2021 Packers Stock Report: Week 1
Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a rough Week 1 performance.
By GunnarDavis
Our beloved team in green and gold struggled this weekend. Let’s be honest, none of us saw the Week 1 drubbing that was the Green Bay Packers vs. the New Orleans Saints coming.
And how could we? This team returned almost all of its key pieces that made the regular season in 2020 look like a cake-walk for the most part. Plus, with players noting in the pre-season that this was the hungriest the team has ever been, we were made to believe that the Packers would be the team to watch out for this fall.
Instead, the Packers struggled in a 38-3 loss to the Saints in Jacksonville. Obviously, this isn’t the end of the world. But after a less-than-impressive Week 1, there’s more to sell than buy at this point. So let’s get into it.
BUY
Elgton Jenkins - At this point, let’s just give him the title of most versatile offensive lineman in the league. Although protections and run blocking as a collective unit weren’t great at times throughout the game, Jenkins played solid at left tackle. In his first-ever start at left tackle, he turned in his highest PFF grade of his career. On top of that, he was the second-best graded left tackle in the NFL for Week 1. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past two seasons, the standout guard stands out at just about any position.
Eric Stokes - Yes, the Packers 2021 first-round pick only played eight snaps at outside cornerback on Sunday. However, his stock is a ‘buy’ at this point partially because the man ahead of him on the depth chart is a solid ‘sell.’ We’ll get to that later. Stokes did make a great play in the middle of the third quarter when he recorded the first pass breakup of his NFL career. After Kevin King’s terrible performance, it wouldn’t shock me to see Stokes out on the field more soon.
SELL
Aaron Rodgers - I hate to put the reigning NFL MVP quarterback on the sell list, but man, Aaron Rodgers just did not look like himself on Sunday. The 37-year-old threw for just 133 yards and was picked off twice. Both of the interceptions were head-scratchers, too. His passer-rating of 32.8 would’ve been better if he had just thrown every ball into the grass on Sunday. The Packers will definitely need better play out of their premiere quarterback.
Kevin King - I know I briefly mentioned it before, but Kevin King was not good. King made it clear during the pre-season that he thinks he can be one of the top corners in the game this season. After Sunday’s game, he might not even have that opportunity. The big plays given up to Deonte Harris were like watching a rewind of all of last season’s worst hits. I know it’s early, but it might be time to see Stokes get more snaps.
Joe Barry - Despite the energy and excitement around him, the new defensive coordinator didn’t wow fans with his gameplan on Sunday. After Matt LaFleur made pressing and playing man coverage such an important topic of discussion during the offseason and pre-season, Barry’s plan was to give Saints’ receivers a good six yards of cushion for the majority of the game. On top of that, the defense looked confused often (and gassed). This defense didn’t look any different than Mike Pettine’s before him. Let’s hope he can get it turned around in Week 2.
HOLD
Cory Bojorquez - The newest edition to the special teams looked good in his first outing as a member of the Packers. He finished with an average of 44 yards on four attempts, including a long of 59. That average does include a shorter punt from near midfield that put the Saints inside their own 20. Consistency will be key for Bojorquez at a position where the Packers have been inconsistent for the past few seasons. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come from the former Buffalo Bill.
Darnell Savage - I'm not sure what to make of Darnell Savage after Week 1, which is why I'm putting him on hold. The third-year safety missed much of the second half with a shoulder injury. Luckily, it's not too serious, and he should be back for the home-opener against the Lions on Monday Night Football. However, he didn't make any standout plays during the first half, and his second-half interception was overturned after Za'Darius Smith's (terrible) roughing the passer call. One of the most athletic guys on the field at all times, I'm interested to see if he takes another step forward this season.
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Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.
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Comments (21)
Point-Packer
September 15, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Kevin King may have been serviceable or even above average pre-injury, but he's now T-Buck Part Deux.
Archie
September 15, 2021 at 03:27 pm
but taller.
jannesbjornson
September 16, 2021 at 05:06 am
T-Buck ended his career with 50 Interceptions and a SB ring, not too shabby.
splitpea1
September 15, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Buy: The entire team and coaching staff, sort of like an ETF--because there's literally nowhere to go but up from here.
GunnarDavis
September 15, 2021 at 12:32 pm
You make a great point. Can't argue with that.
joejetson
September 15, 2021 at 12:33 pm
Sell Green. Invest in Gold.
Coldworld
September 15, 2021 at 12:34 pm
Buy Jenkins! He was pretty darn good at LT in a difficult day. If that’s not a buy, I don’t know what else is. Actually Turner wasn’t bad either if you actually watch. I’d also say Myers held his own on a first start. Love looked good too in garbage time. Our new punter is a definite upgrade.
Hold: Dillon, Alexander, Savage, Amos, Crosby, Newman, Patrick and the back up receivers.
Sell: LaFleur for his failure to motivate, his game plan and his choice of Barry. Barry for playing Lowry; Lancaster coming off an elbow injury too and for the idiocy of playing King off. Every player not listed above. They should all be ashamed of their play just as the coaching staff should be of their planning, adjustment and preparation. There is no excuse for that trifecta.
Leatherhead
September 15, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Buy: Confidence that our front office, GM, and HC know what they're doing despite a bad game.
Aaron Rodgers had his worst game of the year.
Our offense just had their worst game of the year.
Sell: "Talent Wins". That was always nonsense.
Panic over ONE loss.
Hold: "Aaron Rodgers and The Drama" is responsible
This offense. It's going to get better. Trust me.
