Wednesday, December 30, 2015

A Look At The Packers and The Playoffs

Game 16 - What do we know?

The Packers are in the Playoffs.

Packers win, and they are 3rd Seed Division Champs.

Packers were 6 wins & 0 losses before BYE - Fast Start

Packers were 4 wins & 5 losses after BYE - an average football team.

Other numbers?

Aaron Rodgers -17th in yards with 3,530 yards - 9th in TD's - 30 - 15th in rating at 93.7

Eddie Lacy - 19th at 724 yards - 34th in TD's with 3

Randall Cobb - 36th in yards with 792 yards - 36th in TD's with 6

Ha Ha Clinton Dix top Packer tackler with 96 in 36th place - NO Packer linebackers in to 50!

Julius Peppers top Packer in sack with 9.5 in 11th place (Matthews not in top 50)

Damarious Randall to Packer in interceptions with 3 in 19th place

As you see not a lot of good numbers!  Record aside, a VERY average year for Packer players!

Playoff teams in the NFC - Panthers, Cardinals, Packers, Redskins, Vikings & Seahawks.  The Packers lost to Cardinals & Panthers, beat the Seahawks & Vikings, did not play the Redskins.  So, as far as years go?  I see a very below average list of play off teams - Cards & Panthers deserve to spots and the Pack, Vikings, Redskins & Seahawks - VERY AVERAGE!


Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Packers After 15 Weeks, What Do We Know?

Watching this team this year has been VERY difficult!  The Packer Buddies have been at 4 home games, Seattle, Chargers, Bears & Cowboys - that is 3 wins and 1 loss.  Beating the Seahawks was BIG, although the Seattle Seahawks are 9 wins & 6 losses this year.  We were lucky to beat the Chargers, rookie Damarious Randall seed the day & the Packer Defense gave up over 500 yards!  The Bears game, Favre number retirement, Bart Starr fought an amazing battle just to be there and we lose, with 1 first and goal at the 8 yard line at the end of the game!  And Aaron Rodgers, last years MVP fails to convert?  And, the Cowboy game?  A win, but we fooled around for 3 quarters until we put them away with a back up QB?

And the rest of the year has been the same - inconsistent, uninspired, and puzzling football!  BUT, we made the payoffs and in week 16 can win another division title!

So, I will look at three areas - 1 - Medical & personnel issues, 2 - Head Coach McCarthy, & 3 - Aaron Rodgers.

1 - Medical & Personnel Issues
The offensive line has missed games, has not finished games they started, and has not practiced
a lot!!!  Games missed Bulaga games 2, 3 & 12, Lindsley game 11 & 13, Lang game 12, and Bakhtiari game 15.  And they look hurt in games.  Let's face it, they are NOT great athletes and if they are not 100%, the athletic defensive ends & linebackers make them look silly - last game against Cardinals?  Enough said!

Wide Receivers?  WOW!  Nelson - gone for the year.  Second year man, Davonte Adams, missed games 4, 5, & 6.  And was banged up early and tried to play!  Rookie Montgomery was beginning to look like a play maker, got hurt game 7, done for the year!  Cobb has not missed, but hurt his shoulder game 1 and has been iffy ever since!  Tight end, 2nd year man Richard Rodgers is trying, but has NO ONE behind him!  3rd stringer Perillo is adequate at best.

And running back?  Lacy, looked heavy to start year, played hurt, missed game 9, missed curfew game 12 against Lions, Harris is cut because he was with him!  Offensive line inconsistent, running game inconsistent!

Defense, start the year with Leroy Guion suspended, missed games 1, 2 & 3 because of stupidity!  Daniels is playing tough, but it looks like his is the only real player.  Raji missed game 6, played well early, but seems to have hit the wall.  Matthews still playing inside most of the time, not his true position!  And here is a stat for you, amazing - NO TACKLES LAST 2 games!!  THAT IS CRAZY!
Burnett was hurt early missed games - 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6!  Hyde missed game 11, and our BEST corner Shields, missed last 2 games!

Injuries, suspensions, missing practice, late for curfews, and inconsistent play?  Sounds like who we are?  You decide!

2 - Head Coach Mike McCarthy
Give up play calling, more involved with Special Teams & Defense?  Back calling plays, defense looks about the same, and special teams is OK, but not crazy good!  Crosby is having a good year, but O doubt McCarthy helps him kicking the ball!  I think the experiment is still an experiment, and may not be used next year, just saying?  And play calling?  Receivers cannot get open by themselves, how about some rub routs, bunch patterns, pick plays, more screens, quick slants over the middle, drag patterns across the middle, or JUST SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

3 - Aaron Rodgers
WOW!  One thing, he is beginning to get BEAT UP!  Bad throws, bad numbers, and bad interviews!
Have you heard any lately? Is he a leader?  Does he sound like a leader.  And the quote, "the receivers must have my trust?"  We are beyond trust, they are not that good, so keep it simple!  McCarthy needs to help Rodgers develop QUICK patterns, that CONFUSE the defense.  Janis must play, and throw deep once in a while!  TED THOMPSON!  WE NEED A SPEED RECEIVER!

