10/12/2007
First Loss Not Lingering
There's an old saying in sports that you can't let a team beat you twice. For the Green Bay Packers, that's not a reference to their rematch with the Chicago Bears on Dec. 23, when they'll get a chance head-to-head to avenge their 27-20 loss last Sunday. It actually applies to this week, meaning the Packers can't let that loss to the Bears lead to another defeat, by dwelling on a game they clearly let slip away to their arch-rivals. "It's just one step back," tight end Bubba Franks said. "It's not like we took two steps back. It was only one game. We felt like we should have won the game, but overall they scored more points than we did. You take it, you learn from it, and you move on to the next game." That next game is against the 3-1 Washington Redskins, another NFC team like the 4-1 Packers off to a strong start. It's a game that could have significant tiebreaker implications in playoff scenarios as the season unfolds, something the Packers know all too well after losing the final NFC Wild Card spot last season on a convoluted tiebreaker with the New York Giants. [More]
McCarthy chides team for 'sloppy' play
GREEN BAY -- Few would have predicted that the Green Bay Packers would be 4-1 heading into Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins. But despite their surprising success, Packers coach Mike McCarthy had some pointed words for his players on Wednesday. "Our house is a little sloppy," McCarthy said. "I talked about it with the team today." Of course, turning the ball over five times and committing 12 penalties, as the Packers did in their 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, will do that to a coach. "We feel that we lost the game," McCarthy said. "We feel that we weren't beaten in that game. That, in itself, is more disappointing. The encouraging thing is that all of that is something that you can correct. At the end of the day we need to keep focused." [More]Favre says suspended receiver Robinson
deserves another chance
GREEN BAY -- As NFL officials review Koren Robinson's petition for reinstatement from a one-year suspension, the troubled wide receiver has a prominent teammate firmly in his corner. Brett Favre. Favre said Wednesday that he spoke with Robinson earlier this week and came away believing Robinson is serious about cleaning up his act and should be given another chance. "Now, I'm a little bit biased, obviously," Favre said. "But I think he's done everything he's been asked to do, and it's time to set a good example -- that you can resurrect not only your career, but your life. I mean, there's still a lot left for him to do on and off the field, but give the guy an opportunity." [More]Collins a mix of sweet and sour
GREEN BAY — At one time or another, coach Mike McCarthy, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer all have said the same thing about Nick Collins: They believe he is a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Is he? Certainly, the Green Bay Packers' third-year safety has shown flashes of his talent and athleticism. In fact, there was one such moment in Sunday night's loss to Chicago, when he leaped to tip an underthrown pass intended for tight end Greg Olsen to linebacker Brady Poppinga for an interception. Of course, Olsen was behind Collins on the play, and had the ball been on target, it likely would have been a big gain, like the 27-yard pickup Olsen had against him, or the 30-yard catch-and-run halfback Adrian Peterson had in the flat when Collins blew the coverage. [More]
Coston's job safe for now
Guard struggled against Bears
Green Bay - Even though he's coming off probably his worst game in four starts this season, Green Bay Packers right guard Junius Coston is in no danger of losing his job. It's not just because backup Jason Spitz is starting at center this week in place of Scott Wells and No. 3 man Tony Palmer is out for the season with a neck injury. The Packers are sticking with Coston because they think he's the best man for the job. "What is this, four games?" offensive line coach James Campen said. "I don't think it (the Chicago game) was a setback because he's a guy that just needs to play. He did some better things the weeks before. He was not the only guy to allow (Lance) Briggs to have all those tackles. "Is there concern? Absolutely, there is as there would be for anybody. But generally speaking he continues to work and he'll improve that part of his game and get better. He has a lot of potential." [More]
Jennings still hamstrung
GREEN BAY — Being the good dad that he is, Greg Jennings loves to spend as much quality time with his 9-month-old daughter, Amya, as possible. So just what have the Green Bay Packers wide receiver and his little one been doing together lately? Watching film. Not Sesame Street, not Blue's Clues, not Dora the Explorer — DVDs of upcoming opposing defenses. "Sometimes, we watch what she wants to watch," Jennings joked Thursday. Such is the price Jennings — and Amya — must pay because Daddy's sore hamstring (and shoulder) are limiting his practice time during the week. [More]
Penalties costly for Packers
Mistakes have led to several first downs
Green Bay - If the first downs they have been handing out to opponents earned them some credit, the Green Bay Packers could feel a little better about their generosity. But these kinds of charitable gifts can't be written off. As their 27-20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday and their near-miss the week before in Minnesota showed, the Packers are giving away too much because of penalties. No team in the National Football League has given up more first downs because of penalty than the Packers and only three have given up more yardage through the first five weeks of the season. The Packers are averaging 59.4 yards and 3.2 first downs allowed on an average of seven penalties a game. [More]Published by PackerPundit On Friday, October 12, 2007 at 5:52 AM.
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