Bleacher Report - Articles by Steve Roeland

Crystal Ball Gazing: A Look Ahead at the Green Bay Packers' Second Half

Steve Roeland — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:38:49 -0400

This time of the year brings out some frightening and horrifying images. The Halloween season attracts ghosts, ghouls, and monsters of all shapes and sizes.

Fortunately, the Green Bay Packers’ schedule in the second half of the 2008 football season isn’t as terrifying as undead zombies or blood-sucking vampires.

After a 4-3 start, the Packers have to look forward to facing the best team the AFC has to offer, along with divisional rivals and a couple of potential playoffs squads from elsewhere in the NFL.

Will the Packers scare up enough wins to make it to the postseason?

Come along with me as we peer into the crystal ball to see what the second half of 2008 has in store...if you dare.

Week Nine: @ Tennessee Titans (7-0)

Straight off the bye week, Green Bay faces the best team in the league in the Music City. After soundly defeating the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, the Tennessee Titans moved to 7-0 and are the sole undefeated team remaining in the NFL.

Kerry Collins has effectively led the Titans’ offense following Vince Young’s injury and off-field drama. However, it has been the Tennessee running attack that has stepped up and put points on the board. Halfback Chris Johnson is a lightning-fast back who is fifth in the league in rushing yards (626), and LenDale White has provided the thunder, finding the end zone 10 times.

On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth continues to be a beast, racking up 27 tackles and six sacks.

The Packers’ bugaboo this season has been stopping the run, and the Titans could take advantage of that. Despite Green Bay getting some of its injured defenders back, Tennessee will pound the rock to a victory.

Prediction: Tennessee 28, Green Bay 17

Week 10: @ Minnesota Vikings (3-4)

Looking for revenge following a loss at Lambeau on the season’s first Monday night, the Vikings again feature a running game that could give the Packers fits. Despite that, Minnesota Head Coach Brad Childress opted to throw the ball more often than was expected in Week One.

Star running back Adrian Peterson was handed the ball only 19 times in the opening-week matchup, his third-lowest total of the year.

With Gus Ferotte under center instead of Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings will put up a good fight again, but Green Bay will get the job done in the HHH Metrodome, using turnovers to spark the victory.

Prediction: Green Bay 21, Minnesota 16

Week 11: Chicago Bears (4-3)

The first time the two storied rivals meet this season will no doubt have playoff implications.

The surprisingly-efficient play of quarterback Kyle Orton has helped propel the Bears to the top of the NFC North, along with the solid running of Matt Forte and an always-tenacious defense.

In what should be the first of two epic contests between the evenly-matched foes, I have to go with the home team in game one.

Prediction: Green Bay 31, Chicago 27

Week 12: @ New Orleans Saints (4-4)

New Orleans may be sporting a depleted roster when the Packers come into town. Reports flooded in last week concerning several Saints players and the use of a banned substance.

If the implicated players (who are appealing the ruling together) are handed suspensions, it will force the team to completely restructure.

The impending suspensions, an injury to Reggie Bush, and a defense that can be suspect at times should be enough to give the Packers the advantage in this one.

Prediction: Green Bay 34, New Orleans 24

Week 13: Carolina Panthers (6-2)

The cream of the NFC South crop heads to Green Bay in what could be a playoff preview in Week 13.

The Panthers have used a balanced attack to start the season with a 6-2 record. The Jake Delhomme-to-Steve Smith combination has been particularly dangerous, with Delhomme tossing four of his nine touchdowns to Carolina’s No. 1 wideout.

The Panthers’ defense must also take some credit for the team’s early-season success, as Carolina has held opponents to 10 points or less five times.

Playing at Lambeau might not help the Packers as much as it did in the past, as evident by Green Bay’s loss to Atlanta earlier this year. That looks like it could also be the case here.

Prediction: Carolina 21, Green Bay 17

Week 14: Houston Texans (3-4)

The Texans are riding high on a three-game winning streak going in to Week Nine. It may be a little deceiving, however, considering two of the wins came against winless Cincinnati and Detroit.

Quarterback Matt Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson make a formidable duo, and Steve Slaton is dangerous in the backfield, but the Texans aren’t yet ready to compete with the league’s elite.

Prediction: Green Bay 30, Houston 14

Week 15: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)

Jacksonville’s 3-4 record is not indicative of how talented the team is. Stuck in the logjam in second place in the AFC South, the Jaguars still rely on their two-headed monster in the backfield.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor have somewhat underperformed this year, as Jacksonville ranks 16th in the league in rushing. Quarterback David Garrard already has more interceptions this year (four) than all of last year (three).

The defense has also been mediocre at best, ranking in the bottom half of the league in total yards, passing yards, and touchdowns allowed.

That being said, the Jags will be battle-tested by this point in the season and get the Packers at home. I give a slight edge to Jacksonville in this one.

Prediction: Jacksonville 17, Green Bay 13

Week 16: @ Chicago Bears

In a contest that will possibly play a huge role in deciding the division championship, the Bears will try to avenge the previously-predicted loss in Week 11.

However, it will be Green Bay that gets retribution.

Making up for last year’s season sweep at the hands of the Bears, the Packers will go 2-0 against the Monsters of the Midway in 2008.

Prediction: Green Bay 23, Chicago 20

Week 17: Detroit Lions (0-7)

The final game of the season could greatly affect Green Bay’s playoff hopes. Luckily, the Packers get one of the worst teams in the league at home to finish out the year.

Detroit has struggled all season and is still in search of win No. 1. The team lost QB Jon Kitna to injured reserve and wide out Roy Williams to the Cowboys.

The Packers will want to make a statement and gain momentum heading into the playoffs. Green Bay should get a sizable lead and rest their starters to prepare for the postseason.

Prediction: Green Bay 37, Detroit 13

Bottom Line: Green Bay finishes with a 10-6 record and wins the NFC North

Granted, these predictions are based on the current situations of each team. As most fans know, anything can happen over the course of just a few weeks in the NFL. But for now, as I see it, the Packers should make a playoff run in 2008.

The Legend Diminishes: Brett Favre Losing Favor in Titletown

Steve Roeland — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:16:07 -0400

Yesterday, the Green Bay Packers should have been savoring a hard-fought, well-deserved, 34-14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Instead, the team was forced to deal with questions regarding a certain former quarterback who may have caused some drama this past offseason at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

Ah, yes. No. 4. The gun-slinging Brett Favre. The man who retired, spread rumors about his comeback, held interviews with Fox News regarding his beef with Green Bay GM Ted Thompson, and eventually returned to the NFL with the New York Jets. Forgot about him? Didn't think so.

Mr. Favre is currently making headlines not only for his poor play against Oakland yesterday in the Jets' 16-13 overtime loss, but for allegedly sharing nuances about the Packers' offense with the Detroit Lions prior to the Packers' Week Two game in the Motor City.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Favre spent over an hour on the phone with Lions coaches, who were connected with Favre by then-team president Matt Millen. Apparently, Favre and Millen are hunting buddies and were originally discussing plans to get together for some outdoor activities.

One thing led to another, and Millen eventually put Favre in touch with Detroit's staff.

Favre responded to the allegations by sending a text message to his BFF Peter King of Sports Illustrated, claiming Glazer's report was "Total BS."

As a life-long Packers fan and a Brett Favre fan for almost as long, this news hit hard. While it may not be illegal in the NFL, the fact that such a well-loved player like Favre would go out of his way to give the Lions an advantage against the team that he led since 1992 is morally and ethically wrong.

Anyone who still vehemently sides with Favre in his battle with Ted Thompson may have lost some respect for their fearless leader.

The general consensus when patrolling Green Bay Packers blogs and local newspapers is that of absolute disdain for Favre. Some fans feel that this should cost Favre a spot on the Lambeau Field ring of honor or should prevent the team from retiring the iconic No. 4.

One commenter went as far as to suggest allowing Aaron Rodgers to wear the said numeral next season.

But what really grinds my gears in this whole situation is the fact that Favre can't seem to let it go. He boasted in his introductory press conferences with the Jets that both he and the Packers had moved on. Clearly, this shows that Favre still holds a grudge.

While I am still a Favre fan and still want to see him succeed with the Jets (if only just to increase the draft pick the Packers receive as compensation), I do feel betrayed and imagine the Packers players feel the same. The same guys who protected him on the offensive line, caught passes from him, and played defense to get the ball back to him now know what their hard work was worth.

Favre was willing to go turncoat and betray his former teammates to get back at mean Uncle Ted.

Maybe, then, it was karma that brought down the Favre and the Jets yesterday in Oakland. In the place where Favre showed his best the night after his dad passed away in 2003, he returned with controversy surrounding him. Instead of tossing 399 yards and four touchdowns like he did five years ago at McAfee Coliseum, he threw two interceptions, no touchdowns, and couldn't defeat the 1-4 Raiders.

So, even though the Packers won their biggest game of 2008 yesterday, the talk in Titletown is still about Brett Favre...thanks to Brett Favre.

Wisconsin-Iowa: Badgers Have No Choice but to Beat Hawkeyes on the Road

Steve Roeland — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:56:15 -0400

A meltdown against Michigan. Overpowered by Ohio State. Then pounded by Penn State.

Things can't get much worse for the Wisconsin Badgers football team.

