Packers: PreSeason scores mean nothing but playing well is critical. If Rodgers plays at a pro bowl level [As opposed to all-pro level or MVP level] in each playoff game we will win SB. We beat a team that I think will be pretty good [I say this even though Raider Pride used Reggie's name in vain š the other dayš]. Also, they tried harder to win [playing #1s for a half] and all but one player on their 3 deep was available and played [Mario Edwards starting DE was only injured guy].
Tribute: Daniels at a 40+ Million hometown discount he's out there WAYYY more than he should be. They cant pull Daniels off the field. He is leading his young DLmen into battle. These youngins with Turgo, their talent and leadership like Daniels will probably have some growing pains early, but these guys will be serviceable to a force by playoff time.
2nd string šØ 10 2nd stringers and Randall [Though I think Thomas and Martinez are our 2 best ILBs and would start in Jax if the game were tomorrow] were outstanding against Raiders #1 offense. 4 drives; two 1st downs; 14 plays 35 yards...Unbelievable
Starting ILBs: Meet Joe Thomas and Martinez. Ryan, Bradford and Barrington will be battling for 1 ILB spot and one ad hoc spot on the roster. It is possible Barrington moves better in the coming weeks as he gains confidence in foot to reclaim his starting spot, assuming he would have shown a nice leap in his play from '14 to '15 had he played in '15. If he is only marginally better than he was in '14 not sure he makes the team. Barrinton made a nice play on 4 yard loss on pass in flat to Murray.
Martinez-I didn't' notice last week and re-looked, he was wearing the green dot in Clev. too. It is almost impossible for a 4th round rookie, who missed some mini camp to get this responsibility in a Capers D. And another sweet game he played.
He blanketed TE Smith, who lined up wide; okay, he is no Gronkowski receiving. I never saw a mistake in coverage; he played downhill on inside runs [Though he did miss another tackle] and he covered the field sideline to sideline. When the starters went out; he seemed to play with more [controlled] abandon. It's as if he took upon himself to be the man with the scrubbs.
The play at 2Q 5:21 was unbelievable as Oakland ran around Packers left end. Randall was playing slot with outside leverage meaning he had outside contain if TE blocks. Randall crashed and was blocked by RT Howard, but he also took out TE Smith and FB Olawale. Martinez swerved inside of G Jackson, who came off line clean to block Martinez on second level, and got by him untouched. He then hurdled over Smith and Olawale, who were on ground because of Randall, and made the tackle for a 2 yard gain. How does a guy with these skills to read and react, who can undoubtedly impress in a meeting room, last until late in 4th round? Thompson must have been shocked to see him still there. Now I know why he passed on Devante Booker, he saw losing Martinez in the next 6 picks as the greater evil.
At 2nd Q 1:17 on 3rd and 4, Martinez lined up on LOS to shoot A gap, he took one step in and saw Olawale go to flat. He backed out, not allowing Hudson to engage, and pursued. The pass went to Olawale who was held up by Rollins and Martinez closed toward that spot. When Olawale broke free Martinez instantly changed his pursuit angle and met and tackled Olwale at 2 yards past LOS forcing a punt.
Cook: A 6.5 YPC average, 50% less than Rodgers, who supposedly is too slow. Cook must also be too slow to play TE. Oh wait, could it be possible his YPC might be a function of the types of routes he's running?
On the 3rd down and 6 catch for 7 by Adams; Cook appeared to be asking Adams what he was supposed to do just before snap. Adams obviously didnt have time to tell Cook, because Cook ran his route wrong, he was too close to Adams. But that slant Cook caught looks near impossible to defend.
Cook didn't have a single solid block last week; but 2 this week. At 2:43 1Q. he had to do a reach block on Mack; the toughest block on a GREAT player. Cook couldn't get to his inside number and turn Mack, who couldš? But Cook kept the block engaged the entire time Mack was closing and Cook slowed Mack up just enough so he could not get into play. This is an A grade given the degree of difficulty. At 10:18 1Q Lacy ran to Cook's side, Cook had Irvin 1 on 1 and controlled him perfectly for a beat or two; then Cook came off the block and collided with the safety. Only problem is that Irvin made the tackle because Lacy got held up breaking a tackle behind LOS. Had Lacy not been held up, commentators would of been raving on TV about how Cook blocked 2 guys. Cook, whose back was to Lacy, had a clock in is head of how long to hold the block and if the play had run normal Irvin would not have gotten to Lacy. Its possible this was desinged; but I'm guessing it something Cook did under Fischer. I dont like it, because Lacy gets held up all the time breaking tackles behind the LOS. I think Cook will be told to stay on his block for as long as possible. At 12:15 1Q GB employed a nifty blocking scheme for Cook, who was lined up right as inside guy in trips and the run went that way. Rather than have Cook block, they had him run left and block the pursuit. Joseph who had Cook manhad to move to GB left. By the time he realized Cook was blocking Adams was able to seal him off from getting back into the play. Otherwise in several other plays, Cook's blocking ranged from meh to looking like he feared contact.
Burks: McGinn sang his pass protect skills in Clev. McGinn often observes through agenda; he was 100% wrong. The three plays he described as good blocking were: v. Cam Johnson, Burks could not anchor and was pushed right into Callahan causing pass to flutter. V. Carder, who grabbed Burks so he couldn't go into his pattern, it wasn't even a block; and Burks was between a juking Callahan and Tuggle,Callahan was using Burks as an obstruction, almost like Burks was a ref, its not like Burks was actually blocking Tuggle.
In Oak. On Callahan's 1st sack Burks was supposed to chip Mack on the way into his pattern and he totally whiffed. Then we didn't see him for a couple of series after that.
Callahan is the real deal. He looked like he stunk against Raiders' 1s; but that was because our #2 O-line was manhandled by Raiders' 1s. In the 2 passes he had w/ the #1 OL he hit a 6 yarder to Cook and then that inexplicable 4th and 1 when he didn't throw to Cook, or Monty nor Rodgers all alone for easy TD. He's a D-3 rookie. I love this kid's awareness of the rush, scrambling ability and poise under fire and is doing a good job of going through progressions. I can't believe Callahan was able to hold onto the ball when Geronimo ran the wrong route. If Callahan was 6'5" we'd never get him to practice squad.
Crockett: had a nice game, but on that 3rd down screen Mike McCarthy was really mad at Crockett. I looked at that play and a few before it to see what Mike McCarthy was so crazy about, I dont know. Only thing I can think of he was supposed to block or chip and didn't make any effort to do so.
Ripkowski: on his catch he was stood up by 2 defenders hitting him a the same time; even up right he plowed for 4 more yards...this is power!
Tretter was All-pro. On Lacy's 20 yard run he got a perfect reach block on Jelly [Ellis]. 2 plays later a sweet combo block on Jelly allowing Lang to effectuate his reach block on Jelly and then he drove Malcolm Smith out of the play. Also on this play Rodgers controlled Mack brilliantly.
Banjo needs to be signed to a 3 yr about 7.58M deal. On the 19 yard pass to Cooper on Side line Banjo got there FAST! 1st play of 2d Q he timed hit perfect on WR in front of him causing an INC. He is always in right spot at right time; beside being our top STer.
Ringo looked better against the 1s, held his ground and would egt push against #1s, he also pursued well laterally. Clark and Lowery were serviceable against Raiders #1s; this bodes well for the future.
Mastay: w/ Janis out this is his chance to see what kind of gunner he can be.
Murphy is an idiot. He is ruining my hopes of sneaking him on the practice squad.