Chiefs Week

I didn't know that about Mr. Smith, thx for the illumination dude

Watched the replay last night and Boris was right. Peppers was in there a lot, just didn't finish, 

The game plan was stop Lynch and contain Wilson. They did that except for the 3rd qtr.

KC's third down efficiency is only 15%, where they've only converted 3 of 20. You know Andy Reid will be focusing on that. We're currently giving up 53% on third downs, allowing 14 of 26 conversions.

 

I hope like crazy our D is up on this and stops KC dead in their tracks. The increased speed at ILB and in our secondary gives me some hope there.

C'mon now, he's good for a few more Papa Johns and DirecTV commercials.

 

Oh, and Nationwide.  Chicken parm you taste so good.

I agree with Goalline, Smith is a pretty nimble guy.  He can run when he wants to.

They'd be better off writing ad slogans on his forehead...

what do you mean?

 

Interesting. Haven't watched the game a second time,  so only watched Peppers a limited number of plays, but times I watched Peppers he was getting stonewalled by some no name O-lineman and made little impact.  

 

Here's Bob McGinn and scouts view of Peppers against Seattle :

 On the outside, Peppers (28 snaps at OLB, 12 at DT) was a disappointment. Despite facing the green Gilliam and RG J.R. Sweezy, a player he dominated at times in '14, Peppers was largely invisible. Of the five OLBs, all but Jayrone Elliott (nine) were caught out of position at least once by the zone read. 

Look, my point in my original post was that the defense has played well, but I would like to see more pass rush. Especially given they have gone up against two weak O-lines thus far. 

 

And yes, Alex Smith is athletic. One of the reasons McCarthy and the 49ers chose him over Aaron Rodgers. 

 

 

I watched the Broncos-Chiefs game last week and heard all about it on local radio.  The Chiefs are like a poor man’s Seahawks.  Great runningback and TE, game manager QB, below average offensive line, and terrible WRs on offense.  They have a great front seven but after Berry and Peters, they have nothing in the secondary.  Broncos abused their other CB and that was with Peyton throwing ducks.  Broncos couldn’t run at all, but not sure if that’s on KC’s defense or Bronco’s pathetic OL though. 

 

Like most weeks, this game comes down to stopping the run.   They do that, I don’t see how they lose. 

It's only 2 games in. We all know which game below is which, but do we see the 65% 3rd down D, or the 33% 3rd down D versus KAN?

 

Packers 3rd down D

11 of 17 for 65%

3 of 9 for 33%

 

Actually, if in August someone would have told you the the Packers first two games their 3rd down D would have been 65% and 33% would any of us have guessed the games/opponent correctly?

 

 

He has to run, because he can't throw the freakin' ball down the field. Can you believe this guy was drafted before AR?

Just one? There is room for a few hundred billboards on that forehead.

 

Thats not advertising. It's a band-aid. 

MM was a part of the 49er brain trust that chose Smith over Aaron Tedford... and the MVP likes to jab McCarthy about it from time to time.

"Mike, this is Ted Thompson. I'd like to offer you the head coaching position in Green Bay"

 

"Great. When can I start?"

 

"Soon.... Soon. Can I ask you a question?"

 

"Sure. Anything!"

 

"Who do you like at QB in this draft?"

 

"Easy. Aaron Rodgers. It's not close"

 

"I like Alex Smith. I think you should take him Mike"

 

.....

 

"I like Alex Smith Ted. I think we will take him"

 

"Excellent Mike. Excellent. I'll be in touch soon"

 

This is how it all went down. I'm positive. 

 

Nice Chilli!

I don't think MM had much, if any, say in the Alex Smith choice.  Main reason?  2005 was MM's first year with the 49ers, meaning he was hired in January/February and the draft was in April.  It'd be pretty irresponsible for a GM to not only depend on an OC for a first overall draft pick, but to depend on a guy who has been with the organization for 2-3 months.  It's a fun thing to write/talk about but it just doesn't add up.  I'm not even sure TT involves Tom Clements in his draft scouting.  

It's been reported that Mike Nolan felt Aaron Rodgers brash cocky confident demeanor was seen as a personality trait that would clash with his buttoned up methods of running a football team. 

 

Mike Nolan is currently coaching linebackers in San Diego. 

