Packers – Redskins

The Packers are 1-0-1 and are lucky to be that. I gave up being proud a long time ago and will accept the former rookie place kicker for the Vikings gave the Packers the tie. The 38-yard field goal was normally a give-me, but I felt the rookie was already rattled and would probably have missed a 10-yard field goal at that point. Cutting him was cruel. If he was good enough to win the job then he should have been given the time to grow into the job. Mason Crosby had his trial by fire in 2012 (making only 21 of 33 field goals and he was a veteran, but nobody would have griped if he was cut, but head coach Mike McCarthy stayed with him and since then he’s made 125 of 147 field goals coming into the season and this year he’s made 5 of 6, but the one miss was for the win last week. He didn’t get cut.

The Packers offense is ranked 17th in the league with a one-legged Aaron Rodgers, who is only one hit away from being lost for a long period of time. DeShone Kizer is NOT a quality backup and the Packers need a veteran behind Rodgers ASAP. But the stubborn Ted Thompson influenced front office WILL NOT admit they made a mistake and sign one.

The Packers activated Aaron Jones from the suspended list to give the Packers 4 running backs (and still no fullbacks) – Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery, Darius Jackson and Jones. Ty Montgomery played well last week and I would hope Jones can play like he did when he burst on the scene last year, but he hasn’t been the same explosive runner he was before suffering a knee injury.

The Packers offensive line is average. With a franchise quarterback that is the only solution at that position you would have hoped the “new” General Manager would have tried to solidify the offense line with a good signing at right guard, but instead he drafted Cole Madison in the 5th round, who the local kiss ass media told us he was going to win the job (which he didn’t because he quit the team before training camp) and after not signing anyone to replace Madison they went with the obvious choice an undrafted free agent Justin McCray, who failed for two seasons with the Titans in 2014 and 2015 and played in the Arena League for a season in 2016, but was the top reserve last year starting 8 games (4 at right tackle in place of Bryan Bulaga, 2 at left guard in place of Lane Taylor and 2 at right guard in place of Jahri Evans). He is average at best, but a Ted Thompson protégé likes average at best, especially at guard where cheap is best.

The Packers skill positions are above average, but it all comes down to offensive line play and that is where the TT/BG brain trust skimps.

The Packers defense is ranked 9th in the league in total yards, 7th in passing, and 15th in rushing. Respectable if you believe in stats, but remember the old adage “There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.” If anyone watched the game last week Mike Pettine’s defense played like the Dom Capers defense. Giving up the tying touchdown and 2-point extra point to send the game into overtime. I have no belief the Packers defense can be depended upon. The Packers have no pass rush and that is THE KEY because the rebuilt secondary has trouble in coverage.

Watching Kahlil Mack play and watching Clay Matthews play hurts my eyes. I said I would have traded Matthews and any mix of draft picks to the Raiders for Mack. Of course, contrary to what we’ve been told by the local kiss ass media who believes anything they are told by 1265 Lombardi Avenue about being in the mix for the trade, if I had a press pass I would have asked what was the offer. Of course, nobody did. The Mack trade was THE KEY to this season. Surprise, Surprise, it didn’t happen. If this bunch of Nervous Nellies had been in charge of the Packers instead of Ron Wolf Reggie White wouldn’t have been signed, Brett Favre wouldn’t have been traded for and the other free agents (Keith Jackson, Bruce Wilkerson, Desmond Howard, Sean Jones, Santana Dotson, Eugene Robinson) the Packers wouldn’t have won the 1996 Super Bowl and playing in the 1997 Super Bowl.

While I’m on a rant WHAT has Mike McCarthy done to deserve being head coach for the 13 seasons. Since the Super Bowl, which was 8 years ago, the Packers had the best quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the best pass rusher Clay Matthews, the best defensive back Charles Woodson, two excellent cornerbacks Sam Shields and Tramon Williams, one of the top kickers Mason Crosby, two All-Pro guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang, a top left tackle Chad Clifton and David Bakhtiari, a very good right tackle Bryan Bulaga, one of the top tight ends Jermichael Finley, top wide receivers Greg Jennings, Jorday Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, top fullback John KUUUUUUhn, a top running back Eddie Lacy for a few years and yet the Packers haven’t returned to the Super Bowl.

With the Super Bowl team intact except for free safety Nick Collins, the Packers went one and done in the playoffs the next season after going 15-1 during the regular season. 2012 (11-5 then 1-1 in the playoffs), 2013 (8-7-1 when Rodgers was hurt and 0-1 in the playoffs), 2014 (12-4, 1-1 in the playoffs losing to the Seahawks in the conference championship game when McCarthy played for a tie to send the game into overtime), 2015 (10-6, 1-1 in the playoffs losing to the Cardinals in overtime), 2016 (10-6, 2-1 in the playoffs being routed in the conference championship game with the Falcons) and last year (7-9, when Rodgers was hurt and missing the playoffs).

To sum it up since the Super Bowl McCarthy has posted a 73-38-1 record overall, but 58-22 with Rodgers during the regular season, but only 5-6 in the playoffs advancing to the conference title game twice. Talk about a paper tiger.

Finally, the Redskins are 1-1 winning its road game against the Cardinals, 24-6, and losing its home game last week to the Colts, 21-9. The Redskins are ranked 12th in offense and last in defense. I would hope Rodgers can play efficiently and the Packers should win. All the ESPN pickers pick the Packers and CBS picks the Packers.

NOTES:

Kevin King is out and his backup Davon House is hurt and Josh Jones is out. That will make a difference with rookies Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson having to play against Alex Smith, who makes very few mistakes, but doesn’t throw long much either.