Week Seven Review

The Packers' first consecutive wins came at a price this past Sunday, as they stomped the hapless Rams, but lost their defensive leader for at least a month. We'll get to the game in a bit, but losing Charles Woodson to his second broken collarbone in three seasons is a big deal. Charles plays all over the field on defense, acting at times as a safety, corner, even linebacker in the complicated Dom Capers defense. He's not the kind of player you replace. Charles will be missed for not only his physical abilities, but also his emotional presence. The once reserved d-back has embraced a more vocal leadership role since the Superbowl season, and he is more valuable to the club than any casual observer might think. The training staff will no doubt be smart with his recovery, and all indications point to a fully healed shoulder for the stretch run. The news is not all bad in that the schedule over the next four weeks includes two weaker opponents and a bye week, and the young defensive backs have been playing well lately. A silver lining here might be an opportunity for Charles to provide input from the sideline, which could be the first step in transitioning him to a coaching role. I can't think of anyone on the team now that I'd rather see down the road as a coach. Anyway, here's what I liked and didn't like about the lesson we taught the dainty little Rams on Sunday:

What I Liked:

1. Continued Commitment to the Run: I'll be returning to this topic at length shortly, so I won't spend too much time on it now, but the running game was again more effective than the numbers might indicate. 24 rushing attempts demonstrate a clear commitment to the run, despite the fact that Alex Green only gained 35 yards on 20 attempts. This is not great production by any means, I get that. The fact is, attempts are far more important than yards per carry. The Rams had to respect the fact that we might run, particularly on first and second down. Yes they stopped us nearly every time, but it's because they were keeping seven or eight men around the line of scrimmage to do so. If you can't see how that benefits the passing game and the offense overall, then I have no time for you.

2. Aaron Rodgers: The Packers' terrifying aerial assault is back in full force, and it's thanks in no small part to Aaron Rodgers' return to form. He is once again throwing darts all over the field, looks confident in his decisions and accuracy, and seems to be having fun. Perhaps some pressure was lifted from his shoulders when expectations fell following a rocky 3-3 start, but I really don't care WHY he's playing like this, just that he keeps doing it. Let's not forget that his NINE touchdowns over the past two weeks have come against two very good pass defenses, on the road, without an accompanying interception, and without his number one target. Everything appears to be good in Mr. Rodgers' neighborhood.

3. Randall Cobb: Another week, another reason to be excited about the Cobbler. Eight targets, eight catches, 89 yards, and two touchdowns. Any receiver in the league would take that stat line any week. Literally every time he was targeted, he came down with the ball, including a nifty 40 yard TD grab on an admittedly perfectly thrown ball. He also had his customary 20 yard run from an offset shotgun formation. The sky is the limit for Cobb and he's well on his way to earning a full time starting role.

What I Didn't Like:

1. Jermichael Finley: J-Mike looks lost out there right now, and he was a complete non-factor against the Rams. His confidence is clearly shaken, and I'm not sure how he's going to get it back. I don't think it's time just yet to go to another tight end full time, but the reality is that Tom Crabtree has more touchdowns than Finley through week seven. Of course Crabtree will never be our number one pass catching tight end, but we're getting close to the point where we sit Finley down in favor of DJ Williams or even Andrew Quarless when he's back from injury. Part of me has to wonder if his strained relationship with Aaron Rodgers isn't a bigger factor than I initially thought. Is it possible that he isn't getting as many looks because Rodgers doesn't care to throw the ball in the direction of a player who doesn't act or prepare the way he thinks he should?

2. Run Blocking: As I said before, I think a commitment to the running game is more important than production in terms of yardage, but it sure would be nice to pick up some yards on those first down runs. If you can rely on gaining four or five yards and the majority of your runs, it becomes quite a bit easier to achieve the number of carries you'd like in order to set up the passing game. Not to mention the fact that 3rd and short is a hell of a lot better than third and long. When Rodgers is on, he's able to work around unfavorable down and distances (as evidenced by the Packers 9 for 15 efficiency on third down against the Rams), but nobody wants to rely on 3rd and 9 conversions in the playoffs. Certainly Alex Green deserves some of the blame, since Cedric Benson was running behind the same blocking and producing at a higher level, but my opinion is that the lack of yardage production falls mostly on the offensive line. You've heard it a million times, but running the football is a mindset, and it's one we have yet to fully achieve. I'd love nothing more than to see us impose our will on a defense, run the ball 60% of our snaps, and let Rodgers pick his spots. Remember the days of the Packers sweep with Ahman Green? So do I...

