Welcome to the Site!

(Updated Monday, October 12th)

Hey everybody,

I’ve got some big updates for all of you fans out there regarding my work.  First off, this week I am closing in on the 25,000 reads mark on WordPress.com and the 70,000 reads mark on Bleacher Report, giving my work close to 100,000 reads on wordpress.com and BleacherReport.com as a whole.

I have been approached by the staff at Marquette.Scout.com, an affiliate of FoxSports.com, and will work on their staff for the upcoming Marquette basketball season.  I will be able to be sit court side for a few games and write for the site as well.

I also put some new features into the sidebar, including my NFL Power Rankings (which will be updated every Tuesday morning), an NFL widget as well as constant Packers updates from Rotoworld.com.  They look good and add a little more flare to the website.  Please let me know what you think of the new set-up on the side bar.

Also, you can find my work as well as other cool features and outstanding articles on BleacherReport.com.  Just search my name once you are there or click on the link to the right of my blog entitled “Strotty on Bleacher Report”.  Recently I was approached by the staff on [B/R], and they made me a Featured Columnist on the site for the Packers.  It is a fantastic honor and I look forward to continuing my success there.

You can still find all of my Packers articles by going to Examiner.com and helping my cause out there.  Expect a heavy dose of Packers material for a while with some fantasy basketball thrown in.  Once the college basketball season starts, Marquette and the Packers will take over the page.

Brewerchatters.com and Packerchatters.com have seen my work on Bleacher Report and Strotty’s Blog and have asked me to come on their staff as a writer.  You can check out the websites by clicking on the links above or on the right side of the screen. ESPNMilwaukee.com has linked my blog on their “Packers Updates” a few times and that has been an unbelievable honor.  Strotty’s Blog is now on Facebook!  Become a fan today and keep up to date with all the happenings from the blog as well as discussion with other fans.

As always, I am looking forward to and am excited to share my insight, knowledge, facts, and opinions with you and hope you do the same by commenting on something you like, dislike, or have an opinion on yourself.  Don’t forget to go back and look at previous pages as well as we move into month number seven. If you are looking for something but can’t find it, use the search button at the top of the page to help you out.

Thanks for the support and enjoy!

–Mark Strotman

The 4-3 Packers: 4 and 3 Reasons They Will and Will Not Make the Playoffs

Seven games into the season for the Packers, they stand at 4-3 and in relatively good position to make a playoff run.  Their schedule matches up favorably compared to other teams and the talent is there for them to make it to the second season.  In honor of their current record, here are four reasons the Packers will make the playoffs and three reasons they will not.

Why they will make the playoffs

1. Remaining Schedule

When one takes a look at the NFL playoff picture, it’s safe to assume the Saints (South), Vikings (North), and Cardinals (West) will win their respective divisions.  The NFC East is a little cloudy with the Cowboys, Giants, and Eagles all in contention.  In the North, the Packers and Bears stand at 4-3 and in the South the Falcons are very much alive as well.

The Falcons have the easiest schedule moving forward, playing just three teams with records above .500 the rest of the way.  The Bears, Cowboys, and Giants play six teams with records above .500 while the Eagles play a brutal seven games against winning record teams.

As for the Packers, they play just five teams with winning records, but the best record they currently play is 5-2.  They have gotten the Vikings out of the way and lost to a very good Bengals team.  The Bears still have to play the Vikings twice, the NFC East is going to beat up on each other, and the Falcons have another matchup with the Saints looming.

There are games on the Packers’ schedule that are relatively easy wins (Detroit, Tampa Bay) and games which are probably going to be losses (at Pittsburgh), but the big games are the ones the Packers play against other playoff contenders in Dallas, Chicago, and Arizona.  Those will be deciding games in the Packers’ season.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Football is a team game and everyone knows that.  It’s impossible to win with just one guy, but if you are going to attempt to do so, start with a quarterback.  Rodgers has been the highest rated passer in the league this season and has thrown just two interceptions, a big reason the Packers lead the league in turnover differential.

The Packers’ defense is not good enough for Rodgers to be average the rest of the way and expect to make the playoffs.  If they earn a Wildcard spot, it will be because Rodgers gets them there.  Question marks are still there of him holding on to the ball too long or being afraid to throw an interception but any way you slice it, he has played well.

Greg Jennings has yet to get going as a true number one receiver but we all expect that a breakout is looming.  Rodgers has the poise and consistency to match his talents this season and it has really shown in his stats.  Now it’s time for it to show in the win column.

3. Talent

Whether you blame Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy for the Packers’ struggles this season, the fact is this team has a ton of talent that has showed flashes of greatness over the last three seasons.  When healthy, they have the deepest receiving corps in the league, a top five secondary, a fantastic up-and-comer in Clay Matthews III, and a defensive line playing very well.

Putting everything together is a completely different story, but the talent is there for the Packers to make a run.  If McCarthy and Capers can put their team in the best position to win based on the talents they have to work with, there’s no reason the Packers can’t win 11 games this season.

There are weaknesses on the offensive line and defense that we will get to later, but you don’t need to be the New Orleans Saints to earn a playoff spot.  Those weaknesses will have to clean up if the Packers ever want to become Super Bowl contenders, but as of now there’s enough talent on the team to win games.

4. Time

The best part about the Packers is that they have time to get better.  While it will be on the go and during a potential playoff run, the offensive line is settling down and is at least looking more in unison than the first couple weeks.  Rodgers has developed good chemistry with Jermichael Finley and his consistency is back.

Even more so, the 3-4 defense continues to be taught by Dom Capers and hopefully picked up by the players.  Coming into the season, everyone spoke of how the transition to the new defense might take more than training camp and pre-season.

For the majority of players on the team, the defense is a new wrinkle that everyone is adjusting to.  It’s not as easy as Madden to just switch the formation and have three down linemen instead of four.  Time will allow the Packers to continue getting comfortable in the scheme, and hopefully better results will form because of it.

Why they will not make the playoffs

1. Team Rifts

It might not seem like a huge deal at first glance, but it is somewhat concerning that players on the Packers are going to the media to air their concerns.  When Ted Thompson took over as GM, he explained how he wanted “Packer people” who were going to not only make the team better, but the organization better as well.  This meant staying out of trouble and not throwing players and coaches under the bus to the media.

However, this has begun to happen more times in the last couple weeks than it has in the past couple of years.  Cullen Jenkins, Charles Woodson, and Aaron Kampman have been spotlighted for this and seem to be opponents of the new defense.

Understand it was a big loss to the Vikings and played with people’s emotions after, but there’s no reason to call out a coordinator to the media.  Capers is highly specialized in the 3-4 defense and knows what he is doing more than any of the players on the Packers roster.  He is doing everything he can to make sure the Packers’ defense is playing the best it can.

If this kind of garbage continues, the playoffs will be a distant memory and we will have to start wondering who will get picked off the team next season.  Relationships are huge in the NFL and a player must be able to trust his coordinator and vice versa.  Let’s hope they resolve this soon.

2. Offensive line

Watch one, maybe two possessions for the Green Bay Packers’ offense and you will understand why this is such a concern.  Musical chairs is the latest game to be played on the Packers’ offensive line and it looks as though Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher will get starts this week.  Hopefully they can make things manageable for Rodgers when he drops back to pass more than three steps, but don’t count on it.

The theory of building an offensive line through the draft has fallen flat on its face and the Packers have no back-up plan…unless you count Tauscher.  Unless the offensive line can pull something together during these last nine games, Rodgers is not going to make it through a full season.  He can not keep taking the hits he has been taking and be expected to stand upright for 16 games.  What’s more, he can’t be expected to put up these numbers if he has a man in his face three steps into his drop.

