Positives/Neg's Packers at Eagles

+

Nixon had some nice returns (and plays on defense).

Ford > Savage

Love

Watson's speed

-

Holding call on Jenkins' pancake block was brutal.

Run defense and difficult to win games when you give up 40. Coaching and players on that side of the ball have been extremely disappointing.

Positives

Jordan Love, Nixon on returns, the OL played well. Christian Watson is MVS on steroids.

Negatives

Joe Barry, Joe Barry, Joe Barry. He'll probably come back next year with the excuse that he was missing R. Gary, D. Campbell, and Eric Stokes from his defense. Losing Gary has made a huge difference.

Interesting stat on Watson's speed.

MLF just said in his presser that if AR can play, he'll play.  Didn't say anything about what his injury was tho.

@vitaflo posted:

MLF just said in his presser that if AR can play, he'll play.  Didn't say anything about what his injury was tho.

I wouldn’t expect him to say anything else. But just look for an Ian Rap/Adam Schefter tweet sometime tomorrow saying Rodgers has a serious chest (fill in the blank) injury coupled with the thumb that will keep him out several weeks.  

+++ Love in the short time he was in; he did look like a different guy. Dillon ran hard. Jones ran hard, but had a horrible drop on the Love pass. Nixon and Ford: I never thought I'd ever type that as a positive thing!

--- Joe Barry, don't let the door hit you on the way out. Rodgers on the TD pass, but little else. Tackling so soft they looked like Twinkies on the field. Who would have thought we'd see our DBs as a negative after last year --  and I'm putting that on Barry.

Time for the Love era.

@vitaflo posted:

MLF just said in his presser that if AR can play, he'll play.  Didn't say anything about what his injury was tho.

LaFleur is a dipshit

Walker needs to learn to either a) not lock up with a blocker, or b) get off the block quicker. He gets stuck to guys too easily.

Negatives:  The tackling by this defense has been bad all year, but tonight was literally the worst tackling I’ve ever seen from a Packers team.  Joe Barry needs to be fired, but so do a majority of the defensive players.  I wonder if Kenny Clark is hurt or if he’s just given up.  He used to be a top 5 DT in this league and he looks completely lethargic out there.

Positives:  The offense is looking better with Bahktiari and Jenkins holding down that left side.

Christian Watson really truly is a deep threat and his health these past few weeks has rejuvenated the offense.  Just stay healthy kid, the sky is the limit.

Oh, one other positive: the Iggles still have a better record than MN.

@Fandame posted:

Walker needs to learn to either a) not lock up with a blocker, or b) get off the block quicker. He gets stuck to guys too easily.

and has to learn to tackle. Also what the fuck happened on the fumble return? Should have scored.

@MichiganPacker posted:

Joe Barry. He'll probably come back next year with the excuse that he was missing R. Gary, D. Campbell, and Eric Stokes from his defense.

I sure as fuck hope not

Rodgers in his presser said if he checks out tomorrow after a scan, he'll play against Chicago.  Said he only took himself out because of the intense pain he had and was worried about a punctured lung (it was not punctured).

MLF and AR are acting like somehow AR with a core injury AND a thumb injury is better than starting Love.  I get that they have to be confident to the media, but they seem WAY too confident about it, given how Love played.

@GBFanForLife posted:

and has to learn to tackle. Also what the fuck happened on the fumble return? Should have scored.

Jaire started barking at him what to do instead of blocking for him.

@packerboi posted:

I wouldn’t expect him to say anything else. But just look for an Ian Rap/Adam Schefter tweet sometime tomorrow saying Rodgers has a serious chest (fill in the blank) injury coupled with the thumb that will keep him out several weeks.  

I have to be honest, Rodgers being out might not be a terrible thing.  This injured/old version of Rodgers is not a franchise QB.  Clearly that hand injury has limited his effectiveness and made him change the way he plays.

+Joe B. showed why he was part of a winless team and should be fired from this one.

-Joe B. won't be fired by this team.

