Recap: First 4 Games of 2008

by Brandon on Jan 8, 2009 10:00 AM CST

Before we start looking ahead to 2009, it might help to look back at how the 2008 season went.

	vs. Minnesota	at Detroit	vs. Dallas	at Tampa
Rushing Yards Gained	139	123	84	28
Rushing Yards Allowed	187	49	217	178

Passing Yards Gained	178	324	250	153
Passing Yards Allowed	168	266	236	149

Penalty Yards on Packers	118	62	68	74

Turnovers by Opponent	1	3	1	3
Turnovers by Packers	0	1	2	4

Green Bay	24	48	16	21
Opponent	19	25	27	30

Coming out of the gate, the Minnesota game looked very sloppy. A lot of penalties, but no turnovers. It might have been the worst game of the season for Minnesota DE Jared Allen, who was held without a sack or tackle. Although RB Adrian Peterson had a great game, the first of many great games running backs had against the Packers in 2008, Minnesota had lousy field position the entire game. Their best start was from their own 31 yard line. It was great to start with a win, but it wasn't very convincing.

The win at Detroit felt better then it should have. It felt like the Packers were hitting their stride, but in hindsight, they were just crushing an eventual 0-16 team. The Packers scoreboard got puffed up at the end when QB Jon Kitna threw 3 INTs. RB Brandon Jackson scored the first TD shortly after the first INT, then Woodson and Collins returned the next two INTs for TDs.

Dallas. It could have been a big win. I was optimistic that they had put it all together after the first two games. Instead, the problems shown in the first two weeks were magnified. This game was before QB Tony Romo, RB Marion Barber, and RB Felix Jones were injured, and they all had a great game. RB Ryan Grant was still limited by his bad hamstring and none of the receivers were getting open for QB Aaron Rodgers.

The loss at Tampa Bay was one of the lowest points of the season. DE Cullen Jenkins was lost for the season. Rodgers injured his shoulder, but later proved he could play through it. The score was much closer than the actual game. Two big TD passes to WR Greg Jennings, and three INTs thrown in the 3rd quarter by Tampa QB Brian Griese, kept the Packers in it. In the end, Tampa's defense was in it's early season dominant form and took over. A late game collapse by the Packers' run defense ended any hope of a come back.

What do you remember from these games?

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I remember

That after the first game I was happy. I didn’t know how good Minnesota was going to be this year, and even though it was messy it was a win to start the season. The Detroit game made me nervous but the thrilling end kind of made enthusiasm take me over when it had no place to. And then Dallas and Tampa Bay gave me my first real doubts about the team. It took me a long time to actually give up on the team though. But in retrospect, the first four games should have told me everything I needed to know about this team.

by Pack Man on Jan 8, 2009 10:59 AM CST reply actions

Well...

In the Minnesota, I remember we were actually outgained by about 50 yards but we won the turnover battle…and I was just overall bullish because MInnesota was the favorite to win the division, the Packers were once again the youngest team in the league and I was like “wow, these are only going to get better”

One of the things I remember in the Detroit game is that that’s when Atari Bigby started having his injury woes…Aaron Rouse took a couple of real bad angles on passing plays that led to long touchdowns for Megatron. Don’t know if you recall that. I was also impressed with the running by Lumpkin in that Detroit game lol…remember him? I would like to see him rebound next year.

The Dallas Game was really disappointing. I think that game was the start of “reality” setting in, I remember Mike Montgomery getting sealed in for that 60 yard run by Felix Jones (Cullen jenkins in there would have been a different story) and of course the major injury to Al Harris that game. Tramon got beat deep in the fourth quarter when, entering that quarter it was still just an 8 or 10 point game. The other reality of that game was that our offensive line was MANHANDLED by the Cowboys front 7 in the second half…

To me, the Tampa Loss was the case of a dominant linebacker named Derrick Brooks just breaking up plays and befuddling ARodge. I remember Rodge through 3 Ints and the middle of the field was absolutely blanketed By Brooks..>I remember being dropped back in coverage and he had an INT if not mistaken. And of course the offensive line also fell apart in this game, our last possession ended on an interception after Rodgers was absolutely drilled…

by PackFaninFL on Jan 8, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions

Aaron Rouse

I’ve lost track of all the bad angles Aaron Rouse took last season.

He showed a lot of promise in 2007. Then in 2008 he showed all the bad habits, and lack of speed, in pass coverage that showed why he was a potential 1st round talent that slipped into the 3rd round. There’s no reason to cut him, but he can’t be seriously considered as a potential starter in 2009 either.

by Brandon on Jan 10, 2009 11:56 PM CST up reply actions