Packers Vs. Lions: First Impressions
My immediate thoughts during the Packers - Lions game without the benefit of a re-watch.
...
It's the last "First Impressions" of the season, and I just want to say, despite this season's shortcomings, it's been a pleasure doing this with all of you. It was my first season handling these duties and it's been fun. Here's to an injury-free sixth preseason game to bring in the new year.
Oh? Mike McCarthy opening the game with an onsi-- and it's intercepted. Jamaal Williams has to make that catch.
It took Brett Hundley until week 17 to throw his first interception in a road start.
Don't think it's a secret who the Packers' most efficient running back is, but Jamaal Williams' savvy in pass protection is what keeps earning him snaps over Aaron Jones.
Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis ran into each other in the flat on one play -- not sure whose fault it was -- and then Janis drops a decently-placed ball. And there's confusion as to why he doesn't see the field...
Trevor Davis mossed Darius Slay. I really need to keep my mouth shut.
Matthew Stafford is continuously targeting the left side of the field short of the sticks, and these Lions receivers/running backs are just feasting. Packers are playing way off for some reason.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has just... been very bad.
Reggie Gilbert is just carrying over the same momentum from last week. Clay Matthews has 8.5 sacks on the season but you can thank Gilbert's pressure for that.
The Packers have scored three points in their last six quarters.
I've had to reiterate this a few times this past week. Reggie Gilbert being stashed on the practice squad and honing in on his skills could be why he's found immediate success these last two weeks. He wasn't just sitting around on his hands.
This is pitiful.
Screw 2018. I'm pretty sure this ass-kicking is enough to send the Packers straight to 2020.
One other note: Randall Cobb records his 432nd career catch and has passed Antonio Freeman for the seventh-most receptions in team history.
It's gotten to the point where the Packers are completely out of running backs. Jamaal Williams is out of the game with a concussion and only Aaron Ripkowski and Joe Kerridge -- two fullbacks -- remain.
Finally, we can all slowly, slowly fade into our tombs until next season...
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (74)
TKWorldWide
December 31, 2017 at 03:04 pm
Pretty good game.
“Good” is code for...
TKWorldWide
December 31, 2017 at 04:05 pm
Uninspired.
Disorganized.
Lackadaisical.
Overmatched.
Colin_C
December 31, 2017 at 03:23 pm
Well, I certainly wasn't cheering for a loss, but if that doesn't get people fired, I'm not sure what will, so I'm kinda happy there. Otherwise, looked a lot like last week. One takeaway though - Lenzy Pipkins is actually pretty decent. Obviously hasn't played much, but I heard he's our highest graded CB this season. I could see him being a number 3 or 4 corner in 2018. Now, let's fire Capers and bring on the draft!!!
Free agent
December 31, 2017 at 03:19 pm
Take an English writing class.
ZacharyJacobson
December 31, 2017 at 03:37 pm
Excuse me?
jeremyjjbrown
December 31, 2017 at 03:54 pm
Go take a manners class...
TommyG
December 31, 2017 at 03:20 pm
I was wrong. I thought that when this game ended we would have seen a successful Hundley that would give us hope. Nope. The only positive today was seeing a couple of young guys get reps. Oh, that Dom is getting fired is nice too. Looks like Stafford still remembered all of his defensive plays.
Doug Niemczynski
December 31, 2017 at 03:27 pm
Sliced and diced the Packers for 323 yards and three touchdowns!!!!
egbertsouse
December 31, 2017 at 03:23 pm
I'll be happy if Capers gets fired but I wish that TT and McMuffin could go with him. Along with Hundley...and Dix...and Davis...and about 10 others. Today we got a really good look at the results of TT's "draft and develop" philosophy.
Hematite
December 31, 2017 at 03:35 pm
Not pretty is it.
Gumbo Hundley doesn't belong in the NFL.
Neither do Thompson and Capers.
Doug Niemczynski
December 31, 2017 at 03:40 pm
No but I bet you Brett Hundley is the backup quarterback next year again because Mike McCarthy is so devoted to his decisions and so prideful to change them and who suffers the Green Bay Packer fans once again.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
December 31, 2017 at 04:58 pm
I'd be willing to put some money on whether Hundley ever even plays a snap of NFL football again in his life after today. I'm betting that the "performance" we were treated to today is the last snap he takes for an NFL team. He certainly didnt prove he belonged in the NFL, or even on an NFL practice squad, for that matter.
QB Hundley brings great shame not only to the Packers, but the quarterback position, in general.
HankScorpio
December 31, 2017 at 05:02 pm
Hundley was so bad, he should be cut outright before the offseason program begins to avoid him taking offseason work/resources away from another QB.