The run game has been average at best as it just feasts on the worst of the worst in the NFL, but then again the Packers seem to always be playing from behind against legitimate teams and must pass the ball.  The Packers will play some pretty good pass rushers in the coming weeks, so let’s hope they find the answer soon or the Matt Flynn era might start a lot sooner than we all want.

3. Youth

It’s not fair to say the Packers do not have the hunger to win a championship or earn a playoff spot, but one has to wonder if they actually understand what it’s all about yet?  They have failed their tests against good teams so far and do not seem to have the discipline that a championship team needs.  Part of this could fall on the coaching staff, but youth might have something to do with it.

The Packers are the league’s youngest team and have a lot of youngsters seeing a lot of playing time this season.  The veteran leadership is there and is helping, but the Packers still have a lot of players who have not yet reached their potential.

When fighting to the death for a playoff spot, being cool under pressure is important and the Packers might not have that this season.  They have a head coach who has been to the playoffs and coached big games before, as well as a defensive coordinator who has experienced just about everything a football coach can.

Time will tell if the undisciplined, young Packers can grow up in time to not lose out on the playoffs.  The penalties, especially the bone-headed ones (listen up, Johnny Jolly), will get a team nowhere.  Unless that changes, the Packers will watch the playoffs from their coach instead of the sidelines.

Three Quick Thoughts on Wisconsin Sports

1. Brandon Jennings is going to be one heck of a talent when he hones in all his skills

After only catching a couple of box scores to start the year, I was able to catch my first Milwaukee Bucks game of the season.  While they handed the game away after blowing an 18-point lead in the third quarter to the Chicago Bulls, one guy stood out amongst the rest.  Brandon Jennings.  Wow, this kid is going to be one special talent.  Because there are only a few I’ll start off with the negatives that include a little too much dribbling and some lazy defense that has him trailing off screens.

Now on to the fun stuff.  Jennings’ jab shot might not look pretty but he has shot lights out with it.  He works so well off the screen and his quickness makes it impossible to guard.  I’m going to throw out some big superlatives in the form of players in the NBA, but this is just what his game reminds me off.

His passes have a little bit of Steve Nash to them as he loves to fit the ball in tight spaces.  His drive to the lane reminds me of Chris Paul’s: a lot of dribbling and making something out of it at the end.  When it comes to his jumper, Allen Iverson comparisons are the first thing that comes to mind.  His size is small but his quickness is second to none, and I believe he is already one of the fastest players in the league.

He still acts like a rookie at times and gives the ball away at times, but let’s remember he has played three games in the NBA.  The good has outdone the bad tenfold, and for a rookie that’s more than you can ask for.  Look out for Jennings in about two or three years when he is able to hit the weight room, adjust to the offense more, and receive more coaching.  A spot in the “top five point guards club” might not be too far away.

2. The Packers defense needs to shut their mouth and go play football

Rarely do I ever step out of the Green Bay Packers’ corner, but for the life of me I can not figure out why three well-respected defensive players are freaking out.  Charles Woodson, Cullen Jenkins, and Aaron Kampman have all expressed displeasure with the 3-4 defense and feel “handcuffed” by it.

I realize it can be hard to enter a defense where one knows they are not going to be the focal point.  In Jenkins’ defense, he would be a stud at the 4-3 defensive end spot and would have many more sacks.  Same with Kampman.  But Jenkins’ job is to eat up linemen and let linebackers flow in, while Kampman now has some responsibility in pass coverage.

Look, neither are going to go the Pro Bowl even though both have the talent to do so.  But when everything is broken down, wins are the most important thing at the end of the day.  It’s an extremely humble thing to accept and easy for me to type it out here, but it’s true.

Cullen Jenkins needs to accept his role, whatever that may be, and just play football.

Everything is for the greater cause and in the 3-4 defense there are many spots on the field that are important but will not show up in the box score.  What will show up in the box score is the final score.  Those defenders need to realize that and shut their anger up.

If they think the defense is the problem and something better could be done, keep it in house and talk to defensive coordinator Dom Capers about it.  Don’t cry to the media about how coaches won’t let you loose.  That’s not who the Packers are.

3. The Brewers should not trade either Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder

Rumors have swirled, more about Fielder, that one of the Brewers’ 3-4 hitters could be on the move this off-season or in the near future.  I can’t believe I am hearing this and hope that it does not come true.  Fielder would be more acceptable a loss because he would garner more trade value and his contract is soon up, but the Brewers need to work on an extension.

Breaking the bank for a stud pitcher will be hard to do given the Brewers’ financial restraints, but moving one of your foundation pieces surely isn’t the answer.  Fielder is hitting the prime of career and Braun is right on the brink of it as well.  It’s the best 3-4 in baseball and kept the Brewers in countless games all year.

Unless they can get a top five pitcher in all of baseball in return, losing Braun or Fielder makes little sense right now.  In a year, if Fielder has signaled he will not re-sign then try to go get something.  But right now these two players are putting fans in the seats and handing out free baseballs to those in the outfield seats.

Sucks to think that J.J. Hardy more than likely could have been had for someone like Clay Buchholz.

Mike McCarthy’s Seat Becoming Hotter By the Loss

After another loss to the Minnesota Vikings that all but wrapped up the NFC North Division, the Green Bay Packers were left wondering what it’s going to take in order for them to play a mistake-free game and come through in the clutch.  One of the more confused looks on the Packers’ sideline yesterday came from Coach Mike McCarthy, who once again failed to win a big game and watched his team commit six penalties and give up six sacks.

While at 4-3 the Packers’ season is hardly over, it might be time to start thinking about who will be running the show next season in Green Bay if things do not turn around.  Not once have I ever questioned McCarthy as the head of the Packers, but after the loss to Minnesota it seems as though the blame needs to at least start heading in his direction.

In his fourth season as Packers head coach, McCarthy sports a respectable 31-24 record and has also won a playoff game.  He also has a 13-3 season and an NFC Championship Game to his name and has seen some very high points as head coach in Green Bay.

In 2006, McCarthy’s Packers went 8-8, including winning their last four games of the season.  However, outside of a week 17 win over the 13-3 Bears who were resting their starters for the playoffs, the Packers beat zero teams with winning records.

That next year, McCarthy led the Packers to a magical 13-3 run that included a huge victory over the Chargers in week three.  They failed to defeat the eventual No. 1 seed Dallas Cowboys in the regular season but had a successful season nonetheless.

2008 was McCarthy’s worst season as the Packers went just 6-10, but McCarthy got big wins over the Vikings and Colts during the season.  The Packers lost seven games by four points or less and could have had a much better record had some things gone their way down the stretch.

In 2009, the Packers have had three “tests” in the early season and failed them all.  So what’s the point to all this?  Mike McCarthy has failed to win the big game for the Packers.  In each of McCarthy’s four seasons, he has failed to beat the team with the best record on their schedule.  Whether it’s the Packers’ roster being inferior in all those games or McCarthy not getting his team ready to play, something is wrong here.

It’s tough to say that McCarthy does not show enough discipline toward his team in terms of penalties because, when all is said and done, McCarthy isn’t on the field.  False starting has nothing to do with whether or not your coach disciplines you well enough.  Now, plays like Johnny Jolly’s headbutt can be seen as a lack of discipline, but even that was a heat of the moment action.

McCarthy seems to get on his players when they mess up in games, but one has to wonder how much it’s doing if we never see improvement.  With an inability to get his players ready for big games and a lack of discipline, is McCarthy getting enough out of this talented, young team?

With one of the most high-powered offenses in all of football, some of McCarthy’s play calls have been questionable at best.  Completely forgetting about the run game at times and being predictable on most of his calls, one has to wonder if McCarthy should be the one calling plays.

Things don’t look terrible for the Packers’ playoff hopes.  With three wins pretty much in the books (Tampa Bay, Detroit, Seattle), the Packers are looking at a guaranteed seven wins.  With three huge swing games against the 49er’s, Bears, and Cowboys, they would move to eight or nine wins and still have games against the Ravens, Steelers, and Cardinals in looking for a potential upset.

However, if McCarthy fails to get the Packers to the playoffs this season, after all the talent and personnel Ted Thompson has given him, it might be time to start looking in a different direction.  The list of potential head coaches next season is one of the deepest of all-time, including the likes of Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, and Mike Shannahan just for starters.

The Packers’ have a darn good resume for potential head coach candidates when you include the history of the Packers, a franchise quarterback, and the youngest team in the league.  The Packers would move in a different direction rather than re-build if they switched head coaches next season, so one of those veteran coaches would fit right in.

Divisions, conferences, and Super Bowls are not won seven weeks into the season and it’s true that there is a ton of football to be played.  But the consistent miscues by the Packers and sub-par play with above average players is getting tiresome, and someone needs to take the blame.

I’ve been in McCarthy’s corner since the day the Packers hired him, but there comes a time when you have to realize problems with a team start at the head.  If we believe the Packers have the talent to be a playoff team, then that is where a good head coach will take them.  Time will tell, but Sunday’s loss to the Vikings made McCarthy’s seat a little hotter.

Packers-Vikings Q+A With Joe Oberle

1. How have Vikings fans taken the first loss of the season? Brett Favre seemed to lose his “can do no wrong” title for the first time all year. Are there any nervous fans on Favre’s play?

There has been some mixed reaction, but little of it negative toward the Vikings and Favre. A section of the fan base blame the referees for the “phantom tripping call,” as it has become known. And most of the fans feel that the Vikings played well and even outplayed the defending champions on their home field.

They were in a position to win and just did not finish the deal. As to Favre, the Favre haters are laying those two defensive scores at his feet, and while he might have held the ball a little long in one threw too quickly in the other, many see the plays for what they are–good plays by the defense and a not-so-lucky bounce of the ball.

Fans here recognize the upgrade they have at the quarterback position and certainly know that interceptions are part of the package, but his three picks this year are far outweighed by how well he has performed. No one here who was on the Favre-wagon is jumping off at this point.

2. The weather conditions in Lambeau Field will be similar to the conditions last week in Pittsburgh. How were the Vikings exposed with this and will it factor against the Packers?

Actually, it was a great day for football last weekend in Pittsburgh, and save for a recently re-sodded (and perhaps a little soggy) field, the conditions really weren’t a huge factor. Right now it looks about the same for Green Bay on Sunday, so I don’t expect it to be a problem for the Vikings. Favre knows how to play outside, and while playing on grass may slow the Minnesota defensive line and Adrian Peterson a bit, having played outside last week certainly should help.

3. Adrian Peterson failed to get things going against the Packers’ 3-4 defense and had just 69 rushing yards against Pitt’s 3-4 defense. He ran all over Cleveland’s 3-4 but who doesn’t? Is the 3-4 a problem for AD?

Looking at the statistics so far this season, the 3-4 defense does seem to present a problem for the Vikings rushing attack. Opponents have loaded the box against Peterson and stuffed the run early. In some cases, he has worn down the defense and started to pickup yards late, so the Vikings have to stick with the run and be patient with it (as they were not last week in Pittsburgh).

Jared Allen was all over Aaron Rodgers in the Metrodome. Hopefully Sunday will be a different story.

I believe Peterson is ready to bust out this week, but if the Packers have more success, the Vikings will need to get him involved with the short passing game more often. If you recall AP’s crushing run against the Steelers’ William Gay last week, you can see that he can do some damage no matter how he gets the ball.

4. How will the Vikings utilize Percy Harvin as compared to in week 4? He seems much more relaxed this time around and is making plays all over the field.

Percy Harvin is a bit of a question mark this week, as he has missed practice time due to illness–which many speculate are a reoccurrence of his migraine headaches. Harvin figures to be ready by game time, but wideout Bernard Berrian may not be with an injured hamstring, so that will mean an increased role for Harvin.

The rookie from Florida has performed well catching passes in traffic across the middle and you can expect to see more of that this weekend. But, as you said, Favre has found Harvin all over the field this season and the Vikings will try to get him loose. I believe Percy’s relaxed demeanor is directly attributable to the time and effort Favre has spent working with him–they have developed some pretty good chemistry.

5. How much does the loss of Antoine Winfield really hurt the Vikings? Will Aaron Rodgers have more success through the air with him out?

Anytime you are missing a player of Antoine’s caliber it creates a huge void that needs filling. Both in run support and pass coverage, there are few like him in the game. After a disastrous attempt to replace him in the Baltimore game, the Vikings defense did by committee (with Karl Paymah, Benny Sapp and Asher Allen) against Pittsburgh and had great success (holding the league-leading receiver, Hines Ward, to one catch for yards).

That said, Rodgers threw for a career high 384 yards against the Vikings last time out, and actually victimized Winfield for the two long touchdowns. A closer look revealed that Rodgers had his greatest success against the Vikings secondary when the defense blitzed, and the Vikings had its greatest success against Rodgers (eight sacks) when they didn’t. Expect the Vikings to do more pass rushing of the front four alone and less blitzing to keep more defenders in the pass defense mode–that should help them in the passing game, where Green Bay is down to only three healthy wide receivers.

6. What is your prediction for the game? It’s hard to beat a team twice,and the Packers have been swept by the Vikings just once since 1998. What’s your take?

Well, then I would say the Vikings are due for a sweep. The Packers are still fiddling with their offensive line and have changed personnel on defense as well (Clay Matthews is starting at linebacker and Atari Bigby returns to safety), so they are a little unsettled. Like last game, emotion will play a big part of it, and Favre used that to his advantage. Once it’s time for kickoff, it is all football, and I think the Vikings will squeak out a close one- perhaps on the toe of Ryan Longwell.

Five Reasons Why Things Will Be Different in Pack-Vikes Round II

In what could be the most watched regular season Sunday-day game of all-time, the Packers will host Brett Favre for the first time in his career.  In week four, Favre torched his old team in a 30-23 victory that seemed more like 30-3.  But four weeks later, some things have changed for each team.  Here’s five reasons why the outcome will be different this time around.

1. Location

Last time around, Brett Favre and the Vikings has the leisure of not only playing at home in the Metrodome, but also the weather was not a factor for Mr. Favre and his stellar passing game.  Fast forward three weeks and the weather conditions call for temperatures in the mid 40’s and a 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Lambeau Field calls for a 100 percent chance of a hostile environment that is sure to shake the “ol’ gunslinger” into making errant passes.  Naturally, the nerves have to be getting to Favre as he prepares to face his old team in his old stadium for the first time ever.  In week four, the jerseys on defense were green and gold, but the stadium wasn’t.

It’s easy to forget with all the Favre hype, but this game means a ton in terms of determining who stands on top of the NFC North in a few weeks.  The Packers are one and a half games behind the Vikes, and with Tampa Bay following the next week, a win against Minnesota would mean first place for the Packers.

Combine that with the temperature change that has hurt Favre over the last three seasons and you have a recipe that, at the very least, is much different than it was in Minnesota.  It’s never easy to win on the road in the NFL and next week will be no exception for the Vikings.

2. Packers’ Offense

In week four, the box score would have told you that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers played an outstanding game on offense and had their way with the Vikings’ secondary.  However, the truth was that most of Rodgers’ stats came in garbage time while the Vikings played prevent defense.

While the offense was able to move the ball and scored 17 points on offense, the Packers allowed eight sacks and Rodgers was pressured on just about every play, leading to errant passes and a forced fumble on Rodgers’ part.

