Grading the Pack - Week 9 - Packers vs. Patriots

Sometimes, the game, or the players, just don’t live up to the pre-game hype. It was supposed to be the two greatest quarterbacks of all time, ideally making big play after big play, in a big offensive shootout.  What happened was much, much different. Neither quarterback played all that well, Green Bay’s offense never got going, and the Patriots used a flea-flicker, double pass, and a well-timed fake bubble screen to really break open the game.

A lot of the talk this week was about the play of Aaron Rodgers, and rightfully so. Speaking ill of anything that Aaron Rodgers does is unfortunately somewhat taboo in Packers’ nation, but at the moment, one of the greatest of all time isn’t playing all that great. Maybe the knee is bothering him more than he’s letting on, or maybe the lack of practice reps is coming back to haunt him, but he is missing plays that prime Aaron Rodgers never missed.

On the plus side, the Packers have found a new weapon in Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Not only is MVS making big plays, but he’s starting to draw coverage as well. His presence on the field is making it easier for others to find space because teams have to account for his deep speed. His play this week where he made the big-time contested catch on 3rd down when Rodgers had nowhere to go was a monster play. He continues to impress and had his best game of his young career.

The Patriots are known to not let your teams’ best players beat you, and that’s exactly what they did this week. Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and Kenny Clark ended with a combined -0.15 grade. Those are three players that were a combined +27.65 coming into the game. The Patriots kept Rodgers in the pocket and then collapsed it, doubled Adams, and were smart enough to run away from Clark and double team him when they looked to make a big pass play.

Other players needed to step up for Green Bay to win, and simply put… not enough players were up to that challenge.

Top 3 Offensive Players

Marquez Valdes-Scantling +2.20
Corey Linsley +0.90
Jamaal Williams +0.65

Top 3 Defensive Players

Mike Daniels +1.45
Antonio Morrison +0.75
Jaire Alexander +0.60

Bottom 3 Offensive Players

Byron Bell -2.30
Randall Cobb -1.15
Bryan Bulaga -0.60
Equanimeous St. Brown -0.60

Bottom 3 Defensive Players

Nick Perry -0.90
Reggie Gilbert -0.65
Bashaud Breeland -0.65

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers -0.30

Rodgers is an incredibly difficult player to grade at times. He doesn’t turn the ball over and he does a phenomenal job of avoiding risk (maybe sometimes too much so). So what you end up with is a mixture of up and down play that grades about even or slightly positive, no real big negative plays, and a handful of big plays each game. It ends up grading positive almost every week. Not knowing the progressions he’s supposed to be going through doesn’t make things easy either. His season grade of +10.35 is good, and rightfully so, most teams would die for a quarterback that throws for almost 300 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions every week.

But when you watch the game, and definitely when you breakdown the tape in excruciating detail, you just feel and know that something isn’t quite right. I’ve chalked it up to rhythm, or lack of a consistent running game, but it seems like something even more than just that.

My wish is that Green Bay would run more of a west coast offense with simple passing concepts and check downs. Use the tight ends and running backs more often and get Rodgers in a rhythm early. Once teams start sucking up and playing the short plays, then take your shots.

Something has to change on offense and Green Bay is in need of more efficiency and bigger plays on offense. The offense has looked almost exactly the same throughout the course of this year, and if nothing changes, I wouldn’t expect the results to change either.

Running Back

Jamaal Williams +0.65
Aaron Jones +0.05

Jamaal Williams quietly had a really nice game when he was given his opportunities. In everyone’s quest (mine included) to get Aaron Jones more carries, it sometimes gets lost that Williams is a solid contributor on this team. He’s not a big play guy, and running backs need runs of more than 10 yards, which is Williams’ struggle, but his ability to pass protect and consistently run hard is valuable and he and Jones complement each other very well.

Jones had another nice game but the fumble understandably killed his grade.

Wide Receiver

Marquez Valdes-Scantling +2.20
Davante Adams +0.35
Equanimeous St. Brown -0.60
Randall Cobb -1.15

We touched on MVS above and he was unequivocally the breakout star of the day. Adams made the best of a tough day seeing consistent double teams, while EQ and Randall Cobb struggled to separate.

Green Bay would be wise to use Adams and MVS on the outside, with Lewis and Graham at tight end and Jones at running back. They’d have a lot of variety with that offense and could play a lot of different ways depending on how the opposing team matches up. Either way, MVS has worked his way into a starting role and should be on the field for almost every play on offense.

Tight End

Marcedes Lewis +0.20
Jimmy Graham +0.00
Robert Tonyan -0.05
Lance Kendricks -0.30

Nothing too major to write home about here, Graham had his ups and downs and New England also did a solid job of limiting him. If Green Bay wants a true fullback, they’d be wise just to sign one and move on from Kendricks. He’s the 4th best tight end on the team, and he does nothing in that fullback or H-back role.

Offensive Line

Corey Linsley +0.90
David Bakhtiari +0.45
Jason Spriggs +0.40
Lane Taylor -0.30
Bryan Bulaga -0.60
Byron Bell -2.30

Right guard continues to be a nightmare. People often ask me how the offense can have pretty solid grades but the team continues to struggle for large stretches. The answer, of course, is that football is a team sport. And on any given play you are only as strong as your weakest link. You can have the perfect play call, and if one player misses their assignment or blows the play, the play can be lost.

That weakest link on offense all season has been right guard. Whether it’s been Justin McCray, Byron Bell, or Lucas Patrick, those three players have a combined grade of -15.30. The rest of the offensive line combined is +20.85. Green Bay simply has no answer for that position and it has continuously been a problem.

The nice surprise in this game was Jason Spriggs. He came in and actually played better than Bulaga was playing earlier in the game. For those who have read my grades consistently, you’ll know I’ve been pretty tough on Spriggs. But in this game he stepped up, didn’t require a ton of help, and help up pretty darn well. If he can play like that with any consistency, maybe he could get a look at right guard before the season is over. At this point, it’s almost worth trying anything.

Defensive Line

Mike Daniels +1.45
Dean Lowry +0.20
Tyler Lancaster +0.15
Montravius Adams -0.15
Kenny Clark -0.20

New England did their best to avoid Kenny Clark, and made it a very frustrating night for him. They ran away from him, chipped him, trapped him, doubled him, and made his life miserable. He never really got going and it was a rare non-dominant performance for the young defensive tackle.

The good news is that all that focus on Clark opened things up for Mike Daniels, and Daniels took full advantage. His +1.45 grade was by far the highest on defense for the day and he would have had multiple sacks if it wasn’t for Brady getting rid of the ball so quick. He had a fantastic day.

Edge

Kyler Fackrell -0.15
Clay Matthews -0.60
Reggie Gilbert -0.65
Nick Perry -0.90

No comments needed. Just watch the videos.

Linebacker

Antonio Morrison +0.75
Blake Martinez +0.00
Oren Burks -0.35

Blake Martinez went out with an injury and Antonio Morrison responded with his best performance as a Packer. After New England attacked Burks with mismatches on the opening drive, he didn’t see the field a ton the rest of the game.

Morrison has struggled early in the season but this was a really nice performance by him. He had a huge hustle play on the double pass to James White as he raced all the way across the field to save (momentarily) a touchdown. It was a big time effort play that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Cornerback

Jaire Alexander +0.60
Josh Jackson +0.25
Kevin King -0.15
Bashaud Breeland -0.65

I was a bit surprised that Green Bay started Breeland at outside corner ahead of Josh Jackson and in hindsight, they probably should have gone with Jackson. Breeland struggled in his first game back in action, while Jackson did a really nice job filling in for Kevin King when he left with an injury.

It goes without saying that King’s injuries are becoming a huge burden and he has to find a way to stay on the field.

Jaire Alexander continued his impressive rookie season and even though he didn’t have his best game he still graded easily in the positive.

Safety

Tramon Williams +0.1
Josh Jones +0.1
Kentrell Brice +0.05
Jermaine Whitehead -0.55

Tramon had two highlight plays, one good, one bad. He had the flying tackle at the goaline to stop James White from getting in the end zone, but also had the missed tackle on Josh Gordon that lead to the touchdown. You could tell he was still getting a bit used to the position—overall I liked what I saw.

