Official Packers vs. 49ers Game Day Thread

[LEWCWA]

bs, sometimes ya gotta take the hit as a qb

[denverYooper]

bs, sometimes ya gotta take the hit as a qb

Looks like he got hit to me...

http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/0ap2000000060133/Niners-fourth-down-stand

[smuggler]

It was a beautiful pass, and Jordy almost had it. 4th and 10 and there's a free blitzer in your face? Get the ball out of there so at least your team has a chance. Good play by Rodgers, it just wasn't to be.

[pbmax]

bs, sometimes ya gotta take the hit as a qb

The better question is why was that guy a free rusher.

[rbaloha1]

It was a beautiful pass, and Jordy almost had it. 4th and 10 and there's a free blitzer in your face? Get the ball out of there so at least your team has a chance. Good play by Rodgers, it just wasn't to be.

Agree -- it was just a great play by Rodgers. Nelson had his hands on the ball but is was knocked away at the last moment.

Overall Nelson did not step-up.

[pbmax]

That's a little unfair. I recall way back in the '95 NFCC game that the Packer O-line gave up four straight sacks to end the game, because the team knew the game was over and the Cowboys didn't have to defend runs or short passes - send everyone on 5-7 step drops and you get instant sacks. Big Ben threw the unforced error and ended the game on the previous set of downs. The Steelers O-line was sorta OK for losing their LT and playing a rookie there. now back to your regular programming!

That's a fair point, they did not play as bad as one might have expected. However, in a close game where the Steeler new/old commitment to the run game was feasible, that same O line had not been exposed to the normal pass rush fury of Dumerville and Miller until the end.

[mraynrand]

That's a fair point, they did not play as bad as one might have expected. However, in a close game where the Steeler new/old commitment to the run game was feasible, that same O line had not been exposed to the normal pass rush fury of Dumerville and Miller until the end.

I thought those guys brought it pretty hard during the rest of the game. But the Steelers did run the ball, and ran it well it seemed. Also, Big Ben is unreal moving in the pocket. There is no doubt that he makes linemen look a hell of a lot better than they are. But I think we're both on the same page knowing you run out of charms when everyone knows you are passing the ball and have to pass deep.

[mraynrand]

The better question is why was that guy a free rusher.

yup. You wonder about Rodger's vision. He had some lapses. But note that the Packers went empty backfield all the way down the stretch - so there's no RB there to direct to the free guy. I would have liked to have had Green available for some draws. With a fast no-huddle, that play can really work to keep the D off balance, even when you are playing catch up.

[pbmax]

My question about the Offense has nothing to do with Rodgers manliness or other ridiculous assertions of panic or "ready to play".

Its why does a 2 deep shell with someone always over the top of Finley cause this offense to come to a grinding halt?

Is Rodgers just demurring and not revealing the D features that really gave them trouble? Aikman had a good point (that everyone was wailing about in the Game Day thread) that Rodgers, even if he had gotten his throw over Bowman, was leading Jennings to a decapitation (so much for Antonio Pierce's claim no one wanted to go over the middle) because the safety cheated out of what was a 2 deep zone and ran right to the middle of the field. Jennings saw him and that's why he stopped his route behind a linebacker.

If Jennings keeps running and Rodgers has another half second (an open question), Jennings clears the LB and the safety and its a TD down the right side of the field.

Forget dealing with press coverage. I think the Packers O can't defeat a zone coverage when they don't expect it.

As for going deep, just like the Giants game, there were two plays there for the taking. Jones had a half step on the CB and a lot of room to his left before the sideline. A wider or slightly deeper ball is a completion either for the touchdown or goal to go.

Nelson on 3rd and one beat his CB and the deep safety, but the ball was off target again. I have no problem with them taking those shots because he can complete them. I have more trouble with finding open receivers in shorter spaces.

If it was the deep safeties and CBs locking down the outside, then Cobb and the other slot receiver (or Finley) should have been open all game.

[mraynrand]

Is Rodgers just demurring and not revealing the D features that really gave them trouble? Aikman had a good point (that everyone was wailing about in the Game Day thread) that Rodgers, even if he had gotten his throw over Bowman, was leading Jennings to a decapitation (so much for Antonio Pierce's claim no one wanted to go over the middle) because the safety cheated out of what was a 2 deep zone and ran right to the middle of the field. Jennings saw him and that's why he stopped his route behind a linebacker.

On that specific play, three defenders converged on Jennings. It's almost as though SF knows Jennings is the primary preferred target (imagine that!) and know it takes Rodgers extra time to come off him for someone else. Rodgers has to recognize that coverage and come off it right away.

[sharpe1027]

Of course there will be the typical Bush bashing, but Burnett and TWill both looked completely turned around/lost several times. I hear relatively few complaints about them. IMHO, people continue to judge Bush based upon his past play. He used to be a complete and utter mess out there, but he's gotten ALOT better. And yes, I understand I will probably get completely blasted for this post.

[mraynrand]

Of course there will be the typical Bush bashing, but Burnett and TWill both looked completely turned around/lost several times. I hear relatively few complaints about them. IMHO, people continue to judge Bush based upon his past play. He used to be a complete and utter mess out there, but he's gotten ALOT better. And yes, I understand I will probably get completely blasted for this post.

The secondary was generally awful. I thought the safeties were the worst - Burnett and Doc looked lost a lot.

On a scheme note, the 10 yard cushions and soft zones seem counter-productive.

As a counter balance, the Packers pretty much kept VD in check. I'd have to look at film to see whether keying on him opened everything else up. Then Niners sure worked the soft underneath with an array of mismatches, though.

[Freak Out]

The Niners are one of the the most talented teams in the NFL, players, coaches you name it. They Dominated the Packers and were a couple of bad calls away from blowing them out at home. The GB D still sucks.....bad. Thankfully GB won't have to play them until the playoffs...if they make it.

[Freak Out]

Bush needs to shut his mouth and play some football.

[denverYooper]

Bush needs to shut his mouth and play some football.

Saw that earlier. It could be worse but that's not the first time that "they didn't beat us, we beat ourselves" line has come out. It seems to be part of their internal messaging. Someone should tell them that when they say it in public it just sounds whiny.