Packers Vs Jets - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' preseason game against the Jets.
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.
So, who screwed up more?
Kamal Martin frantically trying to get to his right spot and execute his assignment.
Ty Summers with nothing else to do but cover the tight end coming across his face and just lets him go completely.
Innis Gaines for dropping too deep and being very late to react to the only receiver he could possibly help out with.
Hefty Hefty Heflin:
As much as we've heard about how stout Heflin is, he shows some surprising athletic ability here. His burst off the snap is quick enough that the guard misses him completely. He then pushed the center's right arm away and executes a nice swim move. Once clear of the center, he wastes no time and closes on the quarterback. To top it all off, he executes a perfect quarterback hit using the preferred technique that will not draw you an automatic flag. Pretty impressive!
Get Uphoff of that thing...
After getting downfield first on a previous punt and forcing a fair catch, Uphoff again beats the two players tasked with stopping him. He falls down this time, but gets Uphoff the ground and tackles te returner. The Packers haven't had a gunner look this good since Jeff Janis, but can Uphoff make this team solely on special teams play? 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.
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Comments (28)
Coldworld
August 23, 2021 at 11:28 pm
The first one is a trifecta of cluelessness. I like Gaines, but I’m not sold on any of the new safeties deep. Maybe Scott. I’m not sold on any of the backup linebackers—Burks looked just as lost as Martin did there.
I like Uphoff as a prospect but he looks like he needs a year in the weight room before he’s ready to do anything on D. I think that players need to at least be serviceable in an emergency. Bush worked, Burks hasn’t.
Heflin is a defensive steal. He’s not as stout as Lancaster as a clogger (neither is Slaton), but Heflin isn’t just a clogger as you point out. With Keke looking better and stronger, I’d like to see a lot of these three with Clark. Should be better against the run and at moving the pocket. I’m still not convinced it is wise to move on from Lancaster as a pure clogging option though. I’d rather see Heflin and Slaton encouraged to free up Clark or use their ability to disrupt.
Todd
August 23, 2021 at 09:20 pm
Get Uphoff on the PS and see where's he at in a year, and as for Heflin? I agree, he could be an absolute steal.
splitpea1
August 23, 2021 at 08:33 pm
Depending on how you look at it, the lack of a gunner could be construed as an emergency. Sometimes you have to bend the rules if you have a real need elsewhere. Some of us used to dread Bush in coverage (I'm eternally grateful for the Super Bowl INT, though), but he was a solid ST player, something we could use a few more of right now.
Coldworld
August 23, 2021 at 11:30 pm
Daffney, Burks, Ento, Sommers, M Taylor off the top of my head. They aren’t all getting cut, in fact none may be.
Bure9620
August 23, 2021 at 08:50 pm
With all of new moving parts in many position groups I actually think defensive line is most intriguing...Heflin looks like a steal and can get work on early downs. Slaton is very intriguing, is he a true nose? Does he play any 3rd downs? Where does Keke fit in? Is he a 3rd down interior pass rusher? Has he developed? Does Lancaster make The team? Heflin? Is Lowry jumped? Do they play him at the 5? As good of a player Kenny Clark is, I never really saw him as a true 0 tech. I love him two gapping at the 3...Can Slaton knock the Center over?....I can really see the defensive line being anywhere from pedestrian or a liability and unable to stop the run to the strength of the defense....and at times dominant...
BDaddy
August 24, 2021 at 08:31 am
Stretch for Upholf given the depth of “more” proven players; unfortunately the ST play, which was really good, may not get him the nod. On “trifecta of clueless,” consider sticking to generalizations vs. definitive conclusions. It’s clear this want man coverage; both LBs we’re playing zone; safety responsible for coming down sooner to pick up.
LambeauPlain
August 24, 2021 at 09:18 am
CW, I have been excited to see what Heflin could do once the Pack signed him and I read his back story.
What I have seen so far is "thumbs up".
I rewatched the game to focus on a few players and Hef was around the ball most of the time. He is relentless going after the ball carrier. Slayton has the size, yet Hef has the motor.
I agree....Packers found a football player.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
August 23, 2021 at 07:49 pm
.... and nobody is talking about the pitiful missed tackle by Gains allowing the TD that any puddles league 9 year old could have executed better. Shameful !
Alphadork
August 23, 2021 at 07:58 pm
The good news is that the actual defensive starters rarely flub up a coverage that badly. At least not as an entire group.
Coldworld
August 23, 2021 at 11:32 pm
Get yourself out of position, bad angle and momentum and that’s what happens, as Al suggests.
