Gut Reactions: 2014 Week Six vs The Dolphins
Aaron's gut reactions to the Packers' win over the Dolphins.
By PackerAaron
- Aaron Rodgers sure can't deliver in the 4th quarter, can he...
- That was one hell of a football game.
- Clay Matthews had a batted pass. That was his contribution today.
- Brad Jones is a major liability.
- While the defense was healthy, they were stopping the Dolphins and taking the ball away. McCarthy, meanwhile, was busy proving how tough his team is by pounding Eddie Lacy into a wall on first down. Maddening.
- Mad props to TJ Lang for diving on that fumble during the final drive.
- Speaking of the final drive, how about Rodgers trolling Miami with the fake spike in Dan Marino's house?
- Big time redemption for Quarless on the game winner. Earlier in the game, he nearly allowed an interception by falling away from a pass rather than driving toward it and attacking the football. Big time play in crunch time.
- Film session won't be kind to Eddie Lacy tomorrow. He got occasional positive yardadge, but he left way too many yards on the field by not seeing some huge cutback lanes.
- Nice game from Davante Adams. Really good job after the catch from the rookie.
- Bulaga certainly struggled against Wake, but he played well enough after allowing the first sack. He's always struggled with speed off the edge in away games.
- Mike Neal had a wildly inconsistent game, but I think his plus plays outweighed his negative plays.
- The Dolphins were crashing a safety down on nearly every first down and Mike never called a play-action shot.
- I hope that attempt at a jet sweep with Cobb puts to bed all the calls for the Packers to run a jet sweep with Cobb.
- Jordy Nelson had to work hard today against one of the better cover corners in the league.
- I know people want to get on AJ Hawk for that play against Landry, but really, that's a scheme failure more than a player failure.
- Once you saw him pointing at his knee and not his calf or hammy, that moment where Shields went down was scary as hell. Apparently he did not tear his patellar tendon.
- Tramon got rolled up bad. Hope he can make it back next week against the Panthers.
- 4-2. Go Pack Go.
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Comments (51)
NewNikeShoes
October 12, 2014 at 03:44 pm
my quick takes:
-defense is actually pretty competent when not injured
-Adams is a beast
-refs were okay, but they missed 2 holding calls against that dolphins in the 2nd half on 3rd down
-get rid of Jones's a**
-i feel pretty good about this team
HankScorpio
October 12, 2014 at 03:54 pm
"-refs were okay, but they missed 2 holding calls against that dolphins in the 2nd half on 3rd down"
The one on Nick Perry was especially atrocious. Perry got spun around right in front of the ref. That non-call was replacement-ref caliber.
NewNikeShoes
October 12, 2014 at 04:04 pm
oh yeah, perry is actually doing pretty well.
what is it, like 5 sacks?
jeremyjjbrown
October 12, 2014 at 06:13 pm
"get rid of Jones's a**"
I'd rather see what Barrington can do. It can't be worse.
hybridauth_Facebook_100002574551585
October 13, 2014 at 10:26 am
I will not quit calling for the Jet sweep or end around or whatever you want to call it. If they would practice and run that play more they would get better at it. Running it once and calling it done is beyond stupid.
Forget what the play itself gets for yardage, when they run that play fake teams will have to respect it and if that could provide even the smallest crease for Starks or Lacy by freezing the backside pursuit than its worth running it.
Look back at last week on 2 of Lacy's biggest runs, MM had Cobb run fake bubble screens and the CB followed him both times and created huge running lanes for Lacy.
I look at it like body blows in boxing, get them in early and they start paying dividends later in the fight. They have to run that play or play action more than once if they want it to pay off though.
TommyG
October 12, 2014 at 03:46 pm
looks like the refs missed a lot of calls on the fins, but I might be looking through green and gold glasses.
AR has finally won a game in Florida!
i would say it is official: The slant and screen pass have been removed from the playbook.
We can beat a team whose defense is playing better than ours.
TommyG
October 12, 2014 at 03:47 pm
oh yeah.. Jones sucks and has to go.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 04:07 pm
They missed a crucial Nick Perry Hold,a late hit/slam on Rodgers...
hybridauth_Facebook_1353884059
October 12, 2014 at 03:49 pm
Somewhere Skip Bayless is rewriting his take on Aaron Rodgers.
aj
October 12, 2014 at 05:01 pm
Skip is the biggest Arod hater of all the analysts. I remember last year he said arod is a borderline top 5 qb!? How does he have any credibility left...
4thand1
October 12, 2014 at 06:21 pm
cow is skip bayless.
dullgeek
October 12, 2014 at 11:00 pm
And we should treat both the same: DNFTT
RCPackerFan
October 12, 2014 at 07:57 pm
Colin Cowherd also....
HankScorpio
October 12, 2014 at 03:51 pm
"While the defense was healthy, they were stopping the Dolphins and taking the ball away. McCarthy, meanwhile, was busy proving how tough his team is by pounding Eddie Lacy into a wall on first down. Maddening. "
It was quite maddening. The defense played a great first half and gave the offense every chance to open up the game in a big way. The offense did very little to take advantage.