Final stat:

First 6 games - 6 wins & 0 losses
Last 9 games - 4 wins & 5 losses

What are we?  Sunday will tell us something!  And of course the play offs!

Vikings next and they are ready!  Are we?

Monday, December 28, 2015

Wow! Packers Are In Trouble! Cards Destroy Pack!

Just look at the Packer drives!

12 drives in the game and:
6 Punts
4 Turnovers -
       TWO returned for TD's!  One interception in end zone!  A fumble to begin 2nd half!
1 Turn over on Downs
1 TD - yes ONE TD!

YUK!

The week to week comments by McCarthy are:

"We need to clean things up"

We need to tackle better"

"We need to execute better"

"We need to get healthy"

Well, all the Clorox in the world will not clean up this mess.  And, after 15 weeks, and for some veterans, it's too late to teach you to tackle better!  Execution, it's December 28th guys!  Health?  Shut up and play!

Let's face it, the 2015 version of the Pack is not very good.  Yes, we clinched a playoff spot.  And next week we can clinch another Division Title!  But, C'mon Man!  Look at this NFL!

The Redskins have clinched their division at 8 wins & 7 losses!
The Texans are in first at 8 wins & 7 losses in their division!
The Jets just beat the Patriots!  The Falcons just gave the Panthers their first loss!
Kansas City is in the playoffs!  Pittsburgh lost to a banged up Ravens team!

Ugly football welcome to todays NFL!

So, the Pack, is still in it!  Can they look better?  Can Aaron Rodgers stay upright long
enough to complete passes?  Can Eddie Lacy & James Starks hold onto the ball and run
for 1st downs?  And, the big question, can our receivers get open?

On defense, will they play a complete game?

The season has been ugly!
Packers go into the bye week 6 and 0!  Open win over Bears, but Bears RB Forte runs for 141 yards and Cutler out gains Rodgers 225 to 189 yards! WIERD!  Packers BEAT Seahawks 27-17!  YEA BABY!!!  Packers BEAT Chiefs 38-28, Rodgers 5 TD passes!!  MVP MVP MVP!  Packers BEAT Rams 24-10, defense gives up 0 points in second half!  DEFENSE!!!  A close win against Chargers, thank you Damarious Randall!  So, we go into the bye week 6 wins & 0 losses!

But, after the BYE week,  DOUBLE YUK!!!!!

Friday, December 25, 2015

All I Want For Christmas is a Packer Super Bowl Win?

There it is!  I said it!  My 2015 wish list!

Of course, there is a LOT MORE to Christmas than football, but why not ask Santa for help!

The next two weeks will tell all Packer fans what to expect!  First, the things we need to be thankful for?

1 - The Packers are in first place!!!!!

2 - The Packers are in the playoffs for the 7th consecutive year! (Tied with Patriots on that!)

3 - 3 Packers make the Pro Bowl! - Aaron Rodgers, Josh Sitton, & Clay Matthews.

4 - AND, THE GREEN BAY PACKERS!!

Now, what to look for this week against the Cardinals?

1 - Pressure on QB?  Who will succeed?  Carson Palmer is not very mobile, must be pushed from the spot!  Rodgers can adjust, but Palmer is having a more consistent year - advantage Cards!

2 - Receivers - Cobb, Adams, Jones for the Pack against Floyd, Roberts and Fitzgerald
for the Cards?  BIG advantage CARDS!

3 - Running game - which Packer running game will show up?  Last week the Cards ran wild
against the crazy Eagles - only Santa knows this answer - EVEN match!

4 - Defense - Cardinals are 7th in yards Packers are 17th.  Total points - Cards are 6th and Packers are 5th.  Cornerback Shields may miss the game, Safety, Tyrann Mathieu is done for the year.  Just on the "smell" test - CARDS.

5 - Special Teams - Packers new long snapper?  Advantage Cards!

Again, I love the Pack, but I'm trying to be realistic!  The Cardinals have had a more consistent season!  Maybe the Packer will put in together for a late season push?  They beat the Cards this week, and Vikings next week, they are on a roll!

Until then, based on what has happened in 2015 -

Cardinals 31 - Packers 20
Sorry!






