I really like our new punter, and ST’s didn’t lose the game for us. Those were improvements.
Plus:
Minus:
Unprepared for first game of season
New receiver chocked
Instead of just being a nice late summer day, now 9/11 will forever be remembered for something truly awful... a loss to the Vikings
@Harry Manback posted:The other mistake was to think Watkins, Lazard and Cobb would make for a productive receiving corps, and that Lazard is a legit #1. Those three wouldn’t crack the Vikings starting lineup.
I don't know, but my guess is that they believe all of these guys are system players who can run the scripted routes and block. Easy stuff that any WR with gas in the tank and half a brain can achieve. Jefferson was so open because OConnell scripted it that way and this McVay system can turn serviceable receivers into productive receivers and elite receivers into superstars. We shouldn't need a superstar WR to have a productive offense, the plays are scripted to exploit weaknesses. I don't know if LaFleur called a bad game, Rodgers was panicky and wouldn't follow the script, or if the receivers weren't where they were supposed to be...probably a combination of all 3. Rodgers didn't look comfortable though, every play felt like he was falling back on bad streetball habits from 4 years ago and none of his targets knew where to be.
Agree with most of that except you still need talent. Lazard is at best a #2, Amari doesn’t look like he improved at all, Cobb was washed up a long time ago, and Watkins hasn’t had a good year in a long time. Watkins and Doubs have a lot of talent, but they’re rookies. The corps will come together better as the season goes on, just hope it’s sooner rather than later. Doubs Led the receivers in yards today.
@Pikes Peak posted:The Packers former receivers had a combined 15 catches for 163 yds and 2 tds today.
They were playing with a QB that gave a shit?
@Grave Digger posted:Rodgers was panicky and wouldn't follow the script, or if the receivers weren't where they were supposed to be...probably a combination of all 3. Rodgers didn't look comfortable though, every play felt like he was falling back on bad streetball habits from 4 years ago and none of his targets knew where to be.
This usually happens when he doesn’t trust his OL and gets sacked a few times. I am skeptical 69 ever plays again…but Hopefully Jenkins gets back before Tampa.
- Watson may well have lost the game today. Not only dropping the perfect bomb that would have tied the score early, but then when they have some momentum and a chance to be right back in it he didn't turn his head around and the ball went right by him.
- MLF deferring is stupid. Get the ball, get a score and establish momentum with the other team playing from behind immediately instead of your team doing so.
- Fredokunst thinking he's smart by drafting big, athletic receivers with shitty hands.
- Losing to the shitstains.
- Fredokunst drafting 16 zillion offensive linemen who can't play. Tom looks like the only guy from the mid-late rounds worth more than a warm bucket of spit.
- Jenkins and Bakhtiari are crucial to the team's success and they're not playing.
- Having Adrian Amos, Eric Stokes and Preston Smith covering Jefferson instead of Alexander. Stokes is taller, sure, but he's also too stiff laterally.
- The insane lack of viable depth in the back seven is already starting to show.
+ Rome wasn't built in a day and Special Teams looked better.
+ It's one game, and as much as it sucked, it wasn't as bad as last year against the Saints.
+ I think Myers is going to be a good center.
+ Quay Walker looks like he can be a heck of a player down the road.
+
Special teams at least weren't a liability in the game.
RBs played well but, as MLF noted, not enough touches for Jones.
-
Frustrating to watch the defensive failure against Jefferson, but just a massive ******* of the bed from the offense. AR said he should have kept the ball on the failed fourth down and after watching it again he's correct- probably gets in without much difficulty. Poor overall performance from the unit including the QB (inexcusable ball security on the fumble).
A disturbing pattern developing with MLF teams: they get punched in the mouth and they don't respond well to the adversity at all. When they don't show up they really don't show up.
+
Running game can be effective, should've been used more.
I can't recall the last time I saw somebody in Green Bay as fast as Walker at ILB.
-
Injury bug took a BIG bite out of their ass today. Shoulder injuries suck; broken leg or ankle is even worse. I don't want to be pessimistic, but I'll predict Nixon and Walker (and Barnes, obviously) miss significant time, and will have to wear a brace of some sort to be able to play.
I'm not even going to bother listing minuses for players AND coaches other than to say they were ill-prepared to play football today.
Channeling my inner Florio, there was an interesting development tonight in DallAss...
They need a QB and we need a LB.
McCarthy/Packers connection, yada, yada, yada...
Garropolo and Foles are likely the Dallas targets, probably in that order, if they make a move. Minshew would probably be on the list but that would require a trade with the Eagles.
Leighton Vander Esch is probably available, but why would they want Jordan Love? They might as well stand pat with Copper Rush since he knows the system.
Just as I feared from everything we saw / heard in preseason, when o-line went up against starters , they struggled. I may be off on this but I thought we played better when Tom came in.
Vikes OC was way ahead of Barry, especially in the first half. By us playing mostly zone, they could keep Jefferson away from Jaire, which was a big win for them. As someone else said, we had our "shut down" corner guarding their number 3-5 receivers. However, overall holding a team with as many weapons as they have to 23 is a win for the defense, especially on the road.
VERY difficult to win when you lose the turnover battle, especially on the road. Announcers said we have won 31? games in a row when winning that stat?
Tonyan, Jones, Dillon looked good.
AR in presser alluded to a multitude of mental mistakes .... blown blocking assignments, route adjustments, etc. He did also say that included him.
With all the negative we have to keep in mind that : 1) If Watson catches the first pass 2) If we score from the 1 .... the game goes right down to the end.
Defense really only gave up 20 in the game. I understand the media focus on Jefferson and it's something they have to clean up but it was just another game where the offense simply didn't do enough (like the SF playoff loss).
@michiganjoe posted:Defense really only gave up 20 in the game. I understand the media focus on Jefferson and it's something they have to clean up but it was just another game where the offense simply didn't do enough (like the SF playoff loss).
True. It could have been a lot worse and the D played better in the 2nd half. That right side of the OL and the receivers were pretty awful though. I don't understand how Jake Hanson even made the team.
Not at all suprised if the OL was better after Tom came in. He looked good through much of camp, better than the other guy.
The next time Rodgers or MLF talk about not having to play in the preseason at all, I hope someone steps up and shows the film from last year and this game. A series or two would no doubt make a difference -- especially with new receivers.
Losing to the *&%&(&% sucks. And AR's body language is just like him -- getting old real fast.
+
ST looked better
-
Laid another Week 1 egg
Outschemed by Ed Donatell (
)
Couldn't detect any coherent offensive game plan
Rodgers continues to hold the ball way too long.
Gave up on the running game way too quickly
@FLPACKER posted:Vikes OC was way ahead of Barry, especially in the first half. By us playing mostly zone, they could keep Jefferson away from Jaire, which was a big win for them. As someone else said, we had our "shut down" corner guarding their number 3-5 receivers. However, overall holding a team with as many weapons as they have to 23 is a win for the defense, especially on the road.
This defensive scheme was the most puzzling aspect of the whole day. The OL lacks talent without their two best players and the WRs are awful at this point but at least Doubs/Watson give them some hope for improvement. Those struggles were expected, but the defense getting worked because they were sitting in a passive zone all day? That was poor coaching.
The defensive scheme they played yesterday works the same whether you have a bunch of mid-level CBs being paid 5 million a year or whether you what looks like on paper to be a stacked secondary. Instead of dictating play with an aggressive scheme, they decided their best strategy was to play passively against a QB who is very good when he's got time and experienced and smart enough to recognize the coverages. Cousins struggles when he's pressured.
They paid Alexander 4 years and 84 million because he's a top 5 corner in the NFL (and paid Rasul and used a first round pick on Stokes). Then they schemed like they needed to protect their corners like they had Randall, Rollins, and House back there.
+ Watson's drop was terrifying...but--- I think this receiving group is going to be good-especially Watson-he is a freak, the hands will come
+ 16 more games, this was similar to last years opener, not quite as bad and as pointed out-you're playing a virtual unknown, on the road, with some pretty impressive talent
-pass rush and coverage--I thought this would be the saving grace for today and it was reeeal bad
-A rod was as bad as his new haircut---he had little protection which really highlighted his age....he looked every bit of 38 and 9 months---this was a carbon copy of last year's opener so I'm sure things will get better....but with that protection and his lack of mobility--aint no way he's making it through the season
@MichiganPacker posted:They paid Alexander 4 years and 84 million because he's a top 5 corner in the NFL (and paid Rasul and used a first round pick on Stokes). Then they schemed like they needed to protect their corners like they had Randall, Rollins, and House back there.
