Packers Moving On?

by Cheezer

Ugly. Simply ugly.

The Green Bay Packers defense lived up to expectations but the offense was significantly less than stellar in a 16-13 victory over the befuddled Philadelphia Eagles in week one. The Eagles had every opportunity to win the game, but penalties and miscues kept them in check as much as the Packers defense.

The Packer defensive line gave the Eagles fits all day. Johnny Jolly had three tipped passes and dominated the interior line. This is the same Jolly that reported to camp in non-playing condition and was not cleared to practice until later. The combination of Cullen Jenkins on the inside and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila on the end in the nickel package should be successful as the season progresses.

Let’s be realistic. The offense ‘scored’ six points. The other 10 points came off of Eagle special teams miscues. As we all know, fluky plays like fumbles are not reliable means of success. This is no way to build a team for playoff contention. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin need to dream up ways to get the receivers open and find some semblance of a running game.

Observations:

• The Packer receivers dropped 4 passes (by my count) and never seemed to get any separation.

• The offensive line struggled throughout the game but in general handled the Eagle blitz packages well.

• The OL looked incredibly bad handling the Eagles 4 man rush packages.

• DeShawn Wynn looked good in blitz pick-up and even made a play or two.

• The Packer running game was non-existent.

• Bubba Franks made some catches but disappointed in his lack of aggressiveness on the interception.

• Brett Favre had a couple of his patented OMG plays that hearkened to his youth.

• Over the last several years, Favre has developed some accuracy issues with deep passes.

• The rookie kicker, Mason Crosby, is the real deal. The kid has a monster leg and did not let the pressure get to him

• The defense, led by Nick Barnett, did an outstanding job in containing the ever dangerous Brian Westbrook.

The Packers needed a break. I hope we can all finally put 4 th and 26 behind us.

Photo/Mary Jo Walicki

Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

812 days ago

Score 2

The D wasn't that good. Westbrook still got 4-5 yards per play! Philadelphia should have ran the ball more. As for our O, I'm not too worried about Favre and the WRs. I think the reason we were so poor was that the running game was so bad. The Eagles knew we were going to pass it more often than not, for fear that running would do nothing.

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CheezerAll-Star

812 days ago

Score 2

He didn't kill the Packers as he has a tendency to do. No big plays, etc. I'll take 4-5 YPC from one of the best RBs in the NFL if it means he doesn't score or convert a couple of big third downs.

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CheezerAll-Star

812 days ago

Score 0

The D held one of the best offenses in the NFL to 13 points. That's pretty good in my book. We'll see much more on how good either of these teams is as the season progresses.

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Falcon02520Legend

812 days ago

Score 4

In my opinion, the defense was swarming. McNabb didn't have time to set because he was consitantly forced to move around because of the pressure. And Westbrook didn't really have much room to run, he simply fell forward through the smallest of cracks.

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JuTMSY4Legend

812 days ago

Score 1

also true...the eagles o-line looked poor and unable to handle a packers d-line...not entirely surprising...but mcnabb didn't get a ton of solid protection snaps...and it hurt them...

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

812 days ago

Score 1

Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the game, but I did listen to it on the radio, and from what I could gather, Favre was overthrowing people all day, but for every bad throw he had he made a play that was amazing. The shovel he tossed to Wynn when being dragged down by three Eagle linemen and the toss to Lee when he was all but on the ground really proved that he could be one of the quickest thinking quarterbacks ever.

Finishing drives needs to become priority, and I think this goes hand in hand with the running game. Teams with a rushing attack get it in the end zone. Passing teams struggle because that field gets a lot shorter.

I don't think the Eagles are this bad though. They were sloppy and committed too many dumb mistakes, especially the fumble on the last punt that eventually lost the game for Philly.

The Packers surprised and the Eagles disappointed. I don't expect the latter to continue but the Packers will surprise a few more teams this year. They'll be at least 2-2 going into October.

