AllGreenBayPackers.Com

Mike McCarthy wants LT Chad Clifton to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy made no mistake about his team’s desire to be 15-1, and he might get to try out a few players in the process, including left tackle Chad Clifton, against the Detroit Lions in Week 17.

McCarthy said Monday that the Packers are preparing to “win the game” and that sweeping the NFC North is an important goal to accomplish.

“We have every intention of being 15-1 come Sunday afternoon,” McCarthy said.

No mention was made about how long his starters will play, but McCarthy did say that he wants Clifton, who’s been out since injuring his hamstring in Week 5, to practice this week and play in Sunday’s game. McCarthy acknowledged the importance of Clifton seeing live action before the playoffs begin, and this week represents the last of those opportunities.

The Packers will also look to get more playing time for both Vic So’oto and Jamari Lattimore at outside linebacker, a position that opposite of Clay Matthews has been nothing short of a disaster this season. McCarthy said that So’oto earned his opportunity to play on Sunday, and Frank Zombo’s healthy scratch was partly due to special teams.  Read more... (531 words + 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers led all vote getters in the Pro Bowl's fan voting.

Packers fans, your voice has been heard.

Nine Green Bay Packers lead their respective positions in total fan votes for the 2012 Pro Bowl, which clears the first of three hurdles in the NFL’s process to select each conference’s 43-man roster. Fan voting consists of one-third of the consensus, with players and coaches each counting for a third. Fan voting ended this week.

The following Packers led their respective position: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (1,581, 982 votes), fullback John Kuhn (322,260), left tackle Chad Clifton (392, 106), guard T.J. Lang (327,740), center Scott Wells (463,693), cornerback Charles Woodson (763,198), safety Morgan Burnett (223,292), kicker Mason Crosby (184,665) and special teamer Jarrett Bush (134,696).

Rodgers led all vote getters with 1,581,982 votes. He leads the NFL in passing touchdowns and passer rating this season.

The Packers led all NFL teams with nine top vote getters, with the Baltimore Ravens (six) and New England Patriots (five) the next two closest teams.

NFL players and coaches submit their votes on December 21-22, and NFL Network will air the 2012 Pro Bowl selections next Tuesday, December 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET.  Read more... (269 words + 1 image, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Crow.  It tastes like chicken.

Or maybe bratwurst?

Anyway, as has now been logged for posterity on this fine website, last week I thought the Packers would go down 28-24 to the Giants and thus ending their 17 game winning streak dating back to last season. The final score was close (38-35) but the outcome was reverse as the Packers won in thrilling, last minute fashion.

Truthfully, I don’t think I have ever been happier to be wrong.

More importantly, I learned a very valuable lesson as I wipe egg off my face: I believe in the 2011 Green Bay Packers.  The team had not been tested quite like this and the way Aaron Rodgers imposed his will on that final drive against a good but wounded Giants defense opened my eyes as wide as saucers.

I had a fair amount of doubts that this team could go the distance due to a leaky defense and with injuries affecting the linebacking position.  I thought the law of averages would catch up with Rodgers and the offense would finally struggle.  Read more... (873 words + 1 image, estimated 3:30 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Mason Crosby Game Winning Field Goal Against the Giants

Mason Crosby kicked a walk-off field goal for the Packers on Sunday. It happened right in front of me, as the picture to the right (which I took) will attest.

Crosby jogged onto the field, glanced over at me in the second row, set himself, calmly hit the game-winning field goal and then turned to give me a raucous two handed middle-finger salute.

Of course, it didn’t really happen that way, but symbolically, it might as well have.

Anyone who reads this blog knows or has heard me on CheeseheadRadio should know that I haven’t been the biggest of Crosby fans. For the uninitiated, here’s a brief history of my writings on the subject of Crosby:

August 2, 2009: I call for some training camp competition for Crosby.

March 2010: I railed about Crosby doubling his salary by reaching what must have been some fluff incentives after a bad 2009 season.

March 17, 2011: I did give Crosby a B grade for the 2010 season, mainly on his performance over the Packers’ Super Bowl run.  Read more... (610 words + 1 image, estimated 2:26 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

The Green Bay Packers ran their unbeaten streak to 12 games this season and 18 overall as quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a game-winning drive during the final minute to help Green Bay secure a 38-35 win over the New York Giants Sunday from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Here are five observations from the game:

1. Cross it off

What hasn’t Aaron Rodgers done in 2011? He can officially cross a game-winning drive off the list. After Eli Manning’s short touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks (and ensuing two-point conversion) tied the game at 35, Rodgers took over at his own 20-yard-line with 58 seconds left and one timeouts. Rodgers hasn’t been in that situation yet this season, but he was calm and razor sharp as he completed all four of his passes—including three of 18 yards or more—to set the Packers up for a 30-yard field goal try. Mason Crosby banged home the kick as the fourth quarter clock expired to push the Packers to 12-0.

In a season full of important drives, Rodgers’ last minute masterpiece was far-and-away the most impressive and important. If they hadn’t already, the engravers for the NFL MVP trophy can begin putting in Rodgers’ name with confidence.  Read more... (1356 words + 1 image, estimated 5:25 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Most of you probably thought the Packers would beat the Bucs on Sunday, but how many of you thought BJ Raji would have more fantasy points than Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant combined? How many of you thought Tim Masthay would fumble twice on the same play, then run for a first down? How many of you thought Mason Crosby would see his field goal streak ended on a measly 29-yard attempt?

If any one of you is raising your hand, you’re lying.

Sunday’s win over the  Bucs featured several moments that made me wonder if the Packers were just doing things to amuse themselves. But in the end, it turned out to be a seriously competitive game, probably more competitive than it needed to be.

Time for the stock report.

Rising

Aaron Rodgers
After going 23 for 34 for 299 yards, 3 TDs and a QB rating of  112.3, Rodgers spent most of his postgame news conference talking about how frustrated he was with how he played. Rodgers missed a few open receivers and threw an uncharacteristic fourth quarter interception, but if Sunday was an “off” game for No. 12, the sky is the limit for this offense.  Read more... (595 words + 1 image, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny

Photo: Mark Hoffman, Journal Sentinel

The Green Bay Packers (10-0) held a tenuous two-point lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) late in the fourth quarter Sunday, but a third down scoring play from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson and a pair of interceptions from Tramon Williams helped the Packers win their 10th straight game of 2011 and 16th overall dating back to last season.

Here are five observations from the game:

1. “Worst” game

During a season in which he’s made the impossible look easy, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers admittedly had his first “off day” of 2011. The accuracy wasn’t there in stunning detail, as Rodgers missed a handful of receivers on throws that he’s made in his sleep through the first nine games. Also, the blame for the interception he threw in the fourth quarter lands squarely on his shoulders. James Jones was blanketed on the short out, and it was an easy pick for Elbert Mack on the worst decision Rodgers’ has made with the football this season.  Read more... (1485 words + 1 image, estimated 5:56 mins reading time)

---- Get AddToAny