Official Bear Week 4 Discussion

[pbmax]

Rodger's quote on his radio show:

"I have five letters for all the fans out there: R-E-L-A-X. Relax. We're going to be fine."

Wilde chimed in with "how about P-A-N-I-C".

This has not gone over well in Milwaukee, Homer is beside himself. It very much hearkened back to the week before the Texans game.

My read on M3 and Rodgers after the media rounds? Nothing is changing this week scheme wise. And nobody that I know about has asked about the Stark-plug getting the shaft in the second half.

[hoosier]

Hard for fans to relax when everything they told was going to be new and improved (or at least more well-oiled than before) has turned out to be like a Christmas toy that breaks at 3pm on the 25th. In recent years the crappy starts were mitigated by period displays of brilliance (or at least competence). This year we are going to need to see a sea change in the offense before relaxation is an option.

[wist43]

We faced 3 very good defenses... we weren't going to be running the ball no matter what. Still, from what I've seen, MM has reverted back to his 3 zone running plays. Is he really that stupid?? We'll see.

And on defense, dunderdummy actually seemed to put together a pretty good gameplan and called a decent game - at least that's what the stats bear out. Dunderdummy is entirely capable of putting a good product on the field - he just gets in his own way most of the time. I said when hired him 63 years ago that he can't be trusted.

All of that said, I think we have the players to turn it around - I think our dismal start is almost all coaching.

CBSsportsline dropped us in their power rankings down to #20. Some national sportstalk guys were lamenting how much the Packers have fallen off, and speculating if MM should keep his job??

I think the mess we've been seeing is fixable, but it won't be easy - we'll be underdogs to Chicago in Chicago. If we go to 1-3?? Could get messy.

[Joemailman]

This is the week we found if there really is a problem with the Packers running game. Thus far the Packers have faced 3 of the top 5 rushing defenses in the NFL. Jets are #1 with 165 yards, Lions #2 at 191, Seahawks #3 at 217. All 3 teams are allowing just 2.8 YPC. So it's not just the Packers who have been unable to run on those teams. And then there's the Bears. Their run defense ranks #26 with 434 yards given up and a 5.0 YPC. This is the week the Packers have to break out of their slump.

[Tyrion Lannister]

CBSsportsline dropped us in their power rankings down to #20.

NFL power rankings are worthless and meaningless. 1-2 is bad but rankings only mean shit in MINOR league football (NCAA).

[Rutnstrut]

Has anyone heard anything on Clay's vag injury?

[pbmax]

Where have you gone, Jermichael Finley ..
An offense turns its lonely eyes to you
Woo woo woo

[pbmax]

Kenny Stills recalls the games against the Bears, Ditka versus Gregg.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/post-nfl-pain-has-hit-kenny-stills-hard-b99357495z1-276875521.html#packers

In the 1980s, Stills said, Gregg "hated Chicago," Ditka "hated Green Bay" and the hate led to many a concussion, many a slipped disc. His hit, Martin's hit, Mark Lee's hit of Walter Payton all "fueled that rivalry." At Lambeau Field, he said, the Packers made sure the tubes of water underneath the field were heated up to create a muddy field that would slow down Payton.

[HarveyWallbangers]

We break out of the slump this week and beat the Vikings on Thursday. Then, all will be right with the world. You can put it on the board.

I do think the defense is headed in the right direction. Terrible in game 1. Terrible in the first quarter in week 2. Utterly competent since--save for them getting worn down at the end of the last game. Hard to fault them. I think the time of possession was almost two to one. There's actually some hope for the defense, and you'd think the offense will turn things around. Of course, Matthews gets injured--just when I was feeling a bit better about the defense.

[Fritz]

In the past, I could see some glimmers of hope. This year, the offense looks really awful most of the time. What the hell happened to this being one of the best offensive lines MM ever had? They haven't blocked for shit. And Lacey has not helped. What happened to him?

I felt good about the defense as I watched the Detroit game - until the last part of the game. Then it was the same ol' Packers, getting literally run over. Where's all that Mike Daniels talk? In fact, where was Mike Daniels?

And did anyone hear anything about Porcelain Matthews' injury?

[Zool]

In the past, I could see some glimmers of hope. This year, the offense looks really awful most of the time. What the hell happened to this being one of the best offensive lines MM ever had? They haven't blocked for shit. And Lacey has not helped. What happened to him?

I felt good about the defense as I watched the Detroit game - until the last part of the game. Then it was the same ol' Packers, getting literally run over. Where's all that Mike Daniels talk? In fact, where was Mike Daniels?

And did anyone hear anything about Porcelain Matthews' injury?

To make an excuse for the Oline, they have played 3 of the best Dlines in football in consecutive weeks. 93 on the Bares looks pretty good, and I suppose Jared Allen can put the walker down and rush the passer occasionally. He never was very good at run D. The O should bounce back this week.

[pbmax]

Its hard to fault the O line in Detroit for run blocking. Starks managed to find room to run. Lacy bailed on a lot of inside holes because they weren't clean.

Like the pass pro, there were a couple of debacles (safety) that camouflage the actual problem in the run game.

Does anyone remember last year that McCarthy adjusted the ground game for Lacy and ran more power O and traps and less ZBS?

wist asked during the game how much they were running ZBS and I truthfully can't say. But I suspect, given Starks positive contribution, it was much of the first half.

[pbmax]

Genaro C. Armas @GArmasAP 8m
#Packers practice: Everybody there in portion open to media, including LBs Matthews, BJones, CB Davon House.

Packer Report @PackerReport 6m
Not something I try to remember, but can't recall going to #Packers practice and seeing every player on roster practicing.

Packer Report @PackerReport 6m
Matthews' groin apparently no issue and Brad Jones back, as well.

Word of caution:
Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 17m
All we know for sure is Matthews took part in all individual drills. Media doesn't get to see team. #Packers

[Zool]

Genaro C. Armas @GArmasAP 8m
#Packers practice: Everybody there in portion open to media, including LBs Matthews, BJones, CB Davon House.

Packer Report @PackerReport 6m
Not something I try to remember, but can't recall going to #Packers practice and seeing every player on roster practicing.

Packer Report @PackerReport 6m
Matthews' groin apparently no issue and Brad Jones back, as well.

Word of caution:
Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 17m
All we know for sure is Matthews took part in all individual drills. Media doesn't get to see team. #Packers

Dammit

[pbmax]

Tyler Dunne @TyDunne 1m
Brad Jones and Clay Matthews are officially "limited" participants at #Packers practice.

Green Bay Packers @packers 2m
McCarthy on Clay Matthews (limited in today's practice): Clay's going to always do everything he can. We'll just take it day by day.

Tyler Dunne @TyDunne 2m
McCarthy on no-huddle: A big part of our offense. ...Mechanics have been good. Production on offense not where we want it to be.

Tyler Dunne @TyDunne 15s
McCarthy on 12/18 chemistry: They have good chemistry. A good day today on the practice field. I'd say they're very comfortable.

Tyler Dunne @TyDunne 21s
McCarthy on Bears' D: They're more settled into their scheme. DL changes. You see impact three DE have made. Wait/see on inj from Mon night

Green Bay Packers @packers 11s
McCarthy on Bears offense: Thought they did a heck of a job last year. They still have same threats when you look at their perimeter group.

Tyler Dunne @TyDunne 8m
McCarthy on Bostick: Important for all of our guys to focus on ST, excel at where their role is right now. Brandon working his way back.

Green Bay Packers @packers 6m
McCarthy on Bryan Bulaga: It was good to get him back out there. I think everybody was happy w/ the way he was able to finish.