Brian Westbrook carried the ball 18 for 36 yards. The Giants accomplished their primary objective, but the Eagles still won. Buckhalther was worse with 5 catches for 7 yards. But McNabb threw 40 times completing 22 for 217 yards with 1 TD & 2 picks.
It all added up to 23 points. With a good defense, 23 points gives the Eagles a chance to win. At least three times with the game on the line in the second half, the powerful Giant running attack couldn't pick up short yardage first downs. That made the difference. And the Eagles coveted 7 of 14 third downs, but none of which were 3 & 26. You can give some credit to the Eagles' linebackers but those short yard runs were right up the Eagles' gut and they were stopped by those two first round draft picks they've got clogging the middle for the Eagles' defense.
There are two things that Packers fans and hopefully Ted Thomson will take away from this. The Packers couldn't have converted those short yardage runs either. And they couldn't have stopped either of these teams from making those first downs either. We didn't see it all season and cold weather doesn't transform the "Seven Blocks of Cheese" into the "Seven Blocks of Granite".
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Eagles at Giants - The Defensive Tackles - HT
Barry Cofield is the Nose Tackle for the Giants. He was the Giants' forth round pick in 2006 out of Northwestern which means I probably saw him help the Mildcats upset the Badgers a few years back at Ryan Field. He's got 31 starts and some honors.
The other DT is Fred Robbins who was drafted by the Vikings with the 55th pick in 2000. Packer fans should know him well. He came to the Giants as a unrestricted free agent in 2004.
The Eagles DTs are both first round picks and are reviewed a few posts back. Let's watch them
The Giants defense has totally choked off Brian Westbrook in the first half. The Eagles ability to punch in Samuels' interception for a TD neutralized the Giants' defensive dominance. One would think without Plexico, the Giants would have trouble throwing the ball, but they don't really need to. Jacobs / Ward have 65 yards between them, but the Eagles lead 10-8. The Giants team ERA is really taking a beating, lol.
The other DT is Fred Robbins who was drafted by the Vikings with the 55th pick in 2000. Packer fans should know him well. He came to the Giants as a unrestricted free agent in 2004.
The Eagles DTs are both first round picks and are reviewed a few posts back. Let's watch them
The Giants defense has totally choked off Brian Westbrook in the first half. The Eagles ability to punch in Samuels' interception for a TD neutralized the Giants' defensive dominance. One would think without Plexico, the Giants would have trouble throwing the ball, but they don't really need to. Jacobs / Ward have 65 yards between them, but the Eagles lead 10-8. The Giants team ERA is really taking a beating, lol.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Cardinals at Panthers at halftime
Shades of the 2001 playoff game when Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, and Tory Holt. Except the Packers only trailed 24-10 at half-time. The Panthers are down 27-7, but it is doubtful they will best the Packers 8 turnovers in that worst of all Packer playoff contests that ended 45-17. The commonality of course is Kurt Warner. He picked the Packers apart and Brett try as he did, couldn't keep pace with the Ram juggernaut.
Who are the Titan DTs?
We all know about Albert Haynesworth. Taken with the 15th pick in the 2002 draft by Tennessee he's a start and much talked about as the sort of free agent that the Packers could use to make up for the Justin Harrell bust.
Next to Haynesworth, Tony Brown was an undrafted free agent who spent time with the Panthers, 49ers, Dolphins, and was cut by the Panthers after a one game second look in the 2006 season. The Titans picked him up and he started one game and played in 12. In 2007, Brown started all 16 games for the Titans.
Rookie Jason Jones is next on the depth chart for the Titans. He was drafted in the second round with the 54th pick, two picks before the Packers selected Brian Brohm.
Next to Haynesworth, Tony Brown was an undrafted free agent who spent time with the Panthers, 49ers, Dolphins, and was cut by the Panthers after a one game second look in the 2006 season. The Titans picked him up and he started one game and played in 12. In 2007, Brown started all 16 games for the Titans.
Rookie Jason Jones is next on the depth chart for the Titans. He was drafted in the second round with the 54th pick, two picks before the Packers selected Brian Brohm.
The Baltimore 3-4 Defense
I don't know if the Ravens call their outside linemen tackles instead of ends because they are the size of tackles or if that's just a considence.
Nose Tackle Haloti Ngata was the 12th pick in the 2006 draft. RDT, Trevor Pryce is a 12 year veteran who came to the Ravens in 2006 as a free agent. He was originally drafted by of all teams, the Denver Broncos in 1997 two picks before the Packers drafted OT, Ross Verba. LDT, Justin Bannan came as a UFA in 2006. He was drafted in the 5th round by the Bills in 2002.
