""DISTINCT SENSE OF URGENCY""

[Bretsky]

I don't agree with the content of this article, but an interesting read anyways

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=785788

[Pugger]

I won't wring my hands if the Packers lose the game Friday night, but I won't be happy if I don't see improvement in the play of the starters over last week. If the starters on O move the ball well and score I'll be more than a tad relieved. :wink: I also hope to see our D be a little more stingy.

[mmmdk]

Potentially going 0-4 in the pre-season, with the debacle that went on, has the Vikings licking their chops.

[Fritz]

Potentially going 0-4 in the pre-season, with the debacle that went on, has the Vikings licking their chops.

The Vikings have been licking their chops for years.

I don't know if winning this thing matters at all. What matters is 1) stay healthy, 2) solid, consistent offensive line play, and 3) improvement from the defensive line, and finally, 4) very few mistakes vis a vis penalties and turnovers

[Maxie the Taxi]

Potentially going 0-4 in the pre-season, with the debacle that went on, has the Vikings licking their chops.

The Vikings have been licking their chops for years.

I don't know if winning this thing matters at all. What matters is 1) stay healthy, 2) solid, consistent offensive line play, and 3) improvement from the defensive line, and finally, 4) very few mistakes vis a vis penalties and turnovers

Bingo!

I know a lot of fellas in this forum love McGinn, but I'm sorry this is another whack job by the man!

I read this article a day or two ago and my first thought was: "Why is this guy writing a column about the worst case scenario that hasn't happened yet and probably won't?"

And even if it does, why is McGinn stirring the pot now?

Why not write a piece on how dire and urgent things would be in Green Bay if the Packers went 0 -16 this season?

It's a classic example of the media leading the fans around by the nose.

Oh, I get it. If the Pack goes 0-4 in the preseason I'm supposed to panic, jump on Thompson's back and bloody his white scalp and kill McCarthy's dogs!

McGinn's become a hack.

[mmmdk]

Potentially going 0-4 in the pre-season, with the debacle that went on, has the Vikings licking their chops.

The Vikings have been licking their chops for years.

I don't know if winning this thing matters at all. What matters is 1) stay healthy, 2) solid, consistent offensive line play, and 3) improvement from the defensive line, and finally, 4) very few mistakes vis a vis penalties and turnovers

Bingo!

I know a lot of fellas in this forum love McGinn, but I'm sorry this is another whack job by the man!

I read this article a day or two ago and my first thought was: "Why is this guy writing a column about the worst case scenario that hasn't happened yet and probably won't?"

And even if it does, why is McGinn stirring the pot now?

Why not write a piece on how dire and urgent things would be in Green Bay if the Packers went 0 -16 this season?

It's a classic example of the media leading the fans around by the nose.

Oh, I get it. If the Pack goes 0-4 in the preseason I'm supposed to panic, jump on Thompson's back and bloody his white scalp and kill McCarthy's dogs!

McGinn's become a hack.

McGinn???? I don't care about journalists. Apples and oranges.

I think McCarthy said it himself. Still, going 4-0 or 0-4 in the preseason doