Packers 27 Jaguars 23: Game Balls & Lame Calls

The Green Bay Packers got into the win column with a 27-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The game came down to the wire as the Jaguars proved they may be ready to make a jump after years of sub par play and the Packers picked up where they left off last year, relying on their defense to close out a win.  Let's take a look at top performers and those who need some extra homework this week.

Game Balls

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers immediately showed he hasn't lost any mobility with a touchdown run on the first drive of the game.  He made an incredible throw to Davante Adams for another touchdown and was largely accurate on the day.  Rodgers' movement and ability to extend plays once again led to some nice gains on the offensive side.  Rodgers had some issues with clock management and he has to be accountable for it with as much autonomy as he has on the field, but his play in this game was another example of why the Packers often have a chance to win any game.

Damarious Randall

Randall started out slowly but, as he has in the past, made up for it later on.  Randall had a nice pass break up on a deep ball along the side line that he went up to contest.  He was also had the crucial tackle on the pass to Allen Hurns that ended Jacksonville's last drive.  Randall came into this season as the team's #2 cornerback behind Sam Shields.  With Shields likely to miss time with a concussion, Randall will need to take on a bigger role on the outside.  After this game, he gives the team hope that he can handle more.

Randall Cobb

Cobb lead the Packers with six catches and added three carries as well.  He appeared to come up limping after a catch early in the third quarter but eventually returned.  The presence of Jordy Nelson and the arrival of Jared Cook are likely to lead to many games like this where Cobb is one of the leading receivers by virtue of the favorable match up's he gets in the slot.  

Lame Calls

Quinten Rollins

Someone has to land in this column and while Rollins made some plays later in the game, it was the first passing touchdown drive by the Jaguars that was what lands him here.  He missed a tackle that led to a long gain and shortly after was beat twice on a Jaguars touchdown drive.  Rollins may have been stranded without help over the top on the first completion to Hurns but he was outrun and out muscled by Jags tight end Julius Thomas for the score.  When you look bad in bunches, it resonates and so Rollins is on the bad side of the list this week.

Packers 4th Down Defense

The Jaguars converted their first three fourth down attempts.  It wasn't until Jacksonville's final offensive play of the game that the Packers were able to get a stop.  Giving up a fourth down happens.  The other guys get paid to perform too and sometimes they just out-scheme you.  But three in one game is something to look at.  Giving opposing receivers a larger cushion than the yardage to gain is an example of a bad way to attack this particular scenario.  The Packers defense has to get off the field, especially in a game with unfavorable weather conditions.  

Defending The Middle of the Field

Is this ever going to get shored up?  Defensive coordinator Dom Capers brings pressure from different places and often up the middle.  That leaves fewer defenders covering receivers and areas on the field and the middle seemed like a barren wasteland at times in this game.  Couple that much space with a big tight end and a head of steam and it's bad news for the guys in green and gold.  Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles had a decent game and quickly made it obvious that if given time in the pocket, he was going to pick the defense apart.  At some point, Capers has to address the large chunks of yardage the offenses are getting.

Clock Management

Two time out's in a row causing a delay of game penalty that made a third-and-four a third-and-nine.  Had the Packers converted the shorter play, they keep the ball and run out the clock.  Instead, they punted and gave the Jaguars decent field position for their final drive.  Whether this falls on Rodgers or head coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers have to eliminate this continuous mental mistake.  If you're going to run no-huddle, then commit to getting the plays in on time.  And not being aware of the play clock or the rules is just plain unacceptable.  Burning time out's on these types of plays is something that will eventually come back to bite the Packers at some point this season.

 

Others to mention

  • Jordy is back!  He caught a touchdown and his presence opened things up for Cobb and the other receivers
  • Lane Taylor wasn't good enough to get a game ball but he wasn't mentioned much today, which is a win for an offensive lineman.  He sealed the back side on the long Eddie Lacy run and had a decent day
  • Perhaps the Jags had a good game plan in place but the Packers have to find a bigger role for Jared Cook
  • Jake Schum had no issues holding and was OK until the bad punt at the worst time and when the Packers needed to pin Jacksonville deep.  A win quickly makes us forget, but noteworthy
  • Morgan Burnett had the horrible holding penalty late but it was the type of jersey grab that is sometimes not caught.  A bad outcome, yes, but a veteran move that sometimes pays off
  • Davante Adams made a brilliant catch on a even better touchdown throw by Rodgers.  Adams, at least for the time being, quieted his doubters a bit, despite a bad third down drop earlier in the game

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (85)

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Hematite's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:34 am

What?
No mention of Julius Peppers?
I guess when you're invisible you generally escape scrutiny.