Thursday, December 17, 2015

Packers & Raiders - Who Is Oakland?

OK, time to look at our opponents:

Oakland Offense:
WR-Michael Crabtree(7)
LT-Donald Penn(10)
LG-Gabe Jackson(2)
C-Rodney Hudson(5)
RG-J'Marcus Webb(5)
RT-Austin Howard(6)
TE-Lee Smith(5)
WR-Amari Cooper(R)
QB-Derek Carr(2)
RB-Latavius Murray(3)
FB-Maecel Reece(6)

OK, not a lot of household names!  QB, Carr, young and a gunslinger!  9th in yards - 4th in TD's(tied with Aaron), 10th in QB rating, & 24th in being sacked(Aaron is 10th)  So, he will wing it!!!

Running Back Murray, 12th in rushing with 878 yards & 5 TD's.  An adequate runner!

And veteran wide receiver Michael Crabtree & rookie receiver, Amari Cooper.  Crabtree, 29th in yards 779, 7 TD's & Cooper - 15th in yards 920 & 4 TD's.  Must cover these two!

On defense:
DE-Denico Autry(2)
DT-Dan Williams(6)
NT-Justin Ellis(2)
DE-Mario Edwards(R)
OLB-Khahlil Mack(2)
MLB-Curtis Lofton(8)
OLB-Malcolm Smith(5)
CB-David Amerson(3)
CB-TJ Carrie(2)
S-Charles Woodson(18)
S-Nate Allen(6)

Only big name here is ex-Packer, Charles Woodson in his 18th season!  YES, I said 18!  That is a lot of years for a defensive back!!!!  Other 10 players is a mix of young and old!  The young one to watch is Khalil Mack, leading the league with 14 sacks!  With our injured line, Rodgers needs to watch where he is on the field!

So, as you see, not a lot of BIG names, but players that play loose in front of this crazy home town Raider fans!!!

I STRONGLY suggest, NO Lambeau Leaps into these guys!!!!!!









Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Packers Go West To Oakland

December Football!  Always interesting, stressful, and the cream will rise to the top!

Oakland Record - 6 wins & 7 losses
How did they get there?

Bengals 33 Raiders 13
Raiders 37 Ravens 33
Raiders 27 Browns 20
Bears 22 Raiders 20
Broncos 16 Raiders 10
Raiders 37 Chargers 29
Raiders 34 Jets 20
Steelers 38 Raiders 35
Vikings 30 Raiders 14
Lions 18 Raiders 13
Raiders 24 Titans 21
Chiefs 34 Raiders 20
Raiders 15 Broncos 12

A look at scores and the Raiders are a team to be taken seriously!  How about their last game?
A close, defensive battle over the Broncos!

A wild offensive loss to the Steelers 38-35!

A close loss to the Bears 22-20!

Vikings best them 30-14!

They are all over the place!

Teams Stats:
Team Offense - 20th in yards & 15th in points
Team Defense - 25th in yards & 23rd in points

Individuals
Quarterback - Davis Carr - 9th in yards, 4th(tied with Aaron) in TD passes - 28
Running Back - Latavious Murray - 6th in yards 878 & 5 TD's
Pass Receiving - Amari Cooper 15th in yards - 920 & 4 TD's
Sacks - Khalil Mack - 1st in Sacks 14!!!!
Interceptions - some guy names Charles Woodson 5!

So, first look?  Looks like a team that plays inconsistent & dangerous football!  A young QB that is not afraid to air it out!!!  A defense with a mix of young and old!  The NFL sack leader!  And a veteran that KNOWS the Packers - Charles Woodson!

A dangerous road trip and VERY important game!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Home From Green Bay With A Win!

The Packer Buddies have finished their regular season games, record 3 wins 1 loss!  Not a bad season!

September 20 - Seahawks  WIN!!

October 18 - Chargers  WIN!!

November 26 - Bears  loss!!

December 13 -Cowboys  WIN!

The Cowboy game followed the script of the season!  Ugly!  The weather, for our second trip in a row, was wet, BUT warmer!  AND, in fact, the WARMEST Packer home game in December EVER!
Yes, I said EVER!  The Packer Buddies experience another Packer historical event!

Jim, Terry, Phil, Bill
(notice Roger(a Cowboy fan) in 2nd row between Phil & Bill)

So, the Packer Buddies are there!  And, Zeke & Ken!!


Zeke Bratkowski                                 Ken Bowman

Zeke was a Packer quarterback, mainly a back-up under Lombardi
Ken, center on the Super Bowl I & II teams!! And the Ice Bowl!!!

