Packers must realize potential before it’s too late
The Green Bay Packers are a terrific team, but short on results. Marcus Peters is not of this world and more.
Since installing Aaron Rodgers as starting quarterback before the 2008 season, the Packers have won the NFC North four times and reached the conference championship game twice. In 2010, the Packers won Super Bowl XLV, beating Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Yet, for all their success (which includes seven straight playoff appearances and counting) the Packers have not done enough.
Green Bay has the best quarterback in football. Tom Brady is mythical and Roethlisberger is a bear in cleats, but nobody has the combination of physical prowess and mental intellect of Rodgers, who has the complete package and then some. He has been surrounded by terrific receivers, ranging from Greg Jennings and Donald Driver to Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.
Yet, the Packers have flamed out in the postseason more often than not, failing to capitalize on their incredible advantage under center.
There has long been rumblings that Rodgers, 32, doesn’t get along with head coach Mike McCarthy, who some would argue is a product of his signal caller’s greatness. Others point to the defense, which at times has been something resembling a sieve during Rodgers’ great career.
Whatever the reason, Rodgers has not been able to reach the Super Bowl in any of the last six seasons, and often times the losses have been brutal. The 2014 NFC Championship Game ranks right at the top, with the Packers blowing a double-digit lead with less than five minutes remaining against the Seattle Seahawks.
Going into this season, the Packers have little excuse not to make a championship run. Green Bay plays the AFC South and has a pair of weak sisters in the NFC North in the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Factor in the return of Nelson, the continued maturation of Cobb, Eddie Lacy’s weight loss and a solid defense, the Packers have a loaded roster.
Green Bay knows all about missed opportunities. Brett Favre won a trio of Most Valuable Player awards from 1995-97, the only man in NFL history to win three straight. Yet the Packers were only able to win one Super Bowl with Favre – beating the New England Patriots in 1996. Green Bay got back to the Super Bowl the following season but lost to John Elway and the Denver Broncos.
In Favre’s last 10 seasons in Green Bay, the Packers reached the conference championship game once.
When a team has a player the caliber of Rodgers, there is a finite window. The Packers have to reach the pinnacle another time or two to make this era fulfilling.
Ask Indianapolis Colts fans how they feel about the Peyton Manning era. They will exult over winning Super Bowl XLI, but always opine that more banners should be hanging in the Lucas oIL Stadium rafters.
For Green Bay, the time is ticking.
Film study
Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Marcus Peters with the 18th-overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Peters was regarded as the most physically gifted corner in the draft but came with plenty of baggage, having been kicked off his University of Washington team for arguing repeatedly with the coaching staff.
Yet Chiefs general manager John Dorsey vetted his character and rolled the dice, believing in a kid with no criminal record and a football coach for a father. As it turns out, Dorsey’s gamble has paid off in spades.
Peters tied with Reggie Nelson for the league lead in interceptions with eight and earned a Pro Bowl berth, leading a Kansas City defense that was the catalyst for the franchise’s first playoff win in 22 years.
So how did Peters dominate from his first NFL snap (it was an interception of Brian Hoyer)? Let’s dive into the film.
Week 2: Denver at Kansas City
This is the second quarter with the Chiefs leading 7-0 over the Broncos. Denver is facing 3rd and 3 from the 50-yard line. Peyton Manning is declining physically but brilliant, and gets a very easy read. Kansas City has seven guys in the box, and it’s Cover 0.
The Chiefs are banking that they can generate pressure. Denver will be looking for a hot read, which in this case is to Demaryius Thomas. Peters is arrowed here, with Eric Berry and Owen Daniels circled. Daniels will release and Berry goes with him, meaning Kansas City is bringing six rushers against five linemen. Manning knows the ball has to come out immediately.
Thomas has run three yards upfield, but notice Peters’ position. He hasn’t moved form the above picture. The typical reaction would be to start bailing with one foot to avoid being burned deep, but Peters is trusting his keys. He knows Manning has to unload and believes Thomas is going to run either a slant or a quick out.
Peters guesses correctly as the pocket begins to collapse around Manning. The pressure is coming up the gut, and the veteran knows the ball has to come out.
Peters turns his head while starting to run with Thomas. While Denver’s premiere receiver ran a good route and is looking for the throw, Peters got his head around first, expecting the route and throw. He jumps the play with ease, and then does something that has separated him early on from most good corners in the NFL.
He catches the ball. Peters ends up racing 55 yards to a touchdown, his first in the NFL.
The play isn’t impressive because of the end result alone. Peters stands out here because of his recognition. In just his sixth quarter of NFL play, the rookie understands his keys and then uses his athleticism to make a break on the ball. Trusting your eyes is something players struggle with for years and in some cases, always struggle with. Peters displays why he was a steal, even in the first round.
Week 6: Kansas City at Minnesota
There is a lot going on here, so let’s go step-by-step. Kansas City is in a base 3-4 scheme and playing Cover 1 with Eric Berry over the top (circled right). Justin Houston and Ramik Wilson will drop into zone coverage underneath, while Sean Smith (top) and safety Ron Parker (slot) are in man-coverage.
At the bottom, we see Marcus Peters lined up in man coverage against Vikings receiver Adam Thielen. Minnesota is in “11” personnel, meaning a running back and tight end along with three receivers. The idea of this play is to have Thielen running a go route, clearing Peters and Berry out of the play. The main target here is Mike Wallace, who runs a deep cross against Parker, who is out of position as a safety.
Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has hit the top of his drop. He sees Adrian Peterson covered by Derrick Johnson in the flat, and tight end Kyle Rudolph blanketed by the zone coverage of Houston and Wilson. Peters also has Thielen locked down, with Berry playing straight up.
The play has developed perfectly for the Vikings. Berry is too deep to impact the Wallace crossing route, which is coming wide open with Parker five yards off. Once Thielen clears Peters out of the area, it’s an easy first down and perhaps more.
However, notice Peters’ head. He’s turned it toward Bridgewater while running downfield. This comes into play momentarily.
As Bridgewater releases the throw from a very clean pocket, Wallace is breaking open at the 26-yard line. Thielen is well beyond and Berry is going to help Peters on the deep ball.
Peters, though, has planted his right foot and sees the throw. He sees Wallace coming open and goes well above and beyond. Peters breaks off his coverage responsibility and comes toward the ball, racing Wallace to the intersection spot.
Peters gets there first and undercuts Wallace. It’s his third interception of the season and his most brilliant.
Of all the plays Peters makes throughout the season, this is the pinnacle. The first-year man understands route concepts but better, shows awareness and, again, trust in his eyes. He sees Bridgewater throwing and breaks immediately, realizing that his man is running a clear-out route. It’s a shocking bit of play from any corner, let alone a rookie in his sixth game.
Week 16: Cleveland at Kansas City
Sometimes, it’s purely about athleticism. On this play, Cleveland is 2nd and 9 at the Kansas City 40-yard line, trailing 10-0 in the second quarter. Cleveland is in its “12” personnel with a running back and two tight ends, both lined up on the right side of the line. The Browns have Travis Benjamin lined up wide left with Taylor Gabriel in the slot.
Kansas City is in a base 3-4 scheme with a Cover 1 look. Kansas City drops all its linebackers except for Frank Zombo, asking them to play underneath zone coverage. Eric Berry has come down to cover Gabriel man-to-man with Sean Smith on Benjamin. Peters (circled) is on tight end Gary Barnidge while the other tight end stays in to block. Ron Parker is the deep safety.
Running back Isaiah Crowell goes into play-action and releases into the flat as a safety valve. Benjamin is running a fly pattern while Gabriel executes a post. Barnidge runs a deep cross. Cleveland wants the play-action to suck the linebackers toward the line of scrimmage, leaving Barnidge – the team’s best receiver – going in man-coverage across the field. They got the look they wanted.
However, quarterback Johnny Manziel has no open receivers. Peters (top circle) is in a moderate trail position, which is likely why Manziel makes this choice.
With the ball in flight, Peters takes advantage of a speed advantage over Barnidge, accelerating at top speed. The throw by Manziel is a touch underthrown and Peters is able to get to the intersection point first. Again, he displays unique ball skills in the next frame.
Peters is able to leap and stretch his arms out, snatching it out of the air. He then returns the ball 45 yards to the Cleveland 30-yard line.
Peters is one of the few defensive players in today’s NFL who is a legitimate threat to change the game on any play.
Power rankings
Top 11 Super Bowls of all-time
1. Super Bowl XXXIV: St. Louis Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16
2. Super Bowl XXV: New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
3. Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
4. Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
5. Super Bowl III: New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
6. Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16
7. Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers, 27, Arizona Cardinals 23
8. Super Bowl XXXVI: New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
9. Super Bowl X: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
10. Super Bowl XXXII: Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
11. Super Bowl VII: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
Quotable
"“As I sit here, recovering from back surgery, the doctors won’t really let me do much, so I end up just pacing around my house all day. I spend a lot of my time reading through the notes and letters that y’all have sent to me and trying to respond to as many as I can. I know I won’t be able to respond directly to everyone, so I wanted to write one note to all of you to say thank you.“You make our jobs possible, you make them fun and you make difficult times like these much easier. So thank you, I truly appreciate you. See you on the field very soon.”– Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt on his back surgery rehab"
Houston desperately needs Watt to get onto the field sooner rather than later. The Texans and general manager Rick Smith went all-in this offseason, netting quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller.
If Watt is out for an extended period of regular-season time, Houston’s defense is much less formidable. Without him, the defensive line group features Brandon Dunn, Christian Covington, Vince Wilfork and Devon Still. That’s not keeping any offensive coordinator awake at night.
Random stat
The only teams yet to win a playoff game in the new millennium are the Cincinnati Bengals (1990), Detroit Lions (1991), Cleveland Browns (1994) and Buffalo Bills (1995).
Info learned this week
1. Jags get Jalen Ramsey back
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have Jalen Ramsey back for the start of training camp, says general manager David Caldwell. Ramsey had to undergo a surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee but has recovered and will be a full participant at practice, per the Associated Press.
Jacksonville needs Ramsey to play a key role in the defense this season. The Jaguars have a ton of new faces on that side of the ball, including Ramsey, Tashaun Gipson and Prince Amukamara in the secondary. Ramsey is expected to play safety, but could come down and start at corner as well.
2. Josh Gordon makes another return
On Monday, it was announced that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been reinstated into the NFL. Gordon will have to serve a four-game suspension to begin the season as penalty for multiple failed drug tests.
Gordon has shown the ability to be an elite receiver, but he hasn’t done much since putting together 1,646 receiving yards in 2013. Since then, Gordon has amassed 303 yards, having been suspended all of the 2015 season.
The Browns have to be looking at Gordon with a wince. Cleveland sorely needs an offensive weapon, but if the past is any indication, his stay on the active roster is tenuous at best.
3. Carson Wentz has miles to go, and that’s OK
Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles opened training camp on Monday, and the second-overall pick had an inconsistent day, per Jeff McLane. Wentz, who is going to be the franchise quarterback for the Eagles at some point, has time to develop without ample pressure.
Head coach Doug Pederson has said that Wentz will be the third-string quarterback and not play early on. While that is tough to believe should things go south for Philadelphia, that’s the company line. Wentz isn’t going to come out of North Dakota State and dominate, and that’s alight thanks to Pederson’s patience.
4. Ravens starting behind 8-ball
The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a season in which a slew of injuries led them to a 5-11 record. This summer, the team is still dealing with some of those maladies. Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Breshad Perriman, Elvis Dumervil and others are on the Physically Unable to Perform list heading into camp, per the team’s official site.
What does this mean? It means Baltimore will be practicing without some of its key players, who could use some time to knock off rust before the regular season. While all are hopeful of getting on the field before the Sept. 11 opener, the Ravens have to be concerned that last year’s injuries could hamper this season’s progress.
5. Joey Bosa may not report
For 31 general managers, there are no concerns about draft picks holding out. Then there is San Diego Chargers GM Tom Telesco, who can’t get defensive end Joey Bosa under contract. Now, Telesco is saying that he doesn’t know whether or not Bosa will come to camp, according to ESPN.com.
Bosa’s representatives apparently want their client to benefit financially should the Chargers release Bosa before his rookie contract is up. Frankly, it’s an awful look for the rookie. He’s never played an NFL down and he’s angling for more money in the event he’s terrible?
Bosa needs to sign. Immediately.
History lesson of the week
Before becoming coach, general manager and eventually the owner of the Oakland Raiders. Al Davis was a wide receivers coach of the San Diego Chargers in the American Football League from 1960-62.
Davis took over the head coaching duties in Oakland after the Raiders had finished 1-13 in 1962, and immediately turned them into a 10-4 outfit in 1963. Davis ceded the coaching duties to John Rauch in 1966 when he became part-owner, and watched as the Raiders went 13-1 and won the AFL title in 1967 before losing to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.
Davis would get his title in 1976, with Oakland walloping the Minnesota Vikings, 33-14, in Super Bowl XI.
Parting shot
The NFC South continues to be lackluster. While the Panthers are a good team and certainly belong in the conversation with the NFL elite, the rest of the division is largely embarrassing.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons all suffer from having little to no defensive talent. While the quarterbacks range from good to excellent on all three rosters, there is a dearth of both depth and skill in many other positions.
For Carolina, it will have another cakewalk into the postseason while the trio of bottom-feeders will fight for second place. Tampa Bay could have been ascending in 2016, but the change at head coach puts that program on its ear.