I’ve tried to temper my excitement so far this pre-season. This hasn’t been easy, but tonight will go a long way in convincing me the 2009 Packers are for real.

Tonight’s game against the Cardinals will be in my eyes the first real test of this season’s team. It’s the first time on the road, with some weather, and the starters playing at least the first half.

Here is what I am going to be looking for to solidify my belief that the Green Bay Packers are legit.

Al Harris

Can Al Harris take on a big? Not just any big either, the best big in the game Larry Fitzgerald. I am sure Charles Woodson will get his share of Fitz too, but if not, can Al Harris hold his own and will the new defensive scheme cater or inhibit Al’s style of play.

Atari Bigby

Can we get a Bigby sighting please? So far, we haven’t seen a whole lot out of Atari. Bigby was supposed to be the hard hitting missile ala Troy Polamalu in Dom Capers defense. To date, this hasn’t been the case. Atari Bigby, please stand up.

Brady Poppinga

What Poppinga will show up tonight? Was last week’s ball hawking performance just an anomaly, or is Brady Poppinga finally for real?  I have never really been on board the Poppinga bandwagon, and tonight will go a long way in deciphering exactly what we have at outside linebacker.

Brian Brohm

The kid has taken a ton of heat this week. Tonight may be Brohm’s last stand. Can he man up in the face of adversity, or will he wilt under the pressure? Brian Brohm is playing for his future; will he show up to greet it?

Tyrell Sutton

Is Sutton the real deal? We will find out this evening as he gets time with the ones. The Packers haven’t had a solid number two for quite some time. Does the rookie have what it takes?

Swagger

Last season, I attacked the toughness of the Green Bay Packers. In 2008 we had a bunch of unemotional pansies hitting the field every week. This year, it seems we have fire, we have swagger, and we have toughness. Will that attitude continue? I hope so.

I don’t know if I have ever been more excited for a pre-season game. Are the 2009 Green Bay Packers a force to be reckoned with? Tonight will go a long way in finding out that answer.

Housecleaning

There is two weeks left to get your entry into the Packers Lounge Limerick contest. We have some great entries so far. Make sure and get yours in by posting it here.

The Packers Lounge fantasy league kicks off tomorrow night with a live draft. We have 13 teams and really would like just one more. If you are interested in playing “Lounge Ball” this season, make sure and send me an email by clicking here.

Finally, make sure to check out the in-game blog at Cheesehead TV or Railbird Central this evening. If you are looking for a more open platform, check out the Packers Lounge Gameday Chat sponsored and run by Mark at PackerHQ. I’ll make sure to make a stop at both spots… if I can drag myself away from the television.

Go Pack Go

While many euphoric Packers fans already have the team going to the Super Bowl based only on two preseason games, I am trying to keep a level head.

There are some great signs, to be sure, but let’s not assume anything. Just ask the 0-16 Lions that were 4-0 in preseason last year. So, in the spirit of keeping things at a “McCarthy-like” even keel, let’s take a calm, rational look at this past week’s winners and losers.

Winners:

The “Ones”

The No. 1 defense forced three turnovers in four Buffalo drives, and the No. 1 offense scored three touchdowns in four possessions. But before anyone gets overly exuberant, lets watch this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. If the Packers “Ones” repeat their dominant play, then I’ll personally jump to the front of the bandwagon.

Aaron Rodgers

He finished 8-of-9 for 98 yards and two TD passes for a gaudy 151.6 quarterback rating. Rodgers completed passes to six different receivers and hasn’t been sacked or even knocked down yet in preseason. That’s a wonderful thing to see, as holding onto the ball too long was one of the few things you could justly criticize Rodgers for last season.

Jermichael Finley

“A completely different person and player this year” is how Mike McCarthy has described him. It is showing with remarkable results on the field. While we all have witnessed his athleticism and pass-catching ability, he has worked hard on his attitude, his blocking and his route running. The results so far have been impressive. Along with the reliable Donald Lee, when the Packers go to a 2 tight end formation, there are now more options that the defense has to worry about. In this game, the Packers went with two tight ends on 13 of of the first 23 plays, when the “ones” were in the game.

Johnny Jolly

Despite seeing limited action due to an ongoing ankle injury, Jolly recorded two sacks and a forced fumble in just 12 plays from scrimmage. What will he do when his ankle is OK? Jolly is another guy that looks like a completely different player out there. I have been critical of Jolly in the past for taking too many plays off. Lets hope he has found himself in this, his 4th NFL season.

