Weekly Green Bay Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Jayme Joers. (As heard on Cheesehead Radio 1/13/11 )
Packer News 1/7/11 – 1/13/11
Al: Well it’s certainly good to be in week 2 of the playoffs and still talking about the Packers next opponent. After a typical “keep the other team in it” performance by the Packers (a special thank you to James Jones for that), the Packers defense came up with a game ending interception for the second week in a row.
Jayme: This time it was Tramon Williams with the game’s dagger, as he smothered an ill-advised Michael Vick pass in the end zone and fell to the ground. Tramon sprang up and ran on the field, skipping and jumping like a schoolboy at recess. Williams, however, didn’t realize he hadn’t been downed and the play was still live. Luckily, Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah corralled him to and got him on the ground before something really bad happened.
Al: Well nothing really bad happened in the injury department against Philly, a rarity for the Packers this season. Cullen Jenkins was used carefully and came out of the game feeling no worse. Donald Driver suffered a bruised knee but is expected to be fine for Atlanta. With the short week coming up, the lack of new injuries is a big plus.
Jayme: In contrast to the Packers’ short week, the Falcons will have had 13 days to rest and game plan for the Packers. In a press conference this week, McCarthy downplayed the game plan angle, saying the coaches spent a lot time on Friday and Saturday before the Eagles game prepping for the Falcons. The Packers were fortunate in that regard, as they knew exactly who they would play if they got past the Eagles.
Al: It also helps that they’ve recently been to the Georgia Dome and know what to expect from a crowd noise standpoint. Not that it’s worrying Mike McCarthy any, who called his team exceptional in that regard. McCarthy gave Aaron Rodgers and Scott Wells equal praise for their communication skills under such loud conditions. The ability to avoid false start penalties under these conditions will also be a critical factor – the Packers had 2 in the 4th quarter in their previous meeting.
Jayme: And one thing that pretty much everyone seems to agree on is that the Packers have to tackle better than they did the last time. Players, coaches, media members, bloggers, fans – you’ve heard it from all of them – the Packers tackling was awful against Atlanta. The Falcons had several 3rd and longs that were converted into first downs simply because several Packers missed tackles on the same play. A few of those were on the Falcons two TD drives. If the Packers want to win this game, the tackling MUST be better.
“News from the Packers Twitterverse”
Jayme: There has been a lot of speculation over the last few weeks over whether Dom Capers might get hired away for a head coaching job somewhere. Naturally, all Packers fans are selfishly hoping Capers has reached his highest level as a coach. Kyle Cousineau summed it up with this tweet: “Best news of the day: Broncos are hiring Jon Fox and didn’t wait for Dom Capers. Awesome.”
Al: Jeff Blumb ( @jeffblumb ) is the Packers Public Relations director. You would think that means he’s all over twitter at a breathtaking pace – but that’s not the way the Packers operate. His tweets are rather sporadic, but it does seem he still can’t resist taking shots at old #4. Blumb tweeted this week” Ed Werder making GB appearence this week. Off season football activities at Oak Grove High must not have started yet…
Jayme: 5 years ago this week, Mike McCarthy was named the new head coach of the Green Bay packers. A twitter user named @JarrettSamuels sent out this congratulatory tweet: “Happy 5 Year Anniversary to Mike McCarthy and the Packers. Like all relationships we’ve have had some ups and down but a ring would sure help…
Al: Packers fans were understandably upset this week with James Jones for letting that perfect pass from Aaron Rodgers bounce off his hands. After the game, Mike McCarthy revealed that Jones has been battling a painful thumb injury that they’ve kept off the injury report. To that, @cheesehead303 asked, “So Jones has a thumb he’s dealing with? The real question is, which one of his 10 is it?
And that folks, was your Cheesehead Radio tweet of the week…
Who Moved My Cheese Curds:
Well, as I was searching the various Packers sites for news items this week, I came across an article by Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press – Gazette. The title immediately moved my cheese curds.
Green Bay Packers running back James Starks’ humility holds in light of new stardom.
Stardom, Stardom? We’re talking about stardom? (sorry, Jim Mora) Now, I understand that the legend of James Starks has been a big sensation among packer FANS. Hell, we’ve had plenty of fun with it here on Cheesehead Radio. But Mike, you’re a professional journalist. You’re calling Starks a star after one good game?
Aren’t you journalists the ones that are supposed to temper our enthusiasm as rabid fans of the team? You know, when we get carried away with our overzealous praise, bring us back down to earth? When things are bad and despair is rampant in packernation maybe talk us all down from the ledge?
Yet here you are, joining the James Starks army. You’re calling him a star. After one good game. God, I miss Greg Bedard.
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Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.
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Just watched the first meeting with the Falcons. If MM can mix it up in the red zone in conjunction with a respectable running game, I think the Packers will pull this off. And of course, better special-teams play.
So… I made a mistake last night when I called in. I think I was only looking at Turner’s first half stats when I said he was 13 for 55. Seems he was actually 23 for 110 and a TD.
Oh well. Still a good answer from Adam.
It’s the offense, no dropped balls, no fumbles, take what Atlanta gives, use the deep throws only when the situation dictates, and above all other areas MM, play the offense for all four quarters.
Pedal to the metal and keep it htere.
Ron LC sez: “MM, play the offense for all four quarters.”
MM, that should be the Packer’s theme this week. “Four Quarters Football!”