Tim_VanVooren's Blog

That's just a nice win for the Packers here in Seattle.  Coach Mike McCarthy gave it to his team pretty good last week, but rather than just yelling, he also was constructive.  He had the whole team going back to pure fundamentals for most of the week.  That played out on the field Sunday.  The penalties, particularly untimely ones, were way down.  The drops were way down.  The mental breakdowns on defense were way down.  Granted, the Seahawks didn't have much at all on offense, and there were still physical breakdowns by Green Bay.  But those breakdowns seemed to be the result of just not being good enough, as opposed to not being ready enough.  Case in point, when a perennial Pro Bowl tackle like Walter Jones matched up against Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila on runs to the left, it is simply advantage Seattle.  The key thing in the NFL though, is to win the game.  As I have been preaching with these blogs, you are not going to play well or have favorable matchups every week - but the successful teams find a way to win on those occasions, any way and any how.  That's what the 13-3 Packers did last year, and didn't do against Tampa Bay or Atlanta this year.  As for individuals, Tramon Williams now has an interception in each of his four career starts.  He can play and has helped cover for Al Harris' absence.  Of course, next week against Indy, it would be nice to have every good cornerback available.  Aaron Kampman got to the quarterback repeatedly.  Pressure correlates to better coverage downfield - always !  Nick Collins really looks confident this year, it's almost night and day in that department.  On offense, Aaron Rodgers is really a leader, even when he isn't completely healthy.  The gameplan was to try to run and keep Rodgers from having to stress his shoulder with a lot of downfield throws.  When Brandon Jackson woke up sick on Sunday, that fell to Ryan Grant and he was dependable, if not explosive. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and even Jordy Nelson were there for Rodgers in the passing game.  And my MVP for the game on the FOX SIX Blitz was DeShawn Wynn.  The running back just came off the practice squad on Saturday (unexpectedly, at that) and became Grant's only backup.  With the score tied at 10, he made a perfect blitz pickup block, allowing Rodgers to complete the touchdown pass to Jennings to put the Pack ahead for good.  As we have seen this season, one bad penalty or one missed assignment or one missed block can ruin the work of ten other guys on the field.  The coach stressed that this week, and Wynn was proof of that.  He didn't miss the block and as such, the game changed on one play.  Upcoming opponents will be much tougher than Seattle, but the Packers should also remember what it takes to play their best football.

There has been some interesting stuff on this site lately about what kinds of stories are making the airwaves these days and what kind of experiences a fan can or cannot have at a game.  It is a very interesting time in sports media.  It used to be that many pro games were not televised and simply having highlights at 10 o'clock was serving the viewers.  Before the internet and pagers and cell phones and widespread satellite t.v., we provided all the scores at 10 (major league baseball or nba, etc.).  If you'll notice, that doesn't happen anymore.  Fans of, say the Cleveland Cavaliers, can monitor every possession of their game at say, Atlanta through their computer or on satellite. Local sportscasts are now just that, local.  We have the chance to tell features on FOX SIX, and that's unique. It is actually a pleasure to find and tell a good feature story.  However, the rest of our sportscast time usually does, and should, go to the local teams and players that our local viewers are familiar with.  All summer here in Milwaukee, folks watched the Brewers and knew how they were faring.  But that didn't stop the viewers from wanting more insight and clubhouse reaction on the local sportscasts. That's what we do.  Yes, the highlights may be on ESPN, but the full coverage won't be.  That's what we stress with our Packers Postgame shows.  We try to provide as much lockerroom reaction as possible.  You can't get that material anywhere else at that time.  By 10:35 pm, we are able to present that material in conjunction with analysis on FOX SIX Blitz.  If you want Bengals or Falcons highlights, you can find them elsewhere.  

As for just watching a game, I would venture a guess that anyone who works in sports is a sports fan to some degree.  Personally, I find myself being much more objective in watching a contest whether it is kids baseball or monday night football. A good play is still a good play.  Teamwork is still teamwork.  Effective coaching is still effective coaching.  I like to tell folks that I am much more a fan of a good game or a good play than of a particular team. 

