As previously mentioned, our site was down until late last night (damn you interweb!)
That being the case, I’m coming with a different take on the Green Bay Packers’ 30-24 home win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Instead of writing a game story/column about the Pack improving to 6-4 on the season, I’m simply going to discuss the things that impressed or infuriated me about the game (the list won’t be even, of course, as the Packers were victorious). By writing what I’d usually write this long after the game, I’d come off like the guy who wants to recap the party four days after the party. Dude, I remember you pulling off the 24-second keg stand. What ELSE have you been up to?
Also, I could say this format is similar to things you’ve seen in other places…but by saying that I’d be assuming you read OTHER football sites. And we all know that just is not true.
What impressed me:
1. Ryan Grant – Ever since the ink dried on Ahman Green’s one-year contract, Grant has been a different player. He’s run for 482 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and three scores in the five games since Green was signed in late October. He had 347 yards (3.8 yards per carry) and two scores in the five games that preceded it. He’s running hard, taking on contact and showing the quick cutback ability that makes him so good. Those aspects of his game were all on display Sunday against the league’s third-best run defense (the Niners had allowed just 3.3 yards per carry coming into the game). Grant finished with 129 yards and a score on just 21 carries. If Grant can keep this up, Green Bay’s passing game will only become more dangerous.
2. Brandon Jackson – Jackson will likely never be a big-time running back. But with six catches for 65 yards against the Niners, he showed he can be a valuable player. He’s got good hands, a sense of where the open spaces are and a bowling ball, rolling-stone-gathers-no-moss running style. He’s also good in pass protection. Grant and Jackson could potentially form a nice little tandem, especially important now with the season-ending injuries to Aaron Kampman and Al Harris (more on them in a bit).
3. The offensive line – Considering the Niners’ solid defense, this was the o-line’s best effort thus far. Aaron Rodgers had time and Grant had nice holes to work with. We saw, particularly in the first half, what this offense can do. A big reason for that was the showing of the much-maligned five up front.
4. Cullen Jenkins – We at OBOD probably don’t applaud the big fella enough for what he brings to the table. We’re going to start rectifying that now. Jenkins was a force throughout the game. Without question he’s one of the two or three most important players on this defense. And, man, is that guy a good athlete.
5. B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews – Raji’s ankle is finally healthy. You saw that at numerous times in the game. He recorded his first career sack, was key in containing Frank Gore and opened things up for the ‘backers. Matthews continues to be a freak, showing he can cover and play the run just as well as he rushes the passer. This kid has major potential.
What infuriated me:
1. The conservative offensive approach in the second half – With a 23-3 lead coming out of the lockerroom, the Packers had a comfortable lead, but were far from having things locked up. Had the team gotten one more score early in the third, however, the game would have officially been over. Thanks to Mike McCarthy’s conservative approach on offense, San Fran was given a window back into the game. You can’t give a Mike Singletary team that window. McCarthy, like Mike Sherman and Mike Holmgren before him, seems unwilling (or unable) to fully put a game away. Don’t get all revisionist-historian on me with regards to Holmgren, either. He was THE MASTER of failing to step on opponents’ throats. You know that’s true.
2. The defense’s inability to stop Vernon Davis in the second half – Davis was a complete non-factor in the first half. Still, he finished with six catches for 108 yards and a score. He was the focal point of San Fran’s offense in the final two quarters, yet the defense seemed unable to contain him. Even worse is the fact that Davis saw single coverage on many of his catches. Seriously, Dom, no double teams there? That needed to be corrected and it never was.
3. Brian Billick – I couldn’t think of a third thing that infuriated me, so I just went with Billick. Man, he stinks on television. Brian, I don’t care what YOU would do in these situations; just analyze the game. Stop using your broadcast time to pathetically audition for your next head coaching job. I can’t believe it’s so hard to find good people to analyze these games. But it really seems like it is, at least at the moment.
-Chris Lempesis
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