Schein 9: Favre in for rough day at Lambeau
by Adam Schein
Adam Schein hosts the Sirius Blitz on Sirius NFL Radio from 11-3 ET. He also co-hosts Loudmouths on Sports Net New York every weeknight at 6 ET. He is a weekly columnist, files weekly video reports and makes NFL picks "video style" for FOXSports.com. Email Adam here.
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Updated: October 27, 2009, 2:52 PM EDT
528 comments
Brett Favre loses for the first time as a Viking, then has to travel to Lambeau Field.
The Cards are tougher than the Giants.
Ryan Fitzpatrick wins on the road.
The Rams, Raiders, Browns, Panthers and Bucs are more unwatchable than ever.
By the way, did I mention the Packers host Brett Favre and the Vikes on FOX this Sunday?
We hand out the weekly SCHEINERS in our Tuesday SCHEIN 9.
1. Foaming at the mouth
The Vikings lost a very competitive ball game against the Steelers. And now the focus shifts to Lord Favre making his return to Lambeau Field.
BRETT FAVRE RETURNS
Brett Favre
VIKINGS at PACKERS
Sun. 4:15 p.m. ET
This is the game we've all been waiting for. Brett Favre leads first-place Minnesota into Green Bay to take on his former team at Lambeau Field.
NFL on FOX Tune in to NFL on FOX as Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman and Pan Oliver call the action. Full coverage
The fans will boo their least favorite traitor. And Green Bay will win the rematch. Green Bay is ready for the rematch.
Here are 9 reasons (the Schein 9 within the Schein 9, if you will) why the Packers are ready to win this time around and why they don't miss or need Favre.
* In the last two games, the Packers defense pitched a shutout and gave up 3 points. Sure, it was against Detroit and Cleveland. But it is obvious that Dom Capers' defense has clicked since the bye week and the last Brett Favre soap opera in Minnesota.
* Aaron Kampman is back. His hand is in the dirt. Kampman is getting to the passer. Kampman was dropping back too often in the first game against the Vikes. Kampman will chase Favre all day long, something he didn't do at all in the first matchup.
* Al Harris and Charles Woodson make up the single-best combination of cornerbacks in the NFL. Woodson had a pick against Cleveland. Woodson and Harris will have two combined picks against Favre on Sunday.
* The linebacker rotation is peaking. A.J. Hawk, Brandon Chillar, Nick Barnett and Clay Matthews make up a diverse and talented rotation of playmakers. I think they can bottle up Adrian Peterson.
* Ryan Grant is coming off of his best game of the season, pounding the Browns for 148 rush yards and a touchdown. The Packers need him to get back to his 2007 form and last Sunday gave them the hope that he will get there.
* Mike McCarthy is a better coach than Brad Childress. Did you see the run-to-pass ratio for the Vikes on Sunday? How about Chilly settling for the field goal the week before against the Ravens? McCarthy is an excellent play-caller. He puts a major emphasis on winning at home and the Packers will be ready for this unique environment come Sunday.
* Aaron Rodgers is playing brilliant football. OK, so he isn't quite in the MVP mix like I predicted. But he's damn close. Rodgers has just two picks against 11 touchdowns with a passer rating of 110.8. He doesn't get enough credit for being great. Rodgers is a true extension of McCarthy on the field, something Favre really never was. Rodgers shares McCarthy's love of practice, film study and a 24-hour quest to succeed — to the extent where he sounds like McCarthy during interviews. Rodgers will be a model of efficiency and dominate the Vikings.
* Rodgers told me two weeks ago that he believes Greg Jennings is about to explode. With Antoine Winfield injured, this will be the week. Minnesota has been vulnerable to opposing passing attacks in recent weeks.
* The pressure is solely on Favre. He will get booed in the stadium where he used to be a star and a legend. I think he has no idea what is in store. And I think it is going to get ugly with the sight of Favre wearing the enemy's colors and with Green Bay getting a chance to cut into Minnesota's division lead.
