Lions 37 Packers 30: Game Balls & Lame Calls

Regular season finale raises a nagging question.

After watching the Packers lose to the Lions Sunday, it is fair to ask if the Green Bay defense is good enough to get to the Super Bowl and win.  It’s a unit that really hasn’t played well since a week ten shutout of the Seahawks, with the exception of a beatdown against a decimated Vikings team. 

 

The Packer defensive starters played the entire first half, and were riddled by the two-win Lions for long drives and seventeen points.  It seems clear that when the four man pass rush can’t get home, the back seven is not instinctive enough or quick enough to cover.  We’ve been seeing that now for several weeks.  Granted, De’Vondre Campbell was being rested, but his value is mostly as a run and short pass stopper.  Trick plays should not be working for long touchdowns.  There should be enough experience and anticipation to at least stop such plays from reaching the end zone.  Did this unit peak too early? 

 

So as we head to the playoffs, once again Green Bay will likely have to outscore its opponents.  The good news is, the team appears to be well suited to do that.  Aaron Rodgers did nothing to hurt his MVP chances, Davante Adams is enjoying the best receiving yardage season in franchise history, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon look like a formidable rushing duo, and Allen Lazard has emerged as a true number two receiver.  Tackle David Bakhtiari and center Josh Myers looked good in their return.  Toss in the potential of a few big plays from folks like Randall Cobb and Josiah Deguara, and this bunch will be hard to stop. 

 

I’m not drawing any conclusions from anything that happened in the second half.  This was the Super Bowl for the Lions.  Still, I would have liked to see How Jordan Love might have fared on those last two drives if he was playing in front of an offensive line that consisted of Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Patrick and Turner.   

 

GAME BALLS 

Patrick Taylor 

He basically was the Green Bay offense in the second half.  He showed patience and vision, and ran with toughness on his way to 53 yards and a touchdown.  He also caught a critical third down pass to convert inside the five.  The former Memphis star served notice he wants to be part of the plan next year, even after Kylin Hill comes back. 

 

Allen Lazard 

With everyone in the greater Detroit zip code covering Davante Adams, Lazard is showing he can win his match-ups, and be a reliable third down and red zone option for QB12.  Five grabs for 75 yards and a pair of scores, and that was just one half.  I hope none of the other general managers are taking notice.  

 

Dean Lowry 

Four tackles, two for a loss, and a sack which gave him a career high five for the season.  He’s a lunch pail guy, but this defense desperately needs him to continue this level of play in the post season. 

 

 

LAME CALLS 

Amari Rodgers running out that kickoff. 

What was he thinking?  Under one minute left, down seven.  Did he really think he was going to break a long return given that unit’s performance all year long?  The seven seconds he took off the clock might have been critical in a different situation.    The bonehead decision made it difficult to remember a nicely done 24 yard punt return in the third quarter. 

 

Defensive confusion 

An old bugaboo rearing its head again, particularly on the backside.  Corners and safeties seeming confused as to their assignments, slow to react and adjust, late to the ball, missing tackles.  Darnell Savage in particular is struggling.  Hard to figure out what’s going on with him. 

 

 

AFTERTHOUGHTS 

Davante Adams (on Jordy Nelson texting him after the game):  “He texted me as soon as I walked in here.....He said he didn’t get a chance to watch the game but he said he just saw the stats and saw that I got it (the franchise receiving yardage record) and he congratulated me and congratulated the team on this stretch.” 

 

Matt LaFleur:  “No matter who is out there, the expectations don’t change. We’re about winning.  We’re the Green Bay Packers and we don’t just celebrate effort.  We gotta win and we will never accept losing.” 

 

Aaron Rodgers (on the return of Bakhtiari):  “I’m so proud of him.  I thought he was fantastic.  But I’m just really happy for him.  He’s a great person, and he makes our team better.  Obviously he’s an incredible player.” 

 

 

THREE AND OUT 

•  The coolest play of the season might have been that no-look pass by Rodgers over the middle, against a blitz, to Lazard to convert a third down.  ARod would have been a good point guard on a basketball team. 

 

•  The blocking on Deguara’s 62 yard tight end screen touchdown was a thing of beauty.  First Lucas Patrick sprung him, and then EQ took out two guys downfield to pave the way.   

 

•  In a game in which the Packers just didn’t want to get anyone hurt, there were at least two injuries of concern.  Marquez Valdes-Scantling left in the first half with a back injury and did not return.  Chandon Sullivan went to the tunnel in the second half with an unspecified problem.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.

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7 points
 

Comments (89)

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

January 10, 2022 at 07:59 am

I agree with Ken. The Pack will probably have to score 30 or more with at least one turnover on defense to advance in playoffs. What’s the old adage? Defense wins championships?

6 points
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murf7777's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:24 am

You’re probably right and the good thing is they scored 30 or more points 6 out of the last 7 and the other game it was 24. That said, this will be the first time since game one they have had their whole defense. With Alexander and Z. Smith back this defense will be much better.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:16 am

I saw no defensive planning evidenced, really vanilla, quite possibly because of who was playing. We got schooled on trick plays without doubt, but that’s lack of preparation and should now be in their minds. A good lesson at an optimal time in retrospect.

The D with Burks is a problem, he’s no better than he was in prior years. We have to hope Campbell stays healthy (nothing new there). Goff had all manner of time for most of the game, but I’m fine with limited snaps for Gary, Preston and Clark. By the second half, the D line up was such that it’s largely irrelevant.

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jurp's picture

January 10, 2022 at 06:33 pm

Burks needs to be gone at the end of the season; I find it difficult to believe that we can't find someone someplace who can replace him on special teams. Or, maybe he's just this decade's Jarrett Bush.

1 points
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Booner's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:01 am

We need Fangio as our DC next year! Let's go Murphy and Gute make a move!!!!

2 points
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wildbill's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:58 am

Or Zimmer

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tm_inter's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:03 pm

We need a new special teams coordinator. Can Fangio be the guy?

2 points
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Fubared's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:12 pm

Or anyone but Bary. I posted its a dam fine day to fire Bary. Let him have a chance to catch on to a high school team somewhere.

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pacman's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:09 am

They probably told Amari Rodgers to run it out if he wants. This was a practice game.

I'm disappointed Packers didn't run some trick plays too. MLF saving them for the playoffs?

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murf7777's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:25 am

I think you are right, why show unused plays prior in a game that doesn’t matter much.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:18 am

We showed nothing but vanilla on offense really. As you point out, why would we?

1 points
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Fubared's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:17 pm

What we showed is out defense is a bunch of chickens running around with their heads cut off. This was a pathetic performance that wont go away with the coming playoff games.
The good QB's are comin to town and will really pick this secondary apart.
King costs us the game last year and now we have an entire team of him.

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tm_inter's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:59 am

Detroit had some good trick plays. Let's copy them for the playoffs.

2 points
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Fubared's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:17 pm

Those plays only work on the packers secondary.

1 points
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coolhand's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:22 am

I guess Barry and the defense didn't get MLF's message about playing to win yesterday. No blitzes, soft zone coverages, they let the Lions do pretty much what they wanted all day.

12 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:19 am

Injury aversion? It’s a sound strategy given the context, particularly on D.

3 points
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Packers0808's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:23 am

If Z Smith can play and get Alexander back could go a long way in shoring up the defense I would hope and think. Also the need to look for another back up QB next year unless Benkirt develops is quite obvious. 2 intercepts in a row and a fumble again don't point North very well!

-5 points
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PeteK's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:20 am

He is definitely not relaxed or comfortable yet .However, to expect a young QB with little experience to succeed with that kind of pressure is not fair. Ex. Lawrence 12TDs, 17 INTs

4 points
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Packers0808's picture

January 10, 2022 at 01:28 pm

Now even close to a fair comparison! You would think he would have been better prepared than Lawrence thrown into the fire while he sits! [Love}

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Lphill's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:34 am

I have been saying it for awhile, Savage has been a disappointment this season. I would take Mike Zimmer as D coordinator over Barry.

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Razer's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:01 am

Savage is athletic. I am still waiting for the football player to emerge.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:21 am

I think the injury has had a negative effect on his subsequent play. Perhaps the bye will help. I recall Collins being described in a similar way till it clicked, in year 3 if I recall. Not uncommon at that position.

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Razer's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:39 am

Did he have a brain injury?

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myabfr's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:34 am

If concussion is brain injury, yes he did

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PeteK's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:37 am

A thin skinned, negative personality is the last thing we need on this team's cohesive unit.

1 points
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gpt999's picture

January 10, 2022 at 02:09 pm

While the jury is still out on Savage, I would wholeheartedly take Zimmer ANY DAY over Barry! Barry is just too passive. MLF has to keep kicking him in the a** to stay more aggressive...

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NitschkeFromTheGrave's picture

January 11, 2022 at 01:30 pm

Savage looked like a 5 year old girl chasing a butterfly without a net.
Pathetic. Someone please explain how he made this team.

2 points
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DrMixerGED's picture

January 12, 2022 at 10:57 am

His name

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Starrbrite's picture

January 12, 2022 at 09:05 pm

One of the best comments—ever; “chasing a butterfly.” I’m stealing it Nitschke—gracias!!

1 points
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NitschkeFromTheGrave's picture

January 13, 2022 at 09:49 am

:)
Dnada...

1 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:38 am

Game Balls:

Allen Lazard - He is such a good player. I hope Rodgers looks for him more in the playoffs! He mostly catches everything his way. He will be a key player for us in the playoffs.

Amos - Is there a better tackling safety in the league? He rarely misses a tackle.

Taylor - He showed speed and power running. As a 3rd RB, he has looked good. We may need to count on him at some point in the playoffs, and I definitely feel better about him after this game.

Lame Calls:

Defense - For a team looking to gain and maintain momentum heading into the playoffs, giving up 37 points to the Lions? WTF?

