agentdalecooper12

[agentdalecooper12]

Packers vs. Vikings review

After regulation, I felt the Packers had missed out on a win.  After overtime, they had escaped a loss.  Very weird game.  Thinking back to last week, we wondered if Aaron would even play.  Davante, too, had an injury.  But look at how things went -- hobbled Aaron, supposedly vaunted Vikings D, questionable GB O-line, young secondary, Vikings favored, and the Packers scored 29. 

Oh, the refs... The call against Clay was not controversial since there has to be debate on whether or not it was a good call, and nobody thinks it was a good call.  Even Skip Bayless disagreed with it.  When the defense is called upon to make a dagger play late in games, and the result is a cancelled INT on a crap penalty, then why continue playing great D?  The motive is gone since at any time the refs could flag you for something that is really nothing.  We can't blame the D for not shutting the Vikings down.  They weren't really allowed to do their jobs. The holding call on Lane Taylor that nixed the Graham TD was bogus.  The non-call against Davante in the end zone where the CB grabbed his hands while facing away from the passer was awful.  The King injury led directly to the Diggs TD. 

Quite a few past games have come into my head while considering this past weekend's battle.  Of course, the Fail Mary.  But this was not a loss; however, will it ultimately play a part in Green Bay losing out on a first round bye in the playoffs like it did in 2012.  Remember that with that illegitimate loss to Seattle, the Packers had to play in SF, and Kaepernick ran all over them.  But what if this tie is the half-game advantage needed to win a close divisional race like in 2013?  A dramatic Week 17 victory would be a nice way to roll into the post-season.  Having a narrow lead with multiple FGs while wondering why a hobbled Aaron can get more TDs sounds too much like the 2014 NFC Championship game for my liking.  In that game, fans criticized McCarthy for being too conservative in running the ball down the stretch.  In the aftermath of Sunday, fans demanded to know why McCarthy and Aaron passed too much!  How quickly we fall into the mind-numbed nonsense of "if the play works then it's a good play, but if it fails to achieve our desired results then it was a stupid play".  In the end, we have a great chance of doing great things with a young defense, a healing Aaron, and the return of Aaron Jones.  On to Washington!

[agentdalecooper12]

Packers/Bears preview (Week 1)

Lots of mystery surrounding these two teams.  Bears -- is Matt Nagy a magician for your offense? Do you have the weapons Nagy had in KC?  If not, how will Trubisky expect to play?  Is Allen Robinson a WR1?  Can your running game do anything against this stacked D-line in Green Bay? Does Mack play the one man wrecking crew that Rodgers can play against, or does he make the whole defense better?  After Fuller, can your secondary stand up to Adams/Cobb/Graham? 

Packers -- Can you start out with a bang or will it take you until the second half?  Is Jimmy Graham's magic just inside the red zone or also between the 20s?  Does Philbin's game plan confuse the heck out of the Bears with a stronger screen game, great TE play, and quicker throws from Rodgers?  Can Aaron perform without a Jordy hangover?  Can the running game grind on the Bears' D and move the chains?  Can Montgomery be a better x-factor than ever?  Does Pettine have the pieces he needs to pressure pressure pressure Trubisky into mistakes?

I can see the Packers stumbling if they start as they left off last year.  But I have no indication that this very different roster will start like last year's team.  Everyone seems to have either grown or has been cut.  The secondary is more than re-tooled.  I think there will be multiple INTs from Trubisky and one pick returned for a score.  I think Marcedes Lewis will do something unexpected.  Graham will score.  Rodgers will have 3 or more TD passes.  The Packers will win by double digits.  I don't want to think about injuries, which have not been a concern so far this year it seems.  Ha-Ha better show up.  Really concerned about pass rush.  Remember that the Packers D had almost no snaps with all 11 preferred starters last year. 

[agentdalecooper12]

The One Off -- Marcedes Lewis/Corey Linsley (8-5-18)

Marcedes Lewis was the less spectacular TE acquisition but one that was no less necessary to bolster both the Aaron Rodgers Security Company and the blossoming running game.  A former first round of the Jags in 2006, Lewis has had modest stats.  After 12 seasons, Marcedes averages fewer than 3 TDs season and only 26+ yards per game.  Obviously, Gutey did not sign him for his statistical prowess, but Lewis' 12 yards/catch average and 57% catch rate (coming from Jaguars QBs keep in mind -- we can't all have Gronk's 65% catch rate, OK?) is not a throw away feature to this offense. 

We should expect the strong side running game to improve even more with Lewis since he was rated the best run-blocking TE last season.  It will also be exciting to see opposing defenses give so much attention to Graham and so freeing up Lewis to double down the attack on the seam.  This could be a very productive way of moving the ball between the 20s.  Lastly, Marcedes has red zone value certainly higher than Richard Rodgers. 

