Packers Vs. Bucs - 3 Plays That Make You Go F*%#%$^*!
Jersey Al picks out three thought-provoking plays from the Packers' last game.
By JerseyAl
After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I try to focus on a theme, the less obvious, or things I didn't notice watching live.
I'm dispensing with the usual approach described above, and instead, as a form of self-punishment for insisting on being obsessive about this football team, I'm going with the three plays that had me screaming the loudest at my television. These plays solicited a stream of foul language I don't normally make a habit of using. But these three plays... all I can say is F*%#%$^*!
2nd and 29 - I'd say this was rather incredible, but that would be a lie, we've seen it plenty of times before. After a sack and a holding penalty, the Bucs go from the Packers 33 all the way back to their own 48. There are 26 seconds left in the half. All they have to do is keep Tampa out of field goal range. But it only takes one play and they're right back at the Packers' 28. F*%#%$^*! At the time, I was concerned that giving away these three points might come back to bite them in the end, but as things played out, it really didn't matter.
2nd and 18 - Here we have eight minutes left in the third quarter. Earlier in the first half, Chris Godwin torched the Packers with seven receptions for 108 yards and a 15.4 yard average. A good number of those receptions were exploiting the Packers two linebackers in the middle of the field. Surely the Packers would have an adjustment for the second half - oh wait, I forgot that Joe Barry is their defensive coordinator. While it's obvious there is miscommunication on this play (you can see Campbell frantically motioning to Walker to come towards him), it's unlikely it would have helped any. Mayfield and Godwin just do the same thing again, picking up an easy 21 yards and a first down. I tweeted at the time "like taking candy from a baby." F*%#%$^*!
3rd and 4 - Here we are at a critical point in the game. There's 8:45 left in the 4th quarter and the Bucs have a third and four on their own 31 yard line. It's a one score (7 points) game, and most teams would be aggressive here in trying to get a stop and get the ball back to their offense. While they do man up their corners on the three receivers, Nixon jams Godwin and hands him off to guess who, De'Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker. Great plan! Not surprisingly, Godwin once again exploits the linebackers for an easy completion and first down. And take a look at where the safeties are! Ford ends up 30 yards off the LOS and Owens drops to 35 yards off the line of scrimmage. WHY????? IT'S THIRD AND FOUR!!!! Perhaps bringing a safety up to help with Godwin might have been useful instead of leaving them out in the next zip code! F*%#%$^*!
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther. Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (64)
HawkPacker
December 19, 2023 at 03:10 pm
I think the rest of the NFL is laughing at us regarding our DC. They have to think it is hilarious that we are retaining Barry.
These next few games are a double edged sword. Of course we want to win them but if we do and the defense plays just so so, then you watch, we will retain Barry again. This happened last year and hopefully not this year!
KenEllis
December 19, 2023 at 04:00 pm
Detroit and Washington fans, who have seen more than their fair share of horrible defenses, were laughing at the Packers when GB hired Joe Barry 3 years ago.
I think they've moved on from laughing to pity at this poin
PeteK
December 19, 2023 at 04:26 pm
Luckily the Chargers gave up 63 to that juggernaut offense of the Raiders so everyone was too busy laughing at them.
MainePackFan
December 19, 2023 at 07:22 pm
Barry will be gone when the Packers are eliminated from playoff contention. If we see the same thing against Carolina that we have seen the last 2 weeks, Lafleur will have no choice but to can him.
Something is up on the defensive side in the locker room. What we have witnessed the last 2 weeks appears to be a coup from veteran leaders. Jaire says he won't play hurt, and now Campbell is voicing a similar message.
What is quite obvious is that Jaire and Campbell have quit being leaders (if Jaire ever was a leader). It will be interesting to see how this plays out, Who are they revolting against? Barry? Lafleur? Both? Something is going on.
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:25 am
My guess is… both
tincada
December 20, 2023 at 11:52 am
For sure both but Murph needs to be included. I may be wrong but isn't it odd that Murph has been completely silent on this fiasco?
MainePackFan
December 20, 2023 at 06:39 pm
Murphy should retain the right to be silent for the next 2 years.
Minniman
December 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm
It speaks volumes when science nerds are making jokes about only being able to see the Packers Defense (when they are playing off man coverage) with the Hubble telescope.
Congratulations Green Bay - your D calling has become a general internet joke.
Packers0808
December 19, 2023 at 03:16 pm
Only 3? Better than I am! I used more than three times the F word.
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:26 am
I used it 60 minutes nonstop!
jlc1
December 19, 2023 at 03:36 pm
That last play.....when Dusty does the passing chronicles so often he notes how our QB checks down because there is a defender underneath the route somewhere. Not a single Packer underneath here. On 3rd and 4! as Al says. If I can see it then the world can see it. These guys look lost or maybe even worse, disinterested.
jannesbjornson
December 19, 2023 at 04:36 pm
And no one calls a timeout to reset the D. Campbell screaming at Walker is not a surprise. With a stack on the right side of the formation. Walker doubles the other side release. I doubt it will get any better...
