CaliforniaCheez
08-24-2007, 06:36 AM
Packers expose defensive cracks
Green Bay is able to pass at will against Jaguars' nickel coverage in first half.
By MICHAEL C. WRIGHT, The Times-Union
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Jaguars played most of the first half in the nickel defense during a 21-13 exhibition win Thursday over the Green Bay Packers.
Interestingly, the extra defensive back proved insufficient in stopping the pass.
The Jaguars' first-team defense allowed Packer streaks of seven and four consecutive completions in first-half scoring drives that exposed a potential weakness in the club's ability to defend the pass. The Jaguars gave up 194 passing yards in the opening half with Brett Favre carving up the club for 130 yards on 14-of-20 passing.
Aaron Rodgers connected on 5 of 7 for 71 yards and a 103.9 rating in his only first-half action, which came against the Jaguars' first-team defense.
"It was not a good first half," Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson said. "That is what the preseason is for. There are some things we didn't do well."
The Jaguars' vaunted defense finished second overall in 2006 (10th against the pass), but it didn't look the part against the Packers. On Green Bay's fourth drive, Favre completed seven consecutive passes with his first two going to Bubba Franks and Donald Lee for gains of 25 and 20 yards.
The Packers capped the drive with a field goal with 5:33 left in the second quarter after Rashean Mathis knocked away a pass intended for Donald Driver and Reggie Hayward tipping away a pass thrown to a wide-open James Jones on the next play.
"We let them move the ball on us toward the end of the half," Hayward said. "We started off strong, but we just need to start sealing the deal."
That's precisely what the Packers did on their next drive. With Rodgers at the helm, the Packers concentrated on the vulnerable middle of the mostly Cover 2 defense for Jacksonville. Rodgers hit Driver for a 12-yard gain before finding Jones for three consecutive completions of 23, 11 and 14 yards.
Jones caught six passes for 80 yards, which included at least two grabs in front of Mathis. Driver hauled in three balls for 27 yards. Green Bay also converted on 50 percent of its third downs.
"We just need to correct our mistakes and keep playing football," Peterson said.
Because beginning Sept. 9, the games really count.
michael.wright@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4657
Green Bay is able to pass at will against Jaguars' nickel coverage in first half.
By MICHAEL C. WRIGHT, The Times-Union
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Jaguars played most of the first half in the nickel defense during a 21-13 exhibition win Thursday over the Green Bay Packers.
Interestingly, the extra defensive back proved insufficient in stopping the pass.
The Jaguars' first-team defense allowed Packer streaks of seven and four consecutive completions in first-half scoring drives that exposed a potential weakness in the club's ability to defend the pass. The Jaguars gave up 194 passing yards in the opening half with Brett Favre carving up the club for 130 yards on 14-of-20 passing.
Aaron Rodgers connected on 5 of 7 for 71 yards and a 103.9 rating in his only first-half action, which came against the Jaguars' first-team defense.
"It was not a good first half," Jaguars linebacker Mike Peterson said. "That is what the preseason is for. There are some things we didn't do well."
The Jaguars' vaunted defense finished second overall in 2006 (10th against the pass), but it didn't look the part against the Packers. On Green Bay's fourth drive, Favre completed seven consecutive passes with his first two going to Bubba Franks and Donald Lee for gains of 25 and 20 yards.
The Packers capped the drive with a field goal with 5:33 left in the second quarter after Rashean Mathis knocked away a pass intended for Donald Driver and Reggie Hayward tipping away a pass thrown to a wide-open James Jones on the next play.
"We let them move the ball on us toward the end of the half," Hayward said. "We started off strong, but we just need to start sealing the deal."
That's precisely what the Packers did on their next drive. With Rodgers at the helm, the Packers concentrated on the vulnerable middle of the mostly Cover 2 defense for Jacksonville. Rodgers hit Driver for a 12-yard gain before finding Jones for three consecutive completions of 23, 11 and 14 yards.
Jones caught six passes for 80 yards, which included at least two grabs in front of Mathis. Driver hauled in three balls for 27 yards. Green Bay also converted on 50 percent of its third downs.
"We just need to correct our mistakes and keep playing football," Peterson said.
Because beginning Sept. 9, the games really count.
michael.wright@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4657