Green and Bold: Something's Gotta Give

It had to happen eventually. The Green Bay Packers' No. 1 run defense will finally take on the league's No. 1 rushing offense when the Packers host the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau on Sunday.  By 6:30 p.m. Lambeau time that night, one of those teams may not be ranked first in its respective category any longer. 

It had to happen eventually. The Green Bay Packers' No. 1 run defense will finally take on the league's No. 1 rushing offense when the Packers host the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau on Sunday. 

By 6:30 p.m. Lambeau time that night, one of those teams may not be ranked first in its respective category any longer. 

Through four games, the Packers are allowing just two yards per rushing attempt on average, and are the only team in the league to have yielded fewer than 200 rushing yards to opponents. 

They've also allowed just one rushing touchdown and have not allowed any explosive runs of 20 or more yards. 

This is the biggest test that the Packers front seven has faced all season.

Facing the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson in Week 2 seemed like it would be a challenge in the days leading up to that game, but Peterson had a slow start to the season and left that game in the third quarter with a knee injury. 

But there's been nothing slow about rookie Ezekiel Elliott's start with Dallas.

Elliott already has 546 yards on 109 carries, for an average of five yards per attempt. He has five touchdowns on the season and is on pace to finish with 16. 

Elliott leads the league in rushing; the next-closest running back, Tennessee's DeMarco Murray, has 461 yards. Only San Diego's Melvin Gordon and San Francisco's Carlos Hyde have more touchdowns, with six each. 

We knew Elliott was speedy when he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, but his speed has translated to the NFL in a big way.

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Comments (64)

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KenEllis's picture

October 12, 2016 at 06:39 am

You mean there is a difference facing the #1 rushing Offense as compared to the #23 (Lions), #27 (Giants), #30 (Jags), and #32 (Vikes) rushing offenses?

We'll know a lot more about the run D after Sunday's game than we know right now.

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Jmansayshi's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:15 am

One thing here that should be considered though is that part of the reason those teams are lower in the rushing rankings is because of their game against the Packers.

For instance, if you remove the Packers game, Detroit jumps up to #17. Still not #1, but the Packers are affecting those rankings also.

I agree we'll learn if they're for real on Sunday.

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Oppy's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:31 pm

I was going to say the same thing. It should also be noted that the league median YPC is 4.1. If the detroit Lions were to be #17 in the league, that puts them right at that 4.1 median YPC slot.

The Packers D is defending the run to the clip of 2 YPC. The next closet team is a full yard worse.

Regardless of who the pack has faced, no defense in NFL history has ever had a 2.0 YPC after 4 games played.

I would like to know how many YPC the packers have to give up vs. the Cowboys for the nay-sayers to claim "See! I told you they weren't that good!".

Cowboys are 5th in the league in YPC at 4.6.. If the Packers hold them under 4.6, is that enough? 3.6? I'd like to know.

I personally think if the Packers hold Dallas to under 3.3 or so, that's a big statement. Anything past that would be phenomenal.

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Razer's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:29 am

Exactly right Ken Ellis. Defense is playing fairly well. It will be a good test against a very good RB and Oline.

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rdent's picture

October 12, 2016 at 10:54 am

All I can say is that I am REALLY looking forward to this game,lke you said KenEllis we will know more about the D after this game,this could be a statement or a reality check.Having Pennell back is a plus,this Is going to be a physical game up front

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 06:51 am

This will likely be the mostly watched part of the game. The Cowboys rush offense vs the Packer rush defense.

While most eye will be on Elliott, the other matchup will be on Dak. Thus far he simply hasn't made any mistakes. Can Green Bay force him into some mistakes, and can the Packers take advantage of those mistakes?

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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:44 am

And might we be able to actually catch a ball that hits our DBs in the hands? That would be nice.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:49 am

exactly what I was referring to...

I would like to know how many dropped interceptions the Defense has had so far. 1 against the Giants, 3 against the Lions that I can think of off the top of my head.

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Handsback's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:05 am

Today there was an article in the Dallas News about the regression of Aaron Rodgers. I think what we are always assuming and can't anymore is that Aaron will be the 300 yd. QB that's good for at least 3 TDs. That being said, Green Bay's Oline is pretty good and Dallas’s weakness is with their front 7 on defense. Dallas hasn't been challenged as much because they aren't on the field as the offense keeps the ball for long drives.
So in lieu of looking at a lack of QB advantage, just comparing the Packer's front 7 to the Cowboy's Oline...that is going to be a slugfest.
If Lacy can't go, I'm not sure the Packers time of possession will keep their defense fresh enough to stop the Cowboys multiple times for 3 and outs.
I'm very glad Pennel comes back this week. This may be the best game of the year if both teams play to their current efforts.

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chugwater's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:27 am

Agreed. Good post.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:35 am

While Rodgers hasn't played out of this world yet, I really want to know what everyone would think of Rodgers if Richard Rodgers doesn't drop a TD in the endzone, and Starks doesn't drop a screen pass where he had nothing but blockers in front of him and room to run (likely a TD). Also if Nelson doesn't drop/deflect the pass into an interception, they have a first and goal.
And also they had a TD taken away due to a penalty.

Rodgers has missed some throws, but lets keep some perspective. In the second half of the Lions game and the Giants game the other players dropped way to many passes that hit them in the hands. And to many other mistakes during these games cost them.

Packers first 4 drives against the Giants were as follows.
1st Drive: 16 plays 75 yards ends in TD.
2nd Drive: 11 plays 71 yards, ends in interception (TD taken away, and dropped pass by Nelson)
3rd Drive: 5 plays -10 yards, ends in punt. (Packers converted 1st down on 3rd and 10 and was taken away due to a horrible holding penalty)
4th Drive: 5 plays 80 yards, ends in TD.

Packers drove the ball for long distances on 3 of the 4 drives, and the 1 drive they didn't drive the ball they had a 3rd down conversion taken away and we have no idea how that drive would have turned out.

Stats don't tell the whole story.

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NickPerry's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:50 am

Ugh.. That holding call. If Ed Hochuli and his crew never call another Packers game, I wouldn't be mad a bit! Give me Gene Steratore anytime! Right Dez!!!!

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:51 am

It still pisses me off...

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rdent's picture

October 12, 2016 at 11:08 am

I have come to expect that from Hochuli and his crew,I can't remember a prime time game with him that you wouldn't see at least two calls that knock you out of your chair

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Handsback's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:12 am

RC, it's not that Rodgers is a slug, his performance isn't in the top tier QBs that it used to be. You mention a lot of ifs, but that's the point. That screen pass to Starks wasn't all Stark's fault. The ball needed to be in front of Starks so he didn't need to turn his body to catch it. Rodgers in the past places that ball where Starks can catch it. (Let's face it, Starks needs the ball in perfect placement if he's going to catch it.) Also it would have been a great catch by Richard Rodgers on the end zone pass. Aaron put the ball where he needed, but RR couldn't pull off that hard catch.
The issue is the interceptions and near interceptions that he throws every game. Also on some crossing patterns where two balls to Adams were behind him and one almost got intercepted. Aaron isn't that sharp right now and that's the point of the article. His stats prove it. Can he get back to his previous level of performance? I don't know, but for all the discussion that Jordy is back there's very little about his diminished quickness and speed. IMHO, I believe that the coaches need to shorten the routes, add more crossing routes and quit trying to do the no huddle until the offense is clicking on all cylinders.

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dobber's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:33 am

"The issue is the interceptions and near interceptions that he throws every game."

Something I've noticed on a couple downfield throws that were broken up or in danger of being picked off on Sunday was that there were two green shirts in very close proximity to one another. Why, when you're 25+ yards downfield is there a second green shirt--and naturally his defender--right there? I know in one case it was Nelson and Janis, and in another I thought it was Cobb and Adams. I can understand why Janis might be in the wrong place given how little he plays, but two regulars like Cobb and Adams shouldn't have that issue.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:47 am

I agree, Rodgers has to be better. He has missed throws.

I'm just saying that the WR's haven't helped him and like Dobber said there were multiple WR's in the same areas on some of the long throws. We don't know the WR's responsibilities, but there seems to be an issue with WR's not running the right routes. And how much are the WR's getting open consistently?

That screen pass, yeah he could have thrown a bit better, but at the end of the day the ball hit Starks in the hands. He should have caught it.
Richard Rodgers the ball was in the only spot that there was no chance of an interception. Perfect throw. It hit Rodgers in the hands. It was a tough catch, but these guys get paid to make those types of plays.

Rodgers isn't as sharp as he needs to be. I believe it will come. But the WR's have to catch what hits them in their hands.

I completely agree about what the coaches need to do. Getting the ball out faster, more 3 step drops will definitely help.

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Oppy's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:34 pm

Only thing I'd say here is, let's be completely honest, Rodgers is the worst screen passer in the entire league. Yes, the entire league. Always has been, seemingly always will be.

