Until Rodgers plays better than Ryan; we cant beat Atlanta.
Rodgers simply played like a rookie when it counted [EG, 2 good plays, 1 mediocre, 1 very bad]. Some of the worst: (1) He got scared in the pocket and sailed one over Adams, who was wide open for 1st on a 3rd and long [Adams got shook up and missed a few snaps] and turned the ball back over to Atl. (2) He refused to change a called running play on 2nd 9 and ran into a 9 man front for -2. This was an opportunity for a big play instead 3rd and 3. (3)The INT to Allison was him playing with rookie impatience; a back shoulder gets the first, but Rodgers wanted a big play. (4) The Lateral for Atl TD was 100% STUPID. His Tackles cut the outside rushers, so there’s no extra beat to throw, there’s no running around; the pro QB knows, its read 1, read 2, get rid of the ball, there is just no excuse for him getting hit, ZERO. It is a rookie QB that snaps the ball, cant get ball out, then forgets the pass coverage he called.
Bennett battled his ass off. But was awful catching the pass when it counted; ran a terrible route on a back shoulder in 3rd Q.
The young tackles were wonderful considering. And they might have just been good period. I can’t wait to watch the tape on these guys. Atl with a big lead allowed the DL to just tee off on these guys and they held up when I was looking. We have some great young depth on OL, I guess Mike McCarthy wasn’t lying about it.
Kevin King had 2 fantastic 1 on 1 PERFECT coverages on Julio! One on goal line so he didn’t have to worry about getting beat deep [Grade A-]. On the crossing route he avoided the rub, got his hand on Julio’s shoulder to slow him w/o getting PI/Hold call and dove and knocked down a very good pass [A/A+]. If King’s tracking, hand work and ball skills are this good on a consistent basis, he will be a pro-bowler. King had a great coverage on Gabrial [B], and a C+/B- coverage on Hardy [where C is the average CB]. King will be starting next time we play Atlanta! Played zone beautifully on a pass to RB in flat and made open field tackle for loss [B+].
He got beat by Julio once badly [D-], but throw didn’t go that way; several times King was asking for help on his assignment, which might mean he’s not quite ready to start. Gave up a 14 yard slant to Gabriel in 4th [C]; but this is on Capers. He calls a blitz; then has King playing 7 yards off LOS. Of course it is possible King blew his alignment [If so D-]; but Capers has done this silly stuff before.
Fackrell played very close to average again, this is progress.
Brice’s lack of coverage skills were exposed. Jones played most of 2nd half and didn’t get burned; but Atl wasn’t running wide open to really expose him. I’m guessing, we’ll get a better look at him next week.
Randall missed some plays probably due to injury and House didn’t finish the game. Wish we had Gunter. Maybe Ted can get him back for a 7th, he’ll never get to us on waivers even if cut. We might have to get Ringo from Det PS or bring back a double-dipping Fancios.