Back to normalcy

After six months of hype heading into the new era in Green Bay Packers’ football, the team can finally get back to its normal routine following the rousing Monday win over the rival Vikings. Well almost, after all it was a Monday night game, making a short week, but now the focus is on the Detroit Lions and Detroit Lions only.

Monday night was a huge win and in the short term answered many questions about the Packers. Obviously number one was whether or not Aaron Rodgers can play. That does not appear to be a question any longer. Rodgers followed up his excellent performance in Dallas last year with a solid first game as a starter. Against a strong defense and a shaky start, Rodgers might not have calmed the fears of all Packers’ fans, but even the biggest doubters have to give the guy a shot now.

Rodgers showed the youthful exuberance that reflected his age and excitement in finally getting the chance to play. He did not look scared Monday night, even against a Vikings’ defense that is one of the best in the NFL. But such as life is in the NFL, what he does in Detroit is all that matters now. And like head coach Mike McCarthy said, the Packers are “heading into a hornet’s nest.” I do think the Lions suck and the Packers really shouldn’t have a problem, but stranger things have happened when the Packers visit Detroit.

I thought the defense played a great game Monday even though they did give up a ton of yards. A couple of big plays hurt them, the quarterback scramble still is a problem for them, but overall they made life tough for the Vikings. Had not for giving up that fourth-down touchdown pass late in the game would it have been a gem.

I hope Will Blackmon stays healthy this year. Like I said I previously, he can’t cover anybody but the guy is a special weapon on special teams. Brings to mind Desmond Howard. The special teams have improved ten-fold over the last couple of years. I thought Mike Stock was a joke when McCarthy hired him, but that unit has shown major improvement the last two years. Sure, much of that has to to with improved talent on the roster, but Stock should get his share of credit.

Sure am looking forward to Sunday. Sure wish Ryan Grant was healthy. More on that to come…

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 11th, 2008 at 10:03 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.

  • paul

    If you don’t think the quarterback position is important, how would the Packers be if Rodgers gets hurt? Watch what happens to New England this year without Brady. One hit and it is over….unless you are Brett Favre…sorry just had to do that one more time. I agree with Al, the Detroit game could be a trap. They are like a wounded animal and have nothing to lose but the game. Good luck Pack! Will be watch with high blood pressure as usual.

  • Bratwurst Lover

    A wounded animal is easier to kill than a healthy one.

  • Reid

    My blood pressure is very low because I let by-gones be by-gones. It’s over, get over it.

  • JeffN

    Al, remember that article you wrote during the off season “The Vikings May Still Suck”? They are probably going to go 8-8 this year. Every offseason everyone talks about how great the Vikes are going to be because they sign all these washed up veterans for big money.

    The Pack is a better team than Detroit and should have no problem winning.

    I’m not worried about Rodgers one bit. He is going to be the most consistent player on their offense this year. I’m more worried about the running game than anything else on offense. If Grant can’t go Jackson isn’t looking like he can be the guy.

    Where are all the TT bashers? Wow they seem to have gone away at least for now.

  • paul

    Come on Reid….My blood pressure is up no matter who is at the QB spot that was not my point. My brother and I just go nuts watching the Pack..very passionate..and I have let it go…just a bad joke and I am optimistic with Rogers. I just hope he doesn’t pull a hammy in practice like before. Enjoy the game..go Pack

  • TRIP

    Unlike most of you, I have no fears of the Lions. McCarthy’s 4-0 against them and I think A-rod might have a break-out game versus that D. 18 for 22 with 178 is great, effective, the Vikings have a sound defense.

    But 18 for 22 with 275-300 yards could be expected, this defense is just that bad. And I’m really hoping for that type of game for A-rod, he has a rematch versus the ‘Boys the next week and his confidence should be up for that. The way the Cowboys dismantled the Browns (an AFC playoff contender), and if they beat the Eagles bad, we could use the momentum. I’m not “scared” of them, but how great a case for ending 12-4 would that be if we got that early-season achievement?

    I’m sure JeffN would consider me a TT basher. Really, I’ve been more of an Al-basher than anything else. Sorry Al, haha. But I’ve never questioned the talent on this team, but surely had convulsions when #4 suited up in New York Green. But I think its important to note, and Al mentioned this, that EVERYONE will be and should be critical of TT and any player, if need be. Just because someone questions something doesn’t mean they are bashing TT because of the “Favre frantic”. Regardless of what happened with that, if A-rod gets hurt, I might crap my pants. I’m uncomfortable with the backups, right now. Doesn’t mean I’m bashing TT just because I don’t like that situation. Perhaps he needs a better backup. Same with any other player. I’m saying this mostly in direction of “Larry” who must think that any time you question TT, you are in the wrong, please! Let’s get on with the season!

  • Larry

    Contrair, critize any move or decision; thats fair. Whats not fair is to tear TT down when he has rebuilt this team without the disaster of the 70s and 80s. Hell, my critisism is that the BF move wasn’t made 2 yrs ago. AR and the OL would be further along if the move had been made earlier. I don’t think we’ve won the SB in the couple of years w/ BF, did I miss it? AR gives the OL an escape factor we’ve not had for years; look for them to be a lot better now…….

  • Reid

    Other than last year, when were we ever comfortable with our back-up quarterback situation in the past 10 years? Is there an NFL team that thinks they won’t miss a step if their starting QB is hurt? BF may have started a zillion games in a row, but he got hurt in quite a few and had to come out. The offense didn’t exactly “click” when he came out either. 1 game down, 15 more to go. GO PACKERS!

