Packers Vs.Buccaneers - 3 Plays That Make You Go Hmmm

Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' game against the Bucs

After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons.

 

Lazard Wide Open:

TunnelDavanteVision: We've seen many examples all year of Rodgers forcing the ball to Davante Adams in the Red Zone. In their two Red Zone trips where they settled for field goals, Adams was targeted on five of those six passes. This particular play on third down is easily the most egregious. Rodgers is not under undo pressure while Adams is running a complicated route that gives a very narrow window requiring a perfect pass. Meanwhile, Lazard has single coverage and his defender falls down leaving him all alone. He's directly in Rodgers' line of sight, but Rodgers isn't looking - he's totally focused on Adams. I slowed down and paused the video to show just how easy this should have been. One has the feel the Adams route was a play they worked on during the week and decided they loved it and they were sure to score a TD on it. So Rodgers was going to force it in there no matter what, except possibly Adams falling down. DavanteVision cost the Packers four points here.

 

 

AJ Dillon:

This is your future at running back Packers fans. You won't get the occasional electric runs that Aaron Jones can deliver, but if you're a fan of pounding defenses into submission, this is your guy. Previous to this play, Dillon made a difficult catch on a swing pass and picked up 13 yards and a first down. Here he is met at the line of scrimmage for what should be no gain and turns it into five yards. Someone on twitter had the balls to bitch to me about the Packers 2020 draft in the middle of the game as the Packers were making their comeback attempt. According to this genius, instead of helping the team, Gutey drafted a "fat running back." That's the worst kind of fan - more interested in pushing their "I was right" narrative (even if they're not) than actually watching the game and rooting for their team. After calling him out, he was blocked in a nanosecond.

 

 

Big Cat:

If this was his last go-round and he doesn't return next season, I'm sure going to miss Marcedes Lewis. He quietly does all the dirty work and revels in it. He's a silent assassin of a blocker and here you can see him destroy Jean Pierre Paul and throw him "Reggie White Hump Move Style" face-first into the turf. Àt the end of the play, you'll note a hyped Matt LaFleur coming skipping down the sideling to congratulate him. He's a coaches dream, for sure.

 

 

 

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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

__________________________

17 points
 

Comments (88)

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

January 26, 2021 at 11:06 am

All season long the Rodgers-Adams tunnel-vision was applauded when successful and met with little dissent when failed. The problem is it rarely failed in any significant manner or game, but playoff defenses are different and the Bucs showed it, but Rodgers denied it, and it cost the team and the fans an SB. Rodgers played hero ball instead of team ball when team ball was very much the way and was needed most.

8 points
14
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Thegravedigger's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:45 am

Mike pettine, kevin king, and matt lafleur lost this game. Rodgers had to play hero ball. Because his coaches and one cornerback put him in that situation. You cant run on the bucs, not consistently. They tried. The bucs gave up 80 total rushing ypg all season. Mike pettine. First drive. Tries to blitz tom brady twice on 3rd down. Both 3rd n long. Result?? you dont blitz tom brady. Long pass. Long pass td. Then mike starts rushing 4 and it works for a few drives. Because lets face it. King needs safety help. And the front 4 HAS to get there. Lets go to the last play before halftime. Pettine has them in fucking press man. With no safety help on both sides. In that situation, king has to know, tackle the guy in bounds, theres no fg, time runs out. But pettine had them in press man. Disgusting play. 14 points on king n pettine. And lafleur. With the fg. What are you thinking?? Even if we dont convert the 4th, you get em down there on the 10. If you score n dont get the 2, your down 2. Make the stop. Kick a fg. I just dont understand. The moment was too big. He choked. You got the mvp. Get the td. Lafleur, pettine, king. Lafleur will hopefully learn from his mistakes. The other 2 will learn somewhere else.

7 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:13 am

Three great plays Al. I, as a fan, was immediately infused with energy when Dillon carried that guy on his back for a seven-yard gain. You could kind of sense it in the team as well. There will always be the "I told you so" types and there is no shortage of them here. We've heard from a lot of the fan base all season long that this team does not have the talent to compete. This game surely proved them wrong as, I believe, this game came down to execution. There were too many plays that our star players did not execute with only less than a handful needed to possibly change the outcome. Now, if only CHTV would install a block feature!