The offensive line remains the same for the next week’s game, Daryn Colledge will not see any time at left tackle like he did in week four.  Also, rookie T.J. Lang has had extra reps at left tackle if Chad Clifton can not go due to an ankle injury.  Expect Jared Allen to get his fair share of pressure, but the Packers have changed up their offense and have implemented many short passes that should help.

Rodgers has the second best passer rating in the league and has averaged the most yards per attempt, all while being sacked more than any other quarterback.  If the Packers can get those short passes to work, it will take pressure off Rodgers in a mental and physical sense.

3. Injuries

In week four, the Packers missed Atari Bigby and it showed as Favre and the Vikings’ pass attack had their way with the Packers’ secondary.  This time around, Bigby will suit up and hopefully change the outcome in the passing game.  Vikings Coach Brad Childress admitted that the Packers are a “different team” with Bigby and the difference between him and Derrick Martin will be night and day.

For the Vikings, standout cornerback Antoine Winfield is expected to miss the contest and Bernard Berrian has yet to practice this week.  Both players were huge contributors in the Vikings week four victory as Winfield compiled ten tackles and an interception, while Berrian caught six passes for 75 yards and a third quarter, eventual game-winning touchdown from Favre.

Jermichael Finley, who led the Packers in receiving against the Vikings with 128 yards and a touchdown, will miss Sunday’s game along with wide receiver Jordy Nelson.  Brett Swain was also lost for the season with a torn ACL against Cleveland, so Rodgers’ targets will be limited to Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Donald Lee, and the backs.

There are injuries for both teams, but clearly the Vikings’ injuries hurt more than the Packers right now, the opposite of week four.

4. Momentum

Aside from the fact that the Packers are coming off a bye week and two wins while the Vikings are coming off a loss, the Packers seem to be hitting their stride while the Vikings are fighting for their lives.  The Packers have had three easy weeks to prepare for their big division rivalry game in playing the Lions and Browns off a bye week.

Brett Favre was hardly having fun last week. Those six weeks of momentum might have been lost. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

On the other hand, the Vikings just barely held on to defeat the Ravens in a shootout and went wire-to-wire with the Steelers in a loss.  At the very least, the Vikings are more tired than the Packers are at this point.  Losing the game in the last six minutes had to be disheartening for the Vikings and while they will not be resting on that fact, it’s different than coming out of Heinz Field with a victory.

No one needs to tell either team to get up for this game, but you can bet the Packers do not want to see Favre leave Lambeau Field with a victory.  The tension was not as high in week four as it will be at 3:15 in Green Bay and the Packers will thrive off that.

The Packers finally feel confident in their offensive schemes and their defense has limited teams to three points in the last two weeks combined.  Rookies Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji are getting much more involved and Rodgers has settled in, throwing eight touchdowns in the last three weeks.  All signs point to the momentum being in Green Bay’s favor when the initial whistle is blown.

5. Twelve is greater than four

You knew it was coming, people.  I stayed away from it in week four because thinking about Favre playing against the Vikings in Minnesota didn’t hit me as weird.  But seeing Favre walk out onto the Frozen Tundra will be heartbreaking and as much as I love the man, Aaron Rodgers is my team’s quarterback.

Say what you will about the success Favre has had this season, but in four years when Aaron Rodgers is in his prime and Favre is (God, hopefully) on a tractor somewhere in his Wrangler Jeans, you’ll understand why Ted Thompson made the right call.  Rodgers has been a top five quarterback this season and has four wins to prove it.  Cheer Favre for everything he did for the Packers, but once 3:15 hits look to the other side of the field and watch the future of Green Bay Packers football, #12.

The Buck Stops With Buycks

Marquette has six newcomers this season and is looking to turn over a new era as they move on with life after the Big Three.  One of those newcomers that will have to come in and step up right away is junior Dwight Buycks.

To read the rest of this article and other great stories on Marquette, click on this link that will take you to MarquetteHoops.com.

Packers Starting to Turn the Corner At the Perfect Time

While the difference in the victories against the Detroit Lions (26-0) in week six and the Cleveland Browns (31-3) Sunday was just two points, the blowouts were about as different as they could be and showed what exactly the Packers have in store for the rest of the season.

Say what you will about the Browns easily being one of the worst teams in the league and that it is hard to gauge just how good the Packers really are based on two straight victories against teams with a combined record of 2-11, but Sunday’s contest wasn’t even close.  After Phil Dawson connected on a field goal to give the Browns a 3-0 lead, the Packers reeled off 31 straight points to coast for the win.

Don’t let anyone fool you: the Browns are bad.  They are very bad.  But it wasn’t as if the Packers struggled to find rhythm on offense and were making mistakes on defense like they did against the Lions.  They found a bad team at the wrong time and absolutely destroyed them in all aspects of the game, something great teams do.

Defensively, the Packers did what they had to do, forcing two turnovers and holding the Browns to just 139 yards on offense.  What helps is that they did most of their damage out of normal sets, making sure not give much away for next week’s matchup against Minnesota.

Call it a tune-up, but the Packers have used the last two weeks to become more comfortable within their defense and players like A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett are finally starting to get things down.  Aaron Kampman has been able to rush the passer more and has three sacks in the last four weeks, and Charles Woodson reminded the NFL why no one should throw his way as he picked off a pass and forced a Josh Cribbs fumble.

The Lions rank 22nd in total offense and the Browns 31st, but the Packers did what they were supposed to do and then some.  While some may say their stats are inflated from the last two weeks, the fact of the matter is their defense ranks 3rd in total defense and is giving up just 16 points per game, good for fifth in all of football.

The big play threats are still there and are coming at the expense of trying to force turnovers, but that is something the Packers are hoping will cancel out by season’s end.  Their 13 takeaways rank third in the league and their turnover difference of +8 is second in the league.

Leading the way in that department has been the play of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has feasted on lesser opponents and seen his quarterback rating soar.  Rodgers has eight touchdowns in his last three games and has had a passer rating over 110 in each of his last four contests.  For the season, only Peyton Manning has a higher passer rating (114.5) than Rodgers (110.8).

His two interceptions have kept Packers’ drives alive and are a big part of the reason why the Packers rank fifth in the league in total offense and points per game.

The offensive line finally put together a rock solid outing, regardless of who it was against, in not allowing a sack and rushing for over 200 yards against the Browns.  T.J. Lang made his first start at left tackle and was solid all day in his potential warm-up for Jared Allen next week.  The right side of the line created holes all day and helped Ryan Grant to his best outing of 2009.

All in all, the last three weeks have been exactly what the Packers needed.  Defensive adjustments were clearly made during the bye week as the Packers not only beat up bad offenses, but completely shut them down.  Regardless of how bad the Lions and Browns may be, the Packers’ defense could not have played any better.

Offensively, the Packers continue to get better every week, improving their total yards in each of the team’s first six games.  They have also gone over the 400-yard mark on offense in each of the past four games.  Question marks arose in the first two weeks about Rodgers’ consistency, the dropped passes, and the offensive line, but that has not been the problem as of late.  If Rodgers’ can get time, the Packers’ offense is a top ten unit.

With just 16 games on the schedule, no team ever looks past games, but the Packers’ might have peeked at their matchup next weekend against the Vikings.  The past two weeks have allowed the Packers to try out new things during blowouts and also disguise others.  Coming off a bye week and two blowouts is surely different than the Vikings, who have yet to play their bye and have battled to the extremes against two AFC powerhouses in the Ravens and Steelers the last two weeks.

The Vikings might not be tired but they will not be as well rested as the Packers.  While it’s too hard to judge whether or not the Packers’ wins over the Lions and Browns just met expectations or were a start of something new, it’s no secret the Packers have momentum coming into next week.  Not only are they playing great football, but the NFC North is on the line and the winner of the game will have that title all to themselves.

