October 6, 2013 /
Adam Czech
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Adam - ALLGBP.com, Adam Czech, Packers
Clay Matthews
Mike Garafolo from Fox Sports is reporting that Packers LB Clay Matthews suffered a broken thumb in Sunday’s win over the Lions. From Garafolo’s Twitter feed:
Sigh. The injuries never end with this team.
Mike Neal and Nick Perry showed signs of life on Sunday, but if Matthews is out for an extended period of time, it’s devastating.
October 2, 2013 /
Adam Czech
/
Adam - ALLGBP.com, Adam Czech, Packers
Mike Daniels tries to chase down RGIII
While Packers first-round pick Datone Jones got the hype, Johnny Jolly grabbed the headlines and B.J. Raji wondered aloud about a new contract, Mike Daniels kept plugging away.
The undersized fourth-round pick out of Iowa made the team out of training camp and has been the most disruptive Packers pass rusher on the defensive line this season.
Despite playing only 74 of a possible 198 snaps Daniels leads the defensive line in QB hurries (3) and is one of only two defensive lineman to record a sack. He also has four solo stops — the same as B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett, who have played 115 and 95 snaps, respectively.
Daniels won’t overwhelm anyone with his size and strength, but he makes up for it with explosiveness, athleticism, and a motor that runs on high all the time. He’s kind of the DuJuan Harris of the defensive line — a rolling ball of butcher knives that is all over you before you know it.
Take a look at this video of Daniels sacking Andy Dalton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQJq6HjMlps&feature=youtu.be
Daniels didn’t dominate the offensive lineman and make a highlight-reel sack, but he stood his ground and used his quickness and burst to disengage and make a play once Dalton tried to escape the pocket.
Do Raji, Pickett or Jolly have the athleticism to make a play like that? Maybe. But Daniels for sure has it, and he’s an excellent complement to the slower behemoths that make up the rest of the Packers defensive line.
As Jones goes through the same struggles that most rookie defensive lineman go through, Daniels has stepped up and provided the pass rush and versatility that many thought Jones would provide out of the game.
Now that Daniels has put several exceptional plays on film, we’ll see if he can keep it up as more teams become aware of his ability.
Raji, Pickett and Jolly provide a nice base along the Packers defensive line. Daniels is an excellent change of pace that can provide some much-needed pass rush up front. Will Daniels become more than just a nice change of pace? You could argue that he already has.
We’ll see if he can sustain it.
Editors Note: We interviewed Mike Daniels a few weeks ago on Packers Talk Radio Network. If you missed that, you can listen in here or download it from the Packers Talk Radio Network on Itunes.
October 1, 2013 /
Adam Czech
/
Adam - ALLGBP.com, Adam Czech, Packers
Mike McCarthy is not happy about being classified as non-essential.
For the first nine years of my professional life, I was “non-essential.”
Non-essential was never really defined. I worked hard. Went above and beyond. Got plenty of accolades. Was told my work was very important by everyone I interacted with. Got a paycheck once every two weeks.
But when push came to shove, I was categorized as non-essential.
Yes, I worked for the federal government. And whenever our wonderful elected officials couldn’t agree on a budget, a government shutdown was threatened. That’ when we found out which civil servants were essential and which were non-essential.
The essential people were designated to work through the shut down. I guess their jobs were considered really important, or something.
The non-essential people were sent home until the politicians figured out a budget. We were non-essential, so whatever, right?
I no longer work for the government, so I’m spared the humiliation of being labeled non-essential as our government shuts down today. All of you non-essentials out there reading this right now, I feel for you. You are all essential in my view. Don’t let the haters bring you down.
The shutdown got me thinking: If the Packers got shutdown like the federal government, who would be essential and who would be non-essential?
These are the things I think about. Welcome to my brain.
Aaron Rodgers
Definitely essential. He’s the best player on the team and plays the most important position. The Packers couldn’t function without him.
Mike McCarthy
Sorry, Mike, but you’re non-essential. Aaron Rodgers can call the plays and I don’t even think you can name five defensive players on your own team.
Evan Dietrich-Smith
Essential. Someone has to snap the ball to Rodgers.
Brett Goode
Non-essential. The Packers will never punt or kick field goals. Just score touchdowns. No need for a long-snapper, punter or kicker. Goode will be furloughed and play his guitar in Green Bay coffee shops until the shut down is over.
Clay Matthews
Can we furlough Matthews’ hamstring and keep the rest of his body?
Eddie Lacy
All running backs are non-essential. The Packers proved that in 2010.
Tramon Williams
He’s non-essential, but since Williams hasn’t shut down an opposing WR since 2010, he doesn’t know what the term means and hangs around anyway.
Jermichael Finley
Just to anger Packers fans and keep the comments sections at Packers blogs lively, Finley is deemed essential.
Dom Capers
Kevin Greene personally tells Capers that he’s non-essential and escorts him out of the building.
James Jones
Somebody has to rock the sleeveless turtle neck, so Jones stays on the job.
Ryan Pickett
During the shutdown, the Packers can’t afford to feed their fat players so Pickett is non-essential.
Ted Thompson
He doesn’t sign any free agents, so what’s the point of keeping Thompson around? In addition to calling the plays, Rodgers can run the draft too. He’ll probably draft 10 WRs every year, but he’ll make it work.
Brett Favre
The ‘ol Gunslinger is in the best shape of his life and will ride into Green Bay to personally save the franchise and end the shutdown. Essential!
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