On Chad Clifton, Greg Jennings, Coaching Duties, and The Spread

by Brandon on Jan 12, 2012 7:01 AM CST in Green Bay Packers News

Packers' linemen protect and serve - JSOnline. I'm really glad to see that LT Chad Clifton is back. Marshall Newhouse has had some good games, but he's also had some wild adventures. Clifton's going to give up a sack and a pressure or two, but the team won't have to give him any help either. That'll open up a tight end for more receiving assignments.

Packersnews.com | Green Bay Packers | Insiders Blog " Jennings on his knee: It was almost shocking. It looks like Greg Jennings is almost 100%.

Green Bay Packers news | Notebook: Coaching staff splits up duties of grieving Philbin | Green Bay Press Gazette. With offensive coordinator Joe Philbin away from the team, Mike McCarthy originally thought he would take over Philbin's duties. Instead he's gotten his other coaches more involved, at their request, so McCarthy can keep his same routine. That sounds like a better idea than overwhelming him with two jobs.

An early look at the opening lines for the Divisional Round | National Football Post. Lots of people are expecting the Giants to win or keep it close. Maybe on the road, but I'm feeling really confident about the Packers at Lambeau.

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Perception vs. Reality Check

Last four games of the regular season:

Giants: 106 rushes, 417 yards, 3.9 avg

Packers: 87 rushes, 400 yards, 4.5 avg.

Looks like Giants 172 yards against Atlanta was more an exception rather than the rule.

by bpatrickJD on Jan 12, 2012 10:20 AM CST reply actions 3 recs

Great stats

A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.

by TwoShoesMcGooze on Jan 12, 2012 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

Let's do it again Perception vs Reality Check

Rank of the rushing defense of last four games of the regular season

Giants: Cowboys (7), Redskins (18), Jets (13), Cowboys (7)…Atlanta has the 6th best rushing defense in the league just an FYI

Packers: Raiders (27), Chiefs (26), Bears (5), Lions (23)

Maybe their competition had a little something to do with it.

Watching the games though, the offensive line is opening up holes over those last four games (5 including Atlanta) better than they were at the beginning of the season. We’re not running it like we were in 2007, but it has become respectable and a necessary complement to the passing game.

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by DavidE on Jan 12, 2012 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

Good point. Our rush defense isn't excellent so you guys should have a decent day rushing

Having Starks back at full strength should make a big difference for us

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Jan 12, 2012 4:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

If that makes you feel better, then fine

but you should look at yards per attempt rather than total rush defense.

Dallas gave up 4.1 ypa yet held the Giants to 62 carries for 211 yards, or 3.4 ypa. And Atlanta has the 15th best yards per attempt in the league, just an FYI.

by bpatrickJD on Jan 12, 2012 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

Ok, yards per attempt

Detroit and Oakland have the worst rush defense in the league both giving up 5 and 5.1 yards per game, with the Bears being 10th and Chiefs being 16th.

Giants opponents were Jets (6th), Dallas (13th), and Redskins (18th) with Atlanta being 15th as you mentioned.

Still a tougher road the last four games for the Giants than for the Packers

The Possimpible - Where the possible and impossible meet - Barney Stinson
Big Blue View - Supporting the Catalina Wine Mixer since 2011

by DavidE on Jan 13, 2012 7:47 AM CST up reply actions

What worries me

…is not the Giants offense. I know they’ll be good, and I’m sure the GB pass defense will not be able to handle NY’s big receivers. But that was true last game too, and we know the Packers can outscore them if it comes down to that.

No, what worries me is the Giants front 4. They’re the best in the NFL with everyone healthy (which they now are), and the GB pass-blocking is not great. If they can put quick and consistent pressure on Rodgers, like KC did, uh oh. The GB line is healthier now than in the KC game, but the Giants D-line is better than KC’s.

The one thing that keeps worry from marching all the way to panic is that the GB O-line acquitted itself pretty well against Detroit, another scary pass rush. If Clifton’s return really does improve things that much (allowing everyone else to play positions they’re better at, and putting bench guys back on the bench), then I’ll hold my breath on offense, but try to remain optimistic.

by LA Cheese on Jan 12, 2012 11:46 AM CST reply actions

They played well against Chicago too

Again, not as good as the Giants front four but a very solid defense nonetheless. I think the Giants will get pressure, but with Rodgers mobility and the line being as healthy as they’ve been all year, they’ll be fine.

Taked baby. Meet at later bar, night or day sometime.

by Charlie Kelly on Jan 12, 2012 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

I agree here..

We heard how good the Lion front 4 was too. Sure Giants are better, but it’s not my top concern.

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Jan 12, 2012 12:31 PM CST up reply actions

Packers gave up one sack - total - against the Bears and Lions.

Both of these teams feature (allegedly) great pass rushers, and the Packers – with a makeshift offensive line – were able to shut them down.

Watching the Cubs piss it away for 31 years.

by CarolinaHawk on Jan 12, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

In the past when sacks had become a problem, the game plan changed a little and Rodgers started getting rid of the ball a little quicker. The receivers would run quicker developing routes and so forth. I suspect that also happened the last two games to some extent.

by MikeDB on Jan 12, 2012 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

That's about it...

