Packers Vs.Lions - 3 Plays that make you go Hmmmm

Jersey Al picks out three though-provoking plays from Sunday's game against the Lions.

First, my apologies to the C+C Music Factory for misappropriating the title of their 1990 hit "Things that Make you go Hmmm." I'm pretty sure they know nothing of us and won't care. 

Anyway, I always try to make time to re-watch Packers games, as I can be a lot more thoughtful about what I'm seeing and rewind/replay to my heart's delight without worrying about keeping up with live social media commentary. Yes I actually enjoy that, but it does mean I'm not paying as close attention to the actual play on the field as I normally would.

So, a re-watch is always in order, and I enjoy picking out plays that are not as likely to be focused on (You won't find Sullivan's pick-six or Jones' 75 yd TD run here). 

Instead, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.

 

1) Does the concept of slow motion even exist on Planet Davante? Look at his initial get-off - his feet are so fast, it doesn't even look like slow motion.

2) This is just outstanding play design, perfectly executed and then ruined by Jace Sternberger's brick hands (don't shoot me - he made that joke himself on twitter). Anyway, Swervin' Ervin motions left, taking a defensive back with him. He's used as a decoy for a possible jet sweep. Meanwhile, the entire line is zone blocking to the left and Rodgers fakes a handoff to Williams that way, causing the entire Lions defense to head in that direction. Sternberger then essentially "pulls" right along the line of scrimmage and is all alone in the flat. A thing of beauty - until the ball meets his hands.

 

3. Josh Jackson, the forgotten man in the Packers secondary (5 snaps on Sunday). gives a textbook demonstration of how to cover a receiver on a fly pattern down the sideline. There is really nothing he could have done better. And before you say, "but Al - he was covering a running back!" know this about Ty Johnson - Darnell Savage's ex-teammate at Maryland ran an unofficial 4.26 at his Pro day.

 

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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

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13 points
 

Comments (26)

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

September 22, 2020 at 04:00 pm

Thanks Al, except for reminding me of the Sternberger drop being so well designed to clear space. He is clearly running before catching. Let’s hope he can move past this.

Jackson’s play surprised me, really good to see him tracking the ball. Looks like he might be turning the corner. Hopefully we get a few big leads so King or Alexander can sit and give him snaps on the perimeter.

Nice piece.

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mnbadger's picture

September 22, 2020 at 05:23 pm

when you say turning the corner, did you really mean turning into a SOLID corner? Let's hope so! GPG

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Jonathan Spader's picture

September 22, 2020 at 05:45 pm

Hope Davante was only sat out as a precaution against detroit. Ankle Breaker is unreal to watch off the LOS. Best in the NFL immediately off the line period.

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WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

September 22, 2020 at 06:04 pm

Watching that play really explains why 2015 was such a rough year for Davante. With a bum ankle, you just can't juke guys like that.

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Coldworld's picture

September 23, 2020 at 07:48 am

Well, that and the fact he dropped so many. By his own admission, that was his biggest challenge. I give him credit for being open about it and for using it to encourage others.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 22, 2020 at 06:49 pm

LaFleur was quoting as noting that Davante wanted to go back into the game and he (LaFleur) thought about complying but GB maintained a 20 point lead so Adams stayed on the sidelines.

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ricky's picture

September 22, 2020 at 04:52 pm

I believe "Things that make you go "Hmmmm..." originated with Arsenio Hall on his short lived talk show. Most memorable was Spike Lee, who had criticized Eddie Murphy for not having more black actors in his films. Arsenio told Lee that "You don't know how hard it is to get a movie made with a lot black actors." Lee, to his credit, didn't punch him or react in any way.

Anyway, yes, some nice plays to pick out. Adams has been said to have "violent feet", and apt description. That Sternberger is having some problems early on is concerning, but hopefully this is just a temporary condition. As far as Jones, I pointed out the great coverage on another site. Truly impressive.

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Ferrari-Driver's picture

September 22, 2020 at 05:19 pm

Hey Al, thanks for the comments. I noticed the footwork at the line of scrimmage on the D. Adams play you highlighted as well. I've watched a lot of football and can't off the top of my head think of a former wide receiver who was better getting off the line than Adams. I always considered James Lofton the best modern day receiver to play for the Packers; I may have to rethink that pretty soon. I've only watched limited tape of Don Hudson, so in all fairness, I have to limit it to modern day...but that Hudson guy sure dominated on the tape I did watch and his stats are essentially unbelievable for his day.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

September 22, 2020 at 05:37 pm

So Davante is ahead of Jordy in your mind?

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jannes bjornson's picture

September 22, 2020 at 09:50 pm

Jerry Rice is was the best. Adams styles his game after the Master.

