And so it begins.....

As children go back to school, leaves change from their luscious green colors to rustic oranges and browns, and families everywhere begin their fall preparations of carving pumpkins, building haunted houses, and making homemade apple cider this means one thing and one thing only.....the roar of the generals of autumn is upon us. As we speak, I can only imagine that Ted Thompson is sitting silently in a darkened room watching film with top aides John Schneider and Reggie McKenzie, Mike McCarthy is carefully mapping out the first ten plays from scrimmage, and Dom Capers is installing a new wrinkle in the team's already potent looking 3-4 defense to further lead to fear and bewilderment of the hapless Chicago Bears.

Unlike in years past, much hangs in the balance as this 2009-2010 NFL football season commences. Labor unrest has players, owners, and fans on the edge of their seats....even Shawn Merriman plans to be saving more money. “When you get that first check, you want things, lots of things,” said Merriman, who owned six cars at one time. He said he’s down to three and acknowledges even that’s too much. “You get a few years into this and you realize you don’t really need all that stuff. You don’t even have time to drive all the cars and do that stuff if you’re really working at your life." Solid words from a solid solid human being.In addition the Packers have several key contributors whose contracts are up after this year. Only time will tell what happends....at a time like this we need to stick together and pray for the best.

Following a 1996 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship I'll never forget a thoughtful post-game speach given by Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Holmgren..."Gentlemen....you need to enjoy the journey, you need to enjoy the process, but we're not done yet!' Who could forget that after those fighting words, the Packers went on to claim victory in Super Bowl XXXI over the New England Patriots.

As we begin this season let's take the words of Mike Holmgren into account. We need to enjoy the journey....but we're not done yet!