Week Seven in Review

It goes without saying, but with regard to Jermichael Finley, any discussion beyond his health and well being would be completely inappropriate. He reportedly spent Sunday night in the ICU of a Green Bay area hospital, but mostly as a precautionary measure. The Packers reported that although he lost feeling and mobility in his extremities immediately following the hit, he has since regained complete mobility. He's reportedly been walking around today and is in high spirits. *UPDATE* Jermichael has tweeted a thank you to fans and encouraging words which can be read here. It's a stark reminder that football is just a game and the Packers' record really doesn't matter. It's easy to complain about players from a distance, act like we know them, call for them to get fired, insult their abilities/intelligence, and I'm guilty of it all. The fact is these guys are people first, with families of their own. So without getting too preachy I'll just say that I'm wishing Jermichael and his family the best. That being said, the game goes on, the league goes on, and life goes on, so here it goes.

Sunday's game was a good win. Cleveland sucks. I get it. But the Browns are an NFL franchise with NFL players. There is just too much talent and parity in the league to write any team off, especially when you enter a game as beat up as we did yesterday. Cleveland's defense is actually pretty good, so putting up 31 points with so many starters on the sideline was downright impressive. The defense held serve against a dogshit offense, giving up just 216 total yards. Good teams win the games they're supposed to win. Here's what I liked and what I didn't like:

What I Liked:

Eddie Lacy: This guy is a grinder. He churned out a gritty 82 yards on the ground yesterday with a game long rush of just 13 yards. Although you'd like to see at least one explosive play from the running game, it's nice to see a feature back able to average nearly four yards per carry even without it. He also tallied five catches on seven targets. Lacy wasn't drafted for his ability to catch the ball, but he's showing some aptitude for it. It's still too early to anoint him Ahman Green 2.0, but he could be the real deal.

Jarrett Boykin: Boykin was clearly featured heavily in the game plan, likely in anticipation of concentrated coverage on Jordy Nelson. He was targeted by Rodgers early and often, and he rose to the occasion. Eight catches for 103 yards and a score would be good numbers for any receiver in the history of the league, let alone a second year guy getting his first career start. Rodgers predicted this offseason that Boykin would eventually become a big time player in Green Bay, and he's off to a great start in his first meaningful opportunity.

Middle Linebackers: We entered Sunday's contest with just two healthy middle linebackers, a notoriously brutal position. Not only did Hawk and Lattimore stay healthy, they both excelled. Hawk was Hawk. He led the team in tackles (tied with Lattimore) and made his presence felt around the line of scrimmage. It was Lattimore, however, that really caught my eye. His 12 tackles matched his CAREER TOTAL coming into Sunday's game, and he recorded his first career sack. Although he's been on the roster for three seasons now, he's played almost exclusively on special teams. His successful performance in his first career start is a credit to the scouting and coaching staffs. Depth is a must in today's NFL, and we've got it.

What I Didn't Like:

McCarthy on Penalties: Mac C is a great coach. Not good, great. But I've long had questions about his clock management and penalty decisions. With over 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, and the Packers holding a 17-6 lead, McCarthy made yet another questionable decision to accept a penalty. The Browns fell four yards short of a first down on third down (albeit well within field goal range), but McCarthy chose to accept a five yard illegal formation penalty, thereby giving the Browns another chance to pick up the first down. Even worse, the penalty did not take the Browns out of field goal range even if they gained zero yards on their second attempt at third down. Now, the Browns threw incomplete on third down, and inexplicably attempted to convert on fourth and 15, rather than attempting a 55 yard field goal, so the decision by McCarthy worked out. Personally I don't care. That's like saying you made a good call with Jack-6 just because the flop came Jack-Jack-6. I'd love to hear McCarthy's explanation of the decision, but I'm afraid I might feel even worse after hearing it.

Penalties: Ten penalties for 97 yards? That's ugly. We're lucky we were playing the Browns, otherwise these penalties almost certainly would have hurt us.

Punting: Masthay averaged just 30 yards on three punts, managing to place just one inside the Browns' 20 yard line. I know that he had one excellent punt downed at the one wiped out by a penalty, but this was as bad a game as I've seen from him. Dismissing the importance of the punter is stupid, but Masthay is usually damn good. I'm not worried about him, I'm just saying it's something to be aware of.

Extra Points:

- The combined record of our next five opponents is 10-23. That's good.

