My Take -> Week 16

Greetings, G-Force.

The 2021 version of the Green Bay Packers continues to amaze me. The days of a chaotic, disgruntled past are far in the rear-view mirror and it’s been replaced by harmonic unified overtures. These days are savored and the short term future looks bright.

As I write, I sip a Station 26 Mango Juicy Banger. 7.5% ABV. Fruity, hoppy goodness. Lightly clouded pour into a pint glass. Goes down too easy. The first song I played was MTV’s Unplugged version of Natalie Merchant’s “These are days” and no, I’m not sorry. I couldn’t help myself.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur has taught his team how to win. They’ve been resilient. When the game is on the line, there’s no waffling; someone is going to make a play.

Suddenly, Aaron Rodgers looks to be the odds on favorite to win the NFL’s MVP. A horrendous showing by Brady coupled with Rodgers playing elite level football. What an unbelievable season Rodgers is having. The excitement level is on overdrive.

Watching Davante get double teamed presnap is the stuff of Legend.

Aaron Jones bursting through holes. AJ Dillon pounding through them. It’s possible that we will see a day over the next month that the Packers will have to win on those 4 legs. They look ripe for the challenge.

Marcedes playing with the force of a powerful Mercedes!

When this offense gets rolling, it has a really Super feel to it.

Fun to see MVS fighting for the goal line to get Rodgers the record tying TD pass.

I liked seeing LaFleur calling the underneath crossing route to Lazard early in the game. Put Lazard in a position to win. He was hit and strife and allowed to use his strength to plow forward. Lazard against a LB is a matchup that I’ll take everyday.

While the offense is cooking right now, the defense is struggling if they aren’t forcing turnovers. We’ve reached the point in the season where this team really needs Za’Darius to step in and help on 3rd down. Oh, and the special teams? Well, it might be the most laughable unit that I’ve ever seen in the Green and Yellow.

What’s interesting about the defense is that there are a number of players playing exceptionally well. Clark, Campbell, Rasul, Stoked for Stokes, Amos, Lowry, Gary, Barnes, and Preston are all playing very good football. Sullivan is playing decent as well. Savage is being attacked. He’s been in position to make the play. He’s just now finishing the play. I can’t tell if he’s like a young Nintendo Nick Collins or if he’s morphed into Kevin King as a Safety. When Nintendo Nick was a youngster, he was always in position, but he rarely made the play. Then, in 2008, it all clicked for him and he became among the best play making Safeties in the NFL. Or Savage might be like King. Often in position, but rarely makes the play and because he doesn’t make the play, he becomes a sieve in the eyes of the defense. When it’s all said and done, it’s trending to appear that this season will come down to whether Savage can make a play or not in a similar manner to the way I mentioned the same about King at this time last year. King was brutalized in the NFCCG last year and the Packers came up short. You know who else got torches in that game? Savage.

Really like the way Garvin fights. He’s become a reliable EDGE player. Maximum effort. Good discipline.

Preston and Gary are handling the EDGE at a Super level. When healthy, Clark has won on the interior with that same Super feeling. If Za’Darius can make his way back, this defense might be a force on passing downs.

Slaton and Wild Man 70 are very similar to me. Both make plays that allow me to think that the Packers might’ve found long term starters. And, then, they get blown off the ball. I’m not sure if it’s mental or physical or both? But, both certainly have the capacity to play in this league.

Have to give it up for Tyler Davis. Great to see him streaking down the seam for a 22-yard grab.

Grab the t-shirt and the the hat, Aaron Rodgers.

This week - it’s the Browns. At Lambeau. On Christmas Day. That puts the Merry in Christmas.

The Cleveland Browns are going to try and punch the Green Bay Packers in the mouth. Just like the Tennessee Titans tried to do last year. Last year, the Packers were up to the Derrick Henry challenge. This year, it’s the Chubb and Hunt combo. They’ll strike fear into any DL. Lowry, Lancaster and Clark must be ready to ball out. Campbell and Barnes are going to have to trust their eyes and their secondary. If they see run, they’ll have to hit the hole with intention. If it’s play action, the secondary must win.

Defensively, the Browns are equally as physical up front. They’ll attack Rodgers with vicious desires. They hit to cause pain. The front 7 covers up holes on the Browns back end. If the Packers makeshift OL can somehow win another battle, there will be big plays found down the Field.

Rodgers is determined. He’s a man on a mission. He finds Davante for his record TD pass. It’s also a Franchise record for TD passes from a QB to a WR between Rodgers and Adams. Don’t think that they don’t want that record on the same play.

Once again, the Packers price to be the more physical team in a fight against AFC NORTH muscle. It’s a Christmas celebration.

The defense causes two second half turnovers. Again, LaFleur’s team finds a way to win a close one late.

And, so this is Christmas…

Merry Christmas, all.

Packers 27
Browns 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 15

Greetings, G-Force.

The sheer dominance over the Bears continues. The ownership threshold is stronger than ever. Yes, THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

As I write, I listen to Neil Diamond singing Christmas music. Reminds me of my youth. Cherished memories. I sip a Left Hand Peanut Butter Nitro Milk Stout. Desert in a glass!

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur’s posture showed a hint of nervousness that I’m unaccustomed to seeing from him on the sidelines. But, he stayed true to his aggressive nature. I was shocked when he went for it on 4th and goal when they were down by 10. I thought it was wise to ensure a one-score game by taking an easy FG. The decision worked and he looked like a wizard after it.

If Aaron Rodgers plays like he did over the last three quarters, the Packers will be extremely tough to beat. He was composed. He was seeing the Field. He was accurate.

Lock up Davante Adams please. Let’s keep 12 and 17 together for 5 more years. Whatever it takes.

Loved seeing Aaron Jones getting into the end zone again. I wonder how healthy he is right now. Seemed odd that he was so underutilized.

AJ Dillon continues to pound forward for extra yards.

If I have learned anything about Brian Gutekunst over his time as GM of the Green Bay Packers, it’s that he admits mistakes. One of those mistakes was drafting Amari Rodgers. Because of it, I would be surprised if he’s in the roster next year. He brings almost zero value to this team.

Happy to see Lazard hanging onto the football.

Big Dog Lewis keeps making plays.

If this defense keeps forcing turnovers, anything is possible.

The Bears Still Suck!

Rasul! Dub-V! He keeps making plays. The pick 6 was thrilling!

Preston and Gary have become quite the pass rushing tandem.

Sullivan with the pick! Loved to see the Packers forcing Fields into so many mistakes. Making him look jittery.

Stoked for Stokes! The rookie can play.

45 points! I felt it coming. Purely dominant in the 2nd half.

Campbell and Barnes have become a great ILB tandem. They compliment each other very well. They’re smart. They’re dependable. They have become staples in this defense. They keep things together. They’ve brought a physical mindset to the Field.

Soon, the Packers will need Savage to make a play. He’s come so close. He just doesn’t finish it.

Another season sweep of the Bears. Gotta love it!

This week - it’s the Ravens. In Baltimore. The Packers better buckle up their chin straps. They’re going to be in for a physical battle. This Baltimore team punishes people.

In my mind, the playoffs start this weekend. This team has surprised me this year. I thought they’d likely finish in the range of 10-7. Now, they own the 1-seed with 4 games to play. If they win the next 4 games; all of which they’ll likely be favored to win, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Lambeau Field.

I don’t see Lamar Jackson playing. My guess is that Tyler Huntley will be the starting QB. Huntley has been decent in limited action, but I wouldn’t think the Ravens can keep up with the Packers offensively. They’ll try to pound the football with Freeman and Murray. Then, they’ll go play action to Andrews. Andrews is a top 5 TE in the NFL. He will cause problems. The Ravens will also look to get the ball to Brown over the top and to Duvernay in space.

Defensively, the Ravens are really beat up. They’ll likely be without Campbell and the secondary has been decimated with injury. They won’t be able to run with the Packers. It’ll be interesting to see how LaFleur attacks the Ravens. He will have to establish a run game to slow down the Ravens pass rush. But, Bowser, Queen and Bynes can punish as LB’s.

This is a statement game for the Packers. On the road. I think they’ll be up for the task. I think they’ll be the more physical football team. I believe that as long as the special teams units don’t end up being too much of a hindrance, the Packers will win handily.

The defense gets two more turnovers.

Slaton steps in for Clark and helps to eat up the run.

The 2021 Packers show the NFL Works that they’re a much more physical team than most initially thought.

Rodgers plays at an MVP level. Adams grabs 7 balls. A screen to Jones goes for big yardage to the weak side of the Field.

Lazard gets deep on a double move.

The Packers clinch the NFC NORTH.

Packers 27
Ravens 16

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 14

Greetings, G-Force.

Lambeau Field sounds magical. The fans base appears rowdy. The environment feels magical. These are the days that we will remember.

As I write, I listen to an array of John Lennon’s music on shuffle. It’s a great time of year to have his music in your ears. I sip a Weldwerks Juicy Bits. Pungent. Hoppy. Juicy.

Here are my quick vibes over the last week:

Matt LaFleur continues to impress. His team was ready for the Rams. While they were overmatched in name on the line of scrimmage, they were ready to punch the vaunted Rams DL in the mouth. Repeatedly.

Aaron Rodgers won’t be the MVP, but he’s played like one over the last two games.

Sad to lose Cobb. He played so well. Felt like a 2013 version of Cobb. Your turn, ESB. It appears as though ESB will get a significant increase in snaps. He will be integrated into the slot role. We will see him in motion. He will be out in position to change games.

AJ Dillon. Amazing. Can’t believe how well he’s catching the ball. His vision + power combination has been punishing for the opposition. The robot between Nijman and Dillon is the stuff of Legend.

Davante Adams. If Adams and Rodgers play together in GB for 5 more years, Adams will be in the HOF.

