Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - 2019 Preseason Game 1

The weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.

Yes folks, Polluted Mindset is back. I've decided to keep the name until Matt LaFluer starts saying things that make me laugh as much as "Polluted Mindset." Let's just say you have a big job ahead of you Matty.

Having the luxury of being able to view the game a second time, I decided to spend my time focusing on the big uglies.  Here are my thoughts:

Packers Offensive Line. When I saw that every OL starter except Lane Taylor was not playing, it was obvious who was most in danger of losing his starting job. Then, with Elgton Jenkins getting the start at RG over returning Packers Justin McCray and Lucas Patrick, it was just as obvious who was the main threat to Taylor. Starting both would allow the Packers to put both players on tape at the same time for an easy play-by-play film room comparison of their performance.

Jenkins played most of the game, including snaps at center in te second half. Overall, his pass blocking was stellar, run blocking was average. In this game, he did most of his best work on the move, with seal and reach blocks, which goes against most of his scouting reports. 

While watching Jenkins at RG, I couldn't help but notice that the Packers started Gerhard deBeer at right tackle. I was initially surprised by this, but the realized with Alex Light playing LT, the only true tackle options were deBeer and Yosh Nijman. Next best option was Adam Pankey, who the Packers list as a G/T.

Getting back to deBeer, he was not good. He got pancaked on the first play from scrimmage and gave up a lot of ground on the majority of his reps. When Adam Pankey came in for deBeer, he was much more impressive, especially in pass protection. pankey showed surprising athleticism in space, with good lateral movement and mirroring ability. He showed a little too much forward lean, but overall, was miles better than deBeer.

And what about Cole Madison, you say? The Packers have him as a guard only, something I agree with and kept saying when many fams referred to him as a tackle. I evaluated Madison at the tackle position for the CHTV Draft guide and was not terribly impressed, ranking him 22nd on my list. My overall thought was that he would have to make it as a guard and I think that's what you're seeing. WFrom what I saw of Madison in this game, he looked very good in run blocking from the left guard position.

Packers Defensive Line: After initially zeroing in on Rashan Gary overrunning plays in a manner worthy of the former Packer whose number he's wearing, I spent my re-watch time focused on the interior defensive linemen. The "Montravious Adams is most improved" hype appears to be real. He was holding his ground against double teams, getting off blocks, disrupting things in the backfield and showing above-average pursuit ability. He did appear to tire once his rep count started to climb, however. 

The Packers have themselves a nice find with Kingsley Keke. He can create pressure from the inside or outside, and shows excellent lateral movement and fluidity on the run. While presently he is getting by on burst and effort, when he learns some real pass moves and how to make better use of his hands, he could be a very effective pass rusher, especially between the tackles. He will need time in the weight room, however, to be effective against the run.

It's pretty clear the Packers' plan to replace Mike Daniels will be a combination of Adams, Keke and possibly Fadol Brown. Tyler Lancaster, a pleasant surprise last year, did not show very much - only 22 snaps and one assisted tackle. James Looney flashed in the fourth quarter, with some aggressive play, albeit against the bottom of the Texan's camp roster. My angst at losing Daniels is starting to subside a bit.

Off-Field: The twitterverse is having tons of fun making up fake dramatic Rodgers-LaFleur disagreements and rifts, mocking what appears to be the favorite pastime of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. Fake Florio headlines like  "Rodgers doesn't respect LaFleur's choice of favorite ice cream flavor - doesn't know if they can get on the same page on Sundays."  Or in an actual example:

 

And then, there are funny reactions to actual Mike Florio Tweets:

Rodgers and LaFluer are both aware of what's going on with all this made-up drama by Florio. LaFleur was asked if he had talked to Rodgers about their differing opinions on joint practices. LaFleur jokingly relied, "No, I don't talk to him anymore." Rodgers, in an interview with John Kuhn, called it complete ridiculousness and lamented the lack of integrity in the media, noting the click-bait nature of headlines, all to get hits and make more advertising dollars. Something we don't do here at CheeseheadTV. 

 

 

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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

__________________________

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5 points
 

Comments (71)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
cheesy_buffalo's picture

August 11, 2019 at 07:03 am

I paid attention to Alex Light on my second watch as well. Was overall impressed with what he was able to put out there against the Texans early. He showed good feet and managed to stay in front of his guy in pass sets. Didn't get a great sense of how much push he could provide in the run game.

What was noticeably absent were the 'ole blocks that we saw from Spriggs a couple times a game when he played.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 12, 2019 at 06:48 am

Light has looked better than I would have expected and certainly more consistent than Spriggs.

