OK, the loss to the Bengals was really bad. The Packers let themselves be outplayed by an inferior team. Pure and simple. Personally, I don't want to fix the blame- I want to fix the problems.

Now, before I open the topic, lets just say I am no longer as optimistic about this season. The Packers defense swarmed and were extremely physical against the Bears, then swooned against the Bengals. The Packers OL again showed ineptness, and Rodgers held onto the ball too long, and the WR's didn't catch the ball like they should have, and yadda-yadda-yadda.

Now, the Rams are a team that is deep into a rebuilding mode. They managed to win two games last year; their QB is mediocre, at best; their running game can be effective, but their OL is not that good. Add in a defense that needs a huge makeover, and this should be an easy "W" for the Packers. As the Bengals game should have been.

The question is- which Packer team is going to show up? The team where the OL looks more like turnstiles; where the offense is limited because of having to offer "max protection" play after play? The team that have WR's eating buttered popcorn when the defense is on the field, because they can't hold onto the ball?

Key questions: will Clifton play? If not, will Colledge be at least decent? Will Collins play? If not, can our last minute addition (I hope he doesn't turn out to be the safety version of Derrick Frost!) be better than Bush? Which Bengals DL man will suddenly have a Pro Bowl game against the next Packer OL man to fold during the game? Will the blitz be used again, and will it be as effective as against Chicago?

Quite simply, I am not entirely optimistic. From the coaches to the players, someone has to be held accountable for these failures on offense and defense. Last season, it was the defense that faced the ax. This off-season, it could be the other side of the ball- maybe starting with the HC.

It reminds me of a magazine cartoon that I saw many years ago. There are two vultures, perched next to each other on a telephone line. A highway is next to the poles, and they overlooking a desert wasteland. One vulture is saying to the other "Patience, my ass! I'm going to kill something!"

I feel the same way. Time for the team to execute, or the coaches to be excused. Starting at the top.

I have Stephen Jackson for a Fantasy back, I am thinking about playing him based on the Pack's ability to stop the run.

I was going to make this Packers game my lock of the week in my pick-em league, now...not so much.

I just want to see McCarthy come out committed to the run and the short passing game. This isn't a chuck the ball down field and go catch it offense.

I'd even go one step up the ladder from the coach if things don't turn around, but none of that would happen until after the season anyways. Let's all hope it doesnt get to that point and the Pack turns things around in a hurry. Hopefully this is just a minor setback and a wakeup call and the Rams are what the DR. ordered. The Rams defense played a pretty good football game this last sunday, so the Offense better not expect a cakewalk to the endzone.

Weeeell, the Rams gave up nearly 400 yards to the juggernaut that is Washington's offense. They didn't force an interception. Through two games, they have one sack, and have given up nearly 200 yards on passes to tight ends.

However, they haven't played at home yet. And they haven't played the Pack yet.

Anybody here anything on Jason Smith OT

He got hurt in last game

Smith's out.

I guess I was going off the final score, I should have looked up the details. Thanks.

Boy if they lose this one...

As a fan I say the Packers get on track and play a good game and beat St Louis... I think I said that last week.

getting raji back will help the run stop on d. if i am not mistaken we were in nickel almost the whole game and had only 2 dlinemen out there. that's why we couldnt stop the run. with that 3rd tank in there it should help a lot.

i am worried about the oline even if cliffy does play. the rams' dline is pretty young with long (2nd year), gibson (4th) and ryan (3) but because of the lines' performance, i pray that arod doesnt get killed. who knows, maybe this is the game that can set the tone for the rest of the season for the oline, they can get things tightened up and stop embarrassing themselves. i would be pleased if the packers pulled a jacksonville in the 2010 draft and take 2 OTs (or OT and G) right away (assuming there are worthy tackles where we pick).

They gotta turn it around some time and it ain't going to be against the Vikings D-line, so it better be this week. Time for this team to throw a beatin' on someone.

My current theory is that the Packers problems in these first two games, with the exception of the weirdness on special teams last week, all stem from the play on the offensive line -- it gives Rodgers less time to throw, our weapons are stuck blocking, we can't get a run going and the D gets stuck on the field as a result.

Optimistically, Colledge's issues in the second half last week stemmed from his not getting any reps at left tackle. If this is the case, then a week of practice at that position should do him a world of good. If Barbre can keep it together like he did last week, then maybe the Packers will have something to work with.

If not, man, I just don't know.

This was happening before the 1st 2 games, it happened all of last year. Rodgers was sacked 34 times last year, 7th in the league, its not a new issue

I like that thought Skyshadow. I think that the week of practice will do the shuffled o-line some good. Being only 2 games into the season, some weaknesses have been exposed and now the team can go ahead and work on fixing those. Preseason gives you a glimpse as to what might be wrong, but without playing full-time, some of the weaknesses can't be seen. We'll see how well the coaching staff responds.

