The Cuts and Signings: The Aftermath

The NFL cut down day was Saturday and the Packers made those cuts and I was wrong on 11 of them. The first day after the Day was Sunday and Ted Thompson/Brian Gutekunst was silent on adjusting the lineup, but, of course, they signed 8 of those cuts to the practice squad and 3 of those signings were 3 players I had kept, but were cut (running back Joel Bouagnon, fullback Joe Kerridge and guard/tackle Adam Pankey).

The other practice squad signees signed on Sunday were center Austin Davis, outside linebacker Kendall Donnerson, defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster, defensive tackle James Looney and inside linebacker Greer Martini leaving two spots open. Other moves were waiving running back Devante Mays, tackle Kyle Murphy and cornerback Quinten Rollins from injured reserve with injury settlements even though those moves haven't been officially announced yet and may never be.  

How Did I Do?

I was right on 47 of the initial 53-man roster. I was wrong on WR Jeff Janis, G Lucas Patrick, T/G/C Don Barclay, OLB Jayrone Elliott, cornerback Ladarius Gunter and cornerback Lenzy Pipkins making the squad.

Deja Vu Every Year

There are some certainties in the world you can depend upon. Death (I'll vouch for that one), Taxes (I'll vouch for that one, too) and Packer injuries (Hell, I will write about that one). Heading into Sunday's Hall of Game against the Colts the best laid plans of mice and Mike McCarthy have been derailed by flurry of second week injuries.

 

The first thing that came out of the Bill Belichick Injury Report this week was the declaration by the Trust in Ted press corps that "There’s no sign that the latest training-camp injuries are serious." Now how in the HELL can they say that with any certainty?

 

Another Thought on the Final Game

Someone In Arizona Was Happy And It Wasn't Olivia Munn

The final two games of the 2015 season left hope that the future won't be so bleak, but also left a bad taste in my mouth as old problems and tendencies raised their ugly heads with another early exit from the playoffs when the Packers should have been playing at the Panthers this week for another chance to return to the Super Bowl, despite having a team that is NOT really Super Bowl quality.

Hopefully There Will Be a Redemption in the Rematch in the Desert

Looking For 'The Redemption in the Rematch in the Desert'

Three weeks ago the Packers were riding high on a three-game winning streak having averaged 28 points a game heading to Glendale, Arizona to face one of the strongest teams in the league - the Arizona Cardinals. Three hours later Aaron Rodgers was pulled from the game mercifully after being sacked 8 times and the Packers were embarrassed with a 38-8 loss.

The game hurt the Packers psyche so much they let the hated Minnesota Vikings not only beat them at Lambeau Field, but take away the North title the Packers have held for four straight seasons.

Last week The Hangover of the Disaster in the Desert was still being felt for another quarter as the Packers fell behind 11-0 to another team that was coming on late in the season - the Washington Redskins.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That and Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson Announcing His Retirement in Two Games

Evidently after not picking off Aaron Rodgers last Sunday Charles Woodson decided to call it a day as far as his career is concerned. It seems funny that he turned 180 degrees around from an earlier statement that he would be back next season and beyond. 

 

Actually I think what changed his mind was the injury he seemed to occur when he caused the fumble by James Starks. Even though he has played all season with a dislocated shoulder getting dinged on a normal hard hit he used to do in his sleep may have changed his mind.

 

No matter what caused it a part of me feels sad that Woodson is hanging up his cleats. I will cheer his Hall of Fame induction (even though it will be in a Raiders uniform). I know that part of the reason the Packers won their fourth Super Bowl trophy was the leadership and play of Woodson. 

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS, PART TI

A Magic Moment

BURSTING THE TOP OFF THE SUBLIME SCALE

Taking His Rightful Place Amongst The Immortals

Thursday night was the epitome of the highest highs and the lowest lows, but on a sublime scale of 0 to 10—with 0 representing zero sublimity and 10 representing metaphysical sublimity—halftime in a totally ridiculous football game was 1000.