The One Off --  It would have been more obvious to have said that Bryan Bulaga is the One Off to Corey Linsley, but claiming Lewis is going more out on a limb and that's what I'm trying for.  Corey Linsley had an okay year last year in comparison with his peers; this was not true when compared to himself and on film.  I attribute much of this to the play of aging Jahri Evans, Justin McCray and his constantly switching positions, and an inept Jason Spriggs.  If Spriggs played like he did late in the season but at the start and then improved each week, Evans could have done his job and Linsley could have been the rock that the Packers need at center.  But enough excuses for last year.

Corey Linsley will have better play at guard to his right because he will have better play in Bulaga at right tackle.  But the topper is Marcedes Lewis adding that edge on the... well, edge.  With an adequate blocking right flank, Linsley will be able to patrol the middle and even give Lane Taylor some help with blindside blitzers.  In the run game, with a dominating Bulaga and Lewis, Linsley might even be able to get out and move as a pulling lineman.  Screens are back on the menu as well, which reduce the crash that Linsley will have to take.  He endured a lot as Hundley bumbled his way against a crumpling pocket in the face of opposing pass rushers who knew he wasn't up to the task.  That made Linsley look not up to the task.  Run it to the right, Green Bay, and your center will get back to protecting our most precious resource -- Aaron Rodgers.

[agentdalecooper12]

The One Off -- Aaron Jones/Brian Gutekunst (7-31-18)

Aaron Jones is suspended for the first two games of the 2018 season.  He broke the law by speeding while under the influence of marijuana.  That is not okay.  Pot might seem like the magical cure for suffering football players, but current players who think it's their given right to smoke and drive should be nipped in the bud.  A very bad and dangerous decision last October will now affect the Packers this September.  Thankfully, the RB talents of Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams will still be important contributions against the Bears and Vikings in weeks 1 and 2.  Thankfully still, his suspension will essentially create a temporary 54th roster spot.  Who then will remain on the squad past what would normally have been their cut-off date?  As much as Ted Thompson might have used that slot to put a practice squad guy on the 53 so as to hide him in plain sight from other teams stalking the waiver wire, I think the current 90-man list has enough "53 worthy" talent that a veteran who might have been cut outright will survive as a Packer for a couple more weeks.  My pick?  Brett Hundley.

The One Off -- Brian Gutekunst has only held the GM position since January, but green and gold matters have moved forward in a refreshing direction in 7+ months.  Like TT, Gutey had a great first draft pick experience.  Ted started off by picking Aaron Rodgers; Gutey gained a 2019 draft pick while securing the 18th pick of this year's draft at the cost of only a 3rd rounder.  As well-known as that scenario is by now, consider this strange occurrence. Going into last season, overly exuberant Packers fans imagined that Brett Hundley would be so good in the preseason that Ted would flip him for a 2nd or even 1st round pick.  That was mental.  Nevertheless, Hundley's bad play plus a consistently outmatched defense led Green Bay to miss the playoffs, which secured the team a draft slot high enough to attract the New Orleans Saints to trade us, wait for it... a first round pick.  Way to go, Hundley, you were in fact worth a 1st rounder! 

Now put Gutey's 2018 training camp situation with a suspended Aaron Jones side by side with the prospect of keeping a 3rd quarterback, who has some experience, into the first part of the regular season.   It usually happens that a team or two suffers an injury to their starting QB and needs a new back up to their promoted one.  Hundley and Kiser are at about the same value right now, but Kiser is probably more highly favored as of now.  That leaves Hundley, with one year left on his rookie contract, as trade bait, who would probably be released if not for Jones' suspension.  Gutey needs to be smart and shrewd enough to keep a guy with trade value in Jones' roster spot.  Even now, it's not too early to shop Hundley around as preseason games begin.  Hundley does have pedigree under McCarthy's tutelage, and teams may see in him what McCarthy & Co. see in Kiser.  Let the QB musical chairs begin as underperformance, age, and injury begin to turn over the play-caller pool.  I have no advice as to what round draft pick Gutey might get; that's not my call to make.  It just seems like another Hundley-related draft pick addition is upon us.

