Finally getting the time to jot down just a few points about Thursday night's NFL season-opening extravaganza in Green Bay. A lot has already been said and written about the Packers 42-34 win over the Saints.
A quick summary: the Packers wowed many of the pundits who are ready to make them the odds-on favorites to be in the Super Bowl and likely win it. OK. I can go with that.
The Packers offense, to no one's surprise, is loaded with weapons for QB Aaron Rodgers to work with. If the opposing defense blitzes, he can generally find his hot receiver and beat it. If they play man-to-man, good luck. You might cover a couple of the receivers, but the Pack's number 3 and 4 receivers are better than the opponents third and fourth d-backs. Also, who's going to cover TE Jermichael Finley in man coverage? A linebacker? C'mon. If the defense goes into a zone scheme, Rodgers will go underneath all day long. Or start running Ryan Grant and James Starks to open up the downfield game. Bottom line regarding the Packers offense is this: if the Packers don't turn the ball over and stop themselves, opposing defensive coordinators will be having nightmares trying to figure out how to scheme against this explosive offense.
Now, there was a bit of an Achilles Heel in the offense which we saw last season at times and which reemerged against the Saints: the inability at the end of the game to pick up a needed first down to enable the team to run out the clock for the victory. Giving the Saints the ball back was...oh...not good. The Packers kept the Saints in the game when the Saints couldn't do it. The inability to convert that short third down play kept the Saints alive until that final goal line stop with no time left on the clock (an extra play due to what this observer thought was a horrible pass interference call on A.J. Hawk). The Packers have to be able to close out these games without giving the opponent one last shot to tie or win the game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers gave up a bundle of yards. But, the Saints got inside the 20-yard line 5 times and came away with just 10 points. That was huge. The Packers, if memory serves, got inside the 20 four times and came away with touchdowns each time; that was the difference in the game. The defense came up big when it needed to. DE Jarius Wynn, replacing the injured Mike Neal, had a huge game, as did stalwarts Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and Howard Green. LB Erik Walden, getting his first start opposite Clay Matthews, also acquitted himself well. Linebackers did get beat in coverage on occasion. That's going to happen in a match-ups type game. The Packers secondary was also on its game for the most part, despite giving up some big yards. There really weren't many yards-after-catch type receptions against the secondary, despite some lengthy passes to the endzone against coverage.
One of the advantages of waiting a day or so to do a game review is that we have a better feel for injuries incurred during the game. The one which looked most concerning at the time was the injury to Tramon Williams. Williams actually got hit on the shoulder by Nick Collins as he was about to make a tackle in the second half. He left holding his arm, which is usually a sign of a dislocation or worse. According to the latest reports out of Green Bay, Williams emerged with a bruised shoulder, nothing worse. Whew. They are not sure whether he'll be available yet for the game versus the Panthers, but clearly the Packers dodged a bullet which could have had season-long implications for the defense.
As to special teams...as long as rookie Randall Cobb is returning kicks, it's a good thing. As long as the coverage units are as porous as a sieve, it's not a good thing. I have not been a fan of special teams coach Bob Slocum. Thought he should have been long gone a long time ago. Granted, he didn't know exactly who he was going to have to work with on an ongoing basis until about a week before the game. So we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But if there is not significant improvement on this squad, Mason Crosby and Tim Masthay should be kicking and punting the ball out of bounds; the sideline will do a better job covering than will the Packers special teams unit. Let us pray...
My main area of concern is still the depth of the backups on the offensive line. The starters generally did a good job Thursday night, although Rodgers got hit much more than he should have been. But if anyone on the line goes down, there's not much experience to draw upon among the three backups. First-rounder Derek Sherrod was among the inactives for the game, which gives you a clue about just how far he needs to go to be the replacement for Chad Clifton at left tackle.
But, the Packers got their first win in an important conference match. A game which could be a precursor to the NFC Championship. Which, at least in head-to-head now, means the Saints would have to come to Green Bay in January. Oh wait...there are 15 more games to go. And a LOT of things can happen along the way.