With metaphysical certitude the three greatest Packers quarterbacks will never be in the same house again and for an extremely fragile Bart Starr to make the trip and come out onto the his Field of Glory on a cold, rainy evening to honor Brett Favre was one for the ages.

Buh BYE

The 'Reach' by Damarious Randall

The bye week couldn't come at a better time for many reasons, but as it refers to me, since everything revolves around me, I don't think I could watch a game this week after that disgraceful performance by the seemingly resurgent Packer defense against the Chargers Sunday afternoon.

 

Up front I will implore everyone to vote for cornerback Damarious Randall as Defensive Rookie of the Week. If he isn't nominated then write in his name.

 

The other good thing that came out of the Chargers game, except for the win, of course, is that the x-rays on wide receiver Ty Montgomery's ankle were negative although it looked like he would be lost for the season when he was carried off the field. It seems the good that came out of this game, besides the win, was something that might not be as bad as it could have be.

 

Now for the bad. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers brief bout of competence lasted all of two weeks in addition to three quarters against the Seahawks and two against the Chiefs.

Injuries, Defense and Bakhtiari

One thing is for sure after last night's 38-28 win over the Chiefs is that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense is good, very good. The Chiefs have a very stout defense and, despite, being rushed Rodgers was unstoppable.

 

However, the victory was marred by three things. 1. Injuries. 2. Late defensive effort. 3. David Bakhtiari.

 

Injuries:

 

Eddie Lacy was able to play and finish on a sprained ankle, but I thought it would have been best if he rested this game and let James Starks and Alonzo Harris handle the rushing duties. That gamble paid off, but I still feel it was too much of a gamble to take at this time of the season.

 

Eddie Lacy made it through the game without further injury

Davante Adams lasted just one play and now may be out for an extended period of time after re-aggravating his high ankle sprain. I also thought playing him was a risk and in this case it didn't pay off.

 

The Injury Report:

"Yes, Virginia there is a silver lining"

 

Jordy Nelson down and out

It was made official. Jordy Nelson will miss the entire season with a torn ACL suffered on the opening drive of the second pre-season game against the Steelers.

 

This will be the second time Nelson will have suffered a lost season although not quite as bad as this time. After having his breakout season in 2011 when he earned the starting job (played in all 16 games starting 9) he caught 68 passes for 1,263 yards and 15 TDs. Then in 2012 he suffered through lingering ankle and hamstring problems all season long finishing with 49 catches for 745 yards and 7 TDs.

 

Actually not only did Nelson have an off-year, but Greg Jennings was also hurt dropping from 67 catches for 945 yards and 9 TDs to a career low 36 catches for 366 yards and 4 TDs because of a groin injury he suffered before the season limiting him to only 8 games and 5 starts.

Post-Game Analysis: The Offense - Receiver Edition

WIDE RECEIVERS:

(Targeted 20 times with 12 catches for 132 yards and one touchdown)

 

Davante Adams Surrounded

The starting trio of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams were targeted 10 times. Rodgers likes Adams and threw to him seven times, but he caught only 3 for 17 yards. Nelson caught both passes thrown his way (25 yards) and Cobb caught his only pass for 16 yards.

 

I noticed last year that Rodgers seemed to favor Adams more as the season progressed and it seems to continue this year as the defenses cover Nelson and Cobb or not. I just hope he doesn't forget them, because they always seem to find a way to get open as evidenced by catching all three passes thrown their way for 41 yards.

 

When you look at numbers the Packers have a lot of wide receivers on the roster. Behind the Big 3 there are eight on the roster three returning from last year's roster and five newcomers.

 

The first one to talk about is former 2014 5th round (176) choice Jared Abbrederis. A home-state boy all the way around born in Wautoma and played at the University of Wisconsin where he played in 53 games, starting 39, and finishing as the all-time leading receiver in catches (202) and second in yards (3,140) and touchdowns (23) as where as the all-time leader in kickoff return average (25.8) and fifth all-time in punt return average (10.7). This was an excellent choice, but after missing his rookie season with a knee injury he has now been sidelined with a concussion. It seems his career is over before it got started.