Game #4 - Eagles 34 - Packers 27 - First Loss!

After 4 weeks, Packers record is 3 wins & 1 loss - tied for first in the NFL North!

Be honest, most fans would take that!

BUT, of course we are disappointed with the Eagles loss!  WHY?

1 - Packers Defense is NOT as good as we thought!  Maybe our pass defense,
but the Eagles ran all over us! Remember, the Packer Buddies were at the game.
The holes were "Gigantic"  from our seats!  The Eagle line moved our d-lineman
like they were on roller skates!  THIS MUST IMPROVE!

2 - Rodgers to Adams is a thing!  The Eagles could not stop it!  Problem is, Adams
missed the last 5 minutes!  AND, we missed him!  Turf Toe!  He cannot miss many games!

3 - Our inside linebackers have issues against the run!  First, we are STILL looking for a
second!  Martinez makes a lot of tackles, but, he is not physical enough inside!

4 - Our red zone offense could have put this game away!!  First & goal from the 1 and we
do NOT score?  CANNOT HAPPEN!

5 - Maybe our defensive coordinator was our coached?  That can happen.  He had no
real answer for the Eagles running game.

6 - The Packer running game was not there tonight!  Of course, Williams goes our with
a cheap shot(remember this is the same coach, that was the Lions head coach, that produced
cheap shots for the Lions!)  In fact, the player that knocks out Williams, caused a fumble
later in the game, he should have been ejected!

Just like the 3 previous games, things were tight!  In all four games, the feeling was any team could win it!  The first 3 games, the Packers would the turnover battles, game four NO!

Packers 2 turnovers & Eagles 0 - Eagles win turnover battle & the game!

So, good news, we re still in first!  Bad news, we have the Cowboys away, and they have a
great running game!  We will find out quickly if we can still become a great defense.  And,
we will find out if we are a playoff team?

Beat the Cowboys!!!

Next Up - Thursday Night Football - Eagles!

In the NFL, each game, each week, every day, is a test!  The next test - Philadelphia Eagles!

Two years ago, Super Bowl Champs - Philadelphia Eagles.

Head Coach Doug Pederson, was Packers back-up QB in 1996, 97, 98!

Packers lead series - 27 wins, 16 losses

Last game - 11/28/16 - Packers 27 - Eagles 13

Packers Offense vs Eagles Defense?  Look for another up & down game!  Eagles D-line
is still formidable!  Linebackers active & D-backs are hurting, best corner, Darby is out.

Packers Defense vs Eagles Offense?  More of the same!  Petine's D will confuse Went!  But
Wentz is a young Favre!  He will make plays, but not enough!

Score, somewhere around 24-13 Packers!

And, Packer Buddies will be there!

Packer Improve To 3 & 0, With 27 to 16 Win Over Broncos!

Most Packer fans would have been thrilled to be 3 & 0 going into week 4!  New coach, new players, and 2nd year GM.  A VERY young coach, unproven & a young GM, unproven!  But, as the 2109 season unfolds, a new feeling is permeating the locker room.  What I have noticed?

1 - Press conferences & interviews of players are different!  Of course, 3 wins & 0 losses help!  But, the GM & Head Coach actually answer the questions.

2 - New leadership & a new feeling on defense.  The "Smith" boys are awesome leaders, both on & off the field!  And, the back up the talk with BIG plays!  Za'Darius actually took the entire defense our for dinner & PAID for it - $5,000 check!  Our defensive coach is on his second year and has players with a little swagger!  And, team speed seems faster!  And, they create turnovers!

3 - Offense is slowing coming together.  Running game, Wvers are illiams & Jones are a decent 1-2 punch! Wide receivers are developing behind Adams!  Still not happy with use of tight ends.  And, Aaron Rodgers is scoring enough points to win. (Still unsure if this is the same Rodgers?)

4 - Special teams is better mainly because of JK Scott, our punter.  Still would be nice to see a real return man emerge!

