Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
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Steven from Silver Spring, MD
In Year 2 of the ML offense we noticed a positive change from Year 1; that being in how we would build and sustain production as the game went on. It is notable that in our two defeats we were back to two productive drives to start the game and then a long bout of ineffectiveness which was common in Year 1. While almost all the conversations are about our defense, has ML been addressing the offense's side of being able to make in-game adjustments? It's not like MN had a great DL overwhelming our OL.
No, but the Packers need more guys to make plays when the likes of Jones and Allen Lazard are out. Jamaal Williams and Robert Tonyan helped, as did Jace Sternberger, but that's not enough. First down on the Minnesota 37, and two (maybe three) passes are dropped to kill a drive. A wide-open Sternberger is overthrown, perhaps because of a stutter-step while crossing with Adams. First down at the Minnesota 32 becomes first-and-30 near midfield after two holding calls. It's not about adjustments, it's about execution.
Colleen from Blair, NE
After the game, I mentioned to my husband during the McCarthy years, I felt confident if things weren't going well before half, adjustments would be made and I'd have hope of a victory by the end of the game. I don't have the same confidence when we go to the locker room with LaFleur. Is the sample size just too small? Have there been any times we've been behind at half and things feel out-of-hand that we've come back in the second half? Or do these losses show a lack of adjustment?
Well, this past game was 14-all at the half so I'm not sure what parameters you're applying. The Packers were trailing at half in both Lions games and the Chiefs game last year and won them. The second Lions game was the only one that looked "out-of-hand." In the rough losses to the Chargers, Niners (x2) and Bucs, there was no legitimate second-half rally. In most of those situations, LaFleur has criticized himself for getting away from the game plan too much, allowing things to get worse. So that's what we know through this first season and a half.
Dave from Huntsville, AL
Hey Mike, what is the eye formation? All these years I thought it was the "I" formation...Reference the game chat on the play Lowry sacked Cousins.
Ha, probably just the way my brain decided to type it in the fast pace of the live action.
Keith from Fishers, IN
I remember a playoff game vs. Washington many years ago. The Packers had a fantastic, unstoppable running game the entire year, and Washington surprised the Packers with a five-man defensive line. The Packers never adapted their game plan and got soundly beaten. Against teams like Minnesota who have a Cook to stop, could a four- (or five-?) man line make a difference? I know, players not plays (schemes), but stacking the box with another lineman or two might at the very least force someone else to beat you?
I have no interest in revisiting the 1972 playoffs under Dan Devine, who won a whopping 25 games in four seasons. Nickel corner Chandon Sullivan played only 13 of 52 snaps on Sunday. Putting another lineman or linebacker into the box would have left the Packers with only three defensive backs for some of those other 39 snaps. There's no way you can cover Thielen, Jefferson, Rudolph and/or Irv Smith with three DBs.
Peter from Durham, England
Hi II, do you feel the main men on D played above themselves last year and haven't been able to match that this year, or have other teams worked out how to negate their ability with better schemes?
I think some players haven't played as well as they have in the past, and some who were expected to take jumps haven't. It's produced a unit far more inconsistent than a year ago.
Patrick from Folly Beach, SC
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and sometimes you get the COVID virus. I for one appreciate what the league is doing to keep NFL football on track as well as they have!
It hasn't been easy, and the protocols are going to hurt the Packers on Thursday night with Williams and Kamal Martin now out in addition to Dillon, but there's no other way to do it.
Jodi from Grand Rapids, WI
Hmm...maybe it's been Brady all along...
I'll give you a line in the spirit of Vic: Chuck Noll was a Hall of Fame coach who had seven sub-.500 seasons. That aside, the Giants' young QB gave that game away to Brady on Monday night. Just gave it away.