Rodgers' Era Begins Against Rival Vikings in ESPN National Spotlight
By Chris Havel
It’s OK. Go ahead. Admit it.
When the Green Bay Packers’ schedule is unveiled each April one of the first things any self-respecting fan does is play the “W” and “L” game. It doesn’t matter that the NFL draft hasn’t been conducted, or that free agency hasn’t drawn to its conclusion, or that it is impossible to know the exact makeup of the teams.
You know the drill.
Let’s see. The Packers open at home against the Minnesota Vikings. Hmm. Adrian Peterson is a terrific running back, and the Vikings’ defense—especially the interior of the line—is more than a handful (see “Fat” Pat Williams). Furthermore, Minnesota has a way in recent years of ruining the Packers’ home opener.
No matter.
Fans dutifully place a “W” next to the game and move on down the schedule. What is even more curious is that fans will then feel the need to defend the fact that invariably the Packers have considerably more “Ws” than “Ls”.
Me? I would like to say that I have never, ever, engaged in such a practice. I would like to say that but of course I would be lying. The Packers’ 2008 season—from where I’m sitting—looks like a solid 10-6, plus a NFC North Division title and a home playoff game.
This is easy for me to say because where I’m sitting isn’t the in the pocket attempting to complete passes against the Cowboys, Buccaneers or Jaguars’ defenses.
Frankly, 10-6 might be a shade optimistic despite the fact that the Packers are coming off a 13-3 season and a berth in the NFC Championship Game. Brett Favre almost single handedly rallied the team to victories over San Diego, Minnesota, Denver and Kansas City a year ago. To expect such late-game heroics from first-year starter Aaron Rodgers is asking a lot.
Then again, Rodgers has been groomed for the job, and groomed, and groomed some more. He has been Favre’s understudy, and the Packers’ resident clipboard holder, for what seems like forever. If Rodgers isn’t ready now he’ll never be.
In fact, I think Rodgers will hold up his end of this deal and then some.
The key to the team’s success this season will hinge largely upon the defense’s ability to make more plays than it surrenders, and on coach Mike McCarthy’s ability to grow in the job. McCarthy’s play-calling and game management with Rodgers at the helm is crucial.
General manager Ted Thompson’s role is also pivotal. What Thompson accomplishes between now and the season opener against Minnesota will determine a good deal of the Packers’ fate. Thompson needs to make a sincere effort to pull a trade for the Miami Dolphins’ defensive end Jason Taylor. The defense needs a personality and Taylor could provide it.
At any rate, here is my game-by-game breakdown of the schedule:
Minnesota, Monday, Sept. 8 (ESPN):
Rodgers’ debut is going to come in the national TV spotlight. The guess here is that he won’t end up looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Give the Packers a “W”.
At Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 14:
The Lions began last season 6-2 and then plummeted to a dismal 7-9. Coach Rod Marinelli won’t have offensive coordinator Mike Martz to blame when points are difficult to come by, but he will have quarterback Jon Kitna’s bold 10-plus win prediction to take to the bank. It’s another “W”.
Dallas, Sunday, Sept 21:
The Cowboys are coming to town. That’s the good news. The bad news is so are the Milwaukee ticket holders. “L”.
At Tampa Bay, Sunday, Sept. 28:
Coach Jon Gruden’s team is going to be better than it was last season, and it was pretty good. “L”.
Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 5:
This would be a good day to retire Favre’s jersey number. Otherwise, let’s be realistic. What’s the incentive to see the team that Michael Vick destroyed? “W”.
At Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 12:
Mike Holmgren gets to celebrate at the Packers’ expense, and he gets a measure of redemption for the 2007 playoff loss at Lambeau Field. “L”.
Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 19:
The Colts return to the Super Bowl this season, a march that includes a victory at Green Bay. “L”.
At Tennessee, Sunday, Nov. 2:
The Packers’ defense rises to the occasion. “W”.
At Minnesota, Sunday, Nov. 9:
How about a season sweep? “W”.
Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 16:
The Bears still suck, but that young quarterback Bob Avellini. “W”.
At New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 24:
Drew Brees and the Saints should rebound from a stunningly disappointing season. “L”.
Carolina, Sunday, Nov. 30:
No Thanksgiving hangover here. “W”.
Houston, Sunday, Dec. 7:
No Mike Sherman to kick around. “W”.
At Jacksonville, Sunday, Dec. 14:
The Jags’ defense is a tall order to tackle. “L”.
At Chicago, Monday, Dec. 21:
The Bears still suck. But the Packers lose anyway. “L”.
Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 28:
Merry Christmas to Packers fans everywhere. “W”.
See you in the playoffs.
Chris Havel is a freelance writer, best-selling author and host of northeast Wisconsin’s top-rated sports radio talk show, Sports Line, heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 107.5 FM and 1400 AM THE FAN. He writes a weekly column exclusively for Packers Fan Tours’ Website throughout the 2007 season.
Give us your feedback!
Like this article? Talk about this and other Packers
topics in our new Fan Forum!