It was a decent win. We gained more experience with the big play, closing out games, and the cost of not capitalizing on turnovers. We should've won that game 50 to 17. Sadly we didn't, because of some poor line play in the first quarter. The same line play led to a multitude of second and longs that we have to eliminate to become a great offense. Aaron Kampman demonstrated that he can rush (and hurt) the passer in the new defense. Outside of that, I don't believe he or Brady Poppinga had a good day. And Aaron Rodgers showed that his game is mistake-free football. Although I have some doubts that he can actually continue that for an entire season.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/articl...amp;located=rss

Our offense scored 36 points because of the big play. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings provide some spectacular highlights. What I'd rather see, though, is 36 points generated by the small play. Going on to the field and knowing that we're going to gain, at least, 4 yards every play. That would be a truly great offense. The maddening thing is, we have the talent to do it! How can we get there? That's a topic for debate. Unlike the play of OLB Aaron Kampman. Or is it?

http://gnb.scout.com/2/903907.html

From my perspective there are two reasons why we have given up so many rushing yards the past two weeks. Their names are Poppinga and Kampman. Don't get me wrong. Kampman made some decent plays. But he is missing too often on one simple task: setting the edge. Stopping the run in the 3-4 is an easy job. If the defensive line is doing their job, and they are doing their job, it is up to the outside linebackers to stop the running back. If they control the offensive tackle, or tight end, then the ball carrier is funneled inside for the mack and buck backers to take care of. That is not happening. Too many times we're relying on Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, and Al Harris to stop the runner. It is going to be a long year if our outside linebackers continue to get pushed around. Rodgers' play could lead to a long year as well, because history tells us everything returns to the mean.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/62288042.html

In 2007 two quarterbacks had seasons that just, don't, happen. Tom Brady is the obvious one. 50 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 68.9% completion rate? Are you serious? Obviously Rodgers is not quite on pace to match that, although I believe he could be. The other quarterback is looking much more Aaron-like. David Garrard completed 64% of his passes and threw 18 touchdowns, to just 3 three interceptions. According to footballoutsiders.com these are the two best seasons by a quarterback in the past 20 years. Are we in for that kind of a season? There is a stat that Aaron Rodgers is over half way to completing after just three games that it took David Garrard an entire season to accomplish. Times sacked. In 2007 Garrard was sacked only 21 times. Rodgers has been sacked 12 times as of Sunday. Everyone needs to be extremely cautious about Rodgers and his play. 2007 was an abnormal year. If we were to mess with physics and play that season 100 times, 99 times Brady and Garrard would not accomplish their feats. More than likely Rodgers has some interceptions and turnovers coming his way. I simply hope it's not this coming game.

Agreed. However, a QB really hurts his team when he throws multiple interceptions. (Of course, he often does so because his team is losing anyway.) So far, through 19 starts, Rodgers has only two games with multiple interceptions: the embarrassments in Tampa and New Orleans last season. That compares favorably with the likes of Peyton Manning (13), Matt Ryan (four), Brett Favre, Tom Brady and Donovan McNabb (all with five).

Some of that is due to luck: Rodgers had eight dropped interceptions last year, second-most in the league. But long may it continue.

It might be easier to start a thread "Things that aren't concerning to me." That post wouldn't be more than 15 words long.

I presume you meant 'offense'.

Good post. Combining your comments with some made at JS Online, if the LB's don't contain the run and/or the DL doesn't maintain gap control, AP could cause some really serious damage Monday. On the other hand, if we can hold him to more moderate numbers, we might be able to make a game of it.

That's cute. If this was a dissenting political group forum, I'd have to wonder if we didn't have an agent provocateur in our midst.

"There is nothing about this team that does not concern me. I blame Ted Thompson."

Thanks for the catch.

Going further about our defense, I don't think we have a successful game without someone stepping up their play. We need to shut off the TV Monday night and think we have a (nother) superstar on defense. Whether it's Collins getting 3 interceptions, Matthews dominating McKinnie, or anyone else.

I know that this is probably petty, but in addition to being concerned about how the team will play, I am concerned about the officiating. I have seen more than one game won or lost because of the officials. Do we know who is officiating Monday night?

After today's MM press conference I would say a major concern would be nagging injuries. As of today, Clifton will be a gametime decision at best, Raji hurt his ankle again today, Woodson's foot is listed, and Johnny Jolly is hurt too. If Jolly and Raji are suspect, we could be in for a very long night.

Good point. There has been some really poor officiating already this season.

jbeebe beat me to it - it looks like Clifton won't be playing. That's a pretty serious concern to add to this thread's list.

The Packers need Clifton in there, NOT because of Colledge, who is a concern all by himself at LT against Allen. The big issue is if they move Spitz to guard, you have a undersized Wells playing center against the Williams' boys. Not a good matchup IMO. Doesnt look like Clifton will be able to go as of today. This could be ugly if he doesnt.

I wonder if Colledge has played at left tackle against a premiere pass rusher. Anyone know? Here's a bit of a positive about this game: McCarthy is 5 and 1 against Minnesota.

And I still believe that Bigby tackled AP on that last touchdown at the Metrodome in '08.

Colledge played against Jason Taylor. He looked terrible until they started giving him help.

He did play LT back then but that was way back in 2006 when JT was the DPOY and Colledge was a rookie still finding his way as a guard. He's a much better overall player than he was then.