It’s been a little over a day, and I can finally string together some coherent thoughts. Had I tried to do this yesterday, it would’ve been jumbled word salad much like Aaron Rodgers’ on-field interview and he blotchy-faced tried to spark a few brain cells together and all that came out was, “We footballed good.”
Wow, what a game. I think I scared my dog to death and the surly tween screamed, “Shut up, I was sleeping!”
It was an iconic win, something that will be in the replay reel right along with the QB sneak in the Ice Bowl, just like Favre streaking across the field a the Superdome with his helmet held high. The Packers were losing for every second of regulation. The Lions anticipated another lateral game of keep of way. Surely Jim Caldwell had heard of a guy named Aaron Rodgers before. You know him–about six two, cannon for an arm? Oh yeah, that guy. He hasn’t really been an entity in five out of the last four previous games. But man, did he show up when everyone had all but forgotten he was there.
Sure, Rodgers seemed lost on the field for 3 and 3/4 quarters in Detroit. He looked miserable. Didn’t smile. Passes were in accurate, and he slapped his helmet enough times in frustration that there is likely a drinking game associated with it by now. But instead of seeing ghosts like he has through this second half of the season, something changed. Who knows what finally clicked, but he was back and making passes. Maybe he decided to take a page from Serrano from Major League and decided to tell Jobu to go screw himself, he was going to do it himself. Whatever it was, for a few plays we got out Rodgers back. And the rest they say is history.
But make no mistakes about it, there is still a lot wrong with the floundering Packers offense. They may have knocked the Lions out of playoff contention, but there are still a death of a thousand paper cuts that they could inflict on themselves to knock themselves out.
Let’s face it, the offense cannot rely on one miracle play to win the next game. As far as those types of plays go, the Packers have already hit their quota for this generation this past Thursday, and will have to win by conquering the actual 60 minutes of regulation and not try to go for all the marbles with a single free play.
The offense needs to find its identity, because right now it has none. I’ve written about it before, but it lacks leadership right now from the top down. Rodgers has been unable to lead as of late, and if your field general can’t find a way to do it, then someone needs to step up and lead him. It doesn’t have to be a quarterback whisperer. It doesn’t have to be something as dramatic as Kevin Greene telling Clay Matthews, “It is time.” But has to be something, anything to spark his joy for football and help him regain his self-confidence.
If that person is supposed to be the play caller Tom Clements, then he is failing miserably. He can’t get the team into a rhythm. He is painfully predictable. And I want to point out again that Clements failed so miserably in this capacity the last time he was given the keys the car that he was relieved of all play calling duties in October of that season.
And then there’s the running game. All rushing yards combined didn’t amount to anything, and Aaron Rodgers scrambling for his life accounted for half of them. If you want to get Rodgers–who right now may be a very flawed only option to move the chains–killed, take away the running game. The offense becomes exceptionally a one-trick pony when that happens. Teams have figured it out, especially with the ailing offensive line. Blitz Rodgers, and a QB with the yips will be all the more a basket case if he’s knocked to the turf umpteen times in a game.
Yes, Eddie Lacy and Alonzo Harris broke the curfew rules. I get that, and I appreciate the need for discipline, but continuing to sit Lacy just to prove who is top dog is fool hardy. In the two games before his big timeout, he ran for 100 yards each time. But no, the Packers decided to cut off its nose to spite its face–at the expense of potentially exposing Rodgers to more risk of injury than he needed to be–decided that sitting Lacy was in the “best interest of th team” or whatever they want to describe pissing in every corner to mark the territory between coaches and the rule breakers.
While Harris factored very little into the offensive scheme, while they decided to let Lacy sit in the corner, the called up a kid from the practice squad that has probably never played a down of football with Rodgers and decided to make him the great hope for the running team. Needless to say, he didn’t amount to anything either.
Finally the receivers. They finally got it in the last few minutes of the game and realized their job was to catch the ball. Yes, Adams continued to struggle. But unlike Lacy who was punished to prove a point, Davante was rewarded with Rodgers’ trust even after the shade cast in the past week about preparation, maturity and video games (maybe that shade was directed at Lacy, who knows…) and he was on the money in the end zone.
Trust. They simply need to trust each other more. They need to find that joy and remember it is fun winning games and working together instead of sniping in the press conference equivalent to subtweeting.
