Assessing the Coaches Performance

Ordinarily this is the time we pass out game balls. But this week we take a closer look at the hard fought game in Atlanta where the Packers fell short. We were pleased with our own pre game assessment and had everything pretty well covered – except the winner. Give one to Matty Ice and Co.

There were a few things that can be gleaned from the Packers performance against what is now the front runner in the NFC Atlanta. The first and most obvious is – the Falcons are a damn good football team.

So is Green Bay.

The Falcons have a great young QB.

So does Green Bay.

The Falcons have a tough, bend but don’t break, opportunistic defense.

So does Green Bay.

The Falcons have a great, well balanced offense with a potent running attack.

And Green Bay has a great young QB.

The Falcons have an excellent head coach.

Okay, let’s stop the comparisons.

There is much to be said on the positive side for the Pack. Aaron Rodgers uncharacteristically coughed up the ball on the 1, and Hot-lanta countered with a clock killing 80 yd. drive to punch it in for 7. That’s a 14 point swing right there, and if GB could have somehow picked up the red zone YD our pre game prediction of GB 24 - Atl 20 is dead on accurate.

Actually we feel vindicated with our prediction. This is a game that could have gone either way. For Green Bay that sentence comes with the disclaimer of ‘again’ as it is the 4^th loss of 4 losses by exactly 3 points – 1 scant field goal.

With the Bears playing much better than expected it can no longer be expected for them to eventually fall flat on their faces. They put an ass whoopin’ on the Iggles in Philly no less, so it is now up to GB and its coaching staff to pull this season out of the fire.



Atlanta RB Michael "Burner" Turner

The Packs woes at RB are starting to show. Atlanta’s Michael Turner just chewed up both yards and the clock with his bull rushes. Only a few short years ago Turner was the Free Agent that could  have been. It seems the tougher the D the less effective Brandon Jackson is as a lead back. Dmitri Nance was a non factor and also sustained a concussion keeping him out of next week’s SF game.

Also nicked up were Greg Jennings (foot) and Brandon Chillar (shoulder).

Every game becomes key now as GB has less margin for error with every passing week. The burning question being asked is HC Mike McCarthy able to lead this battered bunch to the Promised Land? Mike Smith in Atlanta is poised to do that. He looks cool under fire and uses all his weapons effectively. Now McCarthy has almost no room to withstand another loss and must lead and inspire his team.

We have doubts and reservations in this department.

MM has proven to be a great organizer and teacher. His teams come prepared and are literally in every game. He has put together a winner with so many key players on IR that cannot be ignored. He deserves credit and praise for these accomplishments.

But no longer can that nullify his glaring weaknesses – his mid game adjustments and ability to adapt to changing game situations. We are going to place what we perceive to be MM’s weaknesses under the microscope.

If there is a worse HC at using (or NOT using) the red challenge flag, please step forward. I’m sorry Coach Childress, your 15 minutes are already up. You can join Mr. Phillips at the bar.

Bueller?

Bueller???

Anyone???

Bueller????

MM has perfected the art of how to not use a challenge or to challenge at the wrong time.

MM had a perfect opportunity to change the course of this game. On a short 4^th down play just before the half Matt Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez with a pass for a first down, a pass Gonzo was shown to have juggled and hit the ground prior to him wrapping it up. The play clock was still above the 2 minute mark so a booth review is out.

The Falcons resembled a Chinese Fire Drill trying to get the next play off before it could be reviewed. And they did. And the red flag stayed tucked in MM’s pocket.

Now, we’re never going to claim to be NFL Head Coach material. But when the other team is trying like hell to get there before you can challenge that is a teeny, tiny little indicator that they know something you don’t.

MM’s biggest gaffe is not knowing the situation – a 3 – 3 score, just over 2 minutes left, Atlanta driving and GB has all 3 timeouts and both challenges. He has several options here 1) Throw the red flag. If you are wrong, you lose a timeout. At the very least even if you are wrong you get time to set your defense again. 2) Call time out. Let your review coaches decide whether or not to challenge. This is the least sensible option in that if timeout is called and then challenged and the challenge is won, you’ve lost a valuable timeout for a last minute drive. If the challenge is lost, you’ve wasted 2 timeouts and a challenge, so option 1 – throw the flag – is most viable. Option 3 – look lost, confused, and unsure. And don’t throw the flag. That’s our boy MM on this play.

Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy pondering whether to use his red flag challenge or save it for Bonus Points at the loacl Piggly Wiggly

Even if he’s wrong it gives Dom Capers a chance to re set his D for the next attack. Yes ~ it gives time to the Falcs but something can be said about killing momentum.

It is so easy to sit back and second guess a coach. In the heat of the moment there are just seconds to make this decision and MM has proven to be less than prepared for this scenario over the years. And let’s not be too quick to dump this on the review coach either – sometimes it is the Head Coach that has to step up and take the shot. That’s why he gets the big money.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy showing he does, in fact, know how to throw a red flag. The question remains - does he know when?