His entire career is marred with garbage throws within a few yards of himself. No touch, no loft, either puts it in the dirt at the players feet of throws it too hard just out of reach. He's just plain bad at it.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:34 pm

This maybe completely true.

Either way it doesn't excuse Starks for dropping the screen that hit him directly in the hands.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 12, 2016 at 10:28 am

Handsback, Fair and honest observations and perspective on Rodgers and MM. Sums it up for me. Go shorter, mix it up and of course use the whole dam roster.

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rdent's picture

October 12, 2016 at 11:02 am

RCPackerFan" stats don't tell the whole story."
Thank you! I couldn't agree more

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 02:37 pm

RC - completely agree, nice post. The Packers were controlling the game completely during those early drives, but were shooting themselves in the foot with their dropped passes. Of course, the penalties didn't help either. We need better execution from our QB and WRs. As you accurately stated, stats don't tell the whole story because it is often was is not in the stats that makes the difference in a game. For example, there really aren't stats for dominating the line of scrimmage as the Packers did on both sides of the ball, yet that was the key factor in the Packers victory and often in many victories regardless of the final score. Thanks, Since '61

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NickPerry's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:45 am

Well if the Packers were ever a "Bulletin Board" type team or if McCarthy was smart, he'd BLOW that article up and put in in the middle of the Packers Locker Room. If that doesn't put "The Chip" back on his shoulder, maybe nothing ever will. You would hope Rodgers would want to make that reporter look like a fool for writing the piece and using the word "Regression" when talking about Rodgers.

I know most of this is on Rodgers, but I'm also starting to wonder if maybe the WR group as a whole just ins't very talented?? Years ago the Packers had several receivers who they could turn to if one or even 2 were having bad games or a bad match up. In 2010 the Packers had built their offense around Finley, he was going to be the man it mostly centered around. Once Finley was injured Jennings became almost unstoppable and the Packers had a bunch of receivers to turn to. That's just not the case now, or so it seems.

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barutanseijin's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:01 am

I think Rodgers is past the chip. He's established to himself that he's great. Now its a matter of keeping himself intact. He plays like he really doesn't want to get hit anymore. I can't blame him, but if that's the way he feels, theres no point in continuing to go out there and risk mind and body.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:12 am

Nick, there is the thruth that on each Aaron's toss there was at least one person free for catch. He just do not look whole field any more, like he did in the past. Why is that? I do not know, but he did not distribute his balls around as he did in the past... It is not always on WRs, TE or RBs. It is very often (more than I like) on Aaron's wrong judgement. And do not think NFL DCs do not see that. They are not affraid of deep ball any more, more because of Aaron than because of Packers WR... Take the last game as example... There was at lease 5 interception throws left from Giants to catch - one was smartly prevented by Davante Adams PI call. This is not Aaron Rodgers we knew...

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 02:43 pm

Croat - I agree, something is off. I have been re-watching games just to watch A. Rodgers and can't figure out what is wrong except that he is throwing off his back foot way too often. But even that does not explain his decisions or why he is not hitting the open receivers. I can't believe that this is not coming up during the film reviews. Rodgers is still physically capable of making all the throws since we have seen him still make some very difficult throws. Just in the Giant game his TD throw to Jordy and the dropped TD to R Rodgers were just about perfect throws. Yet he is missing some easy throws or not making easier throws to wide open receivers. Can't figure it out yet. Thanks, Since '61

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NickPerry's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:16 pm

Good points Croat... Maybe because Rodgers has been so great and he's been hearing it for so long, perhaps he's become unteachable or beyond coaching. Several have mentioned his mechanics are off. The way he sets his feet or doesn't. The way he'll throw so many passes off balance. I mean WHY can't he hit a WR or RB who's 6 yards away? How many of those have we saw land at the receivers feet or way over their heads. There was a time when the deep ball meant something. no it means an overthrow by 7 yards or one 10 yards out of bounds. Once he throws a pick forget it, he gets even worse, as if he gets all shaken up over his stats.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 13, 2016 at 05:02 am

Well, as I said in one of my previous comments - I pray God to let Aaron come to old himself...

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dobber's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:36 am

I just don't expect Pennel to play much this week, if he's active at all. Maybe short yardage and goal line type situations, but likely not much more than that.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 13, 2016 at 12:14 am

RC, I agree with your 9:47 am post. Simple truth. AR is missing more throws than he used to. He is still a star in the NFL, top 10 QB, though.

Your 7:35 post, while true enough and a nice apologia, is something you've posted before, and does not change the 9:47 post.

