14 years ago
That's why it was so great when he got Zombified in the 3rd quarter.
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Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
Gruden just seems to like quarterbacks, period. He fellates all of them on the air. I'm amazed he doesn't burn out his salivary glands in a single three-hour game period.

When it comes to the blatant helmet-to-helmet hit on Grant, I have to think Sanders will be hit with a fine this week. Yes, no penalty was called, but the contact was flagrant on replay. I was worried that Grant might have left the field with a concussion, but hopefully he was pulled from the game purely as a precautionary measure. He did return for a couple more plays before leaving for the night, if I remember correctly.

I have nothing to add about Rodgers that hasn't already been said. After a shaky start, his performance was pristine. He throws one of the tightest spirals in the league, with nary a wobble, and there is never a doubt that the pass is going to hit his receiver. It's remarkable to watch. When Favre threw balls into tight coverage, I used to cringe and cover my eyes. When Rodgers does the same thing, I cheer.

I was impressed with Quinn Johnson's performance tonight. Before this game, I had expected him to be cut or traded, but now I'm starting to think that they'll keep the Mack truck around, probably at the expense of Hall. I don't see any way that Kuhn gets traded. He has proven himself to be one of the most versatile players on the team, and he's fast becoming a fan favorite. I was a bit surprised that Johnson wasn't called for holding on that one massive block he threw, but it was fun to see him lay the hammer with his entire body instead of just his arms.

I was pleased to see James Jones step up and make a solid case for an increased role in this offense. I think it's obvious now that if Driver or Jennings go down for any period of time, there will be no significant diminution in our offensive output. Jones made that one touchdown catch look fluid and easy; his hands seem to have improved and his elusiveness is increasing.

Donald Driver demonstrated yet again that he remains one of the slipperiest receivers in the game. He may not be fast, but he is incredibly hard to tackle.

While I know that we can't draw too many firm conclusions from preseason play, it would appear that opposing defenses are going to focus on our other receivers and challenge Jermichael Finley to beat them. There were quite a few plays last night in which no one even bothered to cover him. He was running free out there. On the few plays in which he was bracketed with tight coverage, we saw Driver or Jones wide open. Assuming his line can protect him, I think Aaron Rodgers may have one of the easiest jobs in the history of the league this year: he will have someone open on every play -- if not a receiver or tight end, at least a back.

Tackling remains an issue with our defense. I saw far too many bad angles and lame attempts at arm tackles last night. TwinkieGorilla remarked in the chat room that a lot of our defenders seemed to think their performances didn't really matter, and I agree. Their tackles were lackadaisical at best. I hope this is a side effect of Dom Capers' insistence on playing a vanilla defense, because if the tackling woes return this season, I am going to be throwing stuff at the TV.

Our run defense continues to remain superb, so I think we're going to see some spectacular aerial attacks against the Packers this year.

Special teams was improved last night, but it would be really nice to see a few more returns stopped inside the 20. I know that is largely a function of hangtime and other factors, but it just seems to me that if the special teams is never going to stop returners before the 25 or 30, the coaches might as well have the kickers and punters shoot for a touchback every time.

I won't say Jason Chery cemented his position on the final roster last night, but I will say that Brett Swain better step up if he doesn't want his status as 5th receiver called into question.

Until last night, I believed that Chris Bryan had the inside track on the punter position. Now I'm not so sure. Tim Masthay was given the opportunity to kick off in the third quarter, and he made the most of it, kicking it 69 yards from the Green Bay 30 to the Indianapolis 1. He was also the holder on all kicks and extra points. Given the premium Mike McCarthy places on versatility, I think Bryan's days in Green Bay are numbered.

Fan favorites Frank Zombo and Sam Shields improved their chances of making the final roster with standout, though hardly spectacular, play. They're both very raw, but they've been taking the preseason seriously (unlike some of our other players), and they're healthy. I think Mike McCarthy will take their availability, potential, and enthusiasm into account when he's making his final cuts.

Donald Lee will be playing in the NFL this year, but I no longer think it will be for the Green Bay Packers. He has done virtually nothing his preseason, while Tom Crabtree, Andrew Quarless, and Spencer Havner have all made aggressive pushes for more playing time. I believe Crabtree will make the roster on the merits of his blocking ability and workmanlike attitude. I think Havner has made himself all but indispensable with his ability to play both sides of the ball. On the other hand, the fact that he's been playing into the fourth quarter could indicate that he's being given every chance possible to show what he has because he's on the bubble. Quarless will not make it past waivers, so I believe he ekes out a roster spot this year based on the potential he has to make a dynamic complement to Finley in years to come.

I am no fan of Atari Bigby and therefore am glad to see Morgan Burnett performing reasonably well. It's possible that Burnett will represent a weakness in the Packers' secondary, but he will surely bring far more to the table than Bigby can hope to do after missing so much time. It will not bother me a bit if Bigby fails to make it off the PUP and ends up on IR.

For the love of God, Mr. Capers, please stop telling our defensive backs to play so far off the receivers and let us see what they can do!

Overall, it was a fun game to watch and I was thoroughly entertained. I am more than hopeful about the forthcoming season, even with the more challenging schedule ahead. For now I will stand by my prediction of 12-4, though I reserve the right to change it after the fourth preseason game.

The Green Bay front office has amassed one of deepest rosters in my memory, with the only significant hole seeming to be the secondary. A lot of current Packers are going to be playing on other teams when opening day comes around. That is a credit to Ted Thompson and his staff of scouts.
UserPostedImage
14 years ago
I have a random question for everyone. There was a point in the 4th quarter (I think) where a Packers WR made a nice catch, and they flipped the camera to Donald Driver on the sideline who said (reading his lips), "My boy!" He looked genuinely proud of the WR. Anyone know what receiver that was? Has Donald taken one of them under his wing?
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Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
I was extremely pleased to see how genuinely excited Aaron Rodgers seemed to be at Matt Flynn's solid performance. He was jumping around and cheering for each of Flynn's touchdown passes.

I forgot to mention that Graham Harrell looked vastly improved last night, which also pleased me, since I wanted the Packers to draft him when he came out. Whether or not Harrell makes the final roster (I don't think he will), I believe the Packers have resurrected his career. They've given him a chance to showcase his talents. We may stash him on the practice squad this year, but I believe that by next year, he'll be on another team's 53-man roster.
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Greg C.
14 years ago

i also lol'ed at how much Gruden seems to love Rodgers, because please...there's enough rimjobbing for Peyton, Brees and Fa--uh--that other guy going around these days. he kept calling Rodgers an elite quarterback, got in a lil' debate about it, accepted that Jaws was right (about being elite once he has some jewelry) and then just totally ignoring that concession and calling him elite about 15 minutes later. ::lol:

"TwinkieGorilla" wrote:



Yeah, the praise for Manning and Rodgers was WAY over the top. It was almost like watching a Favre game, with a Favre on each team. Even when they both came out of the game, they kept showing Manning and Rodgers standing on the sidelines, which led to more multiple orgasms from the guys in the booth.

What was the deal with them calling Manning "The Sheriff"? I'd never heard that before. It was embarrassing to listen to grown men talking like that.

It's a good problem to have as a fan, though, when the announcers are praising your QB TOO MUCH. I know some Lions fans who wouldn't mind having that problem. Maybe in a couple years they will, if Stafford keeps improving.
blank
Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
This comment on PFT made me chuckle:

Obviously this game proved once and for all the Packers are terrible, Ted Thompson should be immediately fired, they need a gaggle of free agent signings, and it was a huge mistake firing Brett Favre.

"jimmySee" wrote:



Another quote I liked:

i like the fact that the packers offense was unstoppable with Jennings sitting this one out.

"JJCheesehead" wrote:



A valid point, to which I would add that our second-string offense did surprisingly well against Indianapolis' first-string defense.
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Yerko
14 years ago
I was overly happy with this performance. I won't let it being a preseason game take anything away from what this team accomplished. The Colts came to play so it was a game nonetheless.

1. Aaron Rodgers shook of the rusty start and just dominated. Something everyone should like to see, he overcame a couple of bad throws and woke up.
2. Solid offensive line. Blocked everything possible thrown at them. :thumbright:
3.Run looked a little better.
4. Donald Driver is THE man.
5. Our defense looked good, especially with missing a few starters. I really do not have much complaints or concerns at the moment.
6. Peyton is a baby...always has been and always will. I wonder how it felt to get ZOMBO'd.
6. I thought Addai was dead on that collision he took from Francois.
7. Front 3 getting pressure is always a good sign.
8. Williams was burned a few times...by the best receiver on the Colts and one of the best in the NFL
9. IMO, Burnett has secured his starting spot...even if Bigby is able to play.
10. Shields needs to be on the roster.
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Greg C.
14 years ago

Our run defense continues to remain superb, so I think we're going to see some spectacular aerial attacks against the Packers this year.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



Yes, it should make for an interesting year. I think other teams will be gambling a lot, passing on almost every play. When it works, they will score in the 30s or more, and when it doesn't, they'll turn the ball over four or five times. It will be high stakes football.
blank
14 years ago

A valid point, to which I would add that our second-string offense did surprisingly well against Indianapolis' first-string defense.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



I hopped over on the Colts message board to see what they had to say about the game. They were not pleased that Flynn tore up their starting D. :lol:
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dfosterf
14 years ago
Gruden oughta slurp on Rodgers on national tv. He told Rodgers he was going to take him 5th if he was still there 5 years ago. He took Cadillac instead. He might love 'em, (QB's), but he can't pick 'em,lol
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Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Missed FG into a Lions TD; that'll do pig, that'll do
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : That might be it for the Vikings
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Oh so the refs do know what intentional grounding is
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : what the hell was that Goff?! Not much pressure and he just air mails it to Harrison
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : They really need to to get rid of the auto first down for illegal contact
Martha Careful (6-Jan) : watching the Vikings and Lions it's understandable why they swept the Packers. So much better product
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Even when GB got pressure he was throwing darts; vs no pressure on that last pass he just air mails an open guy
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : didn't have guys in his face ... pressure makes difference
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Where was this Darnold vs GB?
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : BALL DON'T LIE
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : how was that not a safety? Goff throws it at an offensive lineman
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Zero, I thought that was a given! ;)
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : Zero I looked through earlier and noticed the same thing. Bonkers year. I just wonder if beast put any money on games
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : I'm hoping for BLOODBATH. Pummel one another.
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : 8 people in pick'em would have won any year with their total lol
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : I'm rooting for the Lions to lose.
Mucky Tundra (6-Jan) : God help me but I'm rooting for the Vikings to...Vikings to...Christ I can't say it
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : 4 td for Rodgers
Zero2Cool (6-Jan) : Chiefs got shutout
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Mucky Tundra (5-Jan) : "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."
Zero2Cool (5-Jan) : Owner ... love it
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Zero2Cool (5-Jan) : Eagles -3.5 over Packers in Wildcard Round
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Zero2Cool (3-Jan) : Packers placed Marshawn Lloyd on reserve non-football illness list
Zero2Cool (3-Jan) : Luke Getsy been helping Packers defense. He's former OC Bears/Raiders and our old QB coach
beast (2-Jan) : Thanks dfosterf, I'm still kicking myself for last week, as I forgot to change to pick Vikings and Lions... after putting in a holding spot.
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : First alternate: Elgton Jenkins Other alternates: Jordan Love, Kenny Clark, Keisean Nixon, Tucker Kraft, Josh Myers, Jaire Alexander
Zero2Cool (2-Jan) : Pro Bowl still a thing? Guess Packers have three. Jacobs, Gary, McKinney.
dfosterf (2-Jan) : It's a mine field with all the players sitting, etc
dfosterf (2-Jan) : There was quite a bit of "chalk" matchups this year it seemed, but not this week coming up
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