Sam Freeman
December 31, 2017 at 05:01 pm
What do you mean by gumbo?
Hematite
December 31, 2017 at 06:18 pm
His gum chewing combined with his dumbo play.
Bedrock
December 31, 2017 at 04:33 pm
I agreed Capers needs to go. I disagree about MM and TT.
I see a philosophical conflict between Capers and TT. Capers needs veterans who know the scheme fully to be successful. TT keeps replacing with youth. One or the other have shown success, but not both. One needs to go. Let’s go with a new coordinator. Keep it simple. I believe the roster has enough talent. What’s lacking in TT’s draft and development was defensive development.
HankScorpio
December 31, 2017 at 04:59 pm
Bedrock,
Since it seems likely that TT & MM will stay and only DC is in danger of going, I hope your theory is correct.
Doug Niemczynski
December 31, 2017 at 03:26 pm
This whole team absolutely sucks I am so disgusted. Fire Ted Thompson fire Mike McCarthy fire Dom Capers . There was absolutely nothing to take positive away from this game except that it's over and I don't have to watch them play next week
OrganLeroy
December 31, 2017 at 03:30 pm
Zook needs to go as well as Capers.
Doug Niemczynski
December 31, 2017 at 03:36 pm
This is reported by NFL news about coaches on the hot seat Well it doesn't look like it's Mike McCarthy does it. Packers need to lock him up alright lock him up and throw him in the freaking ocean
Green Bay Packers: Mike McCarthy heads into a contract year, and there is no doubt Green Bay's focus will be on locking him up. There are bigger questions around him.
Rossonero
December 31, 2017 at 03:39 pm
"Lock him up and throw him in the ocean" - haha!
GVPacker
December 31, 2017 at 06:13 pm
Which ocean Doug? Do you have a preference? Atlantic, Pacific, Indian?
Houndog
December 31, 2017 at 07:04 pm
Hey, not the Pacific, OK!
I'm only about 12 miles from the shoreline, and along with global warming McPuffy has gotten big enough that throwing him in would likely raise water levels to 'Dangerous'!
ironman3169
December 31, 2017 at 09:36 pm
Arctic
Norm
January 01, 2018 at 09:43 am
Billy
TarynsEyes
December 31, 2017 at 03:36 pm
I believe my preseason C/C+ grades of this team overall were in fact generous and suffered much abuse because of those grades by many. My year end evaluation has it at D+/C overall. Have at me. : )
HankScorpio
December 31, 2017 at 03:38 pm
Aaron Rodgers' injury sure helped make those predictions look better, huh?
Johnblood27
January 01, 2018 at 01:38 am
LVT has wanted at you all year. Meet him and be done with it!
Hematite
December 31, 2017 at 03:37 pm
Most of our guys pretty much quit.
Especially Dix!!!!
HankScorpio
December 31, 2017 at 03:40 pm
Assuming they do have a new DC, he'll have his work cut out for him getting HHCD back in order. He had a lost year from start to finish.
Bear
December 31, 2017 at 04:45 pm
Dix, no heart, no pride.
rdent
December 31, 2017 at 05:51 pm
I know TT has a tendency to keep his picks through their rookie contract but NO WAY Dix is worth the over $5 million he will be making next season. Did he get his uniform dirty this year?
GVPacker
December 31, 2017 at 06:11 pm
That's a reflection on the coaching staff! Someone has to light a fire under his butt!
Rossonero
December 31, 2017 at 03:37 pm
Next year, if Reggie Gilbert remains stuck on the practice squad in favor of some 6th round pick, I'll lose it.
Brett Hundley can't play. Period.
We'll need all the comp. picks and free agents we can get.
Colin_C
December 31, 2017 at 03:42 pm
Agreed on all points. We need to put the best 11 players on the field, not just those who we've invested draft picks into.
Doug Niemczynski
December 31, 2017 at 03:42 pm
We can't even tell if Gilbert's any good he only played him 2 games
Rossonero
December 31, 2017 at 04:17 pm
He's done more than Fackrell!
badaxed
December 31, 2017 at 03:40 pm
Pig headed McCarthy refuses to let Callahan play until the last two minutes. What a douche bag.
Hematite
December 31, 2017 at 04:30 pm
Callahan should have told McCarthy to stick it up his ass when he told him to go in for the last two minutes.
That game was over at halftime, there was no reason not to give him the second half.
Gumbo Hundley is terrible and McCarthy is a douche.
HankScorpio
December 31, 2017 at 04:54 pm
I'm sure turning down playing time and throwing a hissy fit would have been a boon to his career.
Sam Freeman
December 31, 2017 at 05:03 pm
This really pissed me off! Why not put Callahan in earlier?
