No position in the NFL is more highly scrutinized, debated, and discussed than the quarterback. It’s impossible to build a consistent winner without one (and people who follow the Cleveland Browns would tell you that it’s impossible to find one period).

After this weekend’s Packers loss to the Bucs, Aaron Rodgers was a popular topic of conversation on Twitter. I made the comment that he has not shown me that he has the “it” that people always talk about when it comes to QBs. Some agreed and some disagreed, but it got me thinking about where Rodgers falls in relation to today’s crop of QBs.

Thus, I set out to rank the quarterbacks currently holding starting NFL gigs, taking into account their current age and skill level, future potential, past accomplishments, and the general confidence level I would have if that player was the QB of my team.

In fact, that last factor was always the tie-breaker as I went through my rankings: who would I rather have starting for my team, with everything else being equal, if my life depending on winning a football game?

I separated the players into distinct tiers as well so you can see where I think dropoffs exist.

The real fun and the main idea of this post is to generate discussion, criticism, and debate in the comment section below. These rankings are just my opinion and I’d love to hear yours.

Let’s do some ranking.

Tier 1: The First Ballot HOF Franchise Anchor Super QBs

1 – Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

1a – Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Do I really need to list out their accomplishments or explain why they are the only two men in this tier? Good, I didn’t think so.

Trying to decide between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning would be like trying to choose between a Heidi Klum or a Minka Kelly screensaver for your computer. You’re going to be happy either way, and while both have their staunch supporters, each side can recognize the greatness of the other.

That Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the two best QBs of the this decade is inarguable.

Here is why I put Peyton Manning ever so slightly ahead of Tom Brady: I don’t think that Peyton’s greatness will go down in history as being linked with any particular coach as Brady’s will be linked with Bill Belichick. Thus, to me, the statement “all else being equal” tips the scales to Manning because we’ve never seen Brady without Belichick nor have we seen Manning with Belichick.

Can you imagine?

Yes, Peyton had some great years with Tony Dungy, but he was drafted by Jim Mora and is continuing his excellence with Jim Caldwell as he moves into the third stage of his career. What both QBs have done with so many transient parts around them has been impressive, but Peyton has dealt with it atop his team’s coaching staff as well.

There really is no wrong answer here, but as we get ready for Colts-Patriots this weekend, I’d love to get a sense of where the majority opinion stands on this issue. Because we are Midwest Sports Fans, I assume that Peyton will win this, but let’s find out anyway.

Tier 2: Impeccable Franchise Anchor QBs

3 – Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

You know that I’m not the biggest Roethlisberger fan, and that I consider him to be something of a tool, but even the biggest Browns fan or Big Ben hater has to give Roethlisberger his due credit now. The guy has won two Super Bowls, he consistently comes up big in important spots, and is reaching a Brady/Manning-like level of being a guy that 11-, 12-win teams are built around on a year-in, year-out basis.

He’s not the prettiest, the most text book, or the most statistically impressive. But if he’s on your sideline, everyone else will believe victory is possible regardless of circumstance. That’s a powerful, proven presence that cannot ignored.

4 – Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

This choice could cause some consternation because Brees has not yet won a Super Bowl, nor played in one, yet there are Super Bowl QBs below him.

Here is how I look at that: Do you think that the Giants would not have won the Super Bowl in 2007 with Brees as their QB? Do you think Philly and their pass-happy offense would have been worse off over the years with Brees instead of McNabb? I don’t.

I just think Brees has had to wait a little longer for his opportunity, which appears as if it might be coming this season. He has proven time and again that he is a true franchise QB, an impeccable leader, and a guy who can rally a team (heck, even a city) when the chips are down.

I still rue the day that the Dolphins passed on him in the draft and when they passed on him after he left San Diego. Give this guy Tom Brady’s career and he just might have three Super Bowls too.

Tier 3: Proven Franchise QBs

A quick note about this section. Each QB in Tier 3 has the potential to be a Tier 2 QB, but for one reason or another has question marks that prevent even their most ardent fans from having 100% confidence in them. Certainly though, these are all guys that you’d be proud and excited about having as the QB of your team right now. At least I would.

5 – Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings

There is obviously a pretty big caveat with this one: he’s got to be healthy. But Brett Favre, right now, is playing the quarterback position as well as anyone in the league. He has 16 TDs with only three INTs against the backdrop of everything else that he has done in his career. Once again, Favre is authoring an amazing story.

Now, it remains to be seen whether Favre can keep it going for 16+ games. He wore down as last season went along, and could very well do the same thing this year. But in the right situation — and let’s be honest, Minnesota is the perfect situation for him right now — Favre is a legit superstar QB even at 40.

Look down the list and tell me you’d feel more comfortable with those other guys leading your team right now than Favre. Yes, they may be less annoying, less wishy-washy, and less self-centered than Favre is…but I just cannot justify putting anyone else above him.

6 – Eli Manning, New York Giants

6a – Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles

One thing separates Eli from Donovan McNabb in my mind: he has a Super Bowl title.

That’s it.

Eli has not reached the same statistical benchmarks as McNabb, he does not have as many playoff wins, and he is not as exciting a player. But bring Eli in your locker room and everyone immediately believes a Super Bowl is possible because he’s done it.

I do think, however, that even the strongest Eli supporter still has at least some trepidation regarding Eli’s ability to play at an elite level year-in, year-out. Did he catch lightning in a bottle in 2007? Can he win regardless of his supporting cast? We’re going to find out, as Eli’s career is far from a finished product.

As for McNabb, no matter his accomplishments — and make no mistake, five NFC Title games and a Super Bowl appearance is a terrific resume that is vastly underrated — we cannot say that a locker room full of players would immediately believe they are Super Bowl bound because McNabb walks through the door. It’s just the nature of the beast, and will be that way until he closes the deal in February.

8 – Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals

Like Favre, Warner’s age and proximity to retirement make him hard to place, yet his resume and continued excellence dictate that he has to be ranked pretty high on the list.

Warner proved last year that he is still an elite QB in leading the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. He didn’t win it, but he certainly played well enough to do so. His defense just couldn’t stop Ben Roethlisberger in the final minutes.

Warner is still capable of 5-INT duds like he threw up two weeks ago, but more often than not he is going to get the ball to right player at the right time. Plus, he’s been in every situation you can possible imagine and immediately commands the respect of any locker room he walks into.

If it weren’t for his age, I’d put him above Eli and Donovan, but they have more years ahead of them to try to match Warner’s accomplishments, plus have a less checkered history of injury.

Tier 4: Franchise QBs with Skins on the Wall

And by skins on the wall I am talking of course about playoff berths.

Fans of the teams these guys play for expect each to move into Tier 2 or Tier 3 by the time their career is over, and they’ve already come close to making the leap. All have the talent to do so, but it remains to be seen if they can take that next step.

For each one of these guys, moving into the next tier will be a function of one thing and one thing only: more playoff success.

9 – Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

I am a huge fan of this guy and came close to putting him in Tier 3. Yes, he makes funny faces and his whole nice-Christian- guy/supreme-trash-talker persona seems a bit incongruous, but this guy wins, and wins often, and is superb in clutch situations when his team counts on him.

Plus, go down the list below him and tell me (other than the aging and oft-injured Matt Hasselbeck) who has proven himself more than Rivers. He’s been in the playoffs every year he’s been a starter, made it to an AFC Championship game, and is another guy that commands the attention and respect of his teammates because they believe he will lead them to victory.

You can take any guy lower than Rivers on this list and I’ll play you head-to-head, with similar supporting casts, and I wouldn’t doubt victory for a second.

10 – Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

There was a time not long ago when Carson Palmer was on the verge of entering the upper-upper echelon of QBs in the NFL. When he led a young, talented Cincinnati team to the playoffs in 2005, everyone thought it was the beginning of a long run of playoff berths for Palmer and the Bengals.

But then the weight of the Bengals’ cursed franchise (or, namely, Kimo Von Oelhoffen) came down on Palmer’s knee. His injury shattered the team’s hopes in 2005 and began a spiral that saw the Bengals plummet to their usual lowly depths and saw Palmer fall off the elite QB radar screen.

Let’s face it, to truly be an elite franchise QB you have to be playing in January and February. Palmer hasn’t been the last few years, but appears poised to do so this year. He’s always had the Aikman-like talent and look about him, but he has been surrounded by chaos. Now he appears to finally have a focused, selfless, defensively competent team around him that is worthy of his talents.

11 – Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Clearly numbers 10 and 11 on this list don’t have many playoff skins on the wall, but they have at least led their teams to the playoffs. Romo has had an ignominious experience in the playoffs, and has become a punchline for the tabloid headlines his personal life has generated, and he is referred to as Mr. November, but there are signs that he finally is starting to harness his potential and “get it.”

We won’t know for sure until December rolls around, at which time Romo must maintain the high level of play he’s had for the past month, but he appears to be maturing on and off the field and finally is the guy in Dallas. This is his team and the decision to jettison Terrell Owens is looking better and better by the week.

12 – Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan has not even completed his second season in the NFL, but he makes this tier for good reasons. He clearly has the talent, he’s already taken more playoff snaps than Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub, and Aaron Rodgers combined, and he has the kind makeup and countenance that suggest he can someday become a Tier 2 or even Tier 1 QB.

Yes, he’s struggled a bit here lately in throwing too many interceptions, but if the playoffs started today he would be there once again. That’s the mark of a franchise QB and Ryan most certainly is that. He just needs more experience, but I don’t doubt that he will make a steady climb up this list in the years to come.

13 – Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks

This is a tough one because Hasselbeck is the one guy in this tier who has actually played in a Super Bowl. He’s also played in more playoff games than Palmer, Romo, and Ryan combined. But when I check my gut feeling, I’d rather have all four of the guys above him with all else being equal.

Hasselbeck has been a very good QB for many years. I also think that he has benefitted from being in a very poor division that has provided him with an easier annual path to playoffs than the guys above him on this list. But the sad truth for Hasselbeck is that he’s now on the downside of his career and will probably be a constant injury risk as he gets older, considering he is already dealing with back problems.

Hasselbeck has had a great career and I don’t want to minimize it by placing him at the bottom of this tier, but power rankings are equal parts looking forward and looking back. The looking forward part just isn’t as rosy of a picture for Hasselbeck anymore.

14 – Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Flacco appears to have a lot of the same qualities as Matt Ryan, and also took his team to the playoffs in his first season. In fact, Flacco even won two playoff games and almost made the Super Bowl as a rookie. So why isn’t he higher on list?

I don’t think that Flacco was asked to do as much as Ryan. Yes, his poise and game management ability were impressive for a rookie, and that’s why he makes this tier in the first place, but I still feel like he has the most to prove of anyone in Tier 4.

Flacco is the one guy in the top 15 of these Power Rankings that has not yet dealt with the pressure of being the focal point of his team. He is becoming the Ravens’ focal point more and more, but Ray Lewis is still the alpha dog in Baltimore. I think Flacco will need to emerge from Ray’s shadow, as he gains more experience and wins, to move up the list.

Tier 5: Talented but Skinless Franchise QBs

The quarterbacks in this tier all have talent and the keys to a franchise, but have yet to take a snap in the playoffs. As with the Tier 4 QBs, fans of the teams these guys lead ultimately expect them to journey up this list, but they have to make the playoffs and win there first.

15 – Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

He is the most talented of the guys in this tier, but has a severe fatal flaw to me: his attitude and body language. This opinion comes from an outsider’s perspective, but I just don’t ever recall seeing a winning QB with the kind of deflated body language and pouty faces that we see from Cutler. I can’t imagine that inspires a lot of confidence, belief, and trust with his teammates.

Yes, he has a cannon. And yes, he has great competitiveness and confidence. But he also throws too many INTs and the Broncos went from a yearly playoff team to a home-in-January team when he took over.

There are just too many questions about Cutler for him to be any higher than this.

16 – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Rodgers does some good things and has the potential to be a very good QB for a long time. But like Cutler, Rodgers has a fatal flaw that kills his team time and again. In Rodgers’ case it is his propensity to take sacks. He simply has to learn to protect down and distance better or his teams will always be facing an uphill battle.

Rodgers’ other deficiency is that he has not yet shown the ability be a great 4th quarter QB. Until he does, he will never be able to be considered among the elites, no matter what his cumulative stats are at the end of the season.

17 – Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Another really talented player who racks up great stats, but who is defined by his fatal flaw: he can’t stay healthy. He has played in every game this season, which is a major reason why the Texans have a winning record, but he can only be ranked so high until he plays a full 16-game schedule and we get to see him in the playoffs.

Tier 6 – The Grizzled but Inconsistent Veterans

18 – Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

I don’t think Orton was ever quite as bad as he was made out to be during his Chicago tenure, but he certainly is not as good as people are making him out to be through eight games in Denver. And after being exposed a bit the last two weeks, the Orton hype will probably start dying down. He is what he is: a solid but unspectacular QB who protects the ball relatively well but needs great skill players and a great defense to win.

19 – Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers

I’ve always been a Delhomme fan and it was hard to have to leave him out of Tier 4. This is a guy who came within seconds of winning a Super Bowl, a guy who has been to the playoffs a good amount, and a guy who has engineered plenty of 4th quarter comebacks.

But the sad truth is that Delhomme’s solid career is ending with a whimper as he either seems to throw 4-5 INTs in a game or play it conservatively and get only 100-150 yards. Delhomme is no longer the future in Carolina and may not even be the present as soon as next season.

But I’ll tell you this, for what it’s worth: if I needed to win one game, I’d take him over any of the guys ranked lower on this list. He’s got too many skins on the wall not to at least give him that level of respect.

20 – Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs

He burst onto the scene last year as Tom Brady’s replacement but it is hard to know just how much stock to put into his 2008 numbers. A lot of QBs would have succeeded playing with Randy Moss and Wes Welker with Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels calling the shots. Cassel is getting his chance now to lead a franchise and is having an okay season below-the-radar in Kansas City. But like any other purported franchise QB, he’s got to have success in the playoffs to move up the list.

21 – David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars

Garrard appeared to be an up-and-comer as recently as 2007. He threw 18 TDs, on 3 INTs, and got a nice new contract from the Jags. But his entire team struggled last year amidst devastating losses on the offensive line. This year, Garrard is playing similarly to last year, which means he is just a pedestrian, average quarterback.

Because of his experience, I like him more than any of the guys lower on this list, but he is not quite what the Jags were hoping for when they signed him to the extension. By all accounts he is a great guy, he is just not a great QB.

22 – Vince Young, Tennessee Titians

Yes, Vince is still a young player, but I think we can safely consider him “grizzled” at this point. He’s won Rookie of the Year, been booed and benched, and now regained his starting job and won two straight starts. He still has a long way to go to become a consistent QB, but the potential is still there.

Of all the guys in this tier, Young is the guy I’d have the least confidence in right now, but he’s also the only guy I could see moving up two or three tiers as his career progresses.

And simply because they have to be ranked somewhere and I don’t want to think of another Tier name…

23 – Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins

It would have been great to see how Campbell’s career would have gone had he been able to stay in one offensive system from year-to-year. With all of the turmoil in Washington, Campbell has never really gotten a fair shot. His inconsistent career is the appropriate manifestation of the constant flux in Washington.

24 – Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams

We can all agree that this guy is toast right?

Tier 7 – The Unknown Youngsters

We don’t really know anything about Mark Sanchez, Chad Henne, Matthew Stafford, or Josh Freeman, except that none of them are as good as Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. I will say that I am not a huge fan of this year’s rookie QBs and would take Chad Henne over any of them. Only time will tell of course, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Tier 8 – JaMarcus and the Rest

JaMarcus Russell, Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, Matt Leinart…all of these guys have been given varying amounts of opportunity and none have seized the opportunity to start (or in the case of Anderson and Russell, to start with any level of effectiveness). I have better things to do than parse through the wreckage at the bottom of this list.

Suffice it to say, these guys all suck until they prove otherwise.

So there you have it. I now step aside and leave the comment section to you. Where do you agree/disagree? Is anyone placed in the wrong tier? Your feedback and opinions are much anticipated and appreciated.

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* – Philip Rivers screaming photo credit: Hugging Harold Reynolds

* – Jay Cutler photo credit: Walking the Sidelines

Week 5 was arguably the most unpredictable week of the 2009 NFL season to date. Chris Johnson does nothing, Matt Hasselbeck explodes with two cracked ribs and the Broncos are still undefeated after beating the Patriots.

Lets try to make sense of what’s to come in Week 6!

Fantasy Flash Podcast – Week 6

Fantasy Football Lineup Advice with Jerod and Kurt

Week 5 Recap

If you followed PFI last week, you benefited from starting Rashard Mendenhall (93 total yards with a touchdown), and a bottom-of-the-bucket waiver wire steal in Mike Wallace (52 yards and a touchdown). PFI, as well as the rest of the fantasy world, missed the boat on Jerome Harrison (21 total yards) which reaffirmed my theory of “Do Not Start Cleveland Browns!”

This week my format of my weekly “NFL Fantasy Football Sleepers; Waiver Wire Steals” will change from weeks past. The format will be set to correspond with our weekly podcast “Fantasy Flash” which is brought to you courtesy of MidwestSportsFans.com.

The new format will lay out the upcoming week’s top performer, start em’s/sit em’s, plus our weekly sleepers and waiver wire steals.

The Week 6 top performer will be Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers. In his last start in and versus Minnesota, Rodgers threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns! Imagine what Aaron will do against the Detroit Lions.

This week’s Start Em’s are:

1. Matt Hasselbeck-QB-Seahawks. Playing through pain was no problem for Hasselbeck last week, as he exploded for 241 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Jags. This week I like his match up at home versus Arizona.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew-RB-Jaguars. Jones-Drew, currently 4th among running backs, is facing the Rams, who will get any offense back on track. A much invited match up for Jacksonville, who struggled against Seattle.

3. Cedric Benson-RB-Bengals. Benson is for real! Currently ranked 5th among fantasy RB’s, Benson had great games this year against the Steelers and the Ravens, and now he draws the Texans who lead the league in giving up rushing touchdowns. Benson is a great play here.

Sit Em’s

1. Philip Rivers-QB-Chargers. Rivers has been a fantasy monster to this point. With that said, the Chargers are facing the Broncos this week. The Broncos have only allowed 17 points against once this year, and that was to the Patriots. They held every other opponent to 10 points or less. If you have another option, roll with them!

2. Any Cleveland Browns. They could not produce scores against Buffalo. I do not like their chances against an under performing Steelers Defense, who is looking to get back on head coach Mike Tomlin’s good side. Eric Mangini gave his team off until Wednesday this week due to their win. They are facing the Steelers, not a good time to reward horrible offensive play.

3. Brandon Jacobs-RB-Giants. The Giants are facing the improved defense of the Saints this week. Worse than that, Jacobs has only found the endzone once this season. Jacobs will pound between the tackles, but teammate Ahmed Bradshaw has the big play potential.

Onto This weeks sleepers;

1.  Leon Washington-RB-Jets.  Washington has had double digit carries in all but one game this season.  He draws the Buffalo Bills that were gashed by Jamal Lewis last week.  I like Leon’s chances to break one against this defense.

2.  Donnie Avery-WR-Rams.  The Rams are facing the Jag’s 30th ranked pass defense, and who else does St. Louis have to catch passes?  If the Rams want to move the ball, it will be done through the air, and I look for Avery to get his.

3.  Sammy Morris-RB-Patriots.  With Fred Taylor down, the Pats will rely on old faithful, Sammy Morris to get their lead back responsibilities.  Keep in mind that some games the Pats act like they are not allowed to run, but Morris will get his opportunities.

Now onto this week’ss waiver wire steal.  This weeks waiver wire steal is… Click here to go to Pro Football Insight for the rest of the story!

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight
Senior Writer-MidwestSportsFans
Kurt@ProFootballinsight.net

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* – Donnie Avery photo credit: Brad Loper / DMN Photo Staff via Dallas Morning News

Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Baked Beans

Each week, you can also listen to the MSF Monday Night Football Podcast, brought to you by Sadler’s. Follow the link to listen to the MSF Podcast on iTunes, or use the in-page player below to listen while you read.

Panthers-Cowboys MNF Preview Podcast presented by Sadler’s

(FYI…audio player may take a second or two to load)

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Monday Night Football Preview

Green Bay Packers (2-1) at Minnesota Vikings (3-0)

• Packers-Vikings Date: Monday, October 5th
• Packers-Vikings Kickoff Time: 8:00 ET
• Packers-Vikings TV: ESPN
• Packers-Vikings Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Packers-Vikings Point Spread: Vikings -3.5
• Packers-Vikings Over-Under: 46
• Packers-Vikings Spread Pick by Jerod: The game of the week, and not just because Brett Favre is playing the Packers. These are two pretty good teams. However, Green Bay is not doing a good job of running the ball or stopping the run. I think this game becomes the Adrian Peterson show, with Favre not having to do too much but just manage the game. The Vikings win and cover. Packers-Vikings free pick: Vikings -3.5
• Packers-Vikings Tickets!!!

Packers-Vikings MNF Preview and Analysis

Brett Favre vs. the Green Bay Packers.

Yes, Mr. Favre, in his 273rd consecutive start, goes against the squad he commanded for 16 seasons. Sure, when he heads to Lambeau in a month or so, it’ll be more “special,” but this Monday nighter should still have numerous storylines and intensity. After all, it’s still Packers-Vikings, and if, like me, you’ve spent time in the northernlands, you know these two STATES despise each other, much less their cities and pro football teams.

(I mean, heck, this game is so “important” that it’s pushed back the Tigers-Twins one-game baseball playoff at the Metrodome.)

Green Bay ventured to the “road” after two home games and whipped up on the pathetic Rams (the eastern “bookend” of an extremely bad pro football year in Missouri, it seems). Did that convince us that, despite the home loss to the Bengals, they’re a quality squad? Well, Cincy beat the defending champs this past weekend, but Green Bay is still an enigma. I put “road” for the St. Louis game in quotations since perhaps half the 60,000 in the EJ Dome were Packers fans. The Cheeseheads also benefited from an injury to Rams quarterback Marc Bulger that made a bad team worse.

Green Bay’s greatest weakness is they cannot protect Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked twice by the lowly Rams. The offensive line is a huge mess, as evidenced by Cincinnati’s Antwan Odom getting five sacks in their loss to the Bengals.

That said, linebacker Clay Matthews has been making steady progress as a rush specialist with a sack and two pass breakups in the first three games, but facing Favre, who has made a living with dump offs the first three games, the Packers will need Matthews to step up further in the passing game.

Ryan Grant had a good game against the Rams, but the Pack ran him 17 times on first down. Facing perhaps the best run defense in the NFC, Green Bay will have to be significantly more unpredictable if they plan on having an effective run game. One positive is that Grant was running well to the outside against the Rams, and it is likely he will be doing most of his running outside the hashmarks on Monday as well.

Donald Driver is the unheralded cog that makes the Packers offense run. Now that Greg Jennings has established himself as the clear cut #1 in Green Bay, Driver constantly gets single coverage, often defended by the opposing team’s second or third cornerback. With 14 catches, two touchdowns and almost 80 yards per game thus far, he has made defenses pay for not heeding more attention to him. He’ll need to continue this trend against the Vikings to help take some pressure off the run game

For the Vikes, they’re 3-0 — barely. Brett Favre pulled off one of the most heroic endings of his legendary career, no doubt catapulting his status in the Twin Cities higher than anyone imagined it could be before the end of September. It’s certainly higher than his status in northeastern Wisconsin or America, as a whole.

Minnesota obviously trailed until the final two seconds, but also outgained the Niners by 131 yards and did not allow San Francisco to convert a single third down all afternoon. Favre became the oldest NFL QB to throw for 300 yards since Vinny Testaverde in 2004.

On the other hand, The Vikings beat up on two of the four or five worst teams in football the first two weeks, then needed a miracle to win their home opener against a decent SF team.

The big question with the Vikings is the production (or lack-there-of) of Bernard Berrian. Arguably one of the league’s best deep threats, he has been used sparingly. But then again, the Vikings are 3 -0, Favre has nearly a 95 QB rating, five touchdowns against just one interception, and Adrian Peterson (119 yards per game0 looks better than ever. Will teams slowly start to catch on to the “dump off” game and move in their safeties, eventually forcing Favre to throw deep? If the Packers decide to go this route, however, I still think they’ll find Favre up to the challenge.

Packers-Vikings MNF Prediction

Home field should carry the day. Minnesota and Favre will feed off the emotion and crowd. Peterson should run well as usual, especially versus the Packers mediocre (at best) defense.

Though the Packers have won five of the past six in this rivalry, I don’t see G..B. with a chance, and it could get ugly as Minnesota looks for 4-0 and control of the NFC North. Minnesota has 88 points in three games and Green Bay has allowed a startling 63 points to three offenses that are mediocre at best.

Packers-Vikings pick: Vikes to cover the spread.

Another day, another video to share with you that I found on Hot Clicks.

The video below features a song by the band The Replicates and chronicles the inspiring tale of a jilted fan base that has had to move on from the most beloved object of its affection and learn how to love someone new.

The fan base in question is the Green Bay Packers, the beloved object of its affection now gone is, of course, Brett Favre, and the man they are moving onto is none other than Scott Stapp Aaron Rogers.

It’s a pretty clever video (after the jump), although they certainly don’t think much of the Packers’ defense.  

Here you go:

The St. Louis Rams host the Green Bay Packers Sunday in their home opener. The Rams are winless through two weeks, losing 28-0 to Seattle, and 9-7 to Washington. The Packers are 1-1 following a 21-15 win over Chicago, and a 31-24 loss to Cincinnati.

Here is the TV and odds info for this weekend’s game:

• Packers-Rams Date: Sunday, September 27th
• Packers-Rams Time: 1:00 ET
• Packers-Rams TV Network: FOX
• Packers-Rams Announcers: Chris Myers and Trent Green
• Packers-Rams Point Spread: Packers -6.5
• Packers-Rams Over-Under: 41

There may be more Packers fans at the Edward Jones Dome than Rams fans with thousands of Packers faithful traveling to see their team. Couple that with disappointed Rams season ticket holders selling their seats, and you’ve got another version of “Lambeau South,” as the Dome was referred to two years ago when Green Bay came to town and left with a lopsided victory.

