The Packer Pundit

Four keys to beating the Vikings
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
postcrescent.com

Force turnovers
As strong as the Packers' defense played in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, it was unable to force any turnovers, which was a major reason why the Packers lost the game. The defense has done a better job making interceptions than it has in previous years, and with a mistake-prone quarterback like Brad Johnson, who has thrown twice as many interceptions as touchdowns this season, the Packers could be in prime position to take advantage of sloppy play by Johnson. If the Packers can force some turnovers, they'll have a chance. If they don't, they'll likely be headed toward another loss.

No stupid plays
Mistakes are going to happen, but the Packers could maximize their chances of pulling off an upset if they don't try the risky plays that resulted in the loss at Buffalo. If the Packers are in another first-and-goal situation from the 1-yard line, it might not be a bad idea to hand the ball to Ahman Green a couple times. While the aforementioned play was coach Mike McCarthy's fault, the same thing applies to Brett Favre, who threw an interception that was run back for a touchdown. The Packers were able to play mostly mistake-free on offense during the wins over the Dolphins and Cardinals, but when they start trying stupid plays, wins become scarce.

Make every field goal
The last five regular-season matchups between the Packers and Vikings have been settled by three or fewer points. In 2004, the Packers won both games on Ryan Longwell field goals, and in 2005, the Vikings won both games on Paul Edinger field goals. The Vikings have an advantage at kicker with Longwell, who has had the opportunity to make more than his share of game-winning kicks. The Packers have been happy with the progress of Dave Rayner, but he has not had to make a kick in a pressure situation. With these games being so tight over the last few years, the Packers have to make the most of every opportunity at points.

Rattle Brad Johnson
The Packers' defensive line had one of its best games on Sunday, when it sacked Buffalo's J.P. Losman five times. Aaron Kampman is having a monster season with an NFL-high 9½ sacks, and Corey Williams also has had a strong showing with five sacks. Several sacks came at key times against the Bills and stopped drives. The Packers need to do more of that against the Vikings. -- Story






Mike McCarthy column:
Headset technology
Keeps offense in tune
By Mike McCarthy
Whether you're at the game or watching on TV, I'm sure most of you have seen me hold my play sheet over my mouth and call a play into the microphone attached to my headset, with quarterback Brett Favre listening on his helmet speaker. That communication system has been around the NFL for about a dozen years, and we utilize it efficiently in the way we run our offense.

Getting the play into Brett quickly is important to how we do things. Our goal is for Brett to be able to call the play and break the huddle with 18 seconds left on the play clock and get to the line of scrimmage with 15 seconds left. That puts the burden on me to get him the play well before that, because timely play entry creates several advantages. For one, the more time Brett has at the line of scrimmage to survey the defense, the better opportunity he has to check to another option within the play that was called. Not all of our called plays have different options. It's a minority of plays called within a given game that require Brett to look at the defense and make a decision. But those few times we call them, he needs the time to decide whether he should run the ball to the other side of the field, or switch to a different running play, or change from a run to a pass play or vice versa. It's a best play-available mind-set, and that's how we install our offense. Brett is skilled at recognizing defenses. What he learns about an opponent in the film room during the week becomes easily recognizable on the field, because he has so much experience reading different defenses. He's also skilled at recognizing when a defense is bluffing with a certain look and when it's showing the real call. -- More





Barnett adds plays to numbers
Middle linebacker comes up with answers for critics
By RICK BRAUN / Packer Plus writer
Posted: Nov. 9, 2006
For three seasons Nick Barnett kept putting up the numbers for the Green Bay Packers. As a rookie in 2003, the middle linebacker posted 134 tackles. As a second-year man he pumped that total to 162. And as a third-year man a year ago he pushed that total to a whopping 194, a single-season franchise record. But, his critics would say, where were the big plays? Sure Barnett was recording a lot of tackles. But he wasn't a game changer. Well, Barnett is answering his critics this season. Yes, he's still putting up numbers in the tackle department, although his 70 through eight games is one behind rookie A.J. Hawk. But he's not just settling for simply getting tackles. In the turnover department, Barnett has two interceptions and a fumble recovery. And in what might have been his best game as a Packer, Barnett also recorded 1½ sacks and two passes defensed in the Packers' 31-14 victory over Arizona on Oct. 29. That came a week after he had an interception among three passes defensed in the 34-24 victory at Miami. Down the field, in the backfield and sideline to sideline, Barnett is proving to be a force in 2006. -- More








Meet Cherie
Oakland Raiders Cheerleader

Cherie is currently attending Santa Rosa Junior College, where she has been honored on the Dean's List for her academic achievements. In addition to her studies, she participates competitively with the school's cheerleading squad. Cherie plans to attend U.C. Davis in the future, where she would like to earn not only a bachelor's degree, but would like to receive her master's in business as well. Raiderette Director Karen Kovac recognizes Cherie's drive and commitment to the squad and the Junior Raiderette program, two qualities that have helped her receive this week's honor. "Cherie is in her second season as a Raiderette and brings genuine warmth and caring to all that she does. She is a well-liked by her peers and is easy to coach. I can count on Cherie's consistency and commitment to always doing her best on and off the field," said Kovac. "Cherie is a wonderful role model for our Junior Raiderettes. The young girls look up to her and have a blast working with her in rehearsal and on game day. She is one of the reasons our Raiderettes are held in high esteem throughout our community," said Kovac.

Cherie has been very involved in other aspects of competition throughout the years as well. While in high school, she was a member of the cheerleading squad, where she was named the senior MVP award. She is an experienced kickboxer and has received a brown belt in the sport and has accolades in the sport. "I love performing; dancing is my passion. I have always been a dancer and not one other performance could compare to game day!" Cherie says about performing for the Raiderettes. "The feeling of being out in the field cheering on the Raiders is such an honor and I will cherish it forever. Plus I have made 39 bonds with all my sisters on the team, a bond I could find nowhere else than here being part of the Raiderettes." She was involved in school leadership for three years, including a two-year stint as class treasurer, her time as captain of her cheer squad during her senior year and her Academic Excellence Award for her work in Biology.