Greetings, G-Force.
4-5-1. 1-3 in the season defining 5-game stretch. Still winless on the road after another gut wrenching loss. Now, in order to make the playoffs, the Packers will likely need to win out. Yes, it’s possible that a 9-6-1 could sneak the Packers into the playoffs if things fall right as we scoreboard watch, but it’s highly unlikely.
As I write, I intensely listen to the Rolling Stones "Flashpoint" album. The Factory Girl on this album is on fleek. So is the Paint It Black. If you haven't listened to it recently, vibe in. You'll enjoy.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
I'm thankful for each of my readers. I'm thankful for the likes, the shares, the RT's, the comments. I'm thankful that you read and that you let me know that you did. It keeps me going. Even when the team is playing bad football.
I'm thankful that I'm born and raised in Green Bay, WI. I'm happy to be a Packers fan. I love Titletown, U.S.A. Even when my team is 4-5-1, I promise to watch, to cheer and to carry on with heavy faith in the future of the franchise. I'm a believer in the past, the present and the future. Even when I know that I have my Packers blinders on. I'm emotionally vested and I'll always root with optimism.
Plainly stated, Pete Carroll outcoached Mike McCarthy. It was painful. The Packers were the far superior team. But, the difference in the game was QB play and coaching. Seattle kept running the ball. Green Bay did not. Russell Wilson was clutch in the last 20 minutes of the game. Aaron Rodgers was not.
With the season slowly faltering directly in front of our eyes, Aaron Rodgers horrendously missed a 2-yard pass that would’ve extended the drive.
There were 9 minutes to play. The Packers were 12 yards from paydirt. Leading 21-20. It was 3rd and 5. Aaron Jones was wide open over the middle of the field. Aaron Rodgers never saw him. And, thus, Rodgers took a miserable sack.
Before the season, I thought the Packers would finish 9-7. At present, it looks like I’ve over projected. But, there's a lot of football left and I'm bullish on the way this team will finish the season.
If I’m Gutekunst, I demand a meeting with McCarthy and Murphy. I pound the table. I firmly request that Tonyan sees all of Kendricks’ snaps. I want to see what we have in this kid. He might be special.
I’m crazy, yes, but I still have faith that this team is going to turn it around. Throughout their careers, Rodgers and MM have almost always got the last laugh in the regular season. I’m banking on that happening again in 2018.
For those wanting to talk about Mike McCarthy's pending exit, there will be a time for that. That time is not now. For now, I focus on the Packers making a playoff run. And, when people ask me what I want in the remainder of the season, my reply is fairly simple. I'd like to see the NFC rankings go like this: 1.) Rams 2.) Saints 3.) Bears 4.) Redskins 5.) Packers 6.) Panthers. In the Wild Card, the Packers beat Washington and Chicago beats Carolina. The Packers beat the Rams and the Bears beat the Saints. The Packers flash trump card in Soldier Field, once again. The Packers play in the Super Bowl. Pipe dream? Undoubtedly. But, as long as there is a chance, I'll hold onto belief. I'm ready to enjoy this ride. One game at a time.
Kyler Fackrell! Wow! Where did that burst come from? He was a man on a mission. Hopefully, he can continue to play with purpose and to be a pass rushing demon.
Loved the Clay Matthews forced fumble. It was the exact thing that the Packers needed to start the game. It was fun to watch the Packers capitalize on the turnover as well.
Is Kumerow going to be activated?! You know that Rodgers is fired up about that possibility! If Kumerow plays, he will be targeted!!
Mettle is my favorite word in the direction. Mike McCarthy has displayed tremendous mental mettle throughout his career in the regular season. His teams have always handled adversity well. I'm confident that this team will finish the season with authority.
The Packers secondary has been in position to make plays, but their either not turning their head around or they are a half step late. Josh Jackson especially. He's really close to hauling in an interception. I think it happens this week.
With Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, the Packers have premier players at RB and WR. With ESB, MVS, Cobb, Kumerow and Williams, the Packers have great depth at both positions as well.
Well done, Trevor Davis. You got screwed on the long kickoff return. That was not a hold.
Not to gripe on the officiating, but how do you overturn that catch on the sideline? David Moore didn't even think he caught it. His body language told it all. Game changing call by the officials.
I loved when the Packers got Jones involved in the passing game to close the 2nd Quarter. Where was that in the second half? Rodgers has to look at his check downs. They're wide open!
Davante Adams. Total stallion.
Robert Tonyan. BOBBY!
Without Mike Daniels, our DL depth is razor thin. Expect all opponents to do exactly what Seattle did against us. They'll pound it right at the teeth of our defense. Time of Antonio Morrison to step up in the run game. He can stack and shed at ILB. He'll need to play a major role in the defense without Daniels. It's also time for Montravious Adams to step up and take advantage of his opportunity. Seize the moment, Adams!
MVS needs more than 3 targets a game.
The play design on the opening drive was fantastic. It had disguise. It had misdirection. It had motion. Then, it went back to the same old, same old deep ball.
Had Rodgers hit Adams in stride on the first deep ball, it'd have been a TD. Instead, the throw was a little behind him and because of it, Adams could not make a play after the catch.
Great grab, ESB!
Tony Brown has limited talents, but I love his fight and his confidence. He was put in a tough spot. He played well.
This team needs Breeland and King healthy. Badly. I want to see this secondary with Breeland, King and Jaire at CB.
This week - the board fell different than past weeks in my weekly Fanspeak Mock Draft. I was surprised that Greedy Williams was around with my 1st pick in the 1st round, so I had to grab him. I also went DL earlier than I would've preferred, but Derrick Brown was around in Round 2, so I couldn't pass him up. Because of it, my EDGE defenders are different than what I've been targeting on a weekly basis. Here's what I ended up with:
Round 1a.) Greedy Williams, CB, LSU.
Round 1b.) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2.) Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn.
Round 3.) Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan.
Round 4a.) Yodny Cajuste, OT, Dub-V.
Round 4b.) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 5.) Max Scharping, OT, NIU.
Round 6a.) Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming.
Round 6b.) Lukas Denis, S, Boston College.
Round 7.) Sheldrick Redwine, S, []_[].
This week - it's the 'queens. In Minnesota. On Sunday Night. When we last walked into this Dome, the Packers were 4-1 coming off of a season that fell one game short of the Super Bowl. The vibes around the Franchise were overwhelmingly optimistic. Rodgers went down and ever since then, the Franchise's buzz has been spiraling down hill. Well, "the roller coaster has to roll to the bottom before it climbs to the top again" and I can't think of a better place to reenergize this franchise than to find a win in the building that started this nasty state of mind.
We know them. They know us. When we played earlier in the year, Minnesota threw the ball 48 times and ran it 18 times. The 'queens would be crazy to only run the ball 18 times this week. In fact, I believe that the team that rushes the ball for more yards this weekend will win the game. I don't envision a scenario in which the Packers can stop Minnesota's run game. The DL is too depleted. The only thing that will stop Minnesota's run game is their impatience. Thankfully, I believe that Minnesota will try to throw the football. They'll look to Diggs deep down the field. They'll target Thielen on slants and ten-yard in-routes. They'll try to get the ball to Rudolph in the flat. They'll want to find Cook and Murray on swing passes. And, Cousins will make a mistake.
I really believe that Josh Jackson will have an interception this week.
McCarthy must stay patient with the run game. Big plays can happen at the teeth of the Minnesota defense. If you try to win with speed to the edge, the queens LB's are too fast. You have to attack run between the tackles. Win the trenches.
And, Rodgers has to look at the crossing route. It'll be open. Behind the LB and in front of the safety.
With Rhodes likely marking Adams all day, MVS will be a speed mismatch for Trae Waynes. Waynes cannot keep up with MVS. And, Waynes is susceptible to either giving up the big play on the deep ball or to being called for pass interference. I'd target him early.
The Packers have to finish in the Red Zone and Rodgers has to focus on three step drops on 3rd down.
This has the makings of a thriller!
Packers 31.
queens 27.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Thursday, November 15, 2018
My Take -> Week 11
Greetings, G-Force.
4-4-1. 1-2 in the season defining 5-game stretch. Firmly in position to make our push in both the NFC North and the Wild Card race. Really, when it’s all said and done, it feels like this will be the outlining week when describing the 2018 Green Bay Packers. With the win over the Fins, the Packers improved to 4-0-1 at home. On the road, the Packers are 0-4. And, now, the Packers travel to Seattle, which has been a house of horrors for our great franchise. Making matters even more complicated, the Packers travel on a short week to play in the Pacific Northwest.
When life needs a pick me up, I listen to Michael Franti. Right now, I'm vibing into his new tune, "Stay Human 2" and it hits home.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Yes, an aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. But, McCarthy has to keep his wits with him. He should be most concerned with the down and distance coupled with the situation at hand. There was no reason to go for it on 4th and 2. Punt the ball. Play field position. Don’t let the opposition in the game. There’s a difference between being aggressive and being intelligent.
It was an absolute treat to see the Packers converting Red Zone opportunities into TD’s.
The Packers backs were against the wall. In return, the Packers based the majority of their offense around Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. The results were unsurprisingly splendid. It offers optimism for the future.
Aaron Jones is a flat-out superstar. A gem of a runner. His burst, his leverage and his toughness are an extremely unique combination. He has to continue to get a minimum of 15 carries and ideally, he’ll get 20 per game. He’s a true difference maker.
Breeland and Jostling Jaire bring an attitude that accompanies winning football. They’re confident. They’re physical. They’re tough. They break on the football.
Mad props to Raven Greene! The sack was awesome! The fake punt was thrilling. I loved how he broke on the ball near the goal line. He needs to hang onto the football, but still, it was a great treat to see him in position to make a play.
Tony Brown continues to play with a confident swagger to his step. He’s an intense mind. A weaker character would be defeated with his boneheaded plays in past weeks. Not Brown. He mans up and fearlessly sticks his nose into each play.
Looking around the secondary, we feel way more athletic with Josh Jones, Breeland, TMon, Jostling Jaire and Greene manning the back end of our defense.
Toughen up, Josh Jackson. Don’t grab. Tackle! I keep waiting for him to make a game changing play. He’s been close. He’s yet to finish.
Oren Burks is a bulldog on special teams. I want to see him coming on inside blitzes.
Again, Kyler Fackrell deserves props. Crucial third down sack. He’s dropping into coverage. He’s playing his best football as a Packer.
Kenny Clark. All Pro. Synonymous.
Breeland with the pick!
Save three plays and this was a mostly impressive performance! Take away the TMon fumble, the blocked punt and the decision to go for it on 4th and 2 in the 2nd Quarter. Other than those moments, this team felt a little different than other games this year. Sure, Rodgers still missed throws. Yes, Rodgers took a sack to knock us out of FG range. Yes, the tackling could’ve been better. But, overall, the team looked faster, better prepared and more efficient than we have all year.
Imagine this defense with two EDGE rushers? Pettine is doing wonders with a severe lack of pass rushing talent. Still, somehow, this team notched 6 sacks. It was very cool to see Jaire calling Pettine the best DC that he’s ever been around.
Corey Linsley was a stud. He consistently got to the second level. He ate up defenders and took out multiple players on a number of Jones’ big runs.
A gutty performance by Byron Bell. He played through pain and again, he stepped up on the interior of the OL.
Another really solid day for MVS. It’s clear that defenses are shifting a safety over the top to help track MVS on the deep ball. Once again, his hands were money. Instead of targeting him deep down the field, they targeted him underneath the sticks to keep the defense honest. In return, look for a wheel route
Wins cure all. It’s time to build a little momentum. It’s time for Rodgers to get in a quick release rhythm. It’s time for the defense to continue to force turnovers.
It’s easy to be a leader when things are going smoothly. It’s tough to lead when it feels like things are falling apart. I’m not being the body language police, but it feels as though MM is grumpy. I want the fiery MM. The motivating MM. The MM that has consistently had his team playing fantastic football as the weather changes. I’m hoping that this victory continues to swing the vibes at 1265 back to full out positivity.
There’s a lot to like about this team. I like our OL. I like 12. I like Jones. Williams is a solid back up RB. I like Adams, Cobb, MVS and ESB. I like Graham in the Red Zone. I like Daniels and Clark. Lowry is a solid rotational DL, too. I like Martinez and OB. I like Jaire and Breeland. When healthy, I like King. I like TMon. Greene and Brown offer a sparkling personality. Josh Jackson has had good moments. I like Crosby. I like Scott. We just need to put it all together and we need Matthews + Perry to apply a pass rush. This season is not lost.
As long as there is hope for a playoff run, I’m not going to toss this season into the blender. We’ve seen Wild Card teams make Super Bowl runs too many times over the last 15 years. So, as long as there is a chance, I’m going to watch with positivity. I’m going to hope to see Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy as a unifying force. As Leaders. I’m going to expect to watch this team playing with extensive fight. I’m going to expect to watch this team playing with composure as they hold onto a lifeline. For today, the Packers are in good position to make a significant playoff push over the last 7 weeks.
Congrats on the career, Jordy! XLV FOREVER!
In the Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft this week, things fell really well for me. I was able to grab the premier TE in the Draft. I was able to draft two OT’s to build depth behind Bakhtiari and to give me insurance for Bulaga’s future. I was able to draft 3 EDGE rushers. I was able to find 2 Safeties that could immediately compete for playing time. I was able to get a talented ILB and I drafted a highly talented DL in the 6th Round. Here goes:
Round 1a: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa.
Round 1b: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2: David Edwards, OT, WI.
Round 3: Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[].
Round 4a: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan.
Round 4b: J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5: Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State.
Round 6a: Dontavius Russell, DL, Auburn.
Round 6b: Kendall Baker, OT, Georgia.
Round 7: CeCe Jefferson, EDGE, Florida.
This week – it’s the Seahawks. In Seattle. It is difficult to imagine Seattle making the playoffs if they lose this week. And, while the game is not a must win for the Packers, per se, it also carries significant weight as a loss would leave very little room for error over the last 6 games. A loss would also mean that the Packers are going to have to start scoreboard watching on a week-in and week-out basis. If the Packers don’t win on the road, they don’t belong sniffing the thought of the playoffs. The Packers need this one for their confidence. The Packers need this one for momentum sake. The Packers need this one to inspire believe within the locker room.
The Seahawks offense is a different team when Chris Carson is on the field. If Seattle could have Wilson, Carson and Rashaad Penny on the field at the same time, they’d be in a position to create big plays in abundance. They’d redefine the way the RPO was put on film. Carson has a physically tough speed and power combination to him. He’s difficult to bring down and while he runs straight-up, he’s shifty in the open field. He also has the speed to hit the corner. Penny is a Homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Wilson remains among the most innovative in-play players in the game. When the play breaks down, he becomes even more dangerous. He’s always looking downfield when he is on the move and because of it, he often delivers a big play when it looks like a busted play. Historically, Mike Daniels has destroyed the interior of the Seahawks OL. He will have to, once again, do so. I can’t imagine that the Seahawks OL can move Daniels and Clark backwards. That battle will be a telltale of the game on Thursday Night. The Packers should have Jaire active. They need Breeland to be active as well. Baldwin and Lockett can get deep. And, they’re consistently in lockstep with Russell Wilson from a mental perspective. The Packers should have Jaire follow Baldwin all over the field. Nick Vannett has been a solid producer at TE for Seattle. He’s going to be a tough match-up for us. Vannett has minimized the impact that the Seahawks have felt by losing Jimmy Graham. David Moore has been a very good deep threat for Seattle. He catches the ball in traffic.
