Well kids, we're at the mid-way point of the season. So what does that mean? It means it's time to pony up. The first half is over and done with. We've had a few ups and more than a few downs. But the season is a long way from over. And no time is better to start righting the ship than this week -- versus our hated rivals -- the Dallas Cowboys.

I admit, I'm still bitter from the 90's. I always thought the Packers had at least one more Super Bowl in them if it weren't for, "The Boys" of Dallas. And this week, they bring what looks to be another very talented team into the friendly confines of Lambeau Field.

So with that said, my KEY player of this week is:









Mike McCarthy

I've never been fond of people listing McCarthy as their key player because well, he's not a player. But really, he IS the key to the second half of the season. He's got to get the players ready. And it all starts with this game. Lambeau Field once had a mystique to it. It was a house of horrors for opponents that had the unfortunate task of walking onto, and taking on the Green and Gold -- in their house. It's been a different story as of late, but if it's one thing the players need to start doing, is respect their coach. They might not agree with him and there may be some truth to McCarthy, "losing" the locker room, but in order to win, they've got to get behind their guy, buck down, dig in, and get back to some old, hit-you-in-the-mouth, slap-you-and-your-mother kind of physical football. And it all starts with the guy calling the shots. NOW, is the time where McCarthy will earn hit mettle.

Go get em' coach.

Me too. And 1982. And the 1960s (even though I wasn't born). I freely admit that I quite like the Bears and Vikings on weeks when they're not playing the Pack. Can't say the same for Dallas. I don't care who they're up against, I'll root for anyone but the Cowboys.

However, if they weren't wearing Cowboys uniforms, I'd quite like this team. They're fun to watch. Talented and deep, too, on offense, where they have three RBs and seven linemen that could start for the Packers.

Dallas is going to score points — probably in the upper 20s — so for the Pack to win it's going to have to be a shootout. That will require big strikes.

Time to step up against a so-so secondary, Greg Jennings.

Offense - Whoever's blocking Demarcus Ware
Defense - Whoever's covering Jason Witten

Pick one? Brad Jones. I pray the rook doesn't make a lot of mistakes subbing for Kampy. However, we may get gashed anyway.

it's a scary possibility that we still won't know who those people are after the game...


i'm gonna go with Aaron Rodgers. easy pick, i know, but he needs to show some real leadership and guide this team to a successful second half of the season. during that players-only meeting, it sounds like his line was very frank with him about holding the ball too long on some sacks. it's true, but it's kind of like telling your beautiful girlfriend that she has bad breath. hopefully the problem is correctable, and if he turns the corner on pretty much his only weakness, that could inspire guys to work harder on their game.

I'm going to go with Rodgers , too. If we're expecting a high scoring game , he's got to come up very big.

ryan grant...if we are going to keep the dallas O off the field, he is going to have to hit the holes hard and all game long...we need a big one (game) from him.

R. Grant