From the desk (or couch) of: Chris Lempesis

Dear Mike,

Hey man – how’s it going? Silly question, I know. You must be on top of the world right now (or, at least, 60 minutes away from it).

Anyways, I’m writing you today to tell you I’m sorry. That’s right – your old buddy Chris is choking down [...]]]> To: Michael John McCarthy

From the desk (or couch) of: Chris Lempesis

Dear Mike,

Hey man – how’s it going? Silly question, I know. You must be on top of the world right now (or, at least, 60 minutes away from it).

Anyways, I’m writing you today to tell you I’m sorry. That’s right – your old buddy Chris is choking down a heapin’ helpin’ of crow.

In case you aren’t familiar with our odd little corner of the Interweb, I’ll fill you in. See, I’m the idiot who wrote, after your team’s loss to the Detroit Lions in December, that you should be “relieved of your duties at season’s end.” I felt then that you had peaked as a head coach, that you’d never be the guy to get this team – and, okay, this diehard fanbase of ours – to the promised land. You seemed capable of pulling things together for stretches, but never long enough to really get us there.

Or so I thought then. Man, how stupid was I, huh?

In my defense, you hadn’t done so up to that point. And, with a battered, bruised roster that had just turned in its most disheartening performance of your tenure, the 2010 season – one that began with “Super Bowl or Die” dreams – seemed destined for all-time worst season status for yours truly. Actually, after your loss at New England the next week, I wrote that this season had been the most disappointing of my lifetime as a fan.

Again, I was wrong. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt…or at least waited until the season was officially over to make such a ridiculous statement.  Others, including our own Adam Somers, felt like that was the smart approach. I didn’t. I was completely overreactionary (a sign of the times, I suppose) and wanted your head on a platter. 

You’d been pretty good at dodging bullets in the past – you move well for a big guy, kudos – but I never, in my wildest dreams, could have imagined you’d do what you’ve done over the past six weeks. But you’ve done it, sir – you’ve really done it.

You’ve gotten this team, this ragtag collection of stars and castoffs, to rally together as one. They never wavered in their belief that they could be the best, that they could get to where they are now. Of course, you’ve had some help in all this – tell Dom I said hi and thanks for everything – but, really, a lot of the credit must go to you. Your confident, steadfast approach was absolutely the right approach to take, even if things were as bleak as they’d ever been in your time as head coach of this team.

A lot of us doubted you. But the 53 men in that lockerroom never did. They bought what you sold. In the end, that’s all that matters, I’ve learned.

In turn, you’ve made me a believer in you, Mike. Okay, so sometimes you still drive me nuts – coaching not to lose instead of coaching to win late in two of your team’s three postseason games this year, for example – but all in all, I’m a believer in the “Book of Mike,” so to speak.

Lord help me – I’ve seen the light!

If I had any advice, though, for this next game, it’d be this: Your best moments have come when you’ve been aggressive, when you’ve really gone for it. Don’t forget that next Sunday. As I wrote after the Super Bowl last year, “in the biggest games of your life, you turn it loose.” That worked for the last NFC team in this game. Something tells me it will work for you, too. 

But, really, this letter isn’t about that. If you check us out at all over the next week, you’ll find no shortages of us telling you what your team needs to do to win.

For right now, I just wanted to say, again, that I’m sorry. You’re much smarter than I ever gave you credit for. Keep doing what you’re doing, Mike. It’s working great.

And, oh yeah – go get us that trophy. It belongs in Green Bay. Bring it home.

Sincerely,

Chris Lempesis

(Anyone still have their hands up? OK, a few of you — and you’re lucky I don’t have access to a polygraph test.)

Now, what if I’d told [...]]]> Raise your hand if, at the beginning of this season, you would have thought the Packers’ defense, not their offense, would be providing the locomotion for a playoff run.

(Anyone still have their hands up? OK, a few of you — and you’re lucky I don’t have access to a polygraph test.)

Now, what if I’d told you the Packers would be doing this without Nick Barnett, Brad Jones, Atari Bigby, Johnny Jolly, Morgan Burnett and Al Harris?

(Nobody left? That’s what I thought.)

The real story of the 2010 Green Bay Packers is not just that they’ve managed to weather a slew of injuries on defense. It’s that, in spite of those injuries and with a group of castoffs and retreads, they’ve put together a unit that is playing championship-caliber football and carrying a team that’s not getting as much out of its prolific offense as it should.

The Packers’ offensive production this year, while certainly affected by the loss of Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant, hasn’t been up to the level most would have expected. In their last five games, they’ve scored three, 27, 45, 10 and 21 points. Instead, it’s been the defense, holding strong even as men fall the wayside, that’s still got the Packers playing. And Sunday’s 21-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles was no exception.

