We would all love to be confident about the Green Bay Packers at this point.
Perhaps the most confidence we can derive from this group right now is they’re playing the Atlanta Falcons. And what have the Atlanta Falcons ever won?
Nothing. They’re the Minnesota Vikings of the south, which is, in a way, worse. Because they’re from the south, the armpit of America.
Minus Charleston, New Orleans and Savannah, of course. We can keep those places, but go ahead wipe the rest of it off the map and I wouldn’t care.
Anyway, the Packers.
If their defense was worth even a single shit, we might not be worried about losing each and every week. After all, Aaron Rodgers and the offense are next to unstoppable.
Yet, the turds who occupy positions on the field for the Packers’ defense always seem to make it interesting, regardless of whether the offense is putting up 30, 33, 35, 4o. It just doesn’t matter.
The problem there is, yes, of course the secondary is a giant heap of garbage (with the exception of LaDarius Gunter). But more so, the problem is the supposed playmakers — the supposed studs — on this defense are really just overpaid sacks of shit.
So, which one of you sacks wants to actually try to earn his paycheck this week? Because, as we’ve said before, if each of these guys would make one, single big play, the Packers just might roll someone for a change.
Let’s go down the list.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Did you know that this clown is both in the Pro Bowl and a second-team All Pro… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And I don’t mean Clinton-Dix!
I get it that you can make the Pro Bowl on name recognition. That it’s a popularity contest. What I don’t get is how this guy got a single All-Pro vote. Yes, five interceptions. Those came in three games. So, you could argue Ha Ha Clinton-Dix did jack for 13 other games. I wouldn’t argue that, though. Clinton-Dix did do something during those other 13 games — he was out of position, missed assignments, allowed huge plays and generally made no discernible impact other than screwing up. And that’s doing plenty!
I love to refer to Clinton-Dix by his other name — Mr. Awareness. His awareness levels are world famous. Just watch him take an angle to a receiver and instead run into and injure his own teammate. World-class awareness, man!
So what did that overrated POS do last week in Dallas? Well, he played all 68 snaps! He had four whole tackles. Not a single other stat. Rookie Kentrell Brice, who didn’t even play the whole game (or start) had seven tackles and defended a pass. As we pointed out earlier in the week, Ha Ha was a spectator.
The only reason he’s first on this list is because he’s still playing on his rookie deal, so he isn’t costing the Packers as much money for being terrible as the others on this list are. Frankly, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is half the player Morgan Burnett is (and he isn’t even THAT great). It’s laughable that he draws any accolades.
Mike Daniels
I get it and I often point this out when people say that Mike Daniels makes no impact. To his defense, he’s one of the few — maybe the only guy — on the Packers’ defense you have to double team. When you’re surrounded by a bunch mediocres who couldn’t demand a double team in their dreams, then yes, you have your work cut out for you.
That said, Mike Daniels has a contract that averages slightly over $10 million per season. It’s one he just signed a little over a year ago. And like many guys who get that big money, they come out and underperform the next year. Remember back when this guy was on the cover of Sports Illustrated as one of the league’s rising stars? Should we call that the SI cover jinx?
Daniels had 16 fewer tackles, the same number of sacks (4), one fewer interception, one fewer pass defended and one fewer forced fumble in 2016 vs. 2015. What did he do last week? Ah, a whopping three tackles and zero impact plays.
Daniels plays hard. He needs to play harder if he wants to do anything other than go home and roll around in his money after this weekend.
Julius Peppers
You know, everyone has wanted to make a big deal about Julius Peppers turning 37 this week. That, and how the Packers want to win one for Peppers.
Well, I’ve got news for you. Julius Peppers looks like a 37-year-old defender at this point. The Packers were limiting Peppers’ snaps all season, supposedly for this playoff run. He still turned in 7.5 sacks, second on the team. Unfortunately, Peppers clearly has gotten that not so fresh feeling.
Despite playing 44 snaps last week, Peppers managed just a single tackle. Nothing else of note. He was better the week before against the Giants, with three tackles, a sack and two passes defended in 47 snaps. Hey, maybe he’s just decided he’ll only show up every other week and this is his week!
That said, when you’re making nearly $9 million a year — and I don’t care about the regular season. You best show up every week in the playoffs and you better make plays. One tackle… psssch… you’re already retired as far as I’m concerned.
Clay Matthews
Quick! Is there a more useless player on the Packers’ roster?
The answer is no, when you factor in salary.
The second-highest paid player on the Packers ($13.2 million per season) has ripped us off this year. He owes the Packers some money back. Won’t play inside linebacker, where he at least makes plays. Can’t stay healthy as an outside linebacker (missed four games, not unlike 2012 and 2013).
Oh, and also set career lows by a notable margin in tackles (24) and sacks (5). Let’s be honest. Clay Matthews has two total tackles in the Packers’ two playoff games. That is JOKE!
Sure, he had that one great play against the Giants — sack, forced fumble (twice) and the recovery. That was one of his two tackles this playoff run right there.
TWO TOTAL TACKLES.
Clay Matthews has been a disappointment all year. I wouldn’t expect him to turn it around this week, but he’ll certainly be the first guy I point to if and when the defense breaks apart. Your hamstring hurts? I don’t care. Your shoulder hurts? I don’t care.
The Packers aren’t paying you that money to be on the field. They’re paying you that much to make plays. So either make plays or get the hell off the field.
Clinton-Dix could still have a good game. He’s up and down. Let’s hope he’s up this game.
