Gut Reactions: Week 17
Aaron's gut reactions from the Packers' victory over the Chicago Bears.
By PackerAaron
- The Packers beat the Bears with defense...and with special teams. That is not a typo.
- I am impressed Lovie played his guys the whole way.
- If Erik Walden doesn't get a Game Ball, there is no justice in the world.
- So much for all that talk about the Packers being the most dangerous team heading into the playoffs. At least as it pertains to the offense. They were brutal most of the day.
- James Starks is clearly the best pure runner currently on the team. Not sure about the rest of the game but I ure wish McCarthy would have rode him a bit more.
- As good as Rodgers was the first time against Chicago, he was seemingly waiting too long for things to open up downfield. He was brilliant at taking what the defense gave him last time. Not so much this time.
- Bryan Bulaga - I don't even want to talk to you.
- Classic Clifton game where he shuts down Peppers and makes him switch over to the rookie.
- Everyone was killing McCarthy for the 2nd down call near the goalline where Rodgers faked the sneak and then threw the swing pass to Jackson. If Rodgers makes an even halfway decent throw, Jackson is in the endzone. It's about execution.
- Similarly, everyone howling at McCarthy after Rodgers took a shot deep on 3rd and 2 needs to relax. I'm pretty sure the call was for Rodgers to hit Kuhn in the flat. It was the same play Flynn ran for a TD against the Pats, a good short-yardage call. I think Rodgers chose to go deep when he saw he had the one-on-one.
- And those two plays exemplified the Packers' problems on offense all day. Execution, or lack thereof.
- As putrid as they were on the offensive side of the ball, the defense was almost as stellar. (I say almost because you still saw them getting gashed a bit in the run game outside. More commitment to the run from Martz might have been trouble.)
- Charles Woodson flying in Cutlers face before he sacks him needs to be made into a poster.
- Tim Muthafuckin' Masthay.
- Bring on the Eagles.
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Comments (138)
January 02, 2011 at 07:25 pm
Can Lang get some snaps at RT during the week? Please
January 02, 2011 at 08:37 pm
Yeah, what's up with Bulaga? He's been serviceable at least for the past 4 weeks - not today. That CAN'T happen against Trent Cole...
January 02, 2011 at 08:42 pm
Although he was going up against Peppers who I would argue is quite a bit better player than Cole.
January 02, 2011 at 09:27 pm
Exactly. I think that Bulaga was freaking out a bit about Peppers. We'll see if he learns from the experience next week.
January 02, 2011 at 09:51 pm
Trent Cole is VERY underrated. Dude's got some serious game, and Bulaga is going to need help against him.
January 03, 2011 at 01:19 pm
I'm with idiot.
January 02, 2011 at 09:54 pm
skip the 5 wide and go 4 w/ BJax in the backfield. so many more options and blitz pickups/help with Cole...
January 03, 2011 at 02:04 am
bulaga has struggled the whole season... he hasnt been atrocious.. but he has struggled quite a bit
January 02, 2011 at 07:26 pm
A lot of dropped passed today. Otherwise, Packers looked pretty good. Masthay and Walden great games.
January 02, 2011 at 10:37 pm
WAY TOO MANY dropped passes...totally agree with you.
January 02, 2011 at 07:29 pm
I agree with you about the second down play call. The call I DON'T like is the first down call to Kuhn. Don't think he is effective if you bunch everything in tight--I was calling for play action, which we saw worked on the Lee TD.
Regardless, we're headed to Philly!!! Go Pack Go
January 02, 2011 at 08:23 pm
they need to spread the offense down there
January 02, 2011 at 09:08 pm
Why not I formation Quinn at fb Kuhn at hb. They've done it once that I can recall against NYG last week.
January 02, 2011 at 11:54 pm
If they are going to run that play on 1st down at least line the backs up deeper in thhe backfield. The quick hit effect is negated by the tight formation anyway. With only 2 steps before the pile, there is no way Kuhn can work up any momentum or push.
BTW, can nobody on this team dive over the pile?
January 02, 2011 at 07:31 pm
What a pickup by TT (Walden). I thought thge same thing about Woodson's sack - Cutler could not get it over him and was immediately sacked by him. The punting was outstanding.
January 02, 2011 at 07:32 pm
Also - BUSH!
January 02, 2011 at 07:43 pm
heck yeah, that was the play of Bush's career.
January 02, 2011 at 08:20 pm
He's 26.
January 02, 2011 at 07:56 pm
sign me up for the Walden fan club. the guy plays like the love-child of Matthews and Bishop. clear out some space in Canton!
January 02, 2011 at 08:43 pm
^+1
January 02, 2011 at 09:09 pm
Walden got eaten alive in the run game! He had a great game rushing the passer but we "got lucky" the Bears didn't just keep running the ball right at him. Forte had 65 yards on 7 carries running to the left. Not entirely Walden's fault but he got blown up more than a few times and lost contain on the two long gains. He's servicable but if he doesn't step up at the POA he is going to see a steady dose of runningbacks charging straight for him. Philly is going to test him early and often especially if Cullen isn't available.
January 02, 2011 at 10:14 pm
The Pats ran it at Walden all day long as well, with similar results.
Much like KGB was a pass rushing specialist and wasn't stout vs. the run (completely miscast as an every-down DE by sherman, by the way), Walden is clearly a pass-rushing threat at OLB who is not particularly sound in his run fits.
The answer may be creatively shifting Walden or using Walden/Zombo situationally- Zombo is your short yardage guy, Walden in obvious passing downs.
Anyone happen to really notice how Walden does in coverage over the last few weeks?
January 02, 2011 at 07:34 pm
Where on God's green Earth did Tim Masthay come from?
January 02, 2011 at 07:36 pm
Heaven.
January 02, 2011 at 07:43 pm
Gingers don't have souls so...
January 02, 2011 at 07:57 pm
RS, you've been watching Southpark again haven't you?
January 02, 2011 at 08:01 pm
Always...
But YAY Ginger Menace!
January 02, 2011 at 07:44 pm
I guess you could say he has "up side"...
January 02, 2011 at 07:35 pm
The Offense will fair better in Philly. If the D plays near the same level as today we should get out of there with a W.
GBP 4 LIFE
January 02, 2011 at 07:36 pm
They're throwing deep too much. And I agree about Starks.
Defense has been salvaging games all year.
January 02, 2011 at 07:46 pm
those deep balls only work when they keep a back in the backfield with Rodgers. gotta have a chip on one of the DEs (prolly to help Bulaga) or pickup blitzers.
that back seems to buy Rodgers and the WRs another second to develop the routes downfield.
January 02, 2011 at 07:39 pm
I just don't get why it's always the offense that struggles and that it's inconsistent. Why is the D always prepared and playing full cylinders, even with 5th stringers undrafted rookie FAs?
Difference between Kevin Greene And Mike Trgovac' coaching and Jimmy Robinson and James Campen is that big? Is Capers just much better at keeping his players focused than McCarthy?
January 02, 2011 at 08:45 pm
I would say it is. The defensive staff has to be sharp with the coverages and multiple blitz packages. Take Capers Cover 7. It's a four man rush trying to get the weakside OLB in on the rush. The SS and FS has to account for the displaced back vs. 2 x 2 or 3 x 1 and it changes depending upon where the displaced back aligns to. It's essentially man free without a 5 man pressure. The strong side ILB will either bracket on #2 or sluff off and play the low hole and read the QB depending on the release of #2. Needless to say....it's pretty complex stuff that these guys have to be able to react to on the fly. Whatever the case, the defense has been "johnny on the spot" much of the year. Capers deserves to be the assistant coach of the year considering the job he has done with these guys in this system. I don't think we can say the same for McCarthy. I think he hasn't ajusted very well to the losses he's sustained.
January 02, 2011 at 09:35 pm
1. Do you think McCarthy should at least share playcalling (if he doesn't already) with the OC?
2. Your analysis is pretty rich, are you the "real" Paul Ott Caruth?
January 02, 2011 at 09:20 pm
At this time last year it was the exact opposite. Too bad we can't get both playing great at the same time.
January 02, 2011 at 09:29 pm
Well last year we DID have JMike and Ryan Grant, too. We don't have an elite O without those two...we have just a "good" O. But we can still get it goint. Philly's D is softer than Chicago's. I expect us to put up some points next week.