I have written in this space in the last few days and mentioned on the air that the week five game for the Packers against the Falcons is a lot bigger than a week five game against a rebuilding team should be.  Now, Green Bay has to keep from letting a 27-24 loss lead to worse.  Aaron Rodgers worked out in the Hutson Center at 8:45 Sunday morning and proved to the coaches that he would be able to function at quarterback despite a shoulder injury.  He definitely answered the bell.  And it looked like the team was giving pretty good effort.  That's actually concerning, in a way, because then it comes down to the fact that this isn't as good a team as people thought, even with injuries.  The offensive line was only marginally better today and Ryan Grant was more successful, but the running game did not pick up the slack for the offense.  The return of James Jones, even at less than 100 percent helped, and the showings of Jordy Nelson, Ruvell Martin, and Tory Humphrey point out that this is still a much better aerial team.  The defense is a sad story, partly because of injuries.  The fourth opponent out of five ran way too well.  When Atlanta needed something on the ground, it got it.  The lack of pass rush against a rookie quarterback was apparent.  When AJ Hawk did blitz, he didn't get home and that same rookie quarterback hit the openings in the middle of the field.  When it comes to penalties, the Packers are shooting themselves in both feet.  You can debate the merits of specific calls, but Green Bay is selfdestructing too often.  Inexperienced players are bound to make more mistakes than seasoned veterans, but teams have to find a way to just win, particularly at home against weaker opponents.  Green Bay couldn't do that and could see its season unofficially slipping away on the same day the Brewers' season officially does end.

Critics of Packers general manager Ted Thompson will be howling Sunday if rookie Matt Flynn is forced to start at quarterback for Green Bay against Atlanta at Lambeau Field.  The idea that the team would proceed without a veteran backup behind first-time starter Aaron Rodgers irks many.  The decision on Rodgers' status will be made on Sunday morning after a full week of rest for his shoulder, but Flynn figures to be ready if he's the man.  When you watch the Packers qb's throw out passes at practice, it is apparent that he doesn't have the same arm strength as a healthy Rodgers or fellow rookie Brian Brohm.  And Flynn is the smallest of those three.  However, he impresses you when you watch him carry himself.  Flynn is not the least bit overwhelmed and he wouldn't have overtaken handpicked second round draft choice Brohm in the preseason if he couldn't play at all.  This is a critical game in what could be shaping up as a star-crossed season, and the Packers undoubtedly would prefer that Flynn not have to be the guy to win it for them.  However, this is a guy who won a national championship for LSU, which is big-time pressure.  He may not have all the physical trappings of a can't miss prospect, but in like Flynn isn't a death sentence for Green Bay, either. 

Here's what you can't help but remember as you watch the Brewers in the playoffs.  You are who you are.  In other words, if you are sloppy in the field during the season, you are probably going to be sloppy in the field again in the playoffs.  If you are impatient at the plate in the regular season, you are probably going to be impatient again at the plate in the playoffs.  If you can't get runners home in the regular season, you probably can't get runners home in the playoffs.  If you have thumpers who are threats to homer late in games during the regular season, you will still have those homer threats in the playoffs.  However, after watching the Brewers all season (particularly down the stretch) and in the postseason, the wisest conclusion to reach is that this team isn't what it needs to be next season.

While the Brewers were deservedly starting the party in Milwaukee, the Packers were bumbling against the Buccaneers.  As Ryan Grant told me in the lockerroom, the energy didn't seem to be there.  The running game is putrid right now and the blame goes to the backs and the offensive line.  Credit Tampa and the scouting that has made things tougher for Green Bay in the last two weeks, but the Packers are going to have to get more creative - they are predictable running and predictably bad.  The Packers feel they have some parity in their offensive line group, but all of those guys are up for improvement.  I don't know yet about the young guys, but the veterans in there have a lot of pride and I'd expect that they'll show it.  Earnest Graham got over 100 yards Sunday and Michael Turner is better than he is and Turner is coming to Lambeau Field next week.  Of course, if the injuries to Aaron Rodgers, AJ Hawk, etc. are serious, Mike McCarthy will have even more to address.  Heading into the season, I wrote about the toll the whole Brett Favre saga would have on McCarthy and now we'll see what he can come up with.  The decision to jettison Jon Ryan hasn't worked out well, the injuries are mounting, the defensive line is too shorthanded to be effective for a whole year, and the schedule isn't soft.  It is a critical point.

Other notes: Paula Abdul was staying in the Packers hotel in Tampa Saturday night.  A pipe ruptured above the Packers equipment room at Raymond James Stadium prior to the game Sunday.  The support staff had to work very hard to move gear around and mop up.  Tampa's Josh Bidwell and Michael Bennett each had very nice things to say about the folks back in Wisconsin.  Bennett says he is looking forward to moving back to his homestate and working with kids after his football career ends.  Finally, Brett Favre always seemed to have great performances with the Packers when he was wearing throwback uniforms and he was at it again for the Jets this week.  The numbers will go down in the recordbooks, but you rarely see the highlights for very long in those situations, just because it takes extra effort to explain the different look every time.  Think about it, of all the clips you saw this summer from his Green Bay career, did you see those garish throwback Packers uniforms ? 

 

It used to be that when you went to Miller Park, you would see as much green and gold as brewers colors.  When you traveled to Packers games, the airport was usually full of green and gold.  But Saturday flying to Tampa, there were folks in Brewers jerseys and hats all along the way.  The change is clearly evident.

Definitely a setback on Sunday night, but nothing to destroy the Packers' optimism for the season.  Dallas was much better, even off a short week.  As I wrote about in my preview blog, Marion Barber is the key to that offense and he certainly was in the game at Lambeau Field.  The Packers defensive line is going to continue to be a concern this year.  There are definitely some good players there, but not as many as they need for their preferred rotation.  Factor in going against big hosses like Dallas' guys all night, and that gets magnified.  They need a return to health and then some impactful play from KGB and Justin Harrell.  Will they get that ?  The secondary was missing all four of its starters by the end of the night because of injury.  That would negatively affect any team.  On offense, Aaron Rodgers may be mobile, but he can't be forced to prove it all the time.  The O-line has to give him time for some 5 step drops so can look deeper downfield than just the slant area.  Rodgers can roll from pressure and has done that this season for a few long throws, but the Cowboys may be the first team to have enough scouting evidence to thwart that.  Derrick Frost is not making the greatest early impression at punter.  His inconsistency and some special teams blocking penalties hurt units that the Packers usually see as a strength.  Field position is a big part of Green Bay's focus, and that didn't work out too well against Dallas.  Having so many special teamers moved up because of injury was part of the reason.  All in all, the better team won Sunday night, at this point, the much better team.  Tony Romo was ordinary and Terrell Owens was quiet and Dallas was still in charge by the end.  The Packers shouldn't be crushed by that fact, but they should face the reality of that fact and gird themselves for winnable, but challenging games in the next month. 

The Packers sincerely believe that they can beat the Cowboys on  Sunday night and here's how they can do it: contain Marion Barber on defense and avoid conservatism on offense.  You are going to hear and read plenty about the size of the Dallas O-line and the ability of the Dallas skill position players, but the key to the 'Boys is Barber.  Remember all those meetings with the Eagles when Brian Westbrook would upstage Donovan McNabb and T.O. and James Thrash on the field ?  The Packers need to keep the same thing from happening Sunday night.  On the other side of the ball, the Packers need to realize who they are.  They are not a running team.  Don't fall in love with trying to get Ryan Grant into a hole or Brandon Jackson in the flat.   Throw the ball.  As the season unfolds, it will be imperative to develop better balance.  However, to beat the Cowboys, you have to go with what you know works. 

The Packers are 2 and 0 after a weird one here in Detroit.  They totally dominated, only to completely slack off, and then they took full advantage of Lions mistakes to win going away.  My thoughts on the day start early.  Driving down to Ford Field from the hotel, I was struck by how much it must hurt to be a Lions fan.  They have been disillusioned by this franchise so many times.  Today, there was very little buzz in town despite it being the home opener in a great stadium against a true rival.  Most folks just seem to be waiting for failure, and they are going to get plenty of it this year.  As for Green Bay:  Kregg Lumpkin (Mr. Phonetically Correct) has some ability and the team has a nice three back rotation working: Derrick Frost owned up to not catching that snap and suffering a safety... he had a bad day while trying to win the trust of  teammates, coaches and fans... he can't be feeling great tonight: Aaron Rodgers made as many plays with his feet as with his arm Sunday... he looks like Dwyane Wade - you know he's going right, but you just can't stop him: the Packers still have a LOT of work to do with their inside running game: Charles Woodson is just a premier playmaker - I'm still blown away by how wrong my impression of his signing by the Packers turned out to be: and finally, Dallas is going to be a lot tougher than Minnesota or Detroit.

