More Banjo: Week 4 vs. New Orleans

[pbmax]

I thought the backbreaker yesterday was the holding call that negated Davis's 45 yard return. After that, the offense got backed up and then the Saints got the ball at midfield to set up the winning score. There's still a good chance they would have lost at the end, but the game likely would have remained close until then.

The penalty to take them out of FG range at the end of the 2nd half didn't help either.

All of these little things get magnified without Rodgers to make up for them.

Twitter is yelling about having a TO left at the end of the half and not throwing again when (with the TO) you could throw to the middle of the field. What do you think?

http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57330/GB_Gamebook.pdf

1-10-GB 19 (1:23) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass short right to A.Jones to GB 21 for 2 yards (A.Klein).
Timeout #2 by NO at 01:17.

2-8-GB 21 (1:17) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass short left to A.Jones to GB 25 for 4 yards (K.Vaccaro, A.Okafor).
Timeout #3 by NO at 01:01.

3-4-GB 25 (1:01) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass short middle to G.Allison to GB 39 for 14 yards (M.Williams, C.Robertson). P10

1-10-GB 39 (:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) B.Hundley pass incomplete short right to G.Allison.

2-10-GB 39 (:29) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass incomplete deep left to M.Bennett.
PENALTY on NO-V.Bell, Defensive Pass Interference, 25 yards, enforced at GB 39 - No Play. X11

1-10-NO 36 (:24) (No Huddle, Shotgun) B.Hundley pass incomplete short right to R.Cobb.
PENALTY on NO-K.Crawley, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at NO 36 - No Play. X12

1-10-NO 31 (:18) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass incomplete short left to R.Rodgers.
PENALTY on GB-R.Rodgers, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at NO 31 - No Play.

1-20-NO 41 (:13) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass incomplete short left to A.Jones.

2-20-NO 41 (:06) M.Crosby 59 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-T.Pepper, Holder-J.Vogel.


Maybe? Hell of a thing to hang your hat on though. 1 second to pay with. Plus look at Hundley during this drive. 8 passes, 3 complete for 20 yards, two misses got them in field position for FG with 30 yards of penalties. One of those incompletions gave 10 of those back on RichRod's penalty.

I see a lot of ways that goes bad on 3rd down.

[mraynrand]

IIRC, Rodgers had chemistry with Jennings and James Jones from playing with them on the scout team when he stepped into that Cowboys game in 2007. I thought he mentioned at the time that he had spent a lot of time working with those guys and was comfortable throwing to them.

I watched Rodgers throw to Jennings before the Detroit game that year for almost half an hour. Did the whole tree three time then a lot of special stuff like the side line 'toes in' throws and a lot of back shoulder throws. They looked totally in synch. That's when I first thought Rodgers would be good.

Stubby may have to give Geronimo and Rich Rod or whomever Hundley is more comfy with a few more touches. (But no drops Geronimo!)

[denverYooper]

I watched Rodgers throw to Jennings before the Detroit game that year for almost half an hour. Did the whole tree three time then a lot of special stuff like the side line 'toes in' throws and a lot of back shoulder throws. They looked totally in synch. That's when I first thought Rodgers would be good.

Stubby may have to give Geronimo and Rich Rod or whomever Hundley is more comfy with a few more touches. (But no drops Geronimo!)

I was hoping we might see a shot or two to Davis but I don't recall him being on the field on offense. Heck, maybe they should look at how NO uses Ginn and steal some of those plays.

[King Friday]

Let's face it. In this game, Hundley was not ready for prime time. Jones, on the other hand, looks to be the real deal.

To me, both of these items are critical indictments on McCarthy's ability as a head coach.

Hundley was supposed to be a great young QB who could step in and do just as well as Matt Flynn used to. If you have to dial up a game plan that looked more like one from 100 years ago for your #2 QB, then you have the wrong #2 QB. I don't give a crap about the OL or anything else...the Packers are playing to win, and it is basically impossible to win in the modern NFL with only a handful of throws more than 10-15 yards downfield. So McCarthy set the team up for failure.

Jones started the season stashed way down the depth chart, yet he clearly is the best RB we have on the roster. McCarthy wasn't able to see that before injuries finally gave Jones a chance on the field? Either Jones only shows up to play on Sundays (doubtful) or McCarthy does not have the ability to identify talent very well at the RB position.

