary in a public forum. In the locker room, I can guarantee that those conversations were different.
It was a lifeless 1st half. Completely unprepared. Out-coached. Saints were the more physical team as well. Couldn’t have been more disappointed. I was hoping for a TD drive to start the 3rd to ignite the season’s fire. They were in position until the Rodgers interception, which proved to be the dagger.
It appeared to me that Rodgers didn’t trust his OL. He reverted to old happy feet habits instead of standing tall in the pocket and surveying the field as he did last year.
This was an embarrassingly poor performance by the defense. There have been ugly games in recent memory. This one might have been as bad as any that we’ve witnessed against a team that appears to be lacking immense star power.
Za’Darius to the IR is not what the Dr ordered for a recovery for this defense.
Kevin King needs to return to his 2019 form or he will find himself on the bench.
I’m baffled by how confused the defense looked. They were so uncertain as to their responsibilities.
I’m not going to dwell on the defeat too much and since there were next to zero positives to reflect upon, I’m going to look onward.
Don't overlook the Chandon Sullivan contract restructuring. Gutekunst is calculated with his moves. He wanted money to be available for this year. My hunch is that he didn't want the money for future contract extensions. My gut says that he wanted the money to make a power move in-season this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Gutekunst trades for someone who is in the last year of his contract along the DL. This is the proverbial last dance for this group of teammates and Gutekunst knows that his locker room is in win-now mode.
This week - it’s the home opener. On Monday Night Football. A divisional game against the Lions. The Packers will be ready.
The Lions are in complete rebuild mode. They have a new GM. They have a new Had Coach. They have a new roster. On paper, they look like a team that is destined for 3-14. But, they’ll undoubtedly play with fire and intensity on every snap.
I’m not a Jared Goff fan. If the Packers can stop the run, Goff will make mistakes. Expect to see Swift and Williams attacking the heart of the Packers defense. Look for Hockenson to be the recipient of many targets off of play action.
Defensively, the Lions have done a decent job of adding a good mix of veteran FA’s and draft picks over the last two years. Brockers and Flowers will test the Packers on the EDGE. Williams has given the Packers trouble in the past. McNeil is an intriguing rookie. Anzalone, Okwara and Collins are versatile LB’s. In the secondary, Detroit shouldn’t have the talent to cover the Packers WR’s. Okudah’s injury was gutting for them.
The Lions will likely take on a similar strategy that New Orleans took. They’ll attempt to eat clock. They will try to control the line of scrimmage. They’ll try to pound the football, convert 3rd down and then take a shot down the field against Kevin King.
Expect Randall Cobb to touch the ball early in the game.
I anticipate that the Lions will drop two deep safeties. They’ll try to keep everything underneath. The Packers must be able to run the ball. And, Rodgers must stay patient with taking what the defense gives him. Tonyan should get 5-7 targets. Just move sticks.
If I had full confidence that the defense would not be a comedy of errors, I’d have every belief that the Packers would win handily. Unfortunately, the defense remains a work in progress. Therefore, it’s a nail biter.
Packers 31
Lions 27
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com
There’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence. The Packers crossed that line and because of it, they’re 0-1. In embarrassing fashion.
As I write, I sip a Crooked Stave Juicy West Coast IPA. 6.2%. A good blend of two wildly different styles of IPA. Cloudy. Hoppy. I listen to the Saturday Night Phish show at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Denver. The Packers must “Cool It Down” with their egos and focus on the game at hand.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
This was the worst version of a Matt LaFleur team that we’ve ever seen. Zero spark plug over the course of a 4 Quarter game. Things can only improve.
The NFC NORTH might be really bad. I believe that MN will be really good. But, I would like to think the Packers can go 5-1 in the division. Even with a subpar defense. This is not the time to panic. But, there were so many concerning moments.
The two things that changed the most in the offseason were the Defensive Coordinator and the OL. Both were comically bad.
Expected the new DC to be assertive. Couldn’t have been more bland. Not the 1st impressive that I anticipated we’d see. They played on their heels. Looked as poor as any team that I watched over the weekend. Interested to see how they adjust.
Aaron Rodgers showed terrific leadership skills in the press conference when asked about the OL and his protection. The interior of the OL did not play well. There was too much push up the middle. There was also few holes in the running game. Rodgers was complimentary in a public forum. In the locker room, I can guarantee that those conversations were different.
It was a lifeless 1st half. Completely unprepared. Out-coached. Saints were the more physical team as well. Couldn’t have been more disappointed. I was hoping for a TD drive to start the 3rd to ignite the season’s fire. They were in position until the Rodgers interception, which proved to be the dagger.
It appeared to me that Rodgers didn’t trust his OL. He reverted to old happy feet habits instead of standing tall in the pocket and surveying the field as he did last year.
This was an embarrassingly poor performance by the defense. There have been ugly games in recent memory. This one might have been as bad as any that we’ve witnessed against a team that appears to be lacking immense star power.
Za’Darius to the IR is not what the Dr ordered for a recovery for this defense.
Kevin King needs to return to his 2019 form or he will find himself on the bench.
I’m baffled by how confused the defense looked. They were so uncertain as to their responsibilities.
I’m not going to dwell on the defeat too much and since there were next to zero positives to reflect upon, I’m going to look onward.
Don't overlook the Chandon Sullivan contract restructuring. Gutekunst is calculated with his moves. He wanted money to be available for this year. My hunch is that he didn't want the money for future contract extensions. My gut says that he wanted the money to make a power move in-season this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Gutekunst trades for someone who is in the last year of his contract along the DL. This is the proverbial last dance for this group of teammates and Gutekunst knows that his locker room is in win-now mode.
This week - it’s the home opener. On Monday Night Football. A divisional game against the Lions. The Packers will be ready.
The Lions are in complete rebuild mode. They have a new GM. They have a new Had Coach. They have a new roster. On paper, they look like a team that is destined for 3-14. But, they’ll undoubtedly play with fire and intensity on every snap.
I’m not a Jared Goff fan. If the Packers can stop the run, Goff will make mistakes. Expect to see Swift and Williams attacking the heart of the Packers defense. Look for Hockenson to be the recipient of many targets off of play action.
Defensively, the Lions have done a decent job of adding a good mix of veteran FA’s and draft picks over the last two years. Brockers and Flowers will test the Packers on the EDGE. Williams has given the Packers trouble in the past. McNeil is an intriguing rookie. Anzalone, Okwara and Collins are versatile LB’s. In the secondary, Detroit shouldn’t have the talent to cover the Packers WR’s. Okudah’s injury was gutting for them.
The Lions will likely take on a similar strategy that New Orleans took. They’ll attempt to eat clock. They will try to control the line of scrimmage. They’ll try to pound the football, convert 3rd down and then take a shot down the field against Kevin King.
Expect Randall Cobb to touch the ball early in the game.
I anticipate that the Lions will drop two deep safeties. They’ll try to keep everything underneath. The Packers must be able to run the ball. And, Rodgers must stay patient with taking what the defense gives him. Tonyan should get 5-7 targets. Just move sticks.
If I had full confidence that the defense would not be a comedy of errors, I’d have every belief that the Packers would win handily. Unfortunately, the defense remains a work in progress. Therefore, it’s a nail biter.
Packers 31
Lions 27
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 12, 2021
My Take -> Week 1
Greetings, G-Force.
The urgency is at peak levels. It's now or possibly never for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to grab a 2nd Super Bowl ring together. I just hope this team remains laid back. I hope they don't press. I hope they continue to live in the moment. I hope they continue to enjoy the present. I hope they continue to play with a care free desire to win.
As I write, I listen to the Phish 9-1-21 show from Shoreline. I was fortunate to attend this concert at the famed CA venue. It's a day I'll remember forever. I sip a Modern Times Dungeon Map West Coast IPA. It's a little less clear than I prefer, but it's a super smooth tasty hop. I find it to be really refreshing.
The Packers take on the Saints in Jacksonville as they embark on their 2021 journey. For the 2nd year in a row, the Packers catch a break while playing the Saints. Last year, they were fortunate to not have fans in the Dome. This year, they are playing in Jacksonville. And, while the humidity will be a major factor, it'll be a significant benefit to not be trapped indoors.
The Saints will have a new look. It concerns me that there will be very little tape on what to expect from Sean Paytond this weekend. Jameis Winston has always been a good playmaker. He just makes too many mistakes. The Saints will play through Alvin Kamara. If the Packers struggle to tackle Kamara like they have in the past, the defense will be in for a long afternoon. I'd like to think that the Packers match up well with Marquez Callaway, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Deonte Harris as receivers. The Saints OL will bephysical, but I anticipate that the Packers will be able to get a push.
Defensively, the Saints are physical. Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, Malcolm Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore are elite. Marcus Davenport has great length as a pass rusher. He'll be disruptive. Kwon Alexander is an active player. The Saints defense will fly around the field. But, if the young Packers OL can provide protection, I really believe the Packers will put up big points.
My biggest fear for the Packers this weekend is their ability to tackle Deonte Harris as a returner. The Packers cannot let Harris beat them. He's the ultimate threat as a return man. If special teams don't cost the Packers the game, I like their chances.
I believe Rodgers will come out with some easy passes in the flat to Tonyan. We'll also see Aaron Jones pounding the ball away at the interior of the Saints DL in an effort to let the young Packers OL settle in.
Look for a back and forth battle until Winston makes his mistake. Jaire steps in front of an out pass. It's a game changing play.
Dillon rushes for 60+ yards. Tonyan grabs 2 TD's. Davante tops 100 yards. Offensively, the Packers play mistake free football.
Packers 34.
Saints 27.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
The urgency is at peak levels. It's now or possibly never for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to grab a 2nd Super Bowl ring together. I just hope this team remains laid back. I hope they don't press. I hope they continue to live in the moment. I hope they continue to enjoy the present. I hope they continue to play with a care free desire to win.
As I write, I listen to the Phish 9-1-21 show from Shoreline. I was fortunate to attend this concert at the famed CA venue. It's a day I'll remember forever. I sip a Modern Times Dungeon Map West Coast IPA. It's a little less clear than I prefer, but it's a super smooth tasty hop. I find it to be really refreshing.
The Packers take on the Saints in Jacksonville as they embark on their 2021 journey. For the 2nd year in a row, the Packers catch a break while playing the Saints. Last year, they were fortunate to not have fans in the Dome. This year, they are playing in Jacksonville. And, while the humidity will be a major factor, it'll be a significant benefit to not be trapped indoors.
The Saints will have a new look. It concerns me that there will be very little tape on what to expect from Sean Paytond this weekend. Jameis Winston has always been a good playmaker. He just makes too many mistakes. The Saints will play through Alvin Kamara. If the Packers struggle to tackle Kamara like they have in the past, the defense will be in for a long afternoon. I'd like to think that the Packers match up well with Marquez Callaway, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Deonte Harris as receivers. The Saints OL will bephysical, but I anticipate that the Packers will be able to get a push.
Defensively, the Saints are physical. Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, Malcolm Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore are elite. Marcus Davenport has great length as a pass rusher. He'll be disruptive. Kwon Alexander is an active player. The Saints defense will fly around the field. But, if the young Packers OL can provide protection, I really believe the Packers will put up big points.
My biggest fear for the Packers this weekend is their ability to tackle Deonte Harris as a returner. The Packers cannot let Harris beat them. He's the ultimate threat as a return man. If special teams don't cost the Packers the game, I like their chances.
I believe Rodgers will come out with some easy passes in the flat to Tonyan. We'll also see Aaron Jones pounding the ball away at the interior of the Saints DL in an effort to let the young Packers OL settle in.
Look for a back and forth battle until Winston makes his mistake. Jaire steps in front of an out pass. It's a game changing play.
Dillon rushes for 60+ yards. Tonyan grabs 2 TD's. Davante tops 100 yards. Offensively, the Packers play mistake free football.
Packers 34.
Saints 27.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
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