Jaire Alexander is back at practice, THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Well there you have it fellow Packer fans, our first concrete update on the Jaire/Z/69 trio of injuries. Alexander back doing light work at practice and also receiving the ‘designated for return’ status update. The Packer defense is currently ranked #4 in the league, and it appears as though they are going to be getting arguably their best player back in the next few weeks.

Which leads me to this question*: Let’s say the Packers are in the NFC Championship Game for the 3rd consecutive year. And let’s say that game is played at L-l-l-l-l-l-l-Lambeau Field. And let’s say it’s late in that game, and it’s a close game. Would you rather:

Have Aaron Rodgers with the ball down 4 points on the final drive. Or:

Have the defense on the field up 4 points defending on the final drive.

I’ve gone back and forth on this quite a bit since the question was posed to me. I’ve tied my brain in a knot, untied it, then tied it up again. On the one hand, you always feel like Aaron Rodgers is the best player on the field. And you want the best player on the field to be controlling his own destiny with a shot at the Super Bowl on the line.

BUT, this Packer defense is different. And if Alexander and Z are on the field, they’re even more formidable. Plus, in the defense scenario, you’ve got the lead. And you’ve got the lead late in the game, at home. I think you’ve got to take the scenario where you’re leading the NFC Championship Game in the 4th quarter, don’t you? I don’t love the thought of a guy like Tom Brady having the ball late in the 4th quarter with the game on the line, but I think I still lean to the, ‘up 4 points with the defense on the field,’ script. I can’t believe I’m saying that with Aaron Rodgers still wearing a Packer jersey, but that’s how much better this defense has been than those of the last 10+ years. And now they’re going to get even better.

*Me:

PS: If the ghost of Ben Roethlisberger can beat the Vikings tonight, the Packers play for the division title on Sunday. Against the Bears. In primetime. Giddy up.

Double PS: My buddy Pat (iPhone user), texted the group this clip yesterday, probably me favorite Wayne/Larry call of all time. ‘HE’S GOT RANDALL COBB, YESSSSARGGGGESDFLJKS’