But watching the way the Packer OTs were blocking, I don't blame McCarthy one little bit for running too much. The o-line was bad in general but especially the two outside guys. Getting Rodgers beat up seems like no better strategy than running ineffectively, IMO.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 04:10 pm
While Lacy didn't look too good he did leave a mark on that defense. That alone is advantage Packers. I vividly remember a Safety barking after every tackle he made,but came 4th QTR/Crunch Time -- no more barking.
Packer_Pete
October 12, 2014 at 04:53 pm
Yes. He also looked good staying in to block, he is just a huge man who likes to be physical. Once he sees the holes that are there, he'll be an elite RB. Well, on the other hand, our resident Vikings fan will probably tell me that nobody on this team is elite...
FITZCORE1252
October 12, 2014 at 03:51 pm
Holy Shit. What a game. Heal up quick Tramon and Sam!
HankScorpio
October 12, 2014 at 04:00 pm
The beat reporters are tweeting that Shields said he has something with the PCL but no tear. But he added he was in pain. I'm hopeful he doesn't miss much time.
I've seen nothing on Tramon yet.
The good news is they are as deep as CB as anywhere on the roster. However, Panthers, Saint, Bye, Bears, and Eagles on deck. If one or both are down for that entire stretch of offenses, it'll be an issue.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 04:05 pm
It'll be an issue for regardless of which one will be out. But I'll only be worried about the Bears WRs.
FITZCORE1252
October 12, 2014 at 04:05 pm
I saw that. I'm not believing anything until they get MRI's! #WeWon'tBeFooledAgain
Tundraboy
October 12, 2014 at 03:57 pm
Heart attack type of game. Whew. Could not lose to Miami again so I'm thrilled, but MM's run calls into the linemans butts have to stop, along with that stupid pitch play!!! Arod and Adams won this one
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 04:02 pm
MM isn't running the ball. Lacy is. Lacy's running into butts.
Aaron gets the W,but that fumble recovery by TJ Lang and the last defensive stand were pivotal.
Tundraboy
October 12, 2014 at 05:29 pm
I see your point about Lacy, but I do not see the point of running him up the middle repeatedly hoping for different results.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 03:59 pm
Let's talk about the positives for the moment.
Davante Adams is going to be the truth. Rodgers said he's open a lot on film and guess what? When they watch film on this game they'll find some more.
How big of a confidence/ego boost is that Target + Game winning catch for Quarless?! Maybe he starts to step up more and more.
I was so glad to see Starks in over Lacy for that final drive (although he has stones for hands). Speed + Quick + Decisiveness
Aaron Rodgers is the man! Best QB in the league!
HEADS UP PLAY BY TJ LANG on that fumble recovery!
Jordy is Top 5 WR in the NFL.
HHCD. This guy's run support is damn good. His range is also impressive. I think he's just warming up (no p...never mind)
MM deserves soooooooooooooooooooooooo much credit for this game's outcome. Not just for the plays that worked,but for the personnel he used and that gutsy 4th down call (I believe was in the 1st half?).
Dom is opening up that playbook.
This defense isn't close to reaching its full potential. I just know it.
TKWorldWide
October 12, 2014 at 04:04 pm
I really liked how GB ended up not losing this game.
Nerd
October 12, 2014 at 06:46 pm
This team is never out of any game, no matter how far down they are.
Problem is, they repeatedly (and consistently) put themselves in these adverse situations.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 07:47 pm
Well,I don't think we did much wrong this go round. We couldn't run out the clock 'cause of the Dolphins damn good run defense.
We had to play to into the Dolphins other strength -- and that was that damn Wake and other DE (forgot his name).
Give props to the other team(s) (not named Vikings,Lion or Bears,of course)
Nerd
October 12, 2014 at 08:43 pm
ST shit themselves repeatedly today, and the offense went into "lull" mode for 2 quarters.
TKWorldWide
October 12, 2014 at 04:05 pm
I also think this game served as a reminder to stay active and watch what you eat, lest a cardiac event transpire.
newrulz1951
October 12, 2014 at 04:34 pm
Big win, on the road! Every win isn't going to be a masterpiece of beauty. Dolphins have a very good defense. The Packers fought hard, and when the game was on the line, the offense marched down and pulled out a victory. I'd prefer every game to be a Packer blowout, but it's games like this that really make you appreciate the win just a little more.
KenEllis
October 12, 2014 at 04:36 pm
The Pack never wins these types of games they did today.
Good takes overall Aaron.
But sorry, regarding your point "people want to get on AJ Hawk for that play against Landry, but really, that's a scheme failure more than a player failure" people don't WANT to get on Hawk but where exactly do you hide AJ on pass plays?
And his liability in pass D would be more acceptable if he actually played the run well. He does not. Time for the years of excuse-making for a subpar player to end.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 04:38 pm
You beat me to it. AJ just lacks agility.
