Gut Reactions: Preseason Week 1 vs the Patriots

Aaron's Gut Reactions from the Packers' win over the Patriots

  • Red zone issues. Short yardage issues. We're back! 
  • Seriously though, it was nice to see the number one offense move the ball. I tend to think they didn't show much play-wise when it comes to the redzone. 
  • Aaron Rodgers getting opposing teams to jump in their own stadiums is a truly underrated weapon. 
  • Have to think Mike leaving in the starters for a full quarter is a reflection of how badly he wants to come out of the gate with all pistons firing this year. 
  • LaDarius Gunter continues to make plays. Loved him ripping the ball away for an interception. 
  • Both David Bakhtiari and Don Barclay just need to watch this film and drill their fundamentals after their struggles tonight. Both are better than what they showed.
  • That said, I still contend Barclay is much more suited to guard than tackle.
  • I love, love, love, watching Eddie lacy run the football. 
  • Scott Tolzien looks in complete command of the offense. 
  • Loved seeing the Jeff Janis Express chugging along. 
  • No one is ever going to confuse Ha Ha Clinton-Dix with Earl Thomas. Brutal misjudgment on the big touchdown run. Lots of other folks upfront to blame, but it's his job to clean that up. He blew it. 
  • Jake Ryan looked so much more explosive than I expected. Still very early, but I think the Packers have a player there. 
  • The rookie class in general looked pretty darn good. Rollins in particular did some really nice things. 
  • Alonzo Harris and John Crockett both flashed. Pass pro will determine which one, along with Neal, makes the club. Crockett had the TD catch but he also had a brutal blown block a few plays prior. 
  • Ty Montgomery looks like a natural as a returner. 
  • Nice to see so much pressure from various members of the front seven. Mulumba and Elliott in particular looked really active. 
  • Kyle Sebetic is a guy who hasn't gotten a lot of pub during camp, but he looked sudden and appeared to be a sound tackler on more than one occasion. Happy surprise. 
  • Glad to have the first preseason game out of the way. 
  • Go Pack.

 

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Comments (42)

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Tommy Phillips's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:01 pm

Good game. Solid performance. Exactly what you'd want from a preseason game, I think.

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Idiot Fan's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:31 pm

I too thought Rollins was active tonight. My biggest disappointment was the starting oline. I'm expecting huge things from them this year.

I kind of disagree on Elliott though. He has a quick speed rush......to nowhere. It seems like he's constantly running too far past the qb.

All in all though, I'm pretty happy.

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PackerAaron's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:15 pm

He def had a few of those, Idiot Fan. But he also did some really nice things on a few other snaps.

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Idiot Fan's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:21 pm

That's very possible, the NFLN repeatedly thought that I wanted to watch Brandon Weeden, so I missed some plays.

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D.D.Driver's picture

August 14, 2015 at 06:52 am

He did seem to run himself out of a lot of plays. Look its early, but the second year is important for a developmental player. My impression of Elliot was that he did not make the jump that I had hoped.

Hundley looks like a player. In fact, both Tolzien and Hundley looked better than Janeane Garofalo. Reality Bites, indeed.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:20 pm

I'll board the Jeff Janis express when I see him extend and pluck the ball with his hands.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:21 pm

I agree with Idiot Fan. I also thought Pennel looked good, Gaston flashed (I've been intrigued by him for a while now) and Datone did some things against the 2nd string including a couple of sacks. I knew he could pass rush, and am looking for him to become a complete player. Montgomery should have caught Hundley's pass in bounds, but he looked impressive overall. Agree that the #3 RB candidates all looked good, except for pass pro. Ripkowski had a good game. Adams underwhelmed. Still a battle for #5 WR. The ILBs did some good things. Agree about Rollins. Looks like we have some depth at OLB.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 14, 2015 at 06:44 am

Pennel and Elliot both looked good. I'd like to see them have some shots in the first quarter next week. See if they are for real. I already said this on the other thread, but I'd like to see Datone do it against the first string too. Until then he needs to save the celebrations.

There are four quarterbacks worth keeping on a roster that has often kept two.

Wide receiver will be a tough cut. Except for Myles White. He took a step backwards. Felt like they were trying to showcase Adams. He definitely needs to step up next time.

Andrew Quarless dropped a lot of balls.

The Patriots offense was pushed off the field so fast in the first quarter that I think I literally missed 3/4 of their plays while watching my fork stab my porkchop. So I don't know what the hell happened, but it must have been pretty damn good. Given the number of nicked up players at the LB position right now, that is a real good sign.

It's going to be really hard for me not to get excited about Super Bowl 50.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:23 pm

It looks as if everything i read and heard was backed up by performance tonight. Im not worried about the overall play in preseason. In time we will see the full bag of goodies.

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packerfan9507's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:37 pm

I was looking for Montgomery to make a play tonight. It'd be great if he could develop throughout the season. 4 WRs, a Pro Bowl RB, and a stocky, sure handed TE will terrorize defenses.

Raji looked decent enough in his first game back.

Just about injury free from what I've seen. Huzzah!

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real some guy's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:47 pm

Jake Ryan is a football player. He'll be an asset.

ROllins was fantastic.

Not sure if Barclay will make it this year. looked really rough. Hard to see. I really like the guy and think he has talent. Just isn't back from the ACL

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PaulRosik's picture

August 14, 2015 at 05:18 pm

I agree about Barclay. At least on the outside as a tackle. I had thought his better position was inside on the line as a guard.

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aj's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:51 pm

The Packers as a whole looked great, but the draft class looked especially great in game one! TT seems to be like fine wine; he only gets better with age. Go pack!

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 13, 2015 at 10:53 pm

Overall I'm really happy with how tonight went. First offense pretty much picked up where it left off.

For me the first few preseason games are all about checking out the rookies. And IMO they didn't disappoint.

Rollins was everything I was hoping for and more. Making plays on the ball and showed up physically in tackling.
Gunter looks like he has won a roster spot already.
Montgomery could be our return man.
Ryan showed me something's. I look forward to seeing how he progresses.
Hundley I thought looked really good for his first game. There are throws he would like back but he seemed to have good command of the offense, and had some really nice throws as well.
Crockett really flashed to me at the end of the game. He runs extremely hard and has some explosion to him. That being said I still feel right now it's Neal's job to lose. And Harris I thought looked really good too.

Overall a good night. I can't wait till the next game.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

August 13, 2015 at 11:01 pm

Kinda found myself drawn to watching Rollins all night, he had a really solid game and showed enough to get us all a little excited.

Bahktiari looked bad. Wtf is up with that? Here's hoping he was just working through some rust, because that will get Rodgers killed playing like that. Like someone above said, I'm... we're expecting big, big things from the o line, that was a scoche disturbing to watch.

Montgomery didn't have big stats in the return game but he looked sure handed and natural back there, he's gonna do damage in the return game this year. Looked good on O too. Mike will get him on the field for sure.

NFLN, what's your fucking deal? I really could've slapped a mofo when they switched it over to SD, only to switch it back. What a bunch of dullards.

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NickPerry's picture

August 14, 2015 at 06:34 am

I Know!!!! It's 4th and inches and New England is going for it. Next thing I see those ugly azz stars on the side of a helmets!!

The NFL Network needs to understand The Packers are Americas favorite team, not the Cowboys!! I can't turn that damn channel on without the Cowboys being talked about!!

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 14, 2015 at 07:51 am

"NFLN, what's your fucking deal? I really could've slapped a mofo when they switched it over to SD, only to switch it back. What a bunch of dullards."

Maaaaaan! I just died from laughter!

**Soul levitates**

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4thand10's picture

August 14, 2015 at 07:52 pm

Doesn't Jerry Jones own or used to own Direct TV/ NFL Network?

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Clay Zombo's picture

August 13, 2015 at 11:19 pm

Quinten Rollins is everything I thought he would be. He just needs to catch the ball. Beautiful tackle on White though, would love to see more of that from our CBs.

Mike Pennel is a bad ass, I like him at NT or DE in a 3 man front. Quick for a big man, uses hands well.

Janis all he does is catch (preseason) TDs. Montgomery looked good he just needs to work on his sideline awareness a little bit.

Loved Alonzo Harris, I will take him over Neal and Crockett right now although Crockett did look good too when he wasnt dancing in the backfield.

OT Fabians Ebbele or whatever his name is, he impressed me. Hes a giant of a man who might be a better option a RT than Barclay. They will both struggle vs speed but if Ebble gets his hands on you, your done.

Jake Ryan looked good, hes got good size and decent instincts, 2 upgrades over Hawk IMO.

OLB is stacked, Mulumba, Elliott, Hubbard, Vaughters all did good things tonight. Perry better get right soon or he could find himself on the street or on another roster come week 1.