MVS continues to grow on me. He will never be a top shelf player who makes unbelievable plays. But, he’s fast and he’s a threat down the Field.

It consistently stuns me to see how aggressive LaFleur is on 4th down.

Billy Turner has been terrific.

This is a team that knows their roles. They shut their mouth. They play their role. And they have bought into LaFleur’s message.

Rasul Douglas! Dub-V! A tremendous performance! Big ups to Gutekunst for his addition.

Kenny Clark is a Green Bay Packer HOF’er.

Stoked for Stokes! Kid continues to shine!

Rashan Gary!! He keeps getting better and better every week.

Last year, we saw Preston Smith running backwards and retreating into coverage. This year? Not at all. He’s being put in position to win and he’s winning.

Wild Man 70 continues to be the most inconsistent player on the team.

Runyan can play!!

Adrian Amos is having a really great year.

Barnes and Lowry are playing well off of each other in the run game.

If this team can start forcing turnovers like they did against the Rams, look out!

This week - it’s the hated Bears. At Lambeau Field. Under the Lights. In Prime Time. Expect dominance.

The Bears might have found their QB. He’s going to be put on display this weekend. They’ll want to showcase him. He will be put in position to be successful. Offensively, the Bears are healthy. They’re going to be animated to make an impression.

Defensively, the Bears will be without Hicks and Mack. Look for LaFleur to be in all-out attack mode.

Aaron Rodgers knows what’s at stake. He knows that he will be under the magnifying glass after his “I still own you” remarks. The Bears will be hungry to pressure him. They’ll take a cheap shot at some point.

The Packers offense is due for a break out game. Sure, they put up 36 points against the Rams, but most came off of turnovers or after the 4th down stop by the defense which game the Packers the ball on their own side of the Field.

Soon, we will see an explosion. A 45-point game. Sheer dominance. It’ll be a day when Lazard catches the ball. It’ll be a day in which MVS gets over the top. A day in which the Packers benefit from a pass interference call. A day in which Rodgers is in the Zone. Why not this week? It could happen. I’m going to refrain from calling out a 45-17 victory this week, but it wouldn’t stun me.

It’s December football at Lambeau Field. This team will be ready.

Packers 31
Bears 20

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 12

Greetings, G-Force.

In a week-to-week League, you’re only as good as your last game. And, in what was their toughest test to date, the Packers defense returned to the form we remember all too well in years past. Because of it, the Packers have an all-important, must-win game at home against the Rams, if they want any shot at holding the #1 seed.

As I write, I listen to the Dirty Heads self-titled album. It’s by far my most played album since it’s release. I sip a Port Brewing Santa’s Little Helper. I love this beer. 10% chocolate, hazelnut goodness. With a tiny hop finish. Perfect for the season.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

LaFleur and Rodgers were not themselves for the first 1.5 quarters. But, when they got rolling, they were unstoppable. #12 was seeing the Field. He was patient. LaFleur was dialing up motion and confusion. Lots of eye candy. That was an entertaining offense.

Injuries or not, that was concerning defense. For as good as they’ve been this year, they’ve struggled to get off the field to seal games late. Tjey allowed SF to score a TD to take the lead. They allowed Cincy to drive to tie it. They got the stop in AZ, but not until they allowed the Cardinals to drive 94 yards. They failed to get the last stop on 3rd down in KC to give the offense a chance. Finally, they were unable to get the stop in MN. While this defense has been highly impressive, they’ve struggled to seal games.

We cannot take these days for granted. Injuries, Free Agency and attitude can strip it all away. Right now, this roster has many players that are absolutely elite. Sad to lose Jenkins. A great dude. An All-Pro quality OL. Solid teammate. This teams needs a healthy Bakhtiari.

Catch the ball, Savage. He’s often in position. He rarely makes the play.

Kenny Clark continues to be as dominant as it gets as an interior DL.

Lowry and Lancaster are playing their best football. Consistently.

Cherish these days with Davante Adams.

The Packers WR’s have been highly criticized through the years. As it stands, they have the best WR in the league, the best blocking WR in the league, a reliable slot WR, and a deep ball threat that is consistently getting better. Much props to MVS. He’s developed into a talented WR. ESB is also playing his best football.

Can the special teams unit continue to fail us? Apparently so! Another missed FG! Oh, and how baffling is it that Amari Rodgers let’s the ball hit the ground and gives up nearly 10 yards every game. Catch the ball, dude.

AJ Dillon has become a highly dependable RB. He’s so good as a receiver as well.

Deguara! I couldn’t believe my eyes!!

You know the special teams units are really bad when 12 nervously looks into an XP try.

This week - it’s the Rams. At Lambeau. An afternoon game. With lights. It doesn’t get better. The Faithful will undoubtedly bring the volume.

Sometimes, it’s the acquisitions you don’t make that benefit you the most. While I believe OBJ had a role in GB; it wouldn’t have been prominent. In the end, you have to imagine that it might not have ended well, if that was the case. So, now, he plays for a top contender. He will demand the ball. Stoked for Stokes will be ready!

Cooper Kupp will give the Packers all kinds of fits. I’m not sure how they’ll defend him and you know the Rams will do everything to get the ball in his hands.

Stafford has typically played really well against the Packers. I expect him to do the same this weekend.

Thankfully, if the Packers OL can give Rodgers time, we will see big plays off of play action. The Packers establish a running game early on. Then, it’s Rodgers to Lazard off of play-action.

Douglas picks off Stafford. Somehow, the defense gets that elusive late stop.

The crowd is rowdy.

The Packers win one that they must have!

Drink up, Packers fans!

Packers 28
Rams 27

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 11

Greetings, G-Force.

All of the drama. All of the chaos. All of the overwhelmingly annoying stories that the media have fed us since LaFleur decided to kick the FG at the end of NFCCG. All of it. None of it matters right now. Instead, through all of the madness, the Packers sit at 8-2. Leading the NFC. In control of home field throughout. With 7 games to play. Let’s go!

As I write, I listen to Phish from 7-14-19. Alpine Valley. Ruby Waves. It was a blue morning when I was walking down the street in Downtown Denver this am. I sip a Hinterland Luna Coffee Stout. I love this beer. Perfect on a still yet crisp mid week evening with a near full moon bursting light from the sky. I’m alive.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur. Packers fans, we are blessed. He is ours.

Aaron Rodgers wasn’t top notch. It didn’t matter. He was a Leader. And, other than his boneheaded decision that led to the interception, #12 was mostly solid in his decision making.

Aaron Jones. Love this dude. So glad that his injury wasn’t severe. The same can be said for Gary.

Mercilus. Super bummed about his injury. He was becoming a disruptive force.

Bakhtiari. Health to you. We need you. Hoping the recovery is going better than it sounds. This OL needs him. Wild Man 70 has to get off the Field. In many ways, he’s a liability.

AJ Dillon. Where everyone thought Gutekunst was crazy for selecting him in R2 — including myself — well, he’s showing that Gutekunst knew best. It’s possible that Dillon will save the season for this team while 33 is out.

Deguara. While everyone thought Gutekunst was crazy for selecting him in R3 — including myself — well, he’s showing that Gutekunst was wrong with his selection. Deguara seems to make mental mistakes on a weekly basis.

Davante was too much for the Seattle secondary.

Nice to see MVS getting over the top.

Amos was an absolute stud.

King! I’m not sure he caught, but we will take it!

What a tremendous performance by the defense. Shutting out the Seahawks. Dominating the line of scrimmage. Kenny Clark continues to play at an All Pro level.

Barnes and Campbell. For the first time since the Desmond Bishop injury, the Packers have two consistently trustworthy players at ILB.

Gutekunst might’ve found a star in Slaton in this years Draft. He’s becoming increasingly more effective every week. I love his strength + quickness + effort combination.

Stoked for Stokes! Kid can play. He’s disciplined. He has great recovery speed. He gets his head turned around.

Another week. Another game in which Rasul made game changing plays. Dub-V to GB!

Garvin’s game is growing on me. High activity. Hustle monster. Keeps containment. He doesn’t show up much in the box score, but he’s effective.

The special teams woes must stop. Now. It’s baffling that they can’t figure out the FG unit.

This week - it’s the hated queens from Minnesota. With a win, the Packers are in complete command of the NFC NORTH.

The queens are much better than their record suggests. They’ve been the better team in most games that they’ve played. They just haven’t known how to win. They’ve blown leads. They’ve choked games away late. They have rarely played a full 60 minutes.

The Packers defense has played at a Super level this year. This will arguably be their biggest test so far. The queens will feed Cook. They’ll try to run over the Packers defensive front. In the past, the Packers have struggled to slow down Cook. Then, they’ll turn to play action. Cousins has been less prone to the big mistake this year. Without that mistake, it might be tough for the Packers to win. They’re loaded with weapons at WR and while the Packers secondary has been fantastic all year, Jefferson and Thielen are as good as any tandem in the NFL. Conklin is a solid TE. Osborn is a legit #3 WR. This is the weekend for the Packers defense to solidify themselves as a legitimate top 5 defense in the NFL. On the road. In the dome. Against a hated rival. And, a chance to essentially win the Division.

The MN defense should not be able to cover the Packers. If Rodgers is accurate and the timing is dialed in after another week of sitting out practice, the Packers should be able to put up loads of points.

I anticipate that we will see a lot of 4 WR sets. Cobb in motion. Dillon as the single back. Running into smaller defenders who will be asked to take the back back to the turf. Good luck.

Look for MVS to have two big plays off play action over the top. No one in the MN secondary can run with him.

We’ve been waiting for Savage to force a crucial turnover. This is the week.

Packers 31
queens 27

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 10

Greetings, G-Force.

