Packers Get Five Pro Bowl Bids; Rodgers Left Off
Five members of the Green Bay Packers have been selected for the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Outside linebacker Clay Matthews, cornerback Charles Woodson, and safety Nick Collins were selected as starters for the NFC, while wide receiver Greg Jennings and left tackle Chad Clifton will come off the bench as reserves.
The Packers also had five alternates selected, including first alternates Aaron Rodgers and cornerback Tramon Williams. Wide receiver Donald Driver, inside linebacker A.J. Hawk, right guard Josh Sitton, and defensive tackle B.J. Raji will also serve as alternates.
Here’s a breakdown of each player and how they earned their spot on the NFC roster.
Clay Matthews (starter): Early in the season Matthews looked like the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year with 11.5 sacks in his first nine games. While that pace has slowed, he still has 12.5 sacks on the season and has played a huge role in the Packers’ late playoff push. He is constantly garnering double teams on passing downs, freeing up lanes for other blitzers and has played well against the run as of late, showing he has more than one dimension in his game. He has forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass for a touchdown on the season as well, making him an easy selection for voters.
Charles Woodson (starter): For those who claim Woodson was voted solely on name recognition, take a closer look. Tramon Williams may be having a better season but Woodson is no slouch. He has recorded 86 tackles, forced five fumbles, intercepted two passes, and returned one for a touchdown on the year and is the emotional leader of a Packers defense that ranks second in points allowed and ninth in yards allowed. His value on the field goes far past numbers, making Woodson’s seventh Pro Bowl bid a worthy one.
Nick Collins (starter):
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Packers throttle Falcons, move within one game of Super Bowl
The Packers saved its best performance of the season for the most important game Sunday night, throttling the Falcons 48-21 for a trip to Chicago for the NFC Championship Game. The offense turned the ball over on its first possession and then didn’t falter again, putting together seven scoring drives and not having to punt. The defense was just as good, settling down after allowing a touchdown drive the first time Matt Ryan and the Falcons touched the ball. Here are the game balls to hand out for the Packers’ enormous win over the Falcons.
Aaron Rodgers: For those critics who were still not convinced Rodgers had what it took to be an elite quarterback, Sunday night should pretty much put all of them to rest. Rodgers dissected the struggling Falcons’ defense all night, going 31-for-36 for 366 yards and three touchdowns (136.8 passer rating). He also ran in for another score from seven yards out to put the Packers up 35-14. Rodgers now has a career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 10:1, the best of any quarterback through their first three games ever and is heating up at the perfect time. There’s little debate that Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFC, and he’s one win away from heading to his first Super Bowl. Elite? Yes.
Tramon Williams:
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Packers lose to Falcons by three: Defensive grades
A 47-yard field goal from Matt Bryant with nine seconds left pushed the Atlanta Falcons past the Packers 20-17 in a matchup of two of the NFC’s best Sunday. The Packers offense failed to convert key plays, the defense missed tackles, and the special teams reverted back to its old ways in the loss, leaving the team empty-handed in what could have been a season-defining game.
With the loss, the Packers (7-4) move a game behind the Chicago Bears for the NFC North lead and are currently on the outside looking in the playoff race. That being said, the Packers still control its destiny in the North and will have plenty of opportunities to make a jump in the standings over the next five weeks.
To see grades for the offense, click here.
As for Sunday, here are a few grades for key players on defense.
B.J. Raji: If Raji gets the credit when the defensive line does well against the run, he has to take the heat when they perform poorly. Michael Turner rushed for a seemingly easy 110 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, in part thanks to a Packers’ defensive line that never created push and allowed holes for him to run through. Raji was credited with just one tackle and really struggled the entire afternoon. GRADE: C
Cullen Jenkins: The Packers weren’t able to create too much of a pass rush as Matt Ryan checked down or threw short on most of his 28 passes, but Jenkins was in his face whenever he didn’t. He recorded his first sack since Week 4 and was actually stout against the run when plays came to his side. He has been a beast since his hand cast came off and is proving why he deserves a big paycheck from Ted Thompson.
Desmond Bishop:
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Packers Hold Off Eagles 21-16, Advance To Second Round
The Packers seemed in control of Sunday night’s playoff game in Philadelphia for about 58 minutes before the Eagles made a late surge. Michael Vick was 41 yards away from advancing to a second round matchup with the Bears before Tramon Williams intercepted a pass in the endzone, sealing the 21-16 victory for the Packers.
