Benedict Brett Favre? Not Necessarily

Favregate may be over for now, but what about when the season is over for the Vikings?  Will they play the retirement game, too? 

After listening to endless complaining, injury threats and whining from Packer fans calling radio stations, I am thoroughly disgusted.  Are there any level-headed people out there?

We, as fans, must understand that this is not your dad’s NFL anymore.  Long gone are the days of players staying with one team their entire careers.  The NFL landscape has changed.  We need to move on and accept it.  After all, it was Paul Tagliabue’s vision for parity in the NFL and we have it.

In 1991, it was free agency that fueled the NFL into what we have today.  The Packers (ironically) went after a defensive end from Philadelphia named Reggie White.  They wined and dined him, and he still could not make up his mind.

Playing to his faith, then-Packers coach Mike Holmgren left a message on White’s answering machine that said, “Reggie, this is God and I want you to play for the Green Bay Packers.”

As a player, who wouldn’t like the attention given by a new team?  From a team standpoint, it is beneficial to have the player you just signed bring his old teammates over, as White did.  It’s nothing more than player-to-player recruiting.  There were three former Packers on that same Viking team only a few years ago.

The “business” mantra has been put into these players heads so often, that they sometimes do not think twice about leaving their original teams or care about loyalty.  So what does this have to with Brett Favre?

It has everything to do with Favre and it also shows us how players are not the same anymore.  Players who stick with their original teams are a dying breed.  That’s why when we have a Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Michael Strahan or Donald Driver, we support them to the fullest.  They are old school guys and there are not many left.

Favre wanted the Packers to woo him and persuade him not to retire.  They didn’t do that.  From a Packers viewpoint, I understand, even though I do not agree.  Ted Thompson was looking out for the Packers team, not the player.  They had an aging veteran and a top draft pick riding the bench who was waiting for his time to shine.

So what would you do as general manager?  Would you keep him and wait for his play to decline and risk career injury (Steve Young, Troy Aikman), or keep him and tough it out?  If you think his play has not declined, look at these numbers.  Forget about regular season games, I want to look at the postseason, where championships are won.

Favre’s passer rating in his last 12 postseason games was average at best—77.8.  In his last five wild-card games, he went 2-3 with more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (seven).  In his last three divisional playoff games, he went 1-2 with seven TDs and seven interceptions.  That’s a 3-5 record with 14 touchdown passes and 16 picks.

Don’t forget about his two most famous interceptions; the 4th and 26 game in Philadelphia and the most recent overtime championship game loss against the Giants.  Also, don’t forget the famous six-interception loss against the Rams either.

It was a very tough decision, but both sides are still truly to blame.  Neither will admit their faults, but we will never know how it all really went down.  Like I said above, I understand it, but I don’t agree.

Looking back, Brett Favre had plenty of opportunity to squash retirement talks from day one, but never did.  Instead, he would speak in riddles, give runaround answers and talk out of both sides of his mouth.  This was clearly not the Brett Favre of old.  Once the word “retirement” came out of his mouth during a press conference in 2001, it turned into a yearly topic fueled by his lack of an answer and the endless media hype.

What upsets me the most is that Favre never came out and said enough is enough.  It was his responsibility to do so and he simply did not do it.

From Brett’s perspective, I understand also, but do not agree.  Looking back it seems like his concern was training camp.  As an older player, he simply did not want to put the offseason work in.  Michael Strahan voiced the same concern to the Giants when he was in contract talks with them.  Can you blame them?

If you were a veteran playing on a team that you have been with for over 10 years, would you really want to attend camp?  In my personal opinion, the answer is “yes, you have to,” but Favre’s answer is “no.”  He made it onto the Jets roster without offseason camp, and now managed to do the same with the Vikings.

In Favre’s mind, the Vikings give him the best opportunity to win a final Super Bowl.  There were no other teams lining up to sign him and, on paper, everyone seems to have anointed them the Super Bowl caliber team.  Favre contributes his poor performance with the Jets a result of his arm injury.  Now that it’s healed, he believes he is fine.