Defensively, Seattle is not what they once were. Frank Clark and Jarran Reed can get to the QB. Both have been stars at the line of scrimmage. Shamar Stephen has battled injury, but he’s been a pleasant surprise for the Seahawks when he’s been on the field. Bobby Wagner is still a stud at ILB. KJ Wright is also still playing at a really high level, but Wright might not play. Barkevious Mingo is littered with talent and has to keep putting his game together. He has not lived up to his expectations. Still, he can’t be discounted. The Seahawks secondary is still opportunistic, but they’re a far cry from the days of the Legion of Boom. There’s no reason for Rodgers to not eclipse 300 yards. Shaquill Griffin is the best of the bunch. He looks like Richard Sherman. He plays the ball well. He has a bright future. Brad McDougald is back from injury. When healthy, he plays the ball well in the air and is a decent tackler as well. Justin Coleman has the talent to be a slot CB. Tre Flowers is a classic John Schneider draft pick. He was little known, but he stands 6-3 and weighs 200 lbs. When you have those dimensions, Schneider is taking a shot. I hope Rodgers targets Flowers early and often. Neiko Thorpe is oft injured at the other CB spot. Tedric Thompson shouldn’t scare many at Safety.
Any interesting thing to watch will be the punting battle. Both Michael Dickson and JK Scott were 5th round picks in 2018.
Seattle is going to move the ball on Green Bay. Green Bay will move the ball on Seattle. Really, this game will come down to two things: Turnovers and Red Zone efficiency. Simply stated, it’s vital for the Packers to have to finish drives. Seattle’s run game scares me. I have a hard time envisioning the Packers keeping Seattle under 23 points. The Seahawks will likely have at least 5 scoring drives. It’s tough to play defense on a short week.
McCarthy would be wise to hurry up the offense. If Cobb is healthy, I’d like to see a lot of 4 WR sets with Jones in the backfield. I’d like to open up the middle of the field for the run game. It’d also open up the middle of the field for the newly found play-action crossing-route pass game that McCarthy has implemented over the last 4 weeks. But, it’s important for McCarthy to trust that his OL can block Seattle’s front. And, then, the big boys up front have to deliver. If so, the Packers will have success moving the ball.
We haven’t seen much of the play action roll out to the right shot play. We see it this week. It’s Rodgers to MVS for a big play and a tide turning TD to silence the Seattle crowd.
Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that Clay Matthews is going to come up with a big sack or two this week. He’ll be intent on hunting down Wilson. In many ways, I wish that the Packers would use either Matthews or Josh Jones as a spy on Wilson.
The Seattle run game scares me a lot. But, here’s to hoping that the Packers tackle better than I expect them to and then the Packers keep Seattle out of the end zone.
Jaire seals it with a pick late.
Packers 31.
Seahawks 23.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
4-4-1. 1-2 in the season defining 5-game stretch. Firmly in position to make our push in both the NFC North and the Wild Card race. Really, when it’s all said and done, it feels like this will be the outlining week when describing the 2018 Green Bay Packers. With the win over the Fins, the Packers improved to 4-0-1 at home. On the road, the Packers are 0-4. And, now, the Packers travel to Seattle, which has been a house of horrors for our great franchise. Making matters even more complicated, the Packers travel on a short week to play in the Pacific Northwest.
When life needs a pick me up, I listen to Michael Franti. Right now, I'm vibing into his new tune, "Stay Human 2" and it hits home.
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
Yes, an aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. But, McCarthy has to keep his wits with him. He should be most concerned with the down and distance coupled with the situation at hand. There was no reason to go for it on 4th and 2. Punt the ball. Play field position. Don’t let the opposition in the game. There’s a difference between being aggressive and being intelligent.
It was an absolute treat to see the Packers converting Red Zone opportunities into TD’s.
The Packers backs were against the wall. In return, the Packers based the majority of their offense around Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. The results were unsurprisingly splendid. It offers optimism for the future.
Aaron Jones is a flat-out superstar. A gem of a runner. His burst, his leverage and his toughness are an extremely unique combination. He has to continue to get a minimum of 15 carries and ideally, he’ll get 20 per game. He’s a true difference maker.
Breeland and Jostling Jaire bring an attitude that accompanies winning football. They’re confident. They’re physical. They’re tough. They break on the football.
Mad props to Raven Greene! The sack was awesome! The fake punt was thrilling. I loved how he broke on the ball near the goal line. He needs to hang onto the football, but still, it was a great treat to see him in position to make a play.
Tony Brown continues to play with a confident swagger to his step. He’s an intense mind. A weaker character would be defeated with his boneheaded plays in past weeks. Not Brown. He mans up and fearlessly sticks his nose into each play.
Looking around the secondary, we feel way more athletic with Josh Jones, Breeland, TMon, Jostling Jaire and Greene manning the back end of our defense.
Toughen up, Josh Jackson. Don’t grab. Tackle! I keep waiting for him to make a game changing play. He’s been close. He’s yet to finish.
Oren Burks is a bulldog on special teams. I want to see him coming on inside blitzes.
Again, Kyler Fackrell deserves props. Crucial third down sack. He’s dropping into coverage. He’s playing his best football as a Packer.
Kenny Clark. All Pro. Synonymous.
Breeland with the pick!
Save three plays and this was a mostly impressive performance! Take away the TMon fumble, the blocked punt and the decision to go for it on 4th and 2 in the 2nd Quarter. Other than those moments, this team felt a little different than other games this year. Sure, Rodgers still missed throws. Yes, Rodgers took a sack to knock us out of FG range. Yes, the tackling could’ve been better. But, overall, the team looked faster, better prepared and more efficient than we have all year.
Imagine this defense with two EDGE rushers? Pettine is doing wonders with a severe lack of pass rushing talent. Still, somehow, this team notched 6 sacks. It was very cool to see Jaire calling Pettine the best DC that he’s ever been around.
Corey Linsley was a stud. He consistently got to the second level. He ate up defenders and took out multiple players on a number of Jones’ big runs.
A gutty performance by Byron Bell. He played through pain and again, he stepped up on the interior of the OL.
Another really solid day for MVS. It’s clear that defenses are shifting a safety over the top to help track MVS on the deep ball. Once again, his hands were money. Instead of targeting him deep down the field, they targeted him underneath the sticks to keep the defense honest. In return, look for a wheel route
Wins cure all. It’s time to build a little momentum. It’s time for Rodgers to get in a quick release rhythm. It’s time for the defense to continue to force turnovers.
It’s easy to be a leader when things are going smoothly. It’s tough to lead when it feels like things are falling apart. I’m not being the body language police, but it feels as though MM is grumpy. I want the fiery MM. The motivating MM. The MM that has consistently had his team playing fantastic football as the weather changes. I’m hoping that this victory continues to swing the vibes at 1265 back to full out positivity.
There’s a lot to like about this team. I like our OL. I like 12. I like Jones. Williams is a solid back up RB. I like Adams, Cobb, MVS and ESB. I like Graham in the Red Zone. I like Daniels and Clark. Lowry is a solid rotational DL, too. I like Martinez and OB. I like Jaire and Breeland. When healthy, I like King. I like TMon. Greene and Brown offer a sparkling personality. Josh Jackson has had good moments. I like Crosby. I like Scott. We just need to put it all together and we need Matthews + Perry to apply a pass rush. This season is not lost.
As long as there is hope for a playoff run, I’m not going to toss this season into the blender. We’ve seen Wild Card teams make Super Bowl runs too many times over the last 15 years. So, as long as there is a chance, I’m going to watch with positivity. I’m going to hope to see Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy as a unifying force. As Leaders. I’m going to expect to watch this team playing with extensive fight. I’m going to expect to watch this team playing with composure as they hold onto a lifeline. For today, the Packers are in good position to make a significant playoff push over the last 7 weeks.
Congrats on the career, Jordy! XLV FOREVER!
In the Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft this week, things fell really well for me. I was able to grab the premier TE in the Draft. I was able to draft two OT’s to build depth behind Bakhtiari and to give me insurance for Bulaga’s future. I was able to draft 3 EDGE rushers. I was able to find 2 Safeties that could immediately compete for playing time. I was able to get a talented ILB and I drafted a highly talented DL in the 6th Round. Here goes:
Round 1a: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa.
Round 1b: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2: David Edwards, OT, WI.
Round 3: Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[].
Round 4a: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan.
Round 4b: J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5: Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State.
Round 6a: Dontavius Russell, DL, Auburn.
Round 6b: Kendall Baker, OT, Georgia.
Round 7: CeCe Jefferson, EDGE, Florida.
This week – it’s the Seahawks. In Seattle. It is difficult to imagine Seattle making the playoffs if they lose this week. And, while the game is not a must win for the Packers, per se, it also carries significant weight as a loss would leave very little room for error over the last 6 games. A loss would also mean that the Packers are going to have to start scoreboard watching on a week-in and week-out basis. If the Packers don’t win on the road, they don’t belong sniffing the thought of the playoffs. The Packers need this one for their confidence. The Packers need this one for momentum sake. The Packers need this one to inspire believe within the locker room.
The Seahawks offense is a different team when Chris Carson is on the field. If Seattle could have Wilson, Carson and Rashaad Penny on the field at the same time, they’d be in a position to create big plays in abundance. They’d redefine the way the RPO was put on film. Carson has a physically tough speed and power combination to him. He’s difficult to bring down and while he runs straight-up, he’s shifty in the open field. He also has the speed to hit the corner. Penny is a Homerun threat every time he touches the ball. Wilson remains among the most innovative in-play players in the game. When the play breaks down, he becomes even more dangerous. He’s always looking downfield when he is on the move and because of it, he often delivers a big play when it looks like a busted play. Historically, Mike Daniels has destroyed the interior of the Seahawks OL. He will have to, once again, do so. I can’t imagine that the Seahawks OL can move Daniels and Clark backwards. That battle will be a telltale of the game on Thursday Night. The Packers should have Jaire active. They need Breeland to be active as well. Baldwin and Lockett can get deep. And, they’re consistently in lockstep with Russell Wilson from a mental perspective. The Packers should have Jaire follow Baldwin all over the field. Nick Vannett has been a solid producer at TE for Seattle. He’s going to be a tough match-up for us. Vannett has minimized the impact that the Seahawks have felt by losing Jimmy Graham. David Moore has been a very good deep threat for Seattle. He catches the ball in traffic.
Defensively, Seattle is not what they once were. Frank Clark and Jarran Reed can get to the QB. Both have been stars at the line of scrimmage. Shamar Stephen has battled injury, but he’s been a pleasant surprise for the Seahawks when he’s been on the field. Bobby Wagner is still a stud at ILB. KJ Wright is also still playing at a really high level, but Wright might not play. Barkevious Mingo is littered with talent and has to keep putting his game together. He has not lived up to his expectations. Still, he can’t be discounted. The Seahawks secondary is still opportunistic, but they’re a far cry from the days of the Legion of Boom. There’s no reason for Rodgers to not eclipse 300 yards. Shaquill Griffin is the best of the bunch. He looks like Richard Sherman. He plays the ball well. He has a bright future. Brad McDougald is back from injury. When healthy, he plays the ball well in the air and is a decent tackler as well. Justin Coleman has the talent to be a slot CB. Tre Flowers is a classic John Schneider draft pick. He was little known, but he stands 6-3 and weighs 200 lbs. When you have those dimensions, Schneider is taking a shot. I hope Rodgers targets Flowers early and often. Neiko Thorpe is oft injured at the other CB spot. Tedric Thompson shouldn’t scare many at Safety.
Any interesting thing to watch will be the punting battle. Both Michael Dickson and JK Scott were 5th round picks in 2018.
Seattle is going to move the ball on Green Bay. Green Bay will move the ball on Seattle. Really, this game will come down to two things: Turnovers and Red Zone efficiency. Simply stated, it’s vital for the Packers to have to finish drives. Seattle’s run game scares me. I have a hard time envisioning the Packers keeping Seattle under 23 points. The Seahawks will likely have at least 5 scoring drives. It’s tough to play defense on a short week.
McCarthy would be wise to hurry up the offense. If Cobb is healthy, I’d like to see a lot of 4 WR sets with Jones in the backfield. I’d like to open up the middle of the field for the run game. It’d also open up the middle of the field for the newly found play-action crossing-route pass game that McCarthy has implemented over the last 4 weeks. But, it’s important for McCarthy to trust that his OL can block Seattle’s front. And, then, the big boys up front have to deliver. If so, the Packers will have success moving the ball.
We haven’t seen much of the play action roll out to the right shot play. We see it this week. It’s Rodgers to MVS for a big play and a tide turning TD to silence the Seattle crowd.
Call me crazy, but I have a feeling that Clay Matthews is going to come up with a big sack or two this week. He’ll be intent on hunting down Wilson. In many ways, I wish that the Packers would use either Matthews or Josh Jones as a spy on Wilson.
The Seattle run game scares me a lot. But, here’s to hoping that the Packers tackle better than I expect them to and then the Packers keep Seattle out of the end zone.
Jaire seals it with a pick late.
Packers 31.
Seahawks 23.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, November 9, 2018
My Take -> Week 10
Greetings, G-Force.
3-4-1. 0-2 in the defining 5-game stretch of the season. Quite simply, thus far, the 2018 Green Bay Packers do not appear to know how to win. In back-to-back weeks, the Packers have fumbled away games at crucial 4th Quarter moments. Both times, the fumbles occurred at the exact moment in which it felt like the Packers were going to be victorious on the road. Still, all is not lost. This team is capable of getting hot, but in order to do so, the 2x MVP has to play like an MVP.
As I write with disappointment, I listen to “The Pizza Tapes” album by Jerry Garcia, David Grisman and Tony Rice. After all, as a Packers fan, over the last year, when talking football, it’s easy to feel like a “Man of Constant Sorrow.”
Here are my quick vibes over the last week:
Congrats to Ted Thompson! I’m stoked that he’s being inducted into the Packers HOF! I’m surprised that it’s happening so soon. It makes me wonder about his health. It’s popular to frown on Thompson and his achievements. I’m not one of them. When it’s all said and done, I’m confident that people will remember TT fondly. Much like Wolf, Thompson inherited a poor roster. Both Wolf and TT quickly brought the Packers to prominence. Wolf put together 11 teams and won 1 Super Bowl. Thompson put together 13 teams and won 1 Super Bowl. Wolf made three NFCCG. Thompson made 4. Wolf gave us Favre. Thompson gave us Rodgers. Wolf brought in Reggie. Thompson brought in Sir Charles. Wolf drafted Freeman and Driver. Thompson drafted Jennings, Jordy and Jones. Wolf drafted KGB. Thompson drafted Clay. Wolf drafted Tauscher and Clifton. Thompson drafted Bulaga and Bakhtiari. For every Damarious Randall, there is an Antuan Edwards. For every Jason Spriggs, there is a John Michels. For every Jerron McMillan, there is a Bhawoh Jue. Thompson had the Brett Hundley fiasco to close his tenure. Wolf hired Ray Rhodes and took a team that went to back to back Super Bowls in 96 and 97 to 8-8 in 99. With Mike Sherman, Wolf's team went 9-7 in 2000. In both instances, the Packers missed the playoffs with Favre in the prime of his career coming off of 3 consecutive MVP seasons. With Rodgers, the only time Thompson missed the playoffs was in Rodgers’ first year as a starter and when Brett Hundley was his primary QB. It’s important to remember that in 2016, the Packers made it to the NFCCG and in 2017, when Rodgers got hurt, the Packers were 4-1. I don’t write this to point out Wolf’s faults. Ron Wolf is an icon, a historical phenomenon. He brought consistent legitimacy to football in GB for the first time since the 60’s. Without Wolf, there is no Thompson. But, it’s worthwhile to recall the striking similarities between the two. And, in the end, we should all remember TT fondly.
With that said about TT, there's no debate. The Packers present day roster is not good enough. In large part, it's not good enough because of TT's last 3 drafts. And, because of it, Mike McCarthy is enduring the worst stretch of his professional career. His team seems unprepared and dysfunctional. I hold onto hope that his team will find it’s stride down the stretch, just like it has for most of Mike McCarthy’s tenure.