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Packer_Pete's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:48 am

Thought the same thing. Getting paid that much for a trip to take a short vacation in Jacksonville apparently let's one escape scrutiny. After an article not too long ago that he is defying age...

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:14 am

He wasn't invisible. I saw a #56 at one point milling around on the field. Really. A bunch of scientist guys came out and made plaster casts of his footprints and everything.

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WKUPackFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:16 am

Not sure what is the source of all the Julius hate. Regardless, Nick Perry more than made up for any Peppers abscence. Perry was all over the place making plays.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 12, 2016 at 12:00 pm

They are going to save Peppers. He needs to stay under 500 snaps, and snaps on that day with the heat counted double.

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L's picture

September 12, 2016 at 04:14 pm

Not to mention, he did play a total of 29 snaps while most of those were of him rotating in on the D-line to help stop the Jaguars run game.

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Hematite's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:49 pm

No hate at all, but when 10 million dollar man fails to show up at all in 29 snaps I think it's fair to question his value.
If Perry more than made up for Peppers invisibility I really have to question why the Packers are paying Peppers the big bucks.

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Oppy's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:59 pm

Remember that one time when John Kuhn made a huge third down block that kept Rodgers upright for a big time throw to win a game, and everybody was like, "See, that's the reason you keep Kuhn on the roster. Just that one play justifies his roster spot".. Do you remember?

Julius Peppers makes those kind of plays. But he IS getting looong in the tooth. The Packers have been telling the media since OTA's that they planned on scaling back Pepper's snap count to save him for prime pass rushing moments and late-season play. They even told everyone that Nick Perry would absorb the lion's share of those snaps.

If Peppers has a game-changing play or two during a run at the lombardi trophy, I'd say it'd be worth the price of admission, even if he has lowered snap count during the season.

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Hematite's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:30 pm

I'm sorry I forgot that Kuhn stoned Peppers but I know that Kuhn wasn't making 10 million dollars a year to make a few plays.
I'm hopeful that Peppers makes some big plays to help the Packers win the Super Bowl but I still don't think he's worth the kind of money the Packers are paying him to sit the bench for more than half the year.

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NickPerry's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:18 am

Game Balls...Lane Taylor. I have to mention him because I was still pissed about the move yesterday, especially when watching the 8 game format on D-TV and say him in a Bears uniform. The young man more than did his job so for at least this week, I WAS WRONG, because I thought Jackson would beat him down.

The Run Defense... They did an outstanding job in 110 degree heat..The WHOLE game. 6 TFL, outstanding!
Ripper.. He had some really nice blocks on runs by Lacy. When Lacy followed behind him he normally had a nice run, or a 3rd down conversion.

Jordy.. The stats may have not been huge but his presence on the field was evident. He was sucking air and it will take a few weeks but he's baaaaack! On Rodgers TD run he was wide open in the back of end zone.

Lame Calls... Toss pitch left on 2nd down on last possession. (Or ANY possession for that matter.) TEAR that page out of the playbook. It didn't work last year and it still doesn't work. Jezz McCarthy, how many times do you have to see Lacy pounded by 4 or 5 tacklers for a 2 yard loss ?

Throwing to Adams on ANY 3rd down. 1st and 2nd down he's good, 3rd down he has clubs on his hands.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:03 am

'Lame Calls... Toss pitch left on 2nd down on last possession. (Or ANY possession for that matter.) TEAR that page out of the playbook. It didn't work last year and it still doesn't work. Jezz McCarthy, how many times do you have to see Lacy pounded by 4 or 5 tacklers for a 2 yard loss ?'

This play should only be ran to someone with pure speed, and even then I'm not sold on it. The only players I want to see this play ran to with is Cobb, Montgomery or the new RB Pressley. All 3 have speed.

This is one thing that kind of bothers me with McCarthy. There are somethings certain players shouldn't do. They either aren't good enough to do it or don't have the skill set to do it, and McCarthy has them doing it. Lacy should not do anything running sideways. He is a down hill runner. Keep him running downhill. If you want to try and get Lacy the ball on the outside have him run a swing pass..