Six Thoughts for Week Six on the Green Bay Packers

1. The Packers have the worst offensive line in the NFL.

Coming into the season, the Packers’ offensive line was hardly thought to be a liability but was still not a strong point on the team.  Six weeks in, the unit is as big a liability as one will find in the NFL.  Aaron Rodgers has put up outstanding stats considering he has been sacked a league-high 25 times. The current NFL record for times sacked in a season is David Carr, with 72.  Rodgers is on pace to be sacked 80 times, which would set a new record.

Injuries to Chad Clifton, Jason Spitz, and Daryn Colledge combined with Rodgers holding on to the ball too long sometimes might be excuses, but the Packers also rank 25th in rushing.  Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson are not going to make anyone forget about Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, but every rushing attack starts with the offensive line.

2. Clay Matthews is a future pro bowler at outside linebacker

A risky prediction?  You bet.  But one that I will stick to until I see him in the actual game.  Five games into his short NFL career, Matthews has already taken over a starting role, racked up 12 tackles, been credited with three sacks, had three more tackles for loss, stripped Adrian Peterson and run it back for a touchdown, and defended three passes.  Dom Capers and Kevin Greene have a long history with the 3-4 defense and must have seen something in Matthews to make Ted Thompson trade up for him.

It sounds cliche, but he’s just a genuine football player out on the field.  His strength combined with his fluidity is perfect for the 3-4 defense and he is making the most of his time on the field.  Now with the starting job in hand, he should be on the field a whole lot more and continue to improve on his skill set.  It seems as though the sky’s the limit for the USC grad.

3. Donald Driver can play into his 40’s if he chooses to

Donald Driver became the Packers' all-time receptions leader Sunday against the Lions. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Take Donald Driver’s name and number off his jersey and then show film to someone and ask them what they think of that certain player.  Assuming Driver didn’t do a first down shimmy after a big catch to give his identity away, that certain someone would probably guess the player was a young and energetic rookie.

At 34, Driver seems to have more energy than he ever has and is showing no signs of slowing down.  He is in excellent physical condition, is loving the game, and has a quarterback suited perfectly to his skill set.  This season, he leads the Packers in receptions, yards, and touchdown catches.  He also set the Packers’ record for receptions last week in Detroit.  With Greg Jennings constantly seeing double coverage, Driver has made the most of his opportunity to beat his man one-one-one.

4. Al Harris has lost a step and it might be time to give Tramon Williams a look

Maybe the second part of my thought is more of the reason I think Williams should get more looks a starter, but Harris does not look like the same cornerback.  For starters, his reaction time has decreased and it seems as though receivers are getting a clean break on routes a step or two before Harris realizes it.  One has to wonder whether the penalties on Harris for illegal use of the hands has tamed him a bit.

His 23 tackles, which rank fifth on the team, is a tad bit misleading because none of those are for losses, meaning Harris more times than not gave up a reception to make that tackle.  It’s not an easy task when Charles Woodson is on the other side of the defense and your safety help has been banged up all year, but Harris just has not looked the same.  Even his interception against the Lions was off blown coverage but the ball was tipped by the Detroit receiver.

5. Even with Matthews’ great play thus far, Brandon Chillar is the Packers’ best linebacker

The interior of the Packers’ linebacking corps has struggled this season in comparison to their defensive line or outside linebackers, but Brandon Chillar has been a breath of fresh air and a versatile part of the defense.  He has seen time at inside linebacker but also has played strong safety in the Packers’ “Big Okie”, five linebacker-defense and has done a nice job.

His sack on Jay Cutler was arguably the play of the year for the Packers thus far and he currently ranks second on the team in tackles.  With A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett struggling, Chillar’s play has been a nice surprise and he seems to be fitting in very nicely in the 3-4 defense.  Most of his tackles are within three or four yards of the line of scrimmage while other inside LB’s are making tackles down field.

6. If the Packers can not cut down on penalties, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye

The Packers are not a good enough team right now to be able to make up for their penalties.  Their offensive line is shaky meaning deep passes are at a minimum, their defense is playing good but not great, and overall they’re having trouble making up for their mistakes.

Last season, the Packers ranked second in penalties and first in yards.  Six weeks in, the Packers are fifth in penalties and fourth in yards.  It’s extremely frusterating as a fan to see yellow flags out on the field on seemingly every drive.  Mike McCarthy claims it’s just part of the game, but penalties say a lot about a team’s structure and discipline.

It’s not McCarthy’s fault because he isn’t the one jumping the snap on false starts or holding on defense, but maybe it’s time for him to get on his players a little more because, in a division or wildcard spot that could come down to the wire, penalties can change the complexion of a game.

The next few weeks will be telling because, against lesser competition, they should not have to be committing silly penalties.

Marquette Gets Verbal From Blue; Future Looks Gold

As if the rivalry between the Marquette Golden Eagles and Wisconsin Badgers wasn’t big enough, it added a new chapter Sunday afternoon when Madison Memorial point guard Vander Blue gave a verbal commitment to play for Marquette next fall.  The 6′3″ Blue was choosing between Marquette and Wisconsin with Florida, Arizona, UCLA, and Connecticut listed as well.

Visiting Marquette on his official visit this past weekend, Blue attended Marquette Madness at the Al McGuire Center and sat next to now-fellow teammate and 2010 commit Jamail Jones, a 6′6″ guard/forward from Georgia.  He was able to spend time with the current team, including former high school teammate and best friend Jeronne Maymon.

Blue admitted there were many reasons why he chose Marquette over Wisconsin, including the up-tempo style of play that suits his skill set, his relationship with coach Buzz Williams, and the overall culture of Marquette.

His decision did not come without criticism as many of the Wisconsin faithful feel betrayed and as if there is more to the story than what has been printed.  Blue gave an oral commitment to Wisconsin after his sophomore year of high school but wanted to look over his options again after a breakout junior year.

When the majority of 15-year-olds are deciding on whether or not to laminate their driving permits, Blue was deciding where to play division one basketball.  It’s easy to see that he was young and excited, yet premature on his college decision.  He never took Wisconsin out of his potential teams and it seemed as though his decision was 50-50 most of the way.

Despite those upset at Blue for opening up his recruitment and then deciding to go to a rival in-state school, Blue says he could not be happier with his decision and is excited to be playing for the Golden Eagles in the Big East.

Vander Blue's commitment to Marquette gives Buzz Williams another talented class...and he isn't done yet.

Just as happier, if not happier, is Coach Buzz Williams who, in Blue, secured his second recruit for the 2010 season.  Both recruits, Blue and Jones, rank in the top 70 on most recruiting websites and will play a major role when they join the team next season.

In an interview with JS Online Marquette blogger Todd Rosiak, Blue said that Williams was crying and screaming when he heard the news of Blue joining the Marquette squad.  It seemed like a fitting end for the emotional Williams, who spoke to Blue about life and becoming a man over the weekend.  He knows that being a Marquette Golden Eagle is about much more than wins, losses, and tournament bids.

After Tom Crean ditched his seniors for Indiana prior to the start of last season, Williams was left to pick up the pieces that included two de-commits and not a lot of time to make up for it.  His first recruiting class consisted of junior college sophomores Joe Fulce and Jimmy Butler and freshman Chris Otule.  Williams’ Texas ties surely helped him out as all three players played in the Lone Star State.  Butler came in right away and was an excellent role player for the Golden Eagles while Fulce and Otule fought injuries for the majority of the season.

While Williams was given a free pass on his 2008 recruiting class given the circumstances, his 2009 class was going to define him as the class who came in after the Big Three of Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews, and Dominic James graduated.

