Official Packers @ Sanfrancisco Divisional Playoff Round 2012

[call_me_ishmael]

So, how do you guys think the Packers should attack San Fran? How often do they blitz? Seems to me that the key to their pass D is Aldon Smith. I think it might be wise to chip him play after play.

I've read that their 3rd and 4th corners are very good. I'm thinking an attack that could work could be three wide receivers and two TEs, with Finley and Cobb in the slots on opposite sides of the field, and having Crabtree stay in to block Smith and stay near the line of scrimmage to bail ARod out if necessary. I don't know if they'd be able to cover Finley with a corner from the slot position.

[ThunderDan]

So, how do you guys think the Packers should attack San Fran? How often do they blitz? Seems to me that the key to their pass D is Aldon Smith. I think it might be wise to chip him play after play.

I've read that their 3rd and 4th corners are very good. I'm thinking an attack that could work could be three wide receivers and two TEs, with Finley and Cobb in the slots on opposite sides of the field, and having Crabtree stay in to block Smith and stay near the line of scrimmage to bail ARod out if necessary. I don't know if they'd be able to cover Finley with a corner from the slot position.

I like it but LOTT says we only run when Crabtree is in the game!

I think the Pack needs to go 4 and 5 WR sets to get one of the two stud LBs off of the field.

[pbmax]

Dont get me started on the fucking kickers.

Can't tease us like that. Let's hear it.

[pbmax]

I like it but LOTT says we only run when Crabtree is in the game!

I think the Pack needs to go 4 and 5 WR sets to get one of the two stud LBs off of the field.

Could depend on San Fran. Someone noted that Wills and Bowman did not spend a lot of time on the field together in the first game. 9ers spent a lot of time in nickel.

If they reprise that approach, Packers will be tempted to run, run, run.

[JohnMexico]

I almost wanna say that we attack Justin Smith. Because if you kill him in his meager state, you kill Aldon.

As for the kickers its crabs versus the clap. Akers is a much worse kicker at home (which 49ers kicker isnt) and the Freemason just may have had it with taking our shit. Hopefully he is ready to start taking shits on his own.

[pbmax]

I almost wanna say that we attack Justin Smith. Because if you kill him in his meager state, you kill Aldon.

As for the kickers its crabs versus the clap. Akers is a much worse kicker at home (which 49ers kicker isnt) and the Freemason just may have had it with taking our shit. Hopefully he is ready to start taking shits on his own.

Yeah, but he and Lang have dueling arm injuries. Smith lost game time, but from some performances, it seems Lang has been affected by the injury as well.

[denverYooper]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/52113/blogger-blitz-don-barclays-big-task

The development of the Green Bay Packers' running game, and their consistent commitment to it, has been one of the stories of their season. Some of the credit has gone to an offensive line that settled down when coaches decided on rookie Don Barclay as the replacement for injured right tackle Bryan Bulaga, which then allowed T.J. Lang to move back to left guard.

It's only fair to mention, however, that pressure on quarterback Aaron Rodgers has increased over roughly the same span. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rodgers was sacked or put under duress on 28.1 percent of dropbacks over the Packers' final seven regular season games. That was the fourth-highest rate among NFL teams over that span; Rodgers' duress rate was 20.1 in the previous nine games, the 12th-best in the league.

(ESPN defines "duress" as any time a quarterback is forced from the pocket, had his throwing motion altered or faced a defender with a clear path in his line of sight.)

That's why the relatively anonymous Barclay will play an important role in Saturday night's divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. Barclay figures to get at least a few matchups with 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, who brutalized another NFC North team -- the Chicago Bears -- for a 5.5-sack game in Week 11.

Rodgers typically plays well in such situations. His 81.7 Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) while under duress was the NFL's best by a long shot during the regular season. But you still don't want to see a pass rusher like Smith running free in a playoff game.

[Pugger]

If indeed that defense is worn down I say go no huddle right away and run them ragged.

[pbmax]

Fritz, this preview will cure the fears right out of you:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8831246/bill-barnwell-saturday-slate-nfl-playoff-games

[denverYooper]

Fritz, this preview will cure the fears right out of you:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...-playoff-games

That's a great writeup on how both teams have changed and how this game could very well play out much differently than the first contest.

The actual status of the elder Smith is a topic shrouded in mystery until Saturday. I'm under the impression that Barnwell thinks he will, at the very least, be unable to pull off his usual array of sometimes questionable veteran gamesmanship and that whatever nonlinear effect he has on the younger Smith will be therefore muted.

[denverYooper]

Harry Potter has this today:

New at #Packers Insiders Blog....Post-practice McCarthy: Cobb a go for Saturday night http://pck.rs/VnzEqu

[denverYooper]

Injury update:

Cobb and Nelson are expected to play. Finley was listed with a Hammy but has been practicing all week and good to go.

from http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/01...69&feedID=5059

[ThunderDan]

Per the Packers.com website.

- FOX Sports, now in its 19th season as an NFL network television partner, will broadcast the game to a national audience.
- Play-by-play man Joe Buck and color analyst Troy Aikman will have the call from the broadcast booth with Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews reporting from the sidelines.

We get Buck and Aikman on Saturday night. Damn!

[Freak Out]

If indeed that defense is worn down I say go no huddle right away and run them ragged.

I would have to agree. A torn triceps is going to limit him big time. Run at him at attack the arm!

[mraynrand]

Per the Packers.com website.

- FOX Sports, now in its 19th season as an NFL network television partner, will broadcast the game to a national audience.
- Play-by-play man Joe Buck and color analyst Troy Aikman will have the call from the broadcast booth with Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews reporting from the sidelines.

We get Buck and Aikman on Saturday night. Damn!

I see you are a 'glass is half-empty' sort of guy. Erin Andrews reporting from the sidelines. That's a glass that is more than half-full.