Chillar Extension

From Brandon: Oops...I should have checked the FanPosts before I wrote one about Chillar myself. Thanks for getting it posted quickly (much quicker than I did) and for all the comments.

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Mitchell kinda of hit on this at the end of his recap that McCarthy has to be on the hot seat. I only got to watch some much of todays game (the financee and me purchased  a brand new flat screen tv!!), but what I took from today (as well as the rest of the season) that are a very undisplinced team. To many penalities at bad times (see Hawk, A.J.) or a ever mounting number of sacks (see all season long), that something has to change. I'm not sure if McCarthy is to stubborn to admit that the offensive line is a issue or find a way to correct it but Aaron Rodgers isn't going to make it through the season at this rate. (I do understand that there are times that Rodgers holds on to the ball to long, but there are times that he just has no time).

Sorry for the rant and I know that there is more you can hit on to argue either side but something has to give b/c like Mitchell said in his recap, todays loss is Unacceptable! I know that coaches sometimes get to much of the blame but i don't see where else this can go, we have the talent on the field but just can't take that next step. We are what our record says we are, 4-4! Discuss...

I know this is slightly off topic but I felt it had a home here on the Packers page, but Kampman's (and 3 other currently NFL players) HS coach Ed Thomas was shot and killed this morning inside the school weight room. The suspect is a former Parkersburg student and also a former player for Thomas. It's a very sad day for everyone associated with high school athletics or just associated with the man himself.

I live in Iowa (only about 40 mins away from Parkersburg) and i'm stil just in shock and sick over this. Below is a link.

Coach Thomas

I think the heading says it all but linked below is an ESPN.com article basically saying that very line. This has been a frustrating season for Packers fans, I'm sure some other words work here as well but we'll stick with frustrating, but we can't lose to these guys. We just can't! We can't be that team that gave them there only win. This has been a horrible year but that would just be the icing on the cake. So I know its been frustrating but we have to get behind the guys, one last week, to make sure we aren't a triva question about the only team Detriot beat this year. Go Packers!!

Sorry for the rant, but it was bound to come out eventually. lol

linky: Super Bowl

First off, I'm sorry guys I haven't been around as much. I was really just getting to know a lot of you guys thru posts and game logs and then work got super busy (I own a shoe store and the last few months have been crazy busy) so my ability to just sit down and enjoy a game or do my research for the articles I was doing just wasn't there as much as earlier. So that is my first thing I wanted to say. But here is the main reason for this post.....

Our glorious punter Mr. Derrick Frost has finally been released all the press release attached doesn't say anything about any new guy. Let me be the first to say this is about 3-6 weeks to late. He just hasnt' been very good all season but the last 3 weeks have been just horrible. Here is to hoping the next guy can at least be consistant. Here is the link: Frost Released

Aaron Rouse was named NFC Defensive Player of the week for his efforts in the Packers 34-14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Rouse helped shut down the potent Colts passing game and along the way tied a Packers record with a 99 yard Int return for TD. This is his first such honor.

Not to bad really that the Packers could potentially have both Rouse and Collins being named players of the week just in two different polls. Nice way to head into the bye week

Linky: Rouse Player of the Week!

First off, sorry for not doing this last week, really busy at work and just didn't have time to sit down and pick through the stats. Second, I don't exactly have a great record while doing this article (the Packers are 0-3 in weeks I do this and 3-0 in weeks I don't) so if that trend continues I'll change the name or something b/c being winless sucks lol.. Anyway I'm going to look at the core offensive positions and the defense yet again b/c (and I'm not looking at the numbers just yet) this looks to be a fairly similar matchup. Anyway.. on to the numbers...

