Game Notes: "We got a defense."

-- What better way to open the regular season and put to bed all of the nonsensical spewings from a rival fanbase since December than by winning?

Well, that's what the Green Bay Packers did at Soldier FIeld Thursday night.

A low-scoring, relatively sloppy offensive showing -- for both sides -- sent the Packers back to Wisconsin with a 1-0 record to open the NFL's 100th season. So for the first Game Notes column of the regular season, I couldn't be more thrilled to be recapping this victory of all victories.

No, I promise you I don't care that it was only the season opener and 15 games remain on the schedule. The Bears choked away last year's opener but ended up winning the division. I get it, trust me. Just soak this all in while you can, because people from Chicago are still basking in the glory of the 1985 championship team. The least you can do for yourself is to just relish this win for a week.

 

"We got a defense."

Those were real words spoken by Aaron Rodgers in the year 2019. On a night that featured him playing snaps in Matt LaFleur's offense for the first time after not playing in the preseason, everything was just out of sync. Rodgers couldn't find comfort in the pocket, he threw a couple of passes into the dirt -- similar story to last year -- and he was getting knocked around like a ragdoll. There was a four-play, 74-yard drive that led to the only touchdown of the game for either team, but overall, the Packers' offense was clearly a work-in-progress.

For the first time in a long, long time, that was okay. Rodgers didn't need to be superman and save the day because the Packers' defense wasn't able to rise to the occasion. For the first time in a long, long time, it felt like the Packers had a defense that could win them games. That's what happened Thursday night -- this defense essentially got them to 1-0.

It was the constant pressure from both Za'Darius and Preston Smith, the blanket coverage provided by the safeties, the wrecking ball that is Kenny Clark and the creative blitz packages defensive coordinator Mike Pettine threw at Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky that kept him off-balance all night. Both Smiths combined for 2.5 sacks and eight tackles, whereas Preston was responsible for former Bears safety Adrian Amos coming down with the game-clinching interception late in the game. 

Protection is a mess -- for now.

The Packers spent heavy on offensive lineman Billy Turner in the offseason, and he entered training camp as the team's de facto starter at right guard. He struggled a little bit Thursday night in Chicago, but Lane Taylor on the opposite side did as well.

As a result, Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times in the middle of debuting a new offense. There was no chance he was going to emerge from Soldier Field unscathed, but much of the pressure was formed from the interior -- precisely where the Packers' offensive line resulted in Rodgers' wreckoning a season ago.

The Packers have been swapping Taylor and second-round rookie guard Elgton Jenkins in throughout training camp and the preseason, so neither suitor has been able to consistently fill in at the position and create a bond with the other four penciled-in starters. Much of the success of offensive lines are about cohesion with the guy playing next to you. It's something that should improve the more they either opt to roll with Taylor or, as many have hinted at, substitute him for Jenkins.

J.K. Scott is good.

If you watched the Packers play in the preseason, you would know that it wouldn't be a stretch to say J.K. Scott was the Packers' exhibition MVP. He was on a tear, and that momentum didn't falter even a little bit switching to the regular season.

He punted nine (!) times against the Bears, pinning the ball inside the 20 five times and even booming a pair of 63-yarders. No, seriously. He hit two 63-yarders. The Packers invested a draft pick in Scott last year, and now they're reaping the benefits; the ability to so drastically alter field position is a massive bonus for any defense. Especially one like the Packers have now, who certainly have no problem capitalizing on such a fact.

Punters are people too. Don't you dare think for one second I was going to disregard the night Scott had and leave him out of this column. 

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

7 points
 

Comments (84)

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

September 06, 2019 at 11:18 am

Ok, on a scale between dumb and 'kick this guy off our site', how ridiculous is this statement... I think Pettine is the most important person in the Packers organization.

Green Bay is 30th in the league in defensive spending. They're spending almost half of what the Vikings, Texans, Rams and Browns are spending on their defense. GB can extend KC and Martinez, add a high priced FA and still be well below those teams in spending.

