Here is my take on things. Regardless of what anyone on these boards say, something has to be done. This team is sinking fast. 7 games out already. Dead last when they were picked to finish at worst second. At this point in time, I really don't care what they do. It is not early anymore. Just do something. Whether that involves trading a few guys, sending a few guys down, firing the manager, firing the GM, I don't care. Just don't continue to stand pat. This is not working. If something is not done to light a fire under these guys, they are going to be out of it by June.
Here are my two cents:
1.)Bench Hall, give Gamel a shot.
2.)Juggle the batting order. Go back to what worked last year. Namely Hardy in the 2 hole so the guy could see a fastball or two in front of Braun.
3.)Give TGJ a few starts a week. Hit him leadoff, stop hitting the pitcher 8th and hit Weeks 8 when TGJ is in the lineup. Either that or reward the guy for being a good soldier and not complaining when they continue to not play him and trade him. They could also try Kendall at 1 or 2.
4.)Bring up LaPorta. He can get at least 10 AB's a week if you alternate Cameron and Harts' day off every week or so. A pinch hit app. every game. Plus you could rest Fielder every once in a while. Try Braun in right. His arm is strong enough and he is a good enough athlete. That way, if you trade TGJ, when Cameron is off, LaPorta is in left, Hart in center, and Braun in right. Any thoughts of keeping Prince already involve these guys playing these positions, so why not try it to see if and when that happens, if this is going to work.
5.)Make a big trade. If they think there is no way to re-sign Sheets and they are already 7 out, trade him before he gets hurt. After he spends two months on the DL for a sprained toe, his value goes down. Also, get whatever they can now for Cameron and Gagne. They are off the books after this year, at least Gagne is, so if you can get a couple of A ball guys for them, that is fine with me.
6.)Fire Yost and/or Melvin. Someone has to take the fall, and it is never the players. Whether it is deserved or not, the ax will eventually fall on one or both.
Posted on: May 11, 2008 7:54 pm
Why Aaron Rodgers is going to be just fine.
This offseason has been one of change for the Pack. A few new pieces, but most of all, a new QB. A lot of national shows are predicting the Pack will have an off year with this adjustment, here are the reasons why I think they are going to be just fine.
When MM took over in the '06, the Packers had a rebuilding o-line. Youth at both guards and at center. Now, they are coming into their own. The receivers, besides Driver, were not very good. Since then they have added Jennings, Jones, and Nelson through the draft, TE Lee as a free agent, and Ruvell Martin has come into his own. At running back, they were old and injury prone. Ahman Green was on his last legs, and they didn't really have anyone else. Since then a trade has added Ryan Grant and the draft has added Jackson and Wynn. All of these are major upgrades over the players they had before, and will make it much easier for Rodgers(or Brohm if he gets hurt) to step in and succeed.
As far as Rodgers, he has sat for three years. I can't imagine Favre teaching him, but he has had the chance to learn from a guy who knows how to coach up QB's. When MM was in New Orleans, Aaron Brooks was actually a decent QB. Once MM left, so did Aaron Rodgers game. The year before MM got to Green Bay, Favre threw 29 ints and had a passer rating of 70.9, his worst year in the NFL. MM reigned him in. Last year, Favre threw only 15 ints and had a QB rating of 95.7.
The bottom line with Rodgers? He has sat and learned from on of the best offensive coaches in the league. He has all the tools. The team has assembled every single piece on offense that a QB would need to succeed. Rodgers will be good. He probably will not put up the numbers that Favre put up last year, but he doesn't need to. Manage the game. Don't try to make throws that you cannot make. Take what the defense gives you. ARod understands this. I will be amazed if Rodgers does not have a good year and the Packers don't win at least 11 games.
When MM took over in the '06, the Packers had a rebuilding o-line. Youth at both guards and at center. Now, they are coming into their own. The receivers, besides Driver, were not very good. Since then they have added Jennings, Jones, and Nelson through the draft, TE Lee as a free agent, and Ruvell Martin has come into his own. At running back, they were old and injury prone. Ahman Green was on his last legs, and they didn't really have anyone else. Since then a trade has added Ryan Grant and the draft has added Jackson and Wynn. All of these are major upgrades over the players they had before, and will make it much easier for Rodgers(or Brohm if he gets hurt) to step in and succeed.
As far as Rodgers, he has sat for three years. I can't imagine Favre teaching him, but he has had the chance to learn from a guy who knows how to coach up QB's. When MM was in New Orleans, Aaron Brooks was actually a decent QB. Once MM left, so did Aaron Rodgers game. The year before MM got to Green Bay, Favre threw 29 ints and had a passer rating of 70.9, his worst year in the NFL. MM reigned him in. Last year, Favre threw only 15 ints and had a QB rating of 95.7.
The bottom line with Rodgers? He has sat and learned from on of the best offensive coaches in the league. He has all the tools. The team has assembled every single piece on offense that a QB would need to succeed. Rodgers will be good. He probably will not put up the numbers that Favre put up last year, but he doesn't need to. Manage the game. Don't try to make throws that you cannot make. Take what the defense gives you. ARod understands this. I will be amazed if Rodgers does not have a good year and the Packers don't win at least 11 games.
Category: NFL
Posted on: May 9, 2008 9:56 pm