Gut Reactions: Week 4
Aaron's Gut Reactions to the Packers victory over the Broncos.
By PackerAaron
- I knew it would be a blowout - but not this big a blowout.
- Love watching Rodgers run around - but he's got to throw it when Finley's open on a crossing route and there's a linebacker barring down on him.
- What the hell is up with the Packers defense? I have no idea. Lots of little things I suspect.
- Sam Shields had a brilliant interception and return - but he had two more horrific "attempted" tackles.
- James Starks was still dancing way too much - but he got better as the game went on.
- Marshal Newhouse struggled a bit against Von Miller - but overall I thought he played well.
- The big touchdown to Jordy Nelson was almost the same touchdown play to Jennings down in Carolina. Two man route, power formation at midfield. Both times the defense had a safety over the top - both times it didn't matter. I think Jordy Nelson is making himself a boatload of money this year.
- On the failed 4th and 1 - I hate it when teams run outside to gain a yard. You need a yard...so you run 8 yards? If you have that little confidence in your short yardage offense, throw it. Or give it to John Kuhn.
- I wonder when Vic So'oto will start seeing snaps in obvious passing situations? I mean, that is one non-existent pass rush.
- That touchdown throw to James Jones was insane. That's just an incredible throw.
- The Packers inside linebackers look slow.
- That said, great play by Bishop not giving up after he was beat by the tight end to punch the ball out.
- One quarter of the season in the books and the Packers are undefeated. Big NFC matchup with the Falcons next week, who nearly lost to the Seahawks today.
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Comments (66)
October 02, 2011 at 06:40 pm
I really hate the fact that the Packers didn't draft any fast and hungry defensive players this year.
This may end up hurting them towards play-off time.
October 02, 2011 at 06:59 pm
Yea i really hope next year we draft a really athletic, agressive defensive back to fill Woodson's role someday. It can be a safety, or CB it doesnt really matter as long as they are big and athletic and have crazy motor. You can get guys like that later in the draft too if we don't mind a project.
October 02, 2011 at 06:40 pm
I'm in substantial agreement with you Aaron. Something just doesn't seem right with the D yet. They've gotten key TOs at the right times, but you can't always count on that. They remind me more of 2009 than 2010, and I'm not sure if you can win a SB with that. Of course, there's always the possibility of improvement over the course of the season. 4-0 with the D playing so-so, can't ask for much more than that.
October 02, 2011 at 06:48 pm
Absolutely agree about the similarities to 2009. I rememebr the games against the Vikings where we couldn't disrupt Favre at all. Fortuately, there is a lot of season left and hopefully somebody will step up.
October 02, 2011 at 06:53 pm
Eagerly awaiting the return of Mike Neal and I guess Zombo too at this point. Hell, Walden's not getting it done. You can bet that two of the first three draft picks will be likely be defensive players if this sort of play continues.
cheese5
October 02, 2011 at 06:41 pm
4-0 baby!!! Go Pack!!~
October 02, 2011 at 07:36 pm
4-0 and room to improve? I'm thinking it's good so far.
October 02, 2011 at 06:41 pm
Lets go Pack
October 02, 2011 at 06:42 pm
Aaron Rogers is the best QB in the NFL and Russel Wilson is second.
October 02, 2011 at 08:17 pm
+1
October 02, 2011 at 09:29 pm
That kid is sick. So smart. So poised. So friggin accurate. Best I've ever seen under center for the Badgers, shame we only have him for 1 year. But it's gonna be one to remember.
October 02, 2011 at 06:43 pm
Did So' Oto play at all? I don't remember seeing him once.
October 02, 2011 at 09:06 pm
He was in on ST's.
October 02, 2011 at 06:44 pm
Luckily for Packers, we have Arron Rodgers so it makes them tough to beat every week. But the lack of a pass-rush (more concerned with pressures and hurries), will make it tough against Good QBs. Feel Capers will have to manufacture a pass-rush with more blitzes from ILBs and DBs. Having said that, 4-0 is nothing to sneeze at, and this is a very very good team. Should be an exciting year.
October 02, 2011 at 06:45 pm
Also, when did Starks get so bad at screen passes? It almost looked like he was seeking out the defenders and running into them.
