LuvdaFan36
08-09-2004, 08:00 PM
Yes, it was in a scrimmage format. True, it was against the Packers’ No. 2 defense. Naturally, it won’t be nearly this easy in the Sept. 13 opener at Carolina.
But if you set aside the disclaimers for a moment and take a long, hard look at the Packers’ No. 1 offense, this much is clear: It’s just about as good as it gets.
Brett Favre (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?0489) and Co. needed just four plays to cover 70 yards and score a touchdown on the No. 1 offense’s first possession during the Packers’ Family Night scrimmage Saturday in front of 60,216 fans at Lambeau Field.
If the Packers are going to capture a third straight NFC North Division title, the offense is going to have to be more than good, perhaps even great, especially while the defense finds itself under new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik.
Confident offense
“I feel like if we stay within ourselves and don’t get big heads, if we just play within us and we don’t try to get too creative, this offense could be pushing the No. 1 offense in the league,” quarterback Doug Pederson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?1187) said.
While punter B.J. Sander and cornerback Ahmad Carroll (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?7081) struggled in their rookie debuts, the Packers’ No. 1 offense scarcely missed a beat. Tight end Bubba Franks (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3659), left guard Mike Wahle (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3133) and center Mike Flanagan (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?2178) were out with injuries, but that didn’t keep the offense from flashing its big-play potential.
Favre hit on 21 of 27 passes for 249 yards and five touchdowns, and if he broke a sweat, I’d be surprised. If it were always this easy, Favre could play until he was 50.
Donald Driver (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3277), Robert Ferguson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?1747) and Javon Walker (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?4479) aren’t the NFL’s most celebrated receiving trio. Yet. Driver abused first-year corner Jason Horton (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?6469) for a 37-yard gain on the scrimmage’s first play. One play later, Walker beat fifth-year corner Chris Watson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3066) with a double-move for a 33-yard gain. Veteran fullback William Henderson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?0691) capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown reception.
A balanced attack
Favre, who turns 35 in October, looked like he was having a ball.
“It starts with the quarterback,” Pederson said. “You’ve got an all-Pro, Hall of Fame quarterback. You’ve got a Pro Bowl running back. You’ve got a great, aggressive offensive line. Good tight ends. The only thing you can say is our receiving corps is young, but they’ve had a few years to play together and you could see that (Saturday). They’re starting to emerge. You tell me where the weakness is in that starting lineup?”
There isn’t any.
But with the offense’s talent, experience and depth comes a major responsibility. While the defense and special teams come together — assuming they get it together — the offense is entrusted with carrying the team and winning games.
Driver said it was important for the No. 1 offense to strut its stuff. “We came out here (Saturday) in front of our fans and showed them it’s not just a bunch of talk,” he said. “We’re going to run the ball, no doubt, but we can throw it, too.”
But if you set aside the disclaimers for a moment and take a long, hard look at the Packers’ No. 1 offense, this much is clear: It’s just about as good as it gets.
Brett Favre (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?0489) and Co. needed just four plays to cover 70 yards and score a touchdown on the No. 1 offense’s first possession during the Packers’ Family Night scrimmage Saturday in front of 60,216 fans at Lambeau Field.
If the Packers are going to capture a third straight NFC North Division title, the offense is going to have to be more than good, perhaps even great, especially while the defense finds itself under new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik.
Confident offense
“I feel like if we stay within ourselves and don’t get big heads, if we just play within us and we don’t try to get too creative, this offense could be pushing the No. 1 offense in the league,” quarterback Doug Pederson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?1187) said.
While punter B.J. Sander and cornerback Ahmad Carroll (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?7081) struggled in their rookie debuts, the Packers’ No. 1 offense scarcely missed a beat. Tight end Bubba Franks (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3659), left guard Mike Wahle (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3133) and center Mike Flanagan (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?2178) were out with injuries, but that didn’t keep the offense from flashing its big-play potential.
Favre hit on 21 of 27 passes for 249 yards and five touchdowns, and if he broke a sweat, I’d be surprised. If it were always this easy, Favre could play until he was 50.
Donald Driver (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3277), Robert Ferguson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?1747) and Javon Walker (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?4479) aren’t the NFL’s most celebrated receiving trio. Yet. Driver abused first-year corner Jason Horton (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?6469) for a 37-yard gain on the scrimmage’s first play. One play later, Walker beat fifth-year corner Chris Watson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?3066) with a double-move for a 33-yard gain. Veteran fullback William Henderson (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?0691) capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown reception.
A balanced attack
Favre, who turns 35 in October, looked like he was having a ball.
“It starts with the quarterback,” Pederson said. “You’ve got an all-Pro, Hall of Fame quarterback. You’ve got a Pro Bowl running back. You’ve got a great, aggressive offensive line. Good tight ends. The only thing you can say is our receiving corps is young, but they’ve had a few years to play together and you could see that (Saturday). They’re starting to emerge. You tell me where the weakness is in that starting lineup?”
There isn’t any.
But with the offense’s talent, experience and depth comes a major responsibility. While the defense and special teams come together — assuming they get it together — the offense is entrusted with carrying the team and winning games.
Driver said it was important for the No. 1 offense to strut its stuff. “We came out here (Saturday) in front of our fans and showed them it’s not just a bunch of talk,” he said. “We’re going to run the ball, no doubt, but we can throw it, too.”