After the Packers staggered to a 6-10 season in 2008,  it was tough to find many bright spots. 

Aaron Rodgers cemented himself as a legitimate starting quarterback, Jordy Nelson came on very strong as the top pick for the Packers, and Nick Collins elevated his play to Pro Bowl status.  These were a few of the good things to come out of the 2008 season, unfortunately there were more negatives than positives.

Because of these negatives, replacements were made at some crucial spots and other players are looking to rebound from a 2008 season to forget.  Let’s take a look at these players and remember to go back and look at the rest of the week’s articles by clicking on the links next to the days.  My hope is that these articles will get you up to date and ready when the Packers take on the Bears Sunday night.

Monday, Part One: Just How Good Can the Offense Be?

Tuesday, Part Two: How Will This Year’s Defense Be Different From Last Season?

Wednesday, Part Three: What Does Their Schedule Look Like and How Will They Fare?

Thursday, Part Four: How Does Aaron Rodgers Matchup Against the Rest of the NFC North?

 

On the way Saturday, Part Six: Packers-Bears Pregame: Jay Cutler vs. Aaron Rodgers, Round One

Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett, and Atari Bigby all had fantastic 2007 seasons in which the Packers made it to the NFC Championship.  Barnett led the team in tackles, Bibgby had gone from undrafted borderline roster player to leading the team in interceptions, and Cullen Jenkins was ready for a break-out year opposite Aaron Kampman.

However, the season was cut short for all three starters by injury, who combined to start 20 of a possible 48 games for the Packers in 2008.  All three are healthy and back on the field in 2009, ready to bring the Packers’ defense back to greatness under new leadership.

In the new 3-4 scheme, Jenkins will have the daunting task of opening up holes for blitzing outside linebackers, Barnett will be expected to lead the team in tackles as he did in 2007, and Bibgy will have to ensure that the “big play” does not hurt the Packers like it did last season without him.  Expect things to get much better on defense with these three back on the field.

One player who played in every game and fought off the injury bug for most of the season was Ryan Grant. 

The breakout running back from 2007 had as quiet of a 1,200-yard rushing season as possible.  His yards per carry dipped underneath four after being over five in the year before, and he found the end zone as many times as he fumbled the ball (four).  Hamstring injuries early in the preseason were a small excuse for his lack of production, but much more will be expected of him this time around.

With a revamped offensive line, especially in terms of the run game, Grant hopes to regain his 2007 swagger.  The Packers kept three fullbacks on their roster, meaning they are serious about getting Grant going early and often in games.

When the Packers decided to move to the 3-4 defense, they knew the two most important factors in the success of it would include someone to anchor the defense and someone to call the shots.  

Dom Capers takes over as defensive coordinator and has brought a whole new attitude to the defense, and B.J. Raji is the future at nose tackle. While he will play defensive end this season, his impact will be felt regardless of where he is on the field.  

Clay Matthews III became only the second player in the Ted Thompson era that the Packers traded up for.  Both Raji and Matthews III are the present and the future, and Capers has to be excited for those two to be on board.

Mike Trgovac takes over on the defensive line, giving the Packers another defensive coordinator on board.  One of the most important acquisitions on the coaching staff this offseason was the hiring of former linebacker and all-pro Kevin Greene.  His intensity and passion has rubbed off on the players in the most extreme way, and his outside linebackers have been great in the preseason.  Aaron Kampman has become his personal project, and any success Kampman has in the switch to the 3-4 will be attributed to Greene.

The Packers are in the midst of a bounce-back year and have all the pieces to do it. Just about everyone on the team underperformed, and anything short of the playoffs this season will be a failure.  Last season, the Brett Favre fiasco messed with players’ heads, Aaron Rodgers was making his first start in a Packers uniform, and yet they were in just about every game they played in.

The new faces will make a huge impact on the team and players looking for better seasons are well on their way to fulfilling that hope.  It’s finally football season, and it looks like the Pack are finally back.

Tomorrow, NFL teams will have to make their cuts to get their rosters down to 53 players meaning more than 20 players will be released from each team.  It will be a life-changing event for some players while others will yawn and take their paycheck. 

For the Packers, many important decisions will have to be made on defense.  With the transition of the 3-4 defense being unsteady, the choices for back-ups will be extremely important to ensure the Packers keep the best athletes and fits for the scheme. 

Here’s who I think makes the cut for the 53 man roster, by position.

 

Quarterbacks (Total kept at position, running tally) (starters in italics)

Who Makes the Team?: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Brian Brohm (3,3)

Why:

Pretty much a no-brainer here for the Packers as they keep the same three quarterbacks that were on the roster last season.  Rodgers is poised for a breakout season and is the heart of the franchise, while the two youngsters have shown promise during their two seasons in the NFL.

Flynn is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered in the second preseason contest, but the odds of him hitting the IR while the Packers pick up another quarterback is unlikely due to Flynn’s role as the holder on field goals and extra points.  If healthy, Flynn is the Packers’ backup while Brian Brohm holds clipboard duties.