Not to mention his former offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will be calling the plays, and former Packer kicker and friend Ryan Longwell is there as well.  Don’t forget about the revenge factor either.  Favre may have said that revenge has nothing to do with it, but I’m sure, in some small way, he would love to beat the Packers and show Ted Thompson he was wrong in moving on without him.

Given the grand theater of this Favre story, it is truly the wildest one the NFL has seen in a long time.  In the end, I believe irony will have to prevail, and it will be the Packers who ultimately close the curtain on the Favre story by ending his consecutive game streak.  I do not wish harm on him, rather that this crazy story must come full circle, and I believe that it will on November 1, 2009.

I like Brett Favre, but will not support him while wearing a Vikings uniform.  I will continue to hold onto my Packer memories of him, similar to my Reggie White Packer memories, not his Carolina Panthers ones (as I mentioned in my previous article, “Brett Favre: The Man, the Myth the Aftermath”).

Lastly, I am truly excited to see the Packers and Vikings meet this year.  Those games will be phenomenal and probably the most watched games of the season.  The storylines will be plentiful and the players will be anxious.  Both teams have something to prove, and this game will have more drama then a daytime soap opera.

That drama won’t be resolved until Favre actually takes the field against his old team.  As Julius Caesar once said, “As a rule, men worry more about what they can’t see than about what they can.”

The Ravens Lay Groundwork Through The Preseason

The Ravens are off to a great start after pitching a shutout against the visiting Redskins. The preseason opener got off to a slow start but was highlighted by Troy Smith and second-year players. Don’t forget the rookies either; they contributed and turned a few heads along the way.

After watching this game, it was nice to see the defense relatively go unchanged.  During the preseason, teams won’t reveal everything but there was constant pressure and gang tackling all over the field. The offense was pretty vanilla, but it’s only the first game.

When the regular season begins, there are quite a few matchups that will determine the success of the Ravens. Beginning with the wide receivers, someone is going to have to step up.

Justin Harper was inconsistent against the Redskins but did show some flash. He caught the only touchdown of the night for 19 yards down the sideline. He must progress along with Williams and Clayton because Derrick Mason cannot carry this team all season.

If another receiver cannot take coverage off of Mason, the tight ends must carry the weight. L.J. Smith can get down field and create mismatches. Not to mention Todd Heap is a chain mover.

The catch? They both must remain healthy all season.

The key on offense will be Joe Flacco. Now that opposing teams have a full season of tape on him, have they figured him out?

His weakness seems to be throwing against zone reads with blitz pressure. I did like his arm strength in the preseason game. He did show more zip on the sideline passes.

Troy Smith looked much improved and does his deep ball look effortless or what? He threw the game’s only touchdown but still seems inconsistent on short timing routes. There’s no doubt he made strides from last season and will be a quality backup if something happens to Flacco.

Helping Joe Flacco will be the offensive line. The team’s first-round pick Michael Oher delivered the goods in the Washington game and did not disappoint. He overpowered his opponents and used his hands well in pass protection. He definitely has a lot of upside.

What stood out was how much the middle opened up for inside runs. Would Matt Birk have anything to do with this?

If free agent pickup Matt Birk can open up holes, the Ravens running backs are going to have a field day against weaker lines. This Ravens line will be very physical and expect Cam Cameron to stick with a solid run game. 

During the game I noticed a lot of emphasis put on screens and quick dump off passes to the backs. The Ravens will use a running back by committee approach this year and want their backs to make plays in the flat.

Second-year running back Ray Rice is explosive and Willis McGahee looked better than expected. Both showed speed and elusiveness.

Le’Ron McClain will still play the punisher role, but is deceivingly quick as well. I liked the play of rookie Matt Lawrence. He showed burst and was shifty. However, I don’t see the Ravens keeping more than four backs.

The Ravens linebackers surely provide the greatest depth on the roster. Tavares Gooden is expected to fill Bart Scott’s role, and outside backer Antwan Barnes seemed to be in the middle of every play against the Redskins. Rookie Paul Kruger showed his high motor and had a couple of tackles and a sack.

New defensive coordinator Greg Mattison stated earlier he will use a four defensive man set thanks to the depth on the defensive line. He expects the line to create enough pressure and allow the linebackers to make more plays. He will still bring pressure and use exotic blitzes, but taking advantage of a healthy line will keep a great rotation with Kelly Gregg, Justin Bannan and Haloti Ngata.

Assuming the Ravens defensive line can get pressure, the secondary will look phenomenal. If not, they may be exposed.

Domonique Foxworth and Fabian Washington are your starters and Samari Rolle returns to play nickel. I expect if one player struggles, Rolle will be moved to their spot. Having a healthy Dawan Landry back at strong safety is key and he is every bit the headhunter on defense.

The Ravens have some great positional battles throughout this preseason. As we move forward, we will get a better picture of how the keys noted above play out.

Again, the preseason is not about wins and losses, but rather player progression. The Ravens have a very talented roster and great coaching staff. Are all the pieces in place for a Super Bowl run?

We will find out soon enough.

 

Packers Training Camp: Let The Battles Begin

Now that OTA’s are just about wrapped up, next up is training camp. For the Green Bay Packers, the OTA’s were primarily focused on the installation of the new 3-4. It was nice to see everyone attending camp with the exception of a few.

Say what you want about Coach Mike McCarthy, but he does run a tight ship and demands the most out of his players during camps. It is definitely not the lax Sherman camps of past.

Looking ahead to training camp we can see that there are many jobs are on the line, the following positions are of interest:

Offensive Line—There will be a strong competition to take Mark Tauchers right tackle spot. Front runners include, T.J. Lang, Breno Giacomini, and Allen Barbre. Coach McCarthy has praised T.J. Lange during OTA’s, but has also been high on Barbre as well. OTA’s showed Lang is flexible at either tackle or guard.

Jason Spitz and Scott Wells will battle for the center position. Wells has fought through injury and deserves a shot to defend, but look for Spitz to win out because his right guard spot may get overtaken by Josh Sitton.

If Spitz should win out, Wells will battle Sitton for the guard position. Jason Spitz will challenge Sitton if he cannot take the center position from Scott Wells. Josh Sitton was really starting to impress before his injury in 2008. In all, it seems that there is good competition for line positions and I expect to see improvement for 2009.

Tight End—Has Jermichael Finley finally matured? He has made some strides through OTA’s but will that be enough to overtake the starting position from Donald Lee? Lee has been solid but Finley is raw with great athletic ability. Barring injury, Tory Humphrey will be in the mix and LB/TE Spencer Havner may just make the roster also.

Fullback—There are three players fighting for spots. If rookie Quinn Johnson(LSU) is the second coming of Lorenzo Neal, then he would have to be the starter. Korey Hall and John Kuhn would then battle for the back up role with possibly one of them not making the cut.

The tape on Johnson does not lie. This guy is punishing and loves to hit. Korey Hall and John Kuhn shared time last season at fullback, but if the Packers want to establish a physical man on man running game, one of them needs to step up and show that they can consistently pick up the blitz and blow up holes for the run game.

Safety—How much has Nick Collins learned while attending only a few OTA’s?

Whether it’s family issues or contract, you have to wonder if he is really ready to execute the new defense. In the wings is Anthony Smith and Atari Bigby. Bigby is a fearsome hitter and Smith has experience in the 3-4.

Should Collins fall behind, look for one of them to quickly take the position. Bigby came on strong in 2007 but could not recover from injury. He has stated he feels great and he will break out in 2009. Smith knows the 3-4, but can get beat on deep routes. Some of his strong points are playing the run, breaking, and reacting to plays, quickness, and playing zone.

Defensive Line—Through OTA’s it has been B.J. Raji playing end and tackle along with Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins. Pickett was playing at the defensive end position as well, meaning there is a good chance Raji will not be on the bench this season.

Look for Johnny Jolly and Michael Montgomery to play a back up role between end and tackle if they cannot beat out Cullen Jenkins or B.J. Raji. I like the rotation on the line because having the ability to move around causes problems for offensive lines when they see B.J. Raji or Ryan Pickett at tackle on one play, then have to deal with him at end on the next. You can exploit an opposing players weakness on the line and create match up problems.

