Five things to watch; Views of the game
Posted: Sept. 7, 2008
PACKERS vs. VIKINGS
101215Packers/NFL
PACKERS vs. VIKINGS
WHEN: Mon. Sept. 8, 6 p.m. CT
WHERE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
TV: ESPN / Ch. 12 (in Milwaukee)
RADIO: AM-620
PACKERS: Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart
VIKINGS: Schedule | Roster | Depth Chart
McGINN: Scouting report on the Vikings
INJURY REPORT: Status for the game
PREVIEW:
Last time they met
MORE COVERAGE:
Star Tribune | Pioneer Press
PREDICTIONS:
Week 1 forecast
(Through Sept. 8)
NFL: 2008 calendar
When: 6 p.m. Monday. Where: Lambeau Field. TV: ESPN/Ch. 12. Radio: AM-620. Tickets: Sold out. Line: Packers by 2. Weather: Rain, 57. Series: Packers lead, 48-44-1. Coaches: Green Bay's Mike McCarthy (22-12) vs. Minnesota's Brad Childress (14-18).
INJURY REPORT
Out: G Josh Sitton (knee).
Doubtful: WR James Jones (knee).
Questionable: LB A.J. Hawk (chest), S Charlie Peprah (hamstring), C Scott Wells (back).
Probable: S Atari Bigby (ankle), T Chad Clifton (knees), DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee), RB Ryan Grant (hamstring), DE Jeremy Thompson (groin), LB Tracy White (ankle).
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
BEEN THERE: This won't be the first time that Minnesota's Artis Hicks must come through under intense pressure at a foreign position on a Monday night. In 2003, when Hicks was with Philadelphia, he became the emergency starter at left tackle when Tra Thomas' back gave out just before a game against Miami. Hicks then went out and shut down Jason Taylor in probably the best performance of his mediocre career. Hicks is moving up from backup guard to starting left tackle because Bryant McKinnie was suspended for the first four games. Last season, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila owned McKinnie to the tune of four sacks in two games. "Hicks' feet are OK," one scout said. "They ain't left tackle feet. Know what I mean? Average at best." Added another scout: "There's not much out there. He has played left tackle before."
ELITES MEET: Two of the top five defensive ends in the league will be on the same field with Aaron Kampman for Green Bay and Jared Allen for Minnesota. "I think Jared has more God-given ability than Kampman," one scout said. "Such a high-effort guy coming out. They're both great. I just think Jared has a step on him." Kampman will be opposed by RT Ryan Cook. In the Week 4 meeting last season, Kampman manhandled Cook for six of his whopping seven knockdowns. In Week 9, Cook was more competitive but Kampman still beat him for three pressures. "Cook is a tall guy, average athlete, not a knee bender," one scout said. "Grabs more than punches."
OUTSIDE TARGET: CB Cedric Griffin has had more than his share of problems against Green Bay already in his career. Last year, he gave up a 36-yard go route to Ruvell Martin and a 33-yard go route to James Jones in Week 4. In Week 10, he was at least partially responsible for a 34-yard bomb to Greg Jennings and was beaten on a 37-yard go route by Jones. An offensive assistant for a team that played Minnesota in August said he expected Griffin to be improved. An NFC scout, however, wasn't so sure. "He almost is like a safety playing corner," the scout said. "He's just not the most fluid guy. He's got size. He's fast enough. He just needs to become more consistent. Double moves hurt him. If you just ask him to turn and run with a guy he's fine."
DEEP THREAT: The Vikings paid big bucks to WR Bernard Berrian in March for a player they hope will keep defenses honest. A year ago, the Vikings struggled getting deep. In the two Green Bay games, Bobby Wade caught a 40-yard post-corner route when Charles Woodson got caught out of position, and Robert Ferguson hauled in a 35-yard go route behind Al Harris. Those were atypical moments for an offense lacking speed on the perimeter. Maybe Berrian will be the cure. "He can get deep," an opposing assistant coach said. "He goes down the field a lot. Deep posts, go routes, over routes. I haven't seen him run very many slants or in cuts." Berrian's speed doesn't appear to have diminished after four seasons in Chicago.
INSIDE MATCHUP: The last time the two teams met, the Packers' offensive line might have had its best game since NT Pat Williams joined Minnesota in 2005. The Packers won, 34-0, at Lambeau Field, and C Scott Wells probably blocked Williams better than ever before. Meanwhile, LG Daryn Colledge didn't allow a pressure even though he was isolated against DT Kevin Williams quite a few times. RG Jason Spitz was outstanding as well. With Wells out, the Packers will have Spitz at center and Tony Moll at right guard. "You can't find two better D-tackles," one scout said. "Their linebackers are OK but it starts with their front." Said an opposing assistant: "They're very stout in the defensive front. So they won't have to blitz people very much because they can put pressure on with that front four. Just a very physical bunch."
Bob McGinn
JOURNAL SENTINEL VIEWS OF THE GAME
Bob McGinn: Mike McCarthy's offenses have been borderline pathetic on opening day the last two years. Don't look for vast improvement tonight with Aaron Rodgers making his debut, Ryan Grant a complete unknown, the interior in flux and James Jones out. The Vikings' defense should carry the day.
Tom Silverstein: While the Packers have been busy trying to piece together their offensive line, get their starting running back healthy and get their backup quarterback situation resolved, the Vikings have been preparing for this game. It's true, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has been hurt, but he's a minor cog. The Vikings are more ready to play this game and have a good chance to flex their muscles on the road. Vikings 24, Packers 20.
Greg A. Bedard: The Packers have a bunch of question marks, from the offensive line to Aaron Rodgers to Ryan Grant and the defensive line, going into this game. The Vikings have some good answers in running back Adrian Peterson and a tough and physical defense. That will be enough for Week 1. Vikings 27, Packers 17.
Lori Nickel: There's enough motivation on both sides to make this a playoff-type environment, which means the victory will go to the team with the most poise. Aaron Rodgers will have to know when to run, when to unload and maybe even when to take a sack if necessary to protect each Green Bay possession. Ryan Grant must also hold on even though he hasn't been hit since January. Without poise, the Packers will turn over the ball and hand this game to the charged-up Vikings. Packers 17, Vikings 14.
Michael Hunt: Remember how Brett Favre could get too pumped up for a big game and overthrow out of the gate? Aaron Rodgers must manage his emotions in his debut or the Packers could be in trouble from the start against that defense. Vikings 16, Packers 13.