Last night they went on the road, playing for the first time as a team with 7 new starters, and held them to 3 points. I'd be impressed if that was in Arizona or Miami, but it's way more impressive against a reigning division champ.

Green bay loses last night if they turn in an above-average performance on defense. They had to be nearly perfect to win, and they were.

LaFleur and Rodgers are important, but they also have the second highest offensive payroll to work with. If Pettine is using rookies, soph's and a few FAs to produce a top-10 defense, he's the guy that is making a championship team possible. I think most DC's don't will a win for GB last night like he did, and I think they only play better from here.

I'll see myself out...

17 points
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Turophile's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:16 pm

A win...........on the road.............against the Bears who are a very good team at this time. Just think about that for a while.

Is there a tougher game for the Packers on this years schedule ? Well, the Vikings and Cowboys away games will be tough, but i don't think any game this year should be tougher than the one they just played and won.

Like Cubbygold, I absolutely loved it when Pettine was hired as defensive coordinator. Just look at what he did last year with Matthews, Perry and Brice. This year they are replaced by P.Smith, Z.Smith, Amos, and draft pick Savage. Now that looks like quite a jump in overall talent and what we saw last night on the field confirms it.

The Offense, imo, showed the rust from not having had preseason practice, especially in the first quarter last night. This is not what you want against the toughest defense in football, but they STILL got the win and Rodgers is still upright, after what we all knew would be a vicious pass rush. The Offense and especially the O line, will improve as they play together and they will not face opposition fiercer than the Bears D (well, except for their home game vs the Bears).

8 points
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Bearmeat's picture

September 06, 2019 at 03:24 pm

In order of tough games this year:

1. @ CHI
2. @ MIN
3. @ KC
4. @ DAL
5. @ LAC

No, it doesn't assure us anything, but to say anything except that this was a big, big win, is incorrect.

3 points
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EddieLeeIvory's picture

September 06, 2019 at 03:58 pm

At KC way tougher than at Chi.
For many reasons.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:44 pm

For me, regardless of the future it proves that the identity of the Packers has changed. They now have an aggressive, fast and effective D.

The O will improve. We will see more of the playbook, but I thought the plan for the game looked well constructed against that team. Rodgers effectively conceded that they are rusty, now if he and the staff can learn from that, maybe next year we will use one of the preseason games to knock some of that rust off.

Gute came out of last night looking very good. A long way to go, but this is a very good first step and will change the ways teams have to think when game planning offensively.

ST should get a shout. Nothing spectacular (outside of the punting) but a pretty efficient performance. That is a dramatic improvement.

2 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:02 am

They are ALL tough games. The one you think is easy is the one they will lose. All the teams are very good. Even in Detroit if take away the team you still have one of the stadiums loudest fans in the NFL.

1 points
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Cubbygold's picture

September 06, 2019 at 01:52 pm

Amazing to see an article like this, written about the Packers.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/bears-packers-defense-film-mike-pettine

5 points
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Bearmeat's picture

September 06, 2019 at 03:33 pm

Really encouraging article. If GB keeps MIN to 20 points or less, I'll consider them "for real." Until then, the offense needs to step it up!

2 points
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ThxJackVainisi's picture

September 06, 2019 at 07:13 pm

Cubbygold, thanks for that link - very informative.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:03 am

Rule of thumb is to always score 21+ and keep opposing team 20 and below.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

September 06, 2019 at 07:29 pm

Very good article, thanks for sharing.

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Leatherhead's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:25 am

This was a very good defensive showing, in an opener, on the road, against a division rival. I never thought that we'd be able to put a defense this good on the field in the opener and just kind of hoped we'd get better as the season went along.

All credit due to the coaching staff and Gutekunst. They've made this happen. Well done. So far. We're going to face better offenses so we'll just have to take it a game at a time.

This was an unexpected victory and if we can win at home next week against the Vikings the division will be looking up at us.

At this point, I don't think 4-0 is unreasonable.

13 points
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Demon's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:20 pm

I dont think this was unexpected at all. I fully expected a packers win. Although the stifling D was a very pleasant surprise.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:15 pm

If you fully expected it, did you place a bet?

0 points
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Demon's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:23 pm

Im not a gambler. If you please you are most welcome to find my post from a few days ago that stated i believed the pack would win. Unlike your many posts predicting a Bears win.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:48 pm

I did not. Coming out of Soldier Field with a win in the first game with a new coach and new schemes on O and D really is a major achievement.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:48 pm

.

0 points
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murf7777's picture

September 06, 2019 at 09:09 pm

Yes I did on the money line and the under a great day!

1 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:10 am

I wasn't sure what was going to happen. Excellent game for the Packers Defense. If our offense would have done better at the beginning of game it would have been a shut out, but the offense will get going, unfortunately it will have to be next Sunday against the Vikings S. Diggs, A. Thielen, D. Cook, K. Rudolph, K Cousins etc. it's gonna be harder to keep them in check. Go Pack Go!!

2 points
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Lare's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:38 am

It's correct to say the defense played well last night and the offense stumbled. But after re-watching the game this morning I think the offense didn't play that bad.

Yes Rodgers missed some passes, yes the offensive line could have been better and yes the running game didn't exactly click on all cylinders. But they did just enough to win.

When Rodgers starts getting more comfortable in the scheme and the offensive line play improves this should be a pretty good all around team. Hopefully we'll see them getting more comfortable as the season progresses.

9 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:47 am

Yours is the best statement that I have seen of what the issue with the O line was and why:

“The Packers have been swapping Taylor and second-round rookie guard Elgton Jenkins in throughout training camp and the preseason, so neither suitor has been able to consistently fill in at the position and create a bond with the other four penciled-in starters. Much of the success of offensive lines are about cohesion with the guy playing next to you.”

Absolutely spot on. Add in the fact that Turner has never played a game in anger with that line, that they haven’t regularly been able even to practice with Linsley, due in part to injury, and that they have moved around when they have and the issues we saw are likely to occur.

Just not playing as a unit and it shows, against Pagano going against the guards as much if not more than the tackles. Against a defensive front as good and as deep as the Bears have, the result is nit surprising.

They will improve as long as we let them settle. It’s no different from Rodgers timing with the skill players. Game play helps. Choose to do that in season and in a new system as well and this is an self imposed obstacle that one has to overcome. Thankfully they did, but let’s not rush to stir what needs to settle.

6 points
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Branden Burke's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:39 pm

Well, to be fair I can't think of a better front 7 in the NFL than what the bears have.

4 points
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ShanghaiKid's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:50 pm

The only unit that comes to mind is probably the cowboys. Vander Esch and Smith are flat out nasty.

-1 points
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Branden Burke's picture

September 06, 2019 at 03:23 pm

The Vikings front 4 are pretty nasty too. But their linebackers are obviously no Mack, Smith, Danny, Floyd

1 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:12 am

I concur

1 points
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ThxJackVainisi's picture

September 06, 2019 at 07:22 pm

I respectfully disagree with the excuse of splitting time for Taylor. At LG he's had aton of snaps with Linsley to his right and Bakhtiari to his left. It's not as if the LG "hands off" stunting rushers to the new RG. I hope it was a combination of the quality of talent he was playing against and just having a bad game. Not that he was the only OL that struggled though...

1 points
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kevingmccarthy's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:47 am

I hear a lot of people saying that the offense struggled, but it was the Bears defense, and they are good. I don't hear anyone say the Pack's defense was great, but it was the Bears offense, and they are not good. I believe in the D, but it was just one game, against a mediocre QB. A wise man once{or many times} said, "Lotta Ballgame Left". Go Pack. The Bears Still Suck.

4 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:14 am

Gary got banged up a lot in preseason, so I will cut him a break.

1 points
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pilot67's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:48 am

Did Gary play?

0 points
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Cubbygold's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:53 am

6 snaps

0 points
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Springer's picture

September 06, 2019 at 01:00 pm

I read he saw limited action but looked good. I didn't notice him while watching.

