Packers Bye Week: Rants & Raves

The Green Bay Packers are on their bye this week and this is usually a good time to look back on the first part of the season and also at where the team is headed.  With it only being week four, there's not really enough material to make any solid conclusions, but let's take a look at what's working and what needs improvement so far.

Rants

Old Habits

I've talked before about how I think head coach Mike McCarthy tends to come across as too stubborn at times.  Whether it's refusing to give up on a play call that's not working or continuing to stick with certain players when there are others who probably deserve a shot, it's at least fair to say the perception is there.  

Many harped on McCarthy's decision to try a fourth down conversion early in week two against the Minnesota Vikings.  It would have been an easy chip shot field goal for Mason Crosby.  Instead, the Packers ran James Starks, who hasn't done a darned thing all season and to make matters worse, the offensive line didn't get the memo and were in pass block mode.  The very stout Vikings defense stuffed the play and the momentum shifted.  For the record, I'm still OK with the Packers trying to convert there.  Regardless of whether that play call was McCarthy's or was changed by Aaron Rodgers at the line, to me it falls on McCarthy for putting Starks out there in the first place.  Why?  To trick the defense and create the legitimate question of "pass or run"?  With Eddie Lacy in, the defense keys on the run and the mystery is gone?

Sometimes McCarthy over thinks, or at least that's what it seems.  This idea would seem to be at the crux of any difference of opinion between he and Rodgers.  I don't know what goes on in the meeting rooms or what the actual play calls are, but it seems as though McCarthy is more comfortable trying to be a wizard instead of sticking to the personnel and plays that the team executes well.  Sometimes you just have to line up and win the down.  Execute as well as you can and beat the guy across from you.

As far as personnel, I mentioned how the team tends to stick with players a bit longer than they should: Brad Jones, Nate Palmer, MD Jennings, to name a few.  Now to be fair, he stuck with Crosby and that decision has paid off.  But the bye week is a good time to make adjustments and changes that appear to be necessary.  Receiver Davante Adams has continued some of his struggles and has quite a few drops already through three games.  Jared Abbrederis lit up the preseason and back then, there were debates about whether he should be ahead of Adams on the depth chart.  Through three games, Abby has been targeted one time.  One.  He has one catch for eight yards.  He catches the ball, the quarterback likes him, the head coach has highly praised the young man's route running and fundamentals.  So what gives?  Ty Montgomery truly is healthy.  He had the punt block against the Vikings so why isn't he also getting more chances on offense?  No, I haven't forgotten the touchdown catch Adams made in week one nor the slants that he has run well and caught.  But it's time to spread the ball around more.  Soon enough, Jeff Janis will lose the club on his hand and everyone will be pining to see the express train streaking down the sideline.  Many options and one encouraging sign was seeing more four and five wide sets against the Detroit Lions.

Back to Starks, he has been abysmal this season.  His best attribute seems to be catching the ball.  Last year he ran well until he had ball security issues.  Is this is just a running back hitting the proverbial wall as he turns 30?  The Packers had CJ Spiller in for a visit after he was cut by the New Orleans Saints.  The Packers elected not to add Spiller and maybe this was just the team's way of putting the incumbents on notice, much like they did last season when they brought in Montee Ball for a workout.  So they're riding with Lacy and Starks, it appears.  It's up to McCarthy now to find the best ways to get the most out of Starks.  Match the scheme to the strengths he still possesses.

Aaron Rodgers

Plain and simple: burn the tape from week two and emulate the play from week three and the Packers will win a good number of games.  It's tough to know what's in a guy's head and we have to hope that Rodgers's cerebral nature takes over and he maintains his superior level of play.  Please delete the file named "week two".  Even though he bounced back with a nice game against the Lions, many will have in the back of their mind the idea that Rodgers could revert back and toss all of his good mechanics to the side.  Three turnovers in one game?!  Never again, please!  These next few games will tell us a lot about how well Rodgers has gotten over whatever was bugging him.

Pass Defense

How many of you already have Damarious Randall and an image of him getting beat in your head?  Some of that is warranted but Randall has also made some nice plays as well.  As much as it's easy to blame the guy who's closest to the ball, there are usually more components to the issues.  I agree that Randall hasn't taken the year-two jump that we hoped he would. . . yet.  Randall is very self-confident when you talk to his teammates and the media.  He doesn't lack any confidence that he can do whatever he's asked.  A college safety that made a nice transition to cornerback in his pro rookie season, Randall has already shown the ability to play the position.  He can be a pro.  He just needs to grow up a bit.  Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt will be a huge asset in that area and I expect to see much better from Randall moving forward.

But again, it's not all on Randall.  We've seen these passing defense woes before.  Regardless of the score or the strategy to protect a lead, there's no excuse for letting a team get within one possession of tying the game when you're up by four scores.  Dom Capers, please use your time wisely this bye week!  Capers is always an easy target when the defense is struggling.  Yes, the Packers have an infant ward out there at cornerback right now with Sam Shields out.  These young corners are learning as they go all the while still having to cover veteran receivers.  This falls on general manager Ted Thompson and the jury is still out on whether this gamble will work out or come back to haunt the Packers chances of winning big in 2016.

Much like I said McCarthy needs to find ways to play to the strengths of his offensive players, Capers needs to figure out a way to stop getting gashed in the middle of the field.  Third down is once again an issue.  The Packers are destroying running backs, creating a lot of third-and-long situations but they can't seem to get off the field.  McCarthy says the middle of the field is open in today's NFL due to rule changes.  Sorry Mike and Dom, you still need to adjust.  "Everybody's doing it!".  This is why you earn more than the average guy.  Go earn your pay.

Raves

Run Defense

The Packers are playing the most dominant run defense, from a statistical standpoint, that I can remember.  That dates back to the early 1980's.  They're giving up less than two yards per carry and regardless of the caliber of opponent, that's an impressive early stat.  Keep in mind that we've seen the Packers start out strong and finish much lower in the rankings so let's see how they do against some of the more elite backs as the season goes on.  But kudos to Mike Daniels and Co.  Without B.J. Raji, Mike Pennel and Datone Jones last week, the Packers bottled up the Lions run game.  The sum of the parts on the defensive line is equaling a whole lot of good things against the run.

Pass Rush

Nick Perry is trying to get paid.  At this rate, he will.  He has already nearly equaled his career high in sacks (4) and has been flying all over your TV screen so far this season.  Perry is another reason the run defense has been so stout but Perry is contributing in getting to the quarterback.  Offenses are going to have to account for #53 now and that will only open things up for the inside rush and Clay Matthews on the other side.  On that note, we have to hope Matthews can return soon from his ankle injury.  Julius Peppers has been good in a limited role, which is exactly what he can give the Packers, at most.  Jones is embracing his new elephant role and using his "nasty" to create pressure.  

My only gripe is the safety and corner blitzes.  They're not working.  There's a lot of youth back there with the exception of Shields and Burnett so perhaps it will come in time, but I've seen Ha Ha Clinton-Dix get stonewalled by offensive linemen and take him completely out of the equation.  If this becomes "a thing", as they say, this could really elevate the Green Bay defense to extreme heights.

Offensive Line

An underrated area of the team so far this year.  We all stopped and paused when we learned Josh Sitton was released one week prior to the season opener and that Lane Taylor would be stepping in.  Taylor has already faced the Vikings pass rush, which could be one of the best in the league.  And he held his own.  There will be more tests to come, but Taylor has hardly been a liability.  Newly-paid left tackle David Bakhtiari has been stellar so far, allowing just one sack (his first sack allowed in quite some time, dating back to last season).  J.C. Tretter has stepped in for Corey Linsley at center and done an admirable job.  Together, this line allows the Packers to do what they want on offense.  Hey Mike, try a screen to Starks! Just a thought.  . . 

Jordy Nelson

He's not the cure-all everyone wanted him to be, but Nelson has clearly infused the offense with his return.  He has a touchdown catch in all three games and should continue to get his legs back as time goes on.  The return of the deeper routes will stretch defenses and open opportunities for Randall Cobb.  If nothing else, Nelson's savvy alone improves the receiver situation.  Welcome back, Jordy!

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (19)

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Allan Murphy's picture

October 01, 2016 at 01:14 pm

Week 8 we will no what they have ........

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Tundraboy's picture

October 01, 2016 at 03:12 pm

Wheres Abby? Where's Montgomery?

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NickPerry's picture

October 02, 2016 at 07:39 am

Watching Adams drop balls from the sideline? Just kidding, sort of but it's a great question, one I've asked myself for 3 weeks as I stand in front of my TV and pace back and forth watching this offense.

I still maintain those 2 games the Packers opened with were 2 of the worst the NFL could have scheduled them with. In the heat in week one where no one had played yet (Starters) and to OPEN the Vikings new stadium.

For the Packers to have played as BAD as they did against Minnesota and only lose by 3? I can't wait till week 16, let me just say that.

I think against the Giants, the Packers start using more Abby and Monty, more 4 and 5 receiver sets and more of a quick passing game. I mean even McCarthy has to see it worked for an entire half, maybe he should go with it a little more. Both are good receivers who can definitely help this team if given the chance.

