Much like Edge NFL Matchup on ESPN, (Corporate Sponsorship Available) CheeseheadTV Matchup will be my attempt to ‘breakdown’ the upcoming Packer game each week. I’ve decided to start with this years third preseason game since the third preseason game is supposed to be the ‘dress rehearsal’ for the season, so it will serve as my dress rehearsal as well.
OFFENSE:
There’s not much to say really is there? (Convenient for my maiden voyage) The Packers need to improve in every area of the game on offense, but here are a few of the keys:
- Pass Protection
The Packers, as McCarthy loves to reiterate every chance he gets, need to go back to fundamentals, especially when it comes to protecting the quarterback. Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge and Josh Sitton are slated to play the three interior line spots tonight, and each one of them needs to remember to set their splits, distribute their weight in their stance properly and, above all, PLAY WITH LEVERAGE. It is the biggest thing that Tauscher does well that goes unnoticed by most of the ‘analysts’ on television, but it is the biggest reason Tauscher has succeeded in the NFL. (Go back and watch his game against Strahan in the NFC Championship. A master at work.) The young guys, especially Spitz, need to get their buts down, set their feet and get their hands under the pads of Dewayne Robertson (who looks much better now that he’s back in a 4-3) and second year player Marcus Thomas. Pressure up the middle is a certified quarterback killer. The Packers simply can not afford another showing like the catastrophe we saw in San Francisco.
- Driver/Jennings vs. Bailey/Bly
This was a great match up last year in the regular season game and will be an excellent test for the Packer wideouts after getting embarrassed in San Fran. Of course, James Jones, Ruvell Martin and Jordy Nelson will see some time as well in McCarthy’s multiple-receiver sets, but the match up that most plays into the Packers’ favor is Jennings vs. Bly. Of course, everyone remembers the huge catch on the first play of overtime to win the game, but this will be the first live action Jennings has seen this year and he needs to be targeted multiple times. Bly is a quality corner, but no where near as good as his reputation. This is a match up Rodgers should look to exploit early and often to help get the offense in rhythm.
- Tempo
It’s hard to judge from only a scrimmage and two preseason games, but something that Rodgers seems to lack is a sense of urgency when it comes to getting in and out of the huddle. Quarterbacks like Favre and Hasselbeck do a great job of getting guys moving after a play is over, getting them in the huddle, getting the play out, breaking the huddle and getting everyone up to the line with at least 20 seconds left on the play clock. It’s much harder than most fans realize and so far, Rodgers is lacking in this department. He needs to get to the line with at least 20 seconds left so he can make the necessary calls on McCarthy’s “check-with-mes”. It could be Rodgers’ laid-back California personality coming into play - if so, McCarthy needs to knock it the hell out of him.
DEFENSE:
Apart from one much maligned Mr. Bush, (no not that one - the one that plays for the Packers) the defense had a much better outing against the 49ers than a 34-6 score would have you believe. Up until starting conerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson were pulled for the night, San Francisco quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan was 3 for 11 with an interception against the Packers starting defense. This is the same J.T. O’Sullivan who absolutely destroyed the Bears on national television last night. Make of that what you will. Here are a few of the keys for the defense tonight:
- Eliminate Mental Errors
The ghost of secondary miscommunication reared its ugly head last week when Tramon Williams failed to follow his man across the formation when he went in motion. This set off a chain reaction of events that led to Jarrett Bush and Nick Collins both jumping on an underneath receiver, leaving rookie Josh Morgan free on a ‘Go’ route that resulted in an easy touchdown. This, of course, is completely unacceptable. (Some may see it as vindication for Jarrett Bush, but trust me - that play was the furthest thing away from his biggest trouble) The secondary, especially in the Man-Match scheme the Packers employ in the secondary, simply must be rock solid in their assignments. Anything less and you get the fireworks display we saw Saturday night.
- Get the Quarterback On the Ground
The Packers have their troubles up front. That has been well documented. And even when/if guys like Pickett and Harrell get healthy, neither one is a pass rusher. Bob Sanders has to find a way to hit the quarterback with the likes of Michael Montgomery and Colin Cole playing inside. I know there are those who think Sanders is holding back, and that he will no doubt unleash a full compliment of bliztes once the regular season starts. I say Sanders needs to find out what works and what doesn’t right now. One thing I think you might see tonight is an expansion of the 2-4 and 3-5 looks we’ve seen glimpses of so far in the preseason. With the likes of Abdul Hodge and Desmod Bishop showing surprising improvement, the Packers’ best bet for an overwhelming pass rush may reside in their linebacking corps. They need to bring it in a live game. Blitzing can’t be learned in a controlled practice environment. It’s a blood-and-guts business that the Packers need to start bringing every week. Tonight’s game would be a great place to start.