Since'75
December 20, 2023 at 05:42 am
See Walkers wonderlic score.
mnbadger
December 19, 2023 at 08:32 pm
We could have just taken two players off the field.
If mlf sees us lining up with 9, he shows angst on the sideline, wastes a timeout and throws players under the bus post-game.
Jb purposefully (not intelligently) positions 2 guys 30 yards away from the action and is defended without question.
What in queen Mary's F - - K are we doing?!
GPG!
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:27 am
They get their money… win or lose … good play or not!
Qoojo
December 19, 2023 at 03:39 pm
F*%#%$^*!
SoCalJim
December 19, 2023 at 04:00 pm
Yeah, F*%#%$^^*! 🤬
CheesedDeadHead
December 19, 2023 at 04:56 pm
I'm thinking a CHTV T-Shirt with:
"Another year of Joe Barry" on the front and
"F*%#%$^*!" on the back could be an all-time best seller.
splitpea1
December 19, 2023 at 03:51 pm
It must have taken a great deal of time to narrow it down to three...Play #3 is really incredible; there's only one defender (Nixon) patrolling the first down line, and the rest of them are in full retreat well beyond. It's pretty much playing a nine-man defense with the safeties so far out of the picture.
Our perfect male grooming specimen of a head coach tells us that communication issues are to blame. Maybe sometimes this is true, but with all the crazy mismatches and alignments we've seen this season, his words ring a little hollow. If communication is so difficult, Barry should either simplify things, be present on the sideline to constantly remind his players of their responsibilities, transmit advice via substitutions, or find another on-field leader(s) who know exactly where everyone should be lined up and how to execute the call.
Defense shouldn't really be this difficult. I see Howie Long has recently authored "Football For Dummies", so maybe that could help. I've found the yellow "For Dummies" series to be very helpful with other subjects, and there's no shame consulting them when in doubt.
CheesedDeadHead
December 19, 2023 at 05:21 pm
"I see Howie Long has recently authored "Football For Dummies", so maybe that could help."
Joe Barry's wife had to explain the difference between "For" and "By" when Joe thought he should write the book.
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:28 am
Excellent!!!
CheesedDeadHead
December 19, 2023 at 04:10 pm
"Perhaps bringing a safety up to help with Godwin might have been useful instead of leaving them out in the next zip code! "
During my life, I always made it a point of being in the same classroom as all the other students, but it appears that the Joe Barry life experience - always in the next zip code.
As the Onion put it, players within 25 light years, I'd be happy if we could get in the same area code and maybe in a few years, same zip code, and ultimately in the stadium and not the parking lot. Might be better to go back to drinking until submission than waiting for progress under Joe Barry.
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:29 am
Carry the G!
stinkycheesehead
December 19, 2023 at 04:14 pm
AL,RIGHT ON!!!!!!
CanPackFan
December 19, 2023 at 04:18 pm
I'm like u Al - far too obsessed with this team. Your examples are great and the use of F bombs more than appropriate. Frankly, I will NEVER respect LaFleur again after that Monday press conference. It was the poorest lack of leadership I have ever seen from a HC and he's done it to our legendary team. How dare he throw 53 players under the bus just to save his previous Barry and ego! I still can't believe he was stupid enough to speak the words.
He doesn't deserve the honor of being the HC of the Green Bay Packers!
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:32 am
Wondering why the two downvotes… care to explain… it’s obvious this comment is 100% true!!! ). &@“?!??(&@)(:? Idiots!
tincada
December 20, 2023 at 11:56 am
It was Joe & Mike
PeteK
December 19, 2023 at 04:22 pm
----After this debacle Barry is gone. This was like watching the 4th and 26 play in 2004 X 5 on Sun. Donatelli was fired 4 days later and Barry will not survive past the end of the season.
---Valentine totally messed up on that first disaster, he follows the first receiver too long, you have safety help let him go.
---What about that short reception but very long run for a TD. It was like the Pack was playing two hand touch.
---- I couldn't eat dinner after puking in my mouth so many times.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 20, 2023 at 09:53 am
While we can hope for immediate action, we've seen no signs that it even might happen.
zoellner25
December 19, 2023 at 04:26 pm
#3 is an embarrassment to the word embarrassing
HarryHodag
December 19, 2023 at 04:30 pm
One of the dangers of the current situation in Green Bay is the fans moving from being mad like Al is to being indifferent to the nonsense. Some of us on this board lived through the dark ages 50 years ago. There were angry fans, but fewer. Most people just figured another loss was coming. The Packers had a waiting list for season tickets and enough TV revenue so they didn't really care.