Williams did not miss a beat, recruiting three four-star players in Junior Cadougan, Jeronne Maymon, and Erik Williams to go along with three-star recruits Dwight Buycks, Darius Johnson-Odom and Youssoupha Mbao.  Not only did the class balance out the roster with four freshman, a sophomore, and a junior, but it also ranked in the top fifteen on most websites.

The class is yet to play a game, but the talent and chemistry seems to be there for the Golden Eagles to succeed in the future.  Inexperience will play a factor and the newcomers are sure to have low points in the season and may hit a wall during the tough Big East season, but the learning process will be key for the future.

Add last year’s class to the commitments of Blue and Jones for next season and you have a roster made up completely of Buzz Williams recruits, a five-star, blue chip prospect, seniors Jimmy Butler, Joe Fulce, and Dwight Buycks, four four-star recruits and a boatload of potential.

The best part is that Buzz Williams is not done recruiting for 2010 with two more potential scholarships to hand out for next season.  Look for Williams to solidify the frontcourt for next season as the backcourt is all but set up with Cadougan, Blue, Johnson-Odom, Buycks, Jones, Butler, and Fulce.

Names for the 2010 class to keep an eye on include power forwards Tarik Black, Gary Mitchell, Jayvaughn Pinkson, and Freddy Aspirilla.  If the Golden Eagles are to compete for a Big East title in the next two or three years, a big man who can consistently get looks at the basket in the low post will be key.  Otule and Mbao are both centers who seem to have their game focused defensively right now so an offensive presence will be key.

Whichever way you slice it, the Vander Blue commitment officially put Marquette back in the conference title talks for next season.  After all, he is the best recruit Marquette has landed since Kerry Trotter in 1981 and Doc Rivers in 1979.  It’s big enough that the Golden Eagles have swiped up the state of Wisconsin’s best recruit the last two seasons,but if Williams can hit on another recruit or two for next season, Marquette can become a consistent top ten recruiting destination.

Blue’s decision to Marquette was that big.  Now if only Tennessee-bound shooting guard Trae Golden had committed as well.  Talk about a Marquette backcourt…

Chris Otule: Older, Better, Faster, Stronger

Hey folks,

Sorry I have been out of the loop on posting as of late.  Midterms at school have had my head in the books and not as much on the blog.  I have been following everything as usual and will have a lot to post on this week including the Packers’ shutout of the Lions, Vander Blue verbally committing to Marquette, and potentially some MLB playoffs as we prepare for the World Series.

Here’s an article I did last week on sophomore big Chris Otule.  To read it, click on the link below that will bring you to MarquetteHoops.com, where most of my Marquette Basketball content will go from now on.

Read: Older, Better, Faster, Stronger

Packers Must Prove They are Contenders Against Lions

The spread might be two touchdowns and they might be playing at home, coming off a bye week against a team that has not won in Green Bay in almost two decades, but the Packers’ matchup on Sunday against the Detroit Lions will tell Packer Nation and the rest of the league just what to expect the rest of the season.

On one hand, the Packers could come out with a chip on their shoulder after their embarrassing loss to the Vikings on national television by taking it to the lowly 1-4 Lions. On the other hand, they could struggle once again to look solid in all aspects of the game and leave more question marks than answers.

It would be short of a miracle if the Lions pulled out a victory on Sunday, but that can not be the focus for the Packers this week.  While a team never wants to guarantee a victory or come into a game thinking they have the game already won, Week Six means a lot more than one game in the standings for the Packers.

Adjustments are sure to have been made during the bye week and now it is time to put them to the test.  A simple win by two touchdowns might not be enough to convince the rest of the league, or the Packers themselves, that they are contenders this season.

Inconsistencies on the offensive line, another round of lackluster defensive packages, and rhythm issues between Aaron Rodgers and the receivers have led the Packers to an unimpressive 2-2 record through five weeks of the NFL season.

While the Packers are in no way, shape, or form out of the playoff race just a quarter of the way through their schedule, it hasn’t been what a lot of people expected.  A big off-season included the future of the defense, B.J. Raji, drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, a new and enthusiastic defensive coordinator come in and revamp the defense, and expectations through the roof for Aaron Rodgers.

The pre-season gave even more hope to fans and Super Bowl predictions were being thrown around the TV and internet from NFL analysts alike.  If the offense could continue their point binges, the already outstanding defense would just be an added bonus.

It’s natural for Packers fans to expect big things from our team.  We’ve been spoiled with one of the most stable franchises in all of sports, the greatest stadium in professional sports, and a title within the last fifteen years.  We saw the greatest quarterback of all-time call Green Bay home for 17 years and put us back on the map and, unlike many situations, the transition of Hall of Fame quarterback-to-replacement has been steady so far.

With a favorable schedule coming up that also includes a chance to take down the division leading Minnesota Vikings, it’s time for the Packers to go for it all.  Changes on the offensive line have been made including the signing of veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher, who will provide good depth, the offense is going back to the drawing board and looking to throw more short passes, and the defense will make adjustments so as to not continue giving up the big play.

Injuries that hurt the Packers will be fewer going forward as players at key positions had the chance to gain extra rest with the bye week.  With all of these factors combined, there are no more excuses for the Packers.  Ted Thompson, like him or not, built this team from within and expected big things when the pieces came together.  It’s clear that this time is now and if results do not come soon, changes will be made.

There’s no reason that the Packers should not be one of the top teams in the NFC at the midpoint of the season in four weeks.  It all starts against the Lions, who will more than likely be without their top two offensive players in Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

The Packers will no doubt play to win and will not call off the dogs if a blowout ensues, but look for them to work out the kinks that they have struggled with all season.  Expect a heavy dose of blitzes on Daunte Culpepper and on offense, look for Rodgers to complete passes early and often so he can find a good rhythm.

No matter how big the win is, no one will crown the Packers leaders of the NFC after this week.  But what better way to start building momentum than at home against a division rival?  The 2-2 record is not bad but at the same time is a reality check to the Packers that nothing will come easy this season.

The best part is that no one is calling out coaches or players in the media.  It would be easy for Greg Jennings to demand the ball more (he did, but in half-joking form), or Aaron Rodgers to ask for competent pass blocking every once in a while.  How easily could Charles Woodson ask for more blitz schemes so that he isn’t asked to cover his receiver for seven seconds?

Call it optimism, homerism, or false hope, but the Packers are destined for greatness this season.  They will need to play better than .500 and need to make adjustments, but there is enough talent on this team that booking plane tickets to Miami is not out of the question.  The question is whether or not they can harness it and turn it into consistency on the field.  Time to see if they can.

Second Quarter of Schedule Will Be Crucial for Packers

When breaking down the schedule for NFL teams, many coaches and staffs like to break the season down into quarters, much like an actual game.  In that sense, the Packers completed the first quarter of their season and stand at a reasonable 2-2.  They have not set the world on fire like they did in the preseason but are still in good position as they begin quarter number two of the season.

The Packers have looked solid in some places (defensive line, cornerbacks) while they have struggled in others (offensive line, linebackers), but the fact of the matter is .500 football the rest of the way is not going to cut it in the NFC this season.  Teams like the 49ers and Falcons look rejuvenated under their young head coaches, three teams are undefeated, and only six teams currently have losing records in the NFC.

There needs to be a stretch run where the Packers can distance themselves from the middle of the pack and take a shot at regaining the top spot in the NFC North.  It will not be easy considering the Vikings are 5-0 and the Bears are 3-1, both ahead of the Packers, but if there was ever a “quarter” for the Packers to move up, the upcoming four games are it.

In week six, the Packers come home to visit the last-place Lions.  As if it wasn’t bad enough that the Packers have not lost to the Lions in Green Bay since 1991, the Packers are also coming off a bye week in which they have had an extra week to prepare for Jim Schwartz’s ballclub.

