Bleacher Report - Articles by John Szurlej

The Packers' Keys To Beating The Colts

John Szurlej — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:16:38 -0400

As we approach game-time I'm sure that the Packers have seen videotape of the Colts operating at their best. Expecting anything less from the resurgent Colts would be the biggest mistake since...(if you read my articles, I don't even have to type it).

As we all know, the Colts' offense is scary; how appropriate as Halloween approaches. Make no mistake, Peyton Manning will be salivating when he passes against a banged-up secondary.

The Colts have many options on offense considering the passing attack they possess and the state of the defensive line and secondary for the Packers. When you look at the two teams, you can see where things may go horribly wrong for the Packers.

I am, however, going to focus my energy elsewhere this week on my take: the Packers need to step up and play big to beat Indianapolis!

The biggest thing for the Packers to do is to disrupt the rhythm of Peyton Manning. If the Packers defensive line can penetrate into the backfield without over-extending themselves, there will be less chance for the Colts' running game to establish early.

This may seem easier said then done, but the second key element comes from the linebackers. If the Packers' linebackers can execute blitzes and phantom blitzes, which allows the secondary to have the safety favor the hot route side, this may confuse Manning's timing enough to force him into safe routes and swing passes to the running back.

A mix of different blitz schemes against the Colts is imperative! The Packers need to exhaust themselves on sending pressure consistently all day. The linebackers are key here, and must play perfect.

On offense, the running game has to be solid, especially to relieve the quarterback's arm. I mentioned before that a running back by committee should be considered. In this game it needs to be implemented into the offense. If you can get 15 carries to each back it should open things up somewhat.

The Packers need to utilize a two-tightend set in some situations as the Colts will most likely attempt to play Donald Driver and Greg Jennings tight and press before letting them into their routes.

If the offense can mix run and pass favorably, then the only thing left is something that made Bill Parcells effective with many teams he has coached: ball control. The Packers must have long, time consuming, penalty free drives. If the Packers can have the ball for 35 minutes in this game and avoid an aerial assault they should win this game.

The Packers cannot commit to an open free-for-all approach where they trade touchdown for touchdown. Avoiding this helps keep Peyton from being able to tear up a banged-up secondary and disrupts his flow.

It simply cannot happen, not because I don't believe they can't, but because the Colts are just that much better at airing it out and playing wide open; that's when they play at their best.

Overall, I feel the Packers are the masters of their own destiny in this game,and whatever path they choose to take must be approached with no stone unturned.

This game is a major test for Green Bay and if they win, they can go far. Playing through the injuries and winning against Indianapolis is what they need; the question is do they want it?

I say yes. Go Pack go!

Packers-Seahawks: Green Bay Gets Win Over Lowly Seahawks

John Szurlej — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:11:57 -0400

The Green Bay Packers entered Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks with a sense of urgency, and after four quarters, left with a sorely-needed win.

I had said earlier that if the Packers lost this game, they may have lost their season. For now, I'll be a little easier on them; however, they were already crowned the winner before taking the field Sunday.

The play of Justin Harrell was impressive, as the Packers sorely needed someone to step up and fill a huge gap in the defensive line. The team was definitely feeding off of his play.

Offensively, I can't find much to pick on; as Aaron Rodgers had an impressive day, going 21/30 with two scores.

The one thing that bothers me is that it took 33 rushes for Ryan Grant to accumulate 90 yards against Seattle. Averaging 2.7 yards a carry against this team is deplorable, especially when your quarterback rushes for 23 yards on six carries.

I think, at this point, the coaching staff should considering a back-by-committee approach, in order to throw defenses off guard. If this team is going to be successful, the running game simply needs to get going to save Aaron's arm and make the Packers multi-dimensional.

Overall, they won a game they should have, so enjoy this victory, but don't let it quench your thirst. The revitalized Indianapolis Colts are on the menu next.