I’m not sure that he is a future starting tackle but I’m also not sure he isn’t a step up from Spriggs as a backup. Add in Turner and better off there than last year.

0 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

August 11, 2019 at 07:23 am

So far Gary looks like a huge mistake. Yes it's early but he has no pass rush moves other than bull rush and at OLB he's just too stiff. Got rid of Nick Perry and drafted his clone.

-14 points
2.5
16.5
jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 11, 2019 at 07:32 am

I am impressed with Gary's physical attributes. He did some things I didn't care for in his first NFL game. It's way too early call him a mistake. Gary is the kind of guy who could confound us all season but then things could click for him at some point and he could be dominant.

10 points
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SmallmouthBass's picture

August 11, 2019 at 07:47 am

Damn everyone of y'all must be trolling instead of being serious, it's getting old fast... I literally said the other day: Gary's contributions are not dependent upon the success of the starting OLB's. This is why Gutenkunst signed PS and ZS so this team doesn't depend on a rookie's first season for instant returns. That way, ya know, we can actually win games? This "clone" has way talent Nick Perry could ever dream of. Nick Perry isn't in the league either. In the end, most of us will actually be thankful he's our backup OLB if, god forbid, one goes down with an injury for an extended period of time. -Case Closed-

11 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:14 am

Well they will be on the field together in some packages. I would like to see Z Smith and Gary rush from the same side

5 points
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SmallmouthBass's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:46 am

I agree with that as well. I am hopeful. My beef is that he's already a disappointment is just ridiculous.

6 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 11, 2019 at 07:51 am

Not sure what film you are watching. The Texans were chip blocking him with a TE even with Matt Khalil manning that side on obvious passing situations. The Texans obviously respect his ability off the line. Pretty close what we saw at Michigan. A disruptive player taking on double teams, wrecking one side and his teammates getting stat production as a result.

9 points
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JerseyAl's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:25 am

Thanks for reminding me. I had intended to mention that the Texans were very aware of Gary and besides what you mention, they ran some plays at/behind him that specifically would take advantage of a rookie being over-aggressive.

4 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:30 am

He is also playing a new position. This is, and was expected to be, a learning curve! The team has been open about that.

2 points
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flackcatcher's picture

August 11, 2019 at 03:57 pm

I was surprised at the extent the Texans slid protection over to Gary's side. If they didn't double him at the line, they chipped him on on a third of their sets and had a spy on him the entire 1st half. I thought it was strange for a team who is evaluating their players from the 1st preseason game. Every team does it differently I guess....

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 12, 2019 at 06:50 am

He did make a mess of them in practice. Possibly felt that might make evaluation more difficult.

0 points
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carusotrap's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:35 am

Have you watched anything this pre-season? You do know they've started camp right?

2 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:51 am

The film from the Texans game, zach Kruse does a decent breakdown

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Qoojo's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:46 am

If this is a serious post, it's the dumbest overreaction I have seen here. It's at least in top 3.

4 points
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4thand1's picture

August 11, 2019 at 02:22 pm

troll

0 points
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Guam's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:03 am

I hope Lancaster's performance against the Texans is a one off and he returns to last season's form quickly. While I liked the performances by Adams and Keke, I suspect Lancaster was a big part of why the Packers let Daniels go. Lancaster needs to be part of the Daniels replacements or we may have a thin D-line.

O-line depth looks much better with the development of Light and the additions of Turner, Jenkins and Madison.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:32 am

Yes, I was very unimpressed with his showing. Trying too hard to be something he isn’t?

0 points
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Guam's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:58 am

Could be. He is a run stuffer and that is all we really need him to be. Gute acquired enough pass rushers this offseason that Lancaster just needs to be who he was late last year and the D-Line will be fine.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

August 11, 2019 at 02:15 pm

Lancaster has spent much of the off-season working on his pass rushing moves. I'm not worried about him at the NT spot against the run.

0 points
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Lphill's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:21 am

Mike Florio is king of fake news , his Viking trolls can comment all day but when somebody comments in favor of the Packers it does not make it . It’s amazing how he gets away with this.

7 points
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Qoojo's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:56 am

It's how his whole site works. It's easy money. The pattern is this:

1. Post a story and tag it to other teams which are rivals or in the same division (if the story is about a player tag, it for every team the player has been with or mentioned with).
2. The idiot trolls from those rival teams will post troll crap on the story, and the fans for the team will argue back.
3. Profit from the moronic back and forth bantering.

