There is nothing more satisfying for a football team than to dominate the line of scrimmage and be able to run. Green Bay' 31-14 victory over Arizona was a tribute to the Packers' blossoming offensive line. Starting two rookie guards, the Packers punished Arizona with a pair of 100-yard rushers. It's the first time since 1985 that the Packers had two backs rush for 100 yards in the same game. Ahman Green showed the brute strength that he displayed in his prime on the way to 106 yards and two touchdowns. Vernand Morency flashed an explosive burst and held onto the ball in gaining 101 yards before leaving with an injury.
"From the east coast to the west coast..."
The Packers' zone blocking scheme has hit its stride. It's easy to look at the Ahman Green 70-yard touchdown against Miami as a turning point, but the tide had started to turn before that. Keep in mind that Morency and Noah Herron had put together 100-yard rushing performances in the two weeks before the bye. With their hands somewhat forced by receiver injuries, Mike McCarthy and Brett Favre rightfully let the running game become the primary emphasis. Don't miss the fact that Favre has gone three straight games without throwing an interception. Who said he couldn't be a "game manager?"
On the other side of the ball, I would suggest that teams get their licks in on Matt Leinart now. He was sacked four times and is now 0-4 as an NFL starter, but Leinart is poised and impressive for a rookie playing with a horrible team. Assuming Arizona can eventually get a decent offensive line in front of him, they've got a winner. If the Cardinals decide to get rid of Dennis Green, maybe they should try to reunite Leinart with his USC coach Pete Carroll in 2007.
Sing with me -- "This is our country..."
So what do we make of this 3-4 Packers team?
Certainly it's showing signs of improvement. I think it's premature to get too giddy because the three victories have come against teams with a combined three victories (Detroit, Miami and Arizona). But the Packers don't control the schedule and what their opponents do. They can only play and try to win. With a trip to 2-5 Buffalo coming up Sunday, getting to .500 would be quite an accomplishment after a 1-4 start. The Bills have a home victory over Minnesota under the belts and figure to play with more life than a largely disinterested Cardinals team.
Beating Buffalo would not trigger playoff ticket purchases, but it would be the Packers most significant win of the season to date; a season that doesn't look nearly as bad as some had feared.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
