TALKIN FOOTBALL

Saturday Edition
October 20th, 2012  

Talkin Football

Are Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Back

After their week 6 dismantling of the then unbeaten Texans, it would sure look to be that way. As it may have appeared last Sunday night, one game is far too small a sample to make such an assessment, but not too small to say they look close.

Close as it may be, the real assessment for Green Bay coming off that impressive win is, it was the first time this season they have looked more like last year’s 15-1 version. 

Against what was believed to be a very good Texans defense, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing game come out fast and furious and took it right to defense. Before anyone could blink the Packers were up by double digits putting their defense in an ideal situation; let’s face it Clay Matthews and the defense are best built to play with a lead.

Last year when the Packers were taking it to the league with Rodgers was tossing the old pigskin all around the yard, he allowed his defense to play to their strengths; pressure the quarterback (41 sacks last year) and make big plays (38 takeaways in 2011). This season has not been quite the same; just 8 takeaways in six games.

Last Sunday night Rodgers completed 24 passes for 338 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per pass. The Packers may want to run the ball, but they need to recognize they are a passing team; that is their strength, it’s what they do. This season Rodgers has averaged less than 7 yards per pass per three times losing twice; he only did this once last season in the Packers loss to Kansas City. 

When Rodgers is chucking it downfield with the degree of accuracy that he can, the Packers are unstoppable. What works for Green Bay is they are a team that can play very well with the lead as evident a week ago against the Texans. Maybe the acquisition of Cedric Benson gave head coach Mike McCarthy reason to think he needed to run the ball more and early. Whatever the reason, for the first five weeks of the 2012 season the Packers got away from what they do best.

What would seem to make sense, when healthy Benson would be the ideal back for the Packers to close out games once they are up and want to kill the clock. We may not see that now with Benson out, but if he can return to health that may be the right formula. For now the Pack will look for those answers from running backs Alex Green and James Starks.

Week seven presents a matchup against the St. Louis Rams that would offer a great opportunity for the Packers to show more of who they really are and what they can really do. Even with their top receiver (Greg Jennings) sidelined, Rodgers and company have more than enough weapons to dissect opposing secondaries.

It may be a little too early to call them back, but another strong performance this week and the Packers just may be too close for the comfort of others (in the NFC North).


By David Ortega

THAT'S MY TAKE

Sunday Edition

October 14th, 2012 

That's My Take

 Is Peyton Manning Holding Back the Broncos?

When the 2012 season kicked off there were a lot of questions surrounding the Broncos offense. After all the team had just taken a huge risk investing a great deal of money and an entire city's hope on a player who had not seen any real action on the gridiron in more than a year; but this was not just any player.

After their humiliating loss last season to the Patriots in divisional round of the playoffs, it was very apparent to the Broncos' GM John Elway and the top brass that they did not have everything they would need to secure the top prize. They were still missing a big piece.

When the opportunity presented itself, the Broncos made the move for Manning believing he was the missing piece. We are six weeks into the 2012 season and have we seen enough to know if the Broncos have made the smart move.

There’s little doubt the post-Tim Tebow Era seems to be the right direction, but at 2-3 some may be second-guessing the move for Peyton. He has had his struggles and limitations, but one thing we have seen, he’s a sharp as ever on the field when it comes to his football IQ.

Through five games, Peyton is showing the veteran leadership and savvy of a four-time MVP winner, and he may have lost a little zip on the fast ball, but his is still more than capable of making many of the needed plays to win. And while the Broncos had an inclination of what they would be getting when they signed Peyton, one thing they may not have realized is what they already had waiting for Manning when he took the field.

It’s quite apparent Manning is on a completely different level than his 10 other teammates. He is leading and still making plays and what Bronco fans are quickly finding it appears his Achilles heel at the moment is not his arm, but his teammates. In the teams last two losses, Manning’s teammates have turned the ball over three times.

Through the team’s first five games, Manning has given the Broncos opportunity to win, but at critical moment his playmakers are falling short and making mistakes. This was something most did not expect to see, but maybe what we are seeing is Manning is still Manny and the rest of the team needs to learn to raise their level of expectation and play.

The Bronco’s have a big test coming up on Monday night and while it looks like Peyton is ready to go (completing 66% of his passes, 1,499 passing yards, and 11 touchdowns), other players will need to be ready to rise to the next level if the team is not to be held back.

That’s My Take.

By David Ortega

THAT'S MY TAKE

Sunday Edition

October 14th, 2012 

That's My Take

Trouble in Dallas, But Romo Not Problem

With their implosion on Monday night against the Bears nearly two weeks ago, the Cowboys appear to be sinking once again, but is Tony Romo the real problem? Romo certainly has had the knack for flop performances on big stages and his 5 interceptions were no help, but he is hardly the problem.

It's easy to pick up the sports page on Tuesday morning read the numbers and point fingers, but if you did you would be missing a lot if the real picture.

There's a lot Romo needs to do and still learn to help get his team to the next level, but he can't do everything and he also can't catch his own passes. As much as Romo needs to do and improve, he also needs some help from his playmakers. In watching the Cowboys debacle on Monday against the Bears, there were many mistakes that did them in and not all were Romo's.

When your receivers are dropping very catchable passes at critical moments of the game, that will no doubt change the complexion or momentum and flow of the game, these mistakes stack up. Once you find yourself in a big hole, climbing out does not get easier, especially when the defense know what you will do; take shots downfield.

If the Cowboys and Tony Romo are going to get things moving in the right direction, they have to keep themselves out of big holes, and that starts with everyone doing what is expected. The offensive line needs to protect Romo when they pass and create openings for the run game; running back DeMarco Murray has just 106 yards rushing in his last three games and the offense is averaging just 2.8 yards per run. The pass can’t operate without the run.

As far as Romo getting better, he just needs a little help from his friends; players like Dez Bryant, Kevin Ogletree, and Miles Austin. If these guys can start making some of the regular plays expected (cut down the drops), Romo will have a much easier job that requires less risk taking and that will be key. Easier said than done.

That’s My Take

By David Ortega