One again, ANY win the the NFL is a good win!  The past three victories have also been against some VERY good defenses!  Bears, Vikings & Broncos!

Next up, the Eagles!  And the Packer Buddies will be there!!!!


Go Pack Go!

Games #3 - Packers vs Broncos

After two big NFC North games, the Packers take on another difficult defense!  What do we
need to win and keep those positive vibes??

1 - Home Game - defend your home field!  In the NFL, to make the playoffs, you need to win
at home!

2 - Aaron Rodgers - protect your QB!  Another defensive line to test the Packers tackles!  So far,
Bakhtiari & Bulaga have been up to the task!  They need to be on top of the game to keep Miller &
Chubb out of the back field!  Also, our rookie left guard Jenkins is getting the start.  Veteran, Taylor
is banged up, but Jenkins had been pushing hard!  My prediction, if Jenkins plays well, you will
be looking at our new left guard!

3 - Valdes-Scantling & Allison step up!  Our #1 receiver, Adams is obvious, teams will begin
to take him out with double teams - time for our #2 & #3 to have BIG games!

4 - Aaron Jones - another 100 yard rising game!

5 - Defense?  Will the early trend continue?  Pressure the QB?  Perry & Matthews who?  Smith & Smith? YES!  Young DB's will be tested!  Flacco, a veteran, Super Bowl winner will not be
rattled - and he has two good receivers!  Win the turnover battle!

6 - Special Teams?  We have had two close games!  That means special teams are critical!
Keep an eye on the return game - we traded Trevor Davis this week(6th round pick from Raiders)
Who will return kicks & punts this game?  By the way, the Packers in two games have not returned a kick.

So, a consistent offense and a defense that is developing an attitude!  Leadership?
Za'Darius Smith took the entire D our for a meal this week & paid for the $5000 bill
by himself!  LEADERSHIP!!

Go
                            Pack
                                                    Go!

Packers - Vikings, The Eye Ball Test!

Living in Pennsylvania, a Packer fan does not always see the game!  The NFL Network with its replays during the week, and recording the game for more analysis is awesome!  And, I love watching a game that I know we won!!!!!

So, tonight I watched the first half!  And, what does my EYE BALL TEST SEE????

1 - Those first 3 drives were AWESOME!!!  What was so good?  They got Adams involved early!  The plays were such, that Adams was allowed to get open without doing it on his own!  Crossing patterns, bootlegs by the QB, well designed plays!  The running plays kept the D on their toes!  Quick hitters, toss sweeps, and the line had a chance to get off the ball and attack the D-line!

2 - In the 2nd quarter, not so much for the O & they were lucky on some calls by the refs!
Big run by RB, Cook, by the Vikes for a 75 yard TD.  Packers Offense sputtered, some penalties
and dropped balls, fumble.  Vikes hit a few long passes.

3 - Overall, a typical NFL game between two GOOD football teams!  When two good teams meet,
the team that played a clean game, wins the turnover battle, has few penalties usually wins!  This
looked like a game between two possible play off teams.

Again, week two looks like a team, the Packers, with possibilities.  Any sport, the key is a team
that improves thought the year, avoids the injury bug, and plays as a team!  Will this be the
Packers year to play winning football?  So far, so good!  Make the playoffs?  So far, so good!

Next up Denver Broncos!  Home! A 12 PM Central Time Game!

Game #2 - Packers 21 - Vikings 13

Good News!  Packer Win - Packers 2 Wins 0 Losses!  Packers 1st Place NFC North!

So, First 3 Possessions

1 - TD
2 - TD
3 - TD

And, Last 11 Possessions

4 - Fumble
5 - Punt
6 - Punt
7 - Downs
8 - Punt
9 - Fumble
10 - Punt
11 - Punt
12 - Punt
13 - Punt
14 - Punt

Whoa!  From Very, Very, Very Good to Incredibly Pathetic!!

But another win!