- Jermichael Finley is consulting doctors with regard to whether he should return to football at all. That's bad.

- The Vikings quarterback situation is a complete mess. That's good.

- The United States Federal Government spends over $1 billion a day on the military, and yet roughly 4.5% of annual US deaths are attributable to poverty. That's bad.

- Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Vietnam. A list of countries with lower death rates due to malnutrition than the United States. How about we support the troops by bringing them home to their families. And how about we use taxpayer dollars to feed starving children instead of augmenting what's already the largest and most deadly war machine in human history.

**TRAP GAME ALERT**

The Vikings looked bad, bad, bad, bad on Monday night. It's a safe bet that the entire organization is embarrassed by the performance they turned in. Their quarterback position is in flux, they just lost to a winless team, they wear purple uniforms, embarrassing. So what's there to worry about next week for the Pack? Well, we're missing several key players, the game is in Minnesota, it's a division rivalry, and the Vikings are pissed off. This is classic trap game stuff people. I'm not saying we're going to lose, I'm just saying that the Vikings will likely come out with some pepper in their gumbo. NFL players have a lot of pride.

**WHAT WAS I DRINKING**

Johnnie Walker Black Label. I had a total of about three fingers owing to a bad cold I caught from a stupid kid. WebMD says croup only affects children, but my throat says otherwise.

Week Six in Review

Well it's gut check time assholes. Once again marred by significant injuries, the Packers will have to make do with multiple back-ups starting at crucial positions on both offense and defense. Early reports on Randall Cobb have his leg injury as a broken fibula, likely to cost him six to eight weeks. James Jones has a chance to go this week, but will be listed as doubtful. If he can't go, we'll be left with just two of the wideouts who started the year on the 53 man roster. Jarrett Boykin will be fine (they've kept him around this long for a reason), but whoever lines up outside beyond Nelson and Boykin will have their work cut out for them. Nick Perry reportedly broke his foot while sacking the hilariously overpaid Joe Flacco, relegating us to our third option at weak side linebacker. Nobody knows yet how long he'll be out, but I mean, his foot is broken. I'm not doctor but I figure that ain't no good. Add to this list the injuries to Brad Jones, Bulaga, Matthews, Heyward, Starks, Sherrod, Lattimore, and Tretter, and we are one banged up group. Here's the good news, we're finally playing a tough brand of football. Oh we can still go shotgun and spread 'em out with the best of 'em, but we're actually running the fucking ball this year. We've had a 100-yard rusher in four of six games, and are averaging a fantastic 5.2 yards per carry (good for second best in the league, behind the run happy Eagles). There's been talk of more running plays upsetting Aaron Rodgers' rhythm, but I say fuck that. There's just no way a greatly improved running game can make you a worse team. While the running game has been at it, the defense has been tough as nails. Defending short fields, goal line stands, sacking the quarterback, the whole deal. Only the Jets and the Broncos are giving up fewer rushing yards per game than us, and whoever is playing the Broncos is almost immediately down by three touchdowns, so they can't very well commit to the running game anyway. If we want to keep winning games amidst all these injuries, we're going to have to go old school. That means continuing to run the ball, continuing to play great defense, and making the occasional explosive play on offense to win the close games. Kinda like what we did against Baltimore yesterday. Here's what I liked and what I didn't like:

What I Liked (All Defense Edition!):

A.J. Hawk: After seven plus seasons, and in a game where inside linebacker is about as depleted as a position group gets, A.J. Hawk finally had the kind of game you'd expect from a number five overall draft pick. Ten tackles, three sacks, and five tackles for a loss. Phenomenal stats. He got after the quarterback all game long, and made tackle after tackle in the running game. He played with a mean streak yesterday that has not often been seen from the Packers' defense lately. I'm not making any predictions about superstar play from Hawk going forward, but I was happy to see him have this kind of game. He's earned it.

If he can add a few picks to the stat sheet, I'm sayin...

Micah Hyde: Flat out, the kid hits like Charles Woodson. That's high mother fucking praise for a rookie. He wraps up players over the middle and brings them to the ground violently. He can tackle running backs, wide outs, tight ends, qbs, it doesn't matter. In addition to his seven tackles, he had one tackle for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Oh and guess who stuck his nose right in there at the point of attack on the fourth down goal line stand. IT'S YA BOY! I'd have to go back and review the game to be sure, but I don't remember him getting beat on any big plays in the passing game either. Add to that his 16, 20, and 34 yard punt returns, and it's clear he had himself a damn good game. I hope he keeps getting opportunities to get on the field.

