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PACKERS, OFF TO STRONG START, DOWN LIONS 28-6 IN SEASON OPENER
posted 09/11/01
 | | RB Ahman Green ran for 157 yards and 2 TDs against the Lions |
THE WEEK PAST: Seldom in their distinguished history, recent or distant, have the Packers played with more passion and precision - or been better prepared for an opening day assignment - than they were for their 2001 baptismal against the Detroit Lions over the weekend.
Taking charge from the opening kickoff on an afternoon visited by a steady and soaking rain, the defense initially throttled the Lions' offense, forcing Detroit to settle for three-and-out with the aid of a 4-yard sack of quarterback Charlie Batch by new Packers defensive tackle Jim Flanigan, the Packers proceeded to post touchdowns on their first three possessions and mount a 21-0 lead that was to prove more than sufficient in the final reckoning.
It took only four plays to provide all of the points they were to ultimately need. After a 34yard strike from quarterback Brett Favre to wideout Bill Schroeder quickly ferried the Packers to the Detroit 39, running back Ahman Green launched one of the most electrifying rushing performances in Packers history by breaking open over right guard and raced 31 yards to a touchdown.
The next time the Packers acquired the football - after middle linebacker Bernardo Harris stuffed the Lions' James Stewart for no gain in a fourth-and-2 situation at the Green Bay 35-yard line - it took Favre only four plays to find the end zone again, Favre hitting Schroeder with a 23-yard scoring throw just inside the east sideline at the right corner of the end zone.
The pyrotechnics continued on the Packers' next possession - with impressive dispatch. The Green and Gold had barely taken over when the mercurial Green, breaking outside left end with the intervention of a clearing block by flanker Antonio Freeman, veered to the outside and streaked 83 yards to a touchdown. With Ryan Longwell's third conversion, the Packers were now up 21-0 - and the possessors of 221 yards of offense with 4:29 still remaining in the first quarter.
The Packers, maximizing their opportunities with impressive efficiency in the process, needed only 10 plays to produce the three scores.
The Lions interrupted with a 49-yard field by Jason Hanson but it proved to be a token response. The visitors made one more attempt to save the day, moving to the Green Bay 5-yard line late in the second quarter, but strong safety Darren Sharper snuffed that threat by intercepting a Charlie Batch pass in the end zone on the final play of the first half.
Favre subsequently settled the issue on the Packers' second possession of the third quarter, directing a 12-play, 75-yard drive he capped with a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bubba Franks in the left corner of the end zone.
Favre, playing within himself throughout, turned in a masterful performance, completing 22 of 28 passes for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns, without an interception - efforts which combined to produce an imposing 129.2 quarterback rating.
Green and Schroeder also had big days along the way, Green amassing 157 yards rushing in 17 attempts, an eye-catching 9.2-yard average, and 2 touchdowns, and Schroeder closing out the afternoon with 104 yards on four receptions, with one touchdown.
Coordinator Ed Donatell's defense likewise had a large afternoon, sacking quarterback Charlie Batch no fewer than 7 times - the most productive such performance since November 1, 1998, when the Packers defense sacked San Francisco quarterback Steve Young 9 times en route to 36-22 victory.
Second-year pro Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, off to a remarkable start, personally accounted for three of those sacks for 20 yards in losses - the first three-sack game for a Packers defender since the legendary Reggie White registered the trifecta in the previously-mentioned victory over the 49ers (Nov. 1, 1998).
Jim Flanigan and Vonnie Holliday each had 2 sacks, both for 12 yards in losses, to share the pass-rushing spotlight with Gbaja-Biamila.
Weak side linebacker Nate Wayne also had a successful outing, leading the Green Bay defense with 14 tackles.
Strong safety Darren Sharper also weighed in with 2 interceptions, the 15th and 16th of his 5-year pro career.
GM/HEAD COACH MIKE SHERMAN'S COMMENTS:
(on what he had found out about his team Sunday) "That we can score on the first possession of the game. We haven't done very well on that in the past, and it was nice to see us be able to do that.
"And, again, I don't know how much we can take from today to identify our football team. You could ask me that on the bye weekend where we are what we've accomplished...It was one game today and we were fortunate enough to come away with a victory. We're excited that we were able to win in front of our home crowd and, with the legends of Lombardi on the sideline, it made it extra special....But this is just the first step.
(on the defense) "I thought our defense did a great job. (Darren) Sharper's turnover at the end of the first half (an end zone interception of a Charlie Batch pass) was in my mind the key to the game. I talked to our players last week about how a football game is kind of like a practice - you have good parts of it and bad parts of it.
"Obviously, offensively, it was a good part for us, and defensively, in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the momentum changed their way just a little bit. We didn't have many possessions offensively and, when we did, we didn't have good field position.
"They kind of were moving the football against us a little bit in the second quarter. Sharper's interception, I thought, was a key note at the end of the half - for us - as we went into the locker room.
"But I was very pleased with the way we were able to rush the quarterback - something we haven't been able to do very well. I thought we generated some pass rush. Jim Flanigan, a new part of our scheme, has come in there and given us some inside pressure.
