Laboratory Jacksonville

It was interesting to see how the Bigby / Rouse situation at safety worked out. I wrote them both off to injury and didn't make any definitive judgments about there play. If I were giving grades, I would have given them both a Incomplete this year. Rouse's status going in offseason

But then this from McGinn; he was surprised by how fast the Packers "soured on Rouse". It's in the December 10th chat. Clearly that Woodson at safety thing was an attempt to get the best players on the field at the same time. McGinn is calling for Rouse and / or Charlie Peprah at safety. Tramon Williams would go back to full-time nickel back.

I watched the Texans game in Madison at my friend Jay's place. Jay is from Madison. He takes the Packers seriously and actively moderates his opinion. Jay is the antithesis of a football fan that shoots his mouth off as if he were the second coming of Vince Lombardi.

We both praised Tramon before the game started. We seemed to agree the Packers should stick with him after a rough game. “Welcome to the NFL kid. Now have a seat and think about what happened.” Williams gave up five completions for 153 yards and was toasted on the third play of the game where Nick Collins finished Tramon off and the play went for a TD. This guy is in his second season. He seems more agile than Ahmad Carroll or Joey Thomas and usually knows where the ball is.

Do you throw Tramon Williams back up on the horse against Jacksonville or would the Packers be making a smart coaching move by slowing Williams down a bit? I would imagine that depends on Woodson’s toe. If he is less than 90% (turftoe) throw Rouse and Peprah to the wolves and let them play. Maybe let Woodson recover for the Bears game.

At this point in the season, the Packers will need to salvage pride by giving the Bears their A-game and not losing the last game to the Lions at Lambeau. The Jacksonville game is one they can most afford to lose and that means it’s a good game to look at reserves, especially on defense.

Given Desmond Bishop's vunerablity in coverage, whatever the defensive scheme for rest of this year, as long as Bishop is at WBL, he will need help over the top. But the J/S is now reporting that Chiller might start in JAX at WBL allowing the Packers to focus on helping Propingga with the TE at SBL. Also, they say Woodson will remain at safety... well OKKKK?!?! Rouse and Peprah aren't even on the injury report. Who are they going to play in nickel? Jarred Bush? Dime? Bush and Blackmon I guess?