Week 15 - Da Bears Again

[OldSchool101]

And what is Santa bringing you for Christmas ?? I love your optimism bud.

Hopefully... Santa starts with a “tough sled” for me followed by 7 more consecutive wins starting with Chicago at Lambeau for the Pack

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Hopefully... Santa starts with a “tough sled” for me followed by 7 more consecutive wins starting with Chicago at Lambeau for the Pack

At this point, I don't care about the Packers winning in week 1 of the 2020 season

 

[sschind]

Hopefully... Santa starts with a “tough sled” for me followed by 7 more consecutive wins starting with Chicago at Lambeau for the Pack

So they win their first game next season too? I like that.

 

[OldSchool101]

At this point, I don't care about the Packers winning in week 1 of the 2020 season

Sure. But I must be realistic. Santa knows I haven’t been that good. I ain’t lying to Santa.. no way

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

See if you can pick out what is odd about practice today!

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[Pokerbrat2000]

Looks like another week of good fortune on injuries. Jimmy Graham and Kevin King are the only 2 questionable players!

I find it comical that Bulaga looked like he might miss some time last month and posters jumped all over him "being an injury problem, too old, washed up, etc." Guessing those posters don't want to sign him to another contract for the same reasons.

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[OldSchool101]

See if you can pick out what is odd about practice today!

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Well... for Starters Preston Smith is playing NT, ZaDarius Smith is back at 3T and Rashan Gary got a new do

If we could do that at half time and just line guys up at all different positions? it just might work!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Well... for Starters Preston Smith is playing NT, ZaDarius Smith is back at 3T and Rashan Gary got a new do

If we could do that at half time and just line guys up at all different positions? it just might work!

Reminds me of the time that Bucky The Badger and Herky The Hawkeye switched outfits at halftime. Once the UW Athletic Department found out about it, that was that particular Bucky's final game in the suit.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I find it comical that Bulaga looked like he might miss some time last month and posters jumped all over him "being an injury problem, too old, washed up, etc." Guessing those posters don't want to sign him to another contract for the same reasons.

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The Packers should still be hesitant about re-signing Bulaga to a deal averaging several million bucks in the offseason.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Packers inactives:

Ryan Grant
Dexter Williams
Tony Brown
Ka'dar Hollman
Jared Veldheer
Yosh Nijman
B.J. Goodson

 

[adambr2]

It continues to amaze me in an offensive-based league where the Ryan Fitzpatrick's and Jameis Winston's of the world are torching defenses for 250 yards in a half how our offense manages to make almost everything look incredibly difficult.

 

[adambr2]

I know many will disagree, but Rodgers just isn't in the elite tier of QBs anymore. He still has moments of brilliance, but the overall production should be a lot better than it is. I know the offensive weapons aren't the best they have ever been, but he still has one of the best pass blocking lines in the NFL, one of the top running backs, and a clear WR1. He should be able to do more with what he's got.

 

[gonzozab]

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[PackerfaninCarolina]

And we're playoff bound thanks to Dallas

 

[gbgary]

game was in doubt till the bitter end. the O is excruciating to watch.

 

[gbgary]

See if you can pick out what is odd about practice today!

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guys misnumbered.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

As to grading Rodgers, I'm not concerned about his accuracy or throwing ability. He still threads the needle when he does pull the trigger and gun it.

What I just can't for the life of me figure out is why he seems to get these bad situational awareness spells, or at least the main 2 which are:

1. Getting those burned timeouts or delay of game issues

2. Taking sacks that move the offense out of FG range late in games

It's those situational issues that have made him look more like a rookie than a longtime vet, and that's where I'd say my criticism has been directed at him mostly. Just feel like by now in his career, these are things he should have completely mastered by now.

 

[Mondio]

As to grading Rodgers, I'm not concerned about his accuracy or throwing ability. He still threads the needle when he does pull the trigger and gun it.

