Gut Reactions: Packers drop final preseason game to Bills
Aaron gives his gut reactions to the last preseason game of 2021.
By PackerAaron
- Saw a lot of what we've seen from Love during camp. Looks good when things are on schedule but his mechanics and decision making start falling apart when things break down. Growing pains of a young QB.
- That said, Love did a nice job not forcing it to his first read on the fourth down that ended up going to Dafney for a big gain.
- But that very next play is a perfect example of what he absolutely has to avoid. It's one of the toughest things for young QBs to learn - don't be afraid to just eat it when there's pressure up on you quickly rather than letting it fly. Live to fight another down, especially on first down.
- One thing that's been apparent in practice and that showed up today - Love's hard count is legit.
- Looked like Ben Braden played pretty well at right tackle on the opening drive.
- I don't know if Malik Taylor got both feet down on that free play and I don't care. Great snag up the right sideline.
- Jace Sternberger has to get out on that reach block on 3rd and goal.
- Jack Heflin needs to be on the 53.
- Chauncey Rivers has been a nice addition and continued to show up today, including on punt coverage.
- Speaking of punts, JK Scott outkicked his coverage on that 55 yarder.
- The Packers have to lead the league in members of the secondary flying in to make a tackle and completely missing. Seriously, do they teach this? I've never seen another NFL team that has guys just throwing themselves at air the way the Packers do.
- Nice to see Isaiah McDuffie get the green light on that third down and pick up the sack.
- How little did this game matter? Mason Crosby got to punt just because he wanted to.
- Best part of today's proceedings: No major injuries.
- The Packers have to be down to their 53 man roster this Tuesday afternoon. Be sure to join Andy Herman and I Tuesday evening on the Cheesehead TV YouTube channel as we break down the 2021 Green Bay Packers initial roster.
- Bring on the Saints.
- Go Pack.
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Comments (186)
Grandfathered
August 28, 2021 at 02:59 pm
H. Black and I. Gaines both should make the 53. I wish Scott was playing today. I saw no reason to take out Love and put in Benkrt.
croatpackfan
August 28, 2021 at 03:03 pm
They needed to evaluate the rest of OL. It would be to dangeres to expose Love.
dekan51
August 28, 2021 at 04:24 pm
i also think after his run where he got hit, MLF had seen enough....
Doug_In_Sandpoint
August 28, 2021 at 03:00 pm
0-3 in preseason. 20-0 when it matters.
Savage57
August 28, 2021 at 04:50 pm
The only concern I had was it sure looked like a lot of the Packers reserves had already mailed it in.
I had hoped to see a bit more passion from those competing for their professional football lives.
croatpackfan
August 28, 2021 at 03:02 pm
Well second tier OL were not good at all. As I understood Bills were playing at least one starter on the D-line for 3 Q. Was it like that?
That should explain what Bills where doing in the Packers Backfield.
Yiadom is sure cut. He can not cover. Ento is poor tackler. I like Denmark, he was everywhere. Heflin is beast, much better than Lancester. Also Anderson was active on DL. How many snaps TJ played?
Sternberger is cut or PS. His blocks are worser than Jimmy Graham's.
PackfanNY
August 28, 2021 at 03:04 pm
Ed Oliver was playing in 3rd Qtr so yes.
dekan51
August 28, 2021 at 04:26 pm
our 2nd tier OL helped us get inside the 25 3 of 4 drives. not too bad for a bunch of 2nd stringers...
greengold
August 29, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Yeah, man! Agree 100%. BUF played their starters into Q3. I believe Slaton played 53 snaps at NT. Good to see. He really likes the work too. He'll get better and better.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 30, 2021 at 01:22 am
I agree with you on the merits as to Yiadom. He should be cut.
I disagree with you on the results: GB probably keeps Yiadom, with coaching yapping about STs even though they suck again. (perhaps a self-fulfilling prophecy: don't keep good STs guys and you probably won't have good STs.)
PackfanNY
August 28, 2021 at 03:03 pm
My reaction is thank God preseason is over.
1-Hill is a steal.
2- Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton or both?
3- Didn’t like much from our backup secondary options.
4- Exactly what I expected from Love at this point of his development.
5- Nijman won’t make it. Neither will Hanson.
SpikeHyzer
August 28, 2021 at 03:13 pm
Pack may need to keep 7 WRs and stash some RBs if they can (Rodgers and Hill, though both looked ok today).
dekan51
August 29, 2021 at 02:34 pm
Hill aint being stashed. you crazy? the rest can be....
Thegravedigger
August 28, 2021 at 05:18 pm
Your both crazy if you think they can stash amari rodgers....
jannesbjornson
August 28, 2021 at 07:22 pm
The ghost of Ted strikes again. Both players are on the 53 and contributors.
Thegravedigger
August 28, 2021 at 05:18 pm
Your both crazy if you think they can stash amari rodgers....
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 03:55 pm
Nijman will make it easily. Another good game from him and also Braden. Van Lanen is not ready.
CheesyTex
August 28, 2021 at 07:06 pm
I just do not understand all the criticism of Nijman -- I agree with you that he has strung together 3 good games (with one very visible gaffe in game 1).
Depending on matchups, I would not be at all surprised to see him on the field in Game 1.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:00 pm
Nijman will make the 53. Not a betting man, but I would buy you a beer if he doesn't.
dobber
August 28, 2021 at 04:59 pm
Begelton to the PS. He was game today, but if you watched him--especially against Buffalo's 1s--he struggled to separate. On the 4th and goal play early where White knocked the ball away, he closed on him easily.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 10:36 pm
Bagelton did pretty well against their first stringers. I agree he’s a possession type, but he’s picked up the routes, catches well and has some strength. I agree he goes to the PS, but if he’s called up he can contribute as role playing depth. White is a very good DB who anticipated the throw well. Seemed to catch an arm before it arrived too.
JerseyAl
August 28, 2021 at 08:09 pm
Nijman will make the 53. They would not have given him the majority of the snaps if that wasn't the plan. Plus they gave him snaps at RT, which means with Kelly injured, Yosh is likely the swing tackle backup.
Archie
August 30, 2021 at 05:09 pm
Nijman will absolutely make the 53.
Braden/Nijman will make up cheap pair of back-up OTs.
Kelly is history.
Minniman
August 28, 2021 at 03:04 pm
Observation - Lots of slips and trips by Packers players - lost count at 12 slip-overs - very, very costly too (lots of easy yards for the bills and lost yards for the Packers).
SanLobo
August 28, 2021 at 03:08 pm
Saw the same thing. Repeated slips and falls giving plays away to the Bills. Artificial turf field as well.
mbpacker
August 28, 2021 at 04:53 pm
Think it was a cleat selection issue? Hanson is definitely gone!