MarkAlan
December 31, 2017 at 03:42 pm
Let's pray McCarthy and the staff are fired
stockholder
December 31, 2017 at 03:42 pm
Disastrous: How could this team even be considered a super-bowl team? Devastating: The Defense just has No answers. Capers can't go soon enough! Ridiculous: Hundley; Common man is Slay your Wr? Just Burned up: TT I've had enough of your draft reaches. Your ideas STINK! It's The end of the road for you. The negativity of this season, signal trouble ahead for you. It's time you retire , and give me a chance to be proud again.
TarynsEyes
December 31, 2017 at 04:00 pm
" How could this team even be considered a super-bowl team? "
Because of Rodgers being the QB but I think that yearly assumption is over next season. There is no way this team can be considered viable for any thing after being exposed for their true ability since Rodgers injury. Simply to much for Rodgers to cover up since ' everyone ' knows the truth now.
FAN24583
December 31, 2017 at 04:12 pm
Total embarrassment. Blown out by a 9-7 Lions team. It’s time to clean house howdy doody, TT, MM , DC all need to go! The train is about to leave the station!!
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 05:26 am
I laughed as I read this.
So many wanted to see the Packers assess talent. Play the scrubs! How many starters and regulars on the depth chart sitting? And then call it an "embarrassment" when a nearly fully-stocked Lions team gobsmacks the Packers on their field? Please...
Big Moe
December 31, 2017 at 04:14 pm
So, nothing to say here as we all wait to see how the ax falls, but how about a quick shout out to the Badgers great job!!!
4zone
December 31, 2017 at 04:15 pm
All the draft picks in the world won't make a difference if there aren't major changes in the coaching staff and home office.
Not from just this year but multiple years of under performing to a fault.
FAN24583
December 31, 2017 at 04:20 pm
This team simply cannot allow this regime another year to attempt to fix this mess that they created. It’s time to move on.
Bearmeat
December 31, 2017 at 04:22 pm
This game was ugly. This season was ugly. I'm happy Dom will go the way of the dodo. But truthfully, the end of the TT/MM/DC/AR Packers occurred in January of 2015 after THAT game in SEA. It's been stale ever since. Understandable really. Teams have hit the reset button over less. GB should have done so. They won't win it all again until there is completely new blood.
Ted and Mike need to go too. Now. Or we'll waste another year and ARod will be 35.
RobinsonDavis
December 31, 2017 at 04:31 pm
Most interesting end to the year...
* McCarthy unwilling to provide Callahan an opportunity despite unacceptable play from Hundley
* Lack of pass rush most of the year, yet Gilbert kept on practice squad, while others are taking up roster spots rarely play or do not at all. Gilbert gets opportunity and .....
* Similar, who can forget TT during the draft, waving papers in his hand & offering teams a chance to trade for his already traded down pick, while passing on Watt? King Ok, Josh Jones, Adams, & Biegel disappointments (1st four picks of the draft), Yancey and Amichia not on the roster. 4 RBs ARE on the roster though including all 3 rookie draft picks.
* Despite issues on the O-line AND eventually signing some tackles, the refusal to play any over McCray at OT is confusing to me, especially with the playoffs out of reach.
* Pankey, M. Adams, Mays, Odom, & John were constantly inactive or on the roster (stored), yet despite much under-performance and injuries at multiple positions, did not play much. Play them or find players that CAN.
* We sign Linsley for $8.5 million annually, while a year earlier we are unwilling to pay Tretter $5.5 & TJ Lang $9.5 million respectively. Don't get me wrong, I like Linsley, it begs the question what we were thinking last year. And what about our need at OT?
4zone
December 31, 2017 at 04:26 pm
Preaching to the choir RD. Lombardi Ave ain't listening . .
OrganLeroy
December 31, 2017 at 04:45 pm
NONE of your points are valid!
RobinsonDavis
December 31, 2017 at 04:56 pm
Then enlighten us and make a VALID one!
NickPerry
December 31, 2017 at 04:30 pm
Impressions for the season...
It's over at last! No need rehashing what's wrong with the Packers, there's to much to list and they'll only do something about about 1/3 of the problem. Capers will be gone, Thompson and McCarthy will be back though.
Happy New Years Everybody. Lets hope for a better 2018!
RobinsonDavis
December 31, 2017 at 04:42 pm
Likewise, Zachary.....thanks for the columns and Happy New Year to all!
jeremyjjbrown
December 31, 2017 at 04:43 pm
I think there is absolutely ZERO chance TT or MM are fired like some folks want. I just hope that they can get a new defense. 3-4 or 4-3 under works for me. As long as it is execution based and not stupid coverage disguises and Big Oikey Dokey gimicks or other personnel gadgets. A better than average defense will give Rodgers a chance to deliver Super Bowl wins.
ironman3169
December 31, 2017 at 09:46 pm
Absolutely! You NEVER heard the announcers utter a single word concerning some silly defensive package concocted by the Packer’s opposing defensive coordinator. Not once in sixteen games.
No nascar, no elephant end, no nitro. Just defense.
Oppy
January 01, 2018 at 04:31 pm
You don't think every defense employed doesn't have names for the different alignments or personnel packages they employ? The coaches just yell out, "Langston, Mitchell, Wozniak, Barton!! You guys go in for Leland, Michaels, Bobolink, and Shelton!! Oh, and align yourselves over the strong side, shade the nose, read the B gap!"
No. They scream "Platypus! Mad Dog! Blue Shoe Horn!"
Lphill
December 31, 2017 at 04:44 pm
Thank you everyone at CheeseheadTV have a great new year let's hope for a healthy Rodgers and maybe a top 10 defense with a new DC.
4thand1
December 31, 2017 at 04:56 pm
I think the only reason to play Hundley was hoping for a good final game and trade bait. After his 1st pass hit the ground 10 feet in front of the receiver, pull him. No way with my way Mike. He's the most stubborn bullheaded coach I've ever seen. They mailed it in, no doubt. FUCK, this season sucked ass!
rdent
December 31, 2017 at 04:58 pm
This team and organization has hit a low point we haven't seen in 9 years. Aaron Rodgers has carried them the last 8. The truth was exposed in 2013 and in an even uglier way this season. If Bob Harland was still President I would bet this would be it for the 3 stooges TT MM and DC.
But this is 2017 and the current President has not the desire nor the stones to say so long to this worn out regime. I hope I am wrong but this appears to be a team in serious decline and I have zero confidence in the people presently in charge to turn it around.
GVPacker
December 31, 2017 at 06:20 pm
Agreed rdent, looks like there is a serious disconnect from Mark Murphy on down to Ted Thompson to Mike McCarthy who's extremely thick headed! This is the disadvantage of not having a traditional owner and having things run by committee.
FAN24583
December 31, 2017 at 05:05 pm
Agreed! The board of directors suck!! Mark Murphy is a joke!!
badaxed
December 31, 2017 at 05:17 pm
Howdy Doody serves the kool -aid at the board meetings and every one leaves with a smile on their face as they head for the sledding hill at the new packer mall next to Lambeau feild.
Tundraboy
December 31, 2017 at 05:51 pm
"Packers are playing way off for some reason."
That's our #@*/## identity. Time for a new one.
Make a bold move hire Fangio and Gruden.
Roadrunner23
December 31, 2017 at 05:52 pm
I am of the opinion that the Packers had to fall a bit this season in order to take the next step forward.
RE-GROUP
FIRE CAPERS
KICK AZZ IN THE UPCOMING DRAFT
IMPLEMENT NEW ATTITUDE & ENERGY ON DEFENSE
SIGN A COUPLE OF KEY FREE-AGENTS
GET RODGERS BACK
KICK AZZ
SUPER BOWL!!
simple
packergal
December 31, 2017 at 06:23 pm
"Super bowl simple" not possible with MM and TT present. Even NFL.com columnist references MM "stale offense" hurting the team and Rodgers future success. Ya Think? Time for reboot!
badaxed
December 31, 2017 at 06:44 pm
This season showed how bad our talent evaluator and our coaching staff are. Aaron Rogers has been covering their asses for too long. Time to send these incompetent
Coaches and general manager packing.
Qoojo
December 31, 2017 at 06:45 pm
I want a reporter to ask MM in the post conference Q&A, "Do you think the question about owing all your success to Rodgers has been definitively answered this season?"
That's my only impression from the game.
Houndog
December 31, 2017 at 07:22 pm
With a little luck, maybe the reason McPuffy refused to answer questions about Capers is that he won't be there next year either! Could we possibly be that lucky?
Since'61
December 31, 2017 at 08:53 pm
1. Fire Capers
2. Chuck Hundley, Callahan, and Janis before the New Year for starters.
3. Fire Zook
4. Draft a pass rusher and a speed WR
5. Sign some actual NFL players in FA.
TT and/or MM should apologize for putting such a miserable product on the field and calling them the Green Bay Packers. This season wasn't just disappointing, the last 11 games were embarrassing.
I'm just glad it's over. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
January 01, 2018 at 05:28 am
I'm hoping MMs New Year's resolution will be to beat the tar out of the Lions every time they play them AND to cap off every meaningless late-game TD with an insulting trick play on a completely unnecessary 2-point conversion.
dadon_111
January 01, 2018 at 09:57 am
All this going on as Micha and Casey are let go with both making Pro Bowl