January 02, 2011 at 09:53 pm
Agreed on all counts.
January 02, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Is the D elite without Barnett, Brad Jones, Zombo, Neal, Jenkins, Burnett, Bigby? Is the D elite playing Charlie Peprah, Howard Green and Eric Walden?
Obviously there's a dropoff without Finley and Grant. But we still have talented players at WR, specially Jennings. We still have Rodgers. The dropoff shouldn't be that big, to the point where we struggle to put 10 points on the board.
January 02, 2011 at 10:13 pm
That's a good point. And I love what Dom has done. It seems like whoever he sticks in at OLB opposite matthews is suddenly a football player. But I would also argue that Grant and Finley are arguably 2 of the top 4 offensive weapons (Arod and Jennings). I'm not sure any of those guys on D are in the top 4. And I'm disappointed, too, when we put up 9 or 10 points. I do think we are better than that. I think we'll put up 28+ on Philly.
January 02, 2011 at 10:15 pm
IMO the difference is that the defensive "scheme" is elite and able to play at a high level even after sustaining injuries while the offensive "talent" is elite but loses some effectiveness when you sustain injuries to key players.
January 02, 2011 at 09:56 pm
Yeah. Was thinking the same. However, the D has been in the same system for only 2 years. The O, for 6.
January 02, 2011 at 07:39 pm
Agree. Wasn't play calling. More execution. That 2nd and goal was brilliant drawing the defense to the middle, with a quick toss outside...if only the toss were halfway decent.
January 02, 2011 at 07:50 pm
i have a bigger problem with the offensive sets and the way they were used, than the playcalling. (hard to criticize playcalling when we can't always tell the difference between what was called and what Rodgers did on his own.)
my point in this game is the 5 wr sets we used--not as much for the short passes or slants but as go routes.
i kept hoping MM would keep somebody in the backfield to help in protection and add a checkdown option.
January 02, 2011 at 08:39 pm
McCarthy doesn't run WCO so keep dreaming. He's all about pushing the ball down field. That's how his players are trained.
January 02, 2011 at 08:04 pm
I agree, this game it wasn't playcalling.
Sure, even my mother yelled "Kuhn Handoff!" on that first and goal, but that's nitpicking (though one can say that the difference between good and great is one play).
But isn't it ultimately MM's job to have his players focused and prepared? Why is it a reocurring thing, and why it doesn't affect the also injury depleted D?
January 02, 2011 at 08:25 pm
they needn to spread offense on 3 yard line
January 02, 2011 at 09:26 pm
I agree. Spread the line to give Kuhn the opportunity to make a play.
January 02, 2011 at 08:56 pm
I can't stand those quick hitter handoffs to Kuhn. When Kuhn is the FB in short yardage situations the D's are all over them.
And that is a good point RS. The D has had it's fair share of key injuries, yet they show up every week and we all know what to expect. The offense on the other hand is just sporadic. Why? I don't know, but it is puzzling. I do think you have to attribute some of it to the playcaller as well as the players. I mean you can't put Jennings dropping a potential TD on Coach.
January 02, 2011 at 09:01 pm
No you can't put solely on him. But it's not the first time Jennings drops a key pass this year, and we've had drop problems since last year. Those are concentration problems. Why aren't the receivers concentrated enough?
The fumble I can't point on MM no matter what. That's what he stresses the most, ball security. That's what he practices the most. BTW, once again, in a key game, Driver fumbles...
January 02, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Absolutely RS, there is no excuse for a team to play like that in a must win situation. Detroit Deux!
Fix it MM. I'm hopping Bulaga spends the entire off-season in GB working with a new Oline coach. It's time to change the blocking schemes. Eough of this hope they trip over the prone bodies of the Olinemen approach. Most unimpressive.
January 03, 2011 at 10:41 am
FIRE SOMEONE QUICK!
January 02, 2011 at 07:40 pm
Also not worried about the offense. It was a rivalry game and played out like one.
January 02, 2011 at 08:22 pm
Atta way Tommer
January 02, 2011 at 08:57 pm
Adjacent/Hypotenuse
January 02, 2011 at 07:43 pm
I guess Masthay doesn't suck anymore?
