Another step taken

Stacking successes is what Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy always preaches. Sunday’s win over the Seahawks that put the Packers in the playoffs has to be considered one of the greater successes he has stacked. I know the Packers haven’t accomplished anything yet, but at least now they have a chance.After losing a heartbreaker to the Steelers a week before the Packers jumped on Seattle early even though the Packers appeared to be playing like dung. It was the easiest 14-0 lead a team could possibly get. The Packers dominated from start to finish just as they should have and continued their excellent play of the second half of the season. A win in Arizona would put them 7-1 since the debacle in Tampa Bay.

The possibility of playing the Cardinals two weeks in a row adds a ton of intrigue to this matchup of two teams that have nothing to play for. The Cardinals may have the No. 2 seed in the NFC to play for but that would take a Festivus Miracle to occur. Either way Arizona won’t know until game time or later if they have a chance at a bye, which ought to be a nice distraction for them. Do we play hard or do we rest?I still think the Cardinals are the lessor of the three evils – the Eagles and Cowboys being the other two possibilities. I just don’t like our chances in Philly or Dallas. Neither the Cardinals, Cowboys or Eagles would stand a chance in Lambeau, but it didn’t work out that way. I also still think that game in Pittsburgh could end up helping the Packers just as much as the loss in Tampa Bay did. That was a great fourth-quarter comeback against an excellent team that just came up three seconds short.

As far as me personally, yes, getting to the playoffs this soon post-Favre means a ton. Aaron Rodgers gets better every week and getting a playoff game or two under his belt is huge. The Packers are meticulously building a winner that is not a one-year-and-done outfit like so many teams these days try to do by spending big bucks. The Packers took their lumps last year and rebounded to make the playoffs this year. I don’t expect the Packers to win the Super Bowl, in fact it will be hard for them to go on the road and win playoff game no matter where they go, but this is a great experience regardless.

I’m not saying the Packers can’t make a move in the playoffs, but it certainly would be unexpected. But the case can be made that the only team hotter than the Packers right now is the San Diego Chargers, who have won 10 in a row. In the NFC the Packers are the hottest team having won six of seven. I have no idea what to expect this week. All I know is they can’t take us out of the playoffs.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 10:44 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.

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  • packer_bob

    You’re starting an expansion team with the first supplemental draft pick and have your pick of two running backs, AP or RG. Who do you choose?

    HMMM. Like I said, 10 out of 10 GM’s go AP. And 9 out of 10 recommend Dentyne to their patients that chew gum. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, that’s what makes the world go round. But if 10 out of 10 GM’s go AP, whose likely to be right? (or 8 out 10, or 9 out of 10, if you think 10 out of 10 is a stretch.) This isn’t rocket science, nor is it meant to demean RG who I think has been running pretty damn hard these past few weeks. It’s merely my statement that somebody that thinks they’d rather have Grant than Peterson needs to have their head examined.

    Likewise, I watched that game last night and saw the Vikings put up 5 straight scoring drives, 4 TD’s and a FG, in the second half. BF was a big part of that, and anyone that would conclude he was the reason they lost needs to get their eyes examined post haste. This isn’t a matter of opinion, it’s a matter of whether or not you can perceive reality.

    I for one didn’t really care who won the game. In fact, I was anticipating shutting it off real quick in the third quarter but then it got interesting. If the Vikings continue their collapse and lose in the first of the playoffs, great, one less impediment to us maybe moving forward in the dance. But grousers with chips on their shoulders can live in their own world, they just shouldn’t talk about it and think reasonable people are going to agree.

    Rocky, you look up how many times I’ve brought up BF since the last time your ignorant old ass showed up. He’s played great this season. So has Rodgers. Not sure what there is to argue about, as I’m much more concerned about the latter than the former. Grind your axe till it’s a nub. I don’t even see how it’s relevant until and unless we play the Vikings again.

  • packer_bob

    Congrats to AR, CW and NC for making the Pro Bowl! Just read about that! You could make a case that Mathews and Grant deserved to be there as well, but the voting starts and ends too early and so much has to do on reputation. To wit, Woodson should have made the Pro Bowl the entire time he’s been in Green Bay in my mind.

    But anyway, Congrats and here’s hoping Woodson is defensive MVP!

  • Dan

    GB plays Dallas if (Vikings lose, Dallas wins, and Arizona wins)
    GB plays Vikings if (Vikings lose, Eagles win, and Arizona wins)
    All other scenarios and the Packers play at Arizona in the first round.

  • Dan

    How the heck does Hawk get an All Pro alternate and Barnett doesn’t?

  • packer_bob

    Wondering that myself. Hawk has been making some plays since his non-benching benching, and Barnett has come on late but was pretty much a non-factor first part of the season.

    Only thing I can come up with. Barnett should have made the Pro Bowl in 2007. He did make the PBB. (Packer Bob Bowl.)

  • jonnyfootballhero

    I’m still wondering how Briggs made it at OLB instead of Matthews? However, I don’t really know the stats on Briggs’s season, but I know Matthews played lights out and is in contention for ROY.

  • Pack4life

    The fan voting needs to be eliminated end of story. Brian Orakpo got 3 sacks vs Jamarcus Russell,(he didnt even try to get awa who the Raiders have given up on. If anyone saw that trash…
    Matthews has played well in big games. Orakpo hasnt played in a meaningful game.

  • jonnyfootballhero

    I just saw that Grant and Matthews are probowl alternates. Congratulations guys!

  • AATP

    Iccy, I need my “man card” back… I’m only as emotional as Admin, conflicted and emotional all season long… but I sit down with a cold one and a brat and throw stuff at the TV – I need that “man card” back so I don’t start plucking flowers or something… ;)

  • AATP

    Dan, if the outside chance that the Packers play the Cowboys happens I’ll be at the game… I’ll get to go to Jerry World’s Death Star to watch the Pack whoop up on the Cowboys one more time… Living in Dallas does have it’s perks… I’m really hoping the Pack get to the SB when Dallas hosts it, that would be incredible (yeah, I know, I’m dreaming, but what the hell right?)

  • iccyfan

    AATP – You get to keep your man-card; I made a motion but nobody seconded so you’re safe!

    As for Week #16, I fall into the camp which believes you should play the game all-out to win. I believe I’ve seen the Lombardi quote on this site which says (in basic), “if you execute it right, it doesn’t matter if the other team knows what’s coming”. The Cardinals are a well-coached outfit and they’re gonna know what we do well anyway from the fifteen other games. As for injuries, stuff happens and you just can’t worry about it. I believe the Packers will benefit more by beating the Cardinals in Week 16 than playing it safe for the Playoffs Round 1 – Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead (Tom Petty via David Farragut)…

  • Dan

    AATP, that would be great to see the Packers playing in the SB while Dallas hosts it.

    Already proved we can beat Dallas. Always fun watching Jerry Jones when things go sour for the Cowboys. (Cowgirl cheerleaders provide some nice eye candy).

    Vikings are pulling their late season choke and the Viking media adds more gasoline to the fire every minute.

    Cardinals are an unknown. Their coaching staff showed last year that playoff time, they’ll rewrite their entire playbook. Doubt if we’ll learn anything from this week’s game.

  • Dan

    Since we’re likely playing the Cardinals in the playoffs, I thought I’d see how they stack up in the pro bowl eyes (which we know can be messed up)…

    4 Cardinals named to the pro bowl
    WR Fitzgerald (starter)
    S Adrian Wilson (starter)
    DT Darnell Dockett (starter)
    CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

    Cardinals alternates…
    QB Kurt Warner
    FS Antrel Rolle
    P Ben Graham
    K Neil Rackers
    ST Sean Morey
    RT Levi Brown

    Are the Cardinals that good in the secondary?

  • Bob

    I haven’t seen any post or maybe I missed it about Donald Driver not making the Pro Bowl, this guy comes and plays day in and day out, He’s our most reliable reciever, yes I know there is a lot of talent in the nfc, but the media has made rice of Mn, more than he is, I would’ve taken Driver over Rice!

  • Pete H

    the Cards definately have some players for DBs. I still am more worried about their WRs. Not so much even Fitz, but Boldin and Breaston. Williams is little and Boldin is a TE playing WR. Breaston will be covered by Bush, always scary….and yes I know he a pick last week…that is what Pitt did. Threw it to everyone….same with the Vikes.

  • Pack4life

    Hub Arkush is a bitter Chicogan, He Thought Jay Cutler would lead the Bears to the promised land. Hub must have too much on his plate. The last time a team slowed down the Pack was the cowboys. If the pack has weakness it the dbs in nickel and dime. Hub is a Packer Hater just like Bucky Brooks of NFL.com. That person ranks the Packers 10th in the NFL when no one ranks them below 8.

  • Larry

    Blaming BF for the Chicago loss would be like saying AR lost the burgh game because he missed some throws…fact is AR put the Pack ahead and then never saw the field again. BF played well and AP lost the fumble to take away the chance to win.

    AP is better than RG..BUT both are quality players.

    I thinking we’ll win big against Arizona week 17 but that win will be meaningless because Ariz starters will be long gone. They have nothing to play for, a 38 year old QB needed for the playoff’s, and one wideout injury to being average. If LF or AB get injured we match up really well. That’s why we beat Dallas…the receivers are average (not elite) and Woodson shut down Witten.

    I have SB dreams but I keep waking up to find a young team with a pro-bowl CB on IR and a 503 yard can of whoop-ass fresh in my memory. Hoping I’m wrong and Capers and Rogers can make magic.

  • AATP

    I’m with you Larry, but we have to remember that when the post season starts everything restarts. Kind of like a do-over… I honestly believe we’re a better team now and there is nowhere to go but up… of course the conflict in me (as Iccy pointed out) tells me because the team is so young and most of the players haven’t been in a play-off situation it may change the urgency of winning and understanding that it’s truly a “lose and your out” situation. I’m hoping you and I are both wrong and the Pack goes in with all cylinders popping and we keep our injuries to a minimum. I think if the team stays healthy and the vets push the youngsters we should give ‘em all a run for their money.

  • Pack4life

    The same people predicting the Packs downfall this year gave AZ no shot last year. Now AZ is the best thing since sliced bread… whatever

  • roy jamison

    If you caught the Badgers-Miami game last nite, you saw a punter that should be considered when he’s draft eligible. I don’t remember a Packers punter consistently getting the ball inside the 10 yard line ever. Brad Nortman is only a sophomore but he is damn good!

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Wow, AATP, some analogy. For what its worth I agree totally. I find myself in the same position I was in at the end of the Pre. A 6-1 finish will do that. However, since the 4-4 start after that Pre, I’ve managed to keep both feet on the ground, because I realize our weaknesses going into the Post. I definitely am not on a downer but am trying to hold my exhuberance down with reality. You succeeded in pointing out reasons for both.
    Frankly, considering the highs and lows of the season past, reaching the Post is an already reached success. There is nothing that can elate me beyond where I am, because I’ve been through that before, and by the same token I can’t crash and burn with a first game loss because I’ve been there before too, and like I said this season is already a success in my mind.
    I guess my real excitement is beyond the playoffs. The coming FA market, the draft, the changes, the cuts, and then going into the summer again and a new exciting camp. This whole process just fascinates me every year and I continue to be proud of this team no matter what.

  • Oddball

    I gotta go with you on the whole year-round process thing, LT. I’m jazzed as hell to see what comes of us in the off season.

    As for the playoffs, I figure to just strap myself in and enjoy the ride. No telling where this thing goes.

  • Larry

    Good new year’s resolution…enjoy the ride!

  • AATP

    I’ll ride that train as far as it takes us…

  • packer_bob

    Yeah, LT, I agree that this offseason could be very exciting. If (and this is probably asking for alot) we could have another draft haul like this year’s, or if TT would make a few FA moves, it could surely put us over the top.

    But for now, let’s be excited about the playoffs and hey who knows? Maybe we get hot and make some noise. But even at one and done, I will consider the season largely successful after 6-10 last year and the 4-4 start this year.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    Muse all you want about the playoffs but I’m sticking to what I said at the beginning of the year. 11-5 and in the SB or close to it. I’m not sure how losing 20% of the defensive starters to IR (and probowl players at that) will affect things, but the D returned to it’s preseason self when Matthews entered the lineup. Then again, I picked 11-5 last year too but losing about 40% their starters on D was too much. One thing I’ll say for the D is, that on alot of plays they were in position but just didn’t make the plays. They need to take the last step this year and start making the plays they need to make, consistantly. Offense showed in the Pitt game that they can score plenty of points. They need to make a goal to put up 35 every week from here on out. Lastly on this, the Pack were in every game. They’re better than most people think, they just need to clean up a couple more things yet and I look for good things ahead.

    Loved the pregame show last week……….. Long, Bradshaw, Strahan, JB and Jimmy had a few choice words for Butt Favre. He and Longwell can go f*ck themselves. There’s 27 other teams they could have went to and I’d have been happy for them. As for me, I’m getting some “itus” myself………… sueprbowlitus!!!!!!!!!!! Go Pack!!!

  • packer_bob

    Hope you’re right DA. In a sense you are already, in that if the last few years have showed us anything it’s that a team that gets hot can run the table, so in that sense we certainly CAN get to the SB or close to it. I don’t think we’re there yet, but here’s hoping you’re more on the mark than I am! Regardless, I think this second half of the season has shown we have the nucleus in place to build around to get there, if not this year than perhaps the next. I doubt many of us would have thought we would even be having this discussion if told ahead of time that we would playing this many games without Kampman or Harris, so that certainly bodes well for the future.

