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This will be the last week you are going to be able to read this on the forum, because a little birdy told me that by this time next week the home page will be open and this will be posted on the front page. We will set something up where you will be able to respond and rate the article. I guess for me that means it is going to have to be proof read and corrected for little misspells here and there. Ziggy, get out your red pen!!!
Well at first glance you would like to say that the Packers improved from this week from last week. They actually scored points this week and were competitive through out the whole game. Then you realize that they just played the Saints, a team that was statistically worse than the Packers in 2005. Granted, the Saints actually spent money on a QB in the off-season and improved their receiving corps with getting rid of Stallworth for some magical rookie 7th round draft pick. The bottom line, is that the Packers are not improving as a franchise compared to the rest of the league, at least not by the second week of the season.
Listening to the McCarthy press conference, He claims, and with all honesty that Favre was throwing the ball away on his INT. McCarthy also stated that he called a running play and then switched it to a pass. He admitted that he made a mistake. McCarthy also claimed that the pass protection was decent considering they threw the ball 55 times. McCarthy seemed subdued at the press conference, I understand after his team blew a 13 point lead and failed to capitalize. McCarthy is just over his head at this point, and unlike Mike Holmgren, he doesn't have a young Brett Favre to make out of this world type plays. He has an aging Favre, that now allows the pressure to get to him, and it effects the way he plays. Favre's accuracy seemed to be a big issue in the last two weeks. Accuracy has never been what Favre have been known for. He needs to improve on his accuracy with his supporting cast. Other than Driver he doesn't have a player at this point that can go out and adjust to his overthrown balls.
Give the Saints credit. Like Favre just got done saying, the Saints were down 13 points playing away, and managed to win a second game on the road. The Saints keep getting better. Maybe Shaun Payton might have been the better hire in Green Bay, but hey, he probably wasn't a Packer person.
Now your Winners and Losers
Winners,
1. Donald Driver, He made great catch after great catch and was Favre's only consistent weapon on offense. Driver had 8 catches for 153 yards. and was impressive as usual after the catch. He ran a very nice reverse where he had to beat Mike McKenzie one on one. He toasted McKenzie and turned the run into a first down.
2. Dave Raynor, Raynor was able to make two field goals, his first two of his NFL career, but he was also able to sky the ball deep into the end zone several of time and take away some dangerous returners for the Saints
3. David Martin, Bubba Franks was having issues catching the ball all day, and also blocking for Favre. In stepped David Martin in the 4th quarter to catch several key balls for first downs. Martin had 6 grabs for 44 yards, with most of them coming late in the third quarter and into the 4th quarter.
4. Scott Wells, he has been nothing but consistent, and has been the Packers best overall linemen. This offense is set up perfectly for Wells. He is quick enough to get out in the open and attach himself to linebackers. In fact on running plays he is the only one moving the pile while the rest of the offensive line is running behind the play.
5, Collin Cole, Ryan Pickett, Cullen Jenkins, and Corey Williams, they all did a nice job of clogging up the middle of the line. Jenkins was able to get some pressure on Brees early in the game, but as far as rushing the passer not one of these guys has a gift for it. The fact is if they keep playing the way they are, teams are going to struggle making yards up the middle or anywhere running the ball.
6. Aarron Kampman, Kampman is proving that he is just not a run stopper. He is getting after the QB and then creating turnovers. Kampman is holding up well against the run as usual but he is actually beating KGB to the QB. Unfortunately for the Packers he is the only capable defender when it comes to rushing the quarterback. Kampman had three sacks with two of them causing fumbles.
7. AJ Hawk, This guy is damn near always where he needs to be. He had 7 solo tackles in today's ball game, and one pass defended. When the Packers needed a stop late in the 4th quarter he came through with a beautiful open field tackle of Reggie Bush. Hawk did have one miscue where he got confused on a crossing pattern, but other than that he was perfect in coverage. Hawk has so far been worth the 5th pick in the draft. I wouldn't say that he out played Bush, simply because Bush brings so many different aspects to the New Orleans Saints, he is a pass catcher, a returner, and a running back. AJ simply plays linebacker in an outstanding fashion.