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L's picture

September 12, 2016 at 04:17 pm

Not to mention, they pitched the ball to the short side of the field which is usually a no-no regarding pitch plays as it's harder to string out the defenders to find running gaps for the runner.

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NickPerry's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:52 pm

Excellent point RC...

Pressley, I want to see tat kid in a ball game, love to see him give it a few tries (then if it doesn't work...TEAR IT OUT!! LOL) But seriously I think he could run it.

I'm starting to wonder just how far behind Montgomery is, bot physically and Mentally. Maybe the coaching staff is just slow but why would he be out there in first place? Like to start see him running the ball instead of Cobb. Those players are taking some shots on Cobb.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 09:41 pm

I have to admit. I wouldn't mind seeing them find a special role for Pressley against the Vikings. I'm sure he is looking forward to some redemption. The one thing he brings is speed. That is about all that I know about him. I am intrigued in seeing him play.

I also wonder about Montgomery. I think he maybe rusty and they are trying to bring him along slowly. At least that is my hope. The other thing I am hoping is that they are holding back on some things offensively for the Vikings and other teams. Maybe we will start to see Montgomery used more in the backfield to create different looks.

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NickPerry's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:53 pm

Sorry DP.

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marpag1's picture

September 12, 2016 at 11:10 am

"Throwing to Adams on ANY 3rd down. 1st and 2nd down he's good, 3rd down he has clubs on his hands."

Wasn't it third and 10 when Adams made what was possibly the best catch of his career for a 29 yard touchdown after having been held on the same play by Davon House?

Credit where credit is due.

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NickPerry's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:57 pm

My mistake, thought it was second down.

Credit given, but he still dropped one or two he shouldn't have.

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WinUSA's picture

September 12, 2016 at 12:15 pm

Got to hand it to Lane, not sure how good the Jags D lineman who played over him is/was...but Lane held his own regardless. I didn't hear his name mentioned once and I sure was listening for it....Good for Lane! He probably read all the Sitton press clippings and felt like Rodney Dangerfield...NO RESPECT!

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sheppercheeser's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:13 am

Lame Calls- that horrible play in the red zone that AR audibled to a running play but the OL stayed back and played for a pass, leaving Lacy to fend for himself.
Lame Calls- Davante's first pass that was dropped- beautiful pass, hands of stone, until the TD pass he caught kept him out of the dog house.

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marpag1's picture

September 12, 2016 at 11:15 am

Yes, you certainly want Davante to catch that pass - it did hit his hands - but I think the criticism is a bit harsh. If a any receiver had made that catch, I think a lot of people would be saying what a great catch it was.

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Finwiz's picture

September 12, 2016 at 11:53 am

Nope - a professional wide receiver needs to make any catch that he gets TWO HANDS on, and the defender doesn't touch the ball or disrupt him with interference. I watched the play back and it was a clear drop. That catch wasn't as difficult as his TD catch. But that's Devonte.....catch the incredibly difficult passes, but drop the perfect passes right in his hands. It's like he gets overly excited when he gets a chance to make a big play. I hope he turns it around and gets some consistency because I think he has some serious potential.

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L's picture

September 12, 2016 at 04:19 pm

Correction: Not Lacy, it was Starks... or am I miss-remembering?

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WKUPackFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:10 pm

It was Starks, but your point was still valid.

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sheppercheeser's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:17 am

Well, gotta include a Game Ball and mine goes to David Bakhtiari for playing through a bad back. I would've said Lane Taylor, but he was already mentioned.

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cuervo's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:41 am

Looked like the offense from last year for most of the game. Inability for receivers to get any separation. The 'ole gameplan of Rodgers running around and making something happen seems to once again be our primary offensive focus. No ability to run run the ball consistently. Maybe it's just because it's the first game.....but.....maybe it's not.

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NickPerry's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:56 am

I hope it was because it was the first game. The Packers Offensive starters played what, 6 series in the preseason? Whatever the number, that was a tough game to open up the season with. Practice is practice, it can't duplicate what a game is, especially in 110 degree heat with 70% humidity.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:12 am

I think a lot of it was the fact that it was the first game back. Playing an unfamiliar team with not a lot of tape to go on with the players they had.

Its going to take Nelson some time to come back too.

It will likely take a few games for the Packers to find their identity and rhythm offensively. Nelson, Montgomery are coming back form missing most of last year. Cook is a new addition. Its going to take a few games for the OL to build continuity.

