The Packer Pundit

Back to fundamentals
McCarthy said he would give veterans some time off during the bye week, but the team's practices will focus on fundamentals in all three phases of the game. "Every time we go and play, those are the root of our improvements and the root of our corrections are fundamentals," he said. "It's always the little stuff. "We're getting better in a lot of them, most of them actually, but there are still some things we need to get cleaned up, and we'll continue to work." Most of that fundamental work will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, the practices from which select veterans will be excused, much like certain days during training camp. Thursday's practice will be the first preparation for the Miami game on Oct. 22. McCarthy emphasized often during training camp that the goal was for the team to improve each day, and without an opponent to prepare for this week, much of the focus in practice turns internal once again.

Super sub
Noah Herron's 106 yards rushing on Sunday were notable not only because they marked Herron's first 100-yard game in the NFL, but also because he came off the bench to deliver that performance. According to Elias Sports Bureau, over the past 20 years only four Packers players rushed for a higher total in a game they did not start. They were Brent Fullwood with 118 yards (Oct. 9, 1988, vs. New England in Milwaukee), De'Mond Parker with 113 yards (Dec. 5, 1999, at Chicago), Darick Holmes with 111 yards (Nov. 15, 1998, at N.Y. Giants) and Samkon Gado with 111 yards (Nov. 27, 2005, at Philadelphia).

Injury update
McCarthy said offensive guard Jason Spitz had been throwing up before Sunday's game, and when he experienced some irritation in his throat, he was sent to a local hospital for tests. An endoscope was used to check Spitz's throat, and "everything is fine," McCarthy said. Spitz will be listed as questionable for the Miami game because of the throat ailment. Other injuries from Sunday's game include Chad Clifton (shoulder), Nick Collins (head), Cullen Jenkins (ankle), Brandon Miree (eye), and Charles Woodson (knee and ribs). "They'll all be questionable for Miami," McCarthy said. Clifton's injury occurred on the final play of Sunday's game, but McCarthy didn't think it was serious. Collins had been hit in the head on a pass completion late in the fourth quarter but returned to the game. Woodson was injured early in the game but played through it. Jenkins left the game in the second quarter, did not return and was on crutches afterwards.





Stunt led to fumble
By JASON WILDE / madison.com
If the interior of the Green Bay Packers' offensive line had picked up the stunt pulled by St. Louis Rams defensive tackles La'Roi Glover and Jimmy Kennedy on the decisive play of Sunday's 23-20 loss, quarterback Brett Favre would have been able to step up and hit wide-open tight end David Martin for the winning touchdown. At least, that's what coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski saw when they watched the film of the play Monday morning. The inside pressure from Kennedy, who beat rookie right guard Tony Moll, prevented Favre from being able to move up in the pocket and avoid Leonard Little, who got around right tackle Mark Tauscher and swatted the ball out of Favre's hand. Rams defensive back Jerametrius Butler recovered at the Green Bay 13-yard line to preserve the final score. -- More



McCarthy staying the course
Robinson won't alter game plan
By Tom Silverstein / journalsentinel.com

"I view it just like any other player. Part of our game is you may lose a player to injury or so forth as you look at the 53(-man roster). We knew the situation with Koren when we brought him in here, so we're just going to keep preparing professionally, get him more involved in the offense. We've done that each week." -- Mike McCarthy

Regardless of whether receiver Koren Robinson is going to be suspended before the season ends, the Green Bay Packers intend to operate as though he'll be here the entire year and get the most out of him they can. According to published reports, Robinson has been informed by the National Football League that he will be suspended for a year for violating the league's substance-abuse policy for a third time. Robinson has the option of appealing the suspension - which the reports say he did - and any penalty levied against him won't go into effect until the appeal is ruled upon. -- More



Playing against the clock
By JASON WILDE / madison.com
The Green Bay Packers are going to put as much into coaching Koren Robinson and get as much out of the wide receiver as they can in the coming weeks, even though they know his season could end at any moment. Robinson learned recently that he will be suspended for one year for his third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, but he can continue playing until his appeal is heard and adjudicated. His situation was first reported by Fox on its pregame show Sunday and confirmed through NFL and team sources. -- More

Making Play At Critical Time Is 'Final Hurdle'
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com

"We're sitting there with the tie playing to win, and we didn't come out with either. We need to make a play there." -- Mike McCarthy

To Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the fumble at the 11-yard line on the final offensive play of Sunday's 23-20 loss to the St. Louis Rams accurately depicts the next step the 2006 Packers need to take. "To me that's a perfect play that illustrates (how) their defense had a chance to make a play and we were given a chance on offense to make a play to win the game," McCarthy said at his news conference on Monday. "They made the play, we did not. That's the final hurdle we need to get over." McCarthy emphasized that wasn't the only opportunity the Packers had to beat the Rams, and all the missed opportunities throughout the course of the game are why the Packers are 1-4 rather than 2-3 heading into their bye week. But the final play was certainly the best chance to pull the game out, both in terms of the late-game timing and what was developing. -- More




Haunted by missed opportunities
Interceptions could have turned game in Packers' favor
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com

"Man, you just have to take advantage of opportunities," safety Nick Collins said. "Once we do that, I think things will fall in our favor. Everybody is taking this pretty hard. It was right in front of us. We had an opportunity to win the game and we didn't and everyone is down." Not injuries, not play calling, not the wind, not a short week of work, not the run game, not the young offensive line, youth in general nor any assistant coach. Sorry. This time the Green Bay Packers have only themselves to blame for the pitiful loss to St. Louis, simple as A,B,C, one, two three.