And then there’s Richard Rodgers. He’s my new favorite player. So all those times I called him an uninspired Bubba Franks wearing oven mitts on his hands and cinder blocks for shoes, I take it all back. Call it his basketball background. Be happy he has more skills than Bostick. But when that ball came down, he leaped up like an NBA forward and snagged that ball from the sky.
The Packers have long away to go to be great this season. But that Rodgers to Rodgers pass may be the fire that the entire team needs to spark a final run to January.
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Kelly Hodgson is a writer for PackersTalk.com and you can listen to her as a Co-Host of Out of the Pocket. You can also follow Kelly on Twitter at @ceallaigh_k
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9 responses to “Packers win but far from perfect”
With respect, you’re wrong down the line. The old Aaron Rogers never left. The deep threat left with Jordy Nelson. The running game left with a beat up offensive line. The subs can and do play their hearts out. But it takes a while for an offensive line to jell. I don’t know how many of the subs will ever be starters.
Absent the deep threat with a degraded running game defenses concentrate on short and intermediate pass routes. Regularly Aaron Rogers buys 6-8 seconds without a receiver getting separation. The timing is off and Rogers, Rogers has flat out missed at times (So does Brady.), and he has occasionally failed to see open receivers. These things happened in his super bowl year too.
You owe Aaron Rogers an apology for the “ghosts” comment. They aren’t ghosts. They are defensive players and he has to think about them more this year. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be driven into AstroTurf by a 295 lb. lineman. I doubt that you can.
A recovering offensive line can improve the running game and reduce Rogers’ concern with those ghosts of yours. Work on timing can improve the deep threat at least to the point where it can’t be ignored. Then other receivers should be able to get some separation.
The bottom line is that the Packers aren’t likely to be the team that has the combination of leadership and healthy talent to win the super bowl this year. Better to applaud the effort than point fingers, especially at the least appropriate place.
The only apology needed is yours in exile. One of the worst homer/hero worship posts of all time. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t need any fan to justify his short comings. He’s a human… not perfect. The man is battered both physically and mentally. I have played/coached etc this game since 1982.. Aaron has the yips. Over throws…under throws and bad reads all on the QB. It happens and will work it’s self out over time but please stop with the excuses. Aaron deserves better.
As to the game Detroit beat Green Bay 5 out of 8 quarters this year head to head. Let that sink in.
Bottom line the scheme is being executed like crap..the depth is average at best in key areas and we are ate up all over the roster with injuries. It is what it is.
Did the CYO team you coached ever break 500?
Since you asked as a coach I have been part of several teams that have won championships. I have coached 8 D1 college players at the HS level and 1 that went on to the NFL. I am constantly learning about the game as it evolves and at times is circular but sir a QB with the yips is not uncommon… and Aaron Rodgers has been yippee since the bye week.
My annoyance with your “hero worship” comment caused me to respond with snark. Apologies. My heroes were Jim Brown and John Unitas. I enjoy watching 4 NFL teams in no particular order. Your statement “the depth is average at best in key areas and we are ate up all over the roster with injuries. It is what it is.” is exactly the point I was trying to make. The scheme is being executed like crap. The question is whether the causes are Aaron Rogers yips and lack of leadership or the factors you mentioned above including the battering Rogers is taking.
I don’t find the yips explanation constructive even if true. I’m genuinely curious. As a coach what do you do to get the yips out of a player’s system?
Good luck going forward.
I believe every player gets yips..drops etc during their playing days. It’s more mental then anything. I tend to try and keep that players head up and let them relax. Have fun and stop stressing. Aaron does best when he slings it and thinks less. He’s human and has flaws ..issues at home etc. 98 % of the time it works it’s self out.
As for the team, Aaron’s yips. A banged up team that is young and some poor talent in depth have all contributed to this years inconsistent play. Last point I will make. I don’t believe MM is fully vested this season. The death of his brother weighs heavy on the man. Again he’s human but not sure his heart and head is fully in it this season. Appreciate the chat..Happy holiday’s to you.
“Yes, Eddie Lacy and Alonzo Harris broke the curfew rules. I get that, and I appreciate the need for discipline, but continuing to sit Lacy just to prove who is top dog is fool hardy. In the two games before his big timeout, he ran for 100 yards each time. But no, the Packers decided to cut off its nose to spite its face–at the expense of potentially exposing Rodgers to more risk of injury than he needed to be–decided that sitting Lacy was in the “best interest of the team” or whatever they want to describe pissing in every corner to mark the territory between coaches and the rule breakers.”