ImaPayne
August 28, 2021 at 06:18 pm
wore the wrong shoes for that turf. why ther were playing off all the time like a prevent d is mind boggling. My only guess they are too slow and smallush to cover one on one.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Vanilla D and looking at reactions not playing to win.
edp1959
August 28, 2021 at 03:04 pm
No way that QB is worth 2 picks.
SpikeHyzer
August 28, 2021 at 03:14 pm
It was only 1 pick net total.
We traded 2 for 1 and we still get that 1.
It cost 1 pick.
It was more than worth it when he's our starter and is starting to get better next season.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:06 pm
This is high level semantics bordering on obfuscation. Every draft selection costs one corresponding draft pick. Love cost two.
Yeah I really hate the decision to use a first on a QB.
mattgsx
August 28, 2021 at 04:23 pm
If you really want semantics it will actually cost GB 0 or negative net picks since, should Love start next year, the Packers will likely get more from trading Rodgers than they had spent to trade up and draft Love.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:45 pm
If Love cost one draft pick, how many did Dillon cost?
LeotisHarris
August 28, 2021 at 07:36 pm
Ooo, this is getting good!
I'll bet Matt's reply will involve a train leaving Kansas City at 8:00 pm, traveling at 35 mph *and* a tree falling in the forest with no one around.
mattgsx
August 28, 2021 at 08:52 pm
The better question is how long of a delay that fallen tree will need to make for the train that departed Madison at the same time if the KC train is to beat it to Chicago.
LeotisHarris
August 28, 2021 at 09:13 pm
::fistbump::
mattgsx
August 28, 2021 at 08:48 pm
None. Draft picks are just a concept and not something tangible, which means you don't actually "have" them, and therefore nothing "costs" draft picks.
C'mon man. You have to know I was messing with my previous response. :)
Leatherhead
August 29, 2021 at 10:50 am
I got it, but Love cost two picks. Edp gets most things wrong, but not that. If you want to be semantically obtuse, you would say we used a Day 3 pick to move up and take him.
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 09:10 pm
I think Spike is basically correct in that the two first-round picks exchanged cancel out each other.
The Packers basically gave up a 4th-rounder to move up in the first round.
However, the drafting of Love may have helped the Packers to sign his high-school teammate, Krys Barnes, as an undrafted free agent.
Barnes seems to be at least at the level of a 4th-rounder at this point in his career, with the potential of attaining higher levels.
***
I think the Packers would have selected a different position than quarterback in 2020 if there was someone they really liked in the late first round.
It seems they thought Love was a bargain that late in the draft, overlooked because he had a new coach with a different system for his final season at Utah State under whom he understandably didn't thrive.
Rather than draft a player late in the first round whom they considered overrated, apparently the Packers drafted a player that other teams may have underrated.
***
The Love pick seems even better in retrospect after the pouting holdout of Aaron Rodgers.
Perhaps the Packers had seen something in the attitude of Rodgers that was troubling, and made it worthwhile to look for a replacement just in case Rodgers let them down.
As it turns out, what kind of leader holds out on his team when it's a favorite to win the Super Bowl, and he's making $37 million against the salary cap (some of which he may have recently deferred, but not given up).
Then instead of apologizing to teammates and coaches and fans, he trashes the front office as cold and calculating to players -- to the detriment of those involved personally, as well as the whole organization professionally.
It's not a matter of disliking Rodgers. I do still like him, and am rooting for him to get a grip. However, how can we as fans accept his odd and disturbing behavior without being angry at him as being deceitful, or at least highly concerned about him as being delusional?
To truly like Rodgers is to kick him in the bottom to snap him out of his self-absorbed funk.
To be a fan of the Packers is to be glad we have Love literally as a backup.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 10:43 pm
Love has exceeded my expectations this pre season. I like his willingness to stay in the pocket. I’ve been impressed by his reads. Those are perhaps the two key things to look at. His arm has never been an issue. He’s got some learning on when to go down or throw away, but the hard stuff is more advanced than I expected.
HarryHodag
August 28, 2021 at 04:10 pm
Apparently you never saw Aaron Rodgers in his rookie year. He was far from awesome. Jerry Glanville gave up on Brett Favre his rookie year, saying all he did was drink beer and eat chicken wings. He was happy to trade him.
Love also had three offensive line backups in front of him who are likely to be marginal roster spot people or practice squad refugees. He was throwing to receivers who are also not likely to be on the regular roster.
I guess you can't accurately makes assessments on performance at this stage, correct?
fastmoving
August 28, 2021 at 05:02 pm
LOVE was the best pick we could make. A no brainer.....
ImaPayne
August 28, 2021 at 06:05 pm
ive seen two real rookie qb's this pre season. one guy - cant remember name was like 6,'2, bkacj, pin point passing and running for thirty yard gains with speed. Could be a starter on 10 teams. the other, Mond from the vikes. Brought the team gack against the chiefs and almost won the game.
Love looked pathetic compared to these two. have no clue what gutg saw and no one else does.
Oppy
August 28, 2021 at 08:20 pm
Vikings will drop both games to the Packers, though- as Packers fans, we can all agree to that, right, ImaPayne?
...and by that, I mean that the vikings are the most chronically inept team in the NFL. Perpetual losers. Am I right?
ganggreen7
August 28, 2021 at 09:58 pm
So accurate player assessment is not your thing. Fine.
edp1959
August 29, 2021 at 08:45 pm
I can say the the same for you. Fine.
jhtobias
August 28, 2021 at 03:08 pm
Observation every one on this site will overreact and the homers on the nfl network didnt mention once bills first team played against 2nd and 3rd stringers
TarynsEyes
August 28, 2021 at 03:43 pm
The best that happened was that Buf played their starters and now you know what you'll get from your backups when they need to play in the rotation or when the injury comes to a starter. Although, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the Buf starters as they were likely still holding back.
Don't look for excuses, look for the issues that are present.
HarryHodag
August 28, 2021 at 04:12 pm
I was surprised the backups played as well as they did against a really good team. It would not shock me at all to see Buffalo in the Super Bowl.
Todd
August 28, 2021 at 06:21 pm
It was kind of interesting at the end of the game that the Bills announcers were raving about their team’s performance. I thought, “Did you miss the fact your starting offense was playing against our second string? And a couple of different plays by the Packers offense in the first half and the Pack has points on the board and it’s a very different looking score?” Oh well. On to the regular season!
Roadrunner23
August 28, 2021 at 03:16 pm
Buy them a beer 🍺
Hill
Amari
M. Taylor
Rivers
Dex
Wilborn
Sweep 🧹 them off the 53
Yiadom
Ento
On very thin ice 🧊
Sternberger
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 03:58 pm
Ento did some good and some bad. Needs to get tackling down. Sternberger probably won’t suit up as a Packer again. McDuffie and Wilborn need to be kept. Denmark and Farris look like they deserve a real look. No clear OLB 4.
dobber
August 28, 2021 at 05:03 pm
I thought Rivers was active. Garvin was, too. I think Rivers is your OLB 4. Neither is inspiring.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:16 pm
I'm finally a believer in M. Taylor when he beat All-Pro White. NFL level route.