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Charvid's picture

October 12, 2016 at 11:46 am

"...looking at a lack of QB advantage"...I respectfully disagree. I will take AR over Dak Prescott every single time. There is no way we don't have a QB advantage regardless of what the stats say.

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cpheph1's picture

October 12, 2016 at 05:19 pm

Has Pennel been activated yet?...I haven't seen any transactions saying so. Regardless, no doubt the D has its work cut out for them having to slow down Zeke & that OL...is the Dallas LT going to play or dominate. He's possibly the best or at least top 3 LT. I know the LG (Collins) is out (on IR).

Their center is the best in the NFL ATT. (Treater could be top 10).

I bet Lacy will go, he'll deal with the ankle and plod along...he's a plow horse RB and that's a good thing. ...but if he cannot go then it's bad news because Starks is not playing well. Maybe we'll see more of Monty, Janis, or the rookie. I'm definitely in favor of 5WR or 4WR/1TE before using Starks exclusively @ RB. I think AR & the receivers can do the job to score more than enough for the W.

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Oppy's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:40 pm

Mike Clemmens reported that he could not find an Abbrederis palccard above any lockers in the GB locker room today.

It was noted that he is the only person who reported this.

Man, they better not have cut Abby. I just don't get what happened. He played well last season when given the chance, played his ass off this preseason.. and they have completely shunned him thus far this regular season. Not even playing special teams. I would be very disappointed if he was axed for the likes of Goodson, even if he is a ST ace.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:46 pm

Ahh, the changing of the guard. In limited action, Dak seems to be a better fit for the Dallas offense than Romo. Someday Hundley will get his chance. Could he prove the same?

I love Rodgers but watching him force the deep ball time after time sure doesn't look to be a successful approach with our current receiver line up and his lack of accuracy. I think we'd be a better offense with better game management from our QB and more run plays with Lacy. If Rodgers didn't have his scramble ability, this offense would be even more inept. If this production slide of his continues and he loses his running ability, it will be tough to stomach his mid to late 30's if he's still in GB. Also, I'd imagine he'd only get grumpier with time, football sure doesn't seem fun to him now and hasn't for quite a while.

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chugwater's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:12 am

Lotta focus on the GB rush D vs DAL rush O because they match up well. However, there is a match up gap between the GB O line and DAL front seven. We should sustain drives, and Dak and Zeke can't score if they're sitting on the bench.

DAL offense will win some drives. We'll stymie them on others. The key will be how our offense executes (dropped balls, poor throws) when Dallas defense is on the field because we have an advantage. Just need to execute.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:18 am

I agree with the key...

The key to this game will be for the Packers offense to stop making mistakes. Stop dropping passes would be a big start.

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Bohj's picture

October 12, 2016 at 03:23 pm

If there's one thing I know about the NFL and it's fans or pundits.....we are hardly ever right. The narrative on the Pack/Giants game was that we would get torched by three unstoppable receivers.......wrong. Coming into the season, we were worried our ILBs were going to be exploited left and right.....wrong. We had the depth at secondary.....wrong...well..jury out. This Dallas narrative is all about zeke against our Dline. That will probably be wrong too. Dez is back. They'll probably just play action us all day and torch us with Dak runs or Dez catches. (Just hope we're ready for that). And if Lacy's healthy...expect us to control the game like we did with the first half of the giants and Lions games. McCarthy wants that to be our identify. PS. For all we know Schum will have a redemption game to change that narrative too.

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cpheph1's picture

October 12, 2016 at 05:25 pm

Interesting comments and its hard to disagree with much of them.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

October 12, 2016 at 11:07 pm

COW, I'm holding you to your 6 & 10 prediction this year for GB. I'll bet you every thing you own. By the way, "What Do You Own"?
LVT

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NickPerry's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:31 am

One of the biggest concerns I'll have Sunday is Prescott running with the ball. Elliott will gain some yards, that's a given simply because of the O-Line Dallas has. But Prescott runs that option with Elliott and the Packers will have to be looking for that. Ryan and Martinez are going to have to be sharp.

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rdent's picture

October 12, 2016 at 11:11 am

Ya! Hope they remember the embarrassing SF game

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cpheph1's picture

October 12, 2016 at 05:28 pm

Nick Perry & CM3 must play well too...that's a must...and Mike Daniels.

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Icebowler's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:12 pm

Those three are our strength on D. They are the guys that Dallas has to "game plan" for.

