10 Quick Things: GB vs. MIN

After rewatching Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, here are 10 things worth knowing:

5 QUICK THINGS

1) Aaron Rodgers didn’t drop a 75-yard touchdown, run the wrong route, or get abused by ZaDarius Smith in pass protection, but like most of his teammates, he wasn’t close to good enough on Sunday. And this criticism has nothing to do with the three or four questionable decisions and throws made by the reigning MVP. Rodgers is being paid $50 million per year to do more than shake his on the bench while staring at an iPad between series. Rodgers’ body language and demeanor were awful against the Vikings, and that’s become a disturbing trend. With two rookie receivers playing extended snaps, Rodgers should’ve been cajoling and educating them on the sideline instead of venting to QBs coach Tom Clements, who looked like a man already reconsidering his life choices.




2) To the surprise of absolutely nobody except the Packers coaching staff, the right side of the offensive line wasn’t able to get the job done against Minnesota’s talented front seven. It’s mind-boggling that people who are paid a lot of money to make these decisions thought it would be a good idea to start mediocre center Jake Hanson at guard and mediocre guard Royce Newman at tackle. Meanwhile, a much more talented player (rookie Zach Tom) watched from the bench until an injury forced him into the game. Newman and especially Hanson were no match for a revenge-minded Smith and Danielle Hunter. Aside from one bad play when he was beaten cleanly to the inside, Tom acquitted himself fairly well in the second half. The former Wake Forest star deserves to start against the Bears on Sunday night. And while that would help, things won’t begin to get significantly better until Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins returns from his knee injury.

3) Corner Eric Stokes’ rough summer continued on Sunday. Last year’s No. 1 pick, who struggled at times in coverage during training camp, gave up three receptions (three targets) for 50 yards against Minnesota. I projected the former Georgia star as a mid to late second-rounder because of his lack of fluidity in transition and questioned whether his somewhat stiff hips would enable him to stay with quick receivers on slants and crossing routes. Surprisingly, Stokes wasn’t challenged very often last season in the middle of the field, but with all spring to study tape, coach/play caller Kevin O’Connell and quarterback Kirk Cousins attacked Stokes in just that way. It’s a copycat league, so expect future opponents to do the same. To avoid becoming another Kevin King, the speedy 23-year-old must figure out how to compensate.

4) Almost every time Justin Jefferson caught a pass on Sunday, neither Adrian Amos nor Darnell Savage seemed to be anywhere close to the Pro Bowl wide receiver. It was a very long day for the two safeties. They combined to give up five catches (seven targets) for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. They were only moderately better against the run. While Savage has had this type of game before, seeing Amos perform so poorly was a surprise. While the eight-year veteran will get beat occasionally due to a lack of speed, he rarely finds himself so far out of position so often. His reliability is one of the reasons the defense cut down on the number of big plays allowed in 2021. Perhaps a factor in his struggles was never having faced an O’Connell offense before, but that’s an excuse the proud former Penn State star would likely reject.

5) Special teams weren’t a factor on Sunday, and after a season filled with one mistake after another, that’s a positive thing. The coverage units – led by newcomer Rudy Ford – were solid. The Vikings returned one kick for 25 yards and one punt for seven yards. The latter number was aided by veteran Pat O’Donnell, who booted the ball with good hang time and accuracy. Amari Rodgers brought back one punt and one kick without incident but showed very little in the way of explosiveness. The former Clemson standout got the available yards but nothing else. That’s been his MO since joining the Packers as a third-round pick in 2021, and considering he didn’t play a single snap on offense despite the lack of talent at wide receiver, it’s fair to consider whether the Packers could do more with Rodgers’ spot on the 53-man roster.




5 QUICKER THINGS

1) Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon were two of the Packers’ best players on Sunday. Why they touched the ball only 23 times is a mystery. Jones averaged more yards per rush than four of the team’s receivers averaged per catch. It’s completely understandable why one of the most unselfish players in the league looked uncharacteristically frustrated at times during the second half. Dillon, who scored a touchdown, ran hard all game and caught a team-high five passes for 46 yards. Until things get better at wide receiver, LaFleur needs to ride his two talented horses and not put them out to pasture.

2) Yosh Nijman held his own at left tackle in what could’ve very well been a sneak peek at what to expect next season. Even if Bakhtiari finally returns from three knee surgeries in the past 21 months, it’s hard to picture a scenario that sees him in a Green Bay uniform a year from now. The five-time All-Pro, who turns 31 this month, will count $29.1 million against the cap in 2023. Releasing or trading Bakhtiari would save $6 million – money that can be used in part to tender Nijman. The former Virginia Tech star continues to get better. He didn’t allow a pressure in 43 dropbacks on Sunday.