I really don't want the team to peak offensively in week 1. I want them to get better each and every week.

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:20 am

Did the offense really do anything "non-vanilla" yesterday aside from running Cobb out of the backfield? The offensive game plan was pretty bland. Could it be that they were holding things back for next week? I hope so...

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:48 am

I completely agree.. They didn't really show anything different, and kind of just ran the offense.

Cobb in the backfield did seem to jump start the offense a bit though.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we see a few different things against the Vikings.

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jasonperone's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:32 am

Dobber and RC, I have to say after years of watching MM offenses, I don't think the Packers hold anything back. They are what you see. Remember how we all thought Capers was saving some crazy defensive strategies for the playoffs in 2011 and then. . . ? My bet is that MM prefers to do what they do and execute it well (which they did not on the Lacy run). I wouldn't expect to see anything crazy different next week or much of this season, for that matter.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 11:20 am

Yeah, I know what your saying and agree with that.

But when I say, show more I mean more uses of players. They didn't use Cook a lot. I think (off the top of my head) he was targeted 2 or 3 times. And didn't use Rodgers much either. They didn't use many different WR's. Abbrederis didn't get on the field much nor did Montgomery.

It just felt like to me that they are saving some stuff for the Vikings. I think we will just see a little more this week.

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Idiot Fan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 02:00 pm

I actually totally disagree with this. I remember the Patriot game two years ago, MM whipped out all this new and creative stuff that he had apparently been holding onto until that game. I don't know how much new stuff he'll bring out next week, but I'm fairly sure he holds on to stuff for later in the season.

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NickPerry's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:02 pm

Yup isn't that the game where he started using Cobb in the Hurry Up out of the backfield? By that I mean more of a passing game to Cobb than just running him.

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jasonperone's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:15 pm

I was at that game and ok great, he did it one time. How about regularly against NFC teams and based on their scout work? Once every 3 seasons isn't a trend. Less predictable is nice, MM doesn't change it up a ton it's just not his MO

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DrealynWilliams's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:00 pm

I agree with all 3 of you.

I find myself questioning if the Pack are even running (designed passing) plays at times. I think that the WRs freestyle sometimes. They do seem to do what they do well more often than "new plays".

Week 1 of every season (depending on the opponent [might be a division rival]) are usually full of "normal" packages and personnel. I'm confident the coaches whipped up some great new stuff to run, but why run it Week 1 of the season against a team outside of the Conference? Wasn't a Must-Win game. Also, new additions are still "learning". Coaches don't put too much on a player's plates.

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mrtundra's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:58 pm

I am hoping MM really is holding something out for the vikings game. We lost every division game at Lambeau last season and I think MM wants revenge. Might as well start messing with the vikings in the terrarium.

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marpag1's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:44 am

"Clock management" - I put a lot of this on Rodgers. One of the things that has always annoyed me about ARod is that he so often insists on running the play clock down to the very last fraction of a second. I understand that there is a ton of stuff happening prior to the snap with getting people lined up, shifts, motion, reading the defense, etc etc, but would it really kill us to snap the ball a couple of seconds earlier?

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Bedrock's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:08 am

Agreed. While he's digesting the defense, Jacksonvilles young guys were able to communicate and think about down/distance/formation tendencies.

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:11 am

You would think that a team like the Packers that supposedly has a high-powered offense would like to get as many snaps in as possible. Maybe not play "Chip Kelly fast", but playing faster than they do. Instead, they look like a team that's covering up their defense and trying to shorten the game...is their defense really that poor? It's not top 10, but it's not bottom 10, either.

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Horse's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:10 am

The heat clearly figured into the game plan.

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:51 am

I don't deny that, and in this case trying to control TOP to help save the defense with the run game made sense, but ARod is always milking the play clock.

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jasonperone's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:36 am

To add to this (and this is probably one of your points) waiting until the play clock is at 0 gives the pass rush an easy launch as it's obvious when the ball is moving. MM just isn't good at deception. He seems to want to impose his will and expects to win the down and game with proper and better execution. When that doesn't happen, it's a disaster.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:55 pm

If AR snapped the ball with 12 seconds left on the play clock, we'd probably score a TD. The defense would still be checking their email, talking on the phone, scratching their where-evers, and would be stunned into immobility.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:48 am

Game Balls -

Have to include Clay Mathews. And in the same sentence I think we have to give a Lame call to Thompson, McCarthy and Capers for forcing Mathews to be ILB the last year and a half. For not finding someone else to play ILB.
While I loved him playing ILB, I didn't love him playing the true ILB position and he is far and away better at OLB. How I like Mathews playing the ILB, is like how he played there the first game he was moved to ILB against the Bears. He didn't play the normal ILB role and Capers moved him around and kept him rushing the QB from everywhere. Last year however he played more of the actual ILB role, which takes away what he is great at. Getting after the QB.

