Post Game Chat with Cleft Crusty (at Bengals)

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Folks!

Cleft Crusty is off the ventilator and ready to take your questions about the exciting game in Cincinnati today. Queen City fans were kind to the Packers, but not so kind to old Clefty, making it difficult to navigate to the 'press box' with my oxygen tank. No, it's not an extra large beer, and I don't know where you can get one, OK?

[packer4life]

Cleft,

With no running backs left, why didn't MM switch to Cobb running the wild cat. Cobb could just handoff to Ross on a reverse, who would then throw across the field to Franklin for a loss of 6. It's like MM just can't adjust in the 4th quarter WHY GOD WHY

[gbgary]

Can I borrow the ventilator?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft,

With no running backs left, why didn't MM switch to Cobb running the wild cat. Cobb could just handoff to Ross on a reverse, who would then throw across the field to Franklin for a loss of 6. It's like MM just can't adjust in the 4th quarter WHY GOD WHY

I would guess the Packers don't have many Wildcat plays, and if they do, they probably didn't practice it much with a depleted running corps. Franklin did come back in though. Surprising on the last drive, especially after so many batted balls that McCarthy didn't move Rodgers out of the pocket. What's that old line about repeating something over and over and expecting different results?

[Cleft Crusty]

Can I borrow the ventilator?

I only have enough pulls on it to get back to the hospice.

[Joemailman]

Cleft,

Do you have any advice for the Packers on how to avoid hamstring injuries?

[mmmdk]

Why was my 9-7 Packers record prediction considered far fetched - granted it's early season but what direction are Packers headed this season?

[packer4life]

Packers players with the arrow currently pointing up:

Brad Jones
Datone Jones
Sam Shields
Davon House
Casey Hayward (bc, you know, he's going to actually get to play in 2 weeks)
Jermicheal Finley
Morgan Burnett (nowhere to go but up when you have yet to play)

Packers players with the arrow currently pointing down:
Tramon Williams
Jeremy Ross

I think overall we are doing just fine.

The D is going to gel when Burnett/Hayward are back. Our front 7 is a noticeable upgrade this year.

On offense a healthy Lacy, combined with spells of Starks and Franklin make this a position of strength.

I think we'll end up 10-6 or 11-5, ready to make noise in the playoffs.

[Cleft Crusty]

Why was my 9-7 Packers record prediction considered far fetched - granted it's early season but what direction are Packers headed this season?

It depends on what you based your prediction, and who considered it far-fetched. If you based your prediction on the Packers losing all their running backs to injuries by the third game, or having half their team out with concussion or hammy injuries (including their top defensive player), then you should get a consulting job with Miss Cleo or John Edward. If you were just basing it on pointless negativism, you should be proud of your role as internet troll.

Packers are headed in a great direction. Despite a sub-par performance from Rodgers, and a lot of bad injuries, they whipped the Bengals on their home field, amassing nearly 200 yards rushing. They are capable of beating the tar out of any team, but they have to be healthy to do it.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft,

Do you have any advice for the Packers on how to avoid hamstring injuries?

Cleft really can't help there. The Doctors told me to start stretching a wile back, and I pulled at least seven different muscle groups just touching my knees - and that was while sitting down. But I probably could recommend some effective pain meds.

[Cleft Crusty]

Packers players with the arrow currently pointing up:

Brad Jones
Datone Jones
Sam Shields
Davon House
Casey Hayward (bc, you know, he's going to actually get to play in 2 weeks)
Jermicheal Finley
Morgan Burnett (nowhere to go but up when you have yet to play)

Packers players with the arrow currently pointing down:
Tramon Williams
Jeremy Ross

I think overall we are doing just fine.

The D is going to gel when Burnett/Hayward are back. Our front 7 is a noticeable upgrade this year.

On offense a healthy Lacy, combined with spells of Starks and Franklin make this a position of strength.

I think we'll end up 10-6 or 11-5, ready to make noise in the playoffs.

Clefty hasn't played with the arrow pointing up since giving up the Cialis. Good points, except that Tramon Williams is playing well, especially since they are asking him to do more so that a guy like Shields can focus on his strength - plastering pass coverage. Defense is a team effort and the Packers were outstanding today, compromised by the loss of Matthews.

[mr_blonde]

It depends on what you based your prediction, and who considered it far-fetched. If you based your prediction on the Packers losing all their running backs to injuries by the third game, or having half their team out with concussion or hammy injuries (including their top defensive player), then you should get a consulting job with Miss Cleo or John Edward. If you were just basing it on pointless negativism, you should be proud of your role as internet troll.

Packers are headed in a great direction. Despite a sub-par performance from Rodgers, and a lot of bad injuries, they whipped the Bengals on their home field, amassing nearly 200 yards rushing. They are capable of beating the tar out of any team, but they have to be healthy to do it.

When was the last time the Packers were "healthy"????
2009???? I can't remember .... can you????
Nice out ......

[Cleft Crusty]

[/U][/B]

When was the last time the Packers were "healthy"????
2009???? I can't remember .... can you????
Nice out ......

2011, before losing Collins. Nice out? That's reality. The amazing thing about this team is how well they play even when half the team is missing due to injury. This is a team that is unique in rarely being blown out - that's a testament to a solid organization.

[red]

cleft

did anyone on this team have a good game today? almost everyone i can think of had at least one shitty play

maybe crosby?

[Cleft Crusty]

cleft

did anyone on this team have a good game today? almost everyone i can think of had at least one shitty play

maybe crosby?

If a bad play disqualifies you from having a good day, then no one in the NFL had a good day. Matthews had a Hall of Fame half. The forced fumble for a touchdown was a play that perhaps 5 linebackers in the history of the NFL could make. Matthews have several of those a year. Many on the defense played very well, only allowing two significant TD drives, one after Matthews left the game. Shields was spectacular, but had a bad play - and it cost a TD. Starks and Franklin were both outstanding, but Starks made the mistake of getting injured and Franklin had the horrible fumble. Maybe Jordy Nelson-had a near perfect game.

[MJZiggy]

If a bad play disqualifies you from having a good day, then no one in the NFL had a good day. Matthews had a Hall of Fame half. The forced fumble for a touchdown was a play that perhaps 5 linebackers in the history of the NFL could make. Matthews have several of those a year. Many on the defense played very well, only allowing two significant TD drives, one after Matthews left the game. Shields was spectacular, but had a bad play - and it cost a TD. Starks and Franklin were both outstanding, but Starks made the mistake of getting injured and Franklin had the horrible fumble. Maybe Jordy Nelson-had a near perfect game.
Masthay?

[Cleft Crusty]

After that game, you really want to talk about kickers?

[Brandon494]

The forced fumble for a touchdown was a play that perhaps 5 linebackers in the history of the NFL could make.

:lol:

[red]

After that game, you really want to talk about kickers?

they were two of the few bright spots that didn't end up hurt

[Cleft Crusty]

they were two of the few bright spots that didn't end up hurt

Don't count your chickens before they reach the training room. Wait until the injury report is released.

[Cleft Crusty]

:lol:

That's an effective argument, if you're three years old.

[Cleft Crusty]

On the play in question, Clay Matthews covered ten yards and forced a fumble in about .085 seconds, +/- 0.2 seconds (using a my trusty sundial). Clefty has never seen a forced fumble quite that sudden, but has seen LBs with that kind of quick twitch (like LT, Derrick Thomas).

[mr_blonde]

2011, before losing Collins. Nice out? That's reality. The amazing thing about this team is how well they play even when half the team is missing due to injury. This is a team that is unique in rarely being blown out - that's a testament to a solid organization.

You seem perfectly content with style over substance. I'm not.

I'm not concerned about "how well they play even when half the team is missing due to injury". You are using injuries an excuse as to why this team loses or worse, as an excuse to lose.
The fact that the Packers are rarely blown out is not a "testament to a solid organization". The testament of a "solid organization" (which should read a "great organization" is measured by Super Bowl Championships. I expect this team to win Championships. With Rodgers turning 30, their window to do so is four, maybe five years.

