After Further Review: Packers vs. Bucs
By Ross Uglem
Ross will provide a few observations every Monday afternoon following a Packers game based on a few viewings of the condensed version of the game on NFL GamePass. While this might not be the All-22 camera deep dive that might be more "educational", it should provide a conversation point for the rest of the week.
I'll never understand Brett Hundley's home road splits. Hundley is demonstrably better away from Lambeau Field and I'm not sure I understand it. It isn't even an indoor/outdoor thing. His two best games have been at the two stadiums with possibly the worst reputations in football, Heinz Field and Soldier Field. Hundley is so timid at home, and I can't imagine that was helped in any way by his long interception intended for Jordy Nelson. Green Bay needs a big game from Hundley on Sunday against Cleveland, not just to win the game, but to maintain any trade interest whatsoever.
This was the best game since the Giants playoff game for Jake Ryan. He was exceptional in all phases, one of the few Packers defenenders that wasn't completely blown away by Tampa's screen game. Any time you see (Neck) as the injury designation, you have to have some level of concern. The hope, of course, is for a stinger.
Best game of Ryan’s, easily since playoffs vs. NYG. pic.twitter.com/1s3gyIqEh2
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) December 4, 2017
This was @JakeRyan_47 best game of 2017. Fitting of course that he would leave with an injury. pic.twitter.com/5HVp0raMGG
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) December 4, 2017
Clay Matthews played very well, though it is certainly true that Tampa's offensive line was beat up.
Davante Adams has earned every dollar he's going to make this season. Unlike the rest of the receiving corps, Adams production has not dipped becuase of the lack of Aaron Rodgers. Yes, there are certainly fewer passing yards to go around, but Adams is still producing. He's Green Bay's #1 WR moving into the 2018 season. Nelson is now a slot receiver. A decision might have to be made as to what to do between Nelson and Cobb. A #2 WR may have to be a draft or free agency target (think Detroit signing Marvin Jones).
As good as @tae15adams has become at all the pre-catch aspects of being a WR, he’s still a YAC monster. pic.twitter.com/SQLRxdyVK3
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) December 4, 2017
Jahri Evans has been an exceptional signing this season, but he got his ass kicked by Gerald McCoy on Sunday. That'll happen to pretty much anyone, though. Unless Green Bay addresses it in the draft, it might be wise to bring Evans back for 2018 on a small contract.
Dom Capers is driving me insane. I'm ready for his time with the Packers to be over. That may not sound significant but I've been a defender of his for years. The scheme's time has come and gone and I'm at a point that I respect too much of the talent that Thompson has put together on that side of the ball not to have a game plan that works. The three man rush that he clings to like a child's blanket in big spots is going to be the death of some of the more expensive electronics in my house.
I'm starting to believe in Jamaal Williams. I had a lot of concern about Williams' vision going into this season. That was based on his college film and what I saw from him early in the year and in preseason. If the front side of the play wasn't blocked, Jamaal wasn't getting there. The team has needed him to be better than that, though, since the Aaron Jones injury and he's provided for them. Jones and Williams seem to be a viable 1-2 punch moving forward.
A backside cut from Jamaal Williams? Leggo! #vision pic.twitter.com/DxYPc2QRXk
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) December 4, 2017
Young man runs with a tremendous amount of attitude. @jswaggdaddy pic.twitter.com/tsbi65Wlix
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) December 4, 2017
Kenny Clark is a special player.
It might be obvious, but this was Dean Lowry's best game in a Packer Uniform. Lowry was effective up and down the defensive line and made impact plays that you don't always see from a 3-4 defensive end. I think he's fine as a depth guy moving forward.
Damarious Randall has been one of Green Bay's best defensive players since his benching against Chicago, full-stop.
Medium-well take: Since getting benched against Chicago Damarious Randalls been one of the best 5 players on GB D. pic.twitter.com/xnKAiXay09
— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) December 4, 2017
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Ross Uglem is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @RossUglem
Comments (18)
Since'61
December 05, 2017 at 02:32 pm
Ross - I was one of the first to post here that Hundley may be one of those players that plays better on the road than at home. I'm not sure why other than playing in front of the home crowd following both Favre and Rodgers puts additional pressure on a young, essentially a rookie, player.
As Packers fans we not only expect the Packers to win we expect excellent play by our QB. Maybe it is too much for Hundley to handle at this point in his career. For now, we need him to have another good road game against Cleveland this week.
As for Capers, I have wanted him gone since the 2013 season. His defense never stepped up once Rodgers was injured and they haven't done much better this season. The defense needs better schemes and an infusion of aggressiveness and nasty attitude.
We need a defense that can win a game when the offense is struggling. Better tackling and a consistent pass rush alone would probably give us 2 more wins per season. Add in a few turnovers and some stops late in the game and maybe we're up to another 3-4 wins per season. It's difficult to ever feel comfortable with a lead with Capers defense. FIRE CAPERS!!! What is there to lose with a new DC? Thanks, Since '61
pacman
December 05, 2017 at 02:32 pm
I don't understand the semi-euphoria about this win. TB is not a good team. TB stats in this game were for the most part better than the Packers. Especially time of possession. Packers squeezed out a win in OT - only due to one heads up play by Lowry. It confirmed - again - that Hundley is not a salvageable qb. Does it really matter that they got a bunch of sacks against a bad team? That's a pretty sad statement. We are on heavy life support until AR returns. And if we make it to the playoffs, that would give management an excuse not to make changes. I get upset when the Packers lose too, but be careful what you wish for.
GVPacker
December 05, 2017 at 06:36 pm
Considering A Rodgers is not playing it's a great victory!
Roadrunner23
December 05, 2017 at 02:47 pm
Any win is a good win, losing becomes a habit that is hard to escape.
Roadrunner23
December 05, 2017 at 02:57 pm
I was also a Jamall Williams doubter but I too am starting to believe in the kid. I like his "stiff arm" with attitude, I like his "will to score" when he was stopped at the 3 yard line, I like his "run after contact" and he seems more patient as a "one cut" runner. Also Williams is pretty good at pass blocking and catching out of the backfield.
Reminds me of Edgar Bennett.
Damarious Randall has come on since his benching and Dean-a-sorus Lowery has been playing well all season long.
The Defense has some talent: Randall, King, Burnett, Dix,
Clark, Martinez, Ryan, Mathews, Perry, Jones, Daniels and House isn't bad either. The only thing needed for them to become a Top 10 Defense is to have another good draft and.....wait for it....FIRE DOM CAPERS!!!
Hematite
December 05, 2017 at 04:09 pm
For the most part I agree.
However I would remove Dix and House from your list of defensive talent.
rdent
December 05, 2017 at 04:38 pm
I agree, House has been JAG and Dix has been below average. And neither has helped the other.
AK Cheese
December 05, 2017 at 04:31 pm
Don't like that three man pass rush huh...me neither. Has there been a consistent rusher since Reggie? Someone that puts fear into the offensive tackles?
dobber
December 05, 2017 at 05:30 pm
We were talking about Aaron Kampmann the other day. KGB, too.
Roadrunner23
December 05, 2017 at 05:21 pm
Mathews for a few years
Coldworld
December 05, 2017 at 06:08 pm
I am not a capers fan but this is daft. No DC can be expected to hold a team when the O is on the field for only moments between the middle of Q1 and mid Q4. It’s not the players either, it is a pathetic QB performance aided by a very enjoyable punt ‘block’ and lineman ‘pick 6.’
I agree on the past sell by date on capers, but we can’t judge any D under the circumstances of last Sunday
marpag1
December 06, 2017 at 03:09 am
Part of the reason for the huge disparity in time of possession is that the Packers scored a defensive TD. In effect, that's two opponent drives back to back, with the D never leaving the field. Of course, that's not the ENTIRE reason, but it is significant.
4zone
December 05, 2017 at 08:36 pm
As for who to replace Capers with, i'm not that smart but how about a top 5 college DC. Someone with attitude eh?
marpag1
December 06, 2017 at 03:15 am
Yeah, Dean Lowrey did some nice things, but I thought Tampa gained a lot of yards running over his side of the line. And when Clark went out it was turnstyle city. More importantly, Dean needs to learn how to hoist his fat butt all the way up into the stands when he does the leap. Dude, that was weak! LOL. Looked like a polar bear trying to climb a tree.
jeremyjjbrown
December 06, 2017 at 08:00 am
This series is currently the best series on CheeseheadTV. Thanks Ross!
DD
December 06, 2017 at 08:25 am
I agree with most comments. Capers is not getting it done for years now. Three man rush, screens, third and long? Ridiculous. Hire back K. Green or J. Leonard as defensive coordinator! Been saying this but it's a mute point I guess. Also, I agree Hundley is not the answer. Not consistent, doesn't see the field, nervous, runs. There are many backup QB's like this. Plus, his passing yards are pathetic! Three plus years of learnimg snd now playing. You see any improvement?
No. Time for major changes at GM, MM, and DC. You may say we've made playoffs often, okay, then stay the course, but be ready for more of the same. Rodgers made them, that's it.
dobber
December 06, 2017 at 08:40 am
"Been saying this but it's a mute point I guess. "
Either an issue with word choice or an incredible play on words. Kudos!
lebowski
December 07, 2017 at 12:12 am
I gotta stop ragging on Hundley so much. Not his fault the coaching staff didn't prepare him in 3 years, and then didn't realize he wasn't prepared. And when I see a photo like that one of him walking off after the Tampa game, knowing he didn't play well, after getting booed relentlessly at home, smiling and enjoying the moment.... it's just a game.