Post game chat with Cleft Crusty (Vikings)

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Folks, Time to ask your least favorite sports reporter more questions about the Packers following their 34-0 victory over the Vikings. Sorry if I missed some action due to falling asleep from total boredom - and dangerously low blood pressure, but I'll try to fill in the gaps with the high quality content-free reporting and commentary you all demand.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Cleft, I heard during the game that Favre was bow hunting for deer during his time off. Does this change your opinion of him? I used to think he was a nice man.

[Rastak]

Hello Cleft, when will Childress get fired?


Second, damn fine effort by the Packers. Is Grant the answer at RB?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft, I heard during the game that Favre was bow hunting for deer during his time off. Does this change your opinion of him? I used to think he was a nice man.

I don't think there's any hard in thinning he deer herd. Decreases the chance of me hitting them on my motorcycle. I still have the road rash scars from a deer vs. motorcycle crash last year. My wife's scars are even worse - but at least we saw that historic football stadium in Steven's point.

[Cleft Crusty]

Hello Cleft, when will Childress get fired?


Second, damn fine effort by the Packers. Is Grant the answer at RB?

Did Childress draft the Vikings QBs? Did Childress trade Randy Moss and get nothing for him? I guess the answer is that I don't know, but I'm certain the decision will be made with all the same careful illogic and poor football instincts with which virtually every other recent Viking move has been made.

[Rastak]

Hello Cleft, when will Childress get fired?


Second, damn fine effort by the Packers. Is Grant the answer at RB?

Did Childress draft the Vikings QBs? Did Childress trade Randy Moss and get nothing for him? I guess the answer is that I don't know, but I'm certain the decision will be made with all the same careful illogic and poor football instincts with which virtually every other recent Viking move has been made.


Solid take Cleft.

[Cleft Crusty]

Hello Cleft,
Second, damn fine effort by the Packers. Is Grant the answer at RB?

It depends on what the question is. ID the question is: Who can the Packers find at running back who can run effectively run and catch the ball as well? Then then Grant is the answer. If the question is, who is the next all pro running back for the Green Bay Packers, Grant is not the answer.

[the_idle_threat]

Hi, Cleft!

Ruvell Martin caught a couple of nice TDs today. Does that qualify him as a playmaker?

[Rivers Rutherford]

How was your take on the two much miligned guards for the Packers?

Why was Favre left in the game so long?

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi, Cleft!

Ruvell Martin caught a couple of nice TDs today. Does that qualify him as a playmaker?

I'm glad you asked, because I was certain this topic would come up and I actually have an answer. Last year at home against the Vikings, Martin was basically the number two receiver behind Driver, and he made a play, in a very 'playless' game - he caught a late, deep pass in coverage to set up a critical game-winning FG. Otherwise he really didn't do much. Today Martin was the number five wide receiver and was able to score two touchdowns. Is he more of a playmaker this year? Of course not. But what he is, is a receiver who is far superior compared to the fifth coverage defensive back of probably any opposing team. And that makes him immensely valuable. If any team tries to take away Driver, Jennings, Jones, and Robinson, Martin will likely be wide open, like you saw today. And with a guy like Favre, who appears completely in control of the offense, he will likely be found (even if underthrown to one).

[Cleft Crusty]

How was your take on the two much miligned guards for the Packers?

I thought they were a bit better than last week - not as many whiffs, and collectively they did a nice job sealing the end of the line on outside runs. Still, they (and pretty much no-one) was able to block E.J. Henderson, but he's a quality LB. Ultimately, you have to give them some credit for a really dominant offensive performance against a solid line.

[Cleft Crusty]

Why was Favre left in the game so long?

That's the coaches decision when to pull him. I didn't think it was all that late. You don't want to give up momentum and have a couple of big plays allow the other team back in it, and have you 38 year old starter cold. Coaches probably can see a way they could lose a 34-0 game with 4 minutes left and they probably wait longer than they need to to pull starters. I don't think it's a big deal.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Cleft, describe McCarthy's karma.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft, describe McCarthy's karma.

I don't think I'm the best source to answer this question, since I am not a philosopher or a Jainist monk. However, Jainism does place emphasis on the immediate consequences of one's behavior, a virtue that McCarthy seems to apply to all his players, especially running backs. But still, I can't imagine McCarthy walking around with a soft broom to sweep bugs from in front of his path, so as to reduce his ability to harm any life.

[Pacopete4]

do u STILL think the bears are a better football team?

[ND72]

If the question is, who is the next all pro running back for the Green Bay Packers, Grant is not the answer.


I remember when many people said that of Ahman Green.

[Cleft Crusty]

do u STILL think the bears are a better football team?

A better team than what team? They are probably better than Oakland, although that might change. Most good teams can't survive an onslaught of injuries and the Bears, much like the 2002 Packers, are a shadow of their Superbowl selves due to injuries. That doesn't mean they might not sweep the season series with Green Bay, because if nothing else, we know that even poor Chicago teams will more often than not play good Green Bay teams very hard.

[Cleft Crusty]

If the question is, who is the next all pro running back for the Green Bay Packers, Grant is not the answer.


I remember when many people said that of Ahman Green.
Sure and they were almost correct - Ahman Green was named second string all-pro at running back in 2003. I would be shocked if Grant ever made all-pro. Grant seems to have some upside, but doesn't have the same power and speed as Ahman Green, and wasn't ever confused for a guy who did coming out of college. But that's not a terrible fate - Ahman Green was one of the best three-four backs from 2000-2004. Grant may still be a highly effective running back.