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carusotrap's picture

October 12, 2016 at 07:49 am

This is going to come down to what scheme DAL designs. Jason Garrett can be dumb as a bag of doorknobs sometimes, and if he decides to challenge the GB run D, we're golden. But if he grows a brain stem and uses Elliot as a diversion, we may be in trouble. If Garrett and his OC figure out they should fake the hand off and dump it underneath, we could have a problem.

What we really need is for MM to grow a brain stem and play the entire game like they have been playing their first series. Just stop with the home run ball on 3rd and 2. Oh, and catch the ball. And punting.

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barutanseijin's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:09 am

Punting is a lost cause with Schum. If he's kicking thirty yarders now, it'll be twenty yards or fifteen yards in December in Lambeau & soldiers field.

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dobber's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:28 am

Fully expect the Packers to take the opposite approach in this one to what they did Sunday where they played two safeties over the top, kept everything in front of them, and dared the Giants to run the ball...which they couldn't do. The Doughboys don't really have a deep threat (absent Dez Bryant). They're mostly a "catch-and-run" receiver group, so absent the strong run game, the Packers would probably want to play these guys the same way.

Let's not lose track of the fact that Dallas hasn't exactly played a murderer's row of defenses this year, either (same argument detractors use with regard to the Packers run D). Do they have a really good OL? Yep. Do they have a very talented, fresh RB? Yep. Is he going to get his yards this week? Probably.

In the end, it's going to come down to who turns the ball over. Neither team has a stellar track record of forcing TOs this season (Dallas has only 5 takeaways, the Packers have 4) and Dallas really hasn't had to deal with that kind of adversity. They haven't had to play from behind very much this season, and that's why Prescott looks so good. I think this is a game where the team that wins that battle wins. IN EDIT: And this is why I hope like crazy that Starks--with his ball security issues--is not the lead back this week...every time he touches the ball I cringe.

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chugwater's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:41 am

Starting to think the 100 yd mark for Zeke is not the key stat to watch. It will be total yards. Cowboys are currently averaging 397 ypg. If we keep them under 280 we should be fine assuming turnovers are even.

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chugwater's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:41 am

Double post.

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Razer's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:48 am

I have total confidence that our defense will show up and do it's job. I just wonder if our 4 cylinder offense will be hitting on all cylinders. Dallas is the team to do it against.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:16 am

Well I think Packers O is not 4 cylinder motor, it is more V8 and they are playing like 4 in the row... All 8 cylinders are still just our wish...

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Lphill's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:59 am

Like someone earlier pointed out, everyone is knocking Rodgers but 2 dropped TD passes and another called back due to penalty the Giants game could have been 34 to 9 , those were key drops in that game , yes Rodgers missed some throws but the drops kept the game from being a blowout.

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 10:44 am

My concern with Elliot is his speed. Once he gets beyond the LOS he can out run any of our DBs. We are going to need to have penetration to stop or slow him down in the backfield. Our ILBs need to have big games as well. I finally had a chance to re-watch the Giant's game. It is true that the dropped passes hurt the final score and Rodgers stats but it is also true that Rodgers is missing a lot opportunities and leaving too many yards and plays on the field. The Aaron Rodgers we know would have completed about 90% of his passes against the Giants. With the time he was given by the OL he had open receivers on almost every play. He his either not seeing them or just making different decisions. I don't know why. He just doesn't seem as confident as he has been in the past. And he absolutely needs to get back to basics and set his feet before he throws. It almost seems like throwing off of one foot has become normal for him, rather than the exception. Someone needs to set him down and coach him up because something is just not right. If I can see it then our coaches and our opponents can see it as well. Right now I would say it's a concern, but it will become a problem if nothing is done about it. Thanks, Since '61

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Bearmeat's picture

October 12, 2016 at 01:07 pm

Want to know the crazy/sad thing 61?

Eddie Lacy ran a 4.55 (compared to Zeke's 4.47) in the combine. NO WAY Eddie is even CLOSE to that fast anymore. Oh, what could have been... :(

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 02:30 pm

Bearmeat - I agree, sad but true. This is why I posted here several times that MM should establish a playing weight for Lacy and hold him to it. Lacy stills run with power but he can't break away for any distance like Elliot can.
Lacy was never going to have great speed but at least he could get to the LOS faster than he does now. If he can't go this week I see a rotation between Starks, Cobb, Montgomery and maybe Jackson. To me the Dallas game will come down to our defense stopping the run and Aaron Rodgers raising his level of play closer to his 2014 level of play. Thanks, Since '61

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jh9's picture

October 12, 2016 at 03:14 pm

'61 - I think you're right on point. Let's also say that it's the coaches job to get the most out of the talent they're given. When star professional athletes don't play up to the level that's expected of them, coaches get fired. It happens all the time.

