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Green Bay (4-3) at Tampa Bay (0-7)

Partly Cloudy Currently: Tampa, FL
Temp: 81° F
  • Game info: 1:00 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: FOX

By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA, STATS Senior Writer Nov 4, 4:58 pm EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap
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Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is considering changes to fix the team’s porous pass protection. Perhaps merely facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will give the offensive line some confidence.

With the hits on Aaron Rodgers(notes) beginning to take their toll, the Packers look to take advantage of a matchup with the winless Buccaneers on Sunday.

Green Bay (4-3) was hurt by its former star quarterback in a 38-26 loss to Minnesota and Brett Favre(notes) last Sunday. Rodgers fell to 0-2 against his one-time mentor despite throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns without getting picked off.

If not for all the pressure he faced, Rodgers may have had an even bigger game. He was sacked six times, suffering a sprain on one foot and a sprained toe on the other.

McCarthy expects Rodgers to play against Tampa Bay (0-7), but the Packers need to find a way to give him better protection. Rodgers has been sacked a league-worst 31 times after being taken down 34 times all of last season, but has still managed to complete 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,989 yards and 14 TDs with two interceptions.

“Our sack numbers are clearly out of balance,” said McCarthy, who is examining his options on the offensive line. “That’s something we’ll continue to work through.”

McCarthy may replace rookie left tackle T.J. Lang(notes) with veteran Chad Clifton(notes), who hasn’t played a full game since the opener due to an ankle injury, and right tackle Allen Barbre(notes) is in danger of being benched in favor of Mark Tauscher(notes).

Green Bay gave up a combined five sacks to Vikings defensive ends. The Packers now must contend with end Jimmy Wilkerson(notes), who has 5 1/2 sacks, but he has been the Buccaneers’ only real pass-rushing threat.

Tampa Bay’s 11 sacks rank 29th in the NFL. Opposing quarterbacks have a 102.1 passer rating versus the Buccaneers, throwing 16 TDs.

Green Bay hasn’t been much better at getting to the quarterback, totaling 12 sacks. Packers veterans continue to criticize defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ new 3-4 defense.

Defensive end Cullen Jenkins(notes) was outspoken after Green Bay failed to sack Favre for the second time this season, saying the team is “in handcuffs” in Capers’ scheme.

“It’s tough,” Jenkins said. “You come into the season with new stuff and you’re told we’re going to give you opportunities to do this and do opportunities to do that, and then you’re not given them.”

Cornerback Charles Woodson(notes) spoke out about Capers’ play selection after the Packers’ first loss to the Vikings on Oct. 5, but declined to point fingers after the last matchup.

After giving up 30 points or more for the third time this season, Green Bay will try to bounce back as it faces Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Josh Freeman(notes), who is set to make his first start.

Freeman, the 17th pick in this year’s draft, will try to boost an offense that has averaged 13.7 points. After sitting behind Byron Leftwich(notes) and Josh Johnson(notes) for seven weeks, Freeman comes off the Buccaneers’ bye confident that he’s ready for the challenge.

“Obviously, it’s something that’s very exciting to me. It’s something that I’m not taking lightly,” said Freeman said, whose only NFL action was two series in the fourth quarter of a 35-7 loss to New England on Oct. 25.

“I come out with a different swagger, I guess, because I’m the guy who’s taking the majority of the snaps, and I’ve got to go out and radiate that type of deal or that type of swagger, so my teammates can catch on to it.”

Freeman completed 2 of 4 passes for 16 yards versus the Patriots and was sacked twice. He’s taking over a Buccaneers club that has lost 11 straight, the franchise’s longest skid since dropping 26 in a row during its first two seasons.

Five of Tampa Bay’s losses have been by double digits.

“Everything we’ve done to this point is who we are,” first-year coach Raheem Morris said. “These guys are holding up, but we’ve got to do more than hold up. … Holding up got you to 0-7. We’re here to fight through, we’re here to power through, we’re here to be our best selves.”