Jordan Love - I get he is young and hasn't played very much. BUT, he has been practicing with the ones for a while now. I was kind of expecting a better performance against a Lions team that won 2 games up to this point. The throw to Rodgers was tipped. The deep throw to EQ was off. I think he has some talent, but i just don't know if he has it. I have a very hard time seeing him as the QB of the future.
His stats 10 of 17 134 yards 1TD, 2 interceptions, 64.0 rating. Rodgers as a comparison threw 18 times, completed 14 for 138 yards. That part is similar. Rodgers though threw 2 TD's and 0 interceptions, 135.6 rating.

Game Notes:

Getting healthy -
Getting Bakhtiari, Myers back will give the OL a huge boost. Not going to lie, I was surprised they put Myers in at OC right away. And surprised the put Patrick at RG. But it makes sense.
They will be getting back some more key players. Cobb is ready to go, Alexander looks like he will be ready to go. And as of this morning Za'Darius will be back! LFG!!!

The Packers are getting healthier at the right time. Cobb is a guy who is a 3rd down and red zone threat. He is a key player for the offense. The OL will get its best players back at the right time. I haven't heard about Turner yet, but they getting Bakhtiari and Myers back improves the starters and back ups. Now they have Yosh as a backup and they also have Newman. The OL will be much improved.
Za'Darius brings an extra pass rusher that we have been missing. I would expect him to be used on pass rush situations only for the first few games.
Alexander I believe will be the Star Nickel player. Yesterday showed that Douglas and Stokes don't give up a lot, but Sullivan really struggled. Alexander could fill that role well.

Playoffs -

We now know that we will be playing 1 of these 4 teams. Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, Eagles.
Eagles at Bucs
49ers at Cowboys
Cardinals at Rams

Anything can happen in the playoffs. That being said I don't see the Eagles beating the Bucs. I would think then it will either be the 49ers, or the winner of the Rams/Cardinals. I could see the 49ers beating the Cowboys. But we will see.

It will be fun to see who we play next, and how different our team looks when we do from this game against Detroit.

0 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:07 am

"... he has been practicing with the ones for a while now."

Maybe that was the problem. He did not play with starters WR. He had starting OL and they did not make him favor. He was mostly under pressure. His fumble came from DE running free to him. His 2nd interception came after hit from free running defender. And after all, lot of people here complaining about his game, but he enables Packers to score 17 points in the 2nd half, while AR put only 13 points playing with top units around him. And this is his second NFL game.

How many points put Lawrence in his first 2 starts, or Justin Fields, or Zach Wilson, or Jones or ... (put any name instead of the dots) drafted at the same QB class.

We are all spoiled and we have short memory. How Aaron Rodgers performed at his first 2 NFL games. Do you remember?

5 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:50 am

Fumbles happen. Not my worries. My worries is watching his play. He threw 1 TD in which was a 62 yard run by Deguara. Deguara deserves a lot of the credit for that, as well as the blocking. But his throws are just off.

I will give Love some credit, that he threw a good ball to Davis who dropped the TD. They did score a TD on that drive, but he made a really nice throw that should have been a TD.

I just don't see how they can turn the team over to him next year. Maybe in 2 years, he'd be ready. But for them to be competitive next year, I just don't see it. Are you ready for them to hand the keys to him next year?

We maybe spoiled. In fact we are. That being said, we can't settle for a guy that may not be good. They have to be the ones to determine that.
I do remember that Rodgers wasn't very good. They in turn drafted Brohm because they didn't know if Rodgers was the guy. Then the Dallas game happened. The difference here being that when Rodgers was practicing, players and media saw him do something that showed he could be the guy. I haven't heard that from Love.

I'm really rooting for him. I just haven't seen it on the field to give me any real hope that he will be our future. Maybe one more offseason will do him wonders. But I think its fair to ask if he can be the guy next year.

2 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:36 pm

RCPackerFan

would you accept this as acceptible evaluation:

“To see the way that he’s able to play and to see him be able to kind of control the game the last quarter or so ... obviously didn’t end the way we wanted it to but mistakes happen all the time and just because it happened at the end it’s gonna be pointed out a little bit more, but I thought he did a great job,” Lazard said via Packers.com. “He’s been steadily growing this entire year and obviously his snaps with Aaron being up and everything but he’s grown tremendously throughout practice week in and week so I’m very proud of him."

I borrow this from Paul Bretl article.

1 points
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edp1959's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:00 am

Aaron Rodgers won his first NFL start 24-19 over the Vikings. He went 18-for-22 for 178 yards and a TD.

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Oppy's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:18 am

Nice try, but first career start isn't the same as his first two NFL games.

In 2005, he had one pass vs. the Saints. He completed it, for zero yards. 79.2 QBR

Also 2005, vs Ravens, 8 of 15 passing, for 65 yards, 1 INT, 3 Sacks for -28 yards, 2 fumbles, both lost, 36.8 QBR.

2006, vs. Eagles, 2/3 passing for 14 yards. 77.1 QBR

2006, vs. Patriots, 4/12 passing for 32 yards. 3 sacks for -18. 1 fumble, lost. 42.4 QBR.

It wasn't until 2007 vs. the Vikings (2 passes) and vs. the Cowboys (18/26 for 201, 1 TD, 3 sacks for -24, 104.8 rating) that Rodgers started showing anything resembling good QB play.

3 points
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edp1959's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:30 am

Ok, so let's pick games with small sample sizes so you can continue showing your hate. You obviously don't understand QBR because in 3 of your 5 examples his rating was very good. Do you know what the average is for QBR? Educate yourself.....

-4 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:53 am

You obviously didn’t watch then or bother to find out about it. Par for the course.

3 points
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Oppy's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:55 pm

I'm sorry, were you not responding to croatpackfan, who specifically asked if you remembered what Rodgers' performances in his first two games looked like?

.. I supplied the most complete and apples-to-apples comparison possible: I listed all of Rodgers' appearances in his first two regular season appearances, since the gist of this exercise is asking people to consider where Rodgers was at developmentally when he was at the same stage as Jordan Love.

The major difference being that Love didn't have an opportunity to do training camp OTAs etc as a rookie due to Covid.

I remember how over half of Packers nation was skewering Rodgers as a bust during his first two and a half years, because I was ardently defending the young QB who I thought showed promise and just needed seasoning. I won't tell you that I thought he'd be a HoF'er, but I thought the Packers would be fine moving on from Favre with Rodgers given time to develop.

Lots of people talking about how they knew he was special after stepping in at Dallas.. well, I was impressed, but an awful lot of packers fans kept on insisting Rodgers was a bust because the Packers went 6-10 his first year starting(2008) - even though Rodgers' performances were generally plus graded performances.

Then, in 2009, when they went 11-5, and even into 2010, those same packers fans were blasting Rodgers for "not being able to win a game from behind." Yeah, because leading most games and winning them is such a bad thing. I let those Packers fans know they were sorely misguided in their assessment, too.

My point here, edp, is there's a bunch of fans who haven't learned a thing in the last 17 years. The same people who trashed Rodgers the first 4 years of his career now worship him, and they crucify Love the same way the did Rodgers. Its the same group of people who wanted to cut Davante Adams after his 2nd and 3rd year. The same bunch of fans who demanded James Jones go. Nick Collins. Yosh Nijman. Micah Hyde. Etc. Etc.

2 points
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jurp's picture

January 10, 2022 at 06:39 pm

Oppy, shame on you for trying to feed facts to the trolls. You should know that they live only on unicorn farts and rainbows.

0 points
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Razer's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:16 am

Great teams play sound football no matter the circumstance. The Packers defense got beat by a 3 win team and showed all the gaps that have been chronic with this defense. Goff and St Brown looked like Brady and Edelman. I too subscribe to the adage "defenses win Championships" so that leads us to Aaron Rodgers. It is so obvious that he is the reason that we are anywhere near a winning team. We will once again climb onto his shoulders and hope that he and Adams can continue to win. It would have been nice to see a little more balance to this year's run.

1 points
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Guam's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:41 am

You are your record, so Detroit is not a good team. However two of their three wins were against good teams. Detroit torched Arizona just a few weeks ago in a game Arizona needed to win. I get the feeling Detroit is not that far away from a much improved team.

5 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:24 pm

Razer, here’s a little history.

The 1967 Packers got beat by a three win team.
The 1997 Packers got beat by a three win team.

So your assertion that great teams play sound football and don’t lose to 3 win teams is a little shaky, imo.

If Rodgers is the only reason that we’re a winning team, then why didn’t we win in2018? Do we win because of Rodgers and lose because of other people? This is almost verbatim what the Favrists were saying. “. Brett Favre is worth 5 wins all by himself.” And then we went 4-12 .

Give the organization, and the team, some credit. They’ve earned it.

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jurp's picture

January 10, 2022 at 06:40 pm

And the 2011 15-1 Packers team lost to a one-win team.

1 points
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Oppy's picture

January 15, 2022 at 08:03 pm

This. Soooo much this.

The fans who insist the "only" reason the Packers compete is because of Rodgers, and lambast everybody except Rodgers in a loss, completely discount and disrespect the hard work and talent of the rest of the team.

Aaron Rodgers has the best job in the world- he gets all the credit for winning, and never shoulders any responsibility for losing.. oh, and by my reckoning, he sure does take an active role in persuading people it's never his fault in post game pressers and locker room interviews by way of selective wording- he plays the "I technically didn't lie" game frequently. "I don't call in the play to the huddle", or "I think we need to get the RBs more touches" are some of his old stand-bys from the MM era.

0 points
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rememberWhitehurst's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:00 am

Adding Z and Jaire back in, which now looks likely, a full time Kenny Clark and a healthy Devondre Campbell, and a complete absence of Henry Black, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Isaac Yiadom makes the defense look a lot different. My biggest concern is Savage. Every potential first round opponent has someone who can exploit him.

5 points
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PeteK's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:07 am

Savage has to get out of the habit of looking in the backfield when he is the deep safety. Get your head on a swivel and look for streaking receivers first before committing fully to the run.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:46 am

Play the Ball.