Other Stats

Minnesota 4 Turnovers & Packers 2 Turnovers  -  GOOD!

Total Yards
Minnesota - Rush - 198 Pass - 230 Total - 428 yards
Packers - Rush - 144 Pass - 209 Total - 353 yards

Vikings win yardage battle!

So what have we learned??

1 - The Packers - Bears - Vikings are VERY close!  All three teams are not perfect!
The Lions, are not bad, and we will see how they match up.  As of today

Packers 2 - 0 - 0
Lions  1 - 0 - 1
Bears 1- 1 - 0
Vikings  1 - 1 - 0

2 - Packers - defense is still playing well.  On TD pass, Alexander could have intercepted it!
Did breakdown at times on the run defense, but, did not give up too many rush TD's.

3 - Packers Offense - started well!  Showed signs of what can be! But, have a way to go!
Jones at running back & Adams at wide receiver are good enough!  Others need to step up and Allison at wide receiver and Williams at running back can be there!

Overall, new coach, new offense, second year defense?  Packer Fans?

Patience Please!

Game #2 - Packers vs Vikings

Another BIG rivalry!  Packers Vikings!

Packers Leads Series - 60-54-3

Last 10 games?  Packers 4 wins - 5 losses -  1 tie
Last 6 games?   Packers 1 win - 4 losses - 1 tie

So, a BAD trend, MUST be broken!

Key, Packer Offense vs Vikings Defense!

Packer Offense, what must improve?

*  Timing of offense, stay away from 1 second left on play clock!  Change speeds, slow down the offense and speed it up!!!

*  Running Game - need over 140 yards!

*  Passing Game - get everyone involved!  Tight Ends!!!  At least 10 receptions & 1 TD!  Wide Receivers, Spread it around & get young receivers involved!  Running backs, safety valve, screen passes, over the middle!

*  No turnovers!

*  NO -  3 & outs!!!

*  Individual Stats
Aaron pass over 300 yards - 2 TDS - no interception
Aaron Jones - over 100 yards
Davante Adams - over 100 yards - 1 TD

More to come in Viking Week!!

Last Look at Packer-Bear Game - The Eye Ball Test?

OK, one last look at the Packer-Bear Game!

The Eye Ball Test!

1 - Packer Defense is Improved!
   Team Speed - Noticeable!
   Tackling - BETTER!
   Young Defensive Backs are for real!
   Sacks - Smith Boys are for real! (Sorry Clay!)
   And, made stops when they had to!!!

2 - Packer Offense - To Early To Tell
   Will give offense time, plus Bears D is good!
   Aaron still holds ball to long!
   Running Game - unknown!
   Wide Receivers - looks like we have something
   Tight Ends - New Head Coach seems to want to use them!
   No Turnovers!

3 - Special Teams
   JK Scott - WOW!  Could we have a Pro Bowl Punter!
   Crosby - still has it!
   Kick & Punt returner - will Davis bust some?

4 - Team Hustle
   Yes!

5 - Overall Organization
  Seemed OK.  Biggest negative offense - seemed too many plays were with 1 second
on the play clock - I blame Aaron
   Body Language of players was good
 
6 - We won Baby!

Next up Vikings!

Packers 10 - Bears 3

Packers win in Chicago!

Packers win to start the 100th year of the NFL Season!

Packers win with the Bears rolling out the '85 Bears!

Packers win with a great defense!

Packers win!

In the NFL, every win is BIG!  16 games in the season, that is it!  So, a win, NO MATTER
what the score, the team you are playing, or the time of the year, a WIN is big!

Now, what about the game?  I always like to look at the drives:

Packer Offensive Drives
1 - 3 plays - PUNT
2 - 3 plays - PUNT
3 - 3 plays - PUNT
4 - 4 plays - 74 Yards Touchdown
5 - 8 plays - 22 Yards - 2 First Downs
6 - 6 plays - 19 Yards - 1 First Down
7 - 2 plays - End of Half
8 - 4 plays - 1 Yard - 1 First Down by Penalty
9 - 3 plays - PUNT
10 - 7 plays - 25 Yards - 2 First Downs
11 - 10 plays - 73 Yards Field Goal
12 - 3 plays - PUNT
13 - 2 plays - End of Game

Packer Offense
13 series & 2 really do NOT count - End of Half, End of Game
2 - Series DO NOT COUNT

So, we are down to 11.

