tr1
October-2nd-2006, 09:35 AM
It's an 11 point spread...
BTW, I've heard there's a run on batteries at the Wal-Marts in Philly already...They're selling a limited TO edition.
By Andrew Folkes
Sun, Oct 1, 2006
http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=92022&tid=27
No doubt about it, the Green Bay Packers are in tough.
Their secondary is a mess, they’re up against Philadelphia`s league-leading air attack, and have to deal with it a city where they haven’t won since 1962.
Getting the victory will be difficult, but the payday? That’s a whole different story. Especially with the Pack getting the longest odds they’ve seen in nearly 18 years.
Donovan McNabb will toss his fair share of long balls, but let’s not forget Green Bay has a decent gunslinger of its own. Brett Favre can match McNabb bomb for bomb, and he’s got a double-digit spread backing him up.
Here are the top five reasons the Packers come up with the cash Monday night.
5. Favre settling in to the West Coast style
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but it looks like 37-year-old Brett Favre is finally ready to trade in his high-risk vertical passing tendencies for a more conservative style.
In last week’s contest with the Lions, the majority of Favre`s passes were screens, slants and midrange passes to receivers on underneath routes. The West Coast approach saw Favre complete nearly 70 percent of his passes for 340 yards, three majors and zero picks. It also saw the Packers score their first victory and payday of the season.
Tight end Bubba Franks believes it could mark a turning point for the aging QB.
“This last game, with him having 10 different receivers, hopefully that gives him enough confidence to know he`s got guys here for him," he said.
Another point that should give Favre confidence is Philly’s shoddy secondary. The Eagles rank No. 26 in the NFL passing defense, allowing over 252 yards per game.
4. Packers O-line steadily improving
The Green Bay offensive line has been touted as its Achilles heel since before the preseason.
There was good reason for that, as evidenced by the five quarterback sacks it gave up in Green Bay’s first two contests. However, the O-line is finally starting to gel and managed to keep Favre on his feet for the entire 60 minutes in Detroit last Sunday.
Ironically, it was an injury to guard Jason Spitz (thigh) that sparked the improvement. Backup Daryn Colledge has been working hard to take the starting job, and his efforts have seen the O-line solidify.
"I think Daryn has definitely responded. He`s playing better week to week," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he`s getting comfortable with (tackle) Chad (Clifton) over there on the left side. He`s definitely getting comfortable and improving."
With Spitz still listed as questionable, Colledge is expected to start again against Philly.
3. Defense ready for Westbrook
With a team high 256 rushing yards, five touchdowns and 164 receiving yards, Brian Westbrook has been a huge part of the Eagles’ success this season.
Luckily for Green Bay`s defense, it has some practice on shutting down a multidimensional back from when it faced Reggie Bush and the Saints in Week 2.
Green Bay dropped that contest 34-27 as a 1-point underdog, but faired well against the Heisman Trophy winner. Bush was limited to five yards on the ground and needed eight catches to register 68 receiving yards.
The Packers also have the benefit of facing a hobbled Westbrook. He’s currently listed as probable with a knee injury.
2. Monday Night Football favors rookie coaches
Mike McCarthy stands to be the third rookie coach to be grossly underrated in just four weeks of Monday Night Football.
Minnesota`s Brad Childress and New Orleans` Sean Payton both covered the number as first-year skippers in the MNF spotlight. The Vikings and Saints entered their respective games as underdogs and ended up getting straight-up victories.
1. Packed full of confidence after getting first win
Two weeks ago, Green Bay was just about ready to pack it in for the season. But getting that first ‘W’ has really stoked the Packers` competitive fire.
The team got an even bigger emotional boost from the victory because it happened to be the same game where Favre notched his 400th career touchdown.
”As young as I am, to become a part of that greatness, it puts a lot of joy in my heart,” said wideout Greg Jennings, who pulled down the milestone major.
The Packers face much stronger competition this week, but that first taste of success has left these huge underdogs hungry.