[agentdalecooper12]

The One Off -- Jimmy Graham/Joe Philbin (7-29-18)

Jimmy Graham is the best offensive free-agent pick up that Gutey made this off season.  Sure, he's in his early 30s, but injury and drops have never been a major issue in his career, so there is little to point to as to an impending drop off merely due to his age.  Every so often there is a great player who surpasses age norms -- Brady, Julius Peppers, Reggie White.  Yes, I know I've just brought up 3 HOFers while talking about Graham, who is not a sure HOFer at this point, but the Packers' acquisition of his talents should nonetheless bring excitement to our fandom.  Ok, why then?  Well, after the brief second half plus playoff run that brought us the best of Aaron Rodgers to Jared Cook, who has Rodgers had that is as talented as Graham?  Not Finley. Not Rich Rod.  Not Quarless.  Not that other guy who we got and then quit on us.  Graham will be the best.  More than just a certain red zone threat, he can move the offensive between the 20s with speed and catch radius.  With Graham, Rodgers should be able to just make the pass (and not have to make the whole play on his own) using a trustworthy TE. 

The One Off -- Joe Philbin, in his first stint in Green Bay, became a well-respected offensive game planner as Rodgers began to succeed in 2009.  One of Philbin's weapons from 2009 to 2011 was Jermichael Finley.  Despite an abbreviated 2010 due to injury, Finley still put up 300 yards that year, wedged between a 676-yard season in 2009 and a 767-yard campaign in 2011.  Over these 3 years, Jermichael accounted for 14 touchdowns in 34 games.  Every football fan would take Graham over Finley, and that's the improved target that Philbin has now. 

 Packer fans are familiar with the Philbin era success of WRs "winning one-on-one battles" and how that ability has waned since the days of Jennings, Driver, Jones, and Nelson.  Davante Adams has that ability, but in Philbin's new playbook, how will a thin WR group be able to achieve what Rodgers and Philbin expect.  Well, that's Philbin's job to figure out, but I believe Jimmy Graham is a key component to the new Philbin offense.  Joe Philbin has not been an OC since leaving Green Bay, which has perhaps given him time to study how NFL offense's have changed over the past few years.  The NFL has adapted more of the college spread offense since Philbin left the Packers.  Coach McCarthy mentioned that he and Joe started over with the playbook soon after Joe returned.  I believe some of the college spread strategy will play into this new Green Bay offense.  Enter the three new WRs who probably played some to a lot of spread offense.  Rodgers can certainly adapt to it and Philbin most recently worked as Indy's O-line coach so he knows how to communicate with those guys.

So how is this a One Off from Jimmy Graham?  Well, wouldn't a talented and imposing TE either draw the middle of a defense to the flat or the seam?  Didn't media members report seeing Marquez-Valdez Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown lining up in the slot?  We know that Philbin innovates well, and we know that McCarthy listens to him.  I'm sure Joe knows the Packers' WR struggles since 2015 and realizes that his friend Mike McCarthy needs an offensive rally strong enough to challenge for the Super Bowl.  A rally of that magnitude needs a backbone like Jimmy Graham that can handle the heavy lifting, veteran talent like Adams and Randall Cobb who can adapt to a spread offense, and a scheme that brings new prospects onto a field who can perform now.  Joe Philbin will use Jimmy Graham as the focal point so he and the WR corps can reach the red zone and then dare opposing teams to deal with Rodgers when he is in deadly striking distance.  I pity those defenses.

[agentdalecooper12]

2018 Packers Training Camp Eve

This will be a very different training camp I think.  What with the new OC and DC and all.  Their schemes will be the biggest wild card of the team.  Second wild card is the new players, including the draft picks.  The off season moves of naming Gutey the GM and his subsequent acquisitions are the most intriguing off season stories since Favre left the Pack. 

I am eager to see the progress of the 2017 draft picks.  Think about it.  Kevin King did not play a full season, nor was he healthy when he did play.  Josh Jones did not get a true chance under Caper's complex system.  Montravious Adams had a medical redshirt season.  Biegel was behind the curve all year with his foot injuries.  In 2018, we are essentially adding those players onto the squad for really the first time.  That is a major addition to the roster.  Plus, none of them really accustomed themselves to Caper's scheme, so Pettine won't have to un-teach too much. 

As for the 2018 draft, it was genius to get an extra 1st round pick from the Saints.  Gutey could use it next year, trade it to go up or down in 2019, combine it with their natural 2019 first round pick to move way up, or trade it for a better 1st rounder in 2020 if we can score more draft capital.  Two top CBs plus the return of Tramon makes the secondary much stronger.  Playmakers all led by a true veteran.  I am going to take note of how often we hear the names Alexander, Jackson, Williams, and King during camp.  I am also taking note of how seldom we hear names that we heard last year -- Hawkins, Pipkins, Rollins, Waters, House, Goodson, Brown.  Burks is an athletic LB that will give Pettine room to create.  Cole Madison has a real shot to win the RG position.  Three WRs in the later rounds who all have high athletic talent. If one of the three contributes to the tune of 20-25 catches for 250-300 yards, with 2-4 TDs, that will be a huge success.  I'll write about many of these players during camp.