The Packers go to Carolina to play the Panthers this next weekend. They'll be well-rested and well-prepared. Let's just make an early prediction that the Pack will be 2-0 coming out of that game.
It's great to be a Packers fan! Go Pack Go!!!
Showing posts with label Desmond Howard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desmond Howard. Show all posts
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
...And on the first day of the new CBA...
Day One of the new NFL collective bargaining agreement saw many players arriving at team facilities, many others in transit and teams beginning the frenzy of signing, trading and releasing players.
The Green Bay Packers made a number of moves today. The most important from a personnel and budget cap standpoint is the pending trade or -- more likely -- release of eight-year veteran LB Nick Barnett. GM Ted Thompson met with Barnett early this morning and told him of the team's plans. Certainly had to hurt, but just as certainly Barnett couldn't have been too surprised. Given the Packers' cap situation, the fact that Barnett would have been due more than $5 million in salary, the fact that Barnett has been injured two of the last three seasons, and the fact that the Packers made their successful end-of-season/playoff/Super Bowl run without him, the writing was on the wall.
Farewell, Mr. Barnett, thank you for your service and for being a great Packer. Good luck wherever you land next.
There is no word at the time of this posting as to the status of Cullen Jenkins, James Jones, Mason Crosby or John Kuhn, all unrestricted free agents. Speculation is that Jenkins will take a bigger deal elsewhere, while Crosby is expected to be re-signed; there are reportedly 12 free agent kickers on the market. Kuhn indicated that he would test the market. As for Jones, QB Aaron Rodgers was reported to have stated that re-signing him was "priority number one," at least as he saw it. So, stay tuned. These will be interesting days ahead, full of roster activity.
Undrafted free agent signings
Teams across the league were busy today signing undrafted free agents. The Packers were no different, adding 16 players according to various sources. They are:
The Green Bay Packers made a number of moves today. The most important from a personnel and budget cap standpoint is the pending trade or -- more likely -- release of eight-year veteran LB Nick Barnett. GM Ted Thompson met with Barnett early this morning and told him of the team's plans. Certainly had to hurt, but just as certainly Barnett couldn't have been too surprised. Given the Packers' cap situation, the fact that Barnett would have been due more than $5 million in salary, the fact that Barnett has been injured two of the last three seasons, and the fact that the Packers made their successful end-of-season/playoff/Super Bowl run without him, the writing was on the wall.
Farewell, Mr. Barnett, thank you for your service and for being a great Packer. Good luck wherever you land next.
There is no word at the time of this posting as to the status of Cullen Jenkins, James Jones, Mason Crosby or John Kuhn, all unrestricted free agents. Speculation is that Jenkins will take a bigger deal elsewhere, while Crosby is expected to be re-signed; there are reportedly 12 free agent kickers on the market. Kuhn indicated that he would test the market. As for Jones, QB Aaron Rodgers was reported to have stated that re-signing him was "priority number one," at least as he saw it. So, stay tuned. These will be interesting days ahead, full of roster activity.
Undrafted free agent signings
Teams across the league were busy today signing undrafted free agents. The Packers were no different, adding 16 players according to various sources. They are:
- WR/KR Antoine “Shaky” Smithson, Utah
- WR Tori Gurley, South Carolina
- LB Jamari Lattimore, Middle Tennessee State
- C Sampson Genus, South Florida
- S M.D. Jennings, Arkansas State
- DE Vic So’oto, BYU
- QB Diondre Borel, Utah State (possible WR in the NFL)
- OL Theo Sherman, James Madison
- OL Ray Dominguez, Arkansas
- WR Kerry Taylor, Arizona State
- NT Eli Joseph, Temple
- LB Peanut Joseph, Temple
- S Anthony Bratton, Delaware
- FB Jon Hoese, Minnesota
- DB Brandian Ross, Youngstown State
- RB Brandon Saine, Ohio State
Monday, October 25, 2010
Packers beat Favre and Vikings...finally!
