Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pack93z" data-source="post: 198342" data-attributes="member: 288">Even a little more... some players early comments..<a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/346327_hawk07.html" target="_blank">http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/346327_hawk07.html</a>Kerney provides Hawks' example: He knows what it takes to win at LambeauBy CLARE FARNSWORTHP-I REPORTERKIRKLAND -- The Seahawks defense has followed Patrick Kerney's lead all season. Play relentlessly. Stop the run. Apply pressure to the opposing quarterback. Produce turnovers. Never give up, no matter how big the opponent or how large the deficit. This lead-by-example strategy needs to continue Saturday, when the Seahawks -- and their defensive end who led the NFC with 14 1/2 sacks -- play the Green Bay Packers at fabled Lambeau Field in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.In 2002, Kerney was part of an Atlanta Falcons team that went into Green Bay, Wis., and emerged with a victory. It was the first time the Packers had lost at Lambeau Field in the postseason."That was certainly a great win for us back in Atlanta," Kerney said Saturday night, after the Seahawks had rallied for a 35-14 victory over the Washington Redskins at Qwest Field. "It was snowing. Lambeau Field. It's what you play football for."For the Seahawks, even more important than the fact that the Falcons won that day is how they won. As the Seahawks did against the Redskins, the Falcons shut down the Packers' running game (56 yards) and pressured iconic quarterback Brett Favre into making mistakes.Two interceptions and a fumble in, as it turned out, a 27-7 Falcons victory.Before that January day in 2003, the Packers had been invincible on their home field during the playoffs -- having won 11 in a row at Lambeau by an average score of 27-12.Since that loss to Kerney and the Falcons, the Packers' postseason record at Lambeau is 1-1. The win came in overtime against the Seahawks after the 2003 season, while the loss came to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2004 playoffs.The quest for the Seahawks also has historical significance, because in 32 seasons they have won on the road in the playoffs once. That came in Miami after the 1983 season, when they upset the Dolphins to advance to the AFC Championship Game.Since then, the Seahawks have lost playoff games in Los Angeles (1983, to the Raiders, a week after beating the Dolphins), Miami (1984), Houston (1987), Cincinnati (1988), Green Bay (2003) and Chicago (2006), plus the Super Bowl on a neutral field in Detroit after the 2005 season.But back to the present, and the immediate task at hand -- finding a way to beat a Packers team that went 13-3 this season and has had a week to rest."The biggest thing for us going into Lambeau is to make sure we slow down that run when the Packers go four-wide or three-wide," Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson said. Then they need to find a way to rattle Favre, and get him to make the kinds of mistakes he has mostly avoided this season -- throwing into double coverage (15 interceptions, his fewest since 1996); trying to force a play when it's not there (66.5 completion percentage, a career high); fumbling while being sacked (15 sacks, his fewest since 2004).It all begins with shutting down the running game and getting the Packers in passing situations, just as the Seahawks did with Clinton Portis and with Todd Collins against the Redskins. Portis averaged 2.6 yards on 20 carries. Collins, who had not thrown an interception during the Redskins' four-game winning streak to end the regular season, had two fourth-quarter passes picked off and returned for touchdowns, by Marcus Trufant and Jordan Babineaux"If you let any quarterback in the NFL get comfortable, it's just going to be a long day -- especially against Favre," said defensive tackle Craig Terrill, who had one of the Seahawks' three sacks of Collins. "If you don't get to him with four-man pressure, you're letting the whole team down as a defensive line."The weakness of the Packers' offensive line is their young guards, Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz, who could have problems handling the Seahawks' quickness. But the Packers are more pass-oriented than the Redskins to begin with, and at their best when Favre is operating from a five-receiver set that spreads the defense and leaves him alone in the backfield.It will put a premium on the ability of the secondary to cover the Packers' receivers, especially Donald Driver (82 receptions for 1,048 yards) and Greg Jennings (17.4-yard average, 12 touchdowns), and make getting some pressure on Favre imperative.And doing it in a place where the Packers are 7-1 this season, and 12-2 in the postseason."It's going to be a high-energy environment," Kerney said. "I'm sure it will be nice and cold, and it's that gritty, late-season football that you love."Even if it's in a venue opposing teams love to hate."Yes, they're loud, and they're going to be screaming at us all game," Kerney said of the Lambeau faithful. "We just can't let it affect us. I think the gravity of the game, the gravity of the situation, will prevent that from happening."Kerney's teammates need to take it from someone who knows and, as they have all season, follow his lead.UP NEXT: GREEN BAYWHEN/WHERE: Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. PACKERS RECORD: 13-3, which earned them the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. WHERE THEY RANK: No. 2 on offense (21st rushing, second passing); No. 11 on defense (14th rushing, 12th passing) SERIES: Packers lead 6-5 in the regular season and 1-0 in the postseason; Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is 1-3 at Lambeau against his former team. STAR POWER: Brett Favre. The Packers' venerable -- and still valuable -- quarterback has passed his way to several NFL records, and his team back into the playoffs, in his 17th season. Even at 38, Favre continues to play with enthusiasm. And he can still make plays; his 95.7 passer rating is the third highest of his career and his best since 1996. UNSUNG HERO: Ryan Grant. The Packers acquired him from the Giants for a sixth-round draft choice just before the season. All he did after taking over for an injured Vernand Morency at midseason was rush for 956 yards (second most in the league in the second half of the season), average 5.1 yards per carry and score eight touchdowns. ON THE SPOT: Mark Tauscher. The right tackle draws the task of dealing with Patrick Kerney, the Seahawks defensive end who led the NFC with 14 1/2 sacks. Kerney did not register a sack Saturday against the Redskins, but his relentless efforts allowed teammates to make plays. Tauscher has size (6-3, 315) and smarts, but slow feet and short arms, making him vulnerable to outside speed and also inside moves from pass-rushers. BURNING QUESTION: Which playoff Favre shows up? The one who has turned back the clock, looking like the player who was 8-4 in the postseason from 1993-97 by throwing 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 92.0 passer rating? Or the one who has been 2-5 since '97, throwing 16 interceptions and 11 touchdowns for a 70.8 rating? FAMILIAR FACES: Wide receiver Koren Robinson, linebacker Tracy White, linebackers coach Winston Moss and pro personnel assistant Tim Terry are former Seahawks. General manager Ted Thompson, director of college scouting John Dorsey and personnel assistant to the GM John Schneider also worked for the Seahawks. THE LAST WORD: "I think three years ago we were saying, 'He's done.' And I was saying the same thing. And here we are." -- Favre on Favre</blockquote>

Verification

Members online

Total: 86 (members: 4, guests: 82)

Latest posts

NFC North Predictions
- Latest: OldSchool101
- 23 minutes ago
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Badgers Football 2025-2026
- Latest: Voyageur
- 24 minutes ago
Wisconsin Badgers Forum
H
First Round Pick #23 - Matthew Golden WR - Texas
- Latest: Heyjoe4
- 28 minutes ago
Draft Talk
H
Is it time?
- Latest: Heyjoe4
- 38 minutes ago
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
2025 NFL Schedule Release
- Latest: milani
- Today at 7:47 AM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum