The Detroit Lions held the lead heading into the fourth quarter once again this week, but (as expected) lost it. Despite their two and ten record through twelve games, the Lions were able to attract over fifty eight thousand fans out to Ford Field Sunday for their intra-divisional matchup with the geographically attractive Chicago Bears. The latter’s fans were out in full force; partially due to their current position atop the NFC North. And partially due to the ASTRONOMICAL cost of all tickets in their home stadium.
Michigan State product Drew Stanton filled in admirably for the two men above him on the depth chart even though he must have been fuming that his Spartans were left out of the BCS shuffle even though they were Big Ten champions.
By Patrick Herbert
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They had three interceptions, including Al Harris’ finger pointing clincher, but they gave too many big plays to guys that can run but are still learning how to catch a football. They finally shut down a good tight end in Greg Olsen, but they got some help from guys like Desmond Clark, who stopped running a few routes that could’ve resulted in Bear scores. They must not be used to having a quarterback that isn’t forced to throw the ball in the first three seconds of the snap. Big plays can be nullified by big turnovers, so I’m not going to complain about a unit riddled with playmakers.
This is a big duh. Rodgers won’t have to put up the numbers he did last year that basically carried my fantasy football season (I drafted him again this year as a thank you to my autodraft a year ago). Given the overwhelming pressure on Rodgers last year for the obvious reasons, it’s safe to say he exceeded all expectations mentally and statistically. Now without the ESPN interrogation light shining directly in his eyes, Rodgers can improve his clutch decision making and leadership abilities during pressure situations. Both of those were really his only flaws, and I’ll trade fantasy points for more heroics any day.
I could easily pick a defensive back here, but I have a feeling Barnett will be the glue in the 3-4 defense similar to James Harrison’s role with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s obviously not the same player, nor is he as dumb (not visiting the White House because he didn’t like the fact that the Cardinals would’ve been invited if they had won? C’mon…). But Barnett will provide a spark in emotional leadership that was all too sparse in 2008.
I’d love to think that Harrell’s back, which has roughly the toughness of a 79-year-old man, would be healthy enough for him to contribute the way a semi-bust first round pick should. The Packers need all the help they can get from the defensive line, but the player that will get everybody turning their heads in a “who the hell is this guy?” fashion will be converted linebacker Jeremy Thompson. He is the overlooked 3-4 DE-to-LB conversion project, as Aaron Kampman grabs most of the questions and spotlight, but Thompson has played well enough to pass rookie Clay Matthews on the depth chart.
Grant’s career high 1,200 rushing yards in 2008 shouldn’t fool anyone into thinking he had a good season. He averaged 3.9 ypc, only scored four touchdowns, and elicited an always-hilarious sarcastic remark from my roommate because of his lack of fantasy value. But now that Grant has his precious contract and has been through his first full training camp as a Packer, he will return to his 2007 form and take a lot of pressure off of Aaron Rodgers and the passing game.
Before he was injured in Week 4, Jenkins was looking like a great compliment to Aaron Kampman. The Packer pass rush noticeably suffered without him, and Jenkins’ health is crucial if this defense is going to fulfill its potential. Although the 3-4 system will ask him to do more hole-plugging than pass rushing, Jenkins can be an absolute beast and has experience playing as a DT/DE hybrid. Jenkins had 2.5 sacks before going down for the season last year, and with the other starting defensive end position still unknown, he will be counted on as a consistent and experienced player. You may not hear his name called every play, but Jenkins’ versatility will elevate the play of everyone around him.
Raji will see playing time at both the nose tackle and defensive end positions, and he has the body and power to do it. The Packers went almost purely defensive in the 2009 draft, and with Clay Matthews’ development slowed by a hamstring injury, Raji wins this award almost by default. He will contribute right away and I can guarantee he won’t be another Justin Harrell. Raji, Jenkins, and nose tackle Ryan Pickett have the talent to make volleyball-like rotations around the entire line. As long as he stays healthy, the Ewok-looking Raji will fulfill every expectation the organization and fan base has for him. I’m definitely looking forward to his debut against the Bills on Saturday.
McCarthy prefers to let his car warm up a bit before putting it into drive, as they were shut out in the first quarter in six games. Green Bay was only shut out seven times combined in the second and third quarters. When it came to closing the game out Trevor Hoffman-style, the Packers opted for a much more acceptable Derrick Turnbow/Eric Gagne impersonation. In the two overtime games against the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears, the Packer offense didn’t even sniff the ball. Likewise, Green Bay threw up a big o-fer in games decided by four points or less in 2008, going 0-7. A 