The defense traced certain elements of the Minnesota Vikings’ blueprint for beating Michael Vick, but kept things unpredictable enough that Vick couldn’t counter. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert discussed this morning, they threw a grab bag of blitz looks at Vick, and kept him from burning them with his feet, like he’s done so many times in the past. And when they needed a big play, it was Desmond Bishop making a touchdown-saving tackle on DeSean Jackson or Jarius Wynn sacking Vick. And with the game on the line, it was Tramon Williams — without a doubt the biggest revelation of this season — leaping in front of Riley Cooper to intercept Vick in the end zone.

The Packers started four defenders on Sunday than they did in the season opener in Philadelphia. They faced a more dynamic Eagles offense than they did that day. And they allowed just 32 more yards, while allowing four fewer points.

They appear to have their cornerback tandem of the future in Williams and Sam Shields. They’ve watched B.J. Raji become a Pro Bowl-caliber fixture in the middle of their defensive line. They might have found a player in Erik Walden, though the jury is still out on the linebacker. They’ve revived A.J. Hawk’s career, gotten solid play from Charlie Peprah and in spots, Howard Green — a mid-season pickup like Walden — has played well.

Much of the success comes from the scheme, and Dom Capers has earned all the superlatives he’s received for his work with the Packers’ defense this year. But his position coaches — particularly Kevin Greene, Winston Moss, Joe Whitt Jr. and Darren Perry — have been just as crucial. The Packers have played defense at a level that should leave them in fear of no one, and they’ve done with a scheme and a philosophy so solid, their next-man-up philosophy has worked.

Even if the Packers don’t reach or win the Super Bowl this year, imagine how good they can be next year, with their depth restored at all three levels of defense and another draft for Ted Thompson to add athletes to the group. Capers is due a raise, but I have a hard time seeing him leave for a head coaching job at this point in his career. This could be a special defense for the next few seasons. Think about what happens when they add Finley back to their offense.

But this is still about now, about a season that’s still going and Super Bowl chances that are very much alive. And that, first and foremost, is because of the defense.

If the Packers shut down the Falcons next week, you won’t find me among the surprised any more.

–Gene Bosling

“I love you B.J. Raji!”

I want to yell it from the mountain tops and maybe [...]]]> Love is strong word and shouldn’t be tossed around lightly. You should say it when you truly mean it and it takes a real man to come to terms with his feelings. That is why I have no problem saying this.

“I love you B.J. Raji!”

I want to yell it from the mountain tops and maybe when I done writing this him and I can get an apartment together. Now, I have a very loving girlfriend and wouldn’t think about jeopardizing our relationship for any other person in the world. But then again if Raji has a couple sacks and maybe a key fumble recovery on Sunday….

My crush on Raji started in April 2009 leading up to the draft. At the time, the two players I really wanted the Packers to get in draft was Brian Orkapo or Raji. As the days got closer, I start to fall for the big man and whenTed Thompson drafted him with the 9th overall pick the expected infatuation ensued. (By the way, nice work again Teddy in 2009 landing two future All-Pros in the first round.)

Raji-fever was rabid amongst friends, including one OBOD’s favorite readers Dave from Milwaukee, during our draft-weekend extravaganza. The beers were flowing and the wings were piping hot and we all couldn’t stop yelling “RAJI!” over and over all weekend. On an organized pub-crawl Saturday night, I think we scared some Minneapolis patrons with our “RAJI!” antics. Chris and I still use this phrase on a very frequent basis in social situations. (Getting off topic a bit again, but thank you Goodell for ruining this draft-weekend tradition for us. 18-game season, concussions, lockout, whatever happens next, this draft weekend change upsets me the most about your tenure, Roger.)

So the folklore of Raji was born that weekend. Throughout last season his shine faded a little bit due to injuries and lack of playing time. However, I knew his potential and the big factor he could play in 2010 after Johnny Jolly got too much of his purple drank on.

What transpired this season out of Raji exceeded my high expectations of him. I expected a good season out of him while showing a lot of promise to the future. What I didn’t really expect was the Pro-Bowl level of play he has provided and becoming the the team’s best defensive lineman. Talk all you want about Aaron Rodgers or Tramon Williams not getting the call to go to Hawaii, my biggest grievance with the Pro Bowl selections is Raji.

I wrote it right after the Bears game, Raji is the team’s defensive MVP this season, not Clay Matthews. Granted the defense would be a mess without either, but in a year where Howard Green and Jarius Wynn have gotten key playing time along the defensive line, it is Raji who has held that line together. It is unheard of a nose tackle playing 60+ snaps a game, which he has done. As the season has gone on, he has simply gotten better every week and is playing at his peak right now. When is the last time a big lineman like Raji has done that? It is usually the opposite as the big men tend to break down and become a tad slower towards the end of the year.

Raji is truly the lynchpin of the defense right now. Matthews, Williams, Woodson and Collins all have had great seasons, but it is the Bearclaw who stands out in my mind. Defensive lineman tend to go unnoticed in a 3-4 scheme, so the very fact Raji warrants this kind of coverage makes me love him even more. Against New England, he looked gassed and needed a blow. He headed to the sideline, but turned around for one more play. He sacked Brady the next snap. How can you not love that?