Perhaps if Lacy was more consistent week to week perhaps this issue wouldn’t have been as big.IMO,Lacy hasn’t earned the self appointed ‘right’ to shuck rules of the team and the fact that while the team is drowning with its play,he deemed it OK to add more water to the pool instead of being the life preserver many need him to be.
As for ‘cutting off their own nose to spite its face’,that is all on Lacy and I expect no less from the HC and if marking territory between the players and coaches becomes a necessary evil, it can only add proof to the troubles that team is suffering under.
Lacy and Harris chose the wrong time and under the wrong circumstance to start the pissing war especially when neither have a ‘pole’ to hole to hold on to in order to have a chance at winning.
In fact,the play of every player should have have them all searching for their ‘proverbial’ poles since outside of the ‘ Hail Mary’ victory,they have been forced to squat to tinkle.
Lastly,stats between the Red Zones,as like 100 yd rushing games, mean nothing unless the “W” gets placed in the proper column. The achievement of one doesn’t erase the loss unless its a team of individuals and ‘ personal’ deeds.
“Yes, Eddie Lacy and Alonzo Harris broke the curfew rules. I get that, and I appreciate the need for discipline, but continuing to sit Lacy just to prove who is top dog is fool hardy. In the two games before his big timeout, he ran for 100 yards each time. But no, the Packers decided to cut off its nose to spite its face–at the expense of potentially exposing Rodgers to more risk of injury than he needed to be–decided that sitting Lacy was in the “best interest of the team” or whatever they want to describe pissing in every corner to mark the territory between coaches and the rule breakers.”
Perhaps if Lacy was more consistent week to week perhaps this issue wouldn’t have been as big.IMO,Lacy hasn’t earned the self appointed ‘right’ to shuck rules of the team and the fact that while the team is drowning with its play,he deemed it OK to add more water to the pool instead of being the life preserver many need him to be.
As for ‘cutting off their own nose to spite its face’,that is all on Lacy and I expect no less from the HC and if marking territory between the players and coaches becomes a necessary evil, it can only add proof to the troubles that team is suffering under.
Lacy and Harris chose the wrong time and under the wrong circumstance to start the pissing war especially when neither have a ‘pole’ to hole to hold on to in order to have a chance at winning.
In fact,the play of every player should have have them all searching for their ‘proverbial’ poles since outside of the ‘ Hail Mary’ victory,they have been forced to squat to tinkle.
Lastly,stats between the Red Zones,as like 100 yd rushing games, mean nothing unless the “W” gets placed in the proper column. The achievement of one doesn’t erase the loss unless its a team of individuals and ‘ personal’ deeds.
ONE play does NOT a season make! GB’s problems? Mike McCarthy’s offense doesn’t scare defense anymore–just watch’em, opponents are DARING Rodgers to throw deep. They aren’t even playing a safety deep anymore–Packers’ fans, that means ELEVEN defenders are within 20 yds of line of scrimmage! NO run production, NO pass production, MORE hits/sacks on Rodgers ’cause the run game don’t work and he’s having to hold the ball too long waiting for WR’s to get into routes. Rodgers hands off to Lacy/Starks 4-5 YDS DEEP in backfield, IF there’s no hole and RB runs east-west, too many defenders will run down the play for loss or little production. The screen’s not working effectively with ELEVEN defenders so close, WHAT does it take to convince McCarthy/Clements to run Jeff Janis deep on more routes instead of their customary ONE deep pass play? Stack 3-4 WR’s on one side, put a 5th receiver on opposite side, SOMEBODY has to be open since defense is not gonna press all five WR’s. WHY would McCarthy use a 3rd down short yardage run when this O-line can’t block very well any other time? Lacy nor Starks can get production over behind right side unless they get outside and they’re not much better behind Bakhtiari and Sitton, maybe McCarthy needs some BEEF in backfield to lead the way on that 1-2 yd, 3rd down plunge–time to line up Raji, Pennel or Daniels in backfield as fullback IF that’s what it takes ’cause Packers are LOSERS when Rodgers throws it 70% of plays.