Packers stymied by Seahawks’ rugged run game

fpadmin | 09/08/2014

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Meantime, Green Bay offense fails to generate big plays in Packers’ loss at Seattle
By CHRIS HAVEL
That’s not a silver lining in the clouds. It’s a jet. Actually, it’s the New York Jets, who double as the Packers’ next opponent and will hopefully be the start of good things.
The Jets used to be a pushover, an afterthought, an automatic ‘W’ on the schedule, just like the pre-Pete Carroll Seattle Seahawks used to be. It’s not that way anymore, a fact the Packers and head coach Mike McCarthy faced last Thursday and again in Sunday’s Lambeau Field season opener against the New York Jets.
The Jets (1-0) got past the Oakland Raiders and rookie quarterback Derek Carr 19-14 thanks to a strong pass rush and running back Chris Ivory’s 71-yard touchdown jaunt in the second half.
Meanwhile, the Packers are seeking redemption and their first victory in the wake of last Thursday’s loss to the defending Super Bowl XLVIII champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFL season opener.
The Packers’ defense showed they have not yet made the progress they had anticipated from last year. For example:

Julius Peppers wasn’t the factor we had hoped in the game. That has to change if Green Bay’s defense is going to tighten up.
Clay Matthews showed tremendous burst in the pass rush, but the Seahawks picked up lots of rushing yards by going at his side. Marshawn Lynch, who ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns, broke several tackles while running off right tackle.
Sam Shields and Tramon Williams were very good, and the safeties were improved from last year. However, the inside linebackers (A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones) need better play. That has to change. To add to that issue, Brad ones had two costly penalties.

On offense, quarterback Aaron Rodgers never seemed to get settled in. Some of that discomfort might’ve been due to right tackle Bryan Bulaga’s absence after injuring his knee in the first half. Bulaga’s injury will keep him out a yet undetermined number of games. Derek Sherrod had a disappointing outing in relief of Bulaga. He needs to play better and will open at right tackle against a Jets’ defense that can apply pressure.
The Jets sacked Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr twice while limiting him to just 3-of-12 on third down conversions in the loss.
Rodgers can’t be harassed the way he was at Seattle.
I would expect McCarthy to be able to get the right tackle situation fixed in time for Sunday’s 3:25 kickoff. Sherrod is going to have to be sharper this game and, with a week or reps with the first team, he should be better prepared. If not, T.J. Lang might move from right guard to right tackle, with Lane Taylor going to right guard.
Eddie Lacy, who rushed for just 34 yards against the Seahawks before being injured, should be OK after clearing concussion protocols. Lacy’s bruising style was on display in Seattle, but he had little room to operate. His acceleration and lowering of the shoulder into Seattle safety Kam Chancellor was a thing of beauty. There just was never enough room to sustain anything.
Meantime, the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan will bring in a decent offense to go with their feisty defense. On Sunday, quarterback Geno Smith settled down after a shaky start to complete 23 of 28 passes for 221 yards. The Jets also rushed for 212 yards, including Ivory’s 10 carries for 102 yards (and the 71-yard touchdown) and Chris Johnson’s 68 rushing yards. So, the Packers run D will again be tested.
Also expect the Jets to utilize some play-action passes and Jet Sweep action in its offensive attack Sunday. Ivory and Johnson are explosive backs who are tough to bring down on first contact. Hawk and Jones better be ready to bring it, and nose tackles Josh Boyd and Letroy Guion need to be much stronger at the point.
I’ll be surprised if the Packers are outplayed by the Jets, but if it happens it’ll be because Green Bay’s offensive line didn’t give Rodgers time and Lacy openings.
I like the Packers 27-17 over the Jets, but it won’t be easy.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly