Is Thompson on drugs?

“At the end of the day we feel pretty good about this group.” With that one quote, one has to wonder what Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson is smoking and are GMs subject to drug testing. Thompson has three rookies, a wannabe and never-will-be joining one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time hoping to go out on a winning note. Good luck with that.

Now the never-will-be has been in camp two days and pulls a hamstring, so count Ryan Grant out of the Eagles game. What a joke this has become. The Eagles will blitz the heck of said quarterback Brett Favre and if the rookies can’t protect Favre he will take the beating of his career on Sunday. Look for a lot of tight end Bubba Franks in backfield after rookie one, Brandon Jackson, gets whipped on the blitz the first time.

The more I look at this game the more all I want out of it is for Brett Favre to remain standing. The Packers best hope is to somehow hit a big screen pass or quick hitter early in the game to make the Eagles back off on the blitz a little and maybe the Packers’ offense can run some real plays. I’m not saying the guys like Brandon Jackson and Korey Hall can’t do the job, maybe they will surprise. DeShawn Wynn, I doubt it. Wynn should be on a practice squad somewhere.

The Eagles are not the defense they once were, so if Favre has some time, he should be able to do some damage. A turnover or two by the defense could also force the Eagles out of their gameplan.

Only Thursday and I’m getting nervous. Sunday can’t come soon enough. More tomorrow. By then I might be thinking Packers win in a blowout. Typical week one. I change from day to day.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 6th, 2007 at 7:59 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Ed Frye

    Interesting. You think the Philly defense is not what it once was and we all agree the Pack’s defense is mightily improved from years past. That alone suggests hope on Sunday. I think the biggest issue for the Pack is their health. (1) Blackmon has broken thumb and has been taken off of returns. (2) Driver is how close to 100%? (3) Jennings now hurt. (4) Ryan Grant apparently out. (5) Morency not likely to see much if any time.
    Add to that the precious little depth at TE and FB and it becomes clear the Pack can’t afford any in-game injuries on offense. Then there is the issue of youth. Outside of possibility of Morency, regardless of who lines up in the backfield with Favre, they will be be starting their first NFL game or their first NFL game as a GBP. And they will be responsible for pass protection against the Brett Favre of DCs, Jim Johnson. This guy will come at them from every conceivable way. And if they keep the TE in to max protect, it will leave Favre only two options to throw to. It is hard to see hopw the PAck will be able to sustain drives let alone keep Favre from getting drilled. JJ will blitz anyone from anywhere on any down and distance. This is a great test for the young and inexperienced Pack offense. Packer fans should know how good their offense is after this game. Same for defence. Philly has a very strong and experienced OL. They have a dynamic QB and RB. They have quality TEs and their WR corps, while still not scary good, may be better than it has been throughout McNabb’s tenure. Thus, the Packer defense will be tested as thoroughly as the offense. I do get the feeling that Philly will try to establish the run game moreso in this game than in the past. Westbrook, Buck and the rookie, Tony Hunt, are ready to go behind Shawn Anfrews and the rest of the Philly OLine.

    Vegas – I was thinking the Pack would be 6 point dogs at home but Vegas set the number at +3. We shall see but I think the Pack has its hands full keeping pace with Philly. GB can’t afford to fall behind early because they have no quick strike ability other than the no huddle. McCarthy says he played it too conservative last year. That may mean he comes out firing with Brett on first downs from the get-go. He can’t afford to get into pass only down and distances. But, I think everything will be thrown from a 3 step drop or rollout and very quick hitting. Any Favre TOs and the Pack will be doomed. Look for Crosby to kick at least three FGs with at least one of them a monster.