One dropped interception by A.J. Hawk.
A second dropped interception by Al Harris.
A third dropped interception by Charles Woodson.

These defenders - fifth overall draft pick Hawk, veteran cover man Harris and Pro Bowl veteran Woodson - are the very people whom the Packers want to be in a position to make big plays. An interception by any of them would have stolen the momentum, instantly made life easier for their offense and perhaps uplifted the collective attitude of this entire franchise headed into bye week. The Packers secondary was flagged quite a bit and once had too many men on the field, and on offense there were also mistakes and plenty of missed chances, but the final outcome could have been in the hands of an interceptor, and they just couldn't hold on. The outcome was in their hands, and they just couldn't hold on. -- More




Green remains No. 1
Herron OK, but coaches want more
By Tom Silverstein / journalsentinel.com

"We have to get Ahman back on the field. That's going to be the key. I believe that once he gets back on the field when he's healthy, he will be fine because now these guys (the offensive linemen) are starting to see it. They're starting to get it." -- Offensive Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski

As productive as Noah Herron was running the football Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, the Green Bay Packers figure they could have been significantly better had Ahman Green been taking those carries. Coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski both praised Herron for getting every yard he could in his 20-carry, 106-yard performance but they also wondered how many more yards Green would have gained on a day when the run blocking finally came together. Herron navigated well through the holes the line created, but he managed only two rushes of more than 10 yards and had a long carry of 19. It was the first time this season that the zone blocking system the Packers are employing worked close to the way it is supposed to. Missing from Herron's performance were the big gainers that break a defense's back and force it to start employing more defenders near the line of scrimmage. -- More







Favre no longer
Comeback King
By Jeremy Reeves
Special to The Capital Times
Thirty-five. Prior to Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams at Lambeau Field, that was the number of times Brett Favre had rallied the Green Bay Packers to victory from a fourth-quarter deficit or tie since arriving in this northern NFL outpost in 1992. So, at first glance, one might have thought the odds of Favre orchestrating comeback win No. 36 would have been fairly decent when the Packers took possession at their own 21-yard line trailing 23-20 with 2 minutes, 46 seconds and one timeout remaining. Not so long ago, giving Favre the football in such a situation usually meant the kiss of death for Packers' opponents. Unfortunately for Green and Gold fans, those days are long gone. -- More






'07 NFL Draft:
Weekend in Review
By TFY Draft Preview
After falling behind early the Tennessee Volunteers lit up during the second half and pulled off a huge upset in Athens against conference rival Georgia. Erik Ainge, already getting plenty of looks by NFL scouts, had another strong game totaling 268-yards passing while connecting on a pair of touchdown tosses. Unlikely to enter April's draft, Ainge is setting himself up to be one of the highest rated passers for the 2008 event. On the line of scrimmage Arron Sears more then held his own against Georgia's outstanding pass rushing tandem of Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses. Sears performance yesterday will likely give him serious first round consideration, something we feel he deserves. On the flip-side red flags must start to be raised on Moses. The vaunted pass rusher who was rated by several scouting services as the top senior prospect in the nation, recorded just two tackles and assisted on one tackle for loss. Moses has a single sack to his credit this season. -- More















Meet Kaitlin
Minnesota Vikings
Cheerleader

Education or Profession:
Education: Kaitlin is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities.
Occupation: Full-time student.

Professional or Future Goals:
Personal goals: To get married, have children, stay close to her friends and family and be happy and healthy.
Career goals: Graduate from the University of Minnesota with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, go on to graduate school and start her own chiropractic business.

Accomplishments:
Being selected to the MVC!

Hobbies:
Watching movies with friends, spending time with her family, and just recently, her sister taught her how to knit.

Her experience as a Vikings Cheerleader:
Years on Team: Rookie
What are you looking forward to most this year as an MVC? Kaitlin is most looking forward to is running out of the tunnel for the first game. Kaitlin is also looking forward to meeting and performing for some of the best fans in the NFL!

Fun and Interesting Facts:
Hometown: St Cloud, MN
Marital Status: Single
Children/Pets: Kaitlin has a black Shih Tzu-Poodle named Homer.
Three words to describe self: Optimistic, fun-loving and determined
Place you would most like to visit: Australia
Favorite Food: Kaitlin has a huge sweet tooth so she loves Starburst (especially the lemon flavor) and Dove chocolates!
Favorite Vikings Player: Kenechi Udeze because he is an incredibly talented player and he has done wonderful things for children within the community.
Favorite part of practice: Kaitlin loves every minute of practice and she is grateful that she gets to spend three nights a week with 31 wonderful women for the next year of her life.

Fact that many people do not know about you: Kaitlin would rather sit on the couch with a huge bowl of popcorn and have a marathon of movies with my closest friends on a Friday night than go to a wild party. I Heart This Girl!!! *swooon*