I'm hoping the Packers can win out and end the gnashing of teeth. I doubt they will win out, but losing to Carolina this week could be ugly and it is possible.
I take some solace in the fact we didn't expect much this season but that was focused on the offense, but it's the defense that is failing.
Sugarpop
December 19, 2023 at 04:43 pm
Carolina, offensive juggernaut; better play bend don't break D.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 20, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Someone else here had asked if rooting for Carolina to win might be a good idea because it would push Chicago down in the draft. It wouldn't. Chicago is up 3 games, there's no way Carolina wins all 3 remaining, and Chicago might actually win another game.
Likewise, rooting for GB to lose in order to get a higher draft pick isn't great sportsmanship. But if GB loses this game due to continued JB ineptitude?!? You'd hope even MLF and MM couldn't be blind to it.
I'm rooting for all our players to do their level best, and I sympathize with them that it must be very hard at this point. If they don't, it makes it harder to clearly see the problem in the coaching. Further, the players on the bench that really need to be evaluated aren't in the secondary.
Further yet, we were discussing the best approach to personnel as DBs came back from injury. Playing preferred starters is a good idea, but so is continuing the development of guys who have been playing well. I don't see good decisions having been made, and I tend to think that part is on MLF more than JB. (Maybe not? Maybe JB picks defensive personnel and MLF wants nothing to do with that?)
Bitternotsour
December 19, 2023 at 05:27 pm
“I forgot that Joe Barry was their Defensive coordinator”...
Corrected to:
"I forgot that Matt LaFleur was still the head coach"
You're welcome.
CheesedDeadHead
December 19, 2023 at 05:36 pm
Speaking of bringing up a safety, our fearless leader (MM) was a safety for 8 years in the NFL and a DB for 4 in college. 12 years of experience. He should know what a good defense looks like, but does he have any issues with how Joe Barry executes the defense? If anything speaks to the current state of Murphy's analytical abilities is his inability to lead in running Joe Barry out of town.
Bitternotsour
December 19, 2023 at 05:52 pm
You forget how many headshots that guy took and administered. That brain is a prime landing spot for CTE. No telling how those synapses are firing compared to 10 years ago.
Bitternotsour
December 19, 2023 at 05:54 pm
I will note that I often lambast people for speculating. I accept that and I own the hypocrisy.
LeotisHarris
December 19, 2023 at 08:01 pm
A lot of people say you're a world-class lambaster because of your substance abuse problems. Just what I heard.
Bitternotsour
December 19, 2023 at 11:05 pm
daddy only drinks because you're bad.
Johnblood27
December 20, 2023 at 05:43 am
These last two comments are CHTV Gold!
Dragon5
December 19, 2023 at 05:40 pm
How ironic would it be for MLF if the D is competent this week but the O struggles mightily against a stout Ejiro Evero defense (and we consequently lose)?
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:34 am
One can only hope!
LeotisHarris
December 19, 2023 at 06:03 pm
Boy howdy, in retrospect everything is 20/20 and I'm sure those are three calls that Joe would have liked to have back. What's so disappointing is the safeties were using semaphore, and the cornerbacks American Sign Language, and if you look closely the linebackers are using old-school Charades concepts, with the edge rushers employing a bit of Hawaiian Pidgin inaudible to nearly all.
So, yeah, I was sad and disappointed, but I know this can work once we figure out our communication issues. I mean, if Al felt like saying F%2A%25%23%m, just imagine how Coach LaFleur felt watching it from the sideline.
Bitternotsour
December 19, 2023 at 11:08 pm
Can we all start with the assumption of good intent? If we can just come up with some basic, core agreements, we can move forward.
Now get out there and hit somebody.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 20, 2023 at 12:10 pm
What a great comment! 🍻
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:35 am
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😢😢😢
haevs6
December 19, 2023 at 06:17 pm
So much as already been said and agree w/ most... When our players state "they knew what we were in' .... this shows predictability (NYG last drive) and lack of creativity, not to mention lack of adjustments.... we saw what they did 1st qtr, Goodwin had 100+ in the 1st half.....when they continue to have success with our Safety's 25 yds back, along w/ a long history of this, total lack of adjusting is on coaching... I think we had 1 pass deflection in the last 2 game??
Barry's DC record says it all. 2007 Lions, 30th, 2008 31st, 2015 Washington 21st, 2016 25th,
Packers 2021 22nd, 2022 20th, 2023 so far 28th.......
If we had a QB with these stats, would he even be playing or on the team?
Off of memory, Look back at MLF comments from Giants game to TB game...same old comments from the week before
Add in that only the Packers and Patriots do NOT have a 100 yd rusher or receiver this year?? No team has even had this in a 16 game season.....
