Our anger has partially dissipated. Our embarrassment remains prevalent. The Green Bay Packers got killed 36-16 by the defending champion Seattle Seahawks in a game that looked like varsity vs. junior varsity.
Hey, it’s just one game. We imagine these two teams could meet again in the playoffs and then the storyline will be, well, these are two totally different teams from those that met in week 1. If that happens, then that storyline will certainly be true because the Packers team we saw on Thursday night isn’t even a playoff caliber one.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here. That was a disaster in every respect. The Packers lost three starters to injury — tackle Bryan Bulaga, running back Eddie Lacy and tight end Richard Rodgers. Their defense, which was supposed to be improved, was exposed in the same old spots it was last year. The offense, which was supposed to be the strength of the team, was underwhelming and anemic. And as is always the case, the special teams were a joke.
Even the game plan and coaching were crap. The Packers looked lost at times, which makes you wonder about their preparation.
At any rate, here are five more somewhat rational thoughts about the week 1 drubbing.
Special teams, again?
Man, this is just disgustingly frustrating. At what point can the Green Bay Packers get a new special teams coach? Obviously, they’re not going to make a change at this point, but is the Packers special teams not an embarrassment just about each and every season? Thursday night, more of the same. The Packers were like, yeah, we’re going to put our best guys on returns, then they put running back DuJuan Harris on kicks. Predictably, Harris brought kicks out of the end zone that he shouldn’t have and was eventually replaced by Micah Hyde. Coverage units? Well, there was that one fumble recovery by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, but other than that, Percy Harvin had a 31-yard return and Mike Daniels had a running into the kicker penalty that gave Seattle a first down.
We ask the same question every year — when will Shawn Slocum get fired? Tired of asking it. If you or I did our jobs as consistently poorly as Shawn Slocum, we would have been unemployed long ago. What’s going on that this guy still has a job?
Oh, but he’s a veteran!
We’re really getting tired of this bullshit thinking as well. Every year, certain veterans always get the benefit of the doubt over the younger players with the Packers. A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones, Morgan Burnett… No, I wasn’t even making a list of guys who played like dog shit on Thursday. That’s a list of three guys who were handed starting jobs without having to compete for them. I cannot express in words how awful Brad Jones was. Morgan Burnett wasn’t good either. We particularly enjoyed when he ran into Hawk, allowing Percy Harvin to run wide open over the middle for a 33-yard gain.
There’s something to be said for letting a young guy play and grow into his role. The Packers refuse to do that. But come on. At this point, it wouldn’t even be that. Put Jamari Lattimore into the lineup. Even if he has to grow into the role, he’s still got to be a better player right now than Brad Jones.
Meanwhile, the Packers actually had two safeties who played pretty well on Thursday. Their names are Micah Hyde and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Certainly, it’s a preposterous thought that the Packers would actually start their best two safeties. Morgan Burnett would have to gut someone with a steak knife at midfield for the Packers to consider taking him out of the lineup.
There’s a lesson to be learned here…
Last year, we all learned the lesson of what happens when you don’t have an adequate backup quarterback. Turns out, you lose games. WHO KNEW!? This year, we will surely learn the lesson of what happens when you don’t have adequate offensive line depth. We understand that Derek Sherrod was once a first-round pick. He is clearly awful though. There’s no way around that. He couldn’t block anyone on Thursday night after entering for the injured Bryan Bulaga. We can’t fathom how this guy even has a roster spot after that display. Oh, that’s right. Because the Packers literally have no other option. After Sherrod, their backups on the offensive line are guard Lane Taylor and center Garth Gerhart, who was just brought up off the practice squad.
Ring, ring!
Hello, uh, Ryan? Yeah, so I know we basically just discarded you after last season, but we’re kind of in a bind right now. You see, Letroy Guion is starting at nose tackle for us. And, well, I dunno. Maybe the Vikings had a good reason for cutting him after last season. I thought they were crazy, but maybe this guy is a total lop of shit. Anyway, what kind of shape are you in? Do you think you might want to come back and play some nose tackle for us?