2 of 11 drives were scoring Drives.  Against a VERY GOOD DEFENSE!
We still need more scores down the road this season!  Say, 20 - 24 points.

5 of the 11 3 & OUT - PUNTS!
This is not what we want.  1st downs!  Flip field position!  Run clock!

4 of the 11 drives had a least one first down.  A Packer Goal should be
NO 3 & OUTS!  1st Downs are a GOOD thing!

Packer Defense
12 Series

3 Series - 3 & Outs - Need more of these!
1 Series ended in 4th Down stop

8 Series ended in a Punt!  This is awesome!

1 Series ended in interception - maybe 2-3 a game as a goal?

1 - Series ended in a score - just a Field Goal - no touchdowns!

So, we must be happy with the defense & be encouraged by the fact this
is the first year in the new offense, first year head coach.

And, our punter!  Whoa baby, what a night! 9 Punts, 47.6 average.  Longest
punt - 63 yards.  5 Punts inside the 20.  When was the last time we had an
All-Pro punter?

Enjoy the Win!

Go Pack Go!

Packers vs Bears, First a Look at The Injury Report

If you have been a Packer Fan, if you have been reading this blog, you know the Packer players
get hurt!  They miss games!  The miss seasons!  So, what does the injury report look like for the
Packers vs Bears?

Packers
Montravius Adams - Groin
Fadol Brown - Calf
Oren Burks - Chest
Kenny Clark - Ankle
Jimmy Graham - Finger
Ka'dar Hollman - Neck
Josh Jackson - Achilles
Aaron Jones - Hamstring
Kevin King - Hamstring
Tyler Lancaster - Ankle
Cole Madison - Ankle
Blake Martinez - Back
Will Redmund - Ankle
Darrius Shepherd - Hamstring
Danny Vitale - Calf
Jamaal Williams - Hamstring
Alex Light - Wrist
Tramon Williams - Knee

Bears
Rashaad Coward - Elbow
Trey Burton - Groin
Bilal Nichols - Knee

Are you keeping score  Packers 19 - Bears 3

Either the Packers are SUPER honest & report EVERYTHING or....
The Bears are SUPER dishonest and report NOTHING!

Or, what the heck are the Packers doing?????

Hamstring?  As a retired track coach, this is the sprinters nightmare!!
Bears 0 - Packers 4
And, the past few years, I have noticed many hamstring issues!!!  Stretching?  Weight
Training issues??  Something is NOT right!

This to this Packer fan is a BIG ISSUE!

Will The Packers of 2019 Have A Top Ten Defense?

To be a legit playoff team you need a defense!  The offense may stumble, the weather ALWAYS turns colder, and, usually at the end of most NFL games you need a defensive stop!  What will this version of the Green Bay Packers look like??

Packers are in year 2 of the Mike Pettine Era.  We have moved on from Clay Matthews & Nick Perry.  We have dumped Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx (will miss that name) and Josh Jones (he didn't want to be here anyway!)  And, Mike Daniels & his leadership is gone, will miss that guy!

And, now, the 25 defensive players on this years 53 man roster:

(FIRST, a trade!  Today, the Packers traded for an inside linebacker, BJ Goodson.  Looks like they could put James Crawford on waivers.)