You can go to just about any Packers, Eagles, or NFL site right now to get an extensive breakdown on how to stop Michael Vick on Sunday. To make it simple it starts with the big fella, the Bearclaw. If he can get initial pressure it will open everything else up, including any exotic blitzes Dom Capers is drawing up.

So, I am not breaking any new ground and all of you have probably noticed Raji’s play this year. This is more of an homage, maybe even a love letter to the man who I think doesn’t get enough attention. Maybe I am going soft, but I think I finally found my sensitive side.

Ok, time to put that aside for now, it’s playoff time.

RAJI!

-Adam Somers

Instead, I’ll be focusing on where the Packers stand, as a team, as they begin the final assault on the 2010 NFL season. Some things from the Niners [...]]]> Since the Green Bay Packers’ 34-16 win over the San Francisco 49ers ended, oh, roughly 30 hours ago, this recap won’t be about the particulars of that one.

Instead, I’ll be focusing on where the Packers stand, as a team, as they begin the final assault on the 2010 NFL season. Some things from the Niners game will be included in there, of course.

(Note: In case you weren’t sure, I was at the game Sunday and was just too busy to write anything until I returned home from Titletown.)

The Packers, three-quarters of the way through the season, stand as a team with twice as many wins as losses. But there certainly aren’t twice as many things to like about this team as there are concerns.

Since you already think I’m taking a trip to Negativeville with that last graph, I’ll just continue on (but, dont’ worry – we’ll head back to Postivetown soon enough).

First, I do not like the way this team has been starting games recently. Against both Minnesota and San Francisco, the Packers basically air-mailed in the first 15-plus minutes of the contest. Things weren’t as bad against Atlanta, but still, the team had a shot to grab the momentum early and failed. With a tough final four games, against some elite competition, the Packers must correct this. Wait too long to get going against Mr. Brady and, well, don’t even bother trying to kick it up a notch.

Consider the circumstances Sunday. At home. Against a bad team. Coming off a crucial loss. Throwback Sunday. Should have been more than enough for the team to come out firing. It wasn’t. Even when the Packers got going in the second quarter, they continued to let the Niners back in the contest. Green Bay’s superior talent level ultimately overwhelmed San Francisco, as you’d expect, but what happens when the talent levels are equal?

Secondly, I’m starting to have some real concerns about certain aspects of this defense. The pass rush is really vanishing for stretches. Clay Matthews has been a fairly hefty non-factor over the past three weeks, perhaps being affected by his shin injury that’s caused him to sit out Wednesday and Thursday practices recently. Cullen Jenkins is out a couple of weeks now (calf), which only furthers my worry.

And, as I saw firsthand at Lambeau Field on Sunday, this secondary isn’t nearly as good without that pressure. I know, what secondary isn’t, right? Still, the Niners receivers got behind the secondary on numerous occasions, only being done in by quarterback Troy Smith’s complete lack of accuracy. A better quarterback – say, a Brady, Eli Manning or Jay Cutler – hits a lot of those throws. Dom Capers has done wonderful things with such a depleted group. He needs to dig into his bag of tricks one more time, though. Can he do it?

Lastly, I know I’m not breaking any new ground here, but again, being at the game up-close, I saw just how horrendous this special teams group really is. Good God almighty are they bad.

The lanes allowed on returns are not only vast and wide, but also quickly developing. I began to worry about every kickoff coverage within about two seconds of the returner getting the ball. Tim Masthay was terrible yet again, also. Yeah, the bad weather played a part, but…um…three of the last four games are in bad weather. So, there’s that. And it was nice to see Mason Crosby revert back to his unreliable ways, missing a short field goal. This unit could very well cost the Packers another big game, I’m sad to say.

Now, let’s turn this train back to Positivetown, shall we?

First, you’ve got to love the way Aaron Rodgers is playing. Five games in a row without a pick is nothing short of astounding, especially in today’s NFL. His confidence is higher than I’ve ever seen it before and he continues to hit almost every big throw he has to hit. After a rough start – okay, a really rough start – to the 2010 season, Rodgers has emerged as a viable MVP candidate 12 games in. As the old saying goes, when you’ve got a quarterback, you’ve got a chance.

Then there’s that Jennings guy he’s got at his disposal. Ever since Greg Jennings blew up on the sidelines at Washington, he’s been unstoppable. Granted, I don’t watch every NFL game every week, but I don’t need to – no receiver in football has been better than No. 85 over the past seven weeks. He’s simply beating every corner that lines up against him. His route-running, always top-notch, seems to have hit another level.

The rest of the receiving group has improved, as well. The drops still happen more than they should, but overall, this group is rounding into form nicely. The passing attack will give this team a chance in any game it plays.

