TOP HAT
08-29-2006, 04:37 AM
Chris Havel column: Bengals exploit Packers' many weaknesses Packer News.com
If total humiliation is a source of motivation, the Green Bay Packers should be motivated into the foreseeable future.
In the Packers' worst performance during coach Mike McCarthy's brief tenure, the positives can be counted on one hand, minus the thumb.
Dave Rayner converted a 30-yard field goal and showed good distance on kickoffs.
Cullen Jenkins' hustle at defensive tackle locked up a roster spot, and it might have thrust him into a more expanded role.
Fullback Vonta Leach actually caught a pass out of the backfield.
The referee mercifully stopped the debacle due to inclement weather, with the Cincinnati Bengals trashing the Packers 41-10 with 9 minutes, 9 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Just the Packers' luck: The bad weather cleared, and the game was completed.
While the lightning above Paul Brown Stadium created a dangerous situation, the Packers were a danger only to themselves on Monday night at Cincinnati.
The first 3½ quarters of Green Bay's third preseason game bore an unsightly resemblance to all too many of the Packers' 12 losses last season.
When Brett Favre wasn't fumbling the football he was forcing it. His interception broke McCarthy's cardinal rule because he threw it late and down the middle. That point of emphasis apparently needs to be re-emphasized.
It also is clear that Favre and the offense can't function when faced with a steady diet of third-and-long situations. Favre can't make plays like he once did, the offensive line can't buy him time like it used to, and the running game is finding its legs.
Somewhere during the first-half touchdown flurry, the Bengals exposed and exploited the Packers' glaring weaknesses. The offense can't run the ball and the defense can't mount a pass rush.
At the start of training camp, Favre said: "The only way you can win is by rushing the ball and playing great defense."
The Packers did neither at Cincinnati.
Meantime, old problems flared up. There were too many turnovers on offense, too much confusion on defense and too many penalties.
The individual performances weren't too hot, either.
Najeh Davenport isn't going to cut it at running back. David Martin continued his career-long tendency to raise expectations only to drop the ball at the critical moment. Punter Jon Ryan scuffed his first punt 33 yards. And fine left tackle Chad Clifton, bless his soul, continued to false start for no reason.
Then there is the Packers' tackling, or lack thereof.
Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh made Packers cornerback Charles Woodson look like an undrafted free agent out of Whiff University. Houshmandzadeh and fellow receiver Tab Perry turned the Packers' defense inside out.
The Packers' run defense made Rudi Johnson work for his yardage, but the swarming slacked as the game droned on.
General Manager Ted Thompson has less than a week to identify 53 players worth keeping.
Oh, there was one other positive. After Chicago sees the tape of this game, I can't imagine how the Bears could take the Packers seriously in the Sept. 10 season opener.
If total humiliation is a source of motivation, the Green Bay Packers should be motivated into the foreseeable future.
In the Packers' worst performance during coach Mike McCarthy's brief tenure, the positives can be counted on one hand, minus the thumb.
Dave Rayner converted a 30-yard field goal and showed good distance on kickoffs.
Cullen Jenkins' hustle at defensive tackle locked up a roster spot, and it might have thrust him into a more expanded role.
Fullback Vonta Leach actually caught a pass out of the backfield.
The referee mercifully stopped the debacle due to inclement weather, with the Cincinnati Bengals trashing the Packers 41-10 with 9 minutes, 9 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Just the Packers' luck: The bad weather cleared, and the game was completed.
While the lightning above Paul Brown Stadium created a dangerous situation, the Packers were a danger only to themselves on Monday night at Cincinnati.
The first 3½ quarters of Green Bay's third preseason game bore an unsightly resemblance to all too many of the Packers' 12 losses last season.
When Brett Favre wasn't fumbling the football he was forcing it. His interception broke McCarthy's cardinal rule because he threw it late and down the middle. That point of emphasis apparently needs to be re-emphasized.
It also is clear that Favre and the offense can't function when faced with a steady diet of third-and-long situations. Favre can't make plays like he once did, the offensive line can't buy him time like it used to, and the running game is finding its legs.
Somewhere during the first-half touchdown flurry, the Bengals exposed and exploited the Packers' glaring weaknesses. The offense can't run the ball and the defense can't mount a pass rush.
At the start of training camp, Favre said: "The only way you can win is by rushing the ball and playing great defense."
The Packers did neither at Cincinnati.
Meantime, old problems flared up. There were too many turnovers on offense, too much confusion on defense and too many penalties.
The individual performances weren't too hot, either.
Najeh Davenport isn't going to cut it at running back. David Martin continued his career-long tendency to raise expectations only to drop the ball at the critical moment. Punter Jon Ryan scuffed his first punt 33 yards. And fine left tackle Chad Clifton, bless his soul, continued to false start for no reason.
Then there is the Packers' tackling, or lack thereof.
Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh made Packers cornerback Charles Woodson look like an undrafted free agent out of Whiff University. Houshmandzadeh and fellow receiver Tab Perry turned the Packers' defense inside out.
The Packers' run defense made Rudi Johnson work for his yardage, but the swarming slacked as the game droned on.
General Manager Ted Thompson has less than a week to identify 53 players worth keeping.
Oh, there was one other positive. After Chicago sees the tape of this game, I can't imagine how the Bears could take the Packers seriously in the Sept. 10 season opener.