Packers visit Meadowlands and leave with Victory!

Everyone knew that this weekend's game against the Jets would be a tough one for the Packers. I myself had no idea what to expect in this game. Part of me thought that the Pack could stay in it and possibly win the game and another part of me thought we would never match up and they would handle us easily. I'm very happy with the result and there is no arguing that it was a very big win for this team.

The Jets came into this game with the top rated defense in the league and an offense that had turned the ball over only 4 times so far in the season. The Pack certainly didn't impress anyone with their offense. Aaron Rodgers once again did not look very good, but luckily, he didn't make any bad mistakes that cost the team. Staying on the offensive side of the ball, I have been very disappointed lately with Greg Jennings. I once thought that Jennings could be one of the best receivers in the league, but as the season rolls along I am beginning to realize that he not the home run hitter that I had expected. I think the biggest plays that Jennings has made is somehow complaining enough and getting referees to throw interference flags on the defense. He needs to step up and stop complaining and start making plays.

I think that the keys to the victory for the Packers was the great play by our defense, and surprise special teams play by our punting unit. I think a huge reason that we were able to win this game was that we won the battle for field position. The combination of our defense making big stops and causing key turnovers, and a good punting game left their offense deep in their zone to start most of their drives. If we can keep up the special teams play, it will definitely help us moving forward.

The defense was a huge surprise yesterday, and Ted Thompson surely deserves a lot of credit for going out and getting players to help fill holes that injuries left in our defense. Howard Green was picked up this week to help out Raji on the defensive line and he played well. It doesn't hurt that he's enormous, but he looked good out there. Another player who has impressed me has been S Charlie Peprah. Peprah is what, the 3rd or 4th stringer? He has stepped in and played very well.

I think this weekend gave Packer fans everywhere some more hope that the Pack can have success despite the injury woes. The Packers will host the struggling Dallas Cowboys in week 9.

Minnesota kicks Moss to the Curb

It was just announced that the Minnesota Vikings will release WR Randy Moss after just a 4 weeks on the team.

After yesterday's loss to the Patriots, Moss apparently was badmouthing the team's strategy, and was that likely had to do with him being waived.

The Vikings are falling apart and it's wonderful! The vikings lost a 3rd round draft pick when they traded for Moss and since he was released, they will be on the hook to pay him out on his contract.

Randy will now have to go through waivers. The team with the lowest record (Buffalo Bills) will have the first chance to claim him off of waivers. If they decide not to claim Moss, then he will go to the team with the next worst record and so on. The waiver period is only 24 hours, so expect to see Moss in a new jersey tomorrow afternoon.

Not Again! Jones to IR

Here we go again! This morning the Green Bay Packers placed OLB Brad Jones on Injured Rererve due to surgery needed on his shoulder.

Jones will be replaced by Frank Zombo, and it now becomes clear why the Packers signed 3 linebackers just this week. The hits just keep on coming. To fill the open spot, the packers claimed NT Howard Green from the Jets. This addition will give the Pack a full roster, meaning that we wont be seeing Harris or Bigby in the lineup just yet.

In other news, former Packer kick returner Will Blackmon was signed by the New York Giants. Blackmon injured his knee early last season and was released in the final cut for the Pack this preseason.

Packers Sign Linebackers; 1 Roster Spot Left Open

Yesterday the Green Bay Packers signed 2 Linebackers to the roster to help sure up our corp after losing yet another backer for the season in Brady Poppinga. The Pack signed Diyarl Briggs from Denver's practice squad as well as 8 year veteran Matt Wilhelm.

More importantly, another linebacker, Maurice Simkins was released from the team, leaving 1 roster spot open this week. The open roster spot may indicate that the either Al Harris or Atari Bigby may be released from the PUP list and available this weekend against the Jets.

I think that the Packers have performed fairly well on the defensive side of the ball considering the devastating injuries that we have had so far this year. I believe that we have shown a lot of depth on defense, and having Bigby and Harris back would be HUGE for the defense. I am expecting that Bigby will be released from the PUP list first as Harris is coming off of a major injury and I don't anticipate the Packers rushing his progress and risking losing him again.

Big Win for Packers; Share Division Lead

Week 7 was a HUGE week for the Packers! One of the biggest games on the schedule for the Pack was against the Vikings this past weekend at Lambeau Field and it couldn't have been a bigger win.