Okay, I know some might kill me for this because it was only one game, but James Starks has me excited. He’s the perfect runner for this scheme – a straight-line runner who hits the hole, looks for his cut and goes. That’s what Ryan Grant was and Brandon Jackson – as much as I like him – will never be. Starks’ presence, as we saw Sunday, allowed Jackson to move back to the role he plays best: pass-catcher, blitz buster and occasional rusher.

And while you might think I’m completely down on the defense, I’m not. The group is still doing well on third downs, for the most part, and continues to take away the run for long stretches (outside of the Atlanta game, of course). Players like Tramon Williams (another outstanding showing Sunday) and B.J. Raji are still going strong.

But, mostly, it’s the offense that has me feeling good going into the final stretch. And that’s okay, because when I wrote the season preview for this site, I said it would be the offense leading the way. The defense carried this team through the first half, which was great but never really part of the plan. This team was always designed to be powered by the offense. That’s happening now, so it’s okay if the defense declines slightly (which it likely will, because now is the time when all those injuries start to hurt).

So, as this team heads into the final month of games at 8-4, I’d say I’m cautiously optimistic. I see things that can bring this team down and things that are good enough to guide the Packers through some really tough games. With Green Bay currently a half-game out of the final playoff spot in the NFC, the margin for error here is thin. Really thin. The Packers have to win at least two of their final four games. Anything less won’t be enough, but in the end, I think they get it done.

Bring on the mountain. I’m ready to climb.

-Chris Lempesis

After all, coaches don’t block, tackle, fumble or grab facemasks. The players do that, so they’re ultimately more responsible than guys with headsets, bad comb-overs and beer guts.

Most of the time.

Sunday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia was not one of those times.

Atrociously bad coaching in all three phases [...]]]> Most of the time, coaches take more blame than is appropriate.

After all, coaches don’t block, tackle, fumble or grab facemasks. The players do that, so they’re ultimately more responsible than guys with headsets, bad comb-overs and beer guts.

Most of the time.

Sunday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia was not one of those times.

Atrociously bad coaching in all three phases was the key factor in the Green Bay Packers’ 20-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers now sit at 7-4, a full game (plus the tiebreaker) behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North. Green Bay is also currently out of the playoffs with five games to go.

The man in charge of it all is, of course, most to blame for the defeat. Two critical Mike McCarthy errors in a span of 10 plays led to a 14-point swing, ultimately the difference in the game. They also carry on the nearly five-year long “two steps forward, two steps back” dance that is becoming McCarthy’s signature move.

On second-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line midway through the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers appeared to audible out of the original play call, instead going to a quarterback sneak. The play gained a yard, but no score. There is no harm in what Rodgers did, as he clearly saw something he felt he could take advantage of. But, once that play did not work, McCarthy had zero – repeat: zero – business calling it again on third down.

Yet there he was, calling for a sneak. Rodgers did not protect the ball as well as he should have and it was punched out. That’s on him, but again, it should never have gotten to that point.

McCarthy was given a chance to redeem himself on the ensuing Falcons (9-2) drive. On a fourth-and-three from the Green Bay 36, Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez was given credit for a six-yard catch that he clearly did not make. While it’s unknown exactly what camera angles are available to teams’ replay officials in the Georgia Dome, the fact remains that, even live, the play looked close. Several Packers’ defenders seemed upset with the call also. That should have been enough for McCarthy – on a recent challenge hot streak – to throw the red flag.

He didn’t. Five plays later: 10-3, Falcons. In games like these, that’s usually enough.

But, as the old saying goes, wait – there’s more!

McCarthy’s failures trickled down to the men in charge of the remaining two units. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers did not have his men ready to play in any sense Sunday. You can’t blame him for the Lingerie Football League-style tackling shown throughout, true, but you can blame him for consistently poor scheming.

Early in the game, outside of a few instances, Capers went soft far too often. Against a solid, if unspectacular Atlanta line, his approach was to drop a lot of players in coverage and, hopefully, trick Matt Ryan into a mistake or two. Only problem with that is, Ryan doesn’t make mistakes. Heck, he doesn’t even miss that many passes, going 24-for-28 on the day.

That soft approach also allowed bruising Falcons running back Michael Turner more than enough opportunities to smash and bash his way through the defense, which he did to the tune of 110 yards and a score on 23 carries.

Then, late in the game with Atlanta driving, Capers went 180 degrees the other way, throwing blitz after blitz at Ryan, all coming from seemingly the same place (up the middle). The blitzes failed as Ryan, probably giggling on the inside, calmly sat back and hit a series of short throws – mostly out routes – that set Atlanta up for the game-winning field goal. Capers has been unquestionably brilliant this season. Sunday, he was unquestionably anything but.

Of course, the man who heads up the “unquestionably anything but” department – special teams coach Shawn Slocum – also had a hand in things. Doesn’t he always?

Chalk up another loss in which a crucial special teams error doomed the Packers. This time, it was poor coverage and a foolish, foolish facemasking penalty on Matt Wilhelm on Atlanta’s final return. There were other returns allowed, of course, the Falcons racking up a 31 yard average on the day. And, outside of one nice Sam Shields kick return, there were none to be found for the Packers.

