The Good, Bad & Ugly

[eagle13]

A few comments –

THE GOOD
Rodgers - It was against a weak D but I am really liking Aaron more each game. He still needs to win against teams like Dallas but I am confident he can and will. My biggest question going into the Rodgers era was his durability. Well he did get hurt but he has showed toughness, grit and ability. I am impressed. Kid has a darn nice arm. You always said he did DB!

Jennings – at this point – pay him whatever it takes to keep him here TT. That kid is velvet lightning. So smooth and so explosive.

Nick Collins has arrived. I just wish he was at full health. He has finally groked pass coverage. Looks to me he’s going to fulfill his vast potential

Rodgers, Jennings, Crosby and Collins – the first harvest of “proven A quality” from TT’s drafts. (perhaps with a decent Def. Coor. Hawk could be on that list – right now I give Hawk a B+)

Bigby - Boy I miss Atari Bigby. That guy is a lights out hitter. But missing this time not only hurts team but delays his development. He needs to make the same jump that Collins has made in mastering pass coverage. I fully expect he will.

Rouse - Since I’ve talked S I’ll mention Rouse. I think his promising rookie year made me have overly high expectations this year. He’s blown assignments and needs growth but I still see the promise. He’s just going to take a couple years to get it together – much like Collins did. That said I still really miss Bigby.

Kampman - Though only against a crummy Oline – even Cole got a sack – COLE??? – still good to see Kampman show up. It would have been downright scary had he not made any waves today.

Tramon – YES!!! Thank God!!! He has to show it consistently and against top tall receivers but the kid can cover, anticipate and open field tackle.

Bigby and Tramon are both incredible “street” FA finds by TT.

Woodson – I LOVE that guy. Perhaps my favorite Pack? Well one of. That guy is such a cool cucumber back there. I gotta believe all the young guys feed off him.

Blackmon – Despite his promise, with his injury history I was figuring PR & KR would test his injury bug. Seems like he’s holding up. And damn its exciting to have a return threat again.

Nelson – despite maybe having drafted a different position, Nelson looks very promising. Also a interesting KR.

THE BAD
Barnett – come on Nick get out of the molasses your running in. He’s a top quality guy in a bad rut right now. I believe in him but he’s way off his game right now and its hurting the team. I am confident he’ll bounce back. But Nick – how bout that be now?

Jolly – Cole got a sack? What’s up there Johnny?

Elephant End – Can we get a bionic pectoral muscle for Cullen?

Play calling – great that long strike to Jennings was FINALLY called. This is the 2008 NFL. No matter past convention or tradition, today you set up the run with the pass. Especially if your run game stinks as bad as ours.

Frost – OK he did finally drop a couple inside the 15 yard line which stopped him from hitting the ugly list. But his gross and net were still lame. He is on a very short leash. Hopefully he’ll finally settle down. But I ain’t gonna hold my breath.

Run D- OK it got better today but as horrible as its been - it has a lot to prove.

THE UGLY
Run game – see game thread – both Oline AND Grant look like grade schoolers. Too often there are no holes and RB is usually met by - not one but - a swarm of defenders – other times when there is a nice hole, Grant inexplicably fails to get there. The run game is just …

The schedule – with our erratic uneven play – no game is easy. The Colts will be a challenge to say the least.

OVERALL
I predicted 9-7. Still possible but things have to go much better. Less injuries, less penalties, less fumbles, more effective running, better tackling and run D.

On D - Barnett, Pickett & Kampman have to get back to last years level and Bigby needs to be healthy and Jolly has to stop sleep walking.

On O - will the 2007 version of Ryan Grant please report to the team? Hope to heck that rookie Josh Sitton can get into lineup and have positive impact on Oline. Will the 2007 versions of Clifton and Tauscher please also report to the team. Pray to God Rodgers arm (and rest of his body) stays healthy.

GO PACK!!!