You could have Darrelle Revis and Deion Sanders in their prime as CB, and if you have the same anemic pass rush we had yesterday, you would get the same result. Our lack of pressure on Kark was beyond unacceptable.
We'd best figure out ILB pronto if Quay is out any length of time...my guess is Barnes is done for the season. As much as we shit all over Ty Summers, he may be back in Green and Gold before long...
@Chongo posted:This usually happens when he doesn’t trust his OL and gets sacked a few times. I am skeptical 69 ever plays again…but Hopefully Jenkins gets back before Tampa.
I agree, but it's confusing because we've gone into games with good pass rushers and a busted OL/no receivers and he's been fine. The Arizona game was a great example. But he threw on time, he took easy completions, he was accurate, he was patient, etc. All the things he was not yesterday. That dead duck to Cobb that got picked was the best example, like he didn't have to do that, he certainly had underneath options. He's as affected by momentum swings as anyone else. It's incumbent on LaFleur and Clements, IMO, to reign him in and boost his confidence and get him in rhythm. If Rodgers believes he can win there is NO stopping him, but we just saw a mood where he doesn't think anything is going to work and he's flat.
This D never handles accolades well. Whenever the press starts praising them they get trucked. Lots of preseason hype about this group, especially the secondary.
I'm blaming this loss completely on the coaches. That said, I know very little about football when compared to NFL coaches, but it seems that the game plan, on both sides of the ball was horrible.
If you have doubts about your pass protection and WRs, then it seems like this game should have been ground and pound all day. You have have two very good RBs and run blocking is supposedly easier than pass protection. When you throw it should be dink/dunk until the ground game opens up play action deep routes.
The defensive game plan has been discussed ad nauseam.
Unfortunately, I had a feeling this would happen. Hopefully, Walker is not seriously injured. I didn't see what happened.
At this point, Doubs and Watson should be getting all the playing time. I don't care if AR is "comfortable" with Watkins and Cobb. If this team is going to make a run, the rookies are going to have to play a big role. Might as well get them the experience ASAP.
My biggest disappointment however, was that I did not get to have my victory Manhattan while talking to my dad and brother about how we beat the viqueens.
+ ST’s did not lay an egg. I liked having both RB’s on field at same time. Half the o-line played ok. Crosby had his kickoffs in the end zone and leg looked ok. Rookies got some game reps. Bobby is back. Jordan Love looked good at the end.
- what others said or will say.
Defense actually played ok, with the exception of the terrible game plan in covering Jefferson. That's not on players, that's on coaches. Fine, play your matchups but as soon as you realize Jefferson was uncoverable by Stokes and Douglas, you shift and match him up with Alexander. If I were LeFleur, I'd be ripping Barry in my office all morning. Just inexcusable.
I'm less concerned about the Watson drop than most. Obviously wanted the TD but rookie drops will happen especially on deep balls. He'll get it cleaned up. More important was that Watson got open deep against a good CB. He'll have more opportunities.
No idea how Packers only rushed the ball 15 times with Jones and Dillon. That number should be a minimum of 25 every single game. Unsure how LeFleur let that happen.
OL was bad but actually looked better when Toms came in the game. Really looking forward to getting Bakhtiari and Jenkins back.
+ I live in New York state and didn't get the game because we have the Giants crammed down our throats.
- I live in New York State, land of high taxes, bail reform and discussions now of putting devices on all New cars that won't allow them to exceed legal speed limit.
@Grave Digger posted:I agree, but it's confusing because we've gone into games with good pass rushers and a busted OL/no receivers and he's been fine. The Arizona game was a great example. But he threw on time, he took easy completions, he was accurate, he was patient, etc. All the things he was not yesterday. That dead duck to Cobb that got picked was the best example, like he didn't have to do that, he certainly had underneath options. He's as affected by momentum swings as anyone else. It's incumbent on LaFleur and Clements, IMO, to reign him in and boost his confidence and get him in rhythm. If Rodgers believes he can win there is NO stopping him, but we just saw a mood where he doesn't think anything is going to work and he's flat.
Yup...he's always been a rhythm guy...when he starts on schedule, he stays on schedule...MM seemed to get that...MLF, who IMO is an epically smarter HC than MM, doesn't seem to get that...then again, for as smart as MLF is, a lot of the same shit seems to keep happening in these head-scratching losses. Shitting the bed in the season opener, and losing to teams you shouldn't in the playoffs now seem to be his brand as much as "he wins a lot of games every year."
-I really feel that first defensive series set the tone for the entire game. Not that they care, but I was extremely let down by the D. I thought they would dominate. The early drop didn’t help land who knows what the rest of the game would have looked like, but I don’t think it would have made much of a difference.
-Z is a piece of chode. Carries himself like a punk and had at least one cheap shot on AR that I saw.
-Rodgers is Rodgers. Love him or hate him. He’s going to be demonstrative on the field/sidelines when he’s pissed at other guys. At least after the game he took some culpability in the loss. I think the upside on him is too great .
- This was just one week so it’s not a trend yet. Offense is going to have to learn to work with a patchwork online and young receivers. I don’t want to see anything about how Adams does vs GB’s current WR’s. He didn’t want to be here and there was nothing GB could do about it other than maybe trade and overpay for another #1. Gotta make things work with what we got minus some tweaking.
@DocBenni posted:At this point, Doubs and Watson should be getting all the playing time. I don't care if AR is "comfortable" with Watkins and Cobb. If this team is going to make a run, the rookies are going to have to play a big role. Might as well get them the experience ASAP.
Could not agree more with the highlighted above other than to say the rooks should get "a lot of" rather than "all the "playing time once Lazard returns.
Lazard is fine as a low-end WR2 or WR3 and Cobb is a decent WR4.
However, neither Lazard nor Cobb have any burst at this point.
Let the rooks, who are at least athletic enough to get open to drop wide-open TDs, play and learn from their mistakes, because Cobb isn't getting separation from anyone in game 1 of the regular season or game 1 of the playoffs and Lazard is just a safe target with zero explosiveness and nothing more.
As for Sammy Watkins, hard to comprehend why he'd lead the team in snaps going forward if he could not produce more than 3 for 18 yards in a game without Lazard and playing against a mediocre, at best, secondary.
+ Good to see Tonyan and Crosby back.
+ Duo of Quadzilla and Jones
- Welp…disturbing trends at start and end of Packers seasons.
The Packers gave up 11 pressures per PFF. Hanson and Newman had 7 of them.
— Paul Bretl (@Paul_Bretl) September 12, 2022
Serious question if the coaching staff put their best five out there.
#Packers LB Krys Barnes, who was carted off Sunday with his right leg in an aircast, is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain and calf injury, per source. He’ll miss some time, but the initial hope is he could be back in a few weeks.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 12, 2022
Reasonably good news (I thought it might be season ending).
@michiganjoe posted:The Packers gave up 11 pressures per PFF. Hanson and Newman had 7 of them.
— Paul Bretl (@Paul_Bretl) September 12, 2022Serious question if the coaching staff put their best five out there.
Seems to be a recurring theme, going back to the playoffs. I don't know what the coaches are seeing in practice or in the clubhouse, but Newman is not a tackle, Hanson is a deep bench guy and Tom needs to be in the starting lineup, somewhere.
-
Too few touches for Jones and Dillon.
+ What everyone else said
- What everyone else said
--- Offensive gameplan. Maybe it's because I'm old and I remember Donatell's defense when he was DC for the Packers. I thought to myself "Yes! Attack the soft middle between the hash marks". I guess AR was in college and MLF was in diapers or something but you think they'd do some research. No slants, no crossing routes, no motion. WTF. What killed me was the replay where they showed the all 22 with the "Umbrella" of the Viking D and there was the massive hole in the middle and all our players outside the numbers. Just poor planning.
