A Last Look At The Packers - Lions Game

As I said earlier, the Packer Buddies attended the game this week and that gives you another perspective that television and media cannot give you. Some feelings:

1 - The Packers offense can be dangerous.  But, Mike McCarthy can slow it down!  The difference between the first half and second half was amazing!  I still think, the Pack needs to be Pass 1st, and Run 2nd.  When teams play the Pack, the first thought has to be Aaron Rodgers.  Take him away on first & second down is NOT SMART!  Jordy is back, Eddie is back, Cook is hurt, Cobb looked average, Davis dropped an easy one, Montgomery was invisible, Stark was not used much, Abbrederis was he even there?  So, the offense is back, but it seems the only way to stop it is Mike McCarthy!

2 - The Packers defense was adequate.  The D was VERY fortunate in the first half!  A fumble take away, a missed field goal, and making the Lions earn the yards(except for the big play by Lions wide receiver Jones).  Five starters out!  The BIG NEED is pass rush and the PUSH!  Missing Datone Jones & Leroy Guion was BIG!  Matthews, Shields & Burnett was BIG! IF, and I say IF, the Packers get healthy & stay healthy, the defense will be fine!  And maybe even GOOD!

3 - Packers Fans CAN boo!  McCarthy playing calling, brought out some BOO's!  You can milk the clock with a short passing game!  A completion allows the clock to move!  Will be interesting to see what the play calling will be for the next 13 games!

A drive chart:

The Packers 10 drives?

2 - End of half & End of game

6 - scores - 4 TD's & 2 FG's

2 - Punts

So, throw out the 2 end of half & game, that is 8 drives, and. the Pack scored on 6 of the first!!  That is good, in fact, that is VERY GOOD!  The last 2, ended in punts!  Overall, a great day for the offense!

The Lions 9 drives?

5 - scores, 4 TD's & 1 FG

1 - missed FG

2 - punts

1 - interception

The score at the end of the half was a gift!  The young DB, just made a mistake that a high school kid should NEVER make!  It seems, with all the injuries, and young players, Capers played a conservative game, trying to protect the young players.  It worked, but was CLOSE!  Most teams in the NFL would struggle playing defense with 5 starters out!  The Packers struggled!

Packer Buddies Back From A Successful Trip From Lambeau!

What makes a successful trip to Lambeau Field?

1 - A win of course!  Packers 34 - Lions 27

Now, a sign of maturity!  A fan, a mature fan, a fan that has seen many football games, MUST learn to cope with the fact, that, he or she, had NO control over the outcome of the game!  So, what OTHER ways, will a successful trip to see our beloved Packers be obtained?

2 - A safe trip!  Travel from Lancaster, PA to Baltimore by car.  Fly from Baltimore to Milwaukee.  Drive from Milwaukee to Green Bay.  Attend the game & return the same way!  CHECK!

3 - Enjoy the time in Green Bay!  Eating at local restaurants?  The Bay Restaurant in Green Bay, the Hobo in Belgium, and the Lighthouse in Two Rivers.  A river cruise on the Fox River.    CHECK!

4 - Discover new things to do & meet new people!  On the flights, waiting at airports, eating at restaurants, attending the game, & other activities allow the Packer Buddies to do all of these!  On the river cruise we met a music teacher & his wife!  On the flight, a lady bought Phil & I a Barley & Coffee.  At the game we met a family from Nebraska!  CHECK!

But, do not get me wrong, IT IS STILL NICE TO WIN!!!

GO! PACK! GO!

A Few More Comments About the Vikings Game

The more I thought about the Packer & Vikings game, the more my "inner coach" was ticked off!

First, the Viking QB was there for two weeks & he BEAT Rodgers, who has been there, went through summer camp. and NEEDS to get the trust in his receivers!  So, what would my speech top Rodgers be?

"Aaron, STOP making this rocket science!  Drop back & pass the football!  Did Sam Bradford have time to gain the trust in his receivers?  Did Sam Bradford have a lot of time to get the timing down?  Did Sam Bradford have the time to get to know the entire Vikings offense?  Aaron, the ANSWER IS NO!!!  So, STOP over thinking this game!  Go, out & throw the football!  Have fun!  R-E-L-A-X!"

And to Mike McCarthy?

"Mike, you have been in Green Bay over ten years!  PLEASE, change things up!  STOP worrying about installs & X'x & O's!  Let you players play!  Play the young guys Abbrederis & Janis & Montgomery!  Get a back in the backfield that can go the distance!  Show a little more emotion on the sideline - GET PISSED!"

