December 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid walks off the field after losing to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. It was his final game as head coach of the Eagles. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

“Black Monday” is historically the day after the final National Football League regular season games have been played. It’s the day when coaching staff firings are announced

If a normal year is considered black, today, Monday, Dec. 31, might go down in league history as the blackest of the black, the black hole where no light can seep in or out.

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith. He won’t have to worry about beating the Green Bay Packers anymore as he was fired Monday.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Already today, there have been, as of this writing, as many as 10 head coaches and general managers who have been given their pink slips – including our beloved Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith. I have a suggestion for the coach who takes over that storied franchise – don’t make defeating the Green Bay Packers your sole mission in life. Before you do, you might want to ask Lovie how that all went down.

In any event, the sound of the revolving doors over the next couple of weeks should be a loud hum as teams across the league scramble to hire the next coach that will take their franchise to the Super Bowl.

For us Green Bay Packers fans, the only thing we should worry about is whether some of these desperate teams sweep in and raid our coaching staff … though the team can somewhat control that situation, rarely do franchises stand in the way of someone improving their lot in life – and that’s the way it should be.

One of the best sites for keeping track of all that’s happening today and will be continuing throughout the next few weeks is at profootballtalk.com … Here is the link to the updated information.

Enjoy, and better yet, relish in the fact that the Packers are in the Playoffs once again, play at home this weekend and are preparing to take revenge on the Minnesota Vikings.

Mason Crosby has had better days.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

We’ve all closed our eyes this entire season every time Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy looks down the bench and gives the nod to place kicker Mason Crosby. When Crosby touches the playing surface, it seems everything goes awry.

It hasn’t seemed to matter whether he’s been playing indoors in September or outdoors in December – he has been nothing short of awful. Every time he puts his foot to the ball it seems he’s pitching a knuckleball that floats, flutters, drifts and never finds the strike zone.

It’s disheartening. Personally, I’ve always really like Mason Crosby. He’s a straight shooter, a community-minded guy who has been a valuable and important member of the Green Bay Packers Football Club. But something has gone very wrong this season. It started, for me, when the Packers held that field goal kicking contest during Family Night Back in August. On that night, Crosby was put on display and attempted several 50-yard and beyond field goals that showed the same kind of misdirection we’ve been seeing from him all year. I think he connected on a couple out of at least a half dozen – it didn’t look good.

When the season started, the flags began to rise to full staff when he badly missed a couple of important kicks indoors at Indianapolis – the second being a potential game-typing field goal that didn’t even come close. That’s when his confidence took a nosedive.

Since then, he has been very, very inconsistent. In Chicago Sunday he again missed two very makeable kicks which would have easily put the game way out of reach for the Bears. Instead, the Bears were in the game right down to near the end of the game.

So, what’s happened? I wish I knew … and I’m sure Mike McCarthy and special teams coach Shawn Slocum wished they knew. In public, McCarthy continues to stand by Crosby. He says he’s the kicker for the remainder of the season. I question how a coach can have as much patience in this situation. If McCarthy continues to call on Crosby, there is going to come a time – probably in the playoffs – when Crosby misses a game-winning kick. Should that occur, McCarthy will be pilloried and Crosby will be gone.

Do the Packers stiffen up and pull the plug on Crosby before that happens? We’ll see … if they don’t, it could end up being a very long off-season for both the team and its fans.

But if Crosby is the man for the remainder of the season, here’s something you might remember … it was a time when Crosby’s accuracy was spot-on.

Watch and enjoy.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) breaks up a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Green Bay Packers winning their second straight National Football Conference North Division title yesterday with a win over longtime rival Chicago Bears, this is a rather bright and cheery Monday morning for Packers Nation.

Any Monday morning after a Packers win is memorable, especially when I get to cash in my McDonald’s ticket for a free McMuffin.

But seriously, we wanted to know what others were saying after the Packers pulled out another big win in the Windy City and are one game short of once more sweeping their NFC North opponents.

So, without more rambling from me, here are some links that might interest you this morning:

The 10*-4 Green Bay Packers defeated the 8-6 Chicago Bears 21-13 to become your 2012 NFC North Division Champions today in Chicago.

The Packers played their usual bend-but-don’t-break defense and had enough good plays on offense to win the game. In the grand scheme of things I guess it doesn’t matter how the Packers win, but I’m still waiting for another beat-down of a good team like in the Texans game so long ago.

Early in the game it looked as if the Packers would end up on the short end of this one. They came alive in the second quarter and the defense saved them from several would-be fatal mistakes. They can’t count on that to happen again. Elimination of the mistakes has to be their emphasis over the next two weeks and in the playoffs.

Chest Bumps and Thumps from this one:

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) is congratulated by free safety M.D. Jennings (43) for breaking up a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump - to Sam Shields. His coverage was solid. He managed to get the better of Alshon Jeffery on most of the calls. He came up big in another Bears game. Nice work 37!

Thump - to the play call on the Cobb special teams gadget play. Whoever made that decision needs to be psychologically evaluated. If there has ever been a good time to make that call, and I’m not convinced there ever has, it certainly was not when it was called in this game. Credit the Packers defense for holding the Bears to only 3 points after that horrible call!

Chest Bump - to Clay Matthews. Five tackles and two assists. Two sacks. Several hurries. One knocked down pass. And one entirely forgettable sack dance. Nice to have you back 52. Seriously Clay…the sack dance initially had everybody laughing pretty hard at Tailgators, but when the reality of what you did set in I think several of us threw up in our mouths a little.

Fatal Thump - to Mason Crosby. I’m sorry. I’m a Crosby supporter. I thought he could work his way out of the slump, and indeed I thought he had done so. But sloppy surface at Soldier Field or no, I think Crosby’s performance in this game was the last straw.

