Terry
08-27-2006, 08:41 AM
They might not be Super, but Packers could prove some critics wrong
Written by Dave Begel - OnMilwaukee.com
Friday, 25 August 2006
I suppose I should have expected it, but I'm getting buried under an avalanche of expert opinion regarding the Green Bay Packers.
Basically the party line goes something like this: "They aren't as bad as they were against the Chargers and aren't as good as they were against the Falcons."
I'm getting hit with it on television, newspapers and radio and in coffee shops, grocery stores and gas stations, which should tell you something, at the very least, about the level of interest in our baseball team. It's almost like once the bandwagon got rolling in a certain direction everybody climbed on. And this bandwagon was headed in the direction of lowered expectations for this football team. Nobody seems to think this football team will be any good.
And like most bandwagons, I think this one is wrong. I think this football team is showing many of the signs of being an amazing surprise.
I've seen lots and lots of football in my day. I mean lots of football. I've watched games from the press box, stands, sidelines and once from the Goodyear blimp.
I've watched games with players. I've broken down game and practice film with coaches. I've studied film with scouts. I've had guys who know a lot about the game teach me stuff.
And over the years, I've gotten a pretty good idea what's good and what's not so good on a football field. I'm pretty sure I couldn't be a coach. But I can be a top-flight recognizer.
All during the off-season I've been saying this team is not as bad as the 4-12 record of last year would indicate and that Brett Favre is not nearly as bad as his statistics would indicate.
After watching this team in a couple of practices and a couple of exhibition games, it's pretty clear that the people who expect the Packers to fall on their faces this season are going to be in for a big shock.
For example, I really think I'm going to like this offense. The Packers appear committed to running the ball with the new zone-blocking scheme. And they also appear able to run the ball. Not spectacularly. But effectively. And what that does for Favre is extremely significant. When he is surrounded by a team that both can, and does, run the ball, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league.
That offensive line looks mean and nasty, if a little uncertain at times. But mean and nasty can make up for a lot of uncertainty. Najeh Davenport, of all people, looks like he can run behind this line if he stays healthy and the Packers have enough tight ends to form a chorus line. With the emerging Greg Jennings teaming with Donald Driver, the Packers have a couple of very good wide receivers.
And they have Favre, who doesn't look like he's lost a thing. I know it's fashionable to bash him and I've watched him closely. I don't think he's lost anything. He's still got fairly quick feet, his arm is strong, his courage is unquestioned, his judgment is colorful and his flair is still unique. If things fall well, he could have a spectacular year.
The defense looks to be much better with a stronger and faster defensive line, a young, aggressive, speedy and hard-hitting linebacking corps and a defensive backfield that may be one of the best since in a decade or more. The additions of Ryan Pickett, Charles Woodson and A. J. Hawk should have a major impact. After watching the plodding defense of the last couple of years, I'm stunned to see how these guys run.
I'm not saying the Packers are going to win the Super Bowl this year. But I am saying that those experts who are writing them off already are just trying to make noise and get headlines. This team is going to be a lot better than people expected.
Their schedule is one of the weakest in the NFL and there are lots of steps to be taken between here and there. But I think this has the makings of a pretty good football team. Last year was filled with enough bad luck for a couple of years. If they get a break or two this year, or at least avoid the catastrophic bad luck, they could easily be a playoff team with home field advantage most of the way.
So, don't let all these gloom merchants have their way with you. Don't be afraid to like this team, because I think your affection will be rewarded.
Written by Dave Begel - OnMilwaukee.com
Friday, 25 August 2006
I suppose I should have expected it, but I'm getting buried under an avalanche of expert opinion regarding the Green Bay Packers.
Basically the party line goes something like this: "They aren't as bad as they were against the Chargers and aren't as good as they were against the Falcons."
I'm getting hit with it on television, newspapers and radio and in coffee shops, grocery stores and gas stations, which should tell you something, at the very least, about the level of interest in our baseball team. It's almost like once the bandwagon got rolling in a certain direction everybody climbed on. And this bandwagon was headed in the direction of lowered expectations for this football team. Nobody seems to think this football team will be any good.
And like most bandwagons, I think this one is wrong. I think this football team is showing many of the signs of being an amazing surprise.
I've seen lots and lots of football in my day. I mean lots of football. I've watched games from the press box, stands, sidelines and once from the Goodyear blimp.
I've watched games with players. I've broken down game and practice film with coaches. I've studied film with scouts. I've had guys who know a lot about the game teach me stuff.
And over the years, I've gotten a pretty good idea what's good and what's not so good on a football field. I'm pretty sure I couldn't be a coach. But I can be a top-flight recognizer.
All during the off-season I've been saying this team is not as bad as the 4-12 record of last year would indicate and that Brett Favre is not nearly as bad as his statistics would indicate.
After watching this team in a couple of practices and a couple of exhibition games, it's pretty clear that the people who expect the Packers to fall on their faces this season are going to be in for a big shock.
For example, I really think I'm going to like this offense. The Packers appear committed to running the ball with the new zone-blocking scheme. And they also appear able to run the ball. Not spectacularly. But effectively. And what that does for Favre is extremely significant. When he is surrounded by a team that both can, and does, run the ball, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league.
That offensive line looks mean and nasty, if a little uncertain at times. But mean and nasty can make up for a lot of uncertainty. Najeh Davenport, of all people, looks like he can run behind this line if he stays healthy and the Packers have enough tight ends to form a chorus line. With the emerging Greg Jennings teaming with Donald Driver, the Packers have a couple of very good wide receivers.
And they have Favre, who doesn't look like he's lost a thing. I know it's fashionable to bash him and I've watched him closely. I don't think he's lost anything. He's still got fairly quick feet, his arm is strong, his courage is unquestioned, his judgment is colorful and his flair is still unique. If things fall well, he could have a spectacular year.
The defense looks to be much better with a stronger and faster defensive line, a young, aggressive, speedy and hard-hitting linebacking corps and a defensive backfield that may be one of the best since in a decade or more. The additions of Ryan Pickett, Charles Woodson and A. J. Hawk should have a major impact. After watching the plodding defense of the last couple of years, I'm stunned to see how these guys run.
I'm not saying the Packers are going to win the Super Bowl this year. But I am saying that those experts who are writing them off already are just trying to make noise and get headlines. This team is going to be a lot better than people expected.
Their schedule is one of the weakest in the NFL and there are lots of steps to be taken between here and there. But I think this has the makings of a pretty good football team. Last year was filled with enough bad luck for a couple of years. If they get a break or two this year, or at least avoid the catastrophic bad luck, they could easily be a playoff team with home field advantage most of the way.
So, don't let all these gloom merchants have their way with you. Don't be afraid to like this team, because I think your affection will be rewarded.