7 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:23 am

Why do many players fail to execute successfully? Could it be that the opponent executes better and doesn't that imply them the better team, since the same result happened twice. Wouldn't that suggest that this team wasn't really SB caliber? I know, statistics says they are but play against the better shows the truth and the truth showed GB was inferior again.

Cowherd says GB and Rodgers have the easier path to the playoffs, and I agree. I also agree that this GB regular season team takes advantage of that path, but it comes to abrupt and ugly ends because the truth comes to view as was once again shown Sunday.

I know, I know, Cowherd is a hated person here, and that is why so many are blind to reality and have their hearts crushed yearly.

-4 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:42 am

Taryn, you make a stronger case by not using Cowherd. He is a Troll in all aspects...

3 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:56 am

I have said this for a long time before Cowherd said it this past week. The problem with many here is they don't like how he says things, but nonetheless those things said are true. The Packers have lost to every team with a winning record except for Tennessee, who most knew were not going to be dominant in the playoffs, no matter the praise of Tannehill's growth after leaving Miami. The Packers again failed to measure up to real playoff teams, as even the Rams weren't at full capacity two weeks ago, and that win poured more mushy concrete to support what GB wasn't, the better team, whether by matchups, coaching and desire against Tampa Bay, Brady and Arians.

0 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:24 pm

I have no problem with Cowherd, He said the day before the game that The Packers front office is adept at finding talent int he 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds and that any team would love to have them.

1 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:51 am

"Many players fail to execute", We lost by only five pts. If I didn't know the score , listening to you two , one would think the score was 40-17.

4 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:01 pm

Rodgers not seeing Lazard for a TD. Adams dropping a TD that he routinely catches. King playing undisciplined D. Any one of these plays could have changed the outcome and none had anything to do with the opponent executing better. So what is your point? It is clear to me that you only see things through your lens and I can only assume it is because you are the one blinded by your lust to be right. Your first post after the game after a month of relative silence demonstrates that. To me, it can be the only explanation. Good luck.

4 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:28 pm

If you are the all knowing one, then why did you jump off the arodg bandwagon so quickly? You even changed your screen name. If kevin king doesnt shit the bed, this
Is a different outcome. You cant just say they are the better team and you were right all along when alot of the players out there did in fact put us into position to win. Why sign tramon?? You tell me this taryn. If tramon williams is covering scotty miller 8 secs before the half, does he give up that td??. The bucs and the packers are close, but they are not the better team. We were outcoached. And it fuckin sucks. Rodgers got sacked alot cus our left tackle was out. . They blew an opportunity. Thats the truth. It was a close game. The coaches were the difference. And about cowherd. He was all over the packers after that titans game. Admitting how colin was wrong. "When colin was wrong" everything about the packers. They were the favorites for a reason. Thats why this sucks. Because they were at least equally matched, not inferior. And they blew it

1 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:28 pm

I will second this gravedigger. As far as the players go,I did not watch Bucs win but rather the Packers lose.

1 points
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Rebecca's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:23 pm

So the Packers lost the game because they made mistakes, not because they were behind the entire game, and for awhile were down by 18 points. Yeah close game. Not.

0 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:10 pm

Yeah. They made mistakes they don't usually make that had nothing to do with the Bucs play. As a result, they were down 18. What is your point?

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:19 pm

Most games are not won, they are lost.

The bomb before halftime and the fumble/TD right after put 14 points on the board in about a minute. The rest of the game was Packers, 26-17. We lost this game on those two plays.

6 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:11 pm

That's what the Doctor said.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:44 pm

“We were out coached.” Dead on! I’d also say we were out prepared mentally.

Sadly that was not the first time this season or last that this has happened. That’s my concern, not the roster or it’s toughness. In fact I saw plenty of fight once they settled just not the play calling to back it.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:12 pm

You make plays or you don't. Players not plays.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2021 at 08:12 pm

Coaches set the mindset. Great coaches teams rise to the occasion. We did not do that, we played below expectations.