    I’m off work for the next couple of days, so if I don’t turn up here, I’d like to say Happy New Year to Al and all the Packernet regulars! I enjoy the discussion here, even if all of us don’t always see eye to eye—-and how flipping boring would that be anyway! Pop the champagne and sing Auld Lang Syne, and we’ll see you all next year and get ready for hopefully whipping the Cardinals like we did in pre! Cheers all!

  • AATP

    Cheers to you as well p_b…

    On another note, did anyone else read the article regarding Fitzgerald and Jennings? What a great article – a couple of competitive guys that get after it day after day and yet show a lot of respect for each other – even in the eye of having to play each other. I’ve read a few things about Fitzgerald over the years and they say he’s one stand up guy. Don’t you wish every player out there gave the same respect to other players? What great sportsmanship. Just goes to show that we have one hell of a guy in Jennings as well… Too bad though, AZ is going to get another one of those preseason spankings so too bad to Fitzgerald, but thanks to both Fitz and Jennings for showing there is still some great players with great attitudes playing this game…

    Before anyone starts jumping up and down about other players, I know there are a lot of really good guys in the league like Woodson, Rodgers, etc., etc. but you don’t seen articles like that too often and I believe it was Fitzgerald that made that amazing catch to knock the Vikings out of the Playoffs that one year and get us in… :) Anyway, it was a great article – I will be much like p_b over the next few days over celebrating I’m sure so I wanted to wish everyone a safe New Year’s Eve… ttyl…

  • PackerPete

    Not so fast my friend…

    That was Nate Poole with the catch to knock the queens off the throne…

  • iccyfan

    Wasn’t Nate Poole awarded some honor by the citizens of Green Bay for his service? I can’t remember specifics, but it seems like they made him Grand Marshall of a parade / city celebration or something. Nate Poole – I wouldn’t have come up with that name in a million years…. :)

    Happy New Year’s! Celebrate safely and root for my beloved Iowa State Cyclones to defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers in tonight’s Insight Bowl! “cy fan” = Cyclone Fan and “ic” = Iowa City, home to the hated University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Not that it matters on a Packer fan site, but I felt the need to explain as LT suggested it’s for icy (as in cold-hearted) and paul thinks it’s icky (as in yuck)! I shoulda called paul to see if he wanted to go to the game…

  • AATP

    I used the word “believe” as I couldn’t remember and am too lazy to go back and look it up.. ;)

  • AATP

    Your right, it was Nate Poole, wonder why I thought it was Fitz? Hmmm… oh well, either way AZ isn’t going to win in my opinion this weekend… I honestly believe we have some additional wrinkles for the play-offs and they won’t be ready for us either time… just my opinion, of course…

  • AATP

    Well I’ll be damned Iccy – I guess that clears that little enigma up… I’m an SEC fan myself – Bama and once again I’m hoping for a win against a Texas team even though I live in Texas and there’s a damn good chance my kiddos will be going to school either at UT or Texas A&M – I’m really conflicted… maybe I should give up my “man card”… LMAO… have a great New Year Iccy as well as the rest of you rapscallions…

  • iccyfan

    I don’t hate ‘Bama – how could I after they sent us Bart Starr and Scott Hunter!?! Even so, I like Texas more and pull for all Big XII teams (with the exception of Mizzou). While the Big XII South is loaded, I will readily admit the SEC is the premier college football conference in the land – unless it’s the Mountain West!!! Go TCU – why don’t you send your kids to be Horned Frogs?

  • Steve Cheez

    Nate Poole is right up there in my mind with Yancey Thigpen.

  • Larry

    Let’s not forget some other gift givers…Jerry Glandville for #4, Mike Holmgren or TT (at Seattle) for Ahman Green, and Tom Coughlin for Ryan Grant (what choice did he have with that backfield).

    Trash to treasures type of stuff! Peace to All!!!

  • roy jamison

    I’m thinking Iowa State will win that game. However, here’s hoping Big Ten can win the majority of it’s bowl matchups including Ohio State in grandpappy game. Thanks to all of you great packernet guys for your contributions to this blog. Here’s hoping that 2010 just might bring us a place in the SB!

  • AATP

    It’s 2010 and all is well… Here’s hopes for a great finish to the regular season and a hard push into the play-offs… Yup, it’s been a great night… drunk with no driving, nothing better… GO PACK and Sunday will be a great game… see you all in 2010 enjoying chili or brats over an open fire while watching the Pack run rapid through the playoffs…

  • Dan

    Hoping the team can stay hot and make a deep run to the playoffs.

    I’d rather think about the current season than what will happen in the offseason.

    After watching Jerry Jones talk about how the salary cap has ruined football, I hate to think what is likely to happen in the next year or two.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Interesting that Seifert’s post included a comment that MIN paid an additional 12M this year for one more win. I would think a little short sighted until the playoffs are done. If it makes them a winner this year its probably worth it, but as always I’m thinking ahead.
    On that score our mgmt, and the smaller markets like us, cannot ever agree to an uncapped league. The original argument, along with revenue sharing, still holds; our revenue stream could never compete. Nor could PIT, BUF, MIN, or teams like DET who, in bad times cannot fill the stadium. By the same token, its my opinion that 32 teams are diluting the talent pool so that not all teams have a viable product either.
    I’m thinking that they better leave things as they are even though the draft does (or can) make winners out of losers pretty quickly. And then they fade just as quick.
    At any rate, it sure makes it interesting.

  • Rocky70

    The NFL is definitely headed into an offseason of flux ………… Many issues need to be settled even beyond the CBA ……….. 2010 & 2011 could see instability that the NFL hasn’t seen for decades ……….. If the powers don’t make decisions with their eye on the long-term, an even playing field for all teams may be gone forever. …… I’d hate to see the NFL fall into the same quagmire MLB has been in for years……..

    IMO, a big part of the eventual solution will be an 18 game regular season, expanded playoffs from 6 teams in each conference to 8 teams and an expanded roster from 53 to somewhere around 60 players ………. More than one franchise may have to relocate to gain some kind of financial stability or there is even a chance that 1 or two may have to go belly-up ……………… Regardless, the NFL in 2020 will not be the same animal it is today.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Damn Rocky, you’re right of course, but you’re veering into one of my fears. They will protect the small markets, but expansion just further weakens the talent pool. Only 3/4 to 1/2 of the teams are legit now, IMO, even considering the “any Sunday” rule. I can’t even bring myself to watch a MLB game any more.

  • Rocky70

    Unfortunately, everything will come down to money & greed as usual, thus the expanding number of games & rosters ………… There’s no doubt that the talent pool is already weak & will only get weaker in the coming years ………. One just has to watch the College Bowl games & see that colleges can’t really be the ‘farm system’ that they were 20-30 years ago ………. There’s talent – just not enough to support the NFL anymore ……………

    Avoiding an obvious decline in talent in the NFL thus creating a less than desirable ‘product’ is nearly impossible for the NFL …………… MLB went to Japan & South to find more talent ……………… The NBA went to Europe & China …………. The NFL has nowhere to go to bolster the talent pool ………. The rest of the world is just not into American football …………… ‘Soccer’ (most useless sport on the planet) is still the NFL’s biggest nemesis………….

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Kinda brings back memories. Remember when Stenerude came over from the Chiefs; what a trend he and Gogolac (sp?) started? Maybe we could bring some Aussies in to help, I hear they have a pretty mean form of football.

  • Sammy

    Does anyone know where the Packers stay here in Phoenix when they play the Cards?

  • AATP

    You gonna catch “both” games Sammy? That would be awesome… I’m personally hoping for the Packers vs. Cowboys scenario here in Dallas but it appears the chance of that is highly unlikely based on the odds makers so I have to covet others that will have the chance to see them play in their own back yard…

  • Larry

    Anybody looking for a good sports book check out “Dan Rooney-my 75 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL” very inciteful about the founding of the league with stories about the different commissioners and thought process of owners. I mention this because after reading it I’m confident that “small market” teams will be looked after.

    Obviously lots of Steeler stuff with a little Lombardi in as well. Worth the $15. Not sure I agree with this dilution of the talent pool stuff…A bad team is bad because they picked the wrong talent not because talent was lacking (or injuries). Heyward-Bey and Crabtree my case in point, or Ryan Grant for a late round draft pick. Talent is there…if you can evaluate it..

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Obviously a very debateable subject, Larry. But starting with the QB, I don’t think there are more than 15-20 good ones. Certainly not like back in the 60s and 70s when everybody had one. I think I’d better drop it, cause we could really get into a heated one.

  • PackerPete

    Talent…

    You dont need the best QB of the age to win in the NFL. Look at the QB’s who have forged winning seasons and records and then look at the context of thier contemporaries.

    Scheme, complementary players, fit, coaching, motivation, all can be levelers of the talent field.

    Maybe there isnt enough intellectual talent in the NFL to properly use all of the physical talent that exists…

    There is a point to ponder…

  • Larry

    Like the thought PackerPete…Rburgers first SB was won inspite of him not because of him. Trent Dilfer cannot be considered an elite QB.

    LarryTex…after the playoffs we should debate this. Go Pack!

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