This is easily the worst month of the year for NFL fans, there is simply nothing going on, the Interception Machine not withstanding. With two weeks to go before training camp opens for the Green Bay Packers I think the 2009 season hangs in the balance between special teams and defense. The Packers offense was one of the NFL’s best last year and should be even better this year. The emergence of players like Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley will only compliment receivers Donald Driver and emerging star Greg Jennings. At running back I believe Ryan Grant will return to his 2007 form after a full offseason in the Packers’ system and nothing needs to be said about quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After one year Rodgers is clearly one of the top ten quarterbacks in the league and if he starts another 16 the Packers are headed for good things. Providing, however, the Packers’ defense and special teams improve dramatically this year.
The Packers’ defense was absolutely horrible last year. It was like they were throwing popcorn at their opponents. Special teams was just as bad. With the worst punter ever to suit up in an NFL game and a kicker who can’t kick in the clutch, the Packers lost most of their games on account of special teams and defense. Offensively Rodgers threw six of his interceptions in two bad games and never had more than one in his other 14 games. Ryan Grant ended up ninth in the NFL last year with 1203 yards and anybody who says head coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t run the ball enough might want to ask Grant that question. Last year Grant had the fifth most carries of any back in the NFL, five carries away from third. If anything McCarthy ran the ball too much last year not trusting his first year starter at quarterback.
I’m not worried about the defense improving under new coordinator Dom Capers, that is a given if you ask me. Shawn Slocum has impressed me slightly with his approach to special teams which is certainly different than his predecessor Mike Stock. The defense was never in good hands with Bob Sanders. There was never any identity. Under Capers there will be a clear identity and much more accountability. If anyone thinks the Packers won’t be ready to play opening day, like Florio and other experts, they are going to be sorely mistaken. Slocum has a much harder job than Capers if you ask me, but I think he is like Capers and is taking over a unit that has the players to be successful. I want to see Jordy on kickoffs and Will Blackmon on punts. I try to find areas of weakness and the only things that worry me are offensive line and their ability to keep Rodgers healthy. I’m sorry, but confidence is high.
“Early Release of BF’s 2009 Contract With the Vikes”
Or he could have just taken $20 million from the Packers not to play.
Your right p_b, there are plenty of examples where he could have earned more money. He goes to MIN to wipe the smile off Elway’s face.
Going out of town for a few days, have fun discussing the Favre signing if it breaks. Hasta la vista everyone!
Te-ueno mi amigo, si RoyJ?
PB
NO sense of humor, either.
You’re right Punk. This blog is tame compared to just about all others. However, the Fans on other blogs & forums are still fans regardless of their posting style. I stay away from blatant name-calling & profanity. Sarcasm, humor & ‘stats’ are my MOs.
At the same time, it’s unfortunate that somehow an EX-Packer has such a hollowed position by some on this blog. It’s pertinent to remind some that Ex-Packers are open game, especially when they become the opposition. —–It’s part of being a solid PackFan. ………….. Let the games decide. I’m optimistic for 11-5 & then anything is possible.
Well, obviously Rock, I like your outcome better than my 10-6. I do think we will lose one game to either CHI or MIN (regardless of the QB), we will be 4-0, and will win DIV 5-1. My fall-back is 9-6 with a loss to each of them (2nd game only). In any case we win DIV!
Bobby Douglas was the first of 3 qbs from the former Bears qbs to play for Green Bay. Bobby could scramble but you never knew where the ball was going to go when he was throwing on the run. He only played one season for Green Bay and left an indelible mark on Lambeau Field.
He was such a good athlete that he tried pitching for the White Sox after leaving the NFL at age 31.
Would BF actually draw this whole vial affair out even longer ??
Per ESPN.
“And let’s face it: After 18 NFL seasons, do you think he really wants to spend two weeks in a cramped dorm room? Green Bay players also live in dormitories during camp. But their location in nearby De Pere, Wis., allows players some feeling of normalcy. Favre would get none of that at the Vikings’ site in Mankato, Minn., about 90 minutes south of the Twin Cities.
Favre’s last off-site training camp came in 1991 while he was a rookie in Atlanta. It’s an experience that few veterans relish, and Favre might be in position to skip part or all of it if he wants.”
And in that magical season that was 1991, Mike Tomczak stepped on the field for the green and gold. The former Bear lit it up for 1490 yards that year while managing to throw at a 53.8 per cent pace. And maybe not coincidentally, that was the last season we saw Lindy Infante as the field general of the Pack. I can still remember seeing the newly hired Ron Wolf, look down on the field as that group stumbled away. You knew Lindy’s time was ticking out.
Quote:
“If he’s ready to play, then yeah, he should,” Montana said. “But usually when you’re waffling like that it makes it difficult on everybody. . . . If it was the first time he’s done it, it would be different. But we’ve seen it already, and here we go again. I’m sure that’s all [the Minnesota Vikings] are thinking about.”
Joe M. was always a smart dude.
I heard a long time ago, somewhere, that Favre was as effective as he was because he had very large hands to be able to control the ball in cold weather. (Among other reasons, of course.) Saw some pics of Rodgers last week that made his hands look larger than BF’s. Given that AR’s fast ball won’t be as hard to catch as BF’s was, does the comparison lead to a conclusion that AR’s potential in late season games could be as successful? Wasn’t a WR and couldn’t play a lick myself, but does the theory hold water?
As ol’ Dan Rather once said, “Courage.” It takes a lot of that to wait until the last second to release the ball. When T.O. beat the Pack in that playoff game, Young had a lot of courage to wait until absolutely the last second to throw. I don’t know if you can teach that. Improvise. When plays break down and everyone is covered, do you try to make something of a play or throw it away and waste a down?
Steve Y. was one of my favorites along with Kenny ‘the Snake’ Stabler. Both had an ability to wait until the last second to make a play. However, they also were very good at knowing WHEN to risk all to win a game. Many times Steve Young would either throw it away or throw a low-risk pass knowing that he still would have opportunities to make plays later. If AR can be as selective in knowing when to make the big play, GB will be in good hands.
I have to do it. …… Who throws a 50 yard pass on the first play of OT in a Playoff game ? This is what I mean by being ‘smart’ selective.
I never understood that play. You are only looking to set up a field goal. I understand they were frustrated because the run didn’t work at all that day. The Giants had to be looking for pass.
But that was such a bad play.
Here’s Favre after the game…
As for Favre, his emotions were clear: “I was disappointed that the last pass I threw was intercepted.”
He wound up 19-for-35 for 236 yards and two interceptions. It’s now a decade since the career leader in most NFL passing categories has been to the big game.
“For me, I kept thinking how many opportunities are we going to let slip away,” he said.
@ RJ
Your reply made me shutter a little because I wasn’t even talking about the NFC Championship between the Pack & the Giants……….. I was replaying the 4&26 game against the Eagles in a divisional playoff game in season 2003..
GB ran the opening kick-off of OT back to the 40something yard-line. On play one, BF was flushed out of the pocket, rolled to his right & flung a 40-50 yd. pass into triple coverage…Intercepted……. Philly then did exactly what GB should have done. Drive the ball down the field & kick the winning FG.
Your example was ‘deja vu’ all over again.
That judgement is what I would love the Vikings to have next season. If the Vikes had Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, their best play is handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson. PFW has a story on how Brett has never been happy handing off.
On another note the Pack has to establish a good running game this year or all is lost. The tough yardage situations last year were always a struggle. Part of the reason the Pack gave up so many sacks last year was the opposing defenses didnt respect the run. Jared Allen and Tommie Harris are in the Division, a running game will take a lot of starch out of them.
LOL, that is funny Rock. So, the Pack could have been in 4 SBs fairly easily but it wasn’t to be. Unfortunately, The Gambler didn’t know when to hold ‘em or when to fold ‘em. That actually makes a little bit of sense of why Holmgren called plays like he did. It was to counteract the inevitable turnover.
Roy, the way I see it is we could have gotten to two more SBs if we could have stopped 4th and 26 and had a running game vs the Giants. And would have gone to none without #4. Either way he’s gone, our guy is #12 and you can start whining about how much better he should have done.
Who’s whining? I’m glad Favre was a Packer. But, I can’t put him in the same class as a Joe Montana when it comes to decision making.
Roy, you’re right about Montana. Sorry about the whining deal, I just get tired of people dumping on #4. He gave it everything he had, he’s gone, R.I.P.
Well #4 wont be showing up in Purple. The Queens are “who we thought they were”
A group of clowns.
Old BF figured out ways to skip OTAs & mini-camp, but ran out of ideas when it came to TC. The ‘daily grind’ did him in again. He’s been complaining about the daily grind for years. …………Does the term ‘lazy’ seem appropriate ?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090728/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vikings_favre
So if he comes back, he’s an egomaniac, traitor, etc. etc., but when he decides his body may not be up to it, he’s lazy? What a joke.
Guess you won’t have Favre to kick around anymore.
PB
It is what it is. BF would be playing this year if all he had to do was show up on Sundays for 3 hours & chuck the ball all over the field.
You know this to be true. Don’t deny the obvious…….. Lazy is a kind way to describe BF’s insanity.
Now you can focus on the Pack instead of ‘Lord Favre’.
I would have been fine w/it if Favre played this season, but……………….. after a while you look a little funny in other uniforms after spending 16 years in only one. But there were a couple uniforms I did not want to see him in and purple was one of them. Guess it kinda worked out…………
I’m not so sure that this drama is over yet.
“Favre’s decision was stunning — though there’s a chance it’s not his final decision. On Tuesday evening, he told his good friend Steve Mariucci, the former Packers assistant and current NFL Network analyst, that he plans to continue throwing and working out. ”
http://gnb.scout.com/2/882698.html
Why continue throwing & working out ? Rehab? Fun? Injury replacement?
You’re right, Rocky, it is what it is. And “what it is” is that you and a bunch of the media were wrong about BF playing for Minnesota. All the wailing and nashing of teeth is now a tempest in a teacup. I’ve been saying for awhile that before everybody started getting their knickers in a knot they ought to wait till something actually happens rather than engaging in BS speculation.
Of course to one that can actually read minds and see the future, such as yourself, I guess there is no such thing as speculation. Your crystal ball must be a little dusty, better clean it off!
I agree with DA, I never wanted to see him play against us, just granted that it was his choice and his right to play if he wanted to. If he felt he wasn’t sure about his ability to play a full season at a high level, I give him credit for making the right choice. The rest of your drek, “he’s lazy”, “insanity”, is just more of your obsessive axe grinding. Only you could put lazy and BF in the same sentence and not think that’s over-heated hyperbole. Just admit you got it wrong and move on.
A smart GM with a problem finding a backup QB could tell #4 he wouldn’t have to carry a team for a whole season( which he couldn’t) only come in for a game or two if his starter went down. Like Testaverde and a lot of aging QBs have done. An older Lance Armstrong came in second on his cycling team but helped that team to a victory and he was satisfied with that. Of course it would take a pretty good salesman to convince TT to give it a try.
Mark,
That of course assumes Favre would even consider being a backup. I don’t see any shame in it and examples of just such a thing abound in pro sports, but it completely depends on the mindset of the player, some would and some wouldn’t. My guess is if Favre didn’t want to take on the reponsibilities of playing to be the starter for the Vikings, he falls in the “wouldn’t” category. I wouldn’t rule anything out, though, including Favre trying a comeback after a year off.
As far as TT’s end goes, I agree that a smart GM might think out of the box and look at a chance to square the circle, but I don’t think a resurrected Billy Mayes could sell him on that!
The fact that BF strongly considered playing for the Vikes is the only matter that counts. Whether he actually donned a Viking uniform is irrelevant. Since PB is unwilling to expand his view of the truth about how PackFans view the BF Fiasco, I’ll share a few comments from PackFans. There are many & most are similar to these two.
” Favre’s word is no good. There is no reason whatsoever to believe anything he says, now or in the future. ”
” I respect Favre even less as a person now. Why raise all this ruckus in the first place if you’re not going to play for the Vikings?
If your spouse openly investigated leaving you for someone else and then came back and said, “Nah. It was a nice fantasy, but in the end it was probably not worth it…” would you take them back? ”
You see PB, most PackFans are more than willing to view the realities. You should feel embarassed to still be so selectively delusional about Brent.
Per PB:
” And “what it is” is that you and a bunch of the media were wrong about BF playing for Minnesota. ”
I’ve said this before. All I do is post on a few forums & blogs. I have nothing to do with the Favre Fiasco. Neither do you. Nothing is changed because of what I may believe or what you may believe.
You give yourself credit …..for what? ……….Having an opinion ?? I can see why you’re obsessed with ‘Lord Favre’. You’re just like him. ……..Full of yourself.