Chest Bump - to the Packers run defense. Holding the Bears to 83 yards net rushing (and 190 total yards!) will get you a chest bump every time.

Thump - for the first half start. Seriously guys – what’s with the slow starts the last several weeks? Why make things harder on yourselves than they already are? Please come out and assert yourselves just for practice soon because that crappy start stuff won’t fly in the playoffs.

Chest Bump - to James Jones. Great job by 89 with the hat trick. Three TD catches, each one better than the last. Jones had a drop early in the game but his overall performance (5 catches for 60 yards and 3 TDs) was the difference-maker in this one.

Thump - for the penalties. The Packers were once again penalized more than their opponents in this game. OK … so take away the 53 yard DPI call on Burnett and their yardage comes out far less than Chicago’s total, but both teams were making big mistakes in pass D. The Packers have got to stop making mistakes before the snap. False starts and delays of game are completely avoidable and preventable errors. Fix them!

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump - to Jermichael Finley. J Mike had his best game this season. 5 catches for 61 yards and a long of 31, which was a thing of beauty consisting of a bunch of YAC. So was Finley motivated by the team’s need for him to produce a performance fitting for a start TE in the biggest game of the year, or was it a certain columnist’s take on his future? Whatever caused it he came up big against the Bears today. Can we count on him to do it again this season? I sure hope so!

Thump - to Ryan Grant. The play during which Ryan Grant caused seismographs all over the world to register Packer Nation’s collective groan started out nicely. EDS was in the backfield to block on the right side and Grant had a nice opening to scamper through. He took advantage of it and started to go back toward the left, but Peanut Tillman did what Peanut Tillman does – knocking the ball out of Grant’s grasp and causing the groan heard around the planet. The Bears got nothing out of it but Grant has got to keep that from happening.

Chest Bump – to B.J. Raji. B.J. dropped it on Forte for no gain a couple of times in this game. He’s another player who always seems to have his best games against Chicago, and he had one today. Officially credited with only one tackle in the game, Raji disrupted several running plays and was a force rushing up the middle consistently. Nice job 90.

Chest Bump – to Randall Cobb. Randall Cobb broke the Packers all-time single-season combined yardage record in this game. With several clutch grabs and totals of 6 catches for 115 yards and a long of 31 yards, Cobb kept drives, and Rodgers, alive several times. One has to wonder how long he can continue to take shots like the one he took on the punt return in the fourth quarter though. The gadget play pass wasn’t commendable, but I don’t think that was his fault.

Thump – to Brad Jones. Jones had a decent stat line (6 tackles 2 assists) in the game and played stout run defense but his whiff of Marshall allowed Marshall to score his TD. It would have been a better stat line at 7-2 but as it turned out I think Jones’ overall contribution probably overshadowed his glaring missed tackle.

Thump and a Bump - Casey Hayward for first getting stiff armed (easily it seemed) by Marshall on his way to a TD after Jones whiffed on his tackle. Later he finished on his INT opportunity – picking Cutler off and returning 12 yards to the 26 to set up the Packers second TD.

Collective Chest Bump – to the Green Bay Packers 2012 NFC North Division Champions. The football gods have thrown an awful lot of challenges at the Packers this year. They used perseverance, dedication, and overall team character to overcome. Congratulations!  

Here are the marginally insightful and mildly entertaining tweets I broadcasted during the game – last ones listed first. Scroll down to read from the beginning of the game. I think they frame the comments made above. And nobody has told me they don’t want to see them any more either. Review them at your peril:

- Not a pretty one but a W is a W. So Packers own Central Division for 2012. More later on http://LombardiAve.com . Go PACK!

- Nice work by Masthay to bury Bears at their own 2 yard line. One more job for Pack D.

- Shields non-PI, even if it was PI, was payback for horrible helmet to hands call earlier in the game. Karma incarnate.

- Sam Shields clutch defense on 4th down! Nice work 37…thanks from a grateful Packer Nation.

- Jeffery needs a little bit of remedial instruction on how not to get clear of a defender. (His third OPI call against Shields).

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) reacts after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- Clay bats one. Just don’t do that dance again 52!

- Dammut…3rd and 3 and they go long downfield pass? Let’s just give the game to the Bears and stop screwing around.

- Bears D starting to look a little tired. Run it down their throats.

- Harris looking strong again on the run. Where has he been?

- So what Troy…it WAS a penalty. Shut your pie hole. They call that every week in the wonderful new NFL. Adapt or die. (Troy Aikman didn’t like the roughing call on Peppers. I didn’t like it either, but get used to it).

- Another nice stop by defense to hold Bears to 3 again. No more freaking gadget plays! Just run the ball!

- Jeffery had Shields in his grasp the entire time the ball was in the air. Nice non-call refs! (near pick by Shields against Jeffery).

- Worst. Call. Of. The. Year! (the pass on the punt return…duh!).

- Who called that horrible gadget play on the punt return? Can we blame that on Crosby too?

- OK…so what are we calling Claymaker’s new sack dance? (Clay sacks Cutler on 2^nd and 17 and “dances”).

- Raji playing with some fire today. He’s having a good game against the Bears.

- That’s a fork sticking out of Crosby. Pack can’t possibly look upon his performance today as anything other than the last straw.

- Rodgers runs…hearts leap into throats. Didn’t pick up the first either. And then Crosby doinks. He’s done.

- Nice catch by 85 to pick up most of holding call penalty. (picks up 14 yards out of the 20 needed for a first).

- Finley with another clutch catch and YAC. He’s having his best game in months. Thanks again McGinn!

- That was a nice play to Jones for the first though. I can’t stay mad at Aaron for long!

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- Rodgers needs to either throw the ball or take off…plays taking way too long to develop.

- 21-10 going into the 4th quarter. Pack O can put it away with a time-consuming drive here.

- Great clutch stand by Packers D to hold Bears to 3. Now Pack O needs a nice LONG drive.

- OPI FINALLY called on a receiver against Sam Shields! Sweet redemption! (Jeffery with OPI again).

- Great line. RT @Zathras3: Shields gets the true “illegal face to the hands” penalty.

- DPI on Burnett but pass wouldn’t have been caught if he hadn’t done it. Dammut!

- You tell him Sam! Refs with another crappy call. Nice! (the uncalled facemask but called DPI was glaring bad).

- That groan from Packer Nation registered on Richter scales around the planet. Grant with the fumble. OK D…get it back. (Grant’s run looked great until he lost the football).

- Rodgers with the avoidance and a nice throw to Cobb but he’s GOT to get rid of the ball faster than that!

- Rodgers wants that one back! Way too close to a pick. (two Bears players had hands on a deflected pass but no INT).

- Thank you Randall Cobb for holding on to that punt while you nearly had your block knocked off!

- Neal assist by Moses with the sack and Cutler with the woozy walk back to the sidelines. (Culter slow to get up and slower to walk back to the bench).

- Uecker calls it “juuuust a bit overthrown” by Cutler on 2nd and 11. (Cutler’s second worst throw of the day. The first was Hayward’s pick)

- Wait…was all that ugly substitution confusion on purpose? To throw the Bears off? Is MM that crafty? Either way I liked the result.

- Rodgers with another TD dime to Jones. Three TDs for each and Pack up 21-7. Come on D…put this one away!

- Wow how do they look this confused and poiseless? (Substitutions looked absolutely nutty).

- DPI in the end zone. We’ll take it! (DPI against Finley)

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled by Chicago Bears Joe Anderson (19) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- Nice play on fourth down by Cobb but never should have had to go there. (the fourth and six catch).

- Mike…this might be news to you, but Kuhn diving on 3rd and 6 is guaranteed not to get the first down!

- Is anybody else tired of watching Newhouse getting beat and Rodgers running for his life because of it?

- That was ugly but a first is a first is a first as they say.

- Finley actually having a decent day today. Thanks McGinn!

- DuJuan Harris! Nice first play of the second half baller! (Harris carries for 21 on the first play of the second half).

- Jones with his second TD pass from Rodgers. 14-7 at the half and Packers get ball first in second half. Fired up Packers fans? We are here!

- If Cutler wasn’t an intermittently decent QB there’d be a contract out on him in Chicago just for his surly prima donna personality. (Cameras show Cutler’s histrionics on the sideline. Not much of a team guy).

- Hayward picks Cutler off…Cutler shakes his head. Cutler threw it right to Hayward. Beautiful!

- Nice 3 and out by Pack D. We need another TD and then one on the first possession of the second half. How about it Pack O?

- That’s the way to bring it back! Nice job by Rodgers to Jones for the TD. Perfect pass!

- AWESOME play by Rodgers to get that ball downfield and by Cobb to grab it.

- Nice job by Jennings fighting for YAC. (Jennings catch on the sidelines and YACs for an additional 10 yards).

- Love the “Hello” commercial. Hate being behind the Bears. Especially hate being behind the Bears in NFC North Title game. Come on Packers! (The commercial with the high school RB who flips over the defender is entertaining).

- And the bad tackling comes into it too. Marshall scores. Pack fans seething. (Jones whiff, Hayward stiff armed…Marshall scores).

- Don’t they teach these guys to disengage from blocks at the line? Why was Walden shoving that lineman around? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? (Walden called for facemask while he’s engaged for several seconds with the OL. The phonetic alphabet can be  fun and useful.)

- Forte delivered the blow to Jennings on that run. Gotta respect it. (Forte got loose and drove his shoulder through Jennings to close the play).

- Crosby misses. So much for the high scoring predictions. (FG attempt wasn’t even close).

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji (90) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

- Cobb drops one? Really? Is anything going to work in this freaking game?

- I swear if they throw the ball on 4th and 1 ever again I’ll sell my stock n move to Lithuania or something. Yes it worked. No I didn’t like it. (Pass on 4^th down works but WTF on the call? Why not RUN the ball or try to draw them offsides? And even in Lithuania I would probably still be a Packers fan.)

- 3rd and 1…and the Packers kill their own drive again with 14 guys on the field.

- Nice pass to Cobb for 30!

- Welcome back Claymaker…even if you had some help on that sack!

- Sack saves the day and stops the Bears. Bush kills field position with a needless hold. Nice.

- End of 1st qtr no score but Bears moving and Packers reeling. Pack D needs to tighten and Pack O needs to run the ball.

- Another sack of Rodgers. He’s holding too long and not moving out of the pocket when he should. His frustration is showing too.

- So far…yet another ugly one. When will the Packers play another dominant game?

- Raji drops it on Forte…nice stop.

- Thank you Tim Masthay…you’re obviously willing to do what it takes to win this one. How about the rest of you Packers? (Masthay makes the tackle on the punt return).

- That possession looked worse than the first one. Packers will not be gifted this game by the Bears. (Packers 3 and out after the penalty)

- Thank you Bears for a free first down. We’ll take those all day too! (Bears have too many men on field for punt giving the Packers the ball back).

- Not a good looking pass by Rodgers. Now it’s up to the punt coverage team.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Alex Green (20) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- We’ll take 6 yards on every run all day long! (Green carries up the middle).

- Nice moves by Rodgers to get the first 1st down.

- C’mon Don…no room for that FS stuff down here (false start on Barclay deep in Packers territory).

- Nice to have you back Sam Shields! (knocks ball away from Jeffery on third down- the first of many times).

- Pack D looks like last week’s Pack D. Like they’ll be down 14-0 in no time.

- Run D better be better than that or this will be a long game!

