Greetings, G-Force.
The NFL is my favorite pastime. As I write, I'm looking at my basement wall which is littered with signed pictures of Greg Jennings, Aaron Rodgers, Ray Nitschke, Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Willie Davis, Sir Charles Woodson, Brett Favre's kid-like joy post his TD pass to Bad-Moon Rison, Andre Rison's step into the XXXI end zone, Clay Matthews holding up the football after his strip of AP and return for a TD, Desmond Howard and his kickoff return for a TD in the XXXI Super Bowl, Bart Starr's Ice Bowl dive, Willie Wood, Herb Adderley, Dave Robinson, Ahman Green, and Desmond Bishop. I've even got the BJ Raji TRUMP CARD moment autographed above the desk in my basement. To my left, their are autographed Nick Collins, James Lofton, Edgar Bennett, Paul Hornung, Brett Favre, Charles Woodson, Paul Hornung, and Bart Starr. With the exception of Ahman Green and James Lofton, all won Super Bowls in Green Bay. All in different eras. Sure, each had a MVP QB, but the reason each was a Champion was because of defense.
Prior to seeing what Brian Carriveau accurately called the "FAIL MARY" - I thought I was watching a Championship Defense. While most pundits would fairly question the current status of the Packers offense, I viewed the "FAIL MARY" game this way: The 2012 Green Bay Packers went into a hostile environment and won. Not with offense, but with sublime defense. Since Mike "The Irishman" McCarthy took over the Packers coaching staff in 2006, the Packers have won 3 games in which they scored less than 16 points. They beat the Viqueens 9-7 in a December battle in 2006. They won twice in the 2010 season; a 9-0 victory in New York over the Jets and 10-3 over the Bears on January 2nd. The Seattle game should have been #4. It should have brought a sense of security to Packers fans. A vibe that even when the NFL's MVP isn't playing top notch football, the Packers can still win on the road against a quality NFC opponent.
Then came the play.
I thought about canceling the NFL Ticket. But, I enjoy Packers football too much. I swore I would not watch another non-Packers game with replacement referees. When the agreement between the NFL and the Refs came to fruition, I gave myself a one-game boycott. I didn't tune in on Thursday Night. But as my Dad said, "Scott, you are only hurting myself. The NFL doesn't care whether you watched or not." With the refs back, I'll buzz into some football today. I won't devote my Sunday to it, but I'll be aware as to the happenings.
As an amateur yet heavily interested NFL historian, I enjoy looking into the riches of previous generations. I believe Peter King to be the most knowledgeable living NFL Historian. ***Side note: It's no wonder that he agrees that Don Hutson is the BEST NFL PLAYER EVER. He's the Babe Ruth of the NFL. And, no one cares. Also, Peter, please vote LeRoy Butler into the NFL HOF. He changed the way safety was played. Butler deserves a bust for the the opposite reason that Andre Reed, Tim Brown and Cris Carter haven't received theirs. While Reed, Brown and Carter were all statistically similar and made similar impacts for their respective teams, Butler was an innovator. Butler was nearly the first ever to get to 40 interceptions and 20 sacks. He was great against the run. He played CB in the slot. He played strong safety. He played free safety. He was the inventor of the Lambeau Leap. He was ALL-DECADE in the 90's. He was a Super Bowl Champion. It'd be a great day for Packers fans if Dave Robinson, Ron Wolf and LeRoy Butler were all enshrined. Won't happen. But, a man can dream.***
As I went for a run through the Mile-High air yesterday, I kept thinking about Peter King's twitter response post the "FAIL MARY." It inspired me to get close to the computer. But, I backed away. As I sipped a 21st Amendment "BREW FREE OR DIE IPA" - I thought longer about whether I could bring myself to write. Mentally, I kept thinking, "Man, I'm going to devote 90 minutes to writing about Koko B. Ware and his bird Freddie and the WWF back into the 80's. Isn't that what I witnessed?" While the Badgers were melting down and Texas was setting up an epic WVU v Texas battle in Austin next week, I was enjoying a Crazy Mountain Pale Ale. I convinced myself that I was going to wake up on Sunday and drown myself in Cafe Bustelo. Loaded on Bustelo, I'd write. I'd at least re-post what Peter King wrote on Twitter. So, here goes.
Mark it down, G-Force. Peter King, arguably the greatest living historian of the NFL, wrote this:
"One of the great disgraces in NFL history."
Perfectly worded. Everyone agrees. While we all agree, Peter King would know. G-Force, we were robbed.
Throughout his fairly short time in the NFL, Roger Goodell has been mightily challenged. Throughout, he handled himself with class. He was a professional. He was personable. He was both a leader and a face for the NFL. But, on the occasion in which the NFL suddenly became bad reality TV, Roger ran. He was nowhere to be seen. He acted as a clown. Instead of putting his face - front and center - he put forth a bogus memo that was absolutely appalling to anyone who has football intellect. He signed the agreement with the Refs and wouldn't acknowledge that the Monday Night fiasco had anything to do with it. And, then, like a clown, he sent a foolish e-mail to the fans. It furthered with feeling of insult.
But, somehow, Peter King's comment made me feel justified. Book it. "One of the great disgraces in NFL history." Yet, unrecognized by the NFL's Leader. Shameful.
This week - it's the Saints. The Saints at 0-3. The Packers at 1-2. Must win for both. Expect Aaron Rodgers to return to his MVP form. Expect the Packers to put points on the board. Expect Clay Matthews to be the Claymaker again today. 2 sacks for Clay.
Packers 38. Saints 23.
If you're going to Lambeau today, be louder than ever. Scream with anger, if you must. But, be faithful to Packers. We need this one today. Or the prospects of the 2012 NFL Season will be bleak.
Sorry for the lack of a game breakdown. I'll do better next week. I promise.
Thank you, Peter King. And yes, it was "One of the great disgraces in NFL history."
Go Pack Go.
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
My Take -> Week 3
Greetings, G-Force.
What a thrill! Once again, Ray Nutler came to Lambeau. Once again, Ray Nutler left in despair. And, once again, with Ray Nutler as the starting QB, the BEARS STILL SUCKED! It doesn't get any better than a Lambeau celebration on Prime Time, under the lights, and against the hated rival to the South.
Excitingly, there were a lot of positives to take away from the victory over Chicago. Here are some kind vibes from the game:
* The league's MVP has not found his rhythm yet, but the defense picked up the slack. And, because of it, after 2 weeks, the Packers are tied for 1st place in the NFC North.
* The Claymaker looks to be playing at his 2010 level. Vicious in pursuit. Attacking the line of scrimmage. Fearless. I love how he's moving around and he's coming from all different positions on the field.
* Sir Charles making plays in the secondary! And, then point his finger in Nutler's face with intensity. The intimidation factor was priceless.
* T-Mon went nose-to-nose and toes-to-toes with Brandon Marshall. T-Mon picked off two passes for 38 yards. Marshall caught two passes for 24 yards.
* The Bears were excited about their 2nd round pick, Alshon Jeffery. Between Sammy Swagga and Casey Hayward, Jeffery was held to 1 catch for 7 yards.
* Jerron McMillan looks to have play making ability. Liked how he found his way around the football. Now, he needs to catch it!
* For those Dom Capers haters, what did you think of the Bears victory? Loved how he played with only one DL. Bringing in 4 LB's and 6 DB's. Using Sir Charles as a Rover. Rotating Raji, Worthy, and Daniels as the lone rusher. Keeping the legs of the DL fresh. I also loved how he incorporated Erik Walden into the game plan and rotated the LB's.
* 7 sacks! 4 interceptions! 1 game! I love Ray Nutler.
* Worthy grabs his first sack! Daniels does the same!
* DJ Smith runs over Forte!
* Remember when the Bears and Packers used to play and the Bears would dominate the special teams battle. Yeah, those days are not around anymore. Now, it's the contrary.
* Tim Masthay totally neutralized Devin Hester.
* Mike McCarthy goes gutsy on 4th & 26! And it brought the dagger! What a call. What courage. What confidence. What bravery. And Tom Crabtree delivers! Also, what a block by the WVU grad, Don Barclay! Loved it.
* Our rookies are making an impact and bringing attitude. As I mentioned, Worthy and Daniels each had a sack. McMillan had a pick. Moses was active and in the face of the opponent. Hayward was jamming people at the line of scrimmage. Hayward spent a lot of time on Earl Bennett. Both are Vanderbilt products. Hayward got the best of Bennett, who finished with 2 catches for 21 yards. While Perry didn't get home for a sack, he certainly applied pressure and generated a push.
* Rodgers has yet to find his rhythm. At times, he looks frustrated. Almost annoyed. Stay patient, MVP. Good things are coming.
* I absolutely love what McCarthy is doing with Randall Cobb. Have to utilize his versatility. Big plays will continue to come for him.
* Double D dancing with the stars in the end zone! 1 catch. 26 yards. 1 TD. 1 Dance in the end zone. 1 Lambeau Leap. Sublime stuff!
* 7 sacks! 4 interceptions! 1 game! I love Ray Nutler.
* Loved the way Benson hit the hole. Also enjoyed how McCarthy stuck with the run game to soften the pressure from the Bears front 4.
* Jordy Nelson & J-Mike have not had the start to the season that I thought they might. Not worried about it. Just mentioning.
* KUHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! Always fun when he catches a screen and puts his head down.
* Tom Crabtree had more receiving yards than Brandon Marshall.
* 7 sacks! 4 interceptions! 1 game! I love Ray Nutler.
* After the TD pass to Driver, I enjoyed how Rodgers pointed to the sideline. Clearly, they had seen something that they could expose. And, they did with exceptional precision.
This week - it's the Seahawks. In Seattle. A tough place to play. The home of the 12th man. On Monday Night Football. Under the lights. It'll be hostile. It'll also be time for the Packers to polish the helmets and let their starts shine. Let's sparkle, baby. Let's sparkle.
The Seahawks are going to attempt to mimic the game plan of the Chiefs last year. They'll pound it on the ground and hope to look at 3rd & 4 or less. They want to put Russell Wilson in position to succeed. Expect Marshawn Lynch to get at least 20 carries and possibly more than 25. If Lynch touches it less than 20 times, the Packers will win in a blow-out. But, the Seahawks will be methodical. They'll be patient. They'll hope for success on 3rd down.
Russell Wilson has been a nice story. He had a great pre-season. He led them to a big win over the Cowboys. His mobility has allowed him to extend plays. He's been able to step up in the pocket and make plays with his feet. In two games, he has nearly 50 yards rushing. He's done just enough with his feet to keep you honest, but he is capable of moving chains with his legs.
The Packers should match up well with the Seahawks WR's. Braylon Edwards and Sidney Rice have the size to be difference makers. Golden Tate had a lot of promise coming out of ND. None of the 3 are overly worrisome. In all seriousness, when used in the slot, Doug Baldwin would be the Packers toughest match-up. I like the way T-Mon would line up against Rice. Sammy Swagga can line-up and run with Tate. It'd be up to Hayward to get his hands on Baldwin and to jam him off his route or Baldwin can be a 3rd down weapon.
The key to the game will be the battle at the line of scrimmage. The Packers are coming off of a dominant performance and now, they'll be facing Breno Giacomini at RT. Yes, the same Breno Giacomini that was an absolutely sieve at Tackle for the Packers in the preseason over the last couple of years. Nick Perry, lets see that bull rush! Erik Walden, I'd love to see you swimming underneath Breno. Lick your chops, Clay Matthews. Get ready for another big time performance in front of a National Audience. On the other side of the line, the Seahawks will be getting Russell Okung back from a knee injury. While Okung is a solid player. I can't imagine he'll be at 100%.
Look for the Seahawks ball control offense to be predicated on runs between the tackles and behind Max Unger and John Moffitt, two young, athletic OL. It'll be up to Raji and Pickett to plug the holes and keep Seattle in 3rd and long situations.
The Seahawks defense is vastly underrated. They're aggressive. They're confident. Each play, they seek to punish the ball carrier. They have one of the best secondaries in the NFL with Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Brandon Browner. If you've followed the blog long enough, you'll know that I loved Sherman coming out of college last year. The converted WR loves to use his hands at the line of scrimmage. He'll turn and run with you. He'll get his hands on a lot of balls. But, he's also susceptible to biting on the stop-and-go. Chancellor and Thomas are as legitimate of a Safety tandem as their is in the NFL. Both are ballhawks. Browner is a legitimate Pro Bowl caliber CB.
Look for Benson to get his touches early in the game to slow down the pursuit of the Seattle defense. Benson will also look to quiet the crowd. The cut-back should be open as both Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch will occasionally over pursue. If Benson can get to 75 yards, the Packers will be happy with the offensive output. If the Packers try to spread Seattle out and play from the shot-gun all game, CenturyLink Field is a tough place to play.
After looking to establish the rune early in the game, the Packers should look for some easy completions for Rodgers. Let's get him in a rhythm. Let him taste success. Put him in position for success. Then, go play action. Get Nelson on Sherman. Let's see Nelson go up and make a play. The big play is coming soon. We've yet to taste it in 2012. We'll see it this week.
The Seahawks keep it close. But a big defensive turnover late as Woodson picks off Wilson changes the landscape. The Packers move to 2-1.
Green Bay 27. Seattle 16.
Go Pack Go.
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
What a thrill! Once again, Ray Nutler came to Lambeau. Once again, Ray Nutler left in despair. And, once again, with Ray Nutler as the starting QB, the BEARS STILL SUCKED! It doesn't get any better than a Lambeau celebration on Prime Time, under the lights, and against the hated rival to the South.
Excitingly, there were a lot of positives to take away from the victory over Chicago. Here are some kind vibes from the game:
* The league's MVP has not found his rhythm yet, but the defense picked up the slack. And, because of it, after 2 weeks, the Packers are tied for 1st place in the NFC North.
* The Claymaker looks to be playing at his 2010 level. Vicious in pursuit. Attacking the line of scrimmage. Fearless. I love how he's moving around and he's coming from all different positions on the field.
* Sir Charles making plays in the secondary! And, then point his finger in Nutler's face with intensity. The intimidation factor was priceless.
* T-Mon went nose-to-nose and toes-to-toes with Brandon Marshall. T-Mon picked off two passes for 38 yards. Marshall caught two passes for 24 yards.
* The Bears were excited about their 2nd round pick, Alshon Jeffery. Between Sammy Swagga and Casey Hayward, Jeffery was held to 1 catch for 7 yards.
* Jerron McMillan looks to have play making ability. Liked how he found his way around the football. Now, he needs to catch it!
* For those Dom Capers haters, what did you think of the Bears victory? Loved how he played with only one DL. Bringing in 4 LB's and 6 DB's. Using Sir Charles as a Rover. Rotating Raji, Worthy, and Daniels as the lone rusher. Keeping the legs of the DL fresh. I also loved how he incorporated Erik Walden into the game plan and rotated the LB's.
* 7 sacks! 4 interceptions! 1 game! I love Ray Nutler.
* Worthy grabs his first sack! Daniels does the same!
* DJ Smith runs over Forte!
* Remember when the Bears and Packers used to play and the Bears would dominate the special teams battle. Yeah, those days are not around anymore. Now, it's the contrary.
* Tim Masthay totally neutralized Devin Hester.
* Mike McCarthy goes gutsy on 4th & 26! And it brought the dagger! What a call. What courage. What confidence. What bravery. And Tom Crabtree delivers! Also, what a block by the WVU grad, Don Barclay! Loved it.
* Our rookies are making an impact and bringing attitude. As I mentioned, Worthy and Daniels each had a sack. McMillan had a pick. Moses was active and in the face of the opponent. Hayward was jamming people at the line of scrimmage. Hayward spent a lot of time on Earl Bennett. Both are Vanderbilt products. Hayward got the best of Bennett, who finished with 2 catches for 21 yards. While Perry didn't get home for a sack, he certainly applied pressure and generated a push.
* Rodgers has yet to find his rhythm. At times, he looks frustrated. Almost annoyed. Stay patient, MVP. Good things are coming.
* I absolutely love what McCarthy is doing with Randall Cobb. Have to utilize his versatility. Big plays will continue to come for him.
* Double D dancing with the stars in the end zone! 1 catch. 26 yards. 1 TD. 1 Dance in the end zone. 1 Lambeau Leap. Sublime stuff!
* 7 sacks! 4 interceptions! 1 game! I love Ray Nutler.
* Loved the way Benson hit the hole. Also enjoyed how McCarthy stuck with the run game to soften the pressure from the Bears front 4.
* Jordy Nelson & J-Mike have not had the start to the season that I thought they might. Not worried about it. Just mentioning.
* KUHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! Always fun when he catches a screen and puts his head down.
* Tom Crabtree had more receiving yards than Brandon Marshall.
* 7 sacks! 4 interceptions! 1 game! I love Ray Nutler.
* After the TD pass to Driver, I enjoyed how Rodgers pointed to the sideline. Clearly, they had seen something that they could expose. And, they did with exceptional precision.
This week - it's the Seahawks. In Seattle. A tough place to play. The home of the 12th man. On Monday Night Football. Under the lights. It'll be hostile. It'll also be time for the Packers to polish the helmets and let their starts shine. Let's sparkle, baby. Let's sparkle.
The Seahawks are going to attempt to mimic the game plan of the Chiefs last year. They'll pound it on the ground and hope to look at 3rd & 4 or less. They want to put Russell Wilson in position to succeed. Expect Marshawn Lynch to get at least 20 carries and possibly more than 25. If Lynch touches it less than 20 times, the Packers will win in a blow-out. But, the Seahawks will be methodical. They'll be patient. They'll hope for success on 3rd down.
Russell Wilson has been a nice story. He had a great pre-season. He led them to a big win over the Cowboys. His mobility has allowed him to extend plays. He's been able to step up in the pocket and make plays with his feet. In two games, he has nearly 50 yards rushing. He's done just enough with his feet to keep you honest, but he is capable of moving chains with his legs.
The Packers should match up well with the Seahawks WR's. Braylon Edwards and Sidney Rice have the size to be difference makers. Golden Tate had a lot of promise coming out of ND. None of the 3 are overly worrisome. In all seriousness, when used in the slot, Doug Baldwin would be the Packers toughest match-up. I like the way T-Mon would line up against Rice. Sammy Swagga can line-up and run with Tate. It'd be up to Hayward to get his hands on Baldwin and to jam him off his route or Baldwin can be a 3rd down weapon.
The key to the game will be the battle at the line of scrimmage. The Packers are coming off of a dominant performance and now, they'll be facing Breno Giacomini at RT. Yes, the same Breno Giacomini that was an absolutely sieve at Tackle for the Packers in the preseason over the last couple of years. Nick Perry, lets see that bull rush! Erik Walden, I'd love to see you swimming underneath Breno. Lick your chops, Clay Matthews. Get ready for another big time performance in front of a National Audience. On the other side of the line, the Seahawks will be getting Russell Okung back from a knee injury. While Okung is a solid player. I can't imagine he'll be at 100%.
Look for the Seahawks ball control offense to be predicated on runs between the tackles and behind Max Unger and John Moffitt, two young, athletic OL. It'll be up to Raji and Pickett to plug the holes and keep Seattle in 3rd and long situations.
The Seahawks defense is vastly underrated. They're aggressive. They're confident. Each play, they seek to punish the ball carrier. They have one of the best secondaries in the NFL with Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Brandon Browner. If you've followed the blog long enough, you'll know that I loved Sherman coming out of college last year. The converted WR loves to use his hands at the line of scrimmage. He'll turn and run with you. He'll get his hands on a lot of balls. But, he's also susceptible to biting on the stop-and-go. Chancellor and Thomas are as legitimate of a Safety tandem as their is in the NFL. Both are ballhawks. Browner is a legitimate Pro Bowl caliber CB.
Look for Benson to get his touches early in the game to slow down the pursuit of the Seattle defense. Benson will also look to quiet the crowd. The cut-back should be open as both Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch will occasionally over pursue. If Benson can get to 75 yards, the Packers will be happy with the offensive output. If the Packers try to spread Seattle out and play from the shot-gun all game, CenturyLink Field is a tough place to play.
After looking to establish the rune early in the game, the Packers should look for some easy completions for Rodgers. Let's get him in a rhythm. Let him taste success. Put him in position for success. Then, go play action. Get Nelson on Sherman. Let's see Nelson go up and make a play. The big play is coming soon. We've yet to taste it in 2012. We'll see it this week.
The Seahawks keep it close. But a big defensive turnover late as Woodson picks off Wilson changes the landscape. The Packers move to 2-1.
Green Bay 27. Seattle 16.
Go Pack Go.
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
My Take -> Week 2
Greetings, G-Force.
Pardon me, but while I put together my notes over the last couple of days, I'm littered with a buzz from the Baus Family Vineyards. I'm not a wine connoisseur, but the Cabernet Sauvignon is well priced and delicious.
The 2012 Season has started in an awkwardly similar manner as the 2011 Season finished. We were outmatched. We were punched in the mouth. We lost to a physical team. Plain and simple. It hurt. Badly. But, it wasn’t overly unexpected. What was frustrating is this: if you’ve watched the 49ers play, you know that their offense is predicated on creating match-ups. Clearly, we hadn’t scouted the 49ers enough. When Michael Crabtree is lined up in the slot, you’d hope that Nick Perry is not lined up against him. Well, it happened. That’s a problem. A scary one. And let’s hope that scenario does not continue. Overall, the Packers weren’t polished. We lacked shine. Aaron Rodgers is one of the more cerebral players in the NFL. But, his decision on 3rd down with just more than 30 seconds to play in the 1st half was done out of frustration. If Rodgers slides to the ground, SF has to burn their last timeout and they likely go into the half with a 13-7 lead. Instead, Rodgers flips the ball out of bounds and SF saved it’s timeout, which led to the 16-7 deficit. The vibe was eerily similar to Hakeem Nicks dancing off the field after the Hail Mary that put the dagger in the 2011 NFL Season. Ouch.
With that said, I’m not going to be a negative man. I have not lost faith. SF is a solid team. I’m OK with the loss. I want to see improvement. It wouldn’t shock me if this team finishes 10-6 or 11-5, yet we might be better positioned for a playoff run than we were as a 15-1 team last year. This team will require patience. Patience from the coaching staff. Patience from the locker room. Patience from the fans. Our youngsters are being asked to make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. I’m confident that we’ll improve over time. And, thus, we’ll have the capacity to make a run late in the year. Please, don’t panic. Things will improve. It might not happen in the first 4 games of the year, but this team will find its stride.
If there is one positive takeaway from the game, it was Randall Cobb. I loved the way he was used. It was an extension of the running game. Success was consistently achieved. I am excited to see his role continue to evolve. I see big things from him this year.
