Happy New Year  Packer Fans! The end of 2007 saw a return not only to the play-offs but another division championship. The blow out in Chicago and the fact that the Bears swept us for the first time in quite awhile was a little hard to swallow. But we can all rejoice in the fact that they will be watching US in the play-offs this season instead of us watching them. And then to have the Pack sweep Detroit to end the regular season was just the tonic to soothe the wounds of the week before. Not only did the starting unit (those who were active)  play well but, the second and third stringers played very well in relief. Craig Nall threw a touchdown pass for the first time in 2 or 3 seasons. Brandon Jackson looked very sharp in reilef of Ryan Grant, picking up chunks of yardage when needed. The coaching staff gave a look at several key back ups that should give Brett and the boys a few more weapons in the post season. It was good to see Koren Robinson get his first TD as a Packer.As well as seeing Bubba Franks get back into the TD swing. If Bubba is back to his old self he and Donald Lee will be a formidable combo at tight end. Robinson caught everything close to him and fought for as many yards as he could get after the catch. People have a tendency to forget that Koren was a Pro Bowl receiver when he was in Seattle. He is finally rounding into football shape and getting to know the system well enough to keep the defenses they will face in the upcoming weeks on their toes. The fact that Green Bay is starting to get healthy before their first play-off game should put a bit of worry into opposing coaching staffs. Think of the starters  they sat on Sunday. Donald Driver, Gerg Jennings, Charles Woodson, Donald Lee, Aaron Kampman, and Ryan Pickett. These guys will get an extra week to recover from the season long beating they have taken and be just that much fresher when this team gets back in business on Jan.12. Add in the fact that the Viqueens were elininated from the play-offs and it's almost a Packer Fan's season come true!

Well as we regale in the glow of our first Play-off season in 3 years we need to remeber those who did not make it past this year. We lost the much beloved Max McGee to a tragic home accident. Max would have loved this time of year. Former All-Pro center Jim Ringo. Who knows how long he would have played in Green Bay had he not brought an agent to negotiate with Lombardi. Denver Bronco safety Darrent Williams died in a senseless off-season shooting . Redskins safety Sean Taylor who was gunned down in his own home during a botched robbery attempt.  The father of the "West Coast Offense" Bill Walsh. Bill developed a system that has stood the test of time and is still used by many offensive coordinators. Although people threw around such terms as "Genius" and "Innovator", Walsh was a humble and hard working man of football. He will be truly missed by the entire football community.

Then there were the end of season firings (so far.) Randy Mueller GM of the Dolphins. His track record made him an easy target for new VP of football operations Bill Parcells. Now Coach Cameron is awaiting his fate. Ravens Head Coach Brain Billick also got the ax. Even though he won a Super Bowl in 2000, he hasn't done much since . The team's late season swoon out of the play-off picture sealed his fate.

Well gang that's all for now. I hope that this New Year brings us all much joy and prosperity. Good health. And another Lombardi Trophy at 1265 Lombardi Ave. would be a real nice start to that.

Until next time, Happy New Year my friends "From The Cheap Seats"!!!!!