Here are game balls to hand out for Green Bay’s 21-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Much had been made about Rodgers’ inability to win in the playoffs, despite losing just once in his only opportunity while throwing for 422 yards and four touchdowns in that game. However, the mini-monkey is now off his back after Sunday night’s win. Rodgers had himself an excellent day that may have been overshadowed by the Packers’ run game, finishing 18-for-27 for 180 yards and three passing touchdowns. He put up those numbers despite four drops by receivers, including what would have been a 63-yard touchdown pass to James Jones at the end of the first half. Rodgers was great when he needed to be and, most importantly, did not turn the ball over. He could add another chapter to his ever-growing legacy with a win in Atlanta next week, but for now he can celebrate his first of, hopefully, many playoff victories.
Running back James Starks
If it weren’t for Rodgers picking up that first playoff victory that eluded him a season ago, rookie James Starks would have had first honors for game balls. Seemingly out of nowhere, the sixth round draft pick rushed 23 times for 123 yards in the win, bulldozing between the tackles for positive runs to keep Packers’ drives alive. Many expected Rodgers and the Packers to go with a pass-happy attack on offense, but instead they rode the hot hand in Starks to pick up the win. He didn’t find the endzone on any of his carries, but Starks also caught two passes out of the backfield for nine yards and played himself into a bigger role in next week’s game in Atlanta.
Outside linebacker Clay Matthews
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Meet The Eagles’ Offense And How To (Attempt To) Stop Them
Being ranked as the top offense in the NFC is no easy task, especially with teams like the Packers, Saints, and Giants involved. But that’s exactly what Michael Vick and the rest of the Eagles’ high-powered offense have done this season, amassing 6,320 yards of offense in 2010. They ranked fifth in total offense through the air and led the NFC on the ground, and with Michael Vick in the lineup a serious argument could be made for them as the top offense in the conference.
The Packers’ defense, which has performed admirably despite handfuls of injuries to key players, will have its hands full trying to shut down Vick and the rest of the offense. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers will have had a full week plus 17 weeks on game film to plan for Vick, something he didn’t have when Vick entered the Week 1 matchup against the Packers.
Here’s a look at the Eagles’ skill position players and how the Packers will have to go about shutting them down.
Quarterback Michael Vick
Anyone who has seen Vick play this season, and by now that should be just about everyone, knows how dynamic and game-changing he can be. One play he will bullet a pass down the field for a 50-yard gain and the next he’ll scramble for 20 more. Just when defenders think they have him in their grasp, he uses his sneaky strength and unparralled agility to escape pressure.
A three or four-man rush will not get the job done against Vick because it allows too much time for his receivers (and defenders) to get downfield, allowing him to find an open man or scramble for big yards. Luckily for the Packers, blitzing has been one of its strong suits in 2010. They led the NFC in sacks and, behind linebacker Clay Matthews, defensive tackle B.J. Raji, and cornerback Charles Woodson, can and will bring pressure from everywhere on the field.
Another added bonus for the Packers is the expected return of defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who has missed the last four games with a nagging calf injury. He has tallied seven sacks on the season and will be a key pass rusher on the outside in both pressuring and containing Vick. Keeping Vick inside the hashmarks on passing downs with outside pressure and blitzes will be more effective than rushing up the middle, allowing Vick to move outside the pocket.
Through the air, Vick likes to take chances. His 8.11 yards per attempt ranks second in the NFC, trailing only Aaron Rodgers, so pressuring Vick and not allowing his receivers a chance to get downfield will keep him in check. He struggles with short passes because of his throwing motion and inaccuracy. Expect blitzes early and often to throw Vick’s timing.
Running Back LeSeasn McCoy
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Packers Rout Giants 45-17, One Win Away from Playoffs: Game Balls
Anyone who thought the Packers did not look like a legitimate playoff team the last two weeks can quietly sit down. After disappointing losses to the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots, the Packers rebounded in a huge way by destroying the New York Giants 45-17 at Lambeau Field. The win put the Packers at 9-6 and one win away from a playoff berth. Here are game balls for performances in the Packers’ impressive win Sunday afternoon.
Aaron Rodgers: Returning from his one and a half game absence, Rodgers was nearly perfect. He passed for a regular season career-high 404 yards and threw four touchdowns to four different receivers in the win. He also scrambled twice for 26 yards, including a 15-yard run which he finished with a slide, being greeted by loud cheers from the Green Bay crowd. With one game to play, Rodgers needs 307 yards and three touchdown passes to finish with 4,000 yards and 30 TDs. Not too shabby.
John Kuhn: Dubbed the “folk hero” by many after yesterday’s performance, Kuhn finished with three touchdowns (two on the ground, one through the air) to help the Packers’ explosion on offense. In the past two games, 11 of Kuhn’s 17 touches have resulted in a first down or touchdown. He is a vital part of the offense and proved it Sunday, moving the chains and finding the endzone with ease. With Korey Hall out next week with a knee sprain, he will be that much more important.