Making matters worse is the fact that Calvin Johnson suffered a knee injury and was not able to return in the Lions’ week five loss to the Steelers and starting quarterback Matthew Stafford sat as well.  Regardless of whether the Lions’ two best offensive players suit up Sunday, the odds are with the Packers to take this game.

In the NFC North, the Vikings will take on the Baltimore Ravens at the Metrodome, in a battle of two top teams this season.  The Ravens seem to have found their stride on offense while their defense has come alive once again through veterans Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.  It will be a tough game for both teams, but it would not be a shock to see either team come out on top.

The Bears, coming off their bye week, meet up with the Falcons on Sunday Night Football in week six.  The Falcons, fresh off their bye week, crushed the 49ers 45-10 last week and are on a roll as it stands.  It will be a tough game for the Bears to win with the Falcons playing so well, so there’s a chance the Packers could pick up a game on both teams.

In week seven the Packers travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns and, while road games are never sure things, the Browns are just 1-4 with a win over Buffalo to their name.  The Browns rank last in the league against the run and have already given up eight rushing touchdowns. Brandon Jackson should be back for the Packers and join with Ryan Grant to get the ground game going again.

While the Packers are taking on the Browns, the Bears and Vikings will be taking on a pair of AFC opponents.  The Vikings draw the Steelers in Pittsburgh and Troy Polamalu is expected to be back for the Steelers.  While they are surviving without him, the dominant safety will help in shutting down Adrian Peterson and helping out in pass protection.

Can Greg Jennings finally break out against some weak defenses?

The Bears will take on the resurgent Bengals on the road in what suddenly looks like a good game as Carson Palmer and the Bengals are atop the NFC North with a 4-1 record.  Clearly the Packers have the easiest game on the week seven schedule and should gain ground on at least one of their NFC North mates.

If the Packers are able to defeat both opponents over the next two weeks, they would stand at 4-2 heading into a week eight matchup with the Vikings.  Assuming the Vikings drop one of their previous two games, the top of the NFC North could once again be on the line when the two teams meet.  As much pressure as everyone thought was on Brett Favre in week four, the butterflies will really be floating around his stomach when he walks onto Lambeau Field.

The Packers are sure to make adjustments and play well against the Vikings.  In my schedule breakdown, I noted how much added incentive there would be for the Packers if the Vikings won in week four.  After a 30-23 defeat in the Metrodome, the Packers are going to want this game bad.

The Bears will host the Browns in week eight in what will probably be an easy victory.

Rounding out the second quarter for the NFC North contenders, the Bears will stay at home and take on the Arizona Cardinals in what looks to be a shootout.  The Cardinals have been very inconsistent this season and it will be interesting to see which team steps on the field for Ken Whisenhunt.

The Vikings have their bye so the Packers have the potential to pick up a half a game on them when they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the struggling Buccaneers.  The transition to Raheem Morris has not been smooth at all, and with quarterback problems as well as pass defense issues, the Packers should be favored on the road.

Two road games over the next four contests are never sure things, and with the way the offensive line has played, there is always the possibility of a slip-up against one of the three sub-.500 teams.  The game against the Vikings will be huge because there’s a chance for Minnesota to run away with the division if they can enter their bye week at 7-1 or 8-0.

In the “second quarter”, the Packers will face teams with a combined record of 7-13, with five of those wins coming from the Vikings.  The Bears’ opponents currently have a combined record of 10-8 while the Vikings will take on a combined record of 8-6.  Clearly the opportunity to get their name back in the running for NFC North is there.  Not to say their hat is not in the ring for the North, but they should go 3-1 at worst over these next four games, making them 5-3 and in prime spot to make a late run at the division.

No NFL team is easy or a cupcake, but working the kinks out on defense will be easier against the 18th, 29th, and 30th ranked offenses in the league.  Just as the bye week came at the right time for the Packers, it seems the easy part of the schedule is as well.

Packers Biggest Draft Needs and Players Who Can Help

Because it’s never too early to start looking toward the NFL Draft in April, here are the top five biggest draft needs for the Packers as well as potential picks that could help them in 2010 and beyond.  It is only October and many things can and most likely will, but it’s good to get an early grasp on the potential future Packers.

It’s no secret that the Packers’ offensive line is struggling mightily this season.  While the line is relatively young minus Chad Clifton, production is an issue for the struggling youngsters while age is a concern for the productive veterans.  It’s not a good combination for a team trying to protect their franchise quarterback and trying to get their high-powered offense back on track.

Despite Mark Tauscher and Levi Jones working out for the Packers, it’s obvious that no one on the current roster or in the free agent pool is going to be the answer going forward.  While the potential for improvement is there for the young players, if there is going to be a drastic improvement on the offensive line, it is going to need to come in the form of an early draft pick.

Last season, the Packers selected two offensive linemen in T.J. Lang and Jamon Meredith.  Both were selected on the second day of the draft (Lang in the fourth, Meredith in the fifth) and were not expected to make a huge impact in their first seasons.  General manager Ted Thompson has been a huge fan of taking project linemen in the later rounds of the draft and letting them gain experience before putting them on the field.

In 2005, Thompson selected center/guard Junius Coston in the fifth round and guard Will Whitticker in the seventh round, neither of whom are still on the active roster.  In 2006, he used his first of two second round selections to take current starter Daryn Colledge and also used the latter of his third round picks to take center Jason Spitz.

The next year in 2007, Thompson’s lone offensive lineman selection was in the fourth round in Allen Barbre, the team’s current but struggling right tackle.  In 2008, Thompson used his fourth and fifth round picks to select Josh Sitton and Breno Giacomini.  It would be quite deceiving to say that Thompson has done a good job selecting offensive linemen because four of his nine offensive line picks are current starters.

When he took over as GM in 2005, he declined to re-sign veteran guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle and trying to replace them with free agent signings Adrian Klemm and Matt O’Dwyer.  O’Dwyer was cut in training camp and Klemm lasted just a year with the Packers.  The only other free agent signing Thompson has gone for on the offensive line was this past off-season in Duke Preston.  However, he flopped as well and was cut before the season began.

Simply put, Thompson has put all his offensive line eggs in the draft basket and it clearly is not working, especially when he waits so long to select them.  Granted it makes little sense to take a guard or center in the early rounds of the draft, but this season Thompson will surely be expected to address the tackle position on Day One.  Luckily for him, there will be options available when the Packers go on the clock in April.

Scouts, Inc. has Russell Okung listed as their top left tackle in next year’s draft, and just by looking at him it’s easy to see why.  The six foot-six inch senior from Oklahoma State is big in size and moves extremely well for his size.  He has everything you look for in a franchise left tackle and could potentially learn for a year under Chad Clifton.  The only issue with Okung is that he is almost a lock to be taken within the first half of the first round.  So maybe Packers’ fans should hope they don’t have the opportunity to take him.

More realistic options include Trent Williams from Oklahoma, who has the versatility to play both tackle positions if he can improve on his pass blocking.  His run blocking is superb which gives him the ability to play right tackle, the position he played up until this season.  If his pass blocking improves, his name could be called in the top ten picks.  For now, he looks like a viable option for the Packers come draft day.

Bryan Bulaga from Iowa is almost a sure-fire first round draft pick and someone who can help in the run game as well.  Bruce Campbell from Maryland and Charles Brown from USC round out the borderline first round picks for 2010.  While many things can and will change, but keep an eye on these five players leading up to the draft.

The Packers have relied on middle of the pack linemen for too long and need to go out and get a stud next season.  Clifton and Colledge are both free agents after this season and it will be interesting to see what they do and who they keep.  Either way, there’s a good chance a spot (or two) is opening up at the tackle position next season.  It’s time that Ted Thompson moved away from the defensive front seven and focused on shoring up the offensive line.

