Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - Back to Reality
The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.
By JerseyAl
Back to Reality - Ok, so the fun of beating up on the Bears is over and now the Packers are tasked with actually playing real football teams with good players and coaches. As it is, we all know just how winnable this game was, if only the offense could have mustered a few first downs in the fourth quarter or if sure interceptions weren't dropped or the defense didn't lay down to let the Falcons run over them. Having said all of that, I have to give the Falcons coaches a lot of credit for not panicking when down by 12 in the fourth quarter and sticking with the run. Most teams would have started airing it out, but the Falcons were patient and stuck with what they do best - run the ball.
More Musgrave, Please - As for the putrid fourth quarter offense, just like Aaron Jones was forgotten for most of an entire half against the Bears, the Packers forgot about Luke Musgrave. He was target three times in the first half with two receptions for 25 yards. These were simple, easy completions, "gimmees" something I would have loved to seem them try in those 4th quarter possessions, especially the final one. No reason to be looking downfield as much as they were on that possession - there was plenty of time to more methodically get into field goal position. Here was one of those Musgrave catches in the first half - how easy was this?
Missed opportunities - So many in this game, with two big ones right off the bat - not capitalizing on a long interference call and an interception. Turn either of those into points and the fourth quarter takes on a different complexion.
London Calling - Drake's got a bit of swagger, and he possesses the physical qualities needed to be successful against Jaire Alexander - size and superior strength. Jaire didn't have a problem sticking with London, but he sure had a problem stopping him from making the catch anyway when it was thrown to him. The slighter Alexander was simply out-muscled on a couple of occasions, including on London's TD catch.
Kickoffs - Tis isn't a criticism at all, but is anyone else surprised Carlson with the big leg isn't regularly putting kickoffs out of the end zone?
Cleat change - Maybe the Packers equipment team have to find some better cleats for AJ Dillon? Or is balance an issue when he tries to stay low to the ground, as he often ends up on it?
Not Happy - Coach LaFleur was uncharacteristically testing in his post-game press conference - with good reason of course. One can only hope he's since taken that attitude into the defensive coaches' meetings.
New Scheme - Kenny Clark boasted "we got a different plan" before the Bears game. It wasn't much of a secret - the Packers have been drafting DL and EDGE rushers the last two years who's main asset is disruptiveness, more that stoutness. The downside of that is when you come up against an offensive line like Atlanta's with a back like Robinson that can make those early disrupters miss, well, you saw what happened. I can't say what the answer is in a case like this, but I'd expect the coaching staff to show they have a better plan than what we saw.
First Test - This was the first late game test for Jordan Love in his nascent career. He didn't have the correct answers this first time around, but hopefully he'll have a better idea how to answer the questions the next time.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (92)
Savage57
September 20, 2023 at 06:15 am
Good point about the Falcons sticking to their identity and runnin' what brung ya.
You can look at it as what the Packers didn't do, or you can accept the Falcons OL did do what they needed to win.
It's a young team, we knew they were going to be lumpy and this game was one of the troughs.
We'll get to see what kind of sand this team has against the Saints, and see how they respond to their first Jordan Love-era taste of adversity.
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 07:34 am
The Offense spluttering was something that we were going to encounter. That’s what happens with inexperience. It happened with Rodgers and a much more experienced set of skill position players and took a couple of seasons then.
The lack of Jones in particular cost us I think, especially since Dillon is struggling and so is the interior OL. I agree with Al that the disappearance of Musgrave as a big target in the second half was baffling. In those circumstances I want my big target, contested catch guys out there to move the chains.
Inexcusably, we left 3 probable points out there for a failure to call a TO on the first drive. That is unforgivable for the coaching staff and ultimately LaFleur’s responsibility. Coaches must not ever cost points through inattention.
Wilson lost 5 on a first carry to the outside that was doomed from the moment it was called, regardless of the RB. After that he had 2 Carries for 10 yards going north/south with a long of 7. Then he disappeared entirely. Personally, I would have stuck with him after those, especially as most RBs need a couple to get going.
The issue in this game though that I can not swallow was the D. System will only get you so far. Players can only do what they are capable of. You have to look at whether what they are asked to do is plausible. In this case it wasn’t in key areas, and shouldn’t have been expected to hold.
This game was always going to be a pounding. That’s what the Falcons want to be and are set up for. We left a big body DT in the PS and played both Wooden and Brooks. Wooden is a much lighter body who is a penetration threat and Brooks is a little bigger guy who has known issues against the run at this point. I like both, but not in that game. Some aren’t impressed with Ford, but he was stouter than either in preseason and he’s a bigger body with a lower center of gravity, sorry, he’s harder to get around, and certainly run over, than either.
Playing heavy doesn’t necessarily stop you being run on, but it certainly helps to slow it. We didn’t have to stop Robinson entirely, we just had to make it not an automatic win. Ford out there with Clark and Slaton beside him almost certainly would have helped somewhat. Ford letting Clarke or Slaton get a breather probably does too.
It’s not guaranteed that Ford makes a difference, though in that game one stopped drive probably does. However, not insisting on that option was strategically inept. To compound that, it’s a mistake we’ve made before. What we actually tried was essentially something we have tried and failed at before. Wooden or Brooks (particularly the former) could have been inactive for one game without loss or harm.
What makes a good tactical coach is maximizing matchups and giving oneself the most options to counter an opponent. Barry totally failed to do so. He set up young players to fail and deprived himself of a plan B (it would have been plan A for me).
We missed Stokes in that game. His length and speed combination is ideally suited to covering London type taller receivers (as long as he can play tight coverage). That is nobody’s fault, just misfortune.
However after the game it was said by players that they didn’t expect Ridder to run. That also seems baffling. Yes he didn’t in game 1 of his career, but he did through college. Indeed he was rated as a real threat on the ground: “Don't let his lean frame fool you; he's explosive” in the words of the Draft Network summary. That then is also on Barry to prepare for.
This week, we will see a Saints team without Kamara and probably Williams. Their threat is in the air and they go deep often. Their OL is dodgy at best. We win this game by pressure if we do and they will seriously test our center and deep coverage. Douglas is likely to struggle to keep up with their MVS type if Jaire has Olave. This one will test our safeties heavily. So who we put out there last week probably makes a lot of sense to repeat this week, against a pass heavy attack with a much weakened RB situation in top of that. If you think about that, it speaks quite tidily to Barry’s inept handling last week.
Razer
September 20, 2023 at 08:05 am
...The lack of Jones in particular cost us I think, especially since Dillon is struggling and so is the interior OL...
Totally agree. For a decade or so the Packers went without a running attack - this game reminded me of those times. Weak O-line interior and little talent beyond Jones will be Jordan Love's biggest problem this season.
