More Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - 2019 Packers - 49ers Playoffs

The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.

So I finally had an opportunity to watch the game with more attentiveness than when I watched it live from a tiki bar in Key West. Here are some more polluted thoughts.

Za'darius Smith: As much as I love this guy, he simply did not show up in the NFC Championship game. He started out OK but seemed to lose his resolve as the 49ers run game was gashing the Packers. He likely had visions of getting big sacks in this game and when the 49ers game plan denied him those opportunities, his effort level was mediocre. 

Preston Smith: While his effort level didn't seem to wane at all, his issue was keeping up with the 49ers' speed. He had opportunities to make plays but was seemingly just a bit late or a step short.

What a play:  Note this beautiful play design by the 49ers on Mostert's first TD.  It's a draw/trap play, not just the typical draw where it's up to the RB to find a hole - this one is designed to go right where it did.  It's third and eight - they ignore the Packers two outside rushers (Martinez and P. Smith), letting them come in wide-eyed looking for a sack. That leaves them five interior linemen against the Packers' three. They pull the right guard to kick out on Fackrell, who is already falling to the ground after getting tangled a bit with their left tackle, who is headed to the second level to eliminate the box safety (Amos). The left guard, center and right tackle combine to seal off the two remaining Packers on the line. There's a huge hole for Mostert and the three wide receiver set to the right, pulled the Packers DB's to the opposite side of the field, so they are too far away to even make a downfield tackle. Kittle runs an out route, taking Chandon Sullivan with him, who doesn't even know Mostert has the ball in the Packers' secondary already. The only player with a chance was the deep safety (Savage), who terribly underestimates Mostert's speed and take a bad angle. This couldn't be a more perfect design and execution if you were programming it in a video game. Here it is in slow motion:

If you want to see this play and others thoroughly explained from a niners scheming standpoint (warning: it's scary for Packers fans), be sure to check this video Aaron Nagler linked to:  

Rodgers: Besides the turnovers he was responsible for in this game, he made some terrible decisions on third downs early in the games. Ignoring open receivers that would have been easy first down completions and instead forcing the ball elsewhere or holding the ball for no good reason and taking a sack. Ugly.

Garoppolo: Watching the third 49ers' possession when Shanahan decided to let Garoppolo throw the ball - it was pretty ugly for the Niners. It's no wonder Shanahan took the ball out of his hands - he only threw three passes over the final three quarters. If the Packers find a way to force the 49ers to throw, this is a much closer game. That's a big IF, though.

Jace Sternberger: He's likely to become this offseason's favorite hype target, this time (unlike Janis, Tonyan, etc.) it might actually be accurate. I really like what I've seen of him - he moves really well, has shown good blocking ability and can catch the ball. I guess I'm starting (or joining) the Sternberger hype train.

Fumbled snap: To me, this was the play that turned the game into a rout. The Packers were driving, having gained four first downs with Aaron Jones running the ball. Finally the 49ers defense had something to contend with and then just like that, it was over. After that, it became "Rodgers in the shotgun" time, and that played right into the 49ers' hands. it was my firm belief that the Packers needed to run the ball well to best the 49ers defense. Even down 20-0, I would have come back with more Aaron Jones, but that's not what happened.

2020: This Packers team will not go 13-3 in 2020. As I've been saying for awhile, "winning ugly" was really just "winning lucky." There is also little chance they will be as injury-free as they were this season. However, while their record may not equal 2019's, I'm confident they will be a better team. The team chemistry is already there.  A second year together under this coaching regime will bring more consistency. Add in some new blood through the draft and hopefully free agency and it has me feeling strongly that the arrow is pointing up for 2020. 

The Draft: Just one quick thought here (tons more draft coverage to come...) After reading all of the initial "Draft Needs" articles from various outlets, I feel like defensive line help is being undervalued. Sure the Packers need help at WR and ILB, but it my view, DL help is equally important. Been saying that for awhile and this last game just cemented my feelings on that.

2019 exceeded everyone's (except James Jones) expectations. It was a helluva ride and it was our honor to share it with you. We will have a slew of cool things coming down the pike this offseason, so stay tuned.

 

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__________________________

"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

__________________________

13 points
 

Comments (53)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
CAG123's picture

January 25, 2020 at 12:31 pm

Yeah Im pretty excited about Sternberger if the Packers can pair him with lets say Austin Hooper maybe we can start getting in on those nifty two TE sets the Eagles and a few others use and it actually be a threat.

