The Weak Link

[Radagast]

A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Thinking of the Packers as a chain, where in your opinion is the "weak" link?

My view at this point is that Martinez's partner at ILB may be GB's weak link. Preseason games do help to evaluate players, but if the decision on who will be the starter this season is just between Bolton. Summers, Sheldon or Crawford, then GB will be starting the best 2nd team ILB. IMO, none are 1st team quality LB's. Bolton may be leading this race, but at best he is still a 2nd team LB.

LaFleur and Gute may already realise this and are patiently looking for a 1st team quality LB to either become available or perhaps they are looking for a way to trade another team for one.


:pack:

[RashanGary]

You can coach around it by having less 2 ILB lineups. But yeah, that’s probably the weak link if you’re dead set determined to force 2ILBs on the field.

[Radagast]

You can coach around it by having less 2 ILB lineups. But yeah, that’s probably the weak link if you’re dead set determined to force 2ILBs on the field.

Force? 7 in the box is a normal defensive set. Also teams will quickly take advantage of a team with a weakness at ILB.

I don't know who GB may have an eye on to hire or if Fackrell could play the inside position, but you can well believe that LaFleur is fully aware of it. Don't be surprised if a trade takes place.

[RashanGary]

Yeah, force. This is football. Teams have been adapting to their best personnel as long as I’ve been around. To your point tho, there probably are some size/run dominant teams that will be bad matchups.

[Radagast]

Yeah, force. This is football. Teams have been adapting to their best personnel as long as I’ve been around. To your point tho, there probably are some size/run dominant teams that will be bad matchups.

GB was counting on having both Martinez and Burks at ILB this season. With Burks down, the ILB "tryouts" have been ongoing. Bolton seems to be the best among the others but he's still at best a 2nd team LB. Practice is a fine thing as are preseason scrimmages, but in real regular season games are not far off and those teams will be playing for blood with their best personnel.

[texaspackerbacker]

I would suggest that Offensive Line is clearly the weak link.

Martinez is more than decent at ILB, and most of the time, he will be the only ILB on the field. Bolton and to a lesser extent Summers have looked pretty decent too. Combining that with use of 3 or 4 OLBs in most situations, and we will be fine there.

O Line, on the other hand, is a long standing sore spot. Bakhtiari and Linsley are decent, but beyond that, mediocre is the best way to describe the better ones. We can't block for that running game that some crave; We can't adequately protect the passer either, but fortunately, we have mobility at QB that makes decent pass blocking a lot less of a necessity.

It says a lot that about the overall quality of the team that we don't really have any more obvious weak links than these two.

[bobblehead]

The weak link on this team is definitely running back. the two decent ones can't stay healthy and there isn't much behind them.

[mraynrand]

Force? 7 in the box is a normal defensive set.

nickel is base

[Bretsky]

Perhaps the Head Coach ?

[RashanGary]

nickel is base

If one was pressed to come up with three words to explain adapting in this situation, this would be it. Adding on, we have:

Clark
Z
Lowry
Adams
Gary
Lancaster
And
Keke

That’s seven guys who can play DL. We also have Preston and Fackrell who should get some OLB snaps. So clearly a 3-3 alignment with one inside linebacker is a better nickel fit for us than 2-4. And back to nickel is base, teams only run 20% traditional base defense so our coaches might be retarded if they keep finding ways to amplify our weaknesses.

In summary, coaches adapt and adjust to the players they have. And in the case of the 2019 Packers I don’t think we’re gonna see much of that 2nd linebacker.

If we had two Probowl tight ends, we’d probably see more two tight end sets too, no matter who the coach was. If they don’t, again, they’re retarded. Adjust to what you have. Football 101

[texaspackerbacker]

3-3-5 or 2-4-5? How about we call it what it is - a 1-5-5 in passing situations?

Clark

P. Smith, Gary, Martinez, Z. Smith, Fackrell

Alexander, T. Williams (or Jackson), Amos, Savage, King (or Brown)

[RashanGary]

3-3-5 or 2-4-5? How about we call it what it is - a 1-5-5 in passing situations?

Clark

P. Smith, Gary, Martinez, Z. Smith, Fackrell

Alexander, T. Williams (or Jackson), Amos, Savage, King (or Brown)

Good chance we see that too. Lots of creative ways to get the best 11 on the field and rotate big guys.

[RashanGary]

3-3-5 or 2-4-5? How about we call it what it is - a 1-5-5 in passing situations?

Clark

P. Smith, Gary, Martinez, Z. Smith, Fackrell

Alexander, T. Williams (or Jackson), Amos, Savage, King (or Brown)

It’s still kinda 3-3. Z and Gary are gonna rush most of the time. Martinez is a good blitzer too and Fackrell and Preston can cover. So you never know who that 4th guy gonna be. The first three are kinda locked tho.

It’s a good group cuz if you do rush 5, all of them are capable of winning. It’s rare to have 5 of those guys on one team.

[pbmax]

The weak link on this team is definitely running back. the two decent ones can't stay healthy and there isn't much behind them.

I think I agree with this. As certain as Kevin King not dressing for 3 games, both these guys are not going to play each game.

[pbmax]

Perhaps the Head Coach ?

Let's save this panic for Wek 6 or beyond. We are going to need new content at some point.

[mraynrand]

I think I agree with this. As certain as Kevin King not dressing for 3 games, both these guys are not going to play each game.

They should have put King on IR before the start of free agency. At least it would have made them face reality when they had more opportunity to do something about it.

[Radagast]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YEX_00K4GA/Th-1RMasHaI/AAAAAAAADbU/pZ9JZzvMfnQ/s1600/weakestlink.jpg


Where's GBs weak link?

So far the finger has pointed at the Offensive Line, ILB, RB, and the coach?

What no complaints about the pass rushers or the backup QBs or the Strong Safety position?

We would all agree on who GB's best player is. Aaron Rodgers wins hands down. That said, who is the next most valuable player on GB's roster? My choice is Defensive team Captain Blake Martinez (ILB). He is GB's on field defensive general and I believe the most productive defender.

The weak link is the position that opposing teams target for yards and scoring. Martinez is GB's only 1st team ILB. The rest at best are good 2nd team ILBs. Look for a 1st team ILB to arrive soon. By trade or by free agency or by some other means, but the ILB weakness must be addressed.



:pack:

[texaspackerbacker]

With the huge investment in $ and #1 pick, pass rushing damn well better not be a weakness. Back up QB might be, but you could just as well argue that isn't even a link in the chain. The way the Packers play D, there's hardly a distinction between free and strong Safety. Regardless, we seem pretty good there.

Based on last season, I guess I'd have to agree with you about Martinez. However, if he is the second most valuable this year, it means a lot of high priced/high expectation talent on both sides of the ball are disappointments.

No, we basically don't need to address ILB with help no currently on the team.

[mraynrand]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YEX_00K4GA/Th-1RMasHaI/AAAAAAAADbU/pZ9JZzvMfnQ/s1600/weakestlink.jpg


Where's GBs weak link?

So far the finger has pointed at the Offensive Line, ILB, RB, and the coach?

What no complaints about the pass rushers or the backup QBs or the Strong Safety position?

We would all agree on who GB's best player is. Aaron Rodgers wins hands down. That said, who is the next most valuable player on GB's roster? My choice is Defensive team Captain Blake Martinez (ILB). He is GB's on field defensive general and I believe the most productive defender.

The weak link is the position that opposing teams target for yards and scoring. Martinez is GB's only 1st team ILB. The rest at best are good 2nd team ILBs. Look for a 1st team ILB to arrive soon. By trade or by free agency or by some other means, but the ILB weakness must be addressed.



:pack:


The position you covet, that speedy ILB who would tuck in nice next to Martinez, can cover/pursue RBs and TEs, rush the passer, be a able to shed the blocks of O-linemen, and maybe even cover a slot receiver is a weak link around the NFL. Everyone wants that guy, but there aren't a whole lot of guys that fit the bill.

[Rutnstrut]

IMO you have to say the weakest link is where they have the least depth. Wouldn't that be QB? If Rodgers goes out for any significant length of time, the season is over. They don't even have a mediocre #2 QB.

[RashanGary]

Responding to radagast and rutnstrut....

Losing Rodgers would hurt. Martinez not as much but damn, he’s our dude in there. Our only dude. The inside guys need to be experienced and smart. Martinez, Tramon (slot), Amos (SS) and Greene (dime/big nickel) those guys have overlapping zones and need to count on each other to be in their run gaps. Martinez is the guy who puts it all together in there and he’s our only ready to play ILB. If healthy, those are good, experienced, talented and smart players. I think they’re going to shock people with how sound and tough and impactful they are running around playing aggressive, sound football. But if Martinez goes down and a guy who’s not ready is thrown in, that changes the chemistry of the whole group. That will hurt. Bad. The group dynamic is in addition to Martinez being a playmaking individual talent and our only real ILB. So let’s hope for Martinez health. I don’t think we can win a SB without him.

Without Rodgers not only do we lose SB hopes, but playoff hopes.

