After rethinking about Sunday’s game against the Giants, here are three things worth discussing:
1) Once again, the Packers were outsmarted on both sides of the ball. This has been an alarming trend all season. While the defending NFC North champs managed to overcome Matt LaFleur and Joe Barry in Weeks 2, 3, and 4, they couldn’t on Sunday against the Giants. Just as concerning as the questionable playcalling on offense and defense is the inability of the coaching staff to assess talent. Jake Hanson had no business starting at right guard in the opener at Minnesota, and Royce Newman has been only slightly better the past four games. Hopefully, if and when David Bakhtiari is able to play 60 minutes at left tackle, Yosh Nijman will move to right tackle, and Elgton Jenkins will slide inside. Until then, why not give rookie Zach Tom a chance? He had a very good training camp, and it’s hard to imagine him being a bigger liability than Newman. It’s also time to admit that Rasul Douglas isn’t a good fit at nickel back, and Darnell Savage is a disaster at free safety. Having the two veterans swap positions is something that should’ve been considered months ago, but if that’s too drastic, at the very least move Jaire Alexander to the slot and send Savage to the bench. The only thing worse than the former No. 1 pick from Maryland’s inability to cover the middle of the field is his inability to tackle in space. And while no amount of personnel changes will totally fix things if LaFleur and Barry don’t get their heads out of their respective asses, making a few moves couldn’t hurt after almost losing to rookie Bailey Zappe and actually losing to Daniel Jones.
2) After the Giants went 91 yards in over eight minutes to tie the game at 20 in the fourth quarter, four-time MVP and $150 million quarterback Aaron Rodgers decided to throw the ball three straight times on the next possession – twice deep down the field to tightly covered receivers. Mind you; the Packers were averaging over five yards per carry against one of the NFL’s worst run defenses. The end result was a 3-and-out that lasted all of 26 seconds and forced an already exhausted and demoralized defense to return to the field without any opportunity to rest and recover. Was I surprised by the playcalling? Unfortunately, not in the least. In fact, here’s what I wrote in my game preview posted 24 hours earlier:
The Giants are 28th in the league against the run…. A heavy dose of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will be the way to go on Sunday. Unfortunately, Rodgers seems intent on throwing the ball all over England… Here’s what he said when asked by reporters if he’s like LaFleur to turn him loose: ‘Hell yeah, of course. Matt’s kind of in a grumpy mood right now. When he gets a little bit of rest and will be in a better mood, we’ll talk about airing it outa little bit more.’ Based on how the Giants are playing defense this season, that discussion would be best put on hold.
Well, Rodgers did indeed “air it out.” The Packers threw the ball 19 more times they ran it on Sunday, including those three ill-advised long tosses late in the game. It’s difficult to know whether to blame the person theoretically calling the plays (LaFleur) or the person who has full authority to change any run to a pass (Rodgers). The only thing I know for certain is that if the head coach was in a grumpy mood before the game, I shudder to think of his mood after the game.
3) At this point, Amari Rodgers is simply taking up space. The former Clemson standout has played only five snaps on offense all season, and Sunday he was replaced on kickoffs by rookie Christian Watson. That left bringing back punts as Rodgers’ only job, and he’s not close to good enough in that role to justify a spot on the 53-man roster. Would releasing a player picked in the third round of the 2021 draft be embarrassing for general manager Brian Gutekunst? Of course, but that shouldn’t be a factor in his decision-making. There are probably a dozen veterans on practice squads around the league or even on the street who could help the Packers more than Rodgers. Plus, there’s a pretty decent chance he could clear waivers and be re-signed to the practice squad, which is where he belongs. And if he gets claimed, so what? The odds of the 23-year-old blossoming with another team are slim, and the Packers would add some salary cap space. Moving on from Rodgers would allow Gutekunst to bring in an experienced kick returner and spare Watson from that duty. A player who stands 6-foot-4 and can’t seem to stay healthy doesn’t need to be doing such a dangerous job. Jordy Nelson, who was an inch shorter than Watson, lasted less than a month in that role very early in his career with the Packers.
