The deadline for the Green Bay Packers to use their Franchise Tag on backup quarterback Matt Flynn with the intent to trade him like the Patriots did with Cassel has come and gone, and the Green Bay Packers opted against the risk of paying Flynn top quarterback money to back up Aaron Rodgers. Matt Flynn wasn’t on any teams radar until week 17 when he threw for 480 yards, completed 70% of his passes, and threw 6 touchdowns in the Packers 45-41 victory over the Detroit Lions. Experts are predicting he will receive a nice payday when free agency starts as he will likely be signed to be a started by another NFL team.
However, with Manning likely to be available via Free Agency, and the Rams dangling the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft for whoever wants to pay the price to get Griffin, Flynn will likely not be the first option for the teams looking to get their franchise quarterback.
Packers UFA Tight-End, Jermichael Finley, has agreed to a new contract with the Green Bay Packers for two years worth approximately $15 million. The deal is confirmed via Twitter with Jermichael Finley tweeting:
“It’s TRUE! Thank you so much to the Packers organization”
Finley failed to finish the 2010 season due to injury, but played all 16 games in 2011. In 2011 Jermichael Finley had 55 receptions for 767 yards and 8 touchdowns. However, he also finished with 14 drops (top 5 in the NFL) and had some big drops in the playoff game against the Giants that could have changed the outcome of that game had he been able to make the catches. With the drops aside, the Green Bay Packers will again be a dangerous team with a variety of different options for MVP Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to go to.
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The Packers had been chasing history for most of the season, until they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last week. At 13-1, though they still needed another win to clinch their home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which they did by the disposing of the floundering Chicago Bears.
After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, on a touchdown pass to Jermichael Finley, the Bears cover two defense did an excellent job of holding the Packers within check, up until the end of the half when Rodgers led the offense down the field effortlessly and scored on a touchdown pass to James Jones. With Greg Jennings out because of injury it is imperative that the secondary receivers of Green Bay step up, which they are more than capable of doing.
Down 14-3 to start the second half the Chicago Bears actually put a drive together and scored a touchdown when offensive lineman Edwin Williams recovered the running back, Khalil Bell’s fumble, cutting the lead 14-10. Unfortunately for Chicago Rodgers was indefensible in the second half, answering the touchdown with a 55 yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson.
Rodgers would throw two more touchdowns before the night was through, finishing with 5 touchdowns and 283 yards passing. Leading 35-10 the Packers lifted their foot off the pedal by inserting back ups, including Matt Flynn at quarterback. The Bears were able to score some cosmetic points afterwards, making the game look a little closer than what it was.
Green Bay will have a rematch against the Detroit Lions next week, but do not expect too many starters playing, as their is no real reason to risk a bad injury right before the playoffs start.
This game on Thanksgiving had a lot of build up for two division rivals who had not been good at the same time in many years. However the game did not live up to the hype. Early on the game the Detroit Lions had the Packers defense on their heels, however Detroit made critical errors on these early drives that led to them not scoring any points in the first half.
Green Bay took advantage of these mistakes as they have been doing since their winning streak began last year. After getting a touchdown late in the second quarter the Packers came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, scoring 24 unanswered points before the Lions scored when the game had already been decided.
At (11-0) the Packers look unbeatable and it will definitely not end next week in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where they will face the reeling Giants. The New York Giants are made to order for this team, and it will get ugly early as the Packers pound them into oblivion.
Green Bay had been steamrolling through teams recently, so it was somewhat of a shock to see that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the Packers on the ropes. However as what has become custom for Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers put drives together late to seal the the game, such as the 40 yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson putting the Pack up for good 35-26 with minutes to go against the Bucs.
The Packers started this game as usual with two touchdowns, including one by defensive tackle B.J. Raji on a one yard run. With the 14-0 lead the Buccaneers started battling back starting with a 54 yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount, where he ran over six Green Bay defenders before getting to the end zone. After adding a field goal to make it a four point game, the Bucs attempted an onside kick, which was first ruled to be recovered by Tampa Bay, but then overturned after a review. After the failed onside kick attempt the Packers drove the field and Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with a little under two minutes left in the half, giving the Packers a 21-10 lead.
In the third quarter the Green Bay offense was surprisingly quite, unable to put any points on the board. The Buccaneers tried to take advantage by adding another Connor Barth field goal, cutting the lead to 21-13. Early in the fourth quarter the Bucs were able to put a drive together and finish it off with a touchdown pass to Mike Williams. Tampa Bay attempted the two point conversion for the tie, but Kellen Winslow could not hang on to the pass.
Green Bay answered with a touchdown of their own by John Kuhn, making it a two possession game. The Buccaneers were able to come back with a score of their own, but could not keep the Packers out of the end zone one last time before getting the ball back.
Aaron Rodgers and company will be looking to move 11-0 on Thanksgiving early this week against the upstart (7-3) Lions. Green Bay will move the ball against the Lions, but the real question is will the porous Packer D, be able to stop Stafford and Calvin Johnson. If your betting on Thanksgiving, lay the six points with the Pack.
This Monday Night Matchup was as big a stinker as they come. After both these teams played a close game the last time, you had a feeling that this time around the Packers were going to get to Minnesota, and might even embarrass them, which they ended up doing. The first points of the day for Green Bay did not even come from their offense. Randall Cobb returned Minnesota’s punt 80 yards for a touchdown, two minutes into the game. At that point, two minutes into the game everyone knew that the game was already over.
Green Bay went on to score another 17 unanswered points building a 24-0 lead before the Vikings got on the board with an Adrian Peterson touchdown run. Aaron Rodgers had another ridiculous day throwing for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers this year is without a doubt the best quarterback in the league. Better than Brady, Brees, Roethlisberger, he is by far playing the best at his position, all be it he does have the best team around, which does help.
The Packers are playing a Tampa Bay team that is floundering after starting the season with a lot of expectations. It appears that the Bucs were still too young to make that next step, and do not be surprised if Green Bay punishes them Sunday.
Packers News, Roster Changes | Packers360 | 
March 6, 2012 11:35 pm | 
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