 

Life is funny. 

Looking forward to Pope Francis stopping in at Lambeau.  Has it been announced which Kwik Trip they'll be getting gas and a smoke at?

It all adds up and the two of them still joke about it now. 

 

"In a terrific profile on Rodgers from SI's Greg Bishop, Bishop describes the chip-on-his-shoulder competitiveness that Rodgers carries.

That extends to Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who was the offensive coordinator for the 49ers in 2005 when they selected Smith over Rodgers. McCarthy told Bishop that Rodgers won't let him forget it:"

 

He reminds McCarthy in some way every season that the coach, then with the 49ers, drafted Alex Smith (now with the Chiefs) ahead of him in 2005. "We play Kansas City in Week 3," says McCarthy. "We won't make it through the first half of that week without him saying something. I'm certain."

 

According to Tim Kawakami at the San Jose Mercury News:

 

"Nolan thought Rodgers was too cocky. Plus, Off.Coordinator Mike McCarthy thought Rodgers dumped it off too much in the programmed Cal offense"

 

MM and AR still joke about it now CU

 

And remember: Most of the draft decisions happen after January. The scouting, Combine, Senior Bowl etc are all about gathering info, not picking players

 

The decision-making doesn't happen until April/May and TT talks about that every year. MM definitely had a say in it;  He didn't make the final call, but he was part of the decision-making and had he stood on the table for Aaron, Rodgers might have been a 9er...

Onward we roll

St. Vincent might have something to say about that.  I don't know about the gas station but I hear that he will stop in Krolls for lunch.  They won't let him eat anything unhealthy at the Vatican. 

Since he was brought up thought I'd mention I was at the Pope's mass in DC today. Pretty awesome for a lifer to get to do that.

 

One point I haven't seen brought up on the board yet about the Chefs is how good a receiver Jamaal Charles is. The answer is very. In half of his years in the league hes had over 40 receptions, with 70 just two years ago. Now a lot of that is due to Smith's suckitude still getting the ball downfield, but still, getting Charles in open space via any means makes sense to me. Add our LBs documented woes at covering RBs, wouldn't be surprised to see a heavy dose of this.

I think our LBs improved drastically in covering RBs week 1 to week 2. Palmer is getting just his 2nd start at ILB next to Matthews. Also just his 2nd week getting all the starter's reps in practice.

 

We have speed there now, what I see as improved instincts, and some coverage ability. I'll add our secondary looks greatly improved. cuqui, you are right that they have a tall task, but I believe this team is up for that challenge.

 

And, this is only the KC week. We have a string of great RBs coming up in the weeks ahead, nearly every week through our December match up with DAL. A lot of those players are good receivers out of the backfield. The test is on.

 

I think this GB defense will answer the call, and if they do, we should be seeing something really special. I mean, on an epic scale for the Packers, considering we have one of the top offenses in the NFL. It usually takes defenses a little while to put it all together, and if GB is doing this within the first 2-4 weeks, and winning, look out.

 

As long as we see them continue to build, that is key. We will all be pretty happy to see this defense take shape. By week 6 we should realize its full potential.

 

This is a gigantic game for Raji, Daniels, Pennel (only 33 snaps through 2 games - those should go way up after losing Boyd), Jones, Matthews and Palmer. 72% of KC's runs go straight up the middle... Let's add Nick Perry to the list, as another 17% of their runs will be headed his way.

If Palmer learns to turn around while the ball is in the air, he could have some INTs instead of letting it bounce off his helmet.

Ah, didn't know that Satori - thanks for posting.  I thought it was all just hearsay, Rodgers giving McCarthy a hard time, and the media painting the picture b/c it's a good story than it actually being supported by anyone involved in the 49ers front office.  

 

Still shocks me though.  While a head coach would be expected to be a long term hire, young OCs are not.  Seems crazy that a GM would let an OC have much impact on such a long-term, franchising changing decision.  Best case, that OC is gone in 2 years to be a head coach somewhere else.  Worst case, he's fired in 2 years.  

Some good stuff from LeRoy Butler on how GB may play the read option v. Jamaal Charles (2nd video):

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/328878901.html

The challenge here is when Rodgers wants to go downfield, will he have time. Sure, he can scramble, but I do not feel terribly comfortable seeing this every week. And it'd be nice to see someone take the top off the defense at some point.