...What makes a good tactical coach is maximizing matchups and giving oneself the most options to counter an opponent. Barry totally failed to do so...
Letting Atlanta run against the light fronts was puzzling. Waiting for the coin to drop for Barry is a fool's errand. If his approach hasn't recognized the fundamental laws of the trenches then he isn't the man for the job PERIOD
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 08:17 am
Coaching in any sport is to a significant extent about setting your players up to have the best chance to succeed. They won’t always deliver, but the chances are increased. Barry shows no sign of that ability. That is in significant reason for his struggles. I think it’s reflected in him being comfortable using players against type so often in previous years. Last week showed he still hasn’t grasped this reality and perhaps can’t. For me it just confirmed that he isn’t the guy to get more from his group than his scheme gives.
The_Justicar
September 20, 2023 at 06:37 pm
Couldn’t agree more. Coaches should be putting players - via tactics- scheme- game plan -whatever- in the best position to succeed. If the players can’t execute the plan or just are not good enough, that happens. But then it is on the players. Barry - and with the timeout - LaFluer- hurt the outcome. Not good.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 20, 2023 at 08:44 am
CW,
good comment but the sputtering offense is on MLF for not going to Musgrave and Wilson. We can see this but the guy getting paid can't?!?
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 09:26 am
I mentioned the offensive questions because I felt it was a failing from LaFleur, but it’s a new one. If it recurs then it’s something to return to. The jury is very much out on LaFleur, but it’s too early to conclude. I thought he called badly in the 4th quarter, but there are a lot of new young pieces on O. Let’s see if that settles. On D it’s a veteran group, to which none of those caveats apply.
The difference is that I see the defensive failings as both predictable and an example not only of failing to learn from similar past failures but as speaking more deeply to inherent reasons Barry has not succeeded as a DC.
One doesn’t excuse or obscure the other, but one is more comprehensive and fundamental, in my opinion. To me, Sunday gave me some clarity as to why Barry shouldn’t be a DC. Ironically it should suggest a much better performance this week against an opponent that better matches his scheme.
Barry has a scheme and that’s it. When it doesn’t fit the opponent or his players he’s all at sea. It looks like he hit players to fit it better in the DL and may have adjusted it to stop playing against type in the backfield somewhat. That seems his plan and, a few minor tweaks aside, he trusted it and then to somehow win against an opponent that plays in a way that it is clearly unsuited to countering. As with the Eagles and others last year, the outcome was ugly.
This week we will see if the scheme works against an ideal
Opponent on paper. If it can cope with our safeties, our DL ought to be able to feast—this is the type of opponent the scheme is designed for. A weak OL, relatively immobile pocket passer, a weaker running attack that is not likely to pound the middle (injury and suspension) and an offense predicated on passing. Olave is good, very good. Admittedly, I thought so coming out, but Sheehan is fast and gets deep like MVS too. The challenge to fear should be to our secondary this week. The best way to help them is through our young penetrative DL group.
CheesedDeadHead
September 20, 2023 at 09:53 am
"I mentioned the offensive questions because I felt it was a failing from LaFleur, but it’s a new one. If it recurs then it’s something to return to."
It's true that Barry continues to make the same mistakes which is by far the most troubling issue, but MLF keeps finding new ways to screw up. Sure he may correct some of his mistakes, but he then seems to go searching for new and unexpected ways to fail.
Guam
September 20, 2023 at 10:26 am
Spot on comment about defensive preparation and planning CW! Facing a run heavy team, you need six DL active, particularly when #6 is Ford, one of the Packer's better run stuffers. Furthermore, you consistently play three DL and not go with light boxes when they are running it down your throat. Barry's preparation and planning for this game was inexcusable.
I expected the offense to struggle in this game as they were down Watson, Jones and Bahk plus Jenkins early. Tough to be successful when four of your best players are missing from one side of the ball.
Local paper had an interesting feature on Dillon. Apparently the offensive coaching staff has been after him to have more forward lean in his runs and run stronger behind his pads. Unfortunately that led to a couple of his failed runs as he had too much forward lean and stumbled and fell, including the play that injured Jenkins and the failed short yardage run late in the game. Ouch!
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 10:54 am
Interesting. I had suspected as much from just watching him and playing a lot of rugby. That’s a really difficult and slow change to make successfully, and it has these effects during the transition.
Sometimes it works wonders, but more often it doesn’t stick and makes things worse: it’s probably better to let a guy run naturally and instinctively by this point. I’d just tell Dillon to forget about niceties and run hard and focus on hitting them harder than they hit him this week. It might be a revelation for him and us if he did.
dobber
September 20, 2023 at 01:32 pm
"you need six DL active, particularly when #6 is Ford, one of the Packer's better run stuffers."
This is the natural fallout of keeping a low number of CBs such that they need to elevate a DB each week.
bjkdad44
September 20, 2023 at 03:31 pm
Excellent commentary
NickPerry
September 20, 2023 at 06:20 am
"First Test - This was the first late game test for Jordan Love in his nascent career. He didn't have the correct answers this first time around, but hopefully he'll have a better idea how to answer the questions the next time."
And I think he will. At the start of the season we all KNEW this team would have to LEARN how to win. Love and his young WRs & TEs have to LEARN how be better in situations like the one at the end of the game Sunday. This is the YOUNGEST team (or 2nd youngest...LOL) in the NFL. It's going to take TIME!
Turophile
September 20, 2023 at 01:04 pm
There was a rather revealing talk about the last game with former Packer guard MIKE WAHLE.
He was critical of some of the finer points of what the O line was being asked to do........ and especially critical of the blocking job the TEs were executing.
The TEs performance (in blocking) is very understandable given how difficult that position is to learn and that both TEs are rookies. The O line troubles seemed (Mike thought) to be more on the play designs, asking players to do things they were unable to.
He pointed out that in Mike Sherman's days as a head coach (Sherman had an O line background himself) he would always listen to a lineman (especially a veteran) who was telling him that although a play looked good on paper, in practice the block he was asked to do on a certain play would fail in an actual game. Mike usually took that advice and removed that play from the gameplan. These words should be writ large for MLF and also Offensive Coordinator Adam Stenavich (who has an O line background himself).........LISTEN TO YOUR PLAYERS and be prepared to act on what they say, even though it may go against what you thought would work.
Mike also pointed out that the Packers should at least consider Rasheed Walker at guard (paired with Runyan as the other guard) to cover for Jenkins being out while his MCL heals. He is 6'6", 324lbs and has good feet........it just might work and could be better than having Newman in.