Loved McDuffie and Wilb-o-r-n. Tough day for Uphoff, but more of the same from zGaines and Ento. Liked Nieman and Braden. Liked Heflin.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 10:50 pm
I actually like some of what I see in Uphoff, but he needs time. He’s going through a huge step up: he needs the weight room and experience. I hope they keep him on the PS. I think he has the potential to be a decent cover S next year.
greengold
August 29, 2021 at 01:11 pm
Exactly, coming from a small school with nearly a year off due to his senior season being cancelled. Uphoff needs reps and coaching. No question. The thing I see with him, is he does have ability, and very good measurables. So good, that he was one of the most sought after UDFAs in the entire class this year.
That's what makes me think Gutekunst will do all he can to protect Uphoff on our roster, despite his pluses and minuses exhibited yesterday.
Todd
August 28, 2021 at 06:23 pm
Sternberger’s missed block when we were within a few yards of the end zone was a killer. And very well could be the play that puts him on the street. (After his 2 game suspension.)
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 10:53 pm
He was lazy on routes throughout. Looks like a guy who has given up. I think we see why he’s struggled. I wouldn’t put him out there to block and I’d prefer to put Bagelton out there as a passing option and he’s a PS possession receiver not a TE.
Johnblood27
August 28, 2021 at 11:03 pm
Amari looks slow and indecisive.
He looks like a raw rookie.
I am unimpressed at this point but hopeful that he will eventually come around.
Hill looks like a steal. Similar to Love with the coaching change and poor stat line enabling a value selection in the draft.
Todd
August 29, 2021 at 09:52 am
Not sure what part of your post merited someone giving you a down vote. Amari does look like a raw rookie (typical for WRs) and Hill looks like a 7th round steal so far. He likely dropped in the draft for the reasons you noted, and he opted out last year due to COVID.
Johnblood27
August 29, 2021 at 11:21 am
I have made some folks here unhappy that I consume their oxygen, hence the downvotes I get for every post.
Its all good.
SpikeHyzer
August 28, 2021 at 03:18 pm
Clears up some roster decisions for back ups and special teams.
Tough cuts now at WR as it seems 7 are worthy (can we stash any or some players at other positions in order to keep them, such as Amari?).
The OL decisions were for back ups, but I'm most concerned about that until Bak returns. The chemistry might not be there yet, so it's a good thing Aaron will be pulling the trigger next week. Love's play was absolutely encouraging!
The D is going to be interesting. Many difficult cuts to come, and that wouldn't be an L with the first unit offense.
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 03:21 pm
I get that these preseason games don't matter in the standings, but still they do matter.
Here's Cole Beasley of the Bills at 5'8" and 32 years old running around the field making plays, and setting a tone for the whole team.
In general, I like the way the Bills did things today in playing this last preseason game versus what the Packers didn't do in sitting 31 guys. Even the Bills fans seemed to show up big.
I get the risk of injury, but there can be a big risk in playing it too safe. I wonder if it's better to get some hits in during the preseason as a way of avoiding injuries in the regular season.
Matt LaFleur has a stellar record in his first two seasons as head coach, so maybe his way of approaching the preseason will work well.
My concern is that the Packers are going to be soft and out-of-sync in September. One example is that breakdowns in blocking, due to lack of game experience for the offensive line as a coordinated unit, could be dangerous for Aaron Rodgers.
I'd be glad to be wrong. When push comes to shove in the regular season, I genuinely hope the Packers aren't getting knocked around.
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2021 at 03:33 pm
The Packers have apparently not taken that stance. They went out there and put out the three most boring preseason games in history. Maybe it's some sort of scheme to get preseason games banned entirely.
But anyway, if they come out slow out of the gates people will blame playing no one in these tuneups but obviously, the team thinks their practices are enough to get the team ready to go. We will see.
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 03:47 pm
Another concern of mine is the defense, which has not had a stellar reputation for hard tackling and precision assignments over the last couple of seasons, even among our starters.
Especially with a new defensive coordinator, it would seem to make sense to get those guys out there for about a quarter of play.
We'll see how it goes.
PhantomII
August 28, 2021 at 03:40 pm
For years the Norm was by last pre-season game first team would run a few series...if not a quarter and get them firing on all cylinders and in sync. The Pack ALWAYS starts out the season out of sync. We can only hope things start opposite of every beginning season as long as I've watched them. Should have played a few series with 1's and Rodgers then 1's and Love to see what he could do with it, then 2-3 string but that's just me.
13TimeChamps
August 28, 2021 at 03:51 pm
Packers started last year 4-0. 2019 3-0 and 7-1, so......
PhantomII
August 28, 2021 at 04:22 pm
Go ahead and write down the weak schedule we faced. We start out EVERY season hiccuping all over the field. As a fan I know you see the same if your are honest. ML offense is much better than MM's and has the ability for efficiency. The mediocre execution of the offense early in the season comes back to haunt us in big games. Hopefully the Defense is even more stingy and provides them with more opportunity or scores themselves. Maybe a good CB pick-up or FA DL would get it done.
Since'61
August 28, 2021 at 05:16 pm
Which of our starting players are you willing to lose to an injury in a meaningless preseason game?
Plus we have 2 weeks to practice ahead of the opening game. Our starters are professional players and we know what they can do on the field. Do they really need 20-30 preseason snaps to prove anything or to get in sync especially when there is a 2 week gap between the final preseason game and the opening week?
I'd rather use the snaps to enable better decision making on who is kept, who goes to PS and who is chucked. That is most valuable exercise for the team at this point. Imagine Jenkins or Aaron Jones or Clark or Alexander being injured and lost for the season or a significant part of it. Season over before it starts. What's the point?
Thanks, Since '61
PhantomII
August 28, 2021 at 05:41 pm
I would like our offense to execute the play well....... consistently. Whatever it takes to get that done is worth it. Bak tore his knee up in practice. Stuff happens. Do they need 20-30 preseason snaps???? They need to jell with multiple rookie OL and a barely used RB Dillon and multiple WR assortment and TE/Hback personnel that played few snaps last season. The 3rd ML season could be a juggernaut or JuggerNOT. These days non contact training camp hardly gets everyone ready for live action. Regardless real games are coming. Just tired of up and down play early and at the worst possible time in the biggest games. GPG. We will see if it's " OUR YEAR".
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 06:44 pm
Patrick Mahomes was out there for the Chiefs' last preseason game. That team has been in the Super Bowl the past two seasons, with one of them a victory.
It's Interesting to see how various teams handle the preseason, and it'll be interesting to see how they start out in September. (Last year there were no preseason games, so all the teams were equal in that regard.)
I may be wrong in my concerns about the Packers lollygagging in the preseason and likely languishing at the beginning of the regular season -- and hope I am.