Another super exciting piece of the 49er game was the play of Clay Matthews and Sir Charles Woodson. With Sir Charles’ 1.5 sacks, he’s within 3 sacks of becoming the FIRST PLAYER IN NFL HISTORY with 50 interceptions and 20 sacks. You know Sir Charles is ready to sic Nutler this weekend.
We’re 0-1. But, it’s time to move forward. And, this week, it’s the Bears. Our hated rivals to the south. I’m animated for this one. Want it. Desperately.
The Bears are the media darlings after their impressive home victory over the Colts. Nutler to Marshall looked legit. The Forte/Bush combo looked like an ideal match. On defense, the Bears front-7 looked ripe. They looked like they have tools in place to be a serious contender in the NFC. But, in order to do so, the Bears will have to get through the Packers. And, as we know the Packers own the TRUMP CARD over the Bears.
Remember it: Halas Trophy. Soldier Field. Visitors Locker Room. Trump Card. Forever.
That’ll NEVER get old.
But, 2012 is a new year. Even with a new year, the game will likely be decided by the play of Aaron Rodgers v Ray Nutler. In his career, Rodgers has been terrific vs the Bears. Nutler, on the other hand, has been, well, Ray Nutler against the Packers. The Packers have faced Nutler 7 times in his career. Once as a Bronco and 6 times as a Bear. Nutler has a 1-6 record against the Packers. In those seven games, Nutler has thrown 7 TD's and 12 interceptions. He was also knocked out of the NFC Championship with a questionable injury. Bears fans burned his jersey after the NFC Championship game. He was labeled a quitter. Thus far, the Packers have owned Ray Nutler. Let’s hope it continues for another week.
When the Bears have the ball, Nutler will look to use his reunited toy, Brandon Marshall. The last time Marshall matched up with T-Mon, Marshall ate him up. Still, I’d line T-Mon in a nose-to-nose, toes-to-toes fashion against Marshall. T-Mon must win that battle. I’d also give T-Mon over-the-top help with Morgan Burnett.
We saw a lot of J-Bush last week. This week - let’s see Casey Hayward! I’ve mentioned this often, but it’s worth reiterating; the last time Hayward matched up with Alshon Jeffery was when they were in college. On that day, Jeffery had 2 catches. Hayward had two interceptions. There’s familiarity there. I’d like to see Hayward lining up against him. Sure, Sammy Swagga should be the 2nd CB in the base defense, but I’d like to see Hayward on the field this week.
Forte is a stud. DJ Smith is going to have to play significantly better this week than he did last week or Forte may be in for a huge day. The Packers have had big penetration on the Bears DL in the past. Last year, in Chicago, Forte had 9 carries for 2 yards. It’d be nice to see that again this week.
On 3rd down, look for Walden to be on the field. Perry slides a step inside. Hand in the dirt. Like he did in college. Raji is lined up next to Perry. Look for Worthy and Daniels rotate with Raji. Clay as the other rusher. Let’s punish Nutler and force the big turnover.
On the defensive side of the ball, Bears will bring intensity. But, the Packers OL matches up well with the Bears DL. When the Bears rush 4, I expect Rodgers to have a fair amount of time. If Rodgers is blitzed, I like the match-ups on the outside – assuming Greg Jennings plays. In the past, the Bears have had no answer for Greg Jennings & J-Mike. I can’t imagine why that would change.
It’s important for McCarthy to get Rodgers in a rhythm early in the game. Rodgers needs to get off to a quick start. If one thing is for certain, he’s a much better player when he gets off to a quick start. He’s the MPV of the NFL when the Packers are playing with the lead. When they aren’t, he appears to get frustrated easily. In order to find a fluid start to the game, the Packers should attack Tim Jennings. While Jennings played well against the Colts, he’s never faired well against Green Bay. Short posts have been successful routes and they have eventually set up double moves. If given time, big plays will be had this weekend. But, first, let’s put some easy completions on the stat sheet.
As Rodgers finds success, look for Benson to get his carries. Playing against the team that drafted him, Benson is sure to be determined. He’ll be motivated to make an impact. Rather than the delayed draw or counter runs, I’d like to see quick hitting, punch you in the mouth runs that allow for a cut-back. Ryan Grant produced solid numbers in Chicago last year as he used patience and the cut-back to grab yards in large chunks, averaging 5.4 yards per on 17 rushes. Benson should get the same amount of carries and with that, we’ll likely see him have the same success.
Play the Trump Card, G-Force. The Packers find their stride and win a crucial NFC North battle.
Green Bay 31. Chicago 30.
We better be ready. If not, we’ll be 0-2 prior to the 2nd Sunday of the NFL Season. With two losses in the NFC. And, 2 losses at Lambeau. Be ready, Titletown. Make a difference.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Pardon me, but while I put together my notes over the last couple of days, I'm littered with a buzz from the Baus Family Vineyards. I'm not a wine connoisseur, but the Cabernet Sauvignon is well priced and delicious.
The 2012 Season has started in an awkwardly similar manner as the 2011 Season finished. We were outmatched. We were punched in the mouth. We lost to a physical team. Plain and simple. It hurt. Badly. But, it wasn’t overly unexpected. What was frustrating is this: if you’ve watched the 49ers play, you know that their offense is predicated on creating match-ups. Clearly, we hadn’t scouted the 49ers enough. When Michael Crabtree is lined up in the slot, you’d hope that Nick Perry is not lined up against him. Well, it happened. That’s a problem. A scary one. And let’s hope that scenario does not continue. Overall, the Packers weren’t polished. We lacked shine. Aaron Rodgers is one of the more cerebral players in the NFL. But, his decision on 3rd down with just more than 30 seconds to play in the 1st half was done out of frustration. If Rodgers slides to the ground, SF has to burn their last timeout and they likely go into the half with a 13-7 lead. Instead, Rodgers flips the ball out of bounds and SF saved it’s timeout, which led to the 16-7 deficit. The vibe was eerily similar to Hakeem Nicks dancing off the field after the Hail Mary that put the dagger in the 2011 NFL Season. Ouch.
With that said, I’m not going to be a negative man. I have not lost faith. SF is a solid team. I’m OK with the loss. I want to see improvement. It wouldn’t shock me if this team finishes 10-6 or 11-5, yet we might be better positioned for a playoff run than we were as a 15-1 team last year. This team will require patience. Patience from the coaching staff. Patience from the locker room. Patience from the fans. Our youngsters are being asked to make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. I’m confident that we’ll improve over time. And, thus, we’ll have the capacity to make a run late in the year. Please, don’t panic. Things will improve. It might not happen in the first 4 games of the year, but this team will find its stride.
If there is one positive takeaway from the game, it was Randall Cobb. I loved the way he was used. It was an extension of the running game. Success was consistently achieved. I am excited to see his role continue to evolve. I see big things from him this year.
Another super exciting piece of the 49er game was the play of Clay Matthews and Sir Charles Woodson. With Sir Charles’ 1.5 sacks, he’s within 3 sacks of becoming the FIRST PLAYER IN NFL HISTORY with 50 interceptions and 20 sacks. You know Sir Charles is ready to sic Nutler this weekend.
We’re 0-1. But, it’s time to move forward. And, this week, it’s the Bears. Our hated rivals to the south. I’m animated for this one. Want it. Desperately.
The Bears are the media darlings after their impressive home victory over the Colts. Nutler to Marshall looked legit. The Forte/Bush combo looked like an ideal match. On defense, the Bears front-7 looked ripe. They looked like they have tools in place to be a serious contender in the NFC. But, in order to do so, the Bears will have to get through the Packers. And, as we know the Packers own the TRUMP CARD over the Bears.
Remember it: Halas Trophy. Soldier Field. Visitors Locker Room. Trump Card. Forever.
That’ll NEVER get old.
But, 2012 is a new year. Even with a new year, the game will likely be decided by the play of Aaron Rodgers v Ray Nutler. In his career, Rodgers has been terrific vs the Bears. Nutler, on the other hand, has been, well, Ray Nutler against the Packers. The Packers have faced Nutler 7 times in his career. Once as a Bronco and 6 times as a Bear. Nutler has a 1-6 record against the Packers. In those seven games, Nutler has thrown 7 TD's and 12 interceptions. He was also knocked out of the NFC Championship with a questionable injury. Bears fans burned his jersey after the NFC Championship game. He was labeled a quitter. Thus far, the Packers have owned Ray Nutler. Let’s hope it continues for another week.
When the Bears have the ball, Nutler will look to use his reunited toy, Brandon Marshall. The last time Marshall matched up with T-Mon, Marshall ate him up. Still, I’d line T-Mon in a nose-to-nose, toes-to-toes fashion against Marshall. T-Mon must win that battle. I’d also give T-Mon over-the-top help with Morgan Burnett.
We saw a lot of J-Bush last week. This week - let’s see Casey Hayward! I’ve mentioned this often, but it’s worth reiterating; the last time Hayward matched up with Alshon Jeffery was when they were in college. On that day, Jeffery had 2 catches. Hayward had two interceptions. There’s familiarity there. I’d like to see Hayward lining up against him. Sure, Sammy Swagga should be the 2nd CB in the base defense, but I’d like to see Hayward on the field this week.
Forte is a stud. DJ Smith is going to have to play significantly better this week than he did last week or Forte may be in for a huge day. The Packers have had big penetration on the Bears DL in the past. Last year, in Chicago, Forte had 9 carries for 2 yards. It’d be nice to see that again this week.
On 3rd down, look for Walden to be on the field. Perry slides a step inside. Hand in the dirt. Like he did in college. Raji is lined up next to Perry. Look for Worthy and Daniels rotate with Raji. Clay as the other rusher. Let’s punish Nutler and force the big turnover.
On the defensive side of the ball, Bears will bring intensity. But, the Packers OL matches up well with the Bears DL. When the Bears rush 4, I expect Rodgers to have a fair amount of time. If Rodgers is blitzed, I like the match-ups on the outside – assuming Greg Jennings plays. In the past, the Bears have had no answer for Greg Jennings & J-Mike. I can’t imagine why that would change.
It’s important for McCarthy to get Rodgers in a rhythm early in the game. Rodgers needs to get off to a quick start. If one thing is for certain, he’s a much better player when he gets off to a quick start. He’s the MPV of the NFL when the Packers are playing with the lead. When they aren’t, he appears to get frustrated easily. In order to find a fluid start to the game, the Packers should attack Tim Jennings. While Jennings played well against the Colts, he’s never faired well against Green Bay. Short posts have been successful routes and they have eventually set up double moves. If given time, big plays will be had this weekend. But, first, let’s put some easy completions on the stat sheet.
As Rodgers finds success, look for Benson to get his carries. Playing against the team that drafted him, Benson is sure to be determined. He’ll be motivated to make an impact. Rather than the delayed draw or counter runs, I’d like to see quick hitting, punch you in the mouth runs that allow for a cut-back. Ryan Grant produced solid numbers in Chicago last year as he used patience and the cut-back to grab yards in large chunks, averaging 5.4 yards per on 17 rushes. Benson should get the same amount of carries and with that, we’ll likely see him have the same success.
Play the Trump Card, G-Force. The Packers find their stride and win a crucial NFC North battle.
Green Bay 31. Chicago 30.
We better be ready. If not, we’ll be 0-2 prior to the 2nd Sunday of the NFL Season. With two losses in the NFC. And, 2 losses at Lambeau. Be ready, Titletown. Make a difference.
THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin’ S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Friday, September 7, 2012
My Take -> Week 1
Greetings, G-Force.
If you haven't heard, my wife gave birth to our first child, Dylan McKenna, yesterday. Dylan was born at 35 weeks and 6 days. Clearly, he didn't want to miss the Kickoff to the NFL season and more importantly, he obviously wanted to be home for the start of the Packer season this Sunday.