Ferrari-Driver
September 15, 2021 at 01:06 pm
Buy? One thing I'm not buying is that lame comment about it's only one game. If you can't be ski high for the first game of the season when you are supposed to be "All In" on winning the Super Bowl, when in the world will you be "Sky High"?
Archie
September 15, 2021 at 03:29 pm
ain't that the truth............
dblbogey
September 15, 2021 at 01:40 pm
I'm a Packer fan since '61. I didn't like how Favre behaved towards the end and the same goes for Rodgers. He seems to have some personal issues. Maybe his pride will drive him to a great year; or maybe his head is messed up and he'll have a down year. Or maybe, as he approaches 38 years old, there will simply be a few more of these off games now and then. Drafting his replacement when they did is looking smart for now, but only if Love turns into a top 8 QB.
Razer
September 15, 2021 at 03:18 pm
I am also leary about Rodgers and his desire/ability to lead this team. We can't know for sure but I suspect that Rodgers is undermining Lafleur's play calling. There is no reason to believe that Lafleur would not have run the ball more particularly when his quarterback was playing like shit.
Last year Rodgers had great success embracing a quicker more balanced offense. So either Lafleur has taken a blow to the head or Rodgers is running old McCarthy scripts. Either way, Rodgers needs to recommit to the team play
UnoMyName
September 15, 2021 at 01:52 pm
"His passer-rating of 32.8 would’ve been better if he had just thrown every ball into the grass on Sunday."
That says so much. Ouch!😧
Roadrunner23
September 15, 2021 at 02:26 pm
Buy: A J Dillon - Time to unleash quad-zilla, MLF what are you waiting for?
Buy: Josh Meyers - Lost in all the excrement was the fact that Rookie Center Josh Myers had a solid game.
Buy: Bojorquez - Anything is better than JK Scott and Bojorquez isn't afraid to tackle
Buy: Preston Smith - It looks like Preston has come to play this year, solid game
Buy: Maurice Drayton - Special Teams were actually pleasantly average, which is a start!
Buy: Amari Rodgers - He didn't do a whole lot but he got North quickly on the punt return for a nice gain and also made a nice grab on 3rd down.
Buy: Jordan Love: A nice debut for the kid and should have been 6 for 7 if Lazard holds on to the pass, the fumble was unfortunate but the kid will learn from it.
Sell: Aaron Rodgers - Dude lose the man bun, act your age, get you're head out of your ass and earn your millions! WTF bra, we all know you don't want to be in a hick town like Green Bay, but at least act like you give a shit!
Sell: Joe Barry - Hated the hire, still do! The defensive players had no clue what they were doing out there! That is on Barry and his incoherent, babbling way of communicating! You can tell by his pressers that he is in way over his head. As DC's go he's like a used car salesman! He's gone at seasons end!
Sell: King - WTF was that, oh yes this is why we paid the guy 6 million! Gutey WTH were you thinking?
Sell: Lancaster/Lowery - These two are softer than two giant rolls of Charmin! Ok can we stop pretending these two are anything but below average street free agent types? Time to bring up Heflin and give Slaton more snaps. Lets these kids play, they can't be any worse!
Hold: Campbell - The inside linebacker was active and made some plays, he also had some bad plays. What can you expect, he's never played a down in this defense!
Hold: MLF: - Ok Matt we get it, you were holding out 32 vet's during the pre-season and you guys came out healthy but then got your asses handed to you. You may want to rethink that strategy next season bro!
ND
Ferrari-Driver
September 15, 2021 at 02:32 pm
nostradanus
"Sell: Aaron Rodgers - Dude lose the man bun, act your age, get you're head out of your ass and earn your millions! WTF bra, we all know you don't want to be in a hick town like Green Bay, but at least act like you give a shit!"
That quote alone is worth a thumbs up.
stockholder
September 15, 2021 at 02:47 pm
Watch #41 Black. Way to late
Alberta_Packer
September 15, 2021 at 07:49 pm
I would buy-long - on all your buy recommendations. Also short-sell - your sell list.
I believe that Rodgers may be going through male menopause. Therefore the obsession with his physical appearance - although "Interception Jesus" may not be what he wanted.
I'm starting to think that Lowry and Lancaster have some sort of psychological disorder - the fear of crossing the line of scrimmage.
Roadrunner23
September 15, 2021 at 08:59 pm
Omg awesome take 😂
stockholder
September 15, 2021 at 02:36 pm
I have a Hold on everyone. even Savage and Sullivan.
Since'61
September 15, 2021 at 06:17 pm
Actually if this was an actual equity market now would be the time to buy Rodgers because we know that he and the offense are better than what they showed us against the Saints. "Buy low, sell high."
King should have been sold in the off season. Everyone else on hold for now because the NFL is a week to week league and teams turn things around quickly from game to game. Patience is a virtue when it comes to the NFL. Especially since the team has not sustained any major injuries. GPG! Thanks, Since '61
egbertsouse
September 16, 2021 at 07:55 am
Sell: Gutekunst and Murphy. For failure to make any improvements to this team, permitting the hiring mediocre good ol’ boy assistant coaches, and rewarding massive underachievers with new contracts. It’s time to unload all these TT-mentored dinosaurs and get a 21st century FO.
Oh yeah, and completely botching the Rodgers drama and allowing him to continue to hold this team and the HC hostage and blowing the opportunity to get multiple 1st rounders. He’ll be worth a bushel of apples after this season.