The injury plagued Packers squeaked out a 4-point win against the lowly Vikings behind some big plays by the Defense. The victory put the Packers in a tie with Chicago at 4-3 in the North with the Vikings just 1.5 games back at 2-4.

There are a few things that I noticed this weekend about the Packers and the rest of the NFC north...

1. What appeared at the beginning of the season to be a division with Elite QB's is not looking so Elite anymore.

Brett Favre and Jay Cutler were my favorite players this past week. Brett's head seemed to be tied up a bit with his dong showing allegations and he forgot that he doesn't play for the Packers anymore, throwing 3 interceptions on the night and hobbling away with multiple fractures in his ankle. Jay Cutler had an even worse showing as he threw 4 interceptions TO THE SAME PLAYER!! I always thought that the Bears were a middle of the road team and they are starting to show their true colors.

2. Despite the injuries, the Packers can still compete and win games...I think.

The Vikings still have a lot of talent on their team and even though the we barely won the game, it was a very big win for this team, especially after losing 2 overtime games in a row by a measly field goal. I thought that the Packer's defense put a lot of pressure on Brett Favre this week and it led to some interceptions. If we can get Atari Bigby and Al Harris back in the line up, that would certainly help.

3. Clay Matthews is a difference maker and is playing like an MVP for the Packers.

Clay was without a sack in the win against the Vikings, but there is no arguing that his presence on the field may have been the deciding factor in the win. Clay is relentless in rushing the passer. Even if he is unable to get to the QB, he draws double teams allowing pressure from our other pass rushers and creates offensive penalties because of his speed.

4. Aaron Rodgers needs to start competing!

Rodgers is one of the most talented QB's in the league and he has the arm to make every throw he needs to. After watching him in the last few games, there are a couple things that upset me...first, his decision making. Last season we saw Aaron holding onto the ball too long and taking sacks rather than getting rid of the ball. He is doing much better at that aspect, but at times his decision making is lacking. The Packers are one of the worst teams this season in converting 3rd and short, and its easy to understand why when you see Rodgers throw the ball 30 yards downfield on 3rd and 3. He needs to start thinking. The other thing that frustrates me about Aaron is his lack of competitiveness on the field. I don't want to see him giving the opposing team but slaps and high fives and smiling throughout the game. I want to see a fighting spirit in him that I am not seeing, and for that reason, I don't think that Rodgers is going to fair very well in big games or close finishes.

The Packers will have probably the toughest test of the season this coming weekend as they face off against the New York Jets. I think that anything can happen, but we will really need to look sharp on both sides of the ball and we will need for our defense to make big plays again on defense.

Go Pack!!

Another Heartbreaking Loss...Reinforcements on the Way...

In another tough-to-swallow overtime loss, the Packers' Defense looked decent at times, but it was obvious that Clay Matthews' presence was missed. There was little to no pressure on Chad Henne, and the secondary couldn't find an answer for Brandon Marshall. Even with a big TD drive at the end of regulation, the offense looked flat without Jermichael Finley or a running game. And the big kicker was penalties. They weren't as often or as serious as they were a few weeks ago against the bears, but a 5 yard penalty on 4th and 3 set up the go-ahead TD for the Dolphins and essentially lost the game for the Packers. That's what happens when you have inexperienced players in the game. Francois, who was called up from the practice squad last week, was the culprit for the penalty. But there is good news...

Atari Bigby, James Starks, and Al Harris could return to action this week after being released from the PUP list. If they pass their physicals on Wednesday they will be able to begin practicing with the team and see immediate action. The question is whether or not they can return to form and help out a suspect secondary and running game.

Harris is returning from major knee surgery, Bigby from an ankle injury that has plagued him since 2008, and Starks will try to see his first NFL action after being drafted in the 6th round in this year's draft. Can these guys provide the needed spark to get the team back on the winning track? I think they can. Bigby has significant experience and will be better than any of the other safety options we have in Morgan Burnett's absence. If Harris is confident in his knee, then he will be a much better nickel corner than Sam Shields, Bush, or any of the other corners we have tried in that spot. Can Starks jump start the running game? I have my doubts, but I'm hopeful. These additions come at the most opportune time with a HUGE divisional matchup against the queens this week.

Ted Thompson also traded a conditional 7th round pick to Jacksonville for safety Anthony Smith, who was cut from the team at the end of the pre-season in 2009. This fortefies the safety position with Bigby returning, and makes me feel much better about our secondary. GO PACK!

Injuries, Injuries, and MORE INJURIES!!!

The Pack lost in another disappointing showing. I didn't get to actually watch the game (and I'm thankful for it). Here is a list of starters (and key backups) who are injured:

Ryan Grant**
Nick Barnett**
Brandon Chillar~
JerMichael Finley~
Morgan Burnett**
Donald Lee~
Mark Tauscher
Ryan Pickett~
Sam Shields~
Aaron Rodgers~
Clay Matthews~

** Out for Season
~ Severity of Injury unknown

It's starting to get ridiculous!! With 11 key players injured, how can this team remain competitive? Hopefully all of the squiggly lined players can return in a short amount of time and win some games to make a playoff run. But I have my doubts that it will happen...nevertheless - GO PACK!

Injuries and Penalties Plague Packers

It's been a couple of weeks since our last post, sorry to keep all of our loyal fans waiting. Anyway, it's been a disappointing sequence of events.

First the Pack loses a game that should have been a win due to careless mistakes (18 penalties and dropped interceptions).

Then they scrape by in a 28-26 win over the lowly Lions.

Ted Thompson misses out on the opportunity to trade for Marshawn Lynch.

Randy Moss rejoins the queens and gives He Who Must Not Be Named a big-time receiving target.

In the process, Nick Barnett (wrist) and Morgan Burnett (knee) are lost for the season. Brandon Chillar will also miss significant time with a shoulder injury.

That leaves us with a big hole at safety, and an even bigger hole at linebacker. Hopefully Atari Bigby can return from his stint on the PUP list in 2 weeks and provide some stability at Strong Safety, and AJ Hawk will need to prove that he is worth his 1st round draft status and big bucks he's earning this year. Desmond Bishop will fill in for Barnett. He is a solid replacement, but doesn't have the talent or leadership that Nick brings to the field.

The one bright spot in all of this is that the Bears lost to the Giants, Cutler was sacked 9 times (in the first half) and concussed. He will miss at least this weekend's game against the Panthers.

Hopefully backups can fill voids where they are needed (RB, ILB, Safety) and the offense can find a rhythm. Thankfully...we still have the bikini girls. GO PACK!

About What We Expected...

The Bills are probably the worst team in the NFL, so the 34-7 victory comes as no surprise. Here are my notes:

Clay Matthews = still awesome (Defensive Player of the Week)

Ryan Grant = missed. Jackson and Kuhn are not going to cut it, Thompson will have to break out of his comfort zone and trade for someone who can get the job done.

Chad Clifton = getting old. This is also not new news, but Bulaga saw some significant playing time against the Bills. I like that he's starting to see the field, but it's not a good sign if Clifton is injured.

This week we travel to Soldier Field to take on da bears. Cutler and the offense have looked much more impressive so far this season under Mike Martz's direction. I think that Chef Dom has a special recipe cooked up for that attack though. GO PACK!

The Claymaker Strikes!

It was ugly…but it counts! The Pack looked like the better team during the first half on Sunday vs the Eagles, but the 2nd half was a different story. Michael Vick looked like the Pro Bowl QB for the Atlanta Falcons that seems like such a distant memory, and almost pulled the comeback victory that would have certainly won him the starting job in Philly (if it hasn’t already). But a win is a win, and we’re in 1-0.

Here is what I noticed in the game:

CLAY MATTHEWS IS AWESOME! He looked like a pro bowler. If he continues play like that, he will certainly be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year for 2010.

Ryan Grant out for the season. This is a HUGE blow to the offense. With Brandon Jackson and newly acquired Dimitri Somethingorother (who cares what his real name is), the running game will be suspect to say the least. Let’s hope that either Jackson will emerge as a great RB, or that Thompson will be willing to trade for a decent one (i.e. Marshawn Lynch, etc).

Tramon Williams looked solid. He looked like he deserved the be the starter. He didn’t give up any big plays or commit any pass interferences. Let’s hope that good play continues.

Morgan Burnett solid as well. Didn’t see anything that led me to believe that he wont be a good starter for years to come in the Green & Gold.