It is the 5-time Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers traveling to Titletown, USA to take on the 13-time World Champion Green Bay Packers. On FOX. Buck & Aikman in the booth. This is grand!
The 49ers will bring a fierce, powerful defensive attack couple with a punishing offense that takes the occasional timely shot down field. They'll be a tough match-up for the finesse of the Packers offense. Plainly stated, the physical nature of the Green Bay roster will be put to its toughest task of the season in Week 1. San Francisco will bring attitude. The biggest question of the day: Can the Packers go blow for blow with the 49ers and match their toughness? If not, the Packers will have to try an turn this gam into a shoot out or else it could be a long, frustrating day at Lambeau Field.
Jim Harbaugh's offense is predicated on mismatches. Harbaugh has undoubtedly spent significant time licking his chops at the notion of getting Vernon Davis lined up in space against either Nick Perry or one of the Packers ILB's. Harbaugh will try to move the pocket and utilize Alex Smith's mobility. He will look to pound Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter at the meat of the interior defense. Then, he'll come with play action. Outside of Davis, the routes will be fairly simple to cover if the Packers stay disciplined. We'll see crossing routes to Crabtree, deep balls to Moss, and passes in the flat to Delanie Walker. With that said, if the Packers can force 3rd & 6 or more, Alex Smith will give the defense plenty of opportunities for big plays.
To counter the 49ers attack, the Packers will utilize their full array of DL. Call me crazy, but this is a big game for CJ Wilson. Wilson was kept due to his play against the run. If he can't nut-up against SF, it'd be a huge disappointment. In the XLV run, Wilson was a solid run stuffer. When his role was expanded last year, he became a below average football player. But, Wilson has returned to his '10 spot on the team. He's a rotational defender who is expected to plug holes and take up blockers. It's my hope that he'll free up space for DJ Smith to meet ball carriers at or near the line of scrimmage.
The brute approach of the SF OL will be a terrific challenge for the revamped front 7 on the Packers defense. It has been frustrating to see how Worthy was used in the preseason. Worthy needs to be pulled tighter to the Guard. Too many times, Worthy has been found standing up, lined up in front of the tackle. On 3rd down, let's line Worthy and Raji tight against the Guards. With Perry's bull rush an Matthews' speed rush, it's likely that pressure would be applied with only 4 defenders. On 3rd down, it's possible that Alex Smith might require a spy in some scenarios.
But, the key is stopping the 49ers is to slow down Vernon Davis. To do so, I'd lock Woodson man for man on him. Woodson has the physicality and the football whereabouts to slow down Davis. I don't believe we have anyone else who can defend him.
The Packers OL is going to have a total gut-check. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are seek fierce contact. They'll all be attack the NFL's MVP with a vicious intent via a variety of blitzes. The OL must communicate at peak levels and win the 1 on 1 battles. Newhouse v Aldon Smith is an important battle. The Packers must get positive yards on 1st & 2nd down or the 49ers defensive front can be absolutely lethal.
But, if the SF defense has a weakness it is found on the outside. Tarell Brown can be had. So, can Chris Culliver. I really liked Perrish Cox coming out of college, but he hasn't been able to keep himself on the field. The key to beating SF is to spread 'em out. Well timed, quick passes. Short hitches to Greg "BE GREAT" Jennings. Slants to JJ. Short 4 yard outs to Double D. Then, it's Jordy on the deep post.
Expect McCarthy to try to force the 49ers to drop Willis & Bowman into coverage. This also opens up Cedric Benson on he cutback run. Expect McCarthy to add in some trickery with Randall Cobb. Whether it's on special teams or on offense, Cobb will make a game changing play. He'll swing field position and the momentum.
Rodgers throws for 250 and 3 TD's.
Green Bay 27. San Francisco 23.
Rise Up, Lambeau Field. Off yur' ass. On yur' feet. In unison. Let's get to 1-0.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
If you haven't heard, my wife gave birth to our first child, Dylan McKenna, yesterday. Dylan was born at 35 weeks and 6 days. Clearly, he didn't want to miss the Kickoff to the NFL season and more importantly, he obviously wanted to be home for the start of the Packer season this Sunday.
It is the 5-time Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers traveling to Titletown, USA to take on the 13-time World Champion Green Bay Packers. On FOX. Buck & Aikman in the booth. This is grand!
The 49ers will bring a fierce, powerful defensive attack couple with a punishing offense that takes the occasional timely shot down field. They'll be a tough match-up for the finesse of the Packers offense. Plainly stated, the physical nature of the Green Bay roster will be put to its toughest task of the season in Week 1. San Francisco will bring attitude. The biggest question of the day: Can the Packers go blow for blow with the 49ers and match their toughness? If not, the Packers will have to try an turn this gam into a shoot out or else it could be a long, frustrating day at Lambeau Field.
Jim Harbaugh's offense is predicated on mismatches. Harbaugh has undoubtedly spent significant time licking his chops at the notion of getting Vernon Davis lined up in space against either Nick Perry or one of the Packers ILB's. Harbaugh will try to move the pocket and utilize Alex Smith's mobility. He will look to pound Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter at the meat of the interior defense. Then, he'll come with play action. Outside of Davis, the routes will be fairly simple to cover if the Packers stay disciplined. We'll see crossing routes to Crabtree, deep balls to Moss, and passes in the flat to Delanie Walker. With that said, if the Packers can force 3rd & 6 or more, Alex Smith will give the defense plenty of opportunities for big plays.
To counter the 49ers attack, the Packers will utilize their full array of DL. Call me crazy, but this is a big game for CJ Wilson. Wilson was kept due to his play against the run. If he can't nut-up against SF, it'd be a huge disappointment. In the XLV run, Wilson was a solid run stuffer. When his role was expanded last year, he became a below average football player. But, Wilson has returned to his '10 spot on the team. He's a rotational defender who is expected to plug holes and take up blockers. It's my hope that he'll free up space for DJ Smith to meet ball carriers at or near the line of scrimmage.
The brute approach of the SF OL will be a terrific challenge for the revamped front 7 on the Packers defense. It has been frustrating to see how Worthy was used in the preseason. Worthy needs to be pulled tighter to the Guard. Too many times, Worthy has been found standing up, lined up in front of the tackle. On 3rd down, let's line Worthy and Raji tight against the Guards. With Perry's bull rush an Matthews' speed rush, it's likely that pressure would be applied with only 4 defenders. On 3rd down, it's possible that Alex Smith might require a spy in some scenarios.
But, the key is stopping the 49ers is to slow down Vernon Davis. To do so, I'd lock Woodson man for man on him. Woodson has the physicality and the football whereabouts to slow down Davis. I don't believe we have anyone else who can defend him.
The Packers OL is going to have a total gut-check. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are seek fierce contact. They'll all be attack the NFL's MVP with a vicious intent via a variety of blitzes. The OL must communicate at peak levels and win the 1 on 1 battles. Newhouse v Aldon Smith is an important battle. The Packers must get positive yards on 1st & 2nd down or the 49ers defensive front can be absolutely lethal.
But, if the SF defense has a weakness it is found on the outside. Tarell Brown can be had. So, can Chris Culliver. I really liked Perrish Cox coming out of college, but he hasn't been able to keep himself on the field. The key to beating SF is to spread 'em out. Well timed, quick passes. Short hitches to Greg "BE GREAT" Jennings. Slants to JJ. Short 4 yard outs to Double D. Then, it's Jordy on the deep post.
Expect McCarthy to try to force the 49ers to drop Willis & Bowman into coverage. This also opens up Cedric Benson on he cutback run. Expect McCarthy to add in some trickery with Randall Cobb. Whether it's on special teams or on offense, Cobb will make a game changing play. He'll swing field position and the momentum.
Rodgers throws for 250 and 3 TD's.
Green Bay 27. San Francisco 23.
Rise Up, Lambeau Field. Off yur' ass. On yur' feet. In unison. Let's get to 1-0.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Monday, August 27, 2012
My Take -> If I Were Ted Thompson
Greetings, G-Force.
Sitting down to write about the Packers is a precious time in my week. Without fail, my lil' dog Ziggy jumps on my lap. Yeah, he's my kid and he loves talking Packers football. I grab a tasty treat; today, it's Double Stout from Green Flash Brewery. It's 12 ounces and 8.8% of absolute goodness. I put on my favorite music at the time; today it happens to be Papa Wemba, a Congolese musician who offers a solid mix between inspiring and soul settling musical tones. Hopefully, these vibes will allow me to channel my inner Ted Thompson. With that, I present to you what I'd do if I were Ted Thompson. No, this is not a prediction. I'll leave that to the journalists. This is simply how I'd act if I were the GM of the 13-time World Champions.
QB: (3) Aaron Rodgers is the MVP and the starting QB. I wholeheartedly wish that we could make a move at back-up QB. Graham Harrell is not the answer. While it's been well documented that James Jones has not been desired in trade attempts, I'd have to imagine that Joe Philbin and the Miami Dolphins might be interested in a straight-up swap of Jones for Matt Moore. I'd be all over it. If Moore isn't obtainable, what's happening with Colt McCoy and Matt Hasselbeck? Both are going to be back-ups. Is either available? Also, I know it's not happening, but say what you want about Vince Young - no matter your take, he's better than Graham Harrell. With that said, if i don't have a trading partner, I have to keep Harrell. Also, I'm in the minority in my beliefs, but I'd keep BJ Coleman. The Packers have tried with great intent to hide Coleman from scouts. It doesn't matter. I wouldn't expose Coleman. And, if Coleman gets his chance this weekend, he will impress. Sure, he'll be inaccurate on some throws, but he'll also show glimpses that he's a legitimate developmental prospect.
RB: (5) Cedric Benson looked better in Green & Gold than anyone we've seen at RB since Ryan Grant went wild in the '07 Divisional Playoff game against Seattle. Preseason or not, Benson looked fluid, well rested and full of burst. James Starks is a must keep. Yes, he has injury problems. But, we don't need him for 16 games. We need him healthy in December, January and February. And the memories of 2010 are still too fresh. Alex Green will get his chance to make an impact this year. Brandon Saine showed promise as a 3rd down back last year. It's been frustrating that he hasn't been healthy. Kuhn is the lone FB on the roster. With the way McCarthy shifts his TE's, there is no reason to keep more than one FB.
WR: (5) Jennings, Driver, Cobb and Nelson are obvious. They're sticking around. By the way, it was great to see Jennings "Be Great" and bust ankles in the open field. Good stuff. As mentioned earlier, I'd be targeting a trade that involved Jones. Assuming it doesn't happen, he, too, is kept. Here's where the problem comes. Coming into the preseason, all the rage followed Gurley & Borel. Well, we're 3 preseason games in and neither has done anything to stand out. In fact, I can't imagine a scenario in which Borel sticks around. Further, I can't be convinced that Jarrett Boykin has not been one of the best 53 players in the preseason games. He's displayed legitimate gifts. Purely as a WR, I'd rather have Boykin than Gurley and Borel. However, Gurley has shown skills in punt coverage. And, last year, we read about Gurley's punt blocking skills. Still, there is only so much room on the roster. And, with that, the hardest cut on the roster is Jarrett Boykin. It'll surprise if he makes it to the practice squad. Borel & Gurley also have practice squad eligibility. Doubt either makes it that far.
