Oh, the woes of a 10-0 team. The only 10-0 team, by the way, in the NFL this season. And only the third 10-0 team in the proud history of the Green Bay Packers. Yes, the Packers won today even playing at a mediocre level...at least by the standards they have set this season. They beat a Buccaneers team that wasn't phased by playing the top team in the league, 35-26.
On a day when the Packers defense reverted to their play of the first eight games of the season -- in others words, porous and sloppy -- and on day in which QB Aaron Rodgers was a bit off, at least by his standards (he threw 11 incompletions, had an interception, and achieved a QB rating of 112-ish), not to mention a day in which the heretofore perfect Mason Crosby misses a chip shot 29-yard (?) field goal attempt, the Packers somehow overcame themselves and beat the Bucs.
The Packers defense once again couldn't tackle, once again couldn't seem to cover receivers and, yet, Tramon Williams got two interceptions, including the one that helped seal the Packers' victory. During a post-game interview with Larry McCarren on 620WTMJ radio, Williams was asked about the performance of the defense which once again gave up more than 400 yards on the day. Williams admitted the problems, but said that as long as they get the takeaways and make the critical stops "who cares" how many yards they give up. Hmmm...that's an interesting insight. Now, on one hand, you have to agree with him. As long as the team gets the "W" it doesn't really matter how many yards the other team racks up. Still, I can't imagine that same statement being made by the likes of a Ray Nitschke, for example. Or Willie Davis or Herb Adderly...or any of Lombardi's players. For that matter, can you imagine what Lombardi would have done had he heard that statement by Williams? At best, the two would have a genteel conversation about Mr. Williams' attitude. At worst, Mr. Williams may have found himself playing elsewhere very soon.
I don't mean to get off on a tangent about this. But perhaps it does reveal something about what we're seeing on the field. And it's been noted nationally. Some of the halftime TV punditry today about the game said there was no sense of urgency on the part of the Packers' defense because they know the offense can always score. That kind of attitude shouldn't be condoned by any defensive player or coach. There should be pride on the part of every player in stopping the opposing team from gaining a single yard. Remember that game back in...whenever it was...when the Packers held Barry Sanders to minus yardage for the entire game? Minus yardage. Barry Sanders. Not Colonel Sanders, Barry Sanders. Clearly, there was a different attitude present on the part of that defense that manifested itself big time.
The players on this Packers defense -- including Tramon Williams -- are quality players, some even Pro Bowlers. But really: get a better attitude, please, so there is better performance on the field.
As to the offense, the offensive line play continues to be a concern. QB Aaron Rodgers was under pressure a good part of the day from a defense that is near the bottom of the rankings in just about every category. They are not known as pass rushing demons. And yet...Rodgers seemed to be scrambling for his life most of the afternoon. Guard Josh Sitton had another bad game, including several penalties. He's had a couple uncharacteristically sloppy games in a row. Whatever is going on with him better get figured out. The Packers need him -- and the entire O-line -- to perform at a higher level than they are now. It seemed that the running backs -- who gained 91 yards total on the day -- had to create their own holes most of the time. Their line didn't do them many favors.
And speaking of running backs, the emerging star that is James Starks had to be helped off the field late in the game after reportedly spraining his right knee. Head coach Mike McCarthy called it a sprain, but said he'd know more Monday. Let us pray.
So, yes, the Packers are 10-0. The only other two times they were 10-0 to start the season they won Championships: in 1929 and 1962. This team has now set a new franchise record of 12 straight regular season wins dating back to last season and 16 consecutive wins overall including the playoffs. Hard to complain. But even in the midst of seeming perfection there is imperfection. And nowhere is that more evident than on the playing field.
The Packers have only a few days to prepare for their Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit. If they don't play like they are capable of playing, Detroit could serve a loss to the Pack on Turkey Day. Detroit beat Carolina today, 49-35.
Let's hope today was a bit of a wake up call for this team. Hard to say they need it at 10-0. But they do.
Showing posts with label Herb Adderly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herb Adderly. Show all posts
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Let's play already!
