gbpfan
16 years ago
arod first real game i think he will be airing it out to our w.r unless frount line can open holes for the run game the williams boys wont have it tough against moll but then again who knows the d-line they stop the run game that is the imporant part jackson is like vick feels he needs to win on his own our d-line will be tough special teams will make great plays nelson will run it to the 50 give arod a chance,feel godd about this game not a blow out but i will say 24 14 packs win it
bozz_2006
16 years ago
Monday is going to be a loooooooooooong workday.
UserPostedImage
mrpacman
16 years ago
i wish da game was 2morrow.
Jonathon
TheEngineer
16 years ago


[Editors note: Former Broncos G.M. Ted Sundquists initial three-pack of scouting reports concludes with Monday nights game between the Packers and the Vikings. Ted will breakdown this game next week.]

Probably the only person more ready for the season to begin than the Cheesehead faithful is Green Bay G.M. Ted Thompson. Thompson and his staff entered the offseason with the understanding that this would be Year One of the post-Favre Packers. Instead, Favre backed out of his retirement and placed Thompson and the team in a difficult position. That said, both appear to have gotten their wish, as Favre is with a new team and Green Bay continues on with QB Aaron Rodgers. What better way to see the future than to face division rival Minnesota in Week One? The Vikings feel theyve added the necessary pieces to push Green Bay for the NFC North title in 2008.

One things for sure, Brett Favre left Green Bay on top of his game. The Packers were one of the leading offensive teams in 2007. Favre was the 6th rated QB in the NFL, his offense was 2nd overall and the Packers were able to strike quickly against just about every opponent they faced. Green Bays mantra was pass early and often, and the reliable receiving corps didnt let them down. The Packers were 2nd overall in plays of 20+ yards (run/pass), 7th in quick strike drives (4 or less plays) and 2nd in the least number of dropped passes. That resulted in 435 points.

Now its Rodgers turn. Taken in the first round of the 2005 draft, Rodgers has personified patience. He was sharp in two outings last season, one a 34-0 blowout win over these same Vikings at Lambeau Field (though in fairness it was in mop-up duty). He certainly looked more than capable of guiding this offense in the preseason, passing for 68.5%, over 8 yards per attempt, 3 TDs and only one pick. So, KEY #1 will be the ability of explosive WRs Donald Driver and Greg Jennings to exploit an otherwise weak Minnesota secondary (opponents threw 65% of the time). The duo combined for 18 receptions and 227 yards, scoring one TD over the course of two meetings in 07. The Vikings were one of the worst teams in shutting down both the opponents #1 and #2 WRs last year. Drivers sure-handed reliability kept the Packers in the top 10 for third-down conversions, while Jennings presented a big play threat that produced 52 passing plays of 20+ yards in 07. I see Green Bay working to the side of Cedric Griffin, who statistically struggled in successfully shutting down the pass last season. Griffin was targeted 19% of the time, yet had a significantly low success rate of 39% (ranking well outside the range of starting corners).

If Green Bay hopes to take the early divisional lead they must shut down the explosive running game of the Vikings. The Packers struggled to corral rookie sensation Adrian Peterson in Week Four, but thoroughly shut him down at home Week Ten, allowing only 45 yards. KEY #2 will be the play of WLB A.J. Hawk, who is questionable with a chest injury, and SS Atari Bigby, who is probable with an ankle. Hawk has the speed, quickness and instincts to squeeze the backside and meet Peterson in the hole before he can cutback. He is a physical, sure tackler, one of the League leaders at LB. With the lack of a strong passing game, Green Bay will be able to bring Bigby down into the box to assist against the run. Bigby came into his own as a starter in 2007 and his size and punch at the point are perfect for such a scenario. Both Hawk and Bigby will be employed in a manner that will allow them to fill at the line of scrimmage unblocked, however they MUST be consistent in their breakdown and wrap up as the last line of defense. Any missed tackles by these two could lead to big plays on the ground, of which Peterson and the Vikings led the NFL in 07. Counter that with the fact that the Packers defense was 2nd in the least number of runs over 10 yards and you get the unstoppable force versus the immovable object syndrome. Somethings gotta give.