TE: (4) J-Mike, DJ Williams, Crabtree and Ryan Taylor are all going to be on the team. McCarthy values TE's. I was hoping Finley was ready for a Pro Bowl season, but his injuries have been frustrating. DJ Williams has shown that he's enhanced his skills in the route running department. Really liked him running the slant against Cleveland. Crabtree has not had consistent hands, but he's the best of the TE's with respect to blocking. Ryan Taylor's development from year 1 to year 2 has been disappointing thus far. Still, he has special teams talents and he sticks around. Though, I will admit that it was awfully tough to send Boykin to the practice squad instead of releasing Taylor. Quarless is on the PUP list.
OL: (8) This is the biggest challenge. Newhouse, Lang, Saturday, Sitton and Bulaga make up a nice OL. Reggie Wells has grit and experience. He also has guard and tackle versatility. Dietrich-Smith was reliable as a back-up last year. He sticks around. Sherrod has not been healthy and I wondered if he was destined for the PUP list, but the Packers clearly think he'll be back sooner than that since he was not placed on the PUP list today. Since he's not on the PUP list, he's obviously a lock to be on the active roster. Datko wasn't as good as we had hoped he'd be this preseason and therefore, he goes to the practice squad.
DL: (6) BJ Raji, Jerel Worthy, Ryan Pickett, CJ Wilson, and Mike Daniels are locks to be rotating on the defensive front. The last spot goes to either Merling or Muir. I really wanted Merling to grab it. He didn't do so. The job goes to Muir who has played with great energy and heart. Muir might only last 4 weeks with Mike Neal coming back after then.
LB: (9) Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, DJ Smith, and AJ Hawk are the starters. Man, does that Bishop injury hurt. Totally sucks. I've been really impressed with Robert Francois. Loved his two tackles on special teams against the Browns. He, too, is battling an injury, but he's a keeper. So is Jamari Lattimore. Epic pick-6 by Lattimore! Moses hasn't impressed me like he has others, but he did look like he was more aware against the Bengals. Still, he's slow off the snap of the ball. And, that is concerning. Regardless, Moses gets a spot. We have not heard the last of Erik Walden. He will make some plays for the Packers in 2012. I had high hopes for Terrell Manning. He's been timid. Almost afraid of making a mistake. Still, Manning makes the team as the 9th LB. So'oto is a solid practice squad candidate. We've seen the end of Brad Jones in Green Bay.
DB: (10) Woodson, T-Mon, Burnett, Shields, Bush, Hayward, Shields, House, McMillan and MD Jennings make the squad. Jennings has not been as impressive as I hoped and I considered keeping Richardson over him, but I believe that Richardson can sneak his way onto the practice squad.
Specialists: (3) Crosby, Masthay and Goode. All are in the upper tier of their positions.
Practice Squad: (8) I'm assuming Borel and Gurley don't make it this far. Though I would be shocked if Boykin did as well. Still, I have to have some fun with this! So I'm keeping: Boykin, So'oto, Richardson, Datko, Ross, Guy, Barclay, Tyler.
A couple of quick notes:
* Rodgers looks like he's having fun out there. I like it.
* Benson. Yes, Cedric Benson! Tell me that you were as stoked as I was!!!
* Greg Jennings. Be Great, Greg. Be Great.
* Randall Cobb. Love watching him run the slant. Only a matter of time before McCarthy gets creative with him. Likely in Week 1.
* DJ Williams. Like his route running this year. Looks to have grown in that area.
* TJ Lang. Don't feel like he's been finishing blocks well.
* BJ Raji. Man, it feels like he's been pushed backwards more this preseason than I ever remember before. With that said, love the combination of Worthy, Raji, Matthews, and Perry on 3rd Downs. They'll get to the QB. Often.
* Nick Perry. He has a phenomenal bull rush. Get to work, Kevin Greene. When this guy develops a spin move to compliment the bull rush, he'll be wicked.
* Clay Matthews. Great to see his energy last week.
* DJ Smith. The most sure tackling player on the team.
* Casey Hayward. Catch the ball, mate.
* Sammy Swagga Shields. Keep it up, playa!
* Lattimore and Francois offer good versatility.
* If one thing is certain, I'm not exposing BJ Coleman to the prospect of FA. He's not a practice squad guy, he needs to be kept. Painful for the numbers, but it's a requirement. QB's with that arm are tough to find.
With the '12 College Football Season beginning this Thursday, I had to kick it off with a Mock NFL Draft for April '13. After all, this is the "If I Were Ted Thompson" Edition. I'm giving the Packers a bonus 4th for Scott Wells and a compensatory pick in the 6th for Matt Flynn. Total bummer that Wilson beat out Flynn. Hurts our draft stock. Due to time constraints, I've solely used the CBS Draft Scout Tracker to give rough estimates as to where players will be picked.
Round 1: With the 32nd pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M. Yes, he's Clay's cousin. So, that part of it is fun. But, really, the reason for the pick is that the Packers OL needs more depth. Newhouse has been good, but he's not a superstar. Matthews has that ability. Further, Sherrod has yet to prove he's worthy of protecting the NFL's MVP. Last year, you might recall that my good mate, Stack, suggested the Packers draft Kawaan Short, DL, Purdue. Today, he's my runner up for the 1st Round. I also considered Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford.
Round 2: If I didn't like BJ Coleman so much, this pick would be Geno Smith, QB, WVU. Instead, I'm going with Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas. Hate to say it, but Sir Charles Woodson is getting older. Vaccaro can play in the box. He can cover. He mixes it up in run defense. Vaccaro edges out Robert Lester, S, Alabama; Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas; Sylvester Williams, DL, UNC; and Nico Johnson, ILB, Alabama.
Round 3: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington. Looks like this is early for him. Doesn't matter. I'm high on his game. Gets his head turned. Not afraid to be physical, even though he's only listed at 185 lbs. I like his game. Excited to see more of him this year.
Round 4a: Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma. First of all, he's the son of Ken Stills! Yes, THE Ken Stills! So, he has NFL genes. Further, I love his bounce. He's got game. He loves to compete. He has a thrill for the lights. He'd be great in our system.
Round 4b: Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame. Wood has the play making skills, the elusiveness and the size to be an every down back in the NFL. I love his football instincts. He makes defenders miss in the open field and he has a nose for the 1st down marker. At this stage, I rank him higher than Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford.
Round 5: Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida. Love how Bostic gets sideline-to-sideline. Sure tackler. Has the size, speed and athleticism to make it at the next level. Florida has legitimate NFL prospects (Sharrif Floyd & Dominique Easley) on the DL in front of Bostic, so he should be put in position to make plays in the SEC this year.
Round 6a: Anthony Rashad White, DL, Michigan State. I really hope he can play as he did at the end of last year. I also hope he measures at 6-2, 330. If so, this guy has beastly skills, if he's motivated. He was unrecognized due to the dynamite play of Worthy and Gholston, but don't sleep on Rashad White! Guy can play. He was huge in the bowl game against Georgia last year and it wouldn't surprise me if he gets off to a great start at the beginning of the '12 campaign.
Round 6b: Ray Ray Armstrong, S, Faulkner College. The former product from the []_[] is a legitimate prospect. Loaded with skills. Yet, it seems he was in constant trouble since enrolling at the University of Miami. Still, I love Ray Ray's game. At one stage, the []_[] thought he might be the next Sean Taylor. They even gave Ray Ray the #26. It wasn't meant to be. And, Armstrong was kicked off the team this year.
Round 7: James Vandenberg, QB, Iowa. Vandenberg is a decent decision maker and a good late round prospect. The Packers have had good fortune with Iowa prospects in the past.
One last thing, if I'm Ted Thompson, I'm doing everything I can to sell Jennings, Rodgers, and Matthews on signing a reduced rate contract with the Packers.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Sitting down to write about the Packers is a precious time in my week. Without fail, my lil' dog Ziggy jumps on my lap. Yeah, he's my kid and he loves talking Packers football. I grab a tasty treat; today, it's Double Stout from Green Flash Brewery. It's 12 ounces and 8.8% of absolute goodness. I put on my favorite music at the time; today it happens to be Papa Wemba, a Congolese musician who offers a solid mix between inspiring and soul settling musical tones. Hopefully, these vibes will allow me to channel my inner Ted Thompson. With that, I present to you what I'd do if I were Ted Thompson. No, this is not a prediction. I'll leave that to the journalists. This is simply how I'd act if I were the GM of the 13-time World Champions.
QB: (3) Aaron Rodgers is the MVP and the starting QB. I wholeheartedly wish that we could make a move at back-up QB. Graham Harrell is not the answer. While it's been well documented that James Jones has not been desired in trade attempts, I'd have to imagine that Joe Philbin and the Miami Dolphins might be interested in a straight-up swap of Jones for Matt Moore. I'd be all over it. If Moore isn't obtainable, what's happening with Colt McCoy and Matt Hasselbeck? Both are going to be back-ups. Is either available? Also, I know it's not happening, but say what you want about Vince Young - no matter your take, he's better than Graham Harrell. With that said, if i don't have a trading partner, I have to keep Harrell. Also, I'm in the minority in my beliefs, but I'd keep BJ Coleman. The Packers have tried with great intent to hide Coleman from scouts. It doesn't matter. I wouldn't expose Coleman. And, if Coleman gets his chance this weekend, he will impress. Sure, he'll be inaccurate on some throws, but he'll also show glimpses that he's a legitimate developmental prospect.
RB: (5) Cedric Benson looked better in Green & Gold than anyone we've seen at RB since Ryan Grant went wild in the '07 Divisional Playoff game against Seattle. Preseason or not, Benson looked fluid, well rested and full of burst. James Starks is a must keep. Yes, he has injury problems. But, we don't need him for 16 games. We need him healthy in December, January and February. And the memories of 2010 are still too fresh. Alex Green will get his chance to make an impact this year. Brandon Saine showed promise as a 3rd down back last year. It's been frustrating that he hasn't been healthy. Kuhn is the lone FB on the roster. With the way McCarthy shifts his TE's, there is no reason to keep more than one FB.
WR: (5) Jennings, Driver, Cobb and Nelson are obvious. They're sticking around. By the way, it was great to see Jennings "Be Great" and bust ankles in the open field. Good stuff. As mentioned earlier, I'd be targeting a trade that involved Jones. Assuming it doesn't happen, he, too, is kept. Here's where the problem comes. Coming into the preseason, all the rage followed Gurley & Borel. Well, we're 3 preseason games in and neither has done anything to stand out. In fact, I can't imagine a scenario in which Borel sticks around. Further, I can't be convinced that Jarrett Boykin has not been one of the best 53 players in the preseason games. He's displayed legitimate gifts. Purely as a WR, I'd rather have Boykin than Gurley and Borel. However, Gurley has shown skills in punt coverage. And, last year, we read about Gurley's punt blocking skills. Still, there is only so much room on the roster. And, with that, the hardest cut on the roster is Jarrett Boykin. It'll surprise if he makes it to the practice squad. Borel & Gurley also have practice squad eligibility. Doubt either makes it that far.
TE: (4) J-Mike, DJ Williams, Crabtree and Ryan Taylor are all going to be on the team. McCarthy values TE's. I was hoping Finley was ready for a Pro Bowl season, but his injuries have been frustrating. DJ Williams has shown that he's enhanced his skills in the route running department. Really liked him running the slant against Cleveland. Crabtree has not had consistent hands, but he's the best of the TE's with respect to blocking. Ryan Taylor's development from year 1 to year 2 has been disappointing thus far. Still, he has special teams talents and he sticks around. Though, I will admit that it was awfully tough to send Boykin to the practice squad instead of releasing Taylor. Quarless is on the PUP list.