I never got that stressed over this loss. We all knew that this year would be a roller coaster and while there will be some satisfying descents (the wins) there will also be the 'climbing back up' times. For some people it is much easier to accept the IDEA of close-game losses than the actuality of it, when it happens. I saw plenty to like in the game and yes, some things that didn't go well.
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Going back to the TE blocking, It would (I think) be wise to get another guy drafted for the TE room. Not necessarily an early pick and not a lightweight guy like Bowers or Gadsden, or a bigger guy who is a poor blocker like Sanders, but a guy who can BLOCK, like JALYN CONYERS (Arizona State), 6'4", 265 lbs, good strength, not a burner but fast enough. He and CADE STOVER (Ohio State) might be the two best blockers in the 2024 class and could be had somewhere in rounds 3-4 (Stover) or about round 6 (Conyers).
Now to the other side of the ball (the defense has good penetrators on the line, but is less stout against a running team). Maybe they need one more guy on the D line who is a run stopper, like NAZIR STACKHOUSE (Georgia) 6'3", 320+ who is very strong, sees into the backfield well, can shed and tackle guys coming past him well. He could go early, but could pair with Kenny Clark to make it tough to run between the tackles.
T7Steve
September 20, 2023 at 02:04 pm
"it just might work and could be better than having Newman in" LOL
I cringed again when I saw that name. Just like I did when I saw he was in the game. Is he really our best backup for guard? He did better than I expected, but the whole line couldn't create and running lanes even, for a split second.
Tundraboy
September 22, 2023 at 01:45 am
" He could go early, but could pair with Kenny Clark to make it tough to run between the tackles"
Like the discussions we have about Barry and MLF, I fear Kenny will be an old man by the time that happens.
beerandbrats
September 20, 2023 at 06:35 am
That was a particularly painful loss because we let one get away. If we're a playoff team, a loss like that, to another NFC opponent, could come back to haunt you. We have another winnable game coming up this weekend because the Saints are coming to town without a running game. That defense is stout but this is an opportunity to right the ship and get back to playing winning football! Go Pack Go!
PeteK
September 20, 2023 at 10:13 am
We'll have to make sure Hill doesn't beat us. He's got some speed and power, so no grabbing.
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 10:48 am
Hill isn’t likely to try to run over us, he’s more likely to try and run around the tackles or through opened gaps. He is more Fields as a runner than Robinson.
T7Steve
September 20, 2023 at 02:07 pm
The Saints just activated their rookie RB that was injured. Do you think he's drooling over his first start being in Green Bay against the D he saw this last weekend?
Cheezehead72
September 20, 2023 at 06:41 am
MLF deciding to punt instead of kicking a 56 yard FG shows he is scared. Gute drafted the kicker. No kicker was brought in for competition. They all claimed he was the man. If he was the man go with him. I will admit that I do not like trying long FGs but with the way you have been handling Carlson you give mixed signals by punting. It was early we could overcome the miss if he did.
Why are we playing zone when it is 3rd and 15 inside the 10 yrd line? Our defense is a man coverage defense. Yes you play zone at times but not in that situation. You go to your bread and butter. yes this fat boy knows about bread and butter.
fthisJack
September 20, 2023 at 06:53 am
It would have been 51 if somebody with a brain would have called a TO.
mnbadger
September 20, 2023 at 12:29 pm
mlf very likely has a brain, but he's proven he doesn't use it during live game action. Thus, it's not really his fault.
this one's more on Bisachia IMO.
He was promoted precisely to understand and react to the situation on the field then impart that wisdom on the newspaper delivery boy that spends his Sunday afternoons coaching our packers.
GPG!
Coldworld
September 21, 2023 at 08:47 am
Rule 4 Game Timing; Section 5 Timeouts CHARGED TEAM TIMEOUTS Article 1 The Referee shall suspend play while the ball is dead and declare a charged team timeout upon the request for a timeout by the head coach or any player to any official.
Only the Head Coach can call a time out from the sidelines by rule. There is a provision for an alternate if the HC is not on the sidelines, but LaFleur was. So Bissacia could not. Any player out there could: that would most likely be the kicker, holder or ST captain.
That could be inexperience biting at kicker/holder, but ultimately LaFleur is obligated to be watching (or have an assistant doing so and telling him to) and responsible for that, because he’s the only off field person who can.
Tingham
September 20, 2023 at 09:20 am
We ended punting in to the end zone. Even if we miss the 56 yard FG its a 18 yard field position difference. Really ticked me off.
croatpackfan
September 20, 2023 at 06:55 am
Good points Al!
For me is still incomprehensible why MLF cancel that FG from 55/56 yards in the first half of the game.
Those kind of decision almost always came back to bite you. Packers had 2 possesion lead in 4th Q. With that FG it will still be 2 possesion game with one big difference. Falcons would need 2 TD and 2 two points conversion to win the game. In today NFL that is not easy task to do! Than you would put opponent to go on their last possesion for TD on 4th and goal as FG would not be enough to win the game, so they would not be able to spend all Packers time outs and most of the game time till the end of the game.
On that last Packers possesion play caller (MLF) should call some gimmick play calls, not just basic routes and hope that opponent would not recognize that.
This loss is purely on HC/Play caller & DC than on any player.
Razer
September 20, 2023 at 07:04 am
Frustrating to watch winnable games slip away. There was a fair amount of outcoaching going on by the end of that game. That may be my biggest worry for this Packer squad. Defensively, we have talent but all too often we seem to be playing the less optimal scheme or the guys are slow to recognize the alignment.
We boast about our O-line depth but missed blocks and little push against a fairly average Falcon front is not acceptable. The line was decent under Stenovich and is experimental at best under Butkus. I get it that Lafleur wanted to keep Steno as his OC but we are not going to compete without better line play.
Just saying - the coaching staff of this young Packer team needs to be better if this team is going to win these games. I think Lafleur's anger at the end of this game was more about the failures of his staff
CheesedDeadHead
September 20, 2023 at 10:05 am
"Frustrating to watch winnable games slip away. There was a fair amount of outcoaching going on by the end of that game. That may be my biggest worry for this Packer squad."
Bingo! I am expecting and fine with growing pains due to a lot of young players (especially early on and with the injuries to key "vets" so far). We are going to Rock and Roll with this group until they get significant experience or show they can't handle the bigtime (Far more of the former from what we have seen so far - i.e. I don't see any Amari Rodgers). The coaches either repeating the same mistakes (Joe Barry pick up your Nobel Prize for futility) or a HC that finds new and more creative ways to screw something up plus the tried, true and often repeated (I need to get player ______ into the play calling more often) is just so FRUSTRATING. FOUR Plus years being Head Coach and he can't consistently outcoach far less experienced coaches! Heck I'd settle for a draw with other teams coaching staffs instead of being outcoached over and over again.
jannesbjornson
September 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Most of the F ups were committed by veteran players and Coaches. The edge guys have to maintain leverage and containment. The ILBs are afraid to go downhill and engage. A Quarterback sneak call should not need to be an encoded message for Love to deliver.
