The Milwaukee Post

"Relax. We're going to be OK." Those were the comments of Aaron Rodgers in his weekly conversation with Jason Wilde on ESPN Milwaukee Tuesday afternoon. Really? "Relax. We're going to be OK." You just finished a game in which the vaunted Packers offense, under the direc- tion of a Hall of Fame quarterback, gave up nine points and scored seven points. "Relax. We're going to be OK." This is the third straight game in which the offense has been underwhelm- ing. It's one thing to struggle against Seattle, then again maybe not. The Seahawks have given up 50 points in the last two games. "Relax. We're going to be OK." This offense was supposed to be an upgrade from recent years because Mike McCarthy was instituting a no-huddle approach with a goal of 75 plays per game. A great, creative system with a great quarterback should excel early before other teams can figure out the new approach. NOT. "Relax. We're going to be OK." You have one of the most accurate passers in the history of the NFL, yet you are missing passes you have completed every year since you became a starter in 2008. You said you felt accurate against the Lions. Felt accurate? I don't think there is a "felt" Hall of Fame. "Relax. We're going to be OK." The receivers aren't open. Even when passes are completed, it seems difficult. The Packers' offense has never been diffi- cult. It's always been easy to move the ball. It was just a question of how easy. "Relax. We're going to be OK." Detroit's secondary was a mess. They had a number of injuries and still the receivers couldn't get open. In a normal year, the Lions' defense would have need- ed to gamble because they knew that you were going to tear them apart without extra pressure. They actually blitzed less than in the past. They didn't play like they were scared of anything. "Relax. We're going to be OK." The running game was supposed to create more balance in the offense. Eddie Lacy was only going to be better than last season when he was NFL offensive Rookie of the Year. Lacy is getting worse in his second season. Mike McCarthy said Lacy has to play better. You said that the run- ning game should have been better against Detroit because the offensive line did create some openings. It's also been stated that Lacy might not be as good because he's heavier than last season, and I could add the concern about future con- cussions. "Relax. We're going to be OK." It's only three games into the season, but the Packers' offense is ranked 28th in yards produced. Twenty-eighth out of 32 teams with a healthy Aaron Rodgers? The Packers' offense has produced more yards than only Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Oakland. The Packers' offense was better last year without Rodgers than it has been with him this season. He missed half of the season, and the Packers were still ranked third in the league in yards produced. "Relax. We're going to be OK." It's not as if the offense has been rid- dled with injuries. Everyone is healthy. The Packers lost starting center, J.C.Tretter, but rookie Corey Linsley has done a solid job. All the receivers are healthy. Rodgers has three good running backs. "Relax. We're going to be OK." It's true that the team has started 1-2 in recent years, and still managed to win division titles. This is the kind of game that you have always won in past years. Rodgers has always loved to have a chip on the shoulder. He should have a Hall of Fame chip now given what's been going on and the questions about the Packers offense and his play. So, maybe you can, but I can't relax. I won't relax. It feels different than in recent years. But, I will buy that "we're going to be OK." You have earned that. I am curious to see how you will get it done. September 26, 2014 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 "HOMER" on SPORTS (Ste v e "The Homer" True, host of "Homer and Gabe Show," heard from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays on 540 ESPN, can be reached at homer@espnmilwaukee.com) How can we relax after Lions loss? STEVE "The HOMER" TRUE By Mark Hutchinson Conley News Service OCONOMOWOC — Jacks for Jack is coming back. The men's and coed softball tournament and home run derby were established last year by Oconomowoc-based Spiderz Batting Gloves to benefit the I Back Jack Foundation, a local organization committed to beat- ing childhood cancer. The event will retur n for a three-day run spanning Friday through Sunday. The softball tourney, featuring 37 teams, will begin with games at Champion Field and Ixonia Firemans Park on Friday and con- tinue Saturday and Sunday. An amateur home run derby will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, with the top four finish- ers advancing to to compete against former Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler and Bill Schroeder and for mer Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Greg Vaughn in the finals at 6 p.m. Saturday. The celebrity athletes will hold an autograph session immediately following the home run derby. For a donation of $50 to the I Back Jack Foundation, each donor will receive one autograph from each of the celebrity participants. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. For details, contact Ed Alf of Spiderz Sports at 262-751-5145 or Ed.Alf@SpiderzBattingGloves.com. Contact Mark Hutchinson mhutchinson@conleynet.com Photo by Sue Boyer/Special to the Post Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bill Schroeder will return to Oconomowoc's Champion Field for the Jacks for Jack benefit home run derby Saturday. Former pro athletes to compete in charity home run derby File photo Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tells fans to relax after Green Bay starts the season at 1-2. 240093151 CONGRATULATIONS TO Dorothy Wahl Milwaukee, Winner of September's $25 Dining Out Gift Certificate! Winner must claim prize by calling the Milwaukee Post by noon, Friday, October 3. No exceptions.

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