”It`s great to get the first one,” said McCarthy. “I`m looking forward to more."
BTW, I've heard there's a run on batteries at the Wal-Marts in Philly already...They're selling a limited TO edition.
By Andrew Folkes
Sun, Oct 1, 2006
http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=92022&tid=27
No doubt about it, the Green Bay Packers are in tough.
Their secondary is a mess, they’re up against Philadelphia`s league-leading air attack, and have to deal with it a city where they haven’t won since 1962.
Getting the victory will be difficult, but the payday? That’s a whole different story. Especially with the Pack getting the longest odds they’ve seen in nearly 18 years.
Donovan McNabb will toss his fair share of long balls, but let’s not forget Green Bay has a decent gunslinger of its own. Brett Favre can match McNabb bomb for bomb, and he’s got a double-digit spread backing him up.
Here are the top five reasons the Packers come up with the cash Monday night.
5. Favre settling in to the West Coast style
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but it looks like 37-year-old Brett Favre is finally ready to trade in his high-risk vertical passing tendencies for a more conservative style.
In last week’s contest with the Lions, the majority of Favre`s passes were screens, slants and midrange passes to receivers on underneath routes. The West Coast approach saw Favre complete nearly 70 percent of his passes for 340 yards, three majors and zero picks. It also saw the Packers score their first victory and payday of the season.
Tight end Bubba Franks believes it could mark a turning point for the aging QB.
“This last game, with him having 10 different receivers, hopefully that gives him enough confidence to know he`s got guys here for him," he said.
Another point that should give Favre confidence is Philly’s shoddy secondary. The Eagles rank No. 26 in the NFL passing defense, allowing over 252 yards per game.
4. Packers O-line steadily improving
The Green Bay offensive line has been touted as its Achilles heel since before the preseason.
There was good reason for that, as evidenced by the five quarterback sacks it gave up in Green Bay’s first two contests. However, the O-line is finally starting to gel and managed to keep Favre on his feet for the entire 60 minutes in Detroit last Sunday.
Ironically, it was an injury to guard Jason Spitz (thigh) that sparked the improvement. Backup Daryn Colledge has been working hard to take the starting job, and his efforts have seen the O-line solidify.
"I think Daryn has definitely responded. He`s playing better week to week," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he`s getting comfortable with (tackle) Chad (Clifton) over there on the left side. He`s definitely getting comfortable and improving."
With Spitz still listed as questionable, Colledge is expected to start again against Philly.
3. Defense ready for Westbrook
With a team high 256 rushing yards, five touchdowns and 164 receiving yards, Brian Westbrook has been a huge part of the Eagles’ success this season.
Luckily for Green Bay`s defense, it has some practice on shutting down a multidimensional back from when it faced Reggie Bush and the Saints in Week 2.
Green Bay dropped that contest 34-27 as a 1-point underdog, but faired well against the Heisman Trophy winner. Bush was limited to five yards on the ground and needed eight catches to register 68 receiving yards.
The Packers also have the benefit of facing a hobbled Westbrook. He’s currently listed as probable with a knee injury.
2. Monday Night Football favors rookie coaches
Mike McCarthy stands to be the third rookie coach to be grossly underrated in just four weeks of Monday Night Football.
Minnesota`s Brad Childress and New Orleans` Sean Payton both covered the number as first-year skippers in the MNF spotlight. The Vikings and Saints entered their respective games as underdogs and ended up getting straight-up victories.
1. Packed full of confidence after getting first win
Two weeks ago, Green Bay was just about ready to pack it in for the season. But getting that first ‘W’ has really stoked the Packers` competitive fire.
The team got an even bigger emotional boost from the victory because it happened to be the same game where Favre notched his 400th career touchdown.
”As young as I am, to become a part of that greatness, it puts a lot of joy in my heart,” said wideout Greg Jennings, who pulled down the milestone major.
The Packers face much stronger competition this week, but that first taste of success has left these huge underdogs hungry.
”It`s great to get the first one,” said McCarthy. “I`m looking forward to more."