McCarthy gets very low marks – outside of the Minnesota game where he effectively challenged twice (TWICE???) and won – for his use or lack thereof of his challenges.

As it was, he trotted into the dressing room at halftime with both challenges and all 3 of his timeouts in his back pocket. Good place for them. Maybe he is under the notion that he can bank his TO’s or challenges. But having all of them when they could have and probably SHOULD have been used is like dying with an extra $10 million in your pocket. What good is it going to do you now?

His deployment of a running game. Half of GB’s offense is set for play action, and when a running game has no presence that part of the playbook gets flushed. When your franchise QB is your leading rusher you have issues – serious running issues. We have to ask – what happened to John Kuhn? Umm, coach, you have 3 FB-s on your roster. Why run ARod there? Again, it’s a second guess BUT…

If Bjax is not getting it done, nor is Nance, and you are facing a short goal line stand what about a play that looks something like this – a full house backfield, Kuhn in the tailback position with FB Korey Hall and FB  Quinn Johnson on each side. Johnson is an earth mover. Hall is no slouch. Kuhn has shown to be an effective short yard back. Straight ahead? A pitch? A toss? A counter? A trap? Play action? Isn’t your team built for this situation? Kuhn generally does not get knocked backwards and is a bull who can carry the rock.

MM’s response: “(John) Kuhn is too valuable a part of our Special Teams to be used in so many short yard situations”.

Oh.

Are these the same Special teams that gave a up a 15 yard face mask penalty that gave Matty Ice enough room to put the dagger in with a minute left to play?

Jordy Nelson grabs a TD from Aaron Rodgers

And lastly, his inability to adjust in mid game at halftime. Yes – the Pack came out winging in the second half and ARod was money on a tracer dart to Jordy Nelson. But by this time the running game was all but abandoned, making defending GB a tad easier. Now, GB can play with anybody with its passing game.

                                                 

But until a running game can be found, built, or developed the Pack will not be able to beat the elite teams. Oh, they’ll hang with them and keep it close, but a running game has to be priority 1 for the after season playoff party.

Make no mistake about it. This is a damn good football team in GB. They could play Atlanta 100 times and the tally would be like 51-49 and either team can win.

But the need for a stronger leader is pressing. MM has to take the next step. He cannot be considered an elite coach by any stretch of the imagination. He is good, and fundamentally solid. Damnation with faint praise.

Now is when Mike McCarthy must prove his mettle if the Pack has any hope at scaling the mountain.

The Game of the Year (so far)

The best delights in life are the ones that come unexpectedly. Without fanfare when they arrive they are seldom noticed and not appreciated until long after the event. You know how to prepare for Christmas, for example, but how does one adjust to say, a winning lottery ticket?

Time, and perspective, put it all into context.

One such moment is now at hand.

The leaders of the NFC meet the Pack this week in Atlanta, where the red hot Falcons and Green Bay square off. There’s not much at stake here; first place overall in the NFC, a virtual lock for a playoff spot, and maybe even home field advantage. Just another midseason game of little importance.

So let’s clear the crap off the table and get right down to it.

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan

Hot-lanta is playing just like that – hot. They have a well balanced, high flying offense led by QB Matt Ryan (photo left)and studs in all the key positions. RB Michael “Burner” Turner, WR Roddy White and All Galaxy TE Tony Gonzales are all having great years and have vaulted the Falcons to the top of the NFC.

Here’s a scary thought – the Falcons do not lose at home nor do they beat themselves. They are a possession first type of offense and can grind out a game with the best of them. This is the type of team that can have the Packers number.

On the other hand Green Bay is sporting a nice little winning streak of their own. In the past 3 games the Packer D has allowed the tidy total of 10 points. 10. T – E – N. Rest assured the Falcon brass knows this as well.

And toss in the fact that the Packers are now aka the Coach Killers, having been responsible for Wade Phillips and  Brad Childress being pink slipped less than 24 hours after the Packers annihilated them both (Oh, and we have to applaud ourselves for calling both of these long in advance of the occurance. We are nothing if not prescient, humble and self congratulatory) and all the components are there for what is easily the game of the week, maybe even of the entire NFC season. With all due respect to Chicago Philly, where the Bears keep getting it done with an outstanding D but a very shaky offense and the Eagles are now flying high with Michael Vick at the helm both teams have far more areas of concern than either GB or the Falcs.

The intriguing areas here are the combined inconsistencies of GB’s Offense and Atlanta’s Defense. The Packers have sputtered at times but have begun to show life in the most recent blowouts. While a compelling argument can be made that both the Cowboys and Vikings are not very good, there is something to said about playing above and beyond expectation regardless. Muhammad Ali had memorable fights against Joe Frazier, but he also retained his title against the likes of Jerry Quarry and Chuck Wepner, the tomato cans who added another W in his W/ L column.