What's even more crippling is the fact that UW lost two of those three games in front of their home crowd at Camp Randall, usually one of the most difficult venues for opponents in college football.

This week, the Badgers take to the road to face Iowa, a team coming off a 45-9 win over Indiana.

The Hawkeyes feature an old school power running game, which is used to set up the play-action pass. Wisconsin must put a stop to an effective Iowa backfield, led by Shonn Greene and his 937 yards. He has racked up 100 yards on the ground in seven straight games.

Iowa is not as effective through the air, but three receivers (Andy Brodell, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, and tight end Brandon Myers) average 13 yards per catch or more.

On the defensive side, Iowa features a steady, solid squad with no glaring weaknesses. The Hawkeyes are effective at defending the pass, as eight players have at least one interception. This could spell trouble for the well-documented inefficiency of the Badgers' air attack.

But what may have the greatest effect on the Wisconsin gameplan this week is the apparent change under center. With Allan Evridge struggling mightily, Bret Bielema looks to be going with junior Dustin Sherer at quarterback.

The decision seems like a no-brainer, considering Evridge has committed four fumbles and thrown four interceptions in Big Ten play alone.

This week is make or break for the Badgers. Sitting at 3-3 (0-3 in conference), Wisconsin needs the win in every sense of the word. With Iowa surging after a huge win and the fact that the Hawkeyes are playing the Badgers at home, UW might just continue down the path they so desperately need to veer off.

Green Bay Packers Can't Steal Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City Chiefs

Steve Roeland — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:26:54 -0400

Close, but no cigar.

That's how both Kansas City Chiefs tight end and the Green bay Packers must feel after the two squads failed to reach an agreement prior to the NFL's trade deadline.

According to reports, the Packers offered Kansas City a third-round draft pick in exchange for the nine-time Prow Bowler. Chiefs GM Carl Peterson allegedly went along with the deal but pulled out at the 11th hour.

Would Tony Gonzalez have made an impact on the Packers? Of course. But adding another offensive weapon should not have been the main focus for Green Bay in the trading market. Defensive lineman John McCargo was obviously on the trade block, as he was sent from the Bills to the Indianapolis Colts at the deadline.

McCargo may not have the name or talent that Gonzalez has, but he could have added depth in a spot where the Packers truly need it.

Even if Gonzalez was added to the team, his impact may have been minimal. Green Bay starting tight end Donald Lee has only 17 catches this season, four less than Gonzalez. And Gonzalez has been forced to catch balls from quarterbacks Tyler Thigpen, Brodie Croyle, and Damon Huard, leaders of the NFL's worst passing attack.

However, all talk of the trade is worth naught. Gonzalez remains in Kansas City, while the Packers neither gain nor lose players or draft picks prior to the deadline.

The only true loser in this situation is Tony Gonzalez, who has gone his entire career without tasting victory in the playoffs. Being sent to the Packers could have given the future Hall-of-Famer a chance at getting over the postseason hump.

Wisconsin Badgers Defense Faces Daunting Task Against Penn State Nittany Lions

Steve Roeland — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:16:54 -0400

Coming off two consecutive losses, including last week's 20-17 heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Ohio State, the Wisconsin Badgers must be looking for some sort of respite.

Unfortunately, there is no rest for the weary.

The Badgers (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) square off against the No. 6 team in the nation this Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Joe Paterno and his Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) look to continue their dominance in the Big Ten and hand Wisconsin their third straight loss.

The most difficult task for the Badgers is figuring out how to contain PSU quarterback Darryl Clark. A dual-threat to run or pass, Clark has thrown for nine touchdowns and only one interception. Clark has also managed 4.2 yards per carry and four scores on the ground.

Speaking of rushing, Nittany Lions tailback Evan Royster must also be a focus of the Badgers' defense. Royster is averaging 7.8 yards a touch and has eight touchdowns. In other words, Wisconsin needs to be on the top of its game on defense.

Luckily, the Badgers have had some shining moments on the defensive side of the ball in the previous games. Sophomore safety Jay Valai has come on strong in recent weeks, tallying seven tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles against the Buckeyes.

Valai will need to be in top form against Penn State, who feature talent at the tight end position—players who Valai will be matched up with in coverage. After struggling early in the season in pass defense, Valai has made strides, holding Fresno State tight end Bear Pascoe to just three catches and 32 yards in Week three.

The Badgers must also tighten up their mental game on defense. Last week, confusion between several players resulted in the go-ahead score, an 11-yard option scamper from OSU quarterback Tyrelle Prior.

Wisconsin must be sharp in all four quarters if they hope to upset Penn State. A big win over PSU on their home field will gave the Badgers a chance to turn things around for the remainder of their conference schedule.