There were also numerous returns Shields had no business making, as he instead should have opted to take the touchback. Rookie mistake? Maybe. But who tells the rookie what to do in such spots?

None of this is a surprise, really, as special teams blunders have cost Green Bay dearly in each of its four losses. Don’t bother banging the “Fire Slocum” drum too much, though, fans; he isn’t going anywhere. McCarthy seems deadset on keeping him around, only furthering the notion that the Packers care exactly zero percent about special teams. And don’t bother blaming the absence of players like Donald Lee, Atari Bigby and Anthony Smith on Sunday, either – even with them present, this group stinks.

If you’re trying to find reasons why the Bears sit as the team to beat in the North, look no further than special teams. Chicago puts an emphasis on it. The Packers do not.

In the big games – which this most certainly was – coaching makes the final difference. In this big game, the Packers coaches failed in every crucial area.

More than anything else, that will be what keeps the 2010 Packers from getting out of their own way.

-Chris Lempesis

But, frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a damn. I’m writing one, anyways.

The Green Bay Packers, as always, give us plenty to be thankful for. But what, in particular? Well, let’s get to some things now.

I’m thankful for Dom Capers. The job [...]]]> Yeah, yeah, I know – everyone writes posts like these around this time of year.

But, frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a damn. I’m writing one, anyways.

The Green Bay Packers, as always, give us plenty to be thankful for. But what, in particular? Well, let’s get to some things now.

I’m thankful for Dom Capers. The job he’s done with what has resembled a JV squad, at times, has been nothing short of astounding. Hopefully, you take the smart approach and avoid any calls regarding head coaching jobs at season’s end. Titletown is where you need to be. And, don’t worry, Dom – the Brinks truck full of extra cheddar should be arriving at your place shortly.

I’m thankful for Mike McCarthy. It’s nice to know we have a strong-willed coach – one whom the players both like and respect – on our side. And kudos for remembering that you can line up and run the football more than just sparringly. Keep on keepin’ them honest, coach.

I’m thankful for Ted Thompson. Period.

I’m thankful for Aaron Rodgers finally hitting his stride. It’s good to see football become fun again for QB12.

I’m thankful for Brandon Jackson’s do-it-all abilities.

I’m thankful for John Kuhn. Okay, so he’s not the greatest player around. But he allows me to yell “KUUUHHHN!” whenever he touches the ball. Gotta love that.

I’m thankful for Chad Clifton proving the doubters wrong. There’s a great deal left in a man I believe to be held together by chicken wire and duct tape.

I’m thankful for Daryn Colledge not being, well, Daryn Colledge this season. Always nice when I don’t have to scream “COLLEDGE!” at the television in fits of rage.

I’m thankful for Greg Jennings regaining his elite status, James Jones being more “Good James” than “Bad James” and Donald Driver for being everything a Packer should be.

I’m thankful for Lambeau Field. See you in 11 days, baby!

I’m thankful for B.J. Raji cashing in on the promise we all knew he had and anchoring the defense. And, yes, I have to say that or else he might eat me.

I’m thankful for me upsetting Desmond Bishop on Twitter over the summer. And you should be thankful for that, too.

I’m thankful for A.J. Hawk turning in his best season yet as a pro. Something tells me this is no longer No. 50’s last year in Green Bay.

I’m thankful for Clay Matthews being an unstoppable, unblockable, long-hair waiving, anger-filled, high-motored – ouch. Matthews just sacked me. The guy is relentless!

I’m thankful for Charles Woodson shaking off his early season slump. And for making a difference in so many areas, some that can’t be seen on a stat sheet.

I’m thankful for Tramon Williams’ emergence. Don’t worry, Big Play Tra – that new deal is en route.

I’m thankful for Charlie Peprah ignoring people like me when they say things like “Charlie Peprah, frankly, does nothing for me.”

(Okay, here’s the part where I get sappy. Deal with it!)

I’m thankful for my cohorts here at OBOD, Adam Somers and Gene Bosling. Fellas, this wouldn’t be 1/1,000th as much fun without you. You are two of the best writers I know, but it’s much more than that. You really are two of the best friends a guy could ask for. Your friendship is something I will always hold in the highest regard.

I’m thankful for our buddies in the Packers blogosphere. You know who you are. We’ll never forget how you welcomed us into this weird, wonderful little universe back in early 2009. And to the newcomers, we’re always more than happy to pay it forward.

I’m thankful for you, the readers. To paraphrase a line from Jay-Z, you could have been anywhere in the world, but for a brief portion of your day, you decide to come check us out. Believe me, we take that very seriously. And we’ll never be able to thank you enough for simply caring about our work. You keep reading them – we’ll keep writing them.

Lastly, I’m thankful for all my friends and family. I love you all dearly. I won’t get to see any of you Thursday, but we’ll see each other at Christmas.