Feeling strife after a week of drama, the Packers offense looked unprepared, their defense looked Championship caliber and their special teams were pathetic. Add it all up and the Packers fought hard, but fell short. Still, there were many positives to take away from the defeat. The biggest takeaway is that the Packers defense seems shockingly prime to be a pillar. Assuming Jaire and Za’Darius come back, it’s possible that the defense will be the cornerstone of the 2021 season; baffling as it sounds. And, really, to intentionally reiterate the point, when you look at the big picture of this game for the 2021 season, we learned that this defense is good enough. The Packers offense (with Rodgers) and their defense is good enough to be Super. The special teams? Well, at this point, not so much.

As I write, I sip a Titletown Brewing Green 19 IPA. The Green 19 cadence is forever in the archives of the Favre era. I listen to the Phish 10-24-21 show from the Forum; my favorite venue to see music. Known for its Showtime era of the LA Lakers, the vibrancy still echoes throughout the arena.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur was scatter brained as a play caller against the Chiefs, but I don’t blame him. His team had barely practiced together for two weeks. The locker room was a COVID mess. He came out and wisely put Love in position to complete two easy passes in the flat. He wanted to make it easy for Love and LaFleur accomplished his mission. Love missed badly. Then, the defense gave up an 8 minute TD drive. LaFleur wisely went to the run game. He had success. But, two embarrassing FG attempts put him behind the 8-ball. After that, it felt like LaFleur was both confused and indecisive. He was out of rhythm. He was almost in panic mode. LaFleur should’ve just stuck with the run.

Jordan Love. I have no idea what his future holds and frankly, I’m not worried about it. I have no idea if he will be good enough to be an NFL starter. I do know that he was asked to manage a game in which the defense played as good as could be expected and Love wasn’t good enough. It’s possible that the coaching staff didn’t tell him to look at man coverage over the middle of the Field on the all out blitzes. If so, that would surprise me. Had he looked at the middle of the Field, he would have had multiple big plays in man coverage. If he was not specifically coached to do that last Sunday, I’m sure he has learned that at some point of his playing career. I’m fairly confident that I learned that concept sitting on my Dad’s lap at 5 years old. All out blitz? Well, that signals the middle of the Field is wide open. Trust your WR. Take a shot. Love never did. Again, I’m not suggesting Love won’t be a good QB in the future, but he was not good enough in his 1st start. The moment was far too big for him. That’s not abnormal for a young QB under center for the 1st time, but it was a painful initial impression.

I’m infatuated with the Dillon and Jones tandem. They are perfect compliments for one another. Speaking of Jones, how did Love not get him the ball as a receiver? Did Love not watch film of the last two times these teams played at Arrowhead? LaFleur certainly had Jones in position to be a target. Love just didn’t look his way. Baffling.

Wild Man 70 must play better or he has to go to the bench.

The defense played so well. Wish they’d have gotten off the Field on the final 3rd and 10, but man, what a performance. So great to watch.

Catch the ball, Kevin King.

Barnes!! What a hit! He came to play.

Campbell continues to impress.

Wish that Savage would play that way every week.

The last time the Packers played the Chiefs in Arrowhead, they targeted Daniel Sorensen on a number of occasions. They had big plays against him. The one time they went after him last weekend, Lazard scored a TD. Sorensen is a liability in coverage. It’s shocking that the Packers didn’t go after him more often. I wonder if LaFleur didn’t dial it up or if Love didn’t execute it?

The Packers have had many porous special teams units over the last 40 years. This is possibly the worst we’ve ever witnessed. And, amazingly, the punter is doing unbelievably well. Literally every other facet of the special teams units is remarkably flawed. It’s almost impressive how poorly they perform week in and week out.

I thought OBJ would’ve been a perfect fit in the role that we’ve seen Ervin, Austin and Amari Rodgers in over the last two years. Would he have been happy in that role? We will never know. I also think the role would have showcased his current skillset in a way that would’ve extended his career as a prominent figure on the Field. Let him return punts. Put him in motion. Let him catch the ball in the open space against LB’s, safeties and nickel CB’s. It’d have been a perfect match. Instead, OBJ took the $$$. He didn’t choose the Rams over the Packers, he took the money.

This week - it’s the Seahawks. An afternoon game. I always love the lights at Lambeau in November during the afternoon games. There’s a special type of magic in the air. I expect ghosts of years past to show up and create turnovers for the Packers. Look for the ball to bounce the Packers way.

Russell Wilson will be back. Hopefully, Aaron Rodgers will be back as well. If 12 comes back and is on target, the Packers could drop points in abundance. These Seattle defense is really bad. They can’t defend the run. They can’t defend the pass. Look for LaFleur to feast on the Seattle secondary this weekend.

Rodgers to Adams. Rodgers to MVS on the deep ball. Dillon up the middle. Jones I’m the flat.

The Packers jump out to an early lead. But, the Seahawks are like cockroaches. They don’t die. Wilson to Metcalf on a big play. Seattle fights back to within a score.

But, it’s Rodgers and Adams as an unstoppable duo. Seattle doesn’t have the answer.

Packers 34
Seahawks 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take - Week 9

Greetings, G-Force.

Over the course of the last 40 years, we’ve seen many versions of the Cardiac Pack. The 2021 version might be the most unique. Thus far, this team has had a pension for completely outplaying their opponents yet they’ve been incapable of putting the opposition away. Eventually, this inability to apply the early-to-mid 4th Quarter dagger will likely catch up to the Packers, but for now, it’s important to enjoy the ride. The 2021 Packers have proven that they don’t flinch when they face in-game adversity. And, more importantly, in crunch time, this team knows how to win. Now, sadly, this team will face a different set of adversity. The face of the franchise chose not to get vaccinated. And, he thought he was smarter than all of us throughout the process. Oddly, he tried to protect his image and not come clean from the start and because of it, he strangely because a Preacherman about it all. He even grossly tied MLK into this. Now, the Packers will be without their 3x MVP QB for at least 1 week and possibly longer. In LaFleur, we will have to trust.

As I write, I sip a Green Flash West Coast IPA. Hop bursting enthusiasm. I listen to the Friday Night Phish in Las Vegas show from this past weekend. The band is on fire right now. Buzz in!

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur. What an exceptional leader. His team believes in him. His competitive spirit reflected through this team on a short week. In Arizona. Against the undefeated Cardinals.

Aaron Rodgers willed this team to victory. He was determined. His energy was palpable.

Jones and Dillon. This combination has become a dynamite 1-2 punch.

The Packers OL continues to play great football.

So sad for Big Bob Tonyan.

Congrats to Dre Campbell. He’s been phenomenal!

Clark and Lowry continue to play exceptionally well.

Thought Gary and Preston were really solid on the EDGE.

Mercilus has been an impact player. He’s so disruptive.

Rasul Douglas! Dub-V! A play for the ages! Unbelievably epic!

Stoked for Stokes! The kid can play.

Happy for Black! Quick reactions to a fortuitous bounce!

Randall Cobb is playing with great desire. Willpower.

If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I fully believe in the CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE. The Championship Drive is when the offense puts the game away in the 4th Quarter. It’s when they make a 2-score game a 3-score game with less than 12 minutes to play. Or when they make a 1-score game a 2-score game with less than 5 minutes to play. In Week 3, the Packers had multiple chances to put away SF; but instead, they needed a last second 51 yard FG. In Week 4, with the game seemingly in hand against Pittsburgh and the Packers ramming the ball down the Steelers throats; almost oddly, the Packers started throwing the ball. They stopped the clock and nearly let Pittsburgh back into the game. In Week 5, the Packers had numerous chances to put away Cincinnati, but they let the Bengals hang around and nearly blew it. In Week 6, we saw our first glimpse of a Championship Drive when Rodgers emphatically flashed the Belt and gave us a forever moment in Chicago. In Week 7, offered hope that they were becoming a team that had the mental wherewithal to play a 60-minute football game. Finally, in Week 8, after the Packers had seemingly just completed their most impressive back-to-back drives of the season to give them a 2-score lead; the offense fizzled. While I don’t understand how the officials justified that there was conclusive evidence that Jones didn’t score, it’s unbelievable that the Packers were unable to punch it in from what looked to be 6-12 inches away. It was absolutely sublime to see Rasul coming away with the interception to seal it, but this offense must learn to apply the dagger if they have aspirations beyond a Division title.

This week - it’s the Chiefs. In Kansas City. An afternoon game. For all of the country to see.

The Chiefs are as dangerous as it gets for a 4-4 team. They're the 2-time defending AFC Champs. Their backs are against the wall. They need a win. They still have Mahomes, Kelce, Hill, Mathieu and Jones. They have an abundance of talent. They can score as quick as any team that I've ever seen. Defensively, they can put pressure on the QB. They're suseptible to giving up the big play.

Jordan Love says all the right things. He's such a good guy. A true professional. Everyone seems to love him. However, he’s not ready to start an NFL game in Arrowhead against Mahomes. No matter how bad the Chiefs defense might be. My gut says that this game will have moments that will be too big for Jordan Love. So, it'll be crucial for LaFleur to control the clock. It'll be important for the Packers to win the line of scrimmage. It'll be important for LaFleur to put Love in favorable down-and-distance situations.

Love will be fortunate to get Adams, Lazard and MVS back this week. The Packers stable of WR's will be in tact. Love should also benefit from a productive run game. Love will also benefit from playing a Chiefs secondary that is performing at a poor level. Love will have to be aware of where Mathieu is on the field. Mathieu will look to play mind games with Love all game long.

How can the Packers beat the Chiefs without Rodgers? It'll have to start with a run game and with defense. Mahomes is terrific, but in 2021, he's been putting himself in a position where he's been forcing the ball. Turnovers can be had. Additionally, the KC offensive line has been below average. The Packers DL must win the battle at the line of scrimmage. If so, they'll give the secondary opportunities to make a play.

I imagine that Stokes will be matched up with Hill. I'm interested in seeing if Stokes can run with Hill. Amos will have to body up to Kelce.

LaFleur will look to get the ball into Jones' hands in space. If so, big plays can be had. We will see screen passes. Play action roll-out passes to the TE. LaFleur keeps it easy. But, then, LaFleur will also look to have Love throwing the deep ball to MVS down the seam. Look for an early deep pass off of play action. MVS snags a big play.

Dare I say? The Packers control the clock. Mercilus gets to Mahomes to force a turnover. LaFleur puts Love in position to win and coaches him up to not force the ball in the Red Zone. LaFleur might even go conservative inside the Red Zone to ensure points. But, against KC, you can't settle for FG's. Dillon bails out the Packers as he fights through tackles to plow into the end zone.

Packers 24
Chiefs 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 8

Greetings, G-Force.

A scattered array of optimism was provided in a hard fought, gritty victory over the WFT. It wasn’t always pretty, but the team played with a level of will and determination for the full 60 minutes. For the first time this year, they didn’t let up.

As I write I sip a Dust Bowl Tomorrow’s Clear IPA. 7.2%. Sensational. I listen to Phish’s Chula Vista show from last Saturday night. What a gem!

Here are my quick vibes from the past week:

The Packers 6th win felt different than the rest. It was a different brand of football. There was heavy pressure from the Defensive front. They were forcing fumbles. The defense dictated the tempo. On offense, they were aggressive. They were spreading the ball out and getting Tonyan and Lazard involved. LaFleur was both creative and in command. Rodgers was patient and seeing the Field. It was the brand of Football that is capable of beating any team in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, no one will confuse Washington with Tampa Bay, but the tough minded mentality of the team was on display against an inferior opponent and that needs to be recognized.

Vintage LaFleur to go for it on 4th down on the opening possession of the game. His offense needed 7 points to end the long drive. Happy to see the team convert it for a TD.

Rodgers played the best game of his season. He was patient. He read the Field. He wasn’t always perfectly accurate, but it was the type of performance that quietly moves his name up the list of MVP candidates.

Davante Adams. If he stays in GB with 12 for the next 5 more seasons, I believe that Adams will end up in the Hall of Fame.

Very happy to see Tonyan getting involved down the Field.

Great to see Lazard actively involved in the offense.

Hold onto the ball, Dillon.

Aaron Jones’ vision consistently amazes me.

Marcedes Lewis! What a catch!

The OL has been extremely impressive for 7 weeks, considering the circumstances. But, it’s time to get Bakhtiari back. They’ve regressed over the last two weeks.

Dre Campbell continues to show his worth. He was all over the Field on Sunday. Loved seeing him punch the ball out as well.

Finish the play, Jaylon.

Stoked for Stokes! The kid can play!

Amos was rock solid.

Lowry continues to have the best year of his career.

Gary was a menacing force.

Clark is playing at an elite level.

Good to see Mercilus making a quick impact. He will make a game changing play this year to help this team claim a victory.

Keke made his presence felt!

Rasul Douglas has proven to be a solid addition in two games. Thought he got hosed on the pass interference call.

Loved seeing Sullivan grab the pick.

This week - it’s the undefeated Cardinals. In Arizona. On a short week. With a COVID outbreak in the locker room.

The Cardinals are littered with weapons on offense. Murray is playing at an MVP level. Hopkins is as good as it gets at WR. Green looks youthful. Moore can fly. Kirk is dangerous after the catch. Edmonds is a talented receiver out of the backfield. Connor is a steady pound it between the tackles RB. Williams is a reliable option at TE.

Defensively, the Cardinals are spectacular. Golden, Jones, Watt and Hicks can all get to the QB. Simmons and Baker fly around the field. They’re weakness is at CB. But, with the Packers without Adams and Lazard, it’ll be hard to find a scenario in which they’ll be able to take advantage of that weakness. Hopefully, they’ll get MVS back.

If the Packers want any shot at the #1 seed heading into the playoffs, they must win this game.

Enter: Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. I’ve thought that they needed to be on the field more at the same time. Well, this week, it happens out of necessity. And, because of it, a new wrinkle is born. We see Jones as a pass catcher in motion. We see Dillon on the wheel route. The Packers work to get the ball into their RB’s hands in space. We see more Tonyan.

Winfree gets free for the Win? Just maybe. I had high hopes for him entering the season.

Murray can make mistakes. If pressured, he will occasionally force the ball downfield. The Packers must take advantage. Stokes makes the play!

It’ll be a grind. There will be many moments of frustration.

Could it be a hallmark regular season victory in the 2021 season? Like last hear in NO.

Clark, Preston, Mercilus, Gary and Lowry provide enough pressure to annoy Murray.

Together, LaFleur and Rodgers have had an uncanny ability to accomplish the unthinkable in the regular season.

Packers 27
Cardinals 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 7

Greetings, G-Force.

And, just like that, Aaron Rodgers has added a forever moment in the legendary rivalry between the Packers and Bears. For more than 100 years, these franchises have bashed heads. Last Sunday, we witnessed a moment that'll stand the test of time. "I still own you." Book it.

As I write, I listen to the Phish July 27, 2018 show from the Forum. I'm heading out to CA to see Phish at the Forum again this weekend. With that, I reminisce about a great night that I enjoyed at the famed indoor venue. I sip an Avery Kaiser. 'Tis the season for a Munich style big beer. This Imperial Oktoberfest clocks in at 8%. Yet, it's so smooth. A true favorite of mine this time of year.

My quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur got back to a little bit of his creative roots as the game wore on, but he started off the game looking like McCarthy's offense at the end of his time in Green Bay. Straight forward looks. Little motion. Bland. In return, his offense was stagnant. LaFleur introduced more motion and when he did, he saw better results. LaFleur's offense is based on deception. He must stick with his roots.

Aaron Rodgers wasn't in his MVP form. He missed some open throws. But, he gave us a moment of a lifetime. After rushing for a TD and getting clocked as he crossed the goal line, Rodgers showed us THE BELT. Then, we saw the classless Bears fans showing the middle finger in excessive fashion. In the end, "I still own you" will reign supreme. Forever. Damn it feels good to be a Packers fan.

Davante Adams. Straight butter. So smooth.

AJ Dillon is becoming a force in this offense.

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

Much respect, Lucas Patrick!

Aaron Jones. Elite. He defines Packers football. What's not to like about him? A great dude.

Marcedes Lewis!

Bobby Tonyan needs to get more involved in this offense. He's a solution in the Gold Zone!

This team will improve when MVS and Dafney return from the IR. Don't overlook Dafney's value to this team. He's a tremendous blocker.

Dean Lowry is playing the best football of his career.

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

Kenny Clark is playing at an All Pro Level.

Rasul Douglas might've been the MVP. Had Yiadom stayed in the game, the Bears might've dropped 40. When Douglas came in, there was a semblence of sanity to the defense.

Make the tackle, Jaylon Smith.

What a punt!

Whitney Mercilus! OH MERCY! But, Packers fans, check yourself. This isn't a suddenly new version of Brian Gutekunst. In 2018, he signed Breeland as an in-season player. In 2019, it was Veldheer. In 2020, it was Austin and Snacks. This is who Brian Gutekunst is.

This week - it's the WFT in Green Bay. There's absolutely no reason for the Packers to not go to 6-1.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet as I have to head out to the beach to go on vacation. Yes, I'm dreaming about my toes in the sand. A sip of tequila. A clear IPA. Fish tacos. Family and friends. A Phish show in Chula Vista and another in LA after a drive up the coast. That's where my head's at.

As for the Packers, control the line of scrimmage. Protect 12. Establish the run. Open up play action. Lazard snags a TD deep down the Field. WFT can cover GB. No chance.

And, for the Packers fans, make sure your piss is hot early in the morning. Keep it rowdy! Packers 30
WFT 20

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 6

Greetings, G-Force.

What an awkwardly thrilling victory! The Packers showed great perseverance, stamina and mental mettle as they gutted out the nail biting victory.

As I write, I sip a Joyride Experiment IPA #20. It’s odd to me that the clear IPA is seemingly a thing of the past. They’ve become cloudy or lightly malty. I prefer my IPA’s to be crisp and clear. This one delivers. In grand fashion. An instant favorite of mine. I listen to the Bob Marley “Kaya” album. It’s a chilly evening in CO, but reggae music warms the soul.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur is a play calling wizard. But, in Cincinnati, we witnessed a conservative approach that we haven’t seen in his 2+ years with him as Coach. Inside the Red Zone, we saw very little eye candy for the defense. With that, the offense stalled.

Aaron Rodgers. After the 1st Quarter, when he was given time, he was mostly accurate. He wasn’t seeing the Field in elite fashion, but he was safe with the football. He was efficient. He put the Packers in position to win.

Aaron Jones. Superstar. All hunger.

Davante Adams. An absolute weapon on offense.

This team needs to utilize Robert Tonyan in the Gold Zone. He’s the solution.

AJ Dillon is a tremendous pass catching RB. I didn’t see that coming.

The OL wasn’t as dominant as it’d been in recent weeks, but it was another gutty + impressive performance by this makeshift group.

Dean Lowry was fantastic!

Kenny Clark is playing at an All Pro level.

Dre Campbell!! Showing himself as a steal of a claim.

Stoked for Stokes! Another sound performance for the rookie.

Catch the ball, Savage. Like Amos did.

Nice to see Preston rushing up the Field rather than dropping in coverage this year.

Liked seeing Gary lining up over Center as a stand up rusher.

Barnes and Burks both showed burst blitzing the QB.

Can’t wait to see Jaylon Smith!

