Packers / Chiefs Game
| 11
|
by Gbpackrant
Before I start talking about anything, did anyone else have a coronary when McCarthy was standing doing nothing, after the replay showed the guy’s foot out of bounds? Mike, throw the red flag for cripes sakes. Don’t be like the other Mike, Sherman that is, who never knew when or when not to challenge a play. Thank God for the assistant next to him, because it was too close to being too late. Anyway, it was mentioned to me by one of our faithful readers that I need to say a few good things besides the bad about the Packers on a weekly basis. Although I think that I do, I will say that I do not elaborate on the good things because I feel the need to address the bad to see if anyone else sees it the same way about what we think it is that the team needs to do to get better. I think everyone knows when Favre and others play well, but I appreciate the comment and I will make a point of it to start off this week with those who stood out.
A.J. Hawk stepped up big time with his pick and return which set up Green Bay’s first TD. Also, he appeared to play the run really well and had good coverage for most of the day. In fact, he had great coverage on the one play late where he was mugged by Tony Gonzalez (where is the offensive pass interference???). I really like this guy, as does everyone else and he makes Barnett better, but he needs to make more big plays like he did today. Linebackers don’t get picked as high in the draft as he did unless the guy is considered a playmaker. Along with guard and safety, teams do not put a high priority on these positions when it comes time for the draft.
Along with Hawk and Favre, Woodson was the MVP of the game. His punt return and pick were huge, and he had good coverage. I admit what I said last year when they signed him and again after the first few games last year, that I thought Thompson made a mistake but until these two years with the Pack he couldn’t stay healthy. He gets a lot of penalties with the 5 yard rule, but he caught it which is something Harris and Collins have a lot of trouble doing.
In addition, Favre was right on target with his deep throws, but that first pick was not good. Maybe Jennings could have finished his route better, but that throw was into a crowd. It cost the team points early in the game when points looked like they would come at a premium. The second pick was not entirely his fault, because they shouldn’t have been passing in that situation on 3rd down anyway. Plus, Darryn Colledge, that revolving door of an offensive guard, let Alfonso Boone blow by him for the second time in the game and hit Favre’s arm. But really, we didn’t have the time to still get in FG range and the first two plays previous to the pick were almost big time trouble. It wasted an entire half of dominant defensive play by our defense. But to repeat, Favre was right on the money with both his deep throws, especially the winning score which looked to be thrown off his back foot; vintage Favre. But as I mentioned earlier, you are smart folks and already know that and don’t need me to tell you and if you wanted to hear someone sugarcoat things then you would be reading Packer Report.
I know that I have harped on it before, but I must repeat that the NFL must truly do something to upgrade the level of officiating. It was terrible both ways. The hold on Gonzalez, and the Chiefs catch late when it was initially ruled in bounds when on the replay the ref was looking straight down at his feet. I know things happen fast, but he was right there looking right at his feet! And I hate to even get started about the holding calls, but like Aikman said, you could call it on almost every play so why call it when it has almost no influence on the play. What about the flag plant by Larry Johnson? Good rule or not, isn’t that a penalty? Lastly, with about 25 seconds to go they made a terrible mark of the ball, stopped the clock (the Chiefs had no timeouts), and gave the Chiefs a 1st down. I know the game was over, but how do you explain that?
Bigby laid a good shot on Bowe early, but after that looked really bad and in a lot of cases has no clue where the damn ball is. He looked foolish face guarding his guy in the end zone. Can you say Ahmad Carroll as I called him last week? Let’s hope not, because Aaron Rouse isn’t ready, he still is an improvement over Roman and Manuel, and it looks like Collins is going to be out. Is Nick Collins a big loss? He probably is somewhat with Rouse not looking ready, but when is this guy going to make a play in a meaningful game. His two picks against the Bears were last season. The missed INT was right in his hands.
It was disappointing to see the pass rush disappear in the 2nd half, except for at the very end, and our defense allowed them to come right back and score TDs right after we scored, not once but twice. Kansas City does not have a good offense and this is why I have been saying that we don’t have a great defense like many in the media would like you to think. They are good, but not great and those two scores were an example of why they are not.
In short, the Pack gained a ton of yards between the 20’s and would hardly if ever have found the end zone if not for the Woodson pick and the two long scores, but I can’t say that because they are all part of the game. Minnesota is next weekend and it is a good thing they will be playing in Lambeau with the Vikings convincing win over the Chargers who were playing much better. It wouldn’t be a good time to be playing in the Metrodome. Did you notice our boy Brooks Bollinger was playing for most of the game. It should be a win, as should the Carolina game the following week, before two tough road games at Detroit and Dallas on consecutive Thursdays. Overall, the real key, I think, is that the Packers are running the ball just well enough that the defense has to honor the play-action, and this is what is allowing Favre the time to complete these deep routes. Let’s hope it continues. Hey, wouldn’t it be great to have a few home playoff games in Lambeau this coming postseason in the watered down NFC? I thought so.