Rennatkcir
December 19, 2023 at 08:00 pm
Has anyone even noticed the "real Matt Lafleur offense" only put 13 points on the board?
Tundraboy
December 19, 2023 at 09:58 pm
Love the change, we are beyond hmnm of late. Hell I'm thinking why just plays, we could add lineups, etc . There are a lot of things I find myself swearing at and about.
ImaPayne
December 19, 2023 at 10:50 pm
Just as a comparison, watching the vikes game the other day, they have a field of young defensive backs but when the receiver went past the corner both the safety and corner would sqeeze the guy so two of them were contending against the receiver and if nothing else would immediately tackle the guy at the point on contact.
Their safety was not playing back 20 yards watching the action as in "im the prevent guy".
Surprised they didnt have a beer open back there and were injoying a cold one.
There is no team in the NFL playing that defense. Its so mindless I dont know how the players arent bitching to LeFleur as in WTF are we doing out there.
Since'75
December 20, 2023 at 05:49 am
Who knows, they may very well be bitching to MLF.
At the very least, with the Alexander and Campbell situation, surely MLF is smart enough to read the room, right?
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:38 am
I doubt he is!
SicSemperTyrannis
December 20, 2023 at 10:01 am
MLF and smart in the same sentence? I'm questioning your judgment.
Since'75
December 20, 2023 at 07:05 pm
Lol...have you not read any of my past comments, surely you understand i'm not the brightest person in here.
Since'75
December 20, 2023 at 07:12 pm
Won't it be nice when we can go beat the Panthers at home and then come in here with positivity, thirst once again for the green and gold kool aid while we sit around the fire singing Kumbaya. 🤗
Once again...Carrying The G!! 🍻💯🦾😏👍
Good times
In Mark Murphy we Trust!! 😲
LeotisHarris
December 20, 2023 at 07:42 pm
"...watching the vikes game the other day, they have a field of young defensive backs but when the receiver went past the corner both the safety and corner would sqeeze the guy so two of them were contending against the receiver and if nothing else would immediately tackle the guy at the point on contact."
Especially good example of that technique at the 10 minute mark in the highlights below:
https://www.vikings.com/video/full-highlights-bengals-27-vikings-24
Bitternotsour
December 20, 2023 at 10:37 pm
i see what you did there.
bjkdad44
December 20, 2023 at 06:24 am
Three of many &$@?!!!!!
SicSemperTyrannis
December 20, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Many such cases.
(Some people would like to finish many cases just trying to get through watching that crime against football)
Boneman
December 20, 2023 at 08:41 am
It is very hard to watch this defense sometimes. Like when they defend 3 man receiver bunches with two DB's and you can see a bubble screen coming from outer space and they beat us every time! Or when it is seemingly pitch and catch with NO resistance and then we scramble to tackle, made even worse when I compare them to our receivers having to extricate themselves from tight coverage to try and catch a contested ball. Why are our guys five yards away from the receivers especially check down receivers) while other defenses have a guy flying up to contest and immediately tackle? I just don't get it.
CentralPA_PackFan
December 20, 2023 at 08:54 am
“You’ve got to affect the quarterback, if you can’t get there with four, you’ve got to bring five, and if you can’t get there with five you’ve got to bring six. That’s my philosophy.” Ejiro Evero upon joining the Broncos as the DC in 2022.
“If you can't get there with four, you’ve got to bring five, and if you can’t get there with five you’ve got to bring six.” Fritz Shurmur Packers DC for 1996 season Super Bowl Champs.
I know who is on my wish list to replace Barry. Evero will probably be available after the Panthers finish their season, and MLF would finally get to see what a Vic Fangio-based scheme defense looks like when it's run aggressively (instead of Barry marshmallow soft).
Since'75
December 20, 2023 at 07:15 pm
Who ever we get, how about we hire somebody with some past success?
Crazy....right?
Via.Lombardi
December 20, 2023 at 09:49 am
James Webb Telescope Finds Evidence Of Packers Secondary Lined Up 20 Million Light Years Off Receivers
https://www.theonion.com/james-webb-telescope-finds-evidence-of-packers-...
RichBeckman
December 20, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Having been forced to log in so I could give a thumbs up to CheesedDeadHead's "Joe Barry's wife had to explain the difference between 'For' and 'By'" I might as well comment.
Joe Barry needs to go. But, if what I read here reflects reality at all, Murphy is the problem. MLF may or may not be able to coach, but given the disfunctional nature of the organization in which he is trying to work, it is anyone's guess. From my own experience, I know how handicapping and stressful a disfunctional organization can be for employees. And if the disfunction is at the top, well, it rolls down the hill.
My personal wish list this off season is Barry is fired and the offensine line gets a lot of attention. The offensive line attention was my wish list last year, but for some reason, I don't always get what I wish for.