The first half of Monday night’s game between Green Bay and Jacksonville, the Packers’ offense did an admirable, though undesirable impression of the Chicago Bears. For two quarters, they sputtered and misfired their way to a 13-7 deficit, and for all the world, looked like they were going to be humiliated by a 3-7 team that had lost 7 of their preceding 8 contests.In fact, the agony continued into the third period of play when Green Bay’s offense line and beleaguered kicker, Ryan Longwell, combined to negate a picture perfect 63 yard reception by Antonio Freeman by allowing rookie tackle Marcus Stroud to sneak through a crevice and block a chip shot field goal. And then the Jacksonville defense committed a cardinal sin: They pissed off Brett Favre.
On the ensuing possession, Favre marched the Green and Gold down the field when All Pro Defensive end Tony Brackens blew by sophomore tackle Chad Clifton like he wasn’t there. With a hammering blow, Brackens sacked Favre, knocked the football loose, where it was recovered by Jaguars safety, Ainsley Battles who took the ball to the house. A two point conversion gave the Jags a comfortable 14 point lead on their home field with a scant 18:45 remaining in the game.
The rest of the game belonged to Brett Favre. With the aid of a fumbled kickoff return by Elvis Joseph, Favre used the next
The Green Bay offense faltered somewhat in the fourth period, but the defense took strength from the mighty Favrian display. They intercepted Mark Brunnel once, sacked him three times, and recovered a fumble they forced from him. And, as he has done 20 times during his career, Brett Favre engineered a winning fourth quarter drive to seal the deal. Just when you thought the old man didn’t have it in him anymore, he bootlegged the ball into the endzone for the victory score, beating his erstwhile nemesis, Brackens around the corner to the endzone.
Brett Favre doing what Brett Favre does best.... winning, any which way he can.
While it would be easy to conclude this column with the storybook ending Favre delivered, it would be derelict to neglect the Dogs in Green and Gold who made the come-from-behind tactics necessary. Heading into a division lead showdown with the Chicago Flyin’ Pigs.... errrr.... Bears, the first half of Monday’s game is a grim reminder that there are some things in dire need of being fixed.
Give one mutt each to Head Coach Mike Sherman and Kicker Ryan Longwell for the missed 52 yard field goal attempt. Sherman for letting a kicker who can't even reach the endzone off a tee try such a long kick and Longwell for not being able to make it.
Give another mutt to Longwell for kickoffs that were fielded at the 15, 11,12,5, and 8 giving Jacksonville field position at their own 36, 30, 29, and 22. But for a fumble and a holding penalty on two of the returns, things could have been much, much worse.
Give one mutt to Billie Schroeder for dropping a bomb that could not have been placed in his arms more carefully. It would have been a sure TD and ultimately given Pack a lead at the half.
Give long snapper Ron Davis a mutt for missing the block on Marcus Stroud that enabled him to block Longwell’s field goal attempt.
Give Chris Akins two mutts for interfering with two fair catches, costing the Packers 30 yards in penalties. While your at it, give this bum a bus ticket home. Doesn’t this clown know the rules of the game??? Certainly there must be some XFL or Arena League hoe that could fill this roster spot without trying to give the game away.
Indeed, there are many things the Packers need to get right, but the one thing wearing Green and Gold that doesn’t need to be fixed wears the number “4”. Thank goodness that Mike Sherman has not taken the advice of the pundits and critics who would have Favre be more thoughtful and careful in his pass selections.