Now to make it all work better, you write the story about things that will either trigger the rival trolls or the fan base. For the packers, any mention of Rodgers is sure money (clicks). So if you have ever posted on PFT attacking a troll, or trolling another team, you're just playing Florio's game. A game he played all the way to TV time, and fake legitimacy.

Florio is celebrity news equivalent of a dirty laundry reporter. He has no shame and just pulls things from the rear.

9 points
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Bear's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:23 am

You fall into Florio’s trap.........he wants to see his name mentioned.....more mentions of his name the more advertising dollars roll in!

5 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:28 am

I thought Ty Summers looked really good kind of an upgraded Blake Martinez.

WRs Kumerow ,Sheppard, Lazard look like locks.

Jmon Moore..cut...too many bobbles

Dexter Williams looks really really good.

Robert Tunyon..looking better and better.

-4 points
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stockholder's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:39 am

Love Summers, Kumerow. But it's just to early, on the others.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:37 am

Summers missed key tackles early. Late he was just gassed. An upgrade on Martinez? Not close. That coming from someone who thought he really emerged.

His angles and tackling need refinement but speed effort and anticipation were there. Coverage in the passing game is not so hot yet, Bolton was much better on rewatch (I wrongly credited Summers on first view: my mistake). Summers has been much better than a 7th rounder usually is and is improving, but that is too far.

3 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:40 am

If Kumerow, Shepherd and Lazard are locks then how many receivers do you see them carrying, 8?? You have Adams, Allison, EQ, MVS and Davis also.....

4 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:39 am

They aren’t, unless injuries and trades intervene.

0 points
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murf7777's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:31 am

Summers > Martinez....Really?? If you look at the stats if he was in the AFC he would of made the pro bowl game last year. Summers looked good but also missed some tackles against quick moves. Bolton was rated the highest D player against Houston by PFF and if you watch him you will see why he will probably be the starter next to Martinez.

5 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:08 am

T. Davis will get cut.

7 WR make the team and or 6 on team 1 Practice squad. No matter what the coach says this is a passing league!!! Packer WRare always getting banged up.

0 points
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stockholder's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:30 am

THE OFFENSIVE LINE still is full of problems. Lets be honest . I'd be signing less Rbs and more OL. The back -ups were Free Agents. Beating the odds. And Why the packers still want to beat the odds with these guys is beyond me. McCray, FA, Pankey FA, Light FA, Patrick FA, and Taylor FA. The plan was cheap. Not protection, or perfection. They will always be fighting to BE A BACK-up. It's clear they tried to say "starter" with Taylor. And Taylor isn't. Drafting better should have happened. We look to Jenkins and Madison. But the fact is; Gute finally decided to put money in a legit OL. in TURNER.( IT shows!! ) The packers need to put more into this position. The point is; if you want back-ups ,you won't get more then that. If you want security for your QB. You stock pile starters.

1 points
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NickPerry's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:04 am

Sorry but I'm not sure SH... Do you like Turner or not? I couldn't tell if you're being critical or Tunner or paying him a compliment.

1 points
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stockholder's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:28 am

I love Turner. But I must criticize the decision to move him to RT. I prefer he just stay at Guard. We've had good Tackles. The problem was center, and guards. And I remember what happened with Wells and Saturday. Not to mention Sitton and Lang leaving. It's been patch, not fix. And the packers have done just that.

-5 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:57 am

They need to know who can backup at Tackle. That's what the preseason is for. Getting looks at things you can't normally see. Nothing wrong with getting Turner reps at RT in preseason game #1.

7 points
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Branden Burke's picture

August 11, 2019 at 12:38 pm

Turner at tackle is just a depth thing. Nothing to see here. Their line did just fine against the rush. Could have been better in the run game.

3 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:05 am

Stockholder, I this is more a result of ALL the backups playing together. They have not played together and all are trying to stand out individually, thus the sum of all their parts leaves something to to be desired. Individually they will be fine if needed to sub for one player. Bruce interior depth with Jenkins and Madison.

3 points
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stockholder's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:38 am

Subs - Thats the word I'm referring to. Starter is what we want as subs. For the last two years Bulaga was on the bubble. Spriggs should have replaced him and his salary. Taylor hasn't done it. And Jenkins and Madison must become the starter. Both rookies. But Jenkins might be your next center if Lindsay asks to much. Turner RT. Again the problem with Guards will be obvious.

-5 points
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fthisJack's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:24 am

Poppycock!!!