[ND72]

If the question is, who is the next all pro running back for the Green Bay Packers, Grant is not the answer.


I remember when many people said that of Ahman Green.
Sure and they were almost correct - Ahman Green was named second string all-pro at running back in 2003. I would be shocked if Grant ever made all-pro. Grant seems to have some upside, but doesn't have the same power and speed as Ahman Green, and wasn't ever confused for a guy who did coming out of college. But that's not a terrible fate - Ahman Green was one of the best three-four backs from 2000-2004. Grant may still be a highly effective running back.


:roll: kind of missed the point of that one...Wasn't saying he's gonna be all pro, but if he's a solid runner, that's all I need personally.

[Cleft Crusty]

:roll: kind of missed the point of that one...Wasn't saying he's gonna be all pro, but if he's a solid runner, that's all I need personally.

But you drew a comparison t comments about Ahman Green. Now, had you referred back to comments regarding Levens or Bennett when they were drafted that might have been different.

[Deputy Nutz]

I watch the last two games with my wife, the Packers won both games, do I still have to watch the games with her if I don't want to?

[MJZiggy]

How many did we win without you watching with her?

[pbmax]

Answer of the Year.



Cleft, I heard during the game that Favre was bow hunting for deer during his time off. Does this change your opinion of him? I used to think he was a nice man.

I don't think there's any hard in thinning he deer herd. Decreases the chance of me hitting them on my motorcycle. I still have the road rash scars from a deer vs. motorcycle crash last year. My wife's scars are even worse - but at least we saw that historic football stadium in Steven's point.

[pbmax]

And Sportswriter of the Year.



Hello Cleft, when will Childress get fired?


Second, damn fine effort by the Packers. Is Grant the answer at RB?

Did Childress draft the Vikings QBs? Did Childress trade Randy Moss and get nothing for him? I guess the answer is that I don't know, but I'm certain the decision will be made with all the same careful illogic and poor football instincts with which virtually every other recent Viking move has been made.

[pbmax]

Cleft, according to the radio guys, Favre was missing high with receivers in the first half, along with four drops by wides. Blip on the radar or a sign of second half fatigue?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft, according to the radio guys, Favre was missing high with receivers in the first half, along with four drops by wides. Blip on the radar or a sign of second half fatigue?

If it were a sign of second half fatigue, I would imagine that you'd see more fatigue in the second half than in the first half, right? But seriously, I thought (and wrote a column) arguing that Favre would have ups and downs, and the downs would follow games in which he was battered a bit. Favre got hit a lot in KC, and still threw well today. That has to be a good sign for Packer fans.

[Cleft Crusty]

I watch the last two games with my wife, the Packers won both games, do I still have to watch the games with her if I don't want to?

I'm not a scientist, Mr. Nutz, but I would imagine that you need more data points. Still, the most impressing thing about your question is the implication that you can decide whether or not your wife watches the game with you. Most guys who claim that kind of power over their wives are either lying or are divorced.

[Cleft Crusty]

pbMax,

Thanks for the kind words, but I knew Grantland Rice, Grantland Rice was a friend of mine, and I, sir, am no Grantland Rice.

[gbgary]

mr crusty, the coach was pretty daring today with the 4th down calls. were those calls acts of desperation or confidence?

[woodbuck27]

mr crusty, the coach was pretty daring today with the 4th down calls. were those calls acts of desperation or confidence?

Good question.

[Cleft Crusty]

mr crusty, the coach was pretty daring today with the 4th down calls. were those calls acts of desperation or confidence?

Neither, really. I'd say McCarthy was playing the odds - he could choose from long field goals, with his place kicker struggling a bit as of late, punts, which likely gain him 15 yards of field position, or allow his hot QB and offense to give it a shot. But if I had to choose between desperation and confidence, there's no question it was confidence. But in my best estimation, McCarthy was taking the good odds.

[3irty1]

Mr. Crusty,

How do we get such great pressure with a simple 4 man rush? It doesn't seem to matter who we put out there with Kampman. What are they doing right?

[Cleft Crusty]

Mr. Crusty,

How do we get such great pressure with a simple 4 man rush? It doesn't seem to matter who we put out there with Kampman. What are they doing right?

There are several factors. First, Kampman is such a good technician, he applies some pressure on every down. He's drawing a decent number of doulble teams as well. Inside, Pickett is gobbling up two guys on every run down. Jenkins is solid at the other end on run and is a disruptive force playing from inside on passing downs. Williams can play anywhere. Jolly and Cole provide consisten push - both are stout tackles. And KGB has revived his career as a PRS (pass rush specialist). Now add that all up and you have an incredibly deep defensive line that collectively never tires, so as the game goes on they get better and better. Teams expect the D-line to tire out, but it just doesn't happen with the Packers.' The scheme at defensive back - with Harris and Woodson engaging and mauling receiver - also makes the QB hold the ball longer, and that only helps the line. Finally, is the offense continues their improvement to a methodical, multi-play drive team, that can gobble up huge chunks of clock and score, the D-line stays even fresher, plays from a lead, making them all the harder to defeat.

[Cleft Crusty]

And that's it for this week's chat, Folks. Clefty has to get some sack time and go get dialysis in preparation for the Carolina Panthers game. Sitting at the game and in front of the computer really takes it out of me these days, even though I can still bench press 275.

[Tarlam!]

Wow. I am left knowing our very own Cleft Crusty is a world class NFL Analyst. and no, I am NOT focussing on ANALyst here, although I do on ESPN!

An awe-inspiring post game chat. Riveting. I mean that!

[gbgary]

very entertaining thread!!!