So, this is it. The NFC Championship Game. A replay (of sorts) of the last time the Packers and Giants faced off for the championship back in 1962. Except that was played in New York (when the Giants actually played in New York and not a neighborhing state). And the players were different. And it wasn't anywhere near as cold. But other than that...
Anyway, game day has finally arrived. Although judging by all the sports coverage -- particularly if you reside in the great state of Wisconsin -- game day has been happening since the Pack beat the Seahawks last Saturday...and then it cranked up exponentially once the Giants sent the Cowgirls home earlier than many expected.
Are there any story lines that haven't already been discussed, aired, debated, or even complained about? Probably somewhere. But they are getting harder to come by. Which means that if the Packers do as most expect and go to the Super Bowl, we may be digging even deeper into sports minutiae than previously thought possible.
Still, some of these stories have been pretty good ones: Ryan Grant, obviously; Tauscher and Seubert; Brett as always; the guy from Australia who moved his whole family to Green Bay for this season; folks from around the country and around the world being Packers fans; churches re-arranging services to not interfere with kickoff time; superstitions that fans have while watching the game (for the record, I am once again wearing exactly the same combination of Packers gear as last week and will again be imbibing my preferred libation from my PackerFansUnited.com mug -- yes, a shameless commercial plug, but what the heck); the list could go on.
One new story that is worth checking out, though, concerns how the "old" Packers are rooting for these "new" Packers. "Glory Years" players such as Jerry Kramer, Jim Taylor, and Herb Adderly have some interesting insights, as well as advice for the youngsters on how to play in perhaps the coldest game they will ever play in. And Jerry Kramer admits to getting so excited about this game today that "I'm starting to throw a forearm shiver at the door jam." This from a 71-year-old...who would probably still throw on a jersey and execute a key block if asked to.
Kramer would also offer this pregame advice to the team: "Shut out the noise. Get by yourself and think about things a little bit. Think about where you are and what your opportunity is and what it represents. There's no need to get overly excited. Stay cool. Keep your temperature down. Keep your pulse rate normal. But here's an opportunity to step on a world stage and perform. The only reason you're here is because you're very good, so you don't need to worry about being very good. But you can worry about being perfect. So just try to play the best game you've ever played and if you leave everything on the field, and you give it your best shot, Mondays aren't so hard to deal with. Go get them."
Go get them, indeed! Chances are, he might have used some different verbiage outside of a family newspaper, but you get the idea. You can read that story in its entirety here.
The Prediction
The spread for the game is still 7 points. And judging from the poll here at PackerFansUnited.com (open until kickoff time today), more than 80% of those voting believe the Pack will win by at least that much.
This is one of those games where, if the weather were not a factor, it would be an easy call. Maybe it should still be. But as the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Packers reporter, Bob McGinn, points out in his Packers Insider article (online subscription only, unless you can find a print copy) the weather may well negate some of the Packers' inherent advantages, especially in the passing game. Running the ball will be a key for the Packers today. If Ryan Grant can have even half the game he had last weekend that will go a long way toward helping the Packers control the clock and the game. That means the "O" line has to control the Giants excellent front four. It also means when the Giants come with their myriad blitz schemes, the line picks them up, protects Brett, and makes creases for Grant to squeeze through. It means hanging on to the ball. And on the defensive side of things, it means getting pressure -- lots of it -- on Eli, as well as bottling up the Giants' two good running backs. If Atari Bigby can put the fear of God into the Giants' receivers as he did last week against Seattle, all the better. We want them looking for where the big hit is coming from, not for the ball. And special teams? Please, be special... whether kicking or receiving or covering...don't blow it. And if you can contribute a big play, all the better.
The Pack is the better team playing at home. The only way they lose is if they self-destruct. They learned that lesson well in Chicago a few weeks ago. It will be colder. But it won't be as windy. The team learned a valuable lesson there: for 60 minutes, you have to shut out the conditions and play as if you want it more than the other guys. Don't believe the hype about "a team of destiny"; that and a dollar will buy you tomorrow's paper outlining how you got beat. This is a chance to make a statement. It doesn't come around very often. And you have to make the most of every play because you don't know which play can make the difference between a win and a loss.