Linebacker—Assuming A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett are healthy, their positions are secure. Aaron Kampman will move outside as well, creating a battle between rookie Clay Matthews, veterans Brady Poppinga, Brandon Chillar, and Jeremy  Thompson. Matthews has been out for most of the OTA’s while Thompson has shined.

There should be solid depth with Desmond Bishop, Brandon Chillar or Brady Poppinga, and rookie Brad Jones. Matthews will have to make noise when he actually gets on the field at 100 percent in July and August to challenge Poppinga and Chillar.

Other Notes—Jordy Nelson has looked absolutely great during OTA’s. He has caught everything thrown his way and looks sharp on his routes and cuts. He was a machine at Kansas State and looks to be the stud of the 2008 Packer draft class.

How about some kudos to Aaron Rodgers. This guy handled all the Favre drama and became the starter without any disrespectful comments or attitude. He played through last season with a bad shoulder after critics said he was not tough enough and threw for 4,000 yards.

He gets asked about the possibility of seeing Brett Favre twice a year in 2009 and handles the question with class saying, “If Brett wants to play, then he should play and that’s kind of all I have to say about that. Other than that, he’s one player on one team that we play twice a year.”

Asked whether he looks forward to matching up with Favre, Rodgers said, “I’m not going to speculate on things that haven’t happened yet. So, when that happens, then I’ll give you a good answer.”

Translation—When these two meet it will be the emotional, hellbent on revenge, Favre versus the cool, calm, and cerebral Rodgers. I cannot wait for these two games and to see the T.V. ratings for the Favre return to Lambeau Field in purple. It is going to be crazy.

Is it September yet?

Brett Favre: The Man, The Myth, The Aftermath

As I write this, Brett Favre is live in New York doing his Joe Buck interview. I had originally promised myself there would be no Favre articles on Bleacher Report, but this one will be the only one. Until I change my mind.

I do not have HBO, so I am checking live updates on the local blog. Some of his comments are pretty much what I expected. It sounds like he is owning it and admitting he is looking at coming back with the Vikings.

This is such a hot topic because there are so many angles you can view it from. There so many opinions you can have with legitimate arguments for and against. Whether you’re a fan or not, it gets you talking. Combine sketchy reporting from the media, a Hall of Fame quarterback, storied franchise and a wacky agent and you get, BAM! Brett Favre.

Yes, I am a fan of Brett Favre but I wish he would retire. I will not go into my full blown opinion, but instead look at the aftermath when he finally does call it quits. The toughest place for this story to end is of course, Green Bay.

I grew up in Baltimore where the Colts skipping town is still a sore spot with fans 40 and over. Notice the last words, 40 and over. If you ask anyone under 40 in Baltimore, they will tell you “O-yea, my parents hate the Colts, but I don’t care, we have the Ravens!” Eventually it is going to come down to an age gap.

Kids growing up now who never saw Favre play will say “I know he’s a Hall of Famer, but we have Aaron Rodgers!” (or whoever our next great will be) Until then, it will be contested and argued at every bar and on every radio station from Milwaukee to Green Bay.

There is no right or wrong answer. There is, however, each individual’s memory of him. When I ask my uncles about the Colts, it’s all about Johhny Unitas. Not about him going to the Chargers to end his career. Each fan carries their own unique memory of players.

We all have our own personal highlight reel in our minds. Our favorite plays, moments, wins and losses.

Some fans are only going to remember the whole retirement debacle, others will remember the Monday Night game he dedicated to his father. Brett Favre has created 16 years worth of Packers memories, good and bad. There are so many that have seen his highs and lows and followed his life and career.

Like it or not he has the records, the stats, the Super Bowl and the legend. Whether it’s throwing crazy passes for touchdowns, or interceptions to cost his team the game, we all were there to admire it, love it or hate it.

I almost compare it to Michael Jordan. Remember his retirement then un-retirement? His ill-faded comeback with the Wizards? It may not have been as drawn out and overplayed, but it is basically the same thing. 

Now when you ask someone about Jordan, most will say, “The greatest player the Chicago Bulls ever had.” I doubt you would hear much about the retirement and the Washington Wizards. That’s because we have our own memories of his first NBA Title, his last minute buzzer beater, the dunks, shoes and everything Jordan.

