Packerholic

How the Packers have been playing this year no one should have been expecting much as far as Pro Bowlers. Despite this fact I am disappointed that the Packers only had two Pro Bowlers. If you haven’t heard, Charles Woodson and Nick Collins are the Packers two Pro Bowlers. For a full list check out NFL.com.

As far as the Charles Woodson selection I have to say about time. After being jipped out for his first two seasons with the Packers Charles Woodson finally gets to return to the Pro Bowl. I guess it only took 5 INTs and 2 TDs. It’s about time he gets what he deserves since he was one of the only bright spots in this disappointing season.

As far as the Nick Collins selection I have to say that he deserved the selection based on his early season play but if it was based on his recent play I wouldn’t even consider him for the Pro Bowl. I don’t know what has happened but Nick Collin’s play has really dropped off recently after having a breakout season earlier in the season. I guess it doesn’t hurt that the NFC has no really good safeties since if I remember correctly a certain Roy Williams made the Pro Bowl last season after being benched during the season.

While I am happy for Charles Woodson and Nick Collins, I am upset for a couple players.

First the most obvious snub was Greg Jennings. He is the first alternative but he should have made the Pro Bowl. I think Greg Jennings should have replaced Roddy White or Steve Smith. I personally would take two extra TDs in exchange for 150 and 90 yards respectively. TDs are more important than yards and Jennings has played better in my opinion. I also want to know why only four receivers make the Pro Bowl team.

Even though Greg Jennings was ripped off by not making the team, it could be a good thing for the team. For some reason Pro Bowl’s are big for contract negotiations even though I think the Pro Bowl had pretty much become a joke. Since jennings didn’t make the Pro Bowl this season it might make it easier to sign him either this offseason or during next season.

The second snub in my opinion is Aaron Rodgers. I know people won’t agree with me on this one but I think Aaron Rodgers deserves to make the Pro Bowl. Aaron Rodgers has had some struggles this season but what do you expect from a first year starter who has the most weight on his shoulders of any player in the entire league. Combine that with the fact that Rodgers is better in every statistical category (except INTs) than Eli Manning and you know why I think Rodgers was snubbed. To be more specific Rodgers has 500 more yards, 3 more TDs, a 5 point higher QB rating, and a 3% higher completion percentage. Rodgers was also doing this with a team with one of the worst offensive lines in football and the most inconsistent running game as well. I guess it helps when you play for a big market team like the Giants. While Rodgers hasn’t won as many games as the other QBs I think you have to look at the supporting cast and realize Rodgers has played on par with the other Pro Bowlers with much less talent around him. If Rodgers improves next season and still doesn’t make the Pro Bowl

Finally I think Aaron Kampman was snubbed. While he hasn’t had as good of seasons as he has had in the past, you need to look at the talent around him. Kampman is getting no help whatsoever from the rest of the defensive line and yet he is still having a great season. I guess the Pro Bowl isn’t based on how well a player has played based on the talent around them. They obviously don’t base it on stats either since Jennings and Rodgers should have both made it then. I guess the choices are based on if you are a big name or not. This is why the Pro Bowl has become a joke. The Pro Bowl is supposed to showcase the best NFL players and instead it showcases the most famous football players.

I have been pretty bitter in this post and I think rightfully so. But as my closing remarks congratulations to Nick Collins and Charles Woodson on their Pro Bowl nominations.

The Packers didn’t come out of the Tampa Bay game very healthy. We actually lost several key players. Packers Nation started  worrying about the season (myself included) but it turns out that we overreacted a little. Good news is coming out of Green Bay on every injury sustained in last week’s game.

The most significant injury in the game was Aaron Rodgers. This morning McCarthy reported that Rodgers has a shoulder sprain. As long as McCarthy isn’t sugar coating things Rodgers should be able to play this weekend. At this point Rodgers thinks he will be able to play but McCarthy won’t say for sure if he is going to play or not until today and tomorrows rehab. I think we dodged a bullet here but it better have shown Thompson that he needs to pick up a veteran quarterback. The best thing for the Packers would be for Brohm to magically come up with an injury so we can stash him on IR. We can then sign a veteran to be Rodgers backup for at least this season. The Packers need to add another quarterback since I think the Packers have no shot of ever winning a game with Flynn or Brohm behind center.

The second most serious injury was to AJ Hawk. Jay Glazer reported yesterday that AJ Hawk tore his groin which would have put him out for the season. Jay Glazer’s sources were obviously wrong on this one since McCarthy said it is only a strain. Hawk might miss this week’s game but at least it isn’t the season ending injury that Glazer predicted. Hopefully we can get Hawk back as soon as possible since based on current play he is easily our best linebacker.

Another serious injury was sustained by Cullen Jenkins. Cullen Jenkins is suffering from a pectoral strain. At this point McCarthy really didn’t say anything about his availability but at least he shouldn’t be out more than a couple weeks. Cullen Jenkins has had a good season this year and is playing the second best of any defensive lineman on the roster.

Nick Collins appears to be suffering from the same injury as last week. I am guessing he will be able to play this week as well as long as he doesn’t have a set back. I hope Bigby is able to come back though since it appears that Aaron Rouse could miss some time. Aaron ROuse ahs also struggled this season so it will be nice to get Bigby back as soon as possible.

The final injury update I have for you is that supposedly Justin Harrell is actually progressing well. According to Pro Football Weekly Justin Harrell is in the best shape he has ever been in while with the Packers. While I am not going to put a lot of confidence into this report it will be great if it is actually true. The Packers have shown that they need help at the defensive tackle position. Our defensive tackles are being run over and another body in the picture could never be a bad thing. While I don’t think Harrell will have a great season, I think just having another defensive tackle will be huge.

The final news I have today actually doesn’t deal with injuries at all. Derrick Frost has played far from good. There were rumors that he might be cut but it appears that he will be getting another week. If he suffers again though I think he will lose his job. A familiar face could become his replacement. While Jon Ryan is currently on the Seahawks, the Seahawks are currently looking at replacements. Since there probably isn’t much as far as free agent punters I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers resigned him. If you are thinking that Jon Ryan wouldn’t want to come back he has even said that he would gladly come back to Green Bay if the Packers wanted him back. Wouldn’t that be weird if Jon Ryan was cut and resigned in the same year?