I don't care if Matthews had a "Hall of Fame" first half or if Shields was "spectacular" except for one bad play etc. The Packers lost. They lost a game they should have/could have won. A 2-1 record would have been a lot better than 1-2 going into the bye. Vince Lombardi WOULD NEVER accept your "injuries" excuse for losing. He would have slapped you silly if you told him a testament to a "solid organization" was not "being blown out".

Now, how was that for an unbraiding????

[Cleft Crusty]

You seem perfectly content with style over substance. I'm not.

I'm not concerned about "how well they play even when half the team is missing due to injury". You are using injuries an excuse as to why this team loses or worse, as an excuse to lose.
The fact that the Packers are rarely blown out is not a "testament to a solid organization". The testament of a "solid organization" (which should read a "great organization" is measured by Super Bowl Championships. I expect this team to win Championships. With Rodgers turning 30, their window to do so is four, maybe five years.

I don't care if Matthews had a "Hall of Fame" first half or if Shields was "spectacular" except for one bad play etc. The Packers lost. They lost a game they should have/could have won. A 2-1 record would have been a lot better than 1-2 going into the bye. Vince Lombardi WOULD NEVER accept your "injuries" excuse for losing. He would have slapped you silly if you told him a testament to a "solid organization" was not "being blown out".

Now, how was that for an unbraiding????

I could care less if the Packers win or lose, except that when they lose I have more fun with crazy people, trolls, etc. It's delicious to counter spoiled fans who expect wins every week and decompensate when they lose. Lombardi had to deal with injuries and guys losing time due to gambling etc. etc. It's part of the game. It's not an excuse, it's reality. Lombardi certainly wouldn't run his guys down for playing their hearts out (except for individuals, if they needed it; Lombardi tailored his teaching to the natures of the various players). McCarthy also clearly doesn't use injuries as an excuse - he expects the next guy to come in and play well; so does Thompson - perhaps it is that very attitude that results in a rookie like Franklin coming in and having a big half, even though he's never played a down in the NFL. But go ahead and make the fumble the sole source of your analysis, but know that the Packers organization will never do that.

A dispassionate, rational evaluation of the game shows that the Packers were the better team, but lost due to injuries and a critical rookie mistake at an inopportune time.

[red]

cleft, what do you make of the sideline spat between a-rod and fat mike. everyone seems to think it was nothing and the camera showed them being all buddy buddy afterwards

but for me, where there's smoke there's fire. for a-rod to blow up like that means he doesn't like something, and he hasn't liked it for awhile

reason to be concerned?

[George Cumby]

A dispassionate, rational evaluation of the game.

Cleft, excuse my ignorance, but in fan-speak, does this not translate into "Homerism?"

Just curious.

[Cleft Crusty]

cleft, what do you make of the sideline spat between a-rod and fat mike. everyone seems to think it was nothing and the camera showed them being all buddy buddy afterwards

but for me, where there's smoke there's fire. for a-rod to blow up like that means he doesn't like something, and he hasn't liked it for awhile

reason to be concerned?

This is just a guess, but I'm betting Rodgers wasn't getting the ball out fast enough for McCarthy. Rodgers left a couple of pretty big plays on the field waiting. Ironic though how later the quick toss ultimately ruined them with all the batted balls.

I also wonder if Rodgers wasn't losing confidence due to the wind. It seemed swirly, but no one else seems to be mentioning this. The swirly wind might just have been Cleft Crusty gas; probably need to take more Di-Gel and cut down on the metamucil.

[pbmax]

Don't think Rodgers liked the run calls near the end zone was my first reaction and then didn't like the pass play that followed. Could also be Ross in backfield rather than Franklin. Just guesses though.

More concerned with another QB helmet hit and then terrible QB play after it. Though it got better the longer the game went.

[Cleft Crusty]

Don't think Rodgers liked the run calls near the end zone was my first reaction and then didn't like the pass play that followed. Could also be Ross in backfield rather than Franklin. Just guesses though.

More concerned with another QB helmet hit and then terrible QB play after it. Though it got better the longer the game went.

That sounds ominous, but it has a strong ring of truth to it. That pass play to Ross looked bad from the start. It did look as though Rodgers could have completed it with a reasonable chance for a TD - and he avoids the head shot.