[RashanGary]

Players, if lost, hurt us the most:

Rodgers
Martinez
Aaron Jones
D Adams
Bakh
Clark

After those guys, I think we’d find a way. Aaron Jones is definitely more important now than ever in the past. This offense NEEDS a run game to truly be dynamic and unpredictable.

Martinez and Jones are only 2 and 3 because there is no one behind them and the positional importance to their respective schemes.

[SudsMcBucky]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8YEX_00K4GA/Th-1RMasHaI/AAAAAAAADbU/pZ9JZzvMfnQ/s1600/weakestlink.jpg


Where's GBs weak link?

So far the finger has pointed at the Offensive Line, ILB, RB, and the coach?

What no complaints about the pass rushers or the backup QBs or the Strong Safety position?

We would all agree on who GB's best player is. Aaron Rodgers wins hands down. That said, who is the next most valuable player on GB's roster? My choice is Defensive team Captain Blake Martinez (ILB). He is GB's on field defensive general and I believe the most productive defender.

The weak link is the position that opposing teams target for yards and scoring. Martinez is GB's only 1st team ILB. The rest at best are good 2nd team ILBs. Look for a 1st team ILB to arrive soon. By trade or by free agency or by some other means, but the ILB weakness must be addressed.



:pack:

I would vote that beer guzzlin' god of a LT as our 2nd most valuable. Need him to keep AR out of further injury risk.

[mraynrand]

I would vote that beer guzzlin' god of a LT as our 2nd most valuable. Need him to keep AR out of further injury risk.

good call

[Rutnstrut]

Responding to radagast and rutnstrut....

Losing Rodgers would hurt. Martinez not as much but damn, he’s our dude in there. Our only dude. The inside guys need to be experienced and smart. Martinez, Tramon (slot), Amos (SS) and Greene (dime/big nickel) those guys have overlapping zones and need to count on each other to be in their run gaps. Martinez is the guy who puts it all together in there and he’s our only ready to play ILB. If healthy, those are good, experienced, talented and smart players. I think they’re going to shock people with how sound and tough and impactful they are running around playing aggressive, sound football. But if Martinez goes down and a guy who’s not ready is thrown in, that changes the chemistry of the whole group. That will hurt. Bad. The group dynamic is in addition to Martinez being a playmaking individual talent and our only real ILB. So let’s hope for Martinez health. I don’t think we can win a SB without him.

Without Rodgers not only do we lose SB hopes, but playoff hopes.



That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the great response.

[Bretsky]

Players, if lost, hurt us the most:

Rodgers
Martinez
Aaron Jones
D Adams
Bakh
Clark

After those guys, I think we’d find a way. Aaron Jones is definitely more important now than ever in the past. This offense NEEDS a run game to truly be dynamic and unpredictable.

Martinez and Jones are only 2 and 3 because there is no one behind them and the positional importance to their respective schemes.



I think I'd put Adams at 2 or 3

[Anti-Polar Bear]

WR is clearly the weakest link. Wankers getting open against scrubs and Milli Vanilli schemes in the preseason ain’t the same as wankers getting open against shutdown corners and Wu-Tang schemes in the regular season.

The Packers have Adams and a bunch of wankers. If you hold the #1 overall pick in your fantasy draft, go ahead, take Adams. Dude’s gonna see a million rocks this season.

Unfortunately, the WR unit will be the reason the Pack won’t win the SB this season. At least there’s solace in our beloved Pack not having to visit that fishmonger in District of Columbia.

Shoulda drafted DK Metcalf.

[RashanGary]

WR is clearly the weakest link. Wankers getting open against scrubs and Milli Vanilli schemes in the preseason ain’t the same as wankers getting open against shutdown corners and Wu-Tang schemes in the regular season.

The Packers have Adams and a bunch of wankers. If you hold the #1 overall pick in your fantasy draft, go ahead, take Adams. Dude’s gonna see a million rocks this season.

Unfortunately, the WR unit will be the reason the Pack won’t win the SB this season. At least there’s solace in our beloved Pack not having to visit that fishmonger in District of Columbia.

Shoulda drafted DK Metcalf.

You were giving sloppy gay porn blowjobs to MVS last year. What did he do to hurt your feelings?

[Anti-Polar Bear]

You were giving sloppy gay porn blowjobs to MVS last year. What did he do to hurt your feelings?

He ain't DK Metcalf. MVS looks like a carbon copy of, gasps, Charles Johnson.

[pbmax]

He ain't DK Metcalf. MVS looks like a carbon copy of, gasps, Charles Johnson.

