ROLLINS ROLLS RAMS

Rookie Rollins Pick 6 Leads Pack over Rams

Quick… when was the last time the defense won a game and carried the offense for the Green Bay Packers on Aaron Rodgers’ watch? Or when was the last time Rodgers was intercepted at home? Or when Rodgers personally turned the ball over an ugly three times?

So he is human after all. The Packers offense is a stunning array of talent across the board and Rodgers is the biggest jewel in the crown. But Rodgers had (for him at least) a very pedestrian day going 19 for 3o good for 241 yards, 2 TD’s but 2 very ugly picks and 1 fumble on a strip sack. Eddie Lacy was largely contained as he was limited to 27 yards on 13 carries while the Packers as a whole ran for a measly 86 yards. The Rams however, behind their budding superstar Todd Gurley ran wild over Green Bay. Gurley put up an eye popping 159 yards on the ground but the Pack’s ever improving defense kept him out of the end zone.

While Gurley ran wild the rest of the Rams struggled against a ferocious Packer’s defense that was

swarming and attacked Nick Foles relentlessly. The NFL is now a passing league and for all Gurley’s exploits he couldn’t dent the goal line. Rookie Quentin Rollins made a huge impact with very large splash plays with his 2 INT;’s of Foles, one of which he took to the house early in the contest for his first pick 6 of his young career. The Rams lone TD came on a reverse with Tavon Austin who darted around the left side and into the end zone giving the Rams their only touchdown for the day.

It was expected that the front 7 would make a huge push and pressure the QB all day. What was not expected was it would be Green Bay’s front 7 that was the bully pushing the Rams all over the lot. Clay Matthews was a one man wrecking crew and was seemingly in the backfield before Rams QB Nick Foles could even hand the ball off. Foles was under constant pressure and his stat line was an embarrassing 11 of 30 for 141 yards but Foles also tossed 4 INT’s for the day. Compounding the felony Rams K Greg ‘The Leg’ Zuerlein missed 3 FG attempts. While Zuerlein’s misses were all from 50+ yards the Rams left a considerable amount of points of the field.

The Packers once again opened the scoring early when Rodgers found rookie Ty Montgomery on a

nifty 31 yard catch and run for 6. Montgomery’s role has been expanding weekly as the Pack deals with the inevitable injuries that will hit. Davante Adams was a scratch and Randall Cobb is still nursing a sore shoulder and Montgomery is stepping up when and where he is needed and he is consistently answering the bell. James Jones put in another stellar performance and he also found the end zone on a 65 yard catch and carry that ended when as he was hit near the goal line Jones launched himself forward. Realizing he may hit the turf before he crossed the goal line with the ball jones deftly planted his left hand down and gave himself a little extra ‘Oomph!’ that carried his momentum just enough to plant the ball on the stripe for 6. Jones’ contributions and value to the offense cannot be overstated. In his return to Green Bay from the scrap heap of the NFL he has been nothing short of spectacular in his return.

On draft day when the Pack’s first 3 picks were announced there were many left scratching their heads and even more scrambling to look up Damarious Randall, Quentin Rollins and Ty Montgomery. All 3 have already contributed mightily through the first 5 games of the season. After Rodgers staked the Packers to a 7- 0 lead as the 1^st period drew to an end Foles dropped back and as he was being hounded in what would become a game long theme he underthrew his target and Rollins, playing in the nickel slot, jumped the route, grabbed the ball and was off to the races. 45 yards later the Packers were up 14 – 0, Rollins had his first pick, first TD and first game ball of his career.

Foles would not fare much better throughout the day. Rollins added another pick late to seal the

deal. The Rams woes were exemplified by their inability to finish a drive deep in Packer territory. On consecutive drives late Foles was intercepted by Micah Hyde and Ha Ha Clinton Dix who grabbed the bouncing ball as it was deflected. Clinton- Dix’s pick was the dagger to dash the hopes of the Rams who had ridden Gurley’s ground pounding day to the brink of scoring only to come away empty handed.

The Rams dearth of receivers makes it difficult for them to get into a shootout. Rodgers, even on his worst days, is capable of beating anyone, anywhere, anytime under any circumstances. After Green Bay was up 14 – 0 it took trickery to dent the end zone on Austin’s reverse, a play that was aided when CB Casey Hayward lost Austin as he went in motion from the right side. It was one of the few miscues posted by the Packers defense.