3 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:17 am

Good - Lots of good, on offense; Rodgers, Bakh, Meyers, Taylor, Lazard...

Bad - Love. Trying to give him a break but all were hoping to see "something." Even in scoring 17 points, he didn't really inspire. It’s not just Love’s stats that are underwhelming it’s that his throws are not crisp, his pocket awareness is awful, and he doesn’t seem to see the field well, throwing into coverage in desperation. Not nearly as impressive as this year’s young crop of QBs. Or even undrafted Tyrone Huntley. He’s reminding me too much of Kizer, who I think was better. Those who try to excuse his play by comparing him to Rodgers's first two years are making a big leap. Rodgers superior footwork and his incredible arm were clear to see even then.

Ugly - Defense. Luckily some great players will be playing in the playoffs who didn't play against Detroit; Campbell, Z, Jaire... but Barry still doesn't make you feel he really will know what to do with them. His defensive play-calling could be the Packer's downfall.

5 points
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Razer's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:31 am

I tend to agree with you on Love. Two years, lots of first team reps and all the game mentoring that he could hope for hasn't given us much. It would be nice to see more awareness and arm talent in his appearances. Get the impression that the game moves a bit too fast for his processor. Drafting Love has set this whole drama in motion and I don't like where it is heading. A stud WR or similar weapon would have gotten us better returns.

-1 points
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MEO73's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:38 am

He plays about like he did in college. He's a prototypical NFL qb in terms of size & speed, but his accuracy & decision making were question marks coming out of college and continue to be after two years in the pros.

1 points
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dobber's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:05 pm

Then let's find out if he can be the guy--which we don't know from about 6 quarters of football.
If not, then you move on.
It's a process.

3 points
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Ferrari-Driver's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:53 pm

Historically, the lack of accuracy and the ability to read defenses quickly have been been two of the most important abilities that have doomed otherwise physically talented quarterbacks over the years. Exceptional quarterbacks have both the physical and mental talent which sets them apart from others.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:35 am

You do realize, don't you, that both of his appearances this year were better than anything Rodgers did his second year?

Rodgers got in a game as a rookie against Baltimore and looked bad. Rodgers got in a game his second year against New England, was ineffective, and broke his foot. So yeah, after two years, Love is ahead of Rodgers.

Here's what you, and the other Love critics, are asking me to believe:

That all the scouts and GMs in the league who thought Love was a legitimate first round pick and starting QB in the league were wrong, and you were right. That Murphy, Gutekunst, the personnel department....didn't know what they were doing when they drafted him. That when I see him improving from AZ to Detroit I'm hallucinating (always possible, but not likely).

I get that many of you love Aaron Rodgers, and don't ever want to move on, so you see the worst in Love, but you're throwing the organization under the bus because of it. This is the same group of people that extended Rodgers and has us at 39-10 over the last three years so I'm inclined to believe that they know what they're doing.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:01 am

Love neither had a preseason in his first year nor ran the scout team. Almost nothing—wasted year by choice of the team really. So one pre season. All this practice with the ones as a justification is ironic, since none of the starting catchers played with him yesterday. Would have been better to give him series with them and Rodgers less yesterday in my view.

As to the comparisons with Rodgers, either weren’t watching or no memories and no research either or just a preset agenda. We will see whether Love is real or not, but if you think you know, i am afraid I doubt your judgment at this point.

4 points
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Gee's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:48 pm

Man you can really see the divide in some people when it comes to Rodgers. what's funny to me , is its not even his on field game, that people are hating on him for. I'm still on he is going to traded, and with saving and the cuts that are coming, they can field a team that helps and not hurts Love. Besides comparing the 2, is useless to me especially, considering how both weren't polished, when they came in. Love to me played well yesterday, the deep ball wasn't ideal, but he has to take those shots. Besides, the offence will be run dominate next year, if Rodgers is traded. Love IMO, is never going to reach Rodgers level, but that doesn't mean he can't be a winner. We are hopefully on deep run, for SB let's enjoy it.

1 points
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Grimm's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:39 am

"That all the scouts and GMs in the league who thought Love was a legitimate first round pick and starting QB in the league were wrong, and you were right."

Here is the thing, and Im not disagreeing with you, Its easy to say that a QB prospect will be a bust. Every year half a dozen or so young men are drafted to play QB in the NFL. Out of those only one or two go on to have a reasonable NFL Career. Even less often one of them becomes a true Franchise QB, let alone a generational player (ie Rodgers) So its easy to claim Jordan Love will be a bust. The number are on your side.

My only knock on Love is I have not noticed him giving me a flash of potential. I sure would like to have that glimmer of hope that he has what it takes in the long haul.

The upside is it not to late to go back to the well and draft again. Maybe Love develops or maybe not, but they could get some insurance along the way. If Rodgers is gone, they might find a vet to bring in as well.

1 points
1
0
Guam's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:53 am

I am part of the group that thinks Love needs more development time, but has the tools to be an NFL QB. That said, I would be careful how loudly I bang the drum about believing in the judgement of the scouts and GMs around the league regarding any QB. It is well documented that only about half of the QBs taken in the first round of the draft even sign a second contract with the team that drafted them, much less have significant success. Evaluating QBs is still a crap shoot and lots of first round draftees don't make it.