We at OBOD wish you nothing but the happiest and safest Thanksgiving possible. And, yeah, thanks again!

-Chris Lempesis

So, instead of simply griping about it, I’ve decided to go a different [...]]]> We all know the Green Bay Packers are a beat-up bunch. It’s something we at OBOD have tried to steer away from as much as possible because, well, we don’t like making excuses about our team. We’re just so un-Vikings fan-ish that way.

So, instead of simply griping about it, I’ve decided to go a different way. I’m going to rank the nine key players currently on the team’s injured reserve list (sadly, I left Josh Bell out). This is not a ranking of their skills, but rather their overall importance. For example, the No. 1 player listed is the player I’d most like to see healthy. I’ll also take some guesses on where each player’s future with the team stands.

Everyone good? Okay, here we go. As always, enjoy.

1. Jermichael Finley, tight end (knee) - There is simply no bigger reason for the offensive struggles over the past month than the absence of No. 88. Granted, the offense wasn’t looking elite before Finley’s injury, but with him out, the field has definitely shrunk for the rest of Green Bay’s pass catchers. It’s clear the offense never had much of a plan B in the event of a Finley injury. And, most damning, Aaron Rodgers still seems lost much of the time minus his top read. Finley’s stats, projected over a full season: 84 catches, 1,204 yards, four touchdowns. He likely won’t get that fat new contract now, but should be hungrier than ever come next year.
2. Ryan Grant, running back (ankle) - It took all of about three seconds for us to downplay Grant’s importance upon hearing he was lost for the year. Eight games later, I’d like to take back much of what I said. That’s not meant to be a shot at Brandon Jackson or John Kuhn because, actually, those two have been pretty okay. But, either alone or combined, they do not bring the same threat Grant did. Grant, while certainly not an elite back, at least gave opponents something to think about when gameplanning for Green Bay’s offense. He was at least a threat to break the century mark every week. With him gone, Mike McCarthy has been allowed to fully explore the dark side of his “shotgun, five-wide” philosophy. Not a good thing. With such a big salary for next year (he could earn as much as $6 million in salary and various bonuses), you have to wonder if cheaper options won’t be explored by the team.
3. Mike Neal, defensive end (shoulder) - At first, you might snicker seeing Neal this high on the list. Don’t. Despite only playing two games before seeing his season end, Neal showed some flashes of serious potential. Stout and strong enough to play the run - and quick enough to get to the passer - Neal would have been a key cog on the d-line. His presence would have given Green Bay three dual-threat linemen (Neal, B.J. Raji and Cullen Jenkins). It also would have allowed Dom Capers to do a whole lot more mixing-and-matching, depending on the situation. In 2011: Neal, Raji, Jenkins (he’ll be re-signed, fear not), Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly (starting to think he’ll be back). Yes, please.
4. Nick Barnett, inside linebacker (wrist) – The emergence of Desmond Bishop and the improvement of A.J. Hawk knock Barnett a little further down the list than originally thought at the time of his injury. Still, you know those times Hawk goes too high on a tackle or gets caught out of position in coverage? Yeah, those are the times you wish Barnett was still around. And his leadership is still sort of missed, as well, though that void has been filled somewhat filled by committee (Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, etc.). Hawk is likely gone after this season, so even with a salary approaching the $6 million range, Barnett should return.
5. Morgan Burnett, safety (knee) - Solid, if unspectacular, for the two games he played before getting hurt, it’s highly likely Burnett would just be taking his game up a notch about now. Remember, Burnett has “big-time playmaker” written all over him. Luckily, Charlie Peprah’s emergence and the impending return of Atari Bigby (could happen this week) have made up for Burnett’s loss. With Burnett solidly in the fold for the foreseeable future, it’s likely that either Bigby or Peprah will not be back come 2011.
6. Brad Jones, outside linebacker (shoulder) - Jones played his best game of the season, hands down, in the win over Minnesota. With the luck the Packers have had this year with injuries, it’s darkly fitting that his shoulder injury – problematic since camp – would flair up so bad he’d have to have surgery immediately afterwards. Jones did not provide much pressure opposite Matthews, definitely disappointing. He was good against the run, though, and his pass rushing looked to be improving before he got hurt. Finding a more proven pass rushing commodity to play opposite Matthews – thus keeping Jones in a more limited role – is definitely a possibility in the offseason.
7. Derrick Martin, safety (knee) - As we all know, Martin brings limited value as an actual safety. His true value came as Green Bay’s best special teams player. With the Packers giving up at least one big return in each of the past four games, you can see why he’s been missed. Coming off such a severe injury, his return to the team next season seems in doubt, especially when you consider Green Bay’s considerable depth at the position.
8. Justin Harrell, defensive end (knee) - Harrell would have been a key member of the rotation along the d-line as he turned in a very solid training camp. Of course, we all know what happened next, don’t we? Harrell, as always, was bitten by the injury bug, less than two quarters into the season. Harrell deserves a great deal of credit for continuing to work his way back from injury. Unfortunately, it’s just never going to happen for him in the NFL. The Packers have given him four years. They can give him no more.
9. Brady Poppinga (knee), outside linebacker – Buried on the depth chart to start the season, injuries forced Poppinga into a key role, only he didn’t last long in said role. He showed a bit more potential in the 3-4 than he did last season (example: his huge overtime sack of Donovan McNabb in the Washington game). But when you consider that he’s due over $2 million next season, it becomes clear Poppinga has probably played his last down for the Packers.

