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The Mystery Of The 2015 Packers Or The Perfect Storm On The Bay

By Mark

 It's taken me a few weeks how to couch the mysterious feel of the Packers this year and in pretext let me say most of you won't like it nor will you buy in. That's fine this is my personal take using a couple of sources and several weeks of chat on the Wisconsinsportstalk.net forum.

First let's recall the emotional letdown after the NFC title game. Despite what you heard this isn't an easy thing to swallow. Shortly there after MM lost his brother. I have not seen MM look fully emotionally vested since that point. The big beard was a tribute to his brother as he wore one. The "I'll turn over play calling"  was more about coach checking out of this season and smelling the roses than anything else.

So this starts a recipe for what's been going on. MM is only half into this season. 2 new coach's  are game planning and we have a new guy calling the shots on game day. That coach is extremely tight with Aaron and allows him to be liberal with check downs and input into this game plan.

For the first time the QB(Rodgers) and WR are in the same room. Route concepts are being studied at the QB pace with 2 rookies and a couple 2nd year players ( That's big folks..not common).

Let's stop there and put in the rather odd way GB treated the beat writers this season. I started following GB in and or around 1973 best of my memory. All my early game day/weekday coverage was via a radio and 3 papers.
 The Appleton or Green bay paper and or Milwaukee Journal with some Wisconsin state journal mixed in at times. Never since 1973 have I seen that much kick back at the press. In much worse times with worse teams GB has been still cordial always. When NFL teams fall off their norm behavior it's a red flag that something internal is stirring.

Back on track, After the "miracle" win in Detroit we get the I am taking back play calling announcement from MM ? Does anybody believe that Coach Mike McCarthy just got up that Monday on his own... got his Starbucks and said "I'll demote my Asst HC Offense because his play calling sucks " Please.

Someone up the food chain saw the spiral and something was said. Might not have been an ultimatum, but a size 12 was applied to the HC. He's been shaved and into the game more in 3 weeks than the last 5 months.

Now Ladies and gentleman this leads to a bit of an issue. Two parts. Way way back end of camp MM gives a ringing endorsement to his new play callers and shortly thereafter he calls out a WR named Myles White having his best camp etc. Shortly there after GB cuts White and signs James Jones. That move seems justified now, but it cuts that locker room the wrong way sure as I breathe air.

Second part you used most of the season, saying play calling is fine.... no issues. Hey "I need to stay out of it" direct quote. But then 3 weeks ago you completely contradict that position and undo everything you said for 13 weeks ????

Do you trust your HC anymore as a player ? As a staff member ? If you're reading this take off the Green and gold glass's and imagine MM is your boss at work and he pulled those 2 things in your workplace?

Would you trust him anymore. Would you work hard for that boss ?

It appears to me the perfect storm has been and could be brewing in GB. I think this team has another chapter to write but frankly if it doesn't end with a SB trophy some of the above could have had a big part in what's missing in 2015 in Green Bay.

There you have my look into this mystery of a season.

Packers Midway Report Card

By Mark

Here we are at the half way point of the 2015/15 season. As is tradition I present the midway report card.

Offense:

QB: After a hot start Aaron Rodgers has cooled off, Aaron appears to have taken steps back the last few weeks. A combination of pressure and mistrust in his WR has resulted in some poor performances. Still Aaron is one of the best in the game. GRADE: A-

OL : What was a strong group last year is a beat up and discombobulated group this year. Both OT are hobbled with bum knees and our OG are also off. This group has allowed 14 sacks and 29 hits through 8 games. The depth isn't there so we sink or swim with our starting 5.  GRADE : C -

WR : Hard group to grade as a whole. James Jones is a god's send and I was wrong a great signing. Cobb is still a huge threat but people forget he's playing injured in a harness. Adams when healthy can really be an asset but again playing hurt. The remainder of the group is untried and has very little playing time. Grade : C -

RB/FB : Lacey started out hot got injured and hasn't been the same. Starks has some fantastic runs and then disappears at times, still great upside in the screen game. Grade: B

Overall this offense is a plain C... average with a great QB.

Defense:

DL: This group had me eating crow the first 3 games and then starting playing like the last 2 years. Tough as nails one series and then like swiss cheese the next. No consistency.