Bye Week Coming At a Perfect Time for the Packers

It sounds cliche to say, but the Green Bay Packers’ bye week is coming at a perfect time.  The Packers will have week five of the NFL season off and will use that extra week to pick up the pieces to a very shaky start to the season.  While bye weeks never really come at a bad time for any team, the Packers need it now more than ever.

For starters, the injury bug has hit the Packers in two of their most shallow positions on the field, offensive line and safety and is becoming not only a weak spot on the field, but rather a liability.  Entering the season, the Packers put rookie tackle Jamon Meredith on the practice squad, but he was picked up by the Bills in late September after Buffalo had injuries of their own on the offensive line when Brad Butler went down for the season.

The injury left the Packers with three roster players that were capable of playing left tackle in Chad Cliton, Daryn Colledge, and rookie T.J. Lang.  When Clifton suffered a high ankle sprain in week two against the Bengals, Colledge had to move to left tackle from left guard, shifting the entire line around.  Colledge then suffered a knee sprain against the Vikings, leaving the rookie Lang to play out of position, going up against All-Pro Jared Allen nonetheless.

With the bye week coming, Clifton expects to be healthy enough to suit up against the Lions in week six and Colledge will get extra rest on his knee.  Had the bye not come this week, there’s a chance the Packer faithful would have been subjected to T.J. Lang round two, something no one wants to see.

The Packers’ offensive line is hardly tops in the league this season, but getting Clifton back and moving Colledge back to his natural left guard position will do wonders for the line.  It will move Jason Spitz back to center and presumably bump Scott Wells out.  The bye week also gives the Packers the opportunity to evaluate former tackle Mark Tauscher.  Currently a free agent after ACL surgery last season, the Packers have worked him out and will now get an extra week to evaluate him and see if he can help the line out more than the inconsistent Allen Barbre.

With the bye week coming, safety Atari Bigby is expected to use that week to get ready for his return in week six.  After a knee injury forced him out of the Packers’ home opener against the Bears, he is hoping to get back on the field after the bye week.  His return can not come soon enough as recently-acquired Derrick Martin and Jarrett Bush have, to put it nicely, done a less-than-stellar job manning his position the last three weeks.

Atari Bigby (20) was injured against the Bears, but should make his return after the Packers' bye week. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Packers have had to use five-linebacker sets, called the “Big Okie”, where Brandon Chillar plays in the box as a safety.  With the return of Bigby, there should be an improvement in the pass defense, where the Packers currently rank 20th in the league.

Other players who have battled injury such as B.J. Raji will also get a full week of rest away from football activities to get their bodies back in healthy shape.

More so than the injuries that will be helped out by the bye week, the week off will help the Packers regroup after four weeks of football that saw them all over the place on many accounts.  The offense has had many opportunities to succeed this season, and while pass protection can account for some of those issues, chemistry and timing has been off as a whole.  Greg Jennings has failed to break out of his “ugly” slump, posting just five catches and no touchdowns the last three weeks.

Hopefully Dom Capers will go back to the drawing board and film room and realize that a weak pass rush has gotten the Packers defense nowhere.  Something needs to change defensively so that the big plays are extinguished and the Packers can get a better pass rush on the quarterback to force errors, much like they did against the Bears in week one.

There is reason to believe the Packers will right the ship with a very favorable schedule coming up.  There is a chance the Packers could win their next four games or, at the very worst, three of four.  Dates with Detroit, Cleveland, and Tampa Bay are in the near future and it looks like now is the time for the Packers to bust out.

As a whole, the Packers are in good position to re-group as a whole, players and coaches alike, and get back to their winning ways with an offense that is clicking and a pressure-filled defense.  They will be as healthy as they have been since week one heading into their matchup with Detroit, and hopefully a big win against the Lions will light a match underneath the Packers that propels them into November and December with some confidence.

Packers’ Matthews Showing Early Signs of Promise

When the Packers traded up in the 2009 NFL Draft, it marked just the second time in general manager Ted Thompson’s tenure that they had done so.  The trade involved moving back into the first round in exchange for the Packers’ only second round pick (41st overall) and both third round picks (73 and 83).  The Packers also received the Patriots’ fifth round pick (162).  There was a buzz over who the Packers had traded up for, with some believing it to be Florida State outside linebacker Everette Brown or potentially Rey Maualuga.

It turned out that, in typical Ted Thompson fashion, the Packers went with the wild card pick by selecting Clay Matthews III, an outside linebacker from Southern California.  Weighing 240 pounds and standing six feet-three inches tall, Matthews was the perfect fit for the Packers’ new 3-4 scheme under Dom Capers.

One rumor said that Thompson and Capers liked Matthews enough that they considered taking him with the ninth overall pick, instead opting to go with Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji.  When the Packers moved back into the first round, it was an easy decision for management in taking Matthews.

Matthews’ path to the NFL was anything but easy and even he would admit that four years ago, he wouldn’t have expected to hear his name called on draft day, let alone the first round.  In high school, Matthews did not start on his high school team despite his own father being the defensive coordinator.

His father also happened to be Clay Matthews, former linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons wh started 278 straight games and was elected to four pro bowls.  Bruce Matthews, considered one of the best offensive linemen of all time, is Matthews III’s uncle.  Even Matthew III’s grandfather, Clay Matthews Sr., played four years for the San Francisco 49ers.

Instead of taking offers from community colleges or small division one schools, Matthews opted to walk on for the same team that his father and uncle played for: Southern California.   Matthews dedicated himself for the next two years and was awarded a scholarship for his junior year in 2007.  Despite seeing just limited time on defense and work on special teams his first three season, Matthews entered the starting lineup in 2008 and recorded 54 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble.

He won the Special Teams Player of the Year Award the last three seasons he was at Southern California, making him the only Trojan to ever win three times.  His hard work, tenacity, and commitment to football made him the prime candidate to become a Packer in 2009.  His 4.58 forty time and 35-inch vertical at the NFL Combine didn’t hurt, either.

Four games in, Clay Matthews III (middle) looks like the real deal. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Matthews reported to camp on time and new defensive coordinator Dom Capers fell in love with his athleticism and smarts.  Despite coming from an NFL-style team in USC, Matthews was still considered a bit of a project entering the season.  He began the year backing up Brady Poppinga at the right outside linebacker position, but as of late the reps have began to even out 50-50.

Four games into the regular season, Matthews has not racked up the stats to prove he is making improvements and is succeeding, but his presence on the field has been felt.  Already, he is getting push on the line and is showing enough speed to rush on the outside.  He recorded his first sack against the Bengals and stripped Adrian Peterson last Monday night and ran 40 yards for his first career touchdown.

It is obvious the Packers drafted Matthews to become their future on the outside.  When looking at the most successful 3-4 defenses in the league, players like James Harrison of the Steelers and Terrell Suggs of the Ravens are so important in applying pressure and also making plays in the secondary.  While the inside linebackers rack up most of the tackles in the 3-4 defense, the reason for that is because containing the edge and forcing plays back inside is vital.  That is the job of the outside linebackers, making Matthews that much more important.

In the Packers’ first overall selection B.J. Raji, as well as Matthews, the Packers believe they have the foundation to a young, up-and-coming defense.  Up to this point in the season, Matthews has been the Packers best outside linebacker.  The lack of speed shown by A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, and Aaron Kampman has been tough to watch, but the athleticism and tenacity Matthews has shown has been a breath of fresh air.

The best part about Matthews is that his career is four games deep right now.  As much push as he has made against offensive lines, he has not learned good enough technique to be a double-digit sack player.  Right now, his speed and coverage abilities are being used but as he progresses and gains more muscle weight, he will become more of a complete player and starter for a long time.