Sam Shields. This is definitely the weak spot on the defense. Sheilds is fast as lightning, but made a bunch of rookie mistakes, and the better QBs in the league will pick on him all year.

AJ Hawk did not play. With the nickel and dime defenses on the field the whole game, Hawk did not have a chance to get into the game at all. This will change against more run-heavy teams and I’m not concerned. It does say something about his value…especially for how much he’s being paid.

That’s a quick recap. Bring on the Bills! GO PACK!

Packers-Colts: Preseason Game 3 Recap

Peyton Manning and the Colts came out firing on all cylinders and scored an easy touchdown within the first 30 seconds of the game. It may have been nerves, but it may still be due to injuries, but whatever it is...the Pack can't let that happen in the regular season.

Although the offense looked great, as expected, and the defense did calm down and start to play more soundly, there are just too many question marks to take too much away from the Packers' 59-24 trouncing of the Colts.

Jester's Biggest Concerns:

1. Special Teams - Even though they came up with what would be a huge play in a meaningful game by scoring a TD on a muffed punt, the rest of the game was not impressive by any means in any of the aspects of the Packers' Special Teams. They may be "short bus" special this year. Something needs to change here.

2. Pressure - Although I did see Peyton have to move around in the pocket some to avoid pressure, on most of those instances he still found a wide open receiver. Granted it is preseason and it was Peyton Manning and the Colts, but if we can't stop the good QBs from lighting us up, then the season is a bust.

3. Greg Jennings - I'm not sure why he didn't play, and I'm hoping it was just for precautionary reasons. But if this turns out to be a serious injury, it could be a huge blow to the receiving corps.

Now on to the things I liked...

1. Aaron Rodgers - He and the entire offense looked sharp in the first half. I have no issues with the way they're playing.

2. JerMichael Finley - The guy is a beast. Wouldnt surprise me at all to see him become the #1 fantasy Tight End this year.

3. Morgan Burnett - He looked solid. Came up with an INT and I didnt see him blow any major coverages. I think he will be a solid player going forward, although i do anticipate some rookie mistakes.

All in all it was a good showing. The Pack shut down the Colts' second and third team offenses, but that's of little value. What I took from the first half is that we can be competitive with the best teams in the league. It will just come down to answering the question, "Can the defense come up with the necessary stops in the big games?"

GO PACK!

Can The Pack Live Up to the Hype?

The 2010 NFL season is almost here and there is a lot of football talk going on right now and the Packers are expected by many to do big things this season. But how good are the Packers? Many have them pegged for a Super Bowl appearance...i'm not too sure.

The Pack surely have a Super Bowl Caliber Offense for 2010. Anchored by Aaron Rodgers who has made it seem like #4 was never a Packer at all. Rodgers is an elite QB and he has the swagger to go along with it. The offensive line is in good shape this offseason and Rodgers is going to get more and more opportunity to pick apart defenses this season.

My main concern with the hype that the Packers are getting this season is the defense. We looked good for much of last season, but some bad losses towards the end showed our weaknesses.

The Pack need to get some pressure on the QB so that our defensive backs aren't stuck in coverage too long, and a healthy return of Al Harris would make this team a Super Bowl contender. However, let will need to prove that they can make plays and make stops if they are going to make a run this season. Hopefully Chef Dom comes out of the kitchen and brings the heat early and often with his blitz packages and the Packers become a FEARED defense in this 2010!!!

2010 NFC North Outlook

It's been an intriguing offseason, and the 2010 season is only 5 weeks away. Here's my take on the NFC North and what I believe will happen this year.

Minnesota - The Queens have shown more patience with He Who Must Not Be Named than the Pack did when he retired the first time. They essentially have put all of their eggs in his basket. I don't think there's any doubt that he will return for another season. Therefore, they are the team to beat this year.

Green Bay - The Pack are primed to have another great offensive showing in 2010. The o-line is beefed up with the addition of first round pick Bryan Bulaga and should give Aaron Rodgers a little more time to throw the ball which will hopefully lead to less sacks than last year. The defense, however, did not make any substantial moves to improve the secondary or pass rush. With Al Harris unlikely to return until midseason from reconstructive knee surgery and Johnny Jolly sippin' on his purple drank, we can only hope that the other guys can step up and play better than the D did against the Cards, Queens, and Steelers last year.