OK, I'm officially finished with the Vikings, on to Detroit!  And, the first HOME GAME!

And, the Packer Buddies will be there!!!!

Uh! Oh! What Was That! Vikings 17 - Packers 14

There are time, under the McCarthy lead Packers, where watching the game is VERY difficult!

Reason #1 - Is it me, or do certain receivers have career nights against the Pack?

Last night - Vikings receiver - Stefan Diggs - 9 receptions - 182 yards - 1 TD
(Does our defensive coordinator see this?

Reason #2 - Our MVP quarterback looks VERY average!

Last night - Aaron Rodgers - 20 for 36 - 213 yards - interception
(He has some great moments, but many average moments)

Reason #3 - Mike McCarthy - has the league figured him out?

Do the plays look the same?
Do you see creativity?
When interviewed, does he see VERY defensive?

And Reason #4 - Injuries?  Other teams have them, but we seem to have a lot!

So, I guess we need to R-E-L-A-X and remember it is a long season & we have been in the playoffs for 7 straight years!  BUT, a Super Bowl would be nice!

2015 Game Two - Minnesota Vikings

OK Packer fans, as someone famous once said, "You never stay the same, your team is getting better, or getting worse."

What to watch?

1 - Packer Offense:  Jared Cook, it is your time to show up!  Protection for Aaron?  Watch our new guard - Lane Taylor ^ our new fullback, Ripkowki.  We need at least 3 TD passes!  And by the way Mr. Eddie Lacy, 100 yards and a TD would be sweet!  31 points!

2 - Packer Defense:  Missing Sam Shields, down to 3 corners!  Stay healthy!  Rollins & Randall, year 2, it is up to you!  Young inside linebackers, Martinez & Ryan, baptism by fire!  Need Peppers & Matthews to play BIG!  Hold Peterson under 100 yards & the Vikings under 20 points.  17 will work!

3 - Special teams - win the battle!  Field position!  A TD would be nice!!!

Final score - Packers 31 & Vikings 17

So, What Do We Take From Packers Game #1 - Packers 27 - Jacksonville 23

The 2016 NFL season is officially underway!  What do we take from this game?

1 - A Victory!  The MOST important thing in the NFL is not style points, time of possession, yards, touchdowns, or quarterback sacks, it is winning!  And the Packers are 1-0!

2 - A ROAD victory is even better!

3 - I know it is dangerous & injuries happen, but I still think the Packer starters should play more minutes in the pre-season.

4 - Packer Offense  Here are the Packer Drives:

Drive 1 - 7 Plays - TD
Drive 2 - 3 & out - Punt
Drive 3 - 3 & out - Punt
Drive 4 - 3 & out - Punt
Drive 5 - 9 Plays - TD
Drive 6 - 6 Plays - TD
   Halftime
Drive 7 - 14 Plays - FG
Drive 8 - 19 Plays - FG
Drive 9 - 3 Plays - Punt
Drive 10 - End of Game

Really, 9 drives - 3 TD's, 2 FG's, 4 Punts.  Trouble is drives 2-4, that is three 3 & outs in a row!  The other drives, very efficient!  Especially, Drive #8, only ended up in 3 points, but did chew up most of the second half!  And, NO turnovers!

5 - Packer Defense.  Here are the Jaguar Drives:

Drive 1 - 5 Plays & Interception
Drive 2 - 9 Plays - Punt
Drive 3 - 3 Plays TD
Drive 4 - 13 Plays FG
Drive 5 - 7 Plays - TD
Drive 6 - 1 Play - End of Half
   Halftime
Drive 7 - 10 Plays - FG
Drive 8 - 15 Plays - FG
Drive 9 - 12 Plays - Downs

Interception was big on the first drive!  Holding a team to FG's is always good, Jags had 3! We gave up some big plays, BUT remember, the Jaguars led the NFL in plays over 20 yards last year!

So, what other things did we learn?

Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers, that is GOOD!

We did not miss Josh Sitton. (Not yet)

We gave up one sack, and that was an Aaron scramble & he was tackled for 0 gain.

Rollins had a difficult game at corner, BUT made that BIG Play at the end of the game!

Our new punter did well! 4 Punts for 42.5 yards per punt.  I returned for 14 yards.

Lacy 14 carries - 61 yards.  An average start.

Jordy 6 receptions - & a TD!

