It’s been exactly one week since we’ve hit you with any actual news regarding the Green Bay Packers.
Well, we’re back.
And what better way to kick-off our Mid-week report (weird saying that since, you know, it’s Thursday) with an injury update, courtesy of the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The Packers are almost as healthy as can be heading into a crucial Monday night home game against the Baltimore Ravens, considering two All-Pro defenders are out for the year with ACL tears.
Chad Clifton (hamstring) is the most serious injury concern at the moment. To read head coach Mike McCarthy’s quotes on it, it sure doesn’t sound like Cliffy will be able to go this week. Shame, too, as Clifton really appeared to be turning it around. The likely pick to replace him would be T.J. Lang as Mark Tauscher is finally back in game shape and can play a full 60 minutes now.
Ryan Grant and Charles Woodson – make that NFC Defensive Player of the Week Charles Woodson! – were both limited by shoulder injuries, but both should be locked and loaded for Monday night.
Ahman Green (groin) was a full participant and looks to be nearing 100 percent after being out awhile. McCarthy usually keeps just two backs on the gameday roster, and with Brandon Jackson playing well as of late, it’ll be interesting to see if three backs suit up against Baltimore.
Brandon Chillar (hand) was a full participant, as well, as his broken hand is starting to heal completely. Good news as Chillar was playing really well before getting hurt.
The only other injury news comes from Aaron Rodgers telling reporters that his injured ribs are fine. It’s likely that they got hurt late in the Detroit game, although he wouldn’t say for sure. No worries there.
Packers vs. Ravens: A brief historical look
Monday’s game will mark the fourth time Green Bay and Baltimore have played each other. The Packers hold a 2-1 edge over the Ravens.
The first two meetings were at Lambeau and, oddly enough, I was in attendance for both. Green Bay won the first game, played in October 1998, by a 28-10 count. Almost three years later to the day, in October 2001, the Pack earned a 31-23 win over the then-defending Super Bowl champion Ravens. Judas was absolutely masterful in that one.
The last meeting took place late in Green Bay’s disastrous 2005 season. Baltimore crushed the Packers, 48-3, on a cold Monday night in Baltimore, with Kyle Boller looking like a Joe Montana/Johnny Unitas/Dan Marino hybrid. Yeah, it was that bad.
League’s No. 1 defense resides in…Green Bay?!?!
That’s right, fans. The Packers – our Packers – have the No. 1 defense in the NFL, allowing just 281.5 yards per game.
Green Bay is fourth in rushing yards allowed (just 89.1 per game) and sixth in passing yards allowed (just 192.5). The 12th place standing in points allowed (19.5 per) isn’t shabby either.
This doesn’t mean that much in the long run. But it’s kind of cool, for at least a week, to be able to say our squad has the best defense in all the land.
Welcome to the Packers blogosphere, kid!
We’d like to welcome a new entry to the Packers blogosphere: Packer Backer.
A link can be found on our blogroll on the left hand side of the page. It’s a bit different than your average Packers blog. It’s written from a woman’s perspective and asks such groundbreaking questions as “Who’s hotter: Brady Poppinga or Brandon Chillar?”
Either way, it’s a fun site and you should definitely check it out if you get a chance.
-Chris Lempesis
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