As the football world knows today, the Green Bay Packers -- depleted by injuries coming into the game and wounded even more throughout it -- prevailed last evening over their border rival Minnesota Vikings, 28-24.
This was a much-needed win, a character win, as they say. What else can you call a game where you overcome two turnovers by your own QB in or near the red zone by getting three interceptions of your own and holding the opponent scoreless in the final 15 minutes of play? Where you have only one of your starting defensive lineman still playing at the end of the game? Where backups on offense and defense -- in some cases, players way down on the depth charts -- had to perform at a level and on a national stage they never had before?
Yes, character. That's what this game was about. Granted, it was also about getting a win against a divisional opponent that the Pack will be battling for the NFC North title (yes, we are writing off Da Bearz and Lions as contenders...I mean, c'mon...). But a game like this can go a long way to bringing a team together perhaps in a way which nothing else can. Injuries have made the journey to the playoffs and Super Bowl not what anyone expected prior to the start of the season. The games to date have not been pretty. And a couple were giftwrapped for the opponent. Last evening had it's ugly moments as well. How many times, for example, were Aaron Rodgers and his receivers running apparently different plays? Looked occasionally as if Rodgers was using the Jay Cutler Pocket Guide to Being a Mediocre Quarterback. But he threw for nearly 300 yards. And many of his passes that were on target were, dare I say, Favre-esque in their zippiness (is that a word?). In his post-game comments, Rodgers admitted the game meant not only a lot to the team but to him personally. I bet. Exorcising the ghost of quarterbacks past is no small thing. Especially in Green Bay.
Rodgers and company did enough on offense, despite missing opportunities to score which has been an unsettling and ongoing trend to date. Head coach Mike McCarthy mixed up his play calling enough to keep the ViQueens defense from blitzing on every play. The running backs made just enough contributions. Veteran TE Donald Lee came up large on two screen passes. And WR James Jones was the receiver du jour, also making big plays. Huge kudos to LT Chad Clifton who made 'Queens DE Jared Allen a non-factor. Yes, Allen got that one interception handed to him...almost literally; but that was on Rodgers, not Clifton. Rookie RT Bryan Bulaga, filling in admirably for the still injured Mark Tauscher, also held up his end of the line. All together, the Packers offensive line held up well, and that was a big difference over last season's two meetings with the funky purple folks. The only disappointment, as Rodgers himself noted, was that Donald Driver was unable to get a catch, snapping his 133 consecutive game streak. Hampered as he was with a quad injury, it was to Driver's credit that he was even on the field. Warrior. That's Donald Driver. And that was this entire Packers team last evening.
Ol' #4 for the 'Queens was also looking very old limping out of Lambeau. He got knocked around quite a bit last night, something that didn't happen at all in the meetings of last year. Sure, there was only one sack recorded (by Jarius Wynn, who just recently rejoined the team). But C. J. Wilson got a great lick on Favre, and Clay Matthews was breathing down his neck most of the night. All that pressure led, not surprisingly, to Favre mistakes. Interceptions by A. J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop (returned for a TD!) and an acrobatic Nick Collins (who promised his young son he'd get a pick in the game) helped turn the game in favor of the Pack.
Favre was feeling and looking every bit the grandfather he is as he left to a mix of applause and boos (bad show on that note, by the way, fans). Favre said in his post-game comments that he was "devastated" by the loss. With all the off-the-field mess going on around him, this was -- to quote Packers' radio voice, Wayne Larrivee -- no doubt a "dagger" that he was looking to avoid.
Think about it. Favre's last time on the field as a Packer was a loss. And now, in all likelihood, his last time on this hallowed field as a player is also a loss. Ouch. Hopefully, when all the dust settles and time soothes the wounds on both sides of things, Brett will be welcomed back to Lambeau Field with cheers, the same kind he brought to life for so many years wearing the Green 'n' Gold. It will happen again someday. But on this night, before the third-largest crowd to ever see a game at this historic venue called Lambeau Field, the cheers rightly went to the home team for an outstanding and gutsy win.