I also really liked what I saw out of Josh Jones and Green Bay would be wise to pair Jones and Tramon as the starting safeties going forward. They pair together very well and give the Packers two playmakers in the secondary that they were sorely lacking.

While Whitehead didn’t grade well the past two weeks, I was still surprised to see him get cut. To me there had to be something more than just the personal foul and his play on the field. He went from starter to cut in a very short period of time. Either way Green Bay’s defense won’t be at a loss without Whitehead; hopefully it gives Jones the opportunity to play much more in the 2nd half of the season.

 2018 Grades: https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/grading-the-pack-2018-regular-season-totals-547

Friday Film Room: 

Here are the players we will focus on during the Friday Film Room:

Jermaine Whitehead -0.55
Tramon Williams +0.1
Bashaud Breeland -0.65
Aaron Rodgers -0.3

Listen to the Friday Film Room 9:45am every Friday at http://www.thefan1075.com/

How I Grade

  • Each player starts by getting a zero or neutral grade on a play. If they performed as expected on a play, their grade stays at zero.
  • For a slightly above or below average play, the player gets graded -0.1 or +0.1. The vast majority of grades on the vast majority of plays are graded -0.1, 0, or +0.1.
  • The highest and lowest grades on an individual play are +2.0 and -2.0 respectively. These would be large, game-changing plays.
  • I won’t grade a play negatively if I cannot tell which player was at fault.
  • Most of the time it’s difficult to tell the play, so I’m not grading on the execution of the play call as an NFL coach would.
  • The goal of this exercise is to grade every snap over the course of the season to get a long-term view of which performers are performing well and which are not meeting expectations. This is very similar to what Pro Football Focus tries to achieve. Is it perfect? No. But what you are getting is a consistent grader who is watching specifically Packer games and putting multiple hours into every week to breakdown film and assign grades.
  • Grades are for offense and defense only (including two point conversions). Special teams does not factor in.

 

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

Andy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh and owns & operates the Pack-A-Day Podcast. Andy has taken multiple courses in NFL scouting and is an Editor for Packer Report. Andy grew up in Green Bay and is a lifelong season ticket holder - follow him on Twitter @AndyHermanNFL!

__________________________

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (47)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
RCPackerFan's picture

November 09, 2018 at 08:08 am

"A lot of the talk this week was about the play of Aaron Rodgers, and rightfully so. Speaking ill of anything that Aaron Rodgers does is unfortunately somewhat taboo in Packers’ nation, but at the moment, one of the greatest of all time isn’t playing all that great. "

I have been saying this as have others.

He is a GREAT QB who is not playing Great right now.
Our team would look so much different if he started playing great again.

Andy thanks for the hard work you do! I don't say it enough on here, but its impressive the amount of work you put in.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:13 am

Yup. There are still some great throws. The pass to MVS (first clip) while moving forward in the pocket is right there.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

November 09, 2018 at 11:29 am

My favorite throw was to MVS down the right sideline. He threw it up in double coverage and allowed MVS to go up and make a play on the ball.

That throw IMO showed me that he fully trusts MVS to go get it.

We haven't seen Rodgers do that a lot lately. Throwing into double coverage.

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:00 pm

Glad Rodgers is starting to "trust" MVS too. Hopefully he starts trusting the RBs too. Keeping the ball on that 3rd and 1 is totally unacceptable play. There is nothing about the play to suggest he should keep the ball.

0 points
0
0
Demon's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:41 am

None of us dispute that the qb is not playing well. The question is why? Where is the qb guru? Is film being anlized and determing which plays he is able to make?

If the qb is struggling, would it make sense to feature the running game?

Why not go to a short passing game?

Mm needs to spend less time at the buffet table and more time coaching his team.

The only positive is we only have to look at McPadlevel another 2 months.

0 points
0
0
fastmoving's picture

November 09, 2018 at 11:15 am

Im sure you looking way more athletic than MM, now you just have to start to spend some time on education.

other than that I guess you blame MM for just anything. AR can do nothing wrong, even is the highest paid guy in the whole organization buy far.

If you judge him by his play now, he is more overpaid than CM3 or Coob. But if we win its just because of AR and when we lose its everyone else fault.

sounds sharp to me. just dont know who you complaining about when MM is gone.