We'll see in a couple of weeks.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 10:58 pm
I do not know the real answer to this, but I do doubt that a couple of series make much difference whereas a key injury like that Nelson suffered does. I do see the sense in really testing the rookies and bubble players. Many of those will need to contribute. Better choices mean a better team. Many also need experience, particularly this year. Remember that the lions share of practice snaps go to the starting group.
Swisch
August 29, 2021 at 12:39 am
Jordy Nelson was severely injured in a preseason game without being touched.
In other words, injuries happen.
If the starting offensive line is not properly prepared as a unit for the regular season, that could actually increase the risk of injury to Aaron Rodgers.
We have a rookie center calling the signals to the other linemen. We perhaps have a rookie guard. We have a guard from last season filling in at left tackle for a time, and perhaps a new guy taking his place in the interim. That seems a lot of changes to integrate.
It doesn't seem likely that practice situations are the same as a preseason game with real competition and real referees for real football.
These games may not have the intensity and intricacies of regular season games, but it seems better for the offensive line to get experience against the easier defenses served up in preseason games than to wait to be tested in the heat of all out battle that is to come.
It's only one quarter per game, maybe 8 minutes on the field for the offense and about a dozen plays. The risk of injury seems low, and the opportunity for growth seems invaluable.
The defense would seem to need the preseason game reps as well. It seems to be infamous of late for pre-snap confusion and missed assignments, as well as poor tackling.
As I've written, I could be wrong. It's an interesting topic to follow as other teams have handled the preseason differently, including the Bills today against us, and the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes yesterday.
Watching an undersized and aged Cole Beasley competing hard today has me wondering even more if the Packers are playing the preseason too safe and too soft.
It's hard to determine cause and effect, but we may get some answers to my concerns when the various teams of the NFL kick off the season in September.
A thumbs up from me even in disagreement, Coldworld, in appreciation of your thoughtful comment and the opportunity to exchange views.
It's not only a means of growth as a fan, but a source of fun.
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2021 at 08:46 pm
Starting out of synch seems to be a McCarthy era thing. Last season they came out and scored 43 points and 42 points in the first two games.
PhantomII
August 28, 2021 at 10:40 pm
Much worse under MM. First year of ML was understandable. 2nd year better, but not all the way there. Hopefully this season is more Machine like. So many weapons to use. Let's hope the game flows nicely, play to play more consist. We are facing a much harder schedule this season than last.
Minniman
August 28, 2021 at 03:44 pm
An interesting point about the Packers resting 31 - I guess we’ll see how that pans out in week 1 against the Saints, a team that “on-paper” they should beat….. It is a 17 week season though.
Malik Taylor and Jack Heflin did enough today to cement their positions.
TJ Slaton did some decent things today too - especially against the bills #1 offense. He’s no Aaron Donald but he’ll keep some gas in Kenny Clark’s tank without being a liability. I’m really looking forward to seeing a set with him, KC, Heflin, Z and Gary all lined up together.
dekan51
August 28, 2021 at 04:33 pm
He’s no Aaron Donald
who is? such a silly comparison....
Bure9620
August 28, 2021 at 03:45 pm
How is there a big risk in playing it safe? By definition, that would not be playing it safe then.....
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 11:06 pm
Perhaps like General George McClellan in the Civil War in comparison to General Grant.
As I understand it, it was in a misguided perfectionism which avoided battles that McClellan almost lost the war.
Life is almost never neat and tidy. There are going to be little snags and major snafus in the carrying out of any campaign, with setbacks and sad losses.
The risk of inactivity due to a lack of daring is losing one's edge and one's nerve, sagging in complacency and softness, and thus lacking the morale needed to overcome adversity and put up a good fight.
Without being reckless, sometimes it's better to charge ahead with the risk of dying with one's boots on, rather than moldering in the trenches with the risks of disease and dissension and discouragement.
My understanding is that soldiers want to fight, and football players want to play football. They don't want to sit idly on the sidelines. The want to get into the action with a clear and compelling mission, plus a well-conceived game plan.
***
The last game of Vince Lombardi's last season as head coach was considered meaningless The Packers had already made the playoffs at that point of the regular season in 1967, so why not take it easy against the Los Angeles Rams? So thought many of the football experts.
Instead, Lombardi had the Packers go all out. It was a great game. (I'd be glad for other fans to share their memories, including Since"61, and even offer any corrections to my account.) The Packers lost by just a little, but not for lack of trying.
The next week in the first round of the playoffs was a rematch of the same teams butting heads. The Rams were favored, but the Packers trounced over them.
Then the Packers went on to win the Ice Bowl with a legendary drive in the last minutes on the literally frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. In the second half until then, the offense of the Packers had a net yield of negative yardage; in their desperate last thrust, the Packers marched 68 yards to victory, half of them accounted for by a reserve running back pressed into duty named Chuck Mercein.
Then the Packers won Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders, with Jerry Kramer on the cover of Sports Illustrated carrying Lombardi off into football history.
Patience is indeed a virtue, but if overdone it can become pathetic.
There is something about taking reasonable risks with vitality and verve that seems to make for satisfying accomplishments, even greatness.
To me, that's America, and that's the Packers.
13TimeChamps
August 28, 2021 at 05:29 pm
Comparing Civil War battles and playoff games to pre-season games (glorified practices). Got it.
Geezus.
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 07:33 pm
Remember, it was a general question about the risk of not taking risks.
All analogies are limited, but I'll stand by mine as being apt.
There is a real sense in which life is a battle for all of us, as indicated by the epidemics of suicide and overdoses in America.
Most of us won't be publicly lionized in fame, but must fight our battles in hidden and humble ways. However, we can strive to be unsung heroes of ordinary living.
I just this week saw a book about a French nun who died in obscurity at the age of 24 in 1897. However, she fought during her days with gallantry and goodness, in the spirit of Joan of Arc, while largely unnoticed by the religious sisters in her small convent.
By 1914 and World War I, though, she was famous across the world after the posthumous publication of her memoirs. French soldiers in desperate battlefield situations implored her help, and she aided them in miraculous ways. They recorded their remarkable experiences in spontaneous letters that have been compiled for this book.
The message of St. Therese of Lisieux is that even us regular people in life can do great things in union with God. That's why she is so widely and deeply loved. I found out just before the death of my grandma from Cedarburg that she had a fondness for her.
In a documentary I once saw about the Packers, there was a player (out of Notre Dame) of whom I had never heard, and whose name I don't remember. I think he made the first tackle in Super Bowl I against the Chiefs on the opening kickoff. He seemed so proud of his service on the Packers under Lombardi, and rightly so.
We're all important on this earth, including the reserves. Even us scrubs have an indispensable role in the plan of God.
If this comment is somehow considered irrelevant here at CHTV, I'll paraphrase a passage of St. Paul in the Bible that Vince Lombardi used to exhort the Packers in his final season -- as they struggled to achieve the only threepeat of NFL championships in league history (before or since): Run the race so as to win the prize (1Cor9:24).
We can all be winners.
13TimeChamps
August 28, 2021 at 08:17 pm
You got all that from a totally forgettable pre-season game in the NFL.
Wow...lol
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 09:24 pm
To borrow from Dionne Warwick, when it comes to my comments you're welcome to walk on by.
13TimeChamps
August 28, 2021 at 09:45 pm
Good advice actually...and I DO try.
But when you start referencing French nuns, Joan of Arc and Civil War generals to an NFL pre-season game....you're stretching my limits not to respond.
I will try my best to restrain myself.
Johnblood27
August 28, 2021 at 11:15 pm
Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it...
McClellan was a nervous nellie and succumbed to poor intel on Lees actual numbers. His inactivity (and perhaps his divisive politics) led to his prevaricating and poor battle record and eventual replacement as the General of the Army of the Potomac and indirectly the extension of the Civil War.
I get ya Swisch
hacksaw61
August 29, 2021 at 07:44 am
Well, it's a long walk to get around them...just sayin'.
Swisch
August 29, 2021 at 09:56 am
I'll grant you that :-).
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:05 pm
I’d have gone Lao Tzu, Caesar or Von Clausewitz, but your point that the strategically taken risk is essential to success in any campaign is valid and proven one. The Grand Old Duke of York has a rhyme commemorating his inability to master that.
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2021 at 09:04 pm
Over the years preseason games have become less and less important and stressed by the teams. There used to be 6 of these things - can you believe it. Given their choice, most teams would play 0 preseason games and feel their prep is better served through practices. The NFLPA recommended to the league playing 0 preseason games in 2020 and part of the agreement to adding a 17th game in 2021 was to reduce the preseason ones. Look for more reduction to 2 soon. Eventually, there will be no preseason contests.
The idea has become: work smarter, not harder. If you want a historic comparison ok here goes. After the Alamo, Sam Houston retreated and retreated in front of Santa Ana and the Mexican forces to the point that his own men were grumbling about it. He was amassing his troops and waiting for the right time. Finally, he forced a mistake and the Mexicans split their forces and provided perfect ground for his troops to attack. The Battle of San Jacinto was over in 18 minutes. Santa Ana himself was captured and bargained for his own life by having the remainder of his split forces (which still outnumbered the Texians by about 5 to 1) to retreat and wait for him to return.
If he had smashed his fledgling troops in "preseason skirmishes" Houston would not have been ready when the real thing arrived.
Alberta_Packer
August 28, 2021 at 09:26 pm
An up-vote for referencing the civil war and McClellan - while offering a historical perspective on leadership and management. After all, football is a combat sport.
PackAttack4155
August 28, 2021 at 05:01 pm
Keep in mind, the first team offense practices together against the first team defense. They should be, hopefully, just fine. The backups needed these games to show what they can/can’t do.
dobber
August 28, 2021 at 05:09 pm
...and they practiced against Houston and the Jets. They're not good teams, but our 1s supposedly played well against them.
Leatherhead
August 28, 2021 at 09:14 pm
Nobody is going to knock around Jenkins, Turner, Lewis, etc. I’d be surprised as hell to see that happen. Braden doesn’t even start and nobody is pushing that side of beef anyplace.
We’re going to punish people on the ground.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:10 pm
Braden has improved with playing time. I have to hand it to Gute and co. Both he and Nijman look like finds. Newman is also and perhaps our best guard (Jenkins excepted). Meyers is much better than I would have expected. Patrick has once again fought off the competition. I am a bit concerned that Runyon hasn’t made a jump, but there is still time. I think Kelly is gone.
Guam
August 28, 2021 at 03:24 pm
Love looked good between the 20's, not so much in the red zone. Rookie mistakes of being too anxious and pressing inside the 20.
I am not a fan of Sternberger. Looked very lackadaisical on some of the attempted receptions.
I think Kelly's spot on the 53 is in jeopardy. One bad game against the Texans and then injured. Nijman and Braden looked as good as Kelly and they are available.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:22 pm
It is also harder inside the 20. Deep threat disappears, depth on drops matters less, and help is by definition closer.
Guam
August 28, 2021 at 10:47 pm
Correct, it does get harder inside the 20, but that duck Love put up for an interception had nothing to do with harder and everything to do with a very bad rookie decision.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:14 pm
Sternberger killed one TD. The bad decision killed another drive and some unimaginative play calling helped, but your two best pass catchers were Taylor and Bagelton. Neither is a prototypical red zone threat. In fact, both would likely be better taking it over the line.
splitpea1
August 28, 2021 at 03:26 pm
First of all, I thought that quarter-long interview with the windbag Buffalo GM would never end. I don't think I was ever so happy to see some commercial breaks.
Love did some nice things, but carelessness with the ball on a couple of occasions....he'll learn.
Secondary: Yuk, especially with tackling. Didn't see any great sense of urgency to bring Fromm down on the touchdown scamper.
JK Scott gets a break for the time being.
Sternberger=Done.
M. Taylor: Anyone still sitting on the fence? He's a keeper!
One of the more pleasant aspects of this preseason has been the running game. Looking forward to seeing Dillon and Hill churning through defenses in the regular season. As for our defense, we'll just have to wait for our starters. Pretty tough first match-up for our new DC.
Roadrunner23
August 28, 2021 at 03:35 pm
Haha you are so right, I wanted to hang myself 🤨 but it’s cute, train whistle and all. The Bills have sucked for 30 years, they are feeling good and I’m happy for them whooping on the Patriots 😁
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2021 at 03:36 pm
Find someone streaming the packers play by play guys. Specially in preseason these are the homer guys for whichever team is playing at home.
dobber
August 28, 2021 at 05:11 pm
Yup. I'm guessing the Houston and Jets fans--all 6 of them--were pretty unhappy listening to Harlan and Lofton.
Bure9620
August 28, 2021 at 03:43 pm
Good point on the running game. We ran well against Oliver and their 1s. I was impressed with the inside zone. Royce Newman was solid.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 04:01 pm
Newman and Patrick are the starting guards and it’s not even close.
Roadrunner23
August 28, 2021 at 03:32 pm
Love: If you watch Love’s college film this is how he plays. Good between the 20’s but will throw it up for grabs into double and triple coverage, A LOT!
He’s young but it’s going to take patience, pain and a shipload of coaching to get him to stop doing that crap. 🤨
dekan51
August 28, 2021 at 04:36 pm
He’s young but it’s going to take patience, pain and a shipload of coaching to get him to stop doing that crap.
good thing thats exactly what he's going to get. AR got 3 years of it....
Swisch
August 28, 2021 at 05:33 pm
nostradanus, I'm hopeful of Love becoming like Josh Allen, both of them big athletic guys with strong arms and a fair measure of running ability.
