Packers' Receivers Insist They're Open (Paul Imig)

This is however what happens when a team is reeling as GB is.

Now it's the WR's defending themselves.

You've got Finley saying it's not me either, the QB isn't on the same page with me.

Before that, it's OL saying "I can't protect all day" and "you can't throw the ball 20 times" and expect to win (TJ Lang). Sitton has also been vocal.

I understand and get the frustration. However these guys need to STFU and if you're going to be vocal, you do it within the confines of 1265.

Because what this is all showing me is a lot of finger pointing and that this team is not unified. That is rather concerning.

In 2009 after the Tampa debacle, MM had a come-to-jesus meeting. Sounds like they are ripe for another. Depending on how Sunday goes, this could get ulgier then it already is.

Very good points packerboi. I also don't remember Lang being nearly so vocal before he signed his new contract. Maybe it's just me.

Last year, well into the season and while still undefeated, one of the reporters covering the Packers did an in-depth--and I mean really in-depth--analysis of the Packers passing game and how it works. I can't remember who did the piece but it was good. Too good. The reporter talked to coaches and players and revealed exactly how the scheme was designed to create and exploit mismatches, how Rodgers analyzes it at the line and how the receivers adjust to each defense, etc. It even revealed the hows and when of the back-shouldern throw. It covered everything.

At the time, I thought, "Wow, did they really need to reveal all that?" It seemed to me a bit on the cocky side, as in, "We're so confident, we'll tell you exactly what we're doing and you still can't stop us."

I don't expect the receivers to come out and say they're not doing their job right, because they are (and who would do that anyway). They're probably getting some separation. The point is, and remains, that the Packers passing game doesn't surprise anyone anymore. There's enough tape out there, and Defensive Coordinators are smart enough, to figure out how to best defend it.

This is made much, much worse when teams don't have to defend the run, as TJ Lang correctly pointed out. Defenses are already familiar with the scheme and all the tendencies, now they know we're not going to run. So the defensive backfield is ready, and the front 4 pins back their ears and comes flying upfield every play. This is a recipe for failure if all you do is drop deep and look long.

Players can defend themselves and point to eachother all they want. The problem isn't the passing game, it's the lack of a running game.

quote:

Originally posted by Pistol GB:
it's the lack of a running game.

I think that is an easy answer, but I don't buy it. The running game hasn't even been that bad this year (please don't interpret that as "good").

The problem is they won the SB with 16 players having gone to IR. Then followed that up with a 15-1 season where they put up video game stats. Certainly they are not playing great, but they are far from dead and the media seems to be wanting to bury them. Everyone and their brogher has come out in the last 48 hours with a what is wrong with the Packers / Rodgers story.

@nfl
Green Bay Packers need leadership, @kareemcopeland reports.

@gregcosell on Aaron Rodgers: "He's playing too fast. He's not getting a clear picture (of what he's seeing)."

Finley is asked why the offense is struggling and he gives his opinion. Lang is asked about the sacks and he says lets run more. The WRs are asked about the passing game woes and they say they are open. Certainly they should all just STFU, but they won't. If the offense was scoring at last years clip they'd likely be undefeated as the defense as at least as good as last year and I'd say actually better. If you'll notice, there are no stories coming out with quotes from the defensive players as to why the team is 2-3, just the offense.

The offense (MM and AR) will figure it out, but it may be too late by the time they do.

quote:

Certainly they should all just STFU

Yes. STFU and win.

quote:

Originally posted by El-Ka-Bong:

quote:

Originally posted by Pistol GB:
it's the lack of a running game.

I think that is an easy answer, but I don't buy it...

Our offensive woes begin and end on the OL.

Great post Pistol!

Ive been saying this for a while now. Sooner or later defenses catch up to runaway offenses. It is now on MM and the oc to counterpunch. Belichick has gone through probably 5 different versions of his offense since being in NE. And guess who's running game is now dominating in a passing league?

Where's Edgar in all of this?

and it's the d*mn line.....Saturday??? Really??? he's got both guys on either side of him telling him what the play is. Come on. The line is a huge problem, and I don't appreciate the players going on radio and TV telling every Tom, Dick and Harry what THEY think is wrong. STFU you guys and just do your job. JMHO GO PACK GO

I am glad that the receivers are defending themselves. Next to Rodgers, our receiving corp outside the TEs is the strength of our team. I agree that the root cause of the Packers offense is the O-line and not having a running game is one heck of a contributing factor.

This team is in serious trouble.

Man do we really need this win next game or at least a good showing.

If the Packers go down to Houston and get blasted on Sunday night, it isn't hard to see how this team could potentially unravel. A win could make this all go away in an instant, and I pray that every man in that locker room understands that they need to have each other's back in order for them to pull it off.

quote:

Originally posted by Goalline:
This team is in serious trouble.

5-11?

No. Too early to loose hope. Remember we were 3-3 in the 2010 season, and many of us wondered about the season at that time too...

We will get this fixed! A few wins will get this turned around in a hurry.

I think one of two things is going to happen against Houston

Either the Packers will come out and use the negativity to propel them to a big upset, or they will get lit up like a Xmas tree. My instincts tell me it will be the latter.

