As Gene, Adam and myself exited FedEx Field on Sunday, following the Green Bay Packers’ gutwrenching 16-13 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins, we found ourselves using variations of the same phrase over and over:

This team just [...]]]> (Note: My streak of game recaps is officially over at 29. Don’t worry – I’ll start a new one Sunday.)

As Gene, Adam and myself exited FedEx Field on Sunday, following the Green Bay Packers’ gutwrenching 16-13 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins, we found ourselves using variations of the same phrase over and over:

This team just isn’t very good.

In the hours – about a day and a half’s worth in all – that followed our disheartened exit, our overall outlook didn’t change.

Then, upon arriving back in Minneapolis on Tuesday, I decided to grab some chinese food. My fortune cookie contained an interesting bit of wisdom: Let reality be reality, it said.

That got me to thinking about where the 2010 Packers are five games in.

What is the real reality with this team? Are the Packers the Super Bowl contenders we made them out to be for nine or so months? Are they the stumbling, bumbling trainwreck the three of us made them out to be in our postgame thoughts, which were fueled by anger (and, okay, a little bit of alcohol)?

Reality is rarely black and white. And, in this instance, so are the Packers.

They are not Super Bowl contenders, as we currently find them. Not even close. Let’s just get that out of the way right now.

There is no continuity to this team. With roughly a third of the season already in the books, it has yet to turn in a full 60 minutes of strong play. That’d be one thing if the Packers had come close, but by my count, they haven’t given us more than about 30 consecutive minutes. And that came against the Buffalo Bills, so you know, insert your own joke there.

That’s the team, as a whole, but really, that extends to each of the three phases, as well. Outside of a few instances – the middle portion of the Philadelphia game, for example – the Packers have not been able to get all three units firing at once. The offense looks good in limited minutes early on against Detroit; the defense, Dom Capers in particular, tries its best to blow the game (with an assist from a suddenly out-of-synch offense).

Sunday, on the road in an environment that grew more hostile by the second, the defense came to play. Yes, things weren’t nearly as good minus Clay Matthews (how could they be?), but forget about the yardage totals. After all, Packers fans should know more than anyone else that they mean nothing, right? On the board, where it counts the most, Green Bay allowed 13 points in regulation. That should always – repeat: ALWAYS – be more than enough to win. But it wasn’t, was it? Nope, because the head coach refused to stick with what worked, seemingly more concerned with proving his intelligence than winning. Mike Martz, meet Mike McCarthy.

The killer instinct simply does not exist. We can take as many shots at Trent Dilfer for what he had to say about the team on ESPN earlier this week, but do not argue his point. He was correct. This team looks great, particularly offensively, in quarter one. After that, it’s gone. Against average competition, opponents that continually open themselves for the kill shot, the Packers continually fail to deliver it. Again, a third of the season is in the books. Shouldn’t that have developed by now?

The offensive line is officially back to where it was over the first eight games of 2009. Aaron Rodgers and the receivers have felt compelled to join them. In other words: terrible blocking, terrible pass catching and a quarterback who is making us look foolish for spending so much time saying he’s in the same group with such legitimate heavyweights as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Aaron, meet Tony. You two are in the same grade!

Have I really left out the special teams all this time? I guess, but that’s only because I’d like to be able to eat dinner before midnight.

(Now, after saying ALL OF THIS, are ya ready for the part where I take you the other way?)

The 2010 Packers can still turn this thing around. They can become more than what they’ve been.

It’s not like the talent isn’t there, even with the injuries mounting faster than my blood alcohol level at the Hawk ‘n Dove last Saturday night (damn those girls from Philly!). The offense, even without Jermichael Finley, has talent. Considerable talent. Remember, Finley wasn’t Finley for 16 games last year. The unit was still pretty good, though, right?

That group just has to play better. Rodgers has to stop looking downfield with every single first read. He needs to hang in the pocket longer, even if pressure is coming. By immediately bouncing out of the pocket, he cuts down half the field. He needs to remember that Greg Jennings is on his team (and No. 85 needs to show himself to be worthy of the elite checks he cashes). Donald Driver needs to stop dropping four passes. That group feeds off his energy, positive or otherwise – I’m convinced of it. James Jones and Jordy Nelson have to cash in on the potential each has. It’s time. These are all things that can still happen.

The offensive line has got to find a way to improve. If they can’t, it’s time to swap some guys out (Chad Clifton and Daryn Colledge, I’m looking right at you). Didn’t we spend the entire offseason/training camp/preseason talking about the depth there? If the starters can’t hang, let’s see some of it, dammit.