A big pet peeve is they love to jaw with the offense. STOP  play hard do your job then talk smack.

Grade : C

LB Corp: Clay Matthews plays like a man on a mission but he can't do it all. I have seen sparks from  Nick Perry and Peppers but the others are are not doing much. Again no consistency and a group that has blown more then an assignment or 2. GRADE : C-

DB/S : Interesting group led by Sam Shields, started out hot when the front 7 was getting pressure. I really think for a group of young DB they do ok. The big mark down comes for the poor technique I have seen since SF. Damarious Randall has really great upside as does Rollins.
Grade: C +

Again as a whole this defense is under performing. They have to to play more consistent.

Grade : C

Coaching :
MM and staff seemed to have rocketed out the gate but the SD game exposed some flaws in the underbelly of the team. Dom Capers has to adjust his defense when his front 7 can't get home and help the secondary with some different coverage's and different stunts etc.

Rodgers and the offense need to slow it down and go back to a patient dink and dunk offense,  no need to get greedy.

This a very good football team that isn't there yet. Now is the time to say we can adjust our schemes and approach and really start getting hot down the stretch.

Grade : C

So in summary despite a 6-2 record I will be giving this team a C plus grade. They can do better in every piece of the game. GB may need to keep a back or TE in more to protect Aaron.

I fully expect a 12-4 ball club to roll into the playoffs but the team can't swell up and believe anymore press. One game at a time playing smart football leads you to the Super Bowl.

Annual 2015 Packer Camp Review and Season Prediction

By Mark

With the last public practice on Tuesday and cuts looming it's once again time for our annual review and prediction blog. This preseason which started out with much buzz and excitement has turned stale following injuries and inconstant play.

While injuries seem to be the headline story each day, the lackluster special teams and rather meh defense is our a bigger issue. ST have really not improved much and it's obvious Ron Zook won't/can't help that area.

Both the OL/DL depth hasn't been up to par so far throughout the preseason and that will be two key areas to watch as the season unfolds. While losing Jordy Nelson was a blow both Myles White and Jeff Janis should be able to cover that loss.

I spent a considerable amount of time watching the defensive backfield once again and really like the additions there. Gunter has been a great pickup and will join Shield as UDFA gems.

Green bay needs to get pressure on the QB and stop the run early in order for this defense to be successful.

Overall this looks like a 11-5 squad with potential to move up or down one depending on injuries etc. GB can not get in a hole this year and work it's way out. NFC north has improved and our depth doesn't appear to be there.

Remember to stop by and register at the forum to talk Packers and all your Wisconsin sports..it's free and only takes a minute. http://wisconsinsportstalk.net/

Let's see what 2015 brings us ..... until next time Go Pack Go !!!

Quick Hits : Preseason Football Isn't Going Anywhere

by Mark

Seems to be a lot of anguish in Packerland today after Jordy's injury on preseason football. First understand that what happened was a freak injury. It wasn't the turf or any other of the crazy things folks were complaining about.

Second preseason games are extra revenue to the NFL. From tickets and concessions to advertising it's money. In this era of revenue sharing and multi million contracts both sides won't let that go.

I think the uptick in injuries has more to do with the players obtuse new practice restrictions in OTA's and practice. Less conditioning and heavy work outs lead to players who are not fully in shape.

Maybe it's time for both sides to check the egos and money clips at the door and start working on a more realistic approach to not only the preseason but OTA's and work out rules that benefit everyone.

That's today's quick hit.

The Packer Web Wars.. A Brief History

By Mark

Today I want to tackle a subject that rears it's ugly head too often  around the packer web world. That is some of the rivalries and bad blood you see from time to time.

Most of this started before social media and even before blogs were a thing. It goes back to some of the first message boards or forums that were at the time the only way you could get packer news or interact as fans. They were run by news media in some cases or were private.

I myself started on 3 of these sites. Because they were the only source of information at the time the competition was fierce. As time went on you had several  sites break away from the 3/4 big forums and members that followed them there. This created a trust issue. Even taking a couple members from a site created a war between sites and rival members.