On the 2nd INT, Rodgers said Davis ran the wrong route.  Most people thought he should have flattened his route, but AR said he should have run it up the pipe and he threw it to him anyway which was a bad decision.

@vitaflo posted:

Rodgers in his presser said if he checks out tomorrow after a scan, he'll play against Chicago.  Said he only took himself out because of the intense pain he had and was worried about a punctured lung (it was not punctured).

MLF and AR are acting like somehow AR with a core injury AND a thumb injury is better than starting Love.  I get that they have to be confident to the media, but they seem WAY too confident about it, given how Love played.

Sadly, I don’t think MLF has the balls to sit Rodgers and just say we’re going with the healthier AND much more mobile QB. No, I’m not claiming a kid who has limited starting experience is better than a healthy Rodgers.

But that’s just it. He’s not healthy. His mobility is going to be even worse with a chest injury. And even on the TD pass to Jones, that thing was a wobbler.

Love would also bring the threat of running the ball plus actually running the MLF offense as it’s called. Not to mention giving the Packers a real sample of what he’d do as a starting QB.

But I can’t see 12’s ego allowing that.

@vitaflo posted:

On the 2nd INT, Rodgers said Davis ran the wrong route.  Most people thought he should have flattened his route, but AR said he should have run it up the pipe and he threw it to him anyway which was a bad decision.

So Rodgers is a dumbfuck. Give up points to throw an interception

@GBFanForLife posted:

So Rodgers is a dumbfuck. Give up points to throw an interception

Old QBs make bad decisions.

And he can claim all he wants that his thumb hasn't been a problem but too many wobbly and errant throws since he broke it say otherwise.

@vitaflo posted:

Rodgers in his presser said if he checks out tomorrow after a scan, he'll play against Chicago.  Said he only took himself out because of the intense pain he had and was worried about a punctured lung (it was not punctured).

MLF and AR are acting like somehow AR with a core injury AND a thumb injury is better than starting Love.  I get that they have to be confident to the media, but they seem WAY too confident about it, given how Love played.

He also said that if and when they are mathematically eliminated the conversation would be had about playing. Really sounded like he was open to Love playing when that happens.

Positives:

Gotta like what we saw with Love.  I say play him to see what the future could be

Watson wow that kid can move and if he can stay healthy look out

Negatives:

I hate losing to the Eagles.  I have hated them ever since I had to endure their fans in person

368 rushing yards given up.  College teams don't give up that many yards.

That defense looked like they were playing flag football and not tackle football.  This defense is SOFT and IMO no DC can keep their job with getting gashed every week with that talent on defense.  That being said I also am afraid that he will be given the benefit of a doubt missing 3 starters on that defense.

ESPN Stats has them at about a 2% chance of making the playoffs. Packers really created the current difficulty they're in by coddling their franchise QB and allowing him to become bigger than the team (not unlike the previous QB). Suspect they'll end up with enough time to evaluate Love but the appearance that AR is making the call if and when he'll play is a bad look for the franchise.

@vitaflo posted:

On the 2nd INT, Rodgers said Davis ran the wrong route.  Most people thought he should have flattened his route, but AR said he should have run it up the pipe and he threw it to him anyway which was a bad decision.

Why is Davis still on the team????

Rodgers has a couple of problems right now: his health; his ego; Love. His thumb and now ribs, combined with his age, say he needs a break; he won't let that happen. His ego won't let him stop playing, even when he's not effective. And Love is on the horizon. Rodgers knows how he got his start after coming in at Dallas and then taking over for Favre; he probably has visions of the same thing happening with Love. If Rodgers sits, there's a chance that Rodgers is Wally Pipped and Love takes over. I'm not saying it's a given, but history sometimes repeats itself in sports.

