Monday, September 10, 2012

A Bad, Bad Start

As we said in a Tweet during the game, it’s hard to believe that we waited six months to see football like this. The Packers were basically out-played for most of the game on Sunday — outplayed by a better team, at least on this day. And you can’t point the finger at the replacement referees, either. The Packers shot themselves in the foot several times and played poorly enough that they would’ve lost without all the penalties.

It seemed that whenever we were able to get to ball to a receiver (WR Greg Jennings, #85 above), they were most often covered immediately during or after the pass. Rare was a pass that caught a receiver in stride. 

This photo tells the succinct story of Green Bay’s rushing attack in the season-opener. 

While A.J. Hawk (#50) seems to have a bead on Frank Gore (#21) on this play, the opposite was the case most of the game for the defense. 

LB Clay Matthews (#52) was able to get in and score two-and-a-half sacks on Alex Smith (#11). 

We need more of this from the defense. Wasn’t it supposed to be improved?

Is anyone else tired of hearing all about TE Jermichael Finley’s potential year after year, while he drops passes? 

One bright spot of the day — WR Randall Cobb (#18). 

It sure looked like a beautiful day at Lambeau Field

QB’s Aaron Rodgers (#12) and Alex Smith (#11) went 24th and 1st (respectively) in the 2005 NFL Draft. The top draft choice got the best of the battle today.

In a pre-game promotion with TIDE®, all fans were given colored t-shirts to wear for a pre-game promo. 

It was Alumni Day in Green Bay, and the 1982 Packers team was honored for their 30th anniversary (above and below)


Always receiving the loudest ovation on Alumni Day is Hall of Fame Packers’ former QB Bart Starr
Photos courtesy of the Green Bay Packers.

And now on to the video. Here are the game highlights

 • Mike McCarthy’s Post-Game Conference.

• Rodgers: 49ers made good plays, adjustments

• Trust Woodson, defense will improve

• Matthews: A lot of room for improvement

• Randall Cobb saw the field open up

• Locker Room Soundbites

Sights & Sounds: Packers-49ers 

Here is an aerial view of the Tide® promotion from a helicopter, as provided by the Packers. Click on the photo to enlarge.

POST-GAME INFO:
GAME STORY Green Bay Press-Gazette
GAME STORY Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
GAME STORY ESPN-Milwaukee
GAME STORY Associated Press
GAME STORY San Francisco Chronicle
• OFFICIAL BOX SCORE
• OFFICIAL PLAY-BY-PLAY
• OFFICIAL GAME STATS
*****
PACKERS ON THE FIELD:
• Losing to 49ers no reason for despair
• Packers remain confident after opening loss
• Loss heightens stakes for Bears game
• Packers eager to play on short rest
• Game Notes
• Post-game notes & quotes
• A penalty? Manning isn't admitting to it
• Driver disappointed in loss, not playing time
• 49ers make a statement in Green Bay
Offseason work only pays off for one
• Cobb makes strong opening statement New!
Flag day: Replacement refs factor in New!
• Nelson can't reel it in New!
• Rodgers 'disappointed' in two key mistakes New!
• M.D. Jennings sits after Moss TD New!
• Desmond Bishop on the mend New!
Peter King: Monday Morning QB New!