January 03, 2011 at 12:36 am
You didn't get the memo?
January 02, 2011 at 07:52 pm
help me out here--I feel like I don't see Rodgers using the pump fake. I would LOVE to see a 4 or 5 wr package using short passes to setup a pump fake/double move.
January 02, 2011 at 08:06 pm
He needs to have more than 3 seconds of protection to be able to pump fake without being plummeted to the ground by the D. He did use it last game, in the goal line on the TD to Jones...
(But it's not one of his strengths.
January 02, 2011 at 08:16 pm
Big difference between this game and the last vs. the Bears - 25 flags vs. only 4 (however, all 4 on Bulaga - what were the Vegas odds on that?).
January 02, 2011 at 08:19 pm
Arodge was holding onto the ball too long again.
January 02, 2011 at 09:31 pm
I do not agree. The guys were covered...that's all there was to it. He only got sacked twice, and did not get rushed into any stupid decisions (I still can't believe that INT wasn't overturned). I can't put that on him today.
January 03, 2011 at 10:44 am
Aaron had a terrible game, but I cant fault that throw. That interception was unbelievable. I think it hit the ground enough to be overturned, but its hard to fault anyone there. Just a hell of a play by the corner.
January 02, 2011 at 08:27 pm
Face it Bulaga almost lost that game single handed
January 02, 2011 at 09:41 pm
Fair to beat on him, he had a bad game. He also made the tackle on Tillman after the interception. Credit the defense for holding up so well, but Tillman almost had a pick-6.
January 02, 2011 at 09:45 pm
That was one of the most disgusting displays of NON tackling I have ever seen on Tillman's run back--shades of the 300 lb NE lineman on the KO return.
January 03, 2011 at 10:48 am
Yeah you are right DavyJones.
We should get rid of Aaron Rodgers... he can throw the hell out of the ball, but if you're QB cant tackle he's worthless. Also fire Mike McCarthy for not running tackling drills for the offense.
I for one am happy that the offense cant tackle worth crap. That means they dont have a lot of practice doing it.
January 02, 2011 at 08:28 pm
For such a good third down team our third and threes can be pretty ugly. I thot we cleaned that up...but some teams read us like a book.
January 02, 2011 at 08:37 pm
Very much so. Too much shotgun 2 x 2 or I formation. A nice 2 x 2 formation with two TEs and Rodgers under center would be nice to balance a defense.
January 02, 2011 at 09:17 pm
variety, right? How many times has an RB or a tight end made a third and short ..not too often I don't think.
January 02, 2011 at 08:28 pm
walden had a good game, I think he makes the roster next year. Agree about starks every time he runs it seems to be a positive play. I think McCarthy has done a good job cleaning up the penalty's but Bulaga must have missed that meeting. In MMA there is a superman punch, I think Woodson just invented the superman sack. I think Mashtay has played well enough to say he is our punter next year and to not bring in competition.
January 02, 2011 at 09:01 pm
What up Aussie?
"In MMA there is a superman punch"...
Have you seen that Pettis kick from the last WEC? I'm sure you have but if not, go to youtube and check it out. Baddest single MMA kick ever!
GBP 4 LIFE
January 02, 2011 at 09:45 pm
When you're reaction is a little slow, or you're overmatched, you end up holding. When you're nervous, you get jumpy, and then you get the false start. Bulaga will see the opposing Ds' best ends for the play-offs.
January 02, 2011 at 08:31 pm
I don't know how many times during the game I said "Where's Walden? On your back, Cutler!"
January 02, 2011 at 08:33 pm
If you would have told me after the Lions game that we would tie the Giants and the Bucs record wise and still end up the playoffs I would have called 'shenanigan'....
I lost faith, but they proved me wrong.
They look stronger this season than they did last year goin' into the playoffs.
Let the Second Season begin!!!
January 02, 2011 at 09:47 pm
If they had beaten the Lions they'd be the #2 seed and have a bye week. Something I'm sure they'll be talking about once the playoffs are over.
January 02, 2011 at 08:33 pm
Hats of to the Bears- they gave their all...not good enuf.
Walden plus the 11 IR members and the current roster plus 8 draft picks? We have to seriously think of unloading some picks- no room at the inn so move up for quality in April, TT.
