Silentio
14 years ago
National Football Post 

1. McCarthys game plan: In my opinion, his best game plan of the season. Green Bay got back to balanced football and we saw some examples of a team that could line up in their Tank personnel (1 WR, 2 TE, 2 RB) and play physical at the line of scrimmage. This allows the Packers to take some stress off of QB Aaron Rodgers (3 TD passes), use their play action route schemes and put together long, time consuming drives that wear down defenses. The running game was the big concern I had for Green Bay heading into the playoffs, but with a game plan like this they can beat anyone in the NFC.

Vick's 4th quarter INT gave the Packers the Wild Card win out in Philadelphia.
2. Vicks 4th quarter INT: If you are going to challenge the Packers Tramon Williams, then you better make a great throwand that didnt happen. Williams played with inside leverage at the snap and went up to high point the football. Thats how you are coached as a DB. What we saw was an example of Williams staying in phase (on the WRs hip) and making a big play. However, go back to the throw in that situation. Did Vick need to challenge the end zone and why turn a crucial 2-minute drive into a jump ball situation? Something for Philly to think about after they challenged a CB who played with good technique and attacked the football.

3. James Starks production: A running back with vision and the ability to cut back. This is exactly what Green Bay needed. Lets not say that Starks has arrivedyetbut his production today (23 carries for 123-yards) played right into McCarthys game plan. He has a quick first step and was able to get to the second level of the Eagles defense because he didnt hesitate or dance in the backfield. Get the ball, find a running lane and go produce. That sells in the playoffsand the Packers now have a RB they can lean on.

4. Packers defense: This was a solid game plan from Dom Capers. Use Charles Woodson as a spy (or what I like to call a rover) on Michael Vick, give a variety of pre-snap looks and challenge the QB to beat you. I like the idea of pressuring Vickwhich forces him to make throws vs. blitz looksand mixing in your coverage schemes as well. However, the big thing is the preparation it takes throughout the week to prepare for this Packers defense. Those pre-snap looks are designed to cause confusion in protection schemes. And just like we saw today, Green Bay will get some free runners to the QB when the O-Line doesnt slide their protection or cant handle the amount of pressure that comes from all angles. If you like defensive football, the Packers are a great team to study.

5. DeSean Jacksons injury: Impacted the Eagles game plan. Thats the best way to say it. When you lose that vertical speed from Jackson, it takes away a crucial element to your play calling. Philly wants to run inside breaking routes that test the defenders leverage, but a big part of their offense is challenging the secondary down the field. We didnt see that today. And even when Jackson came back to the lineup, he didnt show us that ability to separate vertically once the ball was is in the air. That hurt Vick and this Eagles offense.


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bozz_2006
14 years ago
I'm not allowing myself to get too excited about James Starks just yet. If you remember, we were able to run pretty effectively against Philly in week one, too. Starks looked good today. I hope he can continue to run the way he ran today.
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Silentio
14 years ago
Starks looked good against the 49ers too, and then stunk it up against the Lions. But the whole team looked terrible against the Lions. I am hoping he's the real deal. We are going to need to be able to control the clock against the Falcons. I am worried about their power rushing attack and them chewing up the clock. Great to see him run like that tonight, though.
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British
14 years ago
Starks remains a bit of an unknown but there is enough to think the guy will be a contributor next season at least. Not many expected this kind of production from a 6th round pick without a game in nearly 2 years.

Starks is why Ted Thompson doesn't like trading away draft picks.
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Silentio
14 years ago

Starks is why Ted Thompson doesn't like trading away draft picks.

"British" wrote:



This. Just look at how competitive the hated Patriots have been over the last decade or so. A big reason is that they do everything they can to hold on to (and gain) draft picks, while identifying talent and developing from within. It aint sexy... until you're in the playoffs that is.
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Rios39
14 years ago
The O-Line stank it up against the Lions. Not Starks.
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Pack93z
14 years ago
Starks played a very solid game.. and the offensive line looked better because of how he attacked holes.. that along with some solid lead blocking by Quinn and Kuhn..

But I was most impressed with his ball security throughout the game.. picked up everything he could then cradled the ball with both hands securely. Well done for a rookie.

Personally.. I loved the balance and allowing the offensive line to get into a groove.. until late were we tried to burn the clock.. they were very effective with the run and forced the Eagles to run blitz and pinch.. I kind of wanted MM to gut them late with a strong PA pass.

Defense played solid all day and took some short fields away from the Eagles.

The Special teams played a nice game and didn't allow anything cheap.. the opening Eagles punt was a blown call.. Underwood got thrown into the ball... driven for several yards. Bad call.

Overall a complete team game and effort and closed out a tight game on the road in the playoffs.

More importantly.. given a young team some confidence and experience on the road.

The bonus is it shuts people like Cowherd up about a playoff win.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
BangTheDrum
14 years ago
Let's not forget though that Atlanta is a much better run defense than the Eagles... Their DB's do leave plenty to be desired
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Ba da da, Ba dadada GO PACK GO
go.pack.go.
14 years ago
I'd also like to give Sam Shields props. He played a hell of a game, highlighted by the breakup deep to Maclin.
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Greg C.
14 years ago

The bonus is it shuts people like Cowherd up about a playoff win.

"Pack93z" wrote:



No kidding. Although we'll still have to hear him prattle on about how Matt Sanchez has the "it factor." I actually think he's right about that. It just gets tiresome.
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