Two events really made this bad blood boil even more. First the Favre retirement fiasco hit which deeply divided every site and board out there. More splits occurred because of this.

At about that same time we started seeing the blogs appear and this started to draw folks away from these same long standing communities. Again a loyalty and trust issue.

Let's stop a minute right there and digress a moment. At this point you need to understand that a site admin and or owner puts hours into his or her site. It's a labor of love, there is a lot of passion and hard work that goes into those boards.
Don't undervalue how much time and effort people put into making a place you can talk Packer football.

Now continuing as Packerland was dividing so were many of these sites. A few ..well a very few started running ads, etc to try to stay afloat. While there is a lot of logic to that it did and still does chap the hides of many independent sites/blog  owners. To them it's a labor of pure love.

Basically it's a purest issue and old school /new school that comes out. Many of the ill feelings are anywhere from 7 to 10 years old and stem from the old message board wars. To most of you this may seem like a petty issue, but to others it's history from way back.

Some of this you just won't change. The wounds are too deep, but I will ask all of you reading this post to do one thing. Stop clicking past sites. Most have free registration... take 2 minutes and register at ALL of them that means more to these owners than any amount of money. Seriously we are packer nation and when we unite it's a beautiful thing.

I hope this helped at least shed a little light into what went on in a place far far away. Ask questions and I'll answer the best I can in the comments below



Until next time GO PACK GO !

Pre-Camp Breakdown: Introducing the Packers Defensive Backs

I am making the bold prediction that by the time all is said and done in training camp and by the end of the preseason games, the Green Bay Packers will keep 6 cornerbacks and 4 safeties.

Cornerbacks: the Green Bay Packers will keep 6 players on the roster this year.

Obviously there are 3 Green Bay Packers corners with NFL playing experience.  They are Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, and Micah Hyde.  Therefore, without a doubt these players are effectively guaranteed roster spots.

#37 Sam Shields

 Sam Shields has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can get the job done on the corner.  His production has been steady and he is a reliable tackler.  He defends the pass very well on the boundary.  He will earn Pro-Bowl honors this year.

#29 Casey Hayward

Casey Hayward is starting material and will prove so during the preseason.  He had 6 picks and a fumble recovery during his rookie season.  Last year he was tied with Tramon Williams with most INT’s on the team with 3, but played fewer snaps than Williams.  He is the real deal when healthy.

#33 Micah Hyde

Micah Hyde is Mr. Versatile.  He is best suited in the slot, but can play corner and safety too.  In addition, he has returned punts for the Packers.  I’d hate to see the Packers lose this guy due to injury.  He’s been relatively healthy so far.

#23 Damarious Randall

First and second round picks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins are also guaranteed roster spots.  I’m predicting Damarious Randall will back up Casey Hayward and Quinten Rollins will back up Micah Hyde in the slot to begin the season.  Both rookies will see their playing time increase as the season wears on into December.

#24 Quinten Rollins

Even though the Packers typically keep only five cornerbacks, I believe the team will keep six CB’s this year.  That lucky player will be #36 Ladarius Gunter.  Gunter will prove his worth during the preseason.  He will show Packer Nation that he can defend the pass and tackle the ball carrier coming around the end.  He will also demonstrate excellent special team skills, which wins him the roster spot.

#36 Ladarius Gunter

Safeties: The Green Bay Packers will keep 4 players on the roster this year.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett have entrenched themselves as the starting safeties in Dom Capers' defense, guaranteeing roster spots for each.  Both are excellent safeties and Pro-Bowl caliber players.  I’m predicting that Ha-Ha has a big year and earns Pro-Bowl honors.  Morgan’s production will not be far behind.

#42 Morgan Burnett and #21 Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix

The Packers resigned Sean Richardson, meaning he'll also make the cut.  He is a good special team player and has proven in the past that he can get the job done at safety when called upon by Capers. 

#28 Sean Richardson

Even though Hyde or Damarious Randall could play the position, the Packers will keep 4 true safeties in case of injury.  Chris Banjo's excellent play on special teams should be enough to keep him in Green Bay.

#32 Chris Banjo

That concludes the team breakdown.  First training camp practice is July 30th.  Players report to the facility on July 29.  #GoPackGo