Now, the Packers have a day off and then begin to get ready for their next opponent: the Jets. On the road. The Jets are, at this stage of the season, arguably one of the better teams in the league. The Packers are still beat up. Going on the road and winning after this emotional victory will be a challenge. But we can at least now be confident that this team knows how to face such challenges and come out on top.
Let's just enjoy this victory a while longer. We'll get back to worrying about the Jets later this week.
Say it with me: It's great to be a Packer fan!
By the way, if you want to read a great article on last night's game, check out this one from Gregg Rosenthal at ProFootballTalk.com. But whatever you do, be sure to read the comments which follow. Priceless.
This was a much-needed win, a character win, as they say. What else can you call a game where you overcome two turnovers by your own QB in or near the red zone by getting three interceptions of your own and holding the opponent scoreless in the final 15 minutes of play? Where you have only one of your starting defensive lineman still playing at the end of the game? Where backups on offense and defense -- in some cases, players way down on the depth charts -- had to perform at a level and on a national stage they never had before?
Yes, character. That's what this game was about. Granted, it was also about getting a win against a divisional opponent that the Pack will be battling for the NFC North title (yes, we are writing off Da Bearz and Lions as contenders...I mean, c'mon...). But a game like this can go a long way to bringing a team together perhaps in a way which nothing else can. Injuries have made the journey to the playoffs and Super Bowl not what anyone expected prior to the start of the season. The games to date have not been pretty. And a couple were giftwrapped for the opponent. Last evening had it's ugly moments as well. How many times, for example, were Aaron Rodgers and his receivers running apparently different plays? Looked occasionally as if Rodgers was using the Jay Cutler Pocket Guide to Being a Mediocre Quarterback. But he threw for nearly 300 yards. And many of his passes that were on target were, dare I say, Favre-esque in their zippiness (is that a word?). In his post-game comments, Rodgers admitted the game meant not only a lot to the team but to him personally. I bet. Exorcising the ghost of quarterbacks past is no small thing. Especially in Green Bay.
Rodgers and company did enough on offense, despite missing opportunities to score which has been an unsettling and ongoing trend to date. Head coach Mike McCarthy mixed up his play calling enough to keep the ViQueens defense from blitzing on every play. The running backs made just enough contributions. Veteran TE Donald Lee came up large on two screen passes. And WR James Jones was the receiver du jour, also making big plays. Huge kudos to LT Chad Clifton who made 'Queens DE Jared Allen a non-factor. Yes, Allen got that one interception handed to him...almost literally; but that was on Rodgers, not Clifton. Rookie RT Bryan Bulaga, filling in admirably for the still injured Mark Tauscher, also held up his end of the line. All together, the Packers offensive line held up well, and that was a big difference over last season's two meetings with the funky purple folks. The only disappointment, as Rodgers himself noted, was that Donald Driver was unable to get a catch, snapping his 133 consecutive game streak. Hampered as he was with a quad injury, it was to Driver's credit that he was even on the field. Warrior. That's Donald Driver. And that was this entire Packers team last evening.
Ol' #4 for the 'Queens was also looking very old limping out of Lambeau. He got knocked around quite a bit last night, something that didn't happen at all in the meetings of last year. Sure, there was only one sack recorded (by Jarius Wynn, who just recently rejoined the team). But C. J. Wilson got a great lick on Favre, and Clay Matthews was breathing down his neck most of the night. All that pressure led, not surprisingly, to Favre mistakes. Interceptions by A. J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop (returned for a TD!) and an acrobatic Nick Collins (who promised his young son he'd get a pick in the game) helped turn the game in favor of the Pack.