- Crosby delivers…no way for Hester to hurt the Packers if he can’t return the KOs.

Want to see these every week? Let me know.

With regard to the Fearsome Predictions I made prior to the game, I’ll need yet another mulligan. I went O-for. As in not a single one was correct. Goose egg. Most weren’t close. I’ll throw myself on the mercy of the Packer Nation court this week. But I’m going to keep making them. Somebody stop me!

The Green Bay Packers are your NFC North Division Champions for 2012. They got it done. They’re in the playoffs. Next up are the Titans at Lambeau. After that they visit the Vikings to see if they can keep Adrian Peterson from setting a new single season rushing mark. Both games will be important – especially if the Patriots beat the 49ers Sunday night. That’s a better problem to have than trying to get into the playoffs though!

Bring on the Titans! Go Pack GO!

Nov 25, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) trips up Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

There are times when a writer lacks the words to adequately describe, in original terms, a game like the one the Packers lost to the Giants on Sunday night. But I’ll try.

There are those who believe the game didn’t mean much; a “mulligan” if you will. There are those who have expressed their seemingly omniscient foreknowledge of the events that transpired in New York. There are even those who think it’s time to break up the defensive staff and start over.

Me? I saw what you saw, and I liked none of it.

Nothing the Packers did in this game worked. Let’s be honest and admit that the way the Packers were playing the game was probably out of reach by the end of the first quarter at 17-7 Giants. Without a doubt it was out of reach by halftime at 31-10 Giants. Green Bay didn’t have what it was going to take to beat the Giants in this game. Nobody saw the Giants coming into this game and dominating it the way they did … me included, but dominate it they did.

A few things jumped out at me during the game.

November 24, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks over offensive line before a play against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. The Packers won 27-15. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

- The offensive line looked as if they were out of sync and not communicating. All one has to do is look at one stat from the game to verify this: Rodgers was hit, sacked, or under heavy pressure on more than half of his pass attempts. I would have thought even more than that as I watched, but half is still way too often. The Giants had a very effective defensive game plan that made the Packers look totally inept on offense. It didn’t help that so many of the offensive formations didn’t leave anyone for additional pass protection though.

- On defense, the Packers made several of the same mistakes they’ve already made many times this season. In this game the impact of every defensive mistake was increased. Poor and in some cases mediocre tackling, DBs got their hands on the ball in defense but could not catch it, and it seemed obvious to me that once the game was out of reach they were going through the motions. But these are things that can and must now be fixed.

- What has me really concerned is that the Packers do not deal with adversity well. They have not come back from more than 14 points down to win a game in about forever or from 21 points down to win a game in actual forever.

- The way the game started, with the Giants scoring quickly on the screen play and then the Nelson TD, had me thinking the game would be a shootout. I would have been OK with a shootout because the Packers have more than held their own in games like that. Last team with the ball wins? OK! Bring it on.

But this game was no shootout. Once it was obvious the Packers would have to throw the ball to get back into the game it was over. The Giants took away the deep throw by playing their safeties deep and pressured Rodgers so much that he couldn’t consistently make the shorter throws either. The Packers offensive brain trust must figure out a way to execute the passing game against what has become the de facto defense against the Packers passing game – the cover two look with the safeties playing deep.

Nov 25, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the ball off to running back James Starks (44) against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

- The Packers have got to figure out a way to run the ball consistently. For more than just carries – for actual yards. When they need them and when they don’t, against all kinds of defenses by all kinds of teams. This is the most effective way to force a team to abandon the cover two and open up the passing game. Have you heard this before?

- It occurs to me that no matter how great a RB is he won’t be successful if the O line isn’t opening holes. Will it take a massive overhaul of the O line? Will they need to use a high draft choice on a RB? Whatever it takes they have to make it happen. This is the most effective way to force a defense to abandon the cover two concept. Heard that before?

There’s not much point in doing the usual chest bumps and thumps after this game. The list would consist of nothing but thumps – mostly huge ones.

The same is true of the fearsome predictions, which for this game might have just as well been called feeble predicaments. Nothing I thought would happen in this game took place. I usually pull at least one prediction off, but this one went south in a hurry and never came back. You have my most sincere apologies.

As for game notes, due to the fact that I was watching the game, what I wrote as I was watching the game will go with me to the grave. There is no need to share that kind of angry-fan vernacular with the public. It’s bad enough that my son heard a little bit of it!

So is it time to put out the fire and call the dogs? Throw in the towel? Hang ‘em up? Burn jerseys? Start firing coaches, staff, or cutting players? Start looking forward to next season?

November 25, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb runs back a kickoff during the second quarter of an NFL game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

No. This was indeed one game. I agree with Aaron Rodgers and what he said post-game. There is work to be done. Improvements are needed. Flaws were masked that need to be remedied. The Packers have the right people in place to fix what ails them. They are a talented team with great players with bright futures. Let’s let them work.

In this game the Giants did to the Packers what the Packers did to the Texans and to a lesser extent the Bears earlier this season. The Giants played two lousy games in a row, had their bye week, and then came back and took it to the boys in green and gold. OK. Any given Sunday, right? It’s over. Learn what can be learned. Moving on.

I don’t expect the Packers to have another performance like this anytime soon. The Packers still control their destiny, much like they did in 2010 and 2011. Win and they’re in. What happens from now on, not what happened last night, will tell the true tale of the 2012 Packers. I can’t wait to see what happens!

Bring on the Vikings! Go Pack GO!

Neither Clay Matthews nor Desmond Bishop will play a role in the Packers defense this Sunday as Green Bay throws a much different defense onto the field against the Giants. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Each week the tendency for Green Bay Packers fans is put Aaron Rodgers front and center – easy to do, considering the television producers and directors make that easy for Packers Nation.

But there are other Packers players who have a huge impact on the outcome of every game.

We’ll concede that we will again be watching Rodgers with great interest, but let’s consider some of the other Packers players who could make a big splash Sunday night when the Packers play the New York Giants.

Here are the players I feel will be of importance Sunday:

James Starks. Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

• James Starks: The Packers running back who made it back on the field in a big way in last weekend’s win at Detroit, Starks will be given the ball in an attempt to soften the Giants’ defensive line and slow the pass rush that has caused Rodgers problems in the past. Whether Starks is the guy Sunday or whether the Packers also try to platoon him with Alex Green, it will be Starks who must be watched. If he can hit the 4-yard-per-carry mark, his job will be done. Not only will that give Rodgers time to throw, but it will also open things up for Green in the open field with quick pitches, screens and checkdowns over the middle.

Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

• Evan Dietrich-Smith and T.J. Lang: Last week these two offensive linemen played for the first full game without right tackle Bryan Bulaga. Going against a Giants’ defensive line that has historically caused Aaron Rodgers problems, these two players have to hold their own. If they don’t and Rodgers takes a beating, it will be difficult for the Packers to win. They struggled at times last week and will have to play at a higher level this week to be effective.

Randall Cobb.
Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

• Randall Cobb: The Packers’s second year rising star has continually caused defenses difficulties and how McCarthy has designed plays specifically for this special talent is impressive. I’m still waiting for the surprise reverse play to Cobb for big yards. That’s just about the only way the Packers haven’t utilized him. Rodgers is relying more on Cobb for the big play and I don’t expect that to change this week.

Davon House.
Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

• Packers defensive backfield versus Giants wide receivers: The youngsters filling the Packers defensive backfield (Hayward, McMillian, House) have been aggressive, intimidating and consistent as they continue to fill in for the likes of Charles Woodson and Sam Shields. Throw in Morgan Burnett and Tramon Williams to that mix and you’ve got a group of defenders who should compete well with the Giants receivers. The Giants will be facing a different defense than they saw back in January, but it’s different to Packers players and coaches, too. How they respond in this big conference game will tell us a lot about their potential to be playing come Playoffs time.

Dezman Moses.
Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

• Dezman Moses and Frank Zombo: Filling in for the injured Clay Matthews isn’t an easy task, but Moses did quite well last week. The undrafted rookie brings outside speed and strength to the field. The coaching staff says they are going to try to work Zombo back into the rotation, too.

How he responds will be important to his future as well as that of the team. Whichever is on the field at any given time has to show a presence for the Packers to have a chance.

Mason Crosby.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

• Mason Crosby: Need I say more? Maybe it’s time to turn the beer labels out for this guy. There’s got to be some kind of invisible force that’s working against him. He’s always been far from perfect, but he’s got the leg strength to hit those 45-yarders in December. It’s a wonder why he’s missing all those kicks indoors and under perfect conditions. December will be very important to his future with the team and the watching will be intense continuing this Sunday night.

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The return of Greg Jennings should be a good thing for the Packers in the second half of the season. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers’ bye week went by and things got both better and worse for the Pack … The NFC teams pumped as “better” than the Packers all lost (OK, the 49ers TIED the Rams in SF… still just as good for the Pack).

That included the Sunday night game where the Chicago Bears (who still suck, BTW) lost a sloppy game to the Texans. That helps the Packers in the NFC mix, but then the news that RT Brian Bulaga was put on IR for the hip injury he suffered versus the Cards came out. Who’d have thought that when he walked to the locker room against Arizona that he would be done for the season?

Injuries are part of the game, evidenced by four starting QBs being knocked out before halftime this week (Vick, Alex Smith, Cutler and Roethlisberger), so the Packers are not alone. Getting some of the playmakers back on the field against the Lions will be a welcomed sight.

Playoff Picture

It’s starting to get chilly in Central Wisconsin and gun-hunting season is already opening on Saturday. That means it isn’t too early to look at the path to the playoffs in the NFC.

The easiest path for the Packers would be to run the table which is entirely possible. But given the injuries and road games against the New York Football Giants and the Bears, I don’t see it as likely. If they do manage to beat both of those teams, dropping one of the four games against the Lions and the Vikings aren’t out of the realm of possibility. What I see is the Packers finishing at 12-4 or 11-5. Where does that fit into the playoff picture?

NFC North:

The Bears showed that they were who I thought they were on Sunday night. True, the weather was a factor, but it was the same for both teams. The Bears’ offense with or without Cutler is just OK. If they fall behind and NEED to pass, they will have trouble, but their defense can keep them close. That being said, the Bears D is good, but I don’t think they can count on getting a defensive TD every week to prop up the lack of offensive production. While the game against the Packers on Dec 16 will likely decide the NFC North, I’d like to have the Bears lose to the 49ers and the Seahawks before then.

The Bears aren’t the only “contenders” to deal with but I’m not a real believer in the Vikings. They have a brutal final 6 games facing both the Bears and Packers twice along with Houston (5 games against teams with a combined 34-11 record). Going 3-3 in the stretch run would be a great finish for the Vikings but that would only get them to 9-7. The Rams are the only team they can be confident to beat in that stretch so getting to 10 wins is going to be tough, much less 11 or 12. They just don’t have enough to make it through this year.

If the Packers beat the Bears in December and finish at 12-4, that should be enough to take the division.

The NFC Wildcard:

This is where I have to consider the possibility that the Packers don’t win the NFC North.

Obviously the wild-card route is something these Packers have taken before, so playing on the road through the postseason is not the end of the world. If the Packers only make it to 10-6, they will almost certainly make the playoffs.