The aftermath of Brett Favre can only be judged years after he is officially gone. Until then it will be the single greatest sports player debate in this era. Nothing gets more coverage than the Favre circus. It is closely becoming like politics, don’t talk about it with family because you will be drawing lines in the sand.

Time heals all wounds, but in Green Bay how long will it take? It may be the next generation of NFL fans that will answer it, but it will be up to our generation to explain his greatness, bitterness and if he is going to unretire again.

Packers Priority Signings For 2010

It may be early, but the next upcoming dilemma for the Packers will be resigning three key players. Greg Jennings, Nick Collins, and Aaron Kampman. Who is the top priority? Who is most deserving? Who can they afford to let test the free agent waters?

This is a very interesting topic and here are my decisions and opinions as a I sit in my make-believe G.M. position with my comfortable G.M. chair.

1. Greg Jennings, WR – Another Green Bay receiver who is not getting enough attention. He is starting to get more though and should have another great year. Statistically, he has improved and in my opinion, Greg Jennings is the top priority for a number of reasons. The knock on him after the draft was he is not fast enough. He has shown great separation and excellent route running ability can overcome elite speed.

He is physical and more importantly, a team player. Drafting receivers is the biggest crapshoot in my opinion, you never know how fast they can develop or effective they can be until usually their third season. Locking him up long term is in the teams best interest and most of all, Aaron Rodgers’. Rodgers to Jennings sounds real good for the next few seasons.

2. Nick Collins, FS – I am going with Nick Collins as second priority. This position has been less than stellar since the departure of strong safety Leroy Butler before the 2000 season. Collins is entering his fifth season and has been consistent except for the 2007 season. On paper, what I like is that he is a fourth quarter player. As the game goes on he gets better.

In 2008, Nick Collins averaged 38 tackles, 34 solo, ten pass deflections and six picks in the second half of games. He is a smart player and understands what offenses are trying to do. Having Charlie Peprah and Aaron Rouse help as reserves, but until either emerge as legitimate starters, the Packers must lock up Collins long term.

3. Aaron Kampman, OLB– This is totally predicated on his success in the new 3-4 defense. Let’s look at it both ways. If he is not successful, which we really won’t know until after the season, I believe the Packers could afford to let him go. Personally, I like Kampman. His position and work ethic is actually similar to Jarrett Johnson’s when he switched from end to linebacker in Baltimore. Johnson has been solid, but not spectacular.

The Packers have a good stable of linebackers right now. Drafting Clay Matthews out of USC, along with having Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brandon Chillar and my sleeper stud Desmond Bishop are all key ingredients for the 3-4 to be successful. Linebackers, linebackers and more linebackers.

Now if Aaron Kampman is successful, do you resign him or could you find a better fit in free agency or the draft? It’s hard to look at statistics when they are at defensive end, so this situation presents the biggest question mark. As an end, his numbers have been steady and his high motor is tough to replace.

For some reason I come up with more reason to replace him rather than resign him. It is a young man’s game, and Kampman entering his eighth season, is not getting younger. It would have to be a wait and see situation until we see how far he comes in the new 3-4 scheme.  

Overall, this will be an interesting year for the Packers in a lot of ways. The future of these key players are crucial for Green Bay to keep it’s play-makers. Another saying in the NFL is “next man up.”  

Who will that be if any of these players leave via free agency or are released? The closer you can get to that answer, will go a long way in determining which one of these players you can place at the top of the list. Then again, contract years are always a players best year right?

Training Camp: New Play Chart for the Green Bay Packers Offense

The new 3-4 defense has been all the talk in Green Bay this offseason. All eyes are focused on new coordinator Dom Capers and Aaron Kampman switching to a linebacker position. For me, I am curious to see how this offense develops.

A 6-10 record last year was not impressive to say the least, but there were a few high points. I believe with the following areas addressed, the 2009 Packers could be a sleeper team with an offense opponents won’t see coming.

The 2008 Packers finished fifth in points, scoring 26.2 points per game. Another nice stat was the fifth ranked, third down conversion percentage. I can remember not too long ago how hard it was for the Pack to convert third downs.