Tampa Bay beat visiting Green Bay 30-21 on Sept. 28, 2008, in the teams’ last meeting as Rodgers was sacked three times and threw three interceptions. The Packers have lost six of their last seven road games against the Bucs.

Updated Nov 4, 4:58 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
Green Bay 5-4-0 2nd NFC North 232 179 2-2-0 Road 1-1-0 4-3-0 2-2-0 Won 1
Tampa Bay 1-8-0 4th NFC South 157 256 1-4-0 Home 0-3-0 1-5-0 0-1-0 Lost 1

Notes

QB Aaron Rodgers passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 31-21 victory over Detroit. Playing in his first season as Brett Favre's successor in Green Bay, Rodgers finished with 4,038 yards and 28 TDs despite playing most of the campaign with an injured throwing shoulder. ... Green Bay re-wrote the NFL record book Sunday, becoming the first team in league history to have two 100-yard rushers and two 100-yard receivers in the same game. RBs Ryan Grant and DeShawn Wynn each ran for 106 yards. WR Donald Driver finished with 111 receiving yards while WR Greg Jennings had 101. ... The Packers have not lost a home game to the Lions since dropping a 21-17 decision to Detroit on December 15, 1991.

Dec 28, 11:03 pm EST

K Matt Bryant finished with a franchise-record 131 points this season. He bettered the previous record of 128 points by K Martin Gramatica in 2002. ... RB Carnell Williams rushed for a season-high 78 yards and two TDs, but suffered what coach Jon Gruden said was a "serious" knee injury in the fourth quarter. Williams, who missed the first 10 games this season because of a torn ACL in his right knee in September 2007, hurt his left knee after a 28-yard run. ... The Bucs lost their fourth consecutive game. In those contests, the Bucs were outscored, 59-19, in the fourth quarter.

Dec 28, 10:13 pm EST
NFL

648 Comments

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  1. annoyed
    648. Posted by annoyed Wed Nov 11 9:02pm EST

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    I love the orange unis! Bucs need to go back to these permanently. The gold and black is just not NFL, more like Arena league. All teams need to go back to their best unis - the ones they had in 1976 when I first followed an entire season. Steelers - get rid of those ugly round numbers. Seahawks - go back to silver. Rams - blue and yellow NOW, the gold and navy is lame. Falcons, Eagles, Cardinals - go back to the old bird it looks better than that new pokeman style junk. Colts, Chiefs, Saints, Cowboys and Packers you rock because you didn't change to try to milk more money from merchandise.
  2. Rodney Danger
    647. Posted by Rodney Danger Wed Nov 11 11:16am EST

    Report Abuse

    Alright, now I understand where you're coming from. And don't you worry, I'll be wearing the purple, gold, and white no matter how the season turns out. Good or bad, I'm a MN teams fan for life! Congrats to your Yanks BTW.
    GO VIKINGS!
  3. snowball
    646. Posted by snowball Wed Nov 11 11:03am EST

    Report Abuse

    Sure. Here's my background. I'm from CT so I don't follow all WI or MN teams.... just my Packers. I grew up with brothers and have been watchin football all my life. NFL is my passion, I love it. So that's where I get off giving my opinion on a football blog. Just a fan........just a cheesehead. Or fudge packer... Sure it don't make sense...... but my Yanks won the series, and my Knicks suck, and in the end, you'll clinch the divsion, and that will hurt. DAMMIT !!!

