Packers Top Five Problems Right Now
The Green Bay Packers haven’t exactly looked like Super Bowl contenders through the first two preseason games. So what’s the problem? A number of things, it turns out.
5. Injuries
Close to 20 guys have have had to sit out each of the first two preseason games. Among those are Greg Jennings, John Kuhn, Marshall Newhouse, Derek Sherrod, Davon House and Desmond Bishop, who’s probably gone for the season. It’s hard to put it together with that many guys standing around.
4. Tackling
The coaches harped on it all last year. “We’ve got to tackle better!” Well, the Packers still can’t tackle. D.J. Smith and a few of the defensive backs look like the only guys that can play the run.
3. Depth
Where is it? In years past, the Packers second team would come onto the field in preseason and look almost as good as the starters. This year, the second team looks like a bunch of bumbling fools. It’s a clown school. They may as well be wearing floppy shoes and riding tiny tricycles. The second-string offensive line is atrocious. Graham Harrell can’t move the ball. The defense looks lost most of the time.
2. The defensive line
With all the talk of the new talent the Packers brought onboard, whether by signing guys off the street — Anthony Hargrove, Daniel Muir and Phillip Merling — or through the draft — Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels — the Packers still don’t have any pass rush up front. C.J. Wilson is starting at defensive end, which tells you one thing — these other guys aren’t doing jack shit.
1. Rookies
The Packers are relying on them, heavily. They haven’t contributed yet and it may be a while before they do. We’re sure the offense will be fine, but the Packers will need someone from the group of Nick Perry, Worthy and Daniels to step up to improve the pass rush. In the secondary, they’re counting on Casey Hayward and Jerron McMillian to make an impact at some point. Of the whole group, Hayward is the only one who looks like a contributor right now.
7 Comments
Recent Posts
1st team O-line showed improvement in preseason game 2. 1st team passing offense seemed to get a rhythm quickly.
WTF is with Cobb & the drops? Looks like he’s destined for special teams.
I agree with you re: the defensive line; the secondary also gave up some big plays, had their hands on guys but couldn’t bring them down, etc…Our offense is fine, & Benson is only going to add to the threat if the O-line can block for him. Defense is scaring the shit out of me at the moment.
Its still preseason, so….
GO PACK GO!
Maybe the other thing to consider when comparing this year’s offseason and preseason to years past is that there are a lot more guys on the roster. Especially since so many guys are injured, our normal 2nd string is full of undrafted and unproven players and 1st string is full of our 2nd stringers. We shall see though and I believe we will see what the team will look like for the first time week 1 of the regular season. Until then, imo, we are in uncharted waters.
Kris makes a fantastic point. The rosters have been expanded to 90, and we are definitely seeing an impact. As I have been pointing out, much of the “2nd” team isn’t the 2nd team at all, but rather a bunch of guys who won’t make this team.
My list would be a little different though Monty’s certainly points out much of the obvious.
5. Safety – MD Jennings has hardly looked like the savior at safety while Morgan Burnett and Charles Woodson have hardly played. Seems like guys have been wide open across the middle of the field all preseason so far.
4. Depth at OL – EDS has been up and down, and like other members of the “true 2nd team” not given a lot of playing time. After him, the Pack has a bunch of scrubs. Other than Datko, I’m not sure any of these guys even belong in the NFL.
3. Rookies – Later picks, McMillian and Datko played better against the Browns, but no one looks like they’ll make an immediate difference.
2. Turnovers – Other than injuries, this is the only thing that can really stop this offense. The #1 Packer offense has turned the ball over 3 times in basically 6 series. After losing to the Giants thanks to turnovers, it has to be a concern.
1. Injuries – WAY understated in the above article. This is by far the biggest issue and concern in this preseason. Bishop’s injury is easily the worst thing to happen, and the Pack has been operating without Jennings, Finley or Kuhn on offense. Injuries to Borel and Gurley have removed any drama from that battle while robbing Harrell of bonafide targets to throw to. An injury to House took the Packers lone new impact player off the field.
Do you suppose some of these injuries are overstated, so as to fulfill two purposes; 1) come out of preseaon with as few injuries as possible, and; 2) get the best look possible on periphereal players on the cusp of making the team?
I would agree E. Wolf, but who have we really gotten a look at?
Most of the guys who have been playing with Harrell are no better than PS candidates. If we are spending the entire preseason just to determine our PS, then yes, it all makes sense.
Borel and Gurley have both been hurt and at least one of them was expected to make this team.
Alex Green needs reps, but he is still recovering and on a “pitch count.”
Sherrod needs reps, but he is still injured.
Because of his value as our back up at all 3 inside positions, EDS has only seen the field about as much as our starters have.
I believe that the Packers will start very slowly… and for several good reasons. One: take a look at this murderous early season schedule, they could go 3 & 3 or worse 2 & 4. Two: The injuries to many players, several of whom are needed badly by this team. Three: I dont think that their attitude is where it should be as they enter the season with as many as 9 very competitive NFC Teams out there waiting for them, and Four they seem complacent due to the 15-1 record they posted last year which is meaningless this year. God please keep them healthy, and let’s play some football!
I believe that the Packers will start very slowly… and for several good reasons. One: take a look at this murderous early season schedule, they could go 3 & 3 or worse 2 & 4. Two: The injuries to many players, several of whom are needed badly by this team. Three: I dont think that their attitude is where it should be as they enter the season with as many as 9 very competitive NFC Teams out there waiting for them, and Four they seem complacent due to the 15-1 record they posted last year which is meaningless this year. God please keep them healthy, and let’s play some football!