Packers are done

Brett Favre played for the Packers for 16 years. He retired in 2008 and un-retired and was traded to NYJ. He retired in 2009 and un-retired and is starting for MIN.
As far as I’m concerned thats it. No rancor, no hatred, no love, no nothing. Hes just another opposition QB, albeit a pretty good one.

Yep,p_b, thats what it comes down to. Damned exciting tho when we made those 3 scores in a row. Shows what we are capable of, just a tier below, perhaps from keeping it going like the top tier can. Oh, those terrible Dickey years, so close, but yet so far. At least this team has nowhere to go but up.

I also believe Arods learning curve is also completely affected by this line, worrying about getting murdered every play should not be something your new franchise qb has to deal with, thank god he’s young and will still be young even if it takes a couple years to get a line put together. The forward looking problem is, once our line is back together, we wont have single credible defensive back since Wood and Harris will most likely be retired by then.

Unlike the Packers’ loss to Dallas in ’95, I am not bitterly disappointed in this loss.

The better team won. The better prepared team won. The better coached team won. The team that played better won. No matter how I phrase or rephrase the question, the answer is the same.

That being the case, the Packers need to get better and play better .. and they definitely can. That is why we are so disappointed. We know they COULD HAVE won. That unfulfilled potential gets us fans.

Like the last game in Minnesota, the fact that we were still in this game near the end, after having played so badly tells me that this team is very, very close to being an elite team. If you wanted to qualify or quantify it, you might say that we are two big plays and/or one more good player away from winning this game.

Keep the faith, loyal Packers fans. Remember Dallas in ’95. This young team is on the brink o fbeing great. Now is no time to quite this team. Now is when they need us — as the 12th Man — to give them our full support.

We have seen Favre fade in the second half of the season in recent years. He may do it again this year, and the Pack needs to be ready for whatever opportunity might present itself. Fortune favors the prepared.

One more thing: I sure wish the fans at the game kept up the loud booing of Favre throughout the game. It sounded really nice on the radio (I “simulcast” TV and radio whenever I can ’cause Wayne and Larry rule).

Al, I know you’re angry and obviously you can do whatever the heck you want with the site and your time. I know its your choice.

I did want you to know though that I come here everyday basically and use your site for packer news. I’m done with professional baseball, basketball, hockey at this point (I’m 29) but I still follow and love the Packers. I hate Brett Favre with a passion after these last few years, and this is from a guy who spent a lot of money to see his first Packer game by flying out to Lambeau to see the Lions game at the end of the 07 season. I was furious yesterday. Thus, I can at least somewhat understand your frustration.

Thus whatever you decide its cool. Please know though your site is the best. PERIOD. Bringing all these sources together is great. I know multiple packer fans out east who go here first all the time. You provide that site so thank you for what you do.

Al, the difference in the teams isn’t the quarterback…it’s the offensive line. Iv’e always wanted to give TT the benefit of the doubt but this O line debacle hasn’t been fixed in 2 years and the answer isn’t on the roster.

Kampy and Hawk don’t fit the scheme and should’ve been traded for O line help. 3rd straight year of youngest team points to mindset that youth be served above all else…above talent and experience.

Penalties again hurt their effort AND cost the Packers points. MM needs to go at end of year.

25, doesn’t it remind you of all those QBs (league wide) that went #1 in the draft to the lousiest team from the year before? At least we’re 4-3 and not quite that bad.

“Thompson and McCarthy suck. They made the wrong decision. The Packers suck and will suck for eternity under those two. Packernet is no more. – Al”

Al – I say this with all the love in my heart: Cowboy up, dude!

Farve resigned in early ’08. TT and MM had to promote ARod. When Favre unretired, TT and MM said he could compete for the starting QB job. But Favre said, “Trade me”. They traded him to NYJ. TT and MM did not screw up even if Favre led the Jets to win the Super Bowl. They did not screw up even if Favre leads the Viings to their 5th Super Bowl loss (which could happen). They did what was right for this team. ARod is the better QB already. What he lacks in experience is offset by his running ability (which Favre never had), and will be overcome in time.

The Vikings won because their defense is solid overall, and their line is outstanding. Their offensive line protects their QB. Their receivers get open and don’t drop many passes. Their special teams can block and tackle and cover. Their team does not commit horrendously stupid penalties at the worst moments possible. They did not win because Favre is better than ARod, because he isn’t.

