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Mike Vandermause column: Green Bay Packers need all cylinders firing in home stretch
November 28, 2009
Armed with the No. 2 defense and No. 5 offense in the National Football League, the Green Bay Packers carry an impressive resume into the home stretch of their season.
But let’s not kid ourselves into believing statistics mean much, considering the Packers have been lucky enough to have the four worst teams in the NFL on their schedule.
Pummeling the likes of the Detroit Lions (2-9) twice, in addition to the Cleveland Browns (1-9) and St. Louis Rams (1-9), is one surefire way to produce with eye-popping efficiency. Even in a loss to the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-9), the Packers fattened their numbers.
Their 7-4 record puts them on solid ground and ahead of the pack of NFC wild-card contenders, but the Packers will need more than gaudy stats to make a deep playoff run.
It will take significant contributions from several key players if the Packers want to elevate themselves from merely a good team to a bona fide Super Bowl contender that can challenge NFC heavyweights New Orleans and Minnesota. Here is a list of players the Packers need to produce, broken down into three categories:
OVERACHIEVERS
(Players that have performed beyond expectations this season)
♦ Charles Woodson — Is there any doubt he’s the best Packers cornerback since Herb Adderley? Woodson is on pace to tie the single-season franchise record for interceptions (10), and in less than four years has pulled within one of tying Adderley’s team mark (7) for most career touchdowns on interception returns. Woodson deserves NFL defensive player of the year consideration, and if he keeps this up, the Packers’ hopes will remain high.
♦ Aaron Rodgers — He’s on pace to shatter the Packers record for passing yards in a season, and finish with the second-best completion percentage and passer rating of all-time behind Bart Starr. Those are remarkable numbers, and only the large shadow cast by his predecessor, Brett Favre, keeps more fans from appreciating his contributions. But make no mistake, Rodgers’ continued good health and play are a must.
♦ Donald Driver — He’s 34 years old but playing like he’s 24. Driver, who is on pace to catch 77 passes for more than 1,200 yards, says he wants to play until he’s 40. At this rate, who can doubt him? And so far this season, who can stop him?
UNDERACHIEVERS
(Players that have performed below expectations)
♦ Greg Jennings — He’s on pace for 68 catches and 1,050 yards, which isn’t bad. But Jennings is capable of so much more. Part of the problem is that defenses are keying on him, which has benefited Driver. But Jennings is getting paid too much money to serve as a decoy and needs to make more plays.
♦ Mason Crosby — The Packers might need him to win a game on a cold December day, but after his 43-yard indoor miss against the Lions on Thanksgiving, coach Mike McCarthy appears to be losing faith. Crosby’s 77 percent field goal accuracy ranks tied for 25th in the NFL and isn’t good enough. Now would be a good time for him to start living up to his potential.
♦ Special teamers — The Packers have some of the worst coverage units in the NFL. They rank dead last in net punting average, and only seven teams have allowed more yards per kickoff return than the Packers. This is a major disappointment, considering the heavy emphasis placed on special teams during the offseason.
♦ Offensive linemen — After a disastrous first half of the season, this unit has looked better of late. If Mark Tauscher’s knee holds up, and rookie T.J. Lang continues to develop as a capable backup tackle — or starter if necessary — good things might be in store and Rodgers can stop fearing for his life.
MODEST ACHIEVERS
(Players who have flashed potential)
♦ Jermichael Finley — An injury sidelined him for a month and slowed his progress, but if he breaks loose, the offense could shed its red-zone struggles and become virtually unstoppable.
♦ Ryan Grant — He’s on pace to rush for 1,295 yards, which would rank sixth all-time in single-season team history. It would help if he could break a couple long runs and boost his 4.3 average. For as much as Grant has been criticized, a strong finish will justify the contract the Packers gave him last year.
♦ B.J. Raji — The ninth overall selection in the draft has been shackled by a nagging ankle injury but seems to be getting healthy. At a time when many rookies hit the wall, Raji must blossom as a run-stuffer and overall stud on the defensive line.
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Snake's Take:
-#2 Defense and #5 offense? Damn that's crazy. So how are we only 7-4? Oh yeah, we played the 4 worst teams in the NFL so far. But damn those are some stats...
-I don't believe Arod or Woodson have overachieved. I expected both to have stellar seasons, thus far, and both have been great.
-Driver has overachieved...at his age, I'd have suspected he'd tail off at this point. He's been better than Jennings so far. Lights out Turkey Day too.
-I agree with all the underachievers. Jennings has kinda disappeared in games. I really thought he'd be elite this year. There's still time for him to shine, though.
-As far as Mike's modest achievers...Finley has been hurt, but really good when he's played. I like that guy alot at TE/SE with the matchup problems he presents vs. Donald Lee at TE. He has overachieved, as I don't think anyone expected him to just beast at times (but be overall much improved coming off last season). Grant (most know I'm usually down on Grant) has impressed me the last few weeks. He's done more than I expected by far. BJ was hurt early and really took off the past few weeks (QB pressures, big run stuffs, sacks, etc.) I'm a big BJ fan (look at my sig) but I don't know what to say here, as I think his 1st half was not what I wanted/expected, but suspect he's getting stronger and more confident in the past few games and will be a force by years end. He's really been good the past few games and will be much better by the end of the year, and into 2010 and beyond.
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