2022 Packers Stock Report: Week 5
Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 27-22 loss to the New York Giants in Week 5.
By GunnarDavis
This last Sunday was one of the most frustrating Packers losses that I've watched in recent memory.
After taking a 17-3 lead midway through the second quarter over the Giants in London, I was very confident that the rest of the game would finish out in a beatdown.
That couldn't have been further from what actually happened.
After winning ugly in the previous two games, the Packers found out the hard way that level of play wasn't going to get the job done every time.
So let's get into it here and take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 27-22 loss to the New York Giants in Week 5.
BUY
Kenny Clark- During a relatively uninspiring defensive performance, the one player who was giving his all play in and play out was, once again, Kenny Clark. He didn't always make the tackle or the key stop, but more times than not, he was applying pressure and disrupting plays. That's just what Kenny does. As one of the leaders of a defense that has all the talent in the world, I'll bet on him to continue to play well and lead by example.
Randall Cobb- Before the game, Aaron Rodgers spoke about how Randall Cobb has earned more opportunities to make more plays. As one of Rodgers' most trusted weapons, Cobb went on to have one of his best games in recent memory, catching 7 passes for 99 yards. With Sammy Watkins still on IR, and Christian Watson dealing with a hamstring injury, Cobb will see the playing field more this week. A healthy Cobb is still a very savvy, shifty and productive wide receiver. Buy.
SELL
Aaron Rodgers- Incoming hot take: Five games into the 2022 season, Aaron Rodgers has not been at the same level that we're accustomed to him playing at. Sure, his stat-lines after the games have been fine, but he's missing reads, playing hero ball more often and making some questionable decisions with the football. Whether that's on a lack of trust in his young wide receivers, Rodgers not buying into the system fully or maybe the fact that he just wasn't the most present guy in the offseason (pondering retirement, missing optional OTAs, podcasting left and right) - he just hasn't been the same up to this point. If there's one guy that can flip a switch and all-of-a-sudden play outstanding, it's Rodgers. But for now, I'm selling him.
Joe Barry- This Packers defense has talent at every single position. Multiple first round draft picks. Big name players. Good free agent signings. But for some reason, the defense in the past two games has struggled against a third-string quarterback, Bailey Zappe, and Daniel Jones (who was legitimately throwing to practice squad players). At this point, I'm putting the majority of the blame on Joe Barry. He's not putting his talented players in position to make plays, he consistently runs soft zone coverage and the blitz packages have been about as bland as it gets. It is infuriating to watch a defense with top-5 level talent get run through by offenses ranked 20th and 19th, respectively, in scoring offense. Things need to change.
HOLD
The Green Bay Packers- I'm putting the entire team on hold, because I'm still holding out hope that this can be a good football team come December and January. Although this loss was about as frustrating as it gets, the Packers have an incredibly talented team that can still get it together. The next two games (Jets, Commanders) are winnable games in which the team can potentially exercise some demons and fix some of the early season issues. However, if the squad comes out flat and shows the same problems during these next two games, then my expectations for the 2022 Packers will drop significantly. For now, hold.
__________________________
Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.
Comments (49)
Packers1985
October 12, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Even if Rodgers plays with in the system and plays a lot better than how he is playing now is i am afraid is not enough for us to go the SB. Teams started squeezing in and are challenging us to go deep and also none of our weapons looks capable of break the tackle and take it all the way to the end zone. Sure it definitely helps he Rodgers self introspect and play well but like i mentioned above that wont be enough. This team has been lacking a wr2 for a while and with Davante gone made things even worse as there is not Wr1 who the teams have to scheme up for.
Next coming to defense not sure what's up with Barry. Everyone were going gaga after last yr that this would be a top 5 defense with all the draft capital spent on that side of the ball some new additions added to the team via FA. Not sure how this team got worser on that side of the ball with all the talent.
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 12:41 pm
"...not sure what's up with Barry. Everyone were going gaga after last yr that this would be a top 5 defense..."