0 points
0
0
Demon's picture

November 09, 2018 at 11:23 am

Look at your post than tell me who needs education pal.

Fyi yes i am much more athletic than McPadlevel.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:21 pm

I'll be the guru.

He's not 25, or 28, or 33 anymore. He's turning 35 in a couple of weeks.

And he's not the iron man that his predecessor was. He missed part of a season with a broken foot as a backup, then missed half a season with a broken collarbone, then missed another half a season with a broken collarbone, and he's had a couple of concussions. This year, he's played with a big brace on his leg and wasn't practicing for the first month of the season.

And there was turnover at the receiver positions. Jordy and Richard Rodgers gone, Cobb and Allison injured, and we're throwing to Adams and a TE who hasn't played much with Rodgers (Graham) and a bunch of rookies (yes, rookies do make mistakes and run the wrong routes).

Personally, I think it's really a longshot that Rodgers will ever go to the Super Bowl again. His age and injury history would seem to suggest that his best football is probably behind him.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:13 pm

I would amend your statement a little.

He WAS a great QB, but not since 2016. Since our loss in the Championship game, he's started 16 games and we're about .500 during that stretch.

He's older, and he's had two injuries. One kept him off the field for half the season, and the other kept him out of practice for a month.

I think it's irrational to think that in 2019, 2020, and 2021 Aaron Rodgers is somehow going to be as good as he was in his prime. I also think that QBs his age don't win the Super Bowl very often and he's probably won his one and only.

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

November 09, 2018 at 08:26 am

Thanks for the hard work, as always. This is a highlight of my week. Every week.

ARod is not seeing the field well, not getting the ball out on schedule, and unlike 2015, we actually have good weapons. And they're young, so they are improving. Flatly said, we need a completely new offensive coaching staff and system. It's past time.

On defense, I really like the idea of pairing Tramon at FS and Josh Jones at SS. A secondary of Alexander, Jackson, King, Breeland, Jones, Tramon and a rangy coverage ILB in Burks... man. That's intriguing going into 2019. Our DL is looking solid for years too. And not just Clark/Daniels. Lowry has played well too. But OLB. Yeesh. I mean. Just burn it down.

This year is all but over. 2 more losses does it, and like Cobb (who is finished btw), I don't see "Run the Table" in our future yet.

But going into 2019? If we fire MM and keep Pettine if he will stay as DC - Let him fill out his defensive staff as he so chooses. And hire an offensive head coach who can get Rodgers to play on schedule and with discipline.... man... this team has serious upside and it will be cooking with gas.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

November 09, 2018 at 09:19 am

'ARod is not seeing the field well, not getting the ball out on schedule, and unlike 2015, we actually have good weapons. And they're young, so they are improving. Flatly said, we need a completely new offensive coaching staff and system. It's past time."

This isn't what the problem is with Rodgers though. He has WR's open, he is either deciding to not throw it or hesitates. Probably some of it is having young guys and unsure if they are going to be where they are supposed to be.

I'm assuming the majority of Rodgers problems stem from injury. He hasn't been able to practice like he needs to. Which leads to not getting enough reps with the rookies. I'm sure he is limited in things he'd like to do.

I do want more creativity in the offense. But again, that isn't what is slowing the offense down.

If Rodgers plays up to his level this offense will look night and day different. We have seen glimpses of it, just not for a full 4 quarters.

The biggest problem has been the talent level has dropped off. Since they drafted Adams, they don't have another WR from any of the following draft classes contributing until this year's class. Allison was undrafted now on IR, and Davis will likely be coming back from IR for special teams.
Had they kept adding to the position and added talent who knows how different the offense would look.

MVS looks like a stud. EQ looks like a guy who will be a solid - good contributor. Perhaps becomes great. Moore we will see about. But we now are counting on rookies to be the guys. Had they drafted better previously we wouldn't be in this mess right now.

The other problem is each of the last 3 years we have had new TE's. There is no continuity there. How much better would the offense be now if they had kept Cook? I think Graham will step up his game in the 2nd half of the season. It seems to have taken all the TE's about half the season to get in sync with Rodgers.

If Rodgers gets rolling our team will look completely different. We need Rodgers to get to his level of play for a full 4 quarters.

