5 Good Questions With Acme Packing Company

by David_Wyatt on Oct 28, 2010 10:03 AM EDT

Earlier this week I had a chat with Evan from SB Nation's Packers blog ahead of this weeks match-up. I tried to avoid a certain someone as I'm sure everyone else is as bored talking about him as I am, and he's in the past for both teams. However the Packers were my NFC pick to make the Superbowl, and to be honest they still are. However injuries are threatening that, and they'll be hoping their trip to New York is a healthy one. Evan will be posting up my answers to 5 questions he had for Gang Green Nation soon, so remember to pop over to Acme Packing Company and keep in mind what we talked about regarding personal conduct on opposing teams blogs:

GGN: Green Bay are really struggling with injuries at the minute, and it seems especially along the defensive line. How are you looking health wise for Sunday's game and are the defensive line injuries worrying when you think of the offensive line you'll be facing this week?

APC: The defense as a whole has been hit hard with injuries, but the D-line is mostly suffering from depth players being banged up. While the starting three of DEs Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins and NT B.J. Raji are all still healthy enough to play, rookie DE Mike Neal and perennial IR-filler Justin Harrell are both out for the season. The problems arise when we turn to DEs Jairus Wynn or C.J. Wilson to give the others a rest. While they have some talent, they're young and inexperienced. I'd argue that the bigger problem is the slew of injuries in the linebacking corps. Clay Matthews is back and effective, but with starters Nick Barnett and Brad Jones out along with multiple backups, guys besides Clay need to step up and make some plays.

GGN: Do you believe that Green Bay will stack the box and force Mark Sanchez to beat you? How do you think the Packers will try and stop the Jets offence?

APC: With the effectiveness of the Jets' running game thus far, I have to expect that the defense will be focused on that phase of New York's offense. Our rushing defense, which led the league a year ago, has suffered and is now ranked in the 20s. Much of the issue, however, has been allowing opposing quarterbacks to roam free during broken plays (see Vick, Michael, week 1). Fill-in SS Charlie Peprah has looked like a capable tackler recently and I expect him to be heavily involved in the run defense, leaving FS Nick Collins to play center field. Expect to see Charles Woodson all over the field as well, and often helping out in run support. As for the passing game, I have faith in Chuck and fellow corner Tramon Williams to contain the Jets' wideouts, who don't really strike fear into me...it's Dustin Keller matched up with our linebackers that I'm most concerned about.

GGN: Do the Packers often run from max protection schemes? It is known that the Jets will bring the house on many downs and on more than a few occasions teams have been forced to leave extra men in to block to protect the QB, will Green Bay do this or is Aaron Rodgers trusted to get the ball out quickly and then avoid any hits?

APC: In general, the tight ends in the Packers' system tend to be weapons in the passing game rather than protectors for Rodgers, who is earning more trust this season by having a quicker mental clock in the pocket. The running backs are more often used as the blockers, chipping on linemen and picking up blitzers. It certainly seems that Rodgers has taken fewer sacks this season vs. a year ago, partially thanks to getting rid of the ball faster, but also due to more continuity on his offensive line. But at times, this comes at the cost of incompletions. Last week against Minnesota, Rodgers threw several quick, back-shoulder, hot-read passes that missed because he and his receivers weren't on the same page. I expect that to be a focus in practice this week, for the communication to improve, and for that part of the passing game to become more effective.

GGN: The Packers seem to have been a little inconsistent this season, wins against the Lions/Eagles and then losses against the Dolphins/Redskins. What do the Packers need to do to win on a consistent basis and can you see them doing that this season?

APC: Inconsistency has been this team's M.O. The Packers' three losses were each settled on a field goal on the last play of the game; if we ignore the blowout win against Buffalo, our other three wins come by a combined margin of 13 points. It's pretty clear to me that this team can play with anyone, but isn't good enough to pull away from anyone but the Bills. I wish I could find some statistical trend for the games won vs. those lost, but nothing really jumps off the page. It just seems to come down to which team performs best in crunch time, and so far, both the Packers' offense and defense have been inconsistent towards the end of games. With a talented roster that's been hit hard by so many injuries, I can't really see that changing drastically in either direction.

GGN: With so many injuries I'm sure there are a few players who are flying under the NFL radar who you are keeping an eye on. Give us one player on offence and one player on defence to watch out for in this game who we might not look for usually.

APC: On defense, it's easy. Desmond Bishop isn't a household name, but he made a statement in prime time last Sunday with his pick-six off Jenn Sterger's former texting buddy, Brett Favre. Bishop has been stepping up big in the ILB spot opposite A.J. Hawk since Nick Barnett went down and even before the interception, I was ready to call him my player of the game because of the solid coverage and teeth-rattling hits he was providing.

On offense, I'll mention the same player I did before last week's game: TE Andrew Quarless. He's another raw, athletic TE prospect who is cut from the Jermichael Finley mold and needs to fill that middle of the field receiving role. Quarless did "catch" a controversial touchdown last week (on a gorgeous throw from Rodgers), although Brad Childress evidently forgot that instant replay exists and neglected to throw his red flag on a play that would easily have been overturned.

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Comments

I love that nobody respects our receivers.

Holmes and Edwards don’t strike any fear into anybody apparantely. I really do hope that their strong safety plays in the box all day.

by Crackback on Oct 28, 2010 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

I’d venture to say that Edwards and Holmes are proven commodities. And that remark sounds more to me like an indirect way of saying Sanchez wouldn’t make enough plays to beat them.

by nationalist88 on Oct 28, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think that thats what he was saying at all. He was asked that question directly, and he didnt respond, and he is scared of Sanchez carving them up with Keller. Seems to me that he doesn’t think that Holmes and Edwards can get open and make plays, which is a sentiment thats been rampant so far this season.

by Crackback on Oct 28, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

compared to other top WRs and passing attacks I understand his perception

our receivers don’t have great stats or highlight catches. our passing attack has been below average so far. whatever the reason for it our passing game has not looked that threatening.

"Focus; Finish. Work on winning each play."
-- NY Jets 2010 philosophy --

by rick34125 on Oct 28, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Regardless of stats, or who was playing QB, if I saw a receving corp that had both Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes I would be a little more than concerned about getting gashed by a big play.

by Crackback on Oct 28, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

i think he's right that keller is the bigger threat right now

sanchez will have to prove first that his receiving corps is as big of a threat as we’d like to believe it is.

"Focus; Finish. Work on winning each play."
-- NY Jets 2010 philosophy --

by rick34125 on Oct 28, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

1+ WR and a TE

as soon as Holmes and Sanchez begin to really click thereby giving the Jets three definite targets, and ‘must’ covers, four counting LT when he is in, then teams will begin to fear. Just need some more game time together and calls from Shotty. There will just be too many targets to blanket especially with sub-par secondaries.

by Fishaa on Oct 28, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Cotch is no slouch either. And Sanchez and Holmes had a big hole in their time together first third of the season.

by Fishaa on Oct 28, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve always loved Cotcherrey (sp?). He’s great route runner. Seems like every game I watch, he’s good for at least one or two double routes that make his defender look just silly.

by packallday555 on Oct 29, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Holmes, edwards, an keller are all threats. Let them underestimate them. Its gonna be scary for the Packers on Halloween...

by DJ. Quillz on Oct 28, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

All I’m going to say about that receiver line is that I hope the Packers feel the same way as this guy.

by revis_island on Oct 28, 2010 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

btw any predictions from Evan on the score?

i like the feel of the team right now and think they win big on sunday sending a statement to the rest of the league.

Jets 30
Packers 10

Santonio Holmes scores his first td and LT gets his 39th game with 2 tds. Revis and Cromartie show why they’re the best cb tandem in the league picking off Rodgers 3 times.

"Focus; Finish. Work on winning each play."
-- NY Jets 2010 philosophy --

by rick34125 on Oct 28, 2010 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

I’m sure he will pop in with a prediction at some point.

I happen to think it’ll be won with a FG, and the Jets come out on top 24-21.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Knicks/Rangers/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Oct 28, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey Dave, whats up with the “Ask a Question” thing this week? Are we getting away from that now?

by Crackback on Oct 28, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Wondering the same thing.