I have no real beef with the defense, outside of some penalty issues. The defensive line has been great, both against the run and in providing pressure. That held true even after Ryan Pickett exited the game Sunday. Charles Woodson is struggling a bit, but he’s clearly good enough to turn that around. Tramon Williams has been this team’s best player, period. And we can talk all we want about no pass rushing linebacker opposite Matthews, but in a crucial moment in overtime Sunday, there was Brady Poppinga breaking through for a huge sack. It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility that someone still emerges.

Things just need to be a little tighter overall with that group. And when Matthews returns, the defense can still take off to a very high level.

You need two more reasons? I’ve got you covered: the NFC, as a whole, and one Michael McCarthy.

The Packers have not been very good. But let’s face it – no one has in the NFC. As of now, there is only one team (the Atlanta Falcons) somewhat close to an elite level. And they’re not really that close. New Orleans is in a slump. Chicago can’t keep it up for 16 games, same for Tampa Bay. New York is looking tough, but the jury’s still out. Same for Philadelphia. And either Dallas or Minnesota will have its season, for all intents and purposes, end Sunday. Go Cowboys.

In other words, it’s chaos. And who thrives better in chaos than McCarthy?

Seriously, think of all the times we’ve written this guy off. Early in 2006. Late in 2006. Late in 2008. Midway through 2009. For a big guy, this cat sure dodges a lot of ammo. When things are at their darkest, he somehow finds a way to get the team to rally. Can he do it again? At this point, I’m not sure I’d want to bet against him.

And, really, I’m only sure of one thing: I’m done talking about the first five weeks. This team is 0-0. The injuries are an issue. The schedule is much harder. We’re going to find out what this team is made of. Call me crazy, but that excites me.

Bring on the Dolphins.

-Chris Lempesis

Well, fear not – we’ve got Packers football tonight. Green Bay heads into Soldier Spaceship – er, Soldier Field – for a Monday Night contest with the Chicago Bears (7:30 p.m. Lambeau Time).

In this matchup of 2-0 teams, who has the edge [...]]]> Man, Sunday’s kind of stink when there’s no Green Bay Packers game, don’t they?

Well, fear not – we’ve got Packers football tonight. Green Bay heads into Soldier Spaceship – er, Soldier Field – for a Monday Night contest with the Chicago Bears (7:30 p.m. Lambeau Time).

In this matchup of 2-0 teams, who has the edge in the position battles? Let’s take a look now. This is part one; part two will run Monday morning.

Quarterback - It’s been an up-and-down first two games for everyone’s preseason MVP, Aaron Rodgers. By my count, he’s played four really good quarters, three bad quarters and one decent quarter. That’s not to say he’s been terrible, just that he hasn’t been flawless. Jay Cutler has been the Cutler that Bears fans thought they were getting a year ago so far, throwing five touchdowns against just one pick. Mike Martz’s system appears to be suiting him just fine, though it is just two games. Edge: Packers

Running backs - One game into the Brandon Jackson-John Kuhn experiment, things aren’t looking so great. While it shouldn’t hurt the Packers too much, long-term, you have to wonder how the offense will hold up in a game where Rodgers struggles. Matt Forte hasn’t done much better on the ground (2.9 yards per carry), but he is bringing great value in the passing game (12 catches, 188 yards, three scores). He’ll act as Martz’s Marshall Faulk in this offense. Packers fans know Chester Taylor from his Vikings’ days as an outstanding pass-catcher and very good pass protector. Look for him to get involved more than a few times in this one. Edge: Bears

Wide Receivers - Things are going pretty much as expected for Green Bay’s highly touted receiving corps, although you have to wonder why the team is dead-set on making James Jones such a factor. Note to broadcasters: He is not a No. 1 receiver for any team in the league and is only a two for about one-third of the teams. No clear No. 1 has emerged for the Bears yet, but the group of Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Devin Aromashodu is young with plenty of upside. Upside doesn’t win the day here. Edge: Packers

Tight ends - While he has not set the league on fire, as many expected, Jermichael Finley has still turned in two very good games. Last week, we saw what happens when teams decide to single-cover him. Not sure if we’ll see much of that again. Donald Lee has not been a factor at all and Tom Crabtree is a blocker. Much has been written about how Martz does not like to use the tight ends in the passing game. So far, that seems correct as Greg Olsen has just five catches for 76 yards (and a score). Olsen is very talented, though, and should not be overlooked. At 295 pounds, Brandon Manumaleuna is primarily a blocker and will stay in to help cover Cutler. Edge: Packers

Offensive line - Green Bay’s offensive line has been decent so far, but Rodgers has faced more pressure than you’d prefer . The group needs to reach another level. Chad Clifton (knee) is a game-time decision; if he can’t go, in steps rookie Bryan Bulaga. Either way, Chicago will attack that side of the field. The Bears’ front five hasn’t been great, either, and will be going with a pair of guys, Frank Omiyale (left tackle) and Kevin Shaffer (right tackle), playing out of position due to injuries. If the Bears think they can get away with all those five-and-seven-step drops behind this group, they’re nuts. Edge: Packers

So far, the Packers hold the edge in four of five categories. How will things shake out in part two? Again, check back Monday morning to find out.