TT and MM do deserve some blame, however. This team is not sufficiently staffed — that is TT’s fault. Many of the players we have are playing below their capabilities. That’s MM’s fault. Vince Lombardi used to wring coax every last drop of talent and effort out of every player. But MM ain’t VTL, even with 10 times as many assistant coaches.

Al – look into a mirror and repeat after me: “I am a dyed in the wool, green and gold bleeding, cheese-munching, beer-swilling, die hard Green Bay Packers fan, and I will NEVER quit on this team! Then throw three Hail Mary passes and you shall be completely absolved of your venal sin of, albeit briefly, losing faith and giving up.

Jack in Columbus… excellent post.

I am beginning to question McCarthy’s ability to lead this team. If it were different mistakes occuring, that would be one thing. But we’re seeing the same stupid things time and time again, going back into last season and beyond. I like Ted Thompson and the choices he has made. But if the Packer s do not make a significant run into the playoffs this year, then McCarthy has to go.

Just a little light reading to put things honestly into perspective – and thanks for deciding now to shut ‘er down completely there Al – I enjoy being able to come to this site as a one stop shop on Packer news.

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/rodgerspackers110209.html

AATP, thanks for the article.

Please stop comparing Farve and Rodgers. Favre is a once in a lifetime QB. His legacy will outlive anyone on this site. Stats, Stats, Stats. One can always use stats in their favor and Favre has a lot of them. However, I almost shit when I heard Aikman et. al. throw out the stat that Favre has thrown 240 TD’s in Lambeau, the next most was Starr around 46 or something followed by Dickey with, I think, 39. (Sorry I forgot the exact #’s..I was buzzed.

Hate ‘em all you want but it won’t make ya feel much better. Let’s just hope that Rodgers learns to release faster, the o-line needs to protect him, and he needs his first winning season as he has as many losing seasons as Favre does…ooops, comparing ‘em again.

Favre is/was special in a way that stats do not show and never will show. I hope Rodgers can have his own legacy and not be compared to Favre. Noone can really be compared to Favre. Done with washing Favre’s balls for now.

Now general managers can….how did the Vikings go from a laughing stock two years ago to one of the best in the league? They changed owners, management and coach. I want some changes at the end of this year because I really hate the Vikings, even more than the Cowboys. It is a win now league and these guys(TT/MM) for the Pack don’t seen to get it.

Glad to see you back in business, Al. No sweat from me. It was a bitter pill losing that one.

We played a good team – Favre was dialed in. We lost. It happens sometimes when you play good teams. I still say the only team on the schedule that scares me is Pittsburgh. Everyone else is beatable. Maybe we’re a couple players short of a deep playoff run, but I’m Ok with that. I feared this team was closer to 6-10 than 13-3, but I’m changing my mind on that.

Develop a pass rush and a running game, and this team could be really special. Find a spark, like that Harvin kid, and we get big really fast.

I’m not so worried about the game implications of the sacks to tell you the truth. Most of them seem to be coming when Rodgers is holding the ball looking to make a play. He usually ends up losing 3-5 yards. That’s not really a drive killer with the kind of offense we have. Would it be better to put it somewhere out of reach than lose the yards? Yeah. Do you recall how long it took Favre to figure that out? My only worry is that Rodgers is going to get himself killed out there before we have a chance to put this team together around him.

I like us going forward, but we’ve got to find a pass rush and a way to run. As down as I’ve been on the O-line, it’s hard to debate Rodgers’s stats. If he keeps this up, he’s going over 4000 yards with about 30 TDs and 5 INTs. Brothers and sisters, I’ll take that from my second year starting QB and rebuilding O-line any day you like.

As a Tampa Resident I am glad Pack is coming here. Tampa will start a Rookie who is no where near the class of Stafford or Sanchez. Tampa makes Detroit look respectable. I would let Rodgers get a lead and run Matt Flynn out to see what he can do.
Capers should let the dogs out all game. Play Lang at RT Babre is not an NFL player.
On Jenkins criticism he has to be talking about the coverages. Is it a crime to play man coverage? Woodson, Harris and Williams can all cover man to man. Favre knows his offense too well to fool around with zone coverages.

