Official GameDay Thread Week 3: Packers @ Lions

[wist43]

The safety... as I said, I didn't watch the game, but I saw that lowlight.

That situation demands a pass b/c of how our OL is built - MM should know that. Especially going against a super-stout, physical DL like Detroits.

Our Offensive Linemen are picked b/c they are good mirror blockers. Supposed to have good feet in pass pro, supposed to work well in the ZBS. None of them is a drive blocker, and none of them can get movement off the snap. They can't get movement against bad defensive lines, let alone an excellent DL like Detroits.

"Know thyself'... MM should know enough about his own players to know that he simply cannot call a run in that situation, b/c it is entirely likely that his RB is going to be met in the backfield, i.e. the end zone.

Stupid play call... coaches not putting their players in position to be successful. Usually that charge is made against dunderdummy - but in this case, MM is guilty. That safety was on him, not the players.

[Freak Out]

Has Slocum been fired yet?

[pbmax]

MM needs to self scout and never call that TO before half when he thinks they *might* get the ball back. It often seems to end in disaster.

He admitted it was a risky call and shouldn't have been made, but wasn't very specific about just want was riskier than his normal call in that spot. There was virtually no time left and it was 3rd and 7. If not then, when?

[pbmax]

The safety... as I said, I didn't watch the game, but I saw that lowlight.

That situation demands a pass b/c of how our OL is built - MM should know that. Especially going against a super-stout, physical DL like Detroits.

Our Offensive Linemen are picked b/c they are good mirror blockers. Supposed to have good feet in pass pro, supposed to work well in the ZBS. None of them is a drive blocker, and none of them can get movement off the snap. They can't get movement against bad defensive lines, let alone an excellent DL like Detroits.

"Know thyself'... MM should know enough about his own players to know that he simply cannot call a run in that situation, b/c it is entirely likely that his RB is going to be met in the backfield, i.e. the end zone.

Stupid play call... coaches not putting their players in position to be successful. Usually that charge is made against dunderdummy - but in this case, MM is guilty. That safety was on him, not the players.

Rodgers got blown up and Lang whiffed. That's on the players. Bulaga made his block. Both Bulaga and Bach can run block.

[Striker]

I think they need to say "f it" and get Adams and Janis playing time. If none of the other guys want to step up, see if the rooks are ready.

I know there's all these nuances, etc etc etc that they need to get, but other teams are managing with their rookie receivers.

[wist43]

Rodgers got blown up and Lang whiffed. That's on the players. Bulaga made his block. Both Bulaga and Bach can run block.

lol... seriously??

None of those guys is a drive blocker - and no, Buluga can't drive block, Bach can't drive block, Lang can't drive block, and Sitton can't drive block. The Green Bay Packers do not allow run blocking OL on the roster.

They are all student body run blockers, and dancing bear pass blockers. Period.

Our offensive linemen "whiffing" and getting "blown up" is exactly what would be expected in that situation, and that is exactly what we got.

The philosophy is what lands guys like that on our roster, and the play call was idiotic b/c the result we saw was entirely predictable.

[pittstang5]

Has Slocum been fired yet?

Wednesday is coming

[pbmax]

lol... seriously??

None of those guys is a drive blocker - and no, Buluga can't drive block, Bach can't drive block, Lang can't drive block, and Sitton can't drive block. The Green Bay Packers do not allow run blocking OL on the roster.

They are all student body run blockers, and dancing bear pass blockers. Period.

Our offensive linemen "whiffing" and getting "blown up" is exactly what would be expected in that situation, and that is exactly what we got.

The philosophy is what lands guys like that on our roster, and the play call was idiotic b/c the result we saw was entirely predictable.

This is the fundamental problem with your entire oeuvre. You repeated claim one thing and then glom onto any negative result as proof of concept.

Here is a Vine video of the safety. https://twitter.com/TyDunne/status/514073401116598272

No one is being asked to drive block here. There are two other problems, but neither is drive blocking. If Mad is reding it would be lovely to be able to embed Vine videos in the future.

