A Hater's Take, Part II

[Deputy Nutz]

As an offensive linemen, I hated having to listen to another skill position bitch about our blocking. I certainly wasn't going to bitch about our QB missing open receivers and to me his job was a lot softer than ours. I don't think it should happen on the field, and I really don't think it should happen in the locker room. It is the coaches responsiblity to coach up the team or dicipline the team, not the QB.

So when Favre did it, I didn't defend him, he should have a conversation with his receivers to get on the same page, but to ridicule or demean a player on the field is different story. Shit he had to put up with Bil Sheroder for how many seasons and he tried to take him deer hunting to try and bond with him. Favre should be held up as a Saint for dealing with that worthless bugger.

[Deputy Nutz]

BTW, I'm starting to think Harlan is right about Cullen Jenkins. Our defense scares me right now. At least, they are still making big plays to win games--like last year and unlike 2008.

It is not the loss of Cullen Jenkins that bothers me, it was the lack of a sure replacement that bothered me. The Packers put confidence in an injury plagued 2nd year player to hold up the end spot opposite of Clay Mathews. This goes along with the fact that the Packers have an undrafted scrap heap free agent from last year starting on the same side. Eric Walden might be a decent reserve but I haven't seen enough good plays out of him to think he isn't anything more than a scrap heap type player. The Packers need a presence on the other side whether it is a down lineman or a linebacker that can get some pressure, or at least be able to cover, which Walden can't.

[pbmax]

Its dumb and unnecessary. Doesn't matter if its Rodgers, Favre, Manning, Marino or Otto Graham, its ridiculous and counter-productive. The fact that it seems to happen most frequently when teams are struggling would seem to indicate that its not helping. Its simply letting frustration get the better of you.

My memory hasn't faded and this isn't a personal snit-fest between Harv and Nutz, or Rodgers v Favre.

In point of fact, I think Marino and Favre could be held up as examples of players getting to that level of frustration as their careers expired. A picture is worth a thousand words and Rodgers should stop volunteering that picture.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'd rather Rodgers not do it, but that's his personality. He's a perfectionist. He does the same thing when he misses a throw. The guy could go 30 of 40 for 350 and he'd talk about the couple of throws he missed. But plenty of QBs do it and have done it. Most, in fact. Including Favre. Most great QBs are perfectionists, so I'd argue that great QBs probably do it more than average ones. I don't doubt that you aren't being a hypocrit, and would in fact get on Favre about doing the same thing. I would have defended Favre at the time--just like I'm defending Rodgers.

30 TDs and 3 interceptions is insane, btw. We are 11-1 in those games. The only game we lost is when Rodgers hit Nelson with the tying TD at Atlanta in the final minute in the regular season... only to see the special teams give it away. I've always felt Joe Montana was the best QB ever. I used to argue against Tom Brady, but it's pretty friggin' hard to argue against him anymore. I know they haven't won a Super Bowl recently, but since those arguments he's put up a near perfect season with 50 TDs and 8 picks and another season of 36 TDs and 4 picks. Insane. Rodgers may never get to that level, but he's getting pretty damn close.

[pbmax]

OLB wasn't any better at the start of last year as Jones hasn't shown his previous pass rushing form since his first series of starts. It might have been a mirage of bad opponents, or something else unlikely to re-occur.

But that doesn't make Jenkins a safe bet. The Packers will need to have someone step up again, just like last year. Between Neal and So'oto, someone has to get healthy. And hopefully Wynn isn't done getting penetration. He did have a solid game against the run on the plays I saw him.

[pbmax]

He didn't become a perfectionist in the last 30 days Harv. He wasn't doing it this much last year.

[Pugger]

If Rodgers didn't care he wouldn't be frustrated. The last I heard Rodgers is human...

[pbmax]

30 TDs and 3 interceptions is insane, btw. We are 11-1 in those games...

... Rodgers may never get to that level, but he's getting pretty damn close.

But is the public demonstration actually helping him achieve these results? They played worse on offense last year and he seemed more at ease.

[Joemailman]

I'd rather Rodgers not do it, but that's his personality. He's a perfectionist. He does the same thing when he misses a throw. The guy could go 30 of 40 for 350 and he'd talk about the couple of throws he missed. But plenty of QBs do it and have done it. Most, in fact. Including Favre. Most great QBs are perfectionists, so I'd argue that great QBs probably do it more than average ones. I don't doubt that you aren't being a hypocrit, and would in fact get on Favre about doing the same thing. I would have defended Favre at the time--just like I'm defending Rodgers.

30 TDs and 3 interceptions is insane, btw. We are 11-1 in those games. The only game we lost is when Rodgers hit Nelson with the tying TD at Atlanta in the final minute in the regular season... only to see the special teams give it away. I've always felt Joe Montana was the best QB ever. I used to argue against Tom Brady, but it's pretty friggin' hard to argue against him anymore. I know they haven't won a Super Bowl recently, but since those arguments he's put up a near perfect season with 50 TDs and 8 picks and another season of 36 TDs and 4 picks. Insane. Rodgers may never get to that level, but he's getting pretty damn close.