Brohm progressed somewhat in the Titans game and had good control of the offense, but does not project to do much this year.  Still, the second-round pick out of Louisville has potential left in him and will make the team without question.

 

Running Backs

Who Makes the Team?: Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Deshawn Wynn (3,6)

Why:

Grant is hoping to return to his 2007 form when he broke onto the scene to lead the Packers to the NFC Championship game before falling off in 2008.  He has stayed healthy in preseason and looks ready to go along with an improved offensive line.

Brandon Jackson has been quiet this preseason, but is still the Packers’ second most talented running back.  They invested a second round pick into him and like what they see from him as a third down back.

One of the most intriguing position battles on the team is that of the third running back.  Wynn, Tyrell Sutton, and Craig Lumpkin all have a shot at making the team, but the veteran Wynn is likely to win out in the race. 

Sutton has showed good form this preseason, but Wynn’s ability to play special teams and return kicks is better than Sutton’s.  One of the two remaining backs should find a spot on the practice squad.

 

Fullbacks

Who Makes the Team?: Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall, John Kuhn (3,9)

Why:

Since Mike McCarthy took over calling plays for the Packers, they have featured some of the thickest offensive sets in the league.  At times, they will go with two fullbacks, two tight ends, and a running back out of a wishbone formation, while other times they are able to spread the formation out while still having two fullbacks in the game.

These three fullbacks are good enough that they will all make the team for the Packers instead of one being scooped up by another squad.

Johnson is an absolute bruiser in the trenches while Hall catches balls nicely out of the backfield. To finish off the three-headed monster, the Packers feel comfortable giving the ball to Kuhn on run plays.

If a player is kept at a different position, Kuhn’s days might be numbered.  However, I have a feeling that the Packers will enter the year with these three talented blockers.

 

Wide Receviers

Who Makes the Team?: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Ruvell Martin (5, 14)

Why:

One of the easiest positions on the field to predict in terms of the first four players, but maybe a harder one if you include the fifth and possibility of a sixth spot.  Jennings and Driver are an excellent one-two combo, while Jones and Nelson are up-and-coming young stars. 

The fifth spot will come down to Ruvell Martin or Brett Swain, but I believe Martin will win out the job again.

Swain has been a good practice squad player and has continued to improve on his skill set giving him a legitimate shot to make the team this year. Jake Allen has also played well. If the Packers were to go with six wideouts for some reason, the two of them would duke it out.

 

Tight Ends

Who Makes the Team?: Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee (2, 16)

Why:

When Tory Humphrey was sidelined for the year with a broken arm, the Packers were forced to settle for two tight ends this season. One of the biggest potential breakout players for the Packers this season is Finley, who might not start but will see the majority of reps at tight end.

He is a matchup problem for every defense, and is becoming an outstanding receiver.  Lee is Mr. Reliable for the Packers and can do a little bit of everything. He will be in the game primarily to block, but can stretch the field if not accounted for.

Last year, the tight end position was nowhere to be found for the Packers. With such a good receiving corps, it’s hard to get noticed. However, this season the Packers will look to get more production out of their young talent.

It’s important to note also that Spencer Havner, who makes the team on defense, goes both ways and can also play tight end for the Packers. His ability on special teams is the reason he is on the team, but he can play some outside linebacker and tight end as well.

 

Offensive Line

Who Makes the Team?: Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, Josh Sitton, Allen Barbre, Jamon Meredith, T.J. Lang, Breno Giacomini, Scott Wells (9, 25)

Why:

The offensive line is set in stone with the first five players on the list. The backups are starting to sift out from the players who will be cut.

Meredith and Lang have showed good promise as rookies and will likely fill in for Clifton when he decides to hang his cleats up (Meredith to LT or Lang to LG while Colledge moves to LT).

Giacomini had been in the running for the starting right tackle position, and while he did not do enough to earn the spot he will still make the team. Wells is a coin flip to make the team, but his veteran leadership will probably do enough to secure him a spot. That and Tony Moll’s struggles this preseason.

There you have it.  25 spots down, 28 to go. I will post the defense predictions tomorrow if I can do it early enough before the cuts are made.

Going into the 2009 season, the Green Bay Packers will boast one of the most high-powered offenses in the National Football League. Last season, they ranked eighth in the league in total offense as well as fifth in scoring and have only improved the offense this season. With a much-improved offensive line and some up-and-comers at the skill positions, the Packers should repeat their success on offense and then some.

At the same time, the greatest fantasy sport in the world begins in two weeks. Fantasy football leagues will be drafting their teams and owners will be looking for first round ponies as well as their late-round sleepers. Over the next three days, we will take a look at and break down each set of positions on the Packers to get ready for the 2009 fantasy football season.