If the Rams expect to stay close and have a chance to win at the end, they must do these three things.

Establish Steven Jackson early: The Rams finally got Jackson going last week in the loss to the Redskins. Jackson had 17 carries for 104 yards, and an additional four receptions for another 15 yards. He needs more touches this week, probably 20 by halftime, to soften the Packers secondary and open it up for Marc Bulger.

Hold onto the ball, Donnie Avery: Avery was the victim of a couple key drops last week, and is not looking like an NFL No. 1 receiver, as the Rams hoped he would be. The first receiver taken in the 2008 draft also had a fumble inside the Washington red zone that cost his team some points. If Avery has better ball control against Washington, the Rams win. They need him to secure the ball Sunday against the Packers.

Cover the tight ends:The Packers have two very good tight ends in Donald Lee and Jermichael Finley. St. Louis has had trouble covering tight ends through the first two weeks of the season. Seattle’s John Carlson caught six balls for 95 yards and two scores in week one, while Chris Cooley had six catches for 83 yards last week. If the Rams safeties and linebackers can take Lee and Finley away from Aaron Rodgers, things should be easier on the St. Louis defense.

Those are the three things the Rams must do. What they must avoid are these three things.

Giving Aaron Rodgers time in the pocket: Rodgers has a strong, accurate arm, and will pick apart most secondaries when given enough time. The Packers have allowed an NFL-high 10 sacks through two games, and starting tackle Chad Clifton is out with an ankle injury. The Rams got their first, and only, sack of the year last week. They must take advantage of a weak Packers line and force Rodgers to throw under duress.

Picking up dumb penalties: In week one, it was four personal fouls, including two from Richie Incognito. The Rams were also penalized for having 12 men on the field, which negated a touchdown on returned blocked field goal. Last week, there was a needless holding penalty on Avery on a long Jackson run. The Packers have picked up a lot of penalties through the first two weeks. It might come down to whichever team commits the fewest penalties wins.

Turnovers: The Packers have six interceptions in two games a season after leading the NFL in defensive touchdowns. Last week Charles Woodson, who had two picks of Carson Palmer, returned an interception 37 yards for a score to give Green Bay a 21-14 second-quarter lead. Bulger is completing just 50 percent of his passes (32 of 64), but he has yet to turn the ball over. Against a ball-hawking, aggressive defense like Green Bay’s, he has to get rid of the ball quickly, and not force anything.

If not, the Packers could turn this one into a laugher quickly.

**********

* – Steven Jackson photo credit: Top Fantasy Football

Cincinnati Bengals (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)

Bengals vs Packers odds - Packers -9.5

• Bengals-Packers Date: Sunday, September 20
• Bengals-Packers Time: 1:00
• Bengals-Packers TV Network: CBS
• Bengals-Packers Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
• Bengals-Packers Over-Under: 42
• StubHub: Bengals-Packers tickets as low as $80!

The Bengals were stunned 12-7 by Denver when the Broncos’ Brandon Stokley took a tipped pass and ran 87 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds left on the clock. Carson Palmer, who hasn’t played in a regular-season game since Week 6 of last year, went 21-of-33 for 247 yards, but he was picked off twice by the Broncos. The defense played very well in shutting down the Broncos, but cornerback Leon Hall will see that tipped pass for the rest of the season.

The Packers picked off Chicago’s Jay Cutler four times in his Bears’ debut to pull out a 21-15 win on Sunday night. This was a typically hard-hitting NFC North affair, and the Packers’ offense struggled to get it going against the Bears, although Aaron Rodgers was 17-of-28 for 184 yards and a touchdown to Greg Jennings, who caught six balls for 106 yards. However, the defense proved that they would be the key to Green Bay’s Super Bowl odds, and they look like they’ve been playing their new 3-4 scheme for years under coordinator Dom Capers.

The Packers are a whopping 9-point favorite at Lambeau Field, where the Bengals haven’t played since 1995. However, they’re only 1-3 in four trips to Green Bay, and last year they were an atrocious 1-7 away from home. The Bengals will have to put aside the disappointment of last week’s gut punch from the Broncos, but heading into Green Bay isn’t the best place to get away from your troubles. The Packers’ defense is swarming and opportunistic, while it looks like Palmer needs a little more time to get back into NFL regular-season shape. Rodgers will play much better than he did in the Chicago game, and this offense could possibly hang a lot of points on a disheartened Cincinnati defense. Go with the Packers in your NFL picks.

Out of all these great games, there is one that you can’t miss: the matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

The Bears-Packers rivalry is the longest in NFL history, and it’s also one of the greatest. These two teams have played in 177 regular and post-season match-ups with the Bears currently holding the all-time series lead with a 91-80-6 record.

Before looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the Chicago Bears that will have the most bearing on Sunday night’s game, here is all of the info you need to be ready for kickoff:

Chicago Bears (0-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-0)

• Bears-Packers Date: Sunday, September 13th
• Bears-Packers TV & Kickoff Time: 8:30 ET on NBC
• Bears-Packers Location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay
• Bears-Packers Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Bears-Packers Point Spread: GB -3.5
• Bears-Packers Over-Under: 46.5
• Ronald Clements, MSF: Bears-Packers Preview and Analysis
• StubHub: Bears @ Packers Tickets | Packers @ Bears tickets 12/13/09 as low as $79
• StubHub: 2009 Green Bay Packers tickets
• StubHub: 2009 Chicago Bears tickets
• StubHub: great deals on all NFL tickets

And now let’s take a lot at the strengths and weakness of the 2009 Chicago Bears, and how they will impact Sunday night’s game against Packers, as well as the rest of the season.

———-

Chicago Bears’ Weaknesses That Could Lead to a Packer Beatdown

Sunday’s matchup will be a test for how well these teams’ defenses will play in 2009. The Packers, with no doubt, were the best team this preseason. Their new 3-4 defense worked flawlessly and Aaron Rodgers looked sharp, just as he always does. That tandem — an improving defense and an emerging star at QB — could be a nightmare for the Bears.

The Bears had a modest preseason, with neither the defense nor offense really blowing any team away. What worries me the most is the Bears defense. It is a toss-up as to how well they will perform Sunday night because it’s really up to the defense to stop the pass. If they can’t do that, Rodgers and top WR Greg Jennings may make the Bears defense look like an intramural football team.

The receiving positon also makes me worry.

While I believe the Bears have a good enough receiving corps to make the offense work, I still, in the back of my mind, feel like the Bears need a proven go-to receiver. Devin Hester hasn’t shown enough talent as a route runner to show me that he deserves the #1 spot. In fact, no receiver has shown me that, and it worries me the most.

The Bears are going to need every receiver to chip in a little for this team to be successful.

Now that we’ve discussed the Bears’ weaknesses, let’s take a look at this team’s strengths.

———-

Bears’ Strengths That Could Lead to a Victory Over the Packers

Every team has their weaknesses and strengths. It’s just a question of which category will shine through on game day.

As a team, the Bears have a lot of reasons to be optimistic about their chances of winning Sunday night’s game against rival Green Bay.

First of all, there is Matt Forte.

Forte was just breathtaking last season. A steal in the 2nd round, Forte has the talent to be a Pro Bowler for many years to come. A strong, yet agile running back, Forte can run, block, and catch. Is there anything else you could ask for from a back?

I think not.

If the Bears have any chance of having a good game Sunday night and a good year in 2009, Forte has to at least repeat his success from his rookie year.

Jay Cutler also has to perform like a Pro Bowler.

All eyes will be watching this guy after the Bears gave up a lot to get him. He could be the answer the Bears need at the QB position after failed attempts with the likes of Jim Miller, Chris Chandler, Rex Grossman, Kordell Stewart, Chad Hutchinson, Kyle Orton, and many more.

Most Chicagoans are optimistic about the 2009 season and the future with Cutler taking the snaps, but the truth is that it could be a hit or a miss for the Bears. If Cutler doesn’t perform it could be really bad. When you give away that many draft picks for one player, you better 100% believe he can drive your team victory. If not, there are going to be lots and lots of formerly optimistic Chicagoans who become angry and frustrated.

Probably the most underrated part of any football team is the O-line. In the Bears’ case, the O-line has to play well or, like with any other team, the whole season will be lost. If there is no protection, neither Forte’s nor Cutler’s talents will be worth anything.

The Bears’ O-line is significantly younger this year, and that’s actually a positive thing. It seemed that every year in the recent past the old O-line would be bullied around by the defensive tackles. It wasn’t a pretty sight to see the Bears suffer so much on offense. With the offense not killing time so the defense can rest, both parts of the team suffered.

