Well, now that the greatest player in the history of sport has returned to the Vikings as expected, the Green Bay Packers will have to decide if they want to bother to even play this year knowing they have no chance to win the division or achieve any of their goals. Even if they do play they won’t have the same edge knowing that no matter how hard they try they can’t win.
In reality, I think the Packers, like myself, are glad that Butt Favre is back with the Queens. Revenge will not be as sweet without Favre under center October 24 when the Queens come to Lambeau. I just hope the old coot doesn’t get hurt by then.
I also think the Packers, like myself, believe they have the better team this year and are relishing the chance to make things right. The Packers have the better quarterback, the better receivers, the better tight end and the better defense. I would rate the offensive lines equal with Daryn Colledge at left guard but better than the Vikings if Brian Bulaga wins that job.
Like the Packers the Vikings made no major offseason acquisitions and their top two receivers and quarterback have not even practiced yet. The Vikings are also an older team than the Packers and last year might have been their best chance to win it all. For everything to fall into place again like it did last year is asking an awful lot.
While the Packers’ defense did get lit up by the Vikings last year, the Vikings defense was a middle-of-the-pack unit and I don’t see them being better this year. The Queens were fortunate to play the Packers twice before the emergence of Jermichael Finley in the second half of last season and simply put the Vikings don’t have anybody on defense that can cover Finley.
The Packers have concerns of their own on defense but outside of Charles Woodson and Al Harris they are younger and have more potential. And the good news is Harris may start practicing as early as next week, which would be huge. I think given the way teams are going to attack the Packers they will always give up a lot of passing yards, but when you can’t run you have to pass like it or not. If the Packers could somehow generate a better pass rush opponents would really be in a bind. That is my biggest concern regarding the Packers’ defense – lack of pass rush.
Listen to Sportsline after reading this and you’ll know where I’m coming from. According to Harry and Chris “your Packers” season has come to an end tonight. I sure wish we had a local radio show that was hosted by Packers’ fans. I have to stop listening to those guys, they just piss me off too much.