His track record doesn't equate to anything that remotely justifies his employment. Anyone who was "gaga" about Barry, needs to look into the defenses he's previously coached. He likes a soft zone defense, not at all conducive to the talent on the roster, or the modern NFL. Its the players on the defense worth feeling good about, they're just being used against their strengths. The media should be questioning, non-stop, both the front office and coaching staff, on how can they misinterpret their own talent, and defensive philosophy, so poorly?
Coldworld
October 12, 2022 at 02:46 pm
Here is what puzzles me. Last year we had the same members if the secondary, minus Jaire. Douglas played outside it’s true, and so we have a new slot, but Stokes was a rookie and all have an extra year with Barry. The only obvious change in personnel is an extra ILB for a mess at hybrid. We played zone and man last year.
Yet we suddenly can’t seem to work in unison and seem much more passive/cautious. Why? What’s the philosophy change driven by if there is one and if there isn’t, what’s the change in process that’s tripping us? What is it that seems to be making us worse as a unit with similar personnel and the same 2 main coaches?
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 03:12 pm
All great questions. I'm not particularly impartial when it comes to Barry, so any answer from me is likely suspect. I think he could've benefited from a better predecessor, Pettine, who left his mark on the defense during a year of transition to a different scheme. Maybe Campbell was a one year wonder? Douglas might just be a better outside player. Savage has never been great, but he's better closer to the LOS. I've defended Amos a lot, even he's shown something's off. Its possible the coaches are losing control of the locker room, and that would be pretty wild, so early in the season.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 01:51 pm
8 word solution to the Barry problem: Fire him, hire Mike Zimmer or Vic Fangio
T7Steve
October 12, 2022 at 12:33 pm
Buy: Slaton
Sell: Newman
Hold: It's past time to talk about starters not playing in the preseason or OTAs. These guys have had FIVE regular season games to "practice" and it's time to get it together.
Thanks, Gunnar.
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 01:16 pm
I agree with OTAs, everyone should be there. I'd like to see some incentives worked into contracts for offseason workouts, if the CBA even allows it, that might keep some of the typical injury culprits, hamstring, to a minimum.
I disagree with the "starters should play in preseason," stance. Teams run vanilla playbooks in preseason, they don't want regular season opponents to have film to study. Imo, those games are there to gauge the bottom of the roster, while training camp has the first team on both sides of the ball battling, and developing. I don't think one drive, or quarter, in preseason play makes this offense a well-run squad. I think there are some deeper issues: scheme, in-game adjustments, execution, attitude, and talent in a couple positions, are all bringing the team down.
Coldworld
October 12, 2022 at 02:55 pm
I understand the argument about vanilla and agree to a point. It’s also clear that other coaches, even new ones can get teams ready without playing many starters much. So I think it has a lot to do with how teams practice. Vanilla or not though, units need time together in game conditions and not just facing half paced play or the same behavior.
Moving in from the general point. As far as we are concerned this year, it’s absolutely criminal looking back that Rodgers did not spend a great deal of time throwing to Doubs and Toure (even Rodgers since we kept him). Those players need to get as close to in the same page as possible. Watson was out due to injury. We didn’t do that and it shows.
That failure is just pure negligence. It also suggests that they were never part of the plan and that we went in relying on Watkins, Cobb and Lazard. That just screams a lack of realism or plan in the part of LaFleur, Stenavich and Rodgers.
Packers1985
October 12, 2022 at 11:15 pm
Couldn't agree more rookies mostly practiced with Love and clearly shows. Coming watson i think we wont be seeing much from him this yr. Even if he gets 200 yds that'll be a bonus.
croatpackfan
October 12, 2022 at 12:36 pm
I will buy, or at least HOLD the ST and Rich B. The only good part of Packers team in London game! That is how you coach your players.
mnbadger
October 12, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Gunnar, very concise and accurate assessments. You missed one major sell though: MLF.
He needs to pull his perfectly manicured head out of his 5-hole, take the horse by the reins, get it back in stride, running full speed in the correct direction..