Favre was feeling and looking every bit the grandfather he is as he left to a mix of applause and boos (bad show on that note, by the way, fans). Favre said in his post-game comments that he was "devastated" by the loss. With all the off-the-field mess going on around him, this was -- to quote Packers' radio voice, Wayne Larrivee -- no doubt a "dagger" that he was looking to avoid.
Think about it. Favre's last time on the field as a Packer was a loss. And now, in all likelihood, his last time on this hallowed field as a player is also a loss. Ouch. Hopefully, when all the dust settles and time soothes the wounds on both sides of things, Brett will be welcomed back to Lambeau Field with cheers, the same kind he brought to life for so many years wearing the Green 'n' Gold. It will happen again someday. But on this night, before the third-largest crowd to ever see a game at this historic venue called Lambeau Field, the cheers rightly went to the home team for an outstanding and gutsy win.
Now, the Packers have a day off and then begin to get ready for their next opponent: the Jets. On the road. The Jets are, at this stage of the season, arguably one of the better teams in the league. The Packers are still beat up. Going on the road and winning after this emotional victory will be a challenge. But we can at least now be confident that this team knows how to face such challenges and come out on top.
Let's just enjoy this victory a while longer. We'll get back to worrying about the Jets later this week.
Say it with me: It's great to be a Packer fan!
By the way, if you want to read a great article on last night's game, check out this one from Gregg Rosenthal at ProFootballTalk.com. But whatever you do, be sure to read the comments which follow. Priceless.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Pack vs Chiefs Preview - Preseason Game #4
The finale of the 2010 NFL preseason takes place for the Green Bay Packers tonight in Kansas City. The 2-1 Packers take on the 0-3 Chiefs and, as always with the preseason, records mean very little. The key thing is for teams to make it through this last game without any significant injuries. Which means we can probably expect starters, especially on the offense, to play about one series before they retire to the sidelines for the rest of the game.
The only ones to whom this game means a lot are those players who are on the bubble...those players who are playing for one of the rare roster spots available on this possible Super Bowl-bound team. And of course, we're talking the Packers here, not the Chiefs.
The final roster cuts have to be made by 3 p.m. Saturday. All teams need to go from the current 75 to the 53-man roster required for the season. Holy chopping block, Batman! Even head coach Mike McCarthy said this is one of the toughest week's of the season not only for players but for the coaching staff, as well. They will have to cut players that they've worked closely with through the off-season, OTAs, mini-camp and summer training camp. They may even have to cut players who have contributed to the Packers during prior seasons. Can't be easy for anyone involved.
But that's what makes this game tonight interesting. Some players are literally playing for their careers, not just roster spots. Among that group one would have to think is the perennially injured DE Justin Harrell. When he hasn't been injured, he has shown little production on the field. Given some of the other prospects pushing for roster spots, Harrell has to play like an All-Pro tonight to have a chance of saving his spot with the Packers if not in the NFL altogether.
Another player who will be given all the chance in the world tonight to make the squad is first-year free agent WR Jason Chery. While he may get some repetitions at split end to see if he can grab the #5 receiver slot, the plan is for Chery to be showcased tonight as both punt and kick returner. Following his 75-yard punt return last week which got the coaches' attention, McCarthy wants to see what Chery can do as the designated returner. If he breaks another return for a TD or otherwise acquits himself well, Chery could be another one of the few unheralded players who secures a spot on the team. The Pack has been searching for a reliable return threat since the days of Desmond Howard who, by the way, Chery was unfamiliar with when that name was brought up by media this week as a point of comparison. OK. The kid doesn't have to know about the former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP. He just has to hold onto the ball and run for positive yardage. Hopefully, lots of positive yardage ending in the opposite end zone.
Aside from players to watch -- which also includes rookies S Sam Shields and LB Frank Zombo (who has to make the team based upon last name alone!) -- the coaches will also want to continue to see solid play out of backup QB Matt Flynn, who had a solid performance last week against the Colts. One might also expect to see a lot of play by the backup tight ends tonight. Other than Jermichael Finley and the versatile do-it-all Spencer Havner, will the Pack stick with veteran Donald Lee or opt for youth in the form of either rookie Andrew Quarless or first-year player Tom Crabtree, both of whom have demonstrated potential?