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Lphill's picture

September 22, 2020 at 06:05 pm

A lot of hand play with the Josh Jackson play I'm surprised no flag but it could have gone either way .

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4thand1's picture

September 22, 2020 at 08:43 pm

he looked back at the ball.

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Coldworld's picture

September 22, 2020 at 10:54 pm

That’s the thing that was so good to see: tracking the ball

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

September 22, 2020 at 06:11 pm

So great to see a Josh Jackson highlight!

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Leatherhead's picture

September 22, 2020 at 07:33 pm

Even on Sternberger’s drop, the play was really nicely designed and executed. Ed West would have caught that for a big gainer. There’s a lot of timing and misdirection on that play and he couldn’t have been more open. I’d expect to see that play again real soon.

I think that if we can keep our players healthy we can win a Super Bowl with this offense.

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stockholder's picture

September 22, 2020 at 08:13 pm

I'm really not concerned about Jace Sternberger. IMO. This offense is being set up for Love and not Rodgers. Think Dillion was taken for Rodgers? Think again. Same with Degura. He's your future TE. BG will dump anyone. Jones, Bahk, Williams and even King. Oh he'll take another CB come draft time. But the truth is the offense is being set up for Love. "So Forget chemistry." And he'll even trade Rodgers to get his way. One thing that stood out to me was Rodgers being upset with the Time Out. Obviously, it came down from upstairs, and LeFluer followed up. Love wouldn't have known. Rodgers did. I understood. I understand we have one great QB that wants to win. If only BG would see the team through Rodgers eyes. Only then will we be in the Super Bowl.

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Lphill's picture

September 22, 2020 at 08:55 pm

You are correct the only thing is Love will be an interception machine and another Kizer Gutey will trade Rodgers and he will win with another team and Love will bury the Packers .

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fastmoving's picture

September 23, 2020 at 03:42 am

Your stuff gets worse and I never thought that would be possible.
You must hate winning a lot.
So Im glad for you, you never won something in your life.
But at least you got your hate for everything and your lack of wisdom. Not just in football. Not just in football.....

And of course, Love is alway stronger than hate. At least you should know that as a Weak.

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Coldworld's picture

September 22, 2020 at 10:57 pm

Deguara isn’t a TE in the sense that Tonyan, Lewis and Sternberger are, but that’s probably closer to reality than the rest of the theories.

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JerseyAl's picture

September 23, 2020 at 08:27 am

Yes, it's a giant conspiracy to disparage Rodgers and his legacy. The men "upstairs" are out to get him because they obviously don't care about winning. They can't wait for their first-ballot HOF QB to be gone. It's true. Up in the meeting rooms, they have the Beatles' "All You Need is Love" on a continuous loop. Really, it's true...

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13TimeChamps's picture

September 23, 2020 at 10:46 am

Twenty thumbs up!!

Apparently the 'Deep State' has arrived at 1265, and is now in control. These conspiracy nutjobs are so entertaining...yet scary as well.

"Up in the meeting rooms, they have the Beatles' "All You Need is Love" on a continuous loop. Really, it's true..." Couldn't stop laughing!!

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gkarl's picture

September 23, 2020 at 11:07 am

That is funny, I'll be smiling the rest of day, thanks for the laugh Al.

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stockholder's picture

September 23, 2020 at 02:48 pm

The Needle meets Vinyl. Obviously there is to much back ground noise. I’m only Detoxing your mind for clearer thinking. This isn’t a jigsaw thinking game. The cap is what it is. Lasting Relationships bring more happiness.

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malta1099's picture

September 23, 2020 at 12:39 am

Great piece, JA. The Sternberger play, particular, was a beautifully designed thing. It bodes well for Lefleur's offense going forward. Thanks for the insightful rewind of these plays.

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PackfanNY's picture

September 23, 2020 at 09:19 am

Great stuff Al. Thank you.

The Sternberger play was a play design of beauty until he dropped the ball. No telling how much field he had in front of him.

The use of Ervin on that play, putting him in motion, seems to play off what they showed against the Vikings. The difference this time was he didn’t get the ball this time and play was going in a different direction. Probably something Lions saw on film. Seems like a good example of cat and mouse.

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TXCHEESE's picture

September 23, 2020 at 04:05 pm

I wonder if stockholder and lphill have cold coffee and dry toast for breakfast every day. Geez! The facts are, Mr. Rodgers, and his offensive mates are in year 2 and more comfortable with this offense. There is plenty of skill in the skill position players they have, and coach is taking advantage of it, aaaand, Rodgers isn't going anywhere for a while.

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