Kyle Sebetic routinely got abused in pass coverage, I would not ask that guy to cover my grandmother. No thanks.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 14, 2015 at 01:59 pm

IMO Perry probably is safe. The one failing of the OLBs last night was a failure to set the edge a few times, something many feel that Perry would have done routinely. I don't really think Neal is in much danger since GB paid him a $1 million bonus back in March, but I have suggested that since cutting Neal results in a $2 million cap savings (overthecap still shows $3 million cap savings), he has to show up at least a little. ILB looks like (4) CM3, Barrington, Ryan, Palmer. OLB looks like (5) Peppers, Perry, Neal, Mulumba, Elliott. GB probably keeps 9 or 10 LBs. Hubbard, Vaughters, Bradford, Rasco, Francis, and Dantzler are probably fighting to replace Neal/Perry/Palmer, or for one or at most two (if GB keeps 11 LBs) roster spots, barring injury.

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Oppy's picture

August 14, 2015 at 02:15 pm

Did Dantzler get any snaps yesterday? I did not notice him.

He intrigues me.

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vj_ostrowski's picture

August 13, 2015 at 11:36 pm

HHCD (and our LBs) spoiled, on one play, what was otherwise a pretty great defensive effort without CMIII and Daniels.

Can't wait to see what Randall's got, but I must admit that Rollins was my favorite pick in Ted's latest draft. With the exception of one missed tackle where the WR got 7 yards, Rollins didn't have negative plays and showed up everywhere with maximum effort. Observe one play where the ball was pretty far out of reach for both he and his receiver - yet he fully extends and dives out for it. (Didn't come close to it, but I LOVE the effort)

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sonomaca's picture

August 13, 2015 at 11:59 pm

I thought Thornton was active tonight. D-linemen take a couple of years to get going, as we're seeing with Datone Jones. Bradford wasn't good, except on the sack. He doesn't look at all like an ILB.

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Mojo's picture

August 14, 2015 at 12:22 am

Definitely more plusses than minuses. Really thought Rollins played well. Quick reactions on the White short pass and great tackle. Plus could have had two picks because of solid coverage. Passed his first test.

All four QB's had their moments. Rodgers moved well which is one of the things I was concentrating on. Still hanging onto the ball too long though. Tolzien looked poised and made some nice tosses. Hundley moved the team and also had some good throws. Blanchard didn't screw things up in the limited snaps he took.

Just about all the RB's had nice runs. Lacy has such nimble feet when he's moving forward for such a roly poly dude.

Receivers were so-so. O-line was OK, except Bakh nearly got ARod killed. Second string O-line wasn't bad. Ebbele made 6' 5" Rotheram look small.

The D had nice penetration up the middle at times. Surprised NE kept Garoppolo the whole game considering the lack of depth they have if he gets hurt.
Ryan looked active and flowed to the ball well. Think he had a sack too. D had one busted play on the long run - else not bad.

Special teams covered well. Seemed to get to the ball much quicker than last year. Crosby kicked OK but Masthay's hang times were poor. Something to be concerned about after last year.

Overall a good performance by the youngins considering they played most of the game and outplayed NE with what is essentially their opening day starter going the whole game cept the first two series. Scoring from inside the ten needs work and we're bad at stopping or scoring on two pointers.

Few if any injuries and ten days til the nooner at Pitt. Good start.

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sonomaca's picture

August 14, 2015 at 12:29 am

I'd say backup D-line was better than expected, and backup O-line worse. Barclay, Tretter, Lane Taylor, : not-so-good.

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4thand1's picture

August 14, 2015 at 06:58 pm

I really think they kept Masthay for his holding. He isn't a good punter right now. I like Mulumba.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 14, 2015 at 04:59 am

For the first preseason game, I think Green Bay Packers showed why they are 1st favorite for big L (SB 50). I get impression that 2nd D line played better. Mike Pennel showed some very good plays and I think he is on his journey to be beast for the Packers. Elliot played well, especially against run (3 tackles I think!). CB were goooood to excellent. Safeties was little reserved. If today would be the day to pick up 3 RB the 3rd one would be Alonso Harris! Rayon and Crockett are real deal, but Harris showed most... ILBs were OK, nothing wrong but also nothing special...