I think the rest of this season is going to be very poor...because McCarthy really isn't that good of a coach. Rodgers may only get 1 SB appearance in his entire career...and if that happens, I put the entire blame on Stubby.

[denverYooper]

To me, both of these items are critical indictments on McCarthy's ability as a head coach.

Hundley was supposed to be a great young QB who could step in and do just as well as Matt Flynn used to. If you have to dial up a game plan that looked more like one from 100 years ago for your #2 QB, then you have the wrong #2 QB. I don't give a crap about the OL or anything else...the Packers are playing to win, and it is basically impossible to win in the modern NFL with only a handful of throws more than 10-15 yards downfield. So McCarthy set the team up for failure.

Jones started the season stashed way down the depth chart, yet he clearly is the best RB we have on the roster. McCarthy wasn't able to see that before injuries finally gave Jones a chance on the field? Either Jones only shows up to play on Sundays (doubtful) or McCarthy does not have the ability to identify talent very well at the RB position.

I think the rest of this season is going to be very poor...because McCarthy really isn't that good of a coach. Rodgers may only get 1 SB appearance in his entire career...and if that happens, I put the entire blame on Stubby.

[Patler]

Twitter is yelling about having a TO left at the end of the half and not throwing again when (with the TO) you could throw to the middle of the field. What do you think?

http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57330/GB_Gamebook.pdf

1-10-GB 19 (1:23) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass short right to A.Jones to GB 21 for 2 yards (A.Klein).
Timeout #2 by NO at 01:17.

2-8-GB 21 (1:17) (Shotgun) B.Hundley pass short left to A.Jones to GB 25 for 4 yards (K.Vaccaro, A.Okafor).
Timeout #3 by NO at 01:01.

Sorry pb, because I know this has nothing to do with the point of your post, but the 1st and 2nd down timeouts taken by the Saints struck me. Wasn't there tremendous criticism of McCarthy for having done the same thing on defense at the end of the first half a couple weeks ago?

[Joemailman]

IIRC, Rodgers had chemistry with Jennings and James Jones from playing with them on the scout team when he stepped into that Cowboys game in 2007. I thought he mentioned at the time that he had spent a lot of time working with those guys and was comfortable throwing to them.

Not Jennings. He was a starter from day one. Maybe Jones. I know Ruvell Martin was one of his favorites on the scout team.

[pbmax]

Sorry pb, because I know this has nothing to do with the point of your post, but the 1st and 2nd down timeouts taken by the Saints struck me. Wasn't there tremendous criticism of McCarthy for having done the same thing on defense at the end of the first half a couple weeks ago?

Yep.

And it nearly cost New Orleans 3 points here.

[ThunderDan]

Sorry pb, because I know this has nothing to do with the point of your post, but the 1st and 2nd down timeouts taken by the Saints struck me. Wasn't there tremendous criticism of McCarthy for having done the same thing on defense at the end of the first half a couple weeks ago?

It's like ever couple of weeks, all season long, every season.

[mraynrand]

I think the rest of this season is going to be very poor...because McCarthy really isn't that good of a coach. Rodgers may only get 1 SB appearance in his entire career...and if that happens, I put the entire blame on Stubby.

Want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?



579!

(Capers feels left out)

[beveaux1]

To me, both of these items are critical indictments on McCarthy's ability as a head coach.

Hundley was supposed to be a great young QB who could step in and do just as well as Matt Flynn used to. If you have to dial up a game plan that looked more like one from 100 years ago for your #2 QB, then you have the wrong #2 QB. I don't give a crap about the OL or anything else...the Packers are playing to win, and it is basically impossible to win in the modern NFL with only a handful of throws more than 10-15 yards downfield. So McCarthy set the team up for failure.

Jones started the season stashed way down the depth chart, yet he clearly is the best RB we have on the roster. McCarthy wasn't able to see that before injuries finally gave Jones a chance on the field? Either Jones only shows up to play on Sundays (doubtful) or McCarthy does not have the ability to identify talent very well at the RB position.

I think the rest of this season is going to be very poor...because McCarthy really isn't that good of a coach. Rodgers may only get 1 SB appearance in his entire career...and if that happens, I put the entire blame on Stubby.

Not sure I agree with this. I think it will take a minimum of 4 games to get Hundley playing at full speed. I can't blame MM that Rodgers was taking 100% of the snaps during the season and Hundley only takes scout team snaps. The only game action Hundley has had is preseason in 2 of the 3 prior years against vanilla defenses playing mainly with our backups. The CBA even limits practice reps before the season and during the season. We'll have a better feel for Hundley around the Ravens or Steelers game.

Also, I think Jones didn't play because his pass protection was not supposed to be as good as Williams. Montgomery is the more dynamic receiver and with Rodgers at QB, the more dynamic receiver would be preferred. I think our needs have changed since Rodgers' injury. Now we need the more explosive runner to take pressure off Hundley.

[pbmax]

Monty was over 5 yards a carry last year. There is a reason you never would have known about Jones if Monty doesn't take a shot in the ribs.

Jones is a more natural back, especially running between the tackles. But the idea that Monty is now worthless is an over-reaction.

Job #1 is keeping Rodgers upright. Jones needed work.

[pbmax]

Monty was over 5 yards a carry last year. There is a reason you never would have known about Jones if Monty doesn't take a shot in the ribs.

Jones is a more natural back, especially running between the tackles. But the idea that Monty is now worthless is an over-reaction.

Job #1 is keeping Rodgers upright. Jones needed work.

[pbmax]

M3 PC

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 33s33 seconds ago
McCarthy: We'll work on self-scout. We'll start on the Detroit plan next Tuesday.

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 35s35 seconds ago
McCarthy on practicing this week: With CBA it's not possible to practice this week to help Hundley out. Can start next Tuesday.

THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT, DON'T RECALL BYE WEEK RULES IN CBA, THOUGH IN SEASON IS LIMITED FOR PADS

Packer Report @PackerReport 1m1 minute ago
"Stating the obvious" that there's more on the bye week to-do list for the coaches, McCarthy says.

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 1m1 minute ago
McCarthy; Yesterday was a starting point. Showed how important to do the little things. At half didn't think we played that well.

Packer Report @PackerReport 15s15 seconds ago
"He will do better," MM says of Hundley. having only 50 plays was a factor.

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 32s32 seconds ago
McCarthy on Hundley: Have to look at opportunities. He will do better. His issues were more in time clock, timing. We'll be better next time

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 54s55 seconds ago
McCarthy: Hundley wasn't given a lot of opportunities. Maybe if defense gets off field a few more times he has more opportunities.

Green Bay Packers @packers 3m3 minutes ago
McCarthy on Brett Hundley: I feel the same way today as I did going into the week. I know this young man & I believe in him.

Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13 1m1 minute ago
McCarthy said nobody should be surprised that he took the blame for yesterday's loss. He says that's what coaches do for their players.

Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13 29s30 seconds ago
McCarthy said he told the team before the Minnesota game that they weren't practicing the right way. Things improved last week, still lost.

INTERESTING JUXTAPOSITION

[pbmax]

Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13 2m2 minutes ago
McCarthy said the game plan against the Saints wasn't as big as the game plan against the Vikings. "And frankly, it's going to get smaller."

OH GOODY

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 2m2 minutes ago
More
McCarthy: We need to be more creative. We have to fit the time clock to the perimeter. Nelson, Adams, Cobb have to touch the ball.

OK

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 4m4 minutes ago
McCarthy: We haven't been very good the last two weeks. Told them they weren't practicing well and it was going to bite us.

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 4m4 minutes ago
McCarthy: What's conservative? We had the ball 50 plays. How many dropbacks did he have? Action, footwork was perfect, but protection failed

TODAYS OPERATION IRRITATION THREAT LEVEL IS ORANGE

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 7m7 minutes ago
McCarthy: Ty Montgomery outstanding football player. Never a one-man job. He's still a big part of the offense.

Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13 6m6 minutes ago
McCarthy said the communication was not good enough on defense yesterday. Injuries in secondary have complicated substitution patterns.

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 6m6 minutes ago
McCarthy: Injury had an impact on the 10-men on the field play.

Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13 3m3 minutes ago
McCarthy said he has regular contact with Aaron Rodgers, who is on IR because it's an 8-week injury minimum. "Could be lost for the season."