The Green Bay receiversranked ninth in receptions and seventh in yards with 252.8 per game. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are simply the best at making yards after catch. Along with Jordy Nelson, it seems depth is very respectable.

My eyes are on the following for training camp:

Offensive Line – The 2008 unit ranked 19th in sacks given up. For 2009, stability is the name of the game. Mike McCarthy has stated earlier he will establish his line early, but with plenty of new faces who will emerge?

The Packers need to hammer home discipline also. The Packers gave up 984 penalty yards last season and 21 of those came after an offensive gain. Not all of those came from the offensive line, but we did hear their numbers called quite often. Each game seemed to have a “get to know your offensive lineman” type of feel to it.

I look for Mike McCarthy to back off the zone blocking dream he has been chasing and draw up some punishing run calls with a man block scheme. Ryan Grant must return to form and Brandon Jackson must be effective catching the ball out of the backfield.

Playcalling – Coach Mike McCarthy needs to incorporate some motions and shifts. The Packers put up some great numbers, but seemed predictable at times. The play-calling chart that Mike McCarthy covers his mouth with seems to get bigger, while the play-calling gets less innovative.

I would like to see more bootlegs with Aaron Rodgers, and more commitment to the run. The run must always set up the play-action, which will provide more opportunity for deep passes later in the game.

My belief is that a game is too emotional for the coach to be calling plays. Coach McCarthy needs to delegate more of it to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

A lot of eyes will also be on Jordy Nelson. He made strides in 2008 and has great hands. Using him more in a slot role similar to Wes Welker in New England, would free up Driver or Jennings on the outside. I believe Nelson is going to make a impact sooner than later. Turning him into a slot machine would help his confidence and the offense mightily.

Running Backs – Will the real Ryan Grant please stand up? Green Bay needs him to return to the 2007 version that came out of nowhere. Last season I was surprised how fast he went down after initial contact. I guess I just miss Ahman Green lowering his shoulder and punishing defenders who tried to tackle him.

Brandon Jackson has steadily improved, but I want to see him make more plays out of the backfield. He needs to show more elusiveness and blitz pick up. He has shown good speed and made the most out of learning everything he can while in Green Bay.

Aaron Rodgers – There is a lot of excitement for me with Arron Rodgers. Forget about the late game losses in 2008, the defense contributed to them more than A-Rodge. Throwing for 4,038 yards was no mistake. This guy is ready.

He proved he can play through pain, sling the football and has decent ability to scramble. Next up is fourth quarter comebacks and late game heroics. I think there was a sampling last year, but the Packers need a defense to fend off opponents late game rallies.

If the offensive line steps up and gives him a little better protection, less penalties and run game, A-Rodge will be dangerous. He has built his trust with teammates, learned the system and now it’s time to step up and become the pro-bowl quarterback the Packers need.  

The “7” Factor: Is Your Team in or Out for Next Season’s Playoffs?

One of my favorite things to do during the NFL season is to pick games. I do not gamble, but pick for the fun of it, and of course, bragging rights. The straight up winners, point spreads, and over-unders. I have been doing this since 2000, and no, I do not play fantasy football.

My brother has started also, and we also like to look at the upcoming playoffs via “The Board.” It is a big washboard we purchased that has all 32 teams with magnetic helmets, that we can arrange per division and includes a full playoff tree. Yes, we are nerds.

Picking games during the season is a crap-shoot. Parity is alive and well in the NFL, and you know the saying, “Any given Sunday.”

The spring is an optimists time in the NFL. No matter how your team finished the prior year, you have a glimmer of hope. Whether it’s this year’s top draft pick, or newest free agent addition, your team will be better than last year. Right?

The NFL landscape changes every year. Your team may have brought in new coaches,  strategies and players. There could be a number of any specific changes that could make your team a contender. Every year we hope, dream and wait. 

Projecting the entire season at once is ridiculous. Anything can happen during the season. You never know which teams will get hot in December or what team is destined to fall off the map.