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

November 09, 2018 at 09:33 am

If they can't play well by the end of the season they are not going to play good in 2019. The time is now to start winning the proper way and if its time to get rid of MM now then do it. I am not waiting til next year.. They have the talent. ..so do what it takes to win.

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

November 09, 2018 at 11:13 am

RC,

I have to say, with the caveat of your TE assessment, I completely disagree with your take here. As you mention, guys are open. The talent is there, and it is there NOW. And this is coming from the guy who was deathly afraid of Davante/Jimmy/Randall/Geronimo/Rookies as the passing game weapons! The truth is that the order really is Davante/MVS/Jimmy/Allison/EQ/Randall. Or at least was until Allison got hurt. That's much better!

ARod needs to get over his reservations and throw the damn ball. To me, it seems that MM is trying to get him to do this - but the message is not getting through. ARod has tuned him out. Since it's harder to find a GOAT QB than a good head coach/OC, I'm all for replacing the coach. The next coach MUST get ARod to play on schedule. I'd guess half the sacks and certainly more than half the QB hits this year are ARod's fault and not the OL's.

If you remember, this was an issue in Sherman's latter tenure too. Favre was trying to freelance WAY too much, and it was killing the offense. MM got Favre to play under control by mid-2006, and it resulted in a magical offense in 2007. A similar thing needs to happen here.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:29 pm

That is correct. They have talent NOW.
The problem is they didn't add the talent the last few years. It eroded from them. The problem is that now the talent is new with Rodgers. Rodgers doesn't trust them, causing him to hesitate. With his lack of practice time, no preseason game time, he only has games to build timing with these guys. Then 2 of the guys he had worked with have been hurt.

I think its about trust. He doesn't know if they are going to be where they should be causing him to hesitate. He needs to start trusting these guys more. Plus his injuries have affected him.

IMO he doesn't trust the players he has, when he absolutely should.

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:50 pm

Right. And who's fault is that? Rodgers. And MM for not forcing his hand. I don't know, maybe MM needs to pull a Belichick and straight up pants Rodgers in front of the team for repeatedly throwing off schedule in the film session.

But whatever he's doing, Rodgers is playing very very average. And that's not how the salary cap structure is set up on this team for them to be successful.

0 points
0
0
flackcatcher's picture

November 09, 2018 at 08:21 pm

I would only add that McCarthy should have Rodgers snap from the shotgun or pistol. It is obvious that he cannot set on his injured leg and is harming the timing of his throws. Outside of the problem with RG, which the Packers knew going into training camp, this OL group has done pretty well. The problem is Rodgers not getting his throws out on time and in rhythm. At this point in the season, he needs to be more a system QB to have success.

0 points
0
0
Packer_Fan's picture

November 09, 2018 at 09:26 am

Great article. Thanks

This shows who is messing up much more easily. Some bad play calls, some bad execution, some undisciplined play equals a loss when a turnover happens. I didn't think Perry and Matthews were deteriorating that fast. The Packers are good enough to stay with any team. But some announcer just said, the team that wins makes the fewest mistakes. Packers are making too many mistakes.

0 points
0
0
Lphill's picture

November 09, 2018 at 09:32 am

next year I will be happy seeing McCarthy and Perry gone at least. if Cobb and Clay take a reduced salary I am ok with that.

0 points
0
0
dblbogey's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:03 am

Cobb is done and has been for 3 years. He can't separate and can't make anybody miss. Who cares if he takes a pay cut if he isn't any good, Lots of payroll to come off next year between Cobb and Clay. Anybody happen to know if we can cut Perry after the year without too much dead money? He's got to go too.

0 points
0
0
cpheph1's picture

November 09, 2018 at 03:59 pm

Perry’s dead cap space for 2019 is $11.1m

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:38 pm

Trade @Rogers for 2 more 1st Rounders !!!

We are cleaning house now anyways..

0 points
0
0
Minniman's picture

November 09, 2018 at 05:30 pm

An interesting point.

I've actually thought about the pros and cons of this scenario of trading Rodgers for a while now ( while he's obscenely marketable and GB could offload a huge cap number).

In short, and for many reasons I think "close call - but no"...... if it was going to happen (and it was in GB's plans) then they'd have strung him along this year and franchise tagged him.