Hamilton is a high effort player on the edge. He’s a step slow and he plays 1/3 yard off the ball further than I wish he did, but I like his energy.

Slaton eats up blockers.

Marcedes Lewis brings tears to the eyes. So fun!

There were many moments of poor execution on offense. Felt like ESB and Deguara were often either out muscled or mentally out of sync.

Randall Cobb picking up 1st downs!

At some point the Packers are going to have to get the ball to Amari Rodgers when he’s in motion, just to keep the defense honest. Otherwise, he’s not even worth a look.

Liked the early screen to Hill, wish he’d be the eye candy jet sweep morion man rather than Amari. Feels like he’s more of a threat in the open field.

I like the Dunbar signing. Fairly remarkable to think that Gutekunst has added Smith, Douglas and Dunbar at this point in the season.

This week - it’s our hated neighbors to the South. The suddenly upstart Bears who have found new hope behind their rookie QB. With back-to-back impressive performances, the Bears appear to be vastly improved over what many thought they’d be in 2021.

The Bears play defense. They attack the football. They win the line of scrimmage. Hicks’ injury status is huge.

The Bears have injuries at RB. Like the Packers have injuries at CB. Expect the Bears to attack the Packers down the field opposite Stokes. Stokes is brimming with confidence. Across from him, Yiadom is not trusting his instincts. The Bears will look to beat Yiadom down the field.

I'd like to think that if the Packers can protect Rodgers, the reigning MVP will have a stellar day. He'll find Adams. He'll get Tonyan involved. He'll hit Lazard on a deep crossing route. The Bears don't have the depth at CB to cover GB.

Early in the game, the Packers find success running the football. It opens up play action. The Packers strike first.

But, the Bears hang around. Fields is efficient. He intelligently picks up 1st downs with his legs. He is accurate in the pocket as the Bears OL holds up. Let's hope the Packers defense finally holds the opposition out of the end zone in the Red Zone.

Offensively, the Packers finish drives. I've been begging for Tonyan. This week - again, I'm predicting it! Tonyan scores twice.

THE BEARS STILL SUCK!

Packers 27
Bears 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 5

Greetings, G-Force.

That was certainly fun. Lambeau Field was rowdy. The crowd was animated. The fans had a contagious energy. It was an environment that reminded me of a mid 90’s fan base. There was electricity radiating off the Stadium walls. I really hope ghat spirit remains throughout the 2021 Season. And beyond.

As I write, I sip a Spotted Cow. Tastes like home. Deliciously refreshing. Light. Goes down smoothly. Easy drinking. I’m listening to the Phish Shoreline Night 2 show. 9–1-21. I can’t get enough of the magic that happened over these two nights.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur. Animated. Love his sideline pizzazz. He’s a sideline spark plug.

Aaron Rodgers. He’s gaining confidence in his OL. He’s seeing the Field better. He wasn’t as accurate as we are accustomed to seeing him, but he’s leading the huddle + line of scrimmage in MVP. If Rodgers can find his accuracy, we might be witness to another riveting season on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensively, this team cannot afford any more injuries. The Za’Darius and Jaire injuries feel like they’re absolutely devastating blows to what we all hoped this season would become. I’m still holding out hope for both to come back. But, it doesn’t feel good.

AJ Dillon has been really impressive as a pass catcher. I also dig the way he lowers his body in short yardage situations. He finds the marker.

Aaron Jones as a pass catcher. He’s lethal. It gets him in space and allows him to use his elite vision.

Randall Cobb. Suddenly, the trade for Cobb looks like a brilliant decision. He was top flight on 3rd down. A 1st down magnet with a heart of gold desire to find the end zone.

Davante Adams looking like Michael Jackson on a dance floor with the ball in his hands.

Call them the Bully Boys! Runyan, Myers and Wild Man 70! They dominated the line of scrimmage in punishing fashion.

Thought Yosh played another dynamite game. He’s come of age.

Tonyan was close to a breakout game, but 12 missed his target on a number of big play opportunities.

Lazard’s physical play will never get old. He seeks contact.

Billy Turner is quietly having a monster season.

Kenny Clark was a mammoth man in the middle of the defense.

Stoked for Stokes! He plays with intelligence beyond his years!

Campbell continues to impress! He gets sideline to sideline.

Keke making a play! Shoutout!

Gary doesn’t load up the box score but he disrupts on more plays than he doesn’t. He plays with excellent energy.

Thought Preston played with great fight.

Jaylon Smith!!!! Excitement level on infinity. I legitimately thought that he had Hall of Fame traits in college. He was that dominant. He was as elite of a LB as I’ve seen in recent memory at the college level. He hasn’t been the same in the NFL, but there’s no question in my mind that he will bring Leadership and Intensity to the locker room. He will bring speed to the defense. He will want to hit people. I couldn’t be more excited about him being in Green Bay. A change of scenery might be really good for him. If he finds his stride, the Packers might’ve added an elite talent to the center of this defense.

Don’t overlook the Rasul Douglas signing. Here’s what I wrote on him before the 2017 NFL Draft and I still hold these feelings today: 16.) Rasul Douglas, WV. Round 4. I had him as a 2nd or 3rd round pick until he ran his 40. Thought he played faster than he timed, but we've learned that a 4.6 40 simply doesn't cut it on the perimeter in the NFL. So, Douglas probably translates to a Nickel CB. He played very well on the outside at the college level. Showed make-up speed on crossing routes. He was a ball magnet. Love his length and his ability to jam at the line.

This week - it’s the Bengals. In Cincy. The Bengals at 3-1 are one of the most impressive stories over the first 1/4 of the NFL Season.

For the Packers, they begin a tough 5 game stretch in which 4 of them will be on the road. If the Packers can somehow manage to go 3-2 over this stretch, they’ll be in prime position to make a run at a 3rd consecutive NFC NORTH crown.

Joe Burrow is whipping the ball all over the Field. He’s a commander in the huddle. He’s inspired excitement inside the organization. He has a ton of weapons as well. The Packers might catch a break if Mixon doesn’t play. Perine is extremely limited compared to Mixon. At WR; Boyd, Higgins and Chase, are stars on the rise. Speed and athleticism that destroys secondaries. They can get over the top and they’ll beat you on underneath routes.

This appears to be a really physical Bengals team. They may lack star power on defense but they play with speed, confusion and power. They attack the edges of the line of scrimmage. Trey Henricksen has developed into a dynamite force. Sam Hubbard plays with maximum effort. Ogunjobi and Reader play with a good quickness + power + effort combination. The Bengals front will challenge the Packers.

At LB, Pratt and Wilson are two ascending players. The Bengals have also revamped their secondary. Jessie Bates is All Pro material. He leaves his mark each and every week. Vonn Bell is a steadying force at Safety. Waynes, Awuzie and Apple are veteran CB’s, but they’re the wink link. If the Packers can give Rodgers time, he will have open receivers.

The Packers are going to have to be able to run the ball behind the heart of the young OL. Runyan, Myers and Wild Man 70 must be up for the task again. The run game will slow down the pressing Bengals defensive front.

I’d expect to see more of Jones and Dillon on the field at the same time. It gives LaFleur flexibility and another option to find ways to create chunk plays with MVS on IR. The Packers need down field options. Jones can be one when lined up against a LB.

I’m expecting a high scoring affair. Burrow will be in attack mode. He will sense blood in the water on this Packers defense. He will target Kevin King and Yiadom. He will find big plays down the field.

The Packers will seek efficiency. Extended drives. Converting on 3rd and short. Tonyan in the Gold Zone. Tonyan is so close to a breakout game.

The Bengals are going to have to slide coverages to Davante. They simply do not have the talent on the outside to cover him. If Bates can be taken away from the middle of the field, this is a major win for the Packers.

Burrow makes plays, but he’ll also occasionally miss his spot. I’m waiting for Savage to make a play. It happens late in this one to preserve victory.

Packers 31
Bengals 27

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 4

Greetings, G-Force.

After a highly tumultuous offseason, my Packers spirit needed a pick me up. It needed a moment of connectivity. The Sunday Night thriller has me feeling a sense of exhale.

As I write, I sip a 2014 Crooked Stave Origins. Burgundy Sour. Aged in Oak Barrels. A victory beer. I listen to the Phish Shoreline 9-1-21 show. I cannot get enough of that 2-night run, it was me mentally “Screaming Through Space!”

Here are my quick vibes from the last t week:

Matt LaFleur. His play design on the 2nd drive of the game was elite play calling. Schematic brilliance. LaFleur is always a competitor, but his demonstrative sideline presence showed how much he knew his team needed this victory.

Aaron Rodgers. That was the #12 that we saw last year. Calm. Cerebral. Seeing the Field. Patient in the pocket. An MVP performance.

Mason Crosby. $$$.

It didn’t work, but I loved LaFleur’s instincts to go for it up 10 on 4th and 1. He was craving a 3-score lead.

Allen Lazard volunteering to cover kickoffs after watching the kickoff return near the end of the first half is everything that’s is right about this team.

Stoked for Stokes! I thought the rookie played a great game. Two highly questionable Pass Interference calls against him didn’t detract from his performance. Stokes shows up in a Grateful Dead shirt in SF? Kid gets it.

Thought Campbell played really well. He attacked the SF stretch runs and never allowed them to take it upfield. He was the aggressor.

Gutekunst might’ve struck gold with the interior combination of Runyan, Myers and Wild Man 70. This might give the team the option of moving Jenkins to RT to solidify the OL for the future.

Yosh Nijman. I’ll never forget his performance. Legitimately unbelievable. He dominated Nick Bosa after the 1st series of the game.

Solid performance from the Defensive front. Clark was a beast. Lowry had a nice push. Slaton and Lancaster held the point. Gary and Preston were more disruptive than the box score suggests.

