Post St. Louis Rams Game Chat With Cleft Crusty

[Cleft Crusty]

When will TT and his handpicked staff admit they are rebuilding?

Do they need to admit something that's obvious?

[Brainerd]

Hi Cleft,

This isn't the first time in the last few years we've come out of the gate 1 and 4. Is there any hope for a turnaround?

Not really. If you look at years past where the Packers have turned it around, there were skill players that emerged (2000), or schedules that got easier (2004). I can't see any skill players emerging anywhere on the Packers roster, and their schedule gets tougher, except for 3-4 games in December. Plus, Favre is the most talented guy on the team, and you can see what happens when he has a rough stretch. The Packers grind to halt on offense. Perhaps you have some leaves to rake, a driveway to coat, etc.?

Dolphins, Cardinals, and Bills....those are our next 3 games. All three are beatable teams for us. I predict we'll end up 4-4 after the Bills game. Thoughts?

Dolphins maybe. Leinart is currently torching a decent KC defense. The Bills were killed today by their turnovers, their D is decent so I don't know about them. Possibly. If we get 1 out of these 3 I'll be happy. Good time for a bye week.

[Joemailman]

Cleft,

With Herron running for over 100 yards, will Ahman Green be the starter when he returns after the bye week?

[Cleft Crusty]

cleft.

Will we make a trade before the 17th?

As far as I can tell, the Packers have no value to trade and no interest from other teams in anyone they have. Who would you trade? What could you get?

I believe we should trade Manuel and a draft pick for a good player in secondary.

Can you name one team that would want Manuel? Yes, you could trade picks, but who would you get for them. What are you trying to accomplish? Practically speaking, TT has shown that he values picks, so it's almost a certainty that he will not trade any.

[Brainerd]

When will TT and his handpicked staff admit they are rebuilding?

Do they need to admit something that's obvious?

It would be nice considering they said that they were going to be honest with the fans. Why hide the obvious?

[Brando19]

cleft.

Will we make a trade before the 17th?

As far as I can tell, the Packers have no value to trade and no interest from other teams in anyone they have. Who would you trade? What could you get?

I believe we should trade Manuel and a draft pick for a good player in secondary.

Can you name one team that would want Manuel? Yes, you could trade picks, but who would you get for them. What are you trying to accomplish? Practically speaking, TT has shown that he values picks, so it's almost a certainty that he will not trade any.

You're right...TT values picks...which is why our team sucks.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft,

With Herron running for over 100 yards, will Ahman Green be the starter when he returns after the bye week?

That's a great question. I think you have to think that the Packer O-line has improved in the run blocking, and that's why both Herron and Morenecy are getting more yards. I think the Packers will have to decide if Green is returning as explosive as before. Green is also much better in the passing game. Morency appears to have learned Green's running technique, indo much as he was seen carrying the ball in the wrong arm several times. I think Green at 80% should start.

[Cleft Crusty]

Dolphins, Cardinals, and Bills....those are our next 3 games. All three are beatable teams for us. I predict we'll end up 4-4 after the Bills game. Thoughts?

I should have been specific. I meant after the Dolphins and the Cardinals the schedule appears to get more difficult. The Packers are a marginal team that can lose to any team. The Cardinals can throw the ball around the yard and the Dolphins might be able to stifle the Packer offense. I think when you're playing close games against average to poor teams like Detroit and St. Louis, you can't look at any game and say "that looks like a win"

[BallHawk]

Is Driver more injured than what we were told? He looked bad today.

[Cleft Crusty]

Is Driver more injured than what we were told? He looked bad today.

He couldn't have been 100%. Chavous isn't much in coverage, and Brown was only so-so at his last stop with the Saints. I don't know how many plays Ty Hill covered, but there appeared to be no extra rolled coverage towards Driver. there appeared to be saftey help for coverage on Jennings and Robinson most of the afternoon.

[MJZiggy]

Hey Cleft,

Nice day for football, great weather means that new hip must be feeling pretty good about now.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Cleft,

Will you be travelling to Miami in two weeks to cover the game? How do you safeguard your pasty complexion?

[BallHawk]

Cleft, what are you going to do tonight to sooth the pain of defeat?

[retailguy]

Cleft,

anyone deserve to be "waived" this week?

[VegasPackFan]

Cleft,

About your "notes" you are always referring to:

I heard that someone got a look at those notes recently, and all they say is "All work and no play makes Cleft a dull boy" over and over again.

What gives?