Problems in Packerland

The sky is falling for the Packers.

Not only have they dug themselves a 1-3 hole in the NFC North standings, but they also are holding their breath that a rash of injuries to quarterback Brett Favre doesn't portend an end to his amazing 212-game starting streak.

What has gone wrong in coach/general manager Mike Sherman's fifth season in Green Bay? Let us count the ailments:

* New defensive coordinator Bob Slowik's blitz package has been a bust; the Packers can neither stop the run nor defend the pass.

* Favre has been unable to finish two games this season because of injuries. In his previous 208 starts (including the playoffs), he was unable to finish four.

* The interiors of both the offensive and defensive lines have suffered huge hits. Center Mike Flanagan had season-ending knee surgery, and difference-making nose tackle Grady Jackson is out with a dislocated knee cap.

* Disgruntled cornerback Mike McKenzie has sat out two games with a hamstring injury that he might otherwise play with were he not trying to get traded.

* Running back Ahman Green continues to fumble. The Packers have lost the past seven games in which Green has lost a fumble.

Sherman came into this season with heat on him because of questionable moves be had made as general manager. Now he needs to pull off a coaching miracle and get a team that suddenly can't win at home back on the playoff track. If he doesn't, the Packers could have a new general manager or a new coach--or both--after the season.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning