By Reggie Tobias
I am very happy with the Packers signing of Clifton, Collins, Pickett and Tauscher. They all are valuable to the success on both sides of the ball. Thompson took fast action in signing these key figures and did not take the wait and see stance as he has done many times before. In a no salary cap year, it was the right decision to make. I have always hated the building for the future excuse. Winning comes at a high price and consistency is the true measure of a team. Protecting Rodgers and solidifying the defense are what the Packers need now.
The Packers will be facing a tougher schedule in the near future, only playing 5 playoff caliber teams this year. I know the 11 - 5 record is impressive but there were plenty of let downs. The bad, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and 2 loses to Minnesota. The good, Dallas, Baltimore and Arizona wins.
Now for my critics of my last article. I guess the Packers are as big a bunch of idiots as myself. They signed the protection on the ends to protect Rodgers early and committed to resigning Pickett and Collins before any type of bidding wars started. Didn't anyone remember the sack-a-thon on Rodgers in the first 4 games that returned Clifton to a starter and the resigning of Tauscher
They did not really have many games where they distanced themselves from their competition or dominated any team with the exception of Seattle and Arizona in the late season. As spectacular as the Arizona playoff game was, it still ended in a loss. So giving up 51 points is not what I would call improvement. Overall the defense was greatly improved and Capers added some much needed swagger.
The Packer offense if was way to conservative in their play calling, with to many 3 and outs, limited first downs. I forgot, New Orleans and Indianapolis made it to the Super Bowl on strength of their defenses and special teams? I'm not saying they don't help, but you still need to move the ball and put points on the board. You can allows watch soccer. When you rely on a punter, you are only setting yourself up for failure, since they only touch the ball 4 - 8 times a game. Staying in your lanes and making sure tackles are what makes special teams great.
I watch games to see the match-ups and the adjustments the coaches make. I consider myself a student of the game as well as a critic, and not just a fan. I do not blindly think everything the Packers do is great, but should looking for the steps they need to excel. To many people look to making the playoffs as an achievement. Super Bowls wins are the true measurement for every team.
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Looks Like a Return to the 80's ?
By Reggie Tobias
Darth Thompson has successfully dismantled the offensive line, thinned out the secondary and has everyone guess about some of the skill positions. The way things are going we will be back to a 7 -9 or 8 -8 year. Maybe Thompson will surprise everyone in the draft by picking a kicker and punter as their first 2 picks.
I think it is time for the Packers and the Bears to merge. The Bears can't put points on the board, but have a good defense, and special teams. These are all the weaknesses the Packers have, but they can points points up at a heroic pace. The Packers were one or two key player from a respectable playoff team and possible Super Bowl team. Now it will take at least 10 players to fill the gaps opened by free agency. That is not good news.
My advice is to get Aaron Rodgers a good track coach, because he will be running for his life this next season. That is if he last a full season. The Packers will need all of their quarterbacks this year. I also hate to predict, Aaron will miss a few games with either a shoulder or leg injury within the first 4 or 5 weeks. He will receive a devastating hit as someone comes free from the outside.
The Packers are literally dropping the all. Signing some of their free agents before the deadline could save them millions to go after some key players. This year there is no salary cap and the highest bidder takes all. Do you think the New York Yankee's or Boston Red Sox's could have won every other World Series without the mountains of cash they can throw at players. The Packers have a great fan base but is a small market team and can not compete with big boys.
This is truly a turning point for the organization and a mistake may have consequences far down the road. There may come a day when the Packers are forced to move a market like Los Angeles so they can make money. Tradition will always lose to revenue.
Darth Thompson has successfully dismantled the offensive line, thinned out the secondary and has everyone guess about some of the skill positions. The way things are going we will be back to a 7 -9 or 8 -8 year. Maybe Thompson will surprise everyone in the draft by picking a kicker and punter as their first 2 picks.
I think it is time for the Packers and the Bears to merge. The Bears can't put points on the board, but have a good defense, and special teams. These are all the weaknesses the Packers have, but they can points points up at a heroic pace. The Packers were one or two key player from a respectable playoff team and possible Super Bowl team. Now it will take at least 10 players to fill the gaps opened by free agency. That is not good news.
My advice is to get Aaron Rodgers a good track coach, because he will be running for his life this next season. That is if he last a full season. The Packers will need all of their quarterbacks this year. I also hate to predict, Aaron will miss a few games with either a shoulder or leg injury within the first 4 or 5 weeks. He will receive a devastating hit as someone comes free from the outside.
The Packers are literally dropping the all. Signing some of their free agents before the deadline could save them millions to go after some key players. This year there is no salary cap and the highest bidder takes all. Do you think the New York Yankee's or Boston Red Sox's could have won every other World Series without the mountains of cash they can throw at players. The Packers have a great fan base but is a small market team and can not compete with big boys.
This is truly a turning point for the organization and a mistake may have consequences far down the road. There may come a day when the Packers are forced to move a market like Los Angeles so they can make money. Tradition will always lose to revenue.
New Opportunities
By Reggie Tobias
With Spring just around the corner most fans are getting excited to see their favorite team shaking off the rust and head into baseball season. Football fans are now drooling over the free agents emerging on the market. This is when fans really find out football is a business. Over the past few days, there are some big names being released for no other reason than to save on bonuses, salaries and the always favorite tone, we are moving in a different direction. The two biggest players to date, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were released by the S.D. Chargers and Phila Eagles. Both teams cited declining abilities, age and injuries and the reason for releasing these players. The small print, the large salaries due to these players next year. Quotes of they will make a great addition to another team and will be leaders to what ever team they are on. Even read a silly comments of retirement.
A short time ago both running backs were at the top of their perspective games in tds and rushing yardage. Now the simple economics of the business and salary cap are making such cuts like this the norm. In most cases this is the harsh side of the business that fans hate. The player gets released and reeks havoc on the team that let them go, by going to a team in their division. No big deal, this happens all the time, right? Why take the chance on a trade when you can simply release them.
This may be the only time you hear me say this about Brett Favre, but he was in a very similar situation. The perfect end to the storied career was for Brett to retire after the NFC title game. The fans are happy, the organization is happy, but was Brett happy. Looking back on the situation, pressuring Brett in the locker room just after losing the title game doesn't quite seem fair. The team does have to move on after all. I compare it to asking a father, when is he going to be back to work after a child is born. I have three children. I am by no means comparing the seriousness of child birth to a game. I remember going back to work within a day or two after my first two children were born. When my third child was born, I took 2 weeks off without pay to spend with both my wife and child. It was very rewarding and relaxing. I went back to work when I was ready both mentally and physically.
Sound familiar, pressuring someone to come back to work before they are ready. Asking Brett to make a commitment in the locker room, is like asking a father in hospital when they are going back to work. This was a business decision solely based on Aaron Rodgers becoming a free agent and adding those dreaded words,"We need to move in a different direction."
This is the time to start looking at those players being released. Look beyond the front office stating a player is washed up, beyond their days or not worth the money. Players are more valuable off the field to their communities than some of the performances on the field. One name comes to mention and every Packer's fan would agree, Reggie White. How many people would have anything bad to say about when he left the Packers. We need to look for players as people that make the most of their days off the field as well. The Packer's have a few players who may be facing the chopping block in the near future; Driver, Woodson, Harris, Kampman and Poppinga. This is based on age and salary.
The Packers should be looking to strengthen the offensive line. I thought they did a good job at pass blocking but need to work on their run blocking after starting Clifton and Tauscher on the outsides. Aaron Rodgers should immerse himself in game films and learn how to get rid of the ball. There were times when he held on to the ball too long and took a sack instead of just getting rid of the ball. Second and ten is better than second in fifteen or twenty. Field position and taking a beating only fuels the defense as the blitz happy coordinators that reign in the league. Nothing more frustrating than getting to a quarterback after the ball has been released. All the effort exhorted to getting to him and having to let up on him to avoid roughing the passer penalties. Learning to get rid of the ball will make Rodgers a much better quarterback, eliminate unnecessary hits, and prevent injuries.
With Spring just around the corner most fans are getting excited to see their favorite team shaking off the rust and head into baseball season. Football fans are now drooling over the free agents emerging on the market. This is when fans really find out football is a business. Over the past few days, there are some big names being released for no other reason than to save on bonuses, salaries and the always favorite tone, we are moving in a different direction. The two biggest players to date, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were released by the S.D. Chargers and Phila Eagles. Both teams cited declining abilities, age and injuries and the reason for releasing these players. The small print, the large salaries due to these players next year. Quotes of they will make a great addition to another team and will be leaders to what ever team they are on. Even read a silly comments of retirement.
A short time ago both running backs were at the top of their perspective games in tds and rushing yardage. Now the simple economics of the business and salary cap are making such cuts like this the norm. In most cases this is the harsh side of the business that fans hate. The player gets released and reeks havoc on the team that let them go, by going to a team in their division. No big deal, this happens all the time, right? Why take the chance on a trade when you can simply release them.