October 02, 2011 at 06:46 pm
Agree on all points...
The biggest one for me is that the defense. I'm afraid when we get into the playoffs and play against Brees or another QB of that caliber that it's going to be rough to watch. If Rodgers has even a slight bit of an off half, we can give up a lot of points without any answers.
I'd just like to see some straight 3 and outs forced by our defense and not rely on the 'bend don't break' mentality.
That being said, 4-0 feels great. Looking forward to next week. Go Pack!
October 02, 2011 at 06:55 pm
Missed first quarter and a half.
Offense worked at will. D bend but not break.
I personally think that MM and DC are holding back on play calling; just because they can. Have we seen any blitzes where the LB's cross each other?
Will T'giving be the battle of undefeated's? I don't think much of Dallas, anyway; but, what? 3 or 4 games with substantial come-from-behind. I knew they'd be good this year; but I'm getting concerned.
October 02, 2011 at 07:01 pm
Your concerned about the lions?? I'm not, they barely beat the vikings, and cowboys. While we haven't exactly been closing out cames (besides from today), I dont think the lions can pull off a 20 point deficit with us, and expect the deficit to be larger.
October 02, 2011 at 08:13 pm
I saw Romo playing Santa Claus at the mall today,like he did in the Jets game
October 02, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Barely beat, sure, but also overcame significant deficits to do it. That's the mark of a damn good team. No Packer fan should over look the Lions.
October 02, 2011 at 07:07 pm
Yeah, but they win.
And why do we QB sneak AR? He gets hurt on those plays, sheesh!
Cow is a troll. Move along.
October 02, 2011 at 09:34 pm
Watched both 2nd halves of the lions the last two weeks. Both times I came away thinking the queens and cowgirls gave it away moreso than the lions took it. I will say, they have made the necessary plays to overcome those huge deficits, but at the same time, does a really good team keep finding themselves in 20+ point deficits? No, they sure don't. The Lions are playing solid football for 30 minutes a game... can't do that and expect to be around late January, won't be playing the little sisters of the poor then.
October 03, 2011 at 09:33 am
Our pass D needs to figure out what's wrong before we play the Lions or it's going to be a horrible Thanksgiving.
October 02, 2011 at 06:55 pm
why is everyone so worried about the defense/ clay's playing great... causing havoc - opening things up for everyone else... money in the bank, baby.
October 02, 2011 at 06:57 pm
sorry - couldn't help myself.
October 02, 2011 at 07:00 pm
lol.. +1
October 02, 2011 at 07:01 pm
Dude ur being a douche we won by 25
October 02, 2011 at 07:21 pm
Well, in this game Matthews WAS causing havoc. Too bad NOBODY ELSE stepped up.
I mean, Matthews was forcing Orton to move EVERY SINGLE TIME. But as noone else was, he just got rid of the ball...
October 02, 2011 at 08:17 pm
Ha ha dude he flat out whiffed on that one play. LOL. I have no complaints about Clay Matthews or the defense at all. They're playing without some good players, and they're getting it done.
I think the defenses might be a little behind the offenses right now, due to the strike.
October 03, 2011 at 12:08 pm
He whiffed on that play where he still caused Orton to move in the pocket, yet noone else was able to close in? Gotcha...
Matthews is slipping a lot though.
October 02, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Last year when Matthews was robbed of the defensive MVP, you were critical of him. This year, as he struggles, you criticize him. I'm seeing a pattern here.
That said, he's undoubtedly struggled this year, even when matched up one-on-one. He just is - I can't deny that. This game, however, I find it funny that you criticize him. He really was the only one getting any pressure.
October 02, 2011 at 06:57 pm
Yes the d doesn't look as good but the offense is much better than 09'
October 02, 2011 at 07:01 pm
"On the failed 4th and 1 - I hate it when teams run outside to gain a yard. You need a yard...so you run 8 yards? If you have that little confidence in your short yardage offense, throw it. Or give it to John Kuhn."
Or just kick a damn field goal.
That being said,this-" Aaron Rodgers took off his championship belt, bent the Broncos over his knee, and spanked them with it," -Rich Eisen
October 02, 2011 at 07:03 pm
Yea i agree go easy on the defense after all how many INT's did we have today? They are play makers guys, not a shut down defense. Were 4-0 and I like our defense against any offense in the league.