Losers,
1. Chad Clifton, Clifton needed help most of the day with Charles Grant so he had it a bit easier in pass pro than usual. Clifton just simply doesn't fit the zone blocking scheme. Injuries haven't helped, but he is hand fighter and a sealer. He doesn't drive block very well and doesn't get up field like he needs to. The Packers mostly ran up the middle with very few stretch plays that were designed to go wide. Mostly Clifton and Tauscher still look lost in this scheme, and are not showing signs of improving.
2. Ahman Green, Green had two fumbles, one was lost at the most critical time in the game. Right after the Saints went up by a touchdown, Green fumbled as soon as the Packers got the ball Back. I also counted at least 3 drops, and 4 if you include a shaky thrown ball by favre. As well as Green ran last week, he showed the complete opposite this week against a weaker opponent. The first tackler always brought him down, and at times it seemed that Green hesitated when deciding what hole to run through. His 16 carries for 42 yards just ain't gonna cut it.
3. Bubba Franks, He couldn't catch a cold throughout the game. Favre was obviously becoming frustrated with Bubba as well as the coaching staff, because when it came time to move the ball in the 4th quarter Favre went to Martin while Bubba stayed in to block. which brings me to my next point, Bubba allowed Charles Grant to beat him so bad that Favre rolled to his right and Grant was still able to catch Favre for a 12 yard loss. Bubba was whipped like a dog on another passing play as well, and Favre got up and gave Bubba a solid stare down for a good 5 seconds. Brett is supposed to rely on his tight end in this offense and Bubba seems to have lost Favre's trusts.
4. William Henderson. I don't think Hendo expect the ball in the end zone but when it came fluttering his way he could have at least made an attempt at going after it with a little bit of aggression. He let a corner back take the ball away from him. Hendo didn't even bother going up to try and knock it down. I was disappointed in his effort, and the same could be said for Bubba Franks as well on that play, they both decided to watch instead of trying to make a play.
5. Nick Collins, Collins got beat on two deep balls both where he looked confused and totally spun around by the receiver. He simply looked like he was on ice skates trying to do a triple lutes on the field. Collins made some great plays in the running game, but the Packers need him for his coverage skills, and not the skills he showed today.
6. KGB, didn't hear his name called once today. I don't even think he got a single hurry or pressure on Brees and then I was shocked to see that he had a sack of Brees for nine yards. when the heck did that happen? But most of the day Jamal Brown the second year player out of Oklahoma locked on to KGB and made him disappear. I also noticed that the Packer were quite liberal with their substitution of their defensive ends with Michael Montgomery, but mostly he was subbing for Kabeer. I notice on passing downs that Kabeer lines up so far outside that he limits his ability to use more than a speed rush on the offensive tackle. He doesn't have the arm strength to make a hump move to the inside or use a bull rush. He is simply useless at this point of the season.
7. Nick Barnett, he was mostly invisible today and had a career low of 2 solo tackles. He was burnt a number of times on passes across the middle where he was caught looking in the backfield and not getting into his drop. On one play he took a terrible angle on a pass to Reggie Bush in the flat, was flat out ran by the rookie speedster. I guess I don't understand why against the Saints of all teams he decided to lay an egg on defense. Maybe he was to preoccupied with Reggie Bush, but he consistently got lost in the wash. On McCallister's 23 yard touchdown run he allowed the backside guard block him on a play that went to between the tackle and the end on the opposite side, he was slow to read the play and once again should the inability to fight through a block and make the play, instead he got blocked and quit on the play.
8. Ahmad Carroll, I am sick of sticking up for this guy, granted he was having trouble with cramps, but come on, he got burnt for jumping on a move by Devery Henderson and watched him going streaking past him for a touchdown, the sad thing is, is that he had help to the inside. He also extended a drive with a pass interference call, and then on the next play Brees made toast out of Nick Collins. Carroll has all the talent and speed in the world but he is just to immature to listen and absorb the lessons the game of football teaches these young men.
9. Brady Poppinga, He simply can't be counted on in pass coverage, he lacks the instincts and ability to cover tight ends and fullbacks that come out of the back field. He is too slow on play action and misdirection plays. I still don't see much of a difference between him and Ben Taylor so I am not going to be one of the many calling for Poppinga to be replaced. He did have one nice break up late in the game, and boy did I get excited.
Well thats it, the Packers showed some signs of life against a lesser opponent than the one they faced last week, but all and all there were no moral victories in this game, in fact it left a very bitter taste in the mouth of most people considering they blew a 13 point lead.