This may be the only time you hear me say this about Brett Favre, but he was in a very similar situation. The perfect end to the storied career was for Brett to retire after the NFC title game. The fans are happy, the organization is happy, but was Brett happy. Looking back on the situation, pressuring Brett in the locker room just after losing the title game doesn't quite seem fair. The team does have to move on after all. I compare it to asking a father, when is he going to be back to work after a child is born. I have three children. I am by no means comparing the seriousness of child birth to a game. I remember going back to work within a day or two after my first two children were born. When my third child was born, I took 2 weeks off without pay to spend with both my wife and child. It was very rewarding and relaxing. I went back to work when I was ready both mentally and physically.
Sound familiar, pressuring someone to come back to work before they are ready. Asking Brett to make a commitment in the locker room, is like asking a father in hospital when they are going back to work. This was a business decision solely based on Aaron Rodgers becoming a free agent and adding those dreaded words,"We need to move in a different direction."
This is the time to start looking at those players being released. Look beyond the front office stating a player is washed up, beyond their days or not worth the money. Players are more valuable off the field to their communities than some of the performances on the field. One name comes to mention and every Packer's fan would agree, Reggie White. How many people would have anything bad to say about when he left the Packers. We need to look for players as people that make the most of their days off the field as well. The Packer's have a few players who may be facing the chopping block in the near future; Driver, Woodson, Harris, Kampman and Poppinga. This is based on age and salary.
The Packers should be looking to strengthen the offensive line. I thought they did a good job at pass blocking but need to work on their run blocking after starting Clifton and Tauscher on the outsides. Aaron Rodgers should immerse himself in game films and learn how to get rid of the ball. There were times when he held on to the ball too long and took a sack instead of just getting rid of the ball. Second and ten is better than second in fifteen or twenty. Field position and taking a beating only fuels the defense as the blitz happy coordinators that reign in the league. Nothing more frustrating than getting to a quarterback after the ball has been released. All the effort exhorted to getting to him and having to let up on him to avoid roughing the passer penalties. Learning to get rid of the ball will make Rodgers a much better quarterback, eliminate unnecessary hits, and prevent injuries.
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Free Agents
Fighting Til the End
by: John Linn
The end has come. The Packers lost to the Cardinals 51-45 in the highest scoring game in post-season history and one of the most exciting games I have ever seen. The Packers fell behind early, by as many as 17, but managed to come back to tie it up several times, but never able to take the lead from the Cards. Arizona looked the better-prepared team and even though it got close and very exciting the Packers never fully looked ready or even like a playoff team.
Game Review: The offense started out absolutely horrid. The first play of the game Rodgers looked jittery and through an interception that would set the tone for the whole first quarter and much of the first half. The Cardinals took the initiative and scored. The Packers then fumbled on their next possession as Driver fumbled as he turned after a nice reception. Rodgers was harassed and brought down numerous times early on and wasn’t comfortable until half way through the second quarter or so. Ryan Grant was powerful early on and pushed his way through the pile and found holes, but the Packers went into comeback mode at the very beginning, meaning the offense went away from the run, leaving Grant and the other rushers out in the cold. However as the second quarter got under way the Packers took some of the momentum back as they drove down and scored and then kicked a field goal before the half to cut the lead to 24-10. The Packers kept that momentum going into the second half, even though the Cardinals scored on their first possession of the second half. The game then became a shootout of epic proportions as it came down to who could score next. There were only two punts in the game as it was all offense. The Packers took almost all of the momentum back as they scored and then got an onside kick and scored again to tie it at 38. The Pack tied it at both 38 and 45 but were never able to hold the strong Kurt Warner led offense, even with the unstoppable force of Jermichael Finley. The game went to overtime tied 45-45 and the Packers even won the coin toss but Rodgers was under pressure and fumbled it to Karlos Dansby who ran it in to end the game.
On the other side of things Kurt Warner was as close to perfect as one can be. Only four of his passes fell incomplete. He threw for 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. He picked apart the Packers secondary with timing and precision. The Packers were unable to cover over the middle at all and could not get pressure on Warner consistently. Warner’s amazing game freed up Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower to run all over the normally stout defense as well. All around the defense was absolutely horrible and did not look like the number two defense in the NFL that they were coming in to this game. The defense really cost the Packers this game as the offense surged back after their struggles, but the defense could not come back from their struggles. It was in fact very ironic that the game with the most offense in the postseason was won on a defensive play.
