Tuesday was unofficially 'Bash the Pack' day around the country. Suddenly, people in my native Upstate NY became interested in my beloved Packers. No one said anything after the opening Monday triumph. But today, I was fair game.
I take it all, soak it up, and store it away in a special place.
We've been real lucky these last 12 seasons. Think of all the memories we have been lucky enough to relish in: Witnessing Brett's transformation from a risk-taking, heart-stopping young gunslinger, to a three-time NFL MVP; 8 home playoff games, 7 wins; An NFC title game at Lambeau; Ahman Green's unexpected maturation to one of the NFL's elite players. Countless other memories, too. And there are still many to come.
Many people around me are aware of my positive nature. You can look at the 1-4 start and cite the pourous defense and turnovers on offense to quickly write off this season. To me, it's a cop out, and a loss in faith in a team we love so much. There are 11 games left. ANYTHING can happen. Houston won 11 straight games after starting 1-4 in 1991. Why can't we emulate those Oilers? Why quit? This is a team with unlimited talent on offense, and a defense that has yet to gel.
So please listen, fellow Cheeseheads. Look at the NFC. The Giants, Rams, Cowboys, and Lions pose the greatest threat to a Wild Card birth. We play the Lions twice, and the Rams and Cowboys each at Lambeau. Our next three games are: at Detroit, Dallas at Lambeau, and at Washington. Come Halloween this team has a VERY good shot at being 4-4. And guess who comes to Lambeau after the bye?? Yeah, it's the Vikes. Say they go in 6-2. We win, we're 1 game out OF THE DIVISION. Season NOT over.
Think I'm crazy? Give it til Halloween. Brett and the Pack have given us too much over the past decade for you not to.