3. Collar Bones: Although Casey Heyward has been playing very well of late with four interceptions in the last three games, nobody is going to confuse him with Charles Woodson. Davon House looked very solid until he was beat badly for a touchdown, but I think his performance was at the very least encouraging. I'm not sure when Sam Shields is coming back from his injury, but the time is now for these young corners to show what they can do. Charles will be missed, there's no doubt about that, but better to lose him during the middle of the season than at the end. He's missed a remarkably low total of two games due to injury in six and a half seasons as a Packer, so don't be surprised to see him back sooner rather than later. Aaron Rodgers described him to today as 'maybe the toughest guy I've ever played with,' and said he'd bet on the low side of the 4-8 week recovery period.

Notes:

- The Packers were working out of the shotgun for almost the entire first half. I wonder if that was a strategy to slow down the Rams pass rush and allow Rodgers to survey the field prior to and during each play.

- The no-huddle offense was a non factor Sunday after being featured heavily against the Texans. It seems to me that the reason for the switch is either a reaction to this weeks match-up, or an attempt to remain unpredictable in play calling.

- Peanut Tillman is so underrated it is ridiculous. He is so much fun to watch and shut down Megatron completely last night.

Hey That Was Fun!

Me last week, but picture a little more handsome.

Ok so I'm back after a week of being a little crybaby. You try blogging when you're pissed off. Anyway I apologize to my hundreds of thousands of loyal readers, and I promise I will try harder to write after the next loss. Moving on...

I said two things before this game, 1. I think we're going to lose, 2. I'm almost always wrong. So, if you think about it, I was right. But more importantly the Packers whooped some ass on the road against the hottest team in football. Everyone and their mother were picking the Texans to win this game, but the Pack was having none of it. There was an air of solemnity before the game, but the looks of consternation quickly turned to smiles as the Packers built a 14-0 first quarter lead. For all the time spent complaining as a sports fan, it sure is nice to have a game like this where seemingly every break goes our way. Receivers were hauling in passes they had no business catching, Rodgers was throwing rocks (thanks Mike), the Texans committed penalty after horrible penalty, and the banged up defense played with fiery determination. We got back to having fun on the field and had our way with a very solid team. Welcome back Pack. Here's what I liked and didn't like:

What I Liked:

Not half bad for his first start ever.

       Ball Security: Yes we jumped out to a nice lead and dominated this game from the get go, but all it takes is one turnover to change the complexion of any game. Alex Green protected the ball very well in his first extensive action at running back and Rodgers showcased his trademark impeccable decision making. We were lucky that a dangerous tipped pass from Rodgers fell harmlessly to the turf, but we gotta catch a break every now and then. Cobb was his usual sure-handed self in the return game.

       Run Defense: Charles Woodson said before the game that we needed to start the game with more energy, and we needed to stop the run. The entire defense heard him loud and clear. Missing our run stopping anchor in BJ Raji, the front seven stepped up in a major way to hold the hard running Texans to 90 total yards on the ground, including a paltry 29 yards and a 1.7 yard average for the elite Arian Foster. That is the second lowest single game total for Foster since he burst onto the scene in week one of the 2010 season. We tallied seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage (not counting our three sacks), and AJ Hawk and Jerel Worthy looked particularly active in the box. The secondary deserves credit for generating three turnovers, but that all starts with making the opposing offense one dimensional, which the front seven accomplished nicely.

