Let's Look At Some Numbers From Packers Offense The Past 5 Years!

Time to compare the Packer Offense with previous years.  For argument sake, will will go back 5 years.

This year 2013.
Total  Offense - 3rd - 400.7 yards per game (7 games without Rogers!)
Rushing Offense - 7th - 133.5 yards per game
Passing Offense - 6th - 266.8 yards per game
Rushing TD's - 5th - 17 TD's

2012
Total  Offense - 13th - 359.4 yards per game
Rushing Offense - 20th - 106.4 yards per game
Passing Offense - 9th - 253.1 yards per game
Rushing TD's - 25th - 9 TD's

2011
Total  Offense - 3rd - 405.1 yards per game
Rushing Offense - 27th - 97.4 yards per game
Passing Offense - 3rd - 307.8 yards per game
Rushing TD's - 16th - 12 TD's

2010 Super Bowl (PACKERS WIN SUPER BOWL) SNEAK PEAK - (5th in Total Defense!!)
Total  Offense - 9th - 358.1 yards per game
Rushing Offense - 24th - 100.4 yards per game
Passing Offense - 5th - 257.8 yards per game
Rushing TD's - 18th - 11 TD's

2009
Total  Offense - 6th - 379.1 yards per game
Rushing Offense - 14th - 117.8 yards per game
Passing Offense - 7th - 261.2 yards per game
Rushing TD's - 5th - 20 TD's

It is great having Aaron Rogers, Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson & the rest of our offense weapons, BUT note my observation about the 2010 season!  Packers Defense was ranked 5th in Total Defense!  So, my conclusion……. why not have a good defense to compliment our great offense!!!!

Packer Offensive Line, Could Be One of The NFL's Best?

The Packer Offensive Line I think could be one of the best!  Stay healthy & gain more experience - LOOK OUT!!!

Here are the 2013 Packer Offensive Linemen
Player & Years Experience
David Bahktiari - R
Don Barclay - 2
Josh Sitton - 6
TJ Lang - 5
Evan Dietrich-Smith - 4
Derrick Sherrod - 3
Brian Bulaga - 4
JC Tretter - R
Aaron Adams - R
Jeremy Vujnovich - 1
Marshall Newhouse - 4
Greg VanRoten - 2
Lane Taylor - R
Lance Coleman - R
Garth Gehart - 1
Andrew Tiller - R

That is a BIG list!  Let's look at this years starters first:
David Bahktiari & Don Barclay at Tackles, Josh Sitton & TJ Lang at Guards & Evan Dietrich-Smith at Center.  Overall, a good season!  Especially, considering we lost our starting Left Tackle before the first  pre-season game!!  And replaced him with rookie David Bahktiari!  For a rookie, a great job!!  And considering not have Aaron Rogers for almost half the year!  And the running game!  What an improvement!  Rushing stats, Packers were 7th best in the NFL & I think could be better!  The offense line proved they could run block & pass block!!! Rushing TD's, 5th in the league with 17 TD's!

Here is a great website for offensive line stats!

Some other results, The Pack was 5th in Sacks given up!!  THAT"s improvement!!
Packers - 5th in Sack given up - 30 sacks!!
In a stat called "Power Success" the Pack was 1st!!!

Back-up linemen this year Marshall Newhouse & Derrick Sherrod filled in adequately!  I think Sherrod can be a starter & Newhouse will stay a back up.  Now, when Bulaga comes back. WOW!  I see an incredible competition next year!  I think that battle & good health will make the Packer Offensive line one of the top f in the NFL!!!

The only free agent of consequence is Evan Dietrich-Smith.  I again think, if he asked for too much, he is gone!  Lang filled in at center when Dietrich-Smith was hurt!  And, with Sherrod & Bulaga coming back, the Pack has plenty of depth!

Final Grade - Offensive Line - Strong (And next year could be excellent!)
My system is four levels 1 - Excellent, 2 - Strong, 3 - Needs Help, & 4 - Scary

Looking At The Packer Receivers - Tight Ends & Wide Receivers 2013

One thing the Packers are blest with the last few years is a great receiving core!  That traditions looks like it will continue.  Let's take a look at the Tight End position first.

Tight Ends & Years Experience
Finley, Jermichael - 6
Quarless, Andrew - 4
Taylor, Ryan - 3
Bostick, Brandon - 1
Stoneburner, Jake - R


Jermichael Finly - First BIG question!  Would you sign Jermichael Finley for 2014?  Answer - No.  It is a real shame, because I think Finley made strides this year!  He has had an up & down 6 year career, showing signs of being one of the NFL's best tight ends!  But, dropping balls at key times!  Because of the injury, unless the doctors are 100% positive sure of total recovery, it would be impossible to give a long term contract now that he is a free agent.

