Cover Boys!!

Cover Boys! The Pack Attack

All aboard! Time for everybody to jump on the bandwagon.

The Green Bay Packers are back, fresh off a bye week, and oh, how the NFL and mainstream media have missed their newest bestest buddies. The Packers vaunted passing attack, led by MVP to be named Aaron Rodgers surrounded by the best receiving corps in the NFL grace the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.

Coupled with SI’s gushing are the media pundits that are declaring that this Packers team can – not could can – go 19 – 0 this year.

Whoa.

Time for everyone to step back and take a good look at the calendar. As Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy have been saying “It’s way too early to say that.”

We concur.

Oh, we have no doubts whatsoever about the Pack’s talent level of commitment to each other and to excellence. But we have also ridden more than one pony in the rodeo and know how the ball can take a funny bounce once the snow starts flying in Lambeau. It is way too early in the season to start making such lofty claims. And we trust that McCarthy knows what’s best for his team, and that the team itself is a well-grounded group that knows it too.

Gratuitous Cheesecake for the male Cheeseheads

One thing that has been welcomely missing from the Packers is any whining or selfish “Hey what about me”? self-indulgence. James Jones and Jermichael Finley had small moments and both have found themselves on the business end of another Rodgers TD toss.

The Packers may well not have a receiver come anywhere near leading the league in receptions, yards, or TD’s as individuals. But they most certainly will find themselves there at season’s end collectively at this pace. Rodgers has been the hottest thing since Kim Kardashian in a thong on a Malibu beach and shows no signs of letting up. His relaxed, northern Cali cool persona along with his rifle of a right arm have kept the Pack on course and in check. With such stalwart veterans as Greg Jennings and Donald Driver on board, any one of the other pass catchers has some level of accountability and Driver, who is now clearly on the back side of a tremendous career as a Packer, has as much to give by way of mentoring and monitoring as he does on his patented crossing grabs. Who in his right mind would get in Donald’s grill at this point? Respect is a word better associated with this years Packers than any that comes to mind.



That respect becomes outright fear in the Pack’s opponents. San  Diego is the next stop, and the Chargers are reeling. After blowing 2 consecutive games in the last 2 minutes and losing to the Jets and then Kansas City in overtime there is a lot of noise coming out of SoCal. Noise about righting the ship, and getting back on track, and needing to play a great game against a great team in the Packers.

Yeah. And Custer told his troops don’t worry, they’re only savages, there’s 200 of us…

The Chargers are in serious trouble. KC is actually ahead of them although they have the same 4 – 3 record. If ever there was a game for the Packers to fear, it is this one. The Chargers are desperate for a win, but with every mounting loss they look more and more vulnerable and exposed. How San Diego can remain so consistently inconsistent is the big question for Norv Turner.

Teams are now routinely double and triple covering TE Antonio Gates, and taking away QB Philip Rivers favorite target has shown San Diego wanting in any type of passing game. Against KC not only was Gates neutralized but Rivers looked tentative, his throws fluttered and he missed badly on the numerous out routes the Chargers tried to run. The Chargers miscues and total inability to execute a two minute drill has left more red faces than a summer sun in San Diego.

Now they get a crack at the best team in football, and they are saying all the right things. One thing that has helped the Pack the most during this bye week is the opportunity for the injured and ailing to heal. S Morgan Burnett may be out of the club that encased his broken hand, LB Frank Zombo and CB Sam Shields are both ready to go, DE Mike Neal’s appearance is eminent and CB Charles Woodson is off the injury list for the first time since anyone can remember. Rookie RB Alex Green has been IR’d with a knee injury and in steps Brandon Saine, another rookie RB who shined during pre-season off the conveyor belt.

James Starks is emerging as the #1 back now and Ryan Grant’s steady performance has given Rodgers a wealth of talent around him. That the Packers are this loaded, this deep, this talented and this young is the envy of every team in the NFL. While others continue to make mortgage and future killing deals out of desperation (hello, Oakland? Hello, Philadelphia??) The Packers and Ted Thompson's draft and develop and reward your own before rewarding someone else’s has become a blue print for success, not only in the here and now but in the long haul. These Packers are built to win, and built to last.

As for San Diego it is almost of little relevance any more who Rodgers faces. Rodgers clearly is not facing San Diego’s defense; rather San Diego’s defense has to face Rodgers.

Roll Rodgers' numbers just a little bit – 7 games, over 2,000 yards, 20 TD’s, 3 INT’s, a QB rating of 125.6 and it looks as if the numbers are just not possible. With a straight face and with all sincerity Rodgers will tell you yes, he CAN get better.

If he does it is a collective migraine for the rest of the Packers schedule. As for San Diego call it desperation meets rested, tested, and ready. On both sides of the ball the advantage tips towards Green Bay. Rodgers lights it up (again) and the D will rise to the occasion and not only get to Rivers but get under his skin as he forces too may throws into areas he shouldn’t. The Chargers and Packers are going in two opposite directions and will continue that pattern.

Sorry General Custer… this one is going to hurt.

   GREEN BAY 37 

San Diego  17