The game followed a similar pattern as most of the games this year!  Close till the end!  Big interception in the end zone by Shields early in the first quarter!  Lacy, running like he wanted to prove something & Starks complementing him running and catching passes!  A 14-0 halftime lead!

Then, the Cowboys scored to make it 14-7.  And the Packers have a 3rd quarter offensive shut down! Conservative play calling and Rogers & receivers still searching for a rhythm! 

Fourth quarter!  Packers score two more TD's!  Defense shuts out the Cowboys in the fourth!  Some of the keys?  Shield went out in the 2nd quarter & rookie Damariuos Randall gets the job of covering Dez Bryant!  One on One!

#1 Key to the Game - Randall covering Bryant!

And Lacy ran for 124 yards on 24 attempts, thats 5.2 yards per carry!  And a TD!

#2 Key to the Game - Eddie Lacy!

And Jeff Janis was a BEAST on special teams!  Covering Punts & Kick Returns!  He was downfield in a flash!  I STILL think he needs more time at receiver!!

#3 Key to the Game - Jeff Janis on Special Teams!

And of course, the Packer Buddies found all their favorite eating places!

The Beer Belly in Milwaukee!
Strategically located near the airport!

The Kozy Corner in Mischicot!  Our pre-game meal!


Our VICTORY dinner at Titletown!!

Another great trip!  

Fun with the Packer Buddies!

And a Green Bay Packer Victory!!!

Next up, Oakland Raiders & a reunion with Charles Woodson!






Saturday, December 12, 2015

Green Bay - Dallas 2015?

OK.  Let's take a rational look at this game!

Romo out, Rodgers in.  Advantage Packers!

Packers Offense against Cowboys Defense?  Stalemate!

Cowboys Offense vs Packer Defense?  Back up quarterback!  Advantage Packers!

Special Teams?  Stalemate, until somebody screws up?  Who will that be? DO NOT KNOW!

Injuries?  Romo trumps Packers offensive line.  Advantage Packers!

So, what is the old stand-by - TURNOVERS!

Here is my prediction -

Packers 24 - Cowboys 13

Latest Packer Roster:

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Hear We Go Again - Packers On Top Of NFC North Division!

This does seem like a dream!  Packers win on a "Hail Mary"!  Vikings lose to Seahawks!  Although the Packers & Vikings are both 8 wins & 4 losses, Packers have the tie breaker - Head-to Head win!

Now, 4 games left and the Packers control their own destiny!  So, what must happen?

Win Baby!

And, a few other things!

1 - Running Game!  We need to find one!  Lacy!  Eddie Lacy!  He seems like a great person!  He interviews well and says all the right things!  He has that infectious smile!  And, he has had two AWESOME seasons!  But, missed curfew in Detroit!  C'mon Man!  Overweight?  C'Mon Man!
Like what Starks has given us, and like what Crockett showed us!  By the way, BYE BYE Harris!

2 - Get healthy & stay healthy!  Whoa!  ALL the offensive line has been hurt this year!  Last year they we solid!  This is another NFL investigation - what is up with injuries & is it trending upward?  Are they TOO BIG?  Is the game action too chopped up, play-stop-play-stop-play-stop?   Wide receivers, Montgomery get healthy - Abbrederis, Cobb, Jones, & Janis!  Need consistent play!

3 - Defense - keep getting better!  And of course stay healthy!  And, stay angry!  Capers defensive system has MANY substitutions and needs time to get coordinated!

4 - I have been saying this all year!  Aaron Rodgers, BE Aaron Rodgers.  Last years MVP.

R-E-L-A-X

Watch a few Favre games & Brady games!  Mixed it up, play loose when the teams needs that, and played "pissed off" when they need it!  But most of all BE AARON RODGERS!

The Cowboys are next!  They must play Monday Night!  We played last Thursday, that's 4 days more rest!!  And NO Romo!  It is a home game!  You are in fist place!

Finish the Season Strong!


Thursday, December 3, 2015

It's Two AM in The Morning AND The Packers Win!

I must admit, could not sleep!  Went to bed at 10 AM EST.  Awakened at 1:30 AM EST.  Went downstairs and guess what?  I missed it!  So, turned on the NFL Network & saw it!

Crazy game!  Crazy ending!  Crazy Packer Team!

At 8-4, it still does not feel right! This team is one of the most frustrating teams Packer Fans have lived with in the past 20 years!

A lot of promise!  A lot of injuries!  And, a team still searching for an identity!

Could this be the start of something?

Only time will tell!

Packer - Lion Game Two Analysis

I decided to do an analysis of each series from the Packers perspective!  So, Packers have the ball, I will look at the drive!  And, when the Packers Defense is on the field, I will discuss the "D"!

