Friday, April 29, 2005

Days of our Packers

From the comments yesterday, people want to hear more about the Packers (thanks for playing along everybody). Since the first mini-camp just started, it seems appropriate to discuss them anyway. First, I must plug SBG's site as I was asked for some advice for his upcoming wedding and marriage. Give him a look.

The off-field issues have dominated the headlines with Al Harris, Ahman Green, Javon Walker and Bubba Franks. The Al Harris situation is a crock. This will amount to a big pile of nothing. The cops are saying there is a lot that is unfounded in this whole fiasco and Al just did the stupid thing of putting himself in a situation he never should have been in the first place.

Ahman Green has some serious anger issues that he needs to address. He has had far too many "domestic problems" for his young life. The Packers need to make him go through anger management classes and do what they can to help him. I am not of the same mind of other Packer fans who say "Think of the image of the Packers and the damage this is doing, so we need to cut him". Sorry, I think we should help those who need help, not just ship them off elsewhere for someone else to deal with.

Javon Walker hired Drew Rosenholdout for his agent and now wants the Packers to "show him the money". Problem is, the Packers don't have what Javon wants to see this year in terms of money. Everybody knows that the Packers have cap problems and are just getting to the point where things are reasonable. Next year, the Packers will have approx $15M to spend and Javon will get a bigger payday if he just waited. Needless to say, at least he has given the Packers plenty of warning to get this worked out and Thompson will make something happen to get him in by training camp for sure.

Bubba Bubba Bubba, not sure why he's so upset with getting his pay doubled with the transition tag. Another guy who wants to be "shown the money" and is, but wants more. Just like with Walker, he needs to see that next year there will be more $ available. He'll come in for training camp also. Nobody is knocking on his door right now to sign him for what he's asking for, maybe he should pay more attention to the sound of silence.

I have to say that even with the loss of Sharper, the Packers' secondary is deeper and more athletic than last year. The Pack went out and get players that have a proven track record of tackling, the biggest issue from last year. Combined with the higher level of intelligence of Bates, this unit is going to be better.

Favre was asked to skip this mini-camp so that he can stay home with his wife and family. However, I believe this was only part of the reason. Sherman needs to know exactly what he has to work with for the future and having Nall and O'Sullivan take reps now is huge. Rodgers needs to get some work this weekend also. If Favre was at this camp, none of these guys would get the reps that both they and the coaches need to see. Let's be honest here, Favre doesn't need the reps. This was a good coaching move by Sherman.

The Crew finally beat the damn Cardinals behind a great pitching effort by Capuano, so he get's the game ball.

Tune in next week when we'll hear how Grog's road trip was with the Brewers, how my softball tourney went (along with a picture of our new jerseys), and other news. Have a good weekend!

7 comments:

SBG said...

Thanks, CC! Your answers were very good and fit great with the others! It was a fun piece to put together.

Anonymous said...

No more Packers talk! Back to chips and chocolate! Who cares about the Packers!

Cheesehead Craig said...

SBG - Always willing to help, we'll have to do that again sometime.

Shane - Go back to eating chips and chocolate, you need to add some pounds anyway. Enjoy your Viking ownership and stadium situation!

Anonymous said...

Ohhh ... low blow ... low blow. Now I am depressed.

Cheesehead Craig said...

Glad you are enjoying the site GEB, feel free to stop by anytime.

John said...

Excellent Packers analysis. This site is a must-read for the well informed Packer Backer.

Show me the money? Right now I'm vying for my first job, a summer position to help pay for college. If I get it I'll be making 12 bucks an hour, and I'm pumped! Some of these guys need to step back and take stock in real life.

Cheesehead Craig said...

I think that all Drew causes is team disharmony and alienates the players he represents. I was really hoping that the MM situation was the last we would see of him. I bet that all the GM's start swearing when they find out he represents a player.