  • TRIP

    I don’t disagree with much of anything you’ve said. But no one is tearing down TT. I simply asked did anyone notice Jordy Nelson in the game or was he completely inactive. I didn’t say Nelson was a bad pick or that TT made a mistake by not taking DeSean Jackson. I just said seeing Jackson having a great game makes me anxious to see Nelson, who was picked earlier in the 2nd round. Time will tell who’s the better pick. You just went off pulling the TT-card as if I were talking about Favre v. Rodgers. With that said, I want to see Jordy!!! (His film from college looks great.)

  • Roy Jamison

    Has anyone seen this man? Did this man really play football in college? Is he taking Jamal Reynolds workout classes?

    Justin Harrell, DT
    Green Bay Packers

    Height: 6-4
    Weight: 310
    College: Tennessee
    Experience: 1?

  • Larry

    Because, pure and simple he’s a rook and we have vets obviously better.

  • Roy Jamison

    The Jamal Reynolds story…ready for Hollywood.
    College
    Reynolds played defensive end for Florida State University from 1997-2000. In his senior year, he won the Lombardi Award and was a finalist for College Football News’ Defensive Player of the Year award. In that year, Reynolds accumulated a career high 12 sacks and 58 tackles.

    His strong college pedigree led the Green Bay Packers to select him with the 10th overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft. The Packers acquired the draft pick from the Seattle Seahawks, in exchange for Matt Hasselback and the 17th overall selection in the draft. Among the players selected after Reynolds that the Packers passed on were linebacker Dan Morgan, defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, guard Steve Hutchinson, cornerback Nate Clements, and tight end Todd Heap, all of whom have gone on to be stars in the NFL.

  • Reid

    He’s still just a PUP.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    I have a problem with TT’s picks the last 2 years. Nelson may be a good prospect but we have other more pressing needs. And, we all know it. TT’s penchant for piling up later round picks is a solid strategy and it saves money. But you can’t be just a one trick pony.

  • Reid

    Draft picks are prospects. There aren’t many rookies who actually make a difference in their first year.

  • TRIP

    Reid, get real. You contradicted yourself. Yes, Favre started A ZILLION games. And sure, Doug Peterson nor Craig Nall was neither the all-time best back-up, obviously. But the point is, Favre ALWAYS started!

    Truth be told, last year we almost BEAT THE COWBOYS. We had a damn good backup! You are lying to yourself if you think that the severity of having a better, quality backup isn’t more serious this year than it was in years previous.

    And guess what, someone agrees with me. TED THOMPSON! Refer to his second pick in this year’s draft! And if Brohm or Flynn had better preseasons, I would not have made the statement.

  • Reid

    I’m trying to figure out where I contradicted myself? And, for the record, I would love to have 2 proven, quality quarterbacks on the team like last year. My point was there aren’t any NFL teams who have 2 of them. Last year for us was an exception to the norm. Whenever a team has 2 starter-quality quarterbacks they usually trade one of them (Matt Hassleback, etc) for high draft picks. The same applies if Al Harris, Kampman, etc get hurt. There will be a drop-off at several positions if our starter gets hurt.

  • Oconomowockid

    You guys drinking TT’s kool aide, defending Justin Harrell is just pathetic. This guy was a stretch to draft where we picked him and has been a bust as a draft pick, let alone a first round pick!! Jordy Nelson will come along and has potential but Harrell is a waste of space and a very bad pick.

    One game down fifteen to go, Detroit should pose little problem.
    Go Pack!!

  • IC Cyclone Fan

    “defending Justin Harrell is just pathetic”…

    No doubt his inability to get on the field is disappointing, but I’m not yet ready to label him a complete bust along the lines of Jamal Reynolds. I’m hoping Harrell spends his time rehabilitating and contributes in the second half of the season.

    Anybody notice Kenny Peterson have a decent game for the Broncos last Monday night (sack and three tackles)? Now that guy was a bust of a draft pick (3rd Round) for us…

  • Larry

    IC you’ve got it, why label him a bust until he plays. I’ll admit it doesn’t look like a good pick yet but he got hurt last time trying to help the team in the weight room. Freaky! I wouldn’t expect a 2nd rounder to start with the WRs we have ahead of him, but I’ll always take the “best player available” than the “need” pick. When you draft for need and it doesn’t pan out, then you’ve really hurt yourself. Guys we have rebuilt, now we’re fine tuning.

  • http://thecurrencyexchange.blogspot.com J.A

    Hopefully Harrell can give us some fresh legs around week 10 but I doubt he will be able to. I’m more worried about Charles Woodson cause if he goes down for a couple of weeks then we are in big trouble. Actually I think our secondary is going to give up a lot of big plays this year. On a couple of occasions our CBs could have been beat for huge gains.

  • Reid

    Who defended the Justin Harrell pick? Is said he’s just a PUP, meaning Physically Unable to Perform where he sits until at least week 7. He may become TT’s Jamaal Reynolds. Right now, it ain’t working out too good. Time will tell. TT’s not perfect and I don’t necessarily agree with everything he does, but we had 13 wins last year and this year’s looking pretty positive so far. We’re the youngest team in the league with a lot of talented kids trying to improve themselves and step it up. We’ve got $30M to spend to upgrade Jennings and Rodgers, etc contracts and still count them against this year’s cap. I can’t think of another NFL team with as many things going for them as our Packers.

  • TRIP

    Ahhh, I wish tomorrow would come already.