If he doesn't and we keep playing this poorly, he has to be the first guy out the door IMO. If we don't go 2-0 and show consistently improved play over the next two weeks, bye bye mlf.
GPG
egbertsouse
October 12, 2022 at 01:08 pm
I hate it when MLF says things like, “We gotta get the ball to Jones more” or “We gotta run more.” Then call more runs, dipwad! You’re the head coach and play caller. If Diva checks out of running plays then get on your little headset and say “No checking out of this play, even if they have an 8 man box!” Don’t worry so much about hurting Diva’s feelings. Call Belichick for some tips on being a leader.i
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 01:18 pm
Its a frustratingly constant comment by MLF. About time he takes his own advice.
Johnblood27
October 12, 2022 at 01:42 pm
He needs to pay more attention to "pad level" and "getting that cleaned up".
; - )
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 02:10 pm
Barry should be first to go, though
TarynsEyes
October 12, 2022 at 12:40 pm
This team is not a Buy or Sell at the moment, it is however an absolute Hold until after the next 6 games. At which point, the Buy, or Sell Market will be undeniably obvious. Either we will be able to go all-in with confidence, or all-out with total sadness.
Coldworld
October 12, 2022 at 12:48 pm
Buy Slaton. I thought he had perhaps his best game thus far. He needs more snaps. Clark is already bought. Reed is a buy too perhaps.
Sell. Virtually everyone else associated with the team except Jones, Dillon, Cobb, Lazard, Doubs, Deguara, Lewis, Gary, Jaire, Runyon, Nijman, Jenkins and Bisaccia and his gunners.
Give away: Amari Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. Any head coach who presides over such an all encompassing underperformance as he manages regularly is not worth the remainder rack.
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 01:20 pm
Haha, I like the giveaway option! For now, throw Barry in there before MLF.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 01:49 pm
Yes… I don’t know if it’s foolish, but I still have faith in MLF to turn this squad around. Barry The Mule not so much, though.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 02:09 pm
Yes! Bissacia was our best off-season acquisition and has done a fantastic job! Deguara too I think has potential to be utilized more.
jannesbjornson
October 12, 2022 at 10:14 pm
Four man fronts.
Rarescope
October 12, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Saw this coming from a mile away. Last year it's all "Rodgers needs to stop with the hero ball." Two weeks ago all we're reading is how they need to air it out and take more shots down the field. They do that and now we're back to the hero ball comments. I don't care how they do it - just play some good football is all I ask.
Coldworld
October 12, 2022 at 01:54 pm
You do realize that there is something between the 5 yard pass and the 30 yard bomb in most functional offenses? We tried almost none of them. We have a QB with by far the lowest yards per target in the league. I will give you a clue, that isn’t working. I do not recall anyone saying the alternative was a diet of exclusively long bombs. I suppose when you’ve no source of support, shaky characterization is your only recourse.
Rarescope
October 13, 2022 at 01:07 pm
Methinks Coldworld doth protest too much - I read nearly every article and comment on this site - including yours which I usually find quite insightful. I'm commenting on the general narrative I read - that is the source. I leave the specifics to those more knowledgeable than I.
splitpea1
October 12, 2022 at 01:00 pm
I'm not sure I'm buying any of the leadership aspects of this team yet. Leadership by example is certainly a prerequisite, but a more vocal style could be beneficial--in the locker room, on the sidelines, and on the field. The secondary needs a take-charge captain who is making sure everyone is on the same page back there.
Buy: The Jets rookie class. I'm not defecting to the other side or anything, but the Jets had an impressive haul with their first four picks (in the top 36). All are contributing. Barry will need to be paying attention to Breece Hall.
Hold: In the same vein, the younger MLF--at least he doesn't abandon the run. Maybe the Jets would be interested in a swap, LOL?
Play: Toure. He's on the roster for a reason, right? We'll need a replacement for Amari when the Packers get around to cutting him, but I don't know who returns kicks.