    Best of luck to you Rod....... you just keep boastin round in your purples like you should be right now.
  4. Rodney Danger
    645. Posted by Rodney Danger Wed Nov 11 10:48am EST

    Report Abuse

    Snowball?
    Sensitive? Who's being sensitive? I was merely inquiring to the background behind some of your comments due to that fact that your profile says you're from Connecticut and that a WISCONSIN professional sports team has worn purple colors in its past (so why would I mention Baltimore when it has no connection to either MN or WI?). As for "Fudge Packers", its about as original as Packer Fan names for the Vikings (BiQueens, ViQueens, whatever). In any case its all just one big gay joke in the end (and there's another one, heh). Obviously this is just a football forum, but like I said, I was just looking for some validation to your comments.
    GO VIKINGS!
  5. snowball
    644. Posted by snowball Wed Nov 11 10:23am EST

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    Rodney Danger ~~ Insults? that is just some smack talk within the Pack / Vikes fan rivalry. You aren't used to it by now? Besides, did you have the pleasure of seeing the 4th quarter of this TB/Pack game? What else do we have but to talk shlt. The Vikes are leading the NFC North, man, enjoy it and don't be so sensitive!!

    Fudge Packer...... real original, I could take offense to it but I won't cuz it's football!!

    This isn't a basketball blog hun, you'd have been better off mentioning Baltimore when searchin for a purple comeback.
  6. Rodney Danger
    643. Posted by Rodney Danger Wed Nov 11 9:22am EST

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    Snowball, why are you even posting? Says you're from Conneticut, the land of no professional teams whatsoever. So unless you're originally from either Minnesota or Wisconsin, your comments are null. BTW, several teams wear or have worn purple in their uniforms, such as oh I dunno... the MILWAUKEE BUCKS! Do some research before trying to make insults people, jeez, some Fudge Packer fans, I tell ya...
  7. snowball
    642. Posted by snowball Wed Nov 11 9:04am EST

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    Thomas....... it's worth it to see Favre choke just to shut up these Vikes fans..... they've been bettin on the Superbowl since Favre went in. Only one thing, they may make it to the bowl....... but in typical Minnesota fashion, the ring will still be out of reach because real men don't wear purple!!
  8. high school ref.
    641. Posted by high school ref. Wed Nov 11 1:03am EST

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    That Tampa defense is averaging 28.875 points allowed per game. If the offense could average 29 points per game in place of their current 16.75, they could go undefeated the rest of the year. Tampa needs a coach for the defense, the offense is doing enough. Either way Tampa is not going anywhere for the next few years under this current regime. They have the players, now they just need the coach.
  9. Dan G
    640. Posted by Dan G Tue Nov 10 5:53pm EST

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    Hey Thomas

    You packer fans can take your bitterness and shove it. Packers are done, and the Vikings run this division. Get over it.
  10. <i>thomasroshae</i>
    639. Posted by thomasroshae Tue Nov 10 4:37pm EST

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    Oh it'll be much sooner than 20-30 years. I'd say more like 2-3 years and we'll be back where we should be, competing for the NFC crown. As for now, we'll play the season out, take what we can from it and move on. Although the Packers season is not lost, I will have just as much fun watching Favre choke as I will watching the rest of the Green Bay games. Packers Fan for Life! Oh and 'fudgepacker' is really creative...but at least we don't wear purple. Suck it vikes
  11. snowball
    638. Posted by snowball Tue Nov 10 2:58pm EST

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    Vikes fans....... you're in for a rude awakening. Favre is not play-off material. Better keep your team healthy if you want that ring.... right now, i would agree about you guys in the Superbowl. I'm still not sold that Brett can last through the whole season.

    Go Pack Go Forever without Favre and beyond!!!!!!!!!!! We'll be back....... may take 20-30 years but we will be!! : )
  12. Mike W
    637. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 2:02pm EST

    Report Abuse

    No, Rodney, I'm not attacking all viking fans, just some that talkout of their asses.
  13. Dan G
    636. Posted by Dan G Tue Nov 10 1:49pm EST

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    Mike W

    No need to blame others about your aids condition, your anal cavity has been through enough, perhaps that's why you talk out of it!

    Bozo.


