Cory's Corner: Packers have concerns, not confidence

The Packers may only be three games into the worthless preseason schedule, but I’m not expecting Aaron Rodgers to come out with another R-E-L-A-X diatribe.

It seems that more and more questions keep popping up the further along we get into this exhibition season.

I’m not saying that the level of concern has reached DEFCON 1, but there are things that are definitely alarming.

First come the injuries obviously. The number one priority of all head coaches is to survive the preseason without getting any major contributors hurt. Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and it seems like the entire offensive line, Micah Hyde, Scott Tolzien, Quinten Rollins and yes, even Jared Abbrederis didn’t avoid the injury bug.

Granted, the Packers did win Super Bowl XLV by placing 16 players on injured reserve that season, but I doubt they would be able to duplicate that this year.

Next, the special teams looks flat out lost. Ron Zook was supposed to clean up the mess that was left by Shawn Slocum. But Mason Crosby’s 70-yard opening kickoff that was taken five yards deep in the end zone, was returned 67 yards. Raheem Mostert, who is a longshot to make the Eagles’ roster, merely changed directions before being eventually taken down by Crosby of all people.

Finally, there’s the defense. The Eagles did a good job of noticing mismatches, and at the same time, the Packers are awful at noticing them. Because, Sam Barrington will never be able to keep up with Darren Sproles, but for some reason was matched up with the speedster running back multiple times. The secondary also got torched in man-to-man coverage and B.J. Raji doesn’t appear at all ready to go.

So is the sky falling on the Packers’ dream season that started out as the Super Bowl favorite? No way. Unless this team falls flat on its face, they can still easily win the NFC North.

However, the question remains if they closed the gap between Seattle and Dallas. Right now, they haven’t.

They have a quarterback that hasn’t played a game since he lost his No. 1 receiver from a year ago and a punter that is making things dreadful on his coverage team.

It’s a great thing the Packers have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL when healthy, because Eddie Lacy is going to run it plenty.

So do the opposite of relax. Bite your fingernails, tap your fingers and twirl your hair.

Because it’s going to be a bumpy ride. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (39)

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PETER MAIZ's picture

September 01, 2015 at 06:25 am

Corey's right. This is not a dream team now and I don't expect the "fast start". Special teams still has the dilemma of being a scarry unit. Masthay has defied the laws of gravity. It seems he operates under a stronger gravitational pull than what is normal on this earth.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

September 01, 2015 at 07:10 am

I am almost there but will reserve to see a game or two oh maybe we can pull one out here. We can cross fingers that Cobb can be back as strong as ever and whatever that special teams is can play much better ball.

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lucky953's picture

September 01, 2015 at 07:18 am

As I see it, a problem with ST has been the number of young, inexperienced guys playing. That's why McCarthy said more vets would play. Is it a coaching problem? MM gave up play calling, in part, so he could oversee this unit.
Didn't we already know that Barrington would never, ever be able to cover Sproles? That's preseason football. It's also why CM3 is still playing inside. Of course, This team has no answer for a big, athletic TE down the middle. Who does? Run defense is what concerns me the most. They've put a lot of faith in Raji, who will,probably never be the player they thought they had in 2010. They lack toughness up front. DL is a dirty, nasty business that requires a lot of attitude. Guion helped there, but unavailable. Jones and Perry are both "soft" players. Thornton will be cut. I'm hoping for continued development of Pennel. They really lack depth on the DL. Any injury there and "Look out!"

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DrealynWilliams's picture

September 01, 2015 at 07:24 am

No panic here. Let's see what happens in our first 3 games and then let's meet back here.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 01, 2015 at 07:39 am

There is no gap to close with Dallas. Otherwise, it seems Allan Murphy's all too repetitive post might be in order.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 08:06 am

I don't get that either? Packers beat the Cowboys? What gap?

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PackerExpat's picture

September 01, 2015 at 08:20 am

Here's my problem with this. My basic assumption: in the preseason, coaches want to evaluate and even expose individual players not schemes nor the mix of players on the field. For the defense, they probably want to see how Barrington could do on an island, not scheme to cover Sproles. They want to test Barclay and Raji the same way. With Barclay, it would be easy to commit a full/halfback to protection on pass plays to shore up the left side. Raji is also still shaking the rust off. I do not expect a fast start but I expect to see something very different when the season arrives. Special teams and injuries are the only areas concern seems to be legitimate at this point. R-E-L-A-X

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 08:46 am

completely agree...

My only concerns are Masthay and injuries...

It looks like we have a few options for returners this year.

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SpudRapids's picture

September 01, 2015 at 11:40 am

That's exactly what McCarthy alluded to when he left Barclay out on an island. If that's in the regular season they are chipping with a TE. My only concern is health. Special teams will be better moving forward but give it time to improve.