Packer Defense   (25 players)
Defensive Ends (4)
Dean Lowry   6'6"   296 lbs   Northwestern    Year 4
Montravious Adams   6'4"  304 lbs  Auburn   Year 3
Fadol Brown   6'4"   282 lbs   Mississippi   Year 2
Kingsley Keke   6'3"   288 lbs   Texas A&M   Rookie

Defensive Tackles (2)
Kenny Clark   6'3"   314 lbs   UCLA   Year 3
Tyler Lancaster   6'3"   313 lbs   Northwestern   Year 2


As defensive lines go, this team looks very average.  Kenny Clark may be an All Pro
very soon and is an athlete!  Dean Lowry made a jump last year, needs another this year!
Adams & Lancaster could also make a step up yo better than average & had good years last
year.  New guy, Kingsley would be a pleasant surprise as a rookie!

Inside Linebacker (4)
Blake Martinez   6'2"   232 lbs   Stanford   Year 4
Ty Summers   6'1"   241 lbs   Texas Christian   Rookie
Oren Burks   6'3"   233 lbs    Vanderbilt   Year 2
BJ Goodson   6'1"   250 lbs   Clemson   Year 4

Our biggest weakness!  In desperation, a late trade for Goodson with the Giants.  Martinez,
without question is the leader.  Smart players from Stanford in year four was in the top 5 in the
NFL in total tackles for the year!  Ty Summers is green(Packer Green), and flies around the field.
Oren Burks is injured and should be our #2, ready to have a breakout season?

Outside Linebacker (4)
Za'Darius Smith   6'4"   272 lbs   Kentucky   Year 5
Preston Smith   6'5"   265 lbs   Mississippi State   Year 5
Rashan Gary   6'5"   277 lbs   Michigan   Rookie
Kyler Fackrell   6'5"   245 lbs   Utah State   Year 4

A new era?  Pick went out and got two free agents - Smith & Smith.  The Packers need
a difference maker, a spark plug!  This needs to come from Smith & Smith!  Packers took
a chance on Rashan Gary, a free athlete!  Will we have a future all pro here??

Cornerbacks (7)
Jaire Alexander   5'10"   196 lbs   Louisville   Year 2
Kevin King   6'3"   200 lbs   Washington   Year 3
Tramon Williams   5'11"   191 lbs   Louisiana Tech    Year 13
Josh Jackson   6'   196 lös   Iowa    Year 2
Tony Brown   6'   199 lbs   Alabama   Year 2
Chad Sullivan   5'11"   189 lbs   Georgia State   Year 2
Ka'dar Hollman   6'   196 lös   Toledo   Rookie

Safety (4)
Adrian Amos  6'   214 lbs   Penn State   Year 5
Darnell Savage   5'11"   198 lbs   Maryland   Rookie
Raven Greene   5'11"    193 lbs    James Madison   Year 2
Will Redmund  5'11"   186 lbs   Mississippi State   Year 4

Here we go!  Going out on a limb and saying, our strength begins here on defense!  Young,
athletic, talented?  As I keep saying, the Packer scouts & leaders need to hit a few home runs
in the draft!  Alexander, King, Savage, and free agent Amos!  The future looks GOOD!!!  Depth,
Greene, Jackson, and veteran Williams.  Looks solid to me!

Top Ten Defense - WE NEED IT!!!!

Packers Have Their 53 Man Roster!

Summer practice is over!  Those EXCITING pre-season games are history!  HOORAY!

Now, what does the 53 man roster look like & what can we expect??

Tonight I will begin with the offense - 25 players.

Quartebacks (2)
   Aaron Rodgers   6'2"  225 lbs  California  Year 15
   Tim Boyle  6'4"  232 lbs  Eastern Kentucky  Year 2

Aaron.  Year 15 & one Super Bowl!  He NEEDS more, at least 2!  So, of course #1
Stay Healthy!  Does he still have it.  Last couple of years do not seem to show it.  Was
the McCarthy-Rodgers partnership that toxic?  They always said NO, I say YES.  Just
as a fan, body language, interviews, facial expressions to me indicated a struggle.  So. my
prediction, if they win a couple early, great things to come.  If they go 0-2, watch out!
Physically, we have not seen Aaron on the field, watch closely this Thursday!