After all the talk about everything else I think it indeed comes down to Giants pressuring Rodgers in order for them to win this game. They need a repeat performance of the 2007 Super Bowl where they beat up Brady just enough. As someone who watches every snap of every Giants game, I can’t see them winning any other way.

by BlueMe on Jan 12, 2012 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

Not the same

The difference between the Chiefs and Giants is that KC had the DBs to stick with the Packers receivers; the Giants don’t. I think our O-line is going to do just fine.

by bpatrickJD on Jan 12, 2012 12:35 PM CST up reply actions

I disagree.

You’re right that KC probably had better DBs than the Giants have. But on many plays – I’d say more than half – the DBs and WRs were irrelevant, because KC got such quick pressure from both sides, that Rodgers couldn’t even complete a 3-step drop. It doesn’t matter if your receivers can get open if you have no time to let that happen.

Granted, this was worst after both Newhouse and Sherrod went out, and the Packers were left with zero offensive tackles. But I don’t think KC’s DB quality actually mattered much in that game.

by LA Cheese on Jan 12, 2012 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

you should watch that game again

by bpatrickJD on Jan 12, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Oh dear lord no.

Please don’t make me do that.

by LA Cheese on Jan 12, 2012 1:36 PM CST up reply actions

In the first half...

Rodgers had time to throw but no one was open except for Jordy, who according to those refs, was pushing off every play. THen all hell broke loose when the musical chairs on the o-line started in the 2nd half.

Regardless, pressure alone is not going to be enough to do it. There is no reason to suspect a different outcome then when we played them in NY. Sure, Tuck is healthy and Osi is back, but so is Clifton and Sitton.

by bpatrickJD on Jan 12, 2012 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

Bulaga and Sherrod

went out if my memory serves me right. Newhouse played the whole game.

by MikeDB on Jan 12, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I think that's right.

My mistake.

by LA Cheese on Jan 12, 2012 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

Cliffy and Jennings are key

Need the savvy old veteran to hold his own as you said. Finley, Crabtree and Williams need to get out in space on as many plays as possible and as soon as possible after the snap of the ball.

Having Jennings at, or close to, 100% is music to my ears. We need to be at full strength.

by Icebowler on Jan 12, 2012 12:43 PM CST reply actions

I remember a playoff game

Where everyone focused on one team’s defense and the other defense came out flying

The Rams killed GB once upon a time as Favre was forced into six turnovers as the Rams D played the game of its season

by Big10freak on Jan 12, 2012 12:44 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Manning is pretty turnover-prone

Symphony X is the best band that ever was.
DanielHeiman4Kamelot!!! (or bring back Roy Khan)

by TGPackersTwins19 on Jan 12, 2012 3:05 PM CST up reply actions

Yup...

Time for Clay to year out up and force those mistakes, and for Charles to capitalize on said mistakes

*Proud Packers shareholder*
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg!

by RaY210 on Jan 12, 2012 3:13 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

*step it

*Proud Packers shareholder*
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg!

by RaY210 on Jan 12, 2012 3:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

FTFY

The Rams killed GB once upon a time as Favre forced six turnovers

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"

"We don't play scared!"

After further review,
the Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Jan 13, 2012 12:19 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Heard LeRoy Butler say on radio..

he fully expects Francois to rotate in during passing downs. Anyone else expecting this or thoughts on this?

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Jan 12, 2012 12:49 PM CST reply actions

I doubt it

It seems to me that if they were going to go that route, they would have already done some of that against Detroit and Chicago. However, I wouldn’t be disappointed if they did do it.

by MikeDB on Jan 12, 2012 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

Seems logical to me

busting out some unscouted looks for the postseason?

13.

Build Lasers And Stuff For More Ownage, Dude!

by Wiedmann on Jan 12, 2012 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

would be great.

heard he was hurt though as of today.

should put Bishop and Smith in for running downs and Francois for passing.

If our LB’s play well, pressure QB and stop run, will be the biggest factor in the game IMO.

AR will do what he does.

I am still hoping that DC comes clean after this game and admits he called bad plays all season just so people thought we had a bad defense. I can’t believe a team with Cwood, Clay, Tramon, and Bishop is so bad on defenese or at least not dominating like last year.

Enjoy the game, should be a good one.

by Acme on Jan 12, 2012 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

Hawk

The players voted AJ Hawk to be a team captain for the playoffs. All the Hawk-haters should think about that.

by MikeDB on Jan 12, 2012 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

that just means he works hard and is a good leader.

doesn’t mean he’s some great talent, and no, i’m not a hawk hater.

What do you have against the ring-tailed lemur?

by threadkiller on Jan 12, 2012 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

He would be a great player if he was just a little bit faster

13.

Build Lasers And Stuff For More Ownage, Dude!

by Wiedmann on Jan 13, 2012 2:27 AM CST up reply actions

According to

Tom Silverstein at JSO,

The only player who did not practice was linebacker Robert Francois, who popped up on the injury report yesterday with a hamstring injury. Francois, who was limited in practice Wednesday, was present but did not take part in any part of the workout.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"

"We don't play scared!"

After further review,
the Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Jan 13, 2012 12:56 AM CST up reply actions