Preseason Packers vs Steelers: Reports & Reviews

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OFFENSIVE SCORING ISSUE

http://packers.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=668202

PackerReport.com's Harry Sydney offers his critique of the Packers' first-team offense, which stumbled out of the blocks Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sydney also provides interesting insight on Brandon Jackson, among others, and explains why he is not the answer at running back for the Packers.

...Everyone in the world is questioning the ability of the Packers to run the ball, especially with an unproven and untested Brandon Jackson getting the nod by forfeit because Vernand Morency is hurt, and there isn’t a run play until the third series! Enough about the coaching. Let’s talk about the players for a minute. I’ll start with Brandon Jackson and let me say I like his effort, but so what? I know a lot of players that give effort and that doesn’t make them anything but high-effort, average players at best, just like Brandon Jackson. No disrespect to him, but the fact is what we saw against the Steelers is what we will see all year long.

As a former player and coach I see things just a little different than most and one of the things I saw that I didn’t like was the way he ducked his head, at times, for contact. If he did that against the Steelers’ back-ups what is he going to do when he plays against the starters for a whole game? He brings nothing to the table that says to me he’s part of the answer. I liked what I saw in Aaron Rodgers. He showed more poise and he seemed to be in command of the offense. He did a good job showing leadership but then again does it really matter? Has he improved, especially considering this is still Brett’s team and Rodgers plays the game with handcuffs on. What I mean by this is that how can he correct a receiver for doing this or that when Brett might want it done that way. Who do you think that receiver is going to listen to?

As I see it we have no proven running backs, and a group of young, unproven talented receivers behind Donald Driver and Bubba Franks beating the ball up instead of catching it. The offensive line doesn’t want to hurt or hit anyone yet.

The bright spot on offense was the play of James Jones. He had 6 catches for 58 yards, not bad for his rookie debut. I like his toughness and route running ability. Many knocked his speed, but he plays at football speed and that’s all that matters. So hat’s off to him for that, but most of the receivers had trouble shaking their defenders and couldn’t get any separation which made it almost impossible for Brett to find throwing lanes. For that matter Aaron Rodgers had that problem as well and that’s why he seemed to scramble as much.

This is the problem I’ve been talking about since before free agency and the draft. How are the Packers going to score? I have heard enough talk about the offensive line and how good it is going to be because it has been working together for a while and understands the ZONE BLOCKING SCHEME. Well, I didn’t see any signs of that against the Steelers and, trust
 
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TE ISSUE

http://www.railbirdcentral.com/2007/08/tight-end-position-very-unsettled.html

Tight end position very unsettled

Running back may be a position that's a little thin right now for the Green Bay Packers, but that's nothing compared to the uncertainty at tight end. There are more question marks surrounding the tight ends than anywhere else. Bubba Franks has just about received the most biting criticism he's ever gotten when today's Green Bay Press-Gazette questioned whether Franks will even make the Packers' roster. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, "The issue is whether he'll even be on the Green Bay Packers' 53-man roster when they're preparing for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"With Donald Lee seemingly entrenched as the starting tight end, Franks didn't help his situation when he dropped an easy pass in Saturday's preseason opener at Pittsburgh. The drop was a drive killer. He whiffed on a third-and-8 play from the 50 that stalled what had been a productive series by the second-string offense." There's been every opportunity in the world for young players like Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris to make an impression, but neither of them has really seized it. And don't think the coaches haven't noticed. "One of those young guys needs to jump up and take advantage of the opportunity," coach Mike McCarthy is quoted as saying in the Press-Gazette. "That hasn't happened yet."

Alcorn, in particular, seems to be a mystery. One day McCarthy is praising him for having the best hands on the team. And the next day McCarthy is urging him to step up to the plate. Harris has been battling through some injuries. But unless he makes an impression during these last preseason games, he might find himself on the practice squad in a best case scenario. Even Donald Lee hasn't been outside the world of criticism despite being the starter. "The tight ends had a tough game," according to Packer Update in response to Saturday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. "Donald Lee's run blocking was inconsistent and he struggled to get separation as a receiver." There's two options available to the Packers. They can make a trade, or they can pick up a player as street free agent or through the waiver wire.