Nose Tackle Haloti Ngata was the 12th pick in the 2006 draft. RDT, Trevor Pryce is a 12 year veteran who came to the Ravens in 2006 as a free agent. He was originally drafted by of all teams, the Denver Broncos in 1997 two picks before the Packers drafted OT, Ross Verba. LDT, Justin Bannan came as a UFA in 2006. He was drafted in the 5th round by the Bills in 2002.
AFC Divisional Playoff: Ravens at Titans
Here's a game we hope A.J. Hawk and the Packers LBs are watching. Outside of Chris Johnson's 32 yard run, both defenses are incredibly stingy against the run. The Ravens blitz and the Titans don't. Both are good defenses and their LBs get in the backfield and make tackles. I'm watching and trying to learn as all Packer fans should if they can.
The #1 seed is one and done. They lost at home to a rookie QB. Let's wait and see if the fans and management need to find a scapegoat.
The #1 seed is one and done. They lost at home to a rookie QB. Let's wait and see if the fans and management need to find a scapegoat.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The True Way Forward...
Q: Rick , Madison, WI - Fans and media outlets have called for Ted Thompson to make major changes. The Dallas Cowboys just finished in a season out of the playoffs in which they signed several free agents such as Pac Man Jones and Roy E. Williams and how much did it do for them? The Vikings might have added Jarred Allen but if they can't beat the Eagles today the addition was kind of a waste. If you were the GM would you aggressively pursue top notch free agents are continue to do what TT has done?
A: Bob McGinn - Rick: I'd strengthen my draft process in an attempt to make better use of my draft picks. That is the key. GB has missed on too many picks. And I'd push my pro personnel department to make tremendous evaluations now of the UFA-street people that come free in late February. I would aggressively attack both matters.
A: Bob McGinn - Rick: I'd strengthen my draft process in an attempt to make better use of my draft picks. That is the key. GB has missed on too many picks. And I'd push my pro personnel department to make tremendous evaluations now of the UFA-street people that come free in late February. I would aggressively attack both matters.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Brian Westbrook: Model Running Back
Brian Westbrook was the Eagles' third round pick in the 2002 draft from Villanova. He's listed at 5'10, 203 lbs. He's a quick twitch guy with incredible agility and quickness. The Eagles' website points out he is the NFL's leading running back in receiving yards and per touch average since 2003. I don't think there has been a more dangerous offensive player, but he is not as big of threat running the ball. Ryan Grant ranked #8 in the NFC with 1,203 yards in 2008. Westbrook was #10 with 936 yards rushing.
Ryan Grant posted receiving yards in 2008 with 30 catches for 145 yards. Westbrook gained 402 yards in 54 catches. The Eagles rushed for 1,697 in 2008 averaging 4.0 yards per carry ranking 22nd in the NFL. The Packers ranked 17th rushing for 1,805 yards with a 4.1 yard per carry average. The only difference is Westbrook's versatility as a receiver, but it makes a big difference in predictability. With the Packers if Brandon Jackson is in the game, it's a pass. Ryan Grant means run. OK - Jackson had 45 carries in 2008.
Ryan Grant posted receiving yards in 2008 with 30 catches for 145 yards. Westbrook gained 402 yards in 54 catches. The Eagles rushed for 1,697 in 2008 averaging 4.0 yards per carry ranking 22nd in the NFL. The Packers ranked 17th rushing for 1,805 yards with a 4.1 yard per carry average. The only difference is Westbrook's versatility as a receiver, but it makes a big difference in predictability. With the Packers if Brandon Jackson is in the game, it's a pass. Ryan Grant means run. OK - Jackson had 45 carries in 2008.
Vikings DTs
Kevin Williams came to the Vikings as the 9th pick in the 2003 draft. The all-pro Pat Williams was undrafted and didn't start a game until his 4th season. We all know about the Jared Allen, but what about LDE Ray Edwards, the least heralded starter on the Viking D-line? Edwards was a 4th round pick in 2006. Reserve DT Ellis Wyms 6th-round pick in 2001 with Tampa Bay. He can play both DE & DT. Learning from Pat Williams' late development, the Vikings picked up failed 12th pick in the 2003 draft, Jimmy Kennedy who played ok for the Vikings today.
Say what you want about the Vikings DBs, QB, OL, and WRs but they have build a strong impressive defensive line using every means of acquisition possible. I wouldn't trade teams with Vikings, but it doesn't hurt to give them some credit.
Say what you want about the Vikings DBs, QB, OL, and WRs but they have build a strong impressive defensive line using every means of acquisition possible. I wouldn't trade teams with Vikings, but it doesn't hurt to give them some credit.