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:56 pm

Don't see them paying big cash for another TE. Hooper seems a guy Atlanta may extend or franchise.

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CAG123's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:29 pm

never know this one unlike the others is still in his prime at just 25 years old and he's worked in MLF system before seems like the perfect time to cough up for a TE.

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2020 at 06:40 pm

I like him, but so does Ryan. He wants to keep his targets. If Hooper goes on the market Belichick would also be in on the bidding.. Gutekunst has the cash to do it. Will he want to gain one guy and lose @ two other spots?

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HankScorpio's picture

January 25, 2020 at 03:26 pm

Atlanta has cap issues. They might not be able to afford him.

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dobber's picture

January 25, 2020 at 07:08 pm

He's going to get paid far more than he's worth.

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packerbackerjim's picture

January 25, 2020 at 12:37 pm

For too many years, GB has underutilized the TE position. I was hopeful MLF would. But other than 3 receptions per game for Jimmy, and almost none for Lewis and Tonyan, I was underwhelmed.

8 points
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Oppy's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:03 pm

TEs typically make their living underneath the defense of in between the hashes down field.

We have a QB who typically eschews both of those options.

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:18 pm

They drafted Sternberger with the three pick for a reason. He was Under-utilized down the stretch. Tonyan is not a guy I would pin my hopes on. Draft another TE if the talent is in front of you, re-sign Lewis and hunt for a value free agent who can move. Rudolf may be cut free by the queens.

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Lphill's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:18 pm

Yes the fumbled snap was a game changer as was the way too early onside kick. Packers were out coached on every level.

8 points
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egbertsouse's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:25 pm

This is my favorite feature on CHTV. Agree with your analysis of the Smith Brothers. I’ve been concerned about their effort against the run all season. Hopefully, one or both learn to hold the edge or Gary becomes the guy on running downs. This is now the blueprint, GB will see this stuff all the time until they fix the problem.

I also thought that the DBs wanted nothing to do with the Niners running backs. It looked like a bunch of HHCDs out there. That’s understandable, Pettine wanted cover guys, but a Kam Chancellor type would’ve been nice.

5 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:59 pm

it was a trap play on 3rd and EIGHT. No effort to hold Edge, read the blocking or react to the gap. Just a team in a trance getting ass whooped.

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wildbill's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:26 pm

I really agree about the dline being a top priority. When offensive linemen are easily getting to our second level, things go south quickly. Plus dline penetration/TFLs are killers to offensive gameplay. Add our right offensive tackle and kicker positions, then I’ll worry about ILB, WR, and TE

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:19 pm

This was the discussion during training camp when Pettine was pushing for fast penetrators up front and making believe scrubs can do the job of a Wilkerson and Richardson duo. That Rex I defense was figured out and relied on too many high picks going to their front seven. Gutekunst failed to sign Pennell when he was in town for a tryout after the first disaster in Santa Clara. Kenny Clark is best off the nose, but as Al stated, needs a running mate(s) in the D line. Extending Lowry was puzzling. Tough to ignore the offense in the high rounds of this draft. DE has to come in the mid rounds or FA. I was expecting more 4-3 looks from Pettine, but he stuck to his routine and then the Players questioned his adjustments in the Big Game, something is not well in Packertown. I thought LaFleur would move him out.

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Thegravedigger's picture

January 27, 2020 at 02:48 pm

Spot on brother. Mike pennell is starting for the chiefs. They just shut down derek henry. He played a part in that

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:30 pm

If this team was to play this season over it would be a 6 win team and I'd have lost my bet for 9+ wins. Everything that could go wrong didn't and everything that could go right did and it co-insider with the opposite for many on our schedule.

This team needs more help than most here will accept and with those who may not be back, or regress or don't step up, this draft and the restrictions that Gute said he'll be putting on FA signings won't make it an easy fix as again some here won't accept as reality.

Rodgers is a problem for the offense and MLF...believe it.

This team with the much, much tougher schedule next season will struggle and likely fall back into prior seasons need of back door entrance to the playoffs, if they can even contend. I envision a 10-6 record at best, if some/many breaks fall their way as like this season, but a 7-9 record a stronger possibility.

The precipice of failure is closer than the precipice of success or any repeat of this season.

OK,have at me.