This aspect of the Bears’ attack should be improved this season.

All strengths don’t have to be 100% percent perfect this Sunday, but they darn well better be close, or I sense a beat down by the Packers.

In reality, this game could be a spectacular coming-out party for the Bears, or it could be a nightmare. It can really go either way. That’s something you don’t want to think about as a fan.

No matter what the turnout of the game is, it’s still football season and that’s all I need to make me happy.

**********

* – Jay Cutler / Matt Forte photo credit: Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune via ChicagoTribune.com

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will meet for the 178th time Sunday night at Lambeau Field. It will also be the 21st time the two teams have met in the season opener.

The storied teams split last year’s series, with the Packers routing the Bears at home 37-3, while the Bears escaped with a 20-17 overtime win on a frigid December night at Soldier Field. (I should know. I was there.)

Before we break down the two rosters, here are the particulars for Sunday night’s Packers-Bears matchup:

Chicago Bears (0-0) at Green Bay Packers (0-0)

• Bears-Packers Date: Sunday, September 13th
• Bears-Packers: TV & Kickoff Time: 8:30 ET on NBC
• Bears-Packers: Location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay
• Bears-Packers: Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Bears-Packers: Point Spread: GB -3.5
• Bears-Packers: Over-Under: 46.5
• StubHub: Packers-Bears tickets – Week 1 in Lambeau
• StubHub: all Green Bay Packers tickets
• StubHub: all Chicago Bears tickets
• StubHub: all 2009 NFL tickets

This year brings with it a lot of questions for both teams:

1. How will Green Bay adapt to its new 3-4 defensive scheme under new coordinator Dom Capers? 
2. How will Jay Cutler do in his new city with less-than-average receivers? 
3. Can Aaron Rodgers build on last year, when he threw for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns? 
4. Will Cutler’s big arm mean more passing from the Bears offense? 
5. Will Ryan Grant return to his 2007 form, or was that just an anomaly?

The questions go on, and most will be answered, at least in the short term, Sunday night.

The Packers have been downright dominant in the preseason, posting a 3-1 record — the same as the Bears — with the first-team offense scoring touchdowns on nine of 13 possessions. The Packers were 3-0 before dropping the backup-filled finale to Tennessee.

The Pack seem to have a slight edge at quarterback, mainly because Cutler’s effectiveness is a relative unknown with receivers such as Earl Bennett, Devin Aromashodu, Rashied Davis and rookies Johnny Knox and Juaquin Iglesias. The supposed top receiver for the Bears is Devin Hester, who is still learning the ropes on offense bytdefinitely trumps any return specialist the Packers have.

The Packers certainly have a huge edge is at wideout. Aaron Rodgers has a plethora of weapons, including Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson. Jennings, in fact, just might be emerging as the best player from the 2006 draft. Add Donald Lee and Jermichael Finley at tight end, and it makes the weapons pool even deeper for Rodgers.

The Bears have their own talented tight end in third-year player Greg Olsen, but neither Desmond Clark, Michael Clark, nor Kellen Davis give Chicago a 1-2 punch at tight end like Lee and Finley.

The running back edge belongs to Chicago, mainly because the versatile Matt Forte can flat out carry the rock and is effective catching passes out of the backfield. The second-year stud from Tulane ran for 1,238 yards last year to set a new franchise record for rookie tailbacks. Adrian Peterson is a nice change-of-pace back for Chicago, which recently lost Kevin Jones for the season.

Green Bay has plenty of runners, but none with the talent of Forte. Ryan Grant did eclipse 1,200 yards last year, but averaged less than four yards per carry. If he can get that number back up this year, the Packers will be all right. Spelling him in the backfield will be Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn.

Both teams have solid offensive lines, which they’ll need against the aggressive defenses they’ll see on Sunday night. Despite finishing the year 6-10, the Packers led the NFL in defensive touchdowns last season. Where they struggled was in the pass rush, something the new 3-4 scheme is supposed to remedy. Cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris are two of the best in the business, and safety Nick Collins was a Pro Bowl selection in 2008.

Chicago has another aggressive unit led by linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. If they can control the middle, the Bears can exert their will on pretty much any team. Green Bay’s backers are also good with Nick Barnett, A.J Hawk, Brandon Chillar, rookie Clay Matthews, and now Aaron Kampman added to the mix as an outside linebacker.

Kampman led the Packers with 9.5 sacks last season, his first year without registering double-digit sacks since 2005. If the Packers can get some pressure on Cutler, it could be curtains for the Bears.

It’s hard to overlook that Green Bay led last year’s game in Chicago 14-3 before imploding and handing the game back to Chicago. The Packers were clearly the more talented team last season, and look to be again this year.

Green Bay wins its home opener by beating up on the Bears, 31-13.

**********

* – Brian Urlacher getting owned photo credit: Mouth Piece Sports

Oh well, it is what it is, and you will still see me in the Super Bowl.

[Editor's Note: Kurt's trash talk has been left in, unedited, because...well...we all need a good laugh every now and then.]

Onto ESPN’s current Fantasy Football Top 10 players based on their projected 2009 stats through their point scoring system, and whether or not I think each player will over- or under-perform the projections.

T-1.  Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (288 Points)  OVER!!!  Even though I think that New England will run more this year than any of their previous three years, you have to have faith in the quarterback with the most prolific statistical passing year ever, which was only two years ago.  Brady has more weapons now than he did then, including a better running game then ever before.  The Patriots will, however, run more for two reasons.  First, to keep the defense honest and avoid heavy blitzes intended to either make Brady a non-factor, or remove him all together from the game.  Secondly, to remove some pressure from the offensive line in having to protect the greatest quarterback ever 40 to 50 times a game.  If healthy, Brady will have another 300 plus point season.  He is my number 1 overall pick.

T-1.  Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers (288 Points)  Rodgers tied with Brady?  Under, but not by much.  Compare Rodgers’ weapons with Brady’s… that’s right, you can’t.  There should be no tie here.  Although Rodgers finished second among QB’s last year with 286 ESPN fantasy football points, the Packers will have to establish the run this year to win games.  Establishing the run is not only a quarterback’s best friend, but the defense’s as well.  Ground and pound eats minutes off of the clock, allowing the defensive personnel time to recover in between possessions.  There are several other QB’s that I would take over Rodgers this year.

3.  Drew Brees, QB, Saints (287 Points)  Over, and over Rodgers in my opinion.  Brees was the #1 QB last year with 311 fantasy points.  I don’t see him beating last year’s numbers, but Brees has been an owner’s best friend since landing in N.O.  I do, however, have a somewhat bad feeling on Brees this year.  Look back on all of the previous fantasy gods who posted incredible numbers over the past few years.  Brady, Peyton Manning, Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Kurt Warner and on and on.  What do they all have in common?  After posting god-like statistical years, they came back and posted subpar years, if they played at all.  All of these players suffered from injuries or reduced effectivness the year following their epic years.  He should still be very, very good…but will Brees be added to the aforementioned list as a 2009 letdown?

4.  Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (277 Points) Under!  I may eat my words on this one, but there are too many intangibles that make me see it this way.  Manning finished sixth among QB’s last year with 253 points.  You cannot tell me that he will have a better year than last after losing Tony Dungy as his head coach and losing Marvin Harrison, his record setting wide receiver for over a decade.  Not to mention, the loss of Harrison will place more pressure on Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez.  Wayne often made double team attempts look stupid last year, but Gonzalez’s stats suffered when he was not burning slow safties out of the slot position.  And will Joseph Addai return to his 2007 form?  He must improve upon last year’s numbers to help Manning.  Peyton Manning is the smartest quarterback in the league, but is he smart enough to make up for all of these key losses?  Time will tell.

5.  Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings (272 Points)  Push.  Peterson, even with injuries, finished third among RBs last year with 237 points.  Their offense will be more productive this year regardless who is at QB. Farve, Jackson or Rosenfels will be able to produce in this offense, which will open up the door for A Pete.  I take Peterson after Brady and Brees.

6.  Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars (252 Points) Under.  There are questions surrounding MJD now that he has no Fred Taylor to spell him.  They formed a great 1-2 punch, and Jones-Drew has flourished in his role as a change-of-pace back.  Also, will David Garrard return to 2007 form?  If the box is stacked on MJD, he will not be successful.  Will he still be on special teams?  If so, the physical toll could hurt him offensively as the season goes along.  I would take several backs over MJD, starting with Michael Turner.

7.  Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals (250 Points)  Under.  Warner had 265 fantasy points last year.  At 38 years old, can he repeat that this year?  I think not.  At some point, Matt Lienhart will have to see the field become an actual NFL QB (he already has the salary and ego) and earn his ridiculous paycheck.  More importantly, can Warner stay healthy for a full season?  Will Arizona ever figure out how to run the ball?  Edgerrin James looked incredible on the ground in the playoffs, but that was to prove a point.  Without him on the roster, will they ever get more than .2 yards per carry out of touchdown monster Tim Hightower?  I avoid Kurt Warner in the first three rounds this year for these reasons.

