Wow, what an amazing few days. One thing is sure, my readers share the same passion for the Green Bay Packers, whether or not they can take a little criticism is irrelevant. The Green Bay Packers are and always will be my team, but I fortunately am able to see the good and bad of my team. I don’t just say they are great because I like them them. Granted I’m not a coach or a scout, but because I am a fan and a shareholder in this case, I can speak the good with the bad, as I see it. If you don’t like it, find another Packers’ site to visit. I could care less. I’m not in this for the money. If I was, Packernet would be plastered with ads like the other fan sites. It is a labor of love for me, but I have to call it as I see it, I may be right, I may be wrong.
The bottom line is while this is the second worst loss in my Packers’ history, behind only the Super Bowl loss to Denver, and just slightly above the 4th and 26 game in Philly, the time has come to move on. And in moving on I will not back off my stance that I hope Brett Favre retires. Nobody can ever overstate what No. 4 has done for the Packers, the city of Green Bay and NFL, but for the first time in his career he might not be the best option at quarterback for the Green & Gold. I know Aaron Rodgers hasn’t done a thing yet other than his strong performance at Dallas this year, but I doubt he throws the ball up for grabs in the playoffs like Favre has and still does. Favre is the Marty Shottenheimer of quarterbacks, wins big during the regular season but sucks in the playoffs. If anybody has a stat that can argue that I’m open for debate. I just think the Packers can achieve the same goals next year with Rodgers at QB that they can with Favre, and that is a reflection of how good the Packers are, not how bad. If you are building for the future, than it is time to build with a young quarterback as well.
Brett is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, no question about it, he holds all the records. One guy who doesn’t hold all the records in Joe Montana, but he has four Super Bowl Rings. Winning in the playoffs is the most important thing. Trent Dilfer, Jim McMahon, Jeff Hostetler, they all have the same number of Super Bowl wins that Brett Favre has. For cripes sakes, Terry Bradshaw has four Super Bowl rings and he couldn’t spell cat if you spotted him the “C” and the “T”. He knew enough not the throw the game away though. I love Brett to death and drive by his house every single day thinking about him and how much I love him, but in the big picture it is time for the Packers to go with Rodgers. A-Rodg is ready to play and another year on the bench will only hurt him and the Packers long term future.
That is all I’m going to say about that. Looking ahead to 2008 offensively, I think the one position the Packers need to improve on is the offensive line. The Packers have not recovered from the loss of Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera three years ago and when you think about it had the Packers been able to run the ball against the Giants they wouldn’t have to had to rely on Favre to win it on his own. I think the Packers and head coach Mike McCarthy need to address this position and especially the zone blocking scheme that so far in McCarthy’s tenure has not developed into the force he said it would. In fact, for the most part, the Packers running game sucks. Ryan Grant could still be another Samkon Gado, mark my words.
I don’t know what free agents will be available in that position, but I think that is the key area that needs to be upgraded via free agency or trade. To think the Packers can draft somebody who can step right in and upgrade the line is unrealistic considering the Packers draft position. One thing former general manager Ron Wolf was good at was finding o-lineman, so far his protege Ted Thompson has struggled with that task. Wolf always said without five quality guys, you can’t play.
I’m only talking offense today with a look toward the 2008 season. I will have my defensive take forthcoming. In the NFL if you are not getting better you are getting worse. Actually that statement is true in all aspects of life.
Hate me if you like, but I am what I am and that is all that I am.
Go Pack!