Sell (!): Madonna's new face. Oh, my.
Sell: Davante Adams. Frustration got the better of him, and now he has legal troubles. He should have remembered he was on the down elevator going from the Packers to the Raiders.
T7Steve
October 12, 2022 at 02:38 pm
I was thinking Toure because of Watson's hammy but, for Amari R. would make it more permanent.
T7Steve
October 12, 2022 at 02:38 pm
Duplicate. Sorry, I got impatient again.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 01:05 pm
Sell Joe Barry. He’s said he’s not going to change the way he plays defense, and MLF, who I still believe in to bounce back, needs to have the guts to fire him. Vic Fangio and Mike Zimmer are currently unemployed, we need one of them
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 01:22 pm
Its amazing those coaches aren't employed in the NFL right now.
TarynsEyes
October 12, 2022 at 01:39 pm
Nick Saban said it's near impossible for a Defense to stop the Offense because of the rules. It's coming to the NFL also, faster and faster. Fangio and Zimmer have been made examples of being dinosaurs in a league that is now a video game for spoiled brats on the field and in the stands who need a score on every possession. And with no taste for Defense, unless via a penalty against their opponent.
Guam
October 13, 2022 at 07:47 am
May be your best post ever Taryn!
13TimeChamps
October 12, 2022 at 01:41 pm
Did you ever consider they're unemployed for a reason? The last thing this team needs is another old, tired re-tread for a DC.
After they fired Pettine, I was really hoping they would have hired a young, ascending defensive coach, with new ideas. Instead, they went the re-tread route with Barry.
I guess Einstein was right after all.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 01:46 pm
Mike Zimmer is still regarded as a defensive genius…I have heard and read Vikings fans saying that he was a good coach, but just came to MIN at the wrong time. They also had pretty crappy personnel last year. We saw what he did when he has good players - look at the reincarnation of the Purple People Eaters in 2017…he really can bring in brutal blitz packages. Besides, he may want to get revenge on the Vikings for firing him.
Fangio I could see more because he runs a 3-4, and we saw what he did with the Bears in 2018. He may also want a crack at revenge against his former squad
13TimeChamps
October 12, 2022 at 02:15 pm
Pettine is 66 and hasn't been a DC since 2013. Fangio is 64. Going back to the well over and over with these older coaches rarely works out. The game keeps evolving, especially on offense. There's no reason to believe either of these coaches have evolved in their defensive philosophies to keep up. There is no guarantee that what worked in 2013 will work in 2022 with all the rule changes since then. They both had very good careers as DC's. But this is a young man's game.
It would be a hard pass on both of them for me. Besides, there is no reason to think Barry is going anywhere anyway.
As far as the "revenge" factor...that's just fan driven nonsense.
T7Steve
October 12, 2022 at 02:44 pm
How old is Wink?
Coldworld
October 12, 2022 at 02:58 pm
59
13TimeChamps
October 12, 2022 at 04:02 pm
To be honest, I wasn't familiar with Wink Martindale. After some simple google search what I found was:
He is 59, to answer your question. He was Baltimore's DC the past 3 years, then let go after the 2021 season. During his 3 years there, the defense, at least statistically, got worse each three years.
Average yds given up went from 282/303/392. Average points given up went from 17.6/18.9/23.1.
If this is your argument for hiring older, recycled DC's, I'm afraid I'm missing your point.
T7Steve
October 13, 2022 at 07:17 am
I know that Wink had been around for a while but, managed to adjust his defense and dial up some blitz packages that stopped the Packers cold in the second half. So, it might not be age related, but maybe stuck on a defending system that doesn't work.
PackAttack4155
October 12, 2022 at 02:57 pm
Given the overall play of Fangio or Zimmer led defenses, even if not the very best or near to it, and comparing them to Barry and his resumé, I'd take either of them over Barry without a second thought. Barry won't change his gameplan, with reality staring him in the face.
In any case, I'm not necessarily saying the Packers should've hired Fangio or Zimmer, or should now, they're just better than Barry, by a wide margin. Give Jerry Gray the role for the rest of the season; the DB scheme couldn't possibly be worse.
Coldworld
October 12, 2022 at 02:59 pm
I am not sold on Gray. His group is the one that seems in most disarray. It could be as much him as Barry.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 04:08 pm
I dunno about Gray...if Fangio or Zimmer aren't hired, then maybe. Either him or Bisaccia
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 04:03 pm
What about 2017? 2018? That was just 4-5 years ago. Read this article - it tells a bit about Zimmer's defensive philosophy: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2015/6/8/8750195/so-what-exactly-is-a-mike...
Using primarily press-man coverage, a 4-3 defense, 4-2-5 nickel on passing downs, stopping the run first and foremost mentality. This seems like a scheme that would fit the Packers' players excellently - just the opposite of Barry The Mule's stale zone. We would also see Walker and Campbell blitzing a lot more in the double-A-gap looks.
Zimmer has transformed bad defenses quickly into top units, so I'd be excited to see what he can do with this Packers squad.
13TimeChamps
October 12, 2022 at 04:38 pm
Would Zimmer or Fangio be an upgrade over Barry? Probably, but of course, that's a pretty low bar. But, last I checked, there is not currently an opening for a DC in Green Bay. I highly doubt that changes mid-season. Just not the way GB does business, whether we like it or not.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 04:50 pm
I know, you are correct, but one can always hope. Zimmer's scheme would play EXACTLY to the strengths of the Packers' defensive players, and we have to remember that the personnel on the Vikings' 2021 defense were either old veterans past their prime (Barr, Harrison Smith), oft-injured stars (Danielle Hunter), or just crappy/not very good players. We can't blame last year's failures all on Zimmer. A change of scenery/better players might help, too. If he came to GB, I think we would see this defense live up to its full potential and be one of the league's best units.
I do think, though, if Barry survives the whole season in GB without the unit getting any better (in my opinion, the only thing that could fire him would be a dismal performance against the Jets), I would like to see a younger, defensive coach hired as HC, like 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans or Broncos DC Ejiro Evero
HarryHodag
October 12, 2022 at 01:49 pm
The thing that all digital media has done is make all of us into instant success or failure junkies. We have little patience for anything. This is true about Packers analysis. There's still at least 12 games to go so the time to 'buy or sell' isn't here just yet. But it is fast approaching.
What Davante Adams did was hide a problem that came up in the playoff game against San Fran. San Fran's staff noticed if you take Adams out of the game and force the Packers to run the ball they wouldn't have the patience to do that. They also noticed that Rodgers wants to play hero ball and isn't patient enough to stick to the game plan.
It is clear that the Packers steep investment in defense has produced only mediocre results to date. We'll see if they snap back against a Jets team that is getting better by the week.
PackyCheese500
October 12, 2022 at 02:05 pm
Very true! All of us could stand to be more patient, myself included. I don’t know if they will bounce back, though…
LeotisHarris
October 12, 2022 at 05:43 pm
Got my shot of dopamine giving you a thumbs up, Harry.
wildbill
October 12, 2022 at 02:28 pm
Buy the uno card that swaps our HC and ST coach…..
PatrickGB
October 12, 2022 at 02:53 pm
I think that the major problem with this team is the offense and the receivers specifically. If the team was scoring a lot then Barry’s defense would be a mild grumble. When other teams are behind the first thought they may have is to catch up quickly with the pass. That’s the strength of Barry’s defense and that’s when we got those interceptions. Now they know to be patient and run crossings by their receivers. They also know how impatient we are with the run game so they show heavy boxes knowing that we will not stick with it. If we had real honest-to-goodness NFL quality WR’s they would fear this approach.
Buy-The Run Game. I think that we will return to it.
Sell- The Pass defense. I think that little will change.
Hold- on to your lunch because this team can make you sick with its stubbornness.