8.  Matt Cassel, QB, Cheifs (247 points)  UNDER, UNDER, UNDER.  Have you lost your minds?  He scored 238 points last year with more weapons than a naval ship…more nukes than North Korea!  How can anyone possibly score more points on what has been a dismal Kansas City offense?  Cassell will make them better, and Dwayne Bowe’s stock goes way up with his addition, but New England’s offensive talent versus Kansas City’s talent, not to mention offensive line comparisons, is like comparing….well, never mind.  You get the picture.

T-9.  LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers (246 Points)  Push.  I take several players over LT, including the other two that ESPN had him tied with, just because they both have a greater upside than LT.  I do think he will benefit from Sproles getting more carries, as this combo could mirror the one-two punch that the Titans and Jaguars displayed last year.  LT only had 216 fantasy points last year, and even though his best years are behind him, if healthy, LT is still a top-5 running back.

T-9.  Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys (246 Points)  Over.  Romo had 208 fantasy points last year while missing 4 games.  Romo lost a migraine when T.O. landed in Buffalo, and still his a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball.  Romo is in my top 10, and much higher than number 9.  Romo rebounds after the Terrell Owens brick!

T-9.  Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers (246 Points)  Push.  Rivers had 279 points last year, and benefited greatly from the Chargers’ inability to run the ball.  This will not be the case this year, and ESPN adjusted his numbers accordingly.  Rivers is still a no brainer though if available in the first round.

There was ESPN’s top 10 (11).  I am lost as to how Michael Turner and Jay Cutler were left off of this list.  And more importantly, how ESPN has David Garrard at #17.  There are at least 60 players I would take over Garrard.  I will say this about Garrard: he must produce this year to save his head coach’s job, now two years removed from his punting on long time starter Byron Leftwich.  Jack Del Rio may be sent packing if the Jags do not find themselves playing in late January. 

Getting back on track, Michael Turner is an absolute beast, and is arguably the best back in the NFL going into this season.  And Jay Cutler is going to play with such a large chip on his shoulder, he will only make those around him better, and has something he did not have in Denver: talented tight ends!

Want more info to follow heading into and throughout the season, I am now on facebook and twitter.

http://twitter.com/fraschettik

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Kurt Fraschetti

Senior Fantasy Football Writer-MidwestSportsFans.com

It was actually relatively interesting though, considering the candor with which Rodgers answered their questions, and his palpable reluctance to broach the subject. The nearly-complete transcript of the interview is below. (Note: I left out some of the stuff towards the end, and I guess I shouldn’t make fun of Irvin and Kiley for getting hung up on the Favre angle, because it’s the non-Favre stuff I left out).

The highlights are Aaron Rodgers saying that Brett Favre’s will-I-won’t-I saga last offseason definitely affected the team, and that he has not spoken to Favre since they left Lambeau Field after their disappointing NFC Championship Game loss to the Giants last year. Of course Favre’s offseason primmadonna show affected the team, but it is somewhat unexpected for Rodgers to be so blunt in saying so on a semi-national stage.

The other highlight, for me anyway, is Kevin Kiley saying “I don’t want this to be about me, I want this to be about you,” and then Rodgers saying, “Well you’re the one talking.” For anyone who lives in Dallas and listens to the Michael Irvin show, you know that while they are able to get athletes to open up and be relatively candid, they barely give their guests a chance to speak in between in their rambling questions/comments/mumbles. As you will see from the transcript, Kiley and Irvin do most of the talking, but Rodgers does make an impact with the few words he gets in edgewise.

Onto the transcript:

(FYI…you can listen to the podcast at the ESPNRadio.com.)

Kevin Kiley (KK): My position on the GB Packers were, was, is – Aaron Rodgers coulda waited, they shoulda kept Brett Favre, he took ‘em to the NFL title game last year, it was DUMB to let him get away, and that Aaron Rodgers was put in a position unlike any other quarterback that has ever played the game.

Michael Irvin (MI): And I was the first to say after watching Aaron Rodgers step on that field in Dallas TWO years ago – I came in the next day and said “Ooh, oh my God, do you see what GB has.” And everybody thought I was crazy then, ‘cuz when you stepped on the field Aaron, and you started bringing the Packers back against the Cowboys I said Oh get him off the field and bring Brett back in so we could win this game. And from that day on I thought they shoulda made the move THEN to Aaron Rodgers.

KK: Yeah, and that’s exactly right. He did say that.

MI: And let this team grow as a young team together with a nucleus and move forward and do great things herein. Aaron Rodgers it’s a pleasure to have you on the Michael Irvin show man.

Aaaron Rodgers (AR): I’m glad one of you guys actually likes me.

MI: Yeah!

KK: Now don’t go there. It’s not like or dislike. I thought you’re a terrific quarterback. I just thought they shoulda kept Brett another year because –

MI: Aww, stop it, stop it.

AR: Where were you between like…March, and June?

KK: How do you mean? What, when he was retiring?

MI: When he was retired, came back, retired, came back, retired.

KK: I was feeling that Brett Favre, and I don’t want this to be about me, I want this to be about you–

AR: Well you’re the one talking.

KK: — but I thought that Brett Favre had the right –

MI: The right!?

KK: — to do whatever he wanted to do.

MI: The right?

KK: That was my feeling. What was your feeling on that Aaron?

MI: It amazes me – the right!? – isn’t, what, aren’t we’re talking about football teams?

KK: He earned the right to do in Green Bay anything he wanted to do – he wanted to retire, unretired, yes, no, yeh eh, when it’s time to play ball, if he wanted to come back and play ball, he should have been allowed to play ball.

MI: How can that not affect your football team? How can you say – and I’m asking you this Aaron – to find out; he’s in, he’s out, he’s in, he’s out, he’s in, he’s out, he’s in, he’s out, how can – how can that not – how does that affect your football team?

AR: It does. How can it not affect it? I mean, when he flew into Green Bay the day after—or the day of the Family Night scrimmage, I mean that was…talk about an awkward locker room. I mean, I’ve been the guy since March, you know? And then everybody’s like well okay, what’s gonna happen? Brett’s gonna come back, he’s gonna be the guy? Or Aaron’s gonna be the guy? Or they’ll compete for the job? Nobody knowing what’s going on, of course that’s going to affect your football team.

MI: What was the relationship like with you, uh, and Brett?

AR: I was under the impression…that it was good.

MI: Why would you say that you were under the impression?

3 second pause…

AR: You know what — We got along very well, especially the third year. Umm…but…I just wish…at some point he’d reach out to me. Honestly.

KK: In what way? In what way do you mean reach out to you?

AR: Talk to me?

KK: He never talked to you?

AR: No.

KK: Never spoke to you?

MI: Wait, wai, wai, wait. When you were playing together, how much speaking did he do with you.

AR: I mean, it was me and him. The last year, ’07, we had no other quarterback on the roster, it was me and him, you know, we’d see each other every day, jog around with eachother every day, you know he knew how I felt about him, that I had the utmost amount of respect for him, you know…and to not have talked to him in over a year? That’s disappointing.

MI: Through all of this, going back and forth, putting you in the position that you were in – and it was a tough position – it was a tough position because now you’re sitting having to respect him for what he has done, dealing with it, and let’s just get real here that the pain of him not calling, or talking, or saying ‘this is what’s happening, this is what’s going on’…after all of that, he still hasn’t talked to you?
Pause…

AR: No.

KK: Why do you think that is?

AR: I’m not gonna speak for him, so I don’t — I’m not sure.

KK: But I mean you must say to yourself, why doesn’t Brett speak to me? What could it possibly be? I can see by the look on your face that clearly you don’t think you did anything to be put in that position. So why do you think – did you become…an automatic…I don’t even want to use the enemy, but, but, you were on the other side because you had that job? But do you think that that’s the way he looked at it? And that you just, just…not speak to you? That seems odd.

AR: I don’t know. That’s a question for him. I’m not gonna put words in his mouth. But I’m – like I said, when we lost to the Giants, I mean, we left as friends, and, and, I haven’t talked to him in year so that’s kinda where we’re at.

MI: Why will you not reach out to him?

AR: Oh, I did. I did.

MI: You called him and he didn’t call you back?

AR: Yep.

MI: I’m recoiling. I gotta come up with a question. You ask him a question.

KK: Yeah, well this is difficult because I don’t wanna put Aaron in a – I can see Aaron struggling with this. If this was television, you could see he’s uncomfortable with these questions. I don’t blame him because Brett Favre is Brett Favre and Aaron was – was he a popular, was he popular on the team? There were reports that he was a little bit separate from the team and all that. Did you feel that when you guys were making that run for the NFC title? That he was separate from the other players?

