Ryan Wood on a tweet about Blake Martinez

They should be able to replace him fairly easily -- maybe I have NFI what I'm talking about

Pedestrian

He makes too many AJ Hawk type plays. Most tackles seem to be 6-7 yards downfield. He does make some TFLs and he has the heart of a warrior in him. All in all, I think Gute will deal him away come contract time. As I said earlier, our next draft and FA period should be very interesting. ILB, DL, OL, DB, WR, RB,QB?Any guesses? We cannot keep kicking the O Line can down the road. Jenkins was a solid add, but we need help on the right side of the line. 

Sure hope he doesn’t get the Brad jones treatment

As others have said, we can do worse than a guy like Martinez.  That said, I really hope they don't throw a lot of money at him as he's not a difference maker.  If I want money spent, I want it on a better D-Lineman to go along with Clark and Lowry. 

It's funny, going into 2018, many (including myself) thought with Clark, Daniels, and Wilkerson, with Lowry as a top backup, the D-Line would be a strength.  It wasn't.  Here we are a year and a half later, and I think the D-Line is at best average as Daniels and Wilkerson are long gone from GB and their best days were behind them anyways.  They really could use another top player there if Gary isn't the answer.  He certainly hasn't been yet.

fightphoe93 posted:

 ...hope they don't throw a lot of money at him as he's not a difference maker.

Feel the same.  

Pettine either thinks  Blake is really good or doesn't trust other players to fill in for him.....Martinez played 73 snaps yesterday (100%). You can't tell me there wasn't a situation where playing I. Campbell(42 snaps)  or Josh Jackson( 0 snaps) or giving Blake a rest wasn't warranted.  Apparently Oren Burks isn't and option.

Oren Burks got 4 snaps on defense(16 on ST).  Is he approaching bust territory ? 

Burks got 4 damn snaps?  Wow... 

I think Martinez is an above average football player.  He'll never be elite but I think he's good enough.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement so I get that...  One thing I do know is that his replacement isn't on the roster at the present time. 

It's probably about time GB considers taking a MLB high in the draft or bring in a stud FA to shore up the middle of the field.  We've struggled there for far too long IMO. 

It's probably about time GB considers taking a MLB high in the draft or bring in a stud FA to shore up the middle of the field.  We've struggled there for far too long IMO. 

THIS!

Martinez has his limitations for sure but his moving Fackrel over the left guard before the snap on the last play was a brilliant move. Without that move CMC walks into the endzone. And thh fact the move was late in the count also worked in the Packers favor because CMC had already commited. Great call by Martinez. And the Vikings fans crying about the roughing the passer call can pound sand. After last years gift they cant ever cry about anything again. 

Packdog posted:

fightphoe93 posted:

 ...hope they don't throw a lot of money at him as he's not a difference maker.

Feel the same.  

Pettine either thinks  Blake is really good or doesn't trust other players to fill in for him.....Martinez played 73 snaps yesterday (100%). You can't tell me there wasn't a situation where playing I. Campbell(42 snaps)  orJosh Jackson( 0 snaps) or giving Blake a rest wasn't warranted.  Apparently Oren Burks isn't and option.

Oren Burks got 4 snaps on defense(16 on ST).  Is he approaching bust territory ? 

You must really hate Martinez if you'd prefer to replace him with a player that was inactive for the game.   

I think he's a better "coach" on the field than he is an actual football player. And that's why he's there because Pettine can trust him to make the calls correctly.

Spermhead fans can completely FO with anything "ref" related -- let's talk about the so called "OPI" by Lazard or the blatant Intentional Grounding from Kyle Allen that wasn't called like TWICE. Besides, that roughing play which was definitely in the Packers favor, the Pack didn't score that drive. So Fk Off!

Bottom Line, don't put the game in the hands of the officials. Play better!

For the money they are paying the two OLB (Smiths) I doubt they will pay big bucks to Martinez.  Kenny Clark is much more likely to earn that designation in in terms of an extension. 

With the emergence of Elgin Jenkins it’s likely they will release Lane Taylor and free up about 4.5MM.  If they cut Jimmy Graham loose that adds another 8MM to spend.  Add those two up that 12.5MM could be used in free agency. 