"Kabeer (Gbaja-Biamila) also really a new player this season for us, gave us some outside pressure, as did Vonnie Holliday and John Thierry. I thought they did an exceptional job."
"We did struggle with some things. It wasn't picture perfect...there were a lot of things we need to correct. They were hitting the basic cross over the middle to their inside receiver. They hit that three times against us for big chunks...They had a big play in the first quarter on our sideline...so it wasn't just a knockdown shutdown effort. There are some things we need to correct...But I thought it was a great team effort."
(on injuries other than that to Allen Rossum) "Rossum, as far as I know, is the only injury we had...As you know, he had ad hamstring last week. I worked him out after our mock game yesterday to make sure he that he could go today and be able to run full speed....And the injury that occurred today. His leg slipped out from underneath him on a return and then his leg cramped up on him as well...I'm not sure of the extent of that...I know he tweaked his hamstring."
(on the performance of Ahman Green) "He did some good things today and there are some things he needs to work on. He took his eye off the ball a couple times and had a couple of muffs - on a pitch and on a toss...I think the statement he made is that he can be a hell of a football player, and he still has some things to correct, as he'll tell you...But I think he has a chance to be very good, as do our other players."
(on whether the Packers' 12-play, 75-yard drive to the game's third touchdown was "vintage Favre") "I would say that was the old Favre that we all know and love and want to see on a daily basis. No question about that. I thought he played well the whole game, though. He really made very few mistakes in his football game.
"The ball was very slick. He had to struggle early to grab hold of the football. And that's not common to him because he has size 10-1/2 hands, so he has big hands but he struggled. The pass he threw to Bill Schroeder on a corner route was a little wobbly and I thought Billy did a great job coming back for that ball....He can throw the ball better on a dryer day but I thought he had an exceptional football game. He had very few mistakes."
(on the officials) "I thought they officiated the game fairly well. I don't have very many complaints. There were a couple of issues that I asked them questions about. They were very accommodating. I thought they did a nice job."
THE PLAYER PERSPECTIVE:
Quarterback Brett Favre: (on how he feels about this football team) "Everything about today was great, but I don't want to get a head start making predictions or saying we're a great football team and all that stuff. I think we beat a very good football team today. We played extremely well, but in my opinion, nothing more than that. We still have a ways to go. I mean, yeah it was a great win, but let's not start putting this too high on the pedestal yet."
(on his block against Alonzo Spellman) "I told Alonzo after I cut him that I thought he was (cornerback) Terry Fair - because I tried to take a smaller guy and I ended up taking the biggest one on the field. I don't know, Ray (Packers wide receivers coach Ray Sherman) was talking to me in my helmet (via the coach-to-quarterback radio) saying that 'We'd like to have you for the rest of the season.' I said, 'Don't worry, after I cut him, I don't think I'll cut anybody else.' "
(on weather conditions and the ball) "I was amazed that the ball was not on the ground twenty times more for both sides. I'm surprised we caught the ball as well as we did."
(on Flanagan and Winters) "Frankie and Mike are good friends - they're great friends. Frank, when his time comes to play again, he'll be ready. That's the one thing about this team is we are a team. And no one is complaining. Everyone is excited about each other. It shows when you have a win like this today."
(on Ahman Green) "As good as he is right now, he can be much better, which is scary. He's young, he just has to adjust to this offense and how much we're going to ask him to do. If he can do that, he can be very dominating."
(on Bill Schroeder) "What, did he have 92 yards in the first quarter? That's not bad. Ahman had 122 in the first quarter or something like that. That's not bad. I though everyone who stepped on that field today played well."
Running back Ahman Green: (on his comfort level with the 'West Coast' offense) "With this being my third year in the 'West Coast' offense, everything is really - I know it like the back of my hand."
(on his expectations for today after seeing limited preseason action because of a groin injury) "With a groin injury, that's the base of your body, being a running back, you use that area a lot. Questions got answered real early with both of the big runs."
(on the game) "We can't really make it a big deal because this is only a first game. We don't want to harp on it. We've got 15 more games to go."
(on mistakes) "You're a professional. You are going to have mistakes, but you just keep going. You forget them, go onto the next play so you can help your team because if you rest and think about the old plays you messed up on, you are going to continue hurting your team."
(on recently injured players playing for the first time together) "That shows this team has a lot of character. We've got guys on this team, including myself, who know what it takes to get to where we want to be. We want to get to the playoffs and to the big game, so starting now we know whatever it takes. Injuries may happen. If you can't go, you can't go, but if you know you have a little something in you, you go out there and give it all you've got until you can't go anymore."
Free safety Darren Sharper: (on referees in the game) "We don't have any control as players on that situation or that issue with the referees. We have to go out there and play with whoever is making the calls."
(on taking the receivers out of the game) "We wanted to come out and really reduce the amount of touchdown passes they got. We knew our rush defense was going to play extremely well. We had to keep them out of the end zone because the in the 'West Coast' offense that's what they thrive on. They're going to try and throw the ball with short passes and have a controlled offense, but then also take their shots like you saw. We did a good job of keeping them out of the end zone."
