It's Cowboy week in Packerland and the transactions or lack there of is very strange. Last week in the win over the Giants running back Eddie Lacy sprained his ankle and has been limited in practice. James Starks stepped in and finished the game and would be the starter if Lacy can't answer the bell or will have to play extensively if Lacy is hurt again early in the game, but he missed practice with a mysterious knee injury.
In the past, especially the last couple years, Starks has been a rock. He is in 7th season and is 30, which is usually the age and experience when a running back starts to slow down, but in his case he hasn't been a starter, so his shelf life should be doubled.
Coming into the season Starks was averaging 4.3 a carry. Last year when Lacy was benched he proved to be a valuable starter (4 games) gaining career-high 601 yards on a career-high 148 carries for 4.1 a carry.
However, this season seems to show he is slowing down. He is averaging 1.8 yards a carry on 24 carries (42 yards). He started the season is terrible form gaining 3 yards on 7 carries against the Jaguars and -1 yards on 1 carry against the Vikings. Last week in the second half he gained 33 yards on 12 carries for 2.8 yards a carry, which is much better. But a closer look sees he had a 10-yard gain, so take that out and he gained 23 yards on 11 carries for 2.1.
General Manager Ted Thompson had three running backs on the roster when the season began. After John Crockett was placed on injured reserve Thompson claimed Jhurell Pressley off waivers from the Vikings before the first game. However, after the season opener he was cut leaving the team with just 2 running backs (Lacy and Starks) and 1 fullback (Aaron Ripkowski) on the active roster and undrafted free agent Don Jackson on the practice squad. That is a recipe for disaster, which I said at the time.
The week before Game 3 (Lions) the Packers brought in C.J. Spiller for a look-see, but didn't sign him (he went to the Seahawks). And the issue of a third running back then was put on the back burner and it has stayed there to this day (Friday before the Cowboys game).
As of Friday 11:37 a.m. the Packers may have no running backs and a fullback active for the Cowboys game because Sparks' injury. Lacy did practice on a limited basis, but he may not be able to play or be limited in the game.
What we saw in the Giants game is Thompson feels Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery are now the 3rd running back. If Lacy or Starks can't play or both are limited in the game then Ripkowski, Cobb and Montgomery will be the running game or Rodgers will have to pass 50 times. Strange.
Speaking of strange transactions Thompson released the only bright spot of the preseason quarterback Joe Callahan and has not filled his roster spot as of yet. That means 1 or more of 3 things.
1st: Brett Hundley is now healed and the Packers only need 2 quarterbacks.
2nd: Thompson intends to active Mike Pennel from his suspension, but hasn't yet, so maybe he plans to wait until after the game so he can have a full week of practice, which he could have had if he had been activated on Monday.
3rd: Thompson plans to sign a running back, but its too late now for Sunday's game.
The lack of action on the personnel front is very strange heading into a game that the Packers have to win.
Now for more strangers things. The offense is still dysfunction with the weak link being Aaron Rodgers. There is no other way to put it. The line is playing very well, including Lane Taylor at left guard, and gave Rodgers double the time to throw. Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb are or were healthy all season, so not having his top three receivers is no longer an issue. Lacy was running well, so him being a disappointment is also no longer an issue.
The only missing ingredient was tight end Jared Cook with an ankle injury and, so far, Rodgers and Cook haven't been on the same page, so with Richie Rodgers back in the line that shouldn't be an issue.
The two issues in the Giants game were bad throws by Rodgers and the wide receivers not getting open when he plenty of time for them to do so. The 2016 offense looks like the 2015 offense in the last 10 games.
Something is wrong and if no one wants to say it's Rodgers then it has be coaching. So Associate Head Coach/Offense Tom Clements (who failed as the play caller last year), Offensive Coordinator Edgar Bennett, new receivers coach Luke Getsy and quarterback coach Alex Van Pelt are not doing their jobs.
The Ravens noticed a problem with their offense last week and fired Offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman Wednesday. That was a bold move, but that is what it takes to run a successful organization. The one thing Thompson is is NOT bold. He is very cautious and cheap. Mid-course changes are not in his DNA. A mid-course move might be just what the Packers need to save the season.
Ravens tight end Dennis Pitts said this, "The change was necessary. I think it’s something that this offense needed. We were kind of in a bad place. It didn’t seem like we were getting out of it. Hopefully this will spark us.” It also seems the Packers offense is not getting out of it either.
So let's sum up. The only two running backs are hurt and Thompson hasn't, as of yet (12:11 p.m.) done anything about it. The passing game is dysfunctional and has been for 16 games with Rodgers under center. The only time the passing game was a glimmer of its previous self was in the preseason when Callahan or Hundley in his one appearance was the quarterback. Going into the Cowboys game Rodgers is ranked last in completion percentage.
So what does that tell us? For an entire season dating back to week 8 of last year the Packers offense has been subpar and Rodgers may be the problem, but right now the Tedders, Ask Vic, and the entire Packers organization have their heads in the sand or somewhere else where the sun doesn't shine when it comes to Rodgers.
So it seems I have come to the conclusion BIG changes must be made. Either the offensive staff needs to be fired and replaced or Hundley needs to take over to see if the quarterback is the problem.
But one thing is obvious nothing has been done in 16 games to get the offense back on track. The only glimmer and it lasted all of two quarters and 8 minutes was the first half against the Lions and the opening drive against the Giants.
BOLD action needs to be taken and SOON. The Vikings are 5-0 with a reserve quarterback (who wasn't even on the team before he beat the Packers) and a reserve running back. The Cowboys come in 4-1 with a 4th Round unheralded rookie quarterback. I'm now officially worried.
Heaven help me, since it seems no one else is worried as evidenced by this Rodgers' quote on Sept. 21 after the Vikings game, "I know I’ve got to play better, and I will. We’ve set a standard for so long — myself, our team — of playing at such a high level that when we have a couple of disappointing performances, we know what’s coming. Now we would love to get back out there and dominate and have this thing turn around, but we know if we go on a run and we lose a game and play poorly, it’s going to be right back in the same position. This is part of the game that we’re prepared for. This is the game within the game, just talking to you guys and giving you guys something you guys can use. We appreciate what you do, but we’re not ultimately judged or worried about your opinions of us and your scrutiny of us.”Well, he pretty much said, "F.... You".
Here's what others are saying about Rodgers: Aaron Nagler of Packers News gave this observation, "I’d need several days to put an answer together on this one. The short version is: A whole lot of things. Rodgers isn’t throwing in rhythm, he isn’t throwing guys open, his WRs are failing him by not getting open against man coverage, his fundamentals have gone to hell and it doesn’t seem anyone is giving him some hard coaching on it, the list goes on and on."
Humm, he says Rodgers and coaching. Does that sound familiar?
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