Offseason Post

It's been an eventful, albeit not too exciting, offseason thus far. With all of the labor disputes, there isn't much to post about. But here is how I see things leading up to the draft:

1. Jolly is done for good after being arrested for a second time for possession of purple drank.

2. Cullen Jenkins has likely seen his last day as a Packer due to the fact that management made no attempt to re-sign him before the CBA expired. I believe this to be a mistake in that he is one of the most talented d-linemen in the league. But at this point, I have come to trust Ted Thompson to provide depth on the roster.

3. I see our biggest needs as Offensive Tackle, Defensive End, and Outside Linebacker. I will be happy with any of those 3 positions taken in the first round. With the #32 pick and no serious needs in the draft, it will be interesting to see what Thompson decides to do. You can always count on him to do things that are not that exciting. So it wouldnt surprise me to see us trade back and get multiple picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

GO PACK!

SUPER BOWL XLV CHAMPIONS!

THE LOMBARDI TROPHY IS BACK WHERE IT BELONGS...GREEN BAY!!!! GO PACK GO!!!!!

It's Playoff Time!

It's been a bumpy road since we last posted, but we made it! The Packers squeezed into the playoffs as the #6 seed, edging out the Giants and Buccaneers with a 10-6 home win against the Bears. The game will be in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon against the Eagles. I think that this is a winnable game for the Pack, but it could be a very tough one. Here are my keys to the game:

#1 - The offense has to get into a groove early. When McCarthy calls plays in the first quarter to get Aaron Rodgers comfortable, he flourishes and the Packers generally win when they score a bunch of points.

#2 - Contain Vick. I'm not concerned about Michael Vick's arm. We have played good passing QBs this year and have won those games. It's his legs that scare me. When a 3rd and 14 play breaks down due to good coverage and the Pack only rushed 3, Vick runs for 20 yards. We need to avoid plays like that.

#3 - Tackle well. The Eagles are one of the best teams in the league at picking up Yards After the Catch. DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy are especially good at this.

#4 - Solid play on Special Teams. Special Teams play has been the downfall of the Packers in at least a few of the close losses this season. It was much improved last week against a dangerous Bears Special Teams with the likes of Devin Hester and Daniel Manning.

If the Pack can abide by those 4 keys, I think they advance to Atlanta to take on the Falcons next weekend. Go Pack!

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!