Desmond “The Destroyer” Bishop

If you ever run into Desmond Bishop, just step out of his way. Packer fans have seen flashes of Desmond Bishop’s talent the last two seasons, but there were also a plethora of mental mistakes to offset the big plays. As he starts his third season, it seems his mental game has caught up with his physical game. He has made an inarguable case for more playing time at linebacker, in addition to his role on special teams. I see a nice 4-man ILB rotation developing between Hawk, Barnett Bishop and Chillar, with Bishop earning more time as the season progresses.

Tyrell Sutton

In my mind, I think he has already made the team. The Packers coaches like the different look he presents to defenses. Sutton seems very comfortable with the zone blocking scheme, picks his holes quickly and seems to always be getting positive yardage. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t fit your perfect mold for a running back, but he just makes plays.

Brian Brohm

Hey, he improved his quarterback rating from 0 to 51 in just one week. What’s not to like about that, right?

Losers:

Kregg Lumpkin

Besides the rantings of some lunatic blogger (yours truly) that insisted Lumpkin could be the Packers best running back, he has shown little this preseason. Yet prior to the Buffalo game, he was listed as third on the depth chart at RB, ahead of Deshawn Wynn.. That would probably be surprising to many Packers fans, but not to me. I think the Packers coaches see a lot of things they like in Kregg Lumpkin. Unfortunately, he had an awful day against Buffalo. He better turn it around next week or the practice squad will be looming.

Breno Giacomini

Anytime you let your opponent sack your quarterback, and it results in your quarterback getting hurt, you wear the big L on your forehead. After the game, Coach McCarthy stated that he will look at the OL closely on film. He hopes to pick his starting offensive line before Friday’s game against the Cardinals and let them play together for 3 quarters. Once he sees the films, look for McCarthy to name Alan Barbe as the starter.

Jeremy Kapinos

Is there anyone on this team with less apparent competition in camp that has such an insecure grip on a job? The Packers worked out four punters during the week before the Cleveland game but kept none of them. Durant Brooks was scratched for the Buffalo game with a hip flexor injury. Kapinos is the #1 punter on the depth chart. And yet, the odds are pretty good that the Packers punter in 2009 is probably on someone else’s roster right now. Of course, if the offense continues to play like it did against the Bills, who needs a punter, anyway?  I’m just being facetious there, I happen to be a big believer that winning the field position battle leads to consistent success in the NFL. I’ve watched the Giants do it for years.

Bob Sanders

There was a mini-reunion after the game between some of the Packers players and  former Packer defensive coordinator and current Buffalo defensive line coach Bob Sanders. There were smiles and hugs everywhere, and all the right things were said. Yet one has to feel sorry for Bob Sanders. If Dom Capers’ amazing transformation of the Packers defense continues, with basically the same players Bob Sanders had, then what picture does that paint of Bob Sanders? How about a loser with a “kick me” sign on his back. I’m not saying it’s right, just that it will happen. Even though he deserves better, many Packer fans will turn Bob Sanders into the second-most disrespected ex-Packer still in the NFL.

You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, Packers Lounge, NFL Touchdown and Bleacher Report.

You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.

It’s one day closer to the weekend. Time to finish this week with a Six-Pack. Here are six Packer thoughts/stories that seemed worth talking about.

1. Looking to hit the Vikings vs. Packers game in the Metrodome? Are you also looking to get rid of that old rag known as your Brett Favre Packers jersey? Here is a win win situation for you. Unfortunately, you still will be in Minneapolis.

2. I was watching some interviews on the local sports station last evening and came across an interview with Packers’ lineman Jason Spitz. I guess I didn’t really notice this at all, but Spitz doesn’t look anything like an NFL player to me. If you showed me a picture of Spitz I would think Roto-Rooter guy, middle management, or Dominoes dude long before I thought Green Bay Packer. I will let you decide for yourself.

3. What is the deal with everyone talking about trading A.J. Hawk? Give me a frickin’ break. He may not be living up to his potential but there is absolutely NO way the Packers are going to part ways with Hawk this season. Please, get the silliness out of your head. A.J. Hawk will be a Packer for quite some time, get used to it.

4. Brian Brohm sucks ass. I won’t stand another Brohm defender the rest of the season. The guy is a bust and a complete and total waste of space. The guy can’t play the game at this level, and judging by last night’s practice it isn’t getting better. Even Donald Driver is starting to get pissed off. Suck it up, get rid of the waste of space, and get someone in here who could actually have a shot of doing anything if they needed to see the field. Brian Brohm is not an NFL football player.

EDIT: Thanks to Packer Ranter for bringing to my attention Brohm’s medical condition. Is there a foundation for that?