0 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:13 am

Gary who? Now Savage was all over the place.

0 points
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nathanj's picture

September 06, 2019 at 01:14 pm

Had at least 1 QB hit

2 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:22 pm

He did a nice job on a stunt. But, it was a DL role, not an OLB role.

At any rate it was nice to see him make a play in a game.

1 points
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Lphill's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:52 am

I know balance is important but the Bears are hard to run on and I would have gone pass heavy instead, use the back to help protect Rodgers, maybe run later on to eat some clock but too many wasted runs that went nowhere, and why no flag when Rodgers got taken down from the head along the sideline?

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:50 pm

I agree on the flag. Wonder if there will be a fine for the face mask pull?

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

September 07, 2019 at 08:40 am

A Vegas non-call by these refs. Some questionable calls ,but for the most part they stayed out of the flow of the game. Not as bad as last year with the flags on Matthews.

0 points
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pacman's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:55 am

I loved this old style low scoring game!

Now it is on LaFleur and Rodgers to keep up with the D. If a team is bringing that much pressure, there has to be someone open for a quick throw. Of course, it would be nice if O line could block better!

3 points
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Packer_Fan's picture

September 06, 2019 at 11:58 am

The most I like about the victory was the excitement in Aaron Rodgers. We have a defense and the playful push he gave Pettine says to me that Rodgers is buying into the system and coaches. And cudos to the defense. Go pACK

9 points
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Spock's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:00 pm

"...because people from Chicago are still basking in the glory of the 1985 championship team. " How appropriate that they rolled out those old timers before getting beat in their own house. :)

7 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:16 am

It's a lot nicer game to watch when everything does not fall on our QBs. Kizer or Boyle maybe could have won this game the way our D played.

2 points
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Mark Gaedtke's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:10 pm

I was impressed with Lafluer's patience with the run. He never really gave up on it and it slowly started to produce, albeit on a small scale. More important, the threat of a run, as the game progressed, helped to open the passing game. The upcoming teams, while still very good defensively, will not be as stout against the run and should allow ML to mix it up with more success. I hope.

4 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

September 06, 2019 at 04:03 pm

What impressed me most is that the ground game actually got better in the 4th quarter when it matters most, and when defenses are doing more to contain it. If the Packers can force that 8th man in the box and still churn out rushing yardage, it bodes very well for the rest of the year.

2 points
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ILPackerBacker's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:13 pm

Gary played and had a key pressure on an end zone pass

2 points
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J_brooks's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:33 pm

Like everyone above I’m super excited about this defense.

It’s a fair point that the Bears’ O isn’t great and we need to see more games before crowning our D with anything, but two things stood out to me that were a clear difference from GB Ds of the last few years:

1. Our secondary had extremely tight coverage all game. The big completions against them were all contested throws or the two back shoulders over Brown to Robinson (which will happen in the NFL and coverage was still great). I only recall one wide open throw on the 3rd and 10 when the Pack dropped into zone and rushed three. Looking forward to Mr. Herman’s breakdown and watching the all 22 to see if my impression from the broadcast was accurate or if Trubisky just missed open guys. But the eye test showed very few broken coverages. Hope our health stands up.

2. We continued to collapse the pocket well into the 4th quarter. Can’t wait to continue to see our D-line rotation develop into the season and if Keke and Gary can develop into situational rushers down the stretch - even if they can deliver 20 quality snaps between them each game later on to keep the Smith Brothers with fresh legs that would be a great contribution.

Go Pack Go!

8 points
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Packer_Fan's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:27 pm

Good assessment.

1 points
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Cubbygold's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:29 pm

I'd love to see the numbers on yards after the catch yesterday. Every pass was contested and it seemed the recievers that did make catches were put down immediately.