There are a couple of really good college QB's that will be coming through in the next couple of years (Trevor Lawrence from Clemson is one that jumps out and Ian Book from Notre Dame is showing promise too[early days there I'll agree]), and I don't have any issues trading one of the 1st round picks next year into the year after to preserve draft capital if the perceived value isn't there.

Postscript: It's clear that GB and Rodgers needs to evolve\vary his game to better take advantage of his best assets (his accuracy and football IQ) in this next phase of his career........ or trade him..... I'd think that a league MVP would command more than 2 first rounders though.

0 points
0
0
flackcatcher's picture

November 09, 2018 at 08:29 pm

The reality is at one point or another, we all have had the same or similar thoughts over the past couple of years. This season is the season that proves that Rodgers must change his game, or be traded if the Packers are to flourish as an organization. Glad I'm not Gute.

0 points
0
0
Minniman's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:12 pm

Totally agree, a salient point - "the team's interests must prevail"

Add in the facet of MM's future and the variables explode exponentially!

MM's "externally perceived uncertainty" was probably the biggest determinant as to why I think that Rodgers will stay a Packer for the foreseeable future......... Scenario-wise it's more likely that MM would get replaced and the new HC would have Rodgers to work with.

It's highly unlikely that the scenario would be that MM gets retained and Rodgers get traded.

.... it's slightly more plausible than this that both would be moved on and a new HC would have a bevvy of early draft picks to work with..... but that doesn't seem how the Packers operate and it's more likely that MM would be moved on one year, then Rodgers after that (if results or relationships weren't working).

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

November 09, 2018 at 05:02 pm

It still might be worth it to cut him...

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

November 09, 2018 at 09:36 am

Rogers is getting older. You guys act like he is a rookie. Like RBs that hit 30 and decline. Maybe the decline of Rogers has started. We may have to use 2 first round picks to get a QB. Dunno. But he will be 36...time is creeping up on him.

0 points
0
0
dblbogey's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:05 am

You realize we just extended Rodgers for 4 more years.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

November 09, 2018 at 11:00 am

"But he will be 36..."

Yes. Eventually. He's 34 right now.

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

November 09, 2018 at 09:37 am

Go Milwaukee Bucks !! Looked GREAT against the Warriors! !

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:36 pm

December 2, 1983 (age 34)

In just a few weeks he will be 35!
Next year Dec 2nd. (36 !)

0 points
0
0
ILPackerBacker's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:30 am

It always amazes me how many fans and writers talk about a receiver being open and missed by the quarterback, not only after the read is passed but after the ball is thrown. It would seem pretty obvious even to the most oblivious that once the ball is thrown it is to late for other receivers to come open AND that the defensive backs react to the throw and they do not react by continuing to cover people the ball is not going to

watch the plays

0 points
0
0
AndyHerman's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:32 am

I would agree that's fairly obvious... who is saying any different?

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:42 am

Thanks for this article. I wait for it every week.

Looks like Perry's ankle is bothering him a lot. The bull rush is largely gone. His lateral agility, assuming he has set the edge and is in a position to close on the runner, looks gone as well. In the clip above, when the LT just dives low it is all over for Perry, who appears to me to be protecting his ankle at all costs. Perry still tackles pretty well.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:06 pm

I just listened to about 20 minutes of Ben Fennell on a podcast. Interesting all the way around, but he also mentioned that Perry is obviously hurt and cannot bull rush, which is a substantial part of Perry's game. Looks like the bye did not help the ankle sufficiently.

0 points
0
0
flackcatcher's picture

November 10, 2018 at 08:11 am

He can still set the edge, but that's it. Packers have no one else who can hold on the run game and gives the flexibility in their scheme. Outside of CM3, that group is all role players. Defense could go with 4 DL, but that gaps up the soft middle and puts your ILB at risk in the short passing game. Perry should be sitting, but the Packers don't have anyone else with his skill set. Tough problem to solve.

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

November 10, 2018 at 04:15 am

I also think that the loss of Wilkerson is having a cumulative effect on Clark. He is just playing too many snaps to have much chance of being effective late season.

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:15 pm

How many times can I applaud the effort of this series! It's great.

Bryon Bell is a waist bender. Those guys never change. You do not want waist benders.

