Considering all that has happened since late June, and the schedule the Packers have played, I am more than pleased with where the Packers are seven games into the season. The Packers have already played four teams that made the playoffs last year and another, the Vikings, who were many pundits pick to at least win the NFC. It may not have went according to script, I think I predicted they would be 5-2 at the bye, but I am by no means disappointed.
The Packers have overcome injuries to starters Al Harris, Atari Bigby and Cullen Jenkins, and the defense still had their best game of the year last week against the Colts. All of a sudden safety Nick Collins has emerged as the playmaker he was expected to be. The thing with guys like Collins who come out early and start right away, if you stick with them the reward could be huge. In the case of Collins, the Packers might have hit gold. He still has nine games to play, but I think his play this year has been the surprise of the defense.
Having said that, I feel like I slighted Charles Woodson in a way, but I guess we set the bar is higher for Woodson. After seven games the Packers’ defensive MVP has to be Woodson. He has taken leadership of this defense from the start of the season and because of that the Packers have been able to bounce back from the injuries and are showing what they are really capable of.
Offensively everything begins and ends with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Greg Jennings. These two seem to have found the same niche that former QB Brett Favre had with Donald Driver. That doesn’t mean Driver is not part of the offense, in fact, Rodgers spreads the ball out very well, it is just that Jennings is the bigger talent at this stage of their careers. Driver is an inspiration to the whole unit and his presence should never be understated.
Those who doubted Rodgers’ ability to replace Favre should be feeling much better at this stage. Rodgers has been stellar all year and also showed his toughness in playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder while still playing at a high level. His accuracy is astounding with only four interceptions and two of those were not his fault. He never throws into triple coverage which has resulted in a few more sacks, but fewer game-changing interceptions. The decision to go with Rodgers continues to prove itself each and every week. If Rodgers stays healthy, the only thing he hasn’t proven yet for a full season, the Packers are a playoff team. With the declining Favre, who already has eight interceptions in one less game than Rodgers, the Packers would not be 4-3.
With running back Ryan Grant starting to show some signs of life and head coach Mike McCarthy’s willingness to give him the ball 30 times a game, the Packers are a team to be reckoned with. The defense was mostly responsible for the three game losing streak, and while might be a little harsh, they have redeemed themselves the last two weeks and that shows how good the Packers can be. The Packers’ offense is for the most part much unstoppable, they will get their yards and points, when the defense helps with points of their own, it results in wins like last Sunday. Before I rant about Favre, I will predict Packers 24, Titans 9. Hey, the early prediction worked last week.
Now, since at this point in time, two days after the story broke, it has become clear that the anointed one, Brett Favre called the Detroit Lions to offer tips on how to beat the Packers. Why am I not surprised? Favre has acted like a baby during this whole ordeal. Going on Greta? Come on? Ripping Ted Thompson? Come on? All Thompson has done was turn the team from a loser to a winner. Sorry for that Brett. The fact is the Packers are clearly better with Rodgers at the helm. Favre has looked pathetic since his six touchdown aberration a few weeks ago. His two interception, three fumble performance last week in Oakland I think signals a slow decent into hell. And when former teammate LeRoy Butler says this is only the tip of the iceberg, that there are “other stories that are going to come out” about Favre, Packers’ fans have to be feeling extremely betrayed. And you think I am emotional.
Brett, you’ve gone away mad, now just go away. How sad this is. Favre may not be in the Ring of Honor in Lambeau Field for a long time, and in my mind, should have to wait a year to get in to the NFL Hall of Fame. He has disrespected the game, there is no honor in that. I wish big Irv was around to kick him in the butt. How sad for Packers’ fans and Favre’ fans alike. But how many old time stars have we seen end their careers in disgrace? The list is long. Ad #4 to it. As Vince Lombardi once said “it takes years to build a reputation, but only an instant to lose it.” Brett just lost it.