3 points
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Since'61's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:25 pm

Most importantly we won the game.
Next, it looks like we came through without any injuries.
Third we have a mini-bye which gives MLF additional time to prepare for the Vikings and get the OL in sync. Our guards need to get better quickly.
Our defense tackled much better last night. Hopefully that will continue throughout the season.
Our punter can make an impact on the field position battle which can be a huge factor.
I realize that the OL was not good last evening but Jamal Williams looks much slower than A. Jones. We could use a more effective change of pace back.

With the mini-bye we should be fresh and ready for the home opener against the Vikings. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ‘61

5 points
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Packer_Fan's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:28 pm

Another good assessment

2 points
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jimtalkbox's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:41 pm

Gutey deserves some credit here. The Smiths, Amos and JK Scott were all recent additions and all contributed greatly to the win.

I'm excited about the Packers for the first time in a long time!

2 points
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Cubbygold's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:44 pm

He looks pretty smart to move up and take Savage too.

Hope that tells us Gary will be a smart move as well down the road.

4 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

September 06, 2019 at 12:41 pm

The Packers showed last night that their defense may be equal to any Top 10-5 defense in the league. Be that as it may, neither offense looked good but terrible and the win came from the one QB having one drive and the other having none. Remember, Rodgers and the offense gave the Bears a huge opportunity to tie the game with a horrible 3 and out after the INT of EZ pass that would have tied the game.
The Packers in the recent years have won games in spite of the defense. This game was won in spite of the offense.
I'm still as optimistic as before the preseason and predict at least 9 wins. But, this offense, and I'm not saying it won't, better get it together while the schedule dictates 5 of the next 6 @ home. If not...well, there won't be much to talk about.
A good and needed win last night but it wasn't the SB but a team who's offense was a tad worse than ours.
Let's get the offense on the same page and beat the Vikings.

3 points
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SpudRapids's picture

September 06, 2019 at 01:28 pm

Rodgers is historically excellent at home so hopefully the home stretch will help them iron out the offense a bit. I agree the defense has every element it needs to be a top 10 D and they showed it by getting pressure (5 sacks, 11 QB hits) on 35% of the dropbacks, stopping the run, and defend passes (9 breakups)

1 points
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Charvid's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:25 pm

Everyone keeps saying that end zone pass, had it been complete Ted, would have tied the game. It would NOT have. The tying point would have had to come from a Bear kicker and just last week Pinero missed a PAT so wide it missed the net. I LOVE Bear kickers!

1 points
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CoachJV's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:00 pm

I haven't heard anyone say that.

1 points
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pacman's picture

September 06, 2019 at 01:06 pm

Anybody thinking SB yet?

Somebody had to say it. LOL

4 points
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EddieLeeIvory's picture

September 06, 2019 at 03:53 pm

Always

0 points
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Cartwright's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:16 pm

The defense really showed up today. The stat that blew me away was the caption I saw during the broadcast that said the Packers haven't won a game in Soldier field by scoring 10 or fewer points since 1932 in a 2 to 0 barburner. It has always been the other way around, the bears always win these games and when after 87 years a defense comes around to make it different than I can see this D setting team records this year. It was just one game but it set the tone.

0 points
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TXCHEESE's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:06 pm

I think the game went pretty much as expected as far as the defenses dominating. Besides the play caller being quite a bit smaller, the offense just didn’t look markedly different. Where was all the motion and shifting?

1 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:30 pm

I wasn't aware MLF did tons of motion and shifting. His thing is running a huge number of concepts out of the same formation so the defense can't read what's coming.

Differences so far was a lot less 11 personnel a lot less ISO concepts and a lot more 2 TE sets, and the use of the fullback. Since Rodgers decided to do a lot of 2018 Rodgers things like run the play clock down before the 1st half and hold the football it looked the same as last year in the pocket.

One thing to note about the MLF offense, if Rodgers audibles the formation is not likely to change and there is no way to know what kind of adjustment happened because it will be a different play out of the same presnap look. MLF has said that the audibles are built into the offense this way repeatedly.

