Morning Buzz: Packers' offense gets well
Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. There were plenty of positive signs for the Packers during their home-opening, 34-27 win over Detroit, so grab a cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know.
Pete Dougherty’s column on the return of the Packers’ offense is not to be missed. Much was made in the media, both local and national, last week about the struggles not only of the offense but of its quarterback Aaron Rodgers. If fans were frustrated, it sounds like the 31-point first-half explosion was a bit cathartic for the two-time league MVP.
If you doubt how important this was to the players and team, here’s how Lang described Rodgers’ reaction to the last of his four touchdown passes, a 17-yard fade to Jordy Nelson. Detroit had dared Rodgers to take a shot at the end zone by bringing up both safeties on third-and-two and, according to Lang, after Nelson’s over-the-shoulder, toe-tap catch against the Lions’ best cornerback (Darius Slay) had put the Packers up 31-3, Rodgers head butted Lang and exclaimed, “I’m back.”
As for the defensive side of the ball, much will be made about the secondary's woes, but what shouldn’t be lost is the excellent play of Nick Perry.
Luckily, we have Bob McGinn to remind us:
In what probably was the finest performance of the outside linebacker’s five-year career, Perry was everywhere and at the most critical junctures in the Packers’ vital 34-27 triumph before a crowd of 78,411 anxious fans.
“He is a stud,” said tackle David Bakhtiari, interrupting Perry’s interview. “The man is a stud.”
Perry always looked like Tarzan but too often ended up playing like Jane. Injuries were his constant companion, but even when healthy he only flashed the potential that led the Packers to draft him with the 28th pick in 2012.
Sticking with defense, Tom Silverstein lays out what Dom Capers did and tried to do to slow down the Lions' passing attack. Obviously, some of it worked, and some of it didn’t.
Ryan Wood looks at Eddie Lacy’s seemingly quiet 17-carry, 103-yard day as the foundation for the offensive success against the Lions.
Michael Cohen has all the latest on the injuries suffered against the Lions, including the sight of tight end Jared Cook on crutches and wearing a walking boot after the game.
On special teams, it’s clear that Ron Zook has done a thorough job teaching his guys every aspect of the rule book. FOX Sports’ Mike Pereira breaks down the play Ty Montgomery made on kickoff return.
It was Alumni Weekend and an old, familiar face got one of the loudest ovations when they were introduced at halftime:
The cameras caught the moment Pete mentioned earlier. QB1 does indeed look pumped.
Elsewhere in the division, the Bears were embarrassed on a national stage for the second week in a row. Dan Wiederer has the goods for the Chicago Tribune.
The Vikings' defense is legit. Packers fans who despaired at the lack of offense in Minnesota last Sunday night may want to take a look at what they did on the road to the league’s reigning MVP. Don Banks lays it out in his Snap Judgments column over at NFL.com.
Finally, outside the division but inside the Packers’ conference, the Eagles are starting to turn some heads. They have an exciting young quarterback and a tough, stingy defense. The Packers play in Philadelphia on Monday Night Football in late November.
And speaking of teams the Packers play down the road, the Seattle Seahawks got the win Sunday, but quarterback Russell Wilson suffered what looked like a pretty significant injury.