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Cheesehead
By Andy Benoit, NFL Contributing Editor
(Sports Network) - For the first time in Brett Favre's career, the Green Bay Packers beat the Miami Dolphins in Florida. The win came after an inspired 28-point second half effort, highlighted by big touchdowns from longtime Packer cogs Donald Driver and Ahman Green.
"We won the game. I think that says a lot about what type of team we can be. We hung in there and found a way to win," said Favre, who was 19-of-35 passing for 206 yards, two touchdowns, and, as indicated by the win, zero interceptions. "(However) both teams were struggling coming into this game; I'd still say both teams are struggling coming out of it. I'm pleased, but we still have a long ways to go."
The Packers do have a long ways to go, though their favorable schedule over the next two weeks can help take them there faster. Green Bay has games against the 1-6 Cardinals (who, by the way, will take the damn field once they realize that the Packers are who they thought they were) and the 2-5 Bills. It is a great opportunity for Mike McCarthy's young team to grow and gain confidence, should the Packers find themselves at .500 heading into mid- November.
"We've been talking about this football team having an opportunity to be a good football team," said McCarthy. "We've had a number of areas we've improved on throughout the season. Improvement doesn't always equate to winning...(but) they're seeing their preparation finally paying off."
RECEIVING CORPS THIN
There's Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johannson, and Mary Kate Olson. And then, there's the Green Bay Packers wide receiver position.
Last week, veteran Koren Robinson was suspended by the NFL for one year, after squandering yet another second chance by violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Veteran Robert Ferguson was recently put on IR because of damage to the Lisfranc joint in the middle of his foot (an injury suffered back in week 4 at Philadelphia).
And, against the Dolphins on Sunday, rookie wideout Greg Jennings went down with a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative, but Jennings was on crutches for the rest of the afternoon and will likely be out of action for at least the next couple of weeks.
So, where do the Packers go from here? It is not reasonable to carry four tight ends on the roster (which Green Bay did against Miami), especially when considering that the odd man out could be fullback William Henderson. Donald Driver is still a dangerous weapon, but he is just one man (who, by the way, in sticking with our "thin" theme, is fairly skinny himself).
Enter first-year receiver Ruvell Martin, an undrafted player from Saginaw Valley State who spent time on Green Bay's practice squad a year ago and before that, represented the San Diego Chargers in NFL Europe. Assuming Jennings doesn't play, it will be Martin starting against Arizona in Week 8.
Behind Martin at the No. 3 receiver slot is likely to be undrafted rookie Chris Francies. At the fourth receiver position could be another undrafted rookie, Shaun Bodiford, who was claimed off waivers from Detroit on Monday. However, the Packers rarely use a four-receiver set.
Both Martin and Francies saw action against the Dolphins, with Martin catching two passes for 25 yards, and Francies registering one reception on a third- and-one that went for 12 yards.
"That's where we are right now," McCarthy said. "Chris Francies had a big-play opportunity and cashed in on it. Ruvell did an excellent job. Those guys have been with us since Day 1. They've earned their spots on this team, and they will be counted on to play a role."
Remember the halcyon days of Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman. Back then, guys coming off the bench for the Packers were veterans like Andre Rison and Don Beebe. The Packers had a receiving corps that looked like it belonged in a Super Bowl. Now, with all due respect, they have a receiving corps that looks like it belongs in the final week of a preseason game.
In the words of Vince Lombardi, "What the hell's going on out here?" Given the number of untested receivers, those may be the words echoed by Brett Favre and asked of Brett Favre on the field Sunday.
WHO'S HOT
Cornerback Charles Woodson has been a disappointment thus far, evidenced by Green Bay's bottom-ranking pass defense. However, against Miami, the well- paid former Heisman winner filled the box score with an interception that was returned 23 yards for a touchdown, a sack, and six tackles.
WHO'S NOT
Rookie offensive lineman Daryn Colledge was forced to start at left tackle on Sunday after Chad Clifton suddenly fell ill the day before. Colledge has been working at guard all season, though he was a four-year starter at the tackle position at Boise State. However, no rookie can be expected to perform well when making a position change on Saturday and facing Miami's Jason Taylor on Sunday. Taylor registered a pair of sacks and made the Packers pay for the mismatch throughout the first half. In fairness to Colledge, the second-round pick played noticeably better in the second half.
NEXT UP
It is the Packers' turn to take a game from Dennis Green's Cardinals, as Arizona brings its 1-6 record into Green Bay.