Atlanta HC Mike Smith

Has the Pack turned the corner offensively? This is as good a time as any to find out. HC Mike Smith (photo right) will NOT get the axe after this game for any reason. He has literally turned this franchise around in the wake of the Michael Vick debacle and is well respected by his players and his peers. The Falcons have a great record at 8 – 2 but there is concern in Atlanta over its D and how many points they give up. Atlanta has won but struggled against teams like the Bengals, Rams, 49ers and Browns. They keep hanging up wins but it is fair to say that they haven't exactly blown away the weak competition. The Falcon D has given up some yards, sometimes alot of yards and DL John Abraham has been nicked up and is hoped to be back for this game. There are some nervous nellies in Dixie if Abe can't go. Outside of MLB Curtis Lofton the D may be susceptible to a team that can throw it all over the lot, a team like, say… the Green Bay Packers.

RB Dimitri Nance

The Falcs concern is primarily in its secondary where the corners rely way too much on their safeties for over the top help. S William Moore leads w 4 INTS while CB Brent Grimes has 3… but zero from high priced FA pickup Dunta Robinson. A team that can stretch the field and spread its receivers has a decent shot at bringing down the Falcons. And the Pack can spread the field with the best of them.

 Dimitri Nance (photo left) looked solid in his first game last week. In the sub ploty Nance was a pick up from Atlanta's pratice squad when RB Ryan Grant went down for the year. He has been handled well and not been pressed into service immediately. Credit MM for not rushing the kid in. Maybe it pays long term dividends. Look for James Starks (photo right) in the not too distant future to get some touches.  Word has it Starks is healthy and looks very good... but looking good in practice and on the field is a different matter.

RB James Starks

But it won’t be the offense that wins this. This is a game where the best D will take it. Right now the Packers defense is exactly this – the best defense in the NFL and playing red hot.

DC Dom Capers

So, does that make the Packers the best defense in the NFL? It’s a great argument. But one inalienable fact is they are the HOTTEST D in the NFL at this moment. Until they are cooled, enjoy the ride. Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers (photo left) has done such a spectacular job given all the injuries and TT deserves as many slaps on the back as can be mustered for putting guys on the field to keep this D going. The Packers LBs just might be inching towards elite status, and if Hawk and CM3 can keep up the pace this game will be a classic. When the schedule was put together this game did not show up as a blip on anyone’s radar.

But it has become a possible NFC title game preview and deservedly so.

This Sunday the air will be filled with footballs from both sides. In a horse race, when the field is split among the favorites, you bet the long shot. Look for the unsung, unexpected hero to step up. The guy that is there but not necessarily the star of the team is the guy to turn this game around. Both ARod and Matty Ice have good days but it will be a Jordy Nelson or Nance or defensive play to turn this one around.

This game comes down to Green Bay’s Offense vs. Atlanta’s Defense, and Atlanta’s O vs. Green Bay’s D. It is said that Defense Wins Championships. Advantage – Green Bay, the Immovable Force.

And Atlanta counters with they do not lose at home. Advantage, Atlanta, the Irresistible Object.

Both teams make statements in this game as well, serving notice to the rest of the NFC.

And the call here is (in a great back and forth game)

  GREEN BAY 24

Atlanta 20 

  

   

Just Clay being Clay…

If this isn’t the quote of the year, nothing is. When asked how the Packers would deal with the Falcons' unbelievable quarterback, running back, tight end and receiver, defensive player of the year favorite Clay Matthews told  Sirius NFL Radio, “With our unbelievable line, linebackers, secondary and coaching.”

And this guy is on OUR team!!!

2010 Defensive Player of the Year ~

CLAY MATTHEWS III of the GREEN BAY PACKERS!!

Game Balls and the Game vs. Minnesota

Sports have played an integral role in most of our lives. For myself certain events and times are benchmarked against Super Bowls, World Series, Stanley Cups, NCAA Finals, Kentucky Derby’s and so on. I can recall with absolute clarity exactly where I was when Green Bay played in the first Super Bowl, or what I was doing when the Mets won the ’69 World Series. There are some things that are forever linked by circumstance.

A memorable time in my own life occurred in the fall of ’73, and it is marked by the Mets’ appearance in the series against the A’s that year. What jumps out now as it did then was seeing a 42 year old Willie Mays trying to compete in a young man’s game and no longer having the “Say Hey!” youth about him. His legs were no longer spry, he was no longer a threat at the plate and his defense was suspect at best. Willie was brought on as a semi gimmick but he was hanging in there for one more shot at a Series ring.

It goes without saying Willie did not only not get his ring he left the game with less dignity than he played it for so many years. It was a sad sight and it, like the night when Gretzky broke the record for scoring or Secretariat won the Belmont by a staggering 37 lengths, has become the benchmark for a moment indelibly frozen in time.