-Chris Lempesis

Now, with the weekend drawing to an end, it seemed like a good time to provide an updated look (and, as always, give some thoughts on it all). After all, it’s hard [...]]]> Friday morning, I provided a brief look at what the other three NFC North teams had been doing in free agency up to that point.

Now, with the weekend drawing to an end, it seemed like a good time to provide an updated look (and, as always, give some thoughts on it all). After all, it’s hard to find a division that was busier than the NFC North.

Chicago Bears - In terms of activity and dollars spent, the Bears have been the unquestioned kings of free agency thus far. On Friday alone, they dished out roughly $121 million to three players: defensive end Julius Peppers (six years, $91 million with $42 million in guaranteed money), running back Chester Taylor (four years, $12.5 million with $7 million in guaranteed money) and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (five years, $17 million with $6 million in guaranteed money).

When you consider just how much pressure is on general manager Jerry Angelo and head coach Lovie Smith to win – and win now – the highly active approach was likely necessary (especially when you consider Chicago doesn’t pick until the third round this year).

If I’m a Bears fan (thank God I’m not), I like the Taylor and Manumaleuna signings. Taylor turns 31 in September, yes, but he’s only had season in which he carried the ball over 200 times (2006, when he ran for 1,216 yards in his first year in Minnesota). He’s got much more tread left on his tires than the average back that age. His role declined in Minnesota after 2006 due to the presence of that Peterson fella, but he’s still a crafty, tough runner who brings extra value as a pass catcher. Matt Forte is just not a No. 1 back and the Bears, as a team, were 29th in rushing yards per game last season (a paltry 93.3). Taylor will boost that number.

Manumaleuna – hate typing that name already – is a pure blocking tight end at 295 pounds. He should help in protecting Jay Cutler as he’s basically an offensive lineman. Plus, the Bears can now look into trading Greg Olson or Desmond Clark for added draft picks as new offensive coordinator Mike Martz really doesn’t use the tight end all that much.

If I’m a Bears fan (again, thank God I’m not), I’m not on board with the Peppers signing. Sure, he’s a freak of nature, physically, and can take over games. But those things only happen when HE wants them to and far too often, Peppers just doesn’t want them to. He takes plays/games/seasons off. Now that he’s paid in full, something he’s wanted for a long time, you have to wonder if “Bad Peppers” shows up even more now.

I kind of get why the Bears did it – their secondary stinks and Brian Urlacher’s body is breaking down, leaving Lance Briggs as their only real player in the final two levels of the defense. They’re hoping Peppers’ presence can cover for some of those weaknesses. I’m just not on board with it if I’m a fan. As a Packers fan, here’s how I know the Bears made a bad move: When the Vikings got Jared Allen, I thought, “Oh, no – this guy dominates week in and week out.” When Peppers signed Friday, I thought, “Eh, that guy only shows up about half the time, anyways, and they STILL gave him $42 million in guaranteed money.” See the difference?

Detroit Lions - The Lions have been almost as busy as the Bears. They’ve signed defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (four years, $26 million) and wide receiver Nate Burleson (five years, $25 million with $11 million in guaranteed money) and also traded for defensive tackle Corey Williams and cornerback Chris Houston.

In my Friday morning post, I pretty much bashed Detroit for these moves – it just traded for Houston on Sunday afternoon – although I did like the Vanden Bosch signing. After I stood back and looked at it, though, I have to say I think the Lions, shockingly, did a decent job here.

Detroit needed to upgrade its defensive line in a major way; Cliff Avril led the team in sacks last season with just 5.5. Vanden Bosch, as I said Friday, is not the player he once was. But he’s still a hard-working player who you have to account for. Williams was a major flop in Cleveland as he was never cut out to be a 3-4 end. He’ll move back to tackle now, though, where he had seven sacks in each of his last two years in Green Bay. If Jim Schwartz can keep him motivated and get him in a rotation, he’ll provide a boost. With those two – and, say, Gerald McCoy, who we have them taking in our latest mock draft – the Lions will get to the quarterback much more this season.