Let do turn about on Minnesota. Lets Hire Darrell Bevel. I cant see anything that Philbin is doing MM can get a new OC or walk the plank its that simple. MN has improved and its not just Favre. We can pay the former Badger more than the vikes.
Anyway he knows he has to go somewhere

PB -

The point was that Rodgers and the O-line are getting it done in the passing game in spite of the sacks. If we’re going to see a significant improvement in this team rapidly, I think it has to come in the form of a running game and a pass rush. Rodgers is doing about as well as can be expected right now.

All sacks are not created equal. I went onto NFL.com and watched the footage of the sacks. Most of them aren’t as rough as you might think. He’s not standing in the pocket getting drilled by DTs. He’s rolling out and having guys catch him – yeah, it still hurts, but it’s not like standing tall and getting ploughed over by those big horses.

Yeah, I agree that Rodger’s doesn’t tend to get drilled when he gets sacked. But didn’t you notice him limping by the end of the game?

If we keep giving up these sacks, he’s going to get tatered by one of em just based on law of averages. I’m not criticizing Rodgers, although he does hold the ball too long here and there. I’m mostly criticizing the line. We can’t run or pass protect against a good defense right now.

I’m not sure that it has anything to do with TT being able to find O-lineman I believe he found two of the best in the league Jones and some guy in purple. I believe it was the scheme we use and nobody who knew it well enough to execute the scheme. Now we have lineman trying to go in between two schemes and an lost O-line coach that is clueless. I believe the O-line play has affected the momentum of this team.

Rodgers is going to be great he just needs to let go and stop being so hard on himself. Brett is great at that he has fun the only thing I can say pos about him. A diva who has his own changing room? The time he was given in the pocket again I don’t thing Rodgers would have had an incomplete pass. Lets not forget what happens to old man rivers in the second half of the season. History says he slows down in about two weeks.

I think too many fans want to give way too much credit to Minn for being a good team. Stats say otherwise. There defense is not that good this year. Their offense is improved. We beat ourselves again. Packers need to put thier heads together and stop playing like the Raiders. They have the talent, their O-line needs someone to be able to coach these kids how to play. Improved play of that O-line and we see an improvement all the way around.

The special teams play to me is what lost the game in the end. After going away from kicking deep two times resulting in a turnover and a short return why kick deep? We did a great job last week with the best returner in the league in Cribbs by kicking away from him and containing him when he did get the ball, what happened.

The better team did not win the team that came in ready and pumped to play a playoff level game won. We played at a regular season level they played at playoff level game. If you think that this team has no upside you don’t pay attention to what this team can do when it is rolling which they showed in the third quarter.

Is the season lost, No. Do we need to come together as a team, Yes. Can we run the table and win the NFC North probably not but I do think we could run the table. Is Minn going to run the table, No they will lose at least 3 more games and possibly more.

When they get to the playoffs and have to really put faith in BF because a they have stuffed AP and he throws three picks, remember we have AR for at least 10 more seasons (if we can keep him healthy on the field and bring in a real number one running back).

Only good things to look forward to thanks Al for putting the site back up. Just think how many times you wanted to walk away from the pack after a 2 or three pick game by BF. AR has 2 for the season.

Yeah, guys Farve sucks!

I hate to compare after I said stop it but….here is Favre’s record after the train left the station.

Favre 16-8
Rodgers 10-13

I don’t blame Rodgers, he just needs better guidance. I don’t like the head coaching or general management.

The nightmare is almost over. Have faith Packer fans. The albino barn owl’s days are numbered. Tick tock…

TICK ‘EFFN TOCK TT/MM

Sharper is looking pretty good leading the Leauge is INT’s but TT did not think we needed him. TT would not give up a 2nd RD for T.Gonzo and he is tearing it up in ATL for Ryan. TT will take back Ahman Green and Tauscher but not BF….hmmm did I mention the Real Meal Justin Harrell? I just think TT is lost….and he needs to go.

http://www.firetedthompsonnow.com

“Develop a pass rush and a running game, and this team could be really special. Find a spark, like that Harvin kid, and we get big really fast.”

“Are you speaking about this year for the above statement? If so then what personnel do the Packers have that is going to grant your wishes, pun intended.”

