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An unhappy handshake for Mike McCarthy…

I’m always interested in seeing if other Packers fans are thinking the same thing I’m thinking. And always amazed about how so many people can watch the same game and see things so differently.

In any case, after watching the disappointing loss to the 49ers, there was plenty for everyone to not like. But if I had to pick just ONE thing that bothered me the most, what would it be?

What is YOUR one thing?

(yes, you only get one…)

I posted this question on twitter this afternoon and got an incredibly varied array of responses. Here are some of the replies:

- WR’s lack of ability to get open quicker

- The continued trend of MM/Rodgers inability to win close ones in the 4th quarter.

- The refs. we can fix mistakes cant fix refs

- in that the last 2 losses we’ve seen against good teams, they’ve gotten dominated.

- Secondary. Settle on the starters, nickel safety, and dime corner, and clean up the communication issues.

- Jarrett Bush as starting corner

- just one?!? I’ll say being out-coached at home.

- - weeping. OH you meant in the game…

- That Finley still hasn’t matured. His reaction to his drop and walking over the defender in endzone which got him cleated.

- the fact they view bush and M.D. Jennings as starting players

- coaching! Lack of any gameplan or making adjustments! Wake up & react.  Read more... (569 words + 3 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

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Jermichael Finley scores a TD against 49ers.

Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers:

My unfitered game day recap and blog post of comments, observations and first impressions.

Inactive for Packers today:

11 WR Jarrett Boykin
28 S Sean Richardson
31 CB Davon House
39 CB Brandian Ross
44 RB James Starks
57 LB Jamari Lattimore
76 DT Mike Daniels

Notes:

Ted Ginn is inactive for 49ers today – takes away a big return threat.

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Mike McCarthy Pregame Show on 620 WTMJ:

Starters:

Opening day: It’s very special – just to be able to hear the drums outside sitting in your office, looking forward to that lambeau atmosphere. We’re excited to get started

Do you have a special team? Well, you definitely think you do. I go back to an old Ron Wolfism – the bad teams don’t even know they’re bad at the beginning of the year. We have a very difficult matchup, but we’re excited to go for this victory and grow as a team

Successful camp?: Very much so. Look at our roster, our players went through a thorough and rough camp, as far as what we were able to achieve and install. I feel we’re very well prepared.

Unscouted looks: The flow of the game dictates that. I’m not obsessed with the first 15 plays, as has been the case with this offense. – I let the game take me where it takes me.  Read more... (1320 words + 3 images, estimated 5:17 mins reading time)

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Green Bay Packers Center Jeff Saturday

The Green By Packers and the San Francisco 49ers meet today in a matchup of powerhouse teams with Super Bowl aspirations.

In 2011, the 49ers defense was ranked first in the NFL in rushing defense and fourth overall, while the Packers offense was ranked third in passing offense and third overall.

There are plenty of fairly obvious things to look for in this game, but that not what this post is for.
We’re going to bring to your attention some less than obvious things that could end up being keys to the game. Without further ado:

Jeff Saturday: Being the veteran that he is, Saturday got minimal snaps during the preseason with his new team. While physically he will be an adequate replacement for the departed Scott Wells,  the question in my mind is if he’s been prepared enough to manage the protection calls in this new offense he’s had to learn.

If Saturday is not up to the level of Wells in this department, it could be fatal to the Packers offensive line, who are facing one of the best front sevens in the league and a front four second only to the New York Giants, who the Packers had just a few little problems with last January.  Read more... (769 words + 3 images, estimated 3:05 mins reading time)

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Let’s cut to the chase and examine some of the key matchups that will play a big role in who wins this Sunday’s showdown of 2 NFC elites at Lambeau Field as the Packers host the San Francisco 49ers.

Marshall Newhouse vs the Smith’s

Unfortunately for Newhouse, I’m  not talking about the band The Smiths.  That would be far preferable than the daunting task of having to keep 12-year vet Justin Smith and 2nd-year man Aldon Smith out of the backfield and near QB Aaron Rodgers on Sunday.  Together last season, the Smith’s combined for 21.5 sacks during the regular season and another 4 during the 2011 postseason.  With the deep talent the 9ers have on defense, D Coordinator Vic Fangio can often have his linemen pin their ears back and get after the QB.  This is a tough task for the top LT in the league, let alone Newhouse, who is entering just his 2^nd season as a starting tackle and who has had his share of struggles to contain top D linemen.

The Pack will likely have no choice but to slide help to the left side as the 9ers overload and stunt to the Pack’s weakness.  Hopefully Newhouse isn’t suffering any ill-effects from that concussion he suffered in training camp and his “happy feet” are with him on Sunday.  This will be a big test as to how solidified the Green Bay O line is on the left side.  Behind Newhouse, the Pack would likely have to shuffle their current line to cover the LT and LG spots.  Let’s hope this doesn’t become a need and that Newhouse can hold his own against a very potent attack.  Read more... (1553 words + 2 images, estimated 6:13 mins reading time)

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49ers WR Randy Moss

The San Francisco 49ers are a popular preseason Super Bowl pick headed into the 2012 season.

Led by dominant defensive end Justin Smith, and the All-World linebacking duo of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, the 49ers plan to be in contention for a Championship so long as their key players stay healthy. And while San Francisco’s fierce front seven will surely be a thorn in the side of Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense, the 49ers improved offense will provide a difficult test to the Packers heavily scrutinized defense.

In last year’s 13-win season, the 49ers ranked eighth in the league in rushing averaging 127.8 yards per game. However, the passing game was a far different story, as San Francisco ranked 29th in the NFL last season in passing offense, averaging just 183.1 yards per game through the air. Although quarterback Alex Smith did a terrific job taking care of the football, his 17 passing touchdowns ranked just 17th in the NFL.

San Francisco’s deficiencies in the passing game were so glaring that they opted to use only three wide receivers throughout the course of last year’s NFC Championship Game. With Ted Ginn out of the lineup due to injury, the 49ers used a run-oriented approach with at least two tight ends on the field for 81.9 percent of the game.  Read more... (681 words + 1 image, estimated 2:43 mins reading time)

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The Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews III exploded onto the 2010 NFL season like a shotgun blast.  Lately however, fans are saying he’s making about as much noise as a pea shooter.

On one hand, it certainly wasn’t realistic to expect Matthews to continuing sacking quarterbacks at the incredible pace he had set early in the season.

On the other hand, his sack production has fallen off a cliff.  Since injuring his shin against the Jets, Matthews has 2 sacks in the last four games (one was a gift “touch” sack of Brett Favre) and none in his last two.

For his part, Matthews says the injury has not affected him during games: “”I’d say it’s more a nagging thing,” Matthews said. “It’s just sore and constantly annoying than anything else. It’s fine, and I’m fine on Sundays.”

Mike McCarthy also says Matthews hasn’t been hampered physically, but perhaps somewhat mentally, due to missed practice time. This issue was explored on this site last week by Adam Czech.

But it seems to me that something else is going on. Certainly other teams are game planning for him, but exactly how much? Is he being regularly double-teamed? Are teams running/passing away from him?

My curiosity spurred me on to do a  little film study. I used the 49er game for this study, since the Packers dominance of the time of possession meant the 49ers ran only 46 offensive plays (taking out punts, kickoffs and field goal attempts). That made my job a little easier.  Read more... (2025 words + 3 images, estimated 8:06 mins reading time)

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