Daniels plays hard and is still disruptive, I can’t find fault with that. He’ll have to have a good game against the Falcons because Matt Ryan gets rid of the ball so fast the ends and outside linebackers won’t get near him.
Peppers is old. Let’s hope he’s got something left in him for the next 120 minutes of play.
Matthews has had 2 sacks and only 3 tackles in the last 7 games he’s played. One sack came against a guy playing out of position, T.J. Clemmings . He gets 3 yards up field every play and gets stoned. His does this on running plays too, so that usually adds up to huge yards for the opposing runner. He’s going up against his cousin who is a solid left tackle, so I expect him to be a liability again.
Agreed, Deepsky
HHCD plays alot of assignment type football which is conducive to his 2nd team All-Pro status
Daniels is a beast & occupies 2 blockers often
Julie shows up on important plays but kinda sucks vs power running football
Matthews is just washed-up. I cant fucking stand the commercial horseshit
Very strong viewpoints….
I could say that Dix wouldn’t be in the pro Bowl if he didn’t have 5 picks. But then again, playing center field, and catching 3 over thrown passes right to you, doesn’t take pro bowl talent. I could also agree with the rest of the article, and make points to defend it. But its just over kill.
What matters, is making plays starting Sunday. Based on the pass defense giving up 338 yards per game the last 5 games. the front of the defense has to save the secondary from itself. That means making plays, that means pressuring Ryan…..If you ask me how, i say that’s not my fucking job. That’s Fat Mikes and Capers job. And it’s about fucking time that job gets done.
If anyone thinks a defense can give up 338 passing ypg, and win the Super Bowl. you got fucking rocks in your head and you have a 99% chance of being wrong. But then you might say….Well, we won those last 5 games. Yes they did, Rodgers and the offense scored 34 points a game, to carry this piss poor excuse for a defense on their backs to win them.
So yes, the front 7 of the Packers need to step the fuck up. That’s where all the high priced talent is right?
From what i’ve witnessed, i give the Packers a 1% chance of winning the Super Bowl. That 1% chance is Rodgers.
We all know why this team has won 8 straight, it’s not Fat Mikes play calling, and i’ve never seen Fat Mike throw a td pass. It’s been the skills of Rodgers and the receivers and 0 line pass protection, and it’s been nothing short of a miracle that were even at this point. Especially the last 5 games.
I’m not unwilling to concede positives in coaching when deserved, but it’s a 2 way street.
Lastly, on Monty’s comment on having confidence.
I can say, i was nervous coming into the Super Bowl’s of 96, and 2010. But never did i have a concern that the offense or defense couldn’t get it done. we don’t have that luxury now. Favre and Rodgers didn’t win those Super Bowls on their own, there were great defensive plays made, their were great special teams plays made. do we have that same confidence that today’s defense and special teams can make those plays?
The one confidence we can hang our hat on is Aaron Charles Rodgers. Well, we have injured receivers left and right now, maybe its time for a hero(s) on defense and special teams. Or at the very least, Not be such a burden towards victory.
Just remember. Jarrett Bush stepped up in the Super Bowl. Greg Jennings made the comment, something to the effect of “Jarrett Bush, making plays.” Like they saw what we saw as fans. So anything is possible. Fat Mike not withstanding.
I saw the defense we had in 96 and 10.
I see today’s defense, and i have no illusion that they are in anyway relatable to the 96 and 10 defense in terms of talent or results..
I don’t disagree. You’d have to have the perfect storm requiring 5-6 guys having career games this year. Not going to happen.
Don’t be surprised if Ryan has more td passes in this game than incompletions. Monty forgot Randall and Jones. They are both massive first round busts who have done nothing but make the opposing team’s highlight reel. The only players on defense that haven’t ducked this year are Burnett and Perry..
To add to the comments, it’s not going to be the safeties and outside linebackers who will be making plays here. Ryan gets rid of the ball quickly, he doesn’t throw the ball downfield that often. Freeman and Coleman can each run the ball and they can catch the ball. There’s Julio Jones, who is questionable and hasn’t played that well lately, and then Freeman and Coleman who have a ton of yards from scrimmage each. The play makers will have to be inside linebackers and corners.
Very good points deep.
Although i’m guessing a little because i haven’t watched much Falcon football, and i’m too lazy to look it up. I’m guessing that the falcons get a lot from their receivers of yards after catch.
HaHa would look a lot better if he wasn’t surrounded by shit corners
Daniels is the highest rated interior defensive lineman left in the playoffs according to PFF. He has played a lot better than the stats suggest. Clay Matthews needs to show up. The front seven needs to play their best game of the season. Burnett needs to be healthy because he is so important to the run defense. Anyone have any idea how much longer Perry has the club?
Yep, until they take it off.
Not sure who is going to step up but you cannot expect those front guys to get to the Ryan if the corners do not get up on the receivers or the defensive backfield shows some unscouted looks. You have to make Ryan hesitate or as Deepsky indicates Ryan will get rid of the ball to fast. I would put Perry over the left tackle. The Falcons left tackle is good but can be bull rushed and who can do that better than Perry. To me Peppers needs to rush to the inside. If you can’t get to Ryan get your hands up and knock down the ball or maybe tip it for an INT. Ryan is so comfortable in the pocket there needs to be push in the middle. Daniels, Clark or Lowery. Ryan gets uncomfortable when taken off his spot from a strong middle rush. GO PACK!
The only broads worth banging in USA typically come from the South (long hair, sexy accent, somewhat feminine, ect.)
In any case, I like Southerners. Though I only date Eastern Europeans exclusively. I get what you’re saying