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Tundraboy's picture

October 02, 2016 at 01:55 pm

"even McCarthy has to see it worked"

God I hope so. We all get excited to see the new and developing talent used,but usually have to wait til season end to see them used at all. Like a present you don't get to open.

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rdent's picture

October 02, 2016 at 10:47 am

Until I see Adams come off the bench and catch 7 for 145 and 2 TD' in the clutch you will have a hard time convincing me he is a better option on the outside than Janis or Davis, the knock on Adams out of college: " Lacks ideal functional playing strength to consistently beat the jam and gets hung up on the line,lacks quickness out of his breaks,production was inflated from quick lateral passing game" and with a 4.56 40 time Lacks top end speed.could be a possession receiver if he could catch the ball.

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dschwalm's picture

October 02, 2016 at 10:34 am

A "statement win" isn't likely to happen while MM's the HC.

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rdent's picture

October 02, 2016 at 10:53 am

I have a hard time remembering the last time I saw a" statement win" seems like more " statement losses" come to mind

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lou's picture

October 03, 2016 at 02:53 pm

Interesting you mention a "statement loss", I recall one that was a huge POSITIVE for the Packers. Prior to Flynn starting on short notice against the Pat's McMcarthy told the press, "the Green Bay Packers are no bodies underdog" after being questioned about the huge point spread. With Flynn they almost pulled a huge upset, that was a bif motivation for the team. The night before the Super Bowl McCarthy had the players measured for rings, sure wish that Mike McCarthy would show up again. His playing not to lose instead of playing to win (Bud Grand Viking football) cost us another Super Bowl chance vs Seattle. It would be difficult to say Capers with his second half prevent defense against the Lion;s as playing not to lose because of the number of starters missing, lets wait and see if that is the case when he has most of his starters and the team has a good lead or the same with McCarthy because of the few opportunities the offense had in the second half.

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rdent's picture

October 04, 2016 at 08:09 am

" Moral victories"

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PaulRosik's picture

October 03, 2016 at 02:25 pm

Like beating New England in 2014. And putting up 50 points per game at home in 2014. Seems like 2014 was the year and they blew it in the NFCCG.

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dschwalm's picture

October 02, 2016 at 10:36 am

A "statement win" isn't likely to happen while MM's the HC.

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Since'61's picture

October 01, 2016 at 09:01 pm

I'm expecting that the first 3 games of the season were the preseason extension for most of the Packer starters who played very little in the pre-season. They should return from the bye in regular season form. Hopefully our injured and suspended defenders return as well, probably minus Goodson. Counting Pennel we could have 6 starting defenders returning over the next 2 weeks. Against the NYG, Eli Manning is one of the better QBs that we will face this season and we're going to need a strong pass rush and solid play in the secondary to stop him. Our offense needs to pick up where they left off in the first half of the Lions game, hopefully with a healthy Cook. 13 straight games is almost like the old 14 game seasons when the league did not have bye weeks, although we have a mini-bye after the Bears game. Hopefully we earn a first round bye because we're going to need it. Long haul. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Lphill's picture

October 01, 2016 at 11:18 pm

Hopefully down the road if they can maintain a lead then they can rest starters as needed , let the young guys get snaps while the vets catch some down time , we need a few blowouts.

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rdent's picture

October 02, 2016 at 06:58 am

Could have been a blowout last week if they wouldn't have tanked in the second half

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egbertsouse's picture

October 02, 2016 at 08:39 am

MM is a good coach overall but he is a poor game coach. I was hoping he'd get better when he gave up play calling last year but he just had more time to do stupid things.

Caper's blitzes don't work because he's been running them since 1990 and every OC can see them coming.

Oh yeah, Mickey, if the middle is always open in today's NFL, why don't you throw there once in awhile?

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Tundraboy's picture

October 02, 2016 at 02:00 pm

Loved it.

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NMPF's picture

October 02, 2016 at 08:57 am

Though not given many chances, Starks looks like he became an old man over the off season. He actually looks slower than Lacy. Where is the change of pace RB? Not on this 53. Hopefully we get a couple Starks runs over the next couple weeks where he makes chicken salad out of chicken s$#! so I can RELAX.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

October 02, 2016 at 09:23 am

Davante Adams

Yet another reason to abandon the "Law of Sunk Costs".

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PaulRosik's picture

October 03, 2016 at 02:34 pm

I still think that week 2 was just a case of playing a good defense on the road - but that last pick was an ugly throw.

Adams has only been decent so far this year so why don't we see more of Davis and Montgomery and Abrederis? And more 5 wide type sets to get some mismatches and big plays.

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