    Vikes. Learn to love it.
  14. barter n
    635. Posted by barter n Tue Nov 10 1:49pm EST

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    Hey -- up here in Green Bay there is a local football show hosted on Tuesday nights that features two offensive linemen who, according to the promo spots, as hosts "break all the rules." I think that would include illegal procedure, holding, and the biggest rule of all--never let some of the worst defensive lines in the league EVER touch your quarterback unless they are shaking his hand after the game and congratulating him on his win.
  15. Rodney Danger
    634. Posted by Rodney Danger Tue Nov 10 1:46pm EST

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    Mike W -
    So you attack all Viking fans for a few just rubbing it in that you lost to an 0 and 7 team? Don't get your fudge packed panties in a bunch, its all in good fun for rivals such as our teams. And your gay jokes don't exactly help your cause either, doesn't show much class, but I guess that's what SOME of you Packer fans are known for.
    GO VIKINGS!
  16. Mike W
    633. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 12:01pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Sorry Dan -
    Your wife told me last night about your condition. Sorry to hear that anal seepage came back. You really should stop going to them gay bars. Not good buddy.
  17. Mike W
    632. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 11:59am EST

    Report Abuse

    And pitbull - you need someone to bury their fist down your throat - you @#$%!
  18. Dan G
    631. Posted by Dan G Tue Nov 10 11:58am EST

    Report Abuse

    Mike W

    Go run yourself into a wall. You fudge fans are the worst. No revenge coming in the near future, packers won't even sniff the playoffs for at least a decade. Suck it.
  19. Mike W
    630. Posted by Mike W Tue Nov 10 11:56am EST

    Report Abuse

    To all the biqueen fans that seem to possess no knowledge of footbal, and typing skills that limit their posts to "hahahahaha". Keep it up. We all will take great joy in rubbing it in to no end when you do choke. And it will happen. You know it will, too. Always does. So again, keep it up. No place on earth will be safe when we come back for revenge. Of course it will be difficult for use to find you once you all disapear from these boards, like you do every year. You, my friends, are pathetic.
  20. <i>thomasroshae</i>
    629. Posted by thomasroshae Tue Nov 10 10:19am EST

    Report Abuse

    Post #612, I couldn't have said it any better myself. I am extremely frustrated as a Packers fan and something MUST change for this team to put forth the effort I know they are capable of. Rodgers is solid...when he has protection. He has no time to think and when you only have 1 second after the snap to make a decision where to throw the ball, more times than not it'll end in either a sack or Rodgers running wildly in the backfield...and then getting sacked. Obviously this is just the beginning of the Packers' problems i.e. special teams, playcalling, O-line (all pathetic)
    As for all you Vikings fans, I acknowledge you guys have a great team but there is no way in hell that the motherf****r quarterbacking your team will win you guys a superbowl. Not this year, not next year, not ever. He'll fold when the weather gets cold. Mark my words @#$%es.
  21. stukid
    628. Posted by stukid Tue Nov 10 7:46am EST

    Report Abuse

    Way to go Tampa. At the start of the game, 0-8 was lookin' like a reality. Kudos to you for not folding. Special teams and splash plays kept you in it. Josh Freeman looked good, but one game does not a Hall of Fame make- (see M. Sanchez). Good luck the rest of the way. You have NO twice, ATL twice, CAR on the road. I see a spoilers role in the making! Go Bucs!
  22. <i>xtradloffx</i>
    627. Posted by xtradloffx Tue Nov 10 12:43am EST

    Report Abuse

    Packers suck hahahahahahahaha
  23. d-dawg
    626. Posted by d-dawg Mon Nov 9 11:47pm EST

    Report Abuse

    I taped the game so if any of you Packer Backers wanna watch it again.....I know I will....LMAO
    VIKINGS RULE!!!
  24. Dan G
    625. Posted by Dan G Mon Nov 9 11:08pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Packers suck fat noodles! hahahahahahahahahaha

    Vikes.
  25. d-dawg
    624. Posted by d-dawg Mon Nov 9 9:54pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Aric the supergenius
    how bout those Packers.....LMAO
    Go Vikings!!!!!!
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