They will need to win the Lions and Vikings games, as they should. If they do that, even a loss at Chicago, NY and Tennessee probably won’t keep them out of the playoffs. Losing games to either the Lions or Vikings AND losing both at the Giants and at the Bears will give the Saints or Cowboys a chance to get in over them, but it would take a 7-0 finish for the Saints and at least 6-1 finish for the Cowboys. I’d hate for it to come down to tiebreakers with anyone considering what happened in Seattle.

The Big Game:

While the Packers will want payback against Eli Manning and the Giants next weekend, the game the Packers need the most will come against the Bears on Dec 16^th.

That may be for all the marbles in the NFC North and a first round bye, but another sweep of the Bears would be great regardless.

Jennings, Woodson, Benson and Matthews will be back by then, all fresh and ready for another Super Bowl run.

The Packers have two games with the Lions, two with the Vikings and one with the Bears down the stretch. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers headed into week 10 desperate for a bye, and that’s exactly what they got.

The 2012 Packers, much like the Super Bowl Champion 2010 Packers, have been yet again decimated by injuries. The injury list continues to get larger every week, for now it is headed by Clay Matthews (hamstring) Charles Woodson (collar bone) Nick Perry (wrist, IR) Cedric Benson (foot, IR) (Greg Jennings – hamstring surgery) the list goes on and on. The Packers have rallied from injuries before, and we all expect nothing different from this deep team going forward.

So, moving forward, where will the Packers be after Week 13? Let me tell you.

Packers at Lions (11/18)

Under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers are 5-1 coming off their byes. This game is tough, but only because it is in Detroit. The Lions are coming off an embarrassing loss at Minnesota and appear to be heading in the wrong direction after a bit of resurgence over the past few weeks.

The Packers on the other hand will be rested and ready for their division rival, mark this one as a Packer’s victory. (7-3)

Packers at Giants (11/25)

This is by far the hardest game left on the Packer’s schedule, along with the Bears game arguably.

The Giants started the years 6-2, but have been outplayed back-to-back weeks by “lesser” teams, in terms of record. The Giants will have a bye this week, so they will have plenty of time to prepare for the Packers.

The Packers beat the Giants on a Mason Crosby field goal as time expired in New York last season to keep the Packers’ undefeated season alive. However, the Giants would get the ultimate payback knocking the Packers out of the playoffs for the second time in four years last season. I think the Giants will win this game because the extra time to prepare, and I’ll gladly concede this game to the Giants because I believe we will see them in the playoffs and our victory then. (7-4)

Packers vs. Vikings

The Packers have absolutely dominated this series the past six seasons, going 9-3 against their hated rival since the 2006 season.

The Packers get this game at Lambeau coming off the projected loss to the Vikings, which doesn’t bode well for the Vikings. If the Packers are able to shut down Adrian Peterson they should be able to win this game easily. However, if they let the Vikings hang around, this game could remain close. The Vikings play very good defense, better than they have in recent years. The Packers hung 78 points on the Vikings last season. That won’t happen again this season. With all that said, the Packers will be motivated and will win this game. (8-4)

There you have it, the Packers will go 2-1 in their next three games, suffering a tough loss to the Giants next Sunday in New York.

However, I think that the Packers’ loss to the Giants will be their only loss the remainder of the season, as they win the NFC North with a record of 12-4.

Greg Jennings is headed toward a new contract. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This past Friday afternoon as the Packers finished with their second workout of the young Training Camp, Greg Jennings talked not only about football, but about himself – specifically where things stand with contract negotiation.

Jennings is in the final year of his current deal with the Green Bay Packers and is hoping for a new agreement. But “hoping” could be the operative word. He understands a lot of things on and off the field and when it comes to understanding his value on the football field, he doesn’t back down.

This past off-season, gigantic deals to many wide receivers who may or may not be Jenning’s equal, in value were completed. Most notably was the deal cooked up for Detroit Lions “Mega-Tron,” Calvin Johnson. While Jennings knows that Johnson deserves every cent he is earning by signing on the dotted line, the Packers go-to guy also knows that Johnson has been the single-most recognizable face for that franchise – more so than the quarterback and that “stomping” defensive lineman.

Jennings is a fan favorite, but isn’t the face of the Packers. We all know Aaron Rodgers is that guy.

But there were others who got giant deals that may or may not be considered overpayment. Consider these deals: Vincent Jackson signed a five-year, $55 million deal ($26 million guaranteed) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Pierre Garçon got a five-year, $42.5 million deal ($20.5 million guaranteed) to leave Indianapolis for Washington; Marques Colston signed a five-year, $36.3 million ($17.7 million guaranteed) to return to New Orleans; DeSean Jackson, who’d been franchise tagged by the Philadelphia Eagles, got a five-year deal worth $47 million ($15 million guaranteed); and Robert Meachem got a four-year, $25.9 million deal ($14 million guaranteed) to leave New Orleans and replace Vincent Jackson in San Diego.

So, just what is Jennings worth?

Greg Jennings is a fan favorite. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Just ask Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Here’s what he said about Jennings in published reports:

“Wow, Greg Jennings. He has a number of things I think he’s exceptional at,” McCarthy said. “You can start mentally, he has an exceptional understanding of not only what he’s asked to do but what people are trying to do against him. He’s very astute as far as recognizing defenses. He’s always been a very good preparation individual as far as during the course of the week and match-ups and (being) educated on players and keeping track of how they played him the last time he faced them and so forth.

“He understands his size. He understands what people are trying to do to him, particularly when he’s in the slot. And physically, he’s so disciplined and his body control really stands out. He makes his routes look the same. His ability to get in and out of breaks is exceptional. He creates separation. His hand/eye coordination and yards after the catch is as good as it gets.”

The Packers faithful are the best on the planet ... at least according to this one writer's opinion. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

When you consider all of the sports teams in the world and all the sports nuts out there who follow those teams, you’ve got to understand that each one of those fans believe they are part of a collective sports nation they feel are the best on the planet.