3) Top pick Quay Walker had a pretty good debut before hurting his shoulder after leaving the game early in the second half. The inside linebacker from Georgia, who had seven solo tackles, was physical against the run and fast to close on receivers who caught balls in front of him. Walker did struggle a few times when the Vikings put multiple players in motion, but that had to be expected from a rookie who wasn’t a full-time starter until his final senior in college. The athletic 22-year-old is going to get better the more he plays. Hopefully, that progress won’t be delayed too long by the injury.

4) His numbers were ordinary (4 receptions for 37 yards), and he made a few mental errors that rankled his cranky quarterback, but on the whole, Romeo Doubs’ debut was encouraging. As the fourth-round pick did all summer, he showed a knack for getting off the line of scrimmage cleanly and creating separation at the top of his routes. In truth, Doubs shouldn’t be logging 35 snaps so early in his career, but in reality, he’s probably the only receiver on the roster with a chance of being a legit weapon later in the season, and that includes the player who was drafted a lot earlier in April.

5) Outside linebackers Jonathan Garvin and Kingsley Enagbare combined for two solo tackles and zero pressures in 22 largely ineffective snaps (Tipa Galeai wasn’t used on defense). That’s why starters Rashan Gary and Preston Smith were on the field so much. They both played about 80 percent of the snaps on Sunday, which isn’t sustainable for an entire season. General manager Brian Gutekunst added veteran Whitney Mercilus to improve the depth at this position last October, and he might be forced to make a similar move in the next month or two if none of the current backups step up.

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Michael Rodney

Packers Notes is the creation of Michael Rodney, who has been writing about the Green Bay Packers for over 30 years. His first blog, Packer Update, hit the internet in 2004. Before becoming a public educator, Rodney worked as a journalist for a couple of newspapers in his home state of New Jersey and covered the Philadelphia Eagles for WTXF-TV. He's had numerous articles on the Packers published, and he's been featured on both television and radio over the years.

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NP40
NP40
September 12, 2022 3:17 pm

I have no idea what MLF and his staff are thinking. Aaron Jones is by far our most potent offensive weapon. They barely use him. Dillon is the guy you use to run clock in the 2nd half when you HAVE THE LEAD. Aaron Jones is the guy you use TO GET THE LEAD. No one fears Dillon as he has no breakaway ability. Jones can go the distance and has to be accounted for on every snap. Find ways to get Jones in space. Absolute offensive malpractice.

On Amari Rodgers one KO return he fielded it at the 2 and got to the 19. Vikings pouring through like a jail break. No one blocked at all. Just in case anyone had illusions the ST’s are any better.

Julio Jones looked better last night than any WR we had on the field. Good thing we low balled him and saved that money.

My retired next door neighbor was outside gardening this morning. Even she knew Barry’s scheme sucked. I think she’s the only one left on the planet who didn’t write an article this morning how moronic his scheme was.

Load the D with talent so Barry can have them sit in a deep zone all day. Cousins is a turnover waiting to happen so Barry lets him sit in the pocket longer than a dental appointment.

At this point, throw Toure on the field and bench Cobb. Give him some reps. At least the three rooks can run so it opens the field a little bit. DT’s can cover Cobb.

Wayne
Wayne
September 12, 2022 4:49 pm

I don’t know how you have months to prepare for a game and play like the Packers did yesterday. Of course, I said the same thing a year ago and they won 13 of their next 15.

Steve
Steve
September 12, 2022 8:48 pm

I’ll agree with you on Zach Tom – Jake Hanson should not be starting at guard. At this point, he’s a back-up center. Move Newman to guard and start Tom at tackle until Jenkins is healthy.

I sense an antaganistic attitude toward Aaron Rogers. I would be frustrated too if I had an OL that couldn’t block and WR’s that couldn’t catch. Rodgers is a competitor that has high expectations for others to perform. He’s not their dam babysitter.

Eric
Eric
September 12, 2022 9:05 pm

Just like last year’s opener there was basically nothing to take away from this game. Glad to get the Vikings in their dome behind us and think about the rest of the season. Now, if they lose to the Bears…yeah, the sky will be falling.

Bryan
Bryan
September 13, 2022 7:45 am

Not worried… yet. But unsettled for sure.

Greg
Greg
September 13, 2022 1:10 pm

Thanks for the review. I look forward to these after every game.

I hope Stokes isn’t going to have a sophomore slump. He needs to play at least as well as he did last season.

eric
eric
September 13, 2022 5:06 pm

the only things i am worried about now are offense, defense and special teams. btw, it seemed like several Packers’ punts were close to being blocked.
that all said, i loved the play of Kenny Clark. Quay didn’t look like a rookie in his first game. Jaire looked solid. i am open to Preston Smith having another good year.. he looked good to me. Christian Watson very much reminded me of MVS. Doubs is probably going to need another year before he is who we would like him to be now. game could have been much closer with 2-3 of the earlier plays going the Packers way.

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