I do want to see them continue to move him around, and play some ILB, but he is far and away better at OLB.

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:09 am

Maybe playing on the inside has opened his eyes a little, maybe it's because he's almost two years older than when he was a full-time OLB before, maybe it was just this particular game, but yesterday he was focused and under control. He wasn't running himself way out of plays and he wasn't overrunning backs and losing contain. He was very good yesterday and he was making key plays. Good call on CMIII.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:26 am

I liked Mathews playing inside. But not the actual ILB position, if that makes sense.

I do agree though that playing inside perhaps made him focus more on his assignments. He wasn't over running anything and stayed disciplined.

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MarkinMadison's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:06 am

CM3 playing with more discipline is huge. In the past he was always so prone to get baited. And quite frankly, getting to the QB is more of a streaky kind of thing than a consistent thing for most any player. Playing without discipline for the hope of a sack just did not work most of the time.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:53 am

I completely agree..
When teams were running more read option against him, they learned how to take him out of the game, by using his aggressiveness against him.

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:17 am

"With Shields likely to miss time with a concussion, Randall will need to take on a bigger role on the outside. "

At least they get the Vikes next week, who aren't likely to stretch the field very much...they were pretty sad, offensively against Tennessee. I'll bet on seeing Sam Bradford at QB next week, which means the passing game will likely still not be very much for them. You don't give up that much to get him and then leave him on the bench.

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zeke's picture

September 12, 2016 at 09:54 am

I think you could stop after "You don't give up that much to get him."

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Bearmeat's picture

September 12, 2016 at 07:47 am

I think it's really important to point out that the middle of the field was WIIIIIIDE open once again on defense. WHEN is Capers going to fix this is right!

You have to hope Martinez is going to get better and that Burnett just had some rust to knock off. Because there aren't any other answers in nickel and base.

Concerned about stopping AP next week, but that's it. The Vikes offense is laughably bad throwing the ball.

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carusotrap's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:51 am

Actually, I thought the run D was really good. The scary part of next week is if we scheme for AP, and they scheme for him as a decoy. Whatever QB they trot out there is going to have a field day as we put the entire D unit in the box and their WR have time to eat a sandwich before catching 40 passes for 350 yards.

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dobber's picture

September 12, 2016 at 09:51 am

Whether they trot out an old journeyman like Hill or a younger journeyman like Bradford, they're not likely to stray from what they do, which is run the football and play defense. Bradford has only been there for two weeks, so the question will be: how much is he on the same page with the rest of the offensive personnel? Lots of checkdowns coming on Sunday...

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zeke's picture

September 12, 2016 at 09:52 am

That's pretty much what Tennessee did, and likely would have won if not for two defensive TDs. I would sell out to take away Peterson and take my chances with their QB, but that's just me.

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Handsback's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:03 am

I think Burnett deserves a lame call. He wasn't himself and was doing a lot of chasing vs. stopping during the game.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:55 am

I wonder how much of that was from him being rusty from not playing much during the preseason/training camp. He just looked rusty to me.

He seems to be a better in the box safety then a coverage safety. He had a great sack.
Hopefully it was just rust.

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Savage57's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:12 am

A game like this ID's fans who are of the half full or half empty ilk.

First game, on the road, adverse conditions, against an upcoming team.

Game balls and lame calls have their place, but imagine the angst among the faithful had the Packers been on the short side of a 1 point game decided on the last play.

I'll book this one, and save my hate/love, whatever the case may be, for the day after the Vikings game.

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Since'61's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:59 pm

Hi Savage57, haven't seen you here for awhile. Glad you're back and hope that you stick around. Yes, many fans who are only satisfied if Pack wins every game 49-0. If not the season is doomed. I'm with you, take the win and move on. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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carusotrap's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:44 am

Game Ball: They won

Can't ignore this. Remember the Packers are everyone's Super Bowl. Beat them, and your season is on its way. Take the win and run.