What I Saw:
-Rodgers overcame his early jitters to lead the team well and in fact after the first quarter he looked nearly unstoppable
-Jermichael Finley was un-coverable. The Cardinals had no answer for the big man as he burned them over and over
-Charles Woodson had another epic battle with Larry Fitzgerald, but in the end Fitzgerald won along with his team
-The Packers looked as if they took this game lightly or were unprepared
-The offense lived and died on the big plays again and it ended up being a great weapon and possibly a downfall
-The defense once again tried to live by the turnover and failed at it. They managed one turnover and it cost them as they were not playing to their potential
-The running game was in fact very strong but rarely used with the early deficit
-Both teams came up with highlight reel catches for TD’s from Jennings and from Fitzgerald
-The team got both a year more seasoned and a year older in a bad way with players like Harris, Woodson, Tauscher, and Clifton getting older and nearing the end. But on the other hand players like Rodgers became much more seasoned and ready for more
Ratings (Out of 5):
QB: 4. A horrible start for Rodgers but an amazing comeback and second half. He ended with over 400 yards and 4 TDs but his fumble/interception at the end ended the game.
Receivers: 4. Jennings has a highlight reel TD and a great game overall. Driver overcame an early fumble to fight for some good after catch yards. Finley was a highlight reel in and of himself. Havner and Jones each had TDs. However they had drop problems early on and gave Rodgers no early help either.
Running Backs: 3.5. They were not given much of an opportunity to shine. Grant looked good in his sparing use. Green has a first down on a good fight. However there were times when they blew blocking assignments and did not protect Rodgers early on and in OT.
O-Line: 3. They had problems protecting Rodgers giving up 5 sacks (while some were Rodgers running poorly) and they did not have the chemistry they had at the end of season.
D-Line: 2.5. They had a hard time stopping Wells and Hightower and were having problems getting to Warner or freeing up linebackers to get to Warner.
Linebackers: 3. Matthews got a sack and had some pressure and got into the backfield, but he could never fully get to Warner, the same for Jones. Chillar laid a few good hits but none of the backers played outstandingly, along with the rest of the defense
Secondary: 2.5. Woodson and Fitzgerald had a good battle but when they weren’t matched up Fitzgerald got free to much as did all of the great receiving core even without Boldin. Atari Bigby went out and his replacement Matt Giordano had problems. Collins had some good stops and got his hand on a pass tipped by Woodson but couldn’t bring it in. Overall they got burned a lot.
Special Teams: 4. They held Larod Stevens-Howling, who is an absolute speed demon to minimal return yards and Crosby hit his only field goal and Kapinos had a good punt on his only attempt, however the return game was horrible.
Coaching: 3. Some great plays were called on offense, not so much on defense. Also, the onside kick was brilliant. However the team was unprepared, something just wasn’t set up right and the coaches didn’t seem to know how to help.
Team as a whole: 3.5. That does seem rather high but the offense had an outstanding game after the early jitters, but the defense couldn’t overcome their early demons.
MVP: for the game Kurt Warner, for the Packers Aaron Rodgers and Jermichael Finley as a pair. Warner was stellar and he deserves all the credit in the world for the way he played. Rodgers could not have played as well as he did without Finley. Rodgers gets most of the credit but Finley was great as a target.
Final thoughts: This was very disappointing to watch as a fan of the Packers, but very exciting as a football fan. The off-season will be interesting. Kampman is at the end of his contract and was injured so that will be interesting to see how it plays out after his unsuccessful year in the 3-4. Woodson and Harris are getting old as are Tauscher and Clifton. It will be interesting.
The end has come. The Packers lost to the Cardinals 51-45 in the highest scoring game in post-season history and one of the most exciting games I have ever seen. The Packers fell behind early, by as many as 17, but managed to come back to tie it up several times, but never able to take the lead from the Cards. Arizona looked the better-prepared team and even though it got close and very exciting the Packers never fully looked ready or even like a playoff team.
Game Review: The offense started out absolutely horrid. The first play of the game Rodgers looked jittery and through an interception that would set the tone for the whole first quarter and much of the first half. The Cardinals took the initiative and scored. The Packers then fumbled on their next possession as Driver fumbled as he turned after a nice reception. Rodgers was harassed and brought down numerous times early on and wasn’t comfortable until half way through the second quarter or so. Ryan Grant was powerful early on and pushed his way through the pile and found holes, but the Packers went into comeback mode at the very beginning, meaning the offense went away from the run, leaving Grant and the other rushers out in the cold. However as the second quarter got under way the Packers took some of the momentum back as they drove down and scored and then kicked a field goal before the half to cut the lead to 24-10. The Packers kept that momentum going into the second half, even though the Cardinals scored on their first possession of the second half. The game then became a shootout of epic proportions as it came down to who could score next. There were only two punts in the game as it was all offense. The Packers took almost all of the momentum back as they scored and then got an onside kick and scored again to tie it at 38. The Pack tied it at both 38 and 45 but were never able to hold the strong Kurt Warner led offense, even with the unstoppable force of Jermichael Finley. The game went to overtime tied 45-45 and the Packers even won the coin toss but Rodgers was under pressure and fumbled it to Karlos Dansby who ran it in to end the game.
