Backup quarterback Graham Harrell directed two scoring drives
The title of this post pays homage to Notes On a Scandal – one of the most underrated movies in recent years (in fact, I should’ve watched it again rather than waste three hours of my life on whatever that mess was on ESPN last night). Anyway, here are five thoughts from Green Bay’s 21-13 loss to San Diego:
1) Graham Harrell is exactly what I thought he was a few months ago. He’s an intelligent and gutsy quarterback who’ll need 15 to 20 plays to move the ball 80 yards down the field. That doesn’t happen very often in the National Football League. His arm strength is improved from a year ago, but it’s still below-average. Quarterbacks without a big arm need to be extremely accurate, and Harrell is simply not a pinpoint passer. He misses too many open targets. Could the Packers win games in the regular season with the former Texas Tech star under center? Put it this way – pray to God we never have to find out.
2) The defensive line is markedly better than it was a year ago. Not only did the team draft a pair of talented players at the position (Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels), but veterans Phillip Merling, Daniel Muir and Anthony Hargrove have been coming on in recent days. The Packers ended last season with two and a half legitimate NFL defensive linemen on the roster (C.J. Wilson was the half). That number has now been more than doubled. Is this the new Fearsome Foursome Threesome? Of course not, but it’s a group that should put at least some pressure on the quarterback and make life a lot easier on the linebackers.
3) Nick Perry is going to get at least eight sacks from his left outside linebacker position. With the talented rookie on one side and perennial Pro Bowler Clay Matthews on the other, opposing QBs are going to be the meat in a lot of Southern Cal sandwiches this season. Perry still has plenty to learn about playing with his hand off the ground, but his power is becoming more and more obvious by the week. He knocked Bryan Bulaga on his ass in practice the other day and he made life difficult at times for Jeromey Clary last night. The guess here is that the really good right tackles will handle Perry this season, but fortunately, there aren’t very many of them on the schedule – or in the league for that matter.
4) The Packers need newly signed Reggie Wells to find the fountain of youth because there isn’t a quality third guard on the roster. Big Ray Dominguez might be that guy, but he’s been out for a few weeks with a badly sprained ankle. Did you notice Evan Dietrich-Smith took all of his snaps at center last night? That’s because he’s been struggling at guard in practice and the coaches are desperately looking for a young player to step up. Sampson Genus, Tommie Draheim, Don Barclay and Greg Van Roten have received plenty of snaps this summer, but none of the four is ready for the majors leagues just yet.
5) As I wrote a few weeks ago, there isn’t a legitimate second safety on the roster. M.D. Jennings has taken all the snaps in the sub-packages for months, but he’s still late to react on even the most basic routes. I’m not saying the second-year player won’t improve over time, but this defense – already with plenty of questions at other positions – can’t afford to wait. Dom Capers needs to find a safety he can rely on, and short of bringing back Charlie Peprah (yikes), moving Jarrett Bush from corner makes the most sense. The 8-year vet can’t play with his back to the receiver, but he’s OK when things unfold in front of him.
I thought Harrell looked pretty good all things considered. 1st real playing time in years, injuries all over the place – what did you expect? Did you watch any of Flynn’s preseason games?
Based on your assessment of Harrell’s performance last night I guess we should be looking for a new starting QB as well?
Hey, I’m giving you my opinion. You can disagree, but I don’t appreciate the tone. I’m not always right, but my batting average is pretty darn high.
No disrespect intended. Just don’t agree. Everyone seems to be forgetting how Flynn looked in the preseason – even after a season under his belt. Flynn did fine in real games with the right supporting cast. I am sure Harrell will do the same – my hope is that he is even better.
After that game I really wonder why they released Peprah. I know he isn’t the long-term answer but with a good pass rush he proved in 2010 that he can get the job done. Is he really a worse player then he was in 2010?
I thought BJ Coleman looked like a keeper.
There was something about Coleman…a spark of some sort. He just seemed to have “it.” Of course, mop up duty against scrubs late in the first preseason game probably isn’t a great platform for evaluation.
Genus moved from guard to center during the latter half of the game. He looked shockingly good at guard against the Chargers reserves. He had great push in the run game. Go back and watch Genus at guard, I think you will agree. I don’t know if he progresses at all, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Reserve judgement on MD Jennings. He definitely has the range, let’s see if he makes the same mistakes the next two games. His range is fantastic.
Genus also played pretty well last summer, but remember, he’s going up against backups. His size is always going to be an issue, but I’d be curious to see how he’d do against starting caliber defensive tackles.
I totally agree. We had a room full of Packers fan over to watch the game, and everyone kept saying “who is #65″. He was clearly their best linemen, in terms of both run and pass blocking. I really hope the Packers give this kid an opportunity. I believe he would be a nice inside (C/G) player, he has a nice base for holding the point against bull rushers and he was pretty impressive as a drive blocker. GREEN BAY PLEASE REVIEW THE GAME FILM….
,Michael,
We had the following exchange this week. Seems to me you’re seeing more from Muir than you were before.
BubbaOne says:
08/06/2012 at 11:32 am
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Muir is the backup NT and has been playing pretty well so far. He’s not just a camp body that a lot of fans and pundits assumed when he was signed.
Reply
Michael Rodney says:
08/06/2012 at 11:37 am
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Muir’s playing OK, but he would be a camp body with a lot of other teams. He has a chance to stick in Green Bay because of the so-so depth at the position.
I thought Muir looked pretty good in practice last week and he was solid in the game on Thursday. I’m just not sure how he’d fare against better competition. He got pushed all over the field last summer with the Rams.
I like the idea of trying Bush at safety. Lord knows he struggles in coverage, but he seems physical enough to mix it up in the middle of the field.
Could this be Capers last year in GB? Game could be passing him by. Another bottom 5 ranking would be curtains.
Pass rush continues to be anemic. Raji and Hawk not making plays.
Secondary continues to blow coverages and tackles.
Davon House was the one bright spot last night.
Bishop looked good on his final play until he got caught stiff-legged. DJ Smith is good but Bishop was better. If losing Bishop = more Hawk, we’re in trouble.
Does Hawk have polaroids of Moss and Capers?
Archie,
Don’t look up from your computer…the sky is falling.