Packers Vs. Jaguars - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I try to focus on a theme, the less obvious, or things I didn't notice watching live. These are not likely to be "highlight" plays.
Brooks Pass Pro - I don't know how the Packers manage to continually find hidden gems like Chris Brooks. He was an undrafted free agent in 2023 that signed with the Dolphins, made their roster and played in nine games. He was released with an injury settlement this year and the Packers promptly signed him to their practice squad. With MarShawn Lloyd ending up on IR, Brooks got the call up and has done nothing but impress. LaFleur has talked him up several times in pressers and I'm sure one of the reasons is he does the little things right - like pass protection. Here, he enters the game in an obvious passing situation (2nd and 11) and he has one job, pick up anyone coming on a blitz. He does just that, completely neutralizing the blitzing linebacker. Brooks has good size (6'1", 219lbs), runs hard, can catch, has been schooled in the finer points of the position with Miami, and as you saw when he gave himself up just a few yards from a TD, listens to the coaches. He out-snapped Emanuel Wilson 17 to 12 on Sunday and was in on 14 special teams snaps to Wilson's 0. Those may be the sounds of footsteps you hear creeping up behind Wilson.
Jacobs Quick Pitch - I'm highlighting this one because it's one of my favorite plays that you just don't see anymore. Most toss plays nowadays are slower developing and usually with linemen pulling. This is what we used to call a quick pitch with a simple blocking scheme to create a hole for the running back. Because it's run so quick, if the tight end and left tackle execute their man blocks, it's guaranteed yardage as most of the other defenders can't arrive fast enough.. This play is a great way to get ahead of the sticks on first down, which is what happened here. A seven yard gain on first down is a beautiful thing.
Stokes, again. - Here's your weekly reminder that the Packers have a real problem if Eric Stokes has to play a lot, which could be the case if Williams and Alexander are out this upcoming Sunday. I have to say, though, Stokes is a real looker, but not in the way that term is normally used. He just likes to observe receivers catch passes. That would be ok if he were on the sideline, but the problem is, he's on the field. I've called for Valentine in his place all year, because I'm pretty confident Valentine would try to do more than what Stokes is doing here. I could see him holding his position like he is doing here if the Packers were playing two deep safeties. Unfortunately, they are in single-high and not even McKinney can cover that much ground in time. Stokes is protecting that Jaguars sideline as if the players standing there are eligible receivers. I think Joe Barry broke him.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (22)
GregC
October 29, 2024 at 01:31 pm
Was Stokes maybe playing a zone on that one and passing the receiver off to someone else? I try to withhold judgment if I'm not sure what the assignments are. Not that Stokes has been any good. The real question is why Valentine has fallen out of favor.
I think they had Chris Brooks out there on the game-winning drive against the Texans because they needed to pass and he's their best blocking RB. He looks pretty good with the ball in his hands too. Emmanuel Wilson may find himself on the outside looking in when Marshawn Lloyd comes back. Wilson looked great at the beginning of the season but has faded. Not sure if it's due to his play or just a lack of opportunities.
JerseyAl
October 29, 2024 at 02:05 pm
That was definitely zone, but with a single high safety, and no one else he needs to cover, that's not how it's supposed to be played.
Coldworld
October 29, 2024 at 05:03 pm
Stokes never has been good playing off, but as a rookie he trusted himself and was physical. This year I’m not seeing that. It seems the mental side of the injury has taken its toll. Without the physicality, he’s just not good because he’s not using the physical attributes that got him drafted. I’d bench him, sit him down and tell him how it is, see if he responds and earns another look. Just trotting him out there hoping he will gain confidence and reawaken isn’t working.
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2024 at 02:07 pm
Stokes is not a Pro Football player. Pass off to outside zone when the call is single-high safety/Thirds?
The CB position needs reinforcements, badly. The Douglas trade/move is another rock in the Holiday stocking.
tobinrote
October 29, 2024 at 01:39 pm
remember how promising Stokes was in his rookie year. he covered very well, and then for some reason his play just declined. AL suggests bad coaching did him in.... but he showed so much speed and quickness in his first year. what in the world has happened to him? With the league becoming a passing league, good running backs seem to be sitting on various practice squads available for the asking.
greengold
October 29, 2024 at 01:55 pm
I have one comment. Eric. What the F are you doing? NEVER give a 15 yd cushion. You're better than this and you know it. Knock it off, and start play-making again. I wanna be able to say to you, as a fan of yours, "THAT's a football play."
The VERY BEST players in my book get FFs, FRs, PDs, INTs, PBUs, Sacks, Tackles, TFL... You can't do it if you're a freaking mile away from the play. C'mon, man. Snap out of it. Get on it and bust shit up.
What do you want to be, Eric Stokes? A has been, or a perennial All-Pro? You're the one writing your script, man.
I am a true fan of his, and I do not disparage what he's done to come back to playing form after suffering 2 significant injuries for a speed guy, to his foot and knee. At the same time, I simply wish he'd return to the play-making mindset of a top CB he had as a rookie. I do think he can return to that form. The timetable for recovery from those injuries should be in good stead for him to bring his best now, again. I think he can, and I hope that Eric Stokes will lift his level of play through the remainder of this season and the playoffs.
SicSemperTyrannis
October 31, 2024 at 03:35 pm
+1
I think Al described it very well; it looks like the fastest man on the team is afraid of contact.
Speed is only useful to get to the point of contact sooner ...
Leatherhead
October 29, 2024 at 02:34 pm
Stokes has had a good view of some great catches.
SicSemperTyrannis
October 31, 2024 at 03:36 pm
With the stats to prove it.
Lphill
October 29, 2024 at 02:38 pm
looks like Stokes didn't know which receiver to cover .
NFLfan
October 29, 2024 at 02:40 pm
Stokes is too short and skinny.
splitpea1
October 29, 2024 at 03:25 pm
Play 2: What stands out to me is Jacobs' ability to push the pile and gain the tough additional yardage. In fact, he is second in the NFL in yards after contact with 510.
Play 3: Stokes lost in space again. What everyone is wondering is why Valentine has seen such a reduction in playing time--it doesn't make sense. I hope the Packers aren't trying to "showcase" him for a trade, because it ain't working, and as noted a couple of weeks ago, he hasn't been credited with a pass defensed since the 2021 season.
SicSemperTyrannis
October 31, 2024 at 03:37 pm
I think CV has been injured.
Tundraboy
October 29, 2024 at 03:36 pm
I didn't realize that was Stokes on that play, but that one far surpassed some of the poor coverage gems that were our gold standard of wtf. I too was dumbfounded. Another play that left me speechless was where Jaire lost his shoe. Nobody commented on it that I can see or hear. Was he hurt? Did he lose his shoe? Was he more concerned about his shoe than maybe trying to prevent the touchdown?
jont
October 30, 2024 at 03:41 pm
Do you mean the TD catch where Jaire didn't jump for the ball?
If so, he hurt his knee on the play. MRI showed no significant damage, and he is day to day for Sunday.
HawkPacker
October 29, 2024 at 04:23 pm
I believe we are pretty weak at CB, especially if Alexander is out. I am not sold on Nixon at that position, Stokes is struggling and Valentine, for whatever reason, is in the doghouse.
Another ask, Is Marshawn Lloyd practicing or is he now out for the year? I am thinking that his four weeks are up and he is either practicing or out for the year!
Coldworld
October 29, 2024 at 05:08 pm
Lloyd is now eligible to be designated for return but they have not opened that window. He may not yet be fully fit, or they may have decided to just redshirt him. He missed most of camp hurt, so there may be other physical issues and they may feel he needs an off season to learn to protect the QB and perhaps the ball.
They are not obliged to bring back a player off in season IR. They can just sit on him (and pay him) if they so wish. E Wilson has been pretty effective. They like the new guy Brooks obviously. There’s no particular rush from an on field perspective.
At corner, I’d find a way to keep Robert Rochell. He was the third best perimeter corner in camp and plays STs. He’s out of elevations though, so they’d have to roster him.
Major Snafu
October 29, 2024 at 09:45 pm
Probably grossly out of shape and maybe over weight. Who knows.
Major Snafu
October 29, 2024 at 09:43 pm
I'm with you on Valentine. Is it possible he isn't playing because jairre and Stokes are Gutts one picks and he may make Gutt look bad? Seemed to do pretty good last year when they were hurt?
relleum61
October 29, 2024 at 07:00 pm
Jerry Gray coached Stokes as a rookie. Stokes played well. Stokes then, reminded me of Sam Shields (although Shields could catch the ball). Where is Jerry Gray now? Perhaps that is the team we need to trade him to for a conditional draft choice.
Major Snafu
October 29, 2024 at 09:38 pm
Thanks Al.
Let me take all of you back to when Stokes was just drafted and in his first training camp. Almost every day he was being put up against Adams and the knock then, Adams was making him look like a fool often running past him for a catch. The idea was he would soon learn to not be fooled and catch on to covering.
They hoped Adams would teach Stokes the error of his ways and he would get wise to it.
Bottom line is he can't play corner. I still think with his speed he could have been better at safety?
Stokes just doesn't get it.
Case in point. Vikes needed 4 yards for a first. Stokes drops back 10 yards off the receiver. Receiver runs five yds turns and catches ball for first down. He was playing back in case receiver tried to run past him duh!.
SicSemperTyrannis
October 31, 2024 at 03:45 pm
I remain a fan of #31, Emmanuel Wilson. When I heard the announcer calling Brooks I had to do a double take to make sure we were on offense. When I saw #30 I had to look him up on the roster.
Impressive, indeed!
It's possible #31 just had an off day? If #30 is actually better, well that's good too!
I think making sure Marshawn Lloyd is past his fumbling woes is a good idea before giving him the ball in game.