There is no doubt that you Packer fans have a lot to cheer about this season. From Brett Favre returning from the dead to surpass Dan Marino for the "All Time Touchdown" record, to the team only losing one out of six games. Saying that it is a good time to be a Cheesehead is an understatement. But as with anything that's good, something bad is not too far behind.  

 Ladies and Gents I give you the bad. . . DeShawn Wynn.  

To the average Packer fan Wynn has seemed like the answer to a lower than average running game in Green Bay. He has looked impressive on the field by being able to read a situation quickly and react. He has outstanding cutback agility, and he can read a blitz better than most. He also has the numbers to back it up. Wynn has rushed for two hundred and two yards (4.1 avg.) for four touchdowns.  

But for those Packer fans who live and breath for this team and read any press mentioning their beloved Pack, well they will know exactly why I see Wynn as the bad. So for those of you that don't know I will explain. . .   From the moment Wynn was drafted back on April 29th he has been plagued by a multitude of problems. Speaking of plagued, I am surprised that is not one of his numerous ailments!  

Below I have laid out a nice little time line to prove my point.  

* 4/30- DeShawn Wynn was drafted 228Th in the seventh round.  

* 5/5- During Mini camp Wynn suffers a Calf Strain.  

*7/7- Wynn finally returns after two months of nursing his Calf Strain.  

*7/20- Packers sign Wynn.  

*7/30- Wynn not practicing again due to a stomach virus.

*8/9 Wynn is out and not practicing because of Quad Injury.  

*8/30- Wynn plays in a pregame against Tennessee. He drops a pair of passes and struggles in pass protection two of his strongest suits.  

 *9/23- In the game against the Chargers, Wynn calls a timeout with 10:30 seconds left on the clock because he has a twisted ankle.  

 *10/9- In the game against the Bears, Wynn left the game halfway through the first quarter due to cramps.   

 *10/14- During the game against the Redskins Wynn would be in and out due to small nicks here and there.  

Now by looking at the dates above it is clear that this kid is his own worst enemy. He is one of those, "If it is not one thing, it's another" kind of players. And let's face it, in this modern day NFL with men who get injured one minute, get taped up the next, and run back on the field like a gladiator, Wynn does not stand a chance.  

I can also promise you that it has not gone unnoticed by the Green Bay Coaching staff either. Let's look at the statement below given by Coach McCarthy after sundays game against the Redskins. . .  

When asked if  Brandon Jackson or DeShawn Wynn would be the starting running back, Head Coach McCarthy answered this way. . .  

"I think Brandon has been very consistent. You could make the case he's the most consistent back as far as doing everything that's asked at that position. DeShawn has done some really good things running the football. He gets nicked a couple times during the course of the game, comes in and out. I'd like to see him fight through that."

 That was only the latest in statements on how Coach McCarthy feels about Wynn. In the game against the Bears, McCarthy said about Wynn leaving the game after only one series in the first quarter. . .  

"He was sweating pretty good there in pregame. I am sure that he was excited, because he was going to receive most of the opportunities on first and second down. The young man played in Florida. You wouldn't think that would happen, but it did and we need to learn from it. He was off to a strong start and never really right again."

Now with that statement one would think the temperature was a sweltering 99 degrees, but in fact, the temp was a whopping 79 degrees with 68% humidity. I don't know about you, but that is a nice night here in Virginia Beach, VA.  

In their third game against the Chargers'  Wynn called a timeout in the fourth quarter with 10:30 seconds because he had twisted his ankle. Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin was quoted as saying,  

"If you think you are hurt get off the field or go down. Act like you are shot or something. We were all looking around wondering where that  timeout came from. How did it happen?"  

And what did DeShawn have to say for himself after burning a team timeout in the fourth quarter of the game?  

" I got my ankle twisted the play before and we had a screen pass coming to me. So I had to figure out how to get myself out of there."  

WHAT? Are you pulling my leg DeShawn? Why would you not fall down and scream, "Oh my God, I twisted my poor little ankle?" Seriously who does not know this rule? I mean I could understand if the kid never played football before, but that is certainly not the case.

 Wynn was one of the Nation's top running backs during his Senior year at Reading H.S. in Cincinnati, OH. He then went on to play for the Florida Gators where he became well known for being a part of only the second trio in the history of the school to rush for more than 500 or more yards in one season. In his last two years with the Gators he was the leading ground rusher which helped the team make it to the NationalChampionship.                          

Here is my honest opinion on # 42 DeShawn Wynn. . .Unless someone steps in and saves this kid from himself, after all the work he has done to make it to the NFL, then I truly believe that not only will he never become a starter for the Packers', but he may well never make it as a starter anywhere. So save your money that you were thinking about spending on a Wynn jersey Packer fans. You would do better by going with a Favre or White jersey!                                                  
                                            

I have always been an admirer of how football players adapt and make adjustments in how they play due to the elements. Man vs. Man vs. Nature. Can any one of us deny that games such as The Ice Bowl and others like it add purity to the game itself? I know that my favorite images of this game are men down on the line where their breath gives away the intensity of their emotions. So with this being said, who had the bright idea to dome the game? 

  I have always groaned at the notion of having to watch a game played in any dome. I think  that it robs so much from the players and the fans. Around the league there is a total of nine domes, two of them being retractable. Now I am sure that they were thought of by someone who thought more tickets could be sold if fans were not huddled up together freezing to death. Wrong! Give me an emotionally charged, close game and I will be nice and toasty! Ever since I can remember I have always enjoyed football from Peewee to High School, College and Pro Football more when the temp dips below forty degrees. A hot cup of coffee, or cocoa along with the smell of hot roasted peanuts all add to the atmosphere of the game.  

 As bad as domes are there is a worse danger lurking inside. That's right Artificial Turf can be a players worst nightmare. This freak of nature has been blamed for numerous injuries that could have been avoidable. I know for myself that "Turf Toe" sounds ridiculous, but is actually a painful injury that can sideline a player for up to three weeks or longer.   So why is this acceptable for a fourth of the stadiums in the league?

Only nine out of thirty-two teams play inside. I would think that teams who play in a Stadium as opposed to a Dome would have the advantage. Now sure you can bring up the Colts, but Payton Manning is the answer to your question. Do me a favor and think about this. . . out of all the domed teams, only Minnesota and Detroit can really say their winter weather is bad. On the other hand, winter months for teams like Green Bay, Buffalo, New England, Denver and Chicago are brutal and all played outside.  

In my opinion the only team that truly deserves a dome is the Cardinals, and man what a dome they have!  Not only do they have a retractable roof, but a retractable field allowing them to have real grass instead of turf. Dallas is also a team that allows the elements to affect their game, while letting their fans stay dry. Well at least until 2009 when their new stadium will open.  

 Look bottom line here is this. . . take a football, add some real men along with the unpredictability of the elements, mix them all together and you will achieve perfection!