We’re not saying the Packers are going to call up Ryan Pickett, but we are saying that Letroy Guion is a piece of shit. Basically, the Packers decided they’d start a guy the Vikings cut and played a total of nine snaps in the preseason at nose tackle. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!
I’m not even saying we’d be in favor of bringing Ryan Pickett back. But could he be any worse? That’s doubtful. We’re pretty sure something has to be done. Move Josh Boyd to the middle. Activate Mike Pennel for fuck’s sake.
Something. We’ve seen enough of Guion.
On the bright side…
Were there any positives to come out of Thursday night? Well, we saw one. The Packers secondary, for the most part, looked pretty damn solid. We know Seahawks fans want to anoint Badgers great Russell Wilson the next Joe Montana, but the guy only threw for 191 yards. I think we’ll take that any week.
Other than Morgan Burnett, the safety position looked vastly improved over last year. The corners were solid, as expected. Hell, the Packers even had a pass rush. Even though they recorded only one sack, there were guys in Wilson’s face pretty much all night. Much of the time, Clay Matthews was one of those guys.
Hell, if the Packers could ever find some decent defensive linemen or inside linebackers, this might be a pretty stout defense.
sad but all true. The Packers are getting out managed and out coached….
When I saw that frenzied crowd come unglued in the pregame super bowl banners and Lombardi trophies and all the confetti, I knew this was a place where no visiting team would escape with a W or even look good. It’s fair to say the toughest game on our schedule is now behind us. Let’s hope Bulaga’s injury is not serious; I always sound like a broken record, but here it is again: when Rodgers has time in the pocket, we’ll be very tough to beat. Also, let’s give our defensive package time to gel and figure a few things out. That can happen going forward.
I appreciate the level headed comments. Am I a little worried about what I saw last night, hell yes. But it is game 1, it is the toughest game on our schedule, and there is a lot of season left. By week 16, week 1 will seem like it was last year, and most teams in the NFL will look and feel a lot different by that time. Let’s not freak out just yet.
As much as I want to see Dumb Campers shit canned, I don’t trust TT and MM to hire the right guy. I think they would put Perry or Moss or Slocum in at D-Coordinator and call it a day. These ass holes can talk about scheme all they want but fail to address a few things a. We don’t have talented personnel (DL and ILB) to execute and b. the other team has a vote in how the game will go. The Seahawks fucking embarrassed the shit out of MM and DC tonight in terms of preparation and adjustments. Anyone else notice our significant lack of talent acquisition since Schneider and McKenzie jumped ship? I have no doubt now that K. Greene took off because he saw that nothing was going to change and didn’t want to be further embarrassed. Our defensive coaching and defensive talent management is clearly defined by Einstein’s definition of insanity. I would like to think that 10 days is enough to prepare for the JETS but we’ve had since April to prepare for the Hawks and look what that produced. This team will find its groove, I just hope its sooner rather than later.
Yea they would, some bs promotion for Winston Moss, who by the way was a total badass at Miami when he played. The thing is what the Packers are missing, you cant teach or scheme for. A man is either tough and physical or hes not, you cant coach it.
I wouldn’t be surprised that we start hearing reports from Seattle players talking about how our defensive players were afraid to tackle Lynch. Because by the third quarter that was fucking obvious.
They already have, Seattle players really did say the Packers didn’t want to tackle Lynch. The pussification of this team continues.
Run defense is a steaming hot pile of shit. Fucking defensive line is awful. Brad Jones should be tarred and feathered after that performance. He’s useless. Letroy Guion at least has the excuse he didn’t play but 9 snaps in the pre-season and missed a lot of camp. Brad Jones is what he is, a 7th round pick.
Yea, I read some comments where people were like, well Datone played okay. WTF, he didn’t do shit last night, he was the second coming of Reggie White according to himself this past summer. Mike Daniels, are you shittin me, you talk smack and then fuckin run into the punter, that’s your statement?