Detroit - The Lions are an interesting team. I think that Matt Stafford has potential, and he has one of the best WRs in the league in Calvin Johnson. I don't believe that they'll win more than a handful of games, but I do think that they will be improved and hopefully beat out da Bears for 3rd place in the division.

Chicago - Da Bears are relying on Jay Cutler to bounce back from the atrocious season he had in 2009. I don't see this happening. They didn't make any moves on receiving targets or offensive linemen to help him, and let's face it...Cutler is one of the most overrated QBs in the NFL. They did make a couple of moves that, although expensive, will make an impact on the team's performance. Chester Taylor will take some pressure off of Matt Forte if they give him the ball, and Julius Peppers will make their defensive line a little more impressive. I don't think that they have what it takes to turn the team around however.

So, that's my take and my prediction (assuming that You Know Who returns) - Queens, Pack, Lions, Bears in that order for the NFC North. Once the preseason starts, expect more updates. GO PACK!

Packer Buzz: Un-Drafted Free Agent CB Sam Shields

So the draft has come and gone and all of the teams in the NFL are sifting through the un-drafted players, looking for the next special teams gem.

Well, from the sounds of it, the Packers may have found one in former Miami Hurricane CB Sam Shields. Shields visited a couple of teams after the draft and decided that Green Bay seemed like a good fit for him. Shields is a speed demon! Clocked in around 4.3 in the 40 on his pro day at Miami.

Shields is going to be playing for a spot on special teams. My first thought was, "OK! We got a guy who has nasty wheels and those should come in handy when he is returning punts and kicks!" But I was mistaken. Shields' strengths are covering punts and kickoffs. His speed and aggressiveness make him very disruptive.

This is not that exciting as he wasn't even drafted, but the Pack desperately needs work and help on special teams and I'm happy that we are working on those needs. So keep your eye on this kid and hopefully he will surprise us!

Quick Draft Recap

So the 2010 Draft is over and the guesses begin. Who had the best draft? Did the team address their needs? Etc. Etc. Etc!

The Pack did not have a super exciting draft, but they did address some needs. First of all, I have to say that picking Brian Bulaga with our first pick was like drafting your mother over Megan Fox. Sure, its not a sexy pick, but you're mom will make you dinner, do your laundry, and clean your room. Brian Bulaga is a top tier lineman and we did not have to trade any players to get him. He isn't Dez Bryant, but he will come in right away and contribute greatly. Alright, so maybe my Mom/Megan Fox analogy was a bit strange, but you get the point. We will all be happy with Bulaga, and not because he "looks" like a Packer.

I think we stretched in the 2nd round with Mike Neal out of Purdue, but who knows, just when you take someone lightly, they end up surprising you.

We did get a couple guys later in the draft who are pretty intruiging. Third round we got a Safety from Georgia Tech who is a big guy and although they say consistency is an issue, at least we add some depth to our defensive backfield and in the 6th it sounds like we got a steal of a RB out of Buffalo who is a very big dude and will hopefully come pound the ball for us in short yardage situations.

We also ended up drafting another offensive and defensive lineman and a tight end. Big deal, who knows how any of them will do.

After the draft, I think that we addressed some concerns and forgot about a couple. I think that the Packers are counting on having Al Harris back and healthy, but it makes me a little nervous that we didn't get any CB's. As well, it looks like Clay Matthews will probably lead the team in Sacks again this season. Even though we got a couple defensive lineman, I am unsure of how much they will be able to help our mediocre pass rushing defense. I think that with the recent additions of big name pass rushers in the division (Peppers, Vanden Bosh, Suh), the Packers defensive front may be the least intimidating in the division. Bummer.

Well, now we just have to sit back and see if TT did a good job this draft. Fingers Crossed.

Recap: Bryan Bulaga

When the 23rd pick rolled around last night, Ted Thompson must have been in a bit of a quandry. I figured the pick would be easy because there were only a handful of players we were considering. But when the Pack was on the clock...THEY WERE ALL STILL AVAILABLE! Crazy! Bryan Bulaga, Jerry Hughes, Sergio Kindle, and Kyle Wilson were all still on the board. I had never been so excited about one of our draft picks because I had no idea which way old Teddy would go. In the end it was Bulaga, and aside from the fact that he grew up as a Bears fan, I really like the pick.