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When your HC continues to abandon the run year after year in crucial situations and it flops every time, you need to start questioning that coach. If a coach can’t or won’t adapt, refuses to self-evaluate, you’ve got a problem.
It’s obvious to everyone outside 1265 that Joe Barry can’t coach what he has. Put your players in position to succeed. Having Jaire play 15 yds off a street FA on 2nd and 19 is malpractice. Barry basically conceded a 1st down to the Giants on 2nd and 19. If you wonder why Packer CB’s miss so many tackles it’s because they have to run up ten yards after the opposing WR makes a catch.
If you’re an OC your goal is to become a head coach. You’re judged and promoted by how many points you put on the Board. Your team can suck, go 3-14 but if you’re averaging 28-33 points per-game you’ll get a shot as a HC. However, HC’s are judged under different criteria. HC’s are judged by wins and losses. Just win baby.
Paul Chryst at WI is a perfect example. Ran an imaginative, unpredictable offense as an OC. When he became a HC he turned into a 1st and 2nd down dive plays into 8 man fronts. Throw on 3rd down. Why ? He thought his defense could hold as long as his offense didn’t turn the ball over. Wins are now the most important thing. McCarthy is another perfect example of this. He ended his tenure running about 3 stem routes as the majority of his offense. LaFleur’s is going to end the same way.
MLF calls a nice mix of run/pass in the 1st half and we’re cookin. Then comes out slinging it in the 2nd half. It’s almost like he assumes the other team will adjust so he abandons it. How about abandoning it if THEY ACTUALLY STOP IT ? Quit out thinking yourself, just run the offense.
If you want to play McCarthy ball then you better get Jordy, Jennings and Driver back in the fold. The Giants were baiting the Packers to throw deep. They know our WR’s are average. Quit screwing around, get the ball in 33’s hands. Runs, wheel routes, dump offs, get him the ball in space and good things happen. Rodgers chucking up balls 40 yards downfield to guys covered like paint and overthrowing them by 5 yards is exactly WHAT THE GIANTS WANTED YOU TO DO.
This is on Barry and Rodgers. Barry either can’t or won’t make any adjustments.
Rodgers, is going to be Rodgers. He’s more concerned with Rodgers and his bowels and hair. He needs to stop shaking his head, actually speak with and get it worked out with his receiver talent. There’s no Adam’s. He needs to play like he did in the first half and stop hero ball.
Guety needs to find a returner, actually NFL WR or TE. Otherwise, they’ll be sitting home wondering what happened and why there not in the Super Bowl yet again. This all in isn’t really working.
In my opinion, Barry needs to be shown the door. As for Rodgers I’m tired of his act. I don’t want to hear anything more about his bowels, sexual partners or whatever. Play freaking QB and actually be a leader.
This is freaking amazing.
On the positive side, the Packers aren’t peaking too early.
Amari seems more of a liability for the Pack than a threat to opposing teams. i would like to see how Samori Toure might fit in with the offense. Packers should work toward more consistency on the offensive line. i don’t think Royce Newman had a good game in London.
on the defensive side, i don’t know if Savage is right for the league.. he seemed to plateau his rookie year. as a whole, the secondary has been a bit disappointing so far this year. on the other hand, it seemed like TJ Slaton was stout with the snaps he was allotted. other than the well-executed misdirection play by the Giants, Preston Smith looked good. i am looking forward to seeing a defense with 11 guys playing well.
Careful what you wish for. As someone who lived through the 70s and 80s I’m not so anxious to get rid of a Hall of Fame caliber qb. Rodgers is a different cat, no doubt about that.
I was big on Amari Rodgers but it’s time for a change. I’d like to see if Samari Toure can return kicks. He couldn’t contribute any less on offense plus he has good speed on a team that needs it.