Tim Boyle.  One issue the last 4-5 years, if Aaron was out we had NO chance.  In the
pre-season, Boyle looked good, but only time will tell!  He has the size, the arm strength, but
in the regular season????

Wide Receivers (6)
   Davante Adams   6'1"  215lbs  Fresno State  Year 6
   Marquez Valdes-Scantling   6'4"  206 lbs   South Florida  Year 2
   Geronimo Allison  6'3"  202 lbs   Illinois   Year 4
   Jake Kumerow   6'4"   209 lbs   Wisconsin-Whitewater  Year 2
   Trevor Davis   6'1"  188 lbs   California   Year 4
   Darius Shepherd   5'11"   186 lbs   North Dakota State   Year Rookie

We have an All-Pro type of receiver in Davante, now, can the 5 others get open & catch the
football?  First, love the size of these receivers.  Second, they seem to have plenty of speed.  And,
Kumerow looks like a "Jordy" type - a play maker.  Trevor Davis is a big play ready to happen!
Valdes-Scantling  size & speed!  Geronimo has an AWESOME name and was looking good
at the beginning of the season last year, before injury!  And, new kid on the block, Shepherd
has some speed!  Now, can they make Aaron happy??  Again, Bear game is a start!

Tight Ends (4)
   Jimmy Graham   6'7"   265 lbs   Miami   Year 10
   Mercedes Lewis   6'6"  267 lbs   UCLA   Year 14
   Robert Tonyan   6'5"   237 lbs   Indiana State   Year 2
   Jace Sternberger   6'4"   251 lbs   Texas A&M   Year Rookie

Jimmy Graham, what is left in your tank???  Last few years, NOT so much.  Mercedes,
same question big guy!  Tonyan has looked good.  Rookie, Jace Sternberger - unknown.
Looks like, in the red zone, Graham & Lewis, run 10 yards, turn around, catch the ball!
My questions, can the crew run the seems, get over the middle.  NEED THESE GUYS!

Offensive Line (9)
   David Bakhtiari   6'4"   310 lbs   Colorado   Year 7
   Brian Bulaga   6'5"   314 lbs   Iowa  Year 10
   Alex Light   6'5"   309 lbs   Richmond   Year 2
   Corey Linsley   6'3"   301 lbs   Ohio State   Year 6
   Lucas Patrick   6'3"   313 lbs  Duke   Year 3
   Lane Taylor   6'3"   324 lbs   Oklahoma St   Year 7
   Billy Turner   6'5"   310 lbs   North Dakota State   Year 6
   Cole Madison   6'5"   308 lbs   Wisconsin   Year 1
   Elgton Jenkins   6'5"   311 lbs   Mississippi St   Year Rookie

This to me is the KEY!!  In the years we had consistent, no injuries line play, we were
awesome!!  So, BIG GUYS - stay healthy & protect Aaron!!!  Bakhtiari - All Pro, Bulaga,
STAY HEALTHY,  Taylor, you need to play well, rookie Jenkins breathing down you neck,
Billy Turner, new guy adds some swagger & Corey at center, All Pro recognition?

Running Backs - (3)  & Full Back (1)
   Aaron Jones  5'9"  209 lbs   Texas El-Paso  Year 3
   Jamaal Williams   6'  213 lbs  Brgham Young   Year 3
   Dexter Williams   5'11"   212 lbs   Notre Dame   Year Rookie

Possible break out year for Aaron Jones!  Do not get caught speeding with marijuana
in your car!  Williams & Williams pound out yards!!!  Need a 1000 rusher & a break away
threat!!!

There we are, 25 players!  This offense needs to be a TOP FIVE OFFENSE this year!!!

Goals
MVP - Aaron Rodgers in the hunt
1000 yard rusher - Aaron Jones
1200 yard Receiver - Davante Adams
Jimmy Graham - 15 TD's!
Win the turnover battle 12 of 16 games!
STAY HEALTHY!