+++ Jordan Love was poised as our QB. He looked cool and confident. Watson is fast! Glad the Love to Watson play materialized. It's our future. Rudy Ford was all over the field hustling to make tackles. Ford deserves to start over Savage. Nixon is a stud on the return team. Why Nixon was back-up to Amari, there, is mind boggling. Jones and Dillon ran the ball well. Quay Walker was all over the field, too. Hollins got here on Thursday and made a couple of key tackles for us. Kingsley Enagbare played his butt off, as a pass rusher for us. He has been there, for several games, playing better than he gets credit for.

---Our run defense was nonexistent. That's on Barry. Quay Walker would get hung up on a block. He needs to separate from those blocks and wreak havoc on the ball carrier/receiver. Our shoddy tackling. How many missed tackles did we have? So many defenders overplayed and were out of position, having to reach back to try and tackle the ball carrier,  while being off balance. I said earlier here that if we make half of those missed tackles, we win this game. Our poor tackling, IMO, is also on Barry. Rodgers's two INTs. One was deflected, but it still was intercepted. Going three and out to start the 2nd half. It seems that whenever we win the coin toss and defer, the other team marches down the field and scores, on their first series. I think of the defensive scheme and wonder how are we going to stop the run, ever. I fear another draft heavy on defensive picks. Injuries could be an issue. I saw Dillon hobbling on the side line, after a play. Hoping it was nothing major. Then there is Rodgers and his injuries. He looked out of sorts on the field, even though he made some great passes.

- Packers tackling made it look like the eagles were slathered in bacon grease

- Packers D lineman looked like the Pillsbury doughboys running around on the field.

+ Biscuits and bacon for breakfast!

@YATittle posted:

Why is Davis still on the team????

Because it's a complete suck fest at TE. And Tonyan isn't a starter either. Lewis should have retired years ago 

@mrtundra posted:

Going three and out to start the 2nd half. It seems that whenever we win the coin toss and defer, the other team marches down the field and scores, on their first series. I think of the defensive scheme and wonder how are we going to stop the run, ever. I fear another draft heavy on defensive picks. Injuries could be an issue. I saw Dillon hobbling on the side line, after a play. Hoping it was nothing major. Then there is Rodgers and his injuries. He looked out of sorts on the field, even though he made some great passes.

I was thinking the same thing last night.  They should take the ball and keep our defense off the field on that first series. 

Depending on what happens with the salary cap for next season and who is the DC  but I am also thinking they will have to go defense again heavily in the draft.  They need DL depth, Safety, as well as OLB depth.

Not willing to anoint Love just yet. Showed some promise, but needs to put multiple games together, needs to have performance on film so teams can dissect and prepare for him. Needs to have more weapons around him to work with. Bottom line, need more data.

@packerboi posted:

Because it's a complete suck fest at TE. And Tonyan isn't a starter either. Lewis should have retired years ago

Yep.  And unfortunately the way I understand it, there are very few top TEs in next year’s draft.

Mayer from ND looks good but would be a bit of a reach as high as the Pack will be picking.

They’re going to have to pick a TE in the first 3 or 4 rounds, but are very much at risk to take the next Jace Sternberger.

@Chongo posted:

Not willing to anoint Love just yet. Showed some promise, but needs to put multiple games together, needs to have performance on film so teams can dissect and prepare for him. Needs to have more weapons around him to work with. Bottom line, need more data.

Which is exactly why Love should play the rest of the season.

@fightphoe93 posted:

Yep.  And unfortunately the way I understand it, there are very few top TEs in next year’s draft.

Mayer from ND looks good but would be a bit of a reach as high as the Pack will be picking.

They’re going to have to pick a TE in the first 3 or 4 rounds, but are very much at risk to take the next Jace Sternberger.

You can find good TE all up and down the draft. Obviously whatever criteria Gurt has to evaluating them isn't working. Then again, you could say that about a number of positions he's whiffed on.

Draft and Develop can be a great philosophy...it served Ron Wolf and until the later stages of dementia, Ted Thompson pretty well.

To date, on the whole, Gurt hasn't shown mastery of it.

