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SUN., OCT 5, 2008 - 10:32 PM
Packers: Stoplights turn green too often
By JON MASSON
For the State Journal

GREEN BAY — A perfect storm of deficiencies doomed the Green Bay defense Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Packers couldn't stop the run, led by powerful Atlanta running back Michael Turner.

They didn't sack, let alone pressure, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and couldn't stay with receiver Roddy White in the first half.

And they couldn't come up with enough big plays outside of Green Bay cornerback Tramon Williams' leaping interception in the end zone in the final quarter.

"Those kind of things make for long days," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said after Atlanta's 27-24 victory left Green Bay with a three-game losing streak.

Turner had 121 of the Falcons' 176 yards rushing and ran for one score. Ryan threw for two touchdowns and impressed Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga with his poise. White had season-high totals of eight receptions for 132 yards and scored a touchdown, all in the first half before Woodson said he was assigned coverage on White late in the third quarter and in the final quarter.

"It's tough to put your finger on one thing," Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "It's, obviously, a variety of things that go wrong in a loss like this. We gave up too many explosive runs (and) explosive passes. We didn't get pressure. We didn't stop the run. It's a recipe to lose.

"And still our offense did such a good job, we were in the game. We had a chance to win, and we needed to do it and we didn't today."

Turner entered Sunday's game as the NFL's top rusher for the league's top running attack. He managed 59 yards on 15 carries as the Falcons grabbed a 17-7 halftime lead, but was more effective bulling his way in the second half.

"We wanted Michael to come out early," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. "There was some tough sledding. They had guys up in gaps and loading the box, but as the game wore on, he got stronger and stronger."

Just after the Packers cut the deficit to 27-24, they couldn't stop the 5-foot-10, 244-pound Turner. He gained 8 yards off left guard, then 2 more yards off left guard on third-and-1, allowing Atlanta to run out the clock.

"They are pushing the pile for 2 and 3 yards," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's the stuff that's disturbing."

Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said he'd take responsibility. He didn't make any excuses, such as injuries that have sidelined defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins, cornerback Al Harris and safeties Atari Bigby and Aaron Rouse.

"It doesn't affect us," Sanders said. "We have guys, we have good depth. It's my job to get those guys ready to go. And I have to do a better job of doing that."


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