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jlc1's picture

January 25, 2020 at 03:24 pm

I think it is hard to make a prediction with so much information still to come. The draft and any FA signings are still out there.

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 26, 2020 at 11:05 am

No it isn't. Predictions are constantly made amid information being gathered. Is there a specific date where predictions are allowed and banned before. Like weather forecasts, they change according to data. Right now, my data predicts what I predicted.

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NickPerry's picture

January 25, 2020 at 11:46 pm

When it comes to most things Packers Tarynfor12 you and I normally have totally different opinions. It may very well be difficult to go 13-3 again, but to actually try and predict a record for the 2020 Green Bay Packers when at least 25% of the roster, possibly more will be different is just gibberish. Even with the nice cushion between 7 and 10 wins or somewhere in-between.

It's IMPOSSIBLE to predict what the 2020 Packers will do right now 6 days after their season ended but I'll bite.

You see I think the 2020 Packers will win either 11 or 12 games. Maybe with a healthy roster for the 2nd time in 2 years and few lucky bounces 14 wins is just as possible. I suppose it just depends if your glass is half empty or half full.

I think Gute will do for the offense in 2020 what he did for the defense in 2019. He'll get MLF and the Packers more weapons and not just for the offense but for the defense too. But what I'm most excited about is year 2 in the MLF offense and the jump that it will probably make. It mat not be 2016 Atlanta Falcon huge when the Falcons were in year 2 of this offense, but it will be there.

But I think the best way to predict a Packers 2020 record is to at least wait and see exactly WHO is on the roster and WHEN we play some of the opponents on the schedule.

2 points
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Archie's picture

January 26, 2020 at 09:51 am

Much of what you say about the 2019 season retrospective I agree with. Nonetheless, I am far less certain than you about what the 2020 season will bring. Here's 10 assumptions that could land us in Super Bowl next year:

1 - Pack enjoys good health even if not as good as this year.

2 - Will face much tougher schedule for sure.

3 - Offense improves in 2nd year of MLF system i.e., Rodgers improves consistency, accuracy and finding the open man.

4 - R Gary has a big season in stopping the run, playing 50% or greater snaps.

5 - Gute hits on his ILB pick-ups.

6 - Gute finds another DL who is a run-stopper.

7 - Gute gets a FA TE like Hooper to complement Sternberger.

8 - Gute adds at least one quality WR, either through FA or draft.

9 - Gute finds a replacement for Bulaga or he sgns Bulaga to a club friendly deal.

10 - Bringing back Crosby seems like a done deal.

Are all 10 likely to happen? Probably not but I would not be too surprised if a good number of them do. Enough to go 10-6, which would be a damn good record against a tough schedule.

Now, there is another scenario, perhaps just as likely, that includes many opposite assumptions that could occur instead, but no point on dwelling on that until we have real evidence of that happening. At this point we owe it to Gute/MLF to give them the benefit of the doubt. Afterall, they delivered beyond all of our expectations in 2019.

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Swisch's picture

January 25, 2020 at 01:53 pm

When Aaron Rodgers is asked about playing in the upcoming preseason games, and if he doesn't say I'm good with whatever the coach wants, then we're doomed for the next couple of seasons.
A slyly stubborn diva quarterback who revels in enigma would be poisonous for the Packers.
A cooperative Aaron Rodgers would energize the whole team and provide the leadership for exciting progress and satisfying results all around.
It's pretty much that simple. All the other stuff hardly matters.
Am I the only one who sees things this way?
How will it work for the Packers unless Rodgers is enthusiastically onboard with his head coach?

-3 points
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Rebecca's picture

January 25, 2020 at 03:45 pm

I've been dismissed and berated for saying pretty much the same thing. Either it's all in Rodgers' head or ours, but I only saw maybe three games all season where Rodgers looked like was enjoying playing. We'll see in a few months.