Packers’ Secondary:
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Packers Notes: Tramon Gets Paid, Starks Ready to Debut
Entering week 13, the Green Bay Packers have plenty of confidence but are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. At 7-4, they sit a game behind the first place Chicago Bears in the NFC North and will look to improve when they host the Frank Gore-less San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Here are some notes on the Packers entering the final quarter of the 2010 regular season.
Tramon Williams Signs Extension Through 2014
Hard work pays off. The Packers and cornerback Tramon Williams signed a four-year extension this past week worth $33.074 million through 2014, making him the fourth highest paid player on the team (behind Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, and Greg Jennings). After joining the practice squad in November 2006, he played behind Charles Woodson and Al Harris for two and a half seasons before entering the starting lineup midway through the 2009 season.
Known as one of the better nickel cornerbacks in the league, as shown by his five interceptions in 2008, Williams didn’t skip a beat taking over for Harris, who was put on injured reserve after tearing his ACL. He finished 2009 with four interceptions and has equaled that total just 11 games in this season.
Sam Shields has eased some of the nerve regarding the future of the cornerbacks in Green Bay, but locking up Williams through 2014 gives the Packers an elite cornerback for the future. He hasn’t received the recognition worthy of his performance in 2010, but he finally got the paycheck he deserved.
Ted Thompson stuck to his guns and rewarded his own players for their performances, locking down the most important free agent the Packers had entering this off-season. Williams was quiet in the media about his contract and will now rank as the twelfth highest paid cornerback in the league. Chalk this one up as a steal for the Packers and a great story about an undrafted free agent making it big in the NFL.
Chillar, Havner put on IR; Francois, Gordy promoted
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Packers’ Williams and Jones Fill in For Injured Harris, Kampman
The Packers have to be feeling good about winning their last two games against the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, but they also received equally bad news when it was revealed that starters Aaron Kampman and Al Harris would miss the rest of the season with torn ACL’s.
Not that injuries ever come at a good time, but the news came at a terrible time for a Packers defense that, after a poor showing against Minnesota and Tampa Bay, had strung together two solid performances before Harris and Kampman went down.
Tramon Williams (L) and Charles Woodson are the new Packers' starters at cornerback.
Both players went down on seemingly freak accidents where neither were involved in the play and, in Harris’s case, 30 yards away from the play. It was a “here we go again” moment for the Packers defense, who up to this point had avoided major injury from their defense. Last season, Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett, Atari Bigby, and Harris all missed time with injuries, leading to a 22nd ranked defense.
In a season where the Packers had continued to become more comfortable as each game passed in the new 3-4 defense, new personnel will now have to step on the field and become acclimated even faster.
The two players most affected by the injuries are certainly cornerback Tramon Williams and outside linebacker Brad Jones. Williams, the fourth year nickelback from Louisiana Tech was the heir to Al Harris or Charles Woodson once either of them decided to hang the cleats up, but his number has been called earlier than he expected and he should to be up to task.
More than the cornerback duo and safety combo of Nick Collins and Bigby, Green Bay’s secondary was considered one of the best in the league because teams faced three starting cornerbacks when they went with three wideouts. Williams was the reason why. At 27, Williams is in the prime of his career and is arguably the Packers’ best bump n’ run cornerback.
The drop-off from Harris to Williams will not hurt the Packers exponentially, but the real problem is the lack of depth the Packers now have in the nickel and dime spots. With Williams moving up to the starting role, one of Jarrett Bush or Brandon Underwood will take over the third cornerback role. Both are liabilities but have shown flashes of being able to get the job done. Brandon Chillar coming back in a few weeks will help the cause and newly signed Josh Bell could compete as well.
Brad Jones will be expected to get after the quarterback now that Aaron Kampman is gone for the year.
At the outside linebacker spot, rookie Brad Jones will likely step in for Kampman. Jones, a seventh round selection out of Colorado, started against the Cowboy as Kampman was unable to go with a concussion. He played well and finished the game with seven tackles and also racked up two tackles after subbing in for Kampman against San Francisco.
It is still a step down from Kampman, but Jones did a fine job getting after the quarterback and his speed will help in the pass defense more than Kampman would have.
The Packers’ first test will come tomorrow against the Lions, and while no game should ever be overlooked (see Tampa Bay), it will help the Packers work their new starters into the defense. After that, the defense will have 11 days to figure out what is going to work and what needs to happen for the Packers to have continued success without two of their best defenders.
Replacing 92 tackles and two veterans in a span of four days will be no easy task for Dom Capers and the Packers’ defense, but both Williams and Jones have been on the field for a good amount of time already and have both started a game. It is definitely something to look for in tomorrow’s game, regardless of the opponent.
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