5. I imagine that this is it for Aaron Rouse, both for the season, and probably for his career as a Green Bay Packer. Rouse was carted off the practice field last night with what looked to be a serious hamstring injury. Let’s face it, hamstring plus cart equals you’re pretty much done. It sucks to see anyone hurt, but I am not a huge Rouse fan anyway. Just because you made a couple of big hits in a game or two doesn’t make you a legit gamer.

6. Finally, don’t forget about tomorrow night’s live Gameday Chat sponsored by PackerHQ. If you weren’t around for our in-game chat last season, you missed all the chaos and debauchery that makes game day unique at The Lounge. Please join us tomorrow for the Packers vs. the Buffalo Bills while chatting with other Packer fans completely UNMODERATED. No waiting for comments, no censorship, and it’s a free for all so don’t miss it. You can always find Gameday Chat at the top of the homepage.

On a side note, since a couple of douchebags are hammering me for threatening to shut down the site unless I got some money, get over it. That’s my perogative. It wasn’t a ploy, it’s the way it was going to be. My first order of business will always be to myself, anyone who doesn’t do the same is lying, and stupid. Live with it.

Expectations can bring worries. And folks, I’m worried.

I expect the Packers to do well this season. I expect the offense to be better balanced and more productive. I expect Dom Capers’ revamped defense to be a big improvement over last year. And finally, I expect them to challenge for the NFC North Division Title.

So what am I worried about? Well, those of you who are superstitious turn away. If you believe in jinxes or “the evil eye”, stop reading. Go ahead and knock on wood, because I’m going to say it:

What if Aaron Rodgers suffers a season-ending injury?

What if the Packers come together in preseason, then beat the Bears, Bengals and Rams (totally conceivable) to get off to a quick 3-0 start. But the unthinkable happens towards the end of the Packers romp over the Rams. Mike McCarthy is slow to get Rodgers out of the game and some 3rd string Ram DE trying to make an impression crashes into Rodgers knee. One torn ACL later, Rodgers’ season is over.

Now, is there anyone out there that really believes either Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm can step in and continuing leading the team to a successful season? Any hands…? I didn’t think so.

As reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, even Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, when asked recently about the progress of his two young quarterbacks, had to think about it for awhile. When he finally did answer, he could muster no better than an unenthusiastic “Well, certainly they’re better than they’ve been”. How’s that for a ringing endorsement from your own coach?

The man responsible for this bad situation is of course, Packers GM Ted Thompson. Thompson has proven to be a polarizing figure among Packers fans, mostly because of his role in the Brett Favre saga. I find myself straddling the fence. There are things he’s done I like, there are things I don’t like. This one, I am not on board with. It’s a bad idea and a huge gamble, like going to Vegas with one year’s salary and putting it all on a roll of the dice at the craps table.

Thompson’s out there on an island with this one. I have to wonder, has any other NFL team ever done this? Starting the 2008 season with a first-year starter and two rookies as backup quarterbacks was as dangerous a move I remember coming from an NFL team. Add in the fact that neither of the rookies even remotely looked like NFL quarterbacks during that preseason, and you had to seriously doubt Thompson’s sanity.

The only thing that made it palpable to me was that I had few expectations last year. I had serious doubts about the season before it even started, so I wasn’t worried about what we would do if disaster struck. This season is different. As previously stated, I have expectations. I am not willing to accept throwing our season away if something happens to Rodgers. And make no mistake, if that particular disaster struck, the Packers season would be OVER. No chance at the Division Title and no playoffs – again.

So why would Ted Thompson choose to roll the dice again? Why did he do it in the first place? The only reason one can assume is financial. Thompson didn’t want to in 2008 and still doesn’t want to in 2009, spend the money to bring in an experienced backup quarterback. He doesn’t believe in spending money on short term solutions. I do respect a lot of the financial decisions he has made. It’s not a simple job being in the smallest NFL market, and running the only non-profit, community-owned, major professional sports team in the United States.

Thompson has to look for every opportunity to save money, and this was obviously an area he chose to do so. But what exactly does bringing in an experienced backup quarterback cost you? Looking at various signings around the league this off-season, the going rate seems to be $1,000,000 or less for a 1-year contract. For example, the World Champion Steelers signed Charlie Batch for $895,000, the Giants brought back David Carr for $1,000,000 and the Texans brought in Rex Grossman for $625,000.

While none of these guys will be starting quarterbacks on their own, at least they have enough experience that you could build a workable game plan around them. And is $1,000,000 that much to spend for a one year insurance policy at QB? Not when you’re paying Brian Brohm $2,000,000 to be a 3rd string quarterback. Whatever Ted Thompson is thinking, he certainly can’t believe the Packers are in good shape if Rodgers goes down, can he?

