Packer Notes: The Lions Non-Catch, and The Bears New Left Tackle

until Johnson’s catch. Does that mean if a receiver catches the ball and runs out of bounds it is an incomplete pass because it is still part of the process? The whole idea of “the process” seems highly subjective.

Brandon, thanks for assigning at least part of the blame to Johnson on that (non)catch. Ever since, I’ve been reading nothing but how “what a dumb rule” and “oh, that was clearly a catch.” But, y’know what? If Johnson had been more concerned with securing the ball than with showboating to celebrate himself, the Lions would’ve won that game. Could he have kept possession all the way through hitting the ground? Probably. But he didn’t. If he COULD’VE caught it, then why didn’t he? Blame the rule if you want, but one has to at least recognize that this is related at least to the same me-first attitude for which we roast guys like TO and Chad Ochocinco.

Johnson’s no-catch is the exact same type of thing as happened on that play a couple years ago when Desean Jackson tossed the ball away a split second before crossing the goal line. Jackson COULD’VE scored that time, but he didn’t because he just HAD to do this celebration. He couldn’t get out of the way of his own ego. Again, he couldn’t scored, but the fact is that he didn’t.

And, btw, last time I checked, he is a professional receiver. Isn’t there an assumed obligation on his part to, like, y’know, perhaps be familiar with the rules that govern his profession? …because the rule is pretty clearly stated, right? I mean, I realize that people don’t LIKE the rule, but we all recognize that, in this case, disallowing the catch was the proper application of that rule. Now, WE didn’t know the rule, and so we were shocked (and I swore at my TV as much as anybody else), but… it’s not like Calvin Johnson just signed from the CFL the day before or something. He’s supposed to be a professional football player. Know the rules! …or at least don’t cry about it when your ignorance and lack of professionalism costs your team a game!

After LT Williams went down, OL Coach Mike Tice made the curious decision to move the line around, shifting RT Frank Omiyale to LT and putting Kevin Schaffer at RT. After that, the protection improved for much of the rest of the game. I’ll be interested to see how the Packers get pressure without exposing the secondary in the passing game — the Cowboys certainly couldn’t figure it out.

I always hear on TV how us fans just looove all the celebrating. I, for one, am totally sick of it. Even if it’s the Packers, from Rodger’s Lambeau Lame to Nick Barnett’s martial arts posturing every time he tackles someone for a less than 5 yard gain.

I liked Barry Sanders, just give the ball back to officials and run off the field without all the bs.

Players must catch the ball with the NFL Logo right side up and facing the cameras in order for the reception to be ruled complete.

another: balls are to be spotted short for the Lions until a majority of officials on the field dertmine it’s no longer funyy, at which point the Lions automatically forfeit.

the title of the article is called: Drew Brees casually wonders aloud if he could really get away with murder in this town.

It was great that the Bears won against the Cowboys last week in the sense that every time the Cowboys lose, an angel gets its wings, but other than that, these Bears are only a little bit better than last year. That offensive line is going to crumble like soft cheese and one of their main offensive weapons in Olsen is going to be handcuffed by having to protect Cutler.

I think Devin Aromashedu is going to have a great game for them and that can only mean Knox and Hester will have pretty long days. Matt Forte is going to carry them.

The real matchup is the Bears D vs. the Pack’s O. It isn’t a matter of stopping Rodgers from executing some great plays (they won’t), it’ll be a matter of containing him enough that they can hope to keep it close.

Since Lovie loves to prep for the Packers, I think this one will be tight for three quarters, but the bottom line is if the left don’t catch you, the right will and they simply can’t cover Jennings, Driver, Finley, Jones and Nelson and not let Brandon Jackson have a breakout game at the same time.

Packers 34 Bears 20

Bears win this game, sorry guys, but the Bears a back and better than ever. This defense is turning into the Monsters of the Midway again, and add that to an offense that will spread the ball around, so the opponent doesn’t know who to cover, and that spells trouble for a lot of teams. The Bears are going to shut the mouths of all the experts, and serve them a great big piece of humble pie.