Third Down Defense: The defense held the Ravens to just 2 for 14 on third downs, making the most of five sacks and ten tackles for a loss. Amazingly, the defense did not allow a single third down conversion in the entire second half. Although the players did very well, plenty of credit should go to the defensive coaching staff. Torrey Smith, by far Baltimore's number one receiving threat going into Sunday's game, was held to just one catch for 12 yards on four targets. Tanden Doss had 99 yards receiving, but, uhhh, I'll take my chances with Tanden Doss any week. Keep up the great work Dom Capers, Joe Whitt, Kevin Greene, Winston Moss, and the rest.

What I Didn't Like:

Ball Security: The botched blocked punt by Kuhn was a boneheaded play from a typically steady veteran. It was dumb and costly, but an aberration. It was good to see Kuhn go straight to the special teams coach on the sidelines and take his lumps. Believe me, that won't happen again. What I'm worried about are the two fumbles by Rodgers. Of course the offensive line needs to bear a good chunk of this burden, but Rodgers needs to take care of that football. I hate to say it, but he reminded me a little bit of Favre the way he was just winging the ball around in the pocket. The play is a failure whether you fumble the ball or take the sack, so just take the sack if you have to, especially considering how well your defense has been playing. Rodgers also threw another uncharacteristic pick on a jump ball to Jordy. I'm not sure how many more weeks I can call throws like that 'uncharacteristic' if he continues to chuck 'em up. Rodgers has played well this year, no doubt, but I'd just like to see him take care of the football a little better.

B.J. Raji: Johnny Jolly, Jamari Lattimore, Chris Banjo, and C.J. Wilson. That's a list of players who had more tackles yesterday than B.J. Raji. It's hard to nitpick a defense that's playing so well, and particularly against the run, but where has Raji been all year? He's got seven tackles and zero sacks through five games, and just two tackles over the last three games. I love B.J.'s attitude and consider him a leader on the defense. Furthermore, a ton of what a defensive tackle does never shows up on the stat sheet. That being said, this is a contract year for the big fella, and if his first five games are an indication of the kind of year he's gonna have, I'm not sure we'll see him back in Green Bay next year.

That's nice Mason. That is niiice.

Mason Crosby: What the hell Mason? A miss from 44 yards? Nah I'm just playin' big cat. Stay keepin' your bubble pourin'.

**BONUS COMMERCIALS THAT PISSED ME OFF**

'Torque is what gets the cap off your beer!' - Ford Motor Company.

Fuck off Ford, treating me like a caveman does not make me feel inadequate enough to buy one of your trucks.

'Last year, final play, broken play, they're all broken plays...' - Rob Lowe on the 'Lowe Family Turkey Bowl'

Ahahaha. HAHAHAHA. HILARIOUS ROB LOWE! The last play was a broken play? So your son ran a ten yard puma instead of that twenty yard post you've been setting up since the first quarter? No doubt you'll clean that up at the 'Lowe Family Christmas Film Review Session.' Why do I love football? That's what you're asking me NFL? Because it's awesome, not because Rob fucking Lowe got choked up at the perfect moment while pissing on my leg and telling me it's raining. I already love your product, no matter how hard you try to ruin it, so just shut up about it and take my money.

**WHAT WAS I DRINKING?**

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The beer for all occasions. Maybe one of these weeks I'll drink something other than beer, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

Week Five in Review

If this was a Detroit Lions blog, I'd be writing today about how Jim Schwartz's tenure has run it's course. He brought the Lions back to relevancy, gave them an edge, and got them to the playoffs. It's become clear now, though, that he cannot take them any further. He lacks the maturity to handle success and cannot control his own team. Since, however, this is a Packers blog, I'll just say that the immature Lions are always welcome here in Wisconsin, and I'd like to thank them for their continued ineptitude. Dominic Raiola (you know, the most tenured player on the Lions' team, vocal leader on the offensive line, steadying veteran presence) was reportedly hurling obscenities at the UW marching band that performed during the game. This consummate professional was reported by numerous sources to have called a young man in the band a 'fat fuck,' 'fucking faggot,' and more. He also reportedly called a female band member a 'cunt.' But the crowning achievement of this tirade has to have been when he told a trumpeter that he was going to, 'take his trumpet and shove it up his sister's pussy.' Hilarious? Of course. Indicative of the leadership and maturity of the Lions? Indeed. The Lions are losers, and will continue to be until they learn to act like professionals. They could take a lesson or two from the Packers, both on and off the field. In the mean time I'll just continue to enjoy our annual beatings, each one more hilarious than the last. Here's what I liked and didn't like:

What I Liked:

Raiola was apparently too busy to block.

