59 and feelin' fine...sometimes

The third preseason game is about as close as you’re going to get to regular season football, as starters normally see playing time creep into the second half. Unfortunately, without Greg Jennings in the lineup, we couldn’t get a true look at Green Bay’s offense, which only managed 59 points Thursday night at Lambeau against the Indianapolis Colts. Wait. The Packers set a new record for points scored in their history? Even without receiver Greg Jennings and the starters only playing in the first half? Seriously, I cannot stress how good this offense is. Granted, 21 of the points were scored in the second half once the scrubs entered the ballgame, but that doesn’t matter. These guys are good.

Let’s start with 3RD YEAR QUARTERBACK Aaron Rodgers. I still can’t wrap my head around that. Just for fun, let’s compare Favre’s first full two years as a Packer with Rodgers’.

Favre: 7,185 YDS, 52 TD, 38 INT, 61.7 COMP PCT
Rodgers: 8,472 YDS, 58 TD, 20 INT, 64.2 COMP PCT

Interesting…looks like Rodgers is better in each of those categories. Favre did reach the second round of the playoffs in each of those seasons, which eventually led to a Super Bowl in 1996, Favre’s fourth full season at the helm. We can only hope that Rodgers is on the same track. By the way, A-Rodg’s numbers from last night: 21/29, 195 YDS, 3 TDs and 0 picks. I think it’s fair to say that the future is not only bright, but downright blinding.

Another ‘blinding’ spot for the Green Bay offense is a man by the name of Jermichael Finley, who also goes by such nicknames as JerFin and Sirmichael. On Thursday, it was JerFin for the win as the emerging star at tight end was a key target for Rodgers on several drives. Finley’s final numbers showed six catches for 85 yards and a TD. After reading an article about how Donald Driver was a fantasy risk this season, I got a little riled up, and so did the Donald as he also reeled in a touchdown catch from Rodgers and looked as solid as ever. The other key target for Rodgers (Jennings), as I mentioned earlier, was held out of the game for precautionary reasons after Jennings suffered from back spasms at practice Tuesday, so no concern there for Packer fans. As usual, the defense looked like garbage right off the bat, but eventually they started doing what they do best, and that was force turnovers. Rookie safety Morgan Burnett jumped a route and intercepted Manning in the second quarter, which led to an eventual…Brandon Jackson fumble. Shacking off the rust, I’m hoping, Mr. Jackson. Manning also fumbled early on in the 3rd quarter (nighty-night, Joseph) and the Packers recovered a muffed punt in the endzone for a touchdown. As painful as the experience of watching our defense may be this season, one thing you can count on is a solid +/- when it comes to turnovers.

Speaking of plus/minus, the Brewers have a run difference of -81. This can certainly help explain why they only have 59 wins on the season and are bound for another third place finish under manager Ken Macha (if they’re lucky). Speaking of Macha, it must be nice to take over a playoff team, completely run them into the ground, make terrible decisions on a daily basis, not have the back of your players and still have a job. It’s not all his fault, though. A lot of the blame has to fall on General Manager Doug Melvin as well, who happens to be the reason Macha is not only here, but still employed. Melvin has made his fair share of good signings and trades over the years (Sabathia, McGehee, Podsednik, Sexson, Lee), but these moves are countered by signings that have really tied up the Brewers’ salary and/or not worked out at all (Suppan, Hall, Davis, Wolf, Gomez). Not to mention saying ‘no thanks’ to Dale Sveum for leading the team to a playoff berth in 2008 and instead signing the emotionless Macha over guys like Willie Randolph, Bob Brenly, and Sveum himself. Melvin just can’t seem to help himself and continues to sign pitchers who are past their prime year after year. Perhaps Brewer fans will be done a favor and won’t have to see old grandpa yakking on his gum with his mouth open in the dugout any longer once the season comes to a close. Maybe Melvin will go with him. I’m talking to you, Mark Attanasio.

This year, I exceeded my 2-team limit and somehow found myself in three fantasy football leagues. The reason? I wanted to try out an auction draft…and I’m so glad I did. In an auction draft, you have a $200 budget and you bid against other owners for players until you fill your 16-man roster (or until you run out of money). Since it was my first ever auction draft, I ended up with a surplus of $26, but I was still pretty happy with the outcome (especially since I got Rodgers and Jennings!). Anyway, I highly recommend the auction draft format and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the snake draft, which is how my other two leagues drafted. Try it out for yourself.

The countdown is on: 16 days until Packers @ Eagles on September 12th and 8 days until Badgers @ UNLV on September 4th. Get pumped. I know I am.