Point / Counterpoint

This is our newest column where we counterpoint every nonsensical statement a writer proclaims in their commentary. Our first victim is none other than John Clayton, taken from the article titled "Packers ready to follow Rodgers' lead":

First of all the title is idiotic. Weren't they following his lead last year? When the entire organization backed him over their former and future HOF QB.

With no Brett Favre distractions this summer, the Green Bay Packers feel young, fresh and optimistic about the 2009 season.

What team isn't fresh and optimistic in early August? Last summer the Lions were talking about going to the playoffs.

There is no question that this is Rodgers' team now that the books are finally closed on Favre.

Um, when was their a question that this was Rodgers' team? Once again they chose him over Favre. That's why he was traded.

Rodgers showed Favre-like toughness last season, playing through a second-degree separation of his right shoulder without missing a start.

You see playing hurt at the quarterback position is rarely done. Wait I forgot about Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning, Steve McNair, Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Steve Young.

Seeing nose tackle Ryan Pickett smiling and joking around in defensive line drills caught me off guard. At 29, Pickett is making a career change from being a 4-3 defensive tackle to a nose tackle in the Packers' new 4-3. That's a position switch that usually turns veterans surly and resistant.

You see, I expect all veteran players going through change to be furious about coming in and getting highly paid to play a game. But this Ryan Pickett actually likes his job, ain't that a hoot?


Dom Capers has enough linebackers to run a 3-4 defense that can pressure the quarterback. The longtime NFL defensive coordinator, entering his first season with the Packers, has been a master of finding outside pass-rushers.In Green Bay, he has at least three options on the outside: Aaron Kampman, Jeremy Thompson, and Clay Matthews.

A master of finding outside pass-rushers? John, you do realize he is not the GM. That would be Ted Thompson, and he is the guy who drafted these players. Also out of the three, two of them were on the Packers last year. And as you noted Dom wasn't.

The most interesting development on offense is how Jermichael Finley is emerging at tight end. Donald Lee is clearly the starter, but Finley is a 6-foot-5, 247-pound target who might be able to expand the passing offense out of two-TE sets.

Preposterous! A second year player at training camp who looks like he has improved. Typically, after they adjust to the rigors of the NFL and understand how much they need to train and prepare, they get worse. But not Jermichael Finley, who won't take Lee's spot as a starter, he is special.

It's pretty clear the offensive line is in transition. Right tackle Mark Tauscher wasn't re-signed.

Tauscher probably wasn't re-signed because he tore his ACL in December. Why would any team pay someone that might not be healthy this season? And that's before you find out if he can even still play.

Left tackle Chad Clifton is on the sidelines recovering from arthroscopic surgeries to both shoulders and both knees. And center Scott Wells is being challenged by Jason Spitz for the starting job.

Thompson has drafted enough mid-round players who have the bodies to fit the job descriptions, but the key to camp is settling on a starting offensive line. Clifton should be fine. How guards Josh Sitton and Allen Barbre fare could be the key to the success of the running game and pass-blocking.

That is quite the transition. One player was let go, and he won't be able to play. Another player is hurt, but he will be ready to play. Another player is being challenged by another. And two starting lineman will be a big key in how effective the offense is going to play. Amazing!

So in summation; the Packers feel fresh and invigorated after the offseason, Aaron Rodgers is finally their leader, Jermichael Finley has surprisingly improved but not enough to start, Dom Capers is a master, and the o-line is in transition because one guy wasn't re-signed. Wow, thanks John Clayton!