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PaulRosik's picture

September 02, 2015 at 11:08 am

I agree with that totally. The Packers put players in spots to evaluate them and now know what not to do in an actual game.

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ottscay's picture

September 01, 2015 at 08:52 am

Special teams had a lot of new players in for evaluation. It's probably evidence that Zook isn't a ST savant, but I still expect them to be improved this year. Masthay is legitimately concerning, and the injury to Jordy is devastating, but otherwise I think we'll have everyone back in game 1 (or at worst 2) and we won't be playing those games just for player evaluation.

Not to say I'm confident we'll win it all, but I still feel confident that we'll be in the mix, which is honestly all you can realistically hope for at this point in the season anyhow.

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egbertsouse's picture

September 01, 2015 at 08:57 am

What did we expect? They "fixed" special teams by taking Slocum's asst. and putting him in charge. Same old, same old.

The DL and ILB's were awful for most of last year. The fix? Draft an ILB in the 4th and a DL in the 6th and hope that Raji has a miraculous regeneration and that you strike gold with some UDFAs. Chances of that working out? Well, it's possible but not likely.

No depth in the O-line? We'll fix it by hoping that Barclay improves and cross our fingers that the starters don't get hurt. How did that work out, Ted?

I'm not a troll. I'm a season ticket holder who is tired of seeing the same old strategy year after year.

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Evan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:06 am

"I'm not a troll. I'm a season ticket holder who is tired of seeing the same old strategy year after year."

That strategy has been pretty damn effective though, no? A Super Bowl. Division titles. Playoff appearances. A botched on-side away from a second Super Bowl.

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PackerExpat's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:15 am

DL and ILB should both be improved. The strategy is draft and develop not draft and patch. Pennel, Guion, Thorton and more are now second year players with the Pack and expected to have developed. Barrington should also be improved with significant time with the first team. Remember that last year after the bye week our D was top 10. The o-line? Barclay will be a perfectly suitable second stringer, Taylor is a very strong backup (decent starter even) and there are some young prospects that have done well in camp. You can't strategize for four losses on the line without majorly sacrificing depth elsewhere. You may not be a troll but you seem blind to the positive. The same strategy of getting to the playoffs every year, having the best division title streak in the NFL, and a SB win within 5 years...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 01, 2015 at 02:59 pm

The main strategy is draft and develop, and I agree that it is the correct one. TT does take it to an extreme, though. I would suggest that draft and develop is not necessarily incompatible with a bit of draft, develop and occasionally patch. I wouldn't call Peppers a patch, precisely, since he was brought in to be a difference-maker and not to plug a hole as cheaply as possible, but there aren't many examples of patches short of waiver claims (Tramon, Bigby, eg.). Patching has issues: 1 problem is timing: it's often done before the draft for big names and before TC for mid level, neither of which I really advocate. Since compensatory picks have really worked out for TT over the years, I'd consider patching after May 12. Case in point: Rob Housler, would have been a cheap (1 yr. @ $1.76 million, $760K guaranteed) patch at TE. Can't block a lick, but neither can Rodgers or Q, and he can run the seam, he's tall, has good hands and a large catching radius. Backman was an unknown then (I confess - I hated the Backman pick and thought and still think he should have been a UDFA), so that is a risk that you pay Housler and your draft pick surprises. For GB though, they'd have kept Rodgers, Q probably and Housler and put Backman on the PS where he probably ends up anyway.

Developing players is fine as long as one keeps the "moneyball" concept clearly in mind. While I have been a big supporter of Pennel and Janis, and to a lesser extent Goodson, I'd be among the first to suggest that Janis and Goodson have to be able to significantly contribute this season, even if only on STs, to merit a roster spot. Pennel already has contributed last year and looks real good this year. One roster year, and if TT likes the talent and the character, a 2nd year on the roster, is all I am willing to devote to most players.

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NickPerry's picture

September 02, 2015 at 06:08 am

What you're describing has worked VERY well for a team in the AFC, New England. The Pats are basically a "Draft & Develop Team", the difference is their GM will take a flyer on a proven Vet in order to "Win Now" opposed to basically refusing to look anywhere other than the unsigned or waived UDFA pile, and he normally doesn't spend big money or give up draft picks to do it. Obviously Revis was more than a flyer but the Pats roster is littered with Veteran players who were claimed after being waived and signed on the cheaper side. It has always been and will always be a sore spot when discussing the "Greatness" of TT with me. I have no doubt if TT had signed a player here or there the Packers would have won more than one SB under Rodgers.

Evan mentioned all the division titles, a botched onside kick from being in last years SB as if it was enough. It's not enough IMHO, not when you have who could possibly be the greatest QB or top 3 for sure ever to play the game. Hell if you want to make excuses then the Pats are one lucky catch (The Tyre Catch) and a dropped pass by one of the most sure handed WR to have played in recent memory (Welker's drop) from winning 6 SB instead of 4.

