Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Ten

By: Matt Harmon

Packers place TE Jermichael Finley on IR
  • Jermichael Finley suffered a very scary in which he sustained a bruised spinal cord a few weeks back. Finley could not move at the time of the injury and had to stay a few days in the Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital. Most importantly, and thank goodness, Finley has regained all of his movement and does not look to have any immediate serious medical repercussions. However, given that last time he sustained a concussion, his children begged him to never play football again, he may decide to hang up the cleats. If he choses to, no one should question that choice. For just this year, this injury obviously hurts the Packers, as Finley is a fine tight end and a mismatch for many teams to consider when assigning coverages. The Packers continue to take hits on both sides of the ball and you have to wonder how many more hits they can take…

Packers will be without QB Aaron Rodgers for “a few weeks” with a broken collarbone
  • The Packers have had an extensive injury report this season. From pass rushers, to the receivers, to the offensive line, no part of the Packers roster has been immune to injuries. However, this one is a dagger. Aaron Rodgers is the best player, at least certainly on the offensive side of the ball, in the NFL and any time you lose a player of that magnitude you lose several wins. To make matters worse, the Packers just are not equipped at the backup quarterback spot to handle a Rodgers absence. Seneca Wallace has been a middling backup quarterback in this league and was a late addition to this team in the preseason after the Packers have tried, and failed, for several years to develop a homegrown backup after the Matt Flynn departure. Wallace is versed in the west coast offense the Packers use, but he is not physically gifted like Rodgers, and will mask problems like Rodgers does. Not to mention the Packers are not working with a full stable of pass catchers, with Finley and Cobb out for an extended period of time. The best hope for the Packers to weather the storm on offense, is to lean on stud rookie running back Eddie Lacy, but will Lacy continue to find the holes in defenses he has been seeing with the passing game much less of a threat? Make no mistake; the Packers are in trouble without Aaron Rodgers. 

The 49ers waive CB Nnamdi Asomugha to activate CB Eric Wright
  • Given his contributions on the field as of late, this is a minor transaction and not really worthy of space on this page. However, Asomugha is a big name, so here we go: Asomugha is done, and no, your favorite team should not be in the mix to sign him. Asomugha was flat out bad as an Eagle, and even when he came to scheme more tailored to his strength in the 49ers, he barely made the final roster. Eric Wright has had several rough years in the league, but he has also had some pretty good ones as well. It is very hard to say what the Niners will get from Wright, but at worst, he can contribute in their dime packages.

Broncos name Jack Del Rio their interim head coach
  • Of course, all well wishes should be given to Broncos head coach, John Fox, who is taking a leave of absence after having a heart valve related surgery. Jack Del Rio has head coaching experience after a mildly successful stint in Jacksonville, and should be an adequate replacement for a few games. However, you have to be concerned that by taking their defensive coordinator away from the weaker side of the ball for he Broncos, his attention could be divided and the defense could struggle. Peyton Manning is a coach on the field type, and that certainly helps from a leadership standpoint, but John Fox is one of the best head coaches in the NFL and is a great CEO of this team. Fox’s absence will no doubt have a negative effect on this team. 

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