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 10:44 am
No, but he does need the ball
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 10:16 am
I have long said that this year was going to be a bigger test of LaFleur, personally, and his team of coaches than anyone.
That said, there are too many moving parts on this young offense to reach a conclusion quickly as to LaFleur’s ability as an OC. This offense was always going to have growing pains individually and collectively as players and in finding which pieces work best in what circumstances and are developing faster. For that reason, I think we need to give LaFleur and the offense time before reaching conclusions.
As far as his coaches go, well none of those excuses apply on D. As I’ve already stated above at length. For me Barry finally gave me clarity as to why he is a failed DC. However, others are raising questions about Montgomery on the DL and, for me, Butkus and the OL are drowning in dubious assumptions and player use and regression (Tom is a guy who came in with skill they’ve not ruined, though possibly mis-used—when one of his great advocates to play RT (Herman) accepts he’s not a plus in the run game to run behind, it kind of emphasizes the question why he’s at RT).
I’m unclear if Stenovich’s increased authority is part of the OL problem, but I don’t know what positive he’s bringing elsewhere. He was best at improving OL, he’s not seemingly doing that now. That was the reason we didn’t want to lose him. So what is he adding?
So far the grading on coaching hires generally is looking very ominous for LaFleur as a HC. For those who liked him being mad at being carved up on D last week, remember he described the performance of Pettine’s and Barry’s defenses as unacceptable before as well as Drayton’s STs. Pettine chose to leave. Drayton required an apparent intervention to impose Bissscia after the inevitable happened and it cost us a Super Bowl chance. Barry was retained by LaFleur because we “need continuity”, and only two games later LaFleur is condemning the result in a game. I suppose that’s continuity, but I don’t think needed.
Not an unclouded start for LaFleur the HC post Rodgers. Let’s see what he does about it. Some are raising issues about his ability as an OC. I think those will either grow or diminish though. I do like what he’s done to get new players contributing and we have, outside of the fourth quarter, been more effective scoring and moving the ball despite injuries and youth. Too early to call that one.
croatpackfan
September 20, 2023 at 11:07 am
Coldworld, I was advocating last 2 seasons / years that MLF is nothing else than OC. He might be good at that position, but he nailed last game that opinion as trutfull. Just to made comaprison between he & Bisaccia who is named as HC assistant for reason. I can imagine Bisaccia was mad about that decision to replace kicker with punter, but did not react agressively like the last year when Packers messed that "fake" punt trying to run the ball through the middle of the punting line. It was shown up on TV clearly how Bisaccia shouts to MLF face mad of idiocracy!
When you do not much agression in yourself, trying to emulate agression is so pathetic and so weak, what we can see every time when MLF try to go outside his friendly nature. Just disaster!
Regarding Stenovich - he is just another man on Packers top coaching position that confirm Peter's Principle. I can name you 3 of them - naturally, Stenovich, Barry & MLF - not to mention Mark "we are not idiots" Murphy who went lateraly, grabed the job he, despite he was football player (and very succesful one) he knew sh*t about GM job, how hard it is and how to perform on top level you have to have excellent team around you and to trust them and respectet them.
Every succesful organization keeps their success by removing rotten apples from their teams as soon as possible. There is no other way to do differently!
T7Steve
September 20, 2023 at 07:04 am
Maybe it was Love's first late game test, but it wasn't for the Packers, Al. Don't make me remind you about late game 3 and outs in previous seasons and playoff games. The offense couldn't get out of the shadow of their own goal line and the special teams did the rest (after being hung out to dry).
Might not be able to blame all this on inexperience, especially on defense. Maybe we've been regularly outcoached? Maybe the other teams are coached to be more physical?
Jaire is going to give up a couple to the great receivers in the NFL. Everyone will. He needs to make them pay by catching those interceptions, and they won't keep trying to test him.
Razer
September 20, 2023 at 08:23 am
... Don't make me remind you about late game 3 and outs in previous seasons and playoff games... Maybe we've been regularly outcoached? Maybe the other teams are coached to be more physical?...
I think that you are hitting the nail on the head here. I have long argued that the Packers are a finesse team on both sides of the ball. We don't know how to run the ball down a team's throat. Witness a 250 lbs RB who can't grind out a few yard game.
On defense, our light front approach is maddening. If I had a good O-line and a RB who stayed on his feet, I would go for it on every 4th down against the Packers. Where the fuck is our nose tackle?! We play a 3-4 for the love of money!
CheesedDeadHead
September 20, 2023 at 10:10 am
"Where the fuck is our nose tackle?! We play a 3-4 for the love of money!"
Razer is sharp today!!!
It's really a 2-4. He plays nickel like he gets an extra 5% rewards on his amazon purchases if he only has 2 DL.
stockholder
September 20, 2023 at 07:17 am
The value is always in the eye of the beholder.
”First test= Love; measuring the skill, knowledge, intelligence,
capacities, or aptitudes of an individual.
Obviously “Clutch” doesn’t fit Jordan Love.
And if you want a great Qb. - Just saying!
I’m all for getting Musgrave the ball.
But the only guy Love wanted to go too, was Reed.
8 targets 4 catches. So much for MLF play calling.
As far as scheme. - Kenny Clarke did stand out.
But look how far he was away from Robinson the 4th.
Double team the best, and take on the rest.
HarryHodag
September 20, 2023 at 08:09 am
He's started three games in his career and played extensively in a fourth.
Four games. Even your hero wasn't very good four games in. Perhaps that realization would help, probably not.
JerseyAl
September 20, 2023 at 08:18 am
"Obviously “Clutch” doesn’t fit Jordan Love.
And if you want a great Qb. - Just saying!"
Obviously? I try very hard to understand you and be patient, but to make a statement like this at this point in Love's career? The only obvious thing is you trying to fit the narrative you've concocted from day one, that Gutey made a big mistake drafting Love. I think even when he plays really well you'll come up with a reason to criticize. Just let him play and let's see what happens, without any predeterminations in our minds.
stockholder
September 20, 2023 at 01:29 pm
Well I guess you could look at it like that.
But the trying to fit; part is wrong.
Maybe the other 1/2 is trading Rodgers.
As some suggest. He's Gone -The END!
I did say he did well his first game .
And brought up the Fumble to completion.
But he should be criticized when he plays bad too.
Especially if he's instrumental in the lost.
