More Banjo: Week 1 @ Chicago

[Harlan Huckleby]

It's also clear, already, that Matthews/Perry were out of gas a couple years ago already.

I kept thinking of the old cliche "it's a young man's game." The D linemen in particular are under 25.

[mraynrand]

- Pettine may be becoming the Packers' best new weapon. Our own Vic Fangio. Man, that defense looked good.

Another positive there is that Poutine likely doesn't ever want to be a head coach again. He was really put off by the experience in Cleveland, specifically the more administrative aspects and 'politics' of dealing with owners/presidents and to a smaller extent GMs who have non-football agendas. By that I mean, in the case of Cleveland, he was forced to play Manzier by the owner, and he knows that can happen anywhere and anytime. It can be hard to find a spot where you aren't being forced to act against your best chances to win. We've seen it a million times in the NFL. rn that doesn't seem to be the case in GB, so as a D-coordinator in GB, he has good support in building what he needs to succeed and not a lot of headaches from administration. Flower can deal with that crap and the offense. Finally, Poutine is well liked and respected by players. Was liked by players in Cleveland as well. That's a huge plus to have a talented guy who isn't aloof from today's NFL player. Builds great team chemistry. And being respected by Rodgers almost guarantees there will never be a schism between offense and defense. The current set-up appears to be very good and with just decent ability from Flower, could last a long time.

[mraynrand]

It's also clear, already, that Matthews/Perry were out of gas a couple years ago already.

Even though they were friends, Matthews Perry was truly an odd couple

[Tony Oday]

Love AR after the game, *sly look at the camera*, "We got a defense."

[Fritz]

He repeated it at the end of the interview, too. He seemed really, really pleased. Not the usual "we got a win, that's what's important, now we're looking ahead to next week, etc."

Haven't seen Rodgers look this relaxed in a while. He likes this team having a real defense. Hope it keeps on keeping on that way.

Did he even scream at any of his receivers last night? I didn't see it. Just a few gestures here and there.

[Tony Oday]

He repeated it at the end of the interview, too. He seemed really, really pleased. Not the usual "we got a win, that's what's important, now we're looking ahead to next week, etc."

Haven't seen Rodgers look this relaxed in a while. He likes this team having a real defense. Hope it keeps on keeping on that way.

Did he even scream at any of his receivers last night? I didn't see it. Just a few gestures here and there.

I think he even took the blame for some of his Kizer like throws.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Rodgers playful shove of Pettine, the players mobbing him after the game, the sheer look of joy on his face. Loved seeing that.

I was texting my son in college and told him afterwards that defensive games can be hard to watch at times, but they are the most satisfying wins, IMO. The last drive Chicago had, I really wasn't worried as I believed in the defense. It's been over a decade since I could say that, and it feels really good.

[Fritz]

Craig, I only disagree with your line "defensive games can be hard to watch at times." Somehow, I find it less stressful when the Packer defense is playing well. But the rest of what you wrote - I totally agree. That felt good, watching that defense.

I hope they keep playing well so the offense can figure out what the hell they're doing. Looked like a bunch of clowns getting out of a Volkswagen. Nobody knew what they were doing. That's going to take a while to figure out. Once they work out what the hell the play calls actually are, they'll have to work on actually executing them.

[RashanGary]

Finally, Poutine is well liked and respected by players. Was liked by players in Cleveland as well. That's a huge plus to have a talented guy who isn't aloof from today's NFL player. Builds great team chemistry. And being respected by Rodgers almost guarantees there will never be a schism between offense and defense. The current set-up appears to be very good and with just decent ability from Flower, could last a long time.

Really good chemistry signs last night. Flower has the offense, defense and special teams seeming to feel like a big, close knit team. He lets each player and coach shine instead of muting personalities the way MM seemed to do. Good omens for sure.

[mraynrand]

Not sure it was mentioned, but the punting and also coverage was excellent (even without Crawford). Nice to have a 63 yard punt when you need it to change field position.

[Freak Out]

Scott just killed it last night. He's a weapon now.

[Fritz]

Not sure it was mentioned, but the punting and also coverage was excellent (even without Crawford). Nice to have a 63 yard punt when you need it to change field position.

Good point. The coverage looked solid, and the punting was not only long, the hang times seemed pretty good and their was even some directional punting.

Davis didn't fumble, and seemed to play it safe with lots of fair catches. Which was good because the Packers' guys couldn't seem to stop the Bears players from getting down the field, fast.

[RashanGary]

Scott just killed it last night. He's a weapon now.

All preseason too. Best 5 game stretch of punting I’ve seen in over 20 years I think.

[mraynrand]

All preseason too. Best 5 game stretch of punting I’ve seen in over 20 years I think.

going back to Hentrich, really.


edit: His 47 average last night was the same as Hentrich's best season (his first with TN after leaving GB). Hentrich was a career 43 punter

[mraynrand]

Scott just killed it last night. He's a weapon now.

And given that he's still in middle school, he should be a weapon for two decades