Post game chat with Cleft Crusty (at Vikings)

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi folks,

I'm ready to take your calls about todays game. I have to apologize for missing last week. I was at the Stadium, but was forced to drive home right afterwards, since I no longer have my press credentials. I was driving back in the JS company car, but the 1982 Yugo broke down near Sheboygan and I had to hoof it home. I became dehydrated from the combination of the walk and my overuse of my high blood pressure medication. I only came out of my coma this morning at Froedtert hospital. But I'm on dialysis and can stay awake for a few hours at crack to answer your questions about the game.

[BallHawk]

How about KGB? He's been looking pretty good lately.

[MadtownPacker]

Crusty - What do you think of Adrian Peterson?

[Cleft Crusty]

How about KGB? He's been looking pretty good lately.

The coaches and a number of different players are attributing it to his limited role. It's really a luxury to be able to bring a fresh pass rusher in on passing downs. KGB has delivered so far. Pl;us it gives the Packers the option of putting Jenkins inside on passing downs. They didn't do that all the time today, but Jenkins may have gotten fewer snaps due to his ribs.

[Cleft Crusty]

Crusty - What do you think of Adrian Peterson?

He's a good looking back - a difference maker. Did you see him fake Bigby out of his uniform on that run from inside the 10? Also, he's deceptively fast - that was evident on the kickoff return. He needs some seasoning though. His pass pro, like Brandon Jackson, needs a lot of work.

[Bretsky]

Cleft,

What will the coaching staff due about Bush, who opponents seems to expose every week ?

19 rushes for 49 yards.

Why are we even rushing this much ?

[Scott Campbell]

Hi Cliff,

Who do you think is our best defensive lineman so far this year?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft,

What will the coaching staff due about Bush, who opponents seems to expose every week ?

19 rushes for 49 yards.

Why are we even rushing this much ?

They will keep playing him. And you probably noticed that the Packers adjusted their defense to counter the Vikings. and what happened? Woodson got burned by Rice as well. The reason is that Rice is a pretty good wide receiver. Why else would the Vikings essentially game plan to put him in motion and run him all over the field. Rice and Peterson (and their defense) were the only chances they had to win. Now it's possible that Blackmon may get better as the seeason progresses, but he's still in on dime packages, so Bush could get exposed. He's not a huge liability, especially when you look at the collection of stiffs the Packers have left on their schedule at QB.

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Cliff,

Who do you think is our best defensive lineman so far this year?

That's an interesting question. I think I would give it to Cullen Jenkins, because of his versatility. Moving him to DE on rush downs and inside on passing downs improved the run defense and improved the pass rush because KGB is fresh and Jenkins is a good interior rusher. But a lot of guys have played well. Harrell was drafted because the interior look a bit thin, but Jolly has been a big surprise, and Williams, Pickett and Cole have all played as well as they can. It's a solid group. Kampman would probably be a close second to Jenkins.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft,
19 rushes for 49 yards.

Why are we even rushing this much ?

I think you'll see more rushing as the weather gets colder and as the Packers play weaker defenses with poor tackles. San Diego and Minnesota are about the best rushing defensive lines in football, next to Pittsburgh. Chicago is in trouble with Harris hurt and Tank Johnson gone to Jerry Jones, who would hire a serial killer if he thought it would get him a win.

[Scott Campbell]

So what's your take on Nick Collins this year?

[motife]

with 1:50 left, and the Vikings with no timeouts,

WHY didn't the Packers just kneel on it????

[Cleft Crusty]

So what's your take on Nick Collins this year?

Nick has been pretty invisible this year. Part of that may be the play of the D-line and also that the offenses are throwing to Bigby's side. One thing you may have noticed is that the safeties are out of the picture on a lot of those deep balls against single coverage by Bush, Harris, and Woodson. I'd have to look at the tame to see if that's a scheme thing, but Packer coaches have to be a bit concerned with the chances they're taking on giving up big completions without safety help

[Joemailman]

Crosby has been great on kickoffs, but next week is Hester. Will the Packers hope that Crosby can put in through the end zone, or will they try to kick away from Hester?

[Cleft Crusty]

with 1:50 left, and the Vikings with no timeouts,

WHY didn't the Packers just kneel on it????

Brett Favre's knee was sore? They wanted to practice handoffs under pressure? They weren't thinking. It will be interesting to ask that at McCarthy's press conference. If I can get these tubes detached from the dialysis machine, and get to Monday's press conference, I promise to ask. BTW, those warnings on the Levitra commercials that say not to take Levitra if you have high blood pressure? I'd recommend listening to them. Also, there's not enough room in a Yugo after you take Levitra - that's my warning.