January 02, 2011 at 08:34 pm
The first down call on the first goal line series was absolutely abysmal....shades of Patriots games again. Playaction would have been the ideal call but then again, we're talking about McCarthy here. The second time around I was practically screaming at the TV for him to run play action on 1st down. Lo and behold, McCarthy pulled his head out of his arse and did. Look what happened. Football is an amazingly simple game at times. Overall, I think McCarthy called a pretty good game although I thought he could have varied the launch point a little bit to help out Bulaga. Also would have liked to see more 12 personnel 2x2 and some 11 Personnel Trips formations with some running out of those formations instead of 20 and 21 Pro I and Flex formations. The first goal line series was on McCarthy. Poor, poor play selection there. If he doesn't clean that up it will come back to haunt us.
PackerAaron
January 02, 2011 at 08:54 pm
I agree with some of this up to a point. At the same time, there's a big element of "they know us and we know them". Lovie is just better at taking away what McCarthy does well. He always has been save for the rare instance when McCarthy can get the running game going. That's when he's done well against Lovie in the past.
That said, I totally agree with you on playaction near the goalline. Aikman said "This would be a good down to go playaction" on second down, to which I muttered, "No, FIRST down is the down to go playaction" And as you say, next series lo and behold...
January 02, 2011 at 09:23 pm
I've wondered this for years.
Why don't teams go no huddle after a long play to near the goal line? Always have a stock play for No Huddle Goal LIne...and rush down, panic the D and plunge/sneak three plays in a row...or four. Batta bing batta Kuhn
January 02, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Didn't we do that against ATL? Which resulted in a fumble?
January 02, 2011 at 09:41 pm
Play action bootleg with a Rodgers pass/run option my choice.
January 02, 2011 at 08:35 pm
First call on Bulaga was not a penalty. The second was questionable. The third was his responsibility. To judge his play on penalties called on him would be short-sided.
PackerAaron
January 02, 2011 at 08:56 pm
The first hold or the first fasle start? The hold, while ticky-tack, was indeed a penalty. The reverse view showed he grabbed the jersey.
January 02, 2011 at 09:29 pm
I love the Guy. This is not his natural position. It is on the left side He has done well, until tonight.
January 02, 2011 at 08:37 pm
Tim Masthay indeed. And by the way, people it's MASTHAY. NOT MASTAY. I like that young man.
January 02, 2011 at 08:42 pm
Bring on the Eagles. Can't wait!!
January 02, 2011 at 08:45 pm
Tim Muthafuckin' Masthay
As much as Masthay lost the first Bears game, he won it this time. One of the best punting performances I've seen in a long time.
January 02, 2011 at 09:08 pm
that was refreshing as a Packer fan, but it had to be the performance of the season against the Bears.
January 02, 2011 at 08:46 pm
It was definitely both execution and the rivalry game working in tandem tonight.
Given Philly's injury woes in their secondary we should have some favorable match-ups.
Regardless - this is the playoffs and it's all about playing sound, fundamental, mistake-free football. If we do that we should be successful.
Next Sunday. Can't wait.
PackerAaron
January 02, 2011 at 08:57 pm
"It was definitely both execution and the rivalry game working in tandem tonight."
Exactly.
January 03, 2011 at 10:31 am
Ah - good call on this. I need to re-read things more. I should have entered the works "lack of" before "execution".
That being said - I'm honored Aaron. that you commented on my comment. Humbled, even.
Transplants this week or no?
PackerAaron
January 03, 2011 at 10:46 am
Lol. Yes, we'll be back tomorrow night.
January 03, 2011 at 01:49 pm
Excellent. Plenty to talk about, that's for sure.
January 02, 2011 at 08:58 pm
I love Tim Masthay
January 02, 2011 at 09:06 pm
Not only Masthay tonight: How about Crosby's placement of Kickoffs and his boomer that Manning had to down! NICE!
January 02, 2011 at 09:25 pm
He tried that same little trick against Atlanta at the end of the game you'll recall and Slocum's head was placed on the block...so what is it then?
