Week 8-> Packers/ViQueens Pregame

crkone · Post #1 » by **crkone** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:36 pm

Coach Mike McCarthy is scheduled to speak with the media shortly. We'll have the newsy stuff here as it comes, so refresh for the latest ...

* On injuries: Jermichael Finley had knee sprain and will be a "long shot" for this week. DB Derrick Martin had a hamstring strain. WR Brett Swain will have season-ending knee surgery.

* On receivers: WR Jordy Nelson (knee) remains a couple of weeks away. Personnel department looking for another receiver. Jake Allen, on practice squad, is a possibility.

* On Mark Tauscher: Has been cleared. Will be a full participant this week.

* On opening kickoff: Official right on it. Said ball hit turf first, and he was decisive with call. Explanation was ball hit turf and then pylon.

* On T.J. Lang: Thought played well, very well in run game. Some good opportunities in pass protection. Very pleased with performance.

* On Chad Clifton's status: Made lot of progress last week. Probably take through rehab Wednesday and Thursday and see if can go on Friday.

* On Jason Spitz: More tests on Tuesday. "Hopefully, he's out of the woods."

* On offensive line: Group that finished Sunday's game -- with Wells at center and Lang at left tackle -- will be starting point in game planning.

* On hype for this week's game: Thought did good job last time. Very focused, quality week. "We'll prepare like we always do ... and we'll be ready to go Sunday."

* On media hype: Don't know why would go about anything differently. Schedule is exactly the same. Ready to get on to Minnesota today.

* On what take out of first meeting: Lot of positives in Monday night game that will take away. "They're a good football team, we're a good football team. I think it'll be a hell of a game."

Post #2 » by **MickeyDavis** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:41 pm

I don't know what to do with the line. We played a terrible defensive team yesterday so I hate to say we're fine. We're not. Having Clifton, Tausch and Spitz back at least gives us option.

Pisses me off we won't have all our weapons. Finley and Nelson out sucks.

Let's hope Capers learned from the first meeting and changes things up. Stopping Peterson is fine but you can't let Brent sit back there and pick us apart. Pitt stopped Peterson too. And also pressured Brent into mistakes. We need to do that.

Right now the forecast for Sunday is 45 with rain/snow showers.

LUKE23 · Post #3 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:48 pm

I'd start Lang unless Clifton is 100% without any issues. Lang has fared well, no reason to not rest Clifton up, even if it is against Jared Allen.

Sucks about our WR weapons, especially with Winfield out and people being able to really light up Minny's secondary.

And yes, Dom better be blitzing more next Sunday. We've been (for the most part) stopping the run well all year (3.5 yards per carry allowed), but we need to get pressure on the QB, and that has been lacking on a consistent basis.

crkone · Post #4 » by **crkone** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:48 pm

Harrison, Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert are available. Best bet would probably be Jake Allen, he's a nice big target.

LUKE23 · Post #5 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:49 pm

If Marvin is in shape I might give him a look.

Newz · Post #6 » by **Newz** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:49 pm

We should bring in Nick Toon...

Just sayin'.

crkone · Post #7 » by **crkone** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:50 pm

* On defensive game plan vs. Minnesota: Watched Cleveland game with Capers this morning, then spoke about game plan for Minnesota. Every week is different. Think have some advantages this time, including playing at Lambeau Field. "We'll make sure we're utilizing all our assets."

* Any differences in Grant? Big thing was getting over 20 attempts two weeks in a row, get into rhythm. "I thought he really ran on time." Pace between run blocking and back was good. Continuity, timing is key. "I think we took a big step this week, and obviously, the way Ryan ran the ball is a big part of that."

Captain Erv · Post #8 » by **Captain Erv** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:52 pm

Likin' the weather forecast right now for sure and I agree, MD, Capers hopefully learned something from the first game. It'll be interesting to see what we do with the wide receiving situation, I'd rather see a vet come in rather than a PS player, but obviously it probably wouldn't be much benefit for this week.

Lastly, I can't wait for this game but these next 6 days will be brutal as I can imagine most of the network coverage will be firmly cupped around Brent's balls once again.

LUKE23 · Post #9 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:52 pm

I know it pretty much goes without saying, but this game will determine whether the division is over now (be 2.5 back with a loss) to being completely up for grabs (tied in loss column, .5 back). They have to figure out a way to win this one.

MadCityBucky · Post #10 » by **MadCityBucky** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:53 pm

Ayt · Post #11 » by **Ayt** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:55 pm

WTF. He had to have seen him.

Newz · Post #12 » by **Newz** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:55 pm

I assume everyone saw Adrian Peterson explode William Gay...

It's safe to say he won't do that to Clay Matthews, who will just take the ball away from him again. MUHAHAHHAAHAHAHA.

Captain Erv · Post #13 » by **Captain Erv** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:11 pm

Dan Needles brought up a pretty good point on the D-List just now. If they are going to look at bringing in a WR from outside the PS (Jake Allen), the UFL might be a great place to look because those guys are going to be in the best football shape of any free agent probably.

Of course these guys are a lot of nobodies, but this guy looks to be the best available right now. Just something to consider anyway.

http://www.ufl-football.com/players/profile/2900

Post #14 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:12 pm

I'll be in attendance. One of only two in my large group that hasn't been a converted Viking fan. It's disgusting.

Captain Erv · Post #15 » by **Captain Erv** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:14 pm

DrugBust wrote:I'll be in attendance. One of only two in my large group that hasn't been a converted Viking fan. It's disgusting.

You need some new friends, DB.

LUKE23 · Post #16 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:16 pm

It's probably his family, but yes, he should disown them.

Post #17 » by **ReasonablySober** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:18 pm

LUKE23 wrote:It's probably his family, but yes, he should disown them.

It is. Brother, cousins, dad, mom, aunts and uncles. Huge group of Favre worshipers. I'm still tempted to sell my ticket at the gate and catch it in Curly's.

Newz · Post #18 » by **Newz** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:19 pm

I'm still wondering...

Will there be more boos or more cheers when he runs out onto the field?

I was at a bar for the Vikings game this weekend and everyone was going nuts when he threw the INT to lose the game.

PkrsBcksGphsMqt · Post #19 » by **PkrsBcksGphsMqt** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:19 pm

Not having Finley is more disappointing then being with out Swain and Nelson imo. We've still got Driver, Jennings, and Jones as our top 3 wrs. Finley is such a unique weapon that the drop off from him to Lee is pretty significant imo.

I'd like to see TJ Lang get the start. In fact I'm not opposed to making him the starter for the rest of the year. If he has been playing as well as I've heard he has (haven't been able to watch the last 2 games), then we might as well make him a full time starter. Clifton is not going to be back after this year so we might as well give Lang the job if he is playing well.

LUKE23 · Post #20 » by **LUKE23** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:20 pm

Yeah, this would be a good one to know the outcome going in. A win and you can gloat like a MF, lose and you have to sit with a bunch of "I told you so"s. I like our chances though.