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Oct 28, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Apologies guys, been real busy at work and completely forgot about it. Will go over and get one up (as soon as my account is active tomorrow).

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Knicks/Rangers/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Oct 28, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool. [You would think that official writers wouldn’t be subject to the wait. Sup with that?] Maybe somebody from Acme can return the favor?

by Crackback on Oct 28, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Whew, finally got my membership active.

I’m your friendly Packers blogger, occasionally known as Evan, but usually as Tex. I’ll do what I can to shed some more light on this team.

"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker

by texwestern on Oct 29, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

rough day gor GB

Looking at the Green Bay injuries, ineffectiveness at the running game, the Jets coming off of a bye week, well rested and healed, I think Green Bay is in for a long, long afternoon. I agree with DJ. Quillz and Crackback. GB should be looking very, very hard at our the receiving corps other than Keller. Another week with Holmes and Edwards, Sanchez might just have the timing down to hurt GB’s feelings. The run game SHOULD soften up the their defense, opening them up for more than just dump passes to Keller and LT out of the backfield. I am wondering if Rex Ryan’s plan is to keep the rushes lower throughout the course of the year for Greene, (12 carries PG) and LT (15 carries PG), to keep the legs fresh for the rest of the season and the playoffs? The only problem I see is forcing Sanchez into throwing more against a prideful and game GB secondary IF the chemistry and timing isn’t there. (I am still not convinced the Jets really had to throw as much as they did against Denver). Hopefully the chemistry with Holmes has come about and if it does, lights out for GB. As far as GB’s running attack. they haven’t come up against a run defense like the Jets. Brando Jackson is a respectable runner, but if you take away his 70 yard run against Washington, he’s YPC is 3.7. not a real concern for this defense. Take away the run game and it shouldn’t matter how fast Rodgers releases the ball with this secondary. The only thing I am concerned about is their linebackers. Hawk is sharp and Mathews.. they need to check that guy and see if he is even human. That’s why I don’t like the dumps to LT and Keller. Control these guys and it’s 6-1 and onto Detroit. Jets… 27-16. Wow, I didn’t even use the names Revis and Brad Smith

by jaxopguy on Oct 28, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Tramon Williams holding down santonio, braylon, or cotch?

Ya ok bud in your fantasies

by JetKing55 on Oct 28, 2010 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t doubt it. He’s held some pretty good receivers in check this season (Jackson and Moss). He’s probably been our best corner actually.

by packallday555 on Oct 29, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Well they just got Howard Green from us.

So it should help them a lot than having their Offensive lineman playing D and getting flattened every play. We should be able to run and regain the #1 rushing attack in the league, dominate the T.O.P. and keep their O off the field

by JetsFan718 on Oct 28, 2010 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

To the guys reacting to my comments on the Jets' WRs:

Don’t confuse a lack of fear with a lack of respect. I think Holmes, Edwards, and Cotchery are all good receivers, and that they are capable of big plays against our D. However, I am confident in our secondary and its ability to contain the big play…if (and that’s a big if) we can play well against the run and limit the effectiveness of play action.

Again, I’m more concerned about Keller against our backup LBs and safeties than I am about the wideouts against our starting corners.

"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker

by texwestern on Oct 29, 2010 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

However, I am confident in our secondary and its ability to contain the big play…

I was gonna say something to this extent. I figured your comments about their receivers had more to do with our cornerback play, which has been pretty good so far. Williams has been playing like a world beater (shut down Jackson and Moss pretty well) and Woodson is Woodson. It’d be great to get Harris back but I have a feeling he won’t be activated.

by packallday555 on Oct 29, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

As for a prediction?

27-20 Jets.

If we were at full strength, I would say this would be a great game, one of the toughest for both teams all season. As it is, the Jets definitely have the advantage on paper, and it’s going to be an uphill battle for the Packers. I don’t think we have enough consistency or, frankly, talent on the field right now to win this game.

"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker

by texwestern on Oct 29, 2010 6:03 PM EDT reply actions