No. Johnson didn't have those wheels.

[Upnorth]

1) Rodgers
2) Adams
3) Bakh
4) Clark
5) CB #1

[Anti-Polar Bear]

No. Johnson didn't have those wheels.

Wheels? Is that French for speed? Johnson ran 4.39, MVS: 4.37.

We never got the chance to see what Johnson could do in the Green and Gold, thanks to the incompetence of the Todd administration. Shoulda IRed the guy instead of dumping him on the practice squad for the Browns to pick up. I think Johnson had a knee injury that Todd failed to detect. Johnson went on to produce a so-so season with the Queens, kinda like MVSs rookie season.

[RashanGary]

kinda like MVSs rookie season.

Johnsons best season was like MVSs rookie season

[Zool]

He ain't DK Metcalf. MVS looks like a carbon copy of, gasps, Charles Johnson.

You really don't know what you're talking about ever, do you?

[mraynrand]

You really don't know what you're talking about ever, do you?

APB watches a lot of porn. He's always gonna overestimate his Johnsons.

[pbmax]

Wheels? Is that French for speed? Johnson ran 4.39, MVS: 4.37.

We never got the chance to see what Johnson could do in the Green and Gold, thanks to the incompetence of the Todd administration. Shoulda IRed the guy instead of dumping him on the practice squad for the Browns to pick up. I think Johnson had a knee injury that Todd failed to detect. Johnson went on to produce a so-so season with the Queens, kinda like MVSs rookie season.

I remember being mad Johnson was let go but I don’t remember his deep speed.

[Bretsky]

APB watches a lot of porn. He's always gonna overestimate his Johnsons.


Is there something WRONG with watching a lot of porn ?

[ThunderDan]

He ain't DK Metcalf. MVS looks like a carbon copy of, gasps, Charles Johnson.

DK having his first knee procedure. Apparently didn’t come back to bad. Rehabbing and hoping to play this week.

[Zool]

APB watches a lot of porn. He's always gonna overestimate his Johnsons.

I exhaled through my nose quickly at this one.

[Cheesehead Craig]

DK having his first knee procedure. Apparently didn’t come back to bad. Rehabbing and hoping to play this week.

The injuries continue for this guy. Likely won't be playing for a few weeks.

[gbgary]

i'd saaaaaay...up the middle, run-wise, on the D perhaps. the daniels/burks loses. they're weaker there than last year. every other dept is the same or better.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Is there something WRONG with watching a lot of porn ?

Everything.

As someone with 12 external hard drive discs full of aphrodisiacal vids, I live alone in a crappy apartment, haven’t gotten laid since Super Bowl 32, and flip burgers for the minimum wage.

However, an argument could be made aiming the blame for my wretched existence at the status quo, instead of aphrodisiac addiction.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

The injuries continue for this guy. Likely won't be playing for a few weeks.

Carroll thinks Metcalf will be ready for battle by week 1. But if Metcalf lands on the IR (designate to return), that’s proof that Schneider is indeed conspiring to get Carroll terminated in favor of McCarthy.

The Packers are notorious for drafting injury prone college players, so what’s the big deal with Metcalf’s history? Alexander missed a tons of games his last season at Louisville, and he still got drafted by the German Shepherd.

[mraynrand]

Everything.

As someone with 12 external hard drive discs full of aphrodisiacal vids, I live alone in a crappy apartment, haven’t gotten laid since Super Bowl 32, and flip burgers for the minimum wage.

However, an argument could be made aiming the blame for my wretched existence at the status quo, instead of aphrodisiac addiction.

Maybe try:

https://www.farmersonly.com/?sigred=3b01b96139e09a710e8f3c8b9064743ba50adfe4

Ewe might find someone there to yak with.

[Radagast]

i'd saaaaaay...up the middle, run-wise, on the D perhaps. the daniels/burks loses. they're weaker there than last year. every other dept is the same or better.

I too am concerned about the Lowery/Clark/Adams DL. I'm hoping to see them play more together before the reg. season starts.

As for the ILB position, IMO it is GB's weak link and will not be addressed by 2nd team talent.

[mraynrand]

i'd saaaaaay...up the middle, run-wise, on the D perhaps. the daniels/burks loses. they're weaker there than last year. every other dept is the same or better.

Daniels wasn't really much for playing the run at the end of his time in GB.


Also, there seems to have been a sea change in the NFL re: preseason. Other than guys on the bubble, everyone else seems to be doing al they can to not put themselves at risk. Appears more marked than previous years. I hope the trend continues until they cancel at least 2 preseason games.