Clifton and Tauscher are solid tackles, but both are aging and are injury prone. This should give the Pack some time to groom their future starter by working him into the lineup as a guard or at least giving him some time to work against some NFL talent while waiting for an inevitable injury to one of the other starters.

I wasn't sure how i was going to like the new draft format, but I like it better than i thought i would. It gave me a whole nother day to look forward to meaningful rounds of the draft. I'm predicting the Packers will take either an OLB or Safety in the 2nd round...hopefully it's as exciting as the first.

With the 23rd Pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select...

Holy Cow! It has been months since our last post and a lot has happened throughout the league. Tomorrow is also the first round of the NFL Draft.

First of all, I need to mention how disappointed I am that they changed the draft schedule and we will now be watching the 1st Round on Thursday, the 2nd and 3rd on Friday, and then the rest some other time during the weekend. I remember the good old days when I could sit on my couch for all of draft weekend, eat snacks and drink beer. That was fantastic. Now, I will have to get pumped up to watch the draft after a long day of work, and then do the same thing the next night. Complete garbage if you ask me.

Ok! Now that my rant is over, lets talk about the draft.

The Packers have very specific needs that they will look to address throughout the draft. Those needs are at CB, Safety, O-Line, D-Line, and then possibly RB. For a long time, the offensive line looked to be the top priority for the Pack, but after re-signing Clifton and Tauscher, and given that the draft seems very deep at that position, it sounds as if the Pack may look elsewhere with their first pick.

My thought is that the Packers will look at grabbing a top tier defensive back in the first. With rumors of the Pack being interested in trading up in the first round, the options grow larger. Lets take a quick look at some of the players available in the first:

1. Eric Berry - Safety: Unless the Packers are looking to trade way up in the draft, it sounds like Berry will be long gone.

2. Earl Thomas - Safety: Thomas is projected to go around 10 or 11. If the rumors about the Pack trading up into that area are true, Thomas could be the guy targeted by the Pack.

3. Joe Haden - Cornerback: Haden is the top CB in the draft. Again, Haden would be in the same boat as Thomas and would only be available to the Pack if we were to move up in the draft.

4. Kyle Wilson - Cornerback: Wilson is a solid cornerback and has been talked about a lot this week as one of the top DB's in the draft. Wilson once thought to go late in the first round had a great Senior Bowl and could end up being taken earlier than originally expected. I don't anticipate him being on the board @ 23, but he may be another potential trade up opportunity.

5. Taylor Mays - Safety: Mays is a beast at safety. He is big, strong, and fast. However, I have heard mixed reviews on him. Regardless, Mays has a huge upside and I think unless someone better drops down tomorrow, he would be hard to pass up at #23.

So I started off by talking about the defensive back, mostly because that's who I want the Packers to take in the first, and also because they are more exciting to talk about that Offensive Lineman. There is also talk about the Pack looking for pass rushers in the first and I think it may be likely to get one of the top guys to play OLB/DE in our 3-4 scheme. I also think we can assume that TT won't be drafting a RB in the first round.

We will attempt to make posts over the next few days regarding the Packer's draft results and thoughts. So for our follower out there, check back later!

Super Bowl Preview

Well it has been some time since I have posted, but I think its finally time. The Super Bowl is coming up this weekend and I know that I'm cheering for the Saints simply because I don't like the Colts, and I really don't care for Peyton Manning for a couple of reasons. I know that this has nothing to do with anything, but let me explain.

I grew up watching Brett Favre as QB #1 for the Green Bay Packers. As hard as it is to talk about Brett right now after what Packer fans have gone through recently, he was something to watch, a pure gun slinger. He wore his heart on his sleeve and he was fearless, pure guts. When I compare that to Peyton, it just bores me. Don't get me wrong, I think in the grand scheme of things, Peyton is probably one of the greatest QB's ever. He is a calculator, he reads the defense, calls audibles and he is a true student of the game. I have great respect for the preparation that goes into every game that Peyton plays, but there is something about him that just seems boring. I would love to see him take over a game and show some grit and some personality.