I like Gute and think he has done a great job, but a miss on Love would not particularly bother me. It happens at least half the time in the NFL despite the collective talent and judgement of all the NFL scouts and GMs.

0 points
2
2
JohnnyLogan's picture

January 10, 2022 at 04:35 pm

Rodgers, despite his poor first two appearances was much much more highly thought of then Love. One game alone in college almost made him the first pick in the draft and it took a succession of miracles and lucky breaks for him to fall to the Pack.

Against USC in 2004, against maybe the best defense USC ever had, Rodgers completed his first 23 passes. Can you even imagine Love being capable of anything like that?

I was all for trading Rodgers and loading up with draft picks. Having seen Love I’m completely turned around. If there is another miracle out there that would enable the Packers to keep Rodgers and Adams, considering the awful cap situation, I’m now all for it.

2 points
3
1
Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:46 pm

Lot of armchair GM wannabes on this site.

0 points
0
0
PeteK's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:20 am

With the exception of Mac Jones (22 TDs ,13INTs) every other QB has struggled tremendously.

3 points
4
1
jannes bjornson's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:38 am

Key Word: Footwork. Critical to release on the reads for the WCO. He either improves his technique or goes to the second tier.

-1 points
2.5
3.5
Oppy's picture

January 15, 2022 at 08:18 pm

Rodger's footwork and throwing motion were completely- and I mean completely- reworked from the ground up during his first 2 years in the league. Rodgers talked frequently about changing his footwork early on, and his tedford carry-and-release were an eyesore that was scrapped and completely rebuilt. I think you might need to go back and re-watch early Rodgers. He did have a rocket arm, though. I'll give you that.

All that said.. I'm still curious how people are so alarmed by Love's performance. He led the Packers' offense with many 2nd stringers to 17 points, while the reigning MVP of the league led the entire starting offense to 14 (I won't fault Rodgers for Crosby's miss on the PA). They played against the same defense.

What this suggests to me, and re-affirms what I've been trying to get across to others for years- Rodgers' insistence on airing it out and making it look pretty in dramatic fashion isn't necessarily the best thing for the offense. Packers fans have it ingrained in their heads that the only way to win is with the big pass play after 30 years of HoF QB'ing. It is not. There is a great deal to be said about balance and running an offense as it is intended.

This offense does not require QB heroics to move the chains and score points. Rodgers' often insistence to pass vs. run, tinker with the calls, only throw to his 'trusted' targets.. It often digs the offense into holes it doesn't need to be in during a drive. All is forgotten when he hits the big 3rd down play to Adams to get back into the game. There's a lot of heroics that I contend wouldn't be needed nearly as often if he ran the system and hit the open WR in progression. If he just handed the ball off to the RB.. etc and so forth. We've seen stretches of games in the last two years- typically when Rodgers is missing his security blanket start WR- where he runs the offense like this offense is supposed to be run- and the Packers look unstoppable. Sure, there's not as many huge play highlight reel passes and catches.. but there's points put on the board by a seemingly unstoppable machine.

I understand Love hasn't made the superman highlight throw yet. Can he do what the system asks him to do? Can he move the chains and put points up? It's telling to me that a ho-hum blue collar performance by Love outscored the electrifying performance by Rodgers. I wish people would ask themselves how that is possible. Maybe there's a different way to have winning football in Green Bay.

0 points
0
0
jhtobias's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:19 am

Lame Calls: so sick of you supposed packer fans crying about the defense !!! It was a vanilla plan guys playing for bonus money who cares !!! Why don't you dolts get therapy and go away !!!!!

-10 points
2
12
Coldworld's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:03 am

I think this is the downside of pretending the game really mattered to anyone. Apart for time for returners from Injury and opportunities to play for depth (notably Taylor) there was some offensive interest in milestones and the rest was get out healthy. Of course the players want to be healthy for the playoffs.

This type of game is a survive and move on scenario for most regular starters. All the babble pre game causes some to forget that, despite virtually no evidence of game planning on either side of the ball and key personnel absent wholly or largely.

Yes, we have weaknesses, but virtually nothing in that game should be taken as indicative of anything. Focus on what the rest of the season has taught us (good and bad).

0 points
2
2
jhtobias's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:44 am

Yes you said it in a professional well thought out manner it is just these fans who can't see this drive me crazy.

2 points
3
1
HarryHodag's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:23 am

I see the Packers 'fans' have learned much from the New York and Chicago media and fans who drove young quarterbacks out of town.

If Rodgers retires, and you hate Love, who starts for Green Bay next season? Oh, and what team would trade a talented QB without a boatload of draft picks/players in return? And, of course, the salary cap. There's also many really damaged veterans like Blake Bortles. That's really inspiring.

The Packers have two options for 2022: find a way to keep Aaron Rodgers, or hope Love takes another step forward. If Rodgers is traded, one of those picks could be used to find a workable veteran.