OL: (8) This is the biggest challenge. Newhouse, Lang, Saturday, Sitton and Bulaga make up a nice OL. Reggie Wells has grit and experience. He also has guard and tackle versatility. Dietrich-Smith was reliable as a back-up last year. He sticks around. Sherrod has not been healthy and I wondered if he was destined for the PUP list, but the Packers clearly think he'll be back sooner than that since he was not placed on the PUP list today. Since he's not on the PUP list, he's obviously a lock to be on the active roster. Datko wasn't as good as we had hoped he'd be this preseason and therefore, he goes to the practice squad.
DL: (6) BJ Raji, Jerel Worthy, Ryan Pickett, CJ Wilson, and Mike Daniels are locks to be rotating on the defensive front. The last spot goes to either Merling or Muir. I really wanted Merling to grab it. He didn't do so. The job goes to Muir who has played with great energy and heart. Muir might only last 4 weeks with Mike Neal coming back after then.
LB: (9) Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, DJ Smith, and AJ Hawk are the starters. Man, does that Bishop injury hurt. Totally sucks. I've been really impressed with Robert Francois. Loved his two tackles on special teams against the Browns. He, too, is battling an injury, but he's a keeper. So is Jamari Lattimore. Epic pick-6 by Lattimore! Moses hasn't impressed me like he has others, but he did look like he was more aware against the Bengals. Still, he's slow off the snap of the ball. And, that is concerning. Regardless, Moses gets a spot. We have not heard the last of Erik Walden. He will make some plays for the Packers in 2012. I had high hopes for Terrell Manning. He's been timid. Almost afraid of making a mistake. Still, Manning makes the team as the 9th LB. So'oto is a solid practice squad candidate. We've seen the end of Brad Jones in Green Bay.
DB: (10) Woodson, T-Mon, Burnett, Shields, Bush, Hayward, Shields, House, McMillan and MD Jennings make the squad. Jennings has not been as impressive as I hoped and I considered keeping Richardson over him, but I believe that Richardson can sneak his way onto the practice squad.
Specialists: (3) Crosby, Masthay and Goode. All are in the upper tier of their positions.
Practice Squad: (8) I'm assuming Borel and Gurley don't make it this far. Though I would be shocked if Boykin did as well. Still, I have to have some fun with this! So I'm keeping: Boykin, So'oto, Richardson, Datko, Ross, Guy, Barclay, Tyler.
A couple of quick notes:
* Rodgers looks like he's having fun out there. I like it.
* Benson. Yes, Cedric Benson! Tell me that you were as stoked as I was!!!
* Greg Jennings. Be Great, Greg. Be Great.
* Randall Cobb. Love watching him run the slant. Only a matter of time before McCarthy gets creative with him. Likely in Week 1.
* DJ Williams. Like his route running this year. Looks to have grown in that area.
* TJ Lang. Don't feel like he's been finishing blocks well.
* BJ Raji. Man, it feels like he's been pushed backwards more this preseason than I ever remember before. With that said, love the combination of Worthy, Raji, Matthews, and Perry on 3rd Downs. They'll get to the QB. Often.
* Nick Perry. He has a phenomenal bull rush. Get to work, Kevin Greene. When this guy develops a spin move to compliment the bull rush, he'll be wicked.
* Clay Matthews. Great to see his energy last week.
* DJ Smith. The most sure tackling player on the team.
* Casey Hayward. Catch the ball, mate.
* Sammy Swagga Shields. Keep it up, playa!
* Lattimore and Francois offer good versatility.
* If one thing is certain, I'm not exposing BJ Coleman to the prospect of FA. He's not a practice squad guy, he needs to be kept. Painful for the numbers, but it's a requirement. QB's with that arm are tough to find.
With the '12 College Football Season beginning this Thursday, I had to kick it off with a Mock NFL Draft for April '13. After all, this is the "If I Were Ted Thompson" Edition. I'm giving the Packers a bonus 4th for Scott Wells and a compensatory pick in the 6th for Matt Flynn. Total bummer that Wilson beat out Flynn. Hurts our draft stock. Due to time constraints, I've solely used the CBS Draft Scout Tracker to give rough estimates as to where players will be picked.
Round 1: With the 32nd pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M. Yes, he's Clay's cousin. So, that part of it is fun. But, really, the reason for the pick is that the Packers OL needs more depth. Newhouse has been good, but he's not a superstar. Matthews has that ability. Further, Sherrod has yet to prove he's worthy of protecting the NFL's MVP. Last year, you might recall that my good mate, Stack, suggested the Packers draft Kawaan Short, DL, Purdue. Today, he's my runner up for the 1st Round. I also considered Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford.
Round 2: If I didn't like BJ Coleman so much, this pick would be Geno Smith, QB, WVU. Instead, I'm going with Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas. Hate to say it, but Sir Charles Woodson is getting older. Vaccaro can play in the box. He can cover. He mixes it up in run defense. Vaccaro edges out Robert Lester, S, Alabama; Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas; Sylvester Williams, DL, UNC; and Nico Johnson, ILB, Alabama.
Round 3: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington. Looks like this is early for him. Doesn't matter. I'm high on his game. Gets his head turned. Not afraid to be physical, even though he's only listed at 185 lbs. I like his game. Excited to see more of him this year.
Round 4a: Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma. First of all, he's the son of Ken Stills! Yes, THE Ken Stills! So, he has NFL genes. Further, I love his bounce. He's got game. He loves to compete. He has a thrill for the lights. He'd be great in our system.
Round 4b: Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame. Wood has the play making skills, the elusiveness and the size to be an every down back in the NFL. I love his football instincts. He makes defenders miss in the open field and he has a nose for the 1st down marker. At this stage, I rank him higher than Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford.
Round 5: Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida. Love how Bostic gets sideline-to-sideline. Sure tackler. Has the size, speed and athleticism to make it at the next level. Florida has legitimate NFL prospects (Sharrif Floyd & Dominique Easley) on the DL in front of Bostic, so he should be put in position to make plays in the SEC this year.
Round 6a: Anthony Rashad White, DL, Michigan State. I really hope he can play as he did at the end of last year. I also hope he measures at 6-2, 330. If so, this guy has beastly skills, if he's motivated. He was unrecognized due to the dynamite play of Worthy and Gholston, but don't sleep on Rashad White! Guy can play. He was huge in the bowl game against Georgia last year and it wouldn't surprise me if he gets off to a great start at the beginning of the '12 campaign.
Round 6b: Ray Ray Armstrong, S, Faulkner College. The former product from the []_[] is a legitimate prospect. Loaded with skills. Yet, it seems he was in constant trouble since enrolling at the University of Miami. Still, I love Ray Ray's game. At one stage, the []_[] thought he might be the next Sean Taylor. They even gave Ray Ray the #26. It wasn't meant to be. And, Armstrong was kicked off the team this year.
Round 7: James Vandenberg, QB, Iowa. Vandenberg is a decent decision maker and a good late round prospect. The Packers have had good fortune with Iowa prospects in the past.
One last thing, if I'm Ted Thompson, I'm doing everything I can to sell Jennings, Rodgers, and Matthews on signing a reduced rate contract with the Packers.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
My Take -> Preseason Week 2
Greetings, G-Force.
Sure, it's always nice to see your team pull out a victory. Even if it's the 1st preseason game of the year. But, unfortunately, we'll have to wait a week to put on our victory smiles. With that said, here's some quick vibes that I have taken away from the last week of Packers football:
* Have to start with Ted Thompson. We're seeing a different Ted Thompson than we've ever seen before. And, I like it. Like he's normally done, he's put together key components of this team in a masterful way. We have an abundance of young talent. We have great depth at a number of positions. But, over the last two weeks, we've seen Ted Thompson get aggressive. It tells me that he's all in. He wants another Super Bowl Title. This year.
Injuries have decimated the roster. Especially at Tackle and RB. While it's nice to see Newhouse make his way back, Sherrod has yet to make an appearance. That's scary. But, in a fashion that is absolutely unlike anything Ted Thompson has done previously, he went out and signed Reggie Wells and his 9 years of NFL experience. It's worth mentioning that Wells has experienced what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl. In '08, he started 16 games for the Arizona Cardinals team that made it to the Super Bowl. Further, the Packers are down to 3 healthy RB's. Thompson responded by bringing in Cedric Benson. I'll get to Benson in a bit, but man, I was shocked to see Thompson go out and grab players in aggressive fashion. Some may point to when Thompson brought back players like Ahman Green and Mark Tauscher in 2009. But, this is a completely different situation. Green and Tauscher were familiar with the organization. The were well-respected in the locker room. Wells and Benson are foreign. This tells me that Thompson and McCarthy have absolute confidence in the camaraderie of this team. It's also interesting that Thomspon skipped over Ryan Grant in favor of Cedric Benson.
In familiar Thompson fashion, it was brilliant to see him sign TJ Lang to a 4-year extension. It's great to have Sitton and Lang locked up for the prime of their careers.
* The Desmond Bishop loss is devastating. There was one player in the NFL last year with 115 tackles and 5 sacks. His name: Desmond Bishop. Now, he might be lost for the season. Devastating. It's painful to think about.
* There will be some that wonder whether Benson has any legs left to him. I am not one of those guys. For three years in a row, Benson has eclipsed 1,000 yards. This year - he won't be asked to pound out that yardage. He won't need to carry the ball 250-275 times. He'll be in the rotation. He'll be asked to pound out tough yards. He'll need to keep the clock ticking after the Packers build leads in the 2nd half. My only concern is whether or not he'll hold onto the football. The Packers have become among the league's elite due to their ability to protect the football. Over the last 2 years, Benson has put the ball on the ground 12 times. That's scary. If Benson holds onto the football, he's going to be a huge addition to this roster.
* It was terrific to see Nick Perry get to the QB! That penalty was rubbish! HORRIBLE CALL! Really liked his effort on the next play when he drove Randy McMichael to the ground. When he's lined up against the TE and he's not asked to drop out in coverage, I'd like to see him not hesitate. Rather, I'd like to see him either attack the QB or I'd like to see him knock the TE off of his route. I've been asked whether Nick Perry will be nicknamed Super Nintendo Nick. Well, let's see how he progresses. He's got to earn that one.
* I didn't like seeing Aaron Rodgers on the field with Herb Taylor as the starting LT. I hope we never see that again.
* Loved how aggressive McCarthy was in his play calling with Graham Harrell. He didn't hold anything back. Wanted to see how he'd perform in a "real-life" situation. Harrell didn't impress me. I liked the drive right before the half, but I thought that Harrell missed a number of throws that he should have made. In his defense, he wasn't given many favors from his OL nor his receivers. I'm curious to see him play against Cleveland this Thursday.
* We didn't see much of BJ Coleman. But, when he was on the field, we saw what I figured we'd see. He stands tall in the pocket. He has a rocket. He's fairly quick to make decisions. He is hungry to look downfield.
* At RB, there were heavy issues.
1.) James Starks was a buzzkill. Straight up. Beyond the dropped pass and the fumble, one thing that caught my eye was how he reacted to contact. In '10, what I loved about Starks was that when he found contact, he fell forward. Last week, we Starks met a defender, he went backwards.
2.) We didn't see enough of Alex Green to make a judgment.
3.) Brandon Saine and John Kuhn need to get healthy.
4.) It was nice to see Marc Tyler run. He played like I expected. He runs hard. Looks for contact. Not going to run away from anyone, but he's going to hit the hole with a vengeance and more often than not, he's going to get positive yards.