We have another such moment at hand and history will be made. Watching the Packers dismantle and methodically destroy Minnesota it has become painfully obvious that Brett Favre has started his last game. Brett is suffering from Steve Carlton/ Muhammad Ali disease by hanging on just a little too long. The magic is gone and the fire is out. At 41, it is not coming back for him either.

This week’s game vs. the Vikes will be that benchmark for Packer fans… it will be the last game in Brett’s streak of games started. Turnovers, poor decisions and restricted mobility are evident in every game and the cannon that once roared from his right arm is not enough to compete in today’s NFL.

This mess of a game should also cost Brad Childress his job as he has clearly lost this team. When coaches are arguing with players and players are seen openly criticizing each other all is lost and no one is in charge. Darrelle Bevelle has the same chance of stepping up as Favre does of playing in another Super Bowl. Perceived as a ‘buddy’ of Brett’s, Bevelle will rightfully be passed over in lieu of Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier who has a mountain to scale. In any event, look for a few things out of Minnesota this week – a new coach and a new starting quarterback.

The streak, and Minnesota’s season, is over.

On to the Game Balls as the Pack is now looking like a real force.

AARON RODGERS – That’s more like it as Rodgers has found his mojo, and Greg Jennings again, neither independent of the other. Look for more games out of Arod like this along the way.

GREG JENNINGS – Jennings stepped up large and man, what a game! A fantasy league superstat sheet – 7 catches, 150+ yds., 3 TD’s. Nice.

THE INTERIOR OLINE – Wells, Sitton and Colledge all played stout and neutralized the Williams Wall. But some stern looks at T’s Chad Clifton and Bryan Bulaga as they have played better games. Bulaga in particular looked very rookie-ish get shoved onto his backside giving up a sack. Ug-ly.

A J HAWK – He has been a stud almost all year and has finally found the right position and is playing like a #5 pick. While CM3 gets the headlines Hawk has been the best run stuffer along with BJ Raji all year.

TRAMON WILLIAMS – He is a #@2 CB only because Sir Chas owns the #1 spot. This kid is a budding superstar and will want the Revis Island dollars that come with the territory. Memo to TT: Pay the kid whatever he wants, and for a lot of years.

DC DOM CAPERS – In the past 3 games the GB defense has given up a total of 10 points, and average of 3.3. It simply does not get any better than that. And with the upcoming schedule all of a sudden opposing teams have something to fear and rightfully so.

Any win is a joy, but to run the table on Minny and ending favres quest for a ring has a kind of fiendish delight about it. And every day it is so obvious that the Packers made the right choice in going with Rodgers. As much as Brett played to stick it to the pack it is a mixed feeling seeing the end come. It was probably pre-ordained and maybe just a bit of karma.

But, damn!!! This game feels good to a Pack Rat.

Green Bay/ Minnesota: Favre Bowl IV

Coming off a much needed bye week the Green Bay Packers resume by travelling to Minnehaha to take on the once mighty Vikings who have fallen on hard times of late. This is an absolute and unmitigated “Must-Win” situation for the Vikings. There is no other way to look at this game. It’s fairly simple – lose and your season is over, out and down the dumper. The Vikes have given away and thrown away more games than the ’19 Black Sox.

We called this a few weeks back – the only other team in the NFL more dysfunctional and in further disarray than the Vikky’s are the Cowboys who have since gassed Wade “WTF???” Phillips. After GB dropped 45 on the ‘Pokes Philly got the axe. Brad Childress is now taken Bum’s boy’s spot on the hot seat and his arse has to be hotter than the center of the sun about now. And Chilly has no one to blame but himself.

The Vikings are a mess and their collectively disappointing year is attributable more to their defense than the lackluster performance of their QB. The once feared Williams Wall and front 4 pass rush is all but nonexistent now. The Vikes DB’s are incredibly susceptible to the long ball and outside of EJ Henderson their LB’s have failed mightily.

In fact, if it weren’t for Brett Favre’s heroics and penchant for last minute miracles the Vikings would be shuffling the deck for early round draft positioning. Even after coming back huge in the last 4 minutes against the Cards, last week the Bears ate up the Vikings and their OLine. There aren’t enough plugs in the world to fix what ails the Vikes right now, and their O Line is among the league’s worst. With Favre running for his life on almost every down on a bum ankle that can’t be a healthy recipe. The Bears exposed all that is wrong in Minnesota right now.

Favre has not exactly played up to the level he did last year and to do so was to expect the near impossible as he had the best season of his stellar career. He is back to slinging without concern for consequence which is always a bad sign. Favre has also been the type of player who has played better when motivated, and to be blunt last year he was motivated by his voracious desire to stick it to TT and show the Pack what a mistake they made letting him go.

But that fire has cooled considerably and Brett now looks more like he is questioning his decision to be roped off his tractor. He looks and has looked at times tired, disinterested, (and hate to say it BUT) old and beat up. This is not how we want to remember Brett Favre.