October 02, 2011 at 07:04 pm
I love this. Superbowl champs. 4-0 for the first time in um, how long? But we can examine some fine points and worry about them. I think we should too. But so much better than last year when we lost to the Bears and were called for 18 penalties and couldn't stop anybody and our offense wasn't firing on all 4 cylinders.
Now it's on all 88 cylinders.
It's fun to be a Packers fan!
October 02, 2011 at 07:05 pm
Really hard to get great pass rush when the opponent pratically only passes on playaction maxprotect bootlegs away from Matthews...
The defense, it was little breakdowns here and there.
But in the end, it's 4 turnovers.
That's the thing. With this offense, and that much talent on the secondary, it's almost a given that the D will get one or two turnovers.
A lot to be corrected. But with this performance, we're still the best team in the league, by far. Breakdowns and all that.
October 02, 2011 at 07:13 pm
The great news is that this is the best Packer Offense I have ever seen.
The good news is that MM has time to get the breakdowns fixed in the secondary.
The bad news is that the lack of pass rush is a shortage of talent rushing the passer (outside of CM3), unless Neal comes back and seamlessly takes Cullen's spot... (here's hoping)
And RE: the ILB's looking slow - when has this not been the case? Hawk IS slow. Bishop has never been known for speed. I believe Nagler had a post on this last week. If I'm any team with a fast RB or TE, I do nothing but run seams and wheel routes all day out of the backfield.
With all the problems though the bottom line is that GB is 4-0 with nary a loss in the forseeable future.
GO PACK!
October 02, 2011 at 07:26 pm
Some food for thought:
New Orleans 2009 Defense:
Total yards/game against: 25th in league
Total passing yards/game against: 26th
Points against: 21st
Takeaways: 2nd
They won the Super Bowl with that kind of defense
October 02, 2011 at 07:29 pm
Exactly. Drew Brees and the offense were rolling, and with turnovers they got the job done.
And this team is better than that. On all aspects. Better offense, better defense, specially against the run, better playmakers...
October 03, 2011 at 01:23 pm
Clarification: they won the Super Bowl against Peyton Manning with that kind of defense.
October 02, 2011 at 07:09 pm
All right, we all know correlation =/= causation but here's how the Green Bay Packers put points on the board today:
Scoring drives after Denver punts: 0
Scoring drives after kickoffs: 3 for 21 pts.
Scoring drives after turnovers: 4 for 28 pts.
JohnRehor
October 02, 2011 at 07:15 pm
4-0
And McCarthy said in the post game presser they have to get better.
Scary thought
October 02, 2011 at 07:25 pm
Yes, they need to get better. Those games could go either way, and that would be a shameful waste of SB talent MM has on this team....You don't want to get caught in a shootout in the playoffs - see Arizona 09 for reference...
October 02, 2011 at 09:47 pm
If it came down to it, I would absolutely like our chances in a shootout. Against anybody. This is the 2011 Packers O, not the '09 version. Rodgers and his O are operating on a higher plane than that O. More in tune. More in sync. More dynamic.
Brady is human, when's the last time #12 threw 4 picks? Brees is beatable, see week 1. That's where it begins and ends for me, those are the only 2 O's that I think are capable of scoring with us.
If our D lets us down, I'll take a shootout. Anytime. Against anyone.
GBP 4 LIFE
October 03, 2011 at 10:17 am
Yes Fitz - but you don't want to go there. All it takes is ONE mistake by a skill player or a sack and that could be it.
I know our skill players are the best in the league, but they are human, and humans (except for me ;) ), make errors.
October 02, 2011 at 07:47 pm
I was looking for So'oto to get a snap the whole game!
October 02, 2011 at 07:47 pm
The defense should get better when/if Neal ever gets on the field and Frankie ZZombo replaces Walden as starter. For, not the best defense is that awesome offense!
-The ILB's ARE slow, though Bishop has always lacked speed. With Hawk, I'm afraid he's not in a contrac year so much of the hunger is gone.