Prior to the opening kickoff, Aaron Rodgers sat on the bench to tie his shoes. He parked himself right next to Aaron Jones. They meant business together.
I love Aaron Rodgers. I love Mike McCarthy. But, for some reason, they can no longer co-exist. They clearly have operational differences. The 2-minute drive at the end of the first half was unbelievably disgusting.
I watch a lot of football. The Packers are among the worst pre snap football teams in the game. Rodgers is often letting the clock run down to zero. And, because of it, we are burning timeouts and being penalized for delay of game penalties. It’s complete amateurism.
Keep pounding, Aaron Jones. I dig you!
The first time that we see Josh Jones on the blitz to the outside, we get a sack by Mike Daniels as Brady is forced to step up in the pocket. Really liked seeing Clay and Jones lined up on the same side of the field showing rush. Great design. Want that in abundance!
Once again, Rodgers didn’t bring his best performance to start the game. If he had his A game, it would’ve been 14-7 after 1.
When Trey is singing, “three wrong turns can make a right.” When the Packers are playing, three wrong turns means a punt. Unfortunately, against NE, 30% of the Packers offensive possessions resulted in a 3 and out. One other netted 18 yards. Another was a turnover. That’s putrid.
Drives me crazy to hear Randall Cobb say that this year feels different. Be a part of the solution, Randall. Not the problem. For years, I've believed that one of McCarthy's greatest strengths was that he was a player's coach. He was the epitome of a player's coach. Today, I wonder if players like Randall Cobb are taking advantage of his approach. What might feel different, Randall, is that the Packers have a couple of rookie WR's that are pushing you. They're outperforming you. They're stepping up as you deal with injury. That hasn't happened much in the past.
Jermaine Whitehead has to keep his composure. In that instance, you flop to the ground like Vlade Divac and you draw the 15 yard penalty. Still, I’m shocked he lost his job. Pettine often talked about him being the smartest player on the defense.
Will Redmond replaces Whitehead on the roster. Here is what I wrote about Will Redmond before the 2016 NFL Draft: Will Redmond, Mississippi State. Round 5. If he puts on weight and can keep his ability to dance, he could have a good future. He turns, he runs and he sees the ball. He's agile. He's a natural on his toes. He can jump. But, he's a softy. And, he's recovering from an injury. He has all of the traits to be a perimeter CB if he can stay healthy.
When I think of the best Packers defenders in my life, I think of Reggie White, Sir Charles, LeRoy Butler and Clay Matthews. Sadly, Clay Matthews no longer has the bend required to turn the corner. He can no longer dip underneath the Tackle. It hurts to watch.
Two weeks in a row, on a crucial 3rd down in the 4th Quarter, Lane Taylor has been completely demolished.
Before the season, I thought that Gutekunst overpaid for Byron Bell. I liked the signing, but I felt the money was too hefty. Bell has played well. He hasn’t been dominant, but he hasn’t been a sieve either.
In the past, I’ve frequently written about the Championship Drive. This years version of the Packers has lacked all killer instinct.
MVS is displaying traits of a premier WR. He needs more targets. Other than Calvin Ridley, is there a better rookie WR in the NFL? It was telling when Billy B took Gilmore off of Davante Adams in the 4th Quarter and put him on MVS. Respect is earned and MVS has earned it from both his teammates and the opposition. Good lookin' Gutekunst might've hit a HR with MVS. His star is shining bright!
When ESB is on the field, Rodgers is looking for him. Rodgers seems to have great confidence in him.
Antonio Morrison has shown well this year on the delayed inside blitz. He runs through the QB.
I would be really excited about this defense if we had two bonafide pass rushers. Over the next 8 weeks, I want to see Breeland playing on the Perimeter. I want Jaire on the Perimeter. I want Josh Jackson in the slot. I want Josh Jones attacking the line of scrimmage from a box safety position. With that said, I'm not only playing for the future, but I'm playing for today. Not only do I want to see if they're good enough, but all 4 of them seem to have a desire to be good football players.
Kevin King seems really fragile. I am not sure how the Packers can count on King being in their future. When he plays, he's a very good perimeter CB. But, his availability is significantly less than what is desired.
Breeland showed rust. He was in position. He didn’t finish the plays. Still, if you consider that he hasn’t played football in roughly a year, you have to be encouraged that he was in the right position to make a play.
Another stellar game from Jostling Jaire.
Fun to see TMon flying through the air to make a goal line tackle. Made me reminisce about Nintendo Nick!
It’d be nice to see Josh Jones on the blitz 3-5 times per game. I want to see him lined up next to Clay.
I don't think we know how good we have it with Aaron Jones. I seriously think he has the talent to be a top-5 RB in the league. He's that lethal. FEED. HIM!
Where are Reggie Gilbert and Nick Perry?
Kyler Fackrell has had some moments in which he’s played decent football in the run game.
I’m hoping that Trevor Davis can add a spark to the Return game. He’s capable.
Yes, it feels bleak. But, we must keep the faith. I trust that this team has a run in them. They’ll get hot. McCarthy has consistently rallied his team when his back has been against the wall. He’s displayed mental mettle. This team is not on the brink of playoff elimination. There’s still room for error. Wins cure all. I firmly believe that the future of the 2018 season is bright for the Green Bay Packers.
Here’s my Fanspeak Packers mock draft for the week. I too a different approach as I tried to hold off on drafting EDGE in the 1st round. My strategy might have backfired.
Round 1a) Greg Little, OT, Mississippi.
Round 1b) DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia.
Round 2) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3) Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU.
Round 4a) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4b) Demarcus Christmas, DL, FSU.
Round 5) Tanner Muse, S, Clemson.
Round 6a) Joey Alfieri, ILB, Stanford.
Round 6b) CeCe Jefferson, EDGE, Florida.
Round 7) Kavontae Turpin, KR/WR, TCU.
This week - it's the Dolphins. In Green Bay. On Sunday, temperatures in Green Bay will be in the low-30's. In Miami, they will be in the low-80's. If the Packers can't beat Brock Osweiler at Lambeau Field, then I give up on the season. But, of course, the Packers will be victorious. It's November and the Packers are about to get hot.
The Dolphins are banged up. Osweiler should not be capable of scoring 17 points this weekend. Especially with his current arsenal of weapons. Kenny Stills, Jakeem Grant and Danny Amendola are among the worst group of current starting WR's in football. If the Dolphins are going to have any chance, they'll have to play great defense -- which they will -- and they'll have to run the ball 30+ times. Expect Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake to both get at least 15 touches in the pass + run game. They'll interchange Gore and Drake. Gore will punch it at the gut of the Packers defense. Drake will try to get to the edge of the defense. Drake will also be used in the passing game as the Dolphins will try to get him isolated in space. The Dolphins will be without Ted Larsen at Guard. Laremy Tunsil is also questionable. If the Packers cannot dominate the left side of the Dolphins OL, it's our own fault. Pettine should target Osweiler's blind side with heavy pressure. Dolphins, RT, JaWuan James is also questionable. Both Tunsil and James will likely play -- even if they're hobbled. Nonetheless, the Packers have to win the line of scrimmage.
Defensively, the Fins play with an aggressive attitude. They're an underrated unit who flies to the football. They got Cameron Wake back from injury and he instantly made his impact felt with two sacks against the Jets. Davon Godchaux is a brute force in the middle of the defense and Robert Quinn can still pressure the QB. Kiko Alonso has been a leader at LB. Jerome Baker has been a really solid draft pick. In the secondary, the Fins make plays. Minkah Fitzpatrick has been really solid. Xavien Howard has been rock solid on the perimter. Bobby McCain plays with a smiling personality. He's a fun CB, but he can be picked on. At safety, Reshad Jones is a superstar. TJ McDonald is a long, lanky safety who has faired better in Miami than he did in LA.
If the Packers can protect Rodgers and slow down the Gore and Darby combination, this should be a blowout.
I expect Gore to pound it at Clark, Lowry and Daniels between the tackles. Right behind the guards. It'll be vital for Morrison, Martinez and Burks to plug holes.
Osweiler is bound to make a mistake. I expect Josh Jackson to grab his first career interception.
Offensively, the Packers pound Aaron Jones. Early and often. The Packers offense should be able to lean on the Miami DL. And, really, if the Packers don't try to wear down the Dolphins DL, they might not try to pound the ball at anyone from here on out. I can't see Miami slowing down the Packers run game.
The run opens up the play action. It's Rodgers to MVS for 6!
I expect a Lambeau party and a number of Truffle Shuffle dancing fans in the freezing temperatures.
Packers 27.
Dolphins 16.
Hey Lambeau! Get lit! Let's do this!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
3-4-1. 0-2 in the defining 5-game stretch of the season. Quite simply, thus far, the 2018 Green Bay Packers do not appear to know how to win. In back-to-back weeks, the Packers have fumbled away games at crucial 4th Quarter moments. Both times, the fumbles occurred at the exact moment in which it felt like the Packers were going to be victorious on the road. Still, all is not lost. This team is capable of getting hot, but in order to do so, the 2x MVP has to play like an MVP.
As I write with disappointment, I listen to “The Pizza Tapes” album by Jerry Garcia, David Grisman and Tony Rice. After all, as a Packers fan, over the last year, when talking football, it’s easy to feel like a “Man of Constant Sorrow.”
Here are my quick vibes over the last week:
Congrats to Ted Thompson! I’m stoked that he’s being inducted into the Packers HOF! I’m surprised that it’s happening so soon. It makes me wonder about his health. It’s popular to frown on Thompson and his achievements. I’m not one of them. When it’s all said and done, I’m confident that people will remember TT fondly. Much like Wolf, Thompson inherited a poor roster. Both Wolf and TT quickly brought the Packers to prominence. Wolf put together 11 teams and won 1 Super Bowl. Thompson put together 13 teams and won 1 Super Bowl. Wolf made three NFCCG. Thompson made 4. Wolf gave us Favre. Thompson gave us Rodgers. Wolf brought in Reggie. Thompson brought in Sir Charles. Wolf drafted Freeman and Driver. Thompson drafted Jennings, Jordy and Jones. Wolf drafted KGB. Thompson drafted Clay. Wolf drafted Tauscher and Clifton. Thompson drafted Bulaga and Bakhtiari. For every Damarious Randall, there is an Antuan Edwards. For every Jason Spriggs, there is a John Michels. For every Jerron McMillan, there is a Bhawoh Jue. Thompson had the Brett Hundley fiasco to close his tenure. Wolf hired Ray Rhodes and took a team that went to back to back Super Bowls in 96 and 97 to 8-8 in 99. With Mike Sherman, Wolf's team went 9-7 in 2000. In both instances, the Packers missed the playoffs with Favre in the prime of his career coming off of 3 consecutive MVP seasons. With Rodgers, the only time Thompson missed the playoffs was in Rodgers’ first year as a starter and when Brett Hundley was his primary QB. It’s important to remember that in 2016, the Packers made it to the NFCCG and in 2017, when Rodgers got hurt, the Packers were 4-1. I don’t write this to point out Wolf’s faults. Ron Wolf is an icon, a historical phenomenon. He brought consistent legitimacy to football in GB for the first time since the 60’s. Without Wolf, there is no Thompson. But, it’s worthwhile to recall the striking similarities between the two. And, in the end, we should all remember TT fondly.
With that said about TT, there's no debate. The Packers present day roster is not good enough. In large part, it's not good enough because of TT's last 3 drafts. And, because of it, Mike McCarthy is enduring the worst stretch of his professional career. His team seems unprepared and dysfunctional. I hold onto hope that his team will find it’s stride down the stretch, just like it has for most of Mike McCarthy’s tenure.
Prior to the opening kickoff, Aaron Rodgers sat on the bench to tie his shoes. He parked himself right next to Aaron Jones. They meant business together.
I love Aaron Rodgers. I love Mike McCarthy. But, for some reason, they can no longer co-exist. They clearly have operational differences. The 2-minute drive at the end of the first half was unbelievably disgusting.
I watch a lot of football. The Packers are among the worst pre snap football teams in the game. Rodgers is often letting the clock run down to zero. And, because of it, we are burning timeouts and being penalized for delay of game penalties. It’s complete amateurism.
Keep pounding, Aaron Jones. I dig you!
The first time that we see Josh Jones on the blitz to the outside, we get a sack by Mike Daniels as Brady is forced to step up in the pocket. Really liked seeing Clay and Jones lined up on the same side of the field showing rush. Great design. Want that in abundance!
Once again, Rodgers didn’t bring his best performance to start the game. If he had his A game, it would’ve been 14-7 after 1.
When Trey is singing, “three wrong turns can make a right.” When the Packers are playing, three wrong turns means a punt. Unfortunately, against NE, 30% of the Packers offensive possessions resulted in a 3 and out. One other netted 18 yards. Another was a turnover. That’s putrid.
Drives me crazy to hear Randall Cobb say that this year feels different. Be a part of the solution, Randall. Not the problem. For years, I've believed that one of McCarthy's greatest strengths was that he was a player's coach. He was the epitome of a player's coach. Today, I wonder if players like Randall Cobb are taking advantage of his approach. What might feel different, Randall, is that the Packers have a couple of rookie WR's that are pushing you. They're outperforming you. They're stepping up as you deal with injury. That hasn't happened much in the past.
Jermaine Whitehead has to keep his composure. In that instance, you flop to the ground like Vlade Divac and you draw the 15 yard penalty. Still, I’m shocked he lost his job. Pettine often talked about him being the smartest player on the defense.
Will Redmond replaces Whitehead on the roster. Here is what I wrote about Will Redmond before the 2016 NFL Draft: Will Redmond, Mississippi State. Round 5. If he puts on weight and can keep his ability to dance, he could have a good future. He turns, he runs and he sees the ball. He's agile. He's a natural on his toes. He can jump. But, he's a softy. And, he's recovering from an injury. He has all of the traits to be a perimeter CB if he can stay healthy.
When I think of the best Packers defenders in my life, I think of Reggie White, Sir Charles, LeRoy Butler and Clay Matthews. Sadly, Clay Matthews no longer has the bend required to turn the corner. He can no longer dip underneath the Tackle. It hurts to watch.
Two weeks in a row, on a crucial 3rd down in the 4th Quarter, Lane Taylor has been completely demolished.
Before the season, I thought that Gutekunst overpaid for Byron Bell. I liked the signing, but I felt the money was too hefty. Bell has played well. He hasn’t been dominant, but he hasn’t been a sieve either.
In the past, I’ve frequently written about the Championship Drive. This years version of the Packers has lacked all killer instinct.
MVS is displaying traits of a premier WR. He needs more targets. Other than Calvin Ridley, is there a better rookie WR in the NFL? It was telling when Billy B took Gilmore off of Davante Adams in the 4th Quarter and put him on MVS. Respect is earned and MVS has earned it from both his teammates and the opposition. Good lookin' Gutekunst might've hit a HR with MVS. His star is shining bright!
When ESB is on the field, Rodgers is looking for him. Rodgers seems to have great confidence in him.
Antonio Morrison has shown well this year on the delayed inside blitz. He runs through the QB.
I would be really excited about this defense if we had two bonafide pass rushers. Over the next 8 weeks, I want to see Breeland playing on the Perimeter. I want Jaire on the Perimeter. I want Josh Jackson in the slot. I want Josh Jones attacking the line of scrimmage from a box safety position. With that said, I'm not only playing for the future, but I'm playing for today. Not only do I want to see if they're good enough, but all 4 of them seem to have a desire to be good football players.
Kevin King seems really fragile. I am not sure how the Packers can count on King being in their future. When he plays, he's a very good perimeter CB. But, his availability is significantly less than what is desired.