One lingering question for Packer fans, which will carry over to the first game at Philadelphia, is exactly what kind of defense will the Packers have? Due to injury, the Packers have yet to field a complete defensive unit with all starters on board. Coach McCarthy has addressed this situation with the media by saying that extra time and attention will be devoted to getting the #1 defensive unit geared up for the game against the Eagles. They won't have had the advantage of real-time game reps, but they should be able to get up to speed fairly quickly. At least, that's the hope.
As for a prediction about tonight's game...naaaaaah. None necessary. Other than to say watch and see which players are doing their best to grab the golden ring. And which will be catching a ride out of Green Bay come Saturday afternoon via cut or, less likely, trade.
Go Pack Go!!!
The only ones to whom this game means a lot are those players who are on the bubble...those players who are playing for one of the rare roster spots available on this possible Super Bowl-bound team. And of course, we're talking the Packers here, not the Chiefs.
The final roster cuts have to be made by 3 p.m. Saturday. All teams need to go from the current 75 to the 53-man roster required for the season. Holy chopping block, Batman! Even head coach Mike McCarthy said this is one of the toughest week's of the season not only for players but for the coaching staff, as well. They will have to cut players that they've worked closely with through the off-season, OTAs, mini-camp and summer training camp. They may even have to cut players who have contributed to the Packers during prior seasons. Can't be easy for anyone involved.
But that's what makes this game tonight interesting. Some players are literally playing for their careers, not just roster spots. Among that group one would have to think is the perennially injured DE Justin Harrell. When he hasn't been injured, he has shown little production on the field. Given some of the other prospects pushing for roster spots, Harrell has to play like an All-Pro tonight to have a chance of saving his spot with the Packers if not in the NFL altogether.
Another player who will be given all the chance in the world tonight to make the squad is first-year free agent WR Jason Chery. While he may get some repetitions at split end to see if he can grab the #5 receiver slot, the plan is for Chery to be showcased tonight as both punt and kick returner. Following his 75-yard punt return last week which got the coaches' attention, McCarthy wants to see what Chery can do as the designated returner. If he breaks another return for a TD or otherwise acquits himself well, Chery could be another one of the few unheralded players who secures a spot on the team. The Pack has been searching for a reliable return threat since the days of Desmond Howard who, by the way, Chery was unfamiliar with when that name was brought up by media this week as a point of comparison. OK. The kid doesn't have to know about the former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP. He just has to hold onto the ball and run for positive yardage. Hopefully, lots of positive yardage ending in the opposite end zone.
Aside from players to watch -- which also includes rookies S Sam Shields and LB Frank Zombo (who has to make the team based upon last name alone!) -- the coaches will also want to continue to see solid play out of backup QB Matt Flynn, who had a solid performance last week against the Colts. One might also expect to see a lot of play by the backup tight ends tonight. Other than Jermichael Finley and the versatile do-it-all Spencer Havner, will the Pack stick with veteran Donald Lee or opt for youth in the form of either rookie Andrew Quarless or first-year player Tom Crabtree, both of whom have demonstrated potential?
One lingering question for Packer fans, which will carry over to the first game at Philadelphia, is exactly what kind of defense will the Packers have? Due to injury, the Packers have yet to field a complete defensive unit with all starters on board. Coach McCarthy has addressed this situation with the media by saying that extra time and attention will be devoted to getting the #1 defensive unit geared up for the game against the Eagles. They won't have had the advantage of real-time game reps, but they should be able to get up to speed fairly quickly. At least, that's the hope.
As for a prediction about tonight's game...naaaaaah. None necessary. Other than to say watch and see which players are doing their best to grab the golden ring. And which will be catching a ride out of Green Bay come Saturday afternoon via cut or, less likely, trade.
