After rethinking about Sunday’s game against the Jets, here are three things worth discussing:
1) I first mentioned the offseason coaching changes on offense after the week 1 debacle in Minnesota, and it’s probably worth revisiting the topic after an even worse performance by the Packers on Sunday. Nathaniel Hackett had nearly a decade’s worth of experience as a coordinator before leaving for Denver in January. His replacement, Adam Stenavich, was an O-line coach for only three years before being promoted. Is the job too big for him? The offense hasn’t been good all season and made the ‘22 Jets look like the ‘85 Bears. The same could be wondered about his replacement, Luke Butkus. There’s a massive difference between being the man and being the assistant to the man. Seeing the guards and center continually fail to pick up stunts was unbelievably frustrating, and something rarely witnessed when Stenavich was in charge. Butkus apparently made no adjustments aside from replacing one awful player (Royce Newman) with another awful player (Jake Hanson). And why the heck isn’t Yosh Nijman playing? Starting him at right tackle, moving former Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins to his natural position, and keeping Newman and Hanson on the bench should be a no-brainer.
2) The offense was inept all day, but the defense failed on the biggest drive of the game. After Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard connected on a touchdown to pull the Packers within seven points and recapture the momentum, Joe Barry’s unit folded like a cheap suit. The Jets effortlessly moved 66 yards and scored a touchdown to essentially put the game away. The defense was terrific for the first 30 minutes, but offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur – the only competent LaFleur on this day – made some key adjustments at halftime, and the Jets took flight in the third quarter. The blitzes that confused young quarterback Zach Wilson early were no longer much of a problem, and all of a sudden, explosive rookie Breece Hall was finding room to run, and receivers were getting open. To his credit, Barry at least tried new things on Sunday. He kept All-Pro Jaire Alexander on talented No. 1 pick Garrett Wilson and brought pressure with corners and safeties. Unfortunately, once the Jets figured out what the Packers were doing and adjusted accordingly, Barry was fresh out of ideas, and the defense got sliced and diced for 17 points and nearly 200 yards in the decisive second half.
3) Do all the people who thought the Packers had enough talent at wide receiver and tight end want to reconsider? The theory that spreading the ball around would make up for the loss of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling was always ridiculous. Talent matters, and it’s why the best offenses in the league are loaded at those two positions. Allen Lazard, Randall, Cobb, Romeo Doubs, and Robert Tonyan scare nobody. The Jets played tight man-to-man coverage, and with no fear of getting beat over the top, crowded the middle of the field and made finding open targets extremely difficult, especially with Rodgers under pressure on almost every throw. This is how every defense will play against the Packers until GM Brian Gutekunst does what he should’ve done months ago and acquires a legit top-tier wide receiver. Whether such a player is available is a fair question to ask. So is wondering whether it even matters. The way this team has performed in five of the past six games, even the return of Adams and Valdes-Scantling might not make much of a difference.
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Given the obviousness of the move of putting Nijman in and sliding Jenkins over, it makes me wonder if something is forcing them to keep Jenkins at tackle, like Bakhtiari succession planning or even Jenkins wanting to get paid as a tackle in his next contract… this is the most bewildering “are you seeing what we’re seeing?” moment since McCarthy’s refusal to play Jones.
It is amazing to see teams put their CBs on islands with absolutely no fear. Can’t Watkins at least keep them honest when he gets back? None of the talking heads ever mention MVS, but he would make such a big difference against this press coverage single- high stuff we’re seeing. Desean Jackson anyone?
I expect to see Nijman at RT on Sunday. If not, either the coaches don’t think he can play on that side or Newman has incriminating pictures. No on Desean Jackson for many reasons, but the offense does need a deep threat. I don’t think that’s Watkins any longer.
Rodgers wants to simplify the offense and I couldn’t agree more. He can start by running the scheme that runs the ball, uses play action and the quick passing game. Torpedo the spread/hero ball nonsense. Adams and Scantling are gone. So is Jordy, Jennings and Jermichael.
If Gutekunst only intended to bolster the WR corps by signing Watkins then he should have just signed MVS instead so at least they could take the top off of a defense. Adding another WR that can’t outrun anyone doesn’t help.
Robbie Anderson was traded for a 6th and 7th ? Rodgers is 39, you signed him to go all in. You’re NOT going all in giving him two rooks and #3 and #4 WR’s like Cobb and Lazard.
The QB that pouts, shakes his head while looking down and rolling his eyes after every third throw is very concerned other players like Jaire might have a bad attitude. Maybe Mr. Attitude could try throwing an accurate pass over 30 yards in his glass stadium first.
Aaron Jones had 3 rushes in the first half. We could put MLF on a loop telling us how that’s unacceptable. Play it right after McCarthy’s loop on pad level and beating your man through proper technique.
We have 10 Offensive lineman. Newman is probably #8 on the list. To correct that glaring idiocy we decided to pull him and try #9 Hanson.
Move Jenkins, stick Yosh at RT. Then put Caleb Jones at TE and run a jumbo package. Of course that means they might have to give the ball to A. Jones once in a while so that won’t fit our scheme.
Washington’s D line is BETTER than the Jets. This should be fun. If Newman plays they’ll have to fly a flight for life chopper on the field by the middle of the 1st qt.
First drive against Washington, try no huddle. Just try it. A flea flicker, the flying wedge, statue of liberty play, bring back Norm Van Brocklin, anything, something.
It’s a complete mystery why we only have 1 interception in six games when opposing QB’s don’t even have to launder their uniforms after playing us. Jaire’s man coverage was a rousing success so you know and I know it’s back to lining him up by the hot dog vendor this week.
After the game I was thinking about how much the OL needed Stenavich, he always seemed to have a good unit (except for changing the unit in the playoffs last year).
Moving from LT to RT isn’t just a matter of switching sides but it’s not rocket science either. TE’s switch sides all the time and while it’s not quite the same it’s close enough.
Rodgers seems to be playing like a guy who wishes he retired after last year.
I think the loss of Steno as the OL coach is very telling as Butkus has failed to replace him and the OL is under performing big time. Gutey had to know that the WR room was not up to prior standards. It’s a bit late now to start looking for new WR’s. Not a Joe Barry fan either. Seems like we’re screwed this year – not surprising – probably too late in the game to start addressing all of these issues / failures. Will they be adequately addressed this off-season – history says no.
Say what you want about McCarthy, but he did a good job of keeping things together during hard times. He also did a good job of controlling 12 until 12 decided he was bigger than the franchise and stopped listening. I have serious doubts about whether LaFleur will be as good in a crisis. He already looks shaken after two bad losses. He also has no way of controlling 12. That was gone the minute the entire organization surrendered power to one player. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t have much faith in the Packers turning this season around and making a Super Bowl run.