1 points
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Hematite's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:30 pm

I agree with you gravedigger, this was a coaching loss.
I haven't seen such pussified coaching since the Dan Devine years.
I believe that LeFleur will continue to learn and grow into a great coach.
The question is, will he have a great quarterback to work with?

0 points
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murf7777's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:29 pm

Why do you only come out when you have the opportunity to be negative?

-2 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:45 pm

Everyone has to come out sometimes

2 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:29 pm

Lastly, your argument all off season and season long was they didn't have the talent to compete against better teams. Now you're saying they can't win because they can't execute against better teams. Seems awfully conveinient. So which one is it? Or is it both now? Now, Good Luck.

-1 points
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Rebecca's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:41 pm

Don’t talented teams execute their best in their home stadium to a home crowd in the Chmpionship game? If they don’t as many did not, then how can you say they are better or more talented? The Packers lost twice to the lesser talented Buccaneers? There must be some other excuse, right? Lombardi is rolling over in his grave over these excuses. Yeah, we need blocking installed here. Also tackling, catching the ball and maybe some talent to actually compete defensively.

2 points
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PearlyBakerBest's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:01 pm

Yes. And sometimes talented teams don't execute well in that scenario and lose. Sometimes less talented teams execute better and win in that scenario. The Bears beat the Bucs. Albeit not in your scenario but did you immediately think the Bucs didn't have the talent to beat them? Hence my comment of the Pack losing rather than getting beaten.

2 points
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splitpea1's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:32 am

Definitely a poor decision on the Lazard play, as he breaks open with a ton of space before Rodgers starts his windup. Reverting back to not taking the easy completion again....

I don't understand why we didn't see Dillon until the middle of the third quarter. Williams wasn't doing much, and we didn't run enough anyway. It seems like this would have been an ideal game to distribute the ball evenly between the three backs from the get-go.

We need to find a scatback type in the draft if we can.

6 points
6
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flackcatcher's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:46 am

Dexter Williams will get his shot (if he makes the team) next season. My question is who replaces Linsdey at center if they don't resign him. (Cap Man is at the door...)

2 points
2
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splitpea1's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:32 pm

Maybe the depth and versatility we have on the OL will present a solution there. I am really hoping the Packers spend the majority of their draft picks (I think we have 10) on defense this time around.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:48 pm

Jenkins, Patrick, Hansen are certainly candidates. It depends on where the likes of Runyon, Stepaniak and any others fit best. No shortage of decent candidates. We can’t afford Linsley, but the downgrade should be limited.

2 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 27, 2021 at 02:36 am

Any way you look at it, the OL will be losing a first team All Pro and inserting an unproven IOL, either a draft pick or Runyan/Stepaniak/Hanson.

Wagner is on shaky ground. He might be a cap casualty, but that can wait until we see at what amount the salary cap actually is set.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:30 pm

I think that Jenkins will move to center. Patrick looks like a starter at one guard. Wagner and Turner as our starters at tackle until Bakhtiari returns.

I’ think Lane Taylor is finished. We currently have Runyon, Nijman, and Braden. I’m expecting us to do something in the draft.

-1 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:56 pm

It really is depressing talking about 2021 season today. But i hear you and i hope bakh can at least get back for the later part of the season. Lane taylor might have somd juice tho you never know. Would be worth a look in camp.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:42 pm

I have no issue with looking, but his last two seasons have ended early, with injuries. I don’t think his body can take it and I wouldn’t be planning on him. The guys I mentioned are our line for next year. At this point.

-1 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:43 pm

I have been noticing Patrick improving especially in the run blocking , he pancaked that idiot Suh , very satisfying. I think Runyon will be at left guard and a T will be drafted.

1 points
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murf7777's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:59 pm

He also did well against Donald the week before.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:31 pm

He has a tendency not to rotate his head left to right sometimes on the progressions, He's on the Adams fix, w/out real pressure. The play design was perfect as Tampa was in man. He may want to work on this technique and its a read response deal, just mis-fired to Adams. That's the way it goes, move forward. Some act as if they took a million dollar hit from Vegas.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:35 pm

*

1 points
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baldski's picture

January 27, 2021 at 08:35 pm

Yes, 55 pass plays vs. 16 runs seems ridiculous to me.

