I'd just like to add, once again, that Poppinga needs to be inactive. He sucks. I hate him thoroughly. I have never seen him EVER make a play. He's had a few lucky INTs and fumble recoveries by being in the right place at the right time, but he's never done the work himself. But crazy people like other crazy people, so Greene has built the guy up as better than he actually is. I know I ranted on the Bishop post as well, but damn I hate Poppinga. Probably more than Bush, possibly more than I hated Carroll.

Put Picket on the head of their Center and smack him back into the backfield every play. Break down the coordination of the play at its' inception. DE and LB's attack recklessly and have one of Lb's assigned to the QB just in case he thinks about throwing. Bulger isn't that great at scrambling, is he? Sounds risky doesn't it? Well good, they need to establish control of the LOS on the first series and keep it up until the Rams are shell-shocked.
________
It's now about 90% that BJ will not play Sunday. He had a set back in practice Thursday. What the hell is with this ankle crap? Last year it was Hamstrings, now this. Have we thought about getting Doc McKenzie an assistant? Like a Witch Doctor!

Sit Raji. I want him to be available next week.
I can't stand Poppinga either. With him on one side and Kampman on the other, we have two OLBs that can't cover. But Poppinga is just a caretaker until Mathews is ready. He stays healthy.

Pops is not as bad as some think. A 4th round pick. Started for years. Not a star but there must be a reason he's starting and playing. If those of you who think he should not play, quit your day job and apply for a position in player personnel. And be ready for an unemployment check.

ZeroT, please show me one game where he made a decent number of tackles or made a big play. You can't, because he blows. His career high for solo tackles is 8, and he's never really sniffed that number otherwise. He's a loser and a scrub.

Pops comes out in Nickel and Dime coverages - thus the low amount of 'tackles'. Only plays less than half the time. While not spectacular, I can't remember him being too often singled out for misplays.

"If those of you who think he should not play, quit your day job and apply for a position in player personnel. And be ready for an unemployment check."
That's really not a valid argument. Lombardi never played football in the NFL, and I think his knowledge about football and football players was OK. I know it's an exageration, but so is your argument.
-
About Poppinga, he shouldn't start. He's a good backup, but he shouldn't start. But he's not the problem. The real problem are the guys that are conceived as elite players and are not performing to the task. I hope it's because they believed the hype and thought that they could just go out there and win whenever they wanted, and when they saw that that was not the case, they just blew their assignements and made stupid plays.

That’s really not a valid argument. Lombardi never played football in the NFL, and I think his knowledge about football and football players was OK. I know it’s an exageration, but so is your argument.

I disagree. It does not matter whether or not someone played the game. My point is most of us are total amatures who's opinions would not matter to most NFL teams. I have mine, but realize that in the end I would be exposed as a true no-nothing. I am willing to accept this. That's why I look to Aaron for insight. But for any of us to think we could do better than those professionals that make football their lives work, I say quit the posting and go out and show us what you really have. Any takers?

ZeroT, honestly...what are you talking about?
----------
Am I not entitled to an opinion that Poppinga sucks because my chosen career is not in NFL player personnel? Or am I only entitled to this opinion if I provide an argument which is "valid" in your eyes? Yes, I'm a total amatuer. In the world of blogging, that makes me just as credible as any other guy with a PC and an opinion. I think Poppinga sucks.

"He’s a loser and a scrub."

Shit son!

Look I'm not a fan of Brady by any stretch of the imagination, but that's a bit harsh, no?

If you ever watch interviews with the guy, you would know his shortcomings are DEFINITELY not from lack of motivation, desire, character or passion! No, if you just heard (and never watched) the guy talk about football and life in general, you would come away thinking, DAMN that is one intense probowler and good dude. Unfortunately, we've all seen him on the field.

So yeah, Brady's pretty average on the field, and could, I guess be classified as a scrub in that capacity. But loser? NO. SORRY. Stand up guy!

GBP 4 LIFE

I'm not talking about Poppinga as a person. He's funny, mostly because he's completely crazy. I like him as a person. But he sucks at football. He doesn't help you win. Thus, he's a loser. Although my vitriol for him is mostly because every time I notice him, it's for the WRONG reasons.

During the preseason I stuck my neck out and said the Packers medical staff was a couple of (alternative) doctors short. They needed "sprain/strain" doctors added to the staff (chiropractor, osteopath and/or acupuncturist). And, players should be "tuned up" before and after practice/games to minimize injuries and shorten healing times. Did you look at the injury report on Friday?? Most of the injuries are of the sprain/strain variety and they are not healing...not exactly surprising as the Packers medical staff is competent but INCOMPLETE. Whoever designed this staff, Murphy, Thompson, McCarthy, or the team doctor (McKenzie??) should be shot for incompetence. But, if these injuries continue at the current rate, they will be fired (rightfully) because the team will have a losing record. And, yes I did send a letter to Packers management expressing my concerns, months ago. The response...crickets (aka...no response). The really sad part about this is overall Packers management is top notch. Why they will not expand the sports medical staff to 20th century standards is beyond me. (and yes, I know we are in the 21st century)

The trouble with the D last week was simple. We. could. not. stop. the. run.