If Mike McCarthy no longer has the ability to get inside of Aaron Rodgers' head and get him to perform better, than I believe the Packers have no choice than to find some coach who can do the job.

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 04:46 pm

JH - there is no question that you are correct and that the coaches need to do their jobs. It is only fair to the player involved and the rest of the team. It must come up in the film sessions that there are open receivers out there. He can still physically make the throws because we see him do it at times during the game such as the TD throw to Jordy and the dropped TD pass to R. Rodgers in the Giant game. This tells me that he is not hurt. So talk to him and find out what the hell is wrong and help him work through it. This what coaches do. Why do issues like this seemingly go on forever in Green Bay? Bring in Mike Holmgren as a consultant to get Rodgers fixed and move on. Thanks, Since '61

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jh9's picture

October 12, 2016 at 04:45 pm

Whatever it takes...

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 04:46 pm

Agreed!!! Thanks, Since '61

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Icebowler's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:33 pm

"Bring in Mike Holmgren as a consultant to get Rodgers fixed and move on."

Yikes! That has "egotistical disaster" written all over it, no matter which way you slice it. Don't we already have too many Offensive Coordinators?

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Bohj's picture

October 12, 2016 at 03:35 pm

'61. I feel like after the Denver and Panthers game last year, Rodgers lost trust in his protection. He got drilled so much. After that game, Rodgers began scrambling out of the pocket more before it had even broken down. The beginning of this year he has the same tendency to escape the pocket too early. Although....as an aside.....I did notice this Giant's game he had amazing protection. Zero sacks (probably because they were only rushing 4). But that protection and health of that unit seem to be massively improved. I think that over the season, Rodgers will begin to trust his Oline more, stop throwing on the run (and back foot), and start delivering darts from the pocket like we're used to. It's like his Oline kissed someone else during that bronco/panthers game....and now he needs to regain its trust. But it takes time.

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Since'61's picture

October 12, 2016 at 04:38 pm

Bohl - I agree with you that Rodgers struggles go back to last season. I think specifically they go back to a hit that he took in the first half to the Denver game where he was hit and got up wincing and holding the left side of his chest. I've noticed a difference and a drop off in his play since then. However, assuming that its true and he does not trust his protection, someone on this enormous coaching staff should have figured this out and helped Rodgers by now. (See JH9's post and my reply above) Rodgers is physically able to make the throws so his struggles (this season)are not due to injury and as you correctly point out he is getting excellent protection from the OL.
Maybe he just needs an old-fashioned shot in the head or kick in the butt.
If Mike Holmgren were there this issue would not be going on since last season. Whatever the problem is Holmgren would have pulled him over and read him the riot act by now. Rodgers is better than he is playing and we're going to need the 2014 version of him probably as soon as this week and if not then sometime this season for sure. Thanks, Since '61

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Icebowler's picture

October 12, 2016 at 09:57 pm

Remember when Favre used to start out games pretty lackadaisical until he took a clock-cleaning hit. From then on he did a 180 and usually played lights-out. Rodgers needs to get over his skittishness. Maybe MM should force feed Aaron some old 1st quarter Favre tapes in the film room.

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NickPerry's picture

October 12, 2016 at 08:27 pm

I don't disagree with you Bohj but it's been several games since the Carolina and Denver Games. I think you meant the Arizona Game towards the end of the regular season in 2015. No matter which, it's time for Rodgers to trust. He has the #1 Pass Protecting Offensive Line in Football, and that was before last week when he had 5+ seconds to throw the dang ball. The worst ranked O-Lineman overall was Lane Taylor at 15!!

Those 2 DE on the Giants are both excellent pass rushers and Bulaga and Bakh were great. I'm pretty critical of Thompson so I have to give him props when due. By next year or the year after Bakhitari's contract will look like the best deal in football. He just keeps getting better and better.

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PaulRosik's picture

October 12, 2016 at 05:14 pm

The key to the packer defense so far has been being able to line up safeties deep and stop the run anyway. This game will be a big test to see if they can stop this rushing attack without putting more men in the box.

On the other side of the ball it is once again nervous fans talking about nothing. The packets get a presnap penalty to stop a touch and have a pass hit Nelson in the hands go for a pick and another go through R Rodgers hands to miss another td. If they catch the ball Rodgers has a four td day and the discussion is how good the offense looks in Lambeau.

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