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, fifth season, started 16 games last season

Heading into 2008, Rodgers was under loads of scrutiny to perform in the absence of Hall-0f-Famer Brett Favre. Thankfully, he was given a great supporting cast that helped him rank as the fifth best passer in all of football. He passed for more than 4,000 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions.

An added bonus to Rodgers’ game was that he also rushed for 200 yards and scored four touchdowns on the ground. Despite being hurt in the Tampa Bay game, Rodgers stayed relatively healthy over the course of the year and did not miss any time.

This season, Rodgers has two huge additions to the offense that can only improve his statistics. The first is the rise of tight end Jermichael Finley. The third rounder from Texas was a project last season and took some heat for comments after a game, but has completely turned his game around and is ready to break out this season.

In the West Coast Offense, check downs to the tight end, especially in the red zone, are very important and Rodgers having a big target in Finley (6′5″) will surely help.

The other addition is the huge improvement of the offensive line, which is sure to improve this season. Jason Spitz has moved from right guard to center, Josh Sitton moved to center, and Allen Barbre is taking over at right tackle for the veteran Mark Tauscher. While the latter two are more efficient in the run game, an improvement on the line means more protection for Rodgers.

Along with those two additions, Rodgers will have Greg Jennings and Donald Driver to throw to all season. Both of them surpassed the 1,000 yard mark on offense and combined for 14 touchdowns. Great possession receivers, they also have the ability to run after the catch to improve Rodgers’ stats even more.

Hopefully Ryan Grant will re-gain his 2007 form to put more men in the box, but either way the Packers will be a pass-first team because of Rodgers. Depending on how well receivers James Jones and Jordy Nelson progress this season, Rodgers will improve even more.

Looking at the schedule, Rodgers will face the Lions and Bears twice, who both ranked in the bottom six in pass defense last season. On the flip side, he will face four of the top five pass defenses from last season in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Dallas.  Also, four of Rodgers’ last five games will be played in cold weather, with the only warm-weather game occurring in Arizona.

Don’t let the opposition fool you, however. Rodgers is a good quarterback, and good quarterbacks get their numbers regardless of who they play. Rodgers is a safe bet to pass for 4,000 more yards, and 30 touchdowns seems reasonable. I wouldn’t put Rodgers past any of the elite signal-callers in fantasy such as Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Kurt Warner. After that, he could rank among any of those other players.

I would look at Rodgers starting in the fourth round, and to get him in the fifth round or any later would be a huge steal. He overcame his draft ranking of last season and should do it again this year.

In the case that Aaron Rodgers went down for any part of the season, the Packers would be in a terrible spot. Both back-ups, Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm, offer no fantasy value whatsoever and should not be touched. Rodgers proved last year he is both durable and able to play with injuries, so Rodgers remains the only viable fantasy option under center.

Point guard Maurice Acker has re-joined the Marquette Golden Eagles basketball team after leaving two months ago to focus on his studies.  Acker, a senior, was on track to graduate in the fall but will need to take a couple more classes in the spring to graduate on time.  Because of this, he re-joins the rebuilding Golden Eagles the week before classes start.

 

Last season, Acker averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 assists and played a key role in the Golden Eagles’ season after starting point guard Dominic James went down with a broken foot.  The 5-foot-7 junior took over starting responsibilities and averaged 5.3 points in those starts, including 12 against Villanova in the Big East Tournament.

The main question for the Golden Eagles this season is how they will rebound after the losses of James, Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Matthews.  The three seniors led Marquette to 94 wins during their time and were the face of Marquette basketball all four years of their careers.

Their leadership and example were a staple of what made them such great players and people, and while they are somewhat irreplaceable, Acker will ease the pain somewhat.

Before Acker joined the team, Lazar Hayward and David Cubillan were the only seniors on the Marquette roster.  Reports say that Hayward has taken his senior role head-on and is becoming the leader of the team on and off the court, but the return of Acker gives the extremely young backcourt something to lean on.

Cubillan, known as a vocal player on the floor, has never been considered a leader on the team, but rather a follower who does whatever is asked of him.  In Acker, freshman Junior Cadougan, sophomore Darius Johnson-Odom, and junior Dwight Buycks will have someone to look up to and follow on the court.

Acker has been with head coach Buzz Williams for two years now and has played under for him for one.  He understands the system and will be able to teach the inexperienced incoming players.  Remember, Acker played behind Dominic James for two years and was with him for three, so he should have some good advice to pass on to the youngsters.

On the court, Acker will provide excellent depth to a team that has played with a short bench the last couple of years.  Cadougan is expected to man the starting point guard role and Buycks can been a pleasant surprise in summer camps thus far, so Acker is more than likely going to come off the bench.

Still, he has played that role well in the past and is a great defensive plug to put in late in the game.  Some question whether or not he is durable enough or if he fits the role of a “Big East player”, but no one is asking him to play 25-30 minutes per game.

Johnson-Odom should see just as many minutes as Acker, and Cubillan seems to finding his 2007 form this summer.  That does not leave many minutes for the former Ball State transfer, but there will this season where he will be expected to come in and make a defensive stop.