1 points
5
4
Leatherhead's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:41 am

Hodag, I think you just mentioned a third option. Acquire a workable vet, in case Love is injured or struggles badly.

4 points
5
1
Gee's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:58 pm

Hmm the hate goes to both QB right now, just read some the people here. I think most don't hate Love, more they are fearful of the drop off, when Love becomes the starter. Love for me, is going to fine, like you point out the salary cap. For me it will look a lot different when training camp opens, if/when they trade Rodgers. Cap capital and what they get for Rodgers, (my new bet is the phins, mainly do the owner with big pockets and no patience. Still can't believe they fired Flores) will help feel holes and get talent to help with the drop off. This team will not be 13-3, with Love starting next year, but hell with division the way it is, who knows playoffs. If this is the last time Rodgers and many others plays for the Pack, I will be screaming like a lunatic, bring on the playoffs.

-4 points
0
4
gpt999's picture

January 10, 2022 at 02:04 pm

Hodag, Love is just not ready for primetime yet unless the Pack is willing to sacrifice 1-3 years of no playoffs. I don't think management or the fan base is ready for that outcome...

-1 points
0
1
jurp's picture

January 10, 2022 at 06:49 pm

I wouldn't mind sacrificing one year of playoffs and then come back like NE just did, just to get us in a better cap position and (I hope) add a few new pieces via trade-acquired draft choices. In fact, I expect that this is exactly what the next two years look like, with maybe a wildcard appearance next year (I expect an 8-9 record, though).

After next year, a lot of posters on this site will either turn into full-on trolls or they'll be gone. They'll be back in late 23 and 24, unfortunately, saying that they always knew that Gute would pull us through the dark times and get us back to the Super Bowl.

0 points
0
0
Gopack12's picture

January 10, 2022 at 07:08 pm

Rodgers is not retiring.. he is playing the best football of his career, and having a blast playing for Lafluer.. my bet is another 3 seasons and then he retires as a Packer.. I think he saw what happened with Favre and will look to avoid that..and I am baffled by all the people on this site willing to give up our top team in the nfc status.. we become extremely ordinary without Rodgers.. we need to hold on to him as long as we can…

0 points
0
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Leatherhead's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:03 am

Touchdowns for Coldworld and Tobias on the defense. In a game that didn't matter with a plain vanilla scheme we played a bunch of guys who won't see any snaps in the playoffs. The End. A touchdown to Hodag for his perspective on Love.

A touchdown for the author, for recognizing that these guys like Lazard and Lowry, who have been much maligned by some, are good pieces for this team. But also a missed FG for his general denigration of the defense.

A field goal for RC Packer, who was right on a lot of things but not Love.

Turnovers and penalties for the Usual Suspects, who I will not call out by name, for just missing the boat entirely.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Regardless of who our QB is next year, I'm really excited about next year's offense. The depth on our line is awesome. Assuming Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Patrick, and Turner, we'll have guys like Nijman, Runyan, and Newman as reserves. This is quality and experience going 8 deep.

In the backfield, Jones-Dillon-Taylor-Hill is a good group. At WR, we'll have Lazard and Rodgers and maybe some new guys or maybe we'll keep Brown and MVS and Winfree. At TE, we could add a good player to Tonyan and Deguara. We're going to be loaded.

0 points
7
7
jurp's picture

January 10, 2022 at 06:51 pm

How on earth did you get three downvotes for this? Must be "the usual suspects" (you're too kind in your description).

-1 points
1
2
DrMixerGED's picture

January 12, 2022 at 11:21 am

Damn LH, why all the hate for you?

0 points
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Starrbrite's picture

January 12, 2022 at 09:17 pm

I love Leatherhead—we spar often, especially about special teams. But I seek out LH’s comments on every thread.
He’s smart, articulate, and extremely knowledgeable about the Packers—like many folks on this site.

0 points
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0
Since'61's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:14 am

The Good: we made it through a meaningless game without injuries to any of our key starters. Bak and Myers returned and looked good. We have a bye week while all of our potential opponents need to play and beat each other up for another week.
The Bad: I injuries to MVS and Sullivan. Hopefully they are not serious and they can rest and heal up during the bye week.
The Ugly: I was fine with and expecting a vanilla defense. However, we should not be getting beat by HS level trick plays. Fortunately the game did not matter.

As for Jordan Love he has a long way to go but we need to give him a chance. Until he gets to be the starting QB he will not have a chance to evolve in his career.

On the the playoffs. GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61

6 points
8
2
jannes bjornson's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:54 am

No Bye for Brady this year. We will see if the Eagles can give him something to think about with pressure. They go with the four-man fronts that tend to give Tommy some trouble.

6 points
6
0
Starrbrite's picture

January 10, 2022 at 09:37 pm

That’s exactly how’s I see it. Tommy’s been the beneficiary of a cupcake schedule, ho that happens as a SB winner—I don know—he may as well be back in the AFC east.

