[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080912&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=809130407&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=150&Border=0[/img_r]Thumbs up
[ul]The feeling after the Packers cut Jon Ryan on Sept. 1 was mostly one of surprise. Fans and reporters wondered why Packers General Manager Ted Thompson would make a change after Ryan seemingly had a solid training camp and preseason other than two poor kicks in the preseason opener.
Turns out, the genesis for the move goes back to January, when Ryan couldn't swing the field-position battle toward the Packers in the fourth quarter of the NFC championship game against the New York Giants. Though it didn't cost the Packers points, Ryan's last two punts a 29-yarder from his 40-yard line that was returned 6 yards and a 31-yarder from his 17 that was returned 10 yards stuck in their minds all offseason. Weather conditions that day were brutal, but the Packers expected more.
That's why they made the change to veteran Derrick Frost last week. If Frost's first game was any indication, it may have been the right move. Though Frost doesn't have the leg strength Ryan does, his consistency and his ability to place the ball in the ideal spot make him an upgrade.
Frost's first punt as a member of the Packers could serve as the model kick for all punters to follow. From his 31-yard line, Frost angled the ball toward the sideline, carried it 49 yards and hung it in the air for 4.22 seconds. It bounced once, then caromed out of bounds, allowing no chance for a return. That's exactly the kind of kick that gave Ryan problems.[/ul]
Thumbs down
[ul]It hasn't gotten much attention this week, but there are a number of potential pitfalls facing the Packers at Detroit.
There's the quick turnaround after an emotional Monday night game.
It's a road game in a dome stadium. Those are never easy, even though the Packers haven't had a ton of problems at Ford Field, where they own a 4-2 mark.
It's the Lions' home opener after they played a stinker to open with a loss at Atlanta.
And it's another first for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will be making his first NFL road start, so the Lions will be fired up.
Each of those factors in and of itself might not be much to worry about, but all of them combined could pose a problem for the Packers.
Key matchup[/ul]
[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080912&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=809130407&Ref=V2&Profile=1058&MaxW=150&Border=0[/img_r]Lions WRs vs. Packers CBs
[ul]The Lions' best asset arguably their only asset is their receiving corps. It should be, considering what they spent to acquire starters Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Johnson was the second overall pick in the 2007 draft, while Williams was the seventh pick in '04. Johnson is a physical specimen at 6-foot-5 and 239 pounds. He seemingly has all the tools speed, strength and incredibly leaping ability. He was slowed by a back injury almost all of last season but caught 11 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in the two meetings with the Packers last season. Williams isn't as tall, but at 6-3 presents matchup problems. The Lions contrast their big receivers with a couple of smaller guys the 6-0 Mike Furrey and the 5-10 Shaun McDonald. What could make matters tougher is the toe injury to cornerback Charles Woodson, who was listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Even if Woodson plays, he's not going to be 100 percent. If he doesn't, the Packers would use Tramon Williams, who at 5-11 is 2 inches shorter than Woodson. It also would bring Will Blackmon into the nickel defense.[/ul]