Déjà vu and Other Observations

The 2018 new look Green Bay Packers opened the season with a 31-17 win over the Tennessee Titans at LAMMMMMMbeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I watched the entire game except for 8 minutes in the second quarter when my stream froze up. But to me the new look Packers looked a whole lot like the old look Packers.

I was anxious to see how the Packers looked because all the press reports from the local kiss ass media was so positive I was almost in diabetic shock from the sweetness. But I have to admit a couple of the things the LDAM has been saying turned out to be true, but only a few.

My FIRST IMPRESSION was the Packers were playing like it was 2017. The Packers kick off and it seemed they were sleepwalking on the kickoff coverage team letting the Titans return the kickoff for over 30 yards. Then the Mike Pettrine super aggressive defense and not the old Dom Capers no pass rush, let them complete 3rd down passes down the middle and let them score so the Packers are behind, but I didn’t see that. What I saw was Déjà vu all over again when the Titans marched down the field and scored.

Before I go any further Clay Matthews, Mike Daniels, Nick Perry, Muhammad Wilkerson, Tramon Williams, Kevin King and Jaire Alexander (injured) didn’t suit up. However, Kenny Clark, Reggie Gilbert (the greatest pass rusher since the Claymaker) and the tackle machine Blake Martinez did suit up.

The defense was gashed by runs around the ends and those pesky passes in the middle and long gainers. I swear I saw Dom Capers up in the box instead of Mike Pettine. I saw nothing on that 1st drive I liked.

Pass rush: Non existent. In fact out of 58 defensive plays Pettine’s aggressive defense managed just 1 sack for 0 yards and no tackles for a loss. 1 word; Dom Capers. Well 2 words. Ironically or maybe not since the local kiss ass media doesn’t know its ass from a hole in the ground Kyler Fackrell got the only sack and he is the one the LKAM hates or at the very least disrespects. Vincent Biegel, who the LKAM loves, was a no-show.

Coverage was spotty, but when since the 2010 Super Bowl hasn’t it been? Déjà vu indeed. Davon House started for Williams and Josh Jackson started for Alexander, but the starting safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Kentrell Brice were intact.

I actually thought Demetri Goodson looked good at corner. But overall the secondary is the same old, same old.

Jake Ryan’s replacement rookie Oren Burks has some speed, but he wasn’t ready for prime time Thursday. While he led the team in tackles with 5 solo he was taken advantage at times. He needs all the work he can get to be ready to be a starter.

On the offense, Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, Trevor Davis, Jimmy Graham, David Bakhtair (injured), Bryan Bulaga, Lane Taylor, Aaron Jones (injured), Adondis Jennings, Devante Mays (injured), Joe Kerridge also didn’t suit up.

The offensive line had only two starters center Corey Linsley and right guard Justin McCray open the game. Kyle Murphy was at left tackle, Lucas Patrick at left guard and Byron Bell at right tackle. For the most part this line did well.

Jason Spriggs took over at right tackle and Alex Light at left tackle. Adam Pankey played both guards with another media darling Kofi Amichia playing left guard and second string center Dillon Day moving to right guard. Austin Davis finished up at center. Spriggs was the weak link among the reserves.

FAKE NEWS: Coach Mike McCarthy and new offensive coordinator Joe Philbin wanted to run the ball more and better this season, but once the game began it was Déjà vu all over again again with 32 rushes and 47 passes.

Jamaal Williams looked good at running back and so did Joel Bouagnon even though their statistics sucked. Williams carried the ball five times for 16 yards, but one carry was for six yards, so he carried four other times for 10 yards. Bouagnon had 11 carries for 25 yards and a TD, but again he had a carry of 7 yards so he actually had 10 carries for 18 yards. Overall the Packers averaged just 2.8 yards a carry. That will not do.

Ty Montgomery was a man without a position. He carried the ball 3 times for 9 yards and had 2 passes thrown his way, but didn’t catch any.

THE PASSING GAME: Once again statistics lie. Brent Hundley was the best passer on paper, but my impression was he hasn’t progressed much from the failure he was last year. He completed 9 of 14 passes for 101 yards and a TD and an interception. His passes were for the most part safe passes. His TD was a nice pass. His interception was a result of his main problem. His lack of pocket awareness. His fumble was also a result of that issue. I don’t like him.

DeShone Kizer completed 9-of-18 passes for 134 yards. I liked him for the most part. He stumbled in the red zone. I would like to see how he progresses over the next 3 weeks.

Tim Boyle I like a lot. He is raw as an oyster, but he has a great arm and a swagger. He completed 7-of-15 passes for 130 yards and 2 TDs. He showed some touch. I hope they keep him. But if Ted Thompson is truly still in charge Boyle is cut and goes somewhere else. I hope not.

The biggest positives were the wide receivers. Davante Adams, Jake Kumerow, DeAngelo Yancy, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown looked great. J'Mon Moore and Geronimo Allison did not. Moore’s problem is one he’s had before – drops. Geronimo better step it up or the young bucks will pass him by.

The tight ends were only thrown to 4 times and that was when Boyle was quarterbacking. The game plan didn’t really include the tight end.

All in all. I was totally disappointed in the defense. It looks just like Dom Capers. Better not be. The offense, who knows? I have to see Aaron Rodgers on the field along with the offensive line and Randall Cobb. Then I can tell you if the new offensive is really new or just the stale old crap we’ve come to expect from Mike McCarthy.