[pbmax]

That sounds ominous, but it has a strong ring of truth to it. That pass play to Ross looked bad from the start. It did look as though Rodgers could have completed it with a reasonable chance for a TD - and he avoids the head shot.

He wasn't clear for the TD, but he was open (just not ignored as they may have expected). Rodgers should have tossed it to him I think.

[mmmdk]

I could care less if the Packers win or lose, except that when they lose I have more fun with crazy people, trolls, etc. It's delicious to counter spoiled fans who expect wins every week and decompensate when they lose.

I'd say you're going to post a lot this season then and hence troll PR with your pseudo Packer knowledge and glee.

[Joemailman]

For what it's worth (probably not much), Matthews doesn't think he'll miss any time. http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/Game-notes-Clay-Matthews-says-his-hamstring-will-be-fine/43c33c75-3cdf-47d8-9744-86926887b5fd


“I’ll be good,” Matthews said regarding his injury. “I think today was more of a preventive measure than anything. I felt like I could go out there, but we have to be smart with this, especially going into the bye week. I don’t see myself missing any time.

[swede]

“I’ll be good,” Matthews said regarding his injury. “I think today was more of a preventive measure than anything. I felt like I could go out there, but we have to be smart with this, especially going into the bye week. I don’t see myself missing any time.

Rub a couple of blondes on it and see me in two weeks.

[Pugger]

It depends on what you based your prediction, and who considered it far-fetched. If you based your prediction on the Packers losing all their running backs to injuries by the third game, or having half their team out with concussion or hammy injuries (including their top defensive player), then you should get a consulting job with Miss Cleo or John Edward. If you were just basing it on pointless negativism, you should be proud of your role as internet troll.

Packers are headed in a great direction. Despite a sub-par performance from Rodgers, and a lot of bad injuries, they whipped the Bengals on their home field, amassing nearly 200 yards rushing. They are capable of beating the tar out of any team, but they have to be healthy to do it.

:bclap:

[hoosier]

It depends on what you based your prediction, and who considered it far-fetched. If you based your prediction on the Packers losing all their running backs to injuries by the third game, or having half their team out with concussion or hammy injuries (including their top defensive player), then you should get a consulting job with Miss Cleo or John Edward. If you were just basing it on pointless negativism, you should be proud of your role as internet troll.

Packers are headed in a great direction. Despite a sub-par performance from Rodgers, and a lot of bad injuries, they whipped the Bengals on their home field, amassing nearly 200 yards rushing. They are capable of beating the tar out of any team, but they have to be healthy to do it.

When I got home from work on Friday the first thing out of my first-grader's mouth was "Did people used to eat tar?" I asked him what prompted that idea but, before he could answer, the phone rang and the conversation thread got lost. I am now wondering if he drew that impression from hearing some such idiom on the playground.

[MadScientist]

So are the Packers a good team with close losses to a top NFC and AFC team, or are they a team that only managed to beat one of the worst teams in the league while losing to a sloppy Bengals team that gift wrapped 4 TO's deep in their own territory, and an overrated 49'ers team that has gained fewer yards in two games than the Packers let them have in one?

[denverYooper]

So are the Packers a good team with close losses to a top NFC and AFC team, or are they a team that only managed to beat one of the worst teams in the league while losing to a sloppy Bengals team that gift wrapped 4 TO's deep in their own territory, and an overrated 49'ers team that has gained fewer yards in two games than the Packers let them have in one?

Yes.

[mraynrand]

So are the Packers a good team with close losses to a top NFC and AFC team, or are they a team that only managed to beat one of the worst teams in the league while losing to a sloppy Bengals team that gift wrapped 4 TO's deep in their own territory, and an overrated 49'ers team that has gained fewer yards in two games than the Packers let them have in one?

The ironic thing about the 49ers game is that, because the Packers played them in the opener, the Packers essentially game-planned for and were playing against the team that beat them in the Divisional game, not the team that was lined up across from them. The Packers were so paranoid about giving up 200 yards to Kaepernick in the RO, that they essentially played off in the pass game. The Packers probably would have been more successful against the Niners had they played them deeper into the season and could figure out what this year's Niners team was capable of doing.