Which brings me to a interesting stat. Since 2000, there has been an average of seven new playoff teams each year. Seven of your favorite teams are getting in, and seven are out. I will go with six to keep this from article from being too long.

My six in this year are:

New York Jets – Could this be Baltimore North? Rex Ryan will bring his defense over along with Bart Scott. Offensively, with Brett Favre gone, there won’t be another 22 interceptions thrown for 2009 right?

 

Seattle – Hasselbeck to Houshmandzadeh. Sounds real good doesn’t it Seattle fans? The defense must step up for 2009 and force turnovers. This team goes as far as Matt Hasselbeck takes them.

 

New Orleans- The addition of Greg Williams as new defensive coordinator will do wonders. Also getting rid of Josh Bullocks will keep teams from stretching the field on the Saints. Expect to see more offensive production from Brees and company for 2009.

 

Houston – The emergence of RB Steve Slaton this past season was incredible. If a healthy Matt Schaub can keep opponents from focusing on Slaton, watch out. This defense has also come a long way in a few years.

 

New England – Brady is back and this defense just keeps on going. It’s like a plug-n-play video game over there. They must get the running game going to keep Tom Brady from doing it all.

 

Green Bay – Repeat after me, “yes we can.” This team goes as far as the new 3-4 scheme takes them. They will not be playing the 3-4 on every snap, but with Dom Capers as new defensive coordinator and playcaller, along with Kevin Greene on the sidelines, I expect some fire out of this unit for 2009.

 

My six out this year are:

Arizona – I really liked the Cardinals story this past year, but I think their luck is about to run out. If Anquan Boldin does not return, teams will be focusing on stopping Larry Fitzgerald. The defense must be more consistent for 2009 and continue to force turnovers.

 

Carolina – The NFC South will be a tough division for 2009. The problem is that the teams around Carolina have made moves to improve. Atlanta, New Orleans and Tampa Bay may just be too much for Carolina to overcome. 

 

Tennessee- How do you spell quarterback controversy? There is no way Vince Young can sit another season. Kerry Collins was solid this past season, but Vince Young can provide the mobility and elusiveness Collins cannot. The defense will be missing Albert Haynesworth and without him, the interior defensive line will be questionable.

 

Miami – Similar to Carolina, this division has done more to improve than Miami. Brady will be back in New England, the T.O. show has begun in Buffalo and the winds swirling in the Meadowlands are that of a new Jets team.

 

Minnesota – Favre or no Favre, this team is in need of a quarterback. Matt Birk left via free agency, along with Darren Sharper on defense. Defensively, I expect them to be competitive. The main question will be quarterback and without a legitimate starter, I can’t see them going too far.

 

Philadelphia– This was a hard one to pick, but the NFC East is a brutal division. 2008 saw this team struggle without a healthy Brian Westbrook and struggle with red zone offense.

Their only other red zone threat, L.J. Smith left for Baltimore and the Eagles must have someone to step up in short yardage and red zone. If Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is not calling the plays, can Sean McDermott be an effective play-caller?

Missing: What Happened to Lambeau Field’s Magic?

Before I write this, you need to know I am a Packers fan, I support the team, and absolutely love this organization. I may not agree with all the moves through the years, but I will support them. After all, we have opinions that we can post on Bleacher Report!

My first four trips ever to Lambeau Field were the final games played of the season. The first one was minus-15 degrees, and I loved every minute of it. Through the years, though, I feel Lambeau Field has lost it’s edge, intensity, and “fear factor.”

Remember when nobody wanted to play on the frozen tundra? When teams shivered at the thought of playing Green Bay? All of the magic seemed to be sucked out of Lambeau Field after it’s first ever playoff loss Jan. 3, 2003 to the Atlanta Falcons.

It starts with the players, but also the fans. The games I have attended, I could not believe my eyes. The first against the Minnesota Vikings. While tailgating in the parking lot, Vikings fans harass Packers fans without any fear. It seems there are no consequences.

There’s never a need to fight, but Packer Nation, stick up for your team!

During a game against the Buffalo Bills, a Bills fan in front of me stood up with a five-by-five Bills flag and waved it after every score. The stands were quiet. Nobody said a word. He continued to wave it and trash talk with no worry.