What I just can't for the life of me figure out is why he seems to get these bad situational awareness spells, or at least the main 2 which are:

1. Getting those burned timeouts or delay of game issues

2. Taking sacks that move the offense out of FG range late in games

It's those situational issues that have made him look more like a rookie than a longtime vet, and that's where I'd say my criticism has been directed at him mostly. Just feel like by now in his career, these are things he should have completely mastered by now.

when did they burn timeouts or take a delay that wasn't intentional yesterday?

and that one sack, they'd had really good protection most of the game up to that point. all the routes were down field and another tick, it looked like someone was coming open going to the back corner of the endzone except the pocket collapsed and a Linebacker put our RB in Rodgers lap before he could step and throw. They got destroyed on that play. I'd need a replay, only saw it live, but where was he supposed to go with it? and don't say "just throw it away" he was in the pocket under heavy rush and nowhere to step even. You still have to get it to a receiver at that point, and they looked to be all down field.

Correction, they had Adams in the slot coming across, but he had 2 guys on him and there was no where to throw. after that, there was nothing and Jones is already 3 feet off the ground getting blown up in Rodgers' face.

 

[adambr2]

when did they burn timeouts or take a delay that wasn't intentional yesterday?

and that one sack, they'd had really good protection most of the game up to that point. all the routes were down field and another tick, it looked like someone was coming open going to the back corner of the endzone except the pocket collapsed and a Linebacker put our RB in Rodgers lap before he could step and throw. They got destroyed on that play. I'd need a replay, only saw it live, but where was he supposed to go with it? and don't say "just throw it away" he was in the pocket under heavy rush and nowhere to step even. You still have to get it to a receiver at that point, and they looked to be all down field.

Correction, they had Adams in the slot coming across, but he had 2 guys on him and there was no where to throw. after that, there was nothing and Jones is already 3 feet off the ground getting blown up in Rodgers' face.

I have a bigger issue with the playcalling on that play than anything Rodgers did on that particular play.

When they get on the edge of FG range, they've got to start tailoring their plays to the situation a little better. They're pulling points off the board by not doing that.

The situation was an 8 point one possession low scoring game where points are at a premium, with 5 minutes left in the game. You are already in position for a 44 yard FG to give you an 11 point lead and essentially seal the game.

Your choices there are to either run the ball in a manageable 3rd and 4 and at least be left with a reasonable FG attempt if you fail to convert or to call a quick designed, 3 step drop pass play. To even put yourself in a position to take an 11 yard loss and lose the FG attempt is unforgivable especially when it takes you potentially from a 2 possession game to a 1.

I won't even get into the playcalling and clock management near the end of the first half at the same spot on the field.

The area of the field between the red zone and the opposing 40 yard line has really been a problem area that needs to be improved. A lot of times it can just be chalked up to bad execution but in addition to that, the playcalling and time management in fringe FG territory were horrendous yesterday.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

When they get on the edge of FG range, they've got to start tailoring their plays to the situation a little better. They're pulling points off the board by not doing that.

While I agree with this fully, I was wondering exactly what was considered FG range yesterday for Crosby. Guessing on the TV Broadcast, they had watched pregame and thus had a decent idea what Crosby's range was, but as cold as it was, it didn't seem like kicked balls were traveling as far as normal.

All that said, I agree with the premise though that Aaron and MLF have to do a better job at saying to themselves "ok, if that first down isn't there, what gives us the best chance of still having a crack at a legit FG attempt?" Even a 2-4 yd. outlet pass or scramble is better than a sack or a 40 yard throw out of bounds or out of of the back of the endzone.

 

[Mondio]

I have a bigger issue with the playcalling on that play than anything Rodgers did on that particular play.

When they get on the edge of FG range, they've got to start tailoring their plays to the situation a little better. They're pulling points off the board by not doing that.

The situation was an 8 point one possession low scoring game where points are at a premium, with 5 minutes left in the game. You are already in position for a 44 yard FG to give you an 11 point lead and essentially seal the game.

Your choices there are to either run the ball in a manageable 3rd and 4 and at least be left with a reasonable FG attempt if you fail to convert or to call a quick designed, 3 step drop pass play. To even put yourself in a position to take an 11 yard loss and lose the FG attempt is unforgivable especially when it takes you potentially from a 2 possession game to a 1.

I won't even get into the playcalling and clock management near the end of the first half at the same spot on the field.

The area of the field between the red zone and the opposing 40 yard line has really been a problem area that needs to be improved. A lot of times it can just be chalked up to bad execution but in addition to that, the playcalling and time management in fringe FG territory were horrendous yesterday.

I watched another replay and I think it was supposed to come out quick, but couldn't. Someone backed off the line from "blitzing" and was right where the ball was supposed to go to Adams which would have gotten the first down with a completed pass.