No – Sadly, I really don’t think the personnel is in place. Near as I can tell, Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy have (as a leadership pair) failed to draft and develop a single impact player on the OL or the Front 7. Clay Matthews seems to be making a bid to be their first.

Where does the problem actually reside? Do we have good players and McCarthy just can’t train them up properly? Possible, but I’d have to be a lot closer to the team than I am to make that judgement. Is McCarthy doing the best be can with what he has and Ted Thompson is doing a bad job of evaluating personnel? Again, I can’t say with my knowledge. Most likely, it’s a combination. With the team at 4-3 and having had the testicular fortitude to come back and make a game of it the other night, I’d say it falls on both men to accept that they have built an average to good team.

Maybe that’s as good as these guys can do, but I think the balance of the season tells us a lot. If the team goes 9-7, and starts showing some defensive development, I might have some hope. If we go 8-8 with the number of cream puffs on this year’s schedule, I might be more inclined to think our present leadership has topped out.

Al, I love your passion and your love for our team. Nobody gets as high with a win or as low with a loss as you do, and that is something that the fair-weather fans just don’t get.

If Packernet goes away, where will I feed my passion?

I was nervous, checked in yesterday, said it was down, came back today hoping it was an abberation, and thankfully it was.

This isn’t about Favre vs. Rodgers. The Packers made the better choice for the team in terms of QB’s. I’m happy Favre is still playing and having fun and showing people who always tried to convince us how bad he was, just how good he is. I hate that he’s playing for the Vikings.

But I’ve moved on. The Vikings do have a better team than us right now. I still think we could beat them with a complete game, but they played one the other day. Special teams, D and offense all played well for them. Ours didn’t. They played well for parts of the game, but that won’t beat a good team.

Anyway, I don’t want to relive that game again today. we should win this weekend, and then we have a tough stretch and hopefully our team can grow a bit during that stretch and get some wins. They aren’t out of it, but the road to the playoffs just got a whole lot tougher. If they can’t overcome this, then they don’t belong in the playoffs anyway. I’m still hoping for a Packer/Viking rematch in January sometime.

Pete H, I have to admit I’m getting a little down on MM as well.
Love to see those second guessers take TT (and scouting) down for the last 5 years drafts. But I think a second look is in order, especially the issue of not drafting OL.
2005-Pretty good I’d say Rodgers, Collins, and Murphy (tough break) 1-3 not bad; Underwood at 4th so-so, could have had Preston (oh, we did later), IND went Gandy and STL went Terrell, but neither are playing there anymore. PIT got a starter in Herremans. In the 5th we got Coston. Overall, we got our QB and a starter FS.
2006-Hawk(all delighted at the time, only liars say no they weren’t), Colledge and Jennings in 2nd. Not bad, and no OL in those 2 rounds for anybody. Hodge in 3rd, could have had McQuistan but hes a back-up at OAK no less. We got Spitz. In 4th we took Blackmon vs PAT who took O’Callaghan (not on their roster). I’ll take it.
2007-Don’t even want to talk about it BUT, some pickups later on.
Ah, 2008, the mother lode of OL especially at OT. However, think twice. In 2nd and 3rd we got Nelson, Brohm, and Finley. Again, those who now say they didn’t think Brohm was a steal, I think are lying pure and simple. But on to the OLs that year. Long #1, but on a loser. (6) more OTs taken in 1st while we sat by; all start but 2 are on teams with worse records than ours. In the 2nd we could have had Pollak, starter at IND, before Nelson and Brohm, but I stick with a backup QB and part of the Fab(5). Two OTs in 3rd after Finley are backups.
2009-Surprisingly, 3 OL starters were taken in the first (2 on losing teams) but only Oher of BAL is worth a crap. I’ll stay with Raji and Matthews. We picked up Lang in the 4th and jury is still out on the kid.
In summary there are 12 OL starters in the above with 6 more either not playing or backups. I know the counter will be the overpriced Wahle and Rivera (who tho’t he had us over a barrel) but you know what (?) neither are playing today.
Anybody out there like to have Clifton, Wahle, Wells, Rivera, and Tauscher as our OL today. Yeah, I know, they couldn’t do any worse, yeah.