Breeland showed rust. He was in position. He didn’t finish the plays. Still, if you consider that he hasn’t played football in roughly a year, you have to be encouraged that he was in the right position to make a play.
Another stellar game from Jostling Jaire.
Fun to see TMon flying through the air to make a goal line tackle. Made me reminisce about Nintendo Nick!
It’d be nice to see Josh Jones on the blitz 3-5 times per game. I want to see him lined up next to Clay.
I don't think we know how good we have it with Aaron Jones. I seriously think he has the talent to be a top-5 RB in the league. He's that lethal. FEED. HIM!
Where are Reggie Gilbert and Nick Perry?
Kyler Fackrell has had some moments in which he’s played decent football in the run game.
I’m hoping that Trevor Davis can add a spark to the Return game. He’s capable.
Yes, it feels bleak. But, we must keep the faith. I trust that this team has a run in them. They’ll get hot. McCarthy has consistently rallied his team when his back has been against the wall. He’s displayed mental mettle. This team is not on the brink of playoff elimination. There’s still room for error. Wins cure all. I firmly believe that the future of the 2018 season is bright for the Green Bay Packers.
Here’s my Fanspeak Packers mock draft for the week. I too a different approach as I tried to hold off on drafting EDGE in the 1st round. My strategy might have backfired.
Round 1a) Greg Little, OT, Mississippi.
Round 1b) DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia.
Round 2) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3) Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU.
Round 4a) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4b) Demarcus Christmas, DL, FSU.
Round 5) Tanner Muse, S, Clemson.
Round 6a) Joey Alfieri, ILB, Stanford.
Round 6b) CeCe Jefferson, EDGE, Florida.
Round 7) Kavontae Turpin, KR/WR, TCU.
This week - it's the Dolphins. In Green Bay. On Sunday, temperatures in Green Bay will be in the low-30's. In Miami, they will be in the low-80's. If the Packers can't beat Brock Osweiler at Lambeau Field, then I give up on the season. But, of course, the Packers will be victorious. It's November and the Packers are about to get hot.
The Dolphins are banged up. Osweiler should not be capable of scoring 17 points this weekend. Especially with his current arsenal of weapons. Kenny Stills, Jakeem Grant and Danny Amendola are among the worst group of current starting WR's in football. If the Dolphins are going to have any chance, they'll have to play great defense -- which they will -- and they'll have to run the ball 30+ times. Expect Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake to both get at least 15 touches in the pass + run game. They'll interchange Gore and Drake. Gore will punch it at the gut of the Packers defense. Drake will try to get to the edge of the defense. Drake will also be used in the passing game as the Dolphins will try to get him isolated in space. The Dolphins will be without Ted Larsen at Guard. Laremy Tunsil is also questionable. If the Packers cannot dominate the left side of the Dolphins OL, it's our own fault. Pettine should target Osweiler's blind side with heavy pressure. Dolphins, RT, JaWuan James is also questionable. Both Tunsil and James will likely play -- even if they're hobbled. Nonetheless, the Packers have to win the line of scrimmage.
Defensively, the Fins play with an aggressive attitude. They're an underrated unit who flies to the football. They got Cameron Wake back from injury and he instantly made his impact felt with two sacks against the Jets. Davon Godchaux is a brute force in the middle of the defense and Robert Quinn can still pressure the QB. Kiko Alonso has been a leader at LB. Jerome Baker has been a really solid draft pick. In the secondary, the Fins make plays. Minkah Fitzpatrick has been really solid. Xavien Howard has been rock solid on the perimter. Bobby McCain plays with a smiling personality. He's a fun CB, but he can be picked on. At safety, Reshad Jones is a superstar. TJ McDonald is a long, lanky safety who has faired better in Miami than he did in LA.
If the Packers can protect Rodgers and slow down the Gore and Darby combination, this should be a blowout.
I expect Gore to pound it at Clark, Lowry and Daniels between the tackles. Right behind the guards. It'll be vital for Morrison, Martinez and Burks to plug holes.
Osweiler is bound to make a mistake. I expect Josh Jackson to grab his first career interception.
Offensively, the Packers pound Aaron Jones. Early and often. The Packers offense should be able to lean on the Miami DL. And, really, if the Packers don't try to wear down the Dolphins DL, they might not try to pound the ball at anyone from here on out. I can't see Miami slowing down the Packers run game.
The run opens up the play action. It's Rodgers to MVS for 6!
I expect a Lambeau party and a number of Truffle Shuffle dancing fans in the freezing temperatures.
Packers 27.
Dolphins 16.
Hey Lambeau! Get lit! Let's do this!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, November 2, 2018
My Take -> Week 9
3-3–1. 0-1 in the season defining 5-game stretch. Still, the Packers fully reside in the mix of the parity laden NFC North.
As I write, I listen to the Beatles “Rubber Soul” album. I think about Ty Montgomery and his “try and see it my way” approach to his interview. No, Ty. I’m sorry. We cannot “work it out.”
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
The Packers had to move on from Ty Montgomery. What he did on Sunday was a colossal disaster. It was pure insubordination. It was cause for an immediate termination of his status on the roster. It’s unacceptable to completely disobey your coach’s orders. And, then, to fumble on the play? Well, that’s absolutely intolerable. To show how little interest that was generated, the Packers couldn’t even get a 2019 7th rounder. And, really, they were fortunate to even get the 2020 7th rounder.
I’m sad to see HaHa go. But, it was a smart business move by Gutekunst. It was clear that HaHa was gone after the year. And, since the Packers will likely be aggressive in Free Agency, it’s highly unlikely that the Packers would’ve even received a compensatory pick for him. Gutekunst is wisely playing the compensatory pick game. I imagine teams will mimic his move in the future. For what it’s worth, Detroit also did the same thing with Golden Tate this year. Further, the trade should allow for Breeland to see playing time as Tramon will likely see snaps at Safety.
I liked hearing the reports that Gutekunst seemingly held out on a HaHa trade to the Cowboys and his patience won him a better deal. Josina Anderson reported: “I'm also told #Cowboys did their due diligence engaging in some talk on one of the players the #Packers traded too, since it was thought Dallas may be a good landing spot for that player. Ultimately another team showed more love, after asking for more time to watch tape.”
The one guy that I would’ve liked to have traded for was Landon Collins. But, Gutekunst clearly has a long term plan and draft capital is a crucial component to his puzzle. Gutekunst has positioned himself to be able to fully rebuild the defense next year and he’s being wise with how he stacks picks. And, maybe, just maybe, Collins will be a Target in Free Agency.
The Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy combination should be disappointed in themselves. Let’s be real. Aaron Rodgers is superhuman, at times. He makes plays that no other player on the planet can make and he’s willed us to two victories when the Packers had no business winning the game. But, as a whole, Rodgers hasn’t been as sharp as we’re accustomed to seeing him. He’s missing throws that he normally connects on. And, with the injury, he has not been as mobile as in past years. He hasn’t been able to extend plays and because of it, he’s been taking sacks and putting the Packers in difficult down and distance situations. Also, in past years, Rodgers was a master at drawing defenders off-sides. That hasn’t happened this year. In essence, the free play has been taken away from the Packers. And, with regards to McCarthy, his use of the running back position has been absolutely baffling. Every time Aaron Jones steps on the field, it seems like something really good is happening. Yet, he still isn’t consistently fed the ball. He needs to touch the ball 20 times per game. He needs to get into a rhythm. When that occurs, big plays will continue to follow.
I’m convinced that McCarthy wanted to pass to MVS on a slant out of the end zone. Rodgers checked to a run and got burned for a safety.
The Packers led 10-8 with 10:33 to play in the 3rd. I’m certain that McCarthy wanted to run the ball on 2nd and 2. Rodgers checked to a pass and threw incomplete. The same thing might have happened on 3rd down, but it was less clear. Nonetheless, Rodgers was sacked on the play for a 9-yard loss. There appears to be a continued power struggle between McCarthy and Rodgers.
Most will have an issue with McCarthy’s decision to attack when he was up 2 with the ball and less than 7 minutes to play. Me? I liked it. An aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. He went aggressive. Lane Taylor failed him.
A fantastic defensive performance had the Packers on the brink of victory. The defense was well prepared. They played with confidence. They were inspired. And, the enhanced motivation led to a handful of tremendous individual performances. The players who are supposed to make plays — made plays on Sunday. Kenny Clark is an All Pro quality player. He played like it on Sunday. Blake Martinez has top-tier ILB potential. He played like it on Sunday. Jaire Alexander showed why Gutekunst was so aggressive in trading up to get him. Kevin King made plays on the outside in both run support and in the pass game. Both Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews played their best game of the year. If Nick Perry were to decide to show up to the party, I think that this defense could continue with that type of performance during this crucial 5-game stretch.
I’m excited to see what TMon brings to the Safety position. One thing is for sure: TMon will be physical and he will play with reckless abandon. TMon will fly to the ball. He will toss his body around. And, while he can’t run like he used to, TMon is still really quick in short spaces.
Jostling Jaire! Say it is so! Throwing two-handed punches to jam at the line of scrimmage. Flashing his quickness. Showing good ball awareness. In my lifetime, the only CBs that I’ve seen play with that type of physical and mental intensity are: Sir Charles, Mike McKenzie and Craig Newsome. What a performance!
Kenny Clark looked like an All Pro! He could not be blocked. He was a dynamo along the line of scrimmage.
Blake Martinez on the inside blitz was a thing of beauty. He wasn’t thinking, he was reacting. He was using his instincts. I’d like to see Oren Burks or Josh Jones teaming with Martinez on inside blitzes.
At one stage in his career, Clay Matthews was terrific in space. Today, he can’t function. Pettine should no longer drop him in coverage. He’s lost.
The Packers play a ton of dime defense. With the HaHa trade, it’ll create opportunities for Josh Jackson, Breeland, and Josh Jones. I’d like to see Alexander and King on the outside with Breeland, Jackson and Jones alternating in the slot, depending on the call. It’s clear that Tramon’s role is changing and we will see Williams and Whitehead also rotating between safety and the slot role. It’s unlikely that we’ll see Tramon on the perimeter anymore, but I think the current roster make-up will allow for Pettine to become really creative with his secondary packages.
I was surprised that they didn’t try to match up Burks with Gurley. Use Burks’ speed and cover skills to man-up against Gurley as he punished the Packers for nearly 200 yards.
As for how they use him moving forward, I’d like to see Burks and Josh Jones – for that matter – on the blitz. In the preseason, Burks looked like he had the ability to rush the passer on inside blitzes and early last year, we saw Jones flashing skills on the outside as a blitzing LB. Both might be able to improve our highly inconsistent pass rush.
It was definitely a frustrating day at the office for the offense. In general, I’d like to think that Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham are the solution to the Packers Red Zone struggles. Both have size that presents significant match-up problems. However, in the open field, both seem to have lost a step and might not be separating as much as we expected they would before the season. When the playing surface changes with the weather and the field slows down, maybe Graham and Lewis will be able to gain more separation as the turf equals out the speed portion of the game. But, as the season progresses, I’m not positive that we’ll see consistent production from either player. Especially with the recent plays that MVS and ESB have made. MVS and ESB will continue to steal their snaps. Regardless, Graham and Lewis need to be targeted more frequently inside the 20.
Aaron Jones. FEED. HIM! The Ty Montgomery trade might be a major blessing for Jones, too. He will see more playing time because of it.
It felt like the Packers got decent snaps from Tyler Lancaster and Montravious Adams along the DL.
I like that Robert Tonyan is seeing the field. I believe in his future. I watch George Kittle for the 49ers and I wonder why Tonyan can’t do the things he does.
Davante Adams continues to show himself as an elite WR in the league.
MVS!! Winning the arm battle to get a release? If that starts happening, look out.
ESB. 6 snaps. 2 targets. 2 catches. 31 yards.
Kyler Fackrell, once again, gave us some good snaps.
Gutekunst will likely have 6 of the top 130 picks and 10 overall picks heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.
There’s an added pick in this weeks Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft. My aim is to grab a Tackle and to build a defense:
Round 1a) Greedy Williams, CB, LSU.
Round 1b) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3) Yodny Cajuste, OT, Dub-V.
Round 4a) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4b) J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5) Delvon Randall, S, Temple.
Round 6a) Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming Round 6b) Tanner Muse, S, Clemson.
Round 7) Oshane Ximines, EDGE, ODU.
This week - the Packers travel to New England to play the Patriots. Normally, this section is reserved to show how the Packers can win the game. This week - I genuinely believe that the Green Bay Packers will go into New England. On Sunday Night. And leave with victory.
Tom Brady has weapons on offense. Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman are reliable targets. Both are gritty and play with tremendous football smarts. Josh Gordon is a weapon on the outside. I'm really excited to see Kevin King guarding Gordon. Rob Gronkowski, when healthy, remains the best TE in football. Cordarrelle Patterson is an elite Kick Returner. He's also a lethal gadget play weapon. The Patriots OL is beat up and could be a major weakness. The Packers DL must beat them up. Additionally, Clay Matthews should only rush Brady on speed rushes to the outside. Brady needs to be forced to step up into the pocket. If so, Clark and Daniels might be able to do damage on the interior. Brady will undoubtedly try to get James White involved in the passing game. The Packers would be wise to use Oren Burks as a match-up to White. I'd expect Belichick to try and pound Sony Michel - if he's healthy - at the heart of the Packers defense early in the game.
From a talent perspective, this is the worst defense that the Patriots have put on the field in many years. Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn are talented DE's, but they aren't anywhere near Pro Bowl level. Lawrence Guy, the ex-Packer, is a hard working interior defender. Don’t'a Hightower is a hard working, highly intelligent ILB. Kyle Van Noy is a product of the system. The Patriots have talented players in the secondary, but they can all be beaten over the top. Gilmore is a high profile CB who is solid in man coverage. Jonathan Jones is an all or nothing CB on the outside. JC Jackson needs to be targeted. I'd expect Rodgers to throw the ball at Jackson at least 15 times. Devin and Jason McCourty are mentally tough, sound football players. Patrick Chung has been a great Patriot, but his game is not what it was 5 years ago. This version of the Patriots is solely scheme based. They don’t have playmakers on defense. The Packers OL should offer time for Rodgers to pass and room for Jones to run. The Patriots don't match up well on the outside. I believe that MVS should hit over 100 yards as the Patriots try to take away Adams. Belichick won’t let Adams beat him. MVS will see single coverage. He will do damage. If Rodgers targets him. I’d like to see MVS as the #1 option on 3 deep balls this week.
Brady is still Brady. He’s going to work the middle of the field. He’s going to attack the slot. He’s going to make plays.
The Packers secondary is too talented for them to not intercept a pass per game. Someone will grab one this weekend. I’m guessing it’s Jaire.
Rodgers plays error free football and wins the perimeter of the field.
The Packers also concert in the Red Zone.
Packers 38.
Patriots 27.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
As I write, I listen to the Beatles “Rubber Soul” album. I think about Ty Montgomery and his “try and see it my way” approach to his interview. No, Ty. I’m sorry. We cannot “work it out.”
Here are my quick vibes from the last week:
The Packers had to move on from Ty Montgomery. What he did on Sunday was a colossal disaster. It was pure insubordination. It was cause for an immediate termination of his status on the roster. It’s unacceptable to completely disobey your coach’s orders. And, then, to fumble on the play? Well, that’s absolutely intolerable. To show how little interest that was generated, the Packers couldn’t even get a 2019 7th rounder. And, really, they were fortunate to even get the 2020 7th rounder.
I’m sad to see HaHa go. But, it was a smart business move by Gutekunst. It was clear that HaHa was gone after the year. And, since the Packers will likely be aggressive in Free Agency, it’s highly unlikely that the Packers would’ve even received a compensatory pick for him. Gutekunst is wisely playing the compensatory pick game. I imagine teams will mimic his move in the future. For what it’s worth, Detroit also did the same thing with Golden Tate this year. Further, the trade should allow for Breeland to see playing time as Tramon will likely see snaps at Safety.