Now, you could say the high road was taken, but that’s not the case. Why? Alcohol.

Before the game, you can always count the people passed out before the first quarter even starts. The fans who cannot even comprehend what day it is. A big problem I notice is that nobody complains to security to get them out of there. Most stadiums have a number you can call or text to have them tossed. Packer fans, CALL IT.

Wait a minute, Lambeau Field does not have one.

During gameday, has anyone noticed how outdated the music is? There is nothing current about it. The same old “Hells Bells,” “Crazy Train,” and ESPN jock jams music. The players feed off of music, the fans, and environment. Plug in some updated metal, rock, rap, and oldies. Just some cuts to get them fired up as well as fans.

How about some participation? Fans need to get louder, and ramp it up on third down. I can remember the playoff run to the Super Bowl; it has not been that loud since.

I also enjoy Rugby. The fans are so loud. They sing songs at the top of their lungs (collectively), make fun of opposing players. It is absolute chaos. The pregame chants and team warrior dances. It is intense. All of us “American” football fans could learn a thing or two.

Look around and tell me why you don’t go into Philadelphia’s stadium in a Cowboys jersey? Tell me why more false start penalties are called in Seattle than anywhere else in the league? Why your kids don’t sit in the “Black Hole” in Oakland? Why third down for opponents in Baltimore sounds like a NASA launch? Why the terrible towel in Pittsburgh is the single most recognizable towel in the world?

Packer Nation needs to find that answer, use it, and become it. Now is time to restore Lambeau Field to the ranks of feared stadiums in the NFL. “There are no other fans like Packer fans,” they say.

Well, it’s time to prove it, and show why Lambeau Field is the number one place in pro football.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Driver: 15 Questions for The Green Bay Packer

This column will feature 15 questions I would ask Donald Driver in an interview

An interview, to the player, can seem like another post game press conference. The same old questions, and they typically give the same old answers.

My intention would be for him to identify with me and then be able to answer my questions without the standard “player speak.” I would like to ask specific questions he has not heard before, or questions he could really open up to and give sincere answers.

I want the fans to learn about him personally and his unique story.

I chose Donald Driver because I believe he is the most underrated wide receiver in the NFL. He deserves more press on how he carries himself on and off the field, his local charities, and his rise into the ranks of elite Green Bay Packer receivers.

Question No. 1.  After being drafted in the seventh round in 1999, how did you prepare to work your way onto the roster?

Question No. 2. What was the hardest thing to overcome growing up while being homeless and fighting for your family to survive? How did you get through it?

Question No. 3. Some players with a difficult past have had a hard time staying out of trouble. Your story is as tough as anyone’s. What is it that keeps you from going back to that lifestyle, and why can’t some overcome it even when they get a opportunity to play professional football?

Question No. 4. You have made more than 440 appearances with charitable events and other community services. What are your favorites and why?

Question No. 5. Seventh-round picks are usually special team guys for the teams that draft them. They are definitely not expected to do too much. What was your biggest obstacle coming up through the ranks?

Question No. 6. Johnny Thomas coached you during college. He also worked with Jerry Rice at Mississippi Valley State. What was the biggest thing you learned from him, and did you know he had worked with Jerry Rice?

Question No. 7. With 18 catches, you will become the Packers all-time receptions leader—surpassing Sterling Sharpe. How does it feel to start your career as a long shot and now being one of the top receivers in Packers history?

Question 8. You had a 7’6″ inch high jump, qualifying for the 1996 Olympic Field trials. Why didn’t you try out for the 2000 Sydney Olympics? Do you think you could have made it?

Question 9. What is your secret to taking care of your body?

Question 10. Who has been your favorite coach in Green Bay? Head coach, receivers coach, anyone.

Question 11. What has been your most rewarding NFL moment so far?

Question 12. How do you work with young receivers coming into Green Bay?

Question 13. You average 13.8 yards per catch and 4.5 yards after the catch. What is your secret for the getting those yards after the catch?

Question 14. What is your favorite play to run and why?

Question 15. Finally, since it is Brett Favre month, what is your favorite memory of playing with him?

 

 

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