* At WR, a couple of things stood out to me:
1.) Randall Cobb will be a focal point of the offense. Loved seeing the ball in his hands in the middle of the field. He's in for a big season. It's been widely reported that he's taken an occasional hand-off in training camp. I fancy that Mike McCarthy has watched the way the 'queens have used Percy Harvin and it's very possible that Cobb will be used in a similar fashion. He's a weapon and I'm looking forward to seeing him touch the football in a variety of ways.
2.) I really liked Jarrett Boykin. He instantly caught my eye. Looked the part. I want to see more of him.
3.) Sure, there was a penalty on the play, but regardless, James Jones has to catch the ball. 'Nuff said.
4.) Dale Moss looks like he's a prime candidate for the practice squad.
5.) Shaky Smithson should be the next player cut.
6.) If Borel and Gurley continue to have injury issues, it's possible that one of them may end up being tucked away on the IR for the season. Borel looked like he could continue to use some seasoning. I'm hoping to see Gurley running routes this week.
7.) Curenski Gilleylen is what he is: a training camp body.
* At TE, it was nice to see Crabtree grab the 3rd down pass to keep the chains moving. Wished I would have seen more of DJ Williams. I'd like to see Williams dominate these preseason games. This unit needs a healthy J-Mike.
* On the OL, there are both health and depth concerns:
1.) Herb Taylor is not a LT in the NFL.
2.) Marshall Newhouse is a key to the Packers success.
3.) Derek Sherrod & Ray Dominguez must get healthy.
4.) I'm excited to see Reggie Wells this week.
5.) Andrew Datko wasn't as bad as he's been made out to be in the media throughout the preseason.
6.) It's worth repeating: STOKED to have Lang & Sitton locked up.
* The Packers DL is going to be much improved from last year.
1.) I'm ecstatic to see a well-rested BJ Raji.
2.) It's a total treat to see Jerel Worthy jab OL like they are punching bags.
3.) Make note: Both Philip Merling and Mike Neal made tackles for loss!
4.) Anthony Hargrove got his hands on a ball and knocked it down.
5.) I even liked the play of Lawrence Guy. Played with good speed and activity.
6.) Unless injuries come in abundance, I can't see a scenario in which Wynn makes the team.
* Outside of the Bishop injury, there were plenty of positives at the LB position as well.
1.) You can't replace Desmond Bishop. He's a beast. But, man, DJ Smith looks legitimate. He plays on his toes. He's active. He's our best tackler in space. He needs to be on the field. He did get turned around on the TD pass to Gates, but he'll improve in that area.
2.) I thought Erik Walden was terrific. Granted, he was playing against the 2nd stringers, but Walden looked like he wants to see significant playing time this year.
3.) Vic So'oto! Man, he's a preseason stallion! Quick off the ball. He looked like he was thinner.
4.) I was disappointed when Terrell Manning got caught inside and took a bad angle to the ball on the run to the left side of the OL. I have high hopes for Manning. Want to see him perform this year. He hasn't shown that he is up for it yet.
* Once again, the secondary was stalking the football!
1.) Loved seeing T-Mon jump the route! Played like he's ready to return to his XLV form.
2.) Poor Ras-House. Can the guy stay healthy? House looked like he was ready to run away with the starting role. The 3rd & 3 play against Malcolm Floyd - I mean, are you kidding me? We didn't see a CB make that play ALL YEAR in '11. Great hand work. Turned his head. Knocked the ball away. Additionally, other than Sir Charles, who have we seen make that tackle for loss play? He flew into the backfield. He was reckless. And, right when he was offering hope, the shoulder pops. Unreal. We need him back. ASAP.
3.) Anthony Levine was a highlight. Beyond the interception, he led the team with 5 tackles.
4.) Thought there were some positives that came out of Casey Hayward's play as well. He's physical. I was surprised that he didn't swing his head. In the future, it'll happen. It's in his instincts. But, in the future, we can expect to see more of what the Chargers did to Hayward: double moves and deep routes. Hayward can be caught with his eyes in the offensive backfield as he looks to make a big play.
5.) Morgan "Heritage" Burnett showing up a step late. Let's hope this isn't a trend. He's intimidating in stature. He's still so young and learning. I have high hopes for him in '12.
6.) MD Jennings also got turned around by Gates. But, like DJ Smith, I hope this is only part of the learning curve.
7.) I was hoping to see more of Jerron McMillan.
This week, it's the Browns. In some ways, this might be the battle between a couple of Texas QB's: Colt McCoy vs Graham Harrell. McCoy went to Texas. Harrell went to Texas Tech. While Brandon Weeden is expected to play throughout the 1st half, it might be a chance for the Browns to showcase McCoy. It's been rumored that the Packers have interest in him. If Harrell fails to perform this week, it's possible that Thompson and McCarthy will look outside the organization for a back-up QB. Presently, McCoy might be the #3 QB in Cleveland. Might it be a match?
With Marshall Newhouse playing, look for Rodgers to have more time. With additional time, he'll have more success. And more confidence. We'll see Rodgers put points on the board. Rodgers to Nelson for 6 points.
It'll be nice to see Alex Green running with the 1st team. Look for McCarthy to try and get him into space with a designed screen play early in the game.
We could also see a small wrinkle with Cobb in the backfield as McCarthy continues to tinker with the offense.
With safety being of the utmost importance, look for Robert Francois and Jamari Lattimore to see increased playing time. Francois has been getting looks with the starting dime defense. This is an important role in the Packers defense.
Weeden isn't the most mobile of QB's. He's not a sitting target. But, he has limited range. Look for Perry's bull rush to disrupt the Browns offense.
I'm expecting a Casey Hayward interception this week.
I'm excited to see Sir Charles' season debut at safety.
Look for BJ Coleman to see more snaps than he did last week. And, he'll put points on the board. Thought it'd happen last week, but I'm calling it this week. Coleman to Boykin for a TD and a Lambeau Leap to go with it!
Green Bay 27. Cleveland 13.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Sure, it's always nice to see your team pull out a victory. Even if it's the 1st preseason game of the year. But, unfortunately, we'll have to wait a week to put on our victory smiles. With that said, here's some quick vibes that I have taken away from the last week of Packers football:
* Have to start with Ted Thompson. We're seeing a different Ted Thompson than we've ever seen before. And, I like it. Like he's normally done, he's put together key components of this team in a masterful way. We have an abundance of young talent. We have great depth at a number of positions. But, over the last two weeks, we've seen Ted Thompson get aggressive. It tells me that he's all in. He wants another Super Bowl Title. This year.
Injuries have decimated the roster. Especially at Tackle and RB. While it's nice to see Newhouse make his way back, Sherrod has yet to make an appearance. That's scary. But, in a fashion that is absolutely unlike anything Ted Thompson has done previously, he went out and signed Reggie Wells and his 9 years of NFL experience. It's worth mentioning that Wells has experienced what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl. In '08, he started 16 games for the Arizona Cardinals team that made it to the Super Bowl. Further, the Packers are down to 3 healthy RB's. Thompson responded by bringing in Cedric Benson. I'll get to Benson in a bit, but man, I was shocked to see Thompson go out and grab players in aggressive fashion. Some may point to when Thompson brought back players like Ahman Green and Mark Tauscher in 2009. But, this is a completely different situation. Green and Tauscher were familiar with the organization. The were well-respected in the locker room. Wells and Benson are foreign. This tells me that Thompson and McCarthy have absolute confidence in the camaraderie of this team. It's also interesting that Thomspon skipped over Ryan Grant in favor of Cedric Benson.
In familiar Thompson fashion, it was brilliant to see him sign TJ Lang to a 4-year extension. It's great to have Sitton and Lang locked up for the prime of their careers.
* The Desmond Bishop loss is devastating. There was one player in the NFL last year with 115 tackles and 5 sacks. His name: Desmond Bishop. Now, he might be lost for the season. Devastating. It's painful to think about.
* There will be some that wonder whether Benson has any legs left to him. I am not one of those guys. For three years in a row, Benson has eclipsed 1,000 yards. This year - he won't be asked to pound out that yardage. He won't need to carry the ball 250-275 times. He'll be in the rotation. He'll be asked to pound out tough yards. He'll need to keep the clock ticking after the Packers build leads in the 2nd half. My only concern is whether or not he'll hold onto the football. The Packers have become among the league's elite due to their ability to protect the football. Over the last 2 years, Benson has put the ball on the ground 12 times. That's scary. If Benson holds onto the football, he's going to be a huge addition to this roster.
* It was terrific to see Nick Perry get to the QB! That penalty was rubbish! HORRIBLE CALL! Really liked his effort on the next play when he drove Randy McMichael to the ground. When he's lined up against the TE and he's not asked to drop out in coverage, I'd like to see him not hesitate. Rather, I'd like to see him either attack the QB or I'd like to see him knock the TE off of his route. I've been asked whether Nick Perry will be nicknamed Super Nintendo Nick. Well, let's see how he progresses. He's got to earn that one.
* I didn't like seeing Aaron Rodgers on the field with Herb Taylor as the starting LT. I hope we never see that again.
* Loved how aggressive McCarthy was in his play calling with Graham Harrell. He didn't hold anything back. Wanted to see how he'd perform in a "real-life" situation. Harrell didn't impress me. I liked the drive right before the half, but I thought that Harrell missed a number of throws that he should have made. In his defense, he wasn't given many favors from his OL nor his receivers. I'm curious to see him play against Cleveland this Thursday.
* We didn't see much of BJ Coleman. But, when he was on the field, we saw what I figured we'd see. He stands tall in the pocket. He has a rocket. He's fairly quick to make decisions. He is hungry to look downfield.
* At RB, there were heavy issues.
1.) James Starks was a buzzkill. Straight up. Beyond the dropped pass and the fumble, one thing that caught my eye was how he reacted to contact. In '10, what I loved about Starks was that when he found contact, he fell forward. Last week, we Starks met a defender, he went backwards.
2.) We didn't see enough of Alex Green to make a judgment.
3.) Brandon Saine and John Kuhn need to get healthy.
4.) It was nice to see Marc Tyler run. He played like I expected. He runs hard. Looks for contact. Not going to run away from anyone, but he's going to hit the hole with a vengeance and more often than not, he's going to get positive yards.
* At WR, a couple of things stood out to me:
1.) Randall Cobb will be a focal point of the offense. Loved seeing the ball in his hands in the middle of the field. He's in for a big season. It's been widely reported that he's taken an occasional hand-off in training camp. I fancy that Mike McCarthy has watched the way the 'queens have used Percy Harvin and it's very possible that Cobb will be used in a similar fashion. He's a weapon and I'm looking forward to seeing him touch the football in a variety of ways.
2.) I really liked Jarrett Boykin. He instantly caught my eye. Looked the part. I want to see more of him.
3.) Sure, there was a penalty on the play, but regardless, James Jones has to catch the ball. 'Nuff said.
4.) Dale Moss looks like he's a prime candidate for the practice squad.
5.) Shaky Smithson should be the next player cut.
6.) If Borel and Gurley continue to have injury issues, it's possible that one of them may end up being tucked away on the IR for the season. Borel looked like he could continue to use some seasoning. I'm hoping to see Gurley running routes this week.
7.) Curenski Gilleylen is what he is: a training camp body.
* At TE, it was nice to see Crabtree grab the 3rd down pass to keep the chains moving. Wished I would have seen more of DJ Williams. I'd like to see Williams dominate these preseason games. This unit needs a healthy J-Mike.
* On the OL, there are both health and depth concerns:
1.) Herb Taylor is not a LT in the NFL.