To me, the big problem is that Houston is exactly the type of team that GB usually struggles with. Houston has a great power running game, a decent TE, and they have a very good front seven on D. Basically, they are the AFC version of the 49ers and GB got totally worked over in that game and to make matters worse this is a road game.

I don't think I worry too much about the team unraveling outside of Big Baby Finley (who seems like he's been in a constant state of unraveling since before he even got to Green Bay) There's a good number of guys on this team who have overcome greater challenges than losing a few football games and I think that goes a long way towards keeping the team in check. They also put a huge emphasis on character for times like these. Unraveling to me is what the Jets did last year as the season wore on.

If you watch the locker room videos (links are on their names) of James Jones and Greg Jennings where the quotes came from it's all positive energy. James Jones seems more focused and intense than I've ever seen him. He's usually pretty laid back, but in this one he has the demeanor of a guy who's stepping up to lead.

I still think its one of those years, where every thing has gone wrong. Just look at the hand full of very bad calls against the Pack, take them away what would the record be? And these things have away of evening out in the end. The Packers need to just keep their heads down and keep plowing forward. Iam going to go out a limb here, and predict that the Packers of old will show up sunday nite.

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:

quote:

Originally posted by Goalline:
This team is in serious trouble.

5-11?

Time to cut out the cancer.

quote:

Originally posted by Pistol GB:
Last year, well into the season and while still undefeated, one of the reporters covering the Packers did an in-depth--and I mean really in-depth--analysis of the Packers passing game and how it works. I can't remember who did the piece but it was good. Too good. The reporter talked to coaches and players and revealed exactly how the scheme was designed to create and exploit mismatches, how Rodgers analyzes it at the line and how the receivers adjust to each defense, etc. It even revealed the hows and when of the back-shouldern throw. It covered everything.

It didn't reveal a dang thing professional scouts and coaches couldn't pick out from film and scouting.

They need to have a servicable running game and get their crap together (especially Rodgers & McCarthy) and the offense would be fine. One issue though has been that Thompson hasn't hit on a quality RB either.

I'm sick of Saturday. EDS can't be any worse.
I'm sick of Jermouthy. We won it all without his sorry hands.
I'm sick of Cobb having a big play and never seeing the ball again. What's wrong with doing it over and over until they figure it out. I'd love to see Cobb get a screen or run called.
I'm sick of 3rd and 2 in shotgun. Move the chains- rest the D.
I'm sick of no screens or quick slants.
I'm sick of running left for a 2 yard loss.
I'm sick of our clock management. Stay in hurry up the whole game if you have to.
I'm sick of coming out so flat to start a game and at halftime.

All of the above can be corrected if MM isn't so dang stubborn.

Every reciever at every level will always say he is open....

But then every receiver has to catch the ball. Since the Giants playoff game, they've constantly been stopping drives. Jermouthy being the worst. Cobb being the best.

How many drops against the Giants? I think I remember 7.

quote:

Originally posted by DH13:
Ive been saying this for a while now. Sooner or later defenses catch up to runaway offenses. It is now on MM and the oc to counterpunch. Belichick has gone through probably 5 different versions of his offense since being in NE. And guess who's running game is now dominating in a passing league?

I agree with this right here.

quote:

Originally posted by Herschel:

quote:

Originally posted by Pistol GB:
Last year, well into the season and while still undefeated, one of the reporters covering the Packers did an in-depth--and I mean really in-depth--analysis of the Packers passing game and how it works. I can't remember who did the piece but it was good. Too good. The reporter talked to coaches and players and revealed exactly how the scheme was designed to create and exploit mismatches, how Rodgers analyzes it at the line and how the receivers adjust to each defense, etc. It even revealed the hows and when of the back-shouldern throw. It covered everything.

It didn't reveal a dang thing professional scouts and coaches couldn't pick out from film and scouting.

Correct. Which is why I said there was enough film out there in the next paragraph.

What's weird is, a couple games ago McCarthy came out running to start the second half and it worked wonders. And then it's gone.

I mean, has the play-action roll out deep post worked at all since midway through last season? Even once?

The biggest mystery to me is when AR is getting sacked 8 or 5 times a half we never screen. I don't think we've ever screened this year to Cobb. Green was fantastic in college with the screen. The very very very very few times they screened to Benson it worked. (Was it 1 or 2 times?) Why try that 5 and 7 step drop crap when they're killing AR?????

Somebody rip out the screen plays in the playbook?

probably has someting to do with the new WR coach

EkB, Wasn't it your post that you were mystified there were no screens too.

One successful screen to Benson, then it disappeared.

I haven't really been that impressed with Benson this year, but I was suprise how well he caught the ball out of the backfield.

Also agree Green was good when in the open field, might as well use that weapon.

#weareallsmarterthanthecoacheslolz

quote:

Originally posted by Timmy!:
Our offensive woes begin and end on the OL.

This is the answer! The OL has been a turnstile. When Bulaga is #4 in the league with 18 QB pressures, that is really bad. Saturday has been bad, Newhouse is below average. None of them are playing worth a damn.

So if this is true and they are weak in pass protection, why is MM not calling plays to try and play to his strengths at QB and WR and not put more stress on the weak link of the OLine. He just doesn't seem to adjust his strategy to how the game is playing out very well. Halftime adjustments are great, but how about reacting appropriately to what happened on the last series?