If this team can stay step for step (which I believe they can) with the Colts, they can win this game. If they do, then we can walk with a swagger and aggressively go into the season with high optimism.

If this team falls flat and gets blown out, I think we need to come to an understanding that with some formidable opponents in the next few weeks; we may have to consider this year's possibility of the playoffs is very grim.

The test is Sunday. I'm seeing a Packers victory 35-31. Let's see what the boys can do in their second "big team" test.

So Favre, So Good

John Szurlej — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:06:23 -0400

Having played a quarter of the NFL season, the New York Jets have become a team that has a chemistry that continues to grow. They also have a refreshing, positive, outlook on the rest of the season to this point.

Whereas in the past at this point some fans may have become frustrated and looking to sell their tickets; An intriguing phenomenon has been effecting the New York area.

There is optimism in the NY/NJ area...and for the Jets! Even at a record of 2-2.

The past few weeks have shown Jets fans and Favre watchers alike that there is a surprisingly different approach to each week.

Week one against the Dolphins had shown us that Favre had the ability to learn a new system and execute what had been planned for him. We saw in that victory new beginnings for this team offensively.

Week two brought us the same old Jets and the same result in losing to the Patriots. For anyone to jump to conclusions after this game is unfair simply because despite the absence of Tom Brady, this was still the Patriots who went undefeated last season.

Honestly, after the first half of the San Diego game, as a Packers fan and avid supporter of Favre, I started to get a bit nervous for Favre and the Jets; But then I saw something that put me at ease.

I turned to my friend, a Jets fan, and said despite being down, despite looking like this was turning to be another typical Jets season, be patient.

I assured him that when the Jets started opening up the playbooks he would see why things were going to change.

Then it happened.

Late in that game I think the team started to click regardless of what the final score showed. The frustration that may have produced despair and surrender instead awoke a team longing success.

I think that game finally provided Lavernius Coles a perfect opportunity to find himself and get on board.

It gave Cotchery the confidence and the call to step up to a larger scale than before and the rest of the team followed their lead.

Week four against Arizona, in all its weirdness, was the official start of Jets football. The team clicked, played hard, produced big numbers and Favre was the Favre I knew when he played in Green Bay.

The most important thing here was not even the offense. The fact that the defense rebounded from a third quarter collapse is another key indicator that this team is refusing to concede as they may have in the past.

They believe in themselves, in each other, in the coaches, and steadied the ship.

The Jets are now a team that can go places instead of only the roads they've only known before.

This season is theirs for the taking, and with four out of the next five opponents being struggling teams, they have the perfect opportunity to position themselves as a contender.

There is no reason why the Jets should not be able to be the other New York team to have success, and as I've told my friend, great things can happen.

So Favre, so good.

Where Do the Green Bay Packers Go from Here?

John Szurlej — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:48:05 -0400

Last Sunday's game between Green Bay and Atlanta has left another bitter taste in fans' mouths. Despite a valiant effort to rally back from an early deficit, the Packers came up short, again.

This team is becoming an enigma as each week passes. The running game and defense are a far cry from last year's performance, and Aaron Rodgers' ability to lead this team past a competitive opponent leaves many questions unanswered.

The defense has been affected by injury, but this team is still solidly built with the foundation of last year's personnel.

At this point, if the current performance becomes status quo, the season looks to become a wasted opportunity for the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers is, unfortunately, still in the shadow of greatness, despite the "great one" being in another conference. Until Rodgers brings victories over more prominent opponents, he may still find himself in the shade of Favre.

Regardless of his statistical numbers, regardless of his touchdown to interception ratio, and regardless of his passing yards, Rodgers will not be fairly anointed as a success until he brings this team a winning record.

So far, the Packers have beaten two teams that are extremely lacking. The victories over the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions are nothing but empty calories. There is no sustenance over winning games you're expected to win.

The losses to the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and recently, the Atlanta Falcons, have sounded alarms within the Packers' camp.