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Crackerpacker's picture

August 14, 2015 at 05:40 am

My favourite play of the game was Montgomery pushing one defender into two others taking out all three on the Harris Touchdown run

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4thand1's picture

August 14, 2015 at 07:01 pm

Yes WR blocking. Davante had a bad game. I think he got his bell rung on his 1st catch. He really got hit hard.

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NickPerry's picture

August 14, 2015 at 06:17 am

The ball to Montgomery was a great throw and catch but didn't he get drove out of bounds by the defenders. I watched the game on NFL Network with 2 Patriot announcers!!! (Where's that little Emoji with the green barf flying out when you need it!!)

Agree with others comments on Adams and was shocked he didn't play better. He has to come up with that TD catch in the corner come the regular season.

I love Jake Ryan. He made a couple plays getting through the trash to make the tackle AND it seems like he can blitz.

Like Rollins though I'd liked to see him come down with at least one of those chances he had at an interception. All and all that kid can play ball.

I know it's the first preseason game but I still thought the Packers starters should have scored a TD on one of the Red Zone opportunities but overall I loved how they moved the ball so I can't really complain. Lots of time to get that straightened out.

No injuries that I know of. Best news from that game I can think of!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 14, 2015 at 01:21 pm

No, Montgomery was not driven out of bounds on the throw from a scrambling Hundley. He should have gotten both feet in bounds, but stepped back of his own volition in the face of a couple of NE players converging on him fast.

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Evan's picture

August 14, 2015 at 02:20 pm

There were two sideline catches he just missed out on.

One he got one foot down and then as he was falling to the ground a defender (or two) fell into him and under his second leg, preventing it from coming down in bounds.

The other one I think he just missed the second foot on his own.

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White92's picture

August 14, 2015 at 07:36 am

The Janis success making odds of Abby making the roster longer?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 14, 2015 at 07:43 am

Damn skippy.

You could argue that being the case IF Abby was turning heads in practice/camp, but he isn't - unfortunately.

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Oppy's picture

August 14, 2015 at 02:11 pm

I don't know that Jeff Janis is having all that much success.

He's fast and big, but he's still behind on his route running and understanding of the offense.

Abby's health is what's making the odds of Abby making the roster longer.

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AWK's picture

August 14, 2015 at 10:03 am

I don't care if it's "only" a preseason game. A PACKER win is a joy to behold!

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Oppy's picture

August 14, 2015 at 02:09 pm

I know I'm a broken record on this, but BJ Raji is not a good NT.

Watched Raji get washed out and rolled backwards by single men (much less a double team), while Pennel, on the other hand, took advantage of his few snaps at nose by dropping his ass, anchoring, and even more importantly, standing his man up with his arms fully extended.

Seeing Pennel hold his ground with his arms fully extended means he is far more likely to be able to disengage and make a tackle if a back tries to hit the A gaps.

BJ Raji, prove me wrong.

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Oppy's picture

August 14, 2015 at 02:22 pm

MAybe I should re-watch the game, because I didn't see Montgomery do anything that makes me feel like he's looks like a natural returner. I don't think he looked comfortable fielding punts, and he got little chance to return kicks. Let Hyde handle the punts, anyways.

Montgomery may be a fantastic return man, but I didn't see anything last night that suggested it. His dropped a number of balls in the passing game he should have caught as well.

Not condemning him- to me, he just looked like a nervous rookie in his first live NFL action- I just didn't see anything overtly encouraging from his performance last night.

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4thand1's picture

August 14, 2015 at 02:46 pm

The sort yardage near the goal line. The 1st series, Linsley got knocked on his ass and the guy made the play on Lacy on 3rd and goal. He was disgusted with himself. He makes the block and Lacy scores easy. Blocking and tackling.

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PaulRosik's picture

August 14, 2015 at 05:27 pm

We're expecting the first team offense to look good. This team led the league in points last year and has everyone back 15 deep or so. There is no feeling out or position swaps going on for this team on offense. This is fine tuning and getting prepared for a big season. That's what made Bakhtiari's bad day all the worse. He is going to face edge rushers a lot better than this and needs to do much, much better.

Bad red zone execution makes you queasy as a Packer fan, but we'll have to shrug it off as just the first preseason game for now.

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4thand1's picture

August 14, 2015 at 07:07 pm

NE's 1st team offense looked like shit. The 1st quarter Packers made it look easy. Should have put up at least 13.

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4thand1's picture

August 15, 2015 at 09:44 am

The ICD strikes again.

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