       Sure-Handedness: Jesus where has this been all year? Sure, Jermichael Finley looked like his usual bone-headed butter-fingered self, but other than him it was like we were playing with a velcro ball. Cobb made catches all over the field (after having one red zone drop), Nelson was unstoppable, and Jones once again had a freaking circus catch. For anyone who recorded the game, go back and watch McCarthy's reaction to JJ's catch. Even the d-backs got in on the action, with Sam Shields looking downright Woodson-esque in his diving undercut of a pick. Rookie Casey Heyward recorded his second and third career interceptions, one of which was a nothing less than awesome tip to himself in the end zone. Interceptions are commonly a 'right place at the right time' kind of play, but this looks like a sign of big things to come for Heyward. Whatever our pass catchers did to have that kind of focus this week should be bottled and sold at Patron level prices. I'd get shitty on it.

      My Boy A-Rodg is a Monster. He's a Best Bro: That's right I liked four things about this game. Big whoop. Rodgers was on. No two ways about it. After missing a wide open James Jones for a would be touchdown on the opening drive, he was on point for the rest of the day. He used his feet to buy time masterfully, ran for a couple first downs, hit damn near ever receiver at his disposal, and oh yeah tied a franchise record for most TD's in a game. Six touchdowns, no picks, two sacks, 9.1 yards per attempt, and a nearly perfect QBR of 95.8. Eat your heart out every other quarterback ever.

What I Didn't Like:

       Injuries: This week could end up hurting pretty bad. Nick Perry, Sam Shields and DJ Smith all went down with injuries that looked potentially serious. It’s pointless to guess about the severity of these injuries before we hear from McCarthy tonight, but losing any of those players would suck. Are they crucial players that can’t be replaced? No. Are they solid contributors that are a step above their replacements in terms of talent? Yep. The defense has been clicking this year and I’d rather not have to play a third stringer at middle linebacker, a rookie in the nickel and dime corner, and Erik Walden at outside linebacker. I’d rather not, but it looks like we may have no choice.

       Jermichael Finley: Believe me, I have been a big Finley supporter from day one. His size and speed combination are a mismatch that simply doesn’t come along very often. He has the ability to take over a game, and has done so in the past. Rodgers continues to give him opportunities, but he is simply not taking advantage this year. There are too many talented receivers on this team to wait around for one option to start producing. Cobb took his opportunity and ran with it. Jones has six TDs in the last three games. Jordy had three touchdowns YESTERDAY. Why should we keep pumping the ball to a guy who just can’t keep it together? He’s starting to talk again which is always bad, he doesn’t get along with Rodgers, he’s dropping balls left and right, and even his agent can’t keep his mouth shut. Finley may be gone after next year, but he’s got time to turn it around.

      Mason Crosby: Ok, this is a carryover from last week, but does anyone trust him with the game on the line? He has not proven that he can be a pressure kicker, despite having a strong leg and accurate career numbers. I won’t be comfortable with him attempting a game winner until he makes a couple, which I cannot ever remember him doing.

Football was fun again this week for the fans and the team. I know it’s a changing league, but I still feel like any good game plan starts with running the ball and stopping the run. Although Green’s numbers don’t fly off the page at you, he was productive enough to establish the run and allow for effective play action. McCarthy deserves credit for committing to the run with a backup halfback and an explosive passing game, and I hope he’ll continue this trend. I doubt there’ll be any Packers questioning the gameplanning this week.

Who's Ready to Help?

The Packers have a few players set to return in the next week or two that could have a significant impact on the season. James Starks and Davon House appear healthy enough to play for the first time this year, and Mike Neal will be returning from his four game drug suspension. All three of these players have shown tremendous promise in one way or another, but none has truly lived up to the potential that they've shown. I'm hoping we can get some real value from one or all of these guys in the weeks to come, so let's review how they might fit in.

23 carries for 123 yards in this painfully close game...

Starks has played the most significant role of any of the three players we'll discuss. He exploded onto the scene late in 2010, and was an integral part of the Packers' Superbowl run. His consistent and productive play during the playoffs was a huge boost to a team that had struggled to run the ball for years. He split carries with Ryan Grant in 2011, for a total of 578 yards on 133 carries (a solid 4.3 yard average), along with one touchdown and two fumbles. In other words, he was solid but unspectacular when called on to run the ball. His running ability has unfortunately taken a back seat to his propensity to miss blocking assignments, drop passes, or make any other mental error you can think of. He has been a lightning rod for criticism from Aaron Rodgers both on and off the field, which simultaneously speaks to his potential and also his lack of focus. If he didn't have the tools to be great, Rodgers would never call him out in public. He is a one cut and go back that can produce when given a lane, but has not shown an ability to create yards on his own the way Cedric Benson can. His upright style will eventually lead to fumble problems, but his large frame makes him not very fun to tackle. Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that the time is now for Starks to show the coaching staff that he's ready to contribute. If Starks can prove to the coaches that he's healthy enough to make some plays, then I look for him to spell Benson between the twenties for something like five to eight carries a game. If he can't go now, then I wouldn't be surprised if he got cut. The staff and players are high on Alex Green and Brandon Saine, so there's no sense waiting on Starks to work his way back.

He probably got injured on this play

Mike Neal is likely about to embark on his last chance to contribute to the Packers. The 2010 2nd round pick has tallied a total of four tackles and one sack in nine games over two seasons. He was touted during the draft as a workout freak with incredible strength, but has since been busted for PED's. I honestly don't think he derived all (or even most) of his strength from PED's, but I do believe he was taking them in an effort to return sooner from injury. If Neal does not want to go down in Packers lore as Justin Harrell 2.0, then he'd better stay on the field for the rest of the season. Depth along the defensive line is a huge asset, and while I don't expect Neal to develop into a prominent inside pass rusher, he does have all the tools to give our top interior linemen a breather for a series or two. I'd love for him to finally be what he was drafted to be, but I'm skeptical. Unless he can finish the season healthy and have at least moderate production, he'll likely be gone.

I'd like for him to play like the last #31, but to be less of a dick

By far the most enigmatic of these three players, Davon House could contribute in a wide variety of ways. Seemingly having won the starting cornerback job opposite Tramon Williams out of training camp, House was then sidelined with a shoulder injury (a left shoulder subluxation to be precise, which sounds cool but is, in fact, not cool). He'll be forced to wear a harness on that shoulder even after he returns full time, and most Packer fans will remember how badly a shoulder injury limited Tramon Williams in coverage last year. A starting corner needs to be able to not only bump a receiver with power at the line, but also tackle in run support. I for one would like to see House get completely healthy before he returns, but everyone that actually matters seems content to let him play. He was a 'healthy' scratch last week, but I'd be surprised if we don't see him in action soon. My question is, what role will he really be able to play? Sam Shields has been playing with confidence since regaining his starting job following the predictable failure of the Jarrett Bush experiment, and Casey Heyward looks like he belongs at this level in the nickel. Special teams coverage will be tough with a dinged up shoulder, and his range of motion on his injured arm is limited. It's obviously going to be tougher to bat down or intercept balls if you can't move your arm the way you're accustomed to being able to. If it were up to me, I'd shut him down for the year, open up the roster spot, let him heal up for next year, and then give him another chance to earn that starting job. Maybe his shoulder is not as bad as it sounds, and he'll be able to showcase the coverage ability that made him a starter in training camp.

Roster depth was a MAJOR factor in the Packers' Superbowl victory in 2010. You can never have too many capable players at any position, and the healthy return of these three players could provide some excellent fall back plans. It's a long season and we'll no doubt be faced with tough roster decisions due to injury at some point. Maybe none of these guys will play much in the near future, but one or all of them could be forced into starting roles. I suppose it's better that they've had some playing time prior to that, so I understand the desire to get them in the game. Player development is important, but winning comes first.

Week Four in Review

The Packers got a much needed bounce back win against a tough opponent in Lambeau Sunday afternoon. I know the Saints came in 0-3, didn't have their normal coach/playcaller, haven't been themselves, etc, but that is a tough football team. Drew Brees is still one of the best at QB, and they can put up points in bunches. They came in with their backs up against the wall, and the Packers managed to keep them there. This was a solid win for the Pack and one they should be proud of. Quick side note, is there any more overused sports term than 'must win game?' A game is only 'must win' if you are mathematically eliminated from contention if you lose. Stop it already.