For training camp, I have decided to create a blog series -- The One Off.  Essentially, I will make a prediction of sorts and then add the twist, which is what The One Off is.  The twist is how the initial prediction will create a secondary scenario that trickles down to another player or coach. For example, I will make a Jimmy Graham prediction based on past performances and then explain how that will help Marques Valdez-Scantling be the top rookie WR this season.  Should be fun.

[agentdalecooper12]

Why the Packers victory vs. Cowboys was a BIG WIN

To anyone who doesn't believe the Packers' victory was a big win, please remember that a less-than-perfect game is still definitely a big win.  Here are five reasons (there are actually more than five) why the victory in Jerry World was big.

#1 -- The road win puts them at 4-1, now tied for the best record in the NFC.  Atlanta is 3-1 but has a few key injuries that might allow for Green Bay to pass them up.  Atlanta still has road games against New England and Seattle as well as all 6 divisional games left. 

[agentdalecooper12]

About Mike McCarthy -- distraught Packers fan listen up!

After the Packers loss to the Vikings in the wake of Aaron's broken clavicle, I heard several fan reactions talking about how Coach Mac needs to be just like Bill Belichick in 2008 when he had Matt Cassel as QB and went 11-5.  There are a few problems with this thought:

1) In their first SB win in 2001, the Patriots bought into Belichick's system (especially on the defense) to stop The Greatest Show on Turf in their upset of the Rams.  It was not Tom Brady whom they bought into. 

2) Since then, how many SBs have they won by buying into the greatness of Tom Brady?  I would argue that the Patriots have never had to buy into a Brady-led attack to win a championship.  They beat the Seahawks because Wilson through that pick.  They beat the Falcons because their defense took advantage of some stupid plays that Atlanta made down the stretch.  The other SBs were won by a field goal each.  They could be 7-0 in SBs with a better O-line versus the Giants or 0-7 in SBs if opponents had the ball on the final possession and/or didn't choke the game away! When they've lost SBs, they were both to a team with good 4-man D-line that stifled Brady all game.

3) Comparing it to the Packers, how much of the team's mojo is based on buying into Mac's system?  Perhaps in 2008 and 2009, it was mostly Mac's show.  However, since 2010 with a great defense, players have bought into the play of Aaron Rodgers as their key to victory.  I'm not saying that Mac is a bad coach.  I think he is a very good coach.  He showed in 2014 against the Patriots and for 55 minutes against the Seahawks that he has the ability to create a great game plan.  The last two games against Dallas have been pretty good coaching efforts too. It is clear, though, that through miracle-like Hail Mary throws and R-E-L-A-X and "run the table", this team goes the way of Aaron Rodgers.  That is no longer valid.

4) So now who will the Packers players buy into?  It will have to be Coach Mac.  Hundley isn't ready to lead this team.  Capers has had woeful D problems for 3 out the last 5 seasons, so that will not be the rallying point.  The Packers players have to change who they rally around.  It won't come from Mac changing; it will come from the players re-dedicating themselves to someone other than Aaron. 

Here's the short version -- the Packers have talent but have lost their true leader.  If the players shift their dedication to Coach Mac, they will play better than the second half versus the Saints.  Mac has talent in producing a game plan for the offense.  I'm not sure about the defense's dedication to Capers.  His philosophy might be outdated (which I've very slowly come to believe; I'm not a foam-at-the-mouth "Fire Capers" guy).  I don't believe Ted has filled the team with nobodys since even the inconsistent guys have pretty much all shown flashes of talent (Randall has an INT in each of the past 3 games).  The remainder of the season will go the way of executing offensive and defensive schemes that the players are dedicated to.  Even teams with average players have big time games.  

Talking about which person on the team other players rally around the most might seem too intangible to be that important.  But I don't think so.  Just think about the flag protests that we see week after week.  What players believe definitely has sway over their thoughts and, consequently, their play. 

[agentdalecooper12]

Week 5 Packers preview vs. Cowboys

Well, back to Jerry World for another showdown.  Aaron Rodgers has been brilliant in that stadium a few times, and it looks like he'll have a better cast of characters in tow than the last few weeks.

The return of one or both tackles should give Rodgers time to strike deeper routes than he's previously had to do.  I think his quick throws have been vital in not getting himself killed over the past weeks.  Receivers should feast on a new and younger Cowboys secondary.  I look to Marty Bennett to be freer to run routes than have to chip block to help an inexperienced back up tackle.  Kendricks, too, will have a good game.  Dallas probably won't suit Sean Lee up for this one, which will leave the middle of the field more open. Key stat #1 -- the Packers' 3rd down conversion rate must trump Dallas' efforts on their offensive side.