If you recall the Packers run defense gave up 339 yards in 2 games at 5.4 yards a carry in the playoffs. Several of us suggested if the Packers could field a top 15 defense this year it would be good enough for another SB Title. Losing Nelson might require a top 10 defense now because you don't just replace a Jordy Nelson that easily.

It will be interesting to see if TT brings in a veteran or 2 once players start to get waived. Masthay would have been gone and a new holder and or punter brought in on most teams. Masthay has done nothing but get worse as the preseason has gone on. While it's admirable the Packers had "Stood By" Masthay, it's becoming pretty clear he could really cost the Packers. Last season TT keep 2 ILB (Hawk & Jones) that had no business on the roster and it cost them time and again.

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PaulRosik's picture

September 02, 2015 at 11:14 am

But the Patriots went 10 years without a Super Bowl title. Based on the comments by other Packer fans, by that time they would have wanted to fire Belichick and get rid of Brady.

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croatpackfan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:28 am

Cory, you were posting wonderfull analysis of Packers plays last season, I so enjoyed in it. Now, I read you are whining about preseason evaluation game? You are completely right: Eagles prepared for that game and pointing out all mismatches they could find. Packers played basic defense through whole 1st half. One on one... It was for evaluation purposes only...
Eagles are wonderfull team to play against and evaluate players. They have so many offensive schemas that you can check all abilities and disabilities with every of your players. Starters or non starters. I think this was perfect game from the position of Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson... Now they know almost everything about players (starters and non starters)... Now they can start to plan their season games to fill the holes on offensive and defensive side of the ball, to cover lack of production in some areas and to direct season games in the direction of Packers strenghts...
Final judgement about ST I will give after next game (preseason!). Some of the people will left Packers, the players who stayed knows that there is no room for even one mistake any more... Only concern at the moment I have in Tim Masthay... He is awful... Lets hope he will rise his game to the form he had years before last season...
The lost from Eagles are welcome in result, in from and in way how it came... This is the best no cost wake up call for Packers. Now, I'm more convinced that Packers have the chance to win Big L!

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PackerExpat's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:16 am

Thanks for some reasonable commentary Josip!

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ejr450's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:16 am

I wholeheartedly disagree with the article. It's preseason. MM and TT are doing things on purpose - outside of unavoidable, non-contact injuries, of course. It's easy to look back in hindsight and say that Cobb shouldn't have played, but, you know, these are practice games, and he needed to play some snaps as the #1 guy now. Barrington needed the opportunity to show that he could or couldn't handle Sproles - best to do it now, rather than against Forte, Charles, etc. Raji and Barclay need the chance to show up - like Gunter and Pennel are doing with their chances.

I know we all want to see the '96 Defense out there every time. That's not what we have. We have a pass rushing team built to cause turnovers. We expect to play with a lead that A-Rod and the offense will provide.

It would be nice to see Masthay be consistent. That much is true. I guess we'll just have to not punt for 3 games in a row... again.

Lets see what Week 1 brings. A 4-0 preseason doesn't mean a thing, and neither does an 0-4.

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HarlanHuckleby's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:48 am

I agree it would be nice to see some consistency in Masthay. Replacing him at this point doesn't seem like a wise option, due to Crosby's comfort level with him as a holder on the FG unit. Hopefully Masthay can pull a Crosby of his own and get his stroke back.

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cheesehead1's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:35 am

It's only preseason remember, but unless our defense starts showing up big time then I'll be concerned. That was a terrible defensive showing against the Eagles. Hope Capers has some tricks up his sleeve once the season begins.

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ottscay's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:17 am

There was basically zero game planning on defense. No twists, almost no blitzing, etc. The whole point of Caper's defense is to disguise who rushes and and who is covering pre-snap, and there was none of it in the game.

If there's one thing that was concerning it's that there were some blown coverages that seemed to stem from how fast the Eagles were snapping the ball - obviously we will have to speed that up before we face such an uptempo offense again, but it's better to learn that lesson in the preseason!

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johngalt's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:47 am

Points noted on injuries and ST. The rest is a bit off the mark. Some fans love to invent drama where there is none. Let's see how we do for the first few games. Something tells me a few wins will settle things. "Diatribe" was also a bit over the top.

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TarynsEyes's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:01 am

'Concerns' are an everyday norm with various range.

'Confidence' to contend/beat those concerns is paramount.

The level of confidence to do so to date has taken a serious hit.

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packerfan9507's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:23 am

Around the league:

- The Seahawks offense has, by all accounts, looked like garbage.
- The Cowboys lost a good player in the secondary to injury, Murray to FA, and Bryant has been banged up.
- The Eagles are led by Sam Bradford who will surely be injured soon enough and their defense, despite stout front 7, will get shredded by any decent QB.

