Where to even begin this week...

So let me get this straight, a 6:1 turnover ratio and a 1-1 record to show for it?  Huh?  How is that possible?  Well, for starters, penalties stall a lot of drives.  Oh, and sacks and third and longs, those hurt too.

After watching the abysmal performace that this team turned in yesterday, I'm left with so many questions.

Is this defense that much better than it was a season ago?  Yesterday, when they needed stops most, they couldn't get them.  Just like we saw, all year, last year.  The Bengals ran at will against the Packers front line, and converted on third down ALL DAY.  Remember the 3rd and 34 conversion?  I just threw up.

Has Aaron Kampman even sniffed a quarterback this season?  Oh, and while we're on linebackers, Desmond Bishop is still alive, correct?  Just curious because, well, I'VE YET TO SEE HIM!  Oh wait, he played on special teams, my bad.

And while we're on Desmond Bishop, and guys who thrived in the preseason, gee, cutting Anthony Smith was such a great idea, wasn't it?  You can say all you want that it concerned you how much he free-lanced out there, or that he'd make just as many big mistakes as he would big plays, but then...WHY ARE YOU REPLACING HIM WITH A GUY WHO DOES THE SAME THING?!  So, you replace him, with Aaron Rouse?  Aaron Rouse, who is the dictionary definition of feast or famine?  And not only that, but Aaron Rouse, a guy who can't stay healthy?  Good god, where is the logic there?  Have we even seen this Derrick Martin?

Another question I have, three fullbacks?  Really, Ted?  Three f#$king fullbacks?  Thats Mike Sherman keeping two punters, dumb.  Seriously, what the hell?  If you were convinced Quinn Johnson was making this team, training camp needed to be a competition between John Kuhn and Korey Hall for one spot.  

Another question I'm left with, and possibly the biggest one, is can Ted Thompson judge offensive line talent? Daryn Colledge is probably the best player Thompson has drafted.  Overall, Colledge is an above-average guard, but yesterday, he made Allen Barbre look good, when playing tackle.  Which brings me to another question...

Why do we continue to play with fire on the line?  So let me get this straight, after last week's performance, where Allen Barbre was manhandled, you once again only activate 7 linemen for the game?  And you keep no reserve tackle active?  So after seeing how poorly Barbre performed once, you decided to risk it again?  On a similar note, if Daryn Colledge was going to be your backup LT, why the hell did he not get any reps at that during camp?  Why give all those reps to Tony Moll, a player you had to know probably wasn't making this team?  I just don't get it.

I have no doubt this won't happen, but have we called Mark Tauscher's agent yet?  It's not Ted Thompson's style to bring in a veteran like that, when he has two younger players who make far less money at the same position, but my god do they need him.  Will Aaron Rodgers make it through all 16 games this season?

And speaking of Aaron Rodgers, while I do think his play has been very good, all things considered, he's got to learn to get rid of the ball a lot quicker.  On one play, Rodgers will look spectacular, evading two pass-rushers and just getting the ball off, in time and on target, downfield.  On the next, he'll attempt to do the same, and end up taking a 12-yard loss on the sack.  There's no harm in throwing the ball away.  3rd and 6 is better than 3rd and 18, Aaron.

Oh, and Greg Jennings, zero catches?  Really?

I do think the Bengals are a much better team than most Packers fans give them credit for, or gave them credit for heading into yesterday's game, but thats still a game you need to win.  I realize homefield advantage isn't what it once was in the NFL, but c'mon.  Remember when playing at Lambeau actually meant something?

It's still very early, and the Packers have plenty of time to get things on track and work out all the bugs we've seen so far, so it's not time to panic...yet.  However, if the Packers lose to the Rams, or defeat them in another sloppy game/struggle, thats when it's time to panic.  The Rams are the worst team in football, not even up for discussion.

I see Nick Barnett took to Twitter, to discuss his feelings after yesterday's game.

"Oh yea for everyone that had something to say after I celebrated for making a takle for lost KISS MY ASS... I was trying to get the defense"

Nice, Nick.  And that tops the list of reasons why I loveTwitter, athletes potentially  going after fans, and showing us how they really feel when there is no media relations staff there to step in or coach them.  How much do you want to bet the Packers have already discussed banning their players from using Twitter at all?

Speaking of Twitter, my favorite Tweet from the weekend, courtesy of The Football Outsiders

Beautiful, a Raiders dig and a wrestling reference.  Speaking of Twitter, you can follow the BrewTownBeat on Twitter, at: twitter.com/brewtownbeat.  Intelligent, witty sports insight, insider radio knowledge, and ton and tons of Dan Walsh bashing. 

See you all this weekend at Oktoberfest, until next time...