If you still are looking for a silver lining in this game, remember moral victories are only for those that participate in Special Olympics.
Well at first glance you would like to say that the Packers improved from this week from last week. They actually scored points this week and were competitive through out the whole game. Then you realize that they just played the Saints, a team that was statistically worse than the Packers in 2005. Granted, the Saints actually spent money on a QB in the off-season and improved their receiving corps with getting rid of Stallworth for some magical rookie 7th round draft pick. The bottom line, is that the Packers are not improving as a franchise compared to the rest of the league, at least not by the second week of the season.
Listening to the McCarthy press conference, He claims, and with all honesty that Favre was throwing the ball away on his INT. McCarthy also stated that he called a running play and then switched it to a pass. He admitted that he made a mistake. McCarthy also claimed that the pass protection was decent considering they threw the ball 55 times. McCarthy seemed subdued at the press conference, I understand after his team blew a 13 point lead and failed to capitalize. McCarthy is just over his head at this point, and unlike Mike Holmgren, he doesn't have a young Brett Favre to make out of this world type plays. He has an aging Favre, that now allows the pressure to get to him, and it effects the way he plays. Favre's accuracy seemed to be a big issue in the last two weeks. Accuracy has never been what Favre have been known for. He needs to improve on his accuracy with his supporting cast. Other than Driver he doesn't have a player at this point that can go out and adjust to his overthrown balls.
Give the Saints credit. Like Favre just got done saying, the Saints were down 13 points playing away, and managed to win a second game on the road. The Saints keep getting better. Maybe Shaun Payton might have been the better hire in Green Bay, but hey, he probably wasn't a Packer person.
Now your Winners and Losers
Winners,
1. Donald Driver, He made great catch after great catch and was Favre's only consistent weapon on offense. Driver had 8 catches for 153 yards. and was impressive as usual after the catch. He ran a very nice reverse where he had to beat Mike McKenzie one on one. He toasted McKenzie and turned the run into a first down.
2. Dave Raynor, Raynor was able to make two field goals, his first two of his NFL career, but he was also able to sky the ball deep into the end zone several of time and take away some dangerous returners for the Saints
3. David Martin, Bubba Franks was having issues catching the ball all day, and also blocking for Favre. In stepped David Martin in the 4th quarter to catch several key balls for first downs. Martin had 6 grabs for 44 yards, with most of them coming late in the third quarter and into the 4th quarter.
4. Scott Wells, he has been nothing but consistent, and has been the Packers best overall linemen. This offense is set up perfectly for Wells. He is quick enough to get out in the open and attach himself to linebackers. In fact on running plays he is the only one moving the pile while the rest of the offensive line is running behind the play.
5, Collin Cole, Ryan Pickett, Cullen Jenkins, and Corey Williams, they all did a nice job of clogging up the middle of the line. Jenkins was able to get some pressure on Brees early in the game, but as far as rushing the passer not one of these guys has a gift for it. The fact is if they keep playing the way they are, teams are going to struggle making yards up the middle or anywhere running the ball.
6. Aarron Kampman, Kampman is proving that he is just not a run stopper. He is getting after the QB and then creating turnovers. Kampman is holding up well against the run as usual but he is actually beating KGB to the QB. Unfortunately for the Packers he is the only capable defender when it comes to rushing the quarterback. Kampman had three sacks with two of them causing fumbles.
7. AJ Hawk, This guy is damn near always where he needs to be. He had 7 solo tackles in today's ball game, and one pass defended. When the Packers needed a stop late in the 4th quarter he came through with a beautiful open field tackle of Reggie Bush. Hawk did have one miscue where he got confused on a crossing pattern, but other than that he was perfect in coverage. Hawk has so far been worth the 5th pick in the draft. I wouldn't say that he out played Bush, simply because Bush brings so many different aspects to the New Orleans Saints, he is a pass catcher, a returner, and a running back. AJ simply plays linebacker in an outstanding fashion.
Losers,
1. Chad Clifton, Clifton needed help most of the day with Charles Grant so he had it a bit easier in pass pro than usual. Clifton just simply doesn't fit the zone blocking scheme. Injuries haven't helped, but he is hand fighter and a sealer. He doesn't drive block very well and doesn't get up field like he needs to. The Packers mostly ran up the middle with very few stretch plays that were designed to go wide. Mostly Clifton and Tauscher still look lost in this scheme, and are not showing signs of improving.
2. Ahman Green, Green had two fumbles, one was lost at the most critical time in the game. Right after the Saints went up by a touchdown, Green fumbled as soon as the Packers got the ball Back. I also counted at least 3 drops, and 4 if you include a shaky thrown ball by favre. As well as Green ran last week, he showed the complete opposite this week against a weaker opponent. The first tackler always brought him down, and at times it seemed that Green hesitated when deciding what hole to run through. His 16 carries for 42 yards just ain't gonna cut it.
3. Bubba Franks, He couldn't catch a cold throughout the game. Favre was obviously becoming frustrated with Bubba as well as the coaching staff, because when it came time to move the ball in the 4th quarter Favre went to Martin while Bubba stayed in to block. which brings me to my next point, Bubba allowed Charles Grant to beat him so bad that Favre rolled to his right and Grant was still able to catch Favre for a 12 yard loss. Bubba was whipped like a dog on another passing play as well, and Favre got up and gave Bubba a solid stare down for a good 5 seconds. Brett is supposed to rely on his tight end in this offense and Bubba seems to have lost Favre's trusts.
4. William Henderson. I don't think Hendo expect the ball in the end zone but when it came fluttering his way he could have at least made an attempt at going after it with a little bit of aggression. He let a corner back take the ball away from him. Hendo didn't even bother going up to try and knock it down. I was disappointed in his effort, and the same could be said for Bubba Franks as well on that play, they both decided to watch instead of trying to make a play.
5. Nick Collins, Collins got beat on two deep balls both where he looked confused and totally spun around by the receiver. He simply looked like he was on ice skates trying to do a triple lutes on the field. Collins made some great plays in the running game, but the Packers need him for his coverage skills, and not the skills he showed today.
6. KGB, didn't hear his name called once today. I don't even think he got a single hurry or pressure on Brees and then I was shocked to see that he had a sack of Brees for nine yards. when the heck did that happen? But most of the day Jamal Brown the second year player out of Oklahoma locked on to KGB and made him disappear. I also noticed that the Packer were quite liberal with their substitution of their defensive ends with Michael Montgomery, but mostly he was subbing for Kabeer. I notice on passing downs that Kabeer lines up so far outside that he limits his ability to use more than a speed rush on the offensive tackle. He doesn't have the arm strength to make a hump move to the inside or use a bull rush. He is simply useless at this point of the season.
7. Nick Barnett, he was mostly invisible today and had a career low of 2 solo tackles. He was burnt a number of times on passes across the middle where he was caught looking in the backfield and not getting into his drop. On one play he took a terrible angle on a pass to Reggie Bush in the flat, was flat out ran by the rookie speedster. I guess I don't understand why against the Saints of all teams he decided to lay an egg on defense. Maybe he was to preoccupied with Reggie Bush, but he consistently got lost in the wash. On McCallister's 23 yard touchdown run he allowed the backside guard block him on a play that went to between the tackle and the end on the opposite side, he was slow to read the play and once again should the inability to fight through a block and make the play, instead he got blocked and quit on the play.
8. Ahmad Carroll, I am sick of sticking up for this guy, granted he was having trouble with cramps, but come on, he got burnt for jumping on a move by Devery Henderson and watched him going streaking past him for a touchdown, the sad thing is, is that he had help to the inside. He also extended a drive with a pass interference call, and then on the next play Brees made toast out of Nick Collins. Carroll has all the talent and speed in the world but he is just to immature to listen and absorb the lessons the game of football teaches these young men.
9. Brady Poppinga, He simply can't be counted on in pass coverage, he lacks the instincts and ability to cover tight ends and fullbacks that come out of the back field. He is too slow on play action and misdirection plays. I still don't see much of a difference between him and Ben Taylor so I am not going to be one of the many calling for Poppinga to be replaced. He did have one nice break up late in the game, and boy did I get excited.
Well thats it, the Packers showed some signs of life against a lesser opponent than the one they faced last week, but all and all there were no moral victories in this game, in fact it left a very bitter taste in the mouth of most people considering they blew a 13 point lead.
If you still are looking for a silver lining in this game, remember moral victories are only for those that participate in Special Olympics.
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