The Cowboys and the Buccaneers were playoff teams last year, Atlanta was not! Playing below their potential to playoff-caliber teams should yield losses, but the loss to Atlanta is a bitter pill to swallow.

Next on the Packers' schedule is the lowly Seattle Seahawks and the slumbering Colts.

If the Packers do not enter the game against Seattle with an emergent disposition, they may have to do a lot of soul searching.

If the Packers don't respond in that game, I feel that at that point they will have lost more than just a game.

They may have lost their confidence in themselves, and, more importantly, a loss to Seattle may prove to be a loss of a season.

Does 2-2 Start Suggest Green Bay Should Have Kept Brett Favre?

John Szurlej — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:22:41 -0400

It's amazing how things can be so different in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The new quarterback, re-vamped offense, and the need to move on was supposed to harvest the same results as the days when that guy who wore number four was there. Who was that again?

It seems that all of the soap opera drama that unfolded this summer between Brett and the Packers has ended up, at this point, proving to be the proverbial egg on the face for the Packers.

It was supposed to be that Aaron Rodgers was to come in and just continue what Brett was doing. So far, the 2-2 Packers are looking at a long season. Can someone tell Ted Thompson "I told you so"?

Rodgers has been adequate, to be kind, in his attempt to lead the Packers to the playoffs. His numbers are decent and his vision on the field is standard. There is nothing special here, and the magic that once was has passed out of Lambeau Field and transplanted itself somewhere in the swamps of Jersey.

Rodgers' durability has now come into question with his recent shoulder injury. Not bad, the last quarterback only started two hundred and fifty three consecutive starts. Rodgers is attempting to go onto his fifth.

It seems it's going to be a long season in Green Bay, or at least it's shaping up that way. Say hello to 7-9, instead of the Super Bowl, and that other quarterback off exit 16W has a better chance of making it there.

But isn't that what the Packers wanted?

Brett Favre to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Deal by Wednesday

John Szurlej — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:01:04 -0400

ESPN is reporting that the Packers have been in "intense" negotiations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a deal could happen by Wednesday.

Sources from a Tampa Bay newspaper advised that the Packers are very close to sending their former franchise quarterback to the Bucs for a package that may include a veteran QB and some type of compensation. It is rumored that it would include draft picks and the Bucs reworking Brett Favre's contract.

Favre had been in talks with the Bucs after the latest round with the Packers management resulted in the situation where there was no possibility of trading in the division.

ESPN has released information that Brett's wife had given her blessing to the Tampa Bay trade and that Brett is exhausted from this ordeal.

The same source also indicated that the New York Jets could still possibly be in the hunt for the veteran QB and that Favre had had discussions with them.

Favre himself had said that he needed to be in camp by the weekend to prepare for the upcoming NFL season and that he recognizes that the only resolution that would suffice is to be traded.

This could finally end the Brett Favre saga in Green Bay and leave the team that was an overtime away from the Super Bowl last year with an unproven quarterback to carry the torch.

Looking at the Buccaneers' depth chart, this team would gel very well with Favre and head coach John Gruyden is a brilliant offensive mind. This should compliment Favre despite my previous statements that the Jets would be a more sensible trade partner for Favre.

It has also been reported that the Packers are asking a higher price tag from the Bucs than the Jets for reasons only known to NFL team General Managers.

However, I do wonder if this trade could wind up having a similar repercussion of other teams that experienced bad things.

The Red Sox's curse of the Bambino and the curse of the Goat of the Chicago Cubs in baseball spring to mind.

Although football and baseball are two different games, the parallels are there, and this trade could have the Packers experiencing some of the same misfortune.

I love the Packers, they still are my team, but after what I saw during Favre Gate '08; I can't help but be bitter.

Either way.

When Favre is throwing off his back foot and across his body for touchdowns against his former team on September 28, 2008, I'll just sit back and enjoy sweet redemption.