Lame Call: Cobb out of the backfield

JUST STOP IT. OK, technically, this can work. But they aren't using him to misdirect or provide match up problems. They line him up at RB, other team's LBs go bat crap crazy pre snap, Cobb runs straight into the line. HUH? He's 195 lbs soaking wet and he's running the same plays as Lacy. Unless this is some kind of long ploy to give the Vikings bad tape, the way they use him is going to do nothing but wear him out or get him hurt.

Lame Call: Mid field D

"At some point, Capers has to address the large chunks of yardage the offenses are getting."

Except this how our D is designed. They don't often give up huge plays over the top, and that's good. Problem is in the red zone. For some reason our CB/S are camped in the back of the end zone, so the other team only needs to find those 8 yard routes with a TE blocking. Other teams know this and do it...been like this for a couple years. The LBs are up cheating on the run, so just dump it around or over them. It's part of the overall scheme, and we just have to accept it as the price we pay for an overall pretty decent D.

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stockholder's picture

September 12, 2016 at 11:08 am

Right on! This has been going on for two - three years. And until its fixed, its playoffs and out. No Super-Bowl.

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Finwiz's picture

September 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm

@Caruso....that >Lame Call: Mid field D<, section of your post is so wrong and off base it's almost laughable. You should reevaluate what you THINK you know about football if you actually think this is "overall a pretty decent D". This is a totally flawed defensive scheme, with a lack of impact players other than CM3. This D needs a corner or a safety with elite level play on par with CM3, OR a defensive linemen to collapse the pocket and penetrate at an elite level. I can tell you this, they will not win a Super Bowl this year with this defense. I'm totally shocked they didn't make bigger changes in the off season because they have potential to be really embarrassed by good teams.

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Jason Farina's picture

September 12, 2016 at 09:04 am

"At some point, Capers has to address the large chunks of yardage the offenses are getting."

Oh my sweet summer child...

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lecko's picture

September 12, 2016 at 09:29 am

One minor thing that surprised me was the newly shown athleticism of Richard Rodgers on one catch and the other almost catch. I dont remember him as such last year, when he looked slower. I read that he dropped may pounds and this may also be reason for imporved play.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 12, 2016 at 12:09 pm

Did you watch him block?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

September 12, 2016 at 03:17 pm

I did. He looks much more agile and quicker. He's now able to mirror his rusher and beat his rusher off the ball (engages first). He's a more effective blocker than Cook.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 12, 2016 at 03:25 pm

I saw him get beat terribly on an easy block in the 4th Quarter. I'm glad to hear he did better on other plays because it was so bad. Although if you don't watch closely it might look like Taylor had the - play, but it was Rodgers who screwed it all up.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:03 pm

If you're referring to the toss play, 4th quarter,2nd and 2, 4:20 remaining - I have to disagree. Rodgers' guy didn't make the tackle or disrupt the play.

Now, I could be wrong, but I thought Richard Rodgers was motioned down to execute a crack back block on the DE. I thought Bahk and Taylor were supposed to pull and block the CB and Safety closest to Lacy. Nelson took on the nearest LB, Bahk took out the CB and ( I believe, Taylor was supposed to get the Safety). The other LB (51) wasn't going to catch Lacy if he was able to run outside for the 1st. If anyone was beat it was Nelson.

Again, I could be wrong.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:30 pm

I could be wrong to but then I am scared. If they are going to depend on Rodgers blocking that DE for more than a second and a half without any help then they've lost thier minds. Now I'm sure Taylor has directions to head to the second level on the off chance the DE is on the ground. But he's got to look first.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:53 pm

The guy playing DE on that play is actually an OLB (#55)

Dan Skuta
6'2 - 250 lbs.

Richard Rodgers
6'4 - 257

The guy was pushed inside while the play was going outside

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CJ Bauckham's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:27 am

Game Balls...

Randall, Matthews, Perry, Adam's TD catch

Lame Calls...

The Lacy toss, the double timeout, the miscommunication on the 3rd down run audible

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stockholder's picture

September 12, 2016 at 10:41 am

TT is running this team like a college team now. The writers are hyping this player or that player to make them admired. So It's time to pass out the helmet decals. And who gets the football. I'll give one to Adams for his TD catch. One to Nelson . Thomas for his interception. Dix for his 3rd down break up. Mathews and perry for their sack. The football to A-Rod. Randall gets the cheerleader.