Please don't get me wrong, I do think that the Colts will win the Super Bowl since I don't think that the Saints were the best team in the NFC and the only reason that they won was because the Vikings couldn't protect the ball. Needless to say, the Saints are a very good team and behind the arm of Drew Brees, there is no saying that they can't show up on Sunday and upset the favored Colts.

I think that the Saints are a very good team and if they can get their offense rolling they will be hard to stop. The main thing about this game that bothers me is that to me, the Colts do not seem like that good of a team. Their defense is average at best and their best defensive player (Bob Sanders) hasn't played all year. But for some reason, they just seem to win their games. The real reason that the Colts have been so successful this season has been their young receiving corps and the emergence of Austin Colley and Pierre Garcon. Who would have thought that these two young receivers would be able to step in and complement Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark the way that they have? If you ask me, this will again be a game of offense and whoever is either more powerful on offense or can make more stops on defense will win. And as much as I dislike it, I think that Peyton is the steadier QB and has too many quality targets to be stopped.

Moral of the story, I am picking the Colts to win 31-21, but I will definitely be cheering for the Saints. Who Dat!

The Dust Has Settled...It's the Offseason...

There has been a little bit of news over the past few weeks that we have failed to report, but I think that at this point we’ve finally gotten over the heartbreaking loss we sustained in Arizona. So…here goes. Charles Woodson was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for 2009 much to the dismay of Rex Ryan, due to the Saints going to the Super Bowl and Favre foregoing the Pro Bowl Aaron Rodgers will be the starting QB representing the NFC this Sunday in Miami, and Vikings fans now get to endure what Packer fans dealt with more than once over the years…Favre throwing a season ending INT and now sitting and waiting to see whether he will retire or not. I personally would like to see him wait until around August 1st to decide and then say that he is done for good. The more likely Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson will be the QB, the better off we will all be.

Anywho, what do we talk about next? The Pro Bowl? Free Agency? The Draft? There are plenty of weeks ahead to discuss free agency and the draft, so I’ll address the Pro Bowl for now. The Packers had 3 players selected to play (only 1 to start), but due to injuries and decisions to forego the Pro Bowl we ended up with…well…still 3. But Woodson decided to sit it out and Clay Matthews stepped in as an OLB. Rodgers is the only starter, he and Matthews will be joined by Nick Collins (making his 2nd straight Pro Bowl appearance). I like seeing the Packers have some representation in this game. Not that it makes a big difference, but it shows that we have some talent and that it’s being recognized. I believe that Rodgers will be a great QB for the Pack for many years to come and that Woodson will continue to play extremely well in Capers’ new 3-4 scheme for a few more seasons. Clay Matthews was maybe the brightest spot on the defense this year, after missing the first few games of the season he dominated offensive lines and finished with a team-leading 10 sacks. I am looking forward to seeing him continue to develop and making many more Pro Bowls in for the Green and Gold. Collins is really the only question mark, not about his play, but about his contract. It’s understood that he’s a restricted free agent this year and he’s hoping to get a multi-year contract extension. So we’ll see what happens. I expect Teddy Thompson to make him a priority during this offseason and solidify part of our somewhat shaky defensive backfield. But I digress, I’m actually more interested in the Senior Bowl this weekend than I am in the Pro Bowl. I’m really just hoping that none of our guys end up getting hurt. I’ll be scouting the Senior Bowl for some talent that the Pack can grab in April. We’ll discuss Free Agency and the Draft in further detail in the coming weeks. GO PACK!

It's Over...Who's to Blame?

The Pack came out on the wrong side of a thrilling game that will likely make up for at least 5 of Sportscenter's top 10 plays today. Now begins the long offseason full of "what ifs" and "what now's".

What if...

Rodgers doesn't throw the pick and Driver doesn't fumble on the first 2 possessions of the game...

Crosby doesn't miss the 54 yard field goal in the 1st half...

The Pack had better clock management and could have scored a TD at the end of the 2nd quarter instead of kicking a field goal...

The #2 ranked defense in the NFL could have come up with more than 2 stops during the entire game...

Rodgers didn't overthrow a wide-open Jennings on the first play from scrimmage in overtime...

Darren Colledge didn't hold on the Packer's overtime drive...

The Refs had called one of the roughing the passer penalties in overtime that were no-calls...