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:50 am

Agreed: Stockholder has been frothing about Taylor all off season. That explains this argument and why it is so contrived to the point of being poppycock as you say. I should have picked that up sooner.

3 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:06 am

Summers looks like a very, smart, savvy player and quick also good tackler. Still has a lot to learn,. Made mistakes yes. but he was on the field a lot.

2 points
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JerseyAl's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:31 am

I agree with you that they should have been drafting another OT or two to groom as Bulaga's replacement. Then again, they did draft Spriggs - it just happened to be a really bad choice.

5 points
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Branden Burke's picture

August 11, 2019 at 12:36 pm

I don't know if I would call it a bad choice. A lot of people were applauding the selection at the time. He just didn't pan out. Josh Jones is in the same boat.

-2 points
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marpag1's picture

August 11, 2019 at 06:18 pm

A lot of people applauded Mandarich too, but I still think it was a pretty bad choice, right?

1 points
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JerseyAl's picture

August 11, 2019 at 07:49 pm

I called it a bad choice immediately. I felt he was on the ground way too much looking at his college film and would need a lot of work to make it as a starter. Turns out, he couldn't even make it as a sub. It was a bad choice.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:43 pm

You could say choices, since they gave up picks to move UP for the guy.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:47 am

I see no reason why you don’t see the current starting line plus Madison and Jenkins as a decent investment.

I do see the questions at tackle, but we have Turner to switch and Jenkins and Madison behind him. Light has not been chopped liver. Starter no, looking like a decent back up this year though as the likely 4th tackle.

The de Beer choice at right tackle really threw me. He has shown nothing in camp and showed nothing here. He was raw and athletic and still seems to be. Nijman only players late but was a force in the run game. He also has work to do in the passing game, but at least he has had a few pluses in pass protection in the game and camp as well as minuses. Are they trying to hide him? Really don’t get de Beer’s use on Thursday.

0 points
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stockholder's picture

August 11, 2019 at 01:32 pm

Investment? Sure draft picks are investments. Free Agents nobody wanted,= are bargains. So you want to switch Turner. That is the poppycock IMO. Next You want Jenkins in there. But LG is the problem. If Jenkins becomes the LG. Taylor goes to back-up. Madison is not without questions. And I understand people pulling for him. But these guys have WORK to do. You are looking at the players as investments. And as we saw with Spriggs. Regardless how many were held in high opinion. They can't do the job to make a GREAT OFFENSIVE LINE. Didn't anybody tell you 1 problem can lead to another??? At some point during the game , players need a rest. Just look at Bulaga. And while some may look decent. Even all muscle and no brains. The mistakes they make can change a game.

0 points
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2
flackcatcher's picture

August 11, 2019 at 04:21 pm

I agree CW. I see folks here are overlooking the damage done to the O line by injuries over the past three years. If one takes a look to the O line group injury list, most of those were players who were projected as future starters for this team. Pankey, Patrick and Spriggs were players who lost time to the IR and while they showed they still had the talent, their 'window' with the new staff is very narrow, or gone altogether. I have said this before, (too many times) the CBA does no body any good in this league. And these three players is prime example of that.

-2 points
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2
SmallmouthBass's picture

August 11, 2019 at 08:33 am

I am glad AR is listening to the noise in a way because all time greats always respond on the field when given any sort of unfair criticism. Don't like saying this but I look at Tom Brady in '17 when nobody thought they had a chance after the deflategate suspension and he played with a giant grudge after his return. Everyone counted them out that year. He defied all odds to beat the Falcons. This is comparable in my opinion.
Not that the criticism itself towards Rodgers exercises common sense at all but it gives more reason for him to be extra prepared and put in more work. I don't question his leadership, or mental toughness. His is second to none. My expectations for him are still the highest among all on the roster because that's what happens when you're transcendent. I just want him, very badly, to take advantage of the 'narrative' set in place based on our whole team situation and past results. I am tired of people taking low blows at him in the news and trying to deflate his entire legacy as he enters this next chapter of his career, makes me quite sick. I hope he is doing all he can to make this new offense work because it will be so damn satisfying to see him to prove everyone wrong all. over. again. Winning fixes all. Just WIN!

2 points
2
0
NickPerry's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:13 am

"Not that the criticism itself towards Rodgers exercises common sense at all but it gives more reason for him to be extra prepared and put in more work."

Hear hear SMB... Rodgers has always had that "Chip". Starting in college without any Division 1 offers, that day in the Green Room during the draft, the fall down to 24 in the draft, and the way he was treated by his OWN FANS in 2008 with death threats and everything else. Rodgers has always risen above silencing them all.

You and I share the same hope...Rodgers takes all this NONSENSE and uses it to his advantage. People talk about 1st year coaches struggling to make the playoffs. Well, what about Matt Nagy? Christ, he did it with a QB who doesn't have half the talent Rodgers has in his pinky finger. Or how about Chip Kelly in 2013 in Philly? There may not be tons of 1st-year coaches with a lot of success. But there aren't ANY first-year coaches who had Aaron Rodgers!

Yes, the Bears had a fantastic defense LAST year but I have a hard time believing they'll have that many balls bounce their way again this season. HHCD is a huge downgrade from Amos. Buster Skrine an even bigger downgrade from Callahan. But IMO the Packers can have every bit as a suffocating defense this year, maybe more so if they get the ILB position figured out. The Packers may not have a Mack, but they have more pass rushers than the Bears can throw at an offense on any given play...

1 points
1
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murf7777's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:53 am

NP....I agree the common denominator with bears and philly is a very good D. If we have that we will make the playoffs!

0 points
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SmallmouthBass's picture

August 11, 2019 at 01:08 pm

"Rodgers has always had that "Chip". Starting in college without any Division 1 offers"
No doubt that is what has made him so damn spectacular I agree completely and he can do it this time around. There are many different circumstances and challenges than I think he's faced before. Turning this season into a success would be so much more than shushing up the doubters... Division feels more competitive than previously.

0 points
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NickPerry's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:11 am

Been on vacation the last 2 weeks and one of the channels I've watched/listened to is "Pro Football Talk" with Florio. I find it both humorous and irritating the guy takes ANYTHING Rodgers says and twists the crap out of it. I heard the same thing on the radio with Bayless and marble mouth and I'm sure Cowturd is right there chiming in his 2 cents worth too.

THIS is what sports Radio/TV has become. It doesn't have to be true or accurate but just outrageous or loud enough for us to click that bait.

Clicks matter, the truth doesn't. At least to these knuckleheads!!

3 points
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murf7777's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:26 am

I’m impressed with how Mlf handled his response regarding scrimmage. Now it will be interesting to see how he handles game decisions.

1 points
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Since'61's picture

August 11, 2019 at 09:57 am

Al it’s good to see the “Polluted Mindset” is back.

I think that we need to remember that Gary has come out a season early, similar to Clark. His first season will be one of learning and adjusting to the speed and deception of NFL level offenses.

However, he is lightning quick off the ball and the Texans either ran away from him or chipped him and in some cases they outright double teamed him on running plays. His speed and athleticism can’t be coached however how he uses his ability will be up to his coaches and how well they put him in situations to succeed.

As for the OL MLF was wise not to play the starters which enabled him and his staff to see where his OL depth is at this point in the preseason. There is work to do but time left to adjust and improve the quality of the OL depth. Hopefully we will see improvement with each preseason game. Thanks, Since ‘61

7 points
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Lare's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:47 am

We also have to remember who Gary was playing with around him against the Texans. Put him with Clark, Adams, Lowry, Z Smith and P Smith and I think we'll get a little better idea of how he'll do as a rookie.

9 points
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Since'61's picture

August 11, 2019 at 01:55 pm

Good point Lare. I think we will see Gary gradually receive more snaps as the season progresses.

What Gute has done is solidify the OLBs for the short term (2019 - 2020) by signing the Smiths and has begun to build for the longer term by drafting Gary. Hopefully over 2-4 seasons Gary will evolve into a dominating player similar to how Clark has evolved over his first 3 seasons in the league.

Time will tell. Thanks, Since ‘61

5 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 12, 2019 at 01:39 pm

I'd be willing to bet that quite a few HOFers didn't look like a HOF their first time on the field. We forget that these 21 year olds are moving into strange towns and learning how to be NFL professional football players.

I mean, you're young and rich. But if you work hard, doing the nutrition and training, etc., you can get richer. And even if you make the right choices, it just takes time. I look at how much bigger and stronger my own son became in the years after college and I'd bet that Montravious Adams is just bigger and stronger now, he's familiar with where the locker room is, he knows how things are done in the pros...….of course he's a better player than he was as a rookie.

Like Fackrell and Adams, Martinez and others, we should be a little more patient with our guys on rookie contracts. Sometimes it takes a while. I think Gary is going to be a real good player for us but it might take more than one game. You know how QBs bolt the pocket on us and hurt us with scrambles? I think Gary is going to help put a stop to this. He really closes quick.