"There's not a lot of history of getting established guys," Packers director or pro personnel Reggie McKenzie told the Press-Gazette in reference to the waiver wire. "But you can get functional guys. Really, it's that way at every position, but we'll be looking at that. I'm not concerned (about the tight ends), but we've got some areas where we want to make sure we upgrade the group. Any time you lose one player that you had in the program for a couple of years (like Martin), we haven't replaced that experience yet, so we're going to continue to look." Don't count out a trade yet. The Packers have $13 million under the salary cap, and an impact tight end could really make a difference in their offense.
 
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Sweet! but the scout link didnt paste well

The scout articles in links section, requiring membership, are posted in the thread as a courtesy to all fans.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
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TOP HAT: REVIEW & ANALYSIS

Preseason Packers vs. Steelers Game: Review

For the first 2007 preseason game, the Packers did okay with the positives outweighing the negatives in a 13-9 win. Packer great Johnnie Gray said it best: "The Pack did okay...took the first step toward being a much better team than many have predicted...."

THUMBS UP:

1. Backup QB Rodgers had a stellar performance going 18-of-27 for 168 yards with a scoring pass to WR Holiday.

2. Rookie RB Jackson got mixed reviews starting slowly in the first half, getting better in the second half, & finishing with 57 yards on 16 carries. For the running backs, the Packers averaged a good 4.0 yards per carry.

3. The 1st team defense looked solid with DE Jenkins making "3 big plays" including 2 sacks forcing a fumble. Rookie DT Harrell bulled his way through for a sack. The LBs looked solid "making no serious mistakes." The defense secondary was strong with several coverage breakdowns by some backups causing two big scoring plays. Cornerbacks Bush & Walker played a consistent strong game.

4. Rookie WR Jones had a solid performance getting 58 yards on 6 receptions.

5. Punter Ryan, with his new two steps routine, had a "more consistent" punting night averaging 47.5 yards per punt. Rookie K Crosby had a good game kicking a long 52 yard field goal & "booming kickoffs deep into the end zone."

6. Packers emerged healthy with two minor injuries. Management is pleased by the "initial display" of the team with increasing depth and "competition at positions of weakness."

THUMBS DOWN:

1. The 1st team offense had a very "slow start" gaining just 12 yards on 12 plays, failing to get a first down in their four series, & getting just 14 yards in 8 carries with RB Jackson. As a reviewer said, "Heck, a good high school team might be able to do better. The line was OK, but none of the receivers were able to get open against tight coverage." The Pack need to develop a deep threat playmaker.

2. The defensive breakdowns in the secondary & the "awful" poor tackling & coverage play by backup safeties Underwood & Bigby lead to two big plays resulting in a touchdown & a field goal. For management, one of these young safeties must emerge as a challenger for the starting strong safety position.

3. For a successful West Coast offense, the Packers need an impact tight end playmaker. As a commentator observed, the tight ends had a "rough game" saying, "Lee's run blocking was inconsistent and he struggled to get separation as a receiver. Bubba Franks dropped a perfectly thrown pass and neither Zac Alcorn nor Clark Harris looked ready to play at this level."

4. Special teams coverage was average with "coverage teams giving up some big returns but also had some really good stops." Teams continued to struggle in coverage & blocking assignments with missed tackles leading to good returns. Overall, as a critical reviewer said, " If things don’t start to improve, look at the schemes and not the personnel. Unlike the previous few seasons, the talent is more than good enough. Special teams coordinator Mike Stock, on the other hand, may not be."Competition at the "up-for-grabs" kick returner positions is "intense" with Blackmon, Bodiford, & Clowney competing for the top spots.

Links:

http://packers.scout.com/2/667546.html

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=645707

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=205227&ntpid=2

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070811/PKR01/70811027/1989

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=645710

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...20070813/PKR01/708130523/1057/PKR&located=RSS

http://www.packerupdate.com/packer_update/2007/08/review-green--1.html

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2...tedURL=http://packers.scout.com/2/667435.html

http://www.mytvisonfire.com/packersnation/?p=2291
 

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