Both of them out of the overlooked Mountain West Conference, and both probably with a lot of doubters coming into the NFL.
While Love has made some rookie mistakes, he has also played solidly with glimpses of excellence.
Let's prepare ourselves for the patience and pain with the good hope of getting a keeper at quarterback who will lead the Packers to many outstanding seasons.
Bure9620
August 28, 2021 at 03:40 pm
Pretty much agree with all this Aaron. Jordan Love to me shows what I like, poise and arm talent. He ripped a few, the ball comes out spinning with little effort. He had 2 horrible decisions but mostly looked quite solid. Needs to learn to eat it or throw it away which is coachable. That's a young QB whom isn't ready but will be. These were valuable reps for Love.
Sternberger looks awful to me, He simply cannot block. It almost looks like he knows he can't block so he is simply now faking it...... I have Dafney ahead of him and wouldn't be stunned to see Sternberger not make this team.
Malik Taylor is showing some polish he made the team today.
Tackling was terrible...
Deguara is a chess piece.
Dillon just runs dudes over.
Lefleur will need to figure out how to get Kylin Hill some touches. He will be a good player.
Yosh Nijman wasn't great.
I thought our 2nd team performed admirabley against the Bills 1s. I expected to get blown out by more.
Alberta_Packer
August 28, 2021 at 04:26 pm
Yes, Love's red zone was not golden. Like others, I think that this will be his greatest learning challenge. There are some players who simply do not like to block - like Sterneberger. Well Malik just made the 53 - seeing him more as a 3rd/4th WR these days - than a 6th. Agree - that Nijman wasn't great today - which bumps Braden above him - and perhaps Kelly to the IR.
Bure9620
August 28, 2021 at 05:03 pm
Pretty tough for an NFL TE whom doesn't like to block. That is their most important job
Alberta_Packer
August 28, 2021 at 09:42 pm
Having played on football, hockey and lacrosse teams - you get to know which players like the contact and those who don't. Sternberger has never fully committed to being a blocker. In contrast, is Big Bob, who has. One may soon be out of the NFL - while the other will, in short order, sign a lucrative contract.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:25 pm
As a former rugby player I agree. It’s amazing how much difference attitude to initiating contact affects the outcome too.
Sternberger didn’t block in college. He was a pure move type. Tonyan has that role. The vacancy on this team is a TE 2 who can block in line, in the open field on a run or pass and provide a secondary option in the passing game. That’s why Nuata was getting time over Sternberger. Tonyan took his role away from him but he’s not been able to grasp that and adapt. Truly bad in all aspects today. Either run with Lewis in line and Daffney/Deguara in the open or sign another at waivers.
dobber
August 28, 2021 at 05:14 pm
Take those two throws back (the INT and shoulda been INT) and Love had a good showing. Unfortunately, they don't let you take throws back.
BAMABADGER
August 28, 2021 at 03:58 pm
Defensive players especially secondary are undisciplined. Hard to believe there is a poorer tackling professional team. It doesn't matter if they are backups or not.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
August 29, 2021 at 07:51 am
...and worse, is the whimpy arm tackling, and as bad as that is I SEE ZERO PURSUIT. Cohesiveness does not exist on this D. Praying regular season is a different story.
Todd
August 29, 2021 at 10:40 am
Seems like coaches change, but the crappy tackling doesn’t. It’s been going on for way to long, hasn’t it?
packerbackerjim
August 28, 2021 at 04:11 pm
Not worried about the #1s not playing. The rust should be off by the 2nd quarter against the Saints. My observations: Love is not ready for prime time. Painful learning experiences fortunately happened in a game that doesn’t matter. Hill looked very good against a great #1 D. Malik is a baller. Yiadon is not going to make the cut. Bad snap by Myers.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:26 pm
Hanson definitely had a bad snap. Did Myers also have a bad snap.
Denmark balled out.
packerbackerjim
August 28, 2021 at 09:14 pm
Went back to look and it was not Myers with the bad snap. Good catch, James.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:32 pm
I wonder if Denmark can play deep S. That’s really where we need someone. He’s big enough.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:27 pm
The bad snap was Hanson’s first snap after Meyers left.
Bear
August 28, 2021 at 04:19 pm
Watched the game a second time. Garvin & Delontae Scott played poorly. Scott had a half a sack credited to him but most the time he never set the edge and continually gave ground. Both players looked very overmatched.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:30 pm
I’m leaning to Rivers as 4th OLB, but the coaches really seem to favor Garvin. Yet in games I seldom notice him positively. I’m not sure there isn’t better out there.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2021 at 02:45 pm
Garvin is all of 22 years old. Very very young who has not grown into his body. Tons of potential but just needs time to blossom!
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2021 at 02:45 pm
Garvin is all of 22 years old. Very very young who has not grown into his body. Tons of potential but just needs time to blossom!
stockholder
August 28, 2021 at 04:29 pm
Don't tell me how good Love looked, when Benkrt looked better. I believe Love puts to much faith in the Wr. And it's to hard to judge Love, when the OL is tipping the play. Watch how close they were lining up to one another. You could tell the play was going to be a run, up the middle every time. I only had to watch two guys squeeze together, to know where the hole was suppose to be. Separation by the tackles was pass, or Outside run coming. Sorry but I'm not impressed with anyone on the bubble. If they make the roster their Lucky.
dekan51
August 28, 2021 at 04:38 pm
Don't tell me how good Love looked, when Benkrt looked better.
to your eyes only. glad you are out there and in there
stockholder
August 28, 2021 at 04:56 pm
I liked the field vision. He is a pocket passer. Arm= to much air?
Bure9620
August 28, 2021 at 06:12 pm
Benkert is just a guy....
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2021 at 09:55 am
Totally agree!
He played against the worst team or 2nd worse team in football and now to some he is the 2nd coming of ARod. Really?
Thank goodness these fans are just that ....fans with opinions!
Oppy
August 28, 2021 at 08:24 pm
Most people I know thought Benkert struggled a bit today.
Thegreatreynoldo
August 28, 2021 at 04:30 pm
Listening to the radio and I keep hearing how Benkert deserves to be on the 53. Maybe so but that is a completely unimportant issue. Packers probably need Benkert's roster spot elsewhere.
dekan51
August 28, 2021 at 04:39 pm
no way he deserves to be on the 53. and to quote clint eastwood...
"deserves got nothing to do with it..."
dobber
August 28, 2021 at 05:19 pm
People's opinions on Benkert are almost completely driven by their opinion of Love...not how he's played.
jurp
August 28, 2021 at 06:56 pm
Sometimes I wonder if people's opinion of Love isn't based more on his ancestry. This does not apply to you, dobber.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:40 pm
Ignoring the genealogical reference, if I thought Love would process and react as well as he has, I’d have gladly taken that in July. Yes, there are some correctable defects, but he’s a lot further ahead on the hard stuff than I expected despite playing with backups against good starters today. He looks surprisingly calm most of the time, despite the pressure. I’d say this was a positive showing and a basis for optimism for the future.
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2021 at 09:13 pm
I think most teams have gotten to the point where they realize that if the season gets to the 3rd QB, it is over anyway.
The worry was that the Falcons might pick him up if the Packers wanted to try and get him to the practice squad. But the Falcons picked up Josh Rosen as a backup and they already have a rookie developmental guy so they won't be looking for a 4th QB. I say take the chance and see if he can make it back to the practice squad.
There will be 50 articles upcoming telling us who's going to be cut and Benkert would add one more to this list.
LayingTheLawe
August 28, 2021 at 09:14 pm
I entered a Heisenberg conundrum where I had both entered this message and not entered it - so it doubled it.
mbpacker
August 28, 2021 at 04:32 pm
Was that Keyshawn Johnson who famously said, " love me some me"? Thanks for the extra cheese, Nags!
Johnblood27
August 28, 2021 at 11:24 pm
That was TO
Terrible Terrell Owens
mbpacker
August 29, 2021 at 12:31 pm
Oh, how could I get that wrong? Senior moment. Thank you for the correction.
Dr.Rodgers
August 28, 2021 at 04:45 pm
I didn’t see much “stepping up” to make the roster by a lot of these bubble guys.
Johnblood27
August 28, 2021 at 11:26 pm
Didnt you see McDuffie?
Didnt you see Denmark?
Didnt you see Heflin?
Didnt you see Malik Taylor?
Didnt you see Begelton?
Didnt you see Newman?
Didnt you see Braden?
Didnt you see Wilborn?
Didnt you see the game?
Dr.Rodgers
August 29, 2021 at 08:20 am
Malik Taylor has been good all along. Heflin had already stepped up in the first two games. McDuffie stepped up, but he too has looked like a keeper all along. So I had Taylor, Heflin, McDuffie penciled in. Begelton has reached his peak, ok but nothing special. The other three didn’t stand out either way.
Johnblood27
August 29, 2021 at 11:19 am
You didnt say outstanding performances, you referenced stepping up and effort.
That was the basis for my response.
The fellows I mentioned seemed to me to be going all-out to make the best impression.
greengold
August 29, 2021 at 01:23 pm
If you couldn't see the great play presented by Newman, Braden and Wilborn... wow...
ImaPayne
August 28, 2021 at 04:51 pm
Lots of good obs, not repeating.
1. Love aint a rookie. Making mental mistakes that he should know better. Threw into cov and got lucky, threw off balance twice with bad results, came close to pick six, either he or center dont jnow snap count. Seriosly un impressed.
2. imo there was no urgency on pass defense. Guys playing way off giving up easy un contested passes. New coach same game plan. Nothing changed. Lack of talent to work with?
3. very little effort on guys fighting for a spot. Many not good enough for practice squad.
HarryHodag
August 28, 2021 at 06:05 pm
ain't
seriously unimpressed
Sentences start with capital letters.
don't
uncontested
Love: Better than Rodgers at similar stage of career. I'm old enough to remember. Rodgers looked pretty shaky during his first couple of years.
The Packers second, third and fourth team players were playing against starters from Buffalo for more than a half.
This isn't the Super Bowl. It's a game that means nothing except valuable game experience.
JohnnyLogan
August 28, 2021 at 10:17 pm
I'm won't argue whether Love will be good or a bust... have no clue, but to say that Love is "Better than Rodgers at a similar stage of career." No and no. Rodgers was sensational in college at a big-time program. He already had a reputation as an accurate passer and smart QB. It's why he was talked of as the #1 pick. Youtube his game against USC, the #1 team in the nation, where he set an NCAA record of 23 straight completions.
No... Love is definitely not "Better than Rodgers at a similar stage of career."
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:45 pm
Sorry, but Rodgers did not look good at all and also threw interceptions in those days. He was not the Rodgers he became after year 4. He was a lot less composed in the pocket and inclined to tuck and run. It’s easy to forget.
JohnnyLogan
August 29, 2021 at 10:16 am
Sorry, but anyone who has seen both at similar times in their careers, would easily see which is the better QB. The way the ball came out of Rodgers hand, the touch and zip of his passes... sure he made some bad throws, but as they say, "let's go to the tape." Watch the tape and tell me you think Love is as good as Rodgers was at a similar stage in his career. Not a chance.
JHB_
August 29, 2021 at 12:04 am
It's pretty obvious they meant stage in their NFL careers. So Love's 2nd year in the NFL vs Rodgers 2nd year in the NFL.
fastmoving
August 28, 2021 at 05:11 pm
Love looked good, did a lot of great stuff. Ahead of schedule for sure.
PackAttack4155
August 28, 2021 at 05:18 pm
Depth is concerning in a couple spots (OL, LB, CB, TE) and looks great in others (WR, RB). Hopefully Bakhtiari comes back healthy sooner than later. Jenkins is needed at guard.
JohnnyLogan
August 28, 2021 at 10:27 pm
Depth is fairly good at OL and the TE group is solid. LB is still weak but might be alright.
It's the CB depth that is most troubling. Ento can't tackle, Jean-Charles is a raw 6th round rookie, Yiadom, Farris, Denmark, all scrubs recently brought in... there's no solid backup should King or Jaire get hurt, not even Stokes, who according to what we've been told from the training camp reports, isn't ready.
I'm convinced Gute will bring in the best veteran CB released this week.
PackAttack4155
August 29, 2021 at 01:57 pm
My concern with the OL is many are young, unproven players. Royce Newman seems like another great 4th round find for the OL and Josh Myers looks good too. Looking at the schedule, can these young players perform better against the best pass rushers in the league than what happened in the NFC championship? I hope so!
Sternberger is a bust, maybe keep him on the practice squad but perhaps its better to allow another team to waste a spot on their 53 with him. Lewis is one of my favorites but he's become fairly one dimensional as a key blocker. Tonyan had a great year in 2020 but I am skeptical he will put up those numbers again. His blocking is improving but it needs to continue. Deguara flashes but he's unproven. An injury to Tonyan and the TE room looks sparse.
Agree 100% on CB. I would like to see Gute bring in both a veteran CB and ILB, maybe OLB if Z isn't ready to go. It was unfortunate to see Patrick Peterson go to the Vikings. If there's going to be more nickel packages run by this defense, an upgrade at coverage from the ILBs is a must. There's enough cap space for some relatively cheap one year deals.
DStick
August 28, 2021 at 05:51 pm
Love will go down as the worst first rounder since Tony Mandrich
Bure9620
August 28, 2021 at 06:14 pm
Just by the Packers??