Not only does his experience help the incoming class off the court and in practice, but Acker is one of just four Golden Eagles with true Big East experience (Hayward, Jimmy Butler, and Cubillan being the others).  The seven newcomers joining the team have never stepped court in a Division I basketball game, so Acker’s experience will be important in the beginning of the year.

From there, he can tutor Cadougan and mold him into the future starting point guard and provide depth on the bench.  He isn’t Dominic James, but is also better than most give him credit for.  Especially for what his role will be this year, having Acker back is a good thing for Marquette basketball.

Yesterday, the Packers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 44-37 to win their third straight preseason game. 

It was another impressive outing that saw the first team outscore Arizona 38-10, Aaron Rodgers pass for three touchdowns, and Charles Woodson forced three fumbles. 

Heading into the game, there were five things to look for from the Packers.  After the fact of the matter, let’s see how they fared in Glendale.

 

1. What impact will Nick Barnett have if he takes the field for the first time this season?

Unfortunately, Barnett was not healthy enough to take the field and missed the game Friday.  He projects to play next week against Tennessee and hopes to get some real-time action in before the regular season starts.

He joined Clay Matthews III on the sidelines, but one bright spot was the sight of Jeremy Thompson.

He played very well, staying low and using strength to get around the edge on pass plays.  He saw limited action during the game and did not record a tackle, but it was a start for the Wake Forest product in his transition to the 3-4 outside linebacker.

Barnett still has a starting spot on the team when he returns, but Desmond Bishop continued his stellar pre-season with nine tackles.

 

2. Playing with the first team offense, can Tyrell Sutton continue to produce like he did against the Browns and Bills?

Sutton came into the game against the Cardinals with nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain.  He had played extremely well in his first two pre-season games and saw reps with the first team offense.

On the night, he had three rushes for 14 yards and returned three kicks for an average of 26.3 yards.

While Ryan Grant isn’t about to lose his starting job, Sutton continued to play well.  He doesn’t project as much more than a back-up running back, but he seems to be doing that job very well. 

The kick returns were an added bonus, although he probably will not return kicks in the regular season.

 

3. How will the Packers’ secondary fare against the Cardinals’ passing attack?

Heading into the game, the story of the defense was how many interceptions they could get off Kurt Warner and the Cardinals passing attack, but Charles Woodson had different plans. 

The 12-year veteran had two sacks, forced three fumbles, and was pressuring the quarterback all night.

The second team defense struggled mightily as Matt Leinart passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns, but overall it was a positive night for the secondary. Nick Collins played a solid game, while Atari Bigby continued to show flashes of his 2007 year.

Tramon Williams was overmatched by Larry Fitzgerald and looked a little lost in the zone scheme, but overall had a nice night for himself. 

Anthony Smith, the ex-Steeler, had another interception on the night and is making a strong case for a starting spot if he continues to play well.

 

4. With the offensive line starters set in stone, how will they look together?

It was exciting to see the newly dubbed offensive line play together for the first time, and they did not disappoint.  Rodgers had plenty of time in the pocket, the Packers rushed for 123 yards, and the Cardinals had just two sacks on the night.

Chad Clifton seems rejuvenated and the run blocking on the right side of the line was very good. 

It was one of the Packers’ weak spots in last year’s team, but if they can continue to impress with their new and improved (and younger) line, it will be huge for the team.

 

5. Can tight end Jermichael Finley continue his excellent play?

Simply put, yes he can.  Finley was absolutely unstoppable all night, hauling in four catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns.

He was a matchup problem for the Cardinals and is becoming very hard to defend.  His speed was seen on his first touchdown reception, and he blocks above average for the kind of player he is.

No one expected a ton out of Finley this season as he is still a project for the most part, but it looks like he is progressing much more than most people thought he would.

Heading into the 2008 season, Aaron Rodgers was arguably under more scrutiny than any player in the history of the National Football League.  A former first-round pick, Rodgers had not accomplished much more than two season-ending injuries during his four years in the league.  Many fans believed that legend Brett Favre had been kicked out of town by management, and now all eyes were on Rodgers to see if he could follow in the footsteps of the team’s biggest legend.

The bullseye on Rodgers’ chest only expanded when he was rewarded with a huge contract extension in the middle of the season.  Now the former Cal quarterback was not only the team’s quarterback, but the future as well.  That season, Rodgers responded with a 4000-yard, 28-touchdown performance that brought a few more followers into his corner.  Despite the six-win season, Rodgers showed the poise of a veteran quarterback and commanded the offense better than most expected.

Entering 2009, Rodgers has been the man from day one and is taking over a Packers team that is on the rise in the NFC North.  Two weeks into the preseason, Rodgers is looking like a player ready to go from “good” to “great”.  Mike McCarthy’s West Coast Offense has done wonders for Rodgers, who ranked in the top ten in passing accuracy last season.