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Since&#039;61's picture

September 12, 2016 at 11:00 am

Game Balls: Aaron Rodgers, Nick Perry, Jordy Nelson
Lame Calls: Morgan Burnett, Quinton Rollins, Toss to Lacy in 4Q and delay of game after a timeout!?!!\#!

Considering it was the first game of the season the Packers did well with only a few penalties. The holding call on Burnett in the 4Q on a 4th down play was a ticky-tack call especially with Dix's pick which would have sealed the game 4 plays sooner. Agree with all the comments on the middle of the defense. We leave way too much space there. Miscommunication on the red zone audible on the road in first game of the season will happen, this one came at an unfortunate time. Toss to Lacy, no excuse for. Let him run straight to the hole and fall forward for a first down. None of these errors were fatal and we had no turnovers. On to the Viqueens. Thanks, Since '61

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 12, 2016 at 12:08 pm

Lame Calls:

Mike McCarthy because I don't believe what he says anymore.

"There will be changes"
“Let's be honest, the middle of the field is open now (with) league rules."

Did he actually say that stuff? Because they didn't change anything to deal with the fact that they are weak up the middle on D and don't attack the middle on offense. I am totally sick of hearing folks blame the players for it, when the coaches refuse to make any meaningful changes to deal with it.

I know people will viciously down vote this but I don't care.

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TommyG's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:43 pm

Criticism of MM in regards to quotes versus actions seldom get down votes because, well, he seldom changes anything.

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guzzi2000's picture

September 12, 2016 at 12:23 pm

Watching the game yesterday was like deja vu all over again.

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Icebowler's picture

September 12, 2016 at 01:57 pm

Despite the weather, I'm glad we played the Jags this early in the season, before their defense, with all of that new talent, really gels.

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PaulRosik's picture

September 12, 2016 at 02:28 pm

The Packer offense still has a lot to prove. The running was just ok and the main passing weapon is Rodgers feet moving around until he can find a throw. And why a team with Lacy back there running has so much trouble with short yardage plays is a mystery.

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al bundy's picture

September 12, 2016 at 04:46 pm

Great posts people. Just to piggy back on a lot of this:
1. Lacy running wide because he knows the o line cant open holes anymore. Wd lost someome.
2. Dbacks laying way off, ya be ause they lack speed and quickness and do this so guys dont run right by them.
3. Capers piss poor pass defense. Hey you drafted 5'9 185 lb buys who lack speed and ta ckling skills from small schools. Safeties arent helping but are doing more protection.
4. Why cobb. You just added a 4.3 40 running back, use him.
5. Same play book. This way lazy mike doesnt have to coach much each year. Same reason he keeps people, and doesnt use a lot of other players: janis, abby, davis
6, mike is hell bent we will run thzt ball nto the endzone. Why waste rogers arm, jordys speed, cobbs quickness when we can send la y nto the line three times. Youll skhow em huh mike

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WKUPackFan's picture

September 12, 2016 at 05:08 pm

Started drinking a little early today al?

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TommyG's picture

September 12, 2016 at 06:48 pm

It's as if the can of Schlitz is dictating.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:38 pm

Schlitz is too classy for this one. I'm thinking Camo or Colt 45 if he splurges.

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zeke's picture

September 14, 2016 at 07:41 am

More like paint chips and paste.

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WinUSA's picture

September 13, 2016 at 09:15 am

Lame call. Where the hell was our number 1 draft pick?
Game ball: Ryan played with speed.

Game ball: that hilarious commercial w Rodgers and Mathews...still chuckling.

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dobber's picture

September 14, 2016 at 08:06 am

"Lame call. Where the hell was our number 1 draft pick?"

Didn't play a huge number of snaps, but made the box score. Defense relied mostly on Daniels and Guion on early downs and Peppers and Jones in obvious passing situations.

(in edit) Clark played 14 snaps total, 9 on defense (out of 72) and 5 on ST.

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mrj007's picture

September 12, 2016 at 08:12 pm

Lame calls - back to back to back 3 and out in 1st half; red zone play calling; inability to make a play when it counts (most unclutch team ever- reminiscent of'14 nfc conf game. Game balls - Rodgers to Adams TD; Run D; O line. Need to watch penalties, def middle of field, and poor use of TE Cook. Good win. Let's move on a put a hurt on the Vikings

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