If we do, then Capers' genius shows up in his blitz packages. If we don't, then he can't blitz, and we're predictable, and no better off than last year's D plan.

Raji needs to play for us to be successful. Pickett and Jenkins can't do it by themselves. Jolly is not consistent.

Jolly was listed as "limited practice" early this week. Why! Ankle! He will play this week, thank God. If he sits, Montgomery is the only DE backup available.

What about Wynn? Isn't he available?

What's with all the concerns over ankle injuries, people?
Human beings aren't supposed to weigh over 300 pounds. Human Beings aren't designed to slam full speed into two other 300lbs human beings while twisting, turning and cutting direction, and human ankles certainly aren't built to withstand that punishment either.
This is the NFL, injuries happen, and it's a part of the game. No matter how much you try to limit those injuries, no matter how much you try and make them heal quickly, you will always have them.
.
Bad Knees, you can have all the specialists in the world, the bottom line is that it's not a lack of proper treatment from the doctors that causes injuries or extends the downtime from injuries suffered. It's the unrealistic performance/health expectations put on the players by the coaches, the fans, AND themselves to get out there as fast as possible and perform. These guys are not olympic runners or swimmers. They are combatants who put it upon themselves to rush recovery and knowingly practice and play injured as a regular part of their routine.
.
Step back, breath, and remember exactly what it is we're talking about here. Guys get injured playing one of, if not THE worlds most physical and violent sport, and they would cease having jobs in the NFL if they gave themselves truly proper recovery times for injuries. Period. It's a brutal, brutal sport in that respect. so let's not freak out that they don't have a guy to push needles into the players, because that player is still going to go out on the practice field T-F and play on Sunday, doing things on that bad ankle that should NEVER be done on even a healthy ankle, quite frankly.

They would have to activate him for the first time this year. It's possible.

Do you mean Jarius Wynn? He's been active for both games. I remember seeing him in the Bears game, although he didn't hit the stat sheet. Don't remember seeing him last week.

We're talking about DE backups. It's Jarius I'm talking about.
Yeah, I remember him against the boors. Even being a rookie, he's better than Montgomery (who isn't?).

Pretty fair read here gents (WHAT IF?)-
http://www.twincities.com/columnists/ci_13422838?source=rss

GBP 4 LIFE

Man, fitz, recently Im starting to doubt your Packer fandom. Twin cities a "fair" read???

Well, Fitz, it's a long season if that's true. A loss to the Rams would certainly confirm the suspcions that the team is indeed just not very good. On the other hand, is anyone going to be convinced that they are a good team on the basis of a victory against the Rams?

If they handle them convincingly it'll be a start.

oh...and when we do get to Jackson in the backfield can we please make the tackle this time?

"Man, fitz, recently Im starting to doubt your Packer fandom. Twin cities a “fair” read???"

Yeah, I thought it was a fair/unbiased read (didn't sense any queen slants involved in this particular piece). If you don't agree, COOL. I personally believe we go to the Lou and set a tone heading into queen week, but, what if we don't?

As for my "Packer Fandom" being brought into question. Not sure how mentioning a fair article that I came across diminishes my "Fandom"? But dude, I don't know you from Adam, and I could honestly care less how my "Fandom" ranks on YOUR scorecard.

Not that I feel obligated, but just for the record... My sons middle name is Lombardi, my male choc. Lab is Reggie, and I would be glad to wager that I'm carrying a bit more Packer related ink with me EVERYWHERE I go than you are... interested? $$$$$$$$$$$$

GBP 4 LIFE

And as the Samurai' would say "GOD LOVES YOU"!

Mr. Optimistic,

No, a win in the Lou won't turn any heads... 'cause it's a game we're supposed to win. A loss on the other hand??? I really can't see that scenario playing out though. We just have a better team, PERIOD. If we do lose THIS game, I'm really gonna have to start questioning the coaching AND GM (lack of a viable backup LT, the Smith/Rouse debacle etc...). I mean, in all honesty, the Rams ARE the Lions. You could not hand pick a better opponent to get your "SWERVE" back against. WE WILL WIN THIS GAME (and we better cover too, or I'm gonna be a little light this month ":^)

GBP 4 LIFE

PackersRS,
Who isn't better than Mike Montgomery?
There's a guy named Chris Canty that everyone thought the Packers should have spent a bunch of money to sign this past off-season that I think, at least, isn't any better than Mike Montgomery.
.
I think it's a prime example of how we Packers fans are very pessimistic at times and think our guys always suck and the grass is always greener in the FA pool.