0 points
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:27 am

Good three plays. DeVante Vision: I doubt that will ever change. 15 mil. Says you go to him. Dillion- yes he's the future now. Lewis- nice blocker. Gutes draft. Qb instead of WR. 15 mil. reasons why! Dillion, steady not electric. Lewis no speed after the catch. 3rd rd. TE? Can Block. Final results - No Super-Bowl again.

-3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:33 pm

The receivers were all gone. The second tier are no better than the crew on board. Claypool faltered down the stretch. They had signed Funchess, remember?

1 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:33 am

I rewatched the game last night. What is so madding is the win was there for the taking. At a time when Rodgers needed to play more game manager, his ego got to him with Adams. (again) Call it the curse of age. Young Rodgers would have checked down and found Lazard. Oh well... AJ Dillion is everything the Packers hoped for, so why wasn't he in the fourth quarter more? He was the one back who overmatched Tampa LB and forced them out of their blitz calls. He changed the game on the field... Marcedes Lewis quietly does his work. A pros pro. An old school player in all respects, more important to this team than most folks realize. The Packers have no replacement for him on the field or in the locker room. Let's hope he decided to return for one final go around... Thanks Al.

8 points
8
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scullyitsme's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:39 am

As disappointing as the ending was, in hindsight they did much better than I thought they would his year. We go into the off season pretty much needing the exact same things they didn’t get last year. Reliable #2 WR, D line, Linebacker. All 3 positions where wildly inconsistent this year, and we all knew they would be(or most of us). They didn’t do anything last year, wonder if they’ll try this year.

7 points
7
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Razer's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:22 pm

I am with you on your wrap-up including the "they did much better than I thought" comment.

I will add RT, #2 cornerback and Jones-like RB to your next year's list.

4 points
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scullyitsme's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:06 pm

Yep those too. But as someone said earlier or on another article what they really need is heart, and I’d ad, energy. Especially defensively. I’m tired of seeing the other team come out a fired up and ready to kick some a@@, and we come out “thinking” on defense. I’m ready to move on from “cerebral” defensive coordinators. I want someone that wants to hit people through his players.

1 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:50 pm

I guess you haven't watched the D the last few weeks. Remember the D did not give up 14 of those pts against TB. There is good reason that we might be better next year with a younger CB and more experience from our LBs.

0 points
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scullyitsme's picture

January 26, 2021 at 08:27 pm

Oh, I watched the whole season just like you. Sure the D had some good points, they aren’t all bad, had some good games. The last game there is plenty of blame everywhere. It’s just an overall general feeling I’ve had since capers, cerebral should be offense, defense should just hit people. I want Kevin greene( rip) or someone like him coaching our D. 100% effort . Maybe it’s nitpicking

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:38 pm

Cornerbacks

0 points
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Bearmeat's picture

January 26, 2021 at 11:53 am

I seriously doubt Jones is back. Linsley and King too. Good riddance on the latter. What a draft bust. Could have had TJ Watt...

We should have won on Sunday. What a waste. Getting routine since 11....

So many problems with the game on Sunday. Getting away from running the ball. No help to the OTs. Dropped picks. We earned that L against a good team. We were better. And we sucked.

10 points
10
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flackcatcher's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:17 pm

Know how you feel Bear. What a gut punch. This one's going to take a while...

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:41 pm

Pitchers and Catchers in a few weeks(months). Gotta stay alive with the positive vibe.

2 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:56 pm

Plus a few slap shots and dunks in between.....and then the draft, my real Xmas time. I'll have my prelim. list soon.

-1 points
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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:10 pm

I could see them resigning Linsley before Jones.

1 points
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Todd's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:22 pm

You rewatched the game, Al? You're braver than I am. :-)

Like the 3 play examples. Had forgot Rodgers went to Adams on 5 of 6 plays. And Dillon showed he could be a force next year. It will be unfortunate if Jones leaves--for the money he's wanting it's probably not worth it, but they have Dillon, they can draft another RB and move on. If they can somehow figure out how to keep Williams? Bonus!

