Optimists thread

[Bretsky]

WE HAVE A BYE WEEK NEXT WEEK AND THEN WE PLAY DETROIT AND CLEVELAND.

I thought we had a cupcake when we were defeated by the Bungals

I'm still cautiously optimistic but let's be honest.

NONE of us would have taken 2-2 before the season. Maybe 3-1.

Going to be a long two weeks

You mean the Bungals team that beat the defending SB champs and would be undefeated if it wasn't for a fluke TD? The Bengals are a good team, I have no shame in losing to them.

I'll happily take 4-2 going into our showdown with the Vikes at Lambeau.

I'd take 4-2 now that we are 2-2

Did you watch that Bengals squad against the pathetic Brownies ? They were dam fortunate to win that game

[BallHawk]

I'd take 4-2 now that we are 2-2

Did you watch that Bengals squad against the pathetic Brownies ? They were dam fortunate to win that game

True, but if Shayne Graham makes that XP in regulation that game isn't blown up as much. You know that any divisional game isn't as simple as Team A is more talented than Team B. Intrastate rivalry, on the road....not a gimme win. The Bengals are gonna turn some heads if they keep this up.

[denverYooper]

I thought we moved the ball well against a traditionally good D and got our short game working a bit.

Nice to see Finley make some plays.

Holding AP to 2.2 yards a carry is pretty impressive...

Matthews also, looked pretty good for a rook.

[Bossman641]

One more point to add. Seems like Poppinga is getting less PT every week. That's a positive.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

One more point to add. Seems like Poppinga is getting less PT every week. That's a positive.

Maybe we can trade him for a backup offensive lineman.

[Zool]

Well I guess McCarthy granted me my wish and got Finley involved. The matador O-line tried to get Rodgers killed as retaliation.

I am optimistic that there are 12 more games to be played.

[MichiganPackerFan]

If if if if if if if if.......

Yep. Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.

I have a co-worker with horrible flatulence. Counts there too.

[cheesner]

- Clay Matthews. First game I have seen him play and he looks like a player. Ripping the ball from AP and getting points was a thing of beauty.

- TJ Lang. Believe it or not. His first action against the league leader in sacks (now anyhow) after the guy has the taste of blood in his mouth. I thought he did okay.

- AR - He had an amazing game especially considering he was sacked 8 times and still put up great numbers.

- Finley - His breakout game perhaps.

- COllege - He is a good Guard. We don't have to compete in the FA market with teams wanting to sign him as a Tackle.

- Barbre - Looking better each week, still has a ways to go, but this game gave me the feeling he may become good

This game was lost due to the breakdown in the OL. AR has a little more time he puts up another 2-3 TDs and the Pack wins the game. We just have to improve the OL and we can be a very good team. How we do that, I don't know. But at least, IMHO, there are not a bunch of problem areas, just one. The OL I think it is a coaching problem. I think they need to practice with more attention to detail and to not accept anything that isn't perfect. Don't practice till you get it right, practice till you can't get it wrong. The defense will continue to improve every week, I have no doubt.

[Badgerinmaine]

I thought the Packers didn't panic when they got down by 14 in the second half when they could have folded their tent or took stupid gambles--and that in as hostile an environment in many ways as they come. I saw some good heart last night. Things will be okay as long as they remember Dan Reeves' adage once they come back to play: "Never take a last place team lightly".

[mmmdk]

WE HAVE A BYE WEEK NEXT WEEK AND THEN WE PLAY DETROIT AND CLEVELAND.

Packers vs Lions WIN

Packers at Browns Loss

Glass half full !

[mmmdk]

- Clay Matthews. First game I have seen him play and he looks like a player. Ripping the ball from AP and getting points was a thing of beauty.

- TJ Lang. Believe it or not. His first action against the league leader in sacks (now anyhow) after the guy has the taste of blood in his mouth. I thought he did okay.

- AR - He had an amazing game especially considering he was sacked 8 times and still put up great numbers.

- Finley - His breakout game perhaps.

- COllege - He is a good Guard. We don't have to compete in the FA market with teams wanting to sign him as a Tackle.

- Barbre - Looking better each week, still has a ways to go, but this game gave me the feeling he may become good

This game was lost due to the breakdown in the OL. AR has a little more time he puts up another 2-3 TDs and the Pack wins the game. We just have to improve the OL and we can be a very good team. How we do that, I don't know. But at least, IMHO, there are not a bunch of problem areas, just one. The OL I think it is a coaching problem. I think they need to practice with more attention to detail and to not accept anything that isn't perfect. Don't practice till you get it right, practice till you can't get it wrong. The defense will continue to improve every week, I have no doubt.

Fine post!

I loved the play of Clay, Finley & AR - very fine building blocks.

I tip my hat to Hawk & Chuck as well.

OL ? I don't feel that good - sorry.

WRs - GJ stopped playing on a lot of plays.

[Fritz]

My Packer friend is much more doom and gloom than I am, and though I did not like MM's play calling, I'm not down about this team yet.

First of all, they played about as badly as they can play - penalties up the ying-yang, turnovers - and the game planning was mediocre - stopped the run but no pass rush, didn't utilize Grant on offense. Yet they were in the game until it got to be 28-14 and then it went to hell until the final frantic effort.

I hope the light bulb is going off in the coaches' heads regarding TJ Lang - he outplayed Colledge at LT las night and I hope he is trained as the backup now. Shuffling the line hurt that team last night - not just Colledge getting moved, but Spitz having to play the left side (he played right last year).

I believe the offensive line was run blocking pretty well but the coaches put the offensive line in a bad position by calling so many passes. They did open some creases for Grant. Barbre is getting better and the game experience is helping Sitton, too.

Bigby will be better than Martin, even if Nutz doesn't think so. I'm not saying Bigby is an all pro, but he'll be an improvement, however slight.

Rodgers is showing that he's going to be exceptional.

The defense stopped Adrian Peterson. Let me say it again: the defense stopped Adrian Peterson. Of course, they also gave Favre about ten minutes to throw the ball, but I believe much of that fault lies with Capers - how many 3rd and 7's or 8's did you see where Capers would rush 3? It worked once that I saw, when Favre threw a screen into the ground. Other than that, give Favre time and he'll make the play.

So I do think this defense can work. I do think the offensive line can block. I think Brady Poppinga will soon be claiming his rightful spot as special teams demon and warming-Clay-Mathews'-spot-on-the-bench guy soon. I think Finley will get better.

I am glad it's bye week. Two weeks for MM to get this mess straightened out. Two weeks to figure out how to call running plays. Two weeks to learn the defense better, two weeks to give Capers a chance to learn how to use his players better. Two weeks for Clifton to heal, for Colledge to heal.

I think this can be a good team - 10-6.

[rbaloha1]

1. A-rod battles, keeps eyes down field and makes big plays.

2. Right side of offensive line.

3. Finley

4. Chillar is clearly the best lb for the scheme.

5. Woodson

6. Punter

7. Crosby makes nice on side kick bounces.

[Deputy Nutz]

My Packer friend is much more doom and gloom than I am, and though I did not like MM's play calling, I'm not down about this team yet.

First of all, they played about as badly as they can play - penalties up the ying-yang, turnovers - and the game planning was mediocre - stopped the run but no pass rush, didn't utilize Grant on offense. Yet they were in the game until it got to be 28-14 and then it went to hell until the final frantic effort.

I hope the light bulb is going off in the coaches' heads regarding TJ Lang - he outplayed Colledge at LT las night and I hope he is trained as the backup now. Shuffling the line hurt that team last night - not just Colledge getting moved, but Spitz having to play the left side (he played right last year).

I believe the offensive line was run blocking pretty well but the coaches put the offensive line in a bad position by calling so many passes. They did open some creases for Grant. Barbre is getting better and the game experience is helping Sitton, too.

Bigby will be better than Martin, even if Nutz doesn't think so. I'm not saying Bigby is an all pro, but he'll be an improvement, however slight.
Rodgers is showing that he's going to be exceptional.

The defense stopped Adrian Peterson. Let me say it again: the defense stopped Adrian Peterson. Of course, they also gave Favre about ten minutes to throw the ball, but I believe much of that fault lies with Capers - how many 3rd and 7's or 8's did you see where Capers would rush 3? It worked once that I saw, when Favre threw a screen into the ground. Other than that, give Favre time and he'll make the play.

So I do think this defense can work. I do think the offensive line can block. I think Brady Poppinga will soon be claiming his rightful spot as special teams demon and warming-Clay-Mathews'-spot-on-the-bench guy soon. I think Finley will get better.

I am glad it's bye week. Two weeks for MM to get this mess straightened out. Two weeks to figure out how to call running plays. Two weeks to learn the defense better, two weeks to give Capers a chance to learn how to use his players better. Two weeks for Clifton to heal, for Colledge to heal.

I think this can be a good team - 10-6.

I cetainly agree with this, well until I was watching the pregame show with the guys down on the field. Steve Young and that bunch. And then who should you see in the background trying to get on TV like some jackass fan? Atari Bigby, he almost went as far as to wave his arms around and shout, "HI MOM!". Instead he giggled and pulled some equipment guy into the camera shot with him.

How can such a dumbass be a an upgrade over what we currently have? Darren Sharper, there is an upgrade.

[3irty1]

Both losses have been fairly close not so close that we didn't have to onside kick but still close. The Packers are good enough to give anyone a game. I was happy with McCarthy's game plan and his play calling. The players just couldn't execute enough specifically the OL. There is a lot of hope for turning this unit around. We've seen them play much better than this.

#12 is a true professional. I feel like we have a chance to win any game that he starts. He wasn't perfect last night but he showed a ton of toughness, a lot of patience with the receivers and OL and kept us right in the game the whole time. He has a very bright future.

Grant had a good game. Once again he'll be at his best when we need him most--in the cold.

Finley and Mathews look to have good things ahead of them too.

There was very little pass rush especially in the 2nd half but the Run defense and secondary played well despite everything. On much of our struggles on defense the credit goes to Favre for some great throws and also their OL. Favre gives the Vikings a real NFL offense.

Martin sucks less than I thought he would.

Hopefully McCarthy can get this OL fixed because the Packers are close to being an great team.