Let’s be prepared to witness another ass whooping similar to last night when they head to New Orleans and when New England goes to play in Lambeau, I can’t wait!
Totally agree, people are like its only one game. Yea but we know GB is a playoff team, nobody is jumping ship but its about showing a toughness and physicality to get over the hump against the Seattles and San Frans come January. They fucking shit the bed again at the opportunity to do that.
^Exactly, losing this game showed we won’t go far in the playoffs…that is why I’m upset
Three teams own GB asses right now, Seattle, San Fran, and the Giants despite last years down year. Were totally screwed come playoff time. Mark it down, we wont beat those teams in the playoffs.
Same old lame old. The 3-4 defense doesn’t work and never will when you draft 4-3 guys n force them to fit your “scheme” and most importantly mike mclardy is a fat stupid asshole who’s every part of being a head coach is fucking atrocious other than the pass game. Watching his play calling is like watching a 8yr old play Madden
It is a lot harder to evaluate 3-4 talent than you think. The vast majority of college teams run a 4-3 and the ones that do run 3-4 run a hybrid version. So, unfortunately a lot of times it comes down to projecting players potential in a 3-4 defense. Very inexact science.
I am not handling this well, but am faring better than I have in other past debacles. One consideration this I feel is overlooked: we were in this game until Bulaga went out, and then we just fell apart. *IF* it turns out that his injury is not serious and he comes back, then there is hope. There are however a number of flaws that were revealed, flaws which I do not think can be remedied this year:
-ILB spot. Brad Jones should be cut NOW. At least with whatever scrub or replacement there is a chance that he can develop and grow. AJ Hakw not that much better but he can play averate to competent
-no depth at offensive line without Barclay. If Bulaga comes back, still have the same problem if someone goes down. I say, sigh Richie Incognito NOW if he passes a physical and tryout. THe guy is a pro bowl tackle fer chrissake. I do not care if he bullied that some other guy, I do not caer if he is as a total fucking prick. If he can play and help protect ROdgers, SIGN THE MAN.
Wolf, I was thinking the same thing about Incognito last night then I remembered that TT and MM would never go for that even if it would help the team. He isn’t one of their guys like Hawk, Jones, Sherrod who despite their best efforts, are still playing in this league. About the only bright spot is Linsley, that kid is solid. I am sure TT is trolling the streets for some lump of shit that has a cousin who knew a guy that saw football once and can block a buffet line so he can sign him to be our new RT.
Our longest play from scrimmage was a 42 yard DPI. Rodgers’ longest pass was 23 yards, we were never in the game. If Thomas handles the punt we score 1 td not 2. Then add in the fact that the Seahawks made the necessary adjustments at half and literally raped our defense which was all they needed to prove that we don’t belong on the same field, yet. If* our O and D line issues are addressed and our D coordinator unfucks himself, we will be ready for a rematch. But at this point, that’s a big IF.
Great minds think alike. We will find out re Bulaga later today. These other items still need to be addressed, but I don’t that can happen this year.
After this year, fire Capers and his entire staff, and totally revamp our scouts on the defensive side.
hey wolfie, we agree – but the “D” has to learn how to tackle
Ah. Carma. Thanks. Guion was ranked dead last in the vikings by pro fb focus
And you got burned. You were warned about not upgrading the oline via draft. And now charma.
I’m sure that ap will love to see you guys real soon
It takes a special type of moron to misspell ‘karma’ twice, two separate ways nonetheless, in a 3 sentence post. Congrats.
Is it Carma, charma…or KARMA you Viking Dumb Fuck?
It was an awful game but just one loss. The concern is do the coaches see what we all saw, Sherrod and Jones do not belong on the field, total liabilities. Sherrod is going to get Rodgers killed and Jones is so inept it is embarrassing. Plus please put Ha Ha and Hyde back there too, young fast aggressive players. It could be worse we could be Viking fans.