The Cowboys pass rush will challenge Bulaga and Bakh in their return.  Ripkowski should see the field more as an extra blocker.  Rodgers will carve the Cowboys up with three very good WRs and might even connect with Davis or Janis for a significant catch.  Maybe Janis on an end around or jet sweep by Davis to keep the LBs and secondary spinning in circles!

The Packers' D will also get Daniels back.  The Cowboys center is one of the best in the NFL, so Daniels will have to have a great game.  Kenny Clark has gotten high praise recently for his run stuffing ability.  Key stat #2 -- the Packers' run D must keep Elliot to 4.5 ypr and limit his large runs to 2 or fewer.

Not sure if the Packers will play nickel or nitro.  Josh Jones could provide pass rush off the far edge along with Perry or Matthews if Tyron Smith is out on LT.  Jones could also spy on Elliot since it's on turf and Jones can blaze.  That would leave Burnett to deal with Jason Witten.  Key stat #3 -- Burnett must limit Witten to under 60 yards and/or 4 first downs. 

There are more storylines in this game, but I'll end here.  Prediction: Packers 31, Dallas 20.

[agentdalecooper12]

How do you solve a problem like Demarious?

I'm assuming people are familiar with the Demarious Randall blown coverage and subsequent sulk from the TNF game against da Bears.  Where to go with him next?  Here's a few thoughts.

Some people are upset enough to cut him from the team.  Realistically that won't happen with a first round pick from 2015.  Randall does have talent as we've seen in 2015 against the Chargers and in 2016 against the Seahawks.  Talent doesn't just disappear in player in his mid-20s.  Cutting him makes no sense since CB can't afford losing another player no matter his attitude, and giving him up for nothing is a waste.  I will, however, entertain a situation where TT could guarantee a upgraded replacement ready to sign the same day that a release of Randall might take place.  But who would that player be?

Better solution to cutting is a trade.  The problem there is what price draft pick or player to demand?  Plus, who would trade for him?  He has not proven enough to be valuable to other teams.  We do have needs due to injuries right now, but all of those players have the chance to return except for one of the guys on the current IR list.

Benching him for a game or two is the most popular choice, but there are down sides to that.  What if he just sits and sulks all game?  Why should the other players have to see that? If suspending him is your cup of tea, that might work if he doesn't feel worse for "being left out" like a self-centered child who, even in the midst of their punishment, still believes the world revolves around him.

Moving him to safety might be my favorite idea.  Sure, we are already deep at safety with Ha-Ha, Burnett, Brice, Evans, and Josh Jones, but moving him might lead to a few benefits.  First, Burnett could move to slot for the majority of the time along with Rollins sprinkled in (more on Rollins in a bit) as well as play the Nitro ILB.  Second, Jones could just play Nitro ILB while his coverage skills develop.  Third, there will probably be another injury to the other three at some point and having an experienced safety would be welcome.  Randall played safety in college, and, since it seems like CB coverage schemes confuse him too often, he might be more successful and happier in a familiar place. 

The small bit about Rollins wonders if Q has split too much time with Randall and hasn't been able to spread his wings.  If Randall is at safety, then Rollins can get more snaps.  Q is not not not the same personality as Randall.  He is much quieter and perhaps needs more encouragement to perform and improve along with more playing time.

[agentdalecooper12]

Week 4 review -- win vs. Bears -- "We will win 100 against you first" edition

When all you need to do is get through another game with more injuries against a unpredictable division rival while taking the series lead after 85 years of being behind despite a 47-minute storm with an offensive line playing back-ups to the back-ups, then having your QB throw 4 TDs and no turnovers while causing 4 turnovers of your own makes for an uplifting Thursday night football that helps us all keep our minds off of the boring color rush jerseys! 

It was great to see the Packers sail through that game on both sides of the ball even though the game on Sunday went into OT.  By the way, Aaron had not played in an overtime game since 2010.  His last several all ended on the first possession.  I think the Packers scored 3 TDs off of turnovers, which didn't add up to many yards but it didn't matter.  Having Aaron sacked only twice was nice.  The WRs were pretty crisp on their routes.  Boy, having Geronimo as a good #3 receiver fill-in (I'm guessing Adams won't play on October 8th or maybe even Oct 15th) will keep the passing game going.  Aaron Jones was a bright spot that I think will only get better with the return of Bakh and Bulaga.

The Trevathian hit was bad enough to warrant an ejection.  Why the ref didn't review the severity of the helmet-led attack while the paramedics were putting Adams on the stretcher is annoying.  He could have amended his original PA announcement of the penalty to include an ejection.  The eye test shows that the hit is the exact kind that the NFL wants to get rid of and all the punishment ended up being was a 4-yard penalty since the infraction occurred on the Bears' 8 yard line.  There needs to be a suspension.  We lost one of our guys so they should lose one of theirs.  I don't believe in making a rule about it, though.  I want the head ref to use sense and proclaim order to the game.  He has the right to do that like in the Seattle game.