The return of Letroy Guion cannot be undervalued in any form. The Packers lack the star power of their counterparts in St. Louis and can’t match them talent-wise. But they are becoming a far more ferocious group and have been playing at a high level since the latter part of last season. Dom Capers has become a genius again with his deployment of blitzes, zone blitzes and disguised coverages. Of course, now having the horses Capers can execute the schemes he employs knowing with the likes of Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, Julius Peppers et. al. the likelihood of success is much higher.

Not enough can be said about the Packs’ top 3 picks in the draft. Damarious Randall, Quentin Rollins

and Ty Montgomery have all stepped in and have been delivering far sooner than expected. When Jordy Nelson was lost for the year the head-scratching pick of Montgomery suddenly became far more relevant. Now withy Adams ailing Montgomery has earned Aaron Rodgers’ trust so much so he has become an integral part of the team’s offense. Not enough can be said about the steady development of tight end orchard Rodgers who alos is seeing an expanded role in the aerial game. Rodgers led all Packers receivers with 4 catches on Sunday. And James Jones has done nothing expect be magnificent is his return to Green Bay. As Rodgers hit Jones on a post route Jones turned on the jets and cut across the field for the corner pylon. Showing an atypical burst of speed Jones’ lunge will make the highlight reel in Titletown for many years to come.

Randall has seen much more playing time than initially expected but he has yet to shy away from the demands. He has been routinely used in nickel and dime packages and now Rollins is also joining the mix. He opened eyes not only in Green Bay but across the league with his pick 6. Rollins followed that up with another key INT that kept the Rams and Foles frustrated.

An earmark of a balanced and deadly team is a

team that can win ugly and win when their best effort isn’t out there. For his part Rodgers was visibly upset at himself and the offense. In his post-game press conference Rodgers looked like he was delivering an apologetic eulogy instead of his usual winners’ casual air. “We’ve got to play better (offensively)” said Rodgers. “"We didn't run it very well. They kind of challenged us in the box and then challenged us outside, and we didn't get open enough and didn't throw it well enough.

"We got bailed out by our defense."

I can’t turn the ball over. Some guys will sleep well tonight but I know I won’t.” His 3 turnovers will only add fuel to an already smoldering fire and somehow Rodgers will turn his play into something that will make some other poor team pay the price. Rodgers can take some solace knowing that while he committed 3 turnovers his defense not only picked off Foles 4 times the defense also either sacked or hit Nick Foles on 12 of his 33 pass attempts. Matthews may take a hit to his wallet for the hit laid on Foles in one of those sacks that wasn’t flagged on the fi8eldm but may get reviewed in the league offices.

At 5- 0 Green Bay is on top of the NFC. The NFC North has a huge gap between the Pack and the

Vikings, Bears and Lions. Chicago and Minnesota both have 3 losses and the Lions have yet to put up a W. While it is far too early to anoint the Packers with their 5^th NFC North crown they certainly are in the catbird’s seat. As for the rest of the NFC yes, Atlanta and Carolina are also undefeated but the smart money is on the Packers. Eventually Green Bay will lose a game or two but they now have a team with talent on both sides of the ball. Even when they beat themselves the defense is finding ways to carry the team. How far can this team go?

It is far too early to speculate but thus far it has been all systems go, go, go.

THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Time to Appreciate the Beauty of Rodgers' Game

 

The long grind of the 2015- 16 NFL campaign is now underway in earnest. At the quarter pole the Green Bay Packers are 4- 0 with a highlight reel offense, the best player on the planet, and a defense that is fiercely improving with every week and making a strong case for itself. These are heady times indeed and it is in these moments that history is being written.

The tendency is to simply assume greatness and with that comes the expectation of another Lombardi Trophy in the case at the end of the rainbow. Let’s hurry up and get there so we can enjoy it all off season. Never mind with the October stuff or November. Heck, forget about the playoffs – the Super Bowl is the only barometer by which a team is measured and anything else is a dress rehearsal and a moot point. Let’s anoint the Pack, grab the trophy and call it a day. After all Green Bay is the best, or at least one of the best, teams in the NFL right now with the best, or at least one of the best, quarterbacks of all time.

It is for those very reasons time should slow itself down to enjoy these moments. History

remembers Lombardi’s Packers of the ‘60’s as an indomitable intimidating and dominating franchise. As time passes and memory fades and photographs yellow those glory years are looked back upon with a certain wistfulness and nostalgia. We want to remember those years as a time when the Packers were simply unbeatable. And we want to see this year’s version join that august group.

But to simply pin the entire season on one game at the end of it all is to deny oneself of bearing witness to a moment in time that will only grow in the retelling many years down the road. Aaron Rodgers is at the apex of all his abilities and talents and we get to have a front row seat to watch it. His singular mastery of the game, his craft and position is a marvel to behold. There is not a single area in which Rodgers is deficient. His arm? Everything thought Brett Favre had a rocket launcher for an arm and he did. But with Favre those bombs he launched would alos oft times explode in the wrong spot. Favre once held the NFL honors of most TD’s tossed. And he also holds the record for the most interceptions of all time as well. But Rodgers has every bit as big an arm as Favre with one noted exception.

Aaron Rodgers hates throwing interceptions. Favre accepted the INT’s as a byproduct of being a gunslinger.

Rodgers loves throwing an interception the same way Donald Trump enjoys having Rosie O’Donnell over for coffee. Favre was reckless with his arm. Rodgers is not. Yes, Favre was a gunslinger. But Rodgers is an assassin and this season is a growing testament to that fact. Rodgers has thrown 11 TD’s in his first 4 games with 0 picks. Only Tom Brady can say the same. Rodgers leads the NFL in QB rating at 125.9. His football IQ is off the charts. He is the reigning MVP and has all the earmarks of another one or three yet to come.

And somehow we all want to bypass simply watching a man at the top of his craft for the reward at the end of it all.

The Pack is rolling now and all the elements are coming together. The offense is a well-documented

squad that scares the devil out of any team. But the defense is now becoming a force in its own right. Ever since Clay Matthews moved inside the Pack‘s defense has done nothing but improve. As Matthews becomes more familiar and astute within the context of being an inside linebacker he becomes more terrifying to quarterbacks every week. No longer limited to the outside, his stock in trade, Matthews has become so adept at anticipating the snap count he is oft times in the backfield before the running back has the ball.

Matthews’ move inside was borne of necessity last season. The Pack’s inside backers were underwhelming and only Sam Barrington distinguished himself at the position. While Matthews prefers the role of the outside pass rusher the Packers were becoming loaded with talent outside. Julius Peppers made Ted Thompson look like a genius when he signed as a free agent. Mike Neal finally began paying huge dividends. Now Nick Perry is playing the best he has since he was taken #1 by the Pack 3 years ago and newcomer Jayrone Elliott is forcing Mike McCarthy and Dom Capers to figure ways to keep Elliott on the field. Elliott has been nothing short of spectacular and while his body of work is small – 2 ½ games actually – he already has posted a forced fumble, an interception and has had 2 sacks. Some players go an entire season without that credibility so if there is a problem it is the type of problem Green Bay loves to have.

Vince Lombardi’s Packers were a defense-dominated offensively efficient group that most decidedly did not win every game. But one comment keeps popping up from the veterans left from that era. Many were fond of saying and kept saying it after the Pack lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the ’60 Championship “We didn’t lose – we just ran out of time.” History and memory collide as memory fades and history becomes nostalgia. There were some 60,000 hearty souls that braved the sub-arctic conditions to attend the famous Ice Bowl in ’65, but there are roughly another million or more that will have claimed to be there. In memory it wasn’t that cold and the Packers dominated. Such is the stuff of legends and folk lore.

Before it is too late it is time to simply step back and appreciate Aaron Rodgers and the artistic

beauty of a team that now weekly composes as an artistic with broad strokes punctuated by combining soft, finer strokes to create a masterpiece. We get to watch Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel from a front row pew. We are listening to Mozart compose “Orpheus”. We can see Rodin’s hammer and chisel every day take a worthless piece of granite and turn into something that will not only look stunning upon completion but will stand the test of time.