2.) Marshall Newhouse is a key to the Packers success.
3.) Derek Sherrod & Ray Dominguez must get healthy.
4.) I'm excited to see Reggie Wells this week.
5.) Andrew Datko wasn't as bad as he's been made out to be in the media throughout the preseason.
6.) It's worth repeating: STOKED to have Lang & Sitton locked up.
* The Packers DL is going to be much improved from last year.
1.) I'm ecstatic to see a well-rested BJ Raji.
2.) It's a total treat to see Jerel Worthy jab OL like they are punching bags.
3.) Make note: Both Philip Merling and Mike Neal made tackles for loss!
4.) Anthony Hargrove got his hands on a ball and knocked it down.
5.) I even liked the play of Lawrence Guy. Played with good speed and activity.
6.) Unless injuries come in abundance, I can't see a scenario in which Wynn makes the team.
* Outside of the Bishop injury, there were plenty of positives at the LB position as well.
1.) You can't replace Desmond Bishop. He's a beast. But, man, DJ Smith looks legitimate. He plays on his toes. He's active. He's our best tackler in space. He needs to be on the field. He did get turned around on the TD pass to Gates, but he'll improve in that area.
2.) I thought Erik Walden was terrific. Granted, he was playing against the 2nd stringers, but Walden looked like he wants to see significant playing time this year.
3.) Vic So'oto! Man, he's a preseason stallion! Quick off the ball. He looked like he was thinner.
4.) I was disappointed when Terrell Manning got caught inside and took a bad angle to the ball on the run to the left side of the OL. I have high hopes for Manning. Want to see him perform this year. He hasn't shown that he is up for it yet.
* Once again, the secondary was stalking the football!
1.) Loved seeing T-Mon jump the route! Played like he's ready to return to his XLV form.
2.) Poor Ras-House. Can the guy stay healthy? House looked like he was ready to run away with the starting role. The 3rd & 3 play against Malcolm Floyd - I mean, are you kidding me? We didn't see a CB make that play ALL YEAR in '11. Great hand work. Turned his head. Knocked the ball away. Additionally, other than Sir Charles, who have we seen make that tackle for loss play? He flew into the backfield. He was reckless. And, right when he was offering hope, the shoulder pops. Unreal. We need him back. ASAP.
3.) Anthony Levine was a highlight. Beyond the interception, he led the team with 5 tackles.
4.) Thought there were some positives that came out of Casey Hayward's play as well. He's physical. I was surprised that he didn't swing his head. In the future, it'll happen. It's in his instincts. But, in the future, we can expect to see more of what the Chargers did to Hayward: double moves and deep routes. Hayward can be caught with his eyes in the offensive backfield as he looks to make a big play.
5.) Morgan "Heritage" Burnett showing up a step late. Let's hope this isn't a trend. He's intimidating in stature. He's still so young and learning. I have high hopes for him in '12.
6.) MD Jennings also got turned around by Gates. But, like DJ Smith, I hope this is only part of the learning curve.
7.) I was hoping to see more of Jerron McMillan.
This week, it's the Browns. In some ways, this might be the battle between a couple of Texas QB's: Colt McCoy vs Graham Harrell. McCoy went to Texas. Harrell went to Texas Tech. While Brandon Weeden is expected to play throughout the 1st half, it might be a chance for the Browns to showcase McCoy. It's been rumored that the Packers have interest in him. If Harrell fails to perform this week, it's possible that Thompson and McCarthy will look outside the organization for a back-up QB. Presently, McCoy might be the #3 QB in Cleveland. Might it be a match?
With Marshall Newhouse playing, look for Rodgers to have more time. With additional time, he'll have more success. And more confidence. We'll see Rodgers put points on the board. Rodgers to Nelson for 6 points.
It'll be nice to see Alex Green running with the 1st team. Look for McCarthy to try and get him into space with a designed screen play early in the game.
We could also see a small wrinkle with Cobb in the backfield as McCarthy continues to tinker with the offense.
With safety being of the utmost importance, look for Robert Francois and Jamari Lattimore to see increased playing time. Francois has been getting looks with the starting dime defense. This is an important role in the Packers defense.
Weeden isn't the most mobile of QB's. He's not a sitting target. But, he has limited range. Look for Perry's bull rush to disrupt the Browns offense.
I'm expecting a Casey Hayward interception this week.
I'm excited to see Sir Charles' season debut at safety.
Look for BJ Coleman to see more snaps than he did last week. And, he'll put points on the board. Thought it'd happen last week, but I'm calling it this week. Coleman to Boykin for a TD and a Lambeau Leap to go with it!
Green Bay 27. Cleveland 13.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
My Take -> Preseason Week 1
Greetings, G-Force.
Annually, I offer you a reminder. My blog is an opinion. I'm not a journalist. I'm a Green Bay Packers fan. And when I write, it's the norm for me to view the Packers as an optimistic realist.
Before I get into my quick hits from the Family Night, I have to deliver an annual rant. As I flipped through the NFL Hall of Fame ceremony, once again, I wondered when LeRoy Butler will enshrined in Canton. He was a member of the All-Decade team in the 1990's. He was 2 interceptions short of becoming the first player in the history of the NFL with 40 interceptions and 20 sacks. Had he not gotten injured, he would have absolutely become that man. In many ways, he changed the way the safety position was played. He could play center field. He could cover the slot. He was terrific in the box. He could blitz with the best of them. He won a Super Bowl. Played in another. He invented the Lambeau Leap. And, importantly, he set the standard for the #36 in the Green & Gold. After Nintendo Nick's performance in the Green & Gold, the #36 for the Packers is akin to the #44 at Syracuse, the #55 at USC and the #3 at Notre Dame. Book it. The only way you can wear #36 in Green Bay is if you're an ultra-talented safety. Vote Butler into Canton.
With more than 55,000 in attendance, Family Night was a terrific success. My recap is a little light as I watched the replay without volume and with a fuzzy picture. Additionally, you can only take so much from a scrimmage in which the #1 offense plays the #2 defense and when the #2 offense battles the #1 defense. But, I like to assess the way people move. I like to see hip movement, angles, leverage, the jump off the ball and how a player attacks contact. Here are some of my quick vibes:
* Exciting to see Aaron Rodgers whipping the ball around. Loved to see him having some fun on the Field. When he seemed to initiate the pre-planned full-on Jump In The Stands, it was great fun and a kind way to show the fans the appreciation they deserved.
* Liked seeing J-Mike running across the middle. Looks buff. Put together. If he stays healthy, he looks prime for a break-out 80-catch season.
* Double D looking youthful!
* Paid extra attention to Nick Perry. I see a lot of promise. Like his burst off the ball. Seeks contact at the line of scrimmage. Gets the edge. Dips his shoulder well, but also has a solid bull rush. Good speed in pursuit. However, he looked a little awkward when he turned to cover. Somewhat uncertain. On one play, it looked like he was smoked on a down-and-in crossing route. Had BJ Coleman looked his way, it could have been the most talked about play of the Family Night Scrimmage. As fans, it's important to remain patient. Perry has played the position for less than 2 weeks in his life. There will be a learning curve. Mistakes will occur. From the little I saw at Family Night, I'm confident that he can grow into a solid bookend to the Claymaker. It'll take time, but I believe he was the athletic ability to make the transition from a 4-3 DE to a 3-4 OLB.
* Thought Ras-House had good coverage. Wish he would have picked off the pass that hit him in his hands. Would have been a highlight of the evening.
* Be Great Jennings finding pay dirt!
* Liked that Casey Hayward got a look on the outside. Happy to see him step up in run support. Hoping to see more of this during the preseason.
* JEREL WORTHY! Sure, it was against the 2nd team OL. An OL that lacks depth. But, still, it was nice to see his cat-like quickness burst off the snap and make a play 5-yards deep. He looks good in Green & Gold. He's going to make everyone on the DL better, especially BJ Raji. It was interesting to see him standing up on a couple of occasions. Bottom line: in 2012, Jerel Worthy will dramatically improve the Packers defense.
* Watching Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy walk Lambeau Field together is an epic reminder that really good things are happening in Titletown, USA.
* Liked Erik Walden's physicality in the run game. But, it looked like he lacked recognition when he was beat down the seam on a big play to Crabtree.
* Big highlight for me was the interior LB play by Jamari Lattimore and Terrell Manning. Had it been full contact, Rodgers might not have connected with Jennings for the TD. Rather he might have been sandwiched by Lattimore and Manning. Both showed a great burst. Quickness in the first couple of steps. Fun stuff!
* Jarrett Boykin looked to have some shake to him.
* Was disappointed in T-Mon's approach towards tackling. With all of the emphasis that's been placed on the topic this offseason, I'd have thought that T-Mon would take a leadership role in that category.
* Need Tom Crabtree to be sure handed.
* Tried to watch Dezman Moses as much of possible, but it was tough to give an analysis. My potentially inaccurate initial assessment is that he seeks contact when he approaches a blocker. He comes after blockers with a head of steam, but he looked slow in space. I know Brandon Saine is fast, but man, Moses didn't even look like he was running when he was chasing Saine. Further, I worry that Moses when he's in a one-on-one situation with ball carrier, he might get caught on his heels.
* Thought there was an instance in which Saine might have missed a blitz pick-up.
This week - it's off to Qualcomm Stadium. On ESPN. To kick off the Packers preseason. The Chargers will provide a stiff test for the depth of our football team. Their 3rd-5th WR's include Vincent Brown, Roscoe Parrish and Eddie Royal. All have made plays in the NFL. They'll be solid competition for the secondary. It'll be a big test for Ras-House. I view Vincent Brown as a highly underrated WR prospect. If House can man up against the likes of Brown and Royal, it'd be an encouraging performance. Wish Sammy Swagga nicked up and with J-Bush's known weaknesses, this Thursday is a HUGE opportunity for House and Hayward to perform.
There is talk that Aaron Rodgers might not play. I'd like to see him on the field. For one series. Short drops. Quick hits. Throw the slant. Quick passes to the WR. I'd like to see the NFL's reigning MVP in rhythm. I believe he'll play. I believe he'll lead the Packers to a TD drive.
It'll be interesting to see Nick Perry potentially having to cover Antonio Gates and Randy McMichael. Two proven veterans against the young rookie.
In limited reps, look for Worthy to be pushing he way into the backfield. Look for Raji to do the same.
It'll be super exciting to watch the nickel and dime defenses. Francois and Smith played well last year when they were called into action, but Manning and Lattimore will surely get their opportunities to impress.
I envision the Packers picking off 2 passes. One by MD Jennings. One by Casey Hayward.
Marc Tyler gets his chance to run. He'll be a straight ahead runner and if our 2nd-3rd team OL can create holes, he'll hit the hole with conviction. He won't run away from anyone, but he'll run hard.
With the uncertainty of our OL, I expect McCarthy to try and protect Harrell. It wouldn't surprise me if he calls play action and rolls Harrell out of the pocket to try and buy time. Harrell will have solid receiving options in Cobb, Gurley and Borel. If Harrell gets protection, there is no reason for him not to succeed.
BJ Coleman should get the majority of the 2nd half. It'll be a tight game and Coleman will shine. He'll put points on the board. He'll find Moss on a back shoulder pass for 20 yards. He'll find Boykin on a hitch route. He'll also find Gilleylen on a crossing route. Coleman will be put in position to find positive results and he'll perform. On the final drive, it's Coleman to Boykin for the game winner.
Packers 23. Chargers 20.
I'm looking forward to my first real glimpse of this team.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
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