^Live look at Aaron Jones’ agent on the phone with Brian Gutekunst after the game yesterday. I mean what a GAME from that guy. 18 carries, 168 yards, 2 touchdowns on the ground. 4 catches, 68 yards, and a touchdown through the air. I realize it’s against the Lions, but come on. Last season he was over a thousand yards on the ground, our second leading receiver, AND tied for the league lead in touchdown. He’s already got 4 touchdowns and leads the league in rushing through the first two weeks. He’s unquestionably the most dynamic playmaker on the team, including Davante Adams. And don’t even get me started on these touchdown shades:
Baller. I can’t tell if they look more like the Macho Man Randy Savage goggles, or the Bret Hart shades:
In terms of contract extensions, the Packers knew coming into the year they had decision to make on Kenny Clark, Jones, David Bahktiari, Kevin King and Corey Linsley. They got Clark locked up, but Jones or Bahk have to be next. Dalvin Cook signed a 5 year, 62 million dollar deal, with 28 million guaranteed (and that last number is really the only one that matters). Alvin Kamara signed for 5 years, 76 million, with 34 million guaranteed. I think at this point it’s fair to say that Jones is on a similar skillsket. My guess is if he’s offered something similar to Cook, he signs. It’s not the 90’s anymore where teams were built on running backs like Barry Sanders/Emmitt Smith/Thurman Thomas/Terrell Davis/Ricky Watters*, but Jones is still only 25 years old, and it feels like *if healthy* he’s in line for a fantastic 3-4 year stretch of football.
- Week 1 was the Davante Game, week 2 the Aaron Jones Game, but overall, this offense is COOKING. This is what we were all hoping for when the Packers signed a dashingly handsome, Sean McVay protege after the 2018 season. We’re utilizing a variety of running backs, spread formations, getting the ball out quickly to a lot of different targets. if Rodgers keeps rolling the way he is, push that Jordan Love date WAY back.
- MVS had another encouraging day. 3 catches for 64 yards, and hung on the ball after getting truck-sticked a few times. Gutey can say he had confidence in the Adams/MVS/Lazard trio and that’s why he didn’t draft a wide receiver until he’s blue in the face, he rolled the dice, and so far he’s come up aces.
- Jace Sternberger still has MAJOR upside, but his hands right now are like two Christmas hams.
- Flip side: Robert Tonyan had a touchdown catch and a BIG time Gronk spike:
- Defense is obviously a bit of a concern (nice to still have traditions you can count on in 2020), but they picked it up big time in the second half. Rashan Gary had his best game as a Packer, 1.5 sacks and his pressure forced the bad throw from Stafford on the Chandon Sullivan pick-6.
- ^Related: Chandon Sullivan had a day. Again, Gutey rolled the dice a bit by not resigning Tramon Williams and giving the younger (and cheaper) Sullivan a chance at more playing time. He looked shaky in week 1 but obviously had a huge impact yesterday.
- Stating the obvious: The depth behind Kenny Clark is clearly not good. They aren’t going to survive against good teams with good running games without Clark on the field. Hopefully he’s back next weekend for New Orleans.
- Pray to little 6 pound, 8 ounce, baby Jesus that Davante Adams’ hamstring injury isn’t going to be a ‘lingering’ thing.
Overall, hard to complain about putting up 40+ points in two division wins to start the season. Next week will be a big test, but it’s a MASSIVE plus for us that there won’t be any fans in the Superdome. Aaron Rodgers, on a fast track, with no crowd noise, should play well.
PS: Most NFL teams said they were going to go the first ‘two home games’ without fans, then reevaluate. Unless something dramatic happens, I anticipate most of those teams going with 15-20% capacity for their third or fourth home game. The Packers are on the road next week, then at home against the Falcons, then a bye week followed by two road games. So that third home game won’t be until November 1st. Say it’s a stupid move if you want, but I’m guessing they will open things up for that game.
Double PS: ^Related: Having those 15% fans making a ton of noise just, as the kids say, slaps different. Fanless stadiums have tried to add crowd noise for the ambiance, but I was watching the Cowboy/Falcon game after the Packers wrapped up yesterday, and when that 15% Dallas crowd went nuts on the game winning field goal, it just had a different sound to it. It’s tough to duplicate that genuine outburst. I think the Packer sound engineer even added a recorded version of an older season ticket holder yelling, ‘SIT DOWN!’ on big plays for authenticity, but it’s not the same. Just an observation.
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