Sherrod on the sidelines literally said the word, “fuck” after he got torched, again.
“The concern is do the coaches see what we all saw,”
They din’t last two years and I don’t see that arrogant head prick change this year or any year.
Enough with this one loss shit…THAT is the team you need to beat to make it to the Superbowl and that game was a fucking embarrassment
They wont play physical football, they fuckin just will not go down that road, so upsetting.
I think they were more worried about Jello shots and snacks during TC than focusing on tackling. You play in games how you practice during the week and TC.
We will make the playoffs and then pull our traditional one and done. The main reason, poor tackling and overall poor defensive game planning that cannot stop the run or a running QB. I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, FML.
Don’t even get me started on that jello shot bs. I mean this team is run like a fuckin day care center when you think about it.
Ha! That would explain B. Jones’ existence.
It’s so ridiculous the phrase “physical football,” it’s fucking football! They just don’t play very good football.
The way the Pack played last night makes me physically ill; however it does remind me of something a great motivational speaker, Bluto from animal house said once in response to negative waves from D – Day: ” the games over man. Seattle dropped the big one on us”. Bluto retorts ” Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed pearl harbor? Hell NO! And it ain’t over now. Cause when the going gets tough the tough get going! Who’s with me? Let’s go! Well what the fuck happened to the Packers I used to know? Where is the spirit? Where is the guts? Ooh we’re afraid to make change. We might make a mistake. Well just kiss our ass from now on! We are not going to take this anymore! Capers is a goner! Jones a goner! Guion a goner! Burnett a goner! Sherrod a goner! Hawk a goner ( did not see during game so maybe already gone)!”
” this sounds psychotic but, but it is absolutely right. We have got to change these bastards. I think this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on someone’s part and I believe Total Packers are just the guys to do it”.
So are the Packers going to be scared and not make any changes?
What I really don’t understand is why the Packers haven’t been able to find anyone to replace Hawk. They seem complacent with his mediocrity. And tell me again why they paid Burnett and Jones all that money? If the Packers want to improve their run defense they need to find a way to challenge and/or replace these guys.
I can’t really get on McCarthy about the offensive line. They did have depth at the start of training camp. Maybe the Packers go out and sign someone. Maybe..
I hope that when the season is increased to 18 games that they increase the roster size too. It’s just not possible to have depth at every position. If you want depth at QB then you’re going to have to give up a position somewhere else.
I don’t believe Guion wasn’t cut. I think he become a free agent. I don’t understand how you can say that the Vikings had a good reason for cutting him when lots of players are released by teams for various teams. You go on about how the Packers refuse to dip into free agency but then complain about the players they pick. Every free agent is a cast-off from another team. There’s a reason they were released.
That being said, Guion was awful. He spent most of training injured and apparently out of shape. I’m not sure why the Packers choose him over Boyd. Perhaps they decided to play it safe and go with a veteran. If that’s the case then should seriously consider calling Pickett.
And how exactly do they replace Hawk? With all the other recent holes in the roster they have had to fill recently (S, WR, OLB, defensive linemen, RB, ect) they have been relegated to later round prospects. You aren’t going to be finding Luke Kuechley’s in the bottom of the third round. No football team has elite players at every position. It is all about scheme and coaching, and being able to mask the weaknesses. Hawk is a good starter for that team. Definitely not outstanding, and never lived up to the #5 overall billing, but he has always been steady and very durable. Which is something that cant be said about a lot of packers players. That being said, yes he can be upgraded, but they havent really had a chance. They had a chance at Lavonte David, but I question how well he would have fit that 3-4 defense.
Prolly better then Worthy…whos no longer here
Excellent article. I agree that this would have been a tough game to win, no matter what, but a playoff game in Seattle would be even tougher. This team was unprepared, unmotivated and outclassed. Looks the same as it has the past 3 years. Defense is just plain bad. This is not a playoff team. Guion, Sherrod, Brad Jones, Morgan Burnett – all liabilities. There will have to be some major changes. Start with Dom Capers. If this doesn’t get done, then McCarthy should be gone. If this doesn’t get done, then TT should be gone. If this doesn’t get done, then Mark Murphy should be gone. The Executive Committee should call Mark Murphy to account. Not acceptable in Green Bay.
Cons-Don’t have enough stoutness up front to stop the run, can’t tackle, don’t have aggressive and speedy middle linebackers, have an extremely shallow offensive line, Aaron Rodgers needs to come out of the clouds a little bit, special teams still continue to be a liability (at least on kickoff returns/coverage), the playcalling still remains as predictable as always, very little emotion shown out of any of the players and or coaches, taking stupid penalties and downright sloppy play, nobody knows how to create a turnover and the simple fact that our coaches are absolutely terrible at adjusting or determining effective game plans using what they have at their disposal.
Pros-Minus Bulaga going down the offensive line appeared to be very solid and Linsley in particular played a pretty error free game minus the one screwed up snap, the defensive backfield minus quite a bit of crappy tackling still remained the most stout area on our defense, Clinton Dix will be an exceptional player once he learns how to tackle better (can’t promise that in a Dom Capers system), Shields at least has the speed to maintain coverage and outrun other players, Matthews and Peppers could both get after the quarterback (But Seattle not being completely stupid and knowing how to gameplan completely nullified that fact by running it down GB’s throat), Crosby didn’t miss a field goal, We have guys who can at least catch punts and it’s at least still the first game.
I just don’t understand how this coaching staff works. For four years now I can sit on my damn couch with my old man and family and completely predict exactly what Green Bay’s offense is going to do on their drive. Play one: Carry into the line for one yard, Play two: Carry into the line for two yards, Play three: Third and long throw that instead of focusing on moving the chains has Rodgers take a huge bomb down the field which at this point works 10% of the time, oh and by this time the defense knows exactly what’s coming and know what to look for so how do those odds work out for you?
We also have a player who has the potential to be just as dynamic as someone like Percy Harvin and his name is Randall Cobb. Seriously, why don’t you try using him a bit more other then just being a straight up slot receiver? Get a little creative instead of just following a sheet of paper. Lacy, as much as I love the guy, wasn’t built for this type of game. Lacy needs to build up a head of steam and hit the hole hard, and that’s not something our offensive line could do effectively after Bulaga went down. Against an athletic Seattle front Lacy should have been put on the back burner and Starks should have been played more.
Well, at least we will see Starks more since Lacy got another headache. As for the defense? Well, when the quarterbacks of your defense (MLB) are invisible suits then you get exactly what you deserve. I want to see some damn emotion out of these players. Act like you want to dominate the team on the other side of the ball. Hell, sign Incognito by this point, he might have baggage but at least he has a NASTY streak that he can teach others to use. Hell play BUSH more, and I can’t believe I just said that. At least he does play with some damn fire in his belly. As for Daniels….well you can talk all you want but if you do you better be ready to perform and you most certainly didn’t.
On to the next, Full judgement is reserved until they hit the BYE week as far as I’m concerned, or at least the Divisional games.
I keep telling myself after the “hangover” from last night, “At least we got IT out of the way early” but the coaches all need to learn from this game, now.
As you said no more “Oh, but he’s a veteran!” This is a huge ,mistake. We need a real NT, OL help and an immediate overhaul of the ILB.
Maybe now they will get it. Middle is a joke And to top it all off, combine that with Hawks sub mediocrity, and no matter how long the d hangs in there at some point you get this!
All I want to see now is Lattimore,Pennel,and Elliot playing. and for McCarthy to open up the whole dam playbook!!!
Thats why I wanted to accept Kuhn leaving if it means new blood. Bring them in and start playing them, Rollle,Banjo. Who wants to watch this anymore.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! ITS OVER PACKERS!!!!!!!! THAT WONDERFUL TRADITION AND HISTORY IS OVER. OURS IS JUST STARTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEAHAWKS REPEAT AND A DODGERS WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uh.. okay. Whatever you say, buddy.
