OK, so it's now Tuesday, 1.24.17 which is a good ~40+ hours after the Packers were massacred in Atlanta. I haven't posted anything in the CHTV blog responses regarding the loss. No doubt the loss was hard for Packers' fans to deal with and witness. Lots of scathing comments... On the media end, Bob McGinn posted his usual ratings piece...and he was definitely scathing with his comments!
For example: STARS OF THE GAME: 1. T.J. Lang; 2. Jordy Nelson; 3. Don Barclay
OK, so he rates Don Barclay as the 3rd star...wow, that says alot. Granted Barclay played much better than I expected and had to play quite a few snaps but it speaks volumes that nobody else was worthy of McGinn's star label. His bottom line (last) sentence about Aaron Rodgers was: "Super Bowl berths are hard to achieve with a franchise quarterback playing well below par."
Yeah, not Aaron's best game during the 'run the table' stretch but he didn't have a ton of help from the skill position players either (sans Jordy early on, and Cook). Cobb made a few plays but was mostly quiet during the game. Devonte Adams couldn't do much with his bum ankle. Monty only played 23 snaps due to injury. Ripkowski's lost fumble was a killer...but I still love the kid!
The Falcons obviously killed the Packers with an air assault that was lightning quick (typically 1.5 - 2.0 seconds before pass release by Matt Ryan) and lethal -- especially on 3rd down. Julio Jones was unstoppable...and I was expecting that from him because his talent level as a WR is #1 at this time IMO...the combination of his size, speed, strength, and hands is too much for top tier CBs to handle much less Ladarious Gunter or Damarious Randall.
Speaking of Damarious Randall, to say he had a rough and very inconsistent season would be an understatement. However, he did flash a few times during the year, especially vs the Seahawks. The deep ball interception show-cased his centerfield ability...but he was drafted to play CB and he really regressed in 2016 compared to his 2015 rookie campaign. He consistently provided 5-10 yards of cushion which typically resulted in easy completions against him. He also got caught peaking into the backfield by looking to see where the QB was going with the ball which also resulted in easy completions against him...several big gainers and/or TDs.
I don't think there's any question that the Packers' biggest need going into the 2017 season will be getting more talent at CB for 2017. Sam Shields says he still wants to play... I think even if Shields wants to play they'll need to add more talent to the CB position. Here's the final listing for CBs on the roster for the Falcons game:
| 36 | Gunter, LaDarius | CB | 6-2 | 201 | 24 | 2 | Miami |
| 28 | Hawkins, Josh | CB | 5-10 | 189 | 24 | R | East Carolina |
| 23 | Randall, Damarious | CB | 5-11 | 196 | 24 | 2 | Arizona State |
| 24 | Rollins, Quinten | CB | 5-11 | 195 | 24 | 2 | Miami (Ohio) |
| 26 | Waters, Herb | CB | 6-0 | 188 | 24 | R | Miami |
| 33 | Hyde, Micah | DB | 6-0 | 197 | 26 | 4 | Iowa |
Wow...that looks brutal from an experience perspective...talent level needs improvement too! Only reason both Hawkins and Waters were on the 53 man was due to injuries. Available roster spots: 2
Injured reserve and practice squad:
| 37 | Shields, Sam | CB | 5-11 | 184 | 29 | 7 | Miami |
| 20 | Dorleant, Makinton | CB | 5-11 | 182 | 24 | R | Northern Iowa |
| 39 | Goodson, Demetri | CB | 5-11 | 197 | 27 | 3 | Baylor |
| 31 | Benwikere, Bené | CB | 5-11 | 196 | 25 | 3 | San Jose State |
I hope the Packers let Shields come back if he wants to. I'd still try to renegotiate his contract if he comes back and would prefer not to cut him if he wants to play. If Shields comes back they still should draft a CB as early as possible...maybe even double-down at the position. I also think they should continue to carry six CBs (including Micah Hyde or some other veteran FA).
Hyde is a pending 2017 FA. I would consider paying him low-end starter's money because of his role in nickel/dime packages. They shouldn't resign Goodson (pending FA). Didn't see enough of Makinton Dorleant to determine his worth.
Quick look at the safety listing:
| 29 | Brice, Kentrell | S | 5-11 | 200 | 22 | R | Louisiana Tech |
| 42 | Burnett, Morgan | S | 6-1 | 209 | 28 | 7 | Georgia Tech |
| 21 | Clinton-Dix, Ha Ha | S | 6-1 | 208 | 24 | 3 | Alabama |
| 25 | Evans, Marwin | S | 5-11 | 211 | 23 | R | Utah State |
I actually like the safety group quite a bit. Granted, the Packers need Cliton-Dix to step-up even more than he did (I think he deserved his pro-bowl spot) but overall, I was very happy with him and Morgan Burnett because they're turning into quite a good safety tandem. Like many fans, I also like Brice and think he's got a bright future. Marwin Evans dropped a gift wrapped interception from Matt Ryan that could've kept 7 points off the board.
The Packers obviously have needs at other positions. Number two on my positions of needs list is at LB, where there are three pending 2017 FAs with Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, and Datone Jones.
| 95 | Jones, Datone | DE/LB | 6-4 | 285 | 26 | 4 | UCLA |
| 91 | Elliott, Jayrone | LB | 6-3 | 255 | 25 | 3 | Toledo |
| 51 | Fackrell, Kyler | LB | 6-5 | 245 | 25 | R | Utah State |
| 50 | Martinez, Blake | LB | 6-2 | 237 | 23 | R | Stanford |
| 52 | Matthews, Clay | LB | 6-3 | 255 | 30 | 8 | Southern California |
| 56 | Peppers, Julius | LB | 6-7 | 287 | 37 | 15 | North Carolina |
| 53 | Perry, Nick | LB | 6-3 | 265 | 26 | 5 | Southern California |
| 47 | Ryan, Jake | LB | 6-2 | 240 | 24 | 2 | Michigan |
| 48 | Thomas, Joe | LB | 6-1 | 227 | 25 | 2 | South Carolina State |
| 58 | Tripp, Jordan | LB | 6-3 | 234 | 25 | 3 | Montana |
Jayrone Elliott will also be a FA in 2017 but he's of the RFA variety. He's a very good ST player so I'd probably make him an offer (lowest tender). Perry will cost (and be worth) the most money. I'd offer Datone a prove-it deal and bring back Peppers (at a reduced rate) if he still wants to play.
Jordan Tripp is certainly replaceable (and should be) and probably Joe Thomas too. Available roster spots: 2
I'd draft another edge rusher and I'd use CM3 strictly in the rover role (his best role). I didn't see enough from Kyler Fackrell to determine his worth or potential...but I'm hopeful. If Fackrell can become a starter it'll be huge, especially if he can be moved around like CM3 can.
Offensive skill positions:
27Lacy, Eddie RB5-11234264Alabama 14 offensive skill position players is a doable number. RB - Both Starks and Christine Michael should be replaced and I'd bring back Eddie Lacy on a prove-it deal. Max McCaffrey will almost certainly be replaced...but not sure they'll keep 7 WRs again. TE/FB are treated similarly by McCarthy. Jared Cook is a priority 2017 FA. Ted Thompson's mantra is draft & the coaches develop. Has signed two future HOF players via FA (Charles Woodson and Julius Peppers), other notable signing was Ryan Pickett. No busts in FA based-on an expenditure perspective. The Packers lost Casey Hayward via FA and should get a compensatory pick for him (5th?). I'm not sure if the Packers will receive a draft pick from the Bills for the OLB we traded to them. If so, that'll be an additional 7th round pick. That would make nine total picks for Ted. Speaking of Ted, I've been reading/hearing internet reporting/opines from the media and definitely blogs/tweets regarding Ted Thompson's future. Expectations, wants, and WAGs abounded with the desired outcome of Ted stepping into a senior scouting role and somebody like Elliot Wolf assuming the GM role. Other options could be John Dorsey (a long time favorite of mine for GM), possibly raiding Seattle, or maybe even Brian Gutekunst, Director of Player Personnel. I'd be good with Elliot, John, or Brian taking over...or John Schneider. |
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