Unexpected GB praise from an ESPN turd

[Cobra Kai]

Was listening to ESPN Radio on the way home and they had John Clayton on the Sports Bash...

They were talking about McCarthy "calling" out Farve regarding the 5 INTs on Monday. And blah blah blah same old crap...

But then Clayton said something I didn't expect from any of the ESPN know-it-alls (especially after the GB and Favre dissing they seem to be doing lately), he said that after watching the GB pratice he thought the Pack was a lot better than he anticipated and that they could suprise people this year!!!

Now I know that JC doesn't carry much weight in this forum (I really don't care much for him myself) but its gotta be a good sign when a ESPN talking head praises GB after admintting he had a low opinion of this year's team. Right???

[Bretsky]

Good Points; I was listening too. He said going into GB he was expecting a team to look like another 4-12 campaign, but after witnessing some of the youthful talent he can see 7-8 wins.

He discussed TT's players that looked very sharp. He did say last year's draft doesn't look like much at this point, but he was really impressed by the athletic ability and how fluid AJ Hawk and Jennings looked.

Also said GB is sitting real good cap wise going forward.

It was nice to hear.

[MJZiggy]

It will be interesting to see what he says about GB from this point forward. If he continues hating, then we can just add hypocrite to the rest of the stuff we call him. If he praises nationally, then do we assume he's opened his eyes or that he's just as much of an idiot as he's made himself out to be all along? I prefer consistency myself.

[Homer Jay]

I'm really not bothered when some of the talking heads write off the Packers. It's their job to say what they believe, whether I agree or not. What does bother me is when they don't even consider any of the injuries that happened last year. So, it is nice to hear something good from Clayton, but it still sounds like he believes injuries had nothing to do with last years record

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm really not bothered when some of the talking heads write off the Packers. It's their job to say what they believe, whether I agree or not.

Bingo! Don't get bothered buy it, but don't buy into it either. I bet the ESPN "experts" have been wrong on their consensus playoff teams close to 50% of the time over the last few years.

[BallHawk]

I hate Sean Salisbury.

[No Mo Moss]

You all know my stance on the EsPN crew, I try to disregard it when its positive as much as I do when its negative. This however gives me a good feeling. I thought the homerism had become terminal and that no matter how hard I tried I would only see a 7-10 win team while everyone else thought maybe 4 wins. Clayton coming around atleast gives me some hope, but my god its early.

That said I will say that during Sherman's tenure the reviews were alway quite grimm this time of year and into the preseason. Well hell, into the season even. This is encouraging.

[red]

i've seen a few places this last week that are starting to have a little respect for the pack again. i even read a magazine that had us 2nd in the nfc north )but only with a 7=9 record).

right after the draft everyone was saying we'd be drafting right up at the top again next year, and some were saying we would somehow be worse then last year.

but over the last few weeks people have started to see what us kool-aid drinkers have been seeing and saying. there is some talent on this team, last year was a fluke, and we won't be at the bottom of the nfl again this year

WE'RE BACK ON THE UPSWING BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bretsky]

Tuesday Mortenson and Theisman and Simms were on ESPN radio also praising MM for his efforts to subtly send Favre a message.

[Partial]

Re: Unexpected GB praise from an ESPN turd

Was listening to ESPN Radio on the way home and they had John Clayton on the Sports Bash...

They were talking about McCarthy "calling" out favre regarding the 5 INTs on Monday. And blah blah blah same old crap...

But then Clayton said something I didn't expect from any of the ESPN know-it-alls (especially after the GB and Favre dissing they seem to be doing lately), he said that after watching the GB pratice he thought the Pack was a lot better than he anticipated and that they could suprise people this year!!!

Now I know that JC doesn't carry much weight in this forum (I really don't care much for him myself) but its gotta be a good sign when a ESPN talking head praises GB after admintting he had a low opinion of this year's team. Right???

Awesome avatar, great to have you here bro

[ny10804]

Well, seeing as John Clayton will be writing the Packers' training camp report -- link -- I can expect to hear good things.

By the way, that report will be available by tomorrow.

[Cobra Kai]

I'm really not bothered when some of the talking heads write off the Packers. It's their job to say what they believe, whether I agree or not.

Bingo! Don't get bothered buy it, but don't buy into it either. I bet the ESPN "experts" have been wrong on their consensus playoff teams close to 50% of the time over the last few years.

I agree with both of you. Its hard to put much stock into what any "expert" says good or bad, especially an ESPN "expert".

BUT regardless of your opinion of these guys, you have to admit when you hear a compliment about your team from them it gives you a warm fuzzy. It kinda validates the kool-aid...

[MJZiggy]

Can someone post that when it becomes available?

[Scott Campbell]

I'm not sure what I believe from these national guys. It's summer, and at some point they seem to pander to every teams fans.

[ND72]

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Here are five observations on the Green Bay Packers, based on camp practices of Aug. 3:


1. Aaron Rodgers' practice play might help stop some of the rampant criticism the second-year quarterback has been facing. He looks so much better than last summer. He's more confident stepping into throws and appears more in control this summer. He knows the preseason will be important because it likely will be his only playing time.
Now that Brett Favre is back, pro football's ironman isn't expected to open up any playing time for Rodgers unless there is an injury or a blowout. Rodgers waits, and it's a painful wait. He's bothered by the national criticism and has little opportunity to change those opinions. All he has is four preseason games and maybe six quarters of action to show improvement and potential. Veterans around the locker room aren't sold Favre will retire at the end of this season. Some think he may have another season in him after this year. To quiet some of the critics, Rodgers needs to play well in the preseason games.



2. Ahman Green is a week or two away from returning from his ruptured quad injury. Those are tough injuries for running backs to come back from. Some backs think those injuries are trickier than ACL tears. Naturally, the organization is cautious in making sure it doesn't put Green out there too early. Head coach Mike McCarthy was convinced to give Green another chance because of his character and hard work. Green spent the entire offseason in Green Bay rehabbing and training.
"Soon enough I will be out there running and getting tackled," Green said.

Green can't wait to be back on the field, and his return is important. Without a running game, the Packers were one dimensional.

"You still need to run the ball to win games and championships," Green said. "You saw how tough it was on us last year."

Green fits well into the running adjustments that are similar to systems used in Denver and Atlanta. But the Packers also need him for his leadership. Because the team is so young, leaders are hard to find. Green has been one of the team's best leaders, and they need him desperately.



3. McCarthy believes the Packers are five deep at tight end, and there is no doubt he will use them more. McCarthy is big on using tight ends. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski is a former Packers tight ends coach. Bubba Franks has Pro Bowl skills, Donald Lee led all Packers tight ends with 33 catches last year and David Martin is a big target who can get downfield.
Favre likes to get rid of the ball quickly if there is a rush, and often, he'll dump it to a running back. Tight ends will probably get more involved in those situations. It's not known if the Packers will use less three-receiver sets than last year, but the return of the tight end is a given for this offense.



4. Wide receiver Greg Jennings is the talk of training camp. The second-round pick from Western Michigan is running routes with the efficiency of a veteran. He's catching everything. Jennings caught 74 and 98 passes, respectively, in his past two seasons in college. He's already jumped ahead of veterans like Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter. Some believe he will eventually challenge Robert Ferguson, but that's for a later time. Jennings is one of the players to watch during the preseason.


5. Whatever happened to all that talk about the Packers using the Cover 2? Al Harris and Charles Woodson are lining up in press man-to-man coverage and are having a ball. Harris has always loved being on an island covering man-to-man. He's one of the best in the league at it. In recent years, Woodson has been more versatile. The Raiders even had him playing some safety last year to take advantage of his playmaking ability. Now he can line up on a receiver and have some fun.
The Packers are carrying over the aggressive defensive system of former defensive coordinator Jim Bates, and the revitalized speed on defense has everyone thrilled. The man-to-man approach should help Ahmad Carroll, who has been hampered by penalty flags the past two seasons. Carroll uses his hands too much on receivers, but he's even worse when he's playing off in zone coverage. Now that Carroll's just a third corner, there is less pressure on him, and the man-to-man approach may improve his play.