What I don't get is that all the guys on the line seemed to be perfectly capable of winning individual battles in preseason -- Rodgers had plenty of time and the run blocking looked good. It's not as if the guys they were facing in the preseason weren't trying or anything.

So is it a scheme thing? Issues making adjustments to different defensive looks? I just don't know, the level of expertise required to break down what goes on down on the line is well beyond me.

If we dont win this one, MM doesnt make it through week 6 IMO

Maybe his fate will be sealed by then but Ted is not the kind to fire a guy mid-season.

Looks like Rams top Pick OT Jason Smith is out this week with a sprained knee. The battle of the backup tackles?

I can only assume that comparatively from the preseason to the regular season the biggest difference in effort comes from your lines. Sure in the preseason your receivers run hard and try to make highlights, the quarterback might work hard to try to find rhythm for the offense, and your defense might make some big hits. But, when the game is for real you get the big bodies punching, biting, and clawing. We have some first years starters on the line who need to catch their breath and a couple that have made it through the gauntlet of all the other countless castaways or be doomed to watching a 1st round draft pick start instead while they sit at home. Colledge had an ankle sprain and hasn't played a dominant game at tackle since his days at boise state. Still, I think he has the ability to handle it and Odom was beating Clifton as well in that game. I hope Wells shows some fire trying to prove his worth when he is called upon. \

Three ingredients to fix the passing game
Avg- 4.5 yards or more in the rushing game(especially on 1st down)
Focus on moving the chains, don't depend on big chunks(work in some rollouts)
Don't overthink, win your match up. Focus on blocking one play at a time, catch the ball before you turn up field, your teammates are making mistakes be a leader, know the situations and maintain your lanes.

I was nervous about the Cincy game going in. I thought the fellas might be complacent and have no fire and sure enough, I was right. This week I sense the guys will have a chip on their shoulders and will come out with a purpose. I think they may be embarrassed by that performance last Sunday and are eager to set this thing right. I have no proof, just a gut feeling. Woman's intuition? Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic.

I think MM needs to bite the bullet and ditch the max protect, 7-8 man schemes and let the guys fend for themselves. Get 4 receivers out and see what happens. They aren't doing any better with the extra guys blocking...in fact, I could swear that they had more sucess with less guys in to block, but I could be wrong(I want to erase this last game from my memory.)

It would be ironic to see MM get fired part way through the season by the guy that should get fired at the end of the season if it ends up sucking again.

I'm curious to see who gets multiple sacks in this game. Leonard Little or Chris Long. Or is it the guards who are gonna take it on the chin this week?

It is just crazy how fast people jump ship!

You're right, they do deserve a chance to show if they can rebound and come together. A lot of us may be over reacting, myself included.

Is MM confident in the line to ditch the max protect?

Yes, it was an issue, but GB still had the 5th best scoring offense in the league. Can you explain the drop, then?

Well a loss to the Rams and any Packer fan would be pissed off. Wouldn't you?

Dom and the Defense have to be licking there chops for this game.

LINK

My theory: the Pack had a hangover from the Bears game. Coming off their big win over the Pats, the Jets will have a similar one this week against the Titans.

Now, it's time to get drunk again--and keep partying all the way into Minnesota.

Thats my theory as well . However if they lost at Cincinnati I would be more at ease . This team has to learn to protect their turf that is an attitude that the leaders on this team have to install. It is time for the leaders on this team to get vocal and win their remaining 6 home games . I am sick of sitting at Lambeau field stunned and disappointed.

Lets get this thing kicked off

So how's it looking? I have no access to the game yet

Too early to tell.

Pack blocked a field goal, Pack has ball at Rams 27

Getting the run game going?

Does anyone have a working live feed to share??

Rodgers sacked.

Wow, after all the bluster this week I expected the o-line to be coming out hot. So far they look like a bunch of wet noodles in the run and pass games.

I bet 20 bucks that they go for 5 yards to get a field goal.


I really think they'll need to try out some free agents for the o-line.


And in the meantime, let Quinn Johnson in there to bust some heads.

Unfortunately, it looks like they picked up where they left off last week. No protection, no running game, etc.

I gotta go catch this game on direct TV. You guys hang in there and I'll chat at you after the game. Pack on the board?

Nice solid kick by Crosby. 48 yrds right down the middle. 3-0

atdhe.net not working!!

justin tv not working! Wow, both sites don't have the Packers game.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/packer-backer

Thanks!

God this offense sucks. Good thing the defense is still giving us chances.

2 sacks and counting!!

Come on!!!!!

They are getting big pressure on Rodgers by only rushing 4. ugh.

Best feed I've found so far. Paul's is too slow and choppy.

sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/72812

Pack forces another turnover. Our D has to lead the leauge.