Brett Favre: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

John Szurlej — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:42:09 -0400

So apparently the meeting that Brett Favre had with Packer's Coach Mike McCarthy lasted five and a half hours. No progress was made.

I don't think it's easy, but then again I didn't think anything good would come out of this. The Packers said all along that when and if Brett came out of retirement and was reinstated by the Commissioner, they would have a place for him.

Apparently, that place never existed. After Brett landed in Green Bay and went through the formalities, Favre was in limbo. No plan was ready, or perhaps the plan was to let him return and trap him into a corner.

Because the Packers had been tight lipped about anything Favre related, I feel the plan they had was to let Brett take it as far as he can and then back him in a corner.

So now here we are. Favre wants out.

Favre said that it was the only way to resolve this because his relationship with the Packers brass had become a memory. Favre asked again to be traded so he can start somewhere else, citing that it wouldn't be fair to the team to have a competition. Favre insisted that it would be the best thing for both sides.

Meanwhile, there is no word on whether he will practice with the team on Tuesday. Is this what Packers GM Ted Thompson wanted? Now that Favre is back in camp and wants a trade, Thompson holds the cards and the ego grows. Favre wants to be in the NFC North, and the scared and spiteful Packers want nothing to do with that.

It makes no sense to keep him as a backup or on the practice squad the whole season due to his salary and the media hype that will come throughout the season. So here is what Ted Thompson was waiting for—the ultimate power over where Brett goes.

The best way to scrap any shred of respectability for the Packers and Favre is to just work together on this. If Favre wants to go to Minnesota, trade him. Ted Thompson had said all along that he'd do the best to accommodate Brett Favre. Anything short of that would just serve as proof of how true his words are for anything.

Brett Favre isn't thinking about what he has done. He's thinking about what he can do. Right now, I'd say keep on doing what you're doing and have fun in Minnesota!

Is a Brett Favre Trade Still Possible?

John Szurlej — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:23:48 -0400

Green Bay Wisconsin - August 04,2008

Brett Favre is back and is leaving Ted Thompson scratching his head as Favre scratches his itch. If this soap opera has shown us anything, it's to bet on the unexpected.

In the past weeks Favre has played his hand out every card. Favre said I want back in, here's what I want, and Favre and agent James "Bus" Cook have pretty much gotten it.

Favre initially wanted a release but the Packers said no to that; but he did leave room for a trade option. Where does that stand now?

A Milwaukee newspaper had reported that the Packers have opened initial conversations with the Minnesota Vikings (whom many believe is the only other team Favre would play for) in efforts to see what "options" are there.

Sources close to the Packers front office claim that draft picks are the meal ticket but the Vikings feel that the Packers are asking too much.

So far, the Green Bay Packers have said that if Brett returned there would be a non-playing option for him as Aaron Rodgers was the new Quarterback; however that has changed to the possibility of an open competition.

Some feel that this would be a political gesture to show NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the Packers are trying to resolve this. The question remains, is this really a fair competition?

Here are some scenarios that may be playing out in the next few days or weeks before the start of the season.

1. Open competition (with a pre-determined winner)

2. Open Competition (natural)

3. Release Favre before the first week of the season

4. Trade Favre

Anyway you look at it, from the posturing and comments made by Packers President Mike Murphy, GM Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy, no one really knows what they're really saying.

Thank you, Mr. Murphy, for reviving the word Rubicon for the general public. All three of the Packer's brass are talking in a way too mysterious fashion. I think it's time to say it is what it is and move forward.

Due to these statements and gestures if the Packers don't give Brett Favre his starting role back, look for him to wear another uniform in the near future.

A possible trade to the Vikings could result. Talks with the Jets have cooled down and the Buccaneers are almost out of the picture. Don't be surprised if there are some teams out that come out of nowhere.

If I had to bet, since Brett has gotten what he wanted thus far, so I would say he'd be wearing Purple in September.