Bring it, Jerruh!

[denverYooper]

Evan Silva @evansilva 8m8 minutes ago
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers' last 16 home games: 322-of-471 passing (68.4%) for 4,341 yards (9.22 YPA), 38 TDs & 0 INTs. Plus 3 rushing TDs.

[pbmax]

Bruce Wilkerson was the 3rd starting left tackle the Packers tried to use in their Super Bowl run in 1996. I think they tried to coax Ken Ruetggers out of retirement one more time, but his knee didn't hold up long in camp or the season. When he was unavailable, Gary Brown was put in and they got the results you would expect from a project who sorta translated to Tackle in the pros.

Wilkerson was the precise definition of journeyman. He was a vet who was getting old enough that teams weren't eager to count on and wouldn't want to stand in the way of younger, better, cheaper prospects. I think they got him off the street, either late in camp or early in the season. He was earning the minimum at a position where you usually earn the maximum.

He was just good enough. Like Newhouse, he looked more Guard than Tackle, but had good feet and hands. While he didn't have ideal size, he was smart, still agile enough and tough enough that if he got ahold of the DE, they weren't getting separated. Kinda of a cross between Newhouse's specs, Bach's tenacity and Clifton's age in Super Bowl 2010.

His more important attribute was reliability. He couldn't do everything and he wasn't going to block Lawrence Taylor one on one. But he stayed between his guy and Favre and he didn't get beat cleanly. He also stayed healthy. I think he first came in when the Vikings were abusing Gary Brown in MN at midseason. No one knew who he was (except probably Lovat, Holmgren, Wolf and Favre) at the time, but by the end of the year you had forgotten the Packers had a problem at Left Tackle. Which is the ultimate compliment to a veteran role player.

Its why there is an oft-neglected "Memorial Bruce Wilkerson Thanks For Saving Our Ass Award" on this board.

[Pugger]

I'm tired of the dumb talking heads saying "Dallas has a run game that is built to win in cold weather" while conveniently ignoring that Green Bay ran better against the same Lions defense than the Cowboys did...and did so in the same cold weather that will be around on Sunday.

So if the Packers have as good a running attack...and a better QB...and better receivers...and a better defense...how does anyone see this as a clear win for the Cowboys? Green Bay's chances of a loss here rest more on Rodgers' leg and their own avoidance of errors than anything the Cowboys will be doing.

I don't know why those talking heads ignore what we did against the #2 D that Dallas couldn't. Even on one leg against that D Rodgers could still direct the offense and drive us down the field. They also aren't noticing how much better our defense is today than it was before our bye week.

[pbmax]

I'm tired of the dumb talking heads saying "Dallas has a run game that is built to win in cold weather" while conveniently ignoring that Green Bay ran better against the same Lions defense than the Cowboys did...and did so in the same cold weather that will be around on Sunday.

So if the Packers have as good a running attack...and a better QB...and better receivers...and a better defense...how does anyone see this as a clear win for the Cowboys? Green Bay's chances of a loss here rest more on Rodgers' leg and their own avoidance of errors than anything the Cowboys will be doing.

Don't read Bedard then, whatever you do.

[denverYooper]

Don't read Bedard then, whatever you do.

Bedard can't resist a good old-fashioned Packerfan trollin'.

[Smidgeon]

Evan Silva @evansilva 8m8 minutes ago
#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers' last 16 home games: 322-of-471 passing (68.4%) for 4,341 yards (9.22 YPA), 38 TDs & 0 INTs. Plus 3 rushing TDs.

Those are insane numbers. Even more insane when you consider the YPA.

[mraynrand]

I'm tired of the dumb talking heads saying "Dallas has a run game that is built to win in cold weather" while conveniently ignoring that Green Bay ran better against the same Lions defense than the Cowboys did...and did so in the same cold weather that will be around on Sunday.

So if the Packers have as good a running attack...and a better QB...and better receivers...and a better defense...how does anyone see this as a clear win for the Cowboys? Green Bay's chances of a loss here rest more on Rodgers' leg and their own avoidance of errors than anything the Cowboys will be doing.

I think this is the perfect analysis.