How many times have you heard the owner, coach or player from a championship team exclaim how great they have it? “We’ve got the best fans in the world.” I know you’ve heard it many, many times before.

Well, now Packers fans have reason to believe it – at least if one takes note of this report posted to the Internet today.

As one of those firm believers in Packers Nation, I have no reason not to believe it.

Either way, take a look at the report filed and consider its accuracy. No doubt, you’re a Packers fan if you’re reading this, but just in case you’re not all I can say at this point is “nyanananana!”

Yochen, the Viking fan, in the early 1940s while stationed in California.

I think of my father often. He was a Renaissance man, a philosopher, a comedian, a dad. He made me do things that I didn’t want to do. He always encouraged me to follow my instincts and dreams. He died way too early.

Today I reprise a column I wrote about him months ago. I do so because it is Father’s Day – a time to remember, reflect and honor all those fathers who have tried their best to give their sons and daughters a better place in which to live.

As you read this, I hope you, too, understand the importance of all the fathers in this world.

Happy Father’s Day to you, Yochen. I miss you and will see you soon.

Yochen, the Vikings fan

My Dad, Richard Rivard, was affectionately known by family and friends as Yochen … Don’t ask me how or why … That’s just the way it was.
His love of the Minnesota Vikings could be viewed the same way … Nobody was really sure how or why. Living in western Wisconsin, his most ready explanation was through a question: Why should he support a team that was 200-plus miles away when he could jump in the car and be at a game in Minnesota in no time?
He had a logistical point there, but in my mind one constructed through convenience, not time-honored loyalty.
“Green Bush” is what he called the Packers with a smile.
You see, to me, I always felt he became a Vikings fan in the early 1960s because he wanted to be different. Everyone else was a Packers fan.
Though he would only ascribe his loyalties to the purple and gold, we all knew he had a soft spot for the Packers, especially when they won. He was not only around when the Packers were winning championships in the late 1920s and early 1930s, but he of course was pleased to see them win under Vince Lombardi in the 1960s (after all, the Vikings were a fledgling franchise at that point).
When the Pack came roaring back in the mid-1990s, he no doubt could see the greatness of those teams as well.
But he did have good reason to be a fan of the division rival to the west. He was always a big fan of Fran Tarkenton … Even cheering for him when he played those years in New York. I remember well 1969 when we attended a preseason game at the old Metropolitan Stadium and Tarkenton, then with the Giants, threw the ball all over the yard, mostly to Homer Jones … Much to the pleasure of Yochen.
When Tarkenton came back to Minnesota and led them to all those NFC championships in the mid-1970s, Yochen was ecstatic … And heartbroken when the team could never win a Super Bowl.
Nevertheless, he was a fan because … well, frankly, the Vikings were one of the best-run franchises for many years. Yochen knew excellence and appreciated it when he saw it. Clearly, the Packers could have learned a lot from the Vikings during the 1970s and 1980s. Year-in year-out the Vikings were contenders. For the Packers, winning was a distant memory.
Yochen died in May 1999, but it was on an early fall day just a few months after he left us that I felt his smile and laugh the strongest.
It was one of those clear, cool and crisp fall days – the type that Yochen would spend puttering around the yard on some needed project awaiting the start of the ball game.
This particular day also happened to be one when the Vikings invaded Lambeau Field.
The Packers, a shadow of their championship stature of just a couple of years prior, were still a threat to win … You see, the Packers had this guy named Brett Favre … One of those Packers players Yochen had come to appreciate.
It was one of those back and forth epic struggles between two teams that knew one another so well … It came down to the final minute. It was one of those games you knew Yochen would have loved … One of those that no matter the outcome, he would have greeted it with a “Wow! Holy cow! Can you believe that?!?”
I could hear his spirit yelling just as the Vikings went ahead with just seconds left in the game.
But the Packers had Brett Favre.
And in true fashion, the future hall of famer led the Pack downfield. As the clock wound down inside 20 seconds Favre hit Corey Bradford on a seam route for the winning score … Maybe you remember that game.
It was one that Yochen certainly would have appreciated.
I could hear and see him:  ”sonofabitch,” he would have said. Not out of disgust or anger … He more than likely would have been wearing that smile … Incredulous.
That’s who he was … Yes, he was an admitted Vikings fan, but more than anything he was just a fan … Happy to have been there and to have witnessed it.
Don’t ask me how or why … That’s just the way it was.

With help from his teammates, Aaron Rodgers could play for many more years in the NFL. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay Packers. Lifetime contract.

Those three should be and will be a reality if the Packers’ quarterback, Super Bowl champion and league Most Valuable Player has his way.

In a Q&A published this morning by the Green Bay Press Gazette, Rodgers doesn’t beat around the bush. He comes right out and says that there’s no other place he would rather be than in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In fact, he want s to be there for the remainder of his career.

Is there any question the Packers bean counters aren’t locked in a room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue trying to figure out a way they can make that happen?

Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Braun are best friends and Rodgers would certainly love to have a lifetime contract much like was given to Braun by the Brewers.

Like his good friend Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, Rodgers wants a long-term contract that will essentially keep him in a Green Bay Packers uniform for the remainder of his playing days. And you can’t blame him. I’m sure Braun and Rodgers have talked about the fact that Braun has been thought of enough by the Milwaukee franchise to sign him to a contract that will keep him in a Brewers uniform for nearly the next decade.

Rodgers wants something like that.

Here’s some other highlights from Rodgers’ interview:

On his disappointment with the Pro Bowl:

“After the Pro Bowl experience, the things that happened at the hotel, during the week and then in the game, I just thought was so disappointing. Not only myself, the coaching staff that we brought, but to the fans. I mean, I’m sitting there, I bought six tickets as well so I have six people in the stands watching me in the game and I felt I was embarrassed for them so I just felt like it was the right time to say something like that.”