Martinez is avg at best.   His production can be replaced with a mid to early round pick and the coin can be better used elsewhere.  

Boris posted:

I think he's a better "coach" on the field than he is an actual football player. And that's why he's there because Pettine can trust him to make the calls correctly.

Spermhead fans can completely FO with anything "ref" related -- let's talk about the so called "OPI" by Lazard or the blatant Intentional Grounding from Kyle Allen that wasn't called like TWICE. Besides, that roughing play which was definitely in the Packers favor, the Pack didn't score that drive. So Fk Off!

Bottom Line, don't put the game in the hands of the officials. Play better!

Lazard did push off. It wasn’t flagrant but he created separation with the push. I don’t know what to think about Blake. We clearly need to be better in the middle. Just not sure how he would do if he had a decent ILB playing next to him. Burks looks like the guy who was projected to go in the 6th. He was a huge reach and they obviously have no confidence in him.

i wouldn’t pay big money for Martinez.

Martinez is good at getting calls in and setting the defense, although we do seem to have mixups in the back end (like yesterday on a long completion when King was playing zone and everybody else man to man)

He's an unsung hero on the last play of he game, he saw that Fackrell was on the wrong side of Clark and moved him over prior to snap.  Fackrell hadn't even arrived at the right spot when the snap went off---he actually was in the gap between the center and guard, still standing up,  and was able to slip into the backfield and get a piece of CMC.  That slowed CMC and allowed Peston Smith to  grab him from behind.

Martinez is replaceable. Period. If you can bring in a guy with any reaction at all it’s an upgrade. He’s a step or more slow in recognition about 90% of the time... you cannot have that at MLB. 

Joe Schobert would sure look good in Packer colors... 

slowmo posted:

Martinez is good at getting calls in and setting the defense, although we do seem to have mixups in the back end (like yesterday on a long completion when King was playing zone and everybody else man to man)

He's an unsung hero on the last play of he game, he saw that Fackrell was on the wrong side of Clark and moved him over prior to snap.  Fackrell hadn't even arrived at the right spot when the snap went off---he actually was in the gap between the center and guard, still standing up,  and was able to slip into the backfield and get a piece of CMC.  That slowed CMC and allowed Peston Smith to  grab him from behind.

Fackrell, while not having last year's sack numbers, is having a productive season, so far. He is disruptive in the backfield and is in on a lot of QB pressures with the Smiths. He is a sure tackler, too. He needs some coaching to tune his skill set, but overall, I like his performance on the field alongside the Smiths.

Fackrell is a UFA after this season as is Martinez. 

I don’t see the Packers throwing big money at either guy.  

Tschmack posted:

Fackrell is a UFA after this season as is Martinez. 

I don’t see the Packers throwing big money at either guy.  

Me neither. I don't think any other teams will be rushing in to get either player, either.

Someone will pay Blake because tackles. 

Packdog posted:

fightphoe93 posted:

 ...hope they don't throw a lot of money at him as he's not a difference maker.

Feel the same.  

Pettine either thinks  Blake is really good or doesn't trust other players to fill in for him.....Martinez played 73 snaps yesterday (100%). You can't tell me there wasn't a situation where playing I. Campbell(42 snaps)  or Josh Jackson( 0 snaps) or giving Blake a rest wasn't warranted.  Apparently Oren Burks isn't and option.

Oren Burks got 4 snaps on defense(16 on ST).  Is he approaching bust territory ? 

Jackson wasn't even active.

mrtundra posted:

slowmo posted:

Martinez is good at getting calls in and setting the defense, although we do seem to have mixups in the back end (like yesterday on a long completion when King was playing zone and everybody else man to man)

He's an unsung hero on the last play of he game, he saw that Fackrell was on the wrong side of Clark and moved him over prior to snap.  Fackrell hadn't even arrived at the right spot when the snap went off---he actually was in the gap between the center and guard, still standing up,  and was able to slip into the backfield and get a piece of CMC.  That slowed CMC and allowed Peston Smith to  grab him from behind.