October 02, 2011 at 07:54 pm
4-0 is awesome, but Orton had all day to throw, Sam Shields is constantly running after receivers who are behind him, and you'd never know we have 4 linebackers on the field because for the most part they're invisible.
October 02, 2011 at 08:08 pm
How many teams run crossing routes along with screen action on the same play? Talk about a dizzying aerial array!
Rodgers is unbelievable. It's apparent our defense has deficiencies but let's not overthink this: it's a QB lead as ours is on another planet.
Want to add that Von Miller is an absolute beast as well.
October 02, 2011 at 08:26 pm
My thoughts:
Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers! Aaron Rodgers!
Tough game coming up.
Go Pack Go!
October 02, 2011 at 08:37 pm
Packers are starting 10-0.
Book it.
Rodgers will make Falcons look like... the Falcons.
Another 3+ TD win.
October 02, 2011 at 09:25 pm
Here's the skinny,
The D is not going to get worse, only better. Capers will adjust, and they will settle in. In the meantime we've started 4-0 with our D not playing it's best, the arrow is pointing up. The O could get more efficient as well, but it's not a necessity.
I predict that Morris, Csonka, Griese and the other annoying D-bags from '72 are going to sweat this season... if not step aside as a newcomer takes the joint over.
GBP 4 LIFE
October 02, 2011 at 09:47 pm
seriously, did so'oto get any defensive snaps? i saw him on special teams...but dear god, with walden not doing much, why not get him out there?
October 02, 2011 at 09:54 pm
Re. Jordy getting a boatload of money, according to ESPN they just extended him:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7052662/source-jordy-nelson-green-bay-...
October 02, 2011 at 10:16 pm
You called it Aaron. Jordy is now rich. Locked up for three years. Yes, yes, yes!
October 02, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Wow. I am far from an expert on the financial side of football, but does this not seem like an absolute STEAL?!
October 02, 2011 at 10:25 pm
F'in A.
October 02, 2011 at 10:05 pm
That pass to James Jones was all the entertainment I needed. Seriously. WHY would you throw that ball unless you can put it on a DIME and on a LINE? Oh...DAAAYYYYAAAAMMMMNNNNNNNNN.....Aaron Rodgers is the best qb playing the game today. Eventually, you'll hear his name in the conversation of greatest ever.
October 02, 2011 at 10:49 pm
What was qb 1's qbr?
October 02, 2011 at 11:37 pm
134.5, never mind. 124.6 on the year.
October 03, 2011 at 12:34 am
Well, we gotta wring our hands about something, so I guess it's the fact the pass D isnt perfect... But c'mon.
Which (arguably) elite team is stoning Opposing pass offenses?
Patriots? Um, no.
Ravens? No.
Lions? Hardly.
Saints? See week one.
Eagles? Please.
And so on. It's the NFL in 2011. Nobody shuts down a hot QB. You win by scoring the most points and getting big plays on D.
This team is the blueprint.
October 03, 2011 at 01:14 am
I hope that when you make your "Good, Bad, and Ugly" list, you put the god-awful new NFL security screening policy in the "Ugly" category. If it takes 45 minutes to get into the stadium every game, like it did today, there is going to be a rebellion.
October 03, 2011 at 01:55 am
Although no titles were won this weekend, it still ranks as one of the best sports weekends in sconny history. Let us hope the best is yet to come.
Go Badge, Pack, and Brew Crew!
October 03, 2011 at 01:28 pm
Yeah but the Lynx beat the Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA playoffs, so Minnesota has bragging rights on that...
Neither their NFL nor Big Ten team played a game this past weekend.
October 03, 2011 at 01:33 pm
Worse than that:
Twins lost 99 games this year.
Vikings are 0-4, just lost to what I thought was the worst team in the NFL.
Timberwolves had the worst record in the NBA last year.
Gophers football has Purdue this week, quite possibly their ONLY winnable game in 2011.
It's a pain-train.....
October 03, 2011 at 02:49 pm
Hmm, I might have to go back to hating Chicago/Illinois teams worse than I hate Minnesota teams again. There's really been no reason to hate Chicago teams lately (well, other than their obnoxious fans), they just haven't been much of a threat (and yes, I include the 2010 Bears).