News Round Up: Monday, 7.6.09
Hopefully everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Our condolences to the McNair family and the family of his girlfriend.
Now, let’s get to it. Here’s some new from news from today and the weekend.
Rodgers is a Fantasy Keeper
Keeperleaguegm.com believes that Aaron Rodgers is one of the top ten choices at QB if you’re looking to start a fantasy franchise. Duh. More interesting I thought were the author’s critiques of Rodgers 2008 performance: too many sacks and poor road performance.
“Two challenges for Rodgers remain his high sack total last season (34), and the significant drop-off in performance on the road. The latter you can chalk-up to rookie jitters against some tough defenses (with another challenging season of road defenses in ‘09), but the sacks remain an issue. At just 25 years of age, Rodgers provides a clear opportunity for a fantasy franchise to invest early and pay dividends down the road.“
Rodgers’ average QB rating at away games was about 84; well below is home average of 104. But if you look at those games, Rodgers really only had unacceptable ratings in two: versus New Orleans and Tampa Bay. At Chicago and Minnesota Rodgers posted ratings in the high seventies. Not stellar, but in both games he led the team to within Mason Crosby’s right foot of wins. Which cannot be overlooked.
Rodgers has had to bear a lot of criticism for not leading the Packers to a win in one of their 7 losses by four or less points. But in Minnesota, Rodgers spent most of the day on his backside. Yet was able to lead a last minute drive that culminated in Crosby’s missed 52-yarder. The Chicago game was a similar story.
In my view, Rodgers only needs to work on one thing this year, and that’s simply moving the chains in the two-minute drill. Forget about touchdowns and forget about big plays; just move the chains. But, I digress.
3-4 Feel-goodery
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal is reporting the Dom Capers is feeling pretty good about they way the Packers’ new defense is coming together. The article discusses Raji’s possible role as a starter, Kampman’s transition and Kevin Greene’s effectiveness as a coach.
“At the conclusion of the Packers’ minicamp in June, Capers tried to assess the last six months in which he and his newly assembled defensive staff worked the kind of long days usually seen only in the middle of the season. It’s time-consuming to start from scratch with a new team, but this staff also is changing the defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme.“
Here’s a somewhat-related question: Why are people getting their undies in a twist over Raji playing defensive end? In a 3-4, is DE really that much different than tackle in 4-3? I don’t know, I’m asking. It seems to me that if the Packers were running a 4-3, they’d want to get Raji and Pickett on the field simultaneously as much as possible. Why would that be different in a 3-4? Raji appears to be a special athlete. And while Pickett, I think, will be a great nose tackle in this D, he and Raji can’t play there at the same time. So why not let Raji play DE? He’s young, smart, strong, fast and adept at finding his way into the backfield. He will be a fine DE in this system. Don’t you think?
Read the rest here.
The Packers: America’s Team?
Of course. There is no doubt. But the debate rages none-the-less. Pittsburgh? Dallas? Pffft. Kevin Seifert has Packers’ fans’ backs over at his ESPN.com NFC North Blog.
“Every summer, team officials make a full report to shareholders at Lambeau Field. Unlike any other team, the Packers’ football executives must explain their approach and answer questions. Shareholders do not have voting rights, so fans can’t influence football decisions. But no fan base can claim a more significant connection to its team.“
The Apocalypse is Nigh
Here I go, breaking the unofficial “No Brent Faver News” rule. But, sadly, the unthinkable is now all but an official inevitability. From to TwinCities.com:
“… a little birdie heard that quarterback Brett Favre and wife Deanna last weekend made a $30,000 deposit on a condominium near 50th and France in Edina.“
Read the rest here. Then go drink a bunch of these.
That’s all for this Monday, July 6th. I hope everyone had an explosive, if not safe, Independence Day. Later on.
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