Andrew Quarless - Stepping in for Finley, I think Quarless did an adequate job.  Quarless always was a good blocking tight end.  This year he has shown signs of being a quality receiver.  I still think we should look for a tight end the the 2014 NFL Draft.

Ryan Taylor - Taylor was a key special teams player, and after Finley's injury, Taylor did get a lot of playing time.  Run blocking aside, he did not set the world on fire receiving the football.  Therefore, I would think Ryan Taylor must again prove himself next season to make the team.

Brandon Bostick - here is one tight end that may need more study!  I still think there is promise with this player. Played basketball & football at a small college, Newberry College.  Because of all this I would like to see him at least one more season!

Jake Stoneburner - out of Ohio State, Stoneburner spent time on & off the main roster.  I would place him in the same category as Ryan Taylor, bring him back next season to try to make the team!

Wide Receivers & Years Experience
Randall Cobb - 3
James Jones - 7
Jordy Nelson - 6
Jarrett Boykin - 2
Chris Harper - R
Kevin Dorsey - R
Myles White - R
Alex Gillette - R
Tyronne Walker -R
Sedrick Cunningham - R

When I think of wide receivers on the Packer team, I get a BIG smile on my face!!!  WE HAVE BEEN BLEST WITH GREAT TALENT!  With the loss of Jennings to the Vikings & Driver to retirement, the Packer receivers did not miss a beat!!  AND NO PRIMA DONNA'S!!  Here we go with the receivers!

Jordy Nelson!  I'm sorry - MY FAVORITE!  Humble, team oriented, and TALENTED!  In high school, football QB, played basketball and track & field!  Jordy has great speed!  Check this out!

Nelson was also an outstanding track and field athlete at Riley County High School. He won a national AAU championship in the 400 meters as a 10-year-old. In 2003, his senior year, he won the state titles in Class 3A in the 100 meters, with a time of 10.63 seconds, 200 meters, with a time of 21.64 seconds, 400 meters, with a time of 48.79 and long jump, with a leap of 7.00 meters.
As a retired track & field coaching I'm smiling!!!

Randall Cobb!  WOW!  Did we miss Randall Cobb!  The Packer Buddies were in Baltimore when Cobb was injured!  I can still see Aaron Rogers running up to the Raven's defensive back & getting in his face!  Cheap shot or not, we are changing the game in the NFL with all the rule changes!  Cobb has incredible football abilities!  Check this out!

Cobb attended Alcoa High School in Alcoa, Tennessee, U.S., where the football team was a four-time State Champion in Class AA and Cobb received a "Mr. Football" trophy from the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association At that time he played mostly quarterback for the Tornadoes. He also competed in track and field, and was an all-district basketball player as a junior.

As my Packer Buddies will agree, the Packers are recruiting as I would!  WE NEED ATHLETES!!  In fact, and I know one of my Packer Buddies would agree, HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES SHOULD PLAY MULTIPLE SPORTS!!!  Randall, if healthy next year, here comes a prediction, WE BE ALL PRO!

James Jones - the third head of the triple threat is Mr. Steady!  The "tough" receiver, great size, sure hands, and makes the catch in traffic as good as anybody!  Also, a great leader!  Listen to any interviews!  A community guy, a family guy, and best of all a Packer guy!  Problem is, a free agent!
Should a say this, I guess I need to, if the money isn't right, we will need to let him go……  (That defense needs help, that means $$$$$$$$$)

Jarrett Boykin - The only reason that James Jones leaving would work, is because Boykin looked good in his first chance at starting!  He made difficult catches, showed ability to run the offense, and waited his turn!!  I liked what I saw this year!  If Jones moves on, I think Boykin is ready!

The rest of the wide receivers - Chris Harper - R, Kevin Dorsey - R, Myles White - R, Alex Gillette - R, Tyronne Walker -R, Sedrick Cunningham - R.  A lot of possibilities!  If we keep the above proven talent, that makes room for 1-2 of this list!  White should some promise in a little action this year.  I would like to see Dorsey next season in more game type action.  I would bring them all back to try out and not draft any wide receivers!

Final Grade - Wides Receivers - Excellent  & Tight Ends - Need Help
My system is four levels 1 - Excellent, 2 - Strong, 3 - Needs Help, & 4 - Scary
Next entry - Offensive Linemen!

Analyzing The Green Bay Packer 2013 Roster - QB's & RB's

For the next few days I will be taking a close look at the Green Bay Packer end of the year roster!  This roster will include the 53 main roster, the 8 practice team players & the approximate 14 players on the injured reserve.  The first area to be analyzed is the QB's & RB's.

