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Name: BigE
Email: BigE@idatasports.com
Date: Sat Oct 27 14:37:17 2001

Headline: Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Game Summary

The Green Bay Packers suffered a tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings 35-13, that allowed the Chicago Bears to take possession of first place in the Central Division. You've got to be kidd'n me! This is the kind of game that Packers had to win, to show that they will consistantly beat their divisional opponent's. This was a terrible let-down after the Packers complete dismantling of the Baltimore Ravens. There are serious concerns for this coaching staff, that they had not seen this before the game. The Packers have played excellent defense this season, but Sunday was a different story, as the Packers missed tackles and produced no Pass Rush. The Offense was equally bad, as receivers dropped balls, and Offensive Coordinator Tom Rossley completely gave up on the RUN. ALL THIS MADE FOR A VERY LONG DAY FOR THE PACKERS.

The Offense
Can anyone tell me why we have one of the premier backs in the league, and gave the ball to him only 11 TIMES! Early in the third quarter they finally gave it to Ahman Green, who proceeded to rip off a 61-yard run. If the Packers would have given Ahman more then seven carries in the first half, he most likely would have gashed the Vikings for a few more big runs. With Ahman's lightning quick speed on the fast track of the Metrodome, he has to carry the ball 25 times. You can't tell me that he wouldn't have had a 100-yard game, against a week Viking defense, had they given Ahman the ball that many times. HECK! The Vikings gave the ball to 2nd year running back Doug Chapman 22 times, who churned out 90 yards. That was nothing spectacular, but the Vikings kept at it, and the Packers defense tired out after playing 37 minutes. So there you have it, the Vikings ran often enough to wear down the defense. The Packers should have been trying to do the same thing. When playing in a very loud place like the Metrodome, the shotgun should have been left in the locker room. The Packers had two bad snaps, that were very costly on the road in the NFL, you have to protect the ball.

The Defense
This defense played better than the stats would suggest. There were missed tackles everywhere, but Daunte Culpepper is at his best on the run. Early on, the Packers Defense was playing very well, not giving up a score in the first quarter. Then, halfway through the second quarter, Culpepper struck deep to Cris Carter for a 43-yard touch. LeRoy Butler had gotten hurt two plays before, and backup safety Chris Akins was beaten deep by this big throw. Akins had a very tough day. He had a couple chances at Culpepper, but just bounced off him. With Butler getting hurt, it also forced the Packers to play rookie cornerback Bhawoh Jue, in dime packages. This could be a player someday, but he is a little young to be playing in a game of this magnitude. I kept looking for Scott McGarrihan!

Darren Sharper did manage to put some vicious hits on Randy Moss. Sharper kept Moss in check most of the day, limiting the star receiver to 8 catches for 73 yards, and no touchdowns. That figures out to 9.1 yard per catch, a very small average for this future hall of famer. Still the defense grew tired, playing almost twice as many minutes as the Viking defense, and it showed! The Packers defender with the most intensity, Nate Wayne, also had a rough game. On a third and eight with the score 20-7, Wayne had Byron Chamberlain wrapped up, but Chamberlain rambled on for the first down. This was a sign of fatigue! Nate Wayne is a warrior, and he will continue to search and destroy! But Wayne and the Packers defense were starting to wear down, and the offense couldn't stay on the field. This made for a long day, for a defense that was outstanding in every game til Sunday.

Finally, Mike Sherman was blasted in the media for allowing Favre to continue to play late in the game, when he was hammered to the turf by Talance Sawyer. Coach Sherman responded by saying he just couldn't wave the white flag. This is the guy I want coaching my TEAM! This team has got a lot of life in it. Every team needs a wake-up call every once in a while, but you can look for the Packers to come out with fire in their eyes, and take care of the Bucs on November 4th in Lambeau! That's the way I Saw it! BigE

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