I’m starting to worry about Keke and his ability to play in the NFL. Had high hopes for him.

Don’t overlook Dominique Dafney being put on IR. Dafney has developed into a stellar blocker. He had clearly beaten out Jace Sternberger. He was a valuable versatile role player for this offense. He’s also a worthwhile special teams player. Hope he’s healthy soon!

This week - it’s the Steelers coming to Lambeau. It’ll be the first game that I will have attended in 2 years. Over the last 12 years, these two teams have had 4 epic battles. In 09, Big Ben won it at the end. In February of 11, XLV was given to us to enjoy forever. In 13, the Flynn threw incomplete on the last play of the game in the end zone and the Packers lost by 7. In 2017, the Steelers made a last second FG to claim victory. This year, it’s an early season this feels somewhat like as much of a must-win for both franchises as a 1st weekend of October could be. The Steelers are 1-2, with their backs against the wall. The Packers are 2-1, but it feels like they will need to win their home games in what appears to be an extremely difficult schedule.

The Steelers are a better team than their record suggests. They’re physical on defense. They have players who will force turnovers. They’ll win the line of scrimmage. On offense, they have playmakers all over the field. The Packers are going to have to find a way to get to Big Ben of this will be a rough day at Lambeau Field.

If the Steelers are getting Watt back from injury this week, the Packers are going to have to give Yosh help. Watt can destroy an offense, by himself. It'll be important for the Packers to keep him off balance. While Yosh was unbelievable last week, I find it tough to believe that he'll be able to mirror that performance in back-to-back weeks against elite EDGE rushers.

The Steelers have a dynamite starting combination of CB’s. They have no depth. Look for LaFleur and Rodgers to test that depth. With MVS being unlikely to play, the Packers will need someone else to be a presence over the top of the defense. I’ve had a hunch that ESB will get his opportunities to play the MVS role. He makes a play down the Field.

I’ve been waiting for Tonyan to have a big game. It happens this weekend.

Stoked for Stokes gets his first career interception.

Campbell and Kenny Clark are big in the run game.

Rodgers tosses 3 TD’s.

Once again, this game comes down the end. The defense gets the stop as Gary grabs a big sack.

Packers 27
Steelers 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Week 3

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

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

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

My Take -> Preseason Week 3

Greetings, G-Force.

The buzz is brewing. The vibes feel right. We will sit through 4 more exhibition Quarters until it gets real. Sit back. Relax. Take it all in. Live for the moment. While we have it.

As I write, I sip a Weldwerks Juicy Bits. Juicy IPA goodness. It’s beer sipping glory. I’m listening to the Phish 12/30/19 show. The Tweezer is a moment in time that I’ll cherish forever.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

LaFleur and Rodgers’ relationship is so good to watch. QB and Coach. Buddies. If I were in charge, I’d ensure that this tandem was guaranteed to be locked up together for the next 5 years. The key word being guaranteed. Offer the contract. Guarantee the money. 5 years.

AJ Dillon reminds of a young Eddie Lacy. Tackling him is a business decision. Aaron Jones has been susceptible to injury. Dillon should be able to eat up carries in order to help keep Jones fresh.

Kylin Hill’s quickness continues to impress. He’s become a legitimate candidate to be the gadget guy in this offense. Almost wildly, if Dillon shows that he can handle the workload, Aaron Jones might also be a candidate for the gadget role this year. Imagine how many eyes would be following Jones as he motioned. That’d create a whole world of possibilities.

Tip of the cap to Kurt Benkert. He slings it. A fearless competitor.

Question marks remain along the OL until Bakhtiari returns. If I were LaFleur, Lucas Patrick would be my Week 1 starting Guard and Newman would be battling Runyan for the other starting spot. From what I have seen — and it hasn’t been much — I’d give the nod to Runyan. I would not play Patrick in the game this weekend.

Based on what I’d read heading into the preseason games, I expected more from Ben Braden. I’ve been anxious to see more of Amari Rodgers wiggling his way through traffic. Braden’s whiff in the open field on a WR screen prevented that.

Was bummed to see Funchess and Redmond put on IR. Funchess flashed brightly. Thought he might add a fun dimension to the offense. While Redmond isn’t irreplaceable, he has been a core special teams player.

TJ Slaton just gave us a glimpse of dominance. A hope offering. This defense needs another presence in the middle. Hopefully, Slaton can play valuable snaps this year.

Have high hopes for Kabion Ento, but he showed himself as a poor tackler. Hadn’t seen that before. Worrisome!

Until I see Za’Darius on the Field, I won’t believe that his injury isn’t contract related.

This week - it’s the Bills at Buffalo. A MST Saturday am Matinee game.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Jordan Love. I hope the Packers OL performs better for him than they did in the first preseason game. I want to see Love whip it.

Look for Hill to get some work as a receiver out of the backfield.

Love will target Amari over the middle of the field on crossing routes.

Malik Taylor has a another good game.

Ento grabs an interception to earn himself a roster spot.

The Packers will likely rest all of their core players again, but this time they find victory.

Packers 27
Bills 23

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Preseason Week 2

Greetings, G-Force.

The preseason opener is in the books. Despite the play on the Field, Lambeau looked festive. The vibes were high. This team has confidence.

I sipped a New Glarus Scream IIPA tonight. So delicious. In my earbuds, I play Queen’s Greatest Hits. I haven’t dialed into this album in so long. It flows properly. Such a great listen.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers are legitimately football buddies.

Jordan Love looked better than I expected. No gimmicks to his game. Pocket passer. Can sling it.

I’ve thought this for a couple of years and I hope I’m proved wrong on this, but others think Amari Rodgers is better than I do.

The OL was embarrassingly bad. Expected so much more. I had wondered if Lucas Patrick might be on the bubble and whether his relationship with Rodgers might become a topic between him and Gutekunst on cutdown day. But, after the Week 1 preseason performance by this unit, it’s my belief that Patrick should be a lock. We know what we will get from him.

Funchess!! He must be on the team. He’s built differently.

Oren Burks! Yes, I know it was the 1st preseason game, but this defense is desperate for ILB depth, so I’ll take any bone I can get.

Kylin Hill! Kid can play. Showed great wiggle. An attention grabbing burst. Power to his legs. Worry about his ability to hold onto the footballs the ball looked loose to me, but his shake.

From a coaching perspective, the only thing you can remotely assess is special teams. Those units were putrid.

Chauncey Rivers grabbed my attention. Wonder if he has a shot to make a push at a roster spot.

Innis Gaines showed tremendous quickness. Missed an open field tackle, but he’s worth paying attention to.

Props to Kabion Ento. He looks like he can play. I want to see him as a gunner on special teams.

Shemar Jean-Charles has the confidence that is required to play in this League.

Henry Black can play in the NFL, me thinks.

Well done, Vernon Scott. Liked how he tossed his body around.

Zack Heflin made a Practice Squad worthy appearance.

This week - it’s the Jets at Lambeau. Looking forward to seeing Lambeau in the afternoon spot again. Even if it’s preseason. I'll be sitting on a couch next to Brotherman Vargas. Getting rowdy. When you think your team has a chance to be Super, you have to revel in each of the moments. I'm going to hold onto each tick of the 2021 Football clock as though it's precious and needs to be savored.

I’m going to be watching the OL closely again. The Packers need some of this young talent to show well.

I expect the Packers OL to rebound in strong fashion. They dominate the line of scrimmage. Kylin Hill bursts through!

I’m going to watch the secondary with heavy intent. This team looks stacked with secondary depth. I expect them to grab two interceptions.

Kurt Benkert can sling it. He’s fearless this weekend. He makes mistakes. He also finds the end zone.

Packers 23
Jets 20

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Preseason Week 1

Greetings, G-Force.

The 2021 NFL Season is upon us. It is firmly a Super Bowl or Bust year for the Green Bay Packers. The team has an abundance of expiring contracts and clearly, this will be the final hurrah for this cast of players. It’ll be impossible to afford everyone without the majority of them taking significant pay cuts to play together. The vibrancy of this group of players has been sensational. Now, it's time to finish this run off with a ring!

As I write, I listen to the Goose “Alive and Well” album. I sip a Green Flash West Coast IPA. Lately, it’s been my most sipped hop.

My quick vibes heading into the preseason opener:

I’m unbelievably baffled with how much Gutekunst + Murphy have butchered the Rodgers communication issues. I am not going to get into all the details, but I hope they can remedy all of the issues in time for Rodgers to sign a lengthy contract extension after the Season. I know that there will eventually be a Packers team that is led by someone other than Aaron Rodgers. I’m just not ready for the rebuilding years quite yet. Not when you have the opportunity to have a 3x MVP, sure-fire 1st ballot Hall of Fame QB commanding the huddle. The quickest path to sustained success is to have #12 under center. And, I'd rather have Rodgers under center for 1-year too many. Case in point: look at the Saints last year. Drew Brees was done. But, he was still a Jared Cook fumble away from likely playing in the NFC Championship.

I wasn’t sure what the buzz would be around 1265 Lombardi Ave this year, but from the outside, it certainly appears as though the energy inside the Locker Room is high. The team seems to possess the right spirit. I worry about the lingering Za’Darius Smith injury and wonder if it’s possibly tied to a non-existent future contract. Maybe? But, other than that, everything appears to be bright.

Here are the top 5 things I’m most excited to watch in preseason:

5.) I don’t know if Jordan Love will be a good QB. But, I really enjoy the way he handles himself with a mic in front of him. I’m curious to see how he plays in live action.

4.) The Packers need their DL to be much improved. They were often sieve-like against the run game last year. Kingsley Keke has to take the next step. Dean Lowry must find his form. TJ Slaton is one to pay close attention to over the preseason. He has to be game ready to start the year.

