Name: J.D. Gold
Email: jdgold@idatasports.com
Date: Thu Oct 5 10:45:50 2006

Headline: Packers Unable to Fend Off Eagles Aerial Assualt
Game MVP: Dave Raynor
Offensive Player of the Game: Greg Jennings
Defensive Player of the Game: Charles Woodson

Players of the Game Recap; GREG JENNINGS 5 catches for 86 yards. CHARLES WOODSON made a great strip on Correll Buckhalter at the goal line in the first half and played solid coverage most of the game. SUSAN B ANTHONY Gold Coin, Player of the Game: AHMAD CARROLL looked helpless, like he had the dress on already, as the Eagles peppered him with an assortment of deep balls.

For a half Monday night the Green bay Packers looked as they may be able to fly with the Philadelphia Eagles. Going into halftime at Lincoln Field the Packers were up 9-7 on kicker Dave Raynors three first half field goals. But the Packers fell victim to there prey as the Eagles soared to a 31 - 9 victory on the wings of the MVP like performance of Donovan McNabb.

GOLD BAR RATINGS (1-5 BARS)

QB: 2 GOLD BARS: Favre looked good in the first half showing the patience that had marked his previous two games. But Favre struggled in the second half. As the clock was winding down on the Packers so was Brett's patience with the conservative approach. Instead of chipping away at the Eagles Favre wanted the deep ball. Even into the 3rd quarter he at least was throwing the deep ball away or only were his receiver could get to it. But, in what has become his signature when down late, he chucked up the deep ball trying to hit the home run. Hopefully McCarthy can keep Favre's "gun slinger" mentality in check through out the season. 22 for 44 and two picks don't get the job done regardless of the drops. To top it off going 4-14 on third down conversions helped nothing. Rodgers came in late in the 4th quarter when Favre went out with a stinger. He and Greg Jennings had a sure touchdown taken away by flagged pass interference by the Eagles.

RB: 2-1/2 GOLD BARS: Vernand Morencey carried 26 times for 99yds. He showed quick feet, a good burst, and nice forward lean until late in the 4th quarter when he (and the o-line) failed to punch it in three straight times from a yard out. At that time in the game he may have just tired out being his first extensive action of the season. Yet I feel Ahman Green would have had a much bigger day in the run game as well as in the passing game as a receiver. The success of the run game also can be attributed to the switch at fullback to Brandon Miree. Miree showed no hesitation in busting up would be tacklers. When Bubba Franks has been used in motion as the full back he also has done a good job of laying the wood.

WR/TE: 2 GOLD BARS: Who was in number 80's uniform Monday night? Dropped passes again for the second straight game for Donald Driver. If you're the go to guy you have to make catches when there in your bread basket; especially touchdowns. The td drop came before he was leveled. Same goes for Bubba Franks. Again he dropped three passes he should have caught. Franks saving grace is his blocking. Maybe the Packers should move Bubba to back up right tackle? Again how will the young Pack win if the veterans don't lead? As was the case last week; Koren Robinson made another nice catch for a first down in his limited action. Sound the alarm. Sit down if you can. Robert Ferguson is hurt again. Greg” Shake N’ Bake” Jennings again shows why he may have been the steal of the 2006 draft.

OFF. LINE: 3 GOLD BARS: Best thing about this game was the fact Clifton and Tauscher weren't noticeable. Both played solid out of the gate. Clifton is looking more comfortable with the scheme as you would figure a bookend left tackle should. Even though the coaching staff kept max protection on for Favre on almost 70% of passing downs the rookie guards, Colledge, Spitz, and Moll, looked strong in the face of the Philly blitz. All three show a “no quit” streak in them just like are starting tackles did there rookie years. Look for right side bull dozers Spitz and Tauscher to be run behind more in future games.

DEF LINE: 1-1/2 GOLD BARS: This unit gets no consistent pressure on the quarterback? When they do get a sack it's been of the coverage variety. Last time I checked defensive linemen handle the first wave of responsibility for contain on the quarterback. Not a very good job Monday night. For the second game in a row they were pushed around in the run game to boot. As a unit the linemen didn't get the job done in key situations or on a consistent enough basis. On one play Cullen Jenkins is in McNabbs face. The next he's being shoved out of the way. Ryan Pickett showed hustle making tackles down field but I'd rather see him stuffing the run at the line. Jason Hunter played a few snaps at defensive rush end. In one play in particular he got rag dolled on a running play.

LINEBACKERS: 2 GOLD BARS: AJ Hawk didn't have his best effort. He was caught up with blockers on McNabbs first touchdown run. Brady Poppinga also had the same problem. He all too often was getting caught up in traffic unable to separate from offensive lineman. Both players also looked lost trying to play zone. They dropped back too far in help coverage allowing McNabb (5-47yds, 2tds) big chunks of yards. Nick Barnett had a good game. One thing I've noticed over the years with linebackers, linemen and turnovers, be it fumble recoveries or interceptions, is only above average to Pro Bowl type players consistently come up with these type of turnovers. Check the stats. Doing this shows Barnett is that type of player. Be it the tipped pass or a fumbled ball, he is more often then not, in the right place at the right time, to come up with the ball.

DEF. BACKS: 1-1/2 GOLD BARS: Besides Ahmad Carroll's dismal performance; Al Harris has been better. What ever his beef was with Donte Stallworth it shouldn't spill over to Harry high school type of football. It is imperative the veterans lead the youngest team in football. Charles Woodson played his best game to date. His strip of Buckhalter at the goal line has not got enough play. It was a big time play virtually ignored by all in Packerland. Like deer in head lights, both Nick Collins and Marquand Manuel look slow to react in zone pass coverage, and I've seen deer in headlights. Both do bring great run support though.

SPECIAL TEAMS: 3-1/2 GOLD BARS: GM Ted Thompson looks as if he hit home runs on Jon Ryan and Dave Raynor. Ryan boomed all but one of his punts for a 46.6 average. He also dropped two inside the twenty. Raynor boomed 3 field goals of 46, 54 and 23 yards missing only a 54 yarder. Robert Ferguson had a good day as a kick returner. Koren Robinson did not. Coverage was shaky. If everyone on special teams sold out like Ferguson does in coverage they would be a much better unit. They need to tighten up the return coverage. Woodson only had two punt returns and no were to go for an 8.5 yd average.

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