I was at the game last night - 4th row behind the Packers bench.  Great seats and lots to observe.  Amazingly yesterday morning it was 41 degrees; rained all afternoon, but by game time the rain stopped and it was 61 degrees.  I wore all my Packer gear and was surrounded by Eagles fans and was treated well.  Eagle fans sometimes get a bum rap.  I've discovered that if you treat them with civility, they will treat you well.  If you are an arrogant prick - you'll get the same and more treatment back at you.

There's been a lot of talk about MLF losing the team/can't handle the stress/not equipped to be head coach.  Many saying that the QB was more responsible than the coach for his success.  First - 3 seasons of 13 wins says something about his coaching ability.  Last night they scored 33 points on the 2nd best scoring defense in the NFL.  When Love came in, he had no problems executing the game plan, moving the team, and scoring points.  I give the coach credit.

Barry has lost the respect of the defensive players.  Early in the second half as the defensive players were sitting directly in front of me, he came over and tried to rah-rah the troops - walking in front of each of the players.  He got no response from one - not one.  Later Aaron Jones came over and was encouraging them and several engaged him in conversation.  I regret that MLF didn't choose Evero (who then went to Denver) instead of Barry.  Granted Denver has more pieces, but Evero is molding them into a force despite a putrid offense.

I think MLF did get the special teams coordinator right the 2nd time and they looked much improved from last year.  Nixon as a returner was electric last night.

When Rodgers left the field, Love began to warm up.  After finishing, he went to every offensive lineman and talked with them individually.  He did not seem nervous or overwhelmed when he entered the game.  I'd like to see more.

Watson's speed is amazing.  Eagle fans were stunned as he took the short middle of the field catch to the house.  After a slow start he's impressing.  The atmosphere was loud and both Rodgers and  Love commanded the offense well in a hostile environment.

I was very surprised at how the offense moved the ball and scored last night.  Two turning points I believe.  The Pack failed to get a first down at midfield before half with the score tied and the Eagles scored with 14 seconds left.  Then Nixon returns the 2nd half kickoff to mid field and Rodgers goes 3 and out.  They had good chances to tie/go ahead.

The defense sucked.  The defensive line was gashed all night.  In the first half we couldn't stop Hurts.  We'd get to 3rd down - then he'd run right through us.  Painful.

Great report

@bdplant posted:

Which is exactly why Love should play the rest of the season.

Love's evaluation aside, 12 has a broken thumb and likely, at the very least, cracked ribs.

Players are not objective when it comes to their injuries, it's MLF's job to work with the medical staff and tell 12 "you're sitting for health reasons, we are not risking you getting a punctured lung."

If 12 suits up vs the Bears, it's squarely on MLF.

Love can beat the Bears...then the bye...12 could come back if he's smart about it and at 5-8, the Packers would still be mathematically alive for a playoff.

@Chongo posted:

Not willing to anoint Love just yet. Showed some promise, but needs to put multiple games together, needs to have performance on film so teams can dissect and prepare for him. Needs to have more weapons around him to work with. Bottom line, need more data.

He's going to have some growing pains even if he becomes a successful QB some day. I think he's got a Tannehill type ceiling, which is still more than good enough to win consistently in this league if you are surrounded by good pieces, and while they badly need to upgrade at TE, WR looks a lot more promising at this point than it did 2 months ago. Bring back Watson and Doubs, hopefully retain Tonyan as a good #2 TE, and then replace everyone else.

The big difference in watching last night was that when he came in he acted and conducted himself like he knew he belonged on the field as an NFL QB. His body language was completely different and projected confidence and competence. We'll have to see how he handles adversity down the road, but he clearly has a much higher ceiling than guys like Hundley or Kizer did.

+ getting a glimpse of the future maybe; I am kind of excited to see 9+83+87 all together with 10 throwing to them

- the now kind of sucks

+++ Loves play and Nixons kick returns

-----  Defense. How do they not know how to tackle. They've all been playing for a while..I know its the defensive  schemes that dont work, thats on Joe Barry. But there were so many guys just missing tackles!!  Everybody Grabbin' Nobody tackling!!!!!

On to Chicago!!!