Position Evaluation: Offensive Line

The offensive line of 2017 was a mess, but a predictable mess because the offensive line has been Ted Thompson’s red-headed stepchild since he became Head Honcho in 2005 and released All-Pro right guard Marco Rivera and left guard Mike Wahle right off the bat to sabotage Mike Sherman and it worked as the Packers fell from 10-6-0 and 13 straight years of .500 or better teams and four straight playoff appearances to 4-12-0 and the beginning of two straight non-playoff teams.

The Great, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Great

Aaron Rodgers:

What can you say about a player who almost single-handedly put this team on his shoulders, including Sunday with a 9-play, 75-yard drive in 62 seconds to beat the Cowboys in Dallas.

Rodgers: “I just focused on my breathing on the sidelines and try to calm myself and remind the guys about some little things. The first play of that 2-minute was a conversation we had coming out of halftime actually about the leverage and coverage style in that 55, 2-man coverage and what kind of route we thought we could get in that situation.”

The most amazing thing about the drive was it wasn’t supposed to be for the win, but only for the tie to send it into overtime.

Rodgers: “I was thinking touchdown. We had time. We had a time out. The key to a good 2-minute drive is the 1st play. You have to get some positive yards. We had a good concept front side and kind of alert backside, which actually set up the entire final sequence, hit Davante on a back shoulder to start the whole drive. That ultimately sets up the winning pass, because he’s playing high shoulder first play we go back shoulder. He’s playing lower shoulder on the last play. We go over the top with a high throw.”

13 Steps Forward, 5 Steps Back And John Fox

The win over da Bears proved 2 things the Packers are better than da Bears and Mike McCarthy is better than John Fox. Beyond that everything else that came out of the game is pure speculation.

The Packers offense, despite the offensive line shuffling once again, and the loss of Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams and Davante Adams, continued to produce. Aaron Rodgers was great with 4 touchdown passes and no interceptions, despite having his 300-yard game streak broken, and the game plan allowed him to be sacked only twice.

Week 2 - Musings And Predictions

It looks like starting cornerback Sam Shields will not be playing because of a concussion. Outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott (hamstring), cornerback Josh Hawkins (hamstring) and safety Chris Banjo (hamstring) did not participate in practice and may be inactive on Sunday night. The other two on the injury list wide receivers Trevor Davis (shoulder) and Jeff Janis (broken hand) were full participants.

 

The Vikings will be without starting defensive tackle Shariff Floyd (knee) and may be without starting right cornerback Xavier Rhodes (knee) and starting left tackle Matt Kalil (hip). Last week's hero inside linebacker Eric Kendricks has an ankle injury, but he was a full participant as was running back Adrian Peterson (ankle). Former Packer wide receiver Charles Johnson has a quad injury, but he was also a full participant.

 

With that out of the way now down to tacks. Even though Shaun Hill did a decent job at quarterback in the win over the Titans No. 1 draft pick Sam Bradford will start this week. The key to him or anyone is getting a rush on him, so if the pass rush is there the Packers should keep the game a low scoring affair.

How I Sit on Sitton

The opening game is just a couple days away and the Packers roster is now set. I'm not happy with some of the moves made by General Manager Ted Thompson, but what else is new. I have learned to live with it. However, I'm very much not happy with some innuendo put out by Head Coach Mike McCarthy concerning the biggest move made on cut down day.

Saturday Ted Thompson started the rebuilding of the Packers with the release of 3-time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton with a year left on his contract. What is doubly worse about this transaction is that with one move Thompson not only made the Packers worse, but vastly improved the Packers most hated rival.

Hail Aaron

Aaron Rodgers a bit excited after throwing the greatest pass of his life

Hail, Hail, the gang's alright! A win over the Lions usually isn't much to cheer about, but these Lions aren't your father's Lions. After the Lions matriarch Martha Ford took charge and made changes on the coaching staff that turned the Lions around starting with the win over the Packers at Lambeau Field the Lions won three in a row and were a force to be reckoned with. The win was a good win. This could be just what the up-and-down Packers need to finish the season strong.

 

Richard Rodgers making the greatest reception of his life

Take that all you Richard Rodgers haters. I said a few days ago that Aaron Rodgers needed to look for him because he and Justin Perillo, for that matter, were the only ones getting open and catching the ball.

 

Adding Injury to Injury

Season on the Line

Tonight's road game against the Lions will be more of gut check than I realized. The best offensive line in recent memory is hurting and hurting bad. With the season on the line the hopes and dreams of all Packer Backers may have to be shouldered by Josh Walker, Don Barclay and Lane Taylor.

The Unkindest Cuts of All Are on Offense

I still have 20 players to cut from the offense and here they are. Brett Hundley has done so well he won the battle with Matt Blanchard for the No. 3 quarterback position and so well he can’t be cut and stashed on the practice squad, so like last year Thompson will have to keep three quarterbacks, unless he can pull off a trade. If he can’t then either Hundley or Tolzien will be traded next year like Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Brunell and Aaron Brooks since it wouldn’t be fair to make either sit for five or six more years behind Aaron Rodgers.

 

#34 Rajion Neal & #19 Myles White seemed to have won a job

It was a spirited battle for the No. 3 running back spot behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks with Rajion Neal, Alonzo Harris and John Crockett all having played well. I think Neal won the job taking up where he left off before being injured last year. Hopefully, Harris and/or Crockett will be signed to the practice squad.