3 points
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Swisch's picture

January 25, 2020 at 06:19 pm

Thanks, Rebecca, for your camaraderie in my unpopularity.
Rodgers seems to confound us as fans by being overly mysterious.
It's hard to know what's going on with our superstar quarterback, who has been so great for us over the years, but seems at a crossroads in his career.
Perhaps Rodgers is a total teammate and completely coachable; but I suspect a bit of mischief about him, an air of aloofness, a sly stubbornness.
Of course, no one is perfect, and I want Rodgers to keep his own personality. I already like him, but don't quite trust him.
As already a big fan of his, I want to embrace him more wholeheartedly, if he'll open up a little more and become a bit more engaged with the team.
I write wanting the best for Aaron Rodgers. May he be himself, but his best self.
In making a big sacrifice by adapting his skills to a changing team, and by growing as a leader who elevates his younger teammates, I think he'll gain so very much in return. Perhaps another Super Bowl or two; but almost assuredly a greater depth of appreciation for his efforts; and in any case an inner fulfillment in reaching for his potential as a player and a person.
He already has considerable stature in the minds of Packers fans, but I hope he allows us to take him more closely into our hearts.
It's a test of character that would lift him from superstar player to legendary status in Packers lore -- at least for me.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:25 pm

If I read the article correctly , Al talked about the importance of running the ball. Then we start talking about TEs catching passes.

Run more, pass less. Be the team that only throws 7 passes in the Championship game. Get a TE that can get his guy blocked. Get a RB who can move the pile in short yardage.

Keeps Rodgers healthy and keeps our defense off the field.

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jannes bjornson's picture

January 25, 2020 at 06:53 pm

I agree on having a power running game as one facet of the Comprehensive Run Attack. The TE is critical to the pass game as well as the run game. The TE with /FB or RB controlling the edge and flats with basic WCO can move the chains for you. They will pick up a couple more guys this off-season/draft.

0 points
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NickPerry's picture

January 26, 2020 at 08:03 am

I don't know about you OS but I liked what I saw from Jake Sternberger the last 6 weeks or so of the season. Coming off IR as the 4th TE obviously isn't ideal, but by week 15 or so we started seeing quite a bit of #87 out there and he was doing an excellent job blocking.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2020 at 10:05 am

I like Sternberger OK, but I think we could use a vet who can get his man blocked.

2 points
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Lphill's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:34 pm

Pettine should make a public apology for allowing the 49 ers to set a rushing record, he should admit I have no answer for stopping the run, until he does then nothing will change, moving forward Packers need a big body on the D line, an inside linebacker and a safety who is a thumper, it’s not that hard to figure out and correct.

4 points
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Lare's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:47 pm

As LeRoy Butler said, the NFL is a copycat league- after an offseason of watching film on Shanahan's offense, next year everybody will be doing what the 49ers are doing this season.

Pettine better learn to adjust to the 49ers offense or next season isn't going to be pretty.

3 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

January 27, 2020 at 02:46 pm

I keep saying the same crap i know but we need the next gilbert brown. Or something close. 3 4 dls are supposed to eat blocks and hold it down. Lowry n lancaster aint cutting it.
There too small. Especially lowry and keke. They weigh 295 and 288. Ryan pickett bj raji n howard green alll were 340. That was 2010. We all know what happened that year. We had them 3 cullen jenkins and cj wilson. Solid 5 in the middle rotating in and out.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 28, 2020 at 12:42 am

Play 4-3

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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2020 at 09:30 am

Yes, Nick, it was a good sign when they used him as a blocking back.

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PatrickGB's picture

January 26, 2020 at 04:58 pm

The vast majority of the teams we play are a pass first team. The Niners, Ravens and Titian’s are a minority. Sure it would be nice to have an answer for it but we first have to beat the pass happy teams to get into the playoffs.

2 points
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Aplinal's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:43 pm

2020 will depend on whether Aaron decides that taking what's there rather than looking for 'glory' (for him) a satisfactory way to win. Either he buys into the scheme or this year's Draft QB (I think they will draft one early) will be biting at his heels. This team can win it all with A-Rod if he just believes. Not sure he will, but I hope he does.

3 points
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stockholder's picture

January 25, 2020 at 02:43 pm

Forget drafting the DL. It's a waste. Look how long it took Kenny Clark. It's fill and Replace with are GMs. Reaching for straws hasn't ever worked. Your best DL is in Free Agency.

-2 points
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CAG123's picture

January 25, 2020 at 04:44 pm

How long do you think it took? The way you're talking KC is 28 and just broke out.

1 points
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packerbackerjim's picture

January 25, 2020 at 05:59 pm

Kenny Clark is 24.

-1 points
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CAG123's picture

January 25, 2020 at 11:32 pm

Very aware of that sir please reread what I said....slowly

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packerbackerjim's picture

January 26, 2020 at 05:25 am

Point of clarification, not a haughty reply.