January 02, 2011 at 09:44 pm
I don't think the call or the kickoff against ATL was a problem. It was coverage - if I remember, Nick Collins was out of his lane because he was a last minute fill in. Little Eric Weems made him pay for that.
-
This time, same tactic. Same Kicker execution. Better coverage = better result.
January 02, 2011 at 10:12 pm
he kicked a rocket liner 4 yds deep in to the end zone with a hangitime of about a second.
January 02, 2011 at 09:00 pm
Woodson vs Vick! My brother says Tramon is team MVP. Hard to argue with that.
January 02, 2011 at 09:21 pm
Bring on the EAGLES...????
hahahahahaha.
The Eagles and Michael Vick are gonna carve up the the Pack like baby swiss in the playoffs...
One and DONE, again for Aaron McFumblepunt and "Alternative Lifestyle" TT....
hahahahahaha...SUCKERS!!!
PackerAaron
January 02, 2011 at 11:05 pm
You're right, the Eagles looked unstoppable losing to the last place Vikings.
January 03, 2011 at 05:51 pm
Zing, Burn, and POW all in a single one-liner.
And Besides, isn't Vick hurt?
January 02, 2011 at 11:20 pm
I've always thought that those whom have the nerve to type 'hahahaha' need to go back and get their GED. And an apartment that is not below ground level.
January 03, 2011 at 10:56 pm
YOU question TT's sexuality? Come on dude...
January 02, 2011 at 09:29 pm
The swing play on the goal line will work with a play-action to Kuhn then the pass to BJ.
January 02, 2011 at 09:34 pm
Our Receivers need to have a "come to Jesus meeting". All had drops, and that will not work next week! They made Arron look bad! no separation from defenders, Fumble, dropped passes, missed routes. Come - on! If not for that this game would have been a blow-out. Rogers would have had 350 yard and 4 TDS!
January 02, 2011 at 09:41 pm
amen brother.
January 02, 2011 at 09:51 pm
+1
January 02, 2011 at 09:39 pm
Gotta love the fact that when one part of the team falters (tonight the O), the other parts (tonight, D--AGAIN, and surprisingly, ST's) pick up for them. That is what good teams do. I don't remember a better special teams performance in recent memory...even Tramon got in the act.
Tough night for Bulaga and the WR's...way too many drops again. Maybe it's good they got it out of their systems and now can atone against Philly.
How many passes did Woodson tip/deflect tonight?
Why do they not call holding on whoever is blocking CM3?
Why do I feel so giddy?
January 02, 2011 at 09:45 pm
You feel giddy because our opening day roster minus 17ish guys just proved the Bears still suck again!
January 02, 2011 at 09:48 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT
January 02, 2011 at 09:45 pm
1. Do MM/TT replace Slocum at the end of the year or does this performance save his job (if it was ever in jeopardy...)?
2. All the mid-season reloading of talent, plus the depth we already had...does TT deserve "executive of the year"?
January 02, 2011 at 09:46 pm
TT abso-f'ing-lutely deserves Exec of Year!!
January 02, 2011 at 11:48 pm
Indeed, YES.
January 02, 2011 at 09:57 pm
1. I doubt that he was on the block. I anyone goes at all (questionable) it will probably be Campen.
2. Is there anyone else who deserves it half as much?
January 02, 2011 at 10:03 pm
When doing the pros and cons I can't believe they come out of the meeting thinking Slocum is doing a good job...
January 02, 2011 at 10:10 pm
I'm inclined to agree, and think he probably should be replaced.
But does he benefit from the injury fallout? (MM has said that injuries make Slocum's job more difficult.)
January 02, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Slocum stays.
January 02, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Mediocrity rewarded.
Bob Sanders didn't get the same treatment. We ended up getting one of the best DCs in the league, which made the world of difference.
Continuity isn't good when you've got something bad going on.
January 02, 2011 at 10:00 pm
McCarthy said there were "zero injuries to report" so that is great. I doubt Cullen will be back next week, but I'd guess Zombo may be back, which will be helpful. Hopefully the O can get its act together next week. I'd expect Reid to test Shield a lot and Dom to have Matthews shadow Vick to a degree and bring a lot of heat. I'd like some revenge for 4/26
January 02, 2011 at 10:06 pm
see you on revenge for 4/26...and I'll raise you the Vick/Falcons game of 2003...
