Okay, we can all breathe a little easier now. Lots of good things to come out of the game against San Fran and we’ll dole out the game balls to the deserving.
But let’s collectively bask in the glow of a win and enjoy it. The Pack looked shaky to start but finished with a flourish and played right where they should be playing. We, of course, are ecstatic that our pregame call of GB 34/ SF 13 was almost dead solid perfect so this is time for Packer Nation and all little Cheeseheads everywhere to gather and raise a cup of egg nog and toast our boys for a job well done.
Okay, it helps that the 49ers are riding a QB in scatter armed Troy Smith, who couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean from a pier at high tide and that their best player Vernon Davis has the maturity level of a 5 year old. Did anyone else catch his mini meltdown AFTER catching a TD pass?? Or HC Mike Singletary having to personally babysit his prize pupil? And the saddest statement of all is SF is not yet dead in their division at 4 – 7 while a team that goes 10-6 could miss the playoff party. Oy vey.
But we won’t quibble. Green Bay actually controls its own destiny and can secure a playoff spot by running the table. We’ll even credit MM for being prepared and deploying a few weapons more judiciously this week. So let’s get those game balls out.
MM and the Coaching Staff – Great job in being prepared his week. And Dom Capers will certainly have his stock rise. We will even give one to Head Coach Mike McCarthy who used all various forms of a running game. As much as MM has been taken to task on some issues his role in developing his players at his pace and damn the criticism has to be commended. It has paid dividends and if Rookie James Starks, who hit the field running for 73 very closely monitored yards, can continue we will laud MM for his handling of Starks. Using Starks for 18 carries allowed Brandon Jackson to do what he does best – be an effective 2 Back and catch the ball, which he did beautifully on a screen pass we haven’t seen since maybe the Clinton administration. And we finally got to see a true full house backfield with John Kuhn getting 2 key 1st downs and a TD via a 3 FB set. Hallelujah! This week we rejoice!
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| Rookie RB James Starks |
James Starks RB – Welcome to the show, kid… we’ve been waiting for ya. Now – can you do it again against Detroit?
Aaron Rodgers QB – Think the 49ers want a do over on their decision to take Alex Smith? But, who knows? Maybe if Arod stayed on the left coast his brain would be scrambled and he’d be out of football playing his guitar n a beach somewhere. As it is he looked positively sick on a few deep balls and seems to get stronger and better as the season progresses.
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| FB John Kuhn |
John Kuhn FB – This kid never gets knocked backwards. Ever. And now with a true 3 FB set to run out of MM has a lot of weapons to deploy and he fired Kuhn very successfully on no less than 3 occasions, picking up 2 first downs and a TD. Nice.
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| WR Donald Driver celebrates after a huge TD |
Donald Driver, WR – His unbelievable body twisting, leg churning, tackle breaking TD grab and run is a ‘must-see’ highlight for the ages and embodies everything that makes DD a future Packer Hall of Famer. And to see James ‘Ledfoot’ Jones using the same techniques DD has to feel like a proud papa. That TD grab is an NFL Play of the Year candidate. Well done, Donald!
Greg Jennings WR – The 2nd of the 4 headed pass catching monster had a monster day (again). Over 120 yards and 2 TD’s again (yawn). And if Nate Clements doesn’t get dumb lucky and have a Rodgers pass bonk him on the bean Jennings’ numbers are even sicker. Another one whose 2nd half is rendering his first half output moot.
BJ Raji NT – There is not enough written about how good this guy has played or how much he has meant to this D. He has done everything and more asked of him this year. He has anchored the line, tied up blockers and been a beast to contain. No, Mr. Raji, you are not toiling in anonymity here… we see you just fine. Here’s a game ball for your trophy case.
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| CB Tramon Williams |
Tramon Williams, CB/ PR – Williams has become the unexpected story of the season. His rise to stardom is nothing less than meteoric and he has been as an UDFA the gold nugget found amongst the coal. Outstanding cover D as he stifled Michael Crabtree with a total shutdown performance that has him moving into (dare we say??) Sir Charles territory. No wonder Al Harris became expendable. Throw in a few very nice punt returns and Tramon is earning his hefty raise. And doesn’t it feel good to know TT locked this kid up with a shiny new contract?
A little concern still exists in the Special Teams play – Mason Crosby uncharacteristically missing a chip shot and some recurring coverage issues – along with what seems to be FB Quinn Johnson’s inability to grasp the playbook. For the 2nd week the 2nd year back has been chewed out by Aaron Rodgers – last week for deflecting a goal line pass clearly intended for Donald Lee that may (or may not have) been a TD and this week for not lining up correctly that cost the Pack a timeout. In both instances Rodgers was seen chastising Johnson who should, at this point, know better.
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| God, insisting the Packers do it the right way |
We have to place a dunce cap on S Nick Collins for his matador move on Vernon Davis’s TD catch and run for his ole move of a tackle attempt. Another coach would have blown his stack over that and it would have made a great sound bite… “WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN’ ON OUT HE-YAH??? GRAB! GRAB!! GRAB!!! EVERYBODY GRABBIN AND NOBODY TACKLIN’!!!!!!” C’mon Nick – you’re a Pro Bowler and better than that.
Now it’s onto Detroit. Starks will get a reprieve from the weather, and the Packers cannot let down. They earned a couple of round of drinks with this game. Enjoy ‘em, fellas… then get ready to get back to work.
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