AR: I’ll be honest with you, I really don’t want to go into that at all.

KK: Okay. Well let’s talk about Aaron.

MI: Let’s talk about Aaron. We appreciate your honesty there man, I appreciate –

AR: No problem.

MI: –your honesty, and I could see how difficult that must be for you because I know you admired him, I admired him, we all admired him. So…and, but you had the opportunity to work so closely with him…and grab the crumbs of the knowledge that falls off his table. So, you know, naturally there’s a closeness there so we appreciate your honesty with that man, but let’s talk about this football season…

Less than thirty seconds later, Irvin asks if Rodgers felt that, after losses, there were people wondering how things would be different if Brett Favre were still the quarterback. Rodgers responds that he’s sure there were outside of the locker room, but not inside. Kevin Kiley then asks him if there was anything else in his life that could have prepared him for what he would face taking over for Favre. Rodgers responds emphatically.

AR: NO.

KK: How did you piece it together, just day by day?

AR: You know what? I just tried to realize that every time I got in front of the camera was an opportunity to get my message out, and to be myself, and to be real, and genuine, and try to handle it with as much grace and class as I could. I had a great support group. My other brothers, my best friend, I just stayed tight with my family, my guys on the team, and my, and my close friends back home.

MI: And you handled it just that way man, with grace and with class man. I can’t tell ya – I was a huge fan before you got here man, but you just grew with me, in a big way man. I appreciate you stopping by, I know everybody’s grabbing on you man

AR: No problem, thank you.

Then there was about 30 more seconds of Irvin and Kiley hanging off of Rodgers’ balls, basically telling Rodgers to clear out a space in Canton for himself. Seriously, you would think that Rodgers was some cross between John Elway and a single father who had just lost his job and was raising ten kids as much as they talked about “what a difficult situation” he was put in. Hmm…let’s see…he is one of 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL, making tons of money, and had the full support of his coaches and teammates. Oh the tragedy! Please.

I realize that I will probably get flamed by somebody for making a mountain out of a molehill — that this interview wasn’t really a big deal; and you know what? You’re probably right. But I was bored and thought it would be fun to transcribe — and some of Rodgers’ comments were relatively interesting.

At the end of the day, Rodgers and Favre haven’t spoken and the legacy of Brett Favre continues to take hits and more and more stories like these get out. He should probably just retire before he can tear down any more of what it took him so long to build up.

The first implosion I witnessed on Sunday came when the Packers had the chance to put a stranglehold on the game with a third and goal at the Jags’ 5 late in the 2nd quarter. And yet somehow, during a Jags timeout, the offense failed to relay to their tight end what play they were about to run. The ensuing disaster led to a sideline meltdown involving Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy and rookie Tight End Jermichael Finley and a chip shot field goal in lieu of a touchdown. It would prove to be a costly error in yet another close loss.

At the start of the second half, the wheels started to come off, this time on the defensive side of the ball. The Jags lined up on their second play from scrimmage, and the Packer defense left a wide open weak-side slot receiver. In the ensuing confusion, David Garrard managed to connect on a 35-yard completion, leaving the Green Bay defense only one option. Scream at each other.

Unfortunately, yelling at each other seemed to be the only answer the players could come up with on Sunday. The whole demeanor of the team seemed to say “This is not MY fault, this is YOUR fault.” It was such a heart wrenching sight to see, since the reality is, they should be saying “this is OUR fault.”

Forget the lousy defense, forget Aaron Rodgers, forget the lack of short yardage grit, and forget the inability to close out games. This team stinks because they are not a team. At least, they don’t play like one and they sure as hell do not act like one. Come on fellas, this is December! This is when teams that have as much talent as you do are supposed to come together and get wins. Or at the very least, come together after your losses, find ways to mend, and learn HOW to win. At least that’s what the good ones are supposed to, and the last four weeks have more than exemplified that this team has no business calling itself good because they seem to have no idea how to win games.

Some people might say the residual effect of the Brett Favre drama is rearing its ugly head, but I would hate to believe that summer drama would manifest itself in November and December. This team had time to shake that debacle off, and move on. What they face now seems like an inner turmoil that has managed to break the team from the inside like water frozen inside of a rock.

So what’s the cause and how can we fix it? Perhaps the close losses have begun to haunt the locker room and maybe all the finger pointing has reached its boiling point. Maybe the coaching staff isn’t doing it’s job or maybe injuries have stalled the team this year. While these are all contributing factors to the mediocrity, heck downright lousiness, of the 2008 season, the real cause of the Packers’ problems is a lack of leadership.

My only hope is that this was the high water mark for the Packers’ frustrations and what follows can be a turning point for the young Packers. As I recall, in 2006 the Packers started winning again after a 4-8 start led to a very similar spat of inner turmoil. We all knew who the leader was who pulled them out of that disaster but he can’t help us anymore. So, the only thing we can ask ourselves is who will it be now? Who can bring this talented young team together and get them back into the win column? I think we all know who it should be, but is #12 ready for it?

Jacksonville started strong. They scored on their opening drive with a 30 yard touchdown pass to Dennis Northcut. Maurice Jones-Drew ran well on the dive and David Garrard, the Jags’ quarterback, looked comfortable in the pocket and was virtually under no pressure from the Green Bay defense.

The Packers’ first possession got off to a dismal start. However, Ryan Grant ran the ball well and James Jones had a huge reception, the first of the game for the Packers. In spite of Green Bay’s impressive red zone statistics, they were stopped and had to settle for a field goal attempt by Mason Crosby, which was good from 22 yards out.

Mike McCarthy, a coach who doesn’t use the challenge flag all that often, challenged a completed pass made by Jacksonville in the second quarter. The call was overturned, which set up a Jacksonville field goal attempt. The ball was 51 yards out, but hit the left upright and bounced back into the center of the field. Jacksonville was still on top, 7-3.

Because of the missed field goal, Green Bay took over on downs. A personal foul (roughing the passer) against Clint Ingram of Jacksonville and good running by Grant put Green Bay in good field position. On this drive Ryan Grant had his first 1,000 yard rushing season. Aaron Rodgers connected with James Jones to put the Pack on top, 10-7.

Green Bay went into the locker room after the first half with a 13-7 lead.

The third quarter of the game was virtually defunct. Both teams handled the ball poorly and as a result, neither side scored. There was a positive for Green Bay, however. Their defensive line had not been doing so hot for most of the season, but during the third quarter, they were able to put pressure on Garrard.

The fourth quarter is where the Green Bay collapse finally happened. The Jags started out the quarter by stopping the Packers’ fourth down attempt. On Jacksonville’s subsequent drive, after taking over with good field position, Jones-Drew scored a touchdown, putting them on top of Green Bay, 14-13. The score was set up by a fourth down conversion by Garrard.

Green Bay answered by putting up 3 points late in the fourth. The Packers were unable march down the field with as much authority as they had earlier in the game. A few dropped passes and a sack of Rodgers made a try for 7 impossible for Green Bay. Crosby’s kick put the Packers up, 16-14.

Jones-Drew scored his third touchdown of the season just inside the two-minute warning. This fortuitous event was set up by a 40 yard pass to Northcut and aggressive running by Jones-Drew. The Jacksonville offense came alive in the fourth quarter and the Green Bay defense seemed to take a nap.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Aaron Rodgers has no two-minute drill poise. Sure, this loss was not entirely his fault, but he didn’t help. Driver and Jones both made good catches to keep the drive alive. However, Rodgers put a pass too high, and it was intercepted with only 40 seconds left in the game. The booth reviewed the call, but anyone with eyes could see that it was a spectacular interception of a poorly-thrown ball.

Jacksonville took their victory knee, sealing the Packers’ fate. There will be no appearance in the playoffs for the Packers. This game was as much of a disappointment as many others had been this season. However, some good things happened. It was the first time in a while that I had seen the entire team come together. The offense played with passion even though they could not translate that energy into points and the defense even found it in themselves to stop the run some of the time and put pressure on Garrard.

But I can’t help but die a little inside after watching so much promise vanish in the final 15 minutes. Even though Green Bay is first in the NFL in scoring fourth quarter points, past success could not inspire victory. Maybe I should ask Santa to give the Packers some fourth quarter courage. With the outcome of Sunday’s game, it really looks like they need it.

In a game where turnovers should have led to a Packer win, the Texans’ offense came out on top instead. Way to go defensive line. I love you, but you really need to man up against the run.

So what does all of this mean for the rest of the season — because I’m pretty sure that this is the end of the season for the Pack and we’re just working toward next season. Sure we have 3 games left, but I’m not delusional. I know that we’re not going to win our division. Although after the Vikings almost lost to the Detroit Lions, who knows what can happen? But I’m not expecting any miracles, and neither should any of you.

For those of you who missed the game, let me provide a brief summery.