So its no secret as to what and who makes the Vikings offense go; the running game of #28. But with the emphasis of the Packers shutting down the Viking ground attack, QB Tarvaris Jackson must step up to the plate, which is KEY #3. To say that Jackson has been the focal point of questions concerning the 2008 season would be an understatement. Jackson must be a game manager more than anything, doing just enough to keep opponents off balance as he hands the ball off to Peterson and company. Theres nothing wrong with this by any means. Its just that in managing a game, you cant turn the ball over as many times as Jackson did in 07 (15 to be exact). His preseason performance showed excellent growth in this area, passing for 68.2 % and throwing no interceptions. With the defense stacked to stop the run, Jackson must find ways through playaction, roll out and bootlegs to get the ball downfield and convert 3rd down via the pass. If he can do this, Minnesota should improve on their ability to sustain some longer drives (they ranked 29th with drives over 10 plays) and chew up the clock on the road.

For the Vikings to succeed on defense they must find a way to get to Rodgers. Minnesota was excellent against the run last season, to a degree because they were so vulnerable to the pass. As stated earlier, opponents came out with the intent of attacking the Viking defense through the air. Minnesota was near the bottom in just about every statistical category defending the pass; first-down passes, second-down passes, big play passes, first downs made via pass, net passing yards and total passing. You get the picture. What they can do is rush the passer and they did just that with 38 sacks and ranking fourth in the League off the blitz. Off-season acquisition Jared Allen brings his impressive 15.5 sacks to make up for the loss of Kenechi Udeze, diagnosed with leukemia (my best to him). Allen joins the emerging young Ray Edwards (5 sacks and 11 hurries) as the two pressure points on Packer OTs Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, which is KEY #4. What I like most about this tandem is their length, coupled with excellent athleticism. They both play the point strong, but can also maneuver to get to the QB. Green Bays OTs are two of the best at protecting theirs, but that was Favre in 07. His ability to elude pressure is legendary, however Rodgers was sacked 7 times in the preseason alone. Look for Minnesota to utilize the blitz and do everything they can to free up their speedy DEs off the edge. This pressure may confuse and frustrate the young Rodgers, forcing the Packers to run more against the Viking stingy ground defense (1st in the NFL).

KEY #5 in a close game (and I see this being one) could be the strength and accuracy of your placekicker. Green Bays Mason Crosby is one of the emerging young stars at the position. His leg strength and overall power give him the capability of hitting FGs from 50+ yards. These could be found points if the offense stalls out before reaching the red zone. He also is capable creating a long field for Minnesota with his kickoffs and the ability to reach the endzone (14 touchbacks 07).

Ted Sundquist wrote:


blank
all_about_da_packers
16 years ago

..Vikes win ....

"vikesrule" wrote:



<from the "I never thought that I would say this" chronicles>

aadp is correct.

"all_about_da_packers" wrote:




That was before I got my senses back.

Pack will show the world Monday Night, even without Brett the Pack is Back!
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.
Zero2Cool
16 years ago

..Vikes win ....

"all_about_da_packers" wrote:



<from the "I never thought that I would say this" chronicles>

aadp is correct.

"vikesrule" wrote:




That was before I got my senses back.

Pack will show the world Monday Night, even without Brett the Pack is Back!

"all_about_da_packers" wrote:



See, the rats let AADP out...
UserPostedImage
all_about_da_packers
16 years ago

..Vikes win ....

"Zero2Cool" wrote:



<from the "I never thought that I would say this" chronicles>

aadp is correct.

"all_about_da_packers" wrote:




That was before I got my senses back.

Pack will show the world Monday Night, even without Brett the Pack is Back!

"vikesrule" wrote:



See, the rats let AADP out...

"all_about_da_packers" wrote:




To be honest, for a while there I thought God was telling me to be like Brad Childress... I obviously misinterpreted the signs.

Big Time.
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.
brnt247
16 years ago
Spread the ball out in 4 wide and 5 wide sets and hit Driver and Jennings on the slants. Why change the game plan when it's so easy to work and so tough to stop. This limits their front line works like a running game, plus Jennings and Driver can break one loose at any given moment. 28-13 Pack.
blank
packedhouse02
16 years ago
Our defense, not theirs, will be the key to this game. If can get 3 and outs, we'll win the game. That means we gotta stop Peterson and we have to take a chance at making Jackson beat us. I think if our defensive backs play well we win this game.
blank
walleye
16 years ago
we will win this one!
UserPostedImage
Here Fishy Fishy
Fan Shout
dfosterf (18-Aug) : We do have good depth at running back imo. Still so frustrating. Bitching about it is a futile excercise, which I plan to do anyway.
Mucky Tundra (17-Aug) : Whoops, I thought Zero was saying it was a surprise the Brewers lost and not Lloyd being hurt
Mucky Tundra (17-Aug) : Not a surprise; inevitable
Zero2Cool (17-Aug) : Brewers streak ends at 14
Zero2Cool (17-Aug) : SURPRISE
Mucky Tundra (17-Aug) : @mattschneidman Matt LaFleur on MarShawn Lloyd: “He’s gonna miss some time.”
Mucky Tundra (16-Aug) : CLIFFORD WITH THE TD WITH UNDER 2 TO GO!!!!!
Zero2Cool (16-Aug) : 90 MINUTES UNTIL FAKE KICKOFF!!
Martha Careful (16-Aug) : I think Ruven is a bot, but regardless should be stricken from the site.
Zero2Cool (14-Aug) : Packers RB Josh Jacobs ranked No. 33 in NFL 'Top 100'
dfosterf (13-Aug) : The LVN Musgrave collision- Andy Herman said Musgrave seemed to be the one most impacted injury-wise
dfosterf (13-Aug) : a lower back injury
dfosterf (13-Aug) : Doubs says he's "fine" after injury scare. Some reported it as z
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : With LVN that is; need to see what happens in the next practice
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : beast, reading about what happened, it sounded like one of those "two guys collide and are moving slow afterwards" type of deals
beast (12-Aug) : I believe Musgrave has been injured every single season since at least a Sophomore in highschool
packerfanoutwest (12-Aug) : Matt LaFleur: “Highly unlikely” Jordan Love plays more this preseason
dfosterf (12-Aug) : Doubs, Savion Williams, LVN, Musgrave all banged up to one degree or another, missing one here I forget
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : RB Tyrion Davis-Price is signing with the Green Bay Packers.
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : zero help, dominated. preseason
beast (12-Aug) : QB Jordan Love has surgery
beast (12-Aug) : Martha said Morgan had a lot of help, I didn't watch the OL so I can't say.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers LT Jordan Morgan did not allow a single pressure across 23 pass-blocking snaps vs. Jets last night, per PFF
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : With buckeye and the reasonable couple, we're currently sitting at 10
buckeyepackfan (10-Aug) : Just posted to re-up on our FFL.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : If healthy after, then thats all I care. Well, no drops would be nice
wpr (10-Aug) : I made it through the 1st Q.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Just gotta figure out how.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Could have been a worse start, so there is that.
beast (10-Aug) : Yeah, someone tell the Packers football season has started, seems like they weren't ready for it
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : Sooooooo many penalties
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : It may only be preseason, but this game is a trip to the dentist
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do bad -- FREAK OUT!!!!!!
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do good -- eh only preseason
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Well that half was fun
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Great, zayne is down
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : 13 minutes away from kickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffff
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Had Celebration of Life for my uncle up north. wicked rain hope it dont come south
Mucky Tundra (9-Aug) : THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL TONIGHT!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Woo-hoo
TheKanataThrilla (9-Aug) : NFL Network is broadcasting the game tonight, but not in Canada. Not sure why as no local television is showing the game.
beast (8-Aug) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
beast (8-Aug) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : *had to be IRed at 53
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
beast (8-Aug) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
beast (8-Aug) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
beast (8-Aug) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
Zero2Cool (8-Aug) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
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