Aaron Kampman (OLB) and Al Harris (CB) are both out for the rest of the season with serious knee injuries. Each man was injured during the Packers win over the 49ers.The loss of two veteran defensive players is going to really hurt the Packers. Kampman and Harris were both pro-bowl defenders.
Still, it will now be up to some of the younger backups to step in and try to fill those roles. Players to watch for: Tramon Williams playing in place of the injured Al Harris, and Brad Jones – a rookie OLB. I’m not exactly sure who the Packers will be using in place of Kampman yet – most likely it will be a rotation between Brandon Chillar, Brady Poppinga and Brad Jones.
Also, the Eagles squeaked out a victory over the Bears last night 24-20, so they are also now tied for a wild card spot with both Green Bay and New York (Giants). So as Packers fans, we should also be rooting for teams that play against the Eagles and the Giants. 🙂 Can’t wait for Thursday’s game, and I’ll be wearing my fatty pants for the Turducken.
Well, that was a terrible game to watch as a Green Bay Packers fan.
I mean come on, how bad do you have to be to lose to an 0-7 team starting a rookie quarterback for the first time? COME ON!! The Packers were a 10-point favorite to win that game. This should illustrate just how far they’ve fallen. I do not like this Sam I am, I do not like Green Bay’s dumb plan.
That made me physically ill. I guess I’ll have to eat a dreamsicle now in honor of those throwback Buccaneer uniforms. I think that maybe the reason the Packers lost was because they were too distracted by how ridiculous those uniforms made the other team look. Or because their coach is a dumb-ass. Or because Ted Thompson is an idiot who refuses to spend a dime in free agency. Pick your reason actually, it doesn’t really matter because this team isn’t about to turn it around without some help on the offensive line. Too bad we will have to wait until next year to see it. 😦
Now that it is the official halfway point of the season, I am giving my mid-season grades to the Packers:
QB: B+
Aaron Rodgers’ consistent high level of play with absolutely no protection is something I can get excited about. He has been one of the few bright spots on an otherwise terrible offensive unit. I would like to see him throw it away a little bit more, instead of taking a sack every time he gets in trouble, though. His three interceptions last game dropped his grade from an A.
Offensive Line: F
Let’s see – I think we are trying to set the record for the most penalties and sacks given up in one season. So far, so good.
RB’S: D+
Even the signing of Ahman Green couldn’t raise this grade. They just cannot run the ball, period. How much of that is the o-line’s fault is up for debate I guess.
WR’S: B
This grade was raised by Donald Driver’s consistently high level of play at age 35. I would still like to see a little bit more out of Greg Jennings and James Jones this season. Jordy Nelson is a talented young man, and that is why we have nicknamed him White Lightning.
TE’S: B-
Jermicheal Finley is a freak of nature and could be the next Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez. Too bad he has been out lately with an injury. Donald Lee is pretty good as a number two option, but he drops way too many passes to be a consistent first team player.
Defensive Line: C-
Jonny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins are probably the two best players here. We haven’t seen too much greatness from first-round pick B.J. Raji yet this season, which is too bad. This grade would be higher if the Packers could ever get to another teams QB, which they can’t seem to do.
Linebackers: B
Clay Matthews is a beast. A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett are solid every year. Aaron Kampman is a talented player, but his talent is being wasted as an OLB and he can’t cover anyone. They might be better off trying to put him back on the D-line and using Chillar or Poppinga as the fourth linebacker. It can’t hurt.
Secondary: C
They aren’t terrible, but they’ve given up way too many big plays this season. Just think back to either of the Vikings games. Charles Woodson is the best player they have back there. Collins is pretty good, but he needs Bigby back there to help him shine. Al Harris has just been awful. He is a much better bump and run corner than a zone player in a 3-4 defense. I think that is showing this year. We could use better play from our third CB as well.
Special Teams: F
Giving up huge chunks of yardage on kick and punt returns? Check. Horrible and/or blocked punts? Check. Missed field goals galore? Check. Bad, bad, bad. That’s all I have to say about Coach Shawn Slocum’s special teams unit this year. But in the words of Mike McCarthy, I’m sure they’ll get that cleaned up.
Overall Team Grade: C
Current record: 4-4
At the midway point of the NFL season this is all we can give the Packers, an average grade for a mediocre team that probably won’t make the playoffs. I just wish they could turn it around this year instead of waiting until next year to make any changes. Oh well, keep your chin up out their cheesehead nation. There are still eight games left to play. Who knows, all 31 other teams could get the swine flu.
Love these grades? Hate these grades? I want to hear from you! Leave a comment.
Next week the Packers play the Cowboys at home. Go Pack!
WISCONSIN CHEDDAR 
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