So here we are in July of 2009. With training camp only a few weeks away, it’s still not too late. Of course, this is a move that should have been made already. The most attractive free agent backup quarterbacks have already been snatched up by other teams.

However, there are still two guys out there that could be brought in relatively cheaply as some veteran insurance; two guys that each have 15 years experience and have played 260 NFL games between them; Gus Frerotte and Trent Green. I would take either one over Brian Brohm and/or Matt Flynn. Keep whichever of the kids you like best, but I need some veteran insurance on the Packers. After all, I have expectations…

For more info on Green and Frerotte with regards to the Packers, read this.

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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: NFL Touchdown, Packers Lounge, Packer Chatters , Jersey Al’s Blog and  Bleacher Report.

I hear a lot of people patting themselves on the back for predicting we would re-sign Greg Jennings. That’s hardly impressive if you ask me. Nail the next move, and I’ll be impressed.

The entire world knew the Packers would get a Jennings deal done. There was never a doubt, just some concerns on the timing. Making a prediction about it is the same as saying the grass will be green this year, the sun will come up tomorrow, and IronMan will hit a couple of Packer forums today. The correct forecast is hardly a sign of supernatural superiority.

I am happy the deal is done, happy it’s before training camp, and happy it’s off the table. The real trick? Predicting the Packer’s next move.

The likely answer is the re-signing of Nick Collins, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that one is going to take awhile. My prediction on the next move the Packers make?

Signing a veteran quarterback.

Let’s face it, Brohm is not getting it done, and Flynn, although serviceable, is more of a check-down king than a starting quarterback in the NFL. With neither backup making huge strides, the Packers are going to be forced to start considering a veteran arm to up the level of competition.

The talent pool is shallow right now, but don’t be surprised if the Packers bring in a fresh arm to mix things up a bit.

That’s my prediction and I’m sticking to it.

Check back later today as we break down mini-camp day three, and check back tonight as we unleash a whole set of mini-camp video not available anywhere else but Cheesehead Nation.

In the meantime, all hail Gregorious.

Lounge Poll

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With each errant pass flailing dangerously through the Florida sky, it was evident on September 28, 2008 the Green Bay Packers could have used a veteran backup quarterback.

Matt Flynn demonstrated a flawless ability to hand the ball off, however, that savvy couldn’t drive the offense within 60 yards of the end zone.

Of course, a first down would have been needed to achieve such a feat.

A rookie quarterback trying to come in the fourth quarter of a tightly contested ballgame and lead a drive is a scary proposition. Even scarier considering it was on the road against the nasty Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense.

Flynn finished the contest 2/5 for 6 yards on two attempted drives. That didn’t seem to give the Packers any kind of hope once Rodgers hurt his shoulder. Their best chance was that Rodgers would come back in the game with a half-available throwing arm.

Obviously Flynn was in nearly the worst possible situation to come in, one in which he was destined to fail as a young signal caller. My knock isn’t on Matt Flynn; it just seems the Packers could have used a serviceable veteran backup quarterback that day and for the remainder of the season. What’s wrong with a little bit of insurance?

While it’s too late to fix last season’s mistakes (I don’t have enough fingers to count them), I think the Packers should at least bring in a veteran free agent to help compete for the backup role. If Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm play better than this proposed individual throughout the preseason, then release him.

Both Flynn and Brohm could turn into serviceable quarterbacks in the future, but it takes time. Aaron Rodgers struggled his first two exhibition seasons because he wasn’t ready to lead a team.

It’s obvious that management has far more pressing needs to shore up their roster before they report to training camp. I fully understand that building the new defense and making tough decisions on the offensive tackles is more important than finding a journeyman quarterback to compete for the backup slot. However, it still seems very important to fill this void. Do any Packer fans feel confident that the offense could be competitive with Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm at quarterback?

Looking over the free agent list, there appears to be a few viable options out there. Scratch Jeff Garcia off the list because he will be competing for a starter job in somebody’s training camp. Kerry Collins and Luke McCown have also been claimed by their prospective teams, so take them off the unrestricted list.

It seems like bringing in a player with previous starter experience would be beneficial. The players that seem to fit this role best are as follows: Kyle Boller, David Carr, Rex Grossman, Byron Leftwich, J.P. Losman, J.T. O’Sullivan, Dan Orlovsky, Patrick Ramsey, and Chris Simms.

While none of these players are great, I feel adding them (without spending much) would make our team better. If Rodgers goes down for a quarter, game, or a season, I would feel much more confident with a proven veteran.