A Few Random Observations

[The Shadow]

1. Really like McCarthy's playcalling : unpredictable, consistently well-conceived. It's obvious, too, that meaningful adjustments are made on the fly & at halftime. The disastrous fake fieldgoal play was an exception - but it's always nice to give the opposition plenty to think about.
Quite a change from Team Sherman!
2. It's refreshing not to watch the team always sit on a lead & play into an opponent's hand.
3. David Martin seems to be taking over more & more as our best tight end.
Athleticism over Franks' bulk.
Donald Lee is being given chances also, but is not making the most of them.
4. Ahman looks very good.
5. Morency is a fine, heady fill-in.
6. McCarthy's influence on Favre is great - I strongly suspect Brett wants to THROW for the score rather than run it in (his td run was the classic example), but his decision-making has been better lately than I can ever remember.
7. Hawk was most certainly the correct choice for this team.
8. Barnett had a great game, but the silly antics should go.
9. Woodson was expensive, but the secondary has def. been upgraded.
10. Manuel is not much more than ok, and should be replaced by next season.
11. Collins might be a good replacement; I worry about his lapses as a free safety. He might thrive at SS - if a more instinctive guy could be found for FS. Underwood?
12. Kampmann is a winner; he would shine even more if his surrounding cast improves.
13. Driver has been our most valuable player this year.
14. Driver, Jennings, and Robinson would be a fairly formidable trio of receivers in 07.
15. Thompson's decisions look better & better. I think he is rebuilding this team into a soon-to-be contender.

[Joemailman]

I agree with every thing you said. One thing I would add is the importance of finding a backup other than Colledge for Chad Clifton. Colledge is going to be a great player at guard, and you don't want to have to switch him to tackle as MM did last week if Clifton can't play.

[The Shadow]

Agreed.
The infusion of talent & youth into the offensive line is certainly a great thing, eh?

[Fosco33]

Morency has shown he could be a 1st down back. He's more than a change of pace - especially with almost a 10 yard average and a 100+ yd game.

I think that's the ZBS scheme, a little experience, and a OLine coming together.

[run pMc]

Generally agree.

This might have been the best game I've ever seen Barnett play...he was everywhere. Hawk was just OK today, but I think he'll improve.

The OL did pretty well against a decent D (minus K. Dansby)...but I'd like to see the penalties cleaned up. False starts at home are silly.

[The Leaper]

Morency for Gado was a tremendous trade for Green Bay.

Gado had never shown an ability to play in a ZBS...Morency to me is a clone of a young Ahman Green. A little smaller, but has great vision and seems to finish off runs well. He's also got the fumble issues. Let's hope we don't trade him away like Seattle did to Ahman.

We should beat Buffalo. At 4-4, we still have a slim chance of making a playoff run.

Thompson haters...shut the hell up...for good. He's put together an impressive young OL. He's got some young talents on both sides of the ball. He's put a capable coach in charge of the offense. This team is closer than most people realize.

[The Shadow]

"......This team is closer than most people realize."

Agreed!

[MJZiggy]

I think more and more are starting to realize it.

[The Leaper]

How is this for an observation.

After 7 games...the Green Bay Packers now have a better record than the defending Super Bowl champs.

[justanotherpackfan]

How is this for an observation.

After 7 games...the Green Bay Packers now have a better record than the defending Super Bowl champs.

How the heck do the Steelers lose to the freaking Raiders?

[Brainerd]

How is this for an observation.

After 7 games...the Green Bay Packers now have a better record than the defending Super Bowl champs.

How the heck do the Steelers lose to the freaking Raiders?

Four interceptions may have had something to do with the loss. The Raiders beat the mighty Cardinals last week. It must have pumped them up.

[vince]

How is this for an observation.

After 7 games...the Green Bay Packers now have a better record than the defending Super Bowl champs.

Granted they have beaten 3 bad teams, but we know a lot more about this team. First and foremost, we know that the Packers are NOT one of those bad teams.

The strides this team has made is exciting to see, and this team is very competitive. I know that if if's and but's were candy and nuts, it'd be Christmas every day, but this team OUTPLAYED the Rams, OUTPLAYED the Eagles for 30 minutes, should have beaten the Saints.

NO DOUBT about Morency. That kid's got some skills. As long as he holds onto the ball, he's got it goin' on!

Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy have GOT to be liking what they're seeing.

That was a dominating performance all around today. Sure they should have won. Well, they did - CONVINCINGLY.

[MJZiggy]

Perhaps Roethlisburger should have sat out this week....

[mraynrand]

Re: A Few Random Observations

1. Really like McCarthy's playcalling : unpredictable, consistently well-conceived. It's obvious, too, that meaningful adjustments are made on the fly & at halftime.

I'd like to take your word for this, but let me play devil's advocate and be a sourpuss asking you for examples of meaningful half-time adjustments. Next, could you explain how the Packers playcalling was unpredictable when the Cardinals had 5 D-linemen to stop the run, and the Packers ran the ball anyway. How was that unpredictable? Or perhaps you're referring to the unpredictable FG fake. If I seem obnoxious, please go easy on me, I've just finished my twelvth cup o coffee and am a bit wound up!

[Joemailman]

Perhaps Roethlisburger should have sat out this week....

Big Ben now has 6 TD passes and 11 INT's. I wonder when the idiots at ESPN will start saying he should retire.