Go Pack Go!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Packers preseason game #1 post-post-analysis
Hello, again, Packer fans! Great to be back from a little break to get refreshed and recharged for the upcoming season.
Of course, as any truly green-n-gold-blooded Packer fan knows by now, the Pack dropped their first preseason game 27-24 on a last-second field goal by the Browns. The Packers started off poorly and finished poorly. But in between, so-so.
I have to confess to not actually having seen the game. I was attending one of those ill-planned activities that, when the date was chosen, somehow failed to consider the fact that hey, it's football season! Weddings..harrumph! (I didn't get a "harrumph" out of that guy!...sorry, slight homage to a line from Blazing Saddles.) But I did hear the closing minutes of the game on radio and of course saw and heard many of the post-game reports and comments.
You can check out all the specifics of the game elsewhere, if you haven't already done so. The quick-take: Rodgers did great, defense didn't even qualify as "vanilla," special teams are still mediocre.
So, based on one preseason game, looks as if the season is...whoa, there, Packer fans! Let's not get ahead of ourselves. And this is the thing I find most amazing reading "fan" comments elsewhere. Holy shanked field goal, Batman! It's the first preseason game, for cryin' out loud! The Browns wanted to jack it up to impress new GM Mike Holmgren (remember him?); the Pack clearly just wanted to get through the game, run some of the offense, see some players, not get anyone hurt. Yet, to read some of the comments, some folks are ready to consign the Packers to a pathetic season based upon what they saw Saturday night. (I'm tempted to go into that Saturday Night Live bit about, "Really? Really?", but I will refrain.) People: get a grip. First of all, it's only a game. Secondly, it's only a preseason game! The Packers did exactly what they needed to do. Granted, a little more energy and fewer mistakes to start the game might have made for a more entertaining night. But given how hard Cleveland had to play -- blitzing (sending 5 or more players) more than 80 percent of the time when Rodgers was in the game...and how did that work out, by the way? -- just to pull it out on the leg of their robo-kicker as the clock hit zero, well, the Packers are just fine.
Now sure, adjustments still need to be made and players still need to be coached up (in coach-speak). But it's OK at this point. Yes, special teams is still a concern both in terms of coverage as well as returns. But that's really not much different than it's been since the year of Desmond Howard, let's be honest. Quite a contrast with Cleveland's approach, where they keep five players on the roster just for special teams play...and that does not include the punter and kicker. This is the one area in particular that we should keep an eye on for major progress from game #1 to game #3, which is generally considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season opener. If we don't see some improvement by then, settle in for yet another ho-hum special teams season under Coach Mike McCarthy.
But, again, back to the main point of this post: take a deep breath, Packer fans. Chill. No, not the kind you get at Lambeau in December and January. The kind you need now. The kind of chillin' that will keep you realistic. It was only preseason game #1.
Thanks for reading and checking back. We'll keep you posted on anything of interest as the Pack prepares for their next game at Seattle.
Of course, as any truly green-n-gold-blooded Packer fan knows by now, the Pack dropped their first preseason game 27-24 on a last-second field goal by the Browns. The Packers started off poorly and finished poorly. But in between, so-so.
I have to confess to not actually having seen the game. I was attending one of those ill-planned activities that, when the date was chosen, somehow failed to consider the fact that hey, it's football season! Weddings..harrumph! (I didn't get a "harrumph" out of that guy!...sorry, slight homage to a line from Blazing Saddles.) But I did hear the closing minutes of the game on radio and of course saw and heard many of the post-game reports and comments.
You can check out all the specifics of the game elsewhere, if you haven't already done so. The quick-take: Rodgers did great, defense didn't even qualify as "vanilla," special teams are still mediocre.
