The Packer Pundit

In Da News today has two major themes...
1) How totally Sucky our Oline played last week
2) How will manning's injury effect this weeks game

Favre believes in O-line
By Rob Demovsky and Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com

"Can we make a living doing that every week? Probably not, But I believe in those guys. I think every quarterback would love to drop back and not have pressure and go through his reads, but if called upon, you've got to make plays. But I'm not concerned."
-- Brett Favre

The Philadelphia Eagles sacked Brett Favre four times and recorded 11 hits on the quarterback in Sunday's game. Despite taking a beating, the Green Bay Packers quarterback expressed faith his offensive line will protect him better in the future. "I believe in our offensive line," Favre said Wednesday during his weekly news conference. The Packers returned all five offensive line starters from last year and were banking on that the same unit that struggled early last season but improved as the year went on would take another step forward. Against the Eagles, however, the line struggled in pass protection and didn't open many holes for a running game that produced 46 yards rushing and averaged 2.7 yards per carry. More >>


Difference between Giants QBs
Manning, Lorenzen is huge
By Pete Dougherty / greenbaypressgazette.com
The Green Bay Packers probably won't know until game day whether quarterback Eli Manning will play against them on Sunday. Considering Manning's excellent performance Sunday against Dallas before he injured his throwing shoulder, his status has overriding importance, because the dropoff to his inexperienced backup, Jared Lorenzen, could be huge. Manning sustained an injury to his throwing (right) shoulder Sunday night that prevented him from finishing the Giants' 45-35 loss to the Cowboys. More >>





Giants' Quarterback Question
Won't Distract Packers
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 09/12/2007
While the Packers have to spend some time this week watching film of the New York Giants' two quarterbacks - starter Eli Manning and backup Jared Lorenzen - their defensive preparation isn't focused as much on any individual as on the Giants' scheme. It's unclear whether Manning will play on Sunday after sustaining a shoulder injury last week in Dallas. Medical reports have indicated there is no structural damage to his right (throwing) shoulder, so his availability likely will come down to how he feels on Sunday morning. If he can't play, Lorenzen would start in his place. Lorenzen replaced Manning for the conclusion of last week's game in Dallas, though Manning said that if the Giants had been within one score, he would have gone back in to try to win the game. But rather than try to guess which quarterback it will be, the Packers are simply focusing on the Giants' offense (which will be missing starting running back Brandon Jacobs, who has a knee injury), and they're putting together a game plan based on that, and not the quarterback. More >>


Packers Hope To Continue Road Success
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 09/12/2007
As the Packers hit the road for the first time in 2007, they do so not only with a win under their belt and a five-game winning streak dating back to last December. They also do so with a history of playing well on the road under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. In his first season as head coach last year, McCarthy posted a 5-3 road record, the most road wins in franchise history by a coach in his first year. McCarthy has joked that the cramped quarters of visiting locker rooms have brought his team closer together and contributed to their success on the road. While there may be a kernel of truth to that, McCarthy also has set up a road schedule for the players that fosters some team camaraderie. On the Saturday before a road game, the team takes care of its meetings and walk-thrus at Lambeau Field prior to heading to the airport, and upon arriving in the visiting city, the players have a few hours to go out to dinner together before an evening team meeting at the hotel. "I think it's a positive when guys go out to dinner together, because they're doing things together, and it's all part of building that chemistry," McCarthy said. "I think that may also help." More >>




Coston may start for Spitz
Unit seeks Improvement
By GREG A. BEDARD / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 12, 2007
Green Bay - With injuries and inexperience rampant at running back and wide receiver, it wasn't surprising the Green Bay Packers had trouble moving the ball in the season-opening victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. That the offensive linemen contributed much to the slow start was, however, eye opening - even to them. "I'm surprised that we struggled," starting center Scott Wells said Wednesday. "We were obviously a little disappointed that we didn't play as well as we'd like to." More >>


Barnett to be charged in June altercation
By GREG A. BEDARD / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 12, 2007
Green Bay - Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett will be charged with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct related to the altercation he had at an Appleton bar in June, the lead prosecutor said Wednesday. Even if he is convicted, it is highly unlikely Barnett will face a suspension from the National Football League. More >>




Giants' Manning could play Sunday
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
GREEN BAY — New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin isn't quite sure who'll suit up for his team's game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, but he isn't ruling out quarterback Eli Manning, who suffered a right shoulder injury in last week's loss to Dallas. Manning did not practice Wednesday but "worked on the side a little bit," taking snaps, making a few handoffs and throwing light passes, Coughlin said during a conference call with Wisconsin reporters. "Some of what he was doing was very encouraging," Coughlin said. In addition to Manning, defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who hurt a knee in the first quarter against Dallas, also is listed as day-to-day. Starting halfback Brandon Jacobs will be out up to a month with a knee injury, while kicker Lawrence Tynes did not practice Wednesday because of a calf injury. More >>