Crappy end to a crappy week October 7, 2008
Posted by Ross - a.k.a. The Fat Man in : Packershow , trackback
Well, the Green Bay Packers lost. I really get tired of Cowboy fans and Viking fans and Bear fans. Especially Bear fans. Last week started with us losing to the Bucs, ended with losing to the Falcons, we lost Cullen Jenkins and there was no Good Bad and Ugly. Patrick sent us an email explaining work was piled up and he wouldn’t get time to get the segment done. We look forward this week’s installment.
So, what does everyone think is going on with the Packers? A couple of questions I would pose:
1. Are we right to expect this offensive line to play the way they played at the end of last season, or did the young guys play above their potential?
2. Why do you believe Nick Barnett has been a non-factor this season?
3. What is wrong with our defense?
Is there any aspect of the Packers you would like us to cover more in depth? Zone blocking scheme, certain formations….anything?
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Well, one problem has been noted by the coach and defensive coordinator. Guys start out playing their gaps, then pull out to play the run. Running back sees this and cuts back through the vacated gap. Nick was notorious for this early in his career, and he seems to be losing some of the discipline he had found.
As for the offensive line, I suggested that wholesale changes be made a week ago. Clifton is not effective for whatever reason, but most probably his knees. Sitton should be put in at right guard, not because Spitz is ineffective, though he does seem to get moved around a lot, and Spitz should be moved to left guard. Scott Wells just needs to get better.
Last year we were trying to remind ourselves we weren’t as good as our record indicated. We were searching for an identity. This year we need to remind ourselves we aren’t as bad as we think we are. The close games, always in favor for us last year, are eluding us.
So I’m taking a wait-and-see approach to the middle third of the season. At the beginning of the year both Seattle and Indianapolis were seen as powerful teams. Like the Packers, they have struggled to overcome a horde of minor but overwhelming issues. So the next couple of games going into the bye will say a lot about where the Packers will be heading coming out of the break.
Oh and from what I could tell (I couldn’t afford DirecTV this year so I was listening to the radio stream over the internet) we were able to run effectively a few times to the right side. This is something we should develop. With Sitton in there perhaps we could cause an overload and free up the running backs some more. I’d like to hear your thoughts about that, Ross.
Very interesting comments, John. I too thought from the radio commentary that there was some improvement in the run (but there sure is room for more!)
The coaches seem to favour Barbre at the moment – is there an obvious candidate to bring in? Or are they all at about the same level?
I must admit to wondering if in the longer term Colledge would be better at LT than G. Maybe the time for that is now, much as I admire Cliffy.
Chris
To answer the questions:
1. I think our offensive linemen are under-achieving as it is right now. I am also not a big fan of the zone blocking scheme, but that will not be going by the wayside anytime soon, so I’ll try to learn to like it. I do think though, regardless of scheme, this group is capable of playing much better than they did last year. The other thing I think we’re seeing is the difference between having Favre and having Rodgers. Rodgers will hold the ball much longer than Brett did. Teams are willing to bring the pressure on Rodgers as well, in situations where they weren’t willing to blitz Favre. Obviously, Rodgers has to improve his pre-snap adjustments at times, and will get better with time. I think we are seeing teams defend us much differently than we did the last 16 years.
2. Bob Sanders…nuff said.
3. See #2 answer…there is too much talent on the defense for it to be anything but.
I agree with what Chris is saying as well about being better off with Colledge than Clifton. I think it is time we start working Clifton out of the picture. As much as I like him, and appreciate what he has done for the franchise, he is getting beat up, and just doesn’t play like he used to.
Well, I agree about talent on the defense, but I’m unconvinced about the discipline. Do you think the release of Tracy White and the signing of Lansanah is a statement of some sort?
I know you dislike Sanders, Wes (shades of 2006). But somehow the defense managed to shine last year. Are you saying the players schemed themselves last year, or perhaps this year they are a little less dedicated to the scheme (or schemes regardless of how effective you think they are)?
Now I’m completely confused. I thought it was Ross that hated Bob Sanders. Or do you both detest him equally?
Oh and if the Cowboys fans start giving you trouble, just ask them who is in first place in their division. Or second place. That should shut them up.
Can’t do anything about Bears fans though. Even when they lose they have big mouths.
In regard to Bob Sanders, I just think when you are handed a defense with the caliber of players that the Packers have, and this is all you do with it, then its time for you to go. Could you imagine what a good defensive coordinator could do with the talent of our defense? The entire defense is like an offensive line. All 11 guys need to work together in unison to have the unit working well, and be effective. This comes back to coaching, and I don’t think that Bob Sanders is aggressive enough, nor do I think he has the understanding of how to put his players in the best position to succeed.
Well, what specifically do you mean? Are you suggesting a zone scheme would be better? Is there something about how the linebackers are set that creates weaknesses in the Packer defensive line? I’m saying this in all ignorance, because to my untrained eye it appears they start out in the right spots to make plays, but end up in the wrong position during the execution of the play. I doubt Bob Sanders coaches the defensive ends to crash towards the center of the line during run plays, and when the linebacker follows suddenly you have a 60 yard TD run.