Full Version: Why Favre will fall in Lambeau return
QUOTE (mzahn @ Oct 28 2009, 10:37 AM) 
McCarthy is an excellent play-caller.
New keyboards needed all throughout WI.
Some things to watch during the game:
Will Harris get overly hyper again during another big game, or will he play within himself?
Is Capers actually serious about not putting excess pressure on Favre with some strong blitzes?
How will Lang hold up against Jared Allen?
Will the o-line be able to spring Grant free for some big gains?
Can Peterson really be stopped as completely as the last game?
How much of a difference will it make with Winfeld injured?
Can Rodgers have another, if not sack free, then greately reduced sack total against him?
Will Rodgers hold onto the ball, looking for the big play, or will he dump it off for "chain moving" plays?
Will Clay Matthews finally have a big, needed breakout game, pressuring Favre on a regular baasis?
Will Harris get overly hyper again during another big game, or will he play within himself?
Is Capers actually serious about not putting excess pressure on Favre with some strong blitzes?
How will Lang hold up against Jared Allen?
Will the o-line be able to spring Grant free for some big gains?
Can Peterson really be stopped as completely as the last game?
How much of a difference will it make with Winfeld injured?
Can Rodgers have another, if not sack free, then greately reduced sack total against him?
Will Rodgers hold onto the ball, looking for the big play, or will he dump it off for "chain moving" plays?
Will Clay Matthews finally have a big, needed breakout game, pressuring Favre on a regular baasis?
QUOTE (Jeremy @ Oct 28 2009, 01:12 PM)
New keyboards needed all throughout WI.
LOL!! Yeah, I am not sure I agree with that one either!
Don't forget this Favre voodoo doll I just got off eBay.
Sit in the stands at any High School, College or Pro game and I guarantee you'll find fans complaining about play calling.....tons of Monday morning QBs in this world......that being said, I think Mike McCarthy is a good play caller.....
QUOTE (mzahn @ Oct 28 2009, 09:37 AM)
Rodgers shares McCarthy's love of practice, film study and a 24-hour quest to succeed — to the extent where he sounds like McCarthy during interviews.
Not sure I agree with this. I actually think Aaron sounds pretty intelligent during interviews!
Don't get me wrong - I like McCarthy. But his interviews are anything but dynamic! It's like watching paint dry!
Not sure if this belongs in this thread, but I didn't want to go and start a new either. Anyway, I saw this post on the Ted Thompson article regarding the Favre drama over at ESPN. I thought it was a pretty balanced, reasonable viewpoint:
QUOTE
I am a Vikings fan and I still have no idea why Ted Thompson takes heat over his decision. GM's have to consider the teams future. Thompson and McCarthy believed Rodgers could play and they were right! How long could they keep Rodgers if Farve stayed with the team? How could they ever bench Farve in favor of Rodgers if at some point htey felt he was the better option? I don't know who is the better quarterback today but Green Bay is in a much better position long-term than the Vikings. To risk losing Rodgers was the one thing Thompson absolutely could not do. I hope we stomp the pack on Sunday but Rodgers is good and probably will be for a long time. Maybe they could have found a way to keep both QB's last year but then they may have had to face the whole circus again this year. I would imagine Farve had to understand this. I also imagine it was frustrating for him because the Pack would not let him play or release him. But if the Pack were to release him.....well, 6-1 kind of answers that. From my perspective Thompson did right thing.
And the #1 reason Favre will fall in his return to Lambeau - he won't be able to recover from the emotional devastation when he realizes he doesn't get to use his private locker room anymore!
I hear from Minnesota that Schein is having a hard day at the various media outlets that give voice to his drivel...
Nice call Nostradamus.
QUOTE (Favre_Is_God @ Nov 5 2009, 02:47 PM)
Nice call Nostradamus.
Favre delivered a beat down, no doubt about it in his two games against The Pack. It's the half way point of the season. The Pack needs to win. Needs to refocus, and play up to the talent they have.
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