I just returned from the land of the cheese. I took the PackerIQ.com mascot and my five year old daughter Sophia to her first Green Bay Packer game. We decided that the Seattle Seahawk pre-season game would be the best game for her because the later in the year the weather could impact our enjoyment of a Packer game with a five year old. Well, at least it only rained for the most of the day and some of the game, and we did not have to deal with cold weather. I have to say I am proud of my “little trouper” as she did not complain one time as we sat in our plastic bags watching the Packer trounce the Seahawks 48 -13. Go Sophie! Go Sophie!

      She really made the father-daughter trip a delight. I realize that this was a pre-season game and one should not hold stock in the performance as an indicator of what the regular season will bring. I must say however I was impressed with the performance of the Packer defense. They shut down the Seattle Seahawk offense from the first string on down. The special teams looked good also. I hope this is preliminary view of what we can expect in the regular season and Favre learns to gel with his young offensive stars. Even though Favre was a three time MVP during the years that Packers went to the Super Bowls, it was the Reggie White defense that was the key to the Packer success. Defense and special teams wins championships. Just ask Peyton Manning and his potent offense about the Colts defensive surge that led them to their Super Bowl victory last year. I hope this trend carries over to the regular season and beyond. It would be nice to see Favre hold another Lombardi trophy in what may be his last year.

     Aaron Rodgers has matured nicely since last year and I do feel better about the Post-Favre Packer future. He looked posed and led the Packers through some nice drives.

I was concerned about the kicking game when the Packers let Ryan Longwell go to the Vikings. Rookie kicker Mason Crosby and starter Dave Rayner’s performance made me forget briefly my concerns on the Packer kicking game future. The Packers really have two good kickers on the roster and it remains to be seen which one will be the starter. I think the other one will start for another team looking for a quality kicker. I hope Thompson plays his cards right and does get value for the second kicker to further build the young Packer team.

 Well it is back to work and the heat this week for me. We are supposed to be in the 100s for most of the week here in Raleigh, NC. I hope the Packers can stay hot against the Jacguars on Thursday night.