3 points
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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:09 pm

If they run with Dillon and Williams next season, they are going to pound the crap out of defenses.

1 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:21 pm

Dillon will shed about 10 pounds and be even more explosive next year. I think Lewis comes for another season because he comes cheap and is needed. We can put blame on so many things, but if we executed inside the ten we would have won. Especially the first time, we missed a few times by inches, it was just bad luck(they lost a safety , we lost one of the best weapons in all of the NFL). I'm old enough to have watched all the great QBs miss players for possible TDs. It looks so easy on film after the fact, but I understand that's what fans do. However, now to want Rogers traded or to slander him is ridiculous. In the last two seasons there is only one team that has performed better than us.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2021 at 12:51 pm

Well said (excepting Dillon losing weight: he is minimal body fat),

2 points
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PeteK's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:04 pm

Maybe during the combine.

-1 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:41 pm

What about on 4th down inside the ten when lafleur took the ball out of the mvps hands and handed tampa a fucking victory. If i was a tampa coach, player or fan i wouldve jumped out of my fucking underwear in joy when i saw crosby run out there. Lafleur has been spectacular. But he fuckin choked. Hard. Plain n simple. Im one of thr most optimistic fans on here. But i cant get past the coaching in this game. And neither should any of you. Cus that was a joke.

0 points
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2
Packers1985's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:18 pm

The Davante Vision isn't going anywhere. That is exactly why we needed to draft another stud receiver.
As good as Lazard has been this season he isn't the same after the return from injury and suffered with few drops the last few matches. This is making that going back to Davante habit even worse.
Hopefully Arod is taking some time off and working on it in the Offseason more and coming back every ready and learn from the mistakes.

0 points
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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:07 pm

I don't disagree that they could use another stud receiver, but I don't see any drop-off from Lazard after his injury. He's a tough kid, good receiver, but a 3 or 4. Same with MVS. I like both those guys, and I know in MLF's system you aren't supposed to need great receivers, but I still think they could use a solid #2.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:48 pm

MVS and Adams were one of the top receiving combos in the league.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2021 at 08:23 pm

Lazard was lost or below par for the bulk of the regular season. As a former doubter, he is valuable and hope he can stay healthy next year to capitalize on his ability.

MVS is arguably close to a breakout. Funchess I think would pair well with this group and be complimentary piece to them, particularly in mesh concepts and over the middle.

EQ remains mere potential. We need more depth. I see a couple of mid late round picks but, unless there is a dramatic drop by a talent, I don’t see a first day WR.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 27, 2021 at 02:48 am

No WRs until day 3, unless some WR drops to us in the first to third rounds that would be a crime to pass on.

0 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 27, 2021 at 10:40 am

I'm fine with this group. MVS played himself into the no.2 WR this season, ESB was always going to take a year after his awlful leg injury. That they got him in rotation midseason says everything about him. And Lazard will only get better, he was made for MLF system. Furness might have been nice, but we're never know what might have been this season. Suprisingly, the player the Packers really missed the most was Ervin. Packers could not replace him on special teams nor in the offensive scheme.

0 points
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Packers1985's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:18 pm

The Davante Vision isn't going anywhere. That is exactly why we needed to draft another stud receiver.
As good as Lazard has been this season he isn't the same after the return from injury and suffered with few drops the last few matches. This is making that going back to Davante habit even worse.
Hopefully Arod is taking some time off and working on it in the Offseason more and coming back every ready and learn from the mistakes.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:33 pm

Adams and MSV were one of the top receiving combos in the league. Next year, too, I bet.

4 points
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J_brooks's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:34 pm

Thanks for all your work this year Al, it is much appreciated!

Seeing that forced pass to Adams in slow motion is even worse than live... I saw Lazard breaking open for the easy throw live, but it looks like Williams straight up beat his guy with some Adamsesque footwork off the line and is wide open too. MVS may have been breaking open to the corner too (though there is a safety in zone in the area). Wish Rodgers would have worked through his progression on that one (if there was even a progression planned for the play).

3 points
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barutanseijin's picture

January 26, 2021 at 01:40 pm

Watching the game with my brother — virtually, we’re 1000 miles apart— we noticed Rodgers’ fixation on Adams in real time. That fixation costs the team points. If Rodgers really wants to go to another Super Bowl, he has to play better in these games. That means checking his ego, among other things.

That Dillon run was a thing of beauty, really the best thing any Packer did all day.

3 points
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Razer's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:41 pm

...That Dillon run was a thing of beauty, really the best thing any Packer did all day...

So true. Why we can't embrace a power run game is beyond me. We should have seen Dillon in our 1st and goal series at the end of the game. Three desperation rockets forced into excessive coverage was our identity. Kind of did it to ourselves.

1 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:53 pm

Jaire and his 2 picks. Mvs caught all his balls. Amos with his pick. Alot of packers played well. Kevin king and mike pettine blew it. Eq and his dropped conversion. Another lafleur fuckup. Go for the one there. Its still the 3rd quarter. Tampa kicked a fg went up 8 and if they were only up 7 maybe lafleur doesnt kick that fuckin fg at the end. Id say he definitely doesnt. Kirksey played well, clark played well. They were outcoached in this one. 14 points at least fall on pettine and king. A few more on lafleur.

2 points
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Razer's picture

January 26, 2021 at 02:34 pm

I don't think that Rodgers played particularly well for numerous reason, many outside his control. O-line got manhanded by the front 4, play calling was pass crazy simple and the Bucs played very good defense. The compressed time in the pocket had Rodgers shortening his reads to his go-to guy. It is unfortunate that the OC/HC didn't adjust to mitigate the game flow with let's say a big bruising runner. Picking a play where Lazard's coverage guy slips after Rodgers is on to his next read paints a convenient picture.

No point in getting too fine on this game evaluation. We got outcoached. The Bucs defense outplayed our offense. Brady capitalized on our mistakes. Rodgers and company didn't capitalize on their mistakes.

Get rid of Pettine. Get a new number 2 cornerback, a stud linebacker, 2 push the pocket D-linemen, new O-line center and RT, quick slot receiver and another RB to replace Jone's style of running. Try to get back to the NFC Championships in 2 years.

4 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 27, 2021 at 03:03 am

AR had a 101.6 passer rating. He completed 69% of his passes. He had a healthy yards/rec and yards/att stat. It was a very solid day despite the INT; indeed, it was well above average quarterbacking performance against an excellent defense. Easily a top 5 or even top 3 QB performance.

He wasn't Godgers.

0 points
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Grimm's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:29 pm

My Thoughts

This game was lost on 2 plays and they were huge. The Bucs TD to end the half, and the Jone's Fumble, recovered in the red zone. Take away those 2 plays and its an entirely different game.

Tampa's Defense is probably the best in the NFC. I think the Rams were rated a little higher than they actually are. 2 games against the 49ers and playing all the NFC East gave them the better stats. Also 2 shell with a strong rush has been Rodgers weakness. He does get frustrated or something and does not play as well as normal.

The officials. what can I say, Kings PI call was a good call. The problem was they did not call others that were as bad if not worse. They never should have been in the position for it to matter. The problem with that is the Bucs push the holding and interference in every game knowing they cant call them all, this was an advantage in a game where they letting those calls go.

Defense. We have good players but they just cant seem to get it done. I am all for a change at DC. Pettine is not the worst, but I would like to see us with a bit more aggressive unit overall.

Bottom line, they got beat. a few less mistake on the Packers and it would likely have been a different outcome.

3 points
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Razer's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:55 pm

Well said. We had those critical mistakes that cost us 14 quick points. Then, when we had our chances but didn't capitalize. I just don't see this team giving up 30+ points and winning big games.

1 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:58 pm

The King PI should have been offsetting with TWO holding calls by Tampa's OL. But as you say, that crew made a decision to sallow their whistles all game. Burns me to no end...