I

0 points
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wildbill's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:37 am

There you go ‘61, once again throwing common sense into the fray. Coaches should identify your strengths and put you in a position to succeed. The Texan game was all about evaluations and I thought Gary showed some positive traits, that coupled with coaches/players helping with with his techniques, I would hope to see some very positive advancement by the end of the year. As you stated he came out early and if he progresses like Clark has then it’s winner winner chicken dinner.

4 points
4
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Bear's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:19 am

Al, Did you watch Nijman in his brief stint? I thought he did a very good job. He won’t make the final “53” but with some time on the practice squad he may have a chance next year.

2 points
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JerseyAl's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:45 am

I kept sn eye on him the first time around. He's a good development project IMO and I hope he's on the Practice Squad. Here's what I wrote about him as my #20 OT in the CHTV Draft guide:

"A three-year starter for Tech, Nijman is an impressive physical specimen that has played both tackle spots for the Hokies. He’s currently akin to a block of marble that some NFL offensive line coach will have to chip away at to sculpt a football player as the end product. If he can master the needed techniques, a starting right tackle spot is not out of the question in a few years for Nijman."

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:57 am

Nijman had some awesome plays in the run game. I wrote above that putting de Beer in at RT was a real head scratcher. He has never looked like he is ready.

I speculated that it was part of a plan to hide Nijman. I think Nijman will put enough on film, assuming he continues to play as he did, that, as a potential left tackle, he won’t make the PS. Teams just can’t find genuine tackle prospects. By confirming that he is, someone will find a roster spot for him.

0 points
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MarkinMadison's picture

August 11, 2019 at 12:52 pm

It's interesting though that when he lost the LT spot due to injury that he was unable to win it back. I think he was getting by on physical talent. I wonder how much the VA Tech coaches trusted him.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 11, 2019 at 01:16 pm

His technique is not good. Neither is de Beer’s. Lot of debate about whether the coaches at college just let him go with raw ability because it was working so well or if he was not coachable. Point here is that he has looked better than DeBeer and did look so (lesser opposition though. In the run game it’s is night and day. Yet de Beer started.

1 points
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greengold's picture

August 12, 2019 at 07:17 pm

His technique was good enough to stone Clelin Ferrell, Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Christian Wilkins ... amongst other top DL while playing for Virginia Tech.

Have to remember, VT played out of a 2 pt. stance for 4 years there. He's excited to be able to power up into his opponent from a 3 pt. stance in GB. Yosh is learning the pro game just like the rest of them.

He won't last 5 minutes on a PS, so, I consider him a lock for the 53. If they don't make room for him, to develop his rare gifts, they are fools. Kiss him goodbye. We need the kind of depth even one season, a half season could bring with Nijman. A 6-7 320 LT/RT with sub 5 40 times? Experienced as all get out in the ACC? Protecting Rodgers is job #1, even when a guy like that, who needs a year or less to develop, lands in your lap for free.

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JerseyAl's picture

August 12, 2019 at 07:32 pm

I like the kid, but let's slow down here. Remember that no NFL team thought he was worth a draft choice. He has so much still to learn.

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greengold's picture

August 12, 2019 at 08:30 pm

There were other factors in play that kept teams away, like, not being able to wrap their brains around a player like Nijman, with two metal rods, one in each leg because his body mass grew faster than his bones could carry.

Hasn't seemed to affect his play. As a matter of fact, he ruled the combine amongst all draft eligible OL. Yet, they all still passed... Does that sound reasonable?

I believe he can be a very solid player for the Packers if they give him the chance.

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JerseyAl's picture

August 12, 2019 at 08:46 pm

Regardless, they all passed. Could very well be medical concerns, as he did miss 7 games over his last two years.

I'm rooting for the kid (plus he's from NJ), but making it sound like he is some ultra-valuable commodity that every team would want is you falling into the trap of packers fans always over-valuing their own players. I know about this trap because I fell into it quite a bit before learning my lesson. Every year there are players who everyone says "will never make it to the practice squad" and yet they do.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 11, 2019 at 10:30 am

The line is where it all begins. Jenkins and Turner make me feel a lot better about the upcoming season. Then there's the phenom Yosh, who surely caused the Packers to release Spriggs...

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PatrickGB's picture

August 11, 2019 at 11:52 am

I alway “click” on CheeseheadTV. Thanks for the article.

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JQ's picture

August 12, 2019 at 01:14 pm

Interesting and thoughtfully written article Al. Thanks!

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