Beep, beep, beep.  That would be the sound of the Brewers backing up in September.  Going into Thursday night's game in Philadelphia, the 3-4-5 hitters in their order were batting .217 with 7 rbi's in 10 games this month.  That's awful.  The team's lack of timely hitting is more pronounced now than ever.  In Thursday night's defeat, Mike Cameron struck out and Corey Hart was thrown out at third base trying to steal to end the fourth inning.  That's awful.  They won't say it, but they are playing tight.  If CC Sabathia doesn't get it done, the other guys seem to be wondering if they can or will.  The other night at home, even the crowd seemed to have an ominous feeling in what turned out to be an extra inning loss against Cincinnati.  Considering that was a matchup of a team in control of its playoff spot and a lowly cast of call-ups, that's awful.  However, it should be noted that the Brewers have been streaky all year.  When they aren't hitting home runs, they look bad.  Remember their play in Boston ??  If so, you'll also remember that they really pulled it together for a while after that, on the road and at home.  So if, if, if, if they are getting this funk out of this system and they can hold onto their playoff spot, they could be fun to watch in October.  However, if they somehow extend their playoff drought that dates back to 1982, it will be awful.

Aaron Rodgers was pretty effective Monday night against the Vikings at Lambeau Field, and plenty of people were breathing a big sigh of relief (Rodgers, Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy, thousands if not millions of Packers fans).  And Rodgers will have at least one tangible keepsake from the evening.  After his one yard scoring run and ensuing Lambeau Leap, Greg Jennings located the football that Rodgers had spiked, grabbed it and made a beeline for the sideline.  After the game, Jennings told me that he spiked his first career touchdown football and was thankful that someone had retrieved the ball for him, so he was making sure that even though Rodgers was lost in the moment, his moment wouldn't be lost to him in the future.

It wasn't too long ago that the Brewers would routinely not promote their top minor league prospects when rosters were expanded in September in order to keep them from starting to accrue major league service time.  The current regime obviously feels differently.  While other big league teams were calling up three or four players this year, the Brewers (who have a set lineup) brought up ten.  While few of these guys are going to make meaningful contributions to the stretch run, all of them are going to get a firsthand look at pennant race pressure.  If they start their service time clock ticking toward free agency, it's well worth the trade-off.  Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar and Angel Salome and Brad Nelson are getting their first taste of the bigs, and talking to a couple of those guys in the clubhouse this week, it is apparent that they are impressionable.  As long as the sweep by the Mets this week isn't the start of a trend, the kids will be alright for the experience. 

To me, there isn't much more entertaining than watching two teams or players who just don't like each other go at each other.  The latest installment was the Brewers and Cardinals in St. Louis Wednesday night.  Carlos Villanueva wouldn't have been as chesty about getting out of a big jam if he wasn't pitching against the Redbirds and Albert Pujols wouldn't have taken such offense if it wasn't the Brewers.  Remember Ned Yost and Tony LaRussa having their issues late last year ??  The media can and will stir up Packers - Bears rivalry talk this NFL season, but their historic series will pale in comparison to genuine dislike between teams like the Packers and Vikings.  The Raiders and Broncos engender that kind of true hatred - as an example, some Denver fans were booing last week at Invesco Field during a moment of silence for former Raiders Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw, the late head of the NFL Players Association.  The Brewers don't play the Cardinals again this season, but just as there was carryover from last season to this, chances are there will carryover to next year.

Over the weekend, I posted a blog about Packers rookie lineman Ryan Considine getting his picture in the game program in Denver Friday night.  Since he was cut by Green Bay on Monday, he has extra reason to hold onto a copy of that program.