Wild Card Weekend 1-4-09: Eagles at Vikings
The Vikings and the Eagles dueling it out. I think Tavaris Jackson is terrible. I loved his moonball that he threw up to Asanti Samuel only one reason I think he's below average. He has no zip mid-range passes. He can't throw a deep laser. All you get is the moonball.
Even though the Packers haven't seen the Eagles since Week One of the magical 2007 season when they beat them 16-13 at Lambeau, there are a lot of familiar names on the Eagles squad. Westbrook, McNabb, Ruyon, Dawkins, Buckhalter, and Aikers. Andy Reid's teams are always physical and competitive.
You know the Andy Reid and the Eagles aren't going to let Adrian Peterson and the Vikings run it between the tackles. Mr. Tavaris Jackson is going to have to throw the ball. Peterson will get his breakaways, but outside of his 40 yarder, he has 22 yards in 11 carries. Who is stopping him? Without breaking down each play, you can bet that the Eagles defensive line and linebackers are involved.
Let's just look at the Eagles line and see who they are and how they were acquired. Brodrick Bunkley was drafted with the 14th pick in 2006 from Florida State. The other DT is Mike Patterson who was drafted with the 31st pick in 2005. Now when have the Packers ever drafted defensive tackles in the first round? Well, besides Justin Harrell, it was that S.O.B. Bruce Clark in 1980 that flat out refused to play for the Packers. I rank that one on par with Tony Mandarich in 1989. But wait we are looking for GOOD DTs that actually PLAYED for the Packers. Mike McCoy was drafted in 1970 out of Notre Dame was taken with the second pick of the draft. Good Defensive Tackles don't HAVE come with high picks, they just usually do.
Even though the Packers haven't seen the Eagles since Week One of the magical 2007 season when they beat them 16-13 at Lambeau, there are a lot of familiar names on the Eagles squad. Westbrook, McNabb, Ruyon, Dawkins, Buckhalter, and Aikers. Andy Reid's teams are always physical and competitive.
You know the Andy Reid and the Eagles aren't going to let Adrian Peterson and the Vikings run it between the tackles. Mr. Tavaris Jackson is going to have to throw the ball. Peterson will get his breakaways, but outside of his 40 yarder, he has 22 yards in 11 carries. Who is stopping him? Without breaking down each play, you can bet that the Eagles defensive line and linebackers are involved.
Let's just look at the Eagles line and see who they are and how they were acquired. Brodrick Bunkley was drafted with the 14th pick in 2006 from Florida State. The other DT is Mike Patterson who was drafted with the 31st pick in 2005. Now when have the Packers ever drafted defensive tackles in the first round? Well, besides Justin Harrell, it was that S.O.B. Bruce Clark in 1980 that flat out refused to play for the Packers. I rank that one on par with Tony Mandarich in 1989. But wait we are looking for GOOD DTs that actually PLAYED for the Packers. Mike McCoy was drafted in 1970 out of Notre Dame was taken with the second pick of the draft. Good Defensive Tackles don't HAVE come with high picks, they just usually do.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Mike Stock Retires
Tom Silverstein's report of Mike Stock's "retirement" is a nice piece of reporting. We learn how Tracy White did supplemental films sessions with coverage and return unit members. If White was perceived as a real leader of these units, and McCarthy allowed Thompson to cut him, you have to wonder. If McCarthy isn't encouraged to tell TT the deal on the ground, he is just a disembodied chess player using the players as pawns. Expecting a unit to coalesce around an new leader instantly is poor people management.
What did Danny Lansanah add? Chances are the Packers will draft a LB and Lansanah won't even make the roster next year. What did that gain? As the team floundered on defense, adding Pettway and keeping White might have added spark to the coverage and return units. This is the one place the team had to improve itself at midseason.
I doubt Stock's schemes are much different that others NFL special teams coordinators use. And I doubt his coaching techniques are much different either. I think the some of the players stunk. I also think cutting White sent a terrible message that Special Teams play doesn't matter and won't keep you on the roster.
What did Danny Lansanah add? Chances are the Packers will draft a LB and Lansanah won't even make the roster next year. What did that gain? As the team floundered on defense, adding Pettway and keeping White might have added spark to the coverage and return units. This is the one place the team had to improve itself at midseason.
I doubt Stock's schemes are much different that others NFL special teams coordinators use. And I doubt his coaching techniques are much different either. I think the some of the players stunk. I also think cutting White sent a terrible message that Special Teams play doesn't matter and won't keep you on the roster.
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