What do you think of my rankings? As always, comment baby, comment!

-Chris Lempesis

Were you worried about the offense? No, not at all. The group was deep, talented and just hitting its stride. Scoring 30 a week? Why not?

What you worried about was the defense. You worried about the pass rush, [...]]]> Think back, for a second, to late August. What were your worries regarding the 2010 Green Bay Packers?

Were you worried about the offense? No, not at all. The group was deep, talented and just hitting its stride. Scoring 30 a week? Why not?

What you worried about was the defense. You worried about the pass rush, the secondary depth, no Johnny Jolly. If someone were to tell you this team would be 5-3 at the midway point and rapidly on the verge of becoming a force in the NFC, you would have likely said it was because of a fast-improving defense.

How wrong you would be.

The story of the Packers’ emergence is one being written by the same group riddled with question marks just two months ago, a group devastated by injury, one largely comprised of rookies, no-names and nobodies. That unit led the way yet again Sunday in Green Bay’s 9-0 road win over the New York Jets.

The Packers’ defense came though with its best effort of the season – perhaps its best effort in years – in this one, recording their first road shutout since 1991 and the first shutout by any team in the 2010 season. It is a unit that continues to fight, claw and battle its way to wins.

Consider the following: No one – and I mean no one – thought Green Bay’s battered, tattered front seven could withstand the onslaught it was sure to face from New York’s top-notch running game, one powered by two good backs and an elite offensive line. Withstand the Packers did, holding New York’s duo of Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson to just 76 yards on 22 carries. Those two had success, on occasion, but more often than not, the holes they targeted were simply unavailable. 

That was due to the work of players like C.J. Wilson, Howard Green, A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop, players expected to contribute little, if anything, over the summer. Actually, you can say even less about Green since, you know, he was just signed last week.

By shutting down the run game, a door was opened for some “no-names” to step up and makes plays against the pass. Charlie Peprah’s name comes to mind here, carrying over his very strong showing from the Minnesota game. It’s becoming readily apparent why he was kept around so long, despite his various injury troubles. The guy can play, delivering both strong coverage and some seriously big hits.

Of course, Green Bay’s defense is not entirely composed of nobodies. Charles Woodson. Tramon Williams. Clay Matthews. These are names everyone knows. And names that certainly made big plays Sunday.

Woodson and Williams both came up with picks that altered the course of this game, Woodson’s pick a display of freakish athleticism and Williams’ a display of pure toughness and never-say-die grit.

And when you can combine the traits shown on those two interceptions in someone, you have a great player. What you have is Matthews. Despite being kept down most of the day by right tackle Damian Woody, Matthews kept on fighting. And fighting. And fighting, until finally he broke through for a crushing, drive-killing sack of Mark Sanchez late in the game.

Overseeing this group is a man turning in the best work of his illustrious career: Defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Somehow, someway, Capers continues to get strong, hard-nosed performances out of this group. I am only half-kidding when I ask aloud if the 2010 NFL Coach of the Year award can be given to a coordinator. If so, here’s your winner, gang.

And Capers has just one more game to get through before honest-to-God reinforcements arrive in the form of Al Harris and Atari Bigby. One more game to get through before players like Ryan Pickett can get back near 100 percent. That has to excite you.

But, even without those guys, it’s becoming clear the players in place - this rag-tag group of oddly assembled parts - have begun rallying together, determined to prove that they can play, your opinion of them be damned.

The defense has already far exceeded any expectations placed on it back when the temperature gage was still high. If the offense can ever live up to theirs, oh what a team this could be.

-Chris Lempesis

Sorry, I couldn’t wait. The Green Bay Packers’ 9-0 win over the New York Jets was just too sweet (don’t worry, I’ll be back with more later this evening, anyways).

Here are my quick thoughts on the win, in no particular order:

Wednesday, we learned that outside linebacker Brad Jones’ season is indeed over. Jones has been placed on injured reserve and will undergo surgery on his damaged shoulder. The injury initially occurred in camp and was apparently significantly re-injured in Sunday night’s win [...]]]> Okay, now we can say the Green Bay Packers’ defense is devastated by injury.

Wednesday, we learned that outside linebacker Brad Jones’ season is indeed over. Jones has been placed on injured reserve and will undergo surgery on his damaged shoulder. The injury initially occurred in camp and was apparently significantly re-injured in Sunday night’s win over Minnesota.