That is exactly what Aaron Charles Rodgers is doing right now. Clay Matthews and Eddie Lacy and Mike McCarthy all have a role in the master’s tour de force but with Rodgers every week he unveils another facet, another element, another level to his game, a game he and he alone plays. What Rodgers does not just with a football but within the confines of a game is a poetic, altruistic thing of beauty. He does what every other quarterback does; only he does it that much better. The “it” is any part of the game a quarterback must have. Vision, courage, accuracy, running, managing the clock, putting the ball where only his receivers can get it, processing multiple bits of information as 300 lb. behemoths swirl around him and in the eye of that hurricane, at the center of the demands on his time he remains nonplussed and unfazed.

Rodgers now has the credentials and hardware to ensure he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Should Rodgers produce another Super Bowl title or two or five that would instantly qualify him to be in the discussion of the greatest quarterback of all time. He has the Super Bowl MVP Favre lacks. He lacks the Super Bowl titles of Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw. With Rodgers all things seem possible. Now is not the time to ponder Rodgers place in history.

Rodgers is making history right now and we cannot get so consumed in the outcome we neglect to appreciate a genuine artistic genius simply do what he does. To be so consumed with the Super Bowl and nothing else would be to deny oneself of some incredible moments in NFL history. How about the ‘48’ play against Chicago… 4^th and 8, 46 seconds left on the Bears 48 and Chicago holding a lead? Rodgers throw to Randall Cobb was history, and we all saw it. How his ‘Sherman Takes Atlanta’ game in the playoffs leading up to the Super Bowl in ’10? Or the performance he delivered in a crushing defeat the year before against Arizona in the playoffs? How many times will Rodgers prove his detractors wrong before we just sit back and absorb his game? Or coming back on one leg to run Detroit out of the playoffs?

The Super Bowl is a mere blip on the horizon right now, a dot of light barely breaking the surface.

There is much football to be played. This campaign has all the indicators of something really special, something to be savored. The incoming St. Louis Rams with their ferocious front 4 of Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, Chris Long and Michael Brockers are imposing and are as good a group as there is in the game today. They are charged with handling and containing Rodgers this week. And they are supported by an inconsistent offense that has been struggling to find receivers for Nick Foles. Rookie RB Todd Gurley looks like a star in the making but a certain Mr. Rodgers will have a thing or two to say about the outcome. The defense will continue to grow.

And we bear witness every week expecting a deep playoff run towards the Super Bowl while many teams are struggling to just win one (Philadelphia, Detroit, San Diego, Buffalo) and still even more trying to find one QB to lead them to the promised land.

These are the good old days. Many years from now we’ll be able to say with conviction we got to watch 2 of the greatest QB’s in the history of the NFL and for 30 years the Packers ruled the land to go along with Bart Starr and the ‘60’s Packers.

The Super Bowl can wait. Time to just sit back and enjoy the show.

 

 

 

  GREEN BAY 27 

 

 

 

 

  St. Louis  13 



DOMINATING

Packers D Dominates and Shines in SF

 

It was over almost before it began. In an impressive showing the Green Bay Packers so thoroughly dominated the San Francisco 49ers in every facet of the game Aaron Rodgers wasn’t needed to step into a phone booth to save the day. Rodgers was, by Rodgers’ standards anyway, very ordinary in the Pack’s 17 – 3 win over their former tormentors.

For the day Rodgers was 22 of 32 good for 224 yards and 1 TD. After taking the opening kickoff Rodgers methodically marched the Packers down the field and into the end zone in a drive that lasted 5:58. The drive ended when a scrambling Rodgers danced around and ducked under a stiff 49er pass rush and when it appeared Rodgers was ready to run for the end zone he pulled up quickly and fired a dart to TE Richard Rodgers for a lead the Pack would never relinquish. Rodgers also added 33 yards running for the day. Eddie Lacy led the way with 90 yards on the ground to lead all rushers.

But the defense as a unit was the real star of the game. The Green Bay defense showed some bite

and toughness not seen in Titletown in a while now. Colin Kaepernick had been a Rubicon for Packer defenses in the past with his ability to run and pass and run some more. While he put up 57 yards rushing on his 10 attempts Kaepernick was the biggest yardage generator for the Niners. RB Carlos Hyde was rendered to playing Hyde and seek as Green Bay’s ferocious front 4 limited him to just 20 yards on 8 carries and Reggie Bush had the princely sum of 0 yards. Mike Pennel, Datone Jones, B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion have very systematically been improving every game as a unit.

Keeping the Niners to just 77 yards on the ground was key. Defenses around the NFL have come to figure out the forcing Kaepernick to beat you by being a quarterback is the way to force San Fran’s hand and it worked on Sunday. Kap’s carries did little to dent the D that was bolstered by the return of Letroy Guion. Guion was sharp and was ready after serving a 3 game suspension to start the season. B.J. Raji checked in with another huge game and is becoming a force to be reckoned with. Raji has been whipping his man off the blocks and his penetrating pushes are a constant disruption to any offense.

For the day the Packers logged 6 sacks of Kaepernick. The D had stars littered generously on the

Packers’ side of the ball. Three defensive standouts are making a very early claim on their next contracts in the coming off season. Raji, DE Mike Daniels and LB Nick Perry all are in contract years and each one is making a strong case for an extension. Daniels has subtly but undeniably become an anchor of the defensive line. His high motor approach has been effective and has rubbed off. Perry picked up 2 sacks to lead the Packers and Jayrone Elliott has done nothing but make plays since he got onto the field. Elliot added a sack to his body of work and has been the most pleasant of surprises.

Sam Shields chipped in with a beautiful interception when Kaepernick attempted to go long and deep after being flushed from the pocket. Shields is one of the fastest men in the NFL and he matched former Ravens blazer Torrey Smith step for step and when he stepped in front of Kaepernick’s long heave it was Shields coming away with the rock.

San Francisco cobble together a 12 play, 72 yard drive in the 2^nd quarter that saw Kaepernick drive them to the Green Bay 5. But consecutive sacks by Nick Perry and Jayrone Elliott pushed the Niners back to the 22 where they had to settle for a field goal instead. While the lead was a slim 7 – 3 at halftime the sense was the packers were in complete control of the game in spite of the close score. Rodgers had driven the Packers 54 yards at the end of the half but Mason Crosby missed a 44 yarder by a narrow margin as the 1^st half closed out.

The second half began almost like the first half. The Packers stuffed San Fran’s opening drive and

Rodgers followed that with a precision-like 9 play drive that featured another Rodgers-to-James Jones bomb of 38 yards that kept the drive going. Rodgers also showed that Kaepernick is not the only running QB in the game. Facing a 2^nd and goal from the SF 18 Rodgers slipped to his right, stepped up and took off for the end zone. Before reaching the promised land Rodgers stepped out of bounds at the 1 as LB Navarro Bowman was closing in. John Kuhn barreled into the end zone after Rodgers and Eddie Lacy executed the fake of the game. So good was the phony handoff the TV cameras followed Lacy and it took the 3^rd shot to find Kuhn with ball.

San Francisco is a mere shell of the team that once was Green bay biggest headache. It wasn’t that long ago Kaepernick was kissing his bicep after wearing the pack out yet again. But players have a long memory. Clay Matthews is one of those players. It was Matthews that touched off a near riot a few seasons back when he pasted Kaepernick out of bounds ion the season opener. Matthews has been chasing Kaepernick around and finally got a measure of revenge on Sunday.

As Matthews collared Kaepernick and sacked him in the 3^rd quarter television audio picked up

Matthews sneering derisively at Kaepernick by saying “You ain’t Russell Wilson bro.” With that Matthews stood up and mocked Kaepernick by kissing his own bicep in front of the prone QB. Julius Peppers had another strong game and the Pack keep somehow getting contributions from them most unlikely sources. Elliott had a sack. Newcomer Joe Thomas was one of the last cuts of camp but when Sam Barrington went down Ted Thompson plucked him from Dallas’ practice squad and Dom Capers promptly inserted him into the lineup. Thomas followed up last week’s strong showing against Kansas City with a forced fumble against San Francisco. Even rookie CB Damarious Randall had a pass defensed.

With every passing week the Packers have improved. This campaign has the earmarks of something special and as the Packers once leaky defenses becomes a force in its own right the Packers can dictate how games go. No longer is it necessary for Rodgers to carry the team alone on his back. While the gaudy, eye popping Madden-esque numbers making TV execs go all weak in the knees when a team can come out and lay the lumber to its’ opponent as the Packers defense did on Sunday the ceiling is unlimited.