On the trappings of stardom:

“I think you can kind of prepare for some of it but there’s so many things that, opportunities and also temptations and then people trying to take advantage of you that you maybe didn’t see.”

On his achievements and if he still has the drive to succeed:

“I’d say it’s stronger now and I don’t say that to be cliché-ish. It’s just that when you win a Super Bowl, and I talked to other guys who feel the same way, when you win a Super Bowl, the next year you’re on such a high … Then last year losing in the first round of the playoffs, there’s just that empty feeling of regret that you’re not going to experience that same kind of high the Super Bowl was so I’d say personally that’s what I want.”

Aaron Rodgers stepped out from the shadows of Brett Favre and has brought a new enthusiasm to the Packers and the entire league. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

On his feelings toward those who didn’t believe in him when he took over for Brett Favre:

“Yeah, there were a bunch of people, whether they said it or not. That was a difficult time for the organization, our fans. I think the sentiment is that the Packers are doing pretty good now with that decision … But I don’t have any ill will towards other Packer fans or anything that happened that summer. It was such a character growing opportunity I think. It’s easier to say now than back then.”

On future contract talks:

“I think they’re an organization who is going to do what’s best for the organization. Obviously my representation, just like any representation, is trying to get the most money possible at times. I don’t see it being an issue. I want to be a Packer for life and I don’t see myself going anywhere else.”

On the potential for 2012:

“I think you’ve got to be, the kind of guys we’re going to add to the mix. The free agent guys. The rookie guys. Bringing a guy like Alex Green back into the mix. There’s a lot of young guys fighting for spots. I think Mike (McCarthy) has said it before about the talent level that we have. I’ll take this angle: This will be the most difficult cuts that we’ve had in eight years of me being here … The thing I look at is when I think of the schedule, I look at when we’re playing in Chicago, it’s a late game, so that will be a tough one late in the season. So it’s going to be a tough run. What we learned last year was you’ve got to be playing the right way at the end of the season, like we were in 2010 and the Giants were last year.”

And finally, one of the more interesting answers came when asked about the most difficult part of his job. His answer is very interesting. You would think it would be something like learning a new offense or studying a defensive scheme or getting his footwork down. No, it was none of that.

Here’s what he had to say about that:

“Turning it off. Finding ways to escape from being on all the time. Having to be in the mindset of that preparation and that focus when I’m at the facility, being able to turn that off. That doesn’t mean just when I get home at 4:30 or whatever. That’s being able to turn it off at midnight when I’m trying to fall asleep and I can’t. That’s probably the hardest part.”

It’s always good to hear from Aaron Rodgers and as we inch closer to the start of the NFL Training Camp, it’s even better to hear from him, especially when he provides such insight into his persona.

The hope of all Packers fans is that Aaron Rodgers will be winding up to throw bombs for years to come. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

There’s a reason Aaron Rodgers is a champion and the MVP of the league. Our hope is that he is around for many more seasons to come and that he stays injury-free. Packers fans, of course want Aaron Rodgers to walk away from the game a whole person without the problems so many others have experienced over the years.

And if you think Aaron Rodgers is ready for 2012, below are some highlights from 2011 that will surely get the juices flowing. No, the Packers didn’t repeat as Super Bowl champions last year, but the team went 15-2 on the season. There were plenty of highlights … enjoy …

May 22, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) practices a hand-off during organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

OK, so we have Donald Driver’s championship on Dancing with the Stars and the continuation of OTAs in Green Bay.

Those are just a couple of the stories floating around the Packers universe. I took a trip across the Internet this morning to cull what I think are some of the most interesting stories.

Take a look … these are some that maybe you haven’t seen yet.

Happy Thursday!

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Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, has been recently named as a candidate to fill the Miami Dolphins' head coaching position. Today he has more important matters in which to address ... he son, Michael, was reported missing.

An update to this story as reported in the national press. This update comes from the New York Daily News:

The body of a male victim was recovered from the icy waters of the Fox River in Wisconsin Monday and is believed to be that of Michael Philbin, the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin.

Oshkosh police issued a statement Monday that said a positive identification of the victim had been made, but that the identity would not be released until Tuesday, so family members and next of kin could be notified. The statement added that no foul play was suspected and the investigation of the matter was ongoing. WTMJ Radio and several Wisconsin media outlets reported that the body recovered was that of Michael Philbin, citing sources.

This was published earlier today when the news broke:

Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator, was in the middle of preparing a game plan for the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Giants.

Clearly, his plans are on hold …

His son, Michael, has gone missing.

According to an Associated Press report released in the last hour, police in Oshkosh have mounted a search for the young man.

Here is the report that was published earlier today from the AP:

Police in Oshkosh say 21-year-old Michael T. Philbin of Ripon was last heard from around 2 a.m. Sunday. He had been visiting friends in Oshkosh that evening. He was reported missing on Sunday evening.

A police spokesman did not immediately return a message left Monday seeking additional comment.

A Brown County judge sentenced Michael Philbin to six months in jail in 2009 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls and two counts of battery.

His disappearance comes as the Packers prepare to face the New York Giants in an NFC playoff game Sunday in Green Bay.

Michael Philbin, the son of Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, has been reported missing.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy briefly addressed the matter with reporters Monday, saying, “the Philbin family is obviously going through a tough time right now. As we always have, we’re a family-first philosophy with the organization. We’ll hold out hope this comes to a positive conclusion.” McCarthy said Joe Philbin was in Oshkosh Monday.

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson released this statement this afternoon:

“The Packers organization is aware of the missing person report regarding Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family during this difficult time. We ask anyone with information about Michael to contact the Oshkosh Police Department.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Philbin family and hope there is a resolution to this in short order.

Get set for next week’s home playoff game … this should pump you up.