Fackrell, while not having last year's sack numbers, is having a productive season, so far. He is disruptive in the backfield and is in on a lot of QB pressures with the Smiths. He is a sure tackler, too. He needs some coaching to tune his skill set, but overall, I like his performance on the field alongside the Smiths.

Don't disagree with this.  I think he's made the most out of his snaps.  He's not exactly cut out for ILB but it sure wouldn't hurt to have him help the rotation some. 

AtTheMurph posted:

Packdog posted:

fightphoe93 posted:

 ...hope they don't throw a lot of money at him as he's not a difference maker.

Feel the same.  

Pettine either thinks  Blake is really good or doesn't trust other players to fill in for him.....Martinez played 73 snaps yesterday (100%). You can't tell me there wasn't a situation where playing I. Campbell(42 snaps)  or Josh Jackson( 0 snaps) or giving Blake a rest wasn't warranted.  Apparently Oren Burks isn't and option.

Oren Burks got 4 snaps on defense(16 on ST).  Is he approaching bust territory ? 

Jackson wasn't even active.

Yeah heard that a few days back- Jackson being a bust is another conversation. 

Point remains, while we see Blake chasing in coverage, Pettine still keeps him in there for the majority of the snaps(100% against Carolina) . Nobody else ? Pettine showing lack of creativity ? Or does Pettine over-value him?

Well, one would logically assume that the ABM thinks Martinez is his best option.  No?

Yes, Blake probably is his best option, but 100% of the snaps ? When the middle is getting worked over?  mix it up.

Or does Pettine not have any other choice?  There is something to QBing the defense.  Is Goodman going to do it?  Maybe they should get a legit player (Burks bust) next to him so he isn't so exposed.

Packdog posted:

AtTheMurph posted:

Packdog posted:

fightphoe93 posted:

 ...hope they don't throw a lot of money at him as he's not a difference maker.

Feel the same.  

Pettine either thinks  Blake is really good or doesn't trust other players to fill in for him.....Martinez played 73 snaps yesterday (100%). You can't tell me there wasn't a situation where playing I. Campbell(42 snaps)  or Josh Jackson( 0 snaps) or giving Blake a rest wasn't warranted.  Apparently Oren Burks isn't and option.

Oren Burks got 4 snaps on defense(16 on ST).  Is he approaching bust territory ? 

Jackson wasn't even active.

Yeah heard that a few days back- Jackson being a bust is another conversation. 

Point remains, while we see Blake chasing in coverage, Pettine still keeps him in there for the majority of the snaps(100% against Carolina) . Nobody else ? Pettine showing lack of creativity ? Or does Pettine over-value him?

Well look at the depth chart at ILB. Who else is he going to play at that position? 

Burks isn't there. 93 can run even less than Martinez. They don't have a ton of options so you play what you got.

Martinez is the best MLB on the roster and it isn't even close.  Unless and until Gute chooses to upgrade that position, we will continue to see the NFL's leading tackler embarrassing himself on the football field.  

I say try Gary next to BM. Dude is athletic. Maybe he provides a jolt and can get to tackles faster.

Preston excels in coverage for an OLB....what could go wrong?

Gary is a run stuffing DE in a 4-3.  In that system he might get 5 or 6 sacks while being good run defender.  He doesn’t have the skills to be a 3-4 OLB.

In other words, he is Nick Perry 2.0

Nick Perry's skillset? Fine by me....hopefully not Perry's ❤️

Henry posted:

Or does Pettine not have any other choice?  There is something to QBing the defense.  Is Goodman going to do it?  Maybe they should get a legit player (Burks bust) next to him so he isn't so exposed.

Fackrell is a smert kid...32 on the Wonderlic. Martinez scored a 27. He's not getting many reps at OLB...I'd give him a whirl at ILB just as an experiment. He played MLB at times at Utah State...he was very good at it.

That's why Gary is referred to as a developmental project.  He doesn't have the skills but has all the athletic ability of Peppers (what I've read and heard).  The big matzo ball is whether he can learn the OLB skills.

If he can't learn the OLB skills, then let him run around and hit people in the middle. I thought CMIII was actually far better in the middle than running wide trying to go around the LT and watching QBs and RBs run through the hole.

Chongo posted:

Henry posted:

Or does Pettine not have any other choice?  There is something to QBing the defense.  Is Goodman going to do it?  Maybe they should get a legit player (Burks bust) next to him so he isn't so exposed.

Fackrell is a smert kid...32 on the Wonderlic. Martinez scored a 27. He's not getting many reps at OLB...I'd give him a whirl at ILB just as an experiment. He played MLB at times at Utah State...he was very good at it.

I concur. He may be the answer. Gets him more snaps, too.

 

Or does Pettine not have any other choice?  

I guess that's (stubbornly) my point. We all know Blake is unfortunately their best option at ILB. But getting 100% of the snaps makes me wonder about the adjustments and creativity on Pettine's part. (Ex : More hybrid looks please) A guy who is poor in pass coverage doesn't come off the field ?....in a pass first league ? 

Creative Defensive Coaches overcome personnel mismatches and dictate terms. Belichick and Rex Ryan were masters at this. As we saw with Pettine against Phillip Rivers , Pettine didn't adjust and Rivers had his way ...and even commented after the game "We just kept getting the same look, and kept getting the same look, and kept getting the same look. I think we said, ‘Let’s just keep doing the same thing.’

Offenses get innovative to create favorable match-ups. Creative Defensive Coordinators have to think outside the box and embrace the matchup game. 

Those comments from Rivers were pretty damning.

Boris posted:

Nick Perry's skillset? Fine by me....hopefully not Perry's ❤️

Nick Perry may have had heart, but he was made of glass.  Seemed like almost every year he was dealing with something that limited him.  Played many games with just 1 free hand because his other hand was wrapped up due to an injury.  There's just no way you can live up to your potential with that stuff happening all the time.  That said, even when he was completely healthy, he was just pretty good, never really great. 

fightphoe93 posted:

Boris posted:

Nick Perry's skillset? Fine by me....hopefully not Perry's ❤️

Nick Perry may have had heart, {snip}

No he really didn't....late for meetings & MM never did a thing about it. He was simply in it for the money as evidenced he's no longer in the league at the ripe old age of 29.

You're right about him being made of glass though. He would never play through an owie.

I've liked Martinez but he's just an average starting ILB in the league and really doesn't warrant being paid like a difference maker. You can't pay him more than $4m per year.  Packers haven't given themselves many options though, so may be stuck paying him double that. 

They should probably ban his mom from entering the stadium 

I dunno, I guess I don’t get how you can call the league’s leading tackler “average at best”.  He has to be doing something right. Or is the rest of the team that bad at tackling?

bdplant posted:

I dunno, I guess I don’t get how you can call the league’s leading tackler “average at best”.  He has to be doing something right. Or is the rest of the team that bad at tackling?

I think that we as fans see lots of other inside backers excell at pass coverage and  stopping the run. Yet most of them were high draft picks. This team has not felt that the position requires a high draft pick or expensive free agent. Martinez is most often in the right spot to make a tackle when others on the team are not. He is a film study junkie. And he has been relatively healthy. As they say “the best ability is availability”. Pettine trusts Martinez to make sure that the defense knows the calls and he does that. My opinion is that until this team decides to invest in a premium MLB, we won’t get one. Besides, he really is better than average, so he is what he is and wishing won’t change a thing. Maybe down the road we pick up his replacement or somebody to compliment his skills.

bdplant posted:

I dunno, I guess I don’t get how you can call the league’s leading tackler “average at best”.  He has to be doing something right. Or is the rest of the team that bad at tackling?

What's he's doing right is staying healthy/available and being the best option at his position. The defense is designed to funnel plays towards him. He's going to have way more chances to make tackles than anyone else on the field. Just needs to make more of them within 5 yards of the LOS. 

There's more good than bad with Martinez.

We all want "dynamic" & he is never going to be that guy. However, if Gute puts star pieces around him, you can win with a guy like Martinez. 

He made the call to move Fackrell & they stopped McCaffrey. I think most of you are discounting the fact he was responsible for the final play being a successful stop.