Quarterbacks & years experience

Rogers, Aaron – 9

Tolzien, Scott – 3

Flynn, Matt – 6

Wallace, Seneca – 10

I guess we will keep Aaron Rogers!  You really see why you pay the top quarterbacks the BIG money!  Without Aaron we are at BEST and average team and would struggle to get into the playoffs!  My concern?  We need to to the BEST job we can, to provide Aaron with a team that will give us a chance to make another Super Bowl run!  What makes Aaron one of the NFL best QB's?

1 - Arm strength & touch - makes all the throws!

2 - Athletic Ability - can move in the pocket & scramble when needed

3 - Decision Making - changing plays at the line & ready the defense

4 - Leadership - I think this has improved!

5 - The Will to Win

I would not bring Seneca Wallace back.  And I would allow Flynn & Tolzien to battle for the back-up quarterback job!  The sticking point is Matt Flynn is a free agent!  BUT, I have a gut feeling a lot of teams will not be after him.

Fullback  & years experience

Kuhn, John - 8

Keep him!!  Remember the last TD for the Packers against the Bears!  What a block!!  Special teams!  Leadership!  KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHN!  Every team needs a John Kuhn!  Not the most talented athlete, but a football player!  His salary will be high compared to NFL fullbacks, BUT PAY IT!

Runningbacks  & years experience

Lacey, Eddie - R

Starks, James - 4

Harris, Dujuan - 1

Franklin, Jonathan - R

Bell, Kahill - 5

Smith, Orwin - R

Of all the Packer positions, this to me, is the most improved!  

Eddie Lacey?  What a year for a rookie!!! One thing I do since I retired, is listen to all the Packer interviews during the season.  Eddie Lacey is not only a player on the field, but comes across as a humble & intelligent young man!  Love his passion and football IQ!  I believe the next 4-5 years will be fun to watch Eddie Run!!

James Starks?  Finally, remained healthy for most of the year!  Was not jealous of Lacey success and provided new energy when he entered the game.  He running style is very unique.  Starks is all elbows & knees when he runs!  Also, a very physical runner!  Provides a great 1-2 punch!  Issue here is Starks is a free agent, will teams come after him?  I do not think we will spend a lot of money on Starks!

Dujuan Harris was the starter at the beginning of the year!  Although smaller in stature, another relentless & physical running back.  Signed as a non-drafted free agent, Harris was a great find!  Should be in the mix next season and provide the depth the Packers need!

Jonathan Franklin was suppose to provide a spark!  He did for one game against the Bengals(the Packer Buddies were at the game to see it)!  But, a fumbling problem caused Franklin to enter the McCarthy doghouse & an injury ended the season!  I of think he provides a style of running the Pack needs, but because of ball security will be a long shot next season to make the team!

Kahill Bell & Orwin Smith provided emergency back-up in an injury plagued season!  The odds of making the roster will be VERY slim!  

There you have it!  Here is how I rate the Quarterback & Running back positions.  My system is four levels 1 - Excellent, 2 - Strong, 3 - Needs Help, & 4 - Scary

Quarterback - Excellent

Running Back - Strong

Packers, Day After Another Loss to 49ers

After a loss it is ALWAYS very difficult to be happy!  But, I think we always need to look at the other NFL franchises and how they compare to our Packers!  Here we go………………………….

1 - Most Consecutive Seasons In The Playoffs
Packers & Patriots - 5 Seasons in a row!

The Packers are making the playoffs. many teams would love to be IN the playoffs!

2 - Super Bowl Winners the last 20 years
Patriots-3
Steelers-2   Giants-2  Packers-2   Ravens-2   Dallas-2  Broncos-2
49ers-1 Rams-1 Colts-1  Bucs-1   Saints-1
12 Teams of the 32 NFL Teams withe a Super Bowl the last 20 years!
The Packers have 2 Super Bowls!  And of course over the NFL Hsitory, Packers lead the way with a grand total of 13 Campionships:
1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996, 2010

3 - A Consistent NFL Team - Packers are the 3rd oldest team:
Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and the Pack!!

4 - Great Players to watch!  Today we have Aaron Rogers, Clay Matthews, Kuuuuuuhn.  The players are second with 21 Hall of Famers to the Bears(26).

Many reasons to be happy to be a Packer Fan!!!!

But, the next few weeks we will analyze the current team, look at free agents, and take a look at the college draft!

49ers Win 23-20 Over Our Packers!

Considering all things, the Packers gave the 49ers all they could handle!  I'm not one to spend a lot of time crying over a loss, but looking ahead!  But we need to see what this game & season tells us!  First, the game!

Observations!

1 - The first Packer Offense series were puzzling?  3 & Out!  We have maybe the best quarterback and all of football and we are conservative?  Not much creativity.  Not very aggressive!  The 49ers basically let the from four(Would be nice if the Pack could do this!) provide pressure and play 7 people in coverage.  Would have liked to see more of an attacking game plan.