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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2020 at 09:36 am

It took him a season. However, we're not looking for another Clark just a good stout DL. So either way might work.

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Lare's picture

January 25, 2020 at 03:02 pm

The biggest problem areas on the Packers roster were all areas where everyone expected players to progress and be more productive but they didn't.

After last season, the Packers expected M. Adams, Lancaster & Lowry to improve and be solid on the DL. They weren't.

They expected Martinez, Fackrell, Burks, Goodson & Gary to improve & complement the Smiths to make the LB position solid. They didn't.

They expected ESB, MVS, Allison, Tonyan, Graham & Kumerow to take their games to the next level to give Rodgers more receiving options. They didn't.

Yes, the Packers have some glaring holes to fill & improve on their roster. Hopefully, Gutekunst has a lot more hits than misses in his player decisions this year.

9 points
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Jonathan Spader's picture

January 25, 2020 at 11:06 pm

Noy sure how this got 3 thumbs up. Fackrell had a break out season in 2018 and fans said he'd regress in 2019 he did. No one expected Martinez to make a leap because hewas already the NFL leading tackler. How could Gary improve when he had never played in the NFL?

The Smiths DID make the OLB position solid. Hige upgrade vs Perryand CM3 with health and production. No one expected anything more from Graham fans were screaming for him to be cut.

Fand projected growth from MVS, ESB, Kumerow, Allison, Moore, etc. You completely forget to mention Cole Madison at guard who fans raved about. You also forget to mention that fans claimed that the rbs would have a huge year under MLF who knew how to utilize the run game.

Yet another post from Lade claiming that everyone doesn't k ow ehat they're talking avout while cherry picking. Gute hit on Savage and Jenkins in 2019 2 all pro rookies. There's other prospects who have shown promise. The Smiths and Amos were excellent. Turner was serviceable. Give credit where credit is due and hope for better.

Most GMs miss more than hit Lare. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. As usual you criticize with nothing to offer to an actual conversation. What would you do as Gute in 2020? We were 1 game from the Superbowl in 2019 which widly exceeded fan expectations and you make it sound like a failure.

-2 points
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CAG123's picture

January 25, 2020 at 11:42 pm

Ehhhh Im not too sure about some of those expectations if anything we were just hoping somebody would take that number 2 spot but the WR group as a whole always seemed suspect/unproven we all wanted Graham to get the boot and the LB group was also a question mark there wasn't any expectations for Goodson because he was acquired right before the season but the group as a whole was always thin and Gary was a rookie making a switch from DE to OLB. The dline is the only group that didn't live up to expectations.

3 points
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Slim11's picture

January 26, 2020 at 08:39 am

I agree with your observation on the DL. The DL minus Clark, was unable to occupy blockers which made life very difficult for Martinez. His performance suffered as a result.

Gary is learning a new position and I think there was some progress from him toward the end of the regular season. Fackrell is a decent rotational piece but not a starter. Burks can be considered a bust.

I don't consider ESB a failure since he was on IR all of 2019 and was showing signs of progress at the end of 2018. Kumerow did improve his numbers over 2018 but not enough, IMO, to justify returning for 2020.

0 points
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BBlake's picture

January 26, 2020 at 03:20 pm

Spot on Lare. GMs don't have the salary space or draft capital to fill every hole on their roster. They have to make educated guesses as to which players are likely to step up their production & performance each season.

2 points
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MarkinMadison's picture

January 25, 2020 at 03:16 pm

They have to quit neglecting ILB, mostly because I'm tired of writing about it. I agree the DL needs to be a priority. Picking up another starting caliber OL in the draft or FA would be a smart move as well. I'm very underwhelmed by Mr. Turner, and Mr. Bulaga may not be back (and even if he is, the odds of him staying this healthy next year are not good).

I'm not a fan of doom and gloom. I agree that Rodgers needs to take the 1st down much more often than he does. I do not agree that the Packers can't win another Super Bowl with him. Elway was well past his prime before he got his first Super Bowl win. With the right team and the right attitude Rodgers could easily pick up two more Super Bowl wins. I think adding another dynamic running back would help that cause. See also the OL comment above.

As far as the schedule next year goes, NO ONE thought that 49ers would be the toughest team on the Packers schedule when they were looking at it this time last year. None of us know how good any of the teams on the Packers 2020 schedule will be as we sit here today. And you can talk about the Packers getting lucky this year all you want, the bottom line is that they went out and did it.