LeotisHarris
August 28, 2021 at 06:32 pm
So, Love is going to the top of your worst first rounder since 1989 list? He'll need to out-underperform:
Darrell Thompson
Terrell Buckley
Antuan Edwards
Jamal Reynolds
Ahmad Carroll
Justin Harrell
Derek Sherrod
Tall order. I'm optimistic the kid can continue to grow and learn.
jurp
August 28, 2021 at 06:58 pm
Extremely hard to out-underperform Jamal Reynolds.
Johnblood27
August 28, 2021 at 11:29 pm
Lets not forget Damarius Randall too...
13TimeChamps
August 28, 2021 at 06:39 pm
Hmmm......
JaMarcus Russell
Johnny Manziel
Matt Leinart
Akili Smith
Ryan Leaf
And that's just QBs...lol
jurp
August 28, 2021 at 06:58 pm
You forgot Blake Bortles. Number 3 overall and just a guy now.
hacksaw61
August 29, 2021 at 07:56 am
Heath Schuler
jurp
August 28, 2021 at 07:01 pm
Sometimes I wonder if people's opinion of Love isn't based on his ancestry as compared to Benkert.
LeotisHarris
August 28, 2021 at 07:28 pm
Bingo!
Johnblood27
August 28, 2021 at 11:30 pm
You are a complete douchbag jurp
jurp
August 29, 2021 at 10:42 am
I lived in the Fox Valley for over 10 years. I certainly ran across this many, many times over the years.
Speaking truth to those who don't wish to hear it does not make one a douchebag.
Johnblood27
August 29, 2021 at 11:16 am
Race, Race, Race...
Give it a Rest, Rest, Rest.
True bigots are few and far between (and very seldom in any position to drive their hate filled agendas) while ignorance of race differences and discomfort are prevalent.
Much like extremists on the left side, the screaming-stoopid minority gets the coverage and magnifies the issue out of proportion.
Coldworld
August 28, 2021 at 11:51 pm
Sigh. Really, I think a lot of Rodgers fandom creeps in,to the lens applied to Love through no fault of his. If people have the kind of issue you suggest they are running out of players to take to heart.
ganggreen7
August 28, 2021 at 10:08 pm
The young man is essentially a rookie and has played a grand total of about 4 quarters of NFL football thus far. He already looks calm, poised, and has demonstrated some nice accuracy.
But thanks for sharing your brilliant assessment.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2021 at 02:48 pm
Dstick has all of what 3 or 5 posts on CCTV, and bears watching.
SanLobo
August 28, 2021 at 07:10 pm
The Love bashing is getting a little old, but so is the unqualified support. He is definitely flashing brilliance out there and has absolutely tremendous potential. But he is still getting lost during unscheduled plays and showing poor judgement under heavy duress. That is coachable, often, but not always. The good news is he has outstanding coaches and, unlike what Rodgers experienced, current QB1 is positive about helping him out as well. So no, he’s not ready, but the team is stacked to get him there.
JerseyAl
August 28, 2021 at 08:21 pm
Hey - a reasonable assessment. Imagine that!
Oppy
August 28, 2021 at 08:28 pm
Not only the team, but the system he'll be playing in.
This team has a high probability of being successful while a young QB develops.
The Packers are in good position to transition, but it HAS to happen in 2022. If Rodgers is retained, even for one more year after 2021, we're as good as in a total rebuild.
greengold
August 29, 2021 at 01:34 pm
Yeah, SanLobo, I totally agree.
Love's on schedule stuff was on schedule. Performed very well. His off schedule stuff, it was off schedule. WTF is wrong with people? We were watching BUF 1s going against our 2s and 3s... AND 4s. Just ridiculous commentaries.
Playoff 1s going against at or near bottom of roster players. DID SOME OF YOU NOT SEE THE COMPLETE JAIL BREAKS ON OUR QB??? Do you think for one second Leslie Frazier doesn't know how to dial in a blitz??? Ed Oliver pounding his chest after he beats Van Lanen for a sack? Possibly the very bottom player if he makes our 53??? Mind boggling, the lack of well reasoned dialogue by some. Then, again...
This was Jordan Love's 2nd time wearing a Packers uniform. FFS. Some "fans" need to get a grip.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2021 at 02:50 pm
Right on GreenGold!
UGDR
August 28, 2021 at 11:16 pm
Sternberger's effort on that 4th and goal sealed his fate.
10ve 💚
August 29, 2021 at 11:34 am
Hopefully the FO is stern and gives Sternberger a big fat round burger!
BruceIrons
August 29, 2021 at 10:23 am
The comment on tackling is spot on.
Seriously, there are YouTube videos from high school coaches that break down better technique than the secondary was showing. Pete Carroll has a great video on rugby style tackling, too.
Hopefully the starters look better.
greengold
August 29, 2021 at 01:36 pm
CBAs. Drilling tackling has never been the same.
stanthemanwiththeplan
August 29, 2021 at 10:50 am
Preseason does matter, it matters for ensuring your season doesn't deflate when you lose a starter, which you will, sure as time. From this perspective this game was pretty concerning. Couldn't hold stops on 3rd downs, couldn't tackle, couldn't put up a single point, turned the ball over, even the vet missed a gimme field goal.
My theory on the air tackles are it gets them a "good effort" from coaches without having them to be brave enough to collide with an opposing player. They're small, light, and scared, and they play that way (soft af).
Maybe MLF told them all to just have fun because he's a nice guy, but deep down my spidey senses are prickling up because this looked like another game (3 now actually) in which the entire team pretty much phoned it in, which wreaks of arrogance, which concerns me.
Here's to hoping not a single starter gets hurt this year!
JohnnyLogan
August 29, 2021 at 12:51 pm
The depth is really concerning on the D. I don't think anyone should be excited by this defense at the moment, not only because of lack of depth but also because the starting D hasn't really been improved over last year's mediocre D.
There are huge holes. Z is hurt, P. Smith coming off a bad year and everyone hoping Gary will have his breakout but who knows? King is still a liability against speed WRs, backed up by 1st round rookie who most thought was a 2nd day pick and so far hasn't shown much other than he can get beat by almost every receiver in camp. The ILBs are still too slow to cover. The DL is hoping that Keke will save it. And most troubling a SB contender hires a twice failed DC to run the D.
Hope to be surprised but I have visions of QB's standing in the pocket reading a newspaper while receivers are wide open all over half the field. Jaire at least will take care of the other half.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 29, 2021 at 02:53 pm
Johnny,
Always enjoy your stuff!
However, let's just say...it is time for the regular season to start!
JohnnyLogan
August 29, 2021 at 06:10 pm
I'm there with you. Let's knock the snot out of them!
Archie
August 30, 2021 at 05:38 pm
I am confident offense will play well.
I am concerned about our defense and our ST although upside surprises in either would be most welcome.
Given their recent setbacks, I suspect NOR will not be giving us their best game. Their top WR is out. Their QB starter is new. And they have had some key injuries on D. Now where the game will be played is a question mark.
GB 31
NOR 24