The Official First Game Of The Season Thread

[Guiness]

Ok, I'm like 10 000 miles from home (literally!) and don't have a copy of this 'game'. Much as I'm cringing, I'd like to see it.

Who got it taped? Wist, anyone else? I'd like to exercise my fair use rights. Can I get a copy anyone? - drop me a pm.

Tx

[Fosco33]

Ok, I haven't got a chance to review my TiVO yet or read through this thread - but two quick questions. Wilhem's sack on Favre in the first quarter appeared to be illegal (new definition of tackling by the collar includes the top of the jersey). At least that's how it looked from my vantage point. 2nd - how bad is Underwood hurt? It looked bad.

I'll watch the game again and read this thread Sunday.

[FritzDontBlitz]

hopefully someone will post a few clips to youtube for the benefit of us less fortunate folk....

[Fosco33]

hopefully someone will post a few clips to youtube for the benefit of us less fortunate folk....

If there's a way to download the game from my TiVO to my PC and my PC to a site (like youtube), let me know.

[BananaMan]

Yeah, as I was watching the game I was just disgusted. But after re-watching it when NFLN reran it, it really wasn't THAT bad.

Also, a key thing: The Packers second string defense was in when Michael Turner scored that TD (with Rivers still in).

If the defense cleans a few things up they'll be ok.

The offense, well, we need to get a running game before we do anything else. Rodgers did look pretty good though.

Overall, it wasn't as horrible as it looked, but it's quite obvious that they still have some work to do. It was only the first preseason game, so we're still allowed to have some hope for the season.

Also, does the coaching staff dislike Gado that much? I thought he would have started for sure.

[GBRulz]

Sure, there is alot to improve on and it's the first pre-season game. I guess I don't make a big deal about anything at this point. Now, come next weeks game and there are not improvements made, then I will start to worry.

This is exactly what the pre-season is for....

The highlight though....watching how much Arod has improved. It was a great start for him last night!

[Fosco33]

Ok, so I'm rewatching the game right now after watching it from the nose bleeds at Qualcomm...

On Favre's sacks, the Oline held up reasonably well.

1. Davenpoop missed a key block vs. Cooper (he made a poor attempt to push from behind and went out for a pass). Colledge didn't block well on the play, but if Pooper would've picked up the blitzing LBer, Brett would've had a second or two more to work with.

2. Packers just came from a timeout (after Brett got sacked). They went with 3-Wideout set (loaded to the right) and had plenty of time to recognize the Chargers were coming on a blitz (3 down lineman, 1 LBer on each end and loaded to their left with Wilhelm (Packers right). Chargers LOLB dropped into coverage- Wilhelm (ROLB) came on a blitz. Packers line played the pass with the Franks going en route and Pooper staying back to block (he picked up his man but was toppled by line pressure). Tauscher made a poor attempt to pick up Wilhelm on the blitz. It was enough time for Brett to make two checks (he could have hit the quick slant but wanted more - as he was in 2nd and 20 situation).



Packers went for three straight runs w/ Pooper and had to punt. I only mention this play b/c Sproles was injured on the return (go twisted up and bounced his head on the ground during the play). I went to grab some beer (damn expensive in SD ($7.50 for a Miller Lite).and overheard on a security guard's radio that an ambulance was needed (which would take forever to get to the stadium's 'parking lot' designed for 18000 spots (for a stadium that holds roughly 60,000) - forcing fans (like me) to walk up and down a huge hill to find a parking spot in the neighboring hill community.

It's important to note here that many people will bash the 1st string Oline's first game giving up two sacks and lots of QB pressure. Rivers was sacked twice in one series early in the 2nd quarter - who knows if you'll hear how weak their line was...

[Bretsky]

Banana,

Gado has had a difficult time in practice reading the holes with the new zone blocking scheme. He had the same problems in college when his team used the same blocking scheme.

B

[BananaMan]

Yeah I had heard about that, but he looked good during Family Night.

And after Davenport's bad start, I would have thought they'd give him some plays with the #1 sooner.

[MJZiggy]

Also, does the coaching staff dislike Gado that much? I thought he would have started for sure.

I thought Gado was #2 on the depth chart, I do know that he tweaked a groin muscle somewhere in the 1st half. I noticed him limping a bit after a play and then he showed up on the halftime injury graphic. I just watched the game this morning and haven't been willing yet to look at the news and stats.

My impressions are also that the game was not as bad as it seemed. Did we really expect an o-line made up of rookies and people who were moving around to handle what they kept calling the "best front 7 in the NFL?" It's their first effort together. Next week we look for some improvement with them.

No one dropped the ball in punt/K coverage and there were flashes of return ability there.

AJ was around the ball all night. As he gets used to the NFL, he will be a force for opposing teams to worry about. I hope we can all stop fretting now.

Aaron did look good.

Even though Jennings had a drop or two, he did look VERY good for a rookie in his first game.

Some of the young corners looked better than some of the vet corners (though admittedly they weren't covering 1st string receivers either.)

We had one turnover late in the game, but BF had none at all and we came damn close to not having any.

The coach won both challenges--an example of good decisionmaking, and speaking of good decisionmaking, we got the onside kick. I think though, in the redzone I'd have gone for 3 just to get the points up, but at least M3 had the cajones to take a chance there. No more uberconservatism when there's something to be gained from the risk.

Anyway, the defense was still more porous than I'd like to see and the o-line needs to come together which will take time, but it really wasn't THAT horrible.

byw, BALLHAWK!!!!HOW ARE YOU FEELING THIS MORNING!!!

[HarveyWallbangers]

Gado looked better than Da Poop. Da Poop looked horrendous. My RB depth chart right now would be:

Green, Gado, Herron, Davenport

[GrnBay007]

LOL @ Da Poop

[woodbuck27]

Thanks MJ for that analysis. Let's re-group for game #2 of pre-season.

T2 and M3 have to get it done the best they can. Patience.

GO PACKERS ! FAITH Packer fans.

[gbgary]

last night was the first time i'd really had a chance to see rodgers for an extended time...he didn't look bad at all. surrounded with first-teamers he'll probably be pretty damn good.

[woodbuck27]

last night was the first time i'd really had to see rodgers for an extended time...he didn't look bad at all. surrounded with first-teamers he'll probably be pretty damn good.

Aaron Rodgers had his best game as a packer last night from all i know.

Great for him.

Pick it up for another tough team.The Atlanta Falcons have high hopes this season. This is another good team and a real test again.

GO PACKERS ! FAITH !!