(http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=230104009)
January 02, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Woodson wil track Vick
January 02, 2011 at 11:50 pm
YES.
January 02, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I know I'm a broken record but I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of commitment to the run. I would have liked to have seen 20-25 or so touches for the HB's..
Only 16 touches for the RB's, and four of those went to Kuhn, the FB.
My take on the game going in was that the Packers were going to run inside zone all day, taking advantage of the Bears whenever they showed Cover-2- more specifically, taking advantage of Urlacher's deep middle zone drop responsibility. MLB in Cover-2 #1 priority is drop into deep middle zone first, and they break the backpedal and react to run second.
My thoughts were that once the Packers committed to attacking the middle with the run, Urlacher would start cheating up and perhaps give Rodgers just enough more space to take advantage of the gap between Urlacher's coverage and the Safeties...
But with only 12 HB carries, it's just not going to happen.
At any rate, Packers are in, let the games begin, Go Pack!
January 02, 2011 at 11:06 pm
The OL needs to set the tone. They're playing like pussies. Unless they get aggressive, like they did against the Giants, it'll be impossible to set the run, and it'll be an herculean task to win the SB being one dimensional, or at least without the treat of a running game.
January 03, 2011 at 08:38 pm
Quinn Johnson opened the game with a great lead block on Urlacher--thought we were onto something there.
PackerAaron
January 03, 2011 at 09:10 pm
Totally agree. Jackson hit the hole, play was blocked beautifully, I thought - here we go! Then...nothing.
January 02, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Tim Masthay gets my game ball. Walden another. I too with Starks would get more love, but it seems like the Packers are unwilling to keep him in on pass pro, meaning it's a little obvious once he's in there. Still, play action to him would be great on first downs.
I want to see more play actions with Kuhn on short distances and I DESPERATELY want to see play-action out of the three fb (or one TE as it was tonight) out of the ol' T formation.
What a game. Oh, and a game ball to Dom.
January 02, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Yeah I thought the botched pitch/backwards pass to Jackson at the goal line was a great call. He WALKS into the endzone if they don't execute it horribly. There were at east 11 points left on the board tonight.
I agree on Starks. There were a couple times in the passing game, we he didn't look to be on the same page as Rodgers. This may be part of what McCarthy is referring to in practice.
Tim "Ginger Wolverine" Masthay has better net punting yards than any packer punter since the 70s, if WTMJ is correct.
January 02, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Okay, so we hadn't won in Philly since 1960 (Favre's rookie season I believe), before this season. Can we do it twice in one season?
January 02, 2011 at 11:28 pm
+1 to the Packers and Packer fans everywhere!
It felt good to have the dozen Bears fans slink out of the bar and wander off into the California rain this afternoon.
Let's PLAY this game next week!
January 02, 2011 at 11:52 pm
And not being able to say - 'but we were resting our starters'.
January 03, 2011 at 12:38 pm
The Bears were not into this game. Especially on offense. And the Packers offense SUCKED. I love the EXCUSES for Baby Cheesus" (Rodgers).
Oh..the WR's dropped balls and didn't get separation...What's the excuse going to be next week? He had the flu..??
The Eagles are going to DESTROY the Pack this week.
Count on it.
PackerAaron
January 03, 2011 at 01:16 pm
I'll count on it. Will you be here if the Packers win or will you conveniently disappear like every other time your "predictions" prove to be laughably incorrect?
January 03, 2011 at 01:39 pm
You thought the Packers were going to get "CREAMED" by the Pats, too. How did that turn out?
I shouldn't rip you too much, though. You managed to post an entire comment without using variations of the word "pervert" three times. Real progress. Congrats.
January 03, 2011 at 02:57 pm
I'll be here. In fact, why don't you put me on the air with you and i'll take my lumps, or more likely will be giving them out.
I have to give you this Aaron, at least you're not too thin-skinned and censor divergent opinions like most Packer sites do...
PackerAaron
January 03, 2011 at 03:39 pm
Thanks much. We take pride in that fact. Look forward to having you on post-Philly. ;)
January 03, 2011 at 05:56 pm
Aaron meant to say Pre-Atlanta