Also, the supporting cast that Rodgers is working with this season is one of the fastest and deepest in the league.  Rodgers and number one wide receiver Greg Jennings are forming an excellent chemistry that could become one of the best combos over the next few seasons.  Veteran Donald Driver has been the beneficiary on Rodgers’ accurate arm and still runs the slant prettier than most.  James Jones and Jordy Nelson are both up-and-coming youngsters that will mesh with Rodgers as time goes on.

A new weapon for Rodgers to use this season is tight end Jermichael Finley, who is expected to move into a starter’s role, or at the very least see the majority of the snaps at the tight end position.  All these receiving weapons, combined with an improved run game and offensive line, make Rodgers a prime candidate to move into elite status.

In his first preseason game, Rodgers went five for 10 for 102 yards and a touchdown.  He looked patient and under control and found Driver for a 52-yard score in the first quarter.  Against Buffalo last week, he was almost perfect, going eight for nine for 98 yards and two beautiful touchdown passes to Driver and Jennings.  His only incompletion was a drop by Driver on Rodgers’ eighth attempt.  He has looked crisp, under control, and confident in every throw he makes.

More so than the success that he has seen in the first two preseason games, Rodgers is going to succeed because he has put in the time.  He has been the typical story of grooming a quarterback for a few years instead of throwing him into live fire right away.  He was able to both stay healthy throughout the whole year and play with minor injuries, showing his true competitiveness.

This year it is Aaron Rodgers’ team.  Last year, a lot of the locker room was torn on whether or not Rodgers was the right decision over Favre.  The 17-year-veteran was coming off a year in which he led the team to the NFC Championship Game, and Rodgers was in the direct middle of it all.

While many could see why Favre going to Minnesota and playing the Packers and Rodgers twice a season could be a distraction to the Green Bay signal caller, most of the pressure is on Favre, if anything.  Rodgers knows that he has succeeded in the league while Favre has struggled over the last few years.  It will be important to see who comes out on top in those games, but no one is comparing Favre’s stats to Rodgers’ anymore.

As the 2009 season begins, Rodgers is the team leader and has the respect of everyone in Green Bay.  The fans know that he can perform at a high level and was definitely the better option than Favre.  His teammates know that he is going to fight for them at all times and put the team is a spot to win every week, and management knows he has the tools to become one of the best in the game.  Everything is in place for Rodgers to progress as his career goes on, and it is looking like this will be the year that he makes that jump.

A lot has changed since the Packers shut out the Cleveland Browns last week in Lambeau Field. Brett Favre is now a Viking, the Packers have new personnel on their roster, and players have jumped up the depth chart. 

Last week, there were five things to look for in the game against the Browns, so here are five more things to look for as the Packers play their second preseason game.

 

1. How will first-rounder B.J. Raji look in his first live NFL game?

Two days before the Packers were set to play the Browns, ninth overall pick B.J. Raji ended his holdout and agreed to a contract with the Packers worth $28.5 million over the next five years. 

He reported to camp but did not play against the Browns, and will now see his first action on Saturday against the Bills.

With Ryan Pickett taking the majority of reps at defensive tackle, it is thought that Raji will man the right defensive end spot for the Packers.  He began camp working with the second team but has seen reps with the first team and will get plenty of work during the game.

Raji spoke to reporters on the sidelines during the Browns game and said he had been working out daily to stay in shape, and with a week of training camp under his belt, he should be good to go. The Packers defensive line was outstanding last week but will face a much bigger test when they go up against a solid Bills running game.

 

2. Will Brady Poppinga step up or will another outside linebacker kick him out of a spot?

Despite the shutout last week, one of the low lights of last week’s game was Poppinga’s performance.  He looked out of place and slow on many plays and was out-performed by some on the second team. 

With Jeremy Thompson and Clay Matthews III both ruled out and seventh rounder Brad Jones questionable, this game will be vital for Poppinga.

Cyril Obiozor showed a lot of promise flying around the field last week and will make another push toward making the team when he hits the field tomorrow.  While he is a little light, weighing under 250 pounds, he is athletic, very strong, and attacks very quickly.

Poppinga will once again see reps with the first team because of injuries, but he will be on a very short leash the rest of the way if he does not perform.

 

3. Will Matt Flynn continue his success as the second-string quarterback and will Brian Brohm show ANY improvement?

Once thought of as a potential No. 1 pick, Brian Brohm has shown nothing during his time in Green Bay to make anyone believe he will amount to anything in the NFL.  He throws behind runners, never seems to have control of the offense, and has happy feet even with time in the pocket.

While he is working with the third team on offense, the mechanics do not seem to be there either.  As bad as it sounds, he did show improvement from last season and will hopefully do so tomorrow night.  He threw two interceptions against the Browns but hopefully he will be more poised in the future.