Quarterbacks- Peyton Manning vs Aaron Rodgers... This is a great matchup between two quarterbacks at different points in there careers. Manning is much more established and has the hardware to boot while Rodgers is getting ready to start his 7 career game. While looking at the numbers you'll never believe who is actually ranked higher... Rodgers!! Rodgers and Manning are both top 10 in the most of the major passing categories; passing yards (R 7 M 10), yards per game (9 7), TDs (7 8), completions (6 9), and attempts (7 9). Heres the catch I wasn't expecting, in the other categories not just mentioned, Rodgers is top 10 in; Completion Percentage (8th), average per attempt (7th), and quarterback rating (7th). Now I'm not just ready yet to put Rodgers in Mannings category but I think we can all say Rodgers has been playing very good this year all and all (except TB and Dallas). I'm still going to give the advantage to Manning b/c he has done it longer and looked really good last week against Baltimore but this is closer than most would have thought... Advantage: Manning

Running Backs: Indy vs Grant. Lets be honest here, the Packers have the advantage here by default. I know our run defense hasn't been great (we'll get that portion of the show later on) but Indy is without there top runner and Dominic Rhodes has a smaller sample size b/c for most of the season he has been the backup to Addai who is out this week. But to be fair here is Rhodes stat line going into this weekend (32 att for 104 yards 3.3 yards per attempt 1 td). But in fairness to Rhodes lets take a look at last week which was his first game he took most of the snaps (25 att for 73 yds 2.9 per attempt 1 td). So as you can see he did most of his damage last week so we'll see what he can do this week against the Packers. Now on to Grant who over the last two games has looked considerable better. He currently has 359 rushing yards (59.8 per game) and is averaging 3.4 yards per carry. But for a quick breakdown here take a look at his splits for the first 4 games vs the last two; first 4: 55 att 186 yds 3.4 yards per carry.. Last 2 games: 51 att 173 yds 3.4 yds per carry. Now the yards per att hasn't gotten any better but McCarthy has made him a big part of the offense lately and I expect that trend to continue against a not so tough Indy rush defense.. Advantage: Grant

Wide Recievers: Harrison/Wayne vs Jennings/Driver: Now on paper doesn't that just look like a great matchup!! I'm excited for it thats for sure.. First off the main two here are Jennings and Wayne easily with both being ranked in the top 10 in most categories; yards (J 1st W 7th), yds per game (1st 5th), and tds (both tied at 5th). Both of these guys are the go to guys in the offense and the stats show that as both are putting up big numbers this year. Now I don't care what Indy fans will say to me but Harrison is on the decline and last weeks big won't change that opinion. For the season he has 20 rec for 247 yds which puts him at 49.4 yds per game and 3 tds. Driver on the other hand just has been losing some receptions to Jennings but has been a bigger part of the offense as of late. Driver on the season is at 25 rec for 295 yds which is 49.2 yds per game and 2 tds (last two games for those wondering 9 rec for 121, not great numbers but his receptions are up). One thing to point out for Indy, Anthony Gonzalez actually has better numbers this season then Harrison. He has 21 rec for 258 yds per game and no tds, he is avg 51.6 yds per game. I'm calling this a toss up b/c both teams Wideouts are so similar... Advantage: Toss Up

Defense: Indy vs Green Bay.. Both defenses are pretty similar in total yards per game that they are giving up, Green Bay is ranked 20th (332.2 yards per game) while Indy isn't far behind at 21st (334.4 yds per game). Passing defense both teams are pretty highly ranked, Green Bay is ranked 7th (178.8 yds per game) while Indy is one spot ahead at 6th (173.4 yds per game). Green Bay has an extra game and didn't get to face Flacco on one of those games either. Rushing defense has been the achilles heel for both teams and the rankings show that. Green Bay is ranked 27th (153.3 yards per game that they're giving up), but here is the fun thing, Indy is worse!! Indy is ranked 29th in rushing defense (161.0 yards per game). I'm giving the Packers defense the nod here mainly b/c of the home field advantage (we've gotta win it back eventually right??).. Advantage: Green Bay

To be completely honest I think this is going to be a shoot out. I know both teams give up the run and I expect both teams to keep the other defense honest and run the ball, but lets face it, these are two teams that rely on there passing games to win ball games. Unless Grant just starts going crazy (which is possible aganist this defense) I think the Packers will stick the usual game plan and look for both Jennings and Driver deep and short all day. Same for Indy in this respect, I expect them to test the Packers defense with Rhodes but at the end of the day for Manning to keep on throwing. I really think this is a big game going into the bye for the Packers, 4-3 is better than 3-4. I feel McCarthy will have the team ready and I think the Packers come out on top.  Go Packers!! Pack 31 Colts 28

Linky: Stats

I was looking throughout the page to see if anyone had posted this and I had noticed that it wasn't up yet. I figured that since we've mainly been talking about the uncertainity about the QBs or how we are on a 2 game losing streak that we could use some good news. Charles Woodson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for Sept. During the month Woodson had 3 INTs and took two of them back to the house.