Needless to say, there were several things that could have gone slightly different to give the Pack the win. It just wasn't meant to be this year. Now come the big quesions as to what the Pack will do in Free Agency and the Draft to help our chances of not letting this happen next year. Will Al Harris be able to recover from his knee surgery and come back at full-strength? What is the future of Aaron Kampman? Can we re-sign our now free agents? Who do we target in the draft? O-line? CB? RB? That's what this blog is for and that's what we'll be talking about from here until draft day.

All in all, I believe this season was successful. After losing to the lowly Buccaneers the pack went 7-2 (including yesterday's playoff loss) and were very close to winning the division. This is still a very young team and has a bright future as long as we can keep it together. A few key offseason acquisitions (and an actual retirement of a certain old QB that plays for the queens) should be able to catapult this team to an easy division title and hopefully a deep playoff run in 2010. We find out in 2 days if Woodson wins DPOY.

GO PACK!

Wild Card Weekend: Packer-Card Pregame

Well we a little over 1 hour away from the start of the game and I'm very excited. The Packers are the favorite to win this game and with Boldin being listed as inactive, I think that we match up extremely well against the Cardinals.

The Packers are hot coming into the Playoffs and some people are picking them to make it to the SuperBowl. I don't know what will happen, but i'm excited that the Packers made the playoffs and I think that we should win this game.

I've just decided that i'm going to talk a little about the game and how I think it will need to go for the Pack to win.

First of all, I think that we need to start by playing great defense. We need to be able to put pressure on Warner without sacrificing our match ups in the secondary. If there is one part of the Packers' that makes me nervous it is the lack of depth we have at CB, and a lot of times it seems as though we leave Truman Williams and Bush in single coverage and without help. I think that is one of the keys to the game is for those guys to be successful and given help if they need it.

On offense, we need to stick with the gameplan. The Packers have been great running the ball lately and we need to be able to control the ball and keep it away from the Arizona offense. I feel very confident that the Packers offense will have success again this week.

When all is said and done, I think the Packers are the better team in this one and if we lose, it will be bad. I think that our defense plays strong and the packers cruise to a 28-17 victory.

Sunday Early Games...Looks Like Pack-Cards in Round 1

So, the Vikings are beating up on the Giants right now and if they hold on for the win, it will secure our future of playing the Arizona Cardinals again next week.

In other places around the league, the Bears right now are losing to the Lions, which I find spectacular. I just love the story lines that surround Jay Cutler. He is physically and mentally strong because he doesn't only have to deal with being on a shitty team, but he also has diabetes! Yes, in case you didn't know, they check his blood pressure several times during the game. They have determined that when his blood pressure crosses a certain point, he is more likely to throw interceptions.

Ok, that isn't exactly accurate, but sometimes commentators need to stop making up story lines and they need to talk about real things that are happening in the game or around the NFL. Nobody cares about Cutler's Diabetes. Nuff said.

Week 17: Packers vs. Cardinals

Well it has been a while again since I have posted, and the Packers are in the Playoffs! I remember back when the Packers lost to the Bucs thinking, "another disappointing season". They turned it on and here we are as a wildcard team and 10-5 record. I guess we all probably jumped to conclusions at that point.

Here we are, going against the Cardinals on Sunday, and in most likely cases, playing them again the first week of the Playoffs. I think that we match up pretty well with the Cardinals. Sure, they have some great wide recievers and we dont exactly have the depth at CB than we did with Harris in the lineup. Never the less, the offense is playing great and we have good balance. The defense is very good. They just need to get some more consistent play from our defensive backs going forward.

By the way....Mason Crosby kicked a 52 yard field goal last week! Yes, I said MADE! He will be fine, I'm not worried about him, he will make them when it counts I hope.

Also, off subject, but A.J. Hawk was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl. People are stupid. He is playing better lately, but come on, lets all quit living in the past when he still had potential.

Its hard for me to care that much about the Packer game tomorrow, I don't know what to expect for a game. Are they going to play the starters? Is it going to be a half ass competition like most NBA games? I sure hope not, but I'll tell you what, I think that the Packers should rest our key guys. We should pretend its preseason and make sure nobody gets hurt. We don't have that much to play for this week. We have to travel the first week of the playoffs no matter what.

Regardless of anything else, I think the Packers can and should win both games against the Cardinals!