A Look Behind Enemy Lines: Green Bay Packers

After an impressive game Monday night, quarterback Aaron Rodgers received high praise all across the sports world, but none loftier than the comparison that Scott Tolzien made. Tolzien, former 49ers third-string quarterback and current Packers backup, said “I mean, to me it’s like watching Jordan in his prime. He’s at the top of his game. He makes it all go”. James Jones echoed what Tolzien said, adding that we are watching something special. As for Rodgers, he’s been keeping a level head, claiming that he’s “not worthy” of the comparison. Whether he’s worthy or not, that’s a discussion for another day. On the defense side of the ball, the Packers will be getting back defensive tackle Letroy Guion back from suspension. Guion was suspended for the first three games of the season after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Guion has practiced this week and all signs point towards him playing this Sunday. On the issue of him being in game-shape, Coach Mike McCarthy said, “Just from the strength and conditioning standpoint, I think he’s in excellent shape”. Guion is joining a defensive line that has performed well thus far, having been able to slow down both Jamaal Charles and Marshawn Lynch. Despite having Eddie Lacy to near 100%, the Packers will look to feature more of a three back rotation. Lacy and James Starks will be the primary ball carriers, but it seems that McCarthy would like to feed the ball more to rookie Alonzo Harris. It is well known that Colin Kaepernick has had some of his better games against Green Bay. With Kaepernick being 3-0 against them, it leads to Mike McCarthy to have a certain level of respect for the 49ers quarterback. Wednesday, McCarthy said that, “We have a lot of respect for Colin… He’s obviously had a lot of success against us in the past”. Julius Peppers gave some insight into the game plan regarding Kaepernick and the 49ers run offense saying that, “Stop the run from the other guys first, and then if he wants and try to keep it, we’ve got to figure out how to get him stopped”. Clay Matthews will be spending more time in the film this week in order to prepare, hoping that the new defense will provide the Packers with a different outcome.