At the beginning of this year there is nothing more I wanted to see Bret Favre humbled and embarrassed. Not that I acually hated  Favre, but Green Bay is my team, Vikings our number 1 rival for since 1992 and therefore I wanted to dance in your sorrow.. because surely there is no way Favre leads the team to success.  But a funny thing happened along the way

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A Green Bay fan here but with tremendous respect for the Vikings.  These games are always interesting for numerous reasons.  Now one game in the loss column seperates us and we have a midseason match up.  Here are just some thoughts.....

1) Brett Favre looks to me like he is playing like he did in the mid 90s.  He is not turning the ball over.  His ball handling is still without equal.  He looks dialed in and focused on what mismatches the defense are giving him. This was the Favre, this Packer fan grew to love, but seemed to disappear after the 98 season.

         2) Sidney Rice is turning into a special player, a rare threat to score from any place on the field.  I think many outside the Viking fan base (myself included), overlooked and underrated Rice.  I became aware of his freakish athletic ability during those onside kicks earlier this season when he looked like he had springs on his shoes.  And at 6'4, there is not a db that can match up with that.  To me he is the wildcard every game and I think Brett will increasingly take more shots to him as he season progresses.  He is a fun player to watch and has drawn my interest, (eventhough I hope he doesn't make any highlights against us next week).

3) As a Green Bay fan, I never, ever want to see AP get the ball in space. 

4) Percy Harvin is a special weapon on special teams, but also a complete player.  I love tough players, even ones who are on my "hated" rival.  When I see his willingness to block and go over the middle, there is an understood respect.

5) I thought Phil Loadholt was a rookie? Someone please tell him that we would appreciate him not looking like an All-Pro this week. :)

6) Interesting match-up will be Jared Allen vs. Clifton/Lang.  While Lang looked solid against the horrible/swine flew Browns, Jared Allen is a different kind of beast.  To me this is the most important match-up on the field. If the Pack can have some success (and I define success very liberally as in Allen not having 4 sacks :), I think the Pack will be ok.

7) Dom Capers vs Brett Farve -  great coach against a dialed in QB.  last match up clearly went to Farve.  Capers needs to find ways to get pressure on Brett or again the DBs will be hung out to dry. Green bays' Atari Bigby is back so Capers will have his whole play-book to uses.  This will be a very interesting chess match up.

8) Green Bay on short yardage - One of many of Ryan Grant's weakneess is his soft approach to 3rd/4th and short.  Will they uses Ahman Green? I have no confidence in Grant against the Vikings D.

9) Absence of Winfield.  One of the true warriors of the NFL and an absolute fun player to watch and fear (if you are a GB fan like me).  Can GB exploit his absence? or can Minnesota do a good job of rallying around the family.  Again, I think the answer to this will be mostly decided by the packers success or lack there of, in protecting Rodgers.

10) As  a closing point I just want to offer one last quip.  I respect the hell out of Favre and his ability as a QB.  I also understand why he wanted to go out with the Vikes.  I wish he would have handled it better and just come out and said it, but that is neither here nor there. One guy who i felt always got shafted by so many so called "fans" of the Packers was Aaron Rodgers.  Green Bay had many bandwagon fans after the early 90s and thier true colors showed after the Favre-packer split.  "Fans" actually booed Rodgers at home during the family night scrimage.  And throughout the whole mess, Rodgers handled the situation with class.  Personally I have never been rooting for someone more than I will for Rodgers this week.  

Now I hope for another great game (although i wouldn't refuse a blow-out :)))). and no injuries for either team.  Thanks to all the Vikings fans who make this a great rivalry and let us either ignore or give the quick hook to any trolls from either side this week

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