Pass Defense: The Packers yielded just 4.9 yards per passing play to the normally potent Lions offense (yards ppp is a stat that I really like, one that I feel accurately reflects the efficiency of a passing game). This was a function of four main factors: an active pass rush, execution of assignments in the secondary, field position, and the absence of Calvin Johnson. Johnson is the best wideout in the league, and his inability to play made the secondary's job a lot easier. That being said, I would guess that most, if not all of the starters in the secondary received a plus grade for the game. The Lions never had a play go for more than 25 yards, which shows that the secondary was assignment sure, likely influenced by the return of the steady Morgan Burnett. Four different linebackers combined for five sacks, finally getting pressure from players not named Clay Matthews. The Lions' average starting field position was from inside their own 19 yard line, and they never started a drive beyond their own 20. That's spectacular production from the special teams units. A good job all around I'd say.

The Running Game: We finally got an extended look at the bruising stylings of Eddie Lacy, and I like what I saw. He averaged a solid 4.3 yards per carry, and did a nice job of falling forward after contact. He also picked up a first down on a simple run off the left tackle on third and three, something I've been waiting like five years to see. Let's hope that continues. Cobb had 72 yards on two carries, which forces future opponents to spend time game planning for Cobb as a weapon out of the backfield. We ended the day with a total of 180 yards on the ground, which not only kept drives going for us, but also helped keep Aaron Rodgers upright by slowing down the pass rush.

Third Down Conversions: I said our offensive efficiency had to improve, and it did. 7 for 16 is a very good day on third down. It's just so important to convert third downs (keeps drives going, wears down the defense, chews up clock, etc.), so I'm not going to stop bringing this up. The best teams in the league convert their third downs, and get off the field on their opponents' third downs.

What I Didn't Like:

Jonathan Franklin: The rookie saw just three carries today because of an early fumble. That's two fumbles in his first two games as a professional. Ball security issues were the one knock against him coming out of UCLA, and have so far persisted. I know I keep saying it, but you can't put the ball on the ground if you want to play running back for the Green Bay Packers.

Red Zone Offense: The Packers were unable to come away with a touchdown on either of their two red zone possessions, though they did tally field goals both times. Although I don't necessarily buy into the importance of success within an arbitrarily placed line, our inability to score on a short field is becoming a bit of a pattern. The possible emergence of Eddie Lacy as a tough runner between the tackles could be a big help in these situations.

Injuries: I'm not advocating a mid-season training staff overhaul, but I am advocating some immediate self-scouting and a hard off-season look at training procedures with regard to injury prevention. We lost three linebackers to injury during Sunday's tilt, including starters Brad Jones and Clay Matthews. Jones' injury appears to be insignificant at this point, but Matthews has already undergone surgery to repair his broken thumb, and will miss at least a month. Even when Matthews does return following the removal of a series of pins from his thumb, he'll likely need to wear a club cast, which will no doubt make him less effective. This injury shit is fucked up, and it's been going on for years. One season marred by injury? Could be a fluke. Two seasons? Bad luck. Four straight seasons? Time for some introspection.

Extra Points:

- Matt Flynn was released by the Raiders yesterday. I'd sure like to see him back in Green Bay, and he could be had for the veteran minimum I'm sure after a failed foray into the world of starting NFL qb.

- Where has John Kuhn been this year? I know he's been a little nicked up, but he's not even seeing the field when he's healthy.

- Jermichael Finley has been an absolute beast after the catch this year.

- I like Matthew Stafford as a player and a person. He's tough as nails and plays the position well. If you ask me, he's got more than a little Favre in him.

**BONUS POLITICAL STATEMENT OF THE WEEK**

The endgame of capitalism is a global catastrophe the magnitude of which has rarely, if ever been seen on the human scale.

**WHAT WAS I DRINKING THIS WEEK?**

Left Hand Brewing Company's Sawtooth Ale. I meant to buy a German Helles, but panicked at the liquor store and reverted to my default setting of 'anything bitter.' Anyway I've made worse mistakes.