PeteK
August 24, 2021 at 10:01 am
Now I'm confused, was it Gaines 38 or Ento 48 with the terrible tackles.
JerseyAl
August 24, 2021 at 12:01 pm
Gaines
BDaddy
August 25, 2021 at 07:44 am
I’m sure you could’ve done better, right… how many NFL teams have signed you to camp? And oh wait, of course even Hall of Fame players miss tackles don’t they? A 9-year could tackle elite athletes aye… sounds more like 9-year commentary here.
Archie
August 23, 2021 at 08:19 pm
excellent focus/analysis.
Lphill
August 23, 2021 at 08:24 pm
Worst play ? a shank or 21 yard punt ? JK Scott is God awful!
Coldworld
August 23, 2021 at 11:33 pm
Why did you not say that before?
13TimeChamps
August 24, 2021 at 08:38 am
After posting it 20 times, I'm starting to think he might feel that JK Scott is God awful!
Horrible4
August 23, 2021 at 09:12 pm
The best linebackers cover players, not grass. The linebackers need to be in position initially on zone coverage but as the play breaks down you need to find the open guy and cover instead of standing there waiting for something to happen. If we can get more of this on passing downs and more disciplined gap control, I've always said the Packers can have a top 5-10 defense. I have good confidence that Devondre Campbell and Krys Barnes can be these guys but we have to see Joe Barry's defense first.
BDaddy
August 25, 2021 at 07:17 am
Theoretically, a commoner would say “yeah, that makes sense, cover my zone then jump a man that enters.” You’ve revealed your lack of football IQ here. Any LB that leaves the his underneath zone to go vertical (safety responsibility) wouldn’t stay on any high school roster, let alone an NFL roster.
JerseyAl
August 25, 2021 at 07:51 am
A "commoner?" Hath we a noble in our midst?
BDaddy
August 25, 2021 at 04:13 pm
Nice! Good one! No offense… Just saying that the general population likely sees the same thing you see… everyone has a job and leaving their zone for a vertical player the S is responsible for is not an option. All underneath coverage has a ceiling depending on coverage call.
BAMABADGER
August 23, 2021 at 10:20 pm
"Git Uphoff that thang, dance you'll feel better. Git Uphoff dat thang, try to relieve that pressure. Hit me!"
LambeauPlain
August 24, 2021 at 09:17 am
Al, here is what made me go Hmmmmm:
The play at LT for most of the game when Nijman manned the position. I do not think he lost a single snap. He smothered his man over and over and kept them from making any plays.
He was very impressive and I believe he has made the 53. He's far better than Dennis Kelly right now.
I would not be surprised, if he plays well at Buffalo, he allows Jenks to move back to his LG spot for the opener...probably unlikely....but it would not be surprising.
Coldworld
August 24, 2021 at 10:09 am
Nijman was impressive. I’m not sure I’m ready to start him, but I am beginning to think he might in future.
LambeauPlain
August 24, 2021 at 12:08 pm
Yeah, unlikely he will start in game one. I would not be shocked if he earned the nod, though.
I am looking forward to see how he does vs Buffalo as he will surely start there...and probably against Bills starters and/or key backup.
Yosh received praise from Matt for his performance. He's rising up the depth chart.
CoachDino
August 24, 2021 at 04:46 pm
Ya, I'm with you guys Yosh might just be coming into his own. Theres a reason they kept him on the 53 even when we all wondered why. I keep asking - Can he play RT?
I'm not ready to start him at LT in the season but this is the NFL and players have to step up when called upon. But if Yosh isn't taking 1st string reps in practice I wouldn't think they plan on using him in the game.
CoachDino
August 24, 2021 at 04:52 pm
Al, Not sure if this was your point but I think it was. All three guys showed they aren't up to the job as they should be. Someone should of recognized what happened and made the proper adjustment. When one guys makes a mistake and your teammates aren't capable (when given the opportunity) to cover for you your defense is in for a long season. Players get beat and mistakes are made all the time, good teams minimize the amount of those instances but are also able to minimize the damage by corrective action. Good news is that if everything goes as planned there will only be one of those guys on the field at most, others will be be much more capable of helping!!
CoachDino
August 24, 2021 at 04:55 pm
I'm a huge Uphoff fan, I'm not sure he survives waivers as he had some juice coming out of college until that injury and bad pro day occurred. Teams may think he is faster than his pro day now. Tough one as Scott and Black are much more polished at this point. I just see Uphoff with the most potential. Plus that ST prowess his has displayed is in much need on this squad. I see redmonds out, poor kid, but tbh I had him on my cut list.