On the other hand, Matt Flynn has been excellent and has to have given head coach Mike McCarthy more confidence if anything were to happen to Aaron Rodgers.  Drafted in the seventh round in 2008, Flynn was not expected to make the roster but actually jumped Brohm on the depth chart.

Last week, Flynn completed five of six passes and had a few completions taken away due to penalties.

 

4. Speaking of penalties, will the Packers ever cut down on the penalties that killed them last year?

Last season, the Packers ranked second to the Dallas Cowboys in the number of penalties called on them with 110.  They did, however, rank first in penalty yards with 984. 

While the Packers’ press man-to-man coverage was somewhat the reason for these penalties, it is something they must change if they are going to succeed this year.  Moving to a mostly zone coverage in the new 3-4 defense should help.

Against the Browns last week, the Packers were penalized nine different times for 52 yards.  Mike McCarthy made it a point to mention the penalty problem in his halftime interview, and it was clear he was not pleased. 

Even more so in the preseason, a surplus of penalties shows a lack of discipline for young players.  While it will be expected for the first team to not draw yellow flags, it will be just as important for the younger players to do the same.

 

5. Can the defense continue its aggressive style of play and be successful?

For a team that lacked fire and passion in their defense last year, it was a ton of fun to watch the Packers defense flying around the football field making plays.  Blitzes came from every direction, quarterbacks looked flustered, and the defense forced four turnovers.

While the Buffalo Bills are not going to make anyone forget about the Pittsburgh Steelers, they still have a better offense than the Browns.  Terrell Owens will not play, but Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, and Roscoe Parrish form a great offense that has scored 45 points in two preseason games thus far.

While a shutout is not expected, Al Harris and Charles Woodson are expected to join Raji in their first preseason action of the season.  It will be interesting to see if defensive coordinator Dom Capers opens the playbook up even more to let the Packers roam free.

Mar. 6, 2008: The day that I thought changed my life. 

Yes, you’d only know it if you were a Green Bay Packers fan, but Brett Favre has meant that much to me and every other Cheesehead.  I’d go out on a limb and say no other player has meant more to an NFL franchise than Favre has. 

As I watched his press conference on NFL Network, I found myself choked up and literally fighting back tears.

He spoke of how he felt he had given as much as he could give to the Green Bay Packers and that there was nothing more to give.  Seeing him play my whole life, I knew first-hand the joy he gave me and rest of the Packers faithful. 

This was THE best quarterback to ever play the game hanging his cleats up for good.  Hanging up his smile.  Hanging up his touchdowns.  Everything was gone and it was time for me to move on with the Green Bay Packers without Brett Favre, something I had never known.

For the next two or so months, I dealt with the mystery that was life without No. 4 and decided that newly installed quarterback Aaron Rodgers could get the job done.  With a pin-point accurate arm and the credentials that almost made him the first overall pick in 2005, everything was in place.

Then one day, while watching Sportscenter, breaking news came out that Brett Favre had the itch to play football once again and was considering coming back for another year. 

YES!  My hero was back to take the Packers to the promised land and realized that the ol’ gunslinger still had something left in that cannon of his.  Not so fast.

As more and more reports came to light, it was discovered that general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy had already told Aaron Rodgers he was the quarterback of the future and that, somehow, the Green Bay Packers had moved on from Brett Favre.

What?  So you are telling me that you are showing the door to the greatest thing that has ever happened to your franchise and almost led you to the Super Bowl last season?  That’s right.  The Packers, my pride and joy, did the unthinkable and told Brett Favre “no”.

They told him he could come in and back up Rodgers for the season but could not compete for the starting job whatsoever.  Someone once said that if a team has two candidates for starting quarterback, they really have none.  In what was more of a bluff than anything, the Packers gave Favre that option which he decided to take.

Favre never took the bait and did not show up to training camp, but did send his official reinstatement to the NFL which was granted a few days later.  After a lengthy talk with McCarthy in Green Bay, it was decided that Favre coming to training camp was not going to help anyone’s party.

A few days after that, my hero was holding up a New York Jets jersey and smiling, ready for a new start with a new team.  How could the Packers do this to my favorite player to ever step on the field to play the greatest game on earth? 

I was mad at the Packers for what seemed like the first time since the Ray Rhodes hiring, and knew it would take time to get over.

Nine wins and seven losses later, Favre had again hung the cleats up as he announced his retirement from the New York Jets. 

To make a long story short, there were rumors about him wanting to come to Minnesota early in the offseason and it seemed as though a different official from the Vikings was taking a plane to Mississippi every weekend.

Favre asked for his release from the Jets, had surgery on his shoulder, and began working out at the same high school he did the previous offseason.  When push came to shove and the Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress put a deadline on Favre, he decided he did not have enough in the tank to come back.  Favre was retired once again.

Three weeks after that, the saga another unbelievable turn as it was rumored Favre was set to sign a contract with the Vikings out of nowhere.  The same quarterback, who three weeks ago said he was done for good, was coming back for another season.

