Do you think it matters to this young Packers fan, or any other Packers fan for that matter, that the most recent ESPN poll shows the Dallas Cowboys are the most popular team in America? Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Sometimes a poll is slanted toward a specific segment of society. Sometimes the numbers are simply fudged to get the results wanted.

Though I have no evidence whatsoever, I simply can’t believe this most recent poll set out by ESPN, that network that historically has been tilted toward Dallas. In fact, for every poll like this one that shows the Cowboys are America’s Team, I could probably find another that shows the Packers or the Giants or the Steelers are the country’s favorite football team.

I’m not a Cowboys hater or a Skip Bayless naysayer most of the time, but when I see polls like this it just turns my crank. First of all, polls like this mean absolutely nothing. Fans are fans and loyalty to a team isn’t something that is going to be swayed from one week to the next. If you’re a Cowboys fan, fine. Congratulations. If there are more of them than there are Packers or Giants fans, then that’s fine, too.

Just don’t go puffing out your chest … take a look at the scoreboard. The last time the Cowboys were in the Super Bowl was 1995. The Packers, Giants and Steelers have all dominated Super Bowls since then. And all of those teams have histories filled with tradition and championships.

Championships are what count … not how many claim to be a fan.

Anyway, Check out the site if you want to see where your team stands in this recent poll. BTW, if you’re a Jaguars fan you will probably be really disappointed.

The results are also below:

The Packers defense needs to step up in the second half of the season. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The Packers defense currently ranks #7 in total yards, #3 in rushing attempts, 25th for yards per attempt and #10 for yards per game. Rankings of statistics are what they are, numbers on paper, but can tell a larger story when dug into.

Let’s discuss these stats one at a time and try to determine why they are what they are and let’s do this from the bad to the not-so-bad order.

#25 Yards per attempt average (4.6) – The Packers are facing opponents that are in a “need to pass” situations because the score is hardly ever in their favor and they are playing catch-up. This forces Dom Capers’ defense to run a lot of nickel and dime defenses leaving the front six to fend off the runs and makes them more susceptible to the running game.

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The Packers receivers are some of the best in the game. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Last week, the Sporting News came out with its top five ranking of passing groups in the NFL, ranking the packers trio of Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver fourth best in the league.

That’s a respectable ranking, and probably fair on its face value due only to one factor in my mind: Donald Driver’s age.

But despite his years in the league, nobody that I’ve seen keeps himself in shape any better than Double -D. Injuries caught up with him as the season wore on last year and his injury in the Super Bowl was tragic in that he couldn’t finish the game. (more…)

Pete Prisco thinks the Packers' Tramon Williams is one of the best cover corners in the league. We agree. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

It’s the season of the overrated …

Whenever sportswriters get bored, they will come up with a list … the best, the toughest, the greatest, the worst … you name it, they will come up with it.

The most recent nfl.com’s 100 best players of 2011 was a wonderful concept, but just like every list ever concocted, there are those who just can’t believe what they’re seeing. I guess I was one of those disbelievers. (more…)

Aaron Rodgers is an elite QB. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Bucky Brooks posted an interesting take on Aaron Rodgers today at NFL.com – one that has raised more than one eyebrow among those who have watched the Packers’ quarterback week in and week out since he became a starter three years ago.
Brooks’ entire thesis is built around the opening line of his piece: “Don’t believe the hype.”
What hype? (more…)

The Packers are ranked as the best organization in the league .

FOX Sports has announced that they rank the Packers at the top of the heap of NFL teams … And to reiterate what Adam Schein says in his analysis … This is not a power ranking. (more…)