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JuTMSY4Legend

812 days ago

Score 2

As far as crosby...i agree...the kid is good...

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Falcon02520Legend

812 days ago

Score 2

I think that part of the reason the Eagles offense couldn't get going (besides the fact the the front line of the Packers were all over and the Eagles couldn't pick up a block) was that Kevin Cutris and Reggie Brown combined for only 3 recpetions. Throw in the 2 from LJ Smith, and that isn't much of a passing game. The Eagles simply looked lost offensively; constiantly out of place, commiting pentalties, missing assignments, and simply had no rythmn what so ever. I am worried that this could be a sign to come, but I liked what I saw out of the defense.

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CheezerAll-Star

811 days ago

Score 1

The Packers actually benched their two starting guards during the game. As adequate as the Packers OL was, the Eagles DL still pushed them around. Green Bay also went empty backfield too often for my taste.

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Falcon02520Legend

811 days ago

Score 1

I think they were going empty backfield because the RB's couldn't pick up their blocking assignments during the game.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

811 days ago

Score 1

I thought Wynn did a pretty good job in blitz pick-up. I'll have to check the TiVO again tonight. Two years ago, it would have been unheard of for the Packers to go empty backfield against the Eagles.

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CheezerAll-Star

811 days ago

Score 1

That was me. Forgot to log-in

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Confessions Of A FanaticDiv-I Stud

811 days ago

Score 3

The Packers big problems this year will be the running game, and offensive line. However, the fact that the team held up inspite of both on Sunday is inspiring for Green Bay fans.

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DNLLegend

811 days ago

Score 2

Per the AGM Pick Game, this was a huge upset:

Philadelphia @ Green Bay - Sun, Sep 9 - 1:00 PM

Final

Philadelphia 13 (90 votes)

Green Bay 16 (16 votes)

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MECUVarsity

811 days ago

Score 0

Crosby is the real deal. He should have won the Ray Guy award in 2005. He was screwed over. Green Bay got a steal in the draft and a career kicker for 10, 15, 20 years (sans injury).

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

811 days ago

Score 0

Let me see...all the hype about McNabb being back aside - was the fact that the Eagles were in prime form after a good preseason, their Defense was one of the best in the League this year - and right away, the critics come out about Green Bay's Offense. Gee, whiz..isn't this the same team that's the YOUNGEST in the NFL? I thought they kept their composure pretty damned well yesterday! Their linebacker play was outstanding- and very few penalties on the Packers Offense this early in the season should encourage everyone! I swear, some of you pathetic goofballs that consistently find something to harp on would do so even if the Pack won the game 55-0. Oh yeah, the special teams play compared to last year? About 500% better! Not many teams out there, including the Giants next week, can field a Defense like the Eagles against the Pack - strap it on Eli Manning - that shoulder is going to get a lot worse after Kampan and gang get done with ya.

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TheruffianVarsity Captain

811 days ago

Score 0

All very good observations. Offense will have to put up more points against the G-men.

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Simms1156Div-I Stud

811 days ago

Score 0

O yea one of the 16 packers betters right here.

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Anonymous Fanatic #3

811 days ago

Score 0

"The Packer receivers dropped 4 passes (by my count) and never seemed to get any separation." Not true at all. Brett overthrew Jones on a two fake and go route down the right side with Jones having a 1-2 stride lead on his defender. The cameras showed Brett beside himself for missing on the sure touchdown.....

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CheezerAll-Star

810 days ago

Score 0

Very true. The overthrows were in addition to the dropped passes. I did mention Favre's inaccuracy on deep throws. You are correct in stating that he missed a sure TD to Jones.

There were other passes on crossing routes that were dropped. Or at least the receiver had an opportunity to catch them. Driver alone had two that I thought he should have caught and didn't. It's obvious that he isn't 100% yet.

Jackson is a pass dropping machine. He has hands of stone.

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