At around 7 p.m. Lambeau Time on Sunday, Jersey Al sent his Packers blogging minions the following email:
“After Kris’ game balls in the morning, I want to hear you guys express yourselves on what you see out there from the Packers. Let’s hit this topic hard.”
— Al
I underlined the “what you see” phrase for emphasis because it was the portion of Al’s request that was just a bit off. If he wanted us to write about what we’re seeing from the Packers, the posts would be very, very short.
Right now with the Packers, there’s not much to see. It’s what we’re not seeing that’s the problem.
We’re not seeing Randall Cobb get separation and show the explosive speed he displayed his first three seasons in the NFL.
We’re not seeing Eddie Lacy put his head down and gain tough yards instead of dancing around and bouncing outside for a loss.
We’re not seeing Datone Jones do anything, making us worry that he will join Derek Sherrod and Nick Perry as recent wasted first-round draft picks.
We’re not seeing Aaron Rodgers be super-accurate like he usually is.
We’re not seeing the offensive line perform like the best of the Rodgers ere as it was advertised.
We’re not seeing any screen passes. What’s so hard about calling a screen pass to slow down pass rushers who have their ears pinned back?
We’re not seeing any imagination or innovation in Mike McCarthy’s playcalling.
We’re not seeing the middle of the defense do much of anything (but I guess we’re used to that).
We’re not seeing a genuine threat down the seam from a tight end.
We’re not seeing the Packers team we’ve all grown accustomed to.
Of those things we’re not seeing, Rodgers getting his accuracy mojo back and Lacy finding his rookie season form will go a long way in helping the Packers turn things around.
Meantime, we have to endure the third consecutive 1-2 start to a Packers season. Nobody wanted to see that.
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Adam Czech is a a freelance sports reporter living in the Twin Cities and a proud supporter of American corn farmers. When not working, Adam is usually writing about, thinking about or worrying about the Packers. Follow Adam on Twitter. Twitter .
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“We’re not seeing Eddie Lacy put his head down and gain tough yards instead of dancing around and bouncing outside for a loss.”
One of the great things about Lacy is his ability to be his own blocker…which likely tells you how little space he’s had to run over the first three games of the season.
“Meantime, we have to endure the third consecutive 1-2 start to a Packers season. Nobody wanted to see that.”
I’ll be concerned if it turns into 1-3. 0-2 in the division could make an NFC North title very hard to achieve.
Still, I saw good decision to pay Julius. I saw Ha-Ha making some plays. I saw Megatrone kept on just 81 yard, I saw defense hold the opponent (very potent offense) to just 3 point up to the 4th quarter. There is some positives from that game…
The defense really fell apart after Matthews left the game. How long does it take for a testicle strain to heal? The D will not be the same without him.
But we ARE seeing accurate and insightful commentary from Adam Czech. Keep telling it like it is, man.
We are going to need to see some of the resiliency that MM and this team has shown before. We have seen it during the 2010 SB run, after a 1-2 start in 2012 to finish 11-5 with a division title, in 2013 after the Turkey Day debacle and a little of it in the come back win against the Jets. Now we are 1-2 again. However the big difference this season is that so far the play of Aaron Rodgers is a question mark. First MM needs to get some screen plays and throws to the TEs into the game, plus some rolling pockets. Next, regardless of the play calling or who is calling the plays the OL needs to significantly improve their play. Third, Rodgers needs to play better and make better decisions. So far, he has been tentative and inaccurate. Fourth, Lacy needs to get back to his rookie season running style. He has not been the same since his concussion suffered during the Seattle game. Starks has been more effective in limited acton. Fifth, find our Tight Ends. Our passing game is suffering because our TEs are irrelevant. They need to be more involved and more effective. Sixth, the defense needs to maintain their level of play over the last 6 quarters. Seventh, stop giving up cheap TDs on fumbles. Eighth, stop trying to run back kickoffs from deep in the end zone and starting with poor field position. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ’61
Ninth, don’t re-hash the article verbatim?
Thanks Savage. Sometimes I need a little shot to the head to wake me up. Sorry, I must be picking up this repeating thing from MM. Since ’61