The Official Gameweek Discussion thread: 2013 Season Opener: Packers v 49ers

[Harlan Huckleby]

"What’s behind the NFL’s failure to protect read-option quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick?"

That is rich. Obviously they are helping the cause, trying to draw attention to issue. It works, refs read the papers.

[Tony Oday]

Hit him every play. If we get 15 we get 15. AR will marchthe Pack down to a score on 80% of the drives and we will have one pick six.

Read option is like the Wildcat...over

[Fritz]

I'm not so sure of that, not yet. If the NFL decides to protect read option QB's more, then it will stay, though it would seem to be a very hard skill-set to find. One of the reasons Kaepernick is so good is that he's accurate when he passes.

[pbmax]

Hit him every play. If we get 15 we get 15. AR will marchthe Pack down to a score on 80% of the drives and we will have one pick six.

Read option is like the Wildcat...over

No, no, no. No more 15 yard penalties for first downs. Those drive me crazy. I cannot emphasize enough how much the Packers seem to give up in first downs on penalties. Its stupid.

34 penalties for first downs last year. Tied for 4th worst in League. Cleveland (38), Jacksonville (37) and the Jets (36) were Top 3. Packers tied with Minnesota, San Francisco and Baltimore.

Lowest number was Atlanta at 10, Giants were second lowest at 17. If Packers cut their number in half, they would have been in Top 6 in total first downs yielded. Might have helped.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/downs/sort/firstDowns/position/defense/year/2012

[Fritz]

I'm with you on that. As satisfying as a big hit is, it's not enough to offset the complete feeling of anger and helplessness that occurs when you subsequently see the official drop the yellow flag and you know the Packers just helped the opponent extend a drive - again.

I hope the defensive coaches are hammering the assignment-sure theme and not playing stupid. Do your job, don't try to be a hero, and let's see how this goes.

It doesn't sound very manly, but if it results in a "W" then it's a lot more manly than smashing the QB and playing rough but getting a loss.

[wist43]

Hit him, but be smart about it...

If we take care of business up the middle, and the LOS - which I don't think we will b/c of how Capers plays his front 6 - then you can designate the outside guys to babysitting Kapnermoron.

Even assuming we lose the LOS battle - a likely assumption - I still say commit the OLB to the QB. At least take one of those bad options away. I fully expect Mr. Spraypaintedhair to screw the pooch on this one - again. 2nd and 17, or 3rd and 8 are legit run downs for a team like the Niners - as soon as Capers goes to a 2-4 in those situations, we're in big trouble. Combine that with the fact that they're simply a more physcially dominant team on both lines - that will make for another long afternoon for the Packers.

McCarthy has made no changes to our run blocking scheme, and Capers has made no changes to how he plays his front six - why would any of you expect a different result from what we saw last year??

[mraynrand]

Capers has made no changes to how he plays his front six - why would any of you expect a different result from what we saw last year??

maybe he has changed what he'll do and you just haven't seen it yet. one more day to find out

[pbmax]

I will take the bet that the result this year is different than the playoff game. 14 point loss won't be repeated.

But on Offense, not sure how much will change over the course of the season: http://espnwisconsin.com/common/page...9371&is_corp=1

McCarthy: Let me ask you something: How come no one ever asks about how many points we score?

ESPN Wisconsin: What do you mean? You led the league in scoring in 2011 and last year you were still fifth even though your kicker went through a period where he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.

McCarthy: I mean, isn’t it about scoring points?

ESPN Wisconsin: The run thing is a big deal because you have one of the best quarterbacks in the league and defenses have zero respect for your run game. Both of you have talked about all the two-shell defenses you saw and what that did to your big-play opportunities. Isn’t there cause-and-effect there, that they play their safeties back and don’t bite on play-action fakes because they think your run game stinks?

Should have sent bobble to do that interview instead of Wilde.

[wist43]

I will take the bet that the result this year is different than the playoff game. 14 point loss won't be repeated.

But on Offense, not sure how much will change over the course of the season: http://espnwisconsin.com/common/page...9371&is_corp=1



Should have sent bobble to do that interview instead of Wilde.

I read that interview, and what I read was - "no changes, just do what we do better".

Maybe they can get away with that on offense - his pts scored argument (I disagree, but they do score pts, so maybe they can simply outscore a team like the Niners on a given day) - maybe Buddy Ryan needs to seek him out on the sideline and sock him one on the jaw??; defense is another matter.

I don't know how anyone can look at what Capers has thrown out there the last couple of years, and the eggs he's laid in playoff games in other years, and conclude that all they need to do is the same thing, only better.

Reading that inteview, it sounds like McCarthy believes his own bullshit, and isn't ready to admit that what they are doing - especially on defense - is anywhere near good enough to compete with the tough, physical teams that have stomped his team in the past couple of years.

Sounds like MM needs a 12 step program - perhaps an intervention??

[Guiness]

Worry less Blue Dog. Captain Underpants is still steaming at his disadvantage.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-quarterbacks/

I came by here to post that. Harbaugh wants the QB protected with a 'strike zone' until he leaves the pocket, the same as he would be if he was dropping back to pass. I thought about that for 2 seconds, then decided it's ridiculous. If the QB is in a running posture, he is not defenseless and the defense should be allowed to hit him without having to inspect his hands to make sure he's got the ball. By the time K leaves the pocket he's in full stride.

[bobblehead]

Here's the blaring headline in the SF Chronicle:

"What’s behind the NFL’s failure to protect read-option quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick?"

My god, the NFL has failed, and the game hasn't even been played yet. Looks like the local paper is helping Coach Hardbra all it can.

Clearly just another case of the man trying to keep the black QB's down.

[bobblehead]

I'm with you on that. As satisfying as a big hit is, it's not enough to offset the complete feeling of anger and helplessness that occurs when you subsequently see the official drop the yellow flag and you know the Packers just helped the opponent extend a drive - again.

I hope the defensive coaches are hammering the assignment-sure theme and not playing stupid. Do your job, don't try to be a hero, and let's see how this goes.

It doesn't sound very manly, but if it results in a "W" then it's a lot more manly than smashing the QB and playing rough but getting a loss.

Sort of like that hit on Russell Wilson's shoelace that extended a drive. QB's must be protected, even when running in the open field. The shoelace is below the knee, and QB's must be tackled within a 6" hitting zone. Flags must fly. Franchises must be protected....unless ARod is getting blasted in the earhole by Julius Peppers in the playoffs while standing in the pocket, that is cool.

[bobblehead]

I will take the bet that the result this year is different than the playoff game. 14 point loss won't be repeated.

But on Offense, not sure how much will change over the course of the season: http://espnwisconsin.com/common/page...9371&is_corp=1



Should have sent bobble to do that interview instead of Wilde.

I would have asked him if he handicaps his defense by not running the ball and putting them immediately back on the field time and again. I would have asked why he hasn't fired Capers since his offense is so potent yet they fail to win games. Is there a lack of talent on D? and who is responsible for that? I would point out that a serviceable run game would do wonders to keep the D fresh. I would also point out that scoring is awesome, but scoring MORE THAN THE OTHER TEAM IS THE GOAL,

PS...Understand that I do agree that MM scores points and its on the D most of the time, a run game still does wonders for everyone involved.

EDIT: Also understand that we ran effectively for 35 minutes against SF and it was a tie game. Then we lined up empty backfield and had a couple 3 and outs and the game was over.

[pbmax]

I would have asked him if he handicaps his defense by not running the ball and putting them immediately back on the field time and again. I would have asked why he hasn't fired Capers since his offense is so potent yet they fail to win games. Is there a lack of talent on D? and who is responsible for that? I would point out that a serviceable run game would do wonders to keep the D fresh. I would also point out that scoring is awesome, but scoring MORE THAN THE OTHER TEAM IS THE GOAL,

PS...Understand that I do agree that MM scores points and its on the D most of the time, a run game still does wonders for everyone involved.

EDIT: Also understand that we ran effectively for 35 minutes against SF and it was a tie game. Then we lined up empty backfield and had a couple 3 and outs and the game was over.

The turnover helped.

[wist43]

Weaker teams find ways to lose.

Ross never should have been out there fielding that punt - yet MM would never admit that. Just as he will never admit that 12 yds rushing/gm is a problem, or that playing soft defense is an issue.

When presented with a relative question, he got defensive and said they score enough points. That's ego.

They're going to keep doing what they've been doing - only, seemingly according to MM, they're going to do it better. That is ego standing in the way of self scouting and honesty.

He really should read Sun Tzu's Art of War.

I expect this game will go very similar to our opening day loss last year.