You know what else? This win was exactly what I was talking about when I said we need to play better to overcome bad officiating. Every team faces some type of adversity during every season. It just so happens that early on this year, our adversity came in the form of poor officiating at important times. Last week, we let a bad team hang around, and stay in position to win the game. They got the benefit of a terrible call, and won the game. This week, we did enough to win in spite of two poor calls that would have changed the complexion of the game significantly. The missed push-off in the end zone (yes, again) and the missed fumble on the kick return could have derailed us had we pass blocked like we did last week. Turns out when you play better, protect your quarterback, and put up some points, the refs can't force you to lose even if they try. Here's what I liked and didn't like:

Thumbs Up:

1. Pass Protection: How about limiting the Saints' pass rush to zero sacks and one QB hit? What a tremendous bounce back performance for this maligned offensive line. Coming in Rodgers had been sacked more than any QB in the league, and he needed all the time he got in this one point victory. Had we allowed even one sack, this game easily could have swung the other way. Now I know the Saints' defense is one of the worst in the league, but still, the offensive line won a battle they were supposed to win. Not to get too up in arms about Harrell tripping on his shoe, but is that the guy you want under center this year? No? Then I guess we better continue to protect Rodgers.

Attaway JJ

2. Pass Catching: It's tough to find statistics on drops anywhere, since they're a subjective stat, but I don't recall a single drop from the Packers last night. That includes six targets and five catches for James Jones (including two touchdowns), five targets and four catches for Jermichael Finley, and 41 total pass attempts. For a ridiculously talented receiving core that has been known to struggle with concentration at times, this was a good sign to say the least. Guys were hauling in passes in traffic, over the top, underneath, freaking sideways and off the ground if you're James Jones, it was awesome. Drops seem to come in bunches, so let’s hope sure-handedness is contagious as well.

3. Randall Cobb: It seems every week that the offense is unveiling a new wrinkle for Randall. This week it was a shovel pass good for 17 yards. The guy is flat out exciting to watch and seems impossibly sure of himself for a 22 year old second year player. It's obvious that he wants the ball in his hands at all times and that he's not afraid of the big moment. This guy could develop into a superstar if he continues on the path he's currently on. The only downside to Randall Cobb being so damn good is that it makes the possibility of Greg Jennings leaving in free agency next year even more likely. I'm not saying Randall Cobb is the next Greg Jennings, I'm just saying he's got a chance.

Thumbs Down:

1. Ball Security: I don't care if you're a back-up, starter, practice squadder, whatever, when you're in the game, you have to protect the football. It's kind of funny after winning that the stumbling fumble is how Graham Harrell's first NFL snap went, but it would have been nightmarish had we lost the game. The pick by Rodgers looked to me like an obvious example of impatience and pressing. He wanted to score NOW, and he wasn't waiting around. The corner made a nice play to come up with the ball, but the reality is the receiver was covered. Rodgers should not have thrown that ball and was uncharacteristically impatient and greedy for doing so.

He's even savvy when it comes to throwing punches

2. Charles Woodson: Where'd you go Charles? The guy was invisible for most of the game, save a couple of nice tackles in run support, until he lost his temper and very nearly cost his team 15 yards. That display of anger was out of character for the normally even-keeled Woodson to say the least. He dropped a tough but catchable interception, just the kind of play he's been known for his entire career. There is no bigger fan of Charles Woodson that I know of than myself, but I have to wonder if we're seeing the end of an era this year. He has not been his usual impactful self, and the frustration he's showing could be a byproduct of an inability to physically make the plays that he's mentally able to envision. Believe me I hate, hate, hate to say it, and I really hope I'm wrong, but the end may be near for C-Wood.

3. Communication in the Secondary: This is still very much a work in progress. I know we were playing the high powered Saints offense, but we gave up 446 passing yards, including an 80 yard laugher of a touchdown to rookie Joe Morgan. Sam Shields released coverage on Morgan thinking he had help over the top, which was nowhere to be found. The pass rush was not great, which certainly doesn’t help your coverage unit, but we need stability and consistency in the secondary in a major way. Luckily we were able to pull out a win here, so we can chalk it up as a learning experience, but let’s just make sure we learn from it.