Where to even start?

A Packer fan may start with Aaron Rodgers - however, Rodgers doesn’t play defence does he?  Not only has Rodgers surpassed even Green Bay’s hardest core Brett Favre Packer fan, he showed in this past game that he is willing to play through pain and lead the team.  He did his part.  Yes, he essentially solidified this loss with the toss to Atlanta late in the 4th quarter, but anyone watching the game knew it was all but over.  One could also start with how many penalties on routine executions this team has enjoyed making in most of the quarters they are routinely exhibiting these mental mistakes in the last 3 games - all of which have now resulted in losses and a sub .500 record.  Not since the final season of Coach Holmgren, have the Packers lost four in a row - and ironically, the team heads to face Holmgren’s Seattle squad in Week 6. 

The Packers run game is very quickly reaching back to the 2006 season - and nobody wants to go there.  Ryan Grant where are you?  After putting up amazing numbers and getting that fat contract just before Week 1, Grants numbers are 3rd back quality at best.  I feel that once Grant gets going the rest of the backs will follow.  Something must be done with the punter Derrick Frost.  Trader Ted (Thompson-Packers GM), must fess up to making a mistake dumping incumbent punter Jon Ryan just prior to the start of the season and replacing him with a less than impressive Frost.  Not only did Thompson stress consistency as the main reason for making the change, now it appears Frost himself is far less consistent than an inconsistent Jon Ryan.  Oh - Ryan is also now on that same Seattle squad the Packers head out to Seattle to face this coming Sunday.  I don’t think the punter change in itself will help turn around this teams fortunes - but given all the tiny gaffes that are suddenly translating into loss after loss - a move at this position can hardly be considered wrong.

I must also admit the mounting injuries on defense are becoming apparent.  With Al Harris nursing his spleen (and still holding out all hope to return at some point), Woodson playing in all games so far - but with a broken toe and losing defensive end Cullen Jenkins last week - the other members of this team must band together and win these games with a little grit and simply fundamental football.  Only after the upcoming  Seattle game will DT Justin Harrell (who started the year on the PUP list) be able to return.  Unfortunately for both Harrell and the Packers niether side can be sure what to expect, as Harrell has been injury riddled since his 07′ Draft - but at this point, the Packers will take what they can get internally before going outside for help - for now at least.

Kudos to our Week 5 opponent Atlanta.  Count me among the masses who have yet to see new QB Matt Ryan play.  He remained cool under the Lambeau pressure and along with a reconstructed team admirably earned a lot of respect during this game. 

The Packers 27-24 loss now brings the team into Week 6 with a 2-3 record.  After a solid season opener home win vs. Minnesota in week 1 followed by a convincing road win over now 0-4 Detroit, the Packers have dropped two home games and a road game since surrendering to Dallas, Tampa and of course Atlanta.  The schedule doesn’t look any easier with the exception of their Week 8 bye.  The Bears are now in front of both Green Bay and Minnesota (both 2-3) with a 3-2 record, with Detroit sitting uncomfortably without a win in the NFC North Basement - only the Rams have a comparble record in the NFC to Detroit.

Well - thats about it.  More on the Pack going into Week 6 vs. Seattle in - ‘Midweek in the Midwest’.  Be sure to follow STB’s own Terry Shilton, for the Seattle fan perspective.

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