Even bruising running back Adrian Peterson is not enough to overcome the Vikings many flaws. Childress has lost this team and probably did so the nanosecond he personally jumped in the car to pick up Favre at the airport last year. While last year’s ride was a blast, it has been a very short honeymoon and Favre and Chilly now take turns take veiled potshots at each other in post game press conferences.

To wit (after the Pats dismantled the Vikes):

Childress (on Favre’s interceptions) – “We’ve got to do a better job of protecting the ball. We can’t afford to give it away like that.”

Favre (after the Cards win but before the Bears loss) – “It doesn’t matter who the coach is, whether it’s Brad our someone else, we all gotta play for ourselves.”

Brutus, meet Cassius.

The entire sad saga of the Randy Moss debacle has left owner Zygi Wulf with a monstrous mess on his hands at the end of the year. Favre is once again trying to be a player coach and Chilly is trying to grab back power he gave away. Who hasn’t seen this drama before or not know how it’s going to end?

To be fair to the Vikings they have been without Sidney Rice all year and that put a serious hole in Minny’s air game. Percy Harvin has been alternately spectacular and merely an observer. Renting Moss for a 3^rd rounder makes it look as if the league should look into Belichek and see what the hell he slipped someone to pull this one off. Peterson has no clear backup as rookie Toby Gerhart has not been much more than another back. TE Visanthe Shiancoe is not the presence he was last year and Favre cannot take much more punishment this year.

He’ll have no such luck against a suddenly rejuvenated Green Bay team. Clay Matthews is going to make a long day for the Minny OLine and Favre. The defense will not give much room for Favre’s receivers and may just have some fun at it.

Aaron Rodgers and his receivers have had a few more days to work on the one element missing all year – their collective timing. And it goes without saying that there has been much needed time to let some injuries heal, specifically Donald Drivers ailing quad. Look for Rodgers to have a big day at the Vike’s DB’s expense. Jared Allen will be a nonfactor as Clifton held him up very well in their last meeting.

The TE’s get a boost with the return of Spencer Havner, and don’t be shocked if Havner doesn’t become one of ARod’s favorite short yard/ end zone targets again.

Even in the House of Horrors that has haunted the Packers over the years look for the Packers to make a statement game (again) and eliminate Minnesota, get Childress and end of year pink slip and send Brett back to the tractor for good.

Green Bay gets the nod and Minny gets a higher draft slot.

GREEN BAY   31

Minnesota     17

The Mid Season (+ 1) Report Card

The Mid Season (+ 1) Report Card 

---

With the Green Bay Packers heading into a bye week, now is as good a time as any to stop and take stock of the season thus far. Ordinarily we’d be handing out game balls but the ass whoopin put onto the Cowboys makes it a moot point. We’re going to give everyone from TT on down a game ball as this was finally the team we all thought they would be.

So let’s evaluate where we are and those that got the Pack there. We’ll pass out the grades as well as whether or not they are on the upswing or decline or staying the same. We start at the top ~

GM TED THOMPSON
GRADE - A –  ↑
As much as TT’s reluctance to jump into free agency waters or the trade pool can be fan frustrating there is something to be said about how well TT has done with his “Huh? Who he?” pickups this year. This year Ted has literally squeezed lemonade out of lemons. DL Howard Greene from the Jets paid immediate dividends and may well be a long term keeper, while LB’s Wilhelm (49ers), Briggs and Walden have all contributed to the ST and played well. Frank Zombo is a starter and when Morgan Burnett went down TT reupped Anthony Smith. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he never shoulda let him go in the first place...

The decision to let Al Harris go was done in a much classier way than with one B Favre and HAD to be made. At 35, coming off a horrendous knee injury and in the final year of his contract and with this years group actually playing as well as they are there are too many reasons for making this move.

 Give Thompson massive credit for not pushing the panic button and trading out of desperation for Marshawn Lynch, who did little in Buffalo and now even less in Seattle and he still keeps his draft pick. We on the outside have no idea as to what the power brokers are thinking but it looks as if Lynch is NOT an answer but certainly looking more and more like he's headed for "First Round Draft Bust" status. TT seems to have stocked the shelves deep enough to give Head Coach Mike McCarthy something to work with. Now if rookie RB James Starks works out to be anything close to Sam Shields (UDFA CB) then TTs grade slides right up to A+++.

DISAPPOINTMENT – Not grabbing a RB when Grant went down.

PLEASANT SURPRISE – How well the vast number of UDFA’s have worked out and contributed. For all the ballyhoo about TT NOT venturing into FA the fact is he has filled this roster with guys you never heard of and kept them winning. Kudos, Teddie.