I liked hearing the reports that Gutekunst seemingly held out on a HaHa trade to the Cowboys and his patience won him a better deal. Josina Anderson reported: “I'm also told #Cowboys did their due diligence engaging in some talk on one of the players the #Packers traded too, since it was thought Dallas may be a good landing spot for that player. Ultimately another team showed more love, after asking for more time to watch tape.”
The one guy that I would’ve liked to have traded for was Landon Collins. But, Gutekunst clearly has a long term plan and draft capital is a crucial component to his puzzle. Gutekunst has positioned himself to be able to fully rebuild the defense next year and he’s being wise with how he stacks picks. And, maybe, just maybe, Collins will be a Target in Free Agency.
The Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy combination should be disappointed in themselves. Let’s be real. Aaron Rodgers is superhuman, at times. He makes plays that no other player on the planet can make and he’s willed us to two victories when the Packers had no business winning the game. But, as a whole, Rodgers hasn’t been as sharp as we’re accustomed to seeing him. He’s missing throws that he normally connects on. And, with the injury, he has not been as mobile as in past years. He hasn’t been able to extend plays and because of it, he’s been taking sacks and putting the Packers in difficult down and distance situations. Also, in past years, Rodgers was a master at drawing defenders off-sides. That hasn’t happened this year. In essence, the free play has been taken away from the Packers. And, with regards to McCarthy, his use of the running back position has been absolutely baffling. Every time Aaron Jones steps on the field, it seems like something really good is happening. Yet, he still isn’t consistently fed the ball. He needs to touch the ball 20 times per game. He needs to get into a rhythm. When that occurs, big plays will continue to follow.
I’m convinced that McCarthy wanted to pass to MVS on a slant out of the end zone. Rodgers checked to a run and got burned for a safety.
The Packers led 10-8 with 10:33 to play in the 3rd. I’m certain that McCarthy wanted to run the ball on 2nd and 2. Rodgers checked to a pass and threw incomplete. The same thing might have happened on 3rd down, but it was less clear. Nonetheless, Rodgers was sacked on the play for a 9-yard loss. There appears to be a continued power struggle between McCarthy and Rodgers.
Most will have an issue with McCarthy’s decision to attack when he was up 2 with the ball and less than 7 minutes to play. Me? I liked it. An aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. He went aggressive. Lane Taylor failed him.
A fantastic defensive performance had the Packers on the brink of victory. The defense was well prepared. They played with confidence. They were inspired. And, the enhanced motivation led to a handful of tremendous individual performances. The players who are supposed to make plays — made plays on Sunday. Kenny Clark is an All Pro quality player. He played like it on Sunday. Blake Martinez has top-tier ILB potential. He played like it on Sunday. Jaire Alexander showed why Gutekunst was so aggressive in trading up to get him. Kevin King made plays on the outside in both run support and in the pass game. Both Mike Daniels and Clay Matthews played their best game of the year. If Nick Perry were to decide to show up to the party, I think that this defense could continue with that type of performance during this crucial 5-game stretch.
I’m excited to see what TMon brings to the Safety position. One thing is for sure: TMon will be physical and he will play with reckless abandon. TMon will fly to the ball. He will toss his body around. And, while he can’t run like he used to, TMon is still really quick in short spaces.
Jostling Jaire! Say it is so! Throwing two-handed punches to jam at the line of scrimmage. Flashing his quickness. Showing good ball awareness. In my lifetime, the only CBs that I’ve seen play with that type of physical and mental intensity are: Sir Charles, Mike McKenzie and Craig Newsome. What a performance!
Kenny Clark looked like an All Pro! He could not be blocked. He was a dynamo along the line of scrimmage.
Blake Martinez on the inside blitz was a thing of beauty. He wasn’t thinking, he was reacting. He was using his instincts. I’d like to see Oren Burks or Josh Jones teaming with Martinez on inside blitzes.
At one stage in his career, Clay Matthews was terrific in space. Today, he can’t function. Pettine should no longer drop him in coverage. He’s lost.
The Packers play a ton of dime defense. With the HaHa trade, it’ll create opportunities for Josh Jackson, Breeland, and Josh Jones. I’d like to see Alexander and King on the outside with Breeland, Jackson and Jones alternating in the slot, depending on the call. It’s clear that Tramon’s role is changing and we will see Williams and Whitehead also rotating between safety and the slot role. It’s unlikely that we’ll see Tramon on the perimeter anymore, but I think the current roster make-up will allow for Pettine to become really creative with his secondary packages.
I was surprised that they didn’t try to match up Burks with Gurley. Use Burks’ speed and cover skills to man-up against Gurley as he punished the Packers for nearly 200 yards.
As for how they use him moving forward, I’d like to see Burks and Josh Jones – for that matter – on the blitz. In the preseason, Burks looked like he had the ability to rush the passer on inside blitzes and early last year, we saw Jones flashing skills on the outside as a blitzing LB. Both might be able to improve our highly inconsistent pass rush.
It was definitely a frustrating day at the office for the offense. In general, I’d like to think that Marcedes Lewis and Jimmy Graham are the solution to the Packers Red Zone struggles. Both have size that presents significant match-up problems. However, in the open field, both seem to have lost a step and might not be separating as much as we expected they would before the season. When the playing surface changes with the weather and the field slows down, maybe Graham and Lewis will be able to gain more separation as the turf equals out the speed portion of the game. But, as the season progresses, I’m not positive that we’ll see consistent production from either player. Especially with the recent plays that MVS and ESB have made. MVS and ESB will continue to steal their snaps. Regardless, Graham and Lewis need to be targeted more frequently inside the 20.
Aaron Jones. FEED. HIM! The Ty Montgomery trade might be a major blessing for Jones, too. He will see more playing time because of it.
It felt like the Packers got decent snaps from Tyler Lancaster and Montravious Adams along the DL.
I like that Robert Tonyan is seeing the field. I believe in his future. I watch George Kittle for the 49ers and I wonder why Tonyan can’t do the things he does.
Davante Adams continues to show himself as an elite WR in the league.
MVS!! Winning the arm battle to get a release? If that starts happening, look out.
ESB. 6 snaps. 2 targets. 2 catches. 31 yards.
Kyler Fackrell, once again, gave us some good snaps.
Gutekunst will likely have 6 of the top 130 picks and 10 overall picks heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.
There’s an added pick in this weeks Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft. My aim is to grab a Tackle and to build a defense:
Round 1a) Greedy Williams, CB, LSU.
Round 1b) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3) Yodny Cajuste, OT, Dub-V.
Round 4a) Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4b) J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5) Delvon Randall, S, Temple.
Round 6a) Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming Round 6b) Tanner Muse, S, Clemson.
Round 7) Oshane Ximines, EDGE, ODU.
This week - the Packers travel to New England to play the Patriots. Normally, this section is reserved to show how the Packers can win the game. This week - I genuinely believe that the Green Bay Packers will go into New England. On Sunday Night. And leave with victory.
Tom Brady has weapons on offense. Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman are reliable targets. Both are gritty and play with tremendous football smarts. Josh Gordon is a weapon on the outside. I'm really excited to see Kevin King guarding Gordon. Rob Gronkowski, when healthy, remains the best TE in football. Cordarrelle Patterson is an elite Kick Returner. He's also a lethal gadget play weapon. The Patriots OL is beat up and could be a major weakness. The Packers DL must beat them up. Additionally, Clay Matthews should only rush Brady on speed rushes to the outside. Brady needs to be forced to step up into the pocket. If so, Clark and Daniels might be able to do damage on the interior. Brady will undoubtedly try to get James White involved in the passing game. The Packers would be wise to use Oren Burks as a match-up to White. I'd expect Belichick to try and pound Sony Michel - if he's healthy - at the heart of the Packers defense early in the game.
From a talent perspective, this is the worst defense that the Patriots have put on the field in many years. Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn are talented DE's, but they aren't anywhere near Pro Bowl level. Lawrence Guy, the ex-Packer, is a hard working interior defender. Don’t'a Hightower is a hard working, highly intelligent ILB. Kyle Van Noy is a product of the system. The Patriots have talented players in the secondary, but they can all be beaten over the top. Gilmore is a high profile CB who is solid in man coverage. Jonathan Jones is an all or nothing CB on the outside. JC Jackson needs to be targeted. I'd expect Rodgers to throw the ball at Jackson at least 15 times. Devin and Jason McCourty are mentally tough, sound football players. Patrick Chung has been a great Patriot, but his game is not what it was 5 years ago. This version of the Patriots is solely scheme based. They don’t have playmakers on defense. The Packers OL should offer time for Rodgers to pass and room for Jones to run. The Patriots don't match up well on the outside. I believe that MVS should hit over 100 yards as the Patriots try to take away Adams. Belichick won’t let Adams beat him. MVS will see single coverage. He will do damage. If Rodgers targets him. I’d like to see MVS as the #1 option on 3 deep balls this week.
Brady is still Brady. He’s going to work the middle of the field. He’s going to attack the slot. He’s going to make plays.
The Packers secondary is too talented for them to not intercept a pass per game. Someone will grab one this weekend. I’m guessing it’s Jaire.
Rodgers plays error free football and wins the perimeter of the field.
The Packers also concert in the Red Zone.
Packers 38.
Patriots 27.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Saturday, October 27, 2018
My Take -> Week 8
reetings, G-Force.
3-2-1. For a moment, the season had fallen into the darkness. It was an empty feeling abyss. Until a slew of consecutive plays monumentally propelled the Packers —in rocket-like fashion— from a horrendous vibe entering the bye week. The high spirited close to the 4th Quarter temporarily masks the heavy flaws that surround this historically great Franchise. Nonetheless, for now, let’s celebrate victories and soak in the moment as the Packers are squarely in the hunt for a NFC North Division title. I don’t know what the next 5 games will bring, but I have today and with it, I’m going to hope there’s a way for the Packers to carve out 3 victories in the next 5 games.
I sit with Phish’s October 23rd show from Nashville blazing in my ears. I was fortunate to be in attendance. It was “Party Time.”
My quick vibes over the last two weeks:
Mike McCarthy came out with a solid game plan in place. There was disguise, there was motion and there was great variety in both formation and play design. The Packers raced out to a 17-7 lead and all felt right. But, as adjustments occurred the Packers took their foot off of the accelerator. SF took advantage and McCarthy never recovered.
Aaron Rodgers. We can only hope that the last five minutes of the 4th Quarter propels Rodgers into the zone. When Rodgers is in rhythm, he’s the best player in the NFL.
Davante Adams. Smooth. Clutch. Dynamite.
MVS. Kid looks like a player! He needs to get stronger, but he has natural traits that can’t be taught.
ESB. A thrilling grab to get us into FG range. A potentially defining play of the season.
Good to see Jimmy Graham making big plays. We still need to figure out how to get him the ball in the Red Zone.
Aaron Jones showed burst. He looked lethal. And, then, he disappeared.
Jamaal Williams runs hard. He takes second effort to the extreme.
I liked seeing Ty Montgomery getting into the slot and digging his way across the middle of the field. I wish Rodgers would look to him as his primary read in that case.
Kenny Clark continues to play at a Pro Bowl level. He was the lone player in the front 7 to play a full 60 minutes. Dude is a yoked up bright shining diamond!
When will Mike Daniels dominate a game in 2018?
Blake Martinez has been really up and down this year. Makes me wonder if he’s still learning the system and because of it, he’s over thinking. He had a number of bounce back plays in the second half. Hoping he can return to being the definition of consistency.
The defense has missed Jostling Jaire. They feed off of his energy. Have lost a spark of confidence without him.
Brice is an absolute liability in coverage.
Loved seeing Kevin King make the monster play late!! In a game that felt like it was a mandatory win with the pending 5-game stretch on the horizon, it was King who came to save the day.
MASON CROSBY! Way to rebound!
Great play call on the TD to Adams to tie it. MVS wins his 1 on 1 battle and forced the safety to the inside. That left Adams in single coverage on the outside. I dig.
Raven Greene lowering the boom and making his presence felt on special teams!
Thus far, HaHa has been the only player on the defense to consistently force turnovers this year. He has forced 4 in 6 games.
Kyler Fackrell showed up in stealthily positive fashion in the 4th Quarter.
Clay Matthews getting a 4th Quarter third down sack made me smile.
Nick Perry getting his hands up and swatting down balls!
At some point, I want to see Josh Jones coming on the blitz. This team needs a pash rush and Jones seems like he would bring a burst to the QB that we aren’t getting right now.
Aaron Rodgers. Appreciate the brilliance. Gamer when it mattered most.
Where’s the Reggie Gilbert that we saw in the preseason?
Kudos to the fans. It was cold. With the Brewers playing at the same time, there was distraction. But, when the team needed to be uplifted the most, the fans rose to the occasion and made things tough on the young 49ers offense.
In my weekly Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft, I look to solve the Packers pass rushing woes with heavy quantity and a wide variety of pass rushing styles. The Packers need to find a way to get to the QB. This draft would instantly change their fortunes.
Round 1a: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 1b: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State.
Round 2. Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[].
Round 3. Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson.
Round 4. Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 5. Marvell Tell III, S, USC.
Round 6a. Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming.
Round 6b. DeMarcus Christmas, DL, FSU.
Round 7. DeShaun Davis, ILB, Auburn.
This week – it’s the Rams. In LA. The Rams enter as a heavily favored undefeated team that walks like they’re Champions. They’re well coached and have dynamic playmakers all over the field. They expect to win. However, the Packers are coming off a bye. A bye that has led the Packers to finally be healthy. It also allowed for Mike McCarthy to do some soul searching. McCarthy went as far as self scouting to see how he could improve his ball club. Historically, McCarthy's teams have risen to the occasion when it's mattered most. This game will have a playoff atmosphere to it. I expect the Packers to be prepared. After all, over the next 5 games, it's mandatory for the Packers to win at least 2 of them, but in reality, the Packers need to win 3 as I'm not absolutely positive that this team is capable of running the table against the Cardinals, Falcons, Bears, Jets and Lions. 10-5-1 would get the Packers to the playoffs. There's even a possibility that 9-6-1 gets the Packers to the playoffs this year. But, the magic number is 10 wins. And, the race to 10 has a steep task in front of it -- over the next 5 weeks -- kicking it off with a date against the Rams.
Jared Goff is playing with immense confidence. With Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, he has two WR’s that can beat you deep. The Rams will look to get both of them streaking down the field to expose Brice’s deep ball limitations. The Packers catch a break with Cooper Kupp likely missing the game. The Rams OL isn’t littered with big names, but they win the line of scrimmage. They often create massive holes that Todd Gurley can walk behind. Many times, Gurley has a head of steam and he’s 3-5 yards down field before he’s touched. Gurley’s power and physicality leads him to rarely get brought down by the first defender and thus, Gurley often gives the Rams 2nd and short. Sean McVay, the Rams coach, also does a fantastic job of getting Gurley involved in the passing game. McVay keeps the opposition guessing. McVay is a mastermind of creativity. In my opinion, McVay and Shanahan are the most creative offensive minds in the game. We saw what Shanahan did to the Packers defense with limited offensive weapons. Just wait to see how much misdirection and how many jet sweeps McVay throws at the Packers with high-level talent. He’ll look to get Gurley at least 5 receptions this weekend and he’ll force the Packers to tackle in the open field. Malcolm Brown is a talented back-up at RB.
Defensively, the Rams are as brute up front as anyone in the league. Aaron Donald is the premier defender in the game. Suh can still play. He dominates when he is motivated. Michael Brockers is a physical specimen who can win with both speed and power. Mark Barron is a speed demon at ILB. He can cover and he’s often given space to roam behind that massive LA front. The Rams secondary is banged up. Marcus Peters will be playing and so will John Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Sammy Swagga. I’m stoked that Sammy is back in the league. He was always a favorite of mine. Peters is a superstar on the other side. But, their depth is limited. So, the Packers would be wise to spread the Rams out and to attack.