[pbmax]

Wednesday is coming

That's the new TV series from HBO next year.

Game of Inches: Wednesday Is Coming

[Joemailman]

This is the fundamental problem with your entire oeuvre. You repeated claim one thing and then glom onto any negative result as proof of concept.

Here is a Vine video of the safety. https://twitter.com/TyDunne/status/514073401116598272

No one is being asked to drive block here. There are two other problems, but neither is drive blocking. If Mad is reding it would be lovely to be able to embed Vine videos in the future.

What was Lang doing on that play? It almost looked like he was looking for someone else to block, and then too late realized he needed to block the linebacker.

[hoosier]

What was Lang doing on that play? It almost looked like he was looking for someone else to block, and then too late realized he needed to block the linebacker.

It almost looked to me like Lang was pulling and looking for someone outside the LE to block, but then Lacy had to try to turn it inside when the TE let himself get pushed into the backfield. Assuming the play was designed to go outside, if R.Rodgers gets a decent block and if Lacy doesn't get dragged down from behind by Levy (not clear whether he could have avoided him), that could have been a monster gain.

[Joemailman]

It almost looked to me like Lang was pulling and looking for someone outside the LE to block, but then Lacy had to try to turn it inside when the TE let himself get pushed into the backfield. Assuming the play was designed to go outside, if R.Rodgers gets a decent block and if Lacy doesn't get dragged down from behind by Levy (not clear whether he could have avoided him), that could have been a monster gain.

If what you're describing is accurate, that's an awfully dangerous play to be running out of your own endzone. Especially given the struggles R.Rodgers has had with his blocking.

[3irty1]

That safety play was outrageous. It looked like Madden's AI was controlling the right side of that line. Dick Rodgers looked like he was blocking a grenade, Lang was blocking air. If Tom Crabtree is on this team, there is no safety.

Also what a great slice of luck picking off a ball to the 1 yard line. I think everyone knew when that happened that Stafford had just thrown a 2 point TD pass. The Lions drive after the field position from the safety kick led to 3 points as well so you could blame that on the offense as well. The fact that the defense only gave up what it did despite against 40 minutes of lions offense is goddamn spectacular. What a waste of a great performance from the D.

[pbmax]

What was Lang doing on that play? It almost looked like he was looking for someone else to block, and then too late realized he needed to block the linebacker.

That is the first question:

1. I think Lang was supposed to double the DE and kick him out. Almost a trap action. In mid-stride, he sees Levy hurtling through the hole Bulaga has created by blocking down on the DT. He stops to try to get a piece of him and misses. In the end, he might have been better of doubling the DE and giving Lacy a chance at getting by Levy himself. As it was, Lang made the hole even smaller and Levy's job was easier. But its easy to see what Lang was trying to prevent, a free body destroying the play in the backfield for a safety.

Second question:

2. Normally, I would expect the center to explode and go get the LB which would be tough because he is reading Lacy and will immediately head to the O's right. Linsley will be chasing that backer. But since its a short yardage play, he just needs to slow him down to help Lacy get something. But as it plays out, it looks like Sitton is using the same trap action to chase the LB. Linsley is blocking down. Now pulling Sitton would be in a good position to seal off the other ILB, but he's never going to get near Levy.

Its possible Bulaga was supposed to slide off the DT and catch Levy, meaning Linsley should have stayed with his most had on man for a quick double with Bulaga.

Its either the worst run call for that defensive alignment, in which case someone should have bailed on it OR someone blew a call or assignment. It might be the young center should have changed the line call.

[pbmax]

It almost looked to me like Lang was pulling and looking for someone outside the LE to block, but then Lacy had to try to turn it inside when the TE let himself get pushed into the backfield. Assuming the play was designed to go outside, if R.Rodgers gets a decent block and if Lacy doesn't get dragged down from behind by Levy (not clear whether he could have avoided him), that could have been a monster gain.

I don't think it was designed to go outside, it was designed to be run off-tackle. I would bet Lang was doubling the DE with Rodgers.