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers has drawn and undue and unfair amount of criticism. This

defense is as complete a package as he has had in his time in Green Bay and should certainly warrant some much deserved respect for the job he’s done. The defense made a compelling case for itself on Sunday. Once again a quality running back was bottled up and there are contributors at every position. The new names on the D – Nate Palmer, Joe Thomas, Jayrone Elliott, and Damarious Randall – are in the flow and are making plays. The leaders of the D – Matthews, Peppers, Daniels, and Raji – are stepping up and leading the way. Green Bay has not had such balance in Mike McCarthy’s tenure.

It is not just the offense covering up for a subpar defense by outscoring other teams. The Pack’s 15-1 campaign following up their Super Bowl win was a study in offensive dominance but the first time the D was tested the Giants ousted the Packers from the playoffs in the first game they played. There is no reason to believe that such will be the case this season. The offense showed it can win a very workman-like, very ordinary offensive game and the defense is more than capable of putting then offense on its’ back and win a game. The St. Louis Rams are next on the plate. As the defense grows more ravenous opponents have even more to fear when facing the Packers.

Something very magical is brewing in Titletown. Time to savor this win and to simply enjoy the ride because it looks to be a very long ride.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Pack Wings West to face Struggling Niners

 

 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.

Thus began the Charles Dickens novel “A Tale of Two Cities” who did a fairly decent Nostradamus imitation with the words written so very long ago.

Dickens may have well been writing about the fortunes of the two NFL franchises facing each other

in the city by the bay. As Green Bay takes their 3 – 0 record into San Francisco on Sunday the study between these two teams is a study in contrast and diametric opposites. Wasn’t it just a few very short years ago that the 49ers were the darlings of the NFL? They had a fiery coach in Jim Harbaugh. They had a ‘new-age’ QB in Colin Kaepernick. The tight end position was being redefined by Vernon Davis. They had a ferocious defense and a stout offensive line. They had Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree and the Smith “Brothers” – Aldon and Justin – who terrified QB’s. They were fresh from the NFC title game and had 11 draft picks in their pockets and they had the Green Bay Packers’ number. They had Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman and were on everyone’s short list of a dynasty in the making.

Then came the off season from hell. And just like that it all crumbled, faded, and fell faster than a sand castle built on a windswept beach at high tide. San Francisco not only lost it all they have fallen into a heap of mediocrity, a testament to the theorem that holds if it burns too bright it cannot burn for long.

Harbaugh is now gone, a victim of his own stubborn hot-headedness, the very fuel that once drove the Niners. Harbaugh wore out his welcome and was fired and is now at his alma mater in Michigan. Crabtree is now in Oakland. Gore is in Indy. Aldon Smith got repeatedly busted and after such a promising start he is just trying to reclaim his career. Injuries took their toll. Bowman went out with a devastating knee injury and has not been able to find his old mojo. Free agency plucked G Mike Iaupati and now he toils for the newest NFC West bully Arizona. And the retirements hit. Hard. Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, and Chris Borland all left in various states of injury and damage. Borland was most unexpected. At 25 he was becoming the next big LB in San Fran but he cited concerns about his long term health as the motivating force behind his departure.

To say this was a disastrous off season is an understatement of epic proportion. The promise of

what could have been turned out to be fool’s gold. The 49ers have been devastated so much so they are now in the midst of a necessary rebuilding. Kaepernick is still there but after last week the boo birds are now calling for his scalp. Kaepernick had a wretched day against a vastly improved Arizona Cardinal team that picked him off 4 times. Two of the picks were the very ugly pick 6 variety and to compound the felony they came on virtually back-to-back plays. No sooner was Justin Bethel in the end zone Tyrone “Honey Badger” Mathieu was right on his heels with a 50 yard INT return to the house.

New Head Coach Jim Tomsula replaces the incendiarily volatile Harbaugh and was the clear players’ choice. Like the Packers Mike McCarthy Tomsula is a street tough Pittsburgh guy and served as the Niners defensive coordinator. There are some key pieces in place already though. Kaepernick and San Fran have had Green Bay‘s number for a while now. The playoff losses will be remembered by the fans for the Pack’s inability to contain Kaepernick’s running. Torrey Smith was imported from Baltimore but he and Kaepernick have yet to develop any decent chemistry. Anquan Boldin has some wear on the tires and there is a dearth of talent left behind them. How a tight end of Vernon Davis’ immense talent remains so underutilized is a league wide mystery. Davis was Jimmy Graham before Jimmy Graham even came along. Now he is barely an afterthought in an otherwise lackluster SF offense. The short version is San Francisco’s once imposing offense has become very mediocre through attrition.