1 points
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Since'61's picture

January 26, 2021 at 03:45 pm

On the first of the 3 plays Rodgers is going with the guy who brought him to the dance. Adams had a chance to get his feet in bounds and score that TD. Throwing to Lazard looks obvious but Rodgers had moved his progression past Lazard by then.

The run by Dillon just proves to me that Dillon should have had more touches throughout the game especially in the red zone. Give him the ball and maybe he carries a few Bucs into the end zone on at least one of those possessions.

The block by Lewis just supports the idea of running more often especially in the 4th quarter. It also supports more carries for Dillon running behind him and for the TEs to chip on pass plays. Those are game preparation coaching failures. Very poor situational football preparation on both sides of the ball. Thanks, Since ‘61

3 points
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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 05:00 pm

Dillon, like most backs, needs a few carries to get into the flow. We saw that in the game against the Titans. I still can't understand why he didn't get more touches this season.

2 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 27, 2021 at 10:48 am

Dillon had the bad luck to get the convid-19 just when the Packers were ready to put him in the rotation. (shrugs) What can you do...

0 points
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Swisch's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:42 pm

That missed opportunity to Lazard really hurts.
Aaron Rodgers is such an enigma, it's hard to properly assess him. I'd be glad for other fans to help me out here.
When he fixates on Adams, for example, is that a lack of judgement on his part; or a stubbornness; or an inability to scan the field for other options?
When Rodgers seemingly goes deep too much and neglects the shorter routes that move the chains, there's the same three questions: lack of judgement; or stubbornness; or inability to scan?
Then there's wondering about whether Rodgers is overruling the plays of MLF to an excessive degree, including the changing of run calls into pass calls.
I don't know the answers, but MLF probably does, and to some extent the assistant coaches, and even his teammates somewhat.
The question about the future is not so much about the physical talent that remains with Rodgers as it is about his ability to make quick decisions on the field, or perhaps his willingness to be coached.
That's what needs to be sorted out.
There's so much greatness to Rodgers that it's hard to find the right perspective.
He's flawed greatness, or perhaps to put it more positively, greatness with flaws.
The greatness of Rodgers helps to lead the Packers a long way, but his flaws may let down the team in crucial moments of big games
It may be that Rodgers has come a quite a distance forward in his working relationship with MLF, and that this dynamic duo will grow to do even greater things in the future. This could argue for at least one more season with Rodgers, as he further refines his greatness by working to overcome his flaws -- giving the Packers even more of an opportunity for a Super Bowl.
If Rodgers is about as good as he is ever going to get, perhaps his greatness is of such a magnitude that we still live with the flaws -- hoping that could still be enough to put the Packers on top next year (especially if his teammates further improve around him).
However, if this is a matter of Rodgers being stubborn, if he is subtly undermining MLF, then it seems best to move on from him.
I don't know if we could trade him for the likes of a Derek Carr, or a bundle of draft picks, or whatever, but the key question for MLF and Gute is whether they trust Aaron Rodgers to be all in for the team.
I'm a big fan of Rodgers, and want him with the Packers. I think it's good for him to have a fair measure of say in the offense; that he deserves the benefit of the doubt in his decisions to some extent; and that he has earned a degree of exalted status, even to the point of being a bit of a diva (if he wants that).
However, in the heat of the moment in the pressure of a playoff game, Rodgers has to give way to MLF. The coach is the coach, and Rodgers has accept the role of being a player.
Is he willing to do that?

4 points
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baldski's picture

January 27, 2021 at 09:27 pm

Word from San Francisco on why they passed on drafting Arod number #1, was that he was too cocky. Flaw? or good trait?

Rodgers can do anything he wants to in a game. What are you going to do ? Bench a $30 million dollar MVP for not following orders?

0 points
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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

January 26, 2021 at 04:57 pm

Great choice of plays and spot on observations. I didn't see Marcedes Lewis destroy Jean Pierre Paul on that play, but that just brought a smile to my face! I sure hope he comes back for one more year.

"After re-watching the Packers game" - OK, someone seriously needs to buy JerseyAl a drink.

