A Ray Of Green & Gold Sunshine » Brats & Beer

August 10, 2006
posted under: Packers, Pre-season

Egad! Is this optimism coming out of the Green Bay press corps? The news so far in training camp has not been entirely uplifting, consisting mostly of injuries (Chad Clifton, Adrian Klemm) and underachievers (Robert Ferguson, Cory Rodgers). But in his column the other day, Chris Havel actually let some very early and tentative optimism show through. His pre pre-season forecast, Mr. Havel predicts Brett Favre and Ahman Green should have good seasons if both stay healthy, that Aaron Kampman will prove to be worth his new contract, and that Bubba Franks will make us all proud. He also suggests that Nick Collins will make the most of his second year, that Nick Barnett will make everyone at the FiveSix Ultra Lounge cheer, and that Ryan Pickett and Kendrick Allen will hold down the fort. He even has something nice to say about Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilla. Hooray for those new Bausch & Lomb rose-colored contacts!

Actually, I tend to agree with most of Havel’s observations with the caveat that the offensive line performs. If Clifton stays healthy and if rookies Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz turn out to be real NFL starters, then I think we’ll see some good things on offense. Without that wall up front protecting Favre and opening holes for Green (or Davenport or Herron or Gado or whoever is picking up the rock), we’ll just get a repeat of last year’s woes. On defense, Charles Woodson’s early performance in camp has me worried, but if he gets beat in coverage I’ll just think back on two years of “Hands to the Face” Carroll and drink another beer. I’m confident AJ Hawk will turn out to be the beast we all hope he’ll be and I’m hoping that Marquand Manuel doesn’t turn out to be the bust we all fear he’ll be.

The first preseason game is just days away, so get out that rosary and start praying to St. Vince for good tidings, just slip on those rose-colored glasses and believe.