Packers Daily Links 11.3.09

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Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is saying that not only are the Minnesota Vikings beating the Green Bay Packers on the football field, they're beating them in the offseason as well. "It doesn't take a football genius to figure out who has been doing the better job acquiring talent," writes Silverstein. "When asked Monday if he thought the Vikings were more talented, Packers coach Mike McCarthy admitted he was impressed with their lineup." This falls on Ted Thompson's shoulders. The man who's hesitant to dip into free agency may just have to do so to save his job this upcoming offseason.

It appears as if Brandon Chillar is going to miss a few weeks with a broken hand and then will eventually come back with a club-like cast. "Against the Vikings, backup inside linebacker Desmond Bishop filled in for Chillar in the nickel, playing alongside Nick Barnett," writes Silverstein. "The other option would be to play starter A.J. Hawk there." As much as fans wanted Bishop to play well in Chillar's place on Sunday, he played very average.

With Chillar out, it also appears as if "Big Okie" is out as well. “I would say right now ‘Big Okie’ is probably on the shelf for a little while,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers told Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “We’ll have to look at other means to get what we got out of ‘Big Okie.’” As interesting as "Big Okie" was, this isn't much of a loss. With Atari Bigby seemingly getting better every week, he doesn't really need to be replaced.

It's possible that T.J. Lang and Allen Barbre could be out of the starting lineup this upcoming Sunday when the Packers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "As the coaches sorted through the aftermath of Sunday’s 38-26 loss to Minnesota and began preparations for this week’s game at winless Tampa Bay, they left open the possibility of going with the veteran tackle combination of Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher," writes Demovsky. While neither of the young tackles played great, I'm not in favor of this. This is only a stop gap solution. In the bigger picture, the Packers might have to replace Clifton and Tauscher as early as next season. It's time to get the young guys some experience now.

"(Head coach Mike McCarthy) had to meet with defensive linemen Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins, who in separate incidents during and after Sunday’s 38-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings made McCarthy’s team look undisciplined on and off the field," writes Demovsky. Incidents like this make it appear that McCarthy is losing control of his team. If occurrences like these continue to appear, the Packers might be better off with a different coach.

Add perhaps the most important player on the Packers' roster to the injury report. "(Aaron) Rodgers, who played with a sprained foot, suffered a sprained toe on his other foot and is now hobbling on both of his feet," reports Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. "Backup Matt Flynn figures to take over the first-string offense in practice Wednesday and Thursday before Rodgers returns to action in time for next Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay." McCarthy said he didn't expect Rodgers to miss any game time as a result of the new injury.

"Ahman Green, returning kickoffs for the first time since 1999, will keep the job," reports Bill Huber of Packer Report. "McCarthy thinks Green will get better as he gets back into football shape and more comfortable in the role." Wouldn't the Packers be better off with Kregg Lumpkin filling this role?

Mitchell of Acme Packing Company would like to see Ryan Grant being used differently. "I think Grant can be very effective as a member of a committee, instead of a lone workhorse," according to the article. "Remember how the Giants used Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Derrick Ward with great success?  That's the type of setup I'd like to see Grant in, with Brandon Jackson playing the role of the change-of-pace back.  Then again, this is all assuming that the real problem isn't with Grant, but with his blocking, which is a very real possibility."

Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV gives fans some hope. "A lot, and I mean a LOT can and will happen between now and the end of the season," writes Nagler. "This is your team, no matter how much, at this moment, you wish it wasn’t. You simply have to get behind them, warts and all. I’m not happy with McCarthy, but I’m not ready to call for his head yet."

Sunday's game was the second most watched game ever in the history of football being broadcast on Fox.

Railbird endorsed video: Enjoy "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan...

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Review & Grades: Vikings Beat Packers 38-26 | Lombardi Ave | A Green Bay Packers Blog said:

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November 3, 2009 8:13 AM
 

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This is the place for those of you who can't get enough Green Bay Packers news! Updates will be provided frequently from the view of a "railbird." We go to the practices and scan the local media so you don't have to.

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