3.) The Packers ILB play has been inconsistent for many years. Krys Barnes gave us glimpses of hope. He’s supposedly trimmed weight and expects to be quicker this year. DeVondre Campbell had been a solid contributor for the Falcons in the past. Can he fit the bill and bring stability to the position? Can Kamal Martin stay healthy and make an impact?

2.) The return game. Will it be Randall Cobb or Amari Rodgers returning punts? Who will win the Kickoff Return duties? Can Kylin Hill play the role? The Packers must have a better return game this year than they did over the course of the last two years, with the exception of a couple of positive Tyler Ervin moments.

1.) If the Packers are going to be Super this year, the depth in the secondary is going to have to be Super. Kevin King has proven to be unreliable from a health perspective. Josh Jackson hasn’t been good enough. Kabion Ento has been someone who has intrigued me in the past. He’s healthy and ready to make a push for a roster spot. Keep your eye on him. I’m eager to see Eric Stokes with the Packers “G” on his helmet. I’m hoping that he can be a reliable fill-in across Jaire if Kevin King is unfit to play. Shemar Jean-Charles is someone that my good friend and NFL Draft fanatic, Craig Forrestal, has spoken highly of prior to the Draft. He swears that Jean-Charles will make an impact on this team. When he speaks, I listen.

This week it’s the Texans to start the 2021 preseason. At Lambeau Field. I can't wait to see a packed stadium through the TV.

Expect Jordan Love to get the first 3 quarters of play. LaFleur will make it easy for him early. Look for play action, Love rolling right and Tonyan open in the flat. I anticipate that Love will mostly show well. He will show his mobility. He will also show his arm strength. My guess is that we will also see that he’s prone to mistakes.

I’m looking forward to seeing how LaFleur uses Kylin Hill. Hill seems to fit the LaFleur offense. In many ways, his college style reminded me of Jamaal Williams. With a little more flash. He was a tough runner with soft hands. I would like to see Hill on a wheel route. My guess is that Love will dump off to Hill multiple times.

Patrick Taylor was a fun player to watch in college. He was a tough runner with a nose for the end zone. He couldn't be arm tackled. He was a solid one-cut runner.

Devin Funchess knows he needs to have a big preseason to make the roster. Davante, Cobb, MVS, Lazard and Amari are locks. Now, he's injured. If he can play, I expect Funchess to be see a lot of action in the preseason. There’s no reason for him to not be a dominant force.

Juwann Winfree has received heightened praise for his play in camp. I was really excited to watch him. Bummed he's injured. It should have been his time to shine under the lights this week.

The Packers have made heavy investments in the OL over the last 2 off-seasons. They’re rich with depth. The competition will be heavy. They’ll be bringing out the best in each other. Expect the Packers OL to dominate the line of scrimmage throughout the preseason opener. They’ll be putting Love in a position to shine. They’ll open up holes for RB’s to burst through as well. I want to see them creating space for Patrick Taylor and Kylin Hill. On the current roster, I'd imagine that the Packers have a minimum of 12 OL that will be on rosters this year: David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, Dennis Kelly, Elgton Jenkins, John Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Lucas Patrick, Ben Braden, Royce Newman, Billy Turner and Cole Van Lanen. At cut-down time, look for one of them to get traded for a pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Kabion Ento grabs an interception on a deep ball.

The Packers win this one handily.

Packers 27
Texans 13

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> Packers Centric Mock Draft

Greetings, G-Force.

I hope you’re happy, healthy and vaccinated. I’m ready to get back to living the life I enjoy living. I hope you are, too.

As I write, I sip Suavecito Anejo. Salted rim. On ice. I listen to the Dirty Heads self titled album. I absolutely love this album. Definitely my most listened to album over the last 4 years or so.

While raising two kids and running a business in a pandemic, I haven’t had spare time to indulge as deeply in my NFL Draft hobby. So, my draft preparation is at a serious low.

Nonetheless, I thought I’d take a stab at a Packers centric mock draft. Here goes:

Round 1 - Zaven Collins, ILB, Tulsa. My ideal choice is Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama. The Packers desperately need an addition to the DL. It’s not a deep DL class, so the Packers must address DL early on. Barmore is the best in this years class. But, unfortunately, I don’t think he will be available. So, I choose Collins. Collins has tremendous burst to the football. Reads and recognizes the play. Terrific skills in coverage. Talented blitzed. Sheds blocks and diagnoses plays. Chance to be a high impact starter for a long time. Plays with high end athleticism.

Others I considered: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State; Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama; Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern; Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech; Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota.

Round 2 - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue. Moore is a fit for the LaFleur offense. He’s also a return weapon. It’s my belief that the Packers need a gadget WR more than a perimeter WR right now. Moore would be an entertaining addition to this roster.

Others I considered: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State; Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa; Asante Samuel, CB, FSU; Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse; Quinn Meinerz, C, UW Whitewater; Pete Werner, ILB, Ohio State; Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State; Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama; Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington.

Round 3 - Alim McNeil, DL, NC State. High effort player. Showed decent pass rush skills along with being talented in the run game. Had good production. Big body. Decent quickness.

Others I considered: Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA; Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas; Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF; Wyatt Davis, OT, Ohio State; Jackson Carman, OG, Clemson; Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina.

Round 4 - Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan. Like his versatility. Has ability to play in the slot and on the outside. Plays with intelligence. Willing tackler. Also brings return skills.

Round 4 - Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota. St-Juste has length. He uses his body well. He brings a turn and run style of play to the table. He looks like he could be molded into a quality CB.

Others I considered: Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson; Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina; Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan; D’wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan; Emerson Smith, EDGE, Northern Iowa; Derrick Barnes, ILB, Purdue.

Round 5 - Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame. I’ve long enjoyed his game. Exceptional length. Great personality. Would fit the locker room. Smiling personality off the field, intense in the field. Could step in and immediately help the defense as a rotational player.

Round 5 - Brenden Jaimes, OT, Nebraska. Has experience at both RT and LT. Great athlete. Moves well. Slides and jabs. Potential to start on Day 1. Competitive mentality. Frame to add muscle. Dig his game.

Others I considered: Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA; Javan Hawkins, RB, Louisville; Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State; Jamie’s Sherwood, S, Auburn; Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa; Ta’Quon Graham, DL, Texas; Damar Hamlin, CB, Pitt; Paddy Fisher, ILB, Northwestern; Tony Fields, ILB, WVU; Errol Thompson, ILB, Mississippi State

Round 6 - KJ Britt, ILB, Auburn. Had a great Senior Bowl. Showed his strength. Plays with pizazz. Good physicality. Fearless tackler. Would instantly help special teams units.

Round 6 - Thomas Graham Jr, CB, Oregon. Tough, spunky, playmaking CB. Plays with personality. Confident. Plays tougher than his size presents. Likes to be challenged. Plays with desired CB mentality.

Others I considered: Trill Williams, S/CB, Syracuse; Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State; Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame; Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forrest; Justin Hilliard, ILB, Ohio State; Keith Taylor, CB, Washington; Tre Norwood, CB, Oklahoma; Lorenzo Neal, DT, Purdue.

Round 7 - Jonathon Cooper, EDGE, Ohio State. I really like his upside. At times, he absolutely dominated. Other times, he disappeared. I loved his effort in the BCS semifinals. He was hungry. He was nonexistent in the championship though, but as a potential R7 prospect, I’ll take a shot.

Others I considered: Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville; Ben Mason, FB, Michigan; Justin Raine, FB, Northwestern; John Bates, TE, Boise State; Hunter Long, TE, Boston College; Adrian Ealy, OG, Oklahoma.

My focus was on continuing to build up the defense. The Packers must add talent to the DL. The Packers must add depth to the CB position. The Packers must add athleticism at ILB. The Packers must add talent at OT. The Packers must add a gadget WR.

Gutekunst is loaded with 10 picks. He has tight salary cap restrictions ahead of him. He must hit on draft picks this year to load up the roster with players on their first contracts. I have faith.

Go Pack Go!

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

My Take -> NFC Championship

Greetings, G-Force.

The buzz is real. The hype is legit. The Lambeau Field sensation could be felt through the TV screen. If you were in attendance, thank you! There was undoubtedly a spirited home field advantage in effect. The Packers bottled the fans gifted energy and channeled it into physical dominance on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Cherish these days. Please. Savor them.

As I write, I casually sip a 2015 Avery Czar. This is arguably my favorite beer that’s ever been crafted. I’m bummed that Avery stopped making it. 10.4%. So smooth. A total delight. I listen to Lil’ Wayne’s Green and Yellow. The 2021 version. On repeat. Don’t underestimate the fierce power that this song brings to the Packers locker room.

Here are my quick vibes from the last week:

The Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers embrace before Kickoff gave me assurance that this team was dialed in and ready to stick it to the Rams.

A masterful performance by LaFleur. Loved his use of the RB’s. Enjoyed seeing Dillon and Jones on the field at the same time and then pounding away with Williams in short yardage.

Aaron Rodgers. 23-36. 296 yards. 2 TD’s. 0 interceptions. Just another day at the office for Rodgers. He was in complete control. Other than the two risky throws before halftime, the 2nd down Gold Zone throw to MVS in the 1st Quarter and the miss on the deep ball to MVS, he was exceptional.

Kenny Clark. He might not always dominate, but when he does he’s as forceful as any DT in the game. He dictated the line of scrimmage throughout the game.

Rashan Gary is quickly becoming an elite EDGE player. A difference maker. He’s playing with tremendous burst. His in-game recognition has improved. He overwhelms Tackles.

Jaire Alexander is playing a shutdown style of CB that I’ve never witnessed in a Packers uniform.

