Tell Us Something We Don't Know

We Know

While surfing the web I came across a story about the 15 most disappointing NFL teams and listed No. 1 at the top of the list with no reservation was the Green Bay Packers. REALLY, tell me and the Packer Backers of Southern Illinois and the rest of civilized society something we don't know.

The danger signs of the worse season since Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback in 2008 started day one of the preseason. Evidently the Northwest Collapse shook Coach Mike McCarthy to his core because everything he had done his first nine seasons at the helm he abandoned in his 10th.

First, Rodgers didn't hardly play in the preseason sitting out the final two games totally. In fact, most of the offensive starters were pulled right after Jordy Nelson went down, including the offensive line never suiting up as a unit since the start of the second game until opening day. I think that was a mistake as far as chemistry is concerned, since the offense has had NO chemistry all season.

You might say it worked since the Packers started 6-0, but even during that stretch the offense began to go off the rails in the fourth game against the 49ers and has never been back on the tracks the rest of the season.

He Knows

Rodgers has been off his game at least since he got scared in game eight against the Panthers when he missed a wide open Randall Cobb to tie the game. He has overthrown and out-right missed open receivers. In fact, when I was watching another game last Sunday and the quarterback threw a back-shoulder pass I had forgot that used to be Rodgers' bread and butter pass because he hasn't throw that pass all season.

Like I said yesterday Rodgers threw a horrible pass behind James Jones in the endzone Sunday that was intercepted when he normally would have led Jones for an easy TD. Rodgers is totally screwed up mentally. I don't know what has happened, but it is obvious something has and the coaching staff is doing nothing to help him.

Happier Days

The wide receivers have let Rodgers and the entire team down, especially Randall Cobb. because he has trouble getting open when that used to be his strength. James Jones has been a good replacement for Nelson with 8 TD catches, but he has trouble getting separation. Davante Adams has been a big disappointment with drops and getting open deep after coming off a great rookie season. The lost of No. 3 draft pick Ty Montgomery has hurt and the lack of trust in Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis has also hurt.

Richard Rodgers Has Not Been a Disappointment

The lone bright spot in the passing game has been tight end Richard Rodgers, who is the second leading receiver with 58 catches (just 3 catches behind Jermichael Finlay's season record of 61) for 510 yards and 8 TDs (3 behind Paul Coffman's season record of 11). The only problem with Richie Rodgers is he's slow and Aaron Rodgers doesn't have a lot of time to wait for him to get open, but somehow Richie and Aaron have found each other enough.

The offensive line is another matter. It has been decimated by injuries to the tackles and bad play from the All-Pro guards and a very solid sophomore center. Guards Josh Sitton and T. J. Lang and center Cory Linsley have had to hold too many times to make up for bad blocking. JC Tretter did a good job when he had to play when Linsley was hurt and when he had to play right tackle, but the other reserves, Don Barclay, Lane Taylor and Josh Walker leave a lot to be desired.

The running game has also been a disappointment, especially Eddie Lacy who had a chance to tie John Brockington as the only Packers running backs to rush for a 1,000 or more his first 3 three seasons. He has been running tentative half the time and hard-charging the other half. I think part of the problem or maybe the main problem has been the offensive line and lack of holes.

To sum it up I have been disappointed with the Packers offense all season and sadly after Sunday night don't see any improvement on the horizon unless the fourth quarter awakening means something. Let's hope it does.