Head Coach Mike McCarthy      ↔↑ / Coaching Staff  ↑
GRADE – A - (reluctantly for MM) A Overall for the STAFF

Patience, patience, patience. That is the big message being sent by MM this year. Hopefully it is by design, and at 6-3 we'll extend the benefit of the doubt as GB keeps on being competeive. MM earns a solid A- for his efforts so far. The ultimate barometer for any coach is the W/L record so by any yardstick MM has done his job.  He has tremendous organizational skills, has his team ready to play every week, a winning record, 1^st Place in the NFCN and looking like a solid playoff contender. Also GB is the ONLY team in the NFL that could have realistically been 9 -0 at this point. GB’s losses have been by a combined total of 9 points – 1 FG/ game away. If K Mason Crosby has his kick another 4 inches to the left vs. Wash we are looking even better with a record. So why the reluctance? For all MM’s upside he is still left wanting in the game day management issues that arise. Of the 3 losses it must be said these were all very winnable games, games the Pack should have won. MM still scripts great opening plays but seems to get befuddled at halftime adjustments. At times he becomes oh so predictable in play calling. This is where a head coach can steal a game or two, something not exactly in MM’s resume as he has yet shown the ability to do that.

MM also deserves ultra high praise for showing patience and faith in Tim Masthay (P), his RB’s (although he doesn’t always utilize them to GBs advantage) Sam Shields and a host of others who have produced. He let Masthay work through his shanks and did the same with Mason Crosby. A steady hand on the wheel in a storm while others around are clamoring for change is the most difficult course to stay. And MM has shown faith and is now reaping the rewards.

But lets be frank – losing as many players as GB has and STILL finding a way to not only be competitive but WINNING?? Come on now, everyone must respect that, and it is a reflection of both depth and handling and playing with what you have. Credit must also be given to Dom Capers as well as the other coaches, even Shawn Slocum on ST for the rapid improvement of many of GB’s weak areas. Capers is so good, in fact, that there has to be concern about him being hired away. One thought that is intriguing but will never bear fruit is to move Dom to the HC slot and MM to Offensive Coordinator. It’ll never happen, but it SOUNDS tasty. While far from perfect this looks to be a team that will compete right thru till the end.

DISAPPOINTMENT – MM’s late game play calling and in game adjustments. Also his reluctance to rely on the backs he has, especially when they are running well. Maybe its just me but when BJax was running all over the Skins the notion was – keep doing it – it’s working. He folds his hand a bit early and will need to change his thought process as it gets close to nut cutting time. Hopefully it is a misconception but there certainly is enough there to warrant concern.

PLEASANT SURPRISE - Winning in spite of all the injuries. Yeah, we were all getting ready for the hockey season when the damndest thing happened – the Pack kept on getting W’s, even against teams they should have be clobbered by. When 25% of your game day roster is done for the year you aren’t supposed to be able to win. So let’s say “HEAR!HEAR!” to the coaching staff for cobbling together a winning group.

OFFENSE

QB – AARON RODGERS
GRADE – B – ↑
No need to add Matt ‘Mop Up” Flynn as Arod is the one and only. At time he looks cool under fire and just as smooth as Montana on his best days, and at other times pedestrian. No doubt that this year the passing game is struggling for whatever reasons. But there is a strong sense that this dept will improve greatly as ARod has shown flashes of getting back to where he belongs. Look for a strong 2^nd half finish.

DISAPPOINTMENT – Aarons inconsistency. He has appeared out of sync with his receivers at times and not as fluid as he did last year.

PLEASANT SURPRISE – His resiliency. He is not playing up to his ability – yet – and still getting the job done. Beating the Vikes also rates a nod as he has shaken that monkey off his back.

RB
BRANDON JACKSON, JOHN KUHN, DIMITRI NANCE, KOREY HALL, QUINN JOHNSON, JAMES STARKS
GRADE – C+ ↑
BJax has filled in well for IR’d Ryan Grant. While not the long threat Grant is BJax has given the Pack some semblance of a running game, and our boy John Kuhn has been the pleasant surprise of the group. Nance is an afterthought who may well be displaced by Starks who was activated from the PUP list. Starks needs reps badly as he hasn’t been on a field in almost 2 years (Jan ’09). Look for Starks to play some starting after the Minn game. If MM follows the course Starks will be spoon fed into the lineup and not just thrown out there to the wolves. Hall and Johnson have been uneventful as runners and have been only slightly above the radar as blockers and ST’s.

DISAPPOINTMENT – Grants injury. Ouch.

PLEASANT SURPRISE – The emergence of John Kuhn as a #2 back and the steadily improving play of Brandon Jackson. Now, if we could only get the coach on board and actually deploy a running game…

WR
DONALD DRIVER, GREG JENNINGS, JORDY NELSON, JAMES JONES, BRETT SWAIN
GRADE – C- ↓
This is the Offenses Achilles Heel right now. Driver is ailing and looks like he may well be on his last legs. How sad to see this proud warrior this way. Hopefully he can recover from his quad injury to contribute… but don’t plan on it, not this year, not with the way the injuries have piled up. Jennings, Nelson, and Jones have all had bad cases of the dropsies and at critical times. With DD ailing look for Jones to break out as he showed against Dallas. Jennings frequently disappears in double coverage and Nelson has yet to establish himself in a Wes Welker-type role, something for which he seems ideally suited. Overall this group has not played anywhere near its potential. Part of that is on Arod and the rest they must shoulder. If this group gets its act together this could be a fun ride in the 2^nd half. Given how they played against Dallas, they may just break out now. They’ll need to as GB is fully committed to its passing game this year.