Detroit clearly overpaid for Burleson, but he did have 63 catches for 812 yards for Seattle last year, so he’ll be a major upgrade over Bryant Johnson and take some heat off Calvin Johnson. Houston never lived up to his second-round pick status in Atlanta, but he still has some talent. And considering all Detroit gave up was a sixth round pick – plus swapping fifth rounders with the Falcons – Houston isn’t much of a gamble.

Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings have been very quiet thus far. A lot of that is likely due to the fact that, as one of the final four teams in the playoffs, Minnesota can’t sign any restricted free agents and can only sign unrestricted ones if it loses one of its own (plus, the first-year salaries on the two players have to match up).

Well, the Vikings have two openings now as they lost Taylor on Friday and guard/tackle Artis Hicks on Sunday (signed a three-year contract with the Washington Redskins). While they still have Peterson, Taylor’s loss leaves a big hole. He was so good as a third down back/pass catcher. Peterson can probably take over the third down role, but he is not a pass catcher. Plus, if he gets hurt, Minnesota basically now has no one behind him. The Vikings will need to address that situation soon.

Hicks, while primarily a backup, provided great depth because of his versatility. Like Taylor, his departure leaves Minnesota thin in the event something happens to a starting o-lineman. Last season, Taylor made $3.1 million and Hicks made just under $1 million, so the Vikings should be able to find decent players at those positions for those prices. But, surprisingly, there seems to be no sense of urgency coming from the organization. The Vikings don’t seem to even have any interest in anyone. Perhaps someone should tell them they were just one bad Judas pass away from a possible trip to the Super Bowl.

Wait, we’re Packers fans – nevermind. Nobody say anything.

-Chris Lempesis

I hated the whole bag boy-to-Super Bowl winning quarterback angle (too Disney, I thought). I hated his goody-goody “Jesus freak” (the words I used then, not now) image. I hated that he seemingly never made any mistakes, on or off the field.

Then again, I [...]]]> True story: When I was 18 years old, I hated Kurt Warner.

I hated the whole bag boy-to-Super Bowl winning quarterback angle (too Disney, I thought). I hated his goody-goody “Jesus freak” (the words I used then, not now) image. I hated that he seemingly never made any mistakes, on or off the field.

Then again, I loved Limp Bizkit and the $1 menu at Hardees when I was 18 years old.

My point being: What the hell did I know?

Roughly 10 years after Warner first came on the national scene, I’ve changed my tune 180 degrees and now think it’s fair to say that Warner is pretty much everything a franchise quarterback should be, on and off the field.

He’s never complained – not once. Not when idiotic St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz felt it was time to switch from Warner to Marc Bulger. Not when the New York Giants decided to push him aside in favor of Eli Manning. And not even when the Arizona Cardinals did, basically, everything they could to ensure Matt “Chubby Girls and Beer Bongs” Leinart (Google the photos, I’m not lying) would take over the reigns as starter.

Has his wife, Brenda, complained? Well, yes she has. But we all know we can’t control what the women in our lives do. You can’t put that on him.

He’s stuck up for his teammates. When wide receiver Anquan Boldin was trying – heck, he still is – to get a new contract, there was Warner publicly saying he thought Boldin should be rewarded for his play. He didn’t throw Boldin under the bus like some quarterbacks would have (hint, hint).

He’s tough. Really, it’s the most underrated part of his game. Throughout his career, Warner’s suffered countless injuries. It’s been written about enough, so I won’t list them all here. Some have been fairly severe and have caused him to miss time, yes, but they’ve never broken him. Can’t say the same for a lot of quarterbacks. 

Off the field, Warner walks the walk, unlike some athletes who have foundations but likely do little with them. He seems to really understand that his position allows him to help others and he’s done that, time and again. Again, I’m not going to list all his charitable work here, but look it up if you’d like – you will be blown away, I promise. 

His faith is what guides him and he is going to share it with all who will listen. He doesn’t care that his message is often looked at by some as “uncool.” He does it because he honestly seems to believe it could help some people out. Maybe I don’t agree with everything he has to say in that area – and maybe you don’t, either – but you can’t deny that you respect him for it. In an age where strip clubs and guns are the two guiding lights in the lives of many athletes, Warner’s outlook is a refreshing (and needed) change of pace.

He provides the perfect blueprint for the quarterback opposite him Sunday – Aaron Rodgers.

Granted, Rodgers is doing pretty well on his own – how he handled the events of summer 2008 continues to amaze me – but Rodgers has, we hope, many years ahead of him in the spotlight. There will be high highs and low lows, to be sure, and I’m not necessarily saying Rodgers needs to become overly religious or anything like that. Those are decisions only he can make.

I’m simply saying that whenever success or trouble comes Rodgers’ way, if he’s looking for a guide on how to handle it, the one currently being written by Warner is a pretty good place to start.

-Chris Lempesis