On the other side of things Kurt Warner was as close to perfect as one can be. Only four of his passes fell incomplete. He threw for 5 touchdowns and no interceptions. He picked apart the Packers secondary with timing and precision. The Packers were unable to cover over the middle at all and could not get pressure on Warner consistently. Warner’s amazing game freed up Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower to run all over the normally stout defense as well. All around the defense was absolutely horrible and did not look like the number two defense in the NFL that they were coming in to this game. The defense really cost the Packers this game as the offense surged back after their struggles, but the defense could not come back from their struggles. It was in fact very ironic that the game with the most offense in the postseason was won on a defensive play.
What I Saw:
-Rodgers overcame his early jitters to lead the team well and in fact after the first quarter he looked nearly unstoppable
-Jermichael Finley was un-coverable. The Cardinals had no answer for the big man as he burned them over and over
-Charles Woodson had another epic battle with Larry Fitzgerald, but in the end Fitzgerald won along with his team
-The Packers looked as if they took this game lightly or were unprepared
-The offense lived and died on the big plays again and it ended up being a great weapon and possibly a downfall
-The defense once again tried to live by the turnover and failed at it. They managed one turnover and it cost them as they were not playing to their potential
-The running game was in fact very strong but rarely used with the early deficit
-Both teams came up with highlight reel catches for TD’s from Jennings and from Fitzgerald
-The team got both a year more seasoned and a year older in a bad way with players like Harris, Woodson, Tauscher, and Clifton getting older and nearing the end. But on the other hand players like Rodgers became much more seasoned and ready for more
Ratings (Out of 5):
QB: 4. A horrible start for Rodgers but an amazing comeback and second half. He ended with over 400 yards and 4 TDs but his fumble/interception at the end ended the game.
Receivers: 4. Jennings has a highlight reel TD and a great game overall. Driver overcame an early fumble to fight for some good after catch yards. Finley was a highlight reel in and of himself. Havner and Jones each had TDs. However they had drop problems early on and gave Rodgers no early help either.
Running Backs: 3.5. They were not given much of an opportunity to shine. Grant looked good in his sparing use. Green has a first down on a good fight. However there were times when they blew blocking assignments and did not protect Rodgers early on and in OT.
O-Line: 3. They had problems protecting Rodgers giving up 5 sacks (while some were Rodgers running poorly) and they did not have the chemistry they had at the end of season.
D-Line: 2.5. They had a hard time stopping Wells and Hightower and were having problems getting to Warner or freeing up linebackers to get to Warner.
Linebackers: 3. Matthews got a sack and had some pressure and got into the backfield, but he could never fully get to Warner, the same for Jones. Chillar laid a few good hits but none of the backers played outstandingly, along with the rest of the defense
Secondary: 2.5. Woodson and Fitzgerald had a good battle but when they weren’t matched up Fitzgerald got free to much as did all of the great receiving core even without Boldin. Atari Bigby went out and his replacement Matt Giordano had problems. Collins had some good stops and got his hand on a pass tipped by Woodson but couldn’t bring it in. Overall they got burned a lot.
Special Teams: 4. They held Larod Stevens-Howling, who is an absolute speed demon to minimal return yards and Crosby hit his only field goal and Kapinos had a good punt on his only attempt, however the return game was horrible.
Coaching: 3. Some great plays were called on offense, not so much on defense. Also, the onside kick was brilliant. However the team was unprepared, something just wasn’t set up right and the coaches didn’t seem to know how to help.
Team as a whole: 3.5. That does seem rather high but the offense had an outstanding game after the early jitters, but the defense couldn’t overcome their early demons.
MVP: for the game Kurt Warner, for the Packers Aaron Rodgers and Jermichael Finley as a pair. Warner was stellar and he deserves all the credit in the world for the way he played. Rodgers could not have played as well as he did without Finley. Rodgers gets most of the credit but Finley was great as a target.
Final thoughts: This was very disappointing to watch as a fan of the Packers, but very exciting as a football fan. The off-season will be interesting. Kampman is at the end of his contract and was injured so that will be interesting to see how it plays out after his unsuccessful year in the 3-4. Woodson and Harris are getting old as are Tauscher and Clifton. It will be interesting.
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