I don't believe thats predetermination.
if it's persuasive thinking you want,
then I have No choice but to see what happens.
jannesbjornson
September 20, 2023 at 11:31 pm
Rodgers should have just retired and take over for Namath on the infomercial circuit. Brady was saved by a dominant 4-3 defense and Kevin King. Love has the fire ball, he just needs a guy like Bijan Robinson.
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 08:25 am
I remember you screaming that Rodgers wasn’t clutch for two plus years. How Favre would have have brought us back time after time. Good grief, get over yourself.
stockholder
September 20, 2023 at 01:32 pm
You don't remember anything.
Thats just a play on my comment.
jannesbjornson
September 20, 2023 at 09:54 am
I would have kept going to Reed all day. Doubs has to learn the sideline and get to Love's perfect toss in the 57 second period. Love delivered a perfect strike to Wicks who couldn't strong arm the ball with the CB is tight cover in the endzone. Is Love supposed to take Coaching 101 coursework to know when to call a fucking Timeout and have Game Awareness. Bisaccia should have signaled to the ref if LaFleur is so immersed in his plastic playsheet that he doesn't know the flow of the Game. If you want to know how to play the wide zone, watch the 49rs run it and defend against it. The reason I wanted Benton drafted. 4-3 defense. Barry is clueless, but Attitude starts with the HC. Does Purdy have better talent than Love, or a better surrounding cast??
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 11:12 am
Reed’s speed was giving them problems all day. They set out to take away Doubs and for the most part covered him heavily. Reed was able to exploit that. Yes, I think smart to keep going for him on Sunday, whether by call or read. Take what is given, who is winning. Reed was. I think he was instrumental in leaving Wicks a free run after he broke the first tackles on his TD, from Memory.
I had to laugh at SH moaning about targeting speed when he’s normally rehearsing the speed kills mantra. When Watson returns, even if he’s just an MVS type initially (I don’t think he will be) , it’s going to give teams headaches to cover Doubs, Reed and Watson that are definitely worth looking forward to. I can see not only Doubs but Reed and Musgrave in the gap between levels of the D really benefitting if we can stretch defenses through both Reed and Watson.
mnbadger
September 20, 2023 at 12:39 pm
"When Watson returns, . . . "
I was hard on our old friend Mike McCarthy for his comments about pad level, etc.
But he was dead on when he stated best ability is availability.
The only threat Watson is bringing now is that he'll injure himself further on the sideline.
At the speed of the game, especially sideline plays, I'd keep all injured players off the field.
If they had mobility they'd be suited up.
If not, get them out of harms' way.
GPG!
dobber
September 20, 2023 at 01:31 pm
"Bisaccia should have signaled to the ref if LaFleur is so immersed in his plastic playsheet that he doesn't know the flow of the Game. "
Only players on the field and the head coach can call a TO.
stockholder
September 20, 2023 at 02:08 pm
I would have kept going to Reed all day. ???
Thats why they lost. JB we drafted TEs!
Love will learn when to call a Time-out.
This game was going down to the 2 minutes.
The 49ers do things right.
If they fire everyone they do.
MM had a stale offense.
Yet- look at the Dallas Cowboys now.
Weapons ,Weapons ,Weapons.
Marvin Harrison is my pick.
jannesbjornson
September 20, 2023 at 11:45 pm
It was the 57 seconds drill w/ zero timeouts. I witnessed Montana and Rice driving the 49rs to a score with 40 some seconds on the clock, to end the first half, but he had a couple Timeouts. No Watson to high point the sideline catch and that is where the ball has to go. No Davante splitting the zone. Doubs has to run a cleaner route. Musgrave is not Kelce working the hook zones after the three deep safeties chase speed like Hill. The 49rs and the cowgirls lost a lot of games to get high draft position and hit on blue chips. I have no issues with cleaning haus. The air is getting stale in Packerland.
bottlefliper
September 20, 2023 at 02:43 pm
AR was so clutch that he lost most of the playoff games by himself even he had tons of help, great weapons and a good D. Even before that, there was always talk he could not turn a game around. That changed in his later years, even he start loooosing every play off game than. Not even the easy ones......
Love had two great first games. Way better than everyone thought.
Since'61
September 20, 2023 at 07:26 am
Al your first point about throwing to Musgrave during the 4th quarter is spot on. The throws that Love was attempting, especially during the Packers final possessions, reminded me of plays that Rodgers would try to make while he was still here. If he was still here we would be accusing him of "hero ball" but for now we can chalk it up to a learning experience for Love. However the interesting thing is that the play caller, MLF, is still here and we're seeing the same play calls that we saw while Rodgers was here in similar situations. Maybe, just maybe, it's been about the play caller all along. WE'll see as the season goes on.
The dropped interceptions really hurt the team especially the drop by Jaire. It also proves the point of stopping the run an and forcing Ridder to pass. If we had a better plan to stop the run and forced Ridder to throw more often maybe he throws another pick that our defense actually catches and we have a different 4th quarter.
London appeared to be a bit too much for Alexander to handle. Jaire was with him on every play but he just out muscled Jaire to make the plays. Kudos to London.
I've been expecting/hoping for this coaching staff to have a better plan for the past several seasons but they consistently get out coached and the DL is consistently out muscled by physical OLs like Atlantas. Teams are going to take those 5 yards per running play until the Packers prove that they can stop it and they haven't stopped it in years.
MLF should be testy following the 4th quarter performance against the Falcons but he should be testy with himself as well. He is now in his 5th season as an HC and he is still being out prepared and out coached by HCs with less experience than him and he is still making, or not making, in game decisions that hurt the team.
Home opener at Lambeau this week. Good opportunity for a better result. Let's get back to Lambeau being a true home field advantage. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 08:33 am
London is a tall, fairly physical receiver at 6’4, 213 who isn’t super fast. I did wonder going in if actually he wouldn’t have been a much better match up for Douglas. Ideally we’d have had Stokes on him, but, in retrospect, I think another example of perhaps not using our assets optimally. I’d certainly have tried that approach in game at least to see when Jaire was struggling.
Since'61
September 20, 2023 at 09:35 am
Good point as usual Coldworld. I thought about having Douglas cover him as well at least for one series to see if there was any difference. But it probably would not have mattered since the Falcons were going to keep running the ball against the Packers defense. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 10:43 am
If it took away one pass, that might have been enough. In large part it’s true: the run was the driving force in our destruction, however, it was a very close game.
One play could have changed that game. We often hear that’s it’s plays not coaches or plays, however, it’s equally true that how a player is used has a significant impact on how well he does. A good coach uses matchups to gain advantage. If a coach doesn’t then they are missing an opportunity to get a potentially better result. That’s an example of a coach not helping his team. Coaches that can do that are the ones who succeed.
Razer
September 20, 2023 at 08:34 am
...Teams are going to take those 5 yards per running play until the Packers prove that they can stop it and they haven't stopped it in years...