Packers 3 sacks ^ The "Clay"maker had one!  (But, Peppers was invisible!)

Next up - The VIKINGS, in their NEW HOUSE!  Ohhhhhhh Baby!

Let's Try Again - The LATEST Packer 53 Man Roster

Here is the LATEST!

Packers 53 For 2016

Here it is!

A few surprises!

1 - Josh Sitton cut!  I think this is more about NEXT year and salary cap.  Remember, Bakhtiari, Lang, & Tretter are all free agents.  They may not even sign these guys!  And, some people have said Sitton has lost a little?  No matter what, who ever fills in, maybe Lane Taylor, NEEDS to protect Aaron, & open holes for Eddie!

2 - Three QB's?  Looks like our QB from Division III Wesley impressed!  And, the Pack was probably afraid to cut & try to bring him back on the practice squad!

3 - NO long snapper!  I say this EVERY year - we have these STUD athletes, can any learn to LONG SNAP!!!  Apparently not!  Brett Goode, after last years energy is headed back, that means, someone on the 53 needs to go!

4 - We keep only 3 inside linebackers!  AND, cut Barrington & Bradford!  Looks like Barrington never came back from last years injury.  And, Bradford, who had a good summer, was NOT good enough!!

5 - Where are we deep in talent  - defensive back & wide receiver

6 - Where are we short in talent - inside linebacker & defensive tackle

DO NOT BE SURPRISED if more moves are coming - Long snapper Brett Goode is coming.  Teams are cutting & some talent may be moving to Green Bay!

Otherwise, LET'S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!

Just in - Practice Squad:

1. ILB Carl Bradford
2. G Lucas Patrick
3. LB Reggie Gilbert
4. G Blake Muir
5. NT Brian Price
6. WR Geronimo Allison
7. WR Devon Cajuste
8. WR Herb Waters
9. CB Jermaine Whitehead
10. LB Beniquez Brown

Who Will Make The Packer Roster At Safety?

The last position - Safety:

The players:

Morgan Burnett
Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx
Micah Hyde
Chris Banjo
Kentrell Brice
Marwin Evans
Jermaine Whitehead

Starters - Morgan Burnett & Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx are entering their third year together & should be one of the better pair in the league.  Micah Hyde, does a little of everything in the secondary.  And Chris Banjo has played a lot in 2015 & is a special teams warrior.  Those 4 should be safe!

Now, of Brice, Evans, & Whitehead, who may stick?  The name that comes up is Kentrell Brice. The rookie from Louisiana Tech has a shot!

So, I'm ready to pick my final 53 - the only change will be - Lerentee McCray, traded to Buffalo.

OFFENSE(24)
QB(2) - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
FB(1) - Aaron Ripkowski
RB(3) - Eddie Lacy, James Starks & Brandon Burks - (Josh Crockett on IR)
TE(3) - Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, and Justin Perillo - (Kennard Backman& Henry Mitchell on IR)
WR(6) - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davonte Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Ty Montgomery, Trevor Davis
OL(9) - David Bahktiari, Brian Bulaga, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, Corey Lindsley, JC Tretter
Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy, & Lane Taylor (Jacob Flores & Josh Walker on IR)

SPECIAL TEAMS(3)
Kicker(1) - Mason Crosby
Long Snapper(1) - Rick Lovato
Punter (1)- Jacob Schum (this was easy, Tim Masthay was let go!)

DEFENSE(26)
DL(6) - Mike Daniels, Leroy Guion, Kenny Clark, Mike Pennel(is suspended for 4 games), Datone Jones, Dean Lowry, & Chris Ringo (NOT counting Pennel, because suspended)
ILB(4): Sam Barrington, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, and Carl Bradford
OLB(6) - Matthews, Peppers, Jones, Perry, Elliot, & Mackrell
Cornerbacks(5) - Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, La Darius Gunter, Demetri Goodson.
Safety(5) - Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx, Micah Hyde, Chris Banjo, & Kentrell Brice

There are my 53.

My biggest issue is WR - will the Pack keep Jeff Janis?  Geronimo Allison had a great summer!  They could keep one less OL, and keep an extra WR.  All depends on who they keep on the practice squad (ten players), when players are cut, other teams may pick them up!  Who am I worried about?  QB - Joe Callahan and WR - Geronimo Allison.

Dates:

• Sept. 3 (Saturday): Roster must be trimmed from 75 players to 53 by 4 p.m. 

• Sept. 4 (Sunday): Practice squad of 10 players can be established.