The only thing harder on the eyes than those throwback Buccaneers jerseys Sunday was the Packers play in all phases of the game.

      Tampa Bay's 38-28 win marks the low ebb of the McCarthy/Thompson era, and unless the brain trust starts using what it has in the toolbox properly, it's only going to get worse.

      Think there's help coming in the offensive line?    Expecting someone to roll into town to shore up the sorely lacking special teams?     Holding out hope that a super-stud pass rusher is looking to buy a home in Green Bay between now and the end of the season?

      Hope in one hand.    Spit in the other.    See which fills up first.

      These, as now constructed, are your 2009 Green Bay Packers.    Coach Mike McCarthy needs to use the assets  he has, lest he face the cruelest of NFL fates.

      That means running the ball as needed--the Journal/Sentinel's Greg Beddard says the Packers could've won Sunday's game without ever throwing a pass, what with the way they were pushing Tampa Bay around with the rush.     To avert the incessant number of sacks, the Packers need to put Aaron Rodgers in position to succeed: that means short drops, play-actions, and maybe the odd roll-out or three.   Remember the screen pass?   Rodgers obviously has no inclination to hurry up his check-downs, a decision that will hamper both his success and his personal well-being.

       Aaron Kampman wanders around the secondary like a drunk vagrant, being asked to do something (cover) that he's just not built to do.     He is a pass-rusher, through and through, who is being a good teammate by sucking it up and adapting to a new role but proving week after week that, as a linebacker, he makes a fine defensive end.    Moving him out of his natural position might be the biggest personnel blunder since Dan Devine tried turning All-Pro offensive lineman Gale Gillingham into a defensive pass rusher.    He blew out a knee two weeks into the regular season, effectively ending his Green Bay stay.

      The 3-4 defense still  hasn't jelled--there was no pass rush to speak of again Sunday, as was the case in two brushes with Brett Favre and the Vikings.     Or, in the loss to the Bengals.     Dom Capers comes with big cred but most of us are waiting anxiously to see results.   

       There are eight games left to turn a faltering season around.    If the Packers play as they did in Tampa Bay, I don't see them winning more than two--the Lions game on Thanksgiving, and perhaps the Chicago rematch since the Bears are about as bollixed up as Green Bay is.     Anything can happen, and maybe McCarthy can right the ship.      It comes down to using what you have to your advantage, instead of trying to put square pegs in round holes.

       Let's see how McCarthy uses his toolbox.     If he doesn't do it up right, we may soon see how he performs as a luggage handler.