At the beginning of the season I predicted 8-8, and that is about all you can figure on right now. Remember when the Packers supposedly had the weakest schedule in the league?
There ARE some excuses here. There is zero running threat out of the backfield except Rodgers. Professional defenders can forget the run and concentrate on pass defense.
Speaking of pass defense, is there anyone left to work the corners?
What is baffling is the lack of hustle by the Packers in the first half. There is something seriously wrong inside that locker room. I get the strong impression that the players think they have it won before they step on the field.
Ted Thompson: New England is ascending and the Packers are descending. Why? Because "The Ghost" continues to rely on bargain basement depth at critical positions. He worries about not having enough money to sign people and sits on a pile of cash. How about this year? As of right now, I would give TT a grade of D-. He's sat on his hands when the team needed help. Davis was a washout, where was the pro personnel dept.? Bad scouting. Ted wanted that 7th round pick way more than a real veteran who could help. When Shields got that concussion, he should have looked for a veteran corner available. Shields is probably done, yet Ted thought his free agents could play against front line receivers.
When Lacy and Starks got hurt, he piddled around again without finding a real running back to come in. So now we're running wide receivers occasionally. What a farce. I hope TT is having a good time scouting at Slippery Rock A & U for a 7th rounder or free agent while his team is getting chewed up.
Mike McCarthy: I get the sense that he's lost most of the players. I also get a sense he's not happy with "The Ghost". I also don't see a great deal of alterations from McCarthy's basic approach to the game. I suspect the other teams pretty much know what to expect with McCarthy.
The tight end position: few have talked about this, but what has happened to Richard Rodgers? He's been invisible at a position that might be among the most critical on the offense.
Recievers: Cobb is highly overrated. Compare him to Donald Driver.
The offensive line: they've done o.k., but compare them player for player with the Dallas offensive line.
Defensive line: better play this year.
Linebackers: still very inexperienced inside, improving, but they're cheap. Matthews annual injury problems make him less valuable. I still think he should go back inside and rotate him with the young guys.
Aaron Rodgers has morphed into Lynn ****ey, a highly effective passer surrounded by overrated players.
The season is probably lost, as 8-8 isn't going to cut it. The Packers have proven they struggle to beat the teams they should beat, and are a cut below the really good teams.
This offseason should mark the end of Ted Thompson in Green Bay.