  • Jermaine McQueen

    Yeah, I’m definitely worried about Favre’s backfield protection. The answer for Philly’s agressive blitzing are early first quarter screens and relying heavily on slants to James, Jennings and Driver. Once Philly begins the respect the short passing of our West Coast offensive, they’ll ease up a bit. But they definitely won’t stop blitzing. As soon as the offensive can settle into a reasonable 4,5 or even 6 man rush I believe Farve will do work. Nobody is giving the Packers a shot to win, but I don’t mind. I love the underdog role. However this game is not about Favre, McNabb or the Eagles’ blitzing. This game will be dictated by the Packers defense. Dont expect much blitzing from the Pack. Our front four will be enough. Therefor when when McNabb does decide to take off 50, 56, and 51 will be awaiting. Expect a big game from our linebackers. McNabb will try to run because he has no real weapons beside Westbrook. All three linebackers have the speed to catch McNabb and they’ll put a beaten on him. Philly’s wideouts do have a little speed but not enough to make an impact against Woodson and Harris. Bottom line, the Eagles offensive gameplan will break down forcing McNabb to use his legs where Hawk, Barnett and Poppinga will be waiting.

  • Ed Frye

    “This game will be dictated by the Packers defense. Don’t expect much blitzing from the Pack. Our front four will be enough.”

    Keys to the game:

    (1) GB Pass protection;
    (2) GB psoing a respectable run threat, if only to open targets on play action; and,
    (3) Can the Pack front 4 on D generate enough pressure on #5 to keep him from being comfortable?

    I am not sure of the answer to Q #3. First off, Philly’s OLine is legit. Secondly, if they put the ball in Westbrook’s hands 25 times, as they did in their late season run last year, our boys up front can’t pin back their ears. Yes the Pack DLine has looked dominant this pre-season and in late season following the demotion of KGB and his replacement with CJ. But, in each of those occasions, it is easy to make an argument against the quality of the opponent. Thus, this is our new D’s first real test against a quality opponent that is both healthy and wants the game as much as we do. I agree CJ looks exciting, even reminiscent of, dare I say, Reggie White. If the DLine wins the battle of the trenches, it will be happy days in GB. If GB wins the game, times will be euphoric. Paint me as a pessimist, until GB shows that it can beat a quality opponent in a “real” game (pre-season games and last season’s finale vs Bears don’t count) I will be taking the other side. Philly 24 GB 16.

  • JB

    Ed, my one beef with you is the Bears game. We whipped their asses until they gave up in the middle of the third. If you think for one minute that Lovie Smith was ready to condede the season finale at home to us, I think your pessimism is getting the better of you. The first 2 1/2 quartes of that game were for real.

    That said, we won that game on defense, so I think you’re first two points are well taken. If we can pass protect and run even somewhat effectively, we have a shot on offense.

    I think the line, the backers and the CBs can play with Philly. Safety (just like last year) has me a little worried – if McNabb can tear off 40 yard TDs again, we’re screwed.

  • Mark in nc

    You are so correct. It’s Tuesday after the game when I read this. Let’s start a petition to drug test GMs!

  • Michael DeLaTorre

    I think Ted is very arrogant and thinks if he can cheap the team and get in hte playoffs he is doing a good job. You need a few above average personnel at skill positions in order to take the heat off the rest of the offense. A second receiver of Moss’ ability and experience, but thank you not him, would be a great addition and would help Donald Driver get a little more open. The current receiver corp will be great, some day but who knows they might turn out like Jenkins before his injury.
    GET RID OF TED THOMPSON (where is Mike Renfro???) BEFORE HE DRAGS THE TEAM DOWN LIKE ARI P AND OUR OTHER NOT SO GREATS OF THE 70s.

  • LeeBob

    The Ted Thompson bashing continues. Fact is TT is building a solid team the right way, through the draft and smart personnel moves, not through overpaying for washed up has beens. I applaud his approach. This team has a strong foundation and is on the rise. Lots of cap space to bring in another Reggie White type player when the time comes. Go for it TT, you’re doing a GREAT job and proving once again that you are far more intelligent in football matters than any of the guys on this blog that have never played the game but are self procalimed experts from sitting on their butts watching. Stay the course, ignore the morons!