Linky: Woodson NFC POM

Well what a difference a couple of weeks makes. Two weeks ago we were riding high and now two weeks later we are wondering just who might start this week for us. Well despite everything that has gone wrong there are a few glass half full things going on: first, we are still tied for first place, I know the division isn't stacked but first is first. Second, our defense has been playing very good all and all. I know it struggled against Dallas but besides that the defense has kept us in games or helped us win games (basically every game but dallas). We still aren't a bad team, but a win would help for sure. Alright on to the numbers:

Quarterbacks: Ryan vs Rodgers/Flynn: Well this is a tough one. If Rodgers is playing then the numbers say we have the upper hand, if not well you get the story. As for just overall, Rodgers still ranks ranks top ten in yards (8th), yards per game (10th), and TDs (T-7th). So despite struggles the last few games he still has the numbers on his side. If Flynn starts it is basically a clean slate, not that I needed to remind anyone of that. Matt Ryan has been a pleasant surprise for Atlanta so far this year (so is the 2-2 record). He has had the training wheels on still and his number show it. He has only thrown for 669 yards (167.2 per) for 2 tds and 2 ints. For anyone that has watched highlights will also know that both of his td passes have been for 60 plus so big plays have helped his numbers. This is really a toss up with the uncertainty of Rodgers. He plays: advantage us He doesn't: I'm going to say slight edge Atlanta or just a push.

Running Backs: Turner vs Grant: This isn't even a fair comparison, Atlanta is a more run oriented team and Turner had a huge game which helped his numbers. He leads the league in yards, yards per game, yards per carry, and Tds. He has struggled against good defenses though so we'll have to see what D shows up for Green Bay this weekend. As for Green Bays running backs, I think we are still waiting for that aspect of the game to show up. Grant has been struggling so far this year and Jackson has been no where to be seen. Here are the stats for Grant/Jackson: yards 186/93, yards per carry 3.4/5.2, yards per game 46.5/23.2, and tds 0/1. Needless to say, we've struggled on this aspect of the game. If the running game gets going, this team will be fine but until then its going to be a struggle. Advantage: Atlanta

WR/TE: White vs Jennings, Hartsock/Peelle vs Lee: Greg Jennings is working himself into that upper tier of Wide Recievers in the NFL. He is top 5 in yards (1st), receptions (5th), and yards per game (2nd). For Atlanta, Roddy White hasn been one of Ryan's favorite targets and the numbers show that. He has 18 receptions for 322 yards and that puts him at 74.5 yards per game. As for Tight Ends, neither team so far has used there TEs much this season. Donald Lee has only 11 receptions for 84 yards while the combo of Hartsock/Peelle have a combined 4 receptions for 44 yards. For Wideouts advantage: Green Bay. Tight Ends: Advantage: Green Bay (but not by very much).

Usually I throw another stat line in here but I think we'll stop this one after the core offensive players. I really think this is a turning game for the Packers, by no means a must win but a important game nevertheless. Winning against a team that is still learning its direction as a team at home is a must. You have to win these games and I truly feel Rodgers or no Rodgers we can. I feel the running game will finally make a showing and take the pressure off whoever is the qb and the defense will get to Matt Ryan and cause him some problems. In the end our Defense will dominate and give the offense good field position and some easy scores. Look for Mason Crosby to have a big day as well. Green Bay 24-10

I know not a lot of stock gets put into ESPN guys and there predictions, but I happen to be a Jayson Stark fan (one of the only guys there I could truly say that about) and he put up a fairly good article about his reasoning behind picking our Cubbies to take home the hardware at the end. All I can say is I feel the same way and I'm all in for the fun ride that its going to be. Go Cubs Go...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3617228