How to Beat the Steelers...and the blueprint the Patriots provided

A few days (or hours) after the Packers and Steelers I was watching ESPN and they were talking about how to beat the Steelers and went back to the meeting in Week 10 between the Patriots and Steelers. The Patriots put 39 points on the top-ranked scoring defense. How did the Pats do it? Simple had a balanced attack of run and pass and spread the field. You know who's good at spreading the field? The Packers. The Patriots also had over 100 yards rushing in the game against the #1 Rushing defense in the NFL. I believe the Packers can win this game by getting to Big Ben and bring him down, spreading the Steelers D and running the ball but sometimes things are better said than done.

New OT (Playoffs Only) Rules

As most of us know starting this weekend there will be new overtime rules for the postseason. I will give the Packers-Eagles game as an refresher of the rules:
The Packers win the toss recieve and kick a field goal the game is NOT over unless the Packers stop the Eagles. the Packers score a touchdown, the game is over. The Packers punt or turn the ball over (such as fumbling the kickoff) Eagles kick a field goal the game is over. If both teams kick a field goal or fail to score the game becomes sudden death. A safety wins the game. An Onside kick recovered by the kicking team does mean the game is over if the team kicks a FG.

Hope this clarifies the rule.

2010 Packers that will not be back

(Note: this list does include players on IR)

LB Nick Barnett: as much as I love him on twitter, he is injured far too often look for Ted to try and trade him for picks in the draft. Plus with the recent signing of Desmond Bishop i think he goes and Hawk stays.
WR James Jones: Jones is too inconsistent and I am uncomfortable having him as a possible replacement for Driver. Jones is a Free Agent after the year so if he wants to start (which he is fully capable of) he will walk and sign elsewhere maybe St. Louis.
S Atari Bigby: Bigby, like Barnett is injured far too often and hasn't been any where near his 2007 self he goes and the Packers choose to keep Peprah to backup Morgan Burnett.
Coach Shawn Slocum: The special teams play last week against the Bears was good but over the course of the year it has been atroicous look for Slocum to be fired after the season.

Free Agents the Packers should go after (It’s Tricky)

Yes, I know the Packers are still in the race for a wildcard spot but I don’t it’s too early to talk free agency here are a few names the Packers should go after. I know Ted doesn’t go after FA that much. This also hinges on the new CBA. I believe that there will be an NFL season next year and the CBA will be done by March.

Jacoby Jones, WR/PR/KR yes I know we have a ton of receiver but Jones could give us a spark we need on returns and who really wants one of our starting CBs returning punts he could be a help on our offense if we choose to part ways with James Jones (James Jones is in the last year of his contract).

Phil Dawson, K We all know Mason Crosby isn’t cutting it so why not bring in a Kicker for at least competition Dawson is an 83.3% kicker and is not happy with his contract with the Browns. Ryan Longwell is also an option here; however, both Longwell and Dawson are in their 30s so expect the Packers to wait and draft one.

Lamar Woodley, OLB Woodley will be a FA and the Packers need a pass rushing force opposite Clay Matthews and Woodley could be that guy. Woodley will be expensive but he’s worth it. However, the Steelers will not let Woodley go. Expect the Steelers to retain him. More than likely expect the Packers to draft an OLB.

DeAngelo Williams, RB There were trade rumors swirling around that the Packers were interested in trading for Williams. The Panthers have Jonathon Stewart so Williams could become expendable. The Packers will have Ryan Grant Back but may need another running back to spell him other than John Kuhn, James Starks, and Brandon Jackson. Williams could be expensive to sign but he may be worth that risk to sign. I expect the Packers to draft a RB and skip on Williams but don’t be shocked if he lands in Green Bay this off-season.

Steve Breaston, WR/PR Breaston, like Jones could be a spark for both Offense and Special Teams. Breaston like Jones will depend what the Packers do with James Jones. Breaston could come cheap and be a low risk high reward kind of guy.

Johnny Jolly, DE Jolly needs to be retained by Green Bay for at least depth at defensive end but with a healthy Mike Neal and the need to still sign Cullen Jenkins he may be expendable.

Atari Bigby is a waste of a roster spot

Yup, I said it Atari Bigby is hurt again if this injury is serious enough to warrant IR I would NOT be surprise if Bigby is gone next year and is replaced by Anthony Levine on the 53 man roster this year or next year. after 2007, Bigby has gotten hurt every year (I think). Once Morgan Burnett comes back next year and a solid backup behind Burnett in Charlie Peprah, and the return of Anthony Smith, Bigby's services may no longer be needed in Green Bay. He is plain and simple a waste of a roster spot.

This week's Game Balls

The Game Ball on Offense goes to Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings-they flat-out torched Rookie Chris Cook and whoever else was attempting to cover GJ85.
Defense- You know what, the ENTIRE Defense deserves this they shout down the vikings offense in the Vikings house. but if I had to pick one or two people from here it'd be AJ Hawk and Tramon Williams
Special Teams- three people here, Shawn Slocum, Tim Masthay and Mason Crosby. A Shank for Masthay is 31 yards, 31 YARDS! if anyone remembers the Derrick Frost 1/2 year this was his best kick.

Todays Actives and Inactives

WR Donald Drive IS Active and so is DE/NT Ryan Pickett

Inactives: CB Brandon Underwood, FB Korey Hall, TE Spencer Havner, RB James Starks, LB Diyral Briggs, G/C Nick McDonald, G/T Marshall Newhouse and DE Jarius Wynn

Quinn Johnson will start for Hall