The Packers can control the clock and the game by utilizing a combination of quick passes and the run game. The combination would also keep the defense honest when it came time to call play-action.
The Rams shouldn’t have an answer for Jimmy Graham. I fully expect Graham to have a big game.
As a huge underdog, look for Rodgers to find his rhythm early. Playing with a carefree spirit and a playoff intensity, Rodgers finds an open Davante Adams streaking down the sideline. The Packers find the end zone early.
The Rams are able to move the ball, but they have to settle for three. On two occasions.
Without forcing turnovers, it’ll be tough for the Packers to win. Good thing that I’m in the minority here, but for me, the jury is still out on Jared Goff. I think that he can be forced into turnovers. I believe that the Packers pick Goff off on two occasions this weekend.
The Packers quick passing game – much like the 2nd half of the Bears game – limits the Rams pass rush. Aaron Jones gets loose. There’s a bolt of confidence inside the Packers huddle.
Brace yourself. This one will be fast and furious. It’s Crosby with the game winner and once, again, there’s belief inside the fandom of the Green Bay Packers!
Packers 38.
Rams 37.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com
3-2-1. For a moment, the season had fallen into the darkness. It was an empty feeling abyss. Until a slew of consecutive plays monumentally propelled the Packers —in rocket-like fashion— from a horrendous vibe entering the bye week. The high spirited close to the 4th Quarter temporarily masks the heavy flaws that surround this historically great Franchise. Nonetheless, for now, let’s celebrate victories and soak in the moment as the Packers are squarely in the hunt for a NFC North Division title. I don’t know what the next 5 games will bring, but I have today and with it, I’m going to hope there’s a way for the Packers to carve out 3 victories in the next 5 games.
I sit with Phish’s October 23rd show from Nashville blazing in my ears. I was fortunate to be in attendance. It was “Party Time.”
My quick vibes over the last two weeks:
Mike McCarthy came out with a solid game plan in place. There was disguise, there was motion and there was great variety in both formation and play design. The Packers raced out to a 17-7 lead and all felt right. But, as adjustments occurred the Packers took their foot off of the accelerator. SF took advantage and McCarthy never recovered.
Aaron Rodgers. We can only hope that the last five minutes of the 4th Quarter propels Rodgers into the zone. When Rodgers is in rhythm, he’s the best player in the NFL.
Davante Adams. Smooth. Clutch. Dynamite.
MVS. Kid looks like a player! He needs to get stronger, but he has natural traits that can’t be taught.
ESB. A thrilling grab to get us into FG range. A potentially defining play of the season.
Good to see Jimmy Graham making big plays. We still need to figure out how to get him the ball in the Red Zone.
Aaron Jones showed burst. He looked lethal. And, then, he disappeared.
Jamaal Williams runs hard. He takes second effort to the extreme.
I liked seeing Ty Montgomery getting into the slot and digging his way across the middle of the field. I wish Rodgers would look to him as his primary read in that case.
Kenny Clark continues to play at a Pro Bowl level. He was the lone player in the front 7 to play a full 60 minutes. Dude is a yoked up bright shining diamond!
When will Mike Daniels dominate a game in 2018?
Blake Martinez has been really up and down this year. Makes me wonder if he’s still learning the system and because of it, he’s over thinking. He had a number of bounce back plays in the second half. Hoping he can return to being the definition of consistency.
The defense has missed Jostling Jaire. They feed off of his energy. Have lost a spark of confidence without him.
Brice is an absolute liability in coverage.
Loved seeing Kevin King make the monster play late!! In a game that felt like it was a mandatory win with the pending 5-game stretch on the horizon, it was King who came to save the day.
MASON CROSBY! Way to rebound!
Great play call on the TD to Adams to tie it. MVS wins his 1 on 1 battle and forced the safety to the inside. That left Adams in single coverage on the outside. I dig.
Raven Greene lowering the boom and making his presence felt on special teams!
Thus far, HaHa has been the only player on the defense to consistently force turnovers this year. He has forced 4 in 6 games.
Kyler Fackrell showed up in stealthily positive fashion in the 4th Quarter.
Clay Matthews getting a 4th Quarter third down sack made me smile.
Nick Perry getting his hands up and swatting down balls!
At some point, I want to see Josh Jones coming on the blitz. This team needs a pash rush and Jones seems like he would bring a burst to the QB that we aren’t getting right now.
Aaron Rodgers. Appreciate the brilliance. Gamer when it mattered most.
Where’s the Reggie Gilbert that we saw in the preseason?
Kudos to the fans. It was cold. With the Brewers playing at the same time, there was distraction. But, when the team needed to be uplifted the most, the fans rose to the occasion and made things tough on the young 49ers offense.
In my weekly Fanspeak Packers Mock Draft, I look to solve the Packers pass rushing woes with heavy quantity and a wide variety of pass rushing styles. The Packers need to find a way to get to the QB. This draft would instantly change their fortunes.
Round 1a: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 1b: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State.
Round 2. Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[].
Round 3. Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson.
Round 4. Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 5. Marvell Tell III, S, USC.
Round 6a. Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming.
Round 6b. DeMarcus Christmas, DL, FSU.
Round 7. DeShaun Davis, ILB, Auburn.
This week – it’s the Rams. In LA. The Rams enter as a heavily favored undefeated team that walks like they’re Champions. They’re well coached and have dynamic playmakers all over the field. They expect to win. However, the Packers are coming off a bye. A bye that has led the Packers to finally be healthy. It also allowed for Mike McCarthy to do some soul searching. McCarthy went as far as self scouting to see how he could improve his ball club. Historically, McCarthy's teams have risen to the occasion when it's mattered most. This game will have a playoff atmosphere to it. I expect the Packers to be prepared. After all, over the next 5 games, it's mandatory for the Packers to win at least 2 of them, but in reality, the Packers need to win 3 as I'm not absolutely positive that this team is capable of running the table against the Cardinals, Falcons, Bears, Jets and Lions. 10-5-1 would get the Packers to the playoffs. There's even a possibility that 9-6-1 gets the Packers to the playoffs this year. But, the magic number is 10 wins. And, the race to 10 has a steep task in front of it -- over the next 5 weeks -- kicking it off with a date against the Rams.
Jared Goff is playing with immense confidence. With Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, he has two WR’s that can beat you deep. The Rams will look to get both of them streaking down the field to expose Brice’s deep ball limitations. The Packers catch a break with Cooper Kupp likely missing the game. The Rams OL isn’t littered with big names, but they win the line of scrimmage. They often create massive holes that Todd Gurley can walk behind. Many times, Gurley has a head of steam and he’s 3-5 yards down field before he’s touched. Gurley’s power and physicality leads him to rarely get brought down by the first defender and thus, Gurley often gives the Rams 2nd and short. Sean McVay, the Rams coach, also does a fantastic job of getting Gurley involved in the passing game. McVay keeps the opposition guessing. McVay is a mastermind of creativity. In my opinion, McVay and Shanahan are the most creative offensive minds in the game. We saw what Shanahan did to the Packers defense with limited offensive weapons. Just wait to see how much misdirection and how many jet sweeps McVay throws at the Packers with high-level talent. He’ll look to get Gurley at least 5 receptions this weekend and he’ll force the Packers to tackle in the open field. Malcolm Brown is a talented back-up at RB.
Defensively, the Rams are as brute up front as anyone in the league. Aaron Donald is the premier defender in the game. Suh can still play. He dominates when he is motivated. Michael Brockers is a physical specimen who can win with both speed and power. Mark Barron is a speed demon at ILB. He can cover and he’s often given space to roam behind that massive LA front. The Rams secondary is banged up. Marcus Peters will be playing and so will John Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Sammy Swagga. I’m stoked that Sammy is back in the league. He was always a favorite of mine. Peters is a superstar on the other side. But, their depth is limited. So, the Packers would be wise to spread the Rams out and to attack.
The Packers can control the clock and the game by utilizing a combination of quick passes and the run game. The combination would also keep the defense honest when it came time to call play-action.
The Rams shouldn’t have an answer for Jimmy Graham. I fully expect Graham to have a big game.
As a huge underdog, look for Rodgers to find his rhythm early. Playing with a carefree spirit and a playoff intensity, Rodgers finds an open Davante Adams streaking down the sideline. The Packers find the end zone early.
The Rams are able to move the ball, but they have to settle for three. On two occasions.
Without forcing turnovers, it’ll be tough for the Packers to win. Good thing that I’m in the minority here, but for me, the jury is still out on Jared Goff. I think that he can be forced into turnovers. I believe that the Packers pick Goff off on two occasions this weekend.
The Packers quick passing game – much like the 2nd half of the Bears game – limits the Rams pass rush. Aaron Jones gets loose. There’s a bolt of confidence inside the Packers huddle.
Brace yourself. This one will be fast and furious. It’s Crosby with the game winner and once, again, there’s belief inside the fandom of the Green Bay Packers!
Packers 38.
Rams 37.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 11, 2018
My Take -> Week 6
Greetings, G-Force.
2-2-1. The intent of this blog has always been to take an optimistic yet realistic approach towards the Green Bay Packers. Here’s the optimistic part: the NFC looks to be very mediocre. After 5 weeks, the Packers are still tied for the last Wild Card spot.
Here’s the realistic side: Presently, the Green Bay Packers are a team without an identity. They’re a team that’s been unable to get into an offensive rhythm, has been overwhelmingly inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball and has struggled mightily in the kicking game.
I put my mind at ease with Bob Dylan in the background. As the Packers continue their carousel at RB, I think to myself: “Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head. And pretend that he just doesn't see?”
Here are my quick vibes for the week:
We’ve reached the point in this season where it’ll be commonplace for fans to call for McCarthy to leave. At this stage, it appears as though we’ve reached that point. But, I’m not going to focus on that. I’m going to try and enjoy the season. I’m going to root on the Packers as I always have. I am going to envision Packers victories in the future. Bleak as it may seem.
Mike McCarthy actually called a decent first half. Yet, his team scored zero points. There was creativity. There were crossing routes. Good play action. But, his QB did not play well over the first 30 minutes of the game. Additionally, his normally reliable kicker was pathetic.
All things considered, the defense didn’t play terribly either. There was the bad break on the punt. By the way, that was terrible officiating. The ball hit a Lion, not King. The defense was also dealt a bad hand after the first Rodgers fumble and held the Lions to a FG.
As I watched the game, I started to feel bad for Mike Pettine. He can’t call a defense that rushes 4 people and expect to receive positive results. The Packers front 4 applies so little pressure that it’s really difficult to watch. It has to be even harder for Pettine to stomach. All in, I thought he called a decent game.
This team is built around Aaron Rodgers. Right now, Aaron Rodgers is not the QB that we are used to watching. He can’t extend plays with his legs. He’s not making good decisions and he’s missing a number of passes that we are accustomed to seeing him make. I hope this isn’t the new normal. I trust that his play will improve as the season goes along and his knee continues to feel better. A victory over SF and a bye week will be good for Rodgers’ buzz.
Through 5 weeks, it appears as though the Packers have three Pro Bowl caliber players: Davante Adams, David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark. The slow start to the season is not indicative of their performance.
I read a tweet that sparked disbelief by the Packer Report: Rodgers ranks last in the NFL in first-quarter completion percentage.
I was so excited when Tony Brown jammed the receiver and broke up the pass. He showed attitude and physical determination. He followed it up with a nonsensical taunting penalty.
I was really happy with the way MVS and ESB played. Big games from both of the rookies.
Jimmy Graham has to catch the ball.
Thought Oren Burks showed great speed. Didn’t always wrap up, but I liked his presence.
Kevin King plays well when he can use the sideline as his friend. When he’s stuck in the middle of the field, he’s a liability.
Need more from Mike Daniels. He was in pursuit, but the Packers need a game changing play from him.
Kenny Clark. Superstar.
If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I’ve been a big fan of Nick Perry since he was in college. Thus far, other than Rodgers, he’s been the most disappointing performer on the team.
I’m was more disappointed that Crosby missed the kick to beat MN than I was with his performance in DET. Post the MN kick, he hasn’t looked the same with the way he’s striking the ball. Remember that he also missed an XP against Buffalo.
My gut tells me that the Packers are on the brink of an offensive explosion.
I still want to believe that Jaire, TMon and JJ will combine for double digit interceptions. Big plays are on the horizon. They have to be!
As I think about the 2019 NFL Draft, I can’t help but think that Gutekunst is kicking himself for how he approached the 2018 NFL season at the EDGE. While I fully believe that Gutekunst was convinced that he was going to land Mack, he missed out and his team is paying the price for it. The Packers drafted 3 RB’s in the 2017 Draft and 3 WR’s in the 2018 Draft. The 2019 Draft will require 3 EDGE players. Here is my weekly fanspeak mock draft:
Round 1a.) Devin White, LB, LSU.
Round 1b.) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2.) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3.) Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[]
Round 4.) JR Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5.) Marvell Tell, S, USC.
Round 6a.) Kendall Baker, OT, Georgia.
Round 6b.) DeMarcus Christmas, DT, FSU.
Round 7.) Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State.
This week - it’s the 49ers coming to Lambeau Field. On Monday Night Football. I expect a celebratory Packers victory.
The 49ers entered the season full of hope. But, their dreams were dashed due to injury. Now, CJ Beathard will lead the 49ers into Titletown, U.S.A. You can guarantee that he'll see Mike Pettine's full arsenal of blitz packages. Pettine will be on a blitzing voyage. Matt Breida is questionable. If he plays, he's shown to be a worthy RB. If he doesn't play, Alfred Morris will get the bulk of the carries. If Alfred Morris hurts us at this stage of his career, the Packers have major problems. George Kittle is an under-appreciate, unknown TE. Kittle can flat out play. The 49ers will target Kittle in bundles. They love to run him underneath the line and to get him the ball in the flat. He's constantly in motion. He's moved all over the field. I think that Kyle Shanahan is one of the brightest offensive minds in football. He'll be creative in his ways to get Kittle open. Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon are tough WR's. They'll out-physical DB's. Dante Pettis is a big target that I wanted in Green Bay. He has a bright future. The 49ers possess a strong, imposing OL. They'll duke it out with the Packers DL and should be able to win most of the match-ups in 1 on 1 battles.
The 49ers defense is better than they appear. Solomon Thomas, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead have the length that gives the Packers OL all kinds of problems. Fred Warner and Reuben Foster are young football warriors who hunt down the ball with a mean mentality. Richard Sherman can still play CB in this league. Ahkello Witherspoon has all of the tools to be a 10-year starting CB. Jimmie Ward is a talented nickel CB. The 49ers Safety play leaves a lot to be desired. They can be beaten deep down the middle of the field. It'll be interesting to see if Rodgers is willing to look over the middle of the field on Monday Night. He's normally shy in regards to taking the field between the hashes.
The Packers need an evening to celebrate. Green Bay, WI deserves a night to celebrate. Under the lights in grand fashion.
The 49ers try to slow down the clock and the game by running the ball early and then mixing in basic underneath play-action calls. Then, Shanahan opens up the play book and attacks the Packers deep down the field. He's specifically looking at Kentrell Brice.
I fully anticipate that Aaron Rodgers has an MVP style of performance. I think he snaps out of his funk. Rodgers goes wild.
Davante tops 100 yards and scores 2. Graham also scores a TD.
Finally, the Packers have a game in which they finish Red Zone drives.
Packers 38
49ers 13
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
2-2-1. The intent of this blog has always been to take an optimistic yet realistic approach towards the Green Bay Packers. Here’s the optimistic part: the NFC looks to be very mediocre. After 5 weeks, the Packers are still tied for the last Wild Card spot.
Here’s the realistic side: Presently, the Green Bay Packers are a team without an identity. They’re a team that’s been unable to get into an offensive rhythm, has been overwhelmingly inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball and has struggled mightily in the kicking game.
I put my mind at ease with Bob Dylan in the background. As the Packers continue their carousel at RB, I think to myself: “Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head. And pretend that he just doesn't see?”
Here are my quick vibes for the week:
We’ve reached the point in this season where it’ll be commonplace for fans to call for McCarthy to leave. At this stage, it appears as though we’ve reached that point. But, I’m not going to focus on that. I’m going to try and enjoy the season. I’m going to root on the Packers as I always have. I am going to envision Packers victories in the future. Bleak as it may seem.
Mike McCarthy actually called a decent first half. Yet, his team scored zero points. There was creativity. There were crossing routes. Good play action. But, his QB did not play well over the first 30 minutes of the game. Additionally, his normally reliable kicker was pathetic.
All things considered, the defense didn’t play terribly either. There was the bad break on the punt. By the way, that was terrible officiating. The ball hit a Lion, not King. The defense was also dealt a bad hand after the first Rodgers fumble and held the Lions to a FG.
As I watched the game, I started to feel bad for Mike Pettine. He can’t call a defense that rushes 4 people and expect to receive positive results. The Packers front 4 applies so little pressure that it’s really difficult to watch. It has to be even harder for Pettine to stomach. All in, I thought he called a decent game.
This team is built around Aaron Rodgers. Right now, Aaron Rodgers is not the QB that we are used to watching. He can’t extend plays with his legs. He’s not making good decisions and he’s missing a number of passes that we are accustomed to seeing him make. I hope this isn’t the new normal. I trust that his play will improve as the season goes along and his knee continues to feel better. A victory over SF and a bye week will be good for Rodgers’ buzz.
Through 5 weeks, it appears as though the Packers have three Pro Bowl caliber players: Davante Adams, David Bakhtiari and Kenny Clark. The slow start to the season is not indicative of their performance.
I read a tweet that sparked disbelief by the Packer Report: Rodgers ranks last in the NFL in first-quarter completion percentage.
I was so excited when Tony Brown jammed the receiver and broke up the pass. He showed attitude and physical determination. He followed it up with a nonsensical taunting penalty.
I was really happy with the way MVS and ESB played. Big games from both of the rookies.
Jimmy Graham has to catch the ball.
Thought Oren Burks showed great speed. Didn’t always wrap up, but I liked his presence.
Kevin King plays well when he can use the sideline as his friend. When he’s stuck in the middle of the field, he’s a liability.
Need more from Mike Daniels. He was in pursuit, but the Packers need a game changing play from him.
Kenny Clark. Superstar.
If you’ve followed this blog long enough, you know that I’ve been a big fan of Nick Perry since he was in college. Thus far, other than Rodgers, he’s been the most disappointing performer on the team.
I’m was more disappointed that Crosby missed the kick to beat MN than I was with his performance in DET. Post the MN kick, he hasn’t looked the same with the way he’s striking the ball. Remember that he also missed an XP against Buffalo.
My gut tells me that the Packers are on the brink of an offensive explosion.
I still want to believe that Jaire, TMon and JJ will combine for double digit interceptions. Big plays are on the horizon. They have to be!
As I think about the 2019 NFL Draft, I can’t help but think that Gutekunst is kicking himself for how he approached the 2018 NFL season at the EDGE. While I fully believe that Gutekunst was convinced that he was going to land Mack, he missed out and his team is paying the price for it. The Packers drafted 3 RB’s in the 2017 Draft and 3 WR’s in the 2018 Draft. The 2019 Draft will require 3 EDGE players. Here is my weekly fanspeak mock draft:
Round 1a.) Devin White, LB, LSU.
Round 1b.) Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
Round 2.) Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 3.) Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[]
Round 4.) JR Reed, S, Georgia.
Round 5.) Marvell Tell, S, USC.
Round 6a.) Kendall Baker, OT, Georgia.
Round 6b.) DeMarcus Christmas, DT, FSU.
Round 7.) Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State.
This week - it’s the 49ers coming to Lambeau Field. On Monday Night Football. I expect a celebratory Packers victory.
The 49ers entered the season full of hope. But, their dreams were dashed due to injury. Now, CJ Beathard will lead the 49ers into Titletown, U.S.A. You can guarantee that he'll see Mike Pettine's full arsenal of blitz packages. Pettine will be on a blitzing voyage. Matt Breida is questionable. If he plays, he's shown to be a worthy RB. If he doesn't play, Alfred Morris will get the bulk of the carries. If Alfred Morris hurts us at this stage of his career, the Packers have major problems. George Kittle is an under-appreciate, unknown TE. Kittle can flat out play. The 49ers will target Kittle in bundles. They love to run him underneath the line and to get him the ball in the flat. He's constantly in motion. He's moved all over the field. I think that Kyle Shanahan is one of the brightest offensive minds in football. He'll be creative in his ways to get Kittle open. Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon are tough WR's. They'll out-physical DB's. Dante Pettis is a big target that I wanted in Green Bay. He has a bright future. The 49ers possess a strong, imposing OL. They'll duke it out with the Packers DL and should be able to win most of the match-ups in 1 on 1 battles.
The 49ers defense is better than they appear. Solomon Thomas, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead have the length that gives the Packers OL all kinds of problems. Fred Warner and Reuben Foster are young football warriors who hunt down the ball with a mean mentality. Richard Sherman can still play CB in this league. Ahkello Witherspoon has all of the tools to be a 10-year starting CB. Jimmie Ward is a talented nickel CB. The 49ers Safety play leaves a lot to be desired. They can be beaten deep down the middle of the field. It'll be interesting to see if Rodgers is willing to look over the middle of the field on Monday Night. He's normally shy in regards to taking the field between the hashes.
The Packers need an evening to celebrate. Green Bay, WI deserves a night to celebrate. Under the lights in grand fashion.
The 49ers try to slow down the clock and the game by running the ball early and then mixing in basic underneath play-action calls. Then, Shanahan opens up the play book and attacks the Packers deep down the field. He's specifically looking at Kentrell Brice.
I fully anticipate that Aaron Rodgers has an MVP style of performance. I think he snaps out of his funk. Rodgers goes wild.
Davante tops 100 yards and scores 2. Graham also scores a TD.
Finally, the Packers have a game in which they finish Red Zone drives.
Packers 38
49ers 13
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, October 5, 2018
My Take -> Week 5
Greetings, G-Force.
2-1-1. With uncertainty lingering and expectations at a significantly lower than anticipated level, the Packers defense rose to the occasion in a relentlessly attacking fashion. Thus, a week after thwarting the ‘queens defense for 27 points in Minnesota, the Lambeau Field Stage proved to be far too grand for the Bills rookie QB, Josh Allen.
It was an unfamiliar style of victory for the Packers. The defense dominated. The offense lacked both substance and execution. The crowd showed up without intensity. Still, without the customary offensive flash, the Packers destroyed a feisty Bills team. Kudos to Mike Pettine.
Feeling chill, I listen to Bob Marley. Focusing on hits such as “Mellow Mood” and “Lively Up Yourself” - both of which feel relevant to me right now.
Here are my quick vibes over the last week:
An aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. On Sunday, McCarthy lacked all killer instinct. He was conservative. It almost feels like he’s so jaded by his experiences with Hundley and Kizer that he’s forgotten how to call a game with a 2-time MVP as his QB. 3rd and 11 draws and 3rd and long WR screens are now the norm. With Hundley or Kizer, sure, that’s fine. But with Rodgers, you have to let it rip!
Throughout his career, Rodgers has been among the most accurate QB’s in the history of the game. Thus far, to start the 2018 season, Rodgers hasn’t displayed the pin point accuracy that we’ve come to expect. Clearly, he needs practice. I’m hoping that his knee continues to improve and therefore, he should be able to increase his workload throughout the week. Rodgers’ mobility has improved tremendously. He’s been a warrior. He's showed guts. He’s showed toughness. He just hasn’t been as accurate as he has normally been.
Aaron Jones has superstar potential. He needs to be utilized. Hell, he even stepped up in pass protection!
Pettine mixed up his blitzes in a big way and the results were glorious! He came to Allen’s blindside and out witted the rookie QB for 60 minutes. Allen never felt comfortable. The pressure was too intense. The blitz was coming from everywhere and the Bills were unable to identify where the rush was coming from.
Davante Adams is a lethal weapon. He’s brimming with confidence. He wants to set the example for these young WR’s.
It was good to see Jimmy Graham scoring his first TD of the season.
G-Mo is a legit #2 WR. He is quick out of his breaks. He never gives up on plays. He’s mentally in tune with Rodgers.
The Bills scored ZERO points.
Loved seeing Ty streaking down the sidelines. McCarthy has to go into the play design shed and draft ways to get Jones and Ty on the field at the same time.
Jimmy Graham needs to continue to be involved in the offense. He’s a match-up nightmare. I like when he’s lined up on the perimeter. The holding penalty that he drew will be constant, if he’s targeted along the sideline.
It’s hard to interpret because it’s so uncharacteristic of our unique franchise, but for 60 minutes, Pettine graphed a defense that the Bills couldn’t decode.
I want to be a massive MVS fan. I love his size-speed combo. It's not often that you see someone who is 6-4, 205 and runs a 4.37. It's rare to find some with that physique who can play both in the slot and the perimeter. I love how fluid he moves. I like the way he carries himself. We haven’t had a tall, fast deep threat since Javon Walker in 2004. I am hopeful that MVS can still grow into that role. At this stage, McCarthy has to play to his young WR’s strengths. MVS isn’t strong enough to get off of a jam. He needs to be more physical and learn how to fight off jams at the line of scrimmage. When he gets a free release, he’s a tough cover. The 38-yard completion to MVS is the type of play that should be targeted 2-3 times per game. Right now, MVS has limited routes in his tree that he can dominate. The go-route is one in which he is a tough cover. You can’t teach speed. MVS has it. As the rest of his game is being refined, he needs to be utilized in a fashion that will get him a free release. I’d like to see him in motion. I’d like to see him in a stacked WR formation. Without a free release, at this stage, it’ll be difficult for MVS to get open.
Very well done, Byron Bell. Hard fought performance by the big guy.
The Packers are 2-1-1 and Aaron Rodgers has been mostly mediocre. Rodgers is also regaining his mobility. With that, I hold onto belief that this team has some high quality offensive football in front of them.
Bulaga and Bakhtiari balled out at Tackle. Best yet, they’re teammates. Bulaga was a gamer. All guts. In clear pain. At times, he didn’t appear to be able to get off the ground on his own power, but each time, Bakhtiari was there to lend a helping hand and what appeared to be a pep talk that was likely full of encouragement. A week after the Buffalo DL wrecked the MN offense, Bakhtiari and Bulaga were masterful in pass protection.
I was happy to see that Tony Brown was active. I like his persona, his speed and his physicality. He didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped as a gunner, but I like him as a young prospect.
If Brown is who I hope he can become and if King can be healthy, the Packers will be rich at CB for the foreseeable future. Additionally, it'll be interesting to follow how the Breeland situation plays out.
The Packers are a much better team with Randall Cobb on the field.
How is it possible for Kendricks to see so many snaps? He can’t be depended on as a receiving option. Tonyan needs a shot. Tonyan moves well, showed solid hands and was a good blocker in the preseason.
Congrats to Jostling Jaire on his first career interception. Kid moves like he’s good juju in his ears.
I think that part of the 12/MM “hug it out discussion” was that 12 wants more Jones in his life.
JJ is a hard worker. Midwest mentality. I dig.
Outside of his silly 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, Blake Martinez was dynamite.
Kyler Fackrell. WOW! What a way to finish a game!
HaHa with a forcefully stallion style interception!
Kenny Clark is a tremendous football player.
The Packers need more from Mile Daniels.
In all, the defense had 7 sacks and forced three turnovers. Oh, and the defense didn’t give up a point.
In past years, the Packers might’ve lost a game in which the offense was sluggish. Mike Pettine was having none of that. His defense won the game.
Walking out of Lambeau Field was oddly somber. The Packers had just shutout the Bills. If the season were to have ended today, the Packers would hold a wild card playoff berth. Yet, still, the Packers Faithful half heartedly limped out of America’s most storied NFL theater. It’s important to remember that the NFL is a week-to-week league and the “Just Win, baby” mentality has never been so dear. Survive the week and get onto the next. The Packers didn’t just survive, they held another NFL team pointless. That’s joyful.
In Green Bay, we are used to seeing highly potent, proficient offenses. The victory over the Bills was certainly not that type of performance. Rodgers was grumpy, frustrated, and highly inaccurate. McCarthy was confident that the Packers could run the ball and he pounded away early. Had he stuck with Aaron Jones as his primary back, he’d likely have been rewarded with a 25-carry, 125-yard performance. Instead, McCarthy continues to feel the need to be politically correct as he shares snaps across the entire slate of RB’s.
Defense should be celebrated, too. Defensive wins are often uglier to the eye, but they count just the same. And, when the defense is rising up and carrying the responsibility, it’s the fans job to elevate and to make Lambeau Field an even more difficult place for the opposition to play. Instead, I can’t recall a 3rd down when more than 10% of the Stadium was off of their ass and on their feet.
Fret not. The offense has plenty of talent. We have to continue to gel and utilize our players properly. Aaron Jones will eventually see more than half of the teams snaps. We have to remember that our OL had played zero snaps together before the start of the regular season. Rodgers seems to be getting healthier. There are good times around the bend for the Packers offense.
The Packers really need the queens to lose at Philly this week. It’d cancel out the bad loss to Washington as both teams would’ve lost their NFC EAST game. Between the MN @ PHI game and the GB @ DET game, we will remember Week 5 in December. This is a vital early October week for football.
An NFL Season is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. At any given moment, a teams fortunes can change. A win is a win in this league. No matter how poorly one phase of the game may have played. Consider this: beat Detroit and SF. Go to 4-1-1. Rodgers gets healthy with the bye week that follows. The 5 weeks following the bye is a really tough stretch, but if Rodgers is fully fit, anything is possible.
When thinking about the 2019 Packers mock draft, I’m fairly connvinced that I want either Noah Fant (Iowa) or Kaden Smith (Stanford) at TE. I also want either Brian Burns (FSU) or Joe Jackson ([]_[]) at EDGE. In a perfect world, the Packers could get both. That’s why - for my eye - this Saturday, the FSU v []_[] game at 1:30 MST is a must watch. At this stage, my knowledge of players at DL/S isn’t as deep as I’d like, so when the players I was familiar with went off the board, I was left empty handed at those positions. Reminder: I only draft those that I’ve watched. My weekly fanspeak mock draft:
Round 1a: Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 1b: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State.
Round 2: Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[].
Round 3: Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4: Shaquille Quarterman, ILB, []_[].
Round 5: Will Grier, QB, Dub-V.
Round 6a: Jonathan Ledbetter, EDGE, Georgia.
Round 6b: Collin Johnson, WR, Texas.
Round 7: Jordan Miller, CB, Washington.
This week - it’s the Lions. In Detroit. In a game that carries a lot of importance. It’d be comforting to get off to a 2-0-1 start in the Division. In order for the Packers to earn a victory, Pettine’s unit will have to, once again, elevate to the occasion. The Packers defense will have to win the early downs. It’ll be vital for the Packers defense to force the Lions into 3rd and long situations. If so, Stafford is prone to make a mistake.
