Official Packers at Cardinals Discussion Thread

[pbmax]

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/confessions-of-a-polluted-mindset-if-it-makes-you-happy-230

Zach Tom - He got off to a slow start in the game and was kind of getting pushed around at first, but he righted the ship and looked better as the game progressed (perhaps the pain killers kicked in). I heard Rob Demovsky on ESPN Milwaukee state that Tom was in considerable pain after the game and was struggling to just get dressed. Tom said he felt good enough to play before the game, although far from 100%. When Demovsky asked him if maybe he shouldn't have played, Tom wouldn't answer that. Sooooooo, don't assume that the offensive line musical chairs is finally over. The Packers likely still have a problem there and we could see Morgan and Rhyan playing next to each other next week.

This seems extremely short-sighted to push him out there where it take half a game to being to function well.

[Joemailman]

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/confes...-you-happy-230



This seems extremely short-sighted to push him out there where it take half a game to being to function well.

Have the Packers changed their tendency to be super conservative about putting injured players back in the lineup?

[MadScientist]

Have the Packers changed their tendency to be super conservative about putting injured players back in the lineup?

Probably related to how shitty the replacements play.

[George Cumby]

Right now you just need to win. After Thanksgiving is when you want to focus on whether the team looks like they can make a playoff run. If they win this one you should feel better.

This. Over-reacting to the style in which the team wins this time of the season is so much pearl-clutching.

If they are limping along like this in four to six weeks, then I'll get worried.

[pbmax]

Have the Packers changed their tendency to be super conservative about putting injured players back in the lineup?

I have had this worry before under LaFleur. But I don't know if he has more sway, or the dual silo admin approach (coach and GM reporting to team President rather than through the GM alone) means something has happened. I also vaguely remember Russ Ball getting more responsibility at one point and that might have been the strength and conditioning staff?

But anecdotally, it seems LaFleur has had a few more players start games and go back out with the same injury, unable to continue. Its happened before; Tom and Banks weren't the first instance. Which is just a flat failure. Maybe LaFleur convinces himself day of the game to trust the players or position coaches too much and excitement gets the best of them.

But they should stop. This just costs them more games over the season.

[bobblehead]

Did Belton miss the last game? I think that may have impacted the decision to play Tom (it shouldn't have).

[Joemailman]

Van Ness, Watson and Wyatt out.

[Joemailman]

Did Belton miss the last game? I think that may have impacted the decision to play Tom (it shouldn't have).

Yes. Both are questionable for this week.

[Fritz]

I have had this worry before under LaFleur. But I don't know if he has more sway, or the dual silo admin approach (coach and GM reporting to team President rather than through the GM alone) means something has happened. I also vaguely remember Russ Ball getting more responsibility at one point and that might have been the strength and conditioning staff?

But anecdotally, it seems LaFleur has had a few more players start games and go back out with the same injury, unable to continue. Its happened before; Tom and Banks weren't the first instance. Which is just a flat failure. Maybe LaFleur convinces himself day of the game to trust the players or position coaches too much and excitement gets the best of them.

But they should stop. This just costs them more games over the season.

PB, if that's Fritz Shurmur, and I think it is, then it's a better avatar than your Mickey Dolenz/Bill Belichik thang. That was creepy.

At this point, I wonder if Tom's injury is one of those "it's-going-to-be-a-problem-all-season" injuries that a game off isn't going to help with, so they've decided to just try it. Yet his refusal to say he ought to have played is concerning - usually players say they want to be out there, etc etc, for their teammates and all. So I don't know. Maybe put the guy on IR and try to get him back for the playoffs. I don't know.

But I would think by now The Flower would be settling on a more consistent solution to these injury issues. That is, settle on your guy to replace Tom if he's going to be in-and-out - and I say use the guy you traded for, Kinnard, so that Morgan can focus on two positions (right guard and left tackle). He's not that adept at moving around, so the fact he can play two seems a win. So take it and quit adding more. Kinnard will also get better if he's playing. He won't be great but he ought to be passable, which is no worse than Morgan seems to have done at RT. And give Belton another week or two off, so when he comes back he actually can be healthy and then be your backup RT - crucial if Tom ends up on IR.

One key to the offensive line shuffle is also Jacob Monk. The kid is desperately needed to play center at a competent level. IF he can come back and do that, then you have the flexibility to move Jenkins to guard if/when Banks gets injured again, and again, The Flower won't be tempted to give Morgan yet another position.

Let's hope this keystone kops offensive line routine settles down in time for the stretch run - those last four games or so.

On an entirely different note, I want to say (again, I think, I'm getting old and can't remember) that the level of reporting (at least at ACME) is really high. Those guys really are digging into the games, the trends, and they of course use stats quite well to analyze. It's quite a step above the old reporting, when the reporters relied on their eyes for their evidence.

Here's a link to an interesting article that argues Love doesn't have gaudy stats because The Flower is slowing the offense down, year after year, and running an awful lot:

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/g...of-jordan-love

[Joemailman]

Packers offense is 3rd in the NFL in yards per pass attempt. 24th in yards per run attempt. Yet they're one of only 3 teams that have run it more than they've passed. Now, there's something to be said for the argument that staying committed to the running game, even when it's not great, keeps defenses honest and that helps the passing game. But I think there's a healthy balance to be found here, and I'm not sure MLF has found it. A question I have is whether MLF has changed since Love replaced Rodgers, or did Rodgers change enough calls at the line of scrimmage to keep the Packers more of a pass-heavy team?

[Joemailman]

Rob Demovsky
@RobDemovsky

Packers CB Keisean Nixon has been added to the injury report as questionable for tomorrow's game at Arizona becasue of an illness.

Three other moves:
OL Jacob Monk added to the roster off IR.
DE Arron Mosby, RB Pierre Strong Jr. elevated from the practice squad.

[Joemailman]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #AZCardinals are once again planning to start QB Jacoby Brissett, while QB Kyler Murray (mid-foot sprain) heals, per The Insiders.

Murray is questionable, but spent time in practice open to the media throwing to practice squad receivers while Brissett was with the starters.

[Joemailman]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero

The #Packers have yet to depart for Arizona because of mechanical issues with the team plane, per sources.

The delay is now approaching 5 hours, and they’re still on the tarmac. Kickoff against the #Cardinals is at 1:25 p.m. Mountain time Sunday.

[MadtownPacker]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #AZCardinals are once again planning to start QB Jacoby Brissett, while QB Kyler Murray (mid-foot sprain) heals, per The Insiders.

Murray is questionable, but spent time in practice open to the media throwing to practice squad receivers while Brissett was with the starters.

Damn is this good or bad? Seems Murray has been shit other than when playing the NFC west. Add that with Packers history of making nobody QBs famous and now we have to worry.

[MadtownPacker]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero

The #Packers have yet to depart for Arizona because of mechanical issues with the team plane, per sources.

The delay is now approaching 5 hours, and they’re still on the tarmac. Kickoff against the #Cardinals is at 1:25 p.m. Mountain time Sunday.

How the hell does an NFL team not make arrangements for any other flight? Gonna end up like Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper and Buddy Holly with this bullshit!!