(Sports Network) - For the first time in Brett Favre's career, the Green Bay Packers beat the Miami Dolphins in Florida. The win came after an inspired 28-point second half effort, highlighted by big touchdowns from longtime Packer cogs Donald Driver and Ahman Green.
"We won the game. I think that says a lot about what type of team we can be. We hung in there and found a way to win," said Favre, who was 19-of-35 passing for 206 yards, two touchdowns, and, as indicated by the win, zero interceptions. "(However) both teams were struggling coming into this game; I'd still say both teams are struggling coming out of it. I'm pleased, but we still have a long ways to go."
The Packers do have a long ways to go, though their favorable schedule over the next two weeks can help take them there faster. Green Bay has games against the 1-6 Cardinals (who, by the way, will take the damn field once they realize that the Packers are who they thought they were) and the 2-5 Bills. It is a great opportunity for Mike McCarthy's young team to grow and gain confidence, should the Packers find themselves at .500 heading into mid- November.
"We've been talking about this football team having an opportunity to be a good football team," said McCarthy. "We've had a number of areas we've improved on throughout the season. Improvement doesn't always equate to winning...(but) they're seeing their preparation finally paying off."
RECEIVING CORPS THIN
There's Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johannson, and Mary Kate Olson. And then, there's the Green Bay Packers wide receiver position.
Last week, veteran Koren Robinson was suspended by the NFL for one year, after squandering yet another second chance by violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Veteran Robert Ferguson was recently put on IR because of damage to the Lisfranc joint in the middle of his foot (an injury suffered back in week 4 at Philadelphia).
And, against the Dolphins on Sunday, rookie wideout Greg Jennings went down with a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative, but Jennings was on crutches for the rest of the afternoon and will likely be out of action for at least the next couple of weeks.
So, where do the Packers go from here? It is not reasonable to carry four tight ends on the roster (which Green Bay did against Miami), especially when considering that the odd man out could be fullback William Henderson. Donald Driver is still a dangerous weapon, but he is just one man (who, by the way, in sticking with our "thin" theme, is fairly skinny himself).
Enter first-year receiver Ruvell Martin, an undrafted player from Saginaw Valley State who spent time on Green Bay's practice squad a year ago and before that, represented the San Diego Chargers in NFL Europe. Assuming Jennings doesn't play, it will be Martin starting against Arizona in Week 8.
Behind Martin at the No. 3 receiver slot is likely to be undrafted rookie Chris Francies. At the fourth receiver position could be another undrafted rookie, Shaun Bodiford, who was claimed off waivers from Detroit on Monday. However, the Packers rarely use a four-receiver set.
Both Martin and Francies saw action against the Dolphins, with Martin catching two passes for 25 yards, and Francies registering one reception on a third- and-one that went for 12 yards.
"That's where we are right now," McCarthy said. "Chris Francies had a big-play opportunity and cashed in on it. Ruvell did an excellent job. Those guys have been with us since Day 1. They've earned their spots on this team, and they will be counted on to play a role."
Remember the halcyon days of Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman. Back then, guys coming off the bench for the Packers were veterans like Andre Rison and Don Beebe. The Packers had a receiving corps that looked like it belonged in a Super Bowl. Now, with all due respect, they have a receiving corps that looks like it belongs in the final week of a preseason game.
In the words of Vince Lombardi, "What the hell's going on out here?" Given the number of untested receivers, those may be the words echoed by Brett Favre and asked of Brett Favre on the field Sunday.
WHO'S HOT
Cornerback Charles Woodson has been a disappointment thus far, evidenced by Green Bay's bottom-ranking pass defense. However, against Miami, the well- paid former Heisman winner filled the box score with an interception that was returned 23 yards for a touchdown, a sack, and six tackles.
WHO'S NOT
Rookie offensive lineman Daryn Colledge was forced to start at left tackle on Sunday after Chad Clifton suddenly fell ill the day before. Colledge has been working at guard all season, though he was a four-year starter at the tackle position at Boise State. However, no rookie can be expected to perform well when making a position change on Saturday and facing Miami's Jason Taylor on Sunday. Taylor registered a pair of sacks and made the Packers pay for the mismatch throughout the first half. In fairness to Colledge, the second-round pick played noticeably better in the second half.
NEXT UP
It is the Packers' turn to take a game from Dennis Green's Cardinals, as Arizona brings its 1-6 record into Green Bay.