Here we go:


Series #1 - Packers Offense
Ran the ball well, one pass, and cannot make a third and one!  Punt!  Receivers look like they cannot get open!  No separation!  Punt only 31 yards!!  Indoors, no win & no rain & no cold - PATHETIC!

Series #1 - Packer Defense
First run - not good!  12 yards!  Calvin Johnson big catch - no pressure!  Still no pressure!  Should have had interception, tipped!  Field Goal - Detroit 3 - Green Bay 0

Series #2 - Packer Offense
Screen Pass to Starks looks good, but facemark against Packers!  Com'On Man!   Long ball to Janis - no good!  3rd & long - short by a yard!  Punt!!!  A better Punt!

Series #2 - Packer Defense
3rd & 8, Packers defense got beat on a crossing pattern over the middle.  No pressure!  Than, lot of time & QB scrambles up the middle for 1st!  Ball over the 50!  Abdullah big run up the middle!  BAD defense - Packers are all over the place on D!  Trouble in the "Motor City"!  3rd & 2 on the 4 yard line!  Easy TD to Tight End - missed assignment!  BAD defense!  Detroit 10 - Green Bay 0!

I may go to bed at half!

Series #3 - Packers Offense  1:50 to go in its Half!
Interception!  Something is rotten in Green Bay & it is not the cheese!

Series #3 - Packers Defense
TD to Calvin Johnson on first down!  Detroit 17 - Packers 0!!  Uh - Oh!
So far, Detroit scores on every series & Packer - 2 Punts & interception!

Series #4 - Packers Offense
Intentional Grounding & then they catch a break on interference against Richard Rodgers!  Offense still looks awful!  Completion to Rodgers - TE.  After 1st Quarter 17-0!!  Whoa!  Is this our low point?  Beginning of second quarter!

My analysis is loosing focus!!

Richard Rodgers looking good over the middle!  GET OPEN!  Need a TD on this drive!  Brings up a third down!  Sacked!  Field Goal attempt?  Detroit 17 - Packers 0  Missed Field Goal!

Time for Bed!  Packers are done!


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Packers - Lions Round 2

First, let's look at the last game in Green Bay:

Score Lions 18 - Packers 16
Packers need to get to 30 for this one!

Rodgers 35 for 61 - 333 yards & 2 TD's
Throw the ball 61 times!  NO!  I'd say 30-35 times for same yardage & 3 TD!  NO Interceptions!

Lacy did not play & Starks 42 yards. Are you kidding me!  Packers need 150 between Lacy
& Starks!

Sacks for Pack 0!  NO NO NO!  Need at least 3-4 sacks!!!!

Packers 12 possessions - 7 Punts!  No way!

But, as I have mentioned all week, this game against the Lions will be Won or Loss by............

Aaron Rodgers!!!

Welcome to Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood!!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Packers Game #2 Vs Lions

The Green Bay Packers have had interesting ride during the 2015 NFL season.  They wanted to come out of the chutes fast!  They did!  They wanted to show the Seattle Seahawks they were for real! They did!  And, they wanted to win their division, get into the playoffs, and win Super Bowl 50!  The last three goals are looking more and more like a fading sunset.

My simple answer is - Aaron Rodgers!

Aaron Rodgers was the NFL MVP in 2014!  Many of the experts say Aaron Rodgers is the BEST quarterback in the NFL!  Maybe one of the top all time ever!  Well, guess what, hold that thought!

Let's look at the Aaron Rodgers body of work for 2015:

1 - Packers have 4 losses, Aaron Rodgers could have won 3 of them at the end of the game!

2 - Aaron Rodgers lost his best receiver - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb & Davonte Adams have been nicked up.  Rookie Ty Montgomery has missed the past 4 games.  Jared Abbrederis has been hurt. At tight end, Andrew Quarless has missed most of the year and 2nd year player Richard Rodgers has not stepped up his play!  All good quarterbacks need good receivers, and guess what, Rodgers in NO different!

3 - Aaron Rodgers accuracy has NOT been good!

4 - Aaron Rodgers offensive line have ALL been nicked up!

5 - Aaron Rodgers is dating Olivia Munn.  Maybe his eyes are looking at something else?

Seriously looking at the football stuff - receivers & offensive line need to be there for Aaron Rodgers!  But, wouldn't it be nice for the OLD Aaron Rodgers to show up!  

Maybe this Thursday, against the Detroit Lions!

Breaking Down the Packer Roster by Position

 88 Players, room for TWO more to complete the 90 man NFL limit per team.  This will change. Still out there, 3 big names.  Mercedes Lewis o...