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.