2 points
2
0
tobinrote's picture

January 10, 2022 at 11:39 am

can't say that the performance yesterday of the D whether meaningless game or not could leave anyone feeling very optimistic about the playoffs. the ideal down and distance for anyone playing us? third and nine. given D backs concede every throw under ten yards out.

2 points
3
1
wildbill's picture

January 10, 2022 at 12:06 pm

Not to be a Debbie Downer but starting in 1961, which I watched, the Packers have never won a championship without a top 5 defense. Over the years we’ve had some awesome offenses but didn’t win the championship.
As it has been said that defenses win championships which holds true to this day. But with Rodgers I think we can win if our defense is just able to get stops/ turnovers at important times of the game
Also if you have a couple first downs inside the opponents 10 maybe try running the ball, just saying

5 points
7
2
stockholder's picture

January 10, 2022 at 01:02 pm

My Game ball goes to Rodgers. Not only were the Lions in his Face. He still had great numbers. Lame Calls. The Refs- no calls- per pass interference. I hope they don't make up for it in the play-offs. (And I hope are secondary is ready for push -offs. ) After Thoughts: While everyone wanted to give Love a chance. It still cost us the game. I hope everyone has Jordan Love out of their system now. Because I will be looking for his replacement in the upcoming draft. Why? . Because if we do become Champions. We won't need anything more then what we got. I saw this team all pull together to kick the can down the road. It can be done again.

1 points
4
3
jurp's picture

January 10, 2022 at 07:01 pm

AR, playing with most of the starters, put up 13 points. Love, playing with second and third stringers, put up 17. Both were playing against Lions' starters. So now, Love didn't cost us the game.

If you've been paying any attention at all about the upcoming draft, then you should know that this draft is considered to be very poor in terms of QBs. And why would you think a rookie QB would be better than a second-year QB? That is not logical thinking.

I would hope that Gute covers his bases and brings in another QB next year (I mean, Seattle took a flier on Wilson when they had Flynn signed for big bucks, and that worked out well), but we had a #3 draft choice in Blake Bortles this year, and Love outplayed him.

It really looks like the vitriol you have about Love is for a reason other than his play.

-2 points
0.5
2.5
stockholder's picture

January 10, 2022 at 08:43 pm

You want Rodgers gone. Your Point, is Love is/was as good as Rodgers. Your Point, is money over Leadership. And like most here. That is not logical thinking. A rookie brings in competition. Timing, Younger Age. And A fresh Contract. That takes us to 5 years. {When Rodgers will be Gone. } If 1 player can learn from Rodgers. 2 can learn just as much. Your Blind . The guy missed everything over 12 yards. And He worked with every WR playing Sunday. He threw at at the hash marks and not the WR. The announcers even pointed it out where the ball should have been thrown. And his mechanics. Obviously you missed the fumble on his first series? Love is full of panic , fear , and Bad Luck. Losers never win!

3 points
3
0
jurp's picture

January 12, 2022 at 08:38 am

I want Rodgers gone because of his salary cap hit, primarily. Sure, I can't stand his personality, but that's irrelevant in sports and, if you've been reading my posts (and I know you have!) than you should've noticed that I've been pleasantly surprised at AR's team-first professionalism.

If we re-sign him to his dead-money value and a NON-guaranteed extension, I'd be fine with it, although I highly doubt he'd take non-guaranteed money. Anything else, and we're a much-diminished team for years, entering LOLions territory of play.

You hate Love either because you hate change, deny the fiscal reality of today's league and/or hate his race. So, which is it?

0 points
0
0
gpt999's picture

January 10, 2022 at 01:57 pm

We gave up 37 points to the Lions? I agree with MLF that the defense was not good. And to be fooled on 2 trick plays for TDs? Come on. BARRY HAS TO GET HIS ACT TOGETHER ASAP! Even with Campbell inactive, that should not have happened. We made a sub-standard QB - Goff - look great. This has got to get "cleaned up" in 2 weeks when we play good QBs with good offenses...

3 points
3
0
jont's picture

January 10, 2022 at 02:08 pm

Game ball:

Bakhtiari for a full year of working toward getting back to his team and contributing.

I watched him closely, and he looked pretty good. Moving great and handling his guy. On his 2nd or 3rd play he ended up in the pile, and when he got up he patted his knee like I pat the dog: "good boy, good job". A play later, as Rodgers or somebody crashed against his knee, he hopped and spun out of there on one leg like a guy who had about 86.3% of his attention focused not letting his knee get hit. Let's hope his 27 snaps helped him get some confidence and comfort so he can make a few DEs disappear.

Lame call:

The announcers who didn't seem to know who 69 was and why anybobdy would care he's on the field.

0 points
2
2
Packers0808's picture

January 10, 2022 at 03:23 pm

I wonder why Taylor has never been used at punt and kick returning? Sure must be reason, but he looks really good from scrimmage!

1 points
1
0
Starrbrite's picture

January 10, 2022 at 10:04 pm

No game balls for losing to Detroit—-ok, maybe Deguara.
Amari Rogers is a kook—-trade him to the Vikings.
Z. Smith is coming back——-yes!!!

0 points
0
0