My game impressions:
*Charles Woodson is one of the best players I'll ever have the pleasure of watching in a Packer uniform. A sack, two picks, a forced fumble, a defensive TD, and matching up over one of the better receivers in the NFL all day in Harris' absence. If you weren't on it before, get on the bandwagon for Woodson as defensive POY. He's that good.
*Aaron Rodgers is something to watch. I realize today's game was against an awful Lions secondary, but the regularity with which he puts up 100+ QB ratings in games is frightening. The ball is coming out faster when it needs to now, and he seems to have been given much more leeway to make changes at the line. When he has time, I have no qualms mentioning him with the best QBs in the league. Just spot on all day.
*The offensive line seems to have turned the corner a bit. All we needed was for them to be average, and we seem to be that in the last three weeks. Fewer penalties, fewer quick pressures on Rodgers. Keep improving.
*It will be interesting to see what we do with a better offense, but Brad Jones seems to have jumped right back in and taken over for Kampman at that OLB spot. He won't provide the same pressure, but he has a good motor and is better in coverage. Bush got beat a few times. It will be interesting to see if he continues to be the man in nickel or if Ford or this new signing show enough to take over.
*Donald Driver has been a pleasure to watch as a Packer fan for all these years. He turns in another memorable performance today. Congratulations on the "Golden Gobbler" or whatever it's called nowadays.
*Jordy Nelson, despite the fumble on the opening kickoff, deserves mention for being our best blocking WR by a large margin. We run those bubble screens and pitch plays to his side, and he always seals the block.
*Great games from Barnett and Hawk. Barnett shows no lingering effects from the injury and gets better every week, and Hawk is playing with more edge than I've ever seen him do in a Packer uniform.
*Special teams remains abysmal. We don't know the meaning of contain on ANY return, and I'm frightened anytime we put a kick in the air. Crosby misses another. What's his deal? MUST get this under control if we have playoff dreams.
*Great to see Grant run with authority all day. He seems to have a burst that was lacking all of last year with the injury.
*The numbers won't show it today, but the Lions have a player in Stafford. He makes some big time throws.
*Nice to finally see him on the board this year, but Donald Lee needs to stop dropping the ball.
*Plays of the game:
Blocking, throw, and catch on the deep ball to Driver. Collins' interception. Any impact play by Charles Woodson. Hustle sack by Matthews on the last play of the half.
There's still things to fix on this team, but the offensive line and presnap penalties seem to have come around. Next is special teams issues. We stand at 7-4, already one more win than we had all of last season, with 5 to play. We have 11 days to get healthy and game plan before a home matchup on a national stage with the Ravens.