Packer_Pete
October 12, 2014 at 04:47 pm
I disagree about AJ. Yes, he is not as good as one would hope for a 5th overall pick, but he is almost always in the position to make a play. He plays his responsibilities well. Barely makes mistakes. Problem is, he is athletically very limited. Which is still one of the biggest surprises to me. He ran the 40yrd under 4.5 coming out of college.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 05:13 pm
That's basically what I'm saying and have been saying. He's pretty good down-hill,but if he's changing direction quickly or running with a TE/RB he's not effective.
Don't make this into a bashing of Hawk. I like Hawk. He's a pretty good and reliable (health-wise) LB. He's just limited in agility/athleticism.
Tundraboy
October 12, 2014 at 05:17 pm
Straight line speed versus agility and quickness . Like hawk but ......
Packer_Pete
October 12, 2014 at 04:37 pm
Let's get the negatives out of the way first:
* Yes, Brad Jones is a major liability. But he is better than Lattimore. There, I said it. Lattimore's effort on the blocked punt was beyond pathetic. And he did absolutely nothing on D.
* Clay Matthews has no awareness of where the play is going. he also does not seem interested in any way, shape, or form. Opposing O's can shift blocking towards Peppers, who is playing great. Matthews cannot beat anyone 1-1 right now. There is no fire in the man, and I don't think he wants to play right now. he got his paycheck and I guess that's it.
* Bulaga was terrible. He got not just beat on the sack but basically all the time. Refs missed holding calls on the Dolphins, but also a few on Bulaga.
* special teams need to improve.
But now on to the positives:
* Adams is the real deal.
* Gutsy win in high temps. And major time of possession advantage.
* Jordy is awesome.Why did he look as if he heat stroke the whole game, though?
* There was a Kuhn sighting, and it wasn't that bad.
* D played really well in the 1st half. Don't know what happened in the 2nd half, but the O should've been able to extend the lead in the 1st half and it wouldn't ever have been close.
* Crosby is playing well this year.
* The middle of the OLine is playing well. And that is in large part due to Linsley.
* This team is getting into the groove right now.
Spiderpack
October 12, 2014 at 05:26 pm
McCarthy did the right thing "pounding Eddie Lacy into a wall on first down." Hey Nagler, if they had run less early in the game, the final drive would not have happened. It works back the other way too because Starks would not have been able to run on the last possession. Those Starks runs were crucial. The Oline needs enough practice and confidence running the ball. Running the ball has alot deeper effects on the offense than playcalling surface analysis.
Packer_Pete
October 12, 2014 at 05:32 pm
I agree but I would've liked a screen or slant, or just something to give the Dolphins a little to think about.
Tundraboy
October 12, 2014 at 05:34 pm
Yes. I think someone posted this week that this was a Pass to Run game. Boy were they right in many ways
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 06:26 pm
I believe that was me *Toot...Toot*
PackerAaron
October 12, 2014 at 09:54 pm
Pounding the football with purpose, even when going nowhere, is fine. As I said above, if McCarthy, just once, had called a play-action shot toward the side of the crashing safety, I would have been fine. But today's 1st down run calls were mind-numbing exercises in futility.
Bill Walsh said it best - 1st down is the best down to throw the football. That goes doubly so when you have one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
Tundraboy
October 12, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Thanks for making the point I have been trying to. Sometimes its just an exercise in futility and it's not as if we don't have a whole bag of tricks to use on first down. Run or pass or anything else. A lot of wasted first downs.
lucky953
October 13, 2014 at 10:00 am
Next week you'll see first down play action. McMarthy seems to be pretty stubborn with in-game adjustments to the plan. They've watched film and come up with what they believe gives them the best chance of winning. Then, for better or worse, they stick to it. That's the only explanation I can figure. Otherwise, what the hell are they looking at on those tablets on the sidelines?
Tundraboy
October 13, 2014 at 10:16 am
Sigh. . I know
Spiderpack
October 12, 2014 at 05:36 pm
Nagler dude, Cobb can run the jet sweep if the fuckers block.
But you're right, the Packers haven't been able to block the toss out to either back, and some of these same skills are needed to block for the jet sweep as well.
DrealynWilliams
October 12, 2014 at 06:31 pm
Agree. More running plays for Randall Cobb. I'm still waiting for the Cobra formation. Wake is a helluva football player. He made a good play. They say penetration kills running plays.
Nagler,how many of US HATE the John Kuhn dive play?
That very same play got us out of our own end zone! Two plays in a row! Probably could have ran it 3 times in a row.
PackerAaron
October 12, 2014 at 09:55 pm
"Nagler dude, Cobb can run the jet sweep if the fuckers block"
Right dude. But the fuckers don't. Hence my point.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 13, 2014 at 02:16 am
LOL. And it was very succinct. Well done.
TKWorldWide
October 14, 2014 at 04:42 pm
I don't know about them, but what if the offensive linemen block instead?
TKWorldWide
October 14, 2014 at 06:31 pm
Or the offensive language?
Tundraboy
October 12, 2014 at 11:07 pm
Sproles is averaging 12 yards per out of the screen , Is he better than Cobb? I'm sure we could make it work