2 points
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Oppy's picture

January 26, 2021 at 06:05 pm

I wasn't a fan of the way the play calling went down at the end of the game either, but most people seem to be lamenting that you're crazy to put the game in the hands of this defense vs. Tom Brady and the Bucs offense, and even then, you can't be sure the Packers will get the opportunity to score again if they need to.

Here's the thing- even if the Packers scored a TD on 4th down, and successfully convert for 2 pts, it's a tie game. You're still putting the task of stopping the almighty Tom Brady and the Bucs offense in the hands of the defense- just to survive and make it to overtime. Otherwise, they run down the clock and score a simple field goal and it's game over.

If the Packers score the TD and fail the 2pt conversion, you're still in a 2 pt deficit, and You're still putting the task of stopping the almighty Tom Brady and the Bucs offense in the hands of the defense- and you need the offense to get another possession and score a FG to win. If the Bucs get a FG, the Packers now need to score another TD to win. Bucs TD? Goodnight.

If the Packers go for it 4th down and fail to convert, it's still an 8 point hole, and while it's a long field, You're still putting the task of stopping the almighty Tom Brady and the Bucs offense in the hands of the defense. They need to stop the bucs, period, with enough time left on the clock to score a TD and a 2 pt conversion just to eek it out into overtime.

If the packers kick the field goal, it's 3 points and the deficit is 5. You're still putting the task of stopping the almighty Tom Brady and the Bucs offense in the hands of the defense. If the bucs score a TD, it's game over. If the bucs score a FG, you need a TD and 2-pt conversion just to eek it out into overtime. You need to stop the bucs with enough time to score.

I have to think LeFleur's main thought must have been "We need the defense to hold no matter what.. the biggest sin in this situation is to walk away from this drive without any points. I need to take the FG."

My biggest gripe, especially considering the offense's difficulties scoring at that time, was that after the FG, they didn't attempt the onsides kick. I thought that was going to be the gamble if they couldn't punch it in on 3rd down and they decided to go FG, or if they DID score the TD but failed to make the 2 pt conversion.. Figured they'd go for the on sides. Ultimately, I would have liked to see them go for it on 4th down, but I can see the rationale for walking away with the closest thing to guaranteed points available (FG).

The other factor is this decision in LeFleur's mind was probably the Mike Vrabel decision earlier in the year. Very similar situation.

4 points
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Bearmeat's picture

January 26, 2021 at 08:28 pm

I think it was from 2 mins left in the 1st half until 10 mins left in the 3rd Q that really sunk us, and refusing to run the damn ball in the 4th quarter when we'd caught back up that finished us off. The bad call was bad.. but not the reason we lost.

0 points
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Swisch's picture

January 27, 2021 at 07:36 am

Good stuff, Oppy.

0 points
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Swisch's picture

January 27, 2021 at 07:36 am

Good stuff, Oppy.

0 points
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White92's picture

January 26, 2021 at 08:57 pm

I couldn't believe they didn't go to Dillon on any of the 6 plays following the picks or any of the 3 plays with 1st and goal at the 8. The play you highlighted was Dillon just getting lathered up and about to put the hurt on Tampa's D. Alas MLF put him on ice...

2 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 27, 2021 at 03:46 am

There was a discussion about what the Packers' philosophy is and what it should be. Gute seems to have thought it best to plan for the future while hoping for lightening to strike.

I wanted to go all in in 2019. And in 2020. GB didn't. There is still some window, but it isn't as wide open as it was this year. I think 2020 will prove to have been GB's best chance to win a Super Bowl. May lightening strike!

That is all.

1 points
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Swisch's picture

January 27, 2021 at 07:43 am

Remember, though, when the Packers drafted in 2019, it didn't seem we were anywhere close to contending for a Super Bowl -- so it made sense to plan for the future in good measure.
The question about 2020 is who could we have acquired who would have made a difference this year.

-1 points
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flackcatcher's picture

January 27, 2021 at 10:59 am

Hard to question Gute when we came so close in back to back seasons. This one is going to grind on a lot us. MLF's inexperience bit the Packers in the end. On to next season.

-1 points
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