If that's how Cobb runs he should be inactive. He looks awful.

0 points
0
0
SoCalJim's picture

November 09, 2018 at 01:04 pm

Waste bender or waist bender?

Never, ever, waste a bender!

Great article, Andy. Like others have said, it’s the highlight of the week. Go Pack!

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:16 pm

Fixed, we don't need either.

0 points
0
0
egbertsouse's picture

November 09, 2018 at 12:15 pm

The film shows how truly pathetic CM and Perry really are. I’m wondering if street FAs wouldn’t be better, if there are any out there.

0 points
0
0
Johnblood27's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:47 pm

It is Kendall Donnerson time!

0 points
0
0
Roadrunner23's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:32 pm

The Packers are in a re-build mode and the locker room is fully aware.
Consider:

-Clinton Dix grousing to the press about the Packers not wanting him around in 2019. This was in week four!

-Ty Montgomery defiantly refusing to down the kick return after his sideline meltdown

-Jermaine Whitehead being shown the door quickly after his bonehead penalty. Apparently there was more to this behind the scenes

-RandallCobb publicity saying this team isn’t having any fun and it just doesn’t feel the same

-Aaron Rodgers body language, poor decision making, 32 throw always in 8 games which is an NFL record through 8 games. Also his throwing behind receivers and general lethargic attitude

-The wheels are coming off folks, this team is going nowhere. The Packers May win a few games on pride alone but make no mistake, this is not a playoff team and Gute will have to clean the mess in the offseason.
Question is? Will McCarthy survive it?

0 points
0
0
Lare's picture

November 09, 2018 at 06:22 pm

"Question is? Will McCarthy survive it?"

Murphy's call, I'm guessing he'll stand behind McCarthy just as he stood behind TT for years after his performance lagged.

0 points
0
0
Doug Niemczynski's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:39 pm

MM to the Browns!

0 points
0
0
Johnblood27's picture

November 09, 2018 at 04:59 pm

Wow, triage time.

Get the corpses out of the OLB position.

Start Fackrell and give Donnerson a chance.

Is there any warm bodies anywhere that we can pick up at OLB? It is desperation time for the D at that position.

Safety may have settled somewhat, lets see what the changes continue to bring.

On Offense, the HUGE open gaping wound at RG needs to be cauterized. There absolutely has to be a PS body that is better than what we have been trotting out there, Cmon Gute, make a frickin move!

Bakh must be dying looking behind him every play and seeing AR either running or on the ground. every play.

Lindsley is ok at his position, but he cannot play 2 interior positions at the same time. Taylor may be acceptable, but the RG is just empty, no living bodies seen there all season.

Bulaga may just be a really good tire with no tread left. It is time to let Spriggs hold down RT with the understanding that he will be gone if he doesnt perform at a starter level.

Maybe in this scenario moving Bulaga to RG will allow him to use the little tread that is remaining. It is time to move on after this season fo sho.

The OL is the single biggest issue on this offense and maybe on this team. If the 5 members do not pull it together the offense will continue to struggle and the defense will spend way too much time on the field to be effective for 60 minutes.

0 points
0
0
flackcatcher's picture

November 09, 2018 at 08:47 pm

Good post Andy as always. I am sorry that some are taking their frustration out on you. It is silly and petty. The truth is the NFL is a quarterback's league, for good and ill. And with the Packers we are seeing that up close and personal. As for the game, we saw two coaching staffs that had their teams ready to play, with both sides executing their game plans. As always, when playing at that high a level, turnovers, injuries and mistakes will decide the winner. It was a real old fashion NFL game. In today's game, that is pretty rare.

0 points
0
0
Roadrunner23's picture

November 09, 2018 at 10:20 pm

You are correct flack catcher Andy deserves a major kudos for the detailed and excellent work he does

Kudos to you Andy!

With work as detailed and fine as Andy’s it is sure to stir thoughts and emotions amongst passionate fans. This is why we vent, we fans are united for one goal,we want our packers to be the best they can be.

However, they sadly are not the best they can be and that is a shame

This doesn’t mean we don’t love our Green Bay Packers or love Andy’s work we do and kudos again Andy!

Go Packers!

0 points
0
0