Bandwagon fan. Like an LA team and a Seattle team.
As expected after a bad loss, lots of overreactions and general dumb-assery on here. Bears fans would be proud.
Without watching the tape, I have the following impressions…
1) The only thing I am really concerned about, other than injuries of course, is the Packers continued inability to tackle. I am not sure that is something you can fix. It would have been fixed years ago if that were the case. It doesn’t take great skill to tackle. It takes desire and technique. That speaks to coaching to me.
2) Brad Jones should be out of his starting job. He was horrific. My favorite was the screen pass to Lynch in the 2nd half. Lynch ran right through Jones like he was a revolving door.
3) It doesn’t matter what scheme you play on defense if you can’t tackle.
4) It is easy to be imaginative with your play calling when you are averaging nearly 6 yards per carry. Conversely, all play-calling looks like shit when you can’t run a lick.
5) Bryan Bulaga got hurt early in the 2nd quarter. Did anyone even notice Sherod was in the game until the Packers effed up that 4th down play late in the 3rd quarter? That play wasn’t Sherrod’s fault, by the way. The Packers were late in snapping the ball, Cliff Avril timed it out, and the RB (Starks, I believe) ran up the middle instead of providing outside help, which was his assignment.
The safety was Sherrod’s fault, but that was against one of the better pass rushers in the game in his house. Shit happens. I have the feeling that the film is going to grade out pretty well for Sherrod. Not really concerned about him after that performance. Better than I was expecting, considering the circumstances.
6) Aaron Rodgers was not sharp. The O-line gave him plenty of time on most drop backs. The Packers’ offense has NO chance against Seattle’s D unless Rodgers is playing at his best.
7) Typical favoritism. Monty praises Clinton Dix for a good game even though he blew 2 tackles, one of which resulted in a TD. Meanwhile, he destroys Sherrod who ostensibly had 2 bad plays, and in reality, 1 bad play that cost us 2 points.
I guess you are excused from bad plays if you are YOUNG, since those are Monty’s boys. Hey, believe me, I am not going to be overly critical of a rookie playing his first game either, but still, let’s call it like it is. Definitely disappointed that Dix caught the Packers’ allergy to tackling.
Completely agree with everything. Sherrod came off as a bit of a scapegoat. I didn’t think he played the best, and he certainly had some bad moments, but lets cut the guy some slack. This was his most extensive playing time he has had in the NFL. And it was one of the tougher tests he will ever have. I think he will be better next week.
Brad Jones was real bad. I hate to be down on someone that wears a packers uniform, but he simply doesn’t look like he belongs as a starter in this league. I look for Barrington to get some snaps this week, especially if Jones falters again.
The deficiencies were both glaring and in some cases repetitive but I’m not buying the sky is falling theme most are peddling here. It was against the defending SB champs in Seattle. It was 17-10 at half. Bulaga going down was a game changer. Twice our defense got stops but both times Seattle got bailed out by penalties that extended drives & led to points. Key third down conversions for us nullified by flags. If anything could go wrong or against us in crucial, momentum swinging portions of that game…it did. Seattle had 4 penalties called on them all game. We had 8…four of which were momentum killers.
Yes, the run defense sucks. Yes, the game plan and play calling were shit. But there is enough there to build on. When the play ended & the D stopped them on 3rd down (Before we saw the flag on Jones) we were all thinking “down 13, 9 and change left, ARod just carved last possession & is in rhythm…Lets go!” Pick up all 12 flags that were thrown, factor in opponent & venue, and THEN evaluate the game. Were we still “outclassed” in every phase? I think not. There is enough there to merit watching next week. lol
some players need to be able to “think” and not do such dumb “stupid” plays – some of the loss we can blame on that. aND SOME CALLS WERE IN QUESTION, BUT lets quit beating our selves.