The Lions offense has tried to change their identity. Yes, Stanford’s arm is still their greatest weapon, but they’ve attempted to become more physical in the run game. They’ve brought in Kerryon Johnson and Legarrette Blount to pound away. Johnson also has a shifty texture to his game. They’ve added Luke Willson to help them become a better blocking front. They’ll be without long-time Packer star, TJ Lang, but they still have a well constructed OL that wins with power, but can be beaten with quickness on both the edge and on the inside. However, as they’re revamping the organizational structure, they know that - for today - they’re best way to win is via Stafford’s lethal right arm. Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay are dangerous targets who are sure to present problems for the Packers secondary. Theo Riddick is a nightmare to cover out of the backfield.
Defensively, the Lions will be without Ziggy Ansah. Ansah is a superstar and that’s a major loss for the Lions. It’s tough to reconstruct your defense. It’s tougher to do it without your best defender. Without him, the Lions DL hasn’t been able to consistently generate pressure. Kerry Hyder can apply pressure from the inside as a high octane performer. Sylvester Williams and Da’Shawn Hand are really good football players, but they’re both learning new roles and haven’t gotten off to the type of start to the year that one would expect. Jarrad Davis is a stud at ILB. I love his game, especially in run support. Christian Jones and Devon Kennard are both active defenders with severe limitations. Neither can cover Jimmy Graham. In the secondary, the Lions have a couple of legitimate playmakers. Darius Slay is among the best CB’s in the NFL. Quandre Diggs is a tough nosed Safety who will likely be playing one week after breaking his hand. Glover Quin seems to play better every time I watch him. Nevin Lawson needs to be attacked. He is a physical, undersized CB who is quick to grab. The Packers can draw penalties on Lawson if they hit him with a double move. Jalen Tabor must be targeted as well. If MVS can get a free release against Tabor or Lawson, a big play will follow. Neither can run with MVS. I imagine that Slay will follow Adams all day.
***Quick side note - with Ziggy Ansah in the last year of his contract, don't be surprised if he's in Green Bay next year. Gutekunst will be aggressive in rebuilding his pass rush. Ansah would fill the need. I don't envision the Lions franchising him. I also don't envision the Lions making a significant push to sign him.***
Last week - Zeke Elliot had 240 total yards against DET. Matt Breida had 159 in Week 2 against DET. Crowell and Powell combined for 167 total yards in Week 1 against DET. You’re up, Aaron Jones. Give the guy 20 carries. You’ll get 100 yards.
On two occasions, the Packers have given Aaron Jones significant carries. Once, Jones went 17 carries for 131 yards against NO. The other time, Jones went 19 carries for 125 yards against Dallas. It’s time to free Aaron Jones. Feed him!
The Packers do run Jones early. The run opens up the pass. Marcedes Lewis gets his first catch down the seam off of play action.
If Allison and Adams are limited, look for MVS to play on the outside and ESB in the slot. Moore will also see perimeter snaps. Look for ESB to grab a catch out of the slot on a crossing route.
The offense will have a different feel to it. Look for some jumbo 2 or 3 TE packages with Rodgers in command at the line of scrimmage. Under center.
We might even see Tonyan this week.
Defensively, Mike Daniels has a really big game.
When the Packers have won in Detroit in recent years, the defense has forced crucial turnovers. Look for TMon to grab his first pick of the year.
It’s going to be a nail biting, somewhat frustrating game as the Packers occasionally fail to get off the field in 3rd down.
In the end, Rodgers executes! He hits Graham for the game winner.
Packers 27
Lions 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
2-1-1. With uncertainty lingering and expectations at a significantly lower than anticipated level, the Packers defense rose to the occasion in a relentlessly attacking fashion. Thus, a week after thwarting the ‘queens defense for 27 points in Minnesota, the Lambeau Field Stage proved to be far too grand for the Bills rookie QB, Josh Allen.
It was an unfamiliar style of victory for the Packers. The defense dominated. The offense lacked both substance and execution. The crowd showed up without intensity. Still, without the customary offensive flash, the Packers destroyed a feisty Bills team. Kudos to Mike Pettine.
Feeling chill, I listen to Bob Marley. Focusing on hits such as “Mellow Mood” and “Lively Up Yourself” - both of which feel relevant to me right now.
Here are my quick vibes over the last week:
An aggressive Mike McCarthy is a good Mike McCarthy. On Sunday, McCarthy lacked all killer instinct. He was conservative. It almost feels like he’s so jaded by his experiences with Hundley and Kizer that he’s forgotten how to call a game with a 2-time MVP as his QB. 3rd and 11 draws and 3rd and long WR screens are now the norm. With Hundley or Kizer, sure, that’s fine. But with Rodgers, you have to let it rip!
Throughout his career, Rodgers has been among the most accurate QB’s in the history of the game. Thus far, to start the 2018 season, Rodgers hasn’t displayed the pin point accuracy that we’ve come to expect. Clearly, he needs practice. I’m hoping that his knee continues to improve and therefore, he should be able to increase his workload throughout the week. Rodgers’ mobility has improved tremendously. He’s been a warrior. He's showed guts. He’s showed toughness. He just hasn’t been as accurate as he has normally been.
Aaron Jones has superstar potential. He needs to be utilized. Hell, he even stepped up in pass protection!
Pettine mixed up his blitzes in a big way and the results were glorious! He came to Allen’s blindside and out witted the rookie QB for 60 minutes. Allen never felt comfortable. The pressure was too intense. The blitz was coming from everywhere and the Bills were unable to identify where the rush was coming from.
Davante Adams is a lethal weapon. He’s brimming with confidence. He wants to set the example for these young WR’s.
It was good to see Jimmy Graham scoring his first TD of the season.
G-Mo is a legit #2 WR. He is quick out of his breaks. He never gives up on plays. He’s mentally in tune with Rodgers.
The Bills scored ZERO points.
Loved seeing Ty streaking down the sidelines. McCarthy has to go into the play design shed and draft ways to get Jones and Ty on the field at the same time.
Jimmy Graham needs to continue to be involved in the offense. He’s a match-up nightmare. I like when he’s lined up on the perimeter. The holding penalty that he drew will be constant, if he’s targeted along the sideline.
It’s hard to interpret because it’s so uncharacteristic of our unique franchise, but for 60 minutes, Pettine graphed a defense that the Bills couldn’t decode.
I want to be a massive MVS fan. I love his size-speed combo. It's not often that you see someone who is 6-4, 205 and runs a 4.37. It's rare to find some with that physique who can play both in the slot and the perimeter. I love how fluid he moves. I like the way he carries himself. We haven’t had a tall, fast deep threat since Javon Walker in 2004. I am hopeful that MVS can still grow into that role. At this stage, McCarthy has to play to his young WR’s strengths. MVS isn’t strong enough to get off of a jam. He needs to be more physical and learn how to fight off jams at the line of scrimmage. When he gets a free release, he’s a tough cover. The 38-yard completion to MVS is the type of play that should be targeted 2-3 times per game. Right now, MVS has limited routes in his tree that he can dominate. The go-route is one in which he is a tough cover. You can’t teach speed. MVS has it. As the rest of his game is being refined, he needs to be utilized in a fashion that will get him a free release. I’d like to see him in motion. I’d like to see him in a stacked WR formation. Without a free release, at this stage, it’ll be difficult for MVS to get open.
Very well done, Byron Bell. Hard fought performance by the big guy.
The Packers are 2-1-1 and Aaron Rodgers has been mostly mediocre. Rodgers is also regaining his mobility. With that, I hold onto belief that this team has some high quality offensive football in front of them.
Bulaga and Bakhtiari balled out at Tackle. Best yet, they’re teammates. Bulaga was a gamer. All guts. In clear pain. At times, he didn’t appear to be able to get off the ground on his own power, but each time, Bakhtiari was there to lend a helping hand and what appeared to be a pep talk that was likely full of encouragement. A week after the Buffalo DL wrecked the MN offense, Bakhtiari and Bulaga were masterful in pass protection.
I was happy to see that Tony Brown was active. I like his persona, his speed and his physicality. He didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped as a gunner, but I like him as a young prospect.
If Brown is who I hope he can become and if King can be healthy, the Packers will be rich at CB for the foreseeable future. Additionally, it'll be interesting to follow how the Breeland situation plays out.
The Packers are a much better team with Randall Cobb on the field.
How is it possible for Kendricks to see so many snaps? He can’t be depended on as a receiving option. Tonyan needs a shot. Tonyan moves well, showed solid hands and was a good blocker in the preseason.
Congrats to Jostling Jaire on his first career interception. Kid moves like he’s good juju in his ears.
I think that part of the 12/MM “hug it out discussion” was that 12 wants more Jones in his life.
JJ is a hard worker. Midwest mentality. I dig.
Outside of his silly 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, Blake Martinez was dynamite.
Kyler Fackrell. WOW! What a way to finish a game!
HaHa with a forcefully stallion style interception!
Kenny Clark is a tremendous football player.
The Packers need more from Mile Daniels.
In all, the defense had 7 sacks and forced three turnovers. Oh, and the defense didn’t give up a point.
In past years, the Packers might’ve lost a game in which the offense was sluggish. Mike Pettine was having none of that. His defense won the game.
Walking out of Lambeau Field was oddly somber. The Packers had just shutout the Bills. If the season were to have ended today, the Packers would hold a wild card playoff berth. Yet, still, the Packers Faithful half heartedly limped out of America’s most storied NFL theater. It’s important to remember that the NFL is a week-to-week league and the “Just Win, baby” mentality has never been so dear. Survive the week and get onto the next. The Packers didn’t just survive, they held another NFL team pointless. That’s joyful.
In Green Bay, we are used to seeing highly potent, proficient offenses. The victory over the Bills was certainly not that type of performance. Rodgers was grumpy, frustrated, and highly inaccurate. McCarthy was confident that the Packers could run the ball and he pounded away early. Had he stuck with Aaron Jones as his primary back, he’d likely have been rewarded with a 25-carry, 125-yard performance. Instead, McCarthy continues to feel the need to be politically correct as he shares snaps across the entire slate of RB’s.
Defense should be celebrated, too. Defensive wins are often uglier to the eye, but they count just the same. And, when the defense is rising up and carrying the responsibility, it’s the fans job to elevate and to make Lambeau Field an even more difficult place for the opposition to play. Instead, I can’t recall a 3rd down when more than 10% of the Stadium was off of their ass and on their feet.
Fret not. The offense has plenty of talent. We have to continue to gel and utilize our players properly. Aaron Jones will eventually see more than half of the teams snaps. We have to remember that our OL had played zero snaps together before the start of the regular season. Rodgers seems to be getting healthier. There are good times around the bend for the Packers offense.
The Packers really need the queens to lose at Philly this week. It’d cancel out the bad loss to Washington as both teams would’ve lost their NFC EAST game. Between the MN @ PHI game and the GB @ DET game, we will remember Week 5 in December. This is a vital early October week for football.
An NFL Season is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. At any given moment, a teams fortunes can change. A win is a win in this league. No matter how poorly one phase of the game may have played. Consider this: beat Detroit and SF. Go to 4-1-1. Rodgers gets healthy with the bye week that follows. The 5 weeks following the bye is a really tough stretch, but if Rodgers is fully fit, anything is possible.
When thinking about the 2019 Packers mock draft, I’m fairly connvinced that I want either Noah Fant (Iowa) or Kaden Smith (Stanford) at TE. I also want either Brian Burns (FSU) or Joe Jackson ([]_[]) at EDGE. In a perfect world, the Packers could get both. That’s why - for my eye - this Saturday, the FSU v []_[] game at 1:30 MST is a must watch. At this stage, my knowledge of players at DL/S isn’t as deep as I’d like, so when the players I was familiar with went off the board, I was left empty handed at those positions. Reminder: I only draft those that I’ve watched. My weekly fanspeak mock draft:
Round 1a: Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU.
Round 1b: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State.
Round 2: Joe Jackson, EDGE, []_[].
Round 3: Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford.
Round 4: Shaquille Quarterman, ILB, []_[].
Round 5: Will Grier, QB, Dub-V.
Round 6a: Jonathan Ledbetter, EDGE, Georgia.
Round 6b: Collin Johnson, WR, Texas.
Round 7: Jordan Miller, CB, Washington.
This week - it’s the Lions. In Detroit. In a game that carries a lot of importance. It’d be comforting to get off to a 2-0-1 start in the Division. In order for the Packers to earn a victory, Pettine’s unit will have to, once again, elevate to the occasion. The Packers defense will have to win the early downs. It’ll be vital for the Packers defense to force the Lions into 3rd and long situations. If so, Stafford is prone to make a mistake.
The Lions offense has tried to change their identity. Yes, Stanford’s arm is still their greatest weapon, but they’ve attempted to become more physical in the run game. They’ve brought in Kerryon Johnson and Legarrette Blount to pound away. Johnson also has a shifty texture to his game. They’ve added Luke Willson to help them become a better blocking front. They’ll be without long-time Packer star, TJ Lang, but they still have a well constructed OL that wins with power, but can be beaten with quickness on both the edge and on the inside. However, as they’re revamping the organizational structure, they know that - for today - they’re best way to win is via Stafford’s lethal right arm. Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay are dangerous targets who are sure to present problems for the Packers secondary. Theo Riddick is a nightmare to cover out of the backfield.
Defensively, the Lions will be without Ziggy Ansah. Ansah is a superstar and that’s a major loss for the Lions. It’s tough to reconstruct your defense. It’s tougher to do it without your best defender. Without him, the Lions DL hasn’t been able to consistently generate pressure. Kerry Hyder can apply pressure from the inside as a high octane performer. Sylvester Williams and Da’Shawn Hand are really good football players, but they’re both learning new roles and haven’t gotten off to the type of start to the year that one would expect. Jarrad Davis is a stud at ILB. I love his game, especially in run support. Christian Jones and Devon Kennard are both active defenders with severe limitations. Neither can cover Jimmy Graham. In the secondary, the Lions have a couple of legitimate playmakers. Darius Slay is among the best CB’s in the NFL. Quandre Diggs is a tough nosed Safety who will likely be playing one week after breaking his hand. Glover Quin seems to play better every time I watch him. Nevin Lawson needs to be attacked. He is a physical, undersized CB who is quick to grab. The Packers can draw penalties on Lawson if they hit him with a double move. Jalen Tabor must be targeted as well. If MVS can get a free release against Tabor or Lawson, a big play will follow. Neither can run with MVS. I imagine that Slay will follow Adams all day.
***Quick side note - with Ziggy Ansah in the last year of his contract, don't be surprised if he's in Green Bay next year. Gutekunst will be aggressive in rebuilding his pass rush. Ansah would fill the need. I don't envision the Lions franchising him. I also don't envision the Lions making a significant push to sign him.***
Last week - Zeke Elliot had 240 total yards against DET. Matt Breida had 159 in Week 2 against DET. Crowell and Powell combined for 167 total yards in Week 1 against DET. You’re up, Aaron Jones. Give the guy 20 carries. You’ll get 100 yards.
On two occasions, the Packers have given Aaron Jones significant carries. Once, Jones went 17 carries for 131 yards against NO. The other time, Jones went 19 carries for 125 yards against Dallas. It’s time to free Aaron Jones. Feed him!
The Packers do run Jones early. The run opens up the pass. Marcedes Lewis gets his first catch down the seam off of play action.
If Allison and Adams are limited, look for MVS to play on the outside and ESB in the slot. Moore will also see perimeter snaps. Look for ESB to grab a catch out of the slot on a crossing route.
The offense will have a different feel to it. Look for some jumbo 2 or 3 TE packages with Rodgers in command at the line of scrimmage. Under center.
We might even see Tonyan this week.
Defensively, Mike Daniels has a really big game.
When the Packers have won in Detroit in recent years, the defense has forced crucial turnovers. Look for TMon to grab his first pick of the year.
It’s going to be a nail biting, somewhat frustrating game as the Packers occasionally fail to get off the field in 3rd down.
In the end, Rodgers executes! He hits Graham for the game winner.
Packers 27
Lions 23
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)