I want to cry every time I read the truth of this statement. Too bad that Olivia Newton John isn't still alive so that Lafleur could have her come in and sing "Let's Get Physical" prior to kick off.
CheesedDeadHead
September 20, 2023 at 10:42 am
Or if she had a song called "Pull your head out of your ass" then a solo at midfield to Barry would be the Packers "Play ball anthem".
pull your head out of your ass
whooo whooo whooooo
pull your head out of your ass
whooo whooo whoooo
crayzpackfan
September 20, 2023 at 11:03 am
Since61
"However the interesting thing is that the play caller, MLF, is still here and we're seeing the same play calls that we saw while Rodgers was here in similar situations. Maybe, just maybe, it's been about the play caller all along."
I hope this isn't the case. Adding to your thought on this specifically, maybe MLF has Stockholm Syndrome from his time with Rodgers. He became so submissive to Rodgers' manipulation of his offense that he became indoctrinated to run it like Rodgers wanted to. He seems so timid to be creative. If I'm being honest, I just don't think he is HC material while simultaneously having been wrecked by AR's presents overshadowing anything he tried to accomplish.
He seems like a puppet without his master.
mrtundra
September 20, 2023 at 07:35 am
I had expected to see more of Musgrave, in the Falcons game, since I've read that GB has tailored several plays just for him. When will we see what he can do for us? Time for Musgrave to shine in Lambeau and to get his first regular season Lambeau Leap!
egbertsouse
September 20, 2023 at 07:37 am
I don’t know what to say about the run defense, it’s been bad since the MM days and the Packers don’t seem to be interested in fixing it. In the past, I think the thought process was that Rodgers will put up 35 so teams will have to throw to beat us and heavy run teams will get out scored. That seemed to work out most of the time, at least in the regular season . At this point you would think they would figure the offense isn’t going to score 35-42 in most games and change their philosophy, however, this organization is like an aircraft carrier, it takes a long time to change direction.
Like Al, I was disappointed to see the return of hero ball in the 4th quarter. I was hoping that went to NY with AR.
PeteK
September 20, 2023 at 10:29 am
I just think that we are too concerned with penetration from our front on running plays. We need to hold up the blockers which closes running lanes and keep them away from our LBs.
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 11:19 am
Sometimes penetrating wins games. It might well be the key to next Sunday, but teams that win consistently are not one dimensional. Penetration isn’t always going to work and unless you’ve got a line up of veteran all stars, you aren’t going to get both from the same players. Barry is a one dimensional coach. They lose over seasons.
jannesbjornson
September 20, 2023 at 11:45 am
Walker has to be more instinctive. He should have shadowed Robinson all day and let Campbell control the backside.
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 11:27 am
I didn’t see hero ball. I saw desperation ball from a team that knew it could not run. I do question the personnel. I’d have gone heavy. Musgrave, Wicks at X and crossing, and actually send Reed on a go route and have Doubs run a stopper from that side. Get your bigger bodies out there for the quick play and spike and have a deep threat if they let speed get behind them and a guy if that clears out underneath him and protection holds up.
greengold
September 20, 2023 at 07:39 am
Perfectly polluted, Al. I agree with all of it. Nice shot, man! 🎯
RCPackerFan
September 20, 2023 at 08:12 am
Back to Reality -
It was fun beating up the Bears. It would have been more fun beating the Falcons especially when we finished the game without our LT, LG, WR1, RB1.
Reality is the Falcons have a strength and that is their Run game. We didn't play well enough on defense to stop that and we had some scheme issues as well.
More Musgrave, Please -
Completely agree about more Musgrave. He is already so damn good they need to find ways to scheme him into the game plan. There were a couple of plays where I saw the ball went somewhere else. But if it goes to Musgrave it would have been a big play. At this point Musgrave needs to get at least 5 touches per game.
Missed opportunities -
Both of those were missed opportunities. There were a couple of passes that I think Love would have liked back as well. The one he threw to Wicks that fell incomplete. Doubs was wide open. If he gets it to him in stride its a TD. There was a couple that Musgrave would have had big gains also.
London Calling -
Alexander just had a bad game overall.
Kickoffs -
I don't get it either. I was expecting every kick to be 10 yards out of the endzone.
Cleat change -
Dillon slipped how many times. I am guessing its a balance thing and turf. Hopefully the grass will be better for Dillon.
Not Happy -
I have a feeling Joe Barry is on a very short leash. Bye week comes early this year. If the defense continues this way, I have a feeling there will be a change made during the bye week.
New Scheme -
Clark was a beast btw.
First Test -
While it was the first test (more like a pop quiz), we really can't take to much from it. First he is playing without his starting Left side of the OL. He then was missing his 2 most explosive offensive players, and had 2 rookies in their 2nd games. His first throw I believe was to Reed. Him and Reed clearly were not on the same page. We don't' know who's fault it was, but we just know they weren't on the same page.
The real test comes Sunday. We will get to see how this team responds to a loss. With as many young players as we have, it will be interesting to see how they respond.
T7Steve
September 20, 2023 at 08:50 am
"Kickoffs -I don't get it either. I was expecting every kick to be 10 yards out of the endzone"
He was chip shot kicking it high to entice a return. It worked at least once and they only made it out to the about the 17. The others got returned to around the 25 due to good blocking or poor coverage. The gunners weren't getting downfield well enough on punts either. Good gunners should be able to down one if not actually catch it to prevent a touchback. They're getting close though.
GregC
September 20, 2023 at 10:41 am
That would explain it, and I'm fine with the strategy. So often the returning team commits a penalty, and their offense has to start inside their own 15 yard line.
RCPackerFan
September 20, 2023 at 10:45 am
I was wondering if it was done on purpose. its hard to tell on tv. But he has the leg to kick it through the endzone. It makes sense that its done for a reason.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 20, 2023 at 08:56 am
This was a real test. That L is in the history books..
HarryHodag
September 20, 2023 at 08:19 am
One of the bad things about football is there's just one game a week so there's six days to micro-analyze every little thing. Baseball is good that way. If the Brewers stink one day they're back the next day to make amends.
In another media I wrote about how the Packers seem to have a brain fog, especially early in games. Having watched most of Lombardi's teams in never once saw them playing like they don't know what was happening. I saw them get beat(rarely) but it wasn't because they played like zombies. Jaire Alexander is an example. Any reason an all-star plays so poorly? This problem has been around awhile. I think Matt LF has to stop trying to be calm and nice and get these guys focused. They can win but they can't act like 'we have this in the bag' and relax. A.J. Dillon? How do you go from unstoppable to barely average? Now you have left tackle(paid nicely) who is sitting out? Why is he still on the team? Maybe spending the season on the practice squad will help him save his knee.