Things started out badly. The Texans managed to score on their opening drive. Well I shouldn’t say managed. Our defense let them. It was more of a gift. “Here you go Houston. Here’s a touchdown.” Sure, we put some pressure on Schaub, but he still made the throw, and two of our guys got tangled up on the coverage.

On our first drive, we punted. This was the first time Jeremy Kapinos, the guy we signed on Wednesday to replace Derrick Frost, would be able to prove himself. His punt went 25 yards. That did not bode well for the Packers. However, his subsequent punts throughout the game were 40 yards or more, with one of them pinning the Texans inside the 5. So kudos to you Mike McCarthy for making the right choice. At least every single Packer fan is hoping that you made the right choice. I know I’m still crossing my fingers.

Turnovers should have been the big difference-maker for the Packers. They ultimately kept the team in the game. During the second quarter, Houston fumbled the ball at the goal line as they were trying for a score. We didn’t capitalize on the fumble and Mark Tauscher was eventually hurt on the drive. Reports from today’s team report indicate the Tauscher is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Because of the long recovery time, Tauscher probably won’t be ready until training camp next summer, and because he’s a free agent, he might not even come back to Green Bay.

Tramon Williams intercepted a pass made by Schaub in the second quarter. Donald Lee made the touchdown catch thrown by Rodgers, and things were tried up 7-7.

Houston reclaimed their lead near the end of the first half when Kris Brown knocked in a field goal to bring the score to 10-7.

Will Blackmon had a stellar punt return for a touchdown, what would have been his third this season, but unfortunately it was called back because someone on the punt return team got to cozy with a Texan and decided to hold him for a while. I was jumping up and down in my apartment, so excited that we were finally on top, until I saw the flag. What an unfortunate turn of events.

Rodgers threw his first interception of the game on that drive with 33 seconds left in the half. Houston started at the 40 with 3 timeouts left. There was plenty of time for them to get into field goal range to attempt to secure a 6-point lead. Brown was lined up for a 41-yard field goal attempt but pushed it just to the right. At least the turnover didn’t cost the Packers anything at the end of the first half.

The second half for me is pretty much a blur. Sure, somehow we ended up tied at 21-21, but I can barely remember how. I’m still amazed that it even happened. Houston raked in over 500 yards. That’s not something our defense should be proud of. We capitalized off of turnovers and tied the game.

Just when I was starting to feel like we might miraculously win, time just sort of ran out. The drive that should have ended in point for Green Bay was destroyed by penalties and even a sack of Aaron Rodgers, pushing the Packers out of field goal range.

The Texans marched down the field. Schaub made some good throws and the rookie Steve Slaton was definitely utilized by their offense. The Packers’ defensive line just couldn’t hold things together, and Houston found themselves in field goal range with one second left.

Brown had missed a 41 yard field goal right before the close of the first half. The commentators for the game said something that made sense to me, for once. Kickers rarely miss more than one in a game. This one was marked as a 40 yarder. As much tense as I was, and as much as I wanted him to miss, in the bottom of my heart, I knew that it was going to be a solid kick. Of course he made it, right down the middle.

This game ended in much the same way as other games this season. The Packers’ defense couldn’t find a way to stop the run and the offense only had brief moments of brilliance. After the Houston Texan’s first visit to Lambeau, they left with a victory. Once again the Packers brought less than their best and lost by three points.

Alright, so here it is. I’m pretty sure that Aaron Rodgers is a keeper for us. I know there are many Packers fans out there that are ready to place the blame for this season’s less than satisfactory progression squarely on his shoulders. But look at the guy. He has a 92.1 quarterback rating. Now let’s wander over to the Jets and look at Brett Favre’s stat—88.2. Now I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with the way Favre is playing this season. I’m just saying, Rodgers is doing a heck of a job.

I think he can do some good things for next season, because I’m pretty sure that’s where we should put our focus. Sure, we need to go out and try to win the last three games, but we need to be realistic.

The Green Bay Packers are sitting at 5-8 right now, still solidly at third in the NFC North. We need to fix whatever is ailing our defensive line, because there’s something going on there that’s not meshing with the rest of the team. Our offense is playing reasonably well and special teams stepped it up. The last piece of this little trio is the defense, and they’re acting like the clichéd square peg in the round hole.

Somehow we need to get our shapes to match up. It’s time to get back to basics, everyone. Remember those good old kindergarten days?

I was sitting in the cafeteria just like any other morning when I heard the news that my beloved quarterback, Mr. Brett Favre, was finally handing in his papers and retiring from good ol’ Green Bay. We’ve heard it before, of course. It seems like he teased us every offseason with his inability to make a decision. To stay or to go? Of course to stay. Always to stay.

With a miraculous 13-3 season (with, miraculously, two of the losses coming to Chicago), an NFC North win, and an appearance in the NFC Championship game, there was no doubt in my mind that he would be coming back. Sure, he’s been in the league for 17 years. Sure, splitting up his family between the Midwest and Mississippi was killing him slowly in ways we could never understand. Sure, his last pass of the season happened to be a gut-wrenching interception. But with all those negatives, I honestly thought the positives made the situations worth fighting through.

Many said he was washed up, took too many risks, and couldn’t lead such a young team anywhere except to the playground. He proved many of those nay-sayers wrong, with the exception of the risk thing. My breathing always stopped and my heart constricted when he lofted the ball toward the endzone, fearing the interception that came all too often. But he drove through the season, managed a spectacular core of WRs and TEs, and reminded fans of the reasons why we love our team so much.

Without Favre returning for the next season, the hopes of the Green Bay fans for another playoff run rested on the shoulders of Aaron Rodgers. I, for one, did not think he was up the challenge. I didn’t think he had the leadership skills or the talent to lead my Packers in their battle for victory. Of course I was a bit biased. Brett Favre came to Green Bay from Atlanta in 1992. I was only 3 years old at the time, so he was really the only Green Bay quarterback that I’d ever known. I was very reluctant to let Aaron Rodgers prove me wrong.

He did prove me wrong, however. I’ve never been more happy to be wrong. Despite some inconsistency with regards to 2-minute drives in crucial situations, he has been what Green Bay needs to help keep our team glued together.

Aaron Rodgers is a decisive quarterback in the pocket with good instincts. My heart doesn’t leap into my throat quite as often as it used to when he drops back to throw deep to Driver or Jennings. I am beginning to trust him to make the right decisions and to make smart plays with the ball. Sure, it can’t be like that all of the time, and it certainly hasn’t, but I no longer cringe when I see him under center. I no longer think the words “glass bones” when someone mentions his name. I am astonished that he played through his shoulder injury and admire him even more for dealing with not only that, but also all of the criticism he has received for taking over for a legend.

With our disappointing loss to Carolina yesterday, the playoffs will be a goal for next season. As saddened as I am about that fact, I have hope. His name is Aaron Rodgers. He has shown that he is capable of handling this team and can lead it in a positive direction.

I knew that we wouldn’t have another 13-3 season with a first year quarterback who rarely saw playing time during his 3 years since being drafted. We all hoped that a miracle would happen, but realistically we knew it wasn’t meant to be. Aaron Rodgers may not be the type of quarterback that Brett Favre continues to be with the Jets (so much for retiring), but Rodgers has his own style that works for him, and more importantly, works for the team.

Green Bay will never forget what Brett Favre has done for us, but now we have an opportunity to appreciate what Aaron Rodgers will give us to remember.

In a must-win game that would give the Packers a chance to regain ground against at least one NFC Norris opponent, the Packers let all hope of the playoffs go when Jake Delhomme found Steve Smith on the Packers’ 1-yard line on two straight possessions. The second completion setup the go-ahead and winning touchdown for Carolina.

In an odd déjà vu kind of situation, the Panthers fought back against a well oiled offensive Packer machine with two eerily similar touchdown scoring drives. Both began with 50 yard kick-off returns, which were followed by long downfield connections to Steve Smith, and were finished off by DeAngelo Williams touchdown runs.

These two scoring drives were an eerie reminder of just how disappointing the defense has been in close games. With four losses this season coming by four points or less, the Defense has failed to step up in crucial situations and make stops when the team most needs them. If there is anyone to put the blame on for the Packers being a mediocre team in a mediocre division, a good chunk of the blame lies squarely on that unit’s shoulders.

The Defense can’t shoulder all the blame. There are bigger issues facing this team beyond just that. Luckily, well hopefully, some of these issues can be worked out in time, because they are Rodgers’ problems.

Though I think Rodgers is already a phenomenal quarterback in his first year as a starter in the NFL, he has no 2 minute drill poise. In nearly every close loss this season, Rodgers has looked like a completely different man in the pocket when the team is in a close game with less than two minutes remaining. If he wants to be the man with the ball in his hands, he’s going to have to find a way to engineer better drives when the team needs them if they want to make the playoffs or win a Super Bowl under his tenure as a starter.