GoPack1984
15 years ago
Here is an article from Bob McGinn on the preseason game last night.
I'm glad McCarthy and the players seem to realize they are on the right path but still need to work hard and improve. :thumbleft:

http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/36838/ 

Published August 23 2009
Getting up to speed quickly: Rodgers and Packers' defense set the tone in win over Bills

By: By Bob McGinn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Superior Telegram


GREEN BAY -- If there's a danger in peaking midway through the exhibition season, the Green Bay Packers definitely should be on the watch list.

Playing the game at a completely different speed from their opponent for the second Saturday night in a row, the Packers throttled the Buffalo Bills, 31-21, in the 49th Bishop's Charities Game at Lambeau Field.

"We're a long way from peaking," general manager Ted Thompson said. "It's a preseason game. It's a good start."

This is just the second summer this decade in which the Packers opened with a 2-0 record in exhibition games. The other was 2007, when the Packers surprisingly finished 13-3 and went all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

As he watched the Packers own the first half against Buffalo (1-2), Bills vice president of college scouting Tom Modrak couldn't help thinking about the impending race in the NFC North.

"It's too soon, and I'll regret saying this because it happens every year . . . but this has got to be the team to beat in that division," Modrak said. "Now three weeks from now I guess I could change my mind, but at this moment I'm thinking, 'Who's better?' I know Minnesota has done a lot of things on offense but . . ."

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played the first five series and was in fine form, completing eight of nine for 98 yards, two touchdowns and a near-maximum passer rating of 151.6.

At the same time, the Packers again mounted a highly effective ground game. Ryan Grant bounced 10 times for 43 yards as Green Bay gained 67 yards by halftime.

"There were times it looked like we had the play stopped and they still got 4, 5 yards because their backs, everybody's coming," said Modrak. "They played downhill, fast. I mean, they're coming after you. When they're hitting you, they're hitting you hard."

The Packers probably were even more impressive on defense, however, under Dom Capers, the new coordinator.

"There's no reason to be striking up the band or anything like that," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I know we're 2-0. We've got a lot of turnovers. But the reality is there's things we need to correct, too."

The Bills, playing without injured wide receiver Terrell Owens, turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions before adding another in the waning seconds of the first half. Every other starter for Buffalo played.

Green Bay's defense was without injured co-starters Jeremy Thompson and Clay Matthews at right outside linebacker as well as weak inside linebacker Nick Barnett.

"We were able to get some pressure," Ted Thompson said. "We got some turnovers. That's a very good combination. We were able to take them out of their game a little bit. That's the first time we saw the no-huddle. I thought we functioned pretty good against it."

The first-half turnovers included a deflection by Nick Collins that plopped into the hands of Brady Poppinga, a strip-sack by Brandon Chillar that caused Trent Edwards to lose a fumble into the arms of A.J. Hawk, a strip by Cullen Jenkins on a screen pass to Fred Jackson that was pounced upon by Poppinga and a strip-sack by rookie Brad Jones that was recovered by Desmond Bishop.

"I think Dom is one of the best, and I think it will help," said Modrak. "It instills aggressiveness in your team. You're bringing people all the time and you're coming after them."

Modrak equated the impact of the 3-4 on a team's mentality to what a power rushing game can mean for an offense.

"In the 3-4, you're always attacking," Modrak said. "It's an attack defense and it's good."

In addition to the turnover-causing big plays on defense, there were a host of subtle plays that told the story of a hungry new defense in Green Bay operating at fever pitch, at least for the summer game.

After the Bills rushed for a first down to open the game, Capers made a move to shut that off by standing up Jenkins and reducing Poppinga inside of him. The adjustment messed up the Bills' blocking scheme enabling Jenkins to penetrate and tackle Marshawn Lynch for minus-1. On the next play, Edwards threw his interception.

On the second series, defensive end Johnny Jolly whipped around rookie guard Eric Wood twice in the span of three plays for sacks.

On the third series, cornerback Al Harris looked like he was 24, not 34, when he charged up in run support and forced the run so quickly that Lynch could be corralled and lost 3.

On the fourth series, outside linebacker Aaron Kampman played off a block by rookie tight end Shawn Nelson, a second-round draft choice, in textbook fashion and halted Jackson at the point of attack for 2 yards.

"Johnny (Jolly) is a nice player and he's got skill," Thompson said. "Very nice hustle play by Jenkins (on the screen). Aaron's a heck of a player. I think there's good energy. I think they're enjoying playing the game."

Once again, McCarthy began the game in a double tight-end formation that took advantage of rapidly developing Jermichael Finley. In the first four series, Finley was on the field for 16 of 23 plays, or 70 percent.

Jason Spitz's holding penalty wiped out Finley's first reception, a 16-yard pass on a shallow crossing route. A few minutes later, matched against cornerback Leodis McKelvin, Finley left him in the dust for an 18-yard completion across the field.

When the Bills matched up against Finley with strong safety Bryan Scott, Finley beat him at the line inside and the gain was 21.

Rodgers' second touchdown pass came on a scramble right when Donald Driver broke off his route and beat cornerback Terrence McGee in the right corner.

"Excellent play," said Thompson. "That's almost impossible for a corner. Once Aaron broke contain Donald could go any way he wanted to."

Said McCarthy: "I thought that was a big-time play. For him to put that ball where he put it . . . those are the types of plays that win football games. I think he's primed for a big year."

So, perhaps, are the Packers.

-- Copyright (c) 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.





quotation feature added dfosterf

blank
TheEngineer
15 years ago
Gee, Tom Modrak sounds like he'd rather work for our team!
blank
dfosterf
15 years ago

Gee, Tom Modrak sounds like he'd rather work for our team!

"TheEngineer" wrote:



I know the flak is gonna come for me saying this..."just a pre-season game, yada yada yada ---don't count chickens before they are yada yada yada"

I had that feeling last night. It has been an elusive sensation for quite a long time. It's that feeling that I would bet Ravens fans get quite a bit. The one we used to have one heck of alot more often.

I was enjoying having our defense on the field during the meaningful part of that football game. God I love it when that happens. It is the acme of pure pleasure as a Packer zealot.

In the category of more good feelings. Were you referring to when he said this?

As he watched the Packers own the first half against Buffalo (1-2), Bills vice president of college scouting Tom Modrak couldn't help thinking about the impending race in the NFC North.

"It's too soon, and I'll regret saying this because it happens every year . . . but this has got to be the team to beat in that division," Modrak said. "Now three weeks from now I guess I could change my mind, but at this moment I'm thinking, 'Who's better?' I know Minnesota has done a lot of things on offense but . . ."



Or maybe this?

Modrak equated the impact of the 3-4 on a team's mentality to what a power rushing game can mean for an offense.

"In the 3-4, you're always attacking," Modrak said. "It's an attack defense and it's good."




Sorry, I know everybody knows how to read, (shoutout to a member that hates when I do that, lol) but reading those comments are part of the good mood I happen to be in this AM. :thumbleft:
vikesrule
15 years ago


I know the flak is gonna come for me saying this..."just a pre-season game, yada yada yada ---don't count chickens before they are yada yada yada"

.... part of the good mood I happen to be in this AM. :thumbleft:

"dfosterf" wrote:



<brief interruption, my apologies>

The fact that the Packers have beaten those two teams bodes well.

One other team beat both the Browns and the Bills last preseason..........the Detroit Lions.

Have a good rest of the day, Dave! ::wink:

<carry on>
dfosterf
15 years ago
UserPostedImage
15 years ago
you know the color purple is a sign of sexual frustration....

I agree with Twinkiegorilla.

bozz_2006 wrote:


Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (10h) : Both LB Quay Walker and Rookie DB Micah Robinson have passed their physicals
Zero2Cool (11h) : Happy to see site feels more snappy snappy
Zero2Cool (11h) : No sir. I did not.
dfosterf (11h) : You didn't get free childcare when you were at work?
wpr (12h) : These guys make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Pay for their own childcare.
dfosterf (13h) : 2nd issue. Number 1 issue was no gameday childcare. 1 of 3 teams not providing it
Zero2Cool (13h) : Suppose if locker room is main issue, we sitting pretty
wpr (13h) : I thought so Mucky. In those useless player polls GB always rates high overall. Locker is a part of it.
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Wasn't the locker room just updated like 6 or 7 years ago?
Zero2Cool (14h) : I have forum updated on different site. We'll see how this one goes before going to that
Zero2Cool (15h) : Elgton Jenkins has a back injury, is expect to end contract dispute
wpr (17h) : It's funny the PA complained about the locker room. It wasn't that long ago it was top shelf. Things change in a hurry.
wpr (17h) : The site is much more better.
Zero2Cool (17h) : NFLPA report said Packers lockerroom needed upgrade. Whining bout where you change?
Zero2Cool (17h) : I saw that and thought it was kind of lame.
dfosterf (17h) : Packers new locker room is pretty awesome. Great for morale, imo
Zero2Cool (18h) : Shuffled things on the web server. Hope it makes it faster.
Zero2Cool (18h) : Other times, it's turtle ass
Zero2Cool (18h) : Sometimes it's snappy, like now.
beast (19h) : I feel like it's loading at the top of the next minute, or something like that.
beast (19h) : Also the thanks/heart takes FOREVER to load, and posting in the shout box takes three times FOREVER!
beast (19h) : Thanks for saying something, I thought it was slow, but assumed it was on my end
beast (20h) : Thanks for saying something, I thought it was slow, but assumed it was on my end
Zero2Cool (20h) : Yeah, I noticed that too. Is it slow for PackerPeople.com too?
wpr (20h) : I don't know what you IT guys call it but the page loading is very slow for me today.
Zero2Cool (20h) : SSL might be settled now.
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Still working through SSL cert issues
wpr (23-Jul) : Glad to be back
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : I think PH original finally working.
dfosterf (22-Jul) : Can tell you are having a fun day Kev
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Yep, I had to manually move them. It'll fix itself after more posts.
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Same deal with the songs/videos thread, says you replied last but when I go there it's what I posted earlier is last
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : I had to manually move three posts.
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : But when I go it, Martha's is the last reply
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Still a little screwy; it shows on the main forum that you were the last person to reply to the Jenkins trade thread
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Host issues, been crazy day
Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Connect 4?
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : Connecting to new database
Zero2Cool (22-Jul) : What the hell
beast (22-Jul) : Packershome going to the Whiteout unis again
Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : Oh wait, they got Cam Ward. 1st overall right? haha oops
Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : They could send Packers a 1st for a QB they are familiar with
Zero2Cool (21-Jul) : Titans QB Will Levis to have season-ending shoulder surgery
Zero2Cool (19-Jul) : Their season did kind of start there, so 🤷
dfosterf (19-Jul) : Eagles put an engraved Brazil flag on their super bowl rings
Zero2Cool (18-Jul) : Benton unsigned no more
Zero2Cool (17-Jul) : That's good analysis, yes you are getting old. It'd a blessing!
dfosterf (14-Jul) : *analysis* gettin' old
dfosterf (14-Jul) : One of the best analyisis I"ve ever watched at this time of an offseason
dfosterf (14-Jul) : Andy Herman interviewed Warren Sharp on his Pack a day podcast
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
2h / Around The NFL / beast

3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

5h / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

23-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Jul / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

22-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

22-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

20-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

20-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

18-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

15-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.