Za’Darius Smith is a sensational interior pass rusher on 3rd down. I love the way he uses his eyes to seek out a gap for a free lane. “I'm screamin', "9-2" and that's for life. That's for Reverend Reggie White, rest in paradise. Coach Carter, boy, I'm feelin' like Matt tonight. I feel like number fifty-five, you gettin' sacked tonight.” This Lil’ Wayne tune speaks to me.

Preston Smith wasn’t a dominant pass rusher, but he was disruptive. He had two tipped passes to get them off the Field and he was stellar in run defense in short yardage situations. I was wondering if Johnny Jolly was the last Packer to have two passes defensed at the line of scrimmage. I didn’t have the time to research it, but it felt like it’s been a long time. Smith was active.

Elgton Jenkins frustrated Aaron Donald into oblivion. Jenkins is a superstar.

I am stunned at how good Billy Turner is playing at LT. He’s been a star for this team.

Ricky Wagner has been an unsung hero for this team in recent weeks. A quietly rock solid signing by Gutekunst.

Simply put, Davante Adams is the best route runner in the NFL. He made Jalen Ramsey look mediocre.

Rodgers with the free play to ESB. It’s like cheesecake on a hot plate.

Shout out to Chandon Sullivan for rocking the fro. Dug his hair dropping from the back of his helmet.

Dean Lowry played with the strength of a bull. He was a force collapsing the pocket.

If you’ve been following along in the blog this year, you know my infatuation with LaFleur as a play caller. He’s constantly showing things on tape to set something up for the future. With 7:00 to play and the Packers leading by 7, it appeared as though the Packers would try to run the ball on 2nd and 6. Lazard came in motion. Lazard is a stellar blocking WR and the Packers love to run to his side of the Field. This has seemingly been a run to Lazard’s side of the Field all year long. Not this time. Play action. Perfectly executed. 58 yards and a Wayne Larrivee style dagger! That’s coaching, yo!

MVS looked as good as ever with the ball in his hands after the catch.

Worth mentioning again: Lazard was a disappointment until the unbelievably crafted play design that led to his deep ball TD off play action. Credit to LaFleur and Rodgers for going back to him.

On passing downs, I enjoy seeing Clark and Gary lined up together on one side and the Smith Bros. on the other. Both seem to compliment one another. They read each other well. The Clark and Gary stunts were lethal!

Aaron Jones had a spark to his step and a punch to his stiff arm. I was stoked to see him earn that 3rd Quarter TD. “Give the ball to Aaron Jones, let him run it down their throat. Touchdown! Glasses on, Lambeau Leap in the front row.” His balance amazes me.

The motion on the play design on the Adams TD was play calling brilliance.

Rodgers eluding Donald’s rush and connecting with Tonyan to help grab 3 points before the half was a thing of beauty. Gives me all of the goosebumps.

T-Mon!! The ageless wonder. Thrilled to have him back!!

Major shoutout to Ted Thompson. Rest peacefully. Thank you for the memories, TT! He belongs in Canton and I hope it’s a combination of Brian Gutekunst and John Schneider delivering his induction ceremony speech. This team has his fingerprints all over it.

This week - it’s the Buccaneers at Lambeau. For all of the marbles in the NFC. Throughout Rodgers’ career as a starting QB, they’ve craved the opportunity to host this game. This Sunday, they will.

I don’t love the way the Packers match up with the Bucs. But, things that I don’t think the media is considering:

* just how dramatic of a shift the weather will be for TB. If you’re not used to cold weather, frigid temperatures can dwarf muscular prowess. The Bucs might be the more physical team, but they aren’t accustomed to sub 30 degree temperatures.

* the Lambeau Gods at some point will play a part. Often there is a magnetic force that exists within the Stadium. You can’t see it, but you can certainly feel it. Spirits exist. And, I have zero doubt that the ghost of Ted Thompson will have an impact on the game this weekend.

* the Lil’ Wayne hype. This song brings intensity. It’ll bring a lively aura to both the locker room and the sideline. It intimidates.

Those are real, living factors that will help shift the game into the Packers favor.

My #1 fear heading into this game is not Tom Brady. It’s not any of the terrific receiving options that Brady whips the ball to. It’s not the Buccaneers suffocating defense. My biggest fear is Mike Pettine dropping into zone coverage. Tom Brady will destroy Pettine’s zone defense. He will make it look too easy. Brady will pick it apart. Pettine should stay in man coverage every single play. Don’t try to beat Brady by confusing him. He’s seen it all. Beat him by being more physical than him and his WR’s.

This is a legacy game for Aaron Rodgers. This is a legacy game for the Green Bay Packers franchise. When I reflect on Rodgers’ career, he has mostly played well in legacy games. I view his legacy games as 2010 vs Atlanta, Chicago and Pittsburgh. The 2010 and 2013 Regular Season Finale's against the Bears. 2011 against the Giants. 2014 against Dallas and Seattle. 2019 against Seattle. 2020 against the Rams. And, now this. I don’t consider the NFCCG of 2016 and 2019 as legacy games. The Packers were outmatched in those games. They were far superior teams than the Packers. That does not apply to this game. The Packers roster is built to win this game. Rodgers has to be the best player on the Field. That’s not a statistical comment either. He has to be the best decision maker at the line of scrimmage as both QB’s will have equal reign. Rodgers has to be exceptional on 3rd down. Rodgers has to be perfect in the Gold Zone. When it’s all said and done, to this point, we will remember this game more than any other that he’s played at Lambeau Field.

Rodgers has been walking with a balanced qi. He’s playing in control. He’s lived his life to play this game. His attitude for gratitude approach has positioned him to play his best brand of football this week. The game will not be too big for him.

The Packers OL has played great football throughout the course of the year. Except for when they played Tampa earlier in the year. This is a revenge game for them. I have full conviction that they’ll show up.

The Bucs are ridiculously talented. On a warm sunny day with a soft field, it’s be hard to bet against them. But in freezing temperatures with a wet turf, how will they perform? How frequently have Mike Evans, Ronald Jones, Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, and Devin White walked in sub 30 degree temperatures over the last 10 years of their life? That chill is real. I imagine that they’ll be impacted. They’ll be worried about the weather. Advantage: Packers.

Look for Linsley, Patrick and Jenkins to deliver a knuckles wide punch to the guts of Suh early on. They’ll try to get in his head, like they did Donald last week. They’ll be body guards for their soon-to-be 3-time MVP QB.

Billy Turner stands tall, but gets low to win the leverage battle. Turner v JPP is a major matchup. Turner has been a super stud for the Packers. He’s been reliable. A sneaky strong move by Gutekunst. Turner has outplayed his hefty contract and is playing as though he’s getting paid as a bargain. Turner rises to the occasion in the biggest game of his career. Turner protects Rodgers’ backside with solid form.

Davante Adams was frustrated in the regular season match-up. The Bucs will scheme to try to take him away. They’ll trust that their physical prowess can slow the run game and they’ll work to eliminate Adams with double teams. Rodgers and LaFleur will successfully find ways to get the ball to him. Look for Adams down the sideline on a double move for a big play.

The Packers will try to get chunk plays this weekend. I fully expect to see Tonyan, Adams and MVS to all have receptions north of 20 yards. Don’t be surprised if the Packers spread Jones out wide as well and take a shot to him in the passing game down the Field as well.

MVS is from the Tampa area. He grew up a Bucs fan. Last week, I felt Lazard would make the big play. This week, it’s MVS. Vibes up, MVS! Make the play! He’ll have an opportunity early on to take the top off the Field. LaFleur will try to slow down the Bucs front with the run game and an early play-action shot. MVS delivers!

There’s a possibility that Aaron Jones will be playing his last game as a Packer at Lambeau Field this week. After reportedly turning down a contract that would put him in the top-5 most paid RB’s in the league, Jones will be treasuring this moment. Jones will be playing without demons and with his Father’s military mindset. Tough as nails, wiping his bling “G” chain clean after rummaging his way into the end zone. Jones is a quiet assassin. You know he heard Devin White’s words loud and clear after the last match up. Jones has a point to prove. He will be ready.

Again, LaFleur turns to Williams on 3rd and short. Again, Williams powers forward and moves the sticks.

I’ve been begging for Kevin King to make a play for most of the year. In the words of the late Kevin Greene to Clay Matthews during the Super Bowl XLV win over Pittsburgh: “It is time.” King will unquestionably be tested by Brady. King will be targeted. King must be up for the challenge.

Pettine says that he’ll be dialing up his fast ball for Brady. Pettine’s fastball is a 4-man rush. Man coverage in back. I have to believe that he stays out of zone defense for the vast majority of the game. There’s no such thing as confusing Tom Brady. The Packers have to pressure Brady with muscle. You know that Brady won’t be moving off of his spot. Collapse the interior of the pocket. Once again, Preston Smith gets his hands in the air to disrupt the passing zone.

Barnes and Kirksey will be mightily tested over the middle of the field. In both the run and pass game. Earlier in the year, ILB was a weakness for this defense. But, over the last 4-6 weeks, it's been a position of strength. Kirksey and Barnes must be up to the task. Brady will test them with Brate and Gronkowski in the passing game. Arians will run Fournette and Jones up the gut to see if they're fit for the task. Barnes struggled to tackle with the injured thumb last week. He'll have to be better this week.

If the defense can hold Tampa to less than 30, I think the Packers will win the game. I have to imagine that – in the back of his head - LaFleur has been devising a game plan for this game since October. The Packers offense will be in attack mode. There will be motion and deception all over the Field pre-snap. LaFleur will be aiming to confuse the Tampa defense all game.

Win it for Ted! And, Ted, any help that you can give from the Heavens is much appreciated. And, it’ll be recognized. Trust in that, just like we Trusted in Ted for more than a decade. The ghosts of Lambeau give the Packers the necessary jolt needed to push this team kinetically forward.

Packers 31
Buccaneers 27

The Packers are going to the Super Bowl!

Go Pack Go!

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