Jones is the 10th Packer to go on I.R. this season. Six of those players – Jones, Nick Barnett, Morgan Burnett, Mike Neal, Brady Poppinga and Justin Harrell – were expected to be at least somewhat significant contributors for that unit in 2010. And don’t forget Brandon Chillar, Cullen Jenkins, Ryan Pickett, Clay Matthews – my God this list is long – Nick Collins and Charles Woodson. Every single one of those players has either missed time, will miss time or been at least semi-affected by injury.

Oh, by the way – Al Harris and Atari Bigby still haven’t been activated from the PUP list yet. With the Packers quickly signing (or claiming off waivers) four defensive players this week – three linebackers and a defensive tackle – you have to wonder just where those two are at in the recovery process. I have a bad feeling that it could be awhile until either of those two are on the 53-man roster. Like, “after the bye week” bad.

Yet, through all of this, defensive coordinator Dom Capers has somehow, someway, managed to keep Green Bay in the middle of the pack (no pun intended) on that side of the ball. The Packers are tied with New England for 16th with 136 points allowed, 19.4 per game. Green Bay is also 18th in total yards per game allowed (338.4). Now, I can’t say I’ve studied the numbers/performance of every defense he’s ever led, but one has to think this seven-game stretch is one of the best coaching jobs he’s ever turned in.

Here’s the thing, though: I’m not sure Capers can keep this up much longer. That’s not to question his smarts, because we know he has those in abundance. I’m not sure any defensive mind could keep this up. The depth is just so paper-thin. And, who knows if the injuries will ever stop for the defense? What happens if a crucial piece – say Matthews, Tramon Williams, Collins or Woodson – gets hit with a season-ender?

But, as always, I’m not going to paint a picture of a totally baren landscape. There’s hope for this defense – and it lies in an unexpected place.

The other side of the ball.

After seven games of fits, starts, heat, cool, north and south, the time for Green Bay’s offense to become the monster we all thought it could is now. That group simply can not turn in any more uneven performances if the Packers are to make this season a special one.

The biggest thing that must now happen is an honest-to-God dedication to dominating the time of possession. Seven games in, the Packers stand just 17th in average T.O.P. at 30:06 per game. The New York Giants lead the league in this category at 33:23 per game. Doesn’t seem like much, on the surface, but as we’ve learned this season, 3:17 can be a lifetime, especially if you’re playing with a battered defense. Imagine an extra three minutes-plus in Green Bay’s favor against Miami. Or Washington.

In order to boost those T.O.P. numbers, a re-tooling of Mike McCarthy’s approach to gameplanning is in order. Stubborn as he is, you might think this impossible. But, actually, it’s not. McCarthy took some fairly major steps in this direction against the Vikings, showing more dedication to the run game than at any previous point this season. In his Wednesday presser, McCarthy hinted that we’ll see more Brandon Jackson this Sunday against the New York Jets.

Whether it works this week or not, it’s something he needs to go with the rest of the way. Jackson has shown some flashes of real potential. He won’t likely overwhelm anyone with his size, speed or toughness, but has just enough of each quality to make him intriguing (and his vision’s not bad, either). Like all backs, he’ll only get better as the carries pile up. And Bryan Bulaga’s emergence at right tackle gives Green Bay a solid side of the line to rush off of as Bulaga and Josh Sitton are both quick, tough and nasty run blockers.

The passing game, Mike Mac’s pride and joy, must also be re-worked. Simply put, this team continues to chase the home run ball far more often than is necessary. It’s killing drives and causing turnovers. Considering how far Aaron Rodgers and his receivers appear to be off in the chemistry department, it’s surprising how many deep shots this offense continues to take. Those are low-percentage throws and do nothing to get things back in-synch. If you were a basketball player, would you continue to chuck threes up on a cold shooting night? You’d try for as many layups as possible to get yourself back into a rhythm, right?

For the Packers, these layups consist of  throws within the six-to-15 yard range. This offense lived there during last season’s 7-1 finish to the regular season. And when things were looking bleak in the wild card game, how did the offense get itself back on track? Exactly.

Somewhere between the wild card loss and the start of the 2010 season, the Packers became convinced that a passing attack can only be considered great if it goes shotgun, five-wide and racks up 25 yards on every dropback. That just isn’t true (see: the San Francisco 49ers of the 1980s). Look at golf, for example. Any pro can step up to the tee and crush it. The great ones separate themselves through the short game.

Getting back to that 7-1 mindset puts the ball in the hands of your playmakers quicker, thus allowing them to do what they do quicker. This approach makes for plays that, while not as sexy as the home run ball (something Rodgers seems way too preoccupied with, anyways), can be run in higher quantity. More plays equals more time of possession and a tired opposing defense.

By re-dedicating themselves to the little things – more handoffs here and more seven-yard throws there – the Packers can fully utilize the considerable talent they have on offense, even without Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant.

For a defense that becomes exponentially less considerable in the talent department seemingly by the day, it’s the least they can do.

-Chris Lempesis