When their big back Frank Gore left in free agency many thought he took the ball with him and left

the Niners without a running game at all. Not so fast there. RB Carlos Hyde has stepped in and has been a workhouse. Aussie Jared Hayne also made the list and is splitting return duties with Reggie Bush (FA/ Detroit) who, in addition to returning kicks, can spell Hyde on the backfield. Davis may not play due to nagging injuries.

The losses on defense simply cannot be filled. Oh, the roster has 53 men on it. But the big names are gone. Smith, Smith, Willis, Borland, Chris Culliver have been replaced by the likes of Dorsey, Williams, Dial, and Reid, hardly household names. Their play has equally been uneven and at 1 – 2 San Fran cannot afford any more losses if they are to hope to have a shot at the 3 – 0 Cards or even the 1 -2 Seahawks.

It won’t be easy. The Niners have the dubious honor of hosting the red hot Packers and the hotter-than-the-other-side-of-the-sun Aaron Rodgers. James Jones earlier this week compared Rodgers to Michael Jordan, a reference Rodgers shrugged off by saying he doesn’t belong in the same category as MJ. Rodgers has broken quickly from the gates and leads the NFL with a ridiculous 135.4 QB rating, almost 15 points higher than Andy Dalton of the resurgent Bengals. With 10 TD’s against 0 picks a very strong case for a repeat of league MVP honors is being made.

Rodgers has command of every element that makes a great QB at his disposal. His arm strength is

second to none in the NFL and he can make every throw from almost any angle. He can run as well and his renowned football IQ is off the charts. Rodgers has benefitted from free play offside penalties that it is now something for which defensive coordinators have to plan. Giving Rodgers a free play means somehow all his receivers know it also and it is a jail break hell-bent-for-leather sprint to the end zone looking for a gift, a gift Rodgers and only Rodgers routinely exploits.

Eddie Lacy is still hobbling on a sore ankle but James Starks has stepped in and stepped up. Even losing Jordy Nelson hasn’t slowed the Pack down. With James Jones joining Randall Cobb rookie Ty Montgomery is now being phased into the mix and as he develops so will Rodgers trust and targets. The offensive line has been regarded by McCarthy and Rodgers as the best they’ve had in Green bay since McCarthy took the reins. The offensive line has performed admirably against the pass rushing maniacs from Seattle and Kansas City so the praise is well earned.

The defense has been a vast improvement form a season ago. While other teams have more big names the Packers are now playing very well against the run. After giving up almost 200 yards on the ground in the opener to the Chicago Bears RB heavyweights Marshawn Lynch and KC’s Jamal Charles have been held in check. With each passing week the D is gaining more confidence. Newcomer Jayrone Elliott may now be impossible to get off the field as he has an INT, a forced fumble and a sack in his first 2 games, or actually game and a half since he didn’t appear until the 3^rd quarter against the Seahawks.

Kaepernick will try to run the Pack into the ground on Sunday. This time around Green Bay has found some discipline and has added much more athletic types to combat Kap’s scampers. Nick Perry has played very well thus far as has the leaner, meaner B. J. Raji who is again a disruptive force in the middle. Mike Daniels’ hair on fire style is infectious and now Letroy Guion can finally hit the field after serving a 3 game suspension for possession of drugs and a handgun beef landed him in hot water. Guion’s presence will bolster what is becoming a very improved part of the defense.

McCarthy has kept the Pack on point. This season has been about start fast, play well, and close the

deal. What it has not been about is settling old scores. There will be no such letdown here. Green Bay will open fast, run away, Kaepernick will run himself out of and throw himself into trouble but when the sun sets in the west so will the Niners and their shot at the playoffs this year.

For Green Bay they may want to make sure they check out all the amenities in Levi Stadium. After all… it is where the Super Bowl will be played at the end of the year.

 

 





 

 

  GREEN BAY 34  

 

 

 

 

    San Francisco  17