DISAPPOINTMENT – Drivers lack of production. Uh oh… is that age I hear??

PLEASANT SURPRISE – James ‘Ledfoot’ Jones stepping up and playing big. He may just fill the void.

TE
DONALD LEE, ANDREW QUARLESS, TOM CRABTREE
GRADE C – ↓
When Jermichael Finley went down this unit did too. At times it has been ugly with drops and poorly run routes. In 9 games as a group Lee, Quarless and Crabtree have a combined for fewer catches (17) than Finley had in 4 games (21). Ugh. If it weren’t for their blocking ability this unit would get a D at best. Someone has to step up and with Pack looking at Spencer Havner again a message is being sent to improve now.

DISAPOINTMENT – Losing Finley for the year. Ouch again.

PLEASANT SURPRISE – Tom Crabtree’s blocking ability. Now, if former PSU alum Quarless can learn to hang onto the ball we’ll really see something.

OFFENSIVE LINE
CHAD CLIFTON, DARRYN COLLEDGE, SCOTT WELLS, JOSH SITTON, BRYAN BULAGA
GRADE – B+ ↑
The biggest improvement for last year to now. Cliffy is playing as well as he has ever played and has neutralized once feared rushers like Jared Allen and DeMarcus Ware. Sitton has become Pro Bowl caliber and has been steady, solid AND spectacular this year, maybe the best O Lineman on the roster. Even Daryn Colledge has cut down on his boneheaded penalties and whiffs. Super rookie Bryan Bulaga has settled in nicely at RT and this unit continues to improve every week. Without a feature back it is tough to grade them any higher. It will be interesting to see how/ if Starks plays behind this group.

DISAPPOINTMENT – Mark Tauscher banged up yet again. Uh oh… is that age I hear?

PLEASANT SURPRISE – Josh Sitton. This kid is a stud and can flat out play. Look for him in the Pro Bowl as he has played every down and has no discernible weakness and is fundamentally as sound as they come.

DEFENSE           
D LINE
BJ RAJI, CULLEN JENKINS, CJ WILSON, HOWARD GREENE, RYAN PICKET, et al.
GRADE – A- ↑

When Johnny “Good Times” Jolly got suspended, then promising rookie Mike Neal went to IR with Justin Harrell and Jenkins broke his hand all looked lost. Somehow, some way this unit has held together, and, make no mistake, Raji is the glue that has held not only this unit but the entire D together. Simply put BJ Raji has been a man among men and is living up to his #9 draft status. He can’t be moved and while the D Line is not getting the # of sacks they are providing enough pressure and tying up the O Line long enough to allow the LB’s in GB’s vaunted 3 – 4 D to run wild. They’ll give up yards against the run but they have been a pleasant surprise.

DISAPPOINTMENT – Jolly’s boneheaded antics that led to his suspension. And injuries to Justin Harrell, who has the luck of the Titanic about him.

PLESASANT SURPRISE – The play of newly acquired FA Howard Greene (NY Jets) and 7^th rounder CJ Wilson. While far from All Pros they have played serviceably well.

LB
CLAY MATTHEWS III, A J HAWK, DESMOND BISHOP, FRANK ZOMBO, NICK BARNETT (IR), BRAD JONES(IR), BRANDON CHILLAR(IR), BRADY POPPINGA(IR), DIRYAL BRIGGS, ERIC WALDEN, MATT WILHELM
GRADE – A+ ↑
The core, heart, and soul of the team right now. No platitudes about Matthews are enough. In one simple phrase he is only the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year right now. Even now that his cover is blown and teams know he is coming he manages to get involved, disrupt and blow up play after play. Bishop finally gets a shot after Barnett went down and has been a most welcome surprise. He has been physical without the penalties and has even improved his pass coverage skills. UDFA Zombo has been solid all year and even AJ Hawk deserves praise. Excellent against the run Hawk has coverage issues but not enough can be said about TT plugging the leaks w Briggs, Walden and Wilhelm, all practice teamers from elsewhere. After losing 4 from this unit for Capers and LB Coach Kevin Greene this is a great job of coaching and execution.

DISAPPOINTMENT – The number of injuries and the realization that Nick Barnett may be expendable after all.

PLEASANT SURPRISE – Zombo has been very consistent and does not look like a deer in the headlights rookie. Add A J Hawks run D as well as Bishop’s emergence as an every downer and what should have been the black hole looks very okay.