I could see Rodgers approaching the 36 TD 4 INT season Brady had. The last 2 years, Rodgers has been the NFL's best passer in the 2nd half of the season. Last year he was 16-2 in the second half after 12-9 in the 1st half. The fact that he's 5-0 to start this year gives him a shot. At this point, I don't think Rodgers has had a season that matched what Favre did in 1995-96, but he could this year.

[pbmax]

Point of clarification. Was just watching highlights and unlike my memory, Olsen was getting single coverage early from Burnett. Not sure what the D did to slow him down after the first quarter, if anything. Shockey was getting LBs and safeties over the top.

Also, Peprah was the safety who let Smith get behind him on his long TD.

[HarveyWallbangers]

He didn't become a perfectionist in the last 30 days Harv. He wasn't doing it this much last year.

He did do it last year. He did it a lot when Jones dropped a ball. I have the last several games still DVR'd, and he did it a lot. Honestly, I don't think much has changed.

[mraynrand]

It is not the loss of Cullen Jenkins that bothers me, it was the lack of a sure replacement that bothered me. The Packers put confidence in an injury plagued 2nd year player to hold up the end spot opposite of Clay Mathews.

What does this mean? Do you really believe Neal is to blame - or the GM is to blame for not anticipating Neal getting a knee injury. Yes, he was counting on the guy to produce in his second year, just like this team has been doing for most players at most positions. Was TT wrong to count on an injury plagued Finley last year. There was a lack of a sure replacement there too. What can be done? What should have been done differently? Seems like as GM you have to roll the dice somewhat and takes your chances.

[Guiness]

I'd rather Rodgers not do it, but that's his personality. He's a perfectionist. He does the same thing when he misses a throw. The guy could go 30 of 40 for 350 and he'd talk about the couple of throws he missed. But plenty of QBs do it and have done it. Most, in fact. Including Favre. Most great QBs are perfectionists, so I'd argue that great QBs probably do it more than average ones. I don't doubt that you aren't being a hypocrit, and would in fact get on Favre about doing the same thing. I would have defended Favre at the time--just like I'm defending Rodgers.

30 TDs and 3 interceptions is insane, btw. We are 11-1 in those games. The only game we lost is when Rodgers hit Nelson with the tying TD at Atlanta in the final minute in the regular season... only to see the special teams give it away. I've always felt Joe Montana was the best QB ever. I used to argue against Tom Brady, but it's pretty friggin' hard to argue against him anymore. I know they haven't won a Super Bowl recently, but since those arguments he's put up a near perfect season with 50 TDs and 8 picks and another season of 36 TDs and 4 picks. Insane. Rodgers may never get to that level, but he's getting pretty damn close.

The run Brady is on at home right now is pretty insane. He's won his last 29 straight regular season games there, hasn't thrown an INT in his last 6!

[Deputy Nutz]

You really can't blame Neil. He is a work out machine, he tries to keep his body in tip top shape, but he has history, and for that you have to blame Thompson. Thompson took a risk in drafting him in the second round because of Neal's potential when he is not injured, but Neal is still injured and it doesn't look like he will be healthy any time soon. Neal, Wynn, Wilson are not in Jenkins class, and the Packers went into this season with those three players at RDE wilth no veteran backbone. I like Green, but the problem is this a passing league and having Green, Raji, and Pickett on the front line is useless unless you are battling the Steelers or Atlanta. The Packers needed someone else besides Wynn, Neal, and Wilson, combine that with two free agent olbs, and a 7th round draft pick competing for the lolb position and you don't have much talent or healthy talent on the left side of the line of scrimmage.

[3irty1]

You really can't blame Neil. He is a work out machine, he tries to keep his body in tip top shape, but he has history, and for that you have to blame Thompson. Thompson took a risk in drafting him in the second round because of Neal's potential when he is not injured, but Neal is still injured and it doesn't look like he will be healthy any time soon. Neal, Wynn, Wilson are not in Jenkins class, and the Packers went into this season with those three players at RDE wilth no veteran backbone. I like Green, but the problem is this a passing league and having Green, Raji, and Pickett on the front line is useless unless you are battling the Steelers or Atlanta. The Packers needed someone else besides Wynn, Neal, and Wilson, combine that with two free agent olbs, and a 7th round draft pick competing for the lolb position and you don't have much talent or healthy talent on the left side of the line of scrimmage.

The insane depth in the secondary, along the OL, WR, TE, RB, and QB have spoiled you rotten. The DL hasn't had a bad game yet this season. Mike Neal is a disappointment yes but if you want insurance I don't think the answer is adding another injury plagued guy in Jenkins. The DL has been a strength of the team so far this season. Apparently Wynn secretly planned on replacing Jenkins all along.