2 - First have we lose two starters on defense!  WOW!  Shields goes out at corner & Neal goes down at Outside Linebacker!  We already we missing, Clay Matthews, Casey Hayward, and Johnny Jolly at Defensive End!  So, almost half the starting "D" is not there for the playoff game!  Injuries, I will do more research, but we have to be top five in Injured Reserve, if not #1!  WHY?

3 - Special Teams - seemed to do the job today!  No big plays, but did not give up a lot!

4 - QB running?  I thought the 49ers, Kaepernick, hurt us again, but not as bad!  He had 7 rushes for 98 yards, Aaron 2 for 11 yards.  I do think Aaron could have run a little more!  But, to keep drives alive & one run of 42 yards, Kaepernick hurt us!

5 - Passing yards Pack - 177, 49ers 227.  Packers 177?  Not enough - needed at least 300!!!

6 - Rushing - Lacey - 81 & Starks 29 = 110 Total!  Gore 66 & Hunter 4 = 70.  A Packer Plus!

7 - Turnovers Packers 0 - 49ers -1!  Pretty clean game, but Packers win this battle!
Other Playoff Game Turnovers
Indianapolis - 4 &  Chiefs - 1  Colts Win 45 - 44
Bengals - 4 &  Chargers - 0 Chargers Win 27 -10
Eagles - 0 &  Saints - 2  Saints Win 26 - 24

Considering not having Rogers for 7 weeks.  Considering 15 players on Injured Reserve!  Considering our top defender Clay Matthews missed almost all of 7 games!  Our starting left tackle for the season Bulaga, our starting running back Harris for the season, our starting slot corner Hayward for 14 games, our starting Tight End Finley, for 8 games(and maybe career ending), and Jolly & Francois for many other games, we battled the entire year!

Other observations?

Is Mike McCarthy a good game time play caller?
Is Dom Capers allowed to come back?
Is Ted Thompson able to draft defensive players?
And, PLEASE sign 1-2 IMPACT free agents!!

Packers and 49ers, What To Expect?

Can we look in the old crystal ball and see what Sunday will look like when the Packers take the field against the 49ers?

1 - It will be cold!  How cold?  As of Friday here is the weather report……..

Yes, that is not a misprint!  High of -4 degrees!  And it is a 4:30 game!  The COLD weather will change this game!  Dropped balls, kicking & punting issues, tackling, and the field conditions.  Packers live here, practice here every week - THIS IS A PACKER PLUS!

Take a look at the NFL website and a list of the Top Ten NFL coldest days?
The Packer Buddies were at #5 - the Packer-Giant Playoff Game - January 20, 2008!  Brett Favre's last game a s a Packer!  We were there to see the last pass, a long out pattern, to the right side of the field, intercepted by the Giants!  STILL A BAD MEMORY!

2 - Packer Fans!  It became a sell out late Friday.  Why did it take so long?  That is the question for another blog entry!  The Packer Fans will support the team.  Get Loud!  Lambeau Leaps!  And of course my favorite chant - "GO PACK GO"!  THIS IS A PACKER PLUS!

3 - Packer Offense vs. 49er Defense!  I see 30-31 points needed to win!  The 49er defense is very physical!  We must use that against them!  Play Action passes will be the key!  Lacy & Starks and a Rogers pass!  Pound & fake the run!  Quarless is a key over the middle!  NO TURNOVERS!!!  Rogers vs. Kaepernick? THIS IS A PACKER PLUS!

4 - Packer Defense vs. 49er Offense!  HERE WE GO!  Three keys!  Kaepernick - Kaepernick -Kaepernick!  Contain him, pressure him with corner, safety, & linebacker blitz!  Take away wide receiver Boldin, he killed us last time!  Take away the 49er run game - Frank Gore! And the 3rd option, the tight end Davis!  The Packer defense MUST be unpredictable!!  Gamble!  We have nothing to lose!!!  ATACK!!!
THIS IS A 49er PLUS!

5 - Special Teams!!  Another key!  A dead ball, cold ball, frozen ball will not travel well!  COVER!  TACKLE!  I repeat!  COVER!  TACKLE!  NO TURNOVERS!  The special teams must step up & contribute in a positive way!  I feel good about Hyde!  I feel good about Masthay.  I feel good about Crosby!

Below are Packer Buddy pictures from 2013 Packer Games!  GO PACK GO!

Bengals Game 2013 - Bill, Phil, & Jim

Ravens Game 2013 - Terry, Phil, Jim, & Bill

Eagles Game 2013 - Jim, Bill, Dave, Terry, Phil, & John

Steelers Game 2013 - Jim, Phil, Terry, & Bill

And of course, the BEST COMFORT FOOD!!

Go TURTLE Go!