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2009 Packers

Badger

By Badger
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Badger

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Green Bay — That Green Bay Packers starting offense that scored touchdowns on nine of 13 possessions during the exhibition season and looked as if it was riding on the tail of a rocket headed to Miami for the Super Bowl?

It went kaput when the games started being for real.

An offensive line that didn't allow quarterback Aaron Rodgers to get sacked and allowed him to get hit just once when the games didn't count looked as if it had been blinded by the primetime lights shining down on Lambeau Field on Sunday. Rodgers went down nine times and with him came the offense so many people thought was going to be nearly unstoppable.

Only Rodgers' 50-yard connection to receiver Greg Jennings for a touchdown in the final minutes allowed the Packers to beat the Chicago Bears, 21-15.

"We can say we've done this offensively in the past, we've done that, we have this talent and that talent," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said Monday. "But right now we're not a very good offense. That's a fact. That's what our performance on film in the game shows. Until we get another opportunity, that's where we are."

The shoulders carrying the heaviest load for the offense's woes belonged to the five starting offensive linemen, who combined to allow four sacks, five direct hits on Rodgers and three penalties that cost the team 25 yards. The worst offender was right tackle Allen Barbre, who in his first start allowed two sacks and three quarterback hits, all to Bears left end Adewale Ogunleye.

The day after, coach Mike McCarthy said there was discussion on the sideline about benching Barbre, but McCarthy said the decision to leave him in for the second half was a good one because the third-year pro played better. McCarthy said Barbre would be his starting right tackle this week against Cincinnati.

"I'll say this about Allen," McCarthy said. "He wasn't the only one who didn't play very well up front. Our protection unit did not play well, and that was a major cause for our frustration and our inability to move the football. The Bears defensive line did a very good job getting after our front last night, and we did not handle it very well."

Barbre's performance was reminiscent of Mike Wahle falling apart at left tackle during the 2000 season and being replaced by Chad Clifton, or left tackle Gary Brown getting spun around during the 1995 season opener in an emergency start. Unlike Sunday, however, those games resulted in excruciating losses.

This time the Packers survived, giving them a little more breathing room to figure out whether Barbre is the right man for the job. They absolutely can't have Rodgers getting hit like that again because not only did it threaten his health, it affected the entire passing game.

One of the most notable statistics was that the tight ends combined for five catches for 14 yards against the Bears. Ready for a breakout performance on national television, Jermichael Finley was reduced to being a blocker in the backfield instead of a threat down the middle of the field.

"We were in second and long six times," Philbin said referring to distances of 10 or more yards. "And I think we had third and 11-plus six times during the course of the game. We probably went a month and didn't have six in a game last year.

"In fact, I have a form upstairs where I chart defenses and I think I have four slots for third and 11-plus for a game because you don't expect it. Last night I was writing on the back of a napkin."

As a result of the poor field position, the Packers' passing game was limited to 184 yards, the fourth lowest total of Rodgers' starting career. If he didn't connect on the 50-yard score to Jennings, it would have been the lowest, and the average yards per reception for the night would have been 8.4 instead of 10.8.

And it could have happened. According to McCarthy, there was a missed blocking assignment on the touchdown play that allowed a free rusher.

"The whole offensive line needs to improve from today to Sunday," McCarthy said. "That will be one of the objectives when we go in and make the corrections."

Milwaukee Journal

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Badger Community Regular

Badger

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If they don't get better play out of the Offensive Line, teams will continue to pound Rodgers, (especially the Vikings). The defense had 4 INT's, but gave up a couple of big passing plays. Linebackers and D-line looked pretty good.

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mrklean Grand Master

mrklean

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what happened yesterday, it was sick, the yellow flags flew all day, grant had 2 fumbles, the one when he was at the 40 was HUGE, just seemed like lot of metal break downs. Couldnt stop the run either. I hope it was just one of those days

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Born2Fish Mentor

Born2Fish

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You won't hurt Favre. He is going to hurt you. With a healthy dose of AP mixed in. I can't wait to see Rodgers running around when Kevin Williams and Jared Allen come storming through that great offensive line of the Packers. How about a little prediction....Vikings 34- Packers 12.

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BrianLucky13 Proficient

BrianLucky13

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lol!!! Oh, Im so happy football season is here again!! Are you queen fans worried about AP running head first like that??? He keeps doing that hes gonna kill himself!!! Rodgers is a sunshine boy, he is used to fat guys running after him!!

Packers 21 - Vikings 17 Longwell misses 2 fieldgoals(TRADER)

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MUSKY18 Veteran

MUSKY18

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Honestly, I think that Favre is going to be more of a non factor. With the way the Packers defense looked yesterday, AP is going to be their main concern because I am sure that they are going to get a HEALTHLY dose of him! IF the Vikings O line can get their act together, it could be ugly. If they don't, it could be a messy offensive game all the way around!!!

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james_walleye Grand Master

james_walleye

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Your boys just let Ced Benson look like Walter Payton, it might be wise for you to zip it. Why a packer fan would be spouting anything after the bungals came in and won in Lambeau is rather humerous.

You can't give a single legit reason other than hope as to why the packers will beat the vikings at the metrodome.

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Born2Fish Mentor

Born2Fish

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Could being the key word there! If Benson looked good, AP is going to look great! And I won't mind him plowing head first into one of GB's defensive players. I like seeing a guy that refuses to go out of bounds. He takes some hits, but he gets lots of yards. Give me AP over ANY running back in the game. Longwell will not miss against the pack. I stick by my original score of 34-12 vikes.

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