Tarlam!
10-08-2006, 08:29 AM
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061008/PKR07/610080679/1989
By Chris Havel
At the end of one quarter, it's Opponents 115, Packers 67.
In three of four games, the Packers have been outplayed, out-coached and outscored. Too bad they can't outsource today's noon game against the St. Louis Rams to an NFC power like San Francisco.
The 49ers upset the Rams 20-13 on Sept. 17 at Monster Park in San Francisco. They committed just two penalties, one turnover and zero defensive lapses. They racked up six sacks and surrendered none. They held St. Louis to a paltry 147 yards passing.
Given the Rams' offensive firepower and the 49ers' overall ineptitude, the question is how? The answer is Frank Gore. The 49ers' running back sounds like he should be starring in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" rather than the NFL. Don't be fooled. Gore rushed 29 times for 127 yards and a touchdown while tearing up the Rams.
Back in the day, that was business as usual for Ahman Green.
Today, it is wishful thinking.
Green is one of the greatest running backs in Packers history. He just can't play that way anymore, at least not week in and week out. A new offense and old injuries are to Green what kryptonite is to Superman. What is No. 30 supposed to do when neither fight nor flight is a viable response? Not long ago, Green did both, often on the same play.
If only he could fly, if only for a day.
For the Packers to have a prayer of defeating the Rams, two things must happen. The defensive backs can't play like turnstiles, and Green has to turn back the clock. As NFL seasons go, the Packers are fast approaching daylight savings time.
A loss today and it is lights out.
Perhaps Green can get by with a little help from his friends, namely the offensive linemen, tight ends and fullback. Perhaps he can bring to life the country lyrics, "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."
Perhaps.
The reality is Green's hamstring is questionable and the Packers' outlook is doubtful. If Green can't deliver, the Packers need Vernand Morency to carry the modest momentum he gained at Philadelphia into today's game, and the Rams' secondary.
Morency has skills. What he lacks is experience. It was reflected in his fumble in the Packers' red zone, and his inability to corral a Brett Favre pass before it bounced off his facemask and became an interception.
For as much criticism as the Packers' defensive secondary has received, and rightfully so, the running game has been equally to blame for a 1-3 start.
At times, it appears Packers coach Mike McCarthy has abandoned the running game, but how does one abandon something that doesn't exist?
It is a Lambeau-sized leap to think Green can transform today's game into a stroll down memory lane. It is a long shot to think Morency suddenly will emerge.
Then again, Green doesn't have to be as good as he once was, and neither does Morency. They just have to be as good as Frank Gore, and the Packers have to be as good as the 49ers, if only for a day.
If that is too much to ask, there's not much else to say.
Chris Havel can be reached by voice mail at (920) 431-8586 or by e-mail at chavel@greenbay.gannett.com
By Chris Havel
At the end of one quarter, it's Opponents 115, Packers 67.
In three of four games, the Packers have been outplayed, out-coached and outscored. Too bad they can't outsource today's noon game against the St. Louis Rams to an NFC power like San Francisco.
The 49ers upset the Rams 20-13 on Sept. 17 at Monster Park in San Francisco. They committed just two penalties, one turnover and zero defensive lapses. They racked up six sacks and surrendered none. They held St. Louis to a paltry 147 yards passing.
Given the Rams' offensive firepower and the 49ers' overall ineptitude, the question is how? The answer is Frank Gore. The 49ers' running back sounds like he should be starring in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" rather than the NFL. Don't be fooled. Gore rushed 29 times for 127 yards and a touchdown while tearing up the Rams.
Back in the day, that was business as usual for Ahman Green.
Today, it is wishful thinking.
Green is one of the greatest running backs in Packers history. He just can't play that way anymore, at least not week in and week out. A new offense and old injuries are to Green what kryptonite is to Superman. What is No. 30 supposed to do when neither fight nor flight is a viable response? Not long ago, Green did both, often on the same play.
If only he could fly, if only for a day.
For the Packers to have a prayer of defeating the Rams, two things must happen. The defensive backs can't play like turnstiles, and Green has to turn back the clock. As NFL seasons go, the Packers are fast approaching daylight savings time.
A loss today and it is lights out.
Perhaps Green can get by with a little help from his friends, namely the offensive linemen, tight ends and fullback. Perhaps he can bring to life the country lyrics, "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."
Perhaps.
The reality is Green's hamstring is questionable and the Packers' outlook is doubtful. If Green can't deliver, the Packers need Vernand Morency to carry the modest momentum he gained at Philadelphia into today's game, and the Rams' secondary.
Morency has skills. What he lacks is experience. It was reflected in his fumble in the Packers' red zone, and his inability to corral a Brett Favre pass before it bounced off his facemask and became an interception.
For as much criticism as the Packers' defensive secondary has received, and rightfully so, the running game has been equally to blame for a 1-3 start.
At times, it appears Packers coach Mike McCarthy has abandoned the running game, but how does one abandon something that doesn't exist?
It is a Lambeau-sized leap to think Green can transform today's game into a stroll down memory lane. It is a long shot to think Morency suddenly will emerge.
Then again, Green doesn't have to be as good as he once was, and neither does Morency. They just have to be as good as Frank Gore, and the Packers have to be as good as the 49ers, if only for a day.
If that is too much to ask, there's not much else to say.
Chris Havel can be reached by voice mail at (920) 431-8586 or by e-mail at chavel@greenbay.gannett.com