Hail Aaron

Aaron Rodgers a bit excited after throwing the greatest pass of his life

Hail, Hail, the gang's alright! A win over the Lions usually isn't much to cheer about, but these Lions aren't your father's Lions. After the Lions matriarch Martha Ford took charge and made changes on the coaching staff that turned the Lions around starting with the win over the Packers at Lambeau Field the Lions won three in a row and were a force to be reckoned with. The win was a good win. This could be just what the up-and-down Packers need to finish the season strong.

 

Richard Rodgers making the greatest reception of his life

Take that all you Richard Rodgers haters. I said a few days ago that Aaron Rodgers needed to look for him because he and Justin Perillo, for that matter, were the only ones getting open and catching the ball.

 

It's seems the shoulder issues Aaron Rodgers has been fighting through may be over. That was one sweet, long and on the mark throw. With a healthy Rodgers the Packers have a chance to make their infamous December run to the playoffs and beyond.

 

However, we all thought the win over the Vikings was going to be that start, but it wasn't so next week against the Cowboys will be the real measure of what kind of character this team really has.

 

Let's hope the win is the start of the resurgence, but, sorry Vic and your no criticism dictum, the game against the Lions shows the Packers still have serious problems.

 

The running game is screwed up to put it mildly. Eddie Lacy finally seemed to poised to return to form, but evidently he slacked off during practice and was benched again after two straight 100-yard games. His future in Green Bay is in question.

 

James Starks looked good at first, but that seems to be a pattern this season. After a few good runs up the middle they throw in an off-tackle run that looses yardage on a key 3rd down and that is the end of the running game. Why won't anyone listen to me about deep-sixing that off-tackle play into the waters of Green Bay forever. I say it every week and they continue to run it at key moments to no, and I repeat, NO success.

 

The receivers continue to not get open. James Jones just lopes down the sideline these days, so he doesn't get open. Davante Adams is just screwed up right now. He drops passes. He needs to work through that like Jones did a few years ago.

 

Jeff Janis - well, nothing to be said about Jeff because Mike McCarthy hates him and I guess so does Aaron Rodgers. He threw one pass to him and over threw him and never threw to him again.

 

Jared Abbrederis is the only hope as he continues to recovered from his latest injury - ribs, without sauce. Ty Montgomery another promising young receiver is lost for the season it seems with an ankle injury that won't heal.

 

So it is left up to Randall Cobb, who was poised for a 100 catch season as the go-to replacement for Jordy Nelson, but when he came down with an AC joint sprain in the preseason game against the Eagles he hasn't been the same. He seems to just run at half speed hoping not to get open so he won't be hit. He needs to get over it and play like he is capable of. The Packers need him to set the tone.

 

Lane Taylor did a good job

Finally the offensive line is a mess. The starters weren't getting the job done when healthy, but now all of them are hurt. Lane Taylor did a good job replacing T. J. Lang at right guard, but Don Barclay had a rough night as Bryan Bulaga's replacement at right tackle. Josh Walker was forced into service at left tackle when David Bakhtiari was hurt and he gave up a crucial sack. Bakhtiari immediately sucked it up and came back in and did a great job the rest of the way. A game ball should be given to him for playing with a knee injury.

 

Another old complaint of mine. Wouldn't it be nice if an Ernie McMillian or Tootie Robbins were on the roster as experienced reserves instead of cheap undrafted free agents and castoffs.

 

Like I said I hope this is the beginning of something special after a special play, but there are systematic problems on defense and player problems on offense. If the Packers right their ship and win the Super Bowl let's hope Mike McCarthy should be named Coach of the Year. He would deserve it with all the problems this team has.