It's not physical ability slowing this team down, it's focus and that's on the coaching staff.
Cheezehead72
September 20, 2023 at 08:22 am
It seems as the Packers are playing not to lose and to prove to the fans that they have a team for the future. First of all if you play not to lose you will usually lose. Second the knowledgeable fans know we have a good foundation and that we can build this team from what we have.
No one expects us to go to the SB and win the SB this year. Yes there is a chance for use to make the playoffs with it being expanded. We should be playing to win. We should be taking chances. We need to lay it all on the line win or lose. That will help everyone see what we have including the packers organization and it will develop these young players.
LeotisHarris
September 20, 2023 at 08:40 am
Snap back to reality, ope, there goes gravity.
Spot on, Al. I was wondering aloud in the 4th quarter about our missing TE, and if there was a screen pass in the playbook. Again, many reasons for optimism for this young group of players, but as many or more reasons to question the abilities of this coaching staff. LaFleur and Co keep showing us who they are. Perhaps we should believe them.
Looking forward to Sunday.
dobber
September 20, 2023 at 08:52 am
"Musgrave/Missed Opportunities"
Good teams find ways to convert those things into game changing plays. I had the radio and not TV on Sunday, so I couldn't see if they'd shifted coverage to Musgrave after those couple targets, but Love seems to be dialing in on Reed and Doubs when he needs a play. I think that's in part a function of no AJones (who makes a defense take notice) or a Watson (who defenses will be accounting for).
All told, the greatest missed opportunity was a chance to defeat a credible NFC opponent on the road. Road wins are gold...road wins against conference opponents even moreso.
"Not happy"
What? Coach Friendly-Smiley showing some grit? It can't be a bad thing.
"First Test"
I was encouraged last week against Chicago by Love's ability to find that open receiver on third down. It showed some moxie. A better team this week, still some moxie, but not enough down the stretch. If the OL doesn't fall apart and Love doesn't get his head handed to him, I think it's reasonable to expect that kind of moxie will continue to expand into other aspects of his game as he continues to get comfortable.
The Saints will pose a completely different test: Carr is a capable NFL QB, they have good playmakers in the passing game, but are limited in the run game without Kamara and Jamaal Williams...hell, Taysom Hill was their top "runner" last week after Williams got hurt. It argues they'll play more toward the Packers' strengths, but they would be fools if they didn't try to line up and push the Packers around in the run game after what we saw this week. Home opener against a beatable NFC team (Saints)...make it happen.
Bears still suck.
Lions are beat up and collapsed at home against an NFC team (Seattle).
Vikings are 0-2.
PeteK
September 20, 2023 at 10:41 am
We'll get a good dose of Hill, but their talented WRs are the main part of their offense. However, Panthers got to Carr so we should too with our more talented pass rush.
BruceC1960
September 20, 2023 at 11:15 am
Three possessions in the 4th quarter and we couldn’t scheme Musgrave open for 1 first down?
We’ve added speed on the dl and edge, but no one can stop the run or set an edge?
Is the only thing that kept 69 from being a Jet artificial turf?
GaryC
September 20, 2023 at 09:07 am
LaFleur does my head in - zero confidence in the bloke. Sorry that’s all I’ve got. Hope I’m wrong.
Starrbrite
September 20, 2023 at 09:47 am
I don’t know y’all— “this is a young team” quote has already become an overused excuse in my opinion.
How much experience do you need to make an interception (twice); protect the perimeter (Gary); stop the run (apparently our DLine never experienced this in college—or the coaching staff).
How much experience must you have, with one minute remaining, to throw a simple check-down to a RB or TE—we needed 36 yards for a FG attempt.
Excuses don’t win ball games.
Go Packers!!!
packerfanroy
September 20, 2023 at 08:44 pm
That's not an excuse at all. Thats the cold hard truth of the NFL.
There is a Grand Canyon size gap between what these, pretty much kids, have played against in college vs what they are playing against now. On top of that, some of the younger players might be facing actual competition for a change for the first time in their lives. What I mean is that most of these young players were able to succeed at the college level because they were so much faster and stronger than anybody else on the field regardless of effort or technique or competitiveness. Now they are facing guys who are faster, stronger, smarter, better technique-wise and hungrier because of the money involved.
Favre, Rodgers, Adams, Nelson, and Gary just to name a few all needed a few years to adjust to the pro game. It's not easy and it's not an excuse.
Starrbrite
September 20, 2023 at 10:12 pm
Well—we may have a young roster but not every starter is a rookie.
The repeated phrase has been we have eight 1st round draft picks on the defense. Should talent overcome some deficiencies in experience—I say yes, it should!
Zero experience rookie Bijan Robinson appeared to have little trouble adapting to the superior speed, etc of the NFL.
I do give latitude to QB’s, DB’s , and WR’s —the adjustment period is more obvious for them.
However, to excuse this loss because we’re young is not an justified imo.
packerfanroy
September 21, 2023 at 12:23 am
Not every non-rookie starter has experience. A bunch of our non-rookie starters have little to no starting experience like Wyatt, Ford, Nixon.
The eight 1st round picks things is media sensationalism at its best. First, Stokes is one of the 8 and he hasnt played in forever so it hasnt even been accurate for awhile. Wyatt hardly played last year so he is raw experience wise. Gary is on a limited snap count and not back 100%. LVN is a rookie and the whole plan with him was to bring him along slow and let him develop over a couple of seasons (not games). Savage was barely re-signed to the team. Draft position relates to hopeful potential not probable talent.
B. Robinson is a good player that is running behind a great O-line but he is not even the starter at RB for the Falcons. How is Robinson not the starter? Because the coaching staff wanted someone that had experience and not just potential. He is gonna be the starter at some point with what he has shown but even the ATL coaches who saw him live every day in training camp valued real game experience over pre-season flash. Same thing is going on with Gibbs in Detroit. Breakout rookies are the very rare exception. Most (not all) need time to develop and get experience before they are trusted to start.
Excusing this loss because we have a bunch of young players is not only justified its expected. Coaches may come out and say that expectations havent changed but its not like they can say otherwise and just tell the vets to keep playing and risk a life changing injury while everyone waits for the rookies to get up to speed. The GB offense is at the start of a full blown re-build, its not always gonna be pretty so buckle up because there are gonna be some bumps in the road.
PackYLW
September 20, 2023 at 09:56 am
Thank you - I too was wondering about Carlson not blasting kick-offs into the end zone seats. Could it be that Coach Bisaccia is so confident in our kick coverage that he wants to encourage returns? Nah! Slap Slap.
TarynsEyes
September 20, 2023 at 10:02 am
" Ok, so the fun of beating up on the Bears is over, and now the Packers are tasked with actually playing real football teams with good players and coaches. "
Truth, like Reality, hurts.
BruceC1960
September 20, 2023 at 11:00 am
Interesting how perception has changed in a week? Mine included. Last week thoughts of playoff tickets. This week a for sale sign in the front yard?
Coldworld
September 20, 2023 at 11:45 am
Mine hasn’t changed really. An offense that has growing to do but talent. Weird OL moves, not being able to run block. Some strange disappearances (this week Musgrave).
What I think we did get was an answer on Barry. A D coordinator that came out to play with a scheme he’s obviously going to rely on whether it fits or not. He’s not going to be a plus, but did anyone really think he would be?
Growth of players is what this year is about alongside seeing what LaFleur and his team really are. The O is as billed, the D is as expected. Growth is occurring among individuals but, equally, the first signs are that true progression is going to require moving on from Barry and possibly others. Whether that includes LaFleur will seemingly inevitably become clear as the season progresses.
Enjoy the ride. Who knows, this division is awful. I just hope scraping into the post season isn’t used to ignore what we are learning.
LambeauPlain
September 20, 2023 at 02:22 pm
Just win the North. By then the young team will have experience we all desire.
Starrbrite
September 20, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Lol—that cracked me up. Thanks
crayzpackfan
September 20, 2023 at 11:33 am
Thanks for the writing Al.
This team needs a smart coaching staff with a bit of piss and vinegar to them. Coaches who can evaluate talent, are good teachers, and then coach the players up like every game might be their last. Currently, and quite sadly, this coaching staff seems to be simply going through the motions. I find nothing in them that inspires me. My old iPhone has more charge left in it than the energy these coaches seem to show. Anyway.....
Gonna go light my smoker. Have an 18 pound pork butt that needs 24 hours of low and slow. Happy hump day.
splitpea1
September 20, 2023 at 11:41 am
Excellent article--very comprehensive and all good points. "More Musgrave" is definitely what we needed, especially on that final drive. We needed to get about 35 yards to get within FG range and had about 56 seconds to do it. Plenty of time to complete shorter passes to either get out of bounds or spike it if necessary, so I didn't see the rush to complete a big downfield pass right away. Love didn't look prepared for this situation, so the coaching staff will need to work with him.
MLF was upset that his defense got shredded late, but surely he must have had an inkling that something like this was possible, right? I didn't see the whole conference, but I hope he was just as irritated with himself for not making sure we got a little more offensive output in the fourth quarter and yielding control of the game to the Falcons.
jannesbjornson
September 20, 2023 at 11:55 am
Love, or the coaching staff wasn't prepared? The guy is in his fifth year running the show. You want to work the sidelines with Zero time outs, but the WR execution was not in order. The safeties were deep and the noise level in the stadium frenetic. Not as easy as it looks.
T7Steve
September 20, 2023 at 12:42 pm
splitpea1 you're expressing my frustration. What a wonderful season all ready. This is all we were asking for. The players can grow into a winning team if the coaches aren't holding them back.
Would ofs, could ofs, should ofs, had a, ought a.
Gosh! We all could be coaches in the NFL. Missed our calling!
Just beat the Saints!
Malland56
September 20, 2023 at 12:09 pm
I asked the question the other day. Where was Musgrave in the second half? I didn't see him on the field. Especially the 4th quarter. I was looking to see if he was there and all I was seeing was Toure on the field. Did they sit him because some of the throws to him he missed communicated with Love? And they should have ran Wilson more than twice! He made a 9 yard gain and it would have been more if not for a missed block. They relied on Dillion WAY TOO much. I think Wilson deserves a lot more reps. He showed what he can do in preseason.
bjkdad44
September 20, 2023 at 03:20 pm
Not happy!… none of the coaches should be!!!!
packerfanroy
September 20, 2023 at 08:18 pm
Back to Reality : When you have a multiple score lead heading in the 4th dont you want the other team to run??? How many coaches in the NFL try to get back into a game in the 4th by running the ball? I feel it was a broken clock strategy that worked but not because it was the smart thing to do. The Packers needed to make them pay for that, I mean even if the Pack just move the chains dont they force ATL to abandon the run because they only have so much time to catch up.
More Musgrave: Questions abound... was it the play calling? Was it JLove not making the right read's? Was it Musgrave's route running? Was it a rookie TE getting shut down by an experienced defender? A combination of all of the above??? Was it a mistake to let Lewis walk and take a $1 mil dollar cap hit instead of paying him the $1 mil CHI did and spreading the hit out over a couple of years??? Could his experience, blocking and leadership have been useful not just in ATL but the entire training camp?? Would having Simms on the P squad be that big of a risk. Austin Allen isnt even with the team ffs. Musgrave and Kraft are the future but it feels like the Packers FO paid more than they should have only to make the TE position worse in the present.
Missed Opportunities : I know he's young, I know he's not 100% and I know it's not all on him but it would have been nice to see Doubs continue his development by snagging a clutch pass or 2 in the 4th to move the chains. He is our possession receiver opposite our big play guy in Watson so at some point he/the team needs to get him making clutch, move the chains type plays. "Hey der Romeo der Romeo...where da hell are ya der Romeo..." Couldnt resist some Northern Wisconsin flavored Shakespeare...
London Calling: Even the best have bad days. There is a reason that the best players in the game emphasize how hard success is in the NFL...one off day and you get cooked.
Kickoffs: Was it the Packers trying to get guys to return and get a slight advantage in field position by stopping them before the 25? Was Carlson dinged up enough to knock some yards off his leg but not anything serious enough to warrant concern or injury report inclusion? Maybe Carlson's range is closer to 60 only on a good day?
Cleat Change: Grass Fields Grass Fields Grass Fields.... The NFL and the owners are not gonna go broke doing grass fields.
Not Happy : Bad look for MLF to call out the defense with the way the offense played in the 4th. Yes, key players were out but we didnt need a come from behind win. We needed a couple of first downs. I mean the 4th quarter was a total team collapse but do you want Barry focusing the D on stopping the run in the 4th when we are up by multiple scores? Doesnt moving the chains on offense in the 4th take Atl's run game out of the equation?
New Scheme : A preview of how we are gonna play against Gibbs and the Lions???
First Test : Definitely not a passing grade for Love and the O. Thats what everybody was talking about with patience and tempering expectations despite all the pre-season 'accomplishments'. Alot of guys like myself who didnt drink the kool-aid this pre-season arent surprised and are not mad because we knew it was gonna be bumpy. A lot of guys who drank the kool-aid are pissed and want MLF fired. Which is stupid because the worse thing a young QB can have happen to them is a knee jerk change to a new coach and system.