The defense did what it should have against a bad offense.  The first TD was on Randall who was confused while the second TD was in garbage time.  The fumbles were great and the INTs were opportunistic.  While King gets acquainted, we might not have picks for a bit.  He will learn.  The overall run D was great.  30 carries for 103 yards from a team that went over 200 on Sunday. 

Congrats to Clay for the Packers sack record.  He should be able to reach 100 sacks in his career.  Speaking of reaching for 100, Jordy has 68 TDs.  He will end the season with 75+ I believe.  With him saying 2-4 more years of football, he could reach 100 scores.  I hope it's all with Green Bay. 

Let's get some rest.  Do you realize that the Packers have played absolutely zero snaps on offense AND defense with their full deck of desired starters this whole season!?!  Josh Jones and Kevin King have maybe played a very small handful of snaps with Daniels on the field.  Bulaga and Bakh haven't played any snaps together at all.  When one of them has been in, Jordy has been out.  I'm saying this so that we remember that even though there are lots of injuries like in 2010, these 2017 injuries are ones that aren't landing starters on IR.  We are going to become HEALTHIER as the season goes on.  Currently, the Packers are 3-1 like everyone thought they would be.  By October 8th at Dallas, we might be able to see the team nearly at full strength.  Dallas should be worried.  We've won the 3 most exciting games in that stadium. 

[agentdalecooper12]

Week 3 review -- win vs. Cincinnati -- "Pack survived" edition

What an amazing comeback!  To be sarcastic about it, Aaron Rodgers finally started acting like Brett Favre.  What I mean is that he threw a pick-six and put us behind by halftime, and then came roaring back with just enough time left to put the game into overtime so that he could make that a dramatic finish even more so.  Congrats, Aaron, you were very Brett-ish! 

Seriously, though, I miss the Favre days and I also don't miss the Favre days.  I'm amazed that as much as I got thrilled and worried when Favre wound up for a big pass in the 90s and 00s, now I only get concerned at the end of playoff games.  Aaron's quarterbacking is much more relaxing.

In this game, however, Aaron did not have a very relaxing time.  Too bad about Kyle Murphy's foot, but things were awful at LT.  What to do now?  I don't think Bakh will be back by Thursday.  Rodgers has been sacked 13 times already. 

I don't think Jordy was totally back from his injury.  That INT was to him and he didn't come back to the ball as is his custom.  Aaron kind of floated that ball to him, which was the main fault in that pass.  But Jordy is so good at the comeback that I don't think he was able to move normally.  Nice that the INT TD didn't come in a loss.

To everyone who paints this as a "bad win", please consider the numbskullery of that statement.  I'm not saying that the game was good because it wasn't.  However, any win with this number of major injuries is a good win.  We stay right with Minn and Det while not losing any more ground to Atlanta.  When the Packers end up 11-5 or 12-4, no sane Packers fan will wish we beat the Bengals by more.  It will only matter that it was a W under difficulty injury conditions.

I was surprised that Aaron was over 300 yards in this game.  That's 3 games in a row on an offense that has been hobbled on several fronts.  Ty Mo was slow today.  Time for a bit more Williams and Ripper.  Even Aaron Jones showed preseason talent. Give him a shot and Ty Mo a breather.  How many #4 receivers can move into a #3 role and catch 6 for 122 yards?  Geronimo has only one catch in his career that has not gone for either a 1st down or a TD.  That's a great stat for a #4 receiver.  Cobb will be useful versus the Bears so I hope he returns.

We miss Muscle Mike Daniels on the line.  Perry would have been great to set the edge.  Clay needed a bookend.  Josh Jones finally makes his mark!  I wondered about his playing time all this past week.  I thought it was obvious that speed off the edge from the secondary would help disrupt a slightly above average QB like Dalton.  12 tackles is amazing and even more so considering 5 of them were either sacks or TFLs unlike a typical AJ Hawk tackle after 6 yards.  Jones will need to stay creative if he wishes for teams not to be able to scheme against him.  Capers needs to use him when it's to his advantage while remembering that Jones is a rookie who makes rookie mistakes. Blake Martinez has made the year 1 to year 2 jump.  He will make an impact play every game if he stays healthy.  Once Jake Ryan comes back, the ILBs will be strong for the first time since 2010.  How about an INT of our own already?

[agentdalecooper12]

Week 3 preview -- Bengals at Packers

This is the first of two consecutive home games that the Packers should win, despite the pile of injuries.  The Bengals are terrible on offense, and I'd like to see King and Josh Jones get lots of playing time.  King can do more than Randall and Rollins with his tall frame.  The new Bengals offensive coordinator could give the defense some difficulty.  I'm worried about the offensive line, of course.  Who will stop Geno Atkins?  Hopefully, Jordy will be back to near full strength.  Aaron should plan to get the ball out faster.

[agentdalecooper12]

Week 2 review -- loss at Atlanta -- the "I don't know" edition

Well, that sucked.  When I heard the early injuries to Daniels and Jordy plus the two tackles that never suited up, I didn't think we could win.  Then the bad calls in the first half kicked us when we were down.  That was what really upset me while watching.  To the people that complain about "the rich getting richer", I give you Exhibit A.  So we really don't know how these teams stack up against each other because the Packers have been decimated the last two times because of injury.  And the horrible flags on the Packers and the non-calls on the Falcons for doing the same plays give the Falcons an undeserved edge when they are already playing at home and aren't injured. 

So I don't know if the Falcons are actually better than the Packers because of the injuries.  Las Vegas had the Falcons favored by 3, so they believe the two teams are pretty evenly matched.  I don't know if the Packers' pass rush would have gotten to Matt Ryan because Daniels went out.  I don't know if Aaron would have been able to run the offense smoothly because we had backups to the backups playing as our tackles.  I don't know if the halftime score would have been closer because of the flag on Bennett's supposed pick penalty ( more about that later).  I don't know if the Falcons would have had any time left to drive down and score before halftime due to the bogus call on the Packers previous drive.  I don't know if Aaron would have had an INT if Jordy would have been on that play instead of Geronimo.  I don't know if Trufant picks it off if he wouldn't have had his hand on Geronimo the entire play.  I don't know if Rodgers would have fumbled on that supposed lateral (according to Bill Barnwell and Mina Kimes, that wasn't a lateral like I believe it wasn't) had Beasley not hit him under the chin with his helmet-led tackle.  I don't know if Rodgers would have a 3rd TD pass when Geronimo ran the same type of pick that Atlanta did in the first half.  I don't know if King is tremendous or not while playing well against Julio Jones because people have concluded that Jones wasn't trying in the later parts of the second half.  Did anyone consider that King wasn't having to play very hard either, which would point to him being very good and able to cover Jones?  I don't know. 

The head ref really messed up on that call against Bennett. The ref that threw the flag could only see Bennett's back from the angle he was standing at -- from 25 yards away I might add.  The head ref needed to go through a line of sensible and logical questions once the flag was thrown.  First, how far away was the ref from the spot of the penalty?  Second, what part of Bennett could he see?  Third, from his distance and angle, could he see if Bennett was within the one-yard pick zone?  Fourth, were there other refs who were closer to the penalty spot and, if so, did they see a penalty.  I believe the answers to these questions would lead any normal thinker to the conclusion that the ref who threw the flag couldn't have possibly seen a sure penalty.  And since that is the case, there is no penalty. 

No doubt that flag changed the entire drive, so the refs should be very hesitant to create a non-reviewable situation on such a big play.  When Aaron threw a pass that could have either been a lateral or an incomplete pass, the refs purposefully didn't get involved and let replay confirm it.  However, replay didn't confirm it but didn't reverse it either, so the call stood.  That was also a big play in the game but the refs were all-of-a-sudden not going to interfere.  Same thing on their pick play that went for a TD.  Just be consistent.  Either don't get involved with big plays and your precious yellow "look at me I'm a ref" flags or throw them a lot.  Don't just sit on them when it favors one team and sit on them when it favors the same team.  The fumble return for a TD was not whistled dead because the league would rather not stop an exciting TD play in mid-stream.  They mentioned that on the broadcast.  The league wants people to see more scoring, I get it.  But don't tell me that on the pick play that people would rather have seen a questionable penalty than a 30+ yard catch by Cobb that kept the game relevant during the first half!  Sick of it.

[agentdalecooper12]

Packers vs. Falcons -- Week 2 Tuesday preview

About the venue -- yeah, it will be new and shiny but the fast field is key in this game.  I wonder if Josh Jones will play more in the nitro and be used in secondary blitzes.  Kevin King was drafted for his speed, so I hope we see that too.  Mike Daniels was fast against the Seahawks; he could give Matt Ryan trouble with pressures up the middle.  That was missing from last January's championship game. 

On the offense, Rodgers needs to get the ball out quickly with time-consuming drives that wear down the Falcons defense like in the Super Bowl. He's two TDs away from 300.  That milestone and a win would top off a great evening.  Two games that give us a major tiebreak advantage in the playoffs would be sweet too. 

[agentdalecooper12]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THIS WAS A POST I ORIGINALLY POSTED IN JUNE OR JULY. I was off about the elephant end position technically, but not about the greater pass rush role!

What if Mike Daniels has yet to be unleashed?

Here’s another guess into the mind of the Packers’ coaching staff. 

Recently, Mike McCarthy commented on a question about the outside linebackers. He stated that the team currently has the greatest depth at that position group that he’s ever had.  Really, Mike? After losing Julius Peppers and Datone Jones while drafting only one LB in Vince Biegel, you are going to claim that the OLB depth is great? Not very many people believe this claim unless he considered the question in a different, yet plausible, way. 

McCarthy and staff are tinkerers.  Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen this manifest on both sides of the ball.  Ty Montgomery at RB, Morgan Burnett as the S/ILB hybrid, Clay Matthews as an ILB/OLB, and the recently departed Peppers and Jones as “elephant ends”.  It’s that last hybrid position that I want to key in on concerning Mike Daniels. 

What if McCarthy and Dom Capers used the last couple of seasons tinkering with the elephant end position using both Peppers and Jones as guinea pigs?  They knew those two were larger players and didn’t set the edge in the run-D like typical OLBs.  Remember that Peppers came to us from Chicago’s 4-3 D scheme and Jones left for Minnesota’s 4-3 D.  Clearly Capers and Mac also knew they had pieces that didn’t fit the traditional 3-4.  Since Capers doesn’t use the 3-4 as his base D anyway, it wasn’t detrimental to play Peppers and Jones out of position.  He simply tinkered with the position. Mac also knew that those two had contracts ending in 2016.  What if he and Capers put a time limit on the elephant end tinker through last season?  They might like the hybrid position, but they also know that Ted Thompson won’t always put out money to keep players.  So in Coach Mac’s mind, he may not have thought of Peppers and Jones as OLBs at all and could then honestly say that the OLB position group was, in fact, deep since they only lost elephant ends.  I know that’s a stretch, but we should all be able to see that neither Kyler Fackrell, Jayrone Elliot, Vince Biegel, nor Reggie Gilbert is an elephant end.  If all four make the 53-man squad, then technically the OLB position is deeper this year than last.

Back to Mike Daniels. If you watch the film, you’ll see that he more than passes the eye test. He has destroyed both guards and tackles numerous times.  Just ask the Vikings O-line.  However, the stat sheet doesn’t usually match up.  Daniels only scored 33 tackles and 4 sacks last year, but he anchored a very talented D-line that played at a record pace for the first quarter of 2016. Why he isn’t a multiple Pro-Bowler can only have one explanation – his stats don’t put him near the top of any categories.  Since his selection in the 4th round of the 2012 draft, Daniels has been a great teammate.  He dedicates himself to doing whatever he can to bring attitude and performance to the Packers.  I think that the Packers might be planning to finally bring Daniels into the true limelight of NFL stardom. 

What if that plan included tinkering with his talents by creating a sort of new elephant end?

Yes, the concept seems to not fit the past molds.  However, presuming that the Peppers/Jones elephant end tinker had an expiration date based on their performances, I believe McCarthy and Capers would rather attempt to find a player to fill that hybrid position rather than invent a whole new hybrid spot.  Surprisingly, Datone Jones led the Packers in quarterback hurries last year with twenty. Many would never have guessed this top stat since he only recorded 1 sack.  So in contrast with Daniels, Jones was often invisible on film despite all the hurries. 

I believe that McCarthy and Capers still want to use the elephant end position in their scheme.  Mike Daniels could be a vastly improved version of that hybrid role.  Instead of taking a large outside linebacker and putting his hand in the dirt, take your best defensive lineman and set him a bit further outside as a pass rusher.  This inside out version of the elephant end could bring a season from Daniels that rivals Cullen Jenkins in 2010. Having an ascending Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry along with acquiring Ricky Jean Francois could be key factors in sparing Daniels to attack the QB.

As it stands, recent defensive failures stem from a lack of talent.  If players couldn’t achieve using last year’s roster, it is neither a surprise nor a risk to let players leave who don’t fit a desired model (i.e. speed).  Moving the best D-line player, Mike Daniels, into an elephant end role on passing downs could pair the desire to tinker with the talent to succeed.

[agentdalecooper12]

2017 Packers key stat hope #3

200-400-800

These three numbers represent the tight end yardage potential for Green Bay.  It doesn't matter between Richard Rodgers, Lance Kendricks, and Martellus Bennett who gets what number since those are valuable stats from that position regardless of the individual.  Many of those yards will come in short and medium length plays for first downs or red zone TDs, which supersede the raw yardage.

3-4-8

These three numbers represent the touchdowns for the Packers' 3 TEs.  If Aaron can get 15 TDs to his TEs alone, he will have 40+ again this season.  It's a big number, but when the offense begins to really roll, the opposing defenses can cover everyone.