The only thing that concerns me at the moment is the coaching staff not realizing Rollins, Randall, and Gunter all outplay Casey Hayward and Capers still not realizing, even if vanilla defense, that LBs can't cover TEs or RBs.

The sky isn't falling. The team just needs to put the pieces together.

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Point-Packer's picture

September 01, 2015 at 11:23 am

"- The Seahawks offense has, by all accounts, looked like garbage."

True. Further, lots of rumors about Russell Wilson not only coming to camp fat, but also losing the locker room with his nutty nut ball comments related to holy water and god telling him not to fornicate with his hot girlfriend. And then you have Michael Bennett and the Kam Chancellor situation..

That being said, Seattle's defense is still the best in the league and has shown little sign of taking a step back. Further, one would assume Father Wilson will figure out how to throw the ball to Jimmy Graham, which really doesn't take that much.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 01, 2015 at 01:31 pm

Seattle also waived the player who was expected to be their starting center (replacing Max Unger). I gather they have someone else in mind, but that guy was not a phenom or anything: the original first choice simply was bad.

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packerfan9507's picture

September 01, 2015 at 02:57 pm

Seattle's defense is still very stout even if they've had losses to Free Agency and some players, i.e.: Sherman are coming back from injury - no doubt.

The point was that other teams are having all sorts of issues as well and it's myopic and alarmist to go Defcon "5" as the article states.

The Packers are experiencing a lot of adversity early on in the season and have the opportunity to weather it and still get to "The Ship". It all comes down to being consistent, staying healthy, and a dash of luck.

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cheddarhead's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:24 am

I have concerns about the injuries. But as far as the defense goes , if the starting offense can score quickly and often. That will completely change the whole play calling ont the opposing team.Hopefully th st can figure it out.

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aj's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:25 am

Why do the Packers need to close the gap with the Cowboys? You want the Packers to get worse? The Packers are in their own echelon with the Seahawks, that's it. They'll be fine. I don't understand why my fellow Packers fans like to worry... MM and TT will have this team ready to go by the playoffs.

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ray nichkee's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:37 am

This article is more meaningless than the preseason. Bad writing, and bad opinion. The preseason is about evaluation not winning. The regular season will be different. I want to hear no more whining about injuries unless an opposing player has the intent to cause injury. This is football not ballet. Those who have been used to winning in recent times need a reality check. Go back to the 80s packers or the reincarnated browns and respect what we have.

I agree with most of the comments on here. Drealyn williams is right. Wait till week 3. I hope mathsay gets out of his slump similar to crosby not so long ago. Speacial teams got a huge shake up this year so wait and see what happens. I hope corys article will embarrass him in the near future. Perspective is one thing but i hear a fan not a journalist.

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Evan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 10:45 am

Also. minor nit, but DEFCON 5 is the lowest DEFCON state. DEFCON 1 is the most serious.

https://media4.giphy.com/media/Y2nbrJyAR6RiM/200_s.gif

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porupack's picture

September 01, 2015 at 12:16 pm

So you guys who say "relax" basically discount the poor performance because 1) injuries and 2) evaluation. So you say that there was no intent to scheme.

Well, neither did the other teams. They also put out vanilla offense and are evaluating. So that can't be any real comfort excuse.

What we saw last week was that; man against man, GB got beat all over the field on offense and defense.
Clearly, the injuries are legitimate excuse in the vanilla vs vanilla game, and so is the case where 2nd stringers are in. But starter vs. starter didn't look good for GB.

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Flow49's picture

September 01, 2015 at 12:24 pm

I live in Dallas, according to all the radio personalities Dallas is "all in" for the superbowl this year. Pretty bold claim seeing as they let over 1,800 yards walk. You think replacing Jordy will be tough? Replacing the net effect Murray had on Romo, the Defense, and his production is far more of an obstacle as a team. Murray's loss hurts not only their running game it also hurts their Defense and their commitment to the run will be challenged. Because of that I think Dallas will come back to earth this year. Worry about Seattle and Arizona not Dallas.

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Khoa Vo's picture

September 01, 2015 at 01:40 pm

:]

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FITZCORE1252's picture

September 01, 2015 at 01:54 pm

Please, tell me more about the "gap" that needs to be closed from a team we beat the last time we played them, and a team we manhandled for 56 minutes the last meeting.

Injuries. The only thing I would worry about, but after many years doing just that, I'm not doing it any more. Can't control it.

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aj's picture

September 01, 2015 at 03:38 pm

Well said Fitz. In my professional opinion, that is a much better way to enjoy watching the team we love.

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ray nichkee's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:57 pm

A lame article and cory isnt here to defend himself. Lame. The good ones usually stop by and converse.

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