Go Pack Go!

6 points
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Lphill's picture

January 25, 2020 at 04:08 pm

Javon Hargrove from the Steelers could come right in and make an impact in the run game, draft an inside linebacker and sign kwitakowski from the Bears who are in cap trouble, now draft another safety that is a thumper. Run defense fixed.

3 points
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splitpea1's picture

January 25, 2020 at 04:27 pm

I think the Packers "won lucky" in a few games due to the opponents' best players being out with injuries. Then there was the first Lions game where we benefited from the officials. Other times the Packers weren't lucky, but just did the minimum to win (Redskins, at Lions, Panthers, home vs. Bears).

More experience and production from Sternberger, Savage, and Gary will help this team get better, along with a stellar draft that includes a DL, ILB, and WR. I'm not expecting any big splashes in free agency, though--maybe just "insurance" veterans and re-signing a couple of their own players; the Packers are more than just a player or two away.

3 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2020 at 09:46 am

The Niners also played some close games this year(Rams, Cards), it was a very competitive season in the NFC.

1 points
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stockholder's picture

January 25, 2020 at 05:02 pm

The Smith's were aggressive. I think we wouldn't have it any other way. But there is a thing about being to careful. The first thing I noticed was how close the OL of SF played us. Just reach out and push the guy right or left. (per run play) They pushed are guys into others. Taking advantage of a defense not aligned for the run. ( But the pass.) Martinez was just to slow and got caught up. The saints play with spacing in their line. The Vikings too. SF took advantage of the quick hit. Much like Arron Jones does at times. Their Rbs gave us a dose of how fast they really are. Their lineman too. And with nobody pushing the lineman into the Rb. The Trench was a wrestling match. I often think how good Raji first was. Pickett and Wilkins. Push , push, push. There was No push. The tightness of the Ol ended the penetration. Forcing the runs wide. The heart of our defense has no Life. It moves to slow. Something has to be done to change the beat. Gute needs push.Pickett was a guy that could play anywhere. Raji knew what the middle was about. And Wilkens was big and fast. Compare the Dl of the past and you'll see this one has no Future. Something are Brain Trust refused to see.

3 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 25, 2020 at 08:22 pm

Yes the 49ers were well schemed, and Shanahan has seen Pettine system up close and personal for years before he was a head coach, so there's that. But the reality is the Packers had more of a talent gap in their front defensive 7 than we fans realize against the 49ers. Where the 49ers that good that night, or the the Packers that bad. A little bit of both I suppose. Rodgers really hurt this team by his play. I still don't get why he didn't go for moving the chains more often, and why wasn't he getting the ball out quicker, he was flat and slow for most of the game. As I said before, Pettine didn't have many adjustments he could have made. Outside of Burks, and starting Goodson, I don't know what else Pettine could have done before game time. MLF did not do Pettine any favors, that's for sure. Despite the ending, for a team which will turn over close to half their roster next year, that was a heck of a run. For a team where most of the wins came on defensive stands, luck had very little to do with it. It's not winning lucky, it's winning ugly. 14 wins is not an accident... (I am still puzzled why MLF did not pound the ball against the Chargers and later the 49ers. Speed rushing defenses going up a battered offensive line was an invite to pound Rodgers into the grass. I would like to hear from MLF on that one...)

-2 points
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Tundraboy's picture

January 25, 2020 at 09:53 pm

Spot on. I too feel DL is paramount and will have the most impact. And as for Jace, I'm on board. I doubted his physical stature at the start and felt he needed the year in the weight room, but what I saw against Seattle and San Francisco was he had some serious fight in him
That has me very encouraged.

2 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2020 at 10:30 am

We were weak against the run for the majority of the season and Niners simply attacked our weakness .Most importantly, they had two very good and mobile blockers that can cause havoc in todays defenses that are geared towards stopping the pass, TE & fullback. I watched the game again and those two were blocking us from different alignments. Also, I watched many games during the last 5 wks of the season and Brees, Wilson, and Mahomes were all doing the same thing that we're criticizing Rogers for. In past seasons ,he would follow up a missed play with a great pass ,but with fewer good options at his disposal those plays are less frequent. It also didn't help that we again started poorly in a game against a very good team in their stadium, 20 yd punt and an unfortunate penalty against Clark when he tripped into Garoppolo's legs, both lead to TDs.

4 points
4
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