So, having said all that -- oh yeah, there could be more, but why bother? -- here's my call: Packers 27 - Giants 17.
Go Pack Go!!!
Anyway, game day has finally arrived. Although judging by all the sports coverage -- particularly if you reside in the great state of Wisconsin -- game day has been happening since the Pack beat the Seahawks last Saturday...and then it cranked up exponentially once the Giants sent the Cowgirls home earlier than many expected.
Are there any story lines that haven't already been discussed, aired, debated, or even complained about? Probably somewhere. But they are getting harder to come by. Which means that if the Packers do as most expect and go to the Super Bowl, we may be digging even deeper into sports minutiae than previously thought possible.
Still, some of these stories have been pretty good ones: Ryan Grant, obviously; Tauscher and Seubert; Brett as always; the guy from Australia who moved his whole family to Green Bay for this season; folks from around the country and around the world being Packers fans; churches re-arranging services to not interfere with kickoff time; superstitions that fans have while watching the game (for the record, I am once again wearing exactly the same combination of Packers gear as last week and will again be imbibing my preferred libation from my PackerFansUnited.com mug -- yes, a shameless commercial plug, but what the heck); the list could go on.
One new story that is worth checking out, though, concerns how the "old" Packers are rooting for these "new" Packers. "Glory Years" players such as Jerry Kramer, Jim Taylor, and Herb Adderly have some interesting insights, as well as advice for the youngsters on how to play in perhaps the coldest game they will ever play in. And Jerry Kramer admits to getting so excited about this game today that "I'm starting to throw a forearm shiver at the door jam." This from a 71-year-old...who would probably still throw on a jersey and execute a key block if asked to.
Kramer would also offer this pregame advice to the team: "Shut out the noise. Get by yourself and think about things a little bit. Think about where you are and what your opportunity is and what it represents. There's no need to get overly excited. Stay cool. Keep your temperature down. Keep your pulse rate normal. But here's an opportunity to step on a world stage and perform. The only reason you're here is because you're very good, so you don't need to worry about being very good. But you can worry about being perfect. So just try to play the best game you've ever played and if you leave everything on the field, and you give it your best shot, Mondays aren't so hard to deal with. Go get them."
Go get them, indeed! Chances are, he might have used some different verbiage outside of a family newspaper, but you get the idea. You can read that story in its entirety here.
The Prediction
The spread for the game is still 7 points. And judging from the poll here at PackerFansUnited.com (open until kickoff time today), more than 80% of those voting believe the Pack will win by at least that much.
This is one of those games where, if the weather were not a factor, it would be an easy call. Maybe it should still be. But as the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Packers reporter, Bob McGinn, points out in his Packers Insider article (online subscription only, unless you can find a print copy) the weather may well negate some of the Packers' inherent advantages, especially in the passing game. Running the ball will be a key for the Packers today. If Ryan Grant can have even half the game he had last weekend that will go a long way toward helping the Packers control the clock and the game. That means the "O" line has to control the Giants excellent front four. It also means when the Giants come with their myriad blitz schemes, the line picks them up, protects Brett, and makes creases for Grant to squeeze through. It means hanging on to the ball. And on the defensive side of things, it means getting pressure -- lots of it -- on Eli, as well as bottling up the Giants' two good running backs. If Atari Bigby can put the fear of God into the Giants' receivers as he did last week against Seattle, all the better. We want them looking for where the big hit is coming from, not for the ball. And special teams? Please, be special... whether kicking or receiving or covering...don't blow it. And if you can contribute a big play, all the better.
The Pack is the better team playing at home. The only way they lose is if they self-destruct. They learned that lesson well in Chicago a few weeks ago. It will be colder. But it won't be as windy. The team learned a valuable lesson there: for 60 minutes, you have to shut out the conditions and play as if you want it more than the other guys. Don't believe the hype about "a team of destiny"; that and a dollar will buy you tomorrow's paper outlining how you got beat. This is a chance to make a statement. It doesn't come around very often. And you have to make the most of every play because you don't know which play can make the difference between a win and a loss.
So, having said all that -- oh yeah, there could be more, but why bother? -- here's my call: Packers 27 - Giants 17.
Go Pack Go!!!
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