2 points
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Charvid's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:28 pm

Now it is clear to me why we had to endure the “D”’s of the last couple years (and much of the Dom Caper’s era). We need the contrast to fully appreciate the defensive performance of last night. What a remarkable difference!

1 points
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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 06, 2019 at 08:31 pm

You're comparing apples and oranges. Capers helped GB win the SB with the additions of Woodson, BJ Raji, and Clay Matthews. He got our defense to be one of the top in the NFL with creative blitz packages. Offenses never knew where the pressure would come from which in turn generated turnovers.

Pettine got pressure with 4 man fronts using delayed blitzes aka "the creeper". He stopped the runs up the middle with 3 DL forcing short gains on the perimeter. Trubisky still ran for multiple 1st downs against Pettine the same way they would have on Capers.

Pettine's defense suffered at the end of 2018 when multiple starters went down. Gute needed another year of drafting and FA to get the weapons Pettine needed and rebuild depth. TT wasn't able to do that for Capers from 2011-2017. Drafting Jones/Perry/HHCD only signing people at the end of their careers Peppers/RJF or no one at all didn't replenish the roster.

Pettone modernised the Packer defense the way Capers did when he was brought in to GB. We never left the nickel defense. Base defenses are a thing of the past but yet people on CHTV were saying we should be a 4-3 onstead of a 3-4. None of that matters in 2019. MM/Capers/TT were all great minds in their prime. The problem is the NFL evolved and they didn't keep up. That's why it stands for Not For Long.

Long story short let the hate for MM/TT/Capers go. They won us a SB. Without MM Rodgers wouldn't be the QB he is. Without TT we wouldn't have Kenny Clark, Bahktiari, Brulaga, Jones, Rodgers, King. Just be glad GB has a defense.

2 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

September 07, 2019 at 04:57 am

Jonathan,
Very well thought out post and you are correct! Let's move on!

0 points
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yooperman's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:36 pm

The best part of the game was listening to the Bears fans booing their offense from the second quarter till the end of the game. Great job Packer defense.

6 points
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Cubbygold's picture

September 06, 2019 at 07:03 pm

For sure. You know you're dominating when a fairly excited and confident fan base is booing before halftime opening day, within one score of the lead

3 points
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wildbill's picture

September 06, 2019 at 02:59 pm

Love a defensive game, especially when we win. Was at Lambeau last year for the Bills game and we shut them out. Not being a Debbie downer but let’s see how we do against the Eagles and Chiefs before we get too giddy. I do see a vast improvement and feel we will improve even more. It’s a long season and one game doesn’t make the season but what a game it was! GPG!

3 points
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EddieLeeIvory's picture

September 06, 2019 at 03:48 pm

The Bears were 12-4 last year & didn't lose any important players......except Amos!
They added Montgomery who is a very good RB.
Glad they didn't use him more.

They did lose Fangio but their D is still loaded & Chuck Pagano is a good D coach.

Packers D just got that much better.

4 points
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Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:18 am

D. Montgomery looks like a good pick up for the bears... just saying since they lost.

0 points
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CoachJV's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:09 pm

One big thing I noticed - in addition to the Secondary and the Smiths - is that guys were tackling. Everyone was willing to stick their head in and tackle.

Even Kevin "Glassman" King got some... (I would love to be wrong about that guy... hope I am). 5 tackles and a sack is a good start to making me eat my words.

Yes.. Tackling... We haven't been good tacklers in a looong time. I'm happy to see it.

5 points
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Trapped-in-MN-BUT-GB-fan's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:20 pm

Grew up in Milwaukee in the 60s. Saw all those classic defensive battles then. Last night was right up there with those games. Enjoyed every second of it!

2 points
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canadapacker's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:54 pm

Loved the defense playing 60 minutes. Only real negative was Tramons stupid 3 penalties and they were stupid. Thought that a moving pocket could have helped slow the rush but if the ball is not out really fast then those bears are there.

0 points
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4thand1's picture

September 06, 2019 at 05:58 pm

The biggest disappointment to me was the o-line play. It simply wasn't good run blocking or pass blocking. Also the play calling at times. The Pack won with defense and a really good defense will keep you in every game. The offense will catch up , and when it does, look out. Home cooking and kick the viqueens ass, and people will start taking notice.

1 points
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Rebecca's picture

September 06, 2019 at 07:19 pm

Pad level last night was superb! And a plethora of great punts from Mr. Scott.

2 points
3
1
Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 06, 2019 at 08:29 pm

1. I have been wanting the Defensive Coordinator to be back on the field for a long long time.

2. I have been wanting a 2 TE offense for a long time.

3. I have been wanting Free Agents in their prime and not in their last year of life.

So far, the Pack checks off on my first 3 categories

The next 3 need work.

4. I want to see the RB come out of the backfield like D. Leven's used to do for those 15- 20+ yard passes.

5. I want more screen passes like we used to have with Ahman Green. Just like the Saints use A. Kamara.

6. To Petine...Never ever ever ever rush 3 and put 8 in the backfield!!!! NEVER!! Because it NEVER WORKS!!! Besides that Petine you did an AMAZING JOB!!! Tyrone Williams made some bad decisions in penalties. You are a VETERAN, so ACT LIKE IT !!! We need you to be a LEADER and make smart plays like when you pushed the WR out of bounds for incomplete pass and NOT tackle a WR when they are already out of bounds!!!

0 points
3
3
LeotisHarris's picture

September 06, 2019 at 09:17 pm

Doug, if they've stopped taking your phone calls again at 1265, consider a handwritten letter to Coach Pettine. I don't think you can count on him to read your recommendations here. He's busy!

As far as getting the rest of your wants implemented, go old-school, make a sandwich board and walk Oneida St. during closed practices. You could add a bullhorn, too, but that might draw unwanted attention. Maybe a nice Hallmark card to Tramon? They have cards for every occasion!

3 points
3
0
Demon's picture

September 06, 2019 at 09:32 pm

Thats a name from the past, Tyrone Williams. One of the Nebraska bad boys. Kind of a so-so cb for the Pack.

2 points
2
0
murf7777's picture

September 06, 2019 at 09:57 pm

His rating by PFF was high for the game. Easy to nitpick and by pass his good plays. Every DB will give up a play or two it’s the nature of the game.

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:23 am

If the Packers would have listened to me....we might have had 2-3 more Super Bowls. Don't mean to brag, but as you can see being a lot tougher on our Packers Organization has possibly now produced a solid contender. We are headed in the right direction. Not to sure how far we can go, but looking good so far.

1 points
2
1
dobber's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:28 am

"3. I have been wanting Free Agents in their prime and not in their last year of life."

Those 75-year-old WRs and RBs lost their legs when Cheers was still in its prime.

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 06, 2019 at 08:37 pm

The Vikings will be a much harder test on defense for the Packers the next Sunday, but I was so PROUD of the Defensive EFFORT!!!

Lane Taylor....you gotta shape up man...I know Chicago is possibly the #1 defense, but gotta get better or E. Jenkins is gonna eventually come on and take your place.

I still don't know where is Curtis Bolton??

Did we cut him? IR? Where is he?

0 points
2
2
TXCHEESE's picture

September 06, 2019 at 09:35 pm

Bolton is going to IR. Supposedly with an ACL. Tough tough break for him.

-1 points
0
1
murf7777's picture

September 06, 2019 at 09:54 pm

I have to say I questioned the high spending on the 4 FA’s but hail gutey for doing his homework and making what seems to be great decisions! Wow what a performance by the D! I love our D and the depth. What a great game plan by Pettine as well playing one ILB.

0 points
1
1
Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 06:59 am

Dang it! too bad for C. Bolton! Hope Ty Summers can get his tackling down. He has a lot of good skills.

1 points
2
1
Doug Niemczynski's picture

September 07, 2019 at 11:26 am

I would not want to meet #91 Preston Smith in an alley. He looks huge on TV. Looks like old 6'7 Sean Jones!!!!

2 points
2
0