The headlines are splashed with Favre this morning, and with good reason. Jennings and Jones, young, up and coming receivers who look like they're building the foundation of a solid WR corps, are deservedly getting their fair share of attention too, what with those beautiful catch-and-runs.
But the engine of victory has smaller, less flashy parts, too:
Aaron Kampman: Ok, so he doesn't exactly qualify as "unsung" at this point, but his 3-sack performance is overshadowed by the fireworks on offense. He's praised for having a good motor that doesn't quit, and never was that more evident than on his sack of Marshall on the trick play, when he whiffed twice near the sidelines and finally made the tackle around the hashmarks.
Ryan Pickett: He showed nice resolve by putting himself back in the game after suffering what looked to be a pretty painful knee injury, the way he writhed on the ground for a minute afterward. His stuff for no gain at the end of the game forced overtime rather than allowing the Broncos impressive game-finishing drive against a gassed Green garrison to result in a Denver win.
Mason Crosby: Provided key points when the Packers couldn't get in the end zone, but also neutralized the Broncos special teams by booming kickoffs that forced touchbacks.
Sure, Green Bay needed Favre's big-time bombs, Ryan Grant's authoritative hole-hitting, and the receivers' sure hands and fast legs, but they also needed these guys to squeak by Denver at Mile High for the first time in team history.
Giddy up!
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Totally agree on Kampman...thank God we locked him up for a few years ago last year (or was it early this year?). Easily on his way to 2nd Pro Bowl, much of it b/c of his hard work ethic...also got to credit the pressure that KGB has brought (at least 1 of Kampman's sacks is b/c KGB forced Cutler to scramble right into his arms) along w/ the pressure that Jenkins and others bring...KGB had a key tip at the line during Cutler's 2 minute drive...John Jolly did great too (hopefully we lock him up too).
Gotta credit Crosby (as you've done). Always great to give the opponent a longer field to have to drive down.
I think Ryan Grant needs to be on the list...Yes, Denver is the worst rushing D, but finally Packers realized that Grant should've had more touches earlier in the year and is a back that will make a cut and go vertical instead of horizontal...it was evident too that dancing at the line isn't as effective as just running forward and hitting someone.
PackBrew42 is…
Miller Brewery, WI
Total Comments (4052)
Excellent additions, PackBrew42. Keep 'em coming.
The Waterboy
Pomona, CA
Total Comments (37)
How about Atari Bigby? If he hadn't tried so hard to blow the game all by himself with missed tackles, blown coverages, and stupid, stupid penalties, we never would have had the benefit of that great finish.
bregea
Eaton Rapids, MI
Total Comments (11)
Aw, come on now, this is a feel-good blog. I'll give him this after last night: He plays hard. Let's just hope next week he plays well.
The Waterboy
Pomona, CA
Total Comments (37)
Kampman was a god-man on the field, when I thought I was supremely impressed(again) by Aaron with the one-handed sack too proved what kind of a ruthless force he is (if only it made the highlight reel too) he turns around and impresses me more when he and Marshall completely outran 20 other people, Aaron going through people, for 70 yards of running and he beat Marshall before he could make it to the line of scrimmage and sacked him for the third and finally first completed time in the play to prove just how far above human sense this guy plays, only getting the honor of all-pro should be an insult to this man.
Buddhasillegitimatec…
Pacific , MO
Total Comments (2678)
Nick Barnett for seeing the ball, getting the ball when cutler fumbled it on our 1 yard line.
Mark Tauscher, except for that one busted play sack where Favre went the opposite way of everyone else lol, the right side of the line held all game
Head Kick KO
Milwaukee , WI
Total Comments (645)
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