But as it goes, the defense was right where they needed to be and the left guard, butmore importantly, Jones got absolutely destroyed on his blitz pick up. Just freaking decleated. he holds and from what I remember there was a receiver just going by his defender and heading to the back corner, not in the endzone yet, lots of room to work.

I'm not going to argue that there are areas of the field that don't give us trouble, but we have to play better in those instances. You can't get decleated on a blitz pick up like that, ever. That's the equivalent ofa 5 yard loss on a run play in terms of execution. It was horrible.

But I do think the HC and his staff have things to learn about calling a complete game, which I expected from a 1st year staff.

This offense would be so much better if they'd quit having to overcome themselves and the defense across the ball from them. Dropped passes, missed blocks and mental missteps at bad times are making things so much more difficult than they need to be.

 

[OldSchool101]

Your choices there are to either run the ball in a manageable 3rd and 4 and at least be left with a reasonable FG attempt if you fail to convert or to call a quick designed, 3 step drop pass play. To even put yourself in a position to take an 11 yard loss and lose the FG attempt is unforgivable especially when it takes you potentially from a 2 possession game to a 1.

Wholeheartedly agree. First of all on the bulk of our previous runs we got a couple short yards.

Also keep in mind if you get pick up 3 yards, that gives you the option to go for it on 4th down deep in their territory and essentially end the game. We had 2 tries to get 4 yards and end the game or 1 try plus a FG from about 43 yard try (or closer) to seal the game. Even in that temp it’s very doable but I agree past 45 yards was not likely at those temps.

A first down there was as nearly statistically as good as a score due to an 8 point lead and 3:09 minutes left. We would’ve called a TO at 3:09 to avoid a delay.
They would’ve stopped the clock at 3:03 and 2:57 (they only had 2 TO’s) On third down we run it up the gut and run the clock to about 2:15. Goal being to get a few yards closer and center the ball. Then attempt a 35-40 yard FG to 2:12.

Worst case we miss essentially an extra point attempt and Bears get the ball around their 30 with 70 yards to go with 1 TO (at the 2 minutes warning) or we hit the FG and it’s essentially game over at the 2 minute mark. These were average to worst cases.
GB 24
Bears 13

That said this is being overly critical of a few play calls, MLF ultimately got the job done (barely) But Championship games require championship level field position and clock management.
My contention is that guys like BB don’t make that mistake. He would’ve never put himself in a position to give up a sack when facing a <=45 yard FG to win. He would’ve taken his 1-2 yard (QB sneak?) and set up for a game winning 43-44 yarder.

 

[swhitset]

when did they burn timeouts or take a delay that wasn't intentional yesterday?

and that one sack, they'd had really good protection most of the game up to that point. all the routes were down field and another tick, it looked like someone was coming open going to the back corner of the endzone except the pocket collapsed and a Linebacker put our RB in Rodgers lap before he could step and throw. They got destroyed on that play. I'd need a replay, only saw it live, but where was he supposed to go with it? and don't say "just throw it away" he was in the pocket under heavy rush and nowhere to step even. You still have to get it to a receiver at that point, and they looked to be all down field.

Correction, they had Adams in the slot coming across, but he had 2 guys on him and there was no where to throw. after that, there was nothing and Jones is already 3 feet off the ground getting blown up in Rodgers' face.

They never should have been passing in that situation in the first place. I couldn’t care less how good the protection had been earlier in the game, The Bears were making a push, and the Packers were in field goal range. I don’t know if the play call was determined by the sidelines... or by Rodgers... but a run up the middle burning a little clock and then a field goal attempt was the no brainer call.

 

[milani]

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Ever listen to the song " The Bears Still Suck?" When I am on along drive and get bored I just pop it on from You Tube.

 

[Mondio]

They never should have been passing in that situation in the first place. I couldn’t care less how good the protection had been earlier in the game, The Bears were making a push, and the Packers were in field goal range. I don’t know if the play call was determined by the sidelines... or by Rodgers... but a run up the middle burning a little clock and then a field goal attempt was the no brainer call.

after 10 years of hearing about being too conservative, I don't really care. If they do run it, and execute it as well as that pass, Jones is dropped for a 5-7 yard loss and you're looking at a 50 yarder or more in frigid temps. Like kicking a brick. a run guarantees nothing either.