Packers Ink Jeff Saturday

This has been a really exciting offseason so far. If only the games were a little closer...

Peyton Manning is released by the Colts...He signs with the Denver Broncos...

Colts clean house...release Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, other household names...

Tim Tebow is traded to the Jets...wait...is he? Yes, he is...

And the biggest news of the week for the the Green and Gold...Jeff Saturday signs with the Pack!

This is huge news for the Green Bay faithful. With the departure of Scott Wells, there was a gaping hole in the middle of the offensive line. In my humble opinion, I think that the o-line is the most important part of our team. Rodgers can't throw if he doesn't have time, receivers can't catch if Rodgers can't throw, and we can't win if we can't throw and catch...

The signing of Saturday gives the Packers a stopgap to groom a young center. I will assume that Ted Thompson will make it a priority in this year's draft to get a center. Saturday allows for the ability to not have to trade up in the 1st round to try to get Konz out of UW. I don't have details on the contract yet, but it's exciting news and I feel much better now. GO PACK!

Update: Bulaga Injury

Coach Mike McCarthy explained that Starting Right Tackle Bryan Bulaga sustained a knee bruise and sprain in Sunday's win over the Bears. The Packers may have "Dodged a bullet" here because on film the injury certainly looked like it could have been season ending. The full extent of the injury is not known as the team doctors will continue to do tests this week.

Although the Packers have not made an official statement on Bulaga's status, I would be surprised if he was able to go against the Broncos this Sunday. If he is not ready, then Marshall Newhouse - who played well against the Bears - will likely get the start. It is likely that we will see 1st round pick Derek Sherrod suit up for the first time in Green and Gold as well. But we hope he doesn't have to get into the game beacuse of injury. Go Pack!

Who's to Blame?

After coming off a disappointing loss to the Queens making the Pack 4-3, it was reasonable to think that we would enter the second half of the season with a winning record. Even with 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter it looked like it was in the bag. The score was 28-17 when the Packers' special teams buckled for the second time in the game giving up a huge return which would result in a quick buccaneers' TD cutting the score back to 3. From there, the offense could not move the ball, and the defense could not stop Josh Freeman (rookie QB making his first start) ultimately ending in a loss, a 4-4 record, and a shower of Gatorade for Bucs' coach Raheem Morris' first NFL win. So, who's to blame for the loss? For the mediocre record? For the disappointing season thus far?

My vote...EVERYONE! The fact is that this team is just not as good as all packer fans thought during the pre-season. The defense still gets no pressure on the QB (the fact is that we're even worse than we were in 2008). The offense is productive, but can't move the ball when it really needs to. The O-line is still having trouble protecting Rodgers and Aaron is still having trouble getting rid of the ball quick enough. And don't even get me started on the special teams, I believe that they had the most to do with both of the last 2 losses. I think it all comes back to coaching.

Packers' President Mark Murphy has publicly come out and said that both Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson are being watched more closely now. And if they don't make the necessary changes in the final 8 games, I believe that at least 1 of them will be looking for a job come February.

I believe the talent is there and that we have the players to be a good team (we're only 5 starters different from the 2007 NFC Championship team). For some reason we just aren't able to put a 4-quarter game together on the field. Let's hope for some improvement this week against the Cowboys. I believe it will make or break the season. GO PACK!

Packers-Vikings: What happened?

I want Ted Thompson’s head…and I’m serious! Hate is a strong word…and I feel strongly about the way I hate the Vikings. But let me explain myself…

I’m not angry about the way Favre was dealt with last year or that he’s not on the Packers. The quarterback was not the reason for last night’s loss. I am angry about the way our offensive and defensive lines are playing. These are the most critical positions for a championship team. You have to be able to protect your quarterback and put pressure on the one you’re playing against. This is something the Packers have been unable to do for some time now. Rodgers was sacked 8 times last night…EIGHT! And he was hit several other times. I counted 2 times that anyone in a white jersey was even close to Favre last night. Kampman hit him once, but it was still a completed pass, and Woodson tipped a ball on a corner blitz, which was also a completed pass. It’s a miracle that we actually had a shot at tying the game at the end.

Thompson has been the GM for 5 years now. That’s plenty of time to build a solid offensive and defensive line. The problem is that he is not willing to sign free agents. How do you think the queens got their lines to be so good? FREE AGENCY! I’m sorry but there is no way to stay competitive in the NFL without utilizing the free agent market. If Thompson doesn’t realize that, then we need to get someone else in there that does. I’m fine with using the draft for skill players and grooming future starters under proven veterans, but you have to have those veterans on your roster to groom the rookies. That’s my 2 cents on Thompson. Now on to last night’s game…

Things I didn’t like:

- Seeing Jared Allen obliterate our right tackles all game
- Seeing Favre in a purple jersey
- Counting to 10 while watching #4 sit in the pocket and just wait for one of his receivers to get open because there was no pass rush – even the best corners in the world can’t cover a receiver that long every play
- Aaron Kampman getting no pass rush from his standing position - he was much better as a 4-3 defensive end
- Packers receivers dropping very catchable balls (especially the ones in the end zone)
- Greg Jennings still not producing – 3 catches, 31 yds
- Turnovers (Int, Fumble, Downs, Safety)

Things I did like:

- Aaron Rodgers making plays with his feet – scrambling and throwing on the run for 386 yards and a 110+ passer rating
- BJ Raji in the lineup
- Holding Adrian Peterson to 55 yards on 25 carries *see #2
- Jermichael Finley finally breaking out – 6 catches, 128 yds, TD
- Donald Driver passing Sterling Sharpe as the Packers’ all-time leader in receptions
- That there was still a chance to tie the game with less than a minute left in the 4th quarter

The season isnt over at 2-2, but we need improvement from the offensive and defensive lines if we want to be anything more than mediocre. GO PACK!