Last week it seemed the offense stagnated when they were relying too much on Rodgers to buy time (the constantly groping Seahawks defenders didn't help). They needed some scheme to set the D up more to get guys open, then the ball started moving. The Chiefs mask a pretty average secondary with an outstanding front 7. Get Rodgers time and it's a blowout- but that's not a given, especially with the game's most productive pass rusher lining up against Barclay.

Rtfb and you mitigate a lot of those problems...

Green Bay - The following is a summary of Packers coach Mike McCarthy's pre-practice press conference Wednesday morning:

• (On Eddie Lacy and Adams) Both been here most of the three days. They're getting better. They'll do some pre-practice work, but I don't have high expectations they'll practice today.
• (On Justin Houston) Dynamic player. Both pass rushers set the tempo and what they can do with you. Our guys have great work through the week. Our guys play similar packages, competitive packages should help us prepare for this game.
• (On Matthews' role) Depends on opponent's offense. Go through the process each and every week. Look at tendencies I want to see Clay chase after the guy with the football. I want to see him move around. He's a focal point for our opponents, it's good for us to move him around.
• (On back-to-back night games) Means TV likes you. But there's no rhythm to playing these games. Something you have to adjust to.
• (Building on run defense) Jamal Charles is inside and outside runner. Has high end speed. He'll be a big challenge for us.
• (On Alex Smith) Very bright, very athletic. Definitely grown since then. Experience made him well-versed. Looks comfortable in Kansas City. Good idea of what defenses are trying to do with you.
• (On Don Barclay) Did a good job. He has another big challenge. Like majority of football team, we nee more to improve on. It's the fundamentals, the challenge.
• (On Rodgers motivation) Very self-motivated. I'm sure he'll answer that question. It's amazing it's been 11 years. I'm sure you'll have fun asking him that question.
• (On playing Lacy after limited practice) I'd be very comfortable playing him with limited practice. 

Be careful what you wish for...let's just leave him alone as a smothering coverage backboard for Ha ha to snare caroms off of. 

       
       
It's all about patience and discipline. The ILBs and OLBs have to stay true to their responsibilities and the DL can't get blocked out of the play. It will be especially important for the LBs to stay disciplined because of Charles' speed, he can make you pay for hesitating even a little.

I don't think most people realize how difficult it is, yes even for a professional, to run full speed with a guy in coverage and then turn your head at the right time to see the ball.  You turn too early and the guy gets a step on you or adjusts his route.  You turn too late and the guy catches the ball.  The best have the athleticism and speed to stay with his guy, watch his head, and turn when he turns.  Many starting CB's haven't mastered it.  The ILB's that do are very few and far between.  It's a huge jump just to see one of our ILB's not trailing a receiver by 5+yds.  I was flat out shocked to see Palmer do that sunday.  He's got wheels.

MM in his presser today:

 

"He’s more athletic than people give him credit for,” McCarthy said.

 

@Michael_Cohen13: #Packers injury report:
Davante Adams, DNP
Bryan Bulaga, DNP
Demetri Goodson, DNP
Eddie Lacy, DNP
Mike Neal, limited
Randall Cobb, full go

 

@Michael_Cohen13: Mike Neal was limited with a groin problem. Demetri Goodson has a hamstring issue.

 I wouldn't be too surprised if Goodson has a season-ending hamstring issue if it lingers a couple of weeks.

Probably 10 days or so from now. He may get classified with a Guion.

That's a possibility. Especially with them having to clear a space for Guion, which I think is what you are alluding to. They really like Goodson though on STs. Hopefully he is OK.

@ByRyanWood: Alex Smith, top overall pick in 2005, on #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: "He's got 2 MVPs and a Super Bowl. I think he's done OK, you know."

 

@ByRyanWood: #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on Alex Smith: "He’s one of the guys I pull for. He’s a great guy, and he’s been through a lot in his career."

TJ Lang:

 

http://www.packersnews.com/sto...no-regrets/72760698/

 

"The consequences would be a lot harsher if I just stood there and watched him take it. If it happens a hundred more times, I’ll do it a hundred more times.”