Second Verse, Same as the First

I remember during some interview toward the beginning of the season, Packers' GM Ted Thompson said something like, "I'm confident that with the team we have, we'll have a chance to win every game we play." That prediction has been accurate. Unfortunately, having a "chance" to win doesn't really do the trick in the NFL. During the 4-12 year three seasons ago, the Packers lost a bunch of close games. They were still a bad team. Most bad teams in the league play other teams pretty close. Anyhow, the season is now officially over, and all that's left to play for is pride and an effort not to get fired (so, please continue to lay down, defense). Random thoughts on the game:

- The 2nd and 1, 3rd and 1, 4th and 1 plays were just embarrassing. First off, some Monday-morning quarterbacking-- I don't know why they chose to run, run again, and run again, to not sneak the ball any of those downs, and to run with Grant twice, and Jon Kuhn once. Grant did not look good this game. Brandon Jackson might have earned the right to take a crack, and his presence in the package, at the least, would have made the Jaguars think pass. The fullback run is great when it works. But as the Panthers showed two weeks ago, it generally won't work against physical front sevens, like the Jaguars have. Plus, did anyone see both Packers' tackles lying on their sides on the 4th and 1? They both got pushed sideways to the ground. Sweet.

- If last game was the first installment in the ongoing "Is Tony Moll a starting Right Tackle in the NFL" audition, the answer at this point is "Skaaaaaaank!" I think the play where he got beat for a sack, Rodgers fumbled, Moll picked it up, started running forward and got popped, hard, pretty much sums it all up. Well intentioned, but kind of embarrassing.

- Quentin Groves harassed Rodgers all day from his defensive end spot. Groves looks to be a legitimately good rush end-- pretty big, very fast and physical, and somewhat crazy. He was available when the Packers chose Jordy Nelson, and Brian Brohm was taken just a few picks after the Jaguars nabbed him.

- Ryan Grant looked bad, although the holes weren't really there. But he just isn't shifty, seemed to opt to settle for running into the line a little too often, and didn't look particularly powerful. Maybe he runs too tall. I wonder what the difference is between this season and last? Worse line play? No Favre scaring off defenses? The Packers are playing better defensive lines? (Grant didn't do much against the Giants, after all.)

- It was odd to see a power running team like the Jaguars throw the ball so much. I guess they did that because the Packers, once again, put on very, very little pressure. Kampman got close a few times, and Hawk got a sack on a blitz where no one blocked him. (Pretty much the only circumstance where a Packers linebacker can get to the quarterback on a blitz.) And maybe the Packers were geared up to stop the run, as Jones-Drew (another guy I was hoping the Pack would draft way back when) didn't do too much on the ground. (Though they were definitely not geared up to stop David Garrard from running.) Whatever it was, they certainly didn't adjust, as wash-out Dennis freaking Northcutt had a career day, with big catches in both halves. If there's anything that disturbs me about the defense, it's that failure to make in-game adjustments.

- I don't think anyone outside the organization can explain what Jermichael Finley is doing on the field on key downs. Occasionally first and second downs not in the red zone, yes. But he needs to EARN the right to be on the field when it really matters. He has definitely not done that yet.

Decisions, decisions

Is it time? Can we mail in the rest of the season? The playoff prospects for the Pack are slim at best. Injuries continue to pile up. Punters are being cut. Things are not looking good. If we lose 3 of the next four (losing to the Lions would be unconscionable), 6-10 puts us in a pretty good draft slot. Add in what looks to be a likely 2nd rounder from the Jets, and we are sitting pretty for the 2009 NFL Draft.

I know, I know. Pro athletes aren't supposed to quit, blah, blah. As a fan though I'm thinking of the future. Isn't that why we let Brett go? Looking to the future with Rodgers? So lets rebuild our D-line, possibly a linebacker, and throw in an O lineman for good measure. Whether we use the draft picks to trade for a game ready player, or use them on some college studs the worse our record is at the end of the year the better our position for the future. In addition, the Pack should have plenty of cap space since we didn't spend it last year.

Note to Ted Thompson: Draft picks + cap space = opportunity. Waste it and we will run you out of town.

Rodgers Resigned

Until 2014! And he wasn't even a free agent at the end of the season. He had one year left on his rookie contract, after the end of this year. I guess Ted Thompson really does have a huge man-crush on A-Rodge. I mean, he's looked excellent so far, and has done us all proud playing well through injuries, but signing him up for another six seasons? On the basis of 7 starts? All you can say is, "Whoa . . ." and hope that the Packers staff knows what they're doing.

More Favre Nonsense

This whole situation is really getting out of hand. I was watching ESPN at the gym the other day and Captain Nimrod Skip Bayless called Favre's mystery unretirement "the hottest story in sports." Dear god. Please let it end. Favre should watch the NFC championship game again, remember how cold and terrible it was and how much he stunk, except for that one pass to Driver, and formally announce that he's not unretiring. It's time to move on.

That said, this controversy has given us the following piece of brilliant hilarity. See here. Even though I am not anywhere close to being in that camp, I'm still contemplating buying that shirt just because it's so damn funny.

Well, Harumph

I was hoping I could find some quote from the Dolphins' personnel people about how they were disappointed that the Packers drafted Brohm, and thus forced them to draft Michigan's Chad Henne. (Miami picked Henne immediately after the Packers picked Brohm.) My motivation was not just to feel better about Brohm, but also to have some ammunition against my Dolphins fan friend. Alas, it was not to be.

Asked about the Packers' pick and its effect on their decision, Miami's Jeff Ireland said "We took a deep breath when (the Packers) took a quarterback who wasn't the one we coveted." Face.

TT, of course, felt the other way, though he seemed reluctant to put down Henne, saying "I think they're both. . . obviously, they went back-to-back there. It was close. We liked both those guys. But the way we went through the process, we had Brohm in a position where we'd take him first."

"We were just off. We were off."

-- Packers' Offensive Line Coach (and former center) James Campen, September 10, 2007.

At least someone is acknowledging the suck-a-thon. I generally think Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy are doing an okay job so far, but the Professor Positive, refusing to level with the media thing has got to stop. When people stink up the joint, admit that they played poorly and move on.

Thompson also needs to explain whey he makes certain moves. I'm sure many fans would feel better if Thompson, for example, explained that he had Harrell rated right next to Marshawn Lynch, and well above any of the wide receivers available at sixteen. What he may not realize is that the Packer board and Harlan aren't the sole owners. He is not accountable just to them. There are thousands of owners all over the country, myself included. I want to know why the hell he does things, and the press is my only method for finding out. So cut out the unnecessary obfuscation, Ted, and level with the media. The people who own your team want to know why their most important employee is doing what he's doing. Sheesh.