[Harlan Huckleby]

This is a perfect "Rodgers dominates" game.

Listening to Rodgers' interview yesterday, or at least Wilde's recap, Rodgers is not so sure about his calf. He won't be as mobile as usual, you can't count on him finishing game.

[denverYooper]

Listening to Rodgers' interview yesterday, or at least Wilde's recap, Rodgers is not so sure about his calf. He won't be as mobile as usual, you can't count on him finishing game.

He won't need to run.

[woodbuck27]

Listening to Rodgers' interview yesterday, or at least Wilde's recap, Rodgers is not so sure about his calf. He won't be as mobile as usual, you can't count on him finishing game.

Your likely correct.

[StPaulPackFan]

Bruce Wilkerson was the 3rd starting left tackle the Packers tried to use in their Super Bowl run in 1996. I think they tried to coax Ken Ruetggers out of retirement one more time, but his knee didn't hold up long in camp or the season. When he was unavailable, Gary Brown was put in and they got the results you would expect from a project who sorta translated to Tackle in the pros.

For some reason I don't remember Gary Brown. I must be getting old. When I hear the name Bruce Wilkerson I always think of John Michels and how awful he was around that time frame. Dang was he garbage

[hoosier]

Are rookies eligible for the Bruce Wilkerson Memorial Award, or does it have to be a vet picked up off the scrap heap? If rookies are eligible then a fifth-round draft pick who comes out of nowhere to anchor down the OL has to be a top candidate.

[pbmax]

I think Rookies are eligible. It would just be tough to be a first or second rounder to win. Wildly unexpected assistance and competence are the most important factors. There is a thread around here somewhere about it.

[KYPack]

Are rookies eligible for the Bruce Wilkerson Memorial Award, or does it have to be a vet picked up off the scrap heap? If rookies are eligible then a fifth-round draft pick who comes out of nowhere to anchor down the OL has to be a top candidate.

It's supposed to be the scrap heap vet, but when we win the SB, Corey can be a full fledged member if ya want.

Our 2010 winner was Howard Green who saved the day for us at NT and 3 tech in goal line. They had nobody for that spot (TJ Lang was playing on goal line for instance) when Rex Ryan foolishly cut Green. The next game, we played the Jets and Green played his ass off. He kept it up and made that great play on Ben R in the SB to set up Nick Collins TD interception.

I had to look up Wilkerson's record bc I thought he came on in Mid-season in '96. He didn't, he started the last game of the '96 regular season. Nobody knew him on the team. Wolf's old Raider buddies told him that Wilkerson was shot physically, but if Ron was desperate (he was) the old guy could give him a couple games. The Packers other OLine boys were leery of an old guy playing on fumes and 1 leg. The Pack was down to the bottom of the scrap heap. 3 other LT's (Brown, Ruettgers, & Michels could not get the job done.

Wilkerson came in and got the job done on guts and brains. Frankie Winters told a hilarious story about Bruce's first game at LT. The team the Pack was playing tried a stunt. They showed an OLB blitz over the center. That requires a line call. The tackle to that side calls for a COW (center on Whip) block. When they were in pre-snap, they learned more about Wilkerson. He has a serious stuttering problem. Wilkerson tried to make the line call, but only could get out "C-C-C". Finally, Wilkerson blurted out "MOO", ya know, like a cow. Half laughing, Frankie picked up the blitzer.

That did it. The Packer OLine learned in one play that the old guy knew the job and he would get it done. Bruce allowed a sack in that game, but none in the play-offs or the SB. So now we have the Bruce Wilkerson award. When we win the last one, maybe Linsley get it, or we start a whole new award.

[Harlan Huckleby]

He won't need to run.

The Packer O line has gotten very good, both pass and run. Dallas supposedly has best O-line in football, it will be interesting to see which one wins the battle of the fatties.

I have my worry beads out. I'm worried about Rodgers restraining the calf. It will actually suck worse if they move on to Seattle with Rodgers limping.

Been listening to testimonial of various athletes who had this injury - Mark Chumura, Jerome Betis - it's a mother fucker that lasts a good month.

I disagree with your Clint Eastwood, tough guy demeaner. You need to get in touch with your feminine side.