Man oh man, was it ever fun to look at message boards and forums that day!  I learned who Benedict Arnold was, saw a picture of Judas wearing a Favre jersey, and heard Favre called a lot of different names that I wouldn’t say to my worst enemy.

But as I read on and on about how mad everyone was at Favre, Ted Thompson, and the Packers organization, it hit me that this was no one’s fault.

Back in May of 2008, two months after Favre has his initial retirement press conference, Favre supposedly went to the Packers and told him that he once again had the itch to play football. 

The Packers told Favre that they would love to have him back and were ready to welcome him in with open arms.  A few days later, No. 4 told the Packers the feeling had passed and he would stay retired.

Somewhere in between that conversation and the day I saw the Sportscenter Breaking News, the Packers decided that Aaron Rodgers was their man. 

While he had not accomplished much other than two season-ending injuries in his career, the Packers felt he was good enough to become the franchise quarterback everyone had hoped he would be.

When Favre came calling once again, the Packers welcomed him in, but this time with a clause thrown in.  Sure, the Packers knew Favre would not come in as a back-up, but at least they made the offer. 

They didn’t kick Favre out, make him retire, or tell him he was no good.  They eventually gave him wishes of starting at quarterback by trading him to the Jets and everyone went their way.

It was no longer fair for the Packers to have to keep waiting on Favre going back and forth, and at some point they had to have something in place for training camp.  Making Rodgers their go-to guy gave him full confidence and gave the Packers a definite starter at the most important position on the field.

It has always been my thinking that no player or person is ever bigger than the franchise itself.  Yes, I believe Favre has meant more to the Packers than any other human being alive, but as close as he is to God in Green Bay, he still is not. 

The Packers were here before Favre and have survived after him, and that was something he was going to have to deal with.

A lot has been made about the real reason for Favre coming back.  Some believe he genuinely wants to return to try to add another Super Bowl ring to his storied resume, while others believe he is coming back to spite Ted Thompson and the Packers.

Whatever you believe the reason to be, Favre is not at fault for this either.  He isn’t Judas and he isn’t Benedict Arnold.  There are no daggers in the Green Bay Packers’ back with Favre’s fingerprints on it. 

As much as it hurts and as physically sick as it makes my stomach, Favre is not at fault in the situation and I support his playing for the Vikings.

Last week I wrote an article explaining why Michael Vick deserves a second chance in the NFL, despite his past mistakes and the negative feelings that people would show towards him.  If we are going to let a convicted felon back in the league, then there’s no reason Favre can’t play again.

Yes, it’s annoying and we wish that he would just make up his mind on whether or not to play, but who cares if he is indecisive?  The NFL is better with Brett Favre and there is no disputing that.  The first time Favre felt that now-notorious “itch”, he wanted to come back and play for the Packers.

The Packers made it clear that Favre could not come back and start for the Packers but told him there were other options for him.  He exercised that option and played for a team that wanted him in the New York Jets and went on his way. 

Yes, he reportedly did not respond to any of Aaron Rodgers’ calls and might have slipped in a few knocks on Ted Thompson in some interviews, but anything he did was going to be blown out of proportion based on the situation.

Now let’s talk about the whole situation with the Vikings.  When rumors popped up about him wanting to play again, I had no problem with it.  The “here we go again” sigh came into play and I knew that ESPN would be drooling all over the place to get information on one more Favre return, but alas he decided to stay retired.

Then he decided that he wanted to play once more.  The team that was willing to take him and he also wanted to play for happened to be the Minnesota Vikings.  He is good friends with Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.  Simply put, a guy wanted to play football and one team was willing to take him in.

If you want to believe that Favre is doing this to get back at the Packers, go ahead and believe that.  Be mad at Favre and do not cheer for him when he enters Lambeau Field on Nov. 4.  Forget the great memories that he left us for 17 years and the Super Bowl he brought us.

As for me, I wish Brett Favre the best.  I do not wish the Minnesota Vikings anything good and hope that the Packers embarrass both Favre and the Vikings both times they meet this season.  But it’s still Favre and he is still the same guy that I tried to replicate hundreds of times in my backyard.

If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at the Vikings.  The Minnesota faithful won’t want to hear this, but they handled the situation terribly and came out looking pretty bad.   

Childress told Favre that there was a strict deadline for him and there would be no going back on his situation.  Three weeks later, all credibility Childress had was out the window.

It’s quite obvious that Favre did not want to attend any part of training camp and was going to wait until it was over to make his return, but the fact that Childress lied to his players, the fans, and everyone else makes him look pretty bad.

Last season, it was much easier to cheer for Favre’s team and Favre himself.  The Jets had no affiliation with the Packers, and the better the Jets did during the year, the better the draft pick in return would be for Green Bay.  This time around, any move Favre makes will directly affect the Packers.

That being said, I am a Packers fan before I am a Brett Favre fan.  I trusted that Thompson and McCarthy had it right when they decided on Rodgers, and a year later they look right.  Argue what Favre has or doesn’t have left in the tank to play for the Vikings, but the Packers are better off with Rodgers.

I hope he enjoys playing football and shows it in his emotions because, regardless of helmet color or uniform, nothing makes me happier.  He is still my hero and favorite player to ever play the game and I am happy to see him back. 

Whether he misses the playoffs or gets the Vikings their first Super Bowl, nothing will replace what he did for the Packers and their fans.  We thank you Brett, and wish you the best of luck in the future.

I’ll be the first to say I usually do not stand in players’ corners if they are not on my favorite teams.  Outside of the Packers, Brewers, Marquette Warriors, Bucks, and Florida Gators football team (thanks, Tim Tebow), everyone else is just fair game and can act as they please.

However, I’m starting to really feel bad for newly acquired Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick.  Signed two days ago, Vick will join a powerful offense that includes Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Desean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin.

Offseason moves have made the Eagles front-runners for the NFC Title in some people’s eyes, while others wonder if their defense can stand strong for 16 games.

Slice or dice the Eagles any way you want, they become better with Vick on their squad.  Whether they plan to use him as a quarterback or as a special back in the Wildcat offense, he adds a dimension to the team that will make defensive coordinators spend a little more time in the tape room than usual.

But the real story lies in the protest and outrage that is going on over Vick’s reinstatement and signing to the Eagles.

Everyone knew that signing Vick would come with a lot of baggage and upset people who believe Vick should not be allowed to play in the NFL.  Those people believe what he has done can never be forgiven, and that the dogs he electrocuted, drowned, and murdered will forever and should haunt his past.

Why?

In April of 2007, an investigation of Vick’s unlawful dogfighting ring was implemented and the former overall number one pick was charged in the federal courts four months later.  A 23 month sentence was the penalty, and Vick served his due time over the next two years.

Over the course of the last three years, Vick filed for bankruptcy and has lost millions of dollars from endorsements, lawsuits, and the two years of pay he lost while in prison.  He was never a perfect citizen, even before the dog scandal, and admittedly has made a lot of mistakes in the past.

While not everyone has served time in a federal prison, we are all guilty of making mistakes in life.  One thing that makes our country such a great place is the ability to obtain a second chance and make the most of it.

For 23 months, Vick served the penalty the legal system felt was just for his actions.  Say what you will about him getting off easy or that he just accepted a plea bargain to get out as early as he could, the fact of the matter is that he did his time.

During this time, Vick claims that he learned a lot about himself and what he did.  Is was a humbling experience for him to be in such a negative spotlight, to be away from his fiance, mother, and children while in jail, and to be away from the game of football during his prime years.

Some believe that while Vick might have paid his legal dues, he is not serious about his apology and that he is just sorry he got caught. 

Kids who get caught by the police stealing candy from a department store are sorry they got caught.  They apologize to the police, store clerk, and everyone else before going on their merry way.  Lesson learned?  No.

For Vick, his apology pre-prison would have fallen under the “B.S.” category.  However, after 23 months of embarrassment, humility, and sitting in a prison cell all day and night, I am going to give Vick the benefit of the doubt and say he knows and FEELS that what he did was wrong.

Everything he has said in the media about understanding why fans are not going to forgive him, thanking the Eagles for the opportunity to come back, and saying that everything happens for a reason is making him look like he is serious about coming back.

Also, Vick has come back in perfect shape and is ready to perform at a high level for the Eagles.  Over the last two months since he has been out of jail, he has maintained his weight and speed and feels in good enough shape to play right away.

In regards to the NFL, Vick isn’t going back to play time where he will mess around in Philadelphia.  This is a job for Vick and, for a guy who has filed for bankruptcy, an important one at that.  If people believe that Vick should not be allowed to play football is saying that all criminals should just be locked up forever.

What if Vick took a job as a Best Buy employee?  Should we burn him at the stake just because of what he did in the past?  Just because he has played football before doesn’t mean that not letting him play is going to take away his fun or something.  In actuality, Vick will probably work harder at football than most of us will at our jobs.

Andy Reid is taking a huge risk on giving Michael Vick a second chance, but remember that his own sons have been in and out of legal trouble and are no strangers to second chances.

What Vick did was terrible, disgusting, inhumane, and sickening.  There’s no denying that what he did will make people angry for a long time and that he has to live with the consequences of his actions.

The truth is, Vick’s image will probably never be restored in full.  Vick could win a super bowl, take the Wildcat by storm, and run all over Lincoln Financial Field, but he will still be known as the guy that killed all those dogs.  Isn’t that bad enough?

He has already contacted the Humane Society to talk to young kids making sure they do not go down the same path he has.  He just finished his first practice with the Eagles and looked good.

He still has a ton to prove to PETA, the Philadelphia Eagles, the fans, and most importantly himself.  He has done all the right things to prepare on the field, and has said all the right things to get himself ready off the field.  Let’s all give him a chance to do so.