DB
CHARLES WOODSON, TRAMON HARRIS, SAM SHIELDS, BRANDON UNDERWOOD, PAT LEE, JARRETT BUSH, NICK COLLINS, MORGAN BURNETT(IR), ANTHONY SMITH
GRADE – B+ ↑
This was supposed to be the weak link in the chain that sunk the Pack. Not so fast. Sir Charles has not delivered as he did last year – but then again only the foolhardy are challenging him. He has a propensity for slipping on plays and may be bothered more by that ailing toe than we’ll ever know for sure. But Tramon Williams is rising like a rocket. He is fast becoming a solid #2 CB and a shutdown CB in the process. He has been a delight to watch and Sam Shields is just getting better every day. His progress has been nothing short of staggering. As the season goes past the halfway pole Shields will now move into returning kickoffs. He had issues with catching and securing the ball in the preseason, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that he has only been a CB for (gulp) a little over a year as he is a converted WR. Williams and Shields are young enough with enough upside to make Al Harris expendable, no small feat. But, faced with a 35 year old CB coming off a serious knee injury in the final year of his contract TT and MM have put their faith and future on Sam and Tramon. Even Lee and Underwood show improvement and have contributed, and now that Bigby is back he, Burnett (who played well until he went on IR) and Collins make a very physical S set along with Charlie Peprah who has also played above exepctations. This young group is led by last year’s Defensive Player of the Year and they are beginning to show signs of being very good for a long time. And even the much maligned Jarrett Bush has played well. After being forced into roles and positions for which he is clearly not qualified Bush has responded by playing in a comfort zone and playing well.

DISAPPOINTMENT – The looooong development of Lee and Underwood and not seeing Al Harris make it all the way back to the field for GB. Good luck and all the best Al – you were a great Packer and thanks.

PLEASANT SURPRISE – Sam Shields. From UDFA to a nickel CB spot and now returning kicks. This kid is exciting to watch grow. With his 4.17 40 speed we can’t wait to see him back there.

ST
MASON CROSBY K/ TIM MASTHAY P/ BRET GOODE LS AND COVERAGE/ RETURN/ BLOCKING UNITS
GRADE – B  ↑
Overall the Special Teams have been an improvement from last years team but still have plenty of room to improve. This is almost expected based on the relative short period of time each man has put in collectively. Crosby has made tremendous gains from last year and is a threat anywhere from 59 yards in. His misses are more of the 50+ yard variety so they are livable. If the O can give him field position he can get it there. Masthay had a very rocky start but the W over the jets can be traced to his foot as he was perfect all game and is settling in nicely. Even the coverages are better this year. The addition of the aforementioned LB group of Briggs, Walden and Wilhelm have played very well in ST capacity. Jarrett Bush has played well and the long gainers have been cut down. Tramon is solid as a PR but the thought of him exposed and vulnerable given his value to the DB is a tad hinky. Shields started in preseason as a KR but dropped the ball, literally, and now get another shot. Turns out the kid has a great work ethic so credit ST coach Shawn Slocum and HC MM for being patient and letting the kid learn first instead of forcing him in too early. He will be fun to watch and could be something special. Time will tell.

DISAPPOINTMENT – The return game. Nelson has never run with abandon and looked like a scared rabbit after a couple of key fumbles as a KR. And Tramon is far too valuable to leave exposed out of need as a PR. Everyone is jacked about seeing what Shields can do. As a last minute reminder Sammy – HANG ONTO THE DAMN ROCK!!!!

PLEASANT SURPRISE – Tim Masthay. His punting is now finding a groove and helping the Pack win the field position battle.

Overall the Pack is sitting pretty well in spite of or despite all the injuries. The D is solid and spectacular in certain areas, and the offense has so much room for growth that the hope is the QBs and WRs get on the same sheet of music. When they do that – look out – the sky is the limit. The Naysayers can line the fence and howl about what we don’t have but it is to diminish what is happening. The Upper Management is setting in place the team of the future and some guys are getting a shot now out of necessity and responding. The key games of the next 7 will be Minnesota, New England, the New York Giants and Chicago. A W over Minnesota will not only eliminate them but finally get Chilly the axe he deserves at the end of the year – and look for that to happen. The Bears are somehow keeping pace with smoke and mirrors – but the Packers have the dagger waiting for them. They sink the rest of the NFCN but look for a rapidly improving Detroit team to give GB fits in their next tussle. In any event GB will end winning the NFCN outright and a slot in the playoffs. Even this banged up they get there and that is in large part to the steady hands – especially of TT and MM - we acknowledge.

So this year the second half of the season sounds like a 50’s serial cliffhanger:

How far can they go?
How long can they keep on winning??
Will these darlings of fate be able to overcome long odds and devastating injuries to make to the Big Dance???

For the answers to these and many other questions tune in as the second half of the season unfolds.