So, based on one preseason game, looks as if the season is...whoa, there, Packer fans! Let's not get ahead of ourselves. And this is the thing I find most amazing reading "fan" comments elsewhere. Holy shanked field goal, Batman! It's the first preseason game, for cryin' out loud! The Browns wanted to jack it up to impress new GM Mike Holmgren (remember him?); the Pack clearly just wanted to get through the game, run some of the offense, see some players, not get anyone hurt. Yet, to read some of the comments, some folks are ready to consign the Packers to a pathetic season based upon what they saw Saturday night. (I'm tempted to go into that Saturday Night Live bit about, "Really? Really?", but I will refrain.) People: get a grip. First of all, it's only a game. Secondly, it's only a preseason game! The Packers did exactly what they needed to do. Granted, a little more energy and fewer mistakes to start the game might have made for a more entertaining night. But given how hard Cleveland had to play -- blitzing (sending 5 or more players) more than 80 percent of the time when Rodgers was in the game...and how did that work out, by the way? -- just to pull it out on the leg of their robo-kicker as the clock hit zero, well, the Packers are just fine.
Now sure, adjustments still need to be made and players still need to be coached up (in coach-speak). But it's OK at this point. Yes, special teams is still a concern both in terms of coverage as well as returns. But that's really not much different than it's been since the year of Desmond Howard, let's be honest. Quite a contrast with Cleveland's approach, where they keep five players on the roster just for special teams play...and that does not include the punter and kicker. This is the one area in particular that we should keep an eye on for major progress from game #1 to game #3, which is generally considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season opener. If we don't see some improvement by then, settle in for yet another ho-hum special teams season under Coach Mike McCarthy.
But, again, back to the main point of this post: take a deep breath, Packer fans. Chill. No, not the kind you get at Lambeau in December and January. The kind you need now. The kind of chillin' that will keep you realistic. It was only preseason game #1.
Thanks for reading and checking back. We'll keep you posted on anything of interest as the Pack prepares for their next game at Seattle.
Friday, January 26, 2007
10 Years Ago...
We can't let the date pass -- Jan. 26 -- without fondly recalling the day the Lombardi Trophy once again returned to where it belongs: Green Bay. It was on this date 10 years ago that the Packers defeated the New England Patriots 35-21 to win Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.
If you want to take a brief walk down memory lane, click here. You can also hear a couple Packers Radio Network audio clips from the game -- with Packer radio greats Jim Irwin, Max McGee and Larry McCarren -- by going here. Ah, those were the days!
To help refresh your memory, Desmond Howard was named MVP after returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and tying a Super Bowl record with 244 total return yards. Brett Favre passed for two touchdowns, the first coming on a 54-yarder to Andre Rison on the Packers' second play from scrimmage to give the Pack a 7-0 lead. (Earlier this week, Rison was on one of the many ESPN talk shows and was asked what he remembered about the catch. He said it was the best catch he ever made. Not only was it caught in full stride but, for Rison, the fact that he had a lot of family and friends at the game just made it that much more special. He also said that it was great to be part of that Packers team and to help bring another championship to Green Bay after such a long dry spell. Rison was a great pick up for the Packers at the time, and made his contributions that year and that game.)
If you want to take a brief walk down memory lane, click here. You can also hear a couple Packers Radio Network audio clips from the game -- with Packer radio greats Jim Irwin, Max McGee and Larry McCarren -- by going here. Ah, those were the days!
To help refresh your memory, Desmond Howard was named MVP after returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and tying a Super Bowl record with 244 total return yards. Brett Favre passed for two touchdowns, the first coming on a 54-yarder to Andre Rison on the Packers' second play from scrimmage to give the Pack a 7-0 lead. (Earlier this week, Rison was on one of the many ESPN talk shows and was asked what he remembered about the catch. He said it was the best catch he ever made. Not only was it caught in full stride but, for Rison, the fact that he had a lot of family and friends at the game just made it that much more special. He also said that it was great to be part of that Packers team and to help bring another championship to Green Bay after such a long dry spell. Rison was a great pick up for the Packers at the time, and made his contributions that year and that game.)
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