(on his first interception) "That was good play because it kept points off the board. Going into halftime that's the last play they had to think about on offense so it was a good play to get that interception and give us a boost as we went inside and then kind of have them on a down side as they went into the locker room.
Tight end Bubba Franks: (how it feels to be on the receiving end of a Favre TD pass) "That was my first one and hopefully it isn't the last one, but it feels pretty good."
(on having a good game after having his receiving skills criticized by some members of the media) "It's no relief, I was relieved a long time ago. I don't listen to the media, I don't read the newspaper so it's not a relief. It feels good, but it's not a relief."
(on the TD catch) "I had to set it up on the line of scrimmage. I was telling the tackle that me and him had the double team on the defensive end. The defensive end tried to pinch inside and basically it was wide open. The safety played over the top backside -- I think they were playing the run."
Wide receiver Bill Schroeder: (on the good start) "The way we came out real strong at the beginning of the game really helped the entire game. The offense wanted to come out and put some points on the board. We haven't scored in the first drive in the first fifteen in a long time and we wanted to do that right away. The defense wanted to shut them out of the end zone, and they did a real good job of doing that as well."
(on today's performance being an example of how the offense can play when healthy) "Given the elements we still made some mistakes out there, but there are a lot of good things we did out there and I feel we can continue to do those real good things throughout the year."
(on the performance of the offense today) "We got out there and moved the ball real well in the first quarter. We made some mistakes, had some turnovers. Those are the type of mistakes we need to fix and continue to move the ball the way we did."
Defensive tackle Jim Flanigan: (on his first game as a Packer) "It felt great, you really couldn't have scripted it much better than that. It was great for our offense to get off to a quick start and score some points. I thought we were able to contain the run pretty well and get after the passer. It was a lot of fun and a great way to start the season."
(on having a 21-point cushion early in the game) "Our offense was just unbelievable. They just moved the ball well, got big plays and forced Detroit to try and win it by throwing the ball and we were able to get good pressure on them. "
(on the first sack) "You always want to get that first one -- get that monkey off your back and get rolling. I was happy to be able to do that."
Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila: (on his 3-sack performance) "God gave me a great ability to have speed and use my hands. I don't even worry about holding. I just knock their hands off and go around the corner."
NOTE-WORTHY:
-Sunday's victory was the Packers' 73rd in their 71-year-old rivalry with Detroit. The Packers have won 62 and there have been 7 ties.
-For the record, it was the Green and Gold's 44th victory over the Lions on Wisconsin soil, compared to 24 losses. There also have been four ties. At home, the Lions have won 38 and lost 29, and there have been three ties.
-The six points to which the Packers limited the Lions are the fewest they have given up on opening day since 1996, when they held Tampa Bay to a lone field goal in a 34-3 victory.
-Defensive tackle Jim Flanigan, making his first regular-season start as a Packer, lost no time making an impact, sacking Charlie Batch for a 4-yard loss on third down to end the Lions' first offensive series of the afternoon.
-Memories: Flanigan's father, Jim Flanigan Sr., was on the Lambeau Field sideline - in connection with the Packer Alumni's annual homecoming - to see his son debut impressively in Green and Gold with a pair of sacks...and perhaps remember when he debuted in a Packer uniform on opening day of 1967 as a rookie linebacker, also against Detroit.
-During the course of the afternoon, new Lions head coach Marty Mornhinweg three times directed the Lions to "go for it" on fourth down and three times the Packers' defense required them to regret it, shutting down Detroit on every occasion.
-Veteran defensive tackle Santana Dotson made his first regular-season appearance since suffering a torn quadriceps muscle above the patellar tendon in his right leg in Week 12 at Carolina last November 27. He posted a solo tackle and was credited with one pass defensed during his stint.
-First-year defensive tackle Rod Walker also made his Packers debut, joining Dotson in the front four with just under 6 minutes left in the first quarter.
-Veteran running back Dorsey Levens, playing with a splint on his broken left hand, gained 7 yards on his first rushing attempt of the regular season late in the first quarter.
-With Allen Rossum sidelined with a hamstring problem in the second half, strong safety Darren Sharper became the designated punt receiver and, under instructions to do so, made a fair catch in his only such opportunity.
-Fullback William Henderson (offense), middle linebacker Bernardo Harris (defense) and safety Antuan Edwards (special teams) were Packer captains opening day.
-Running back Herbert Goodman, wide receivers Charles Lee and Robert Ferguson, offensive guard Bill Ferrario, defensive end Jamal Reynolds, linebacker Torrance Marshall, cornerback Bhawoh Jue and designated third quarterback Henry Burris were the Packers' inactives for Sunday's game.
-One-hundred-forty former Packers players and coaches were introduced, as a group, during halftime ceremonies, which were complimented by a pair of videos showing some of the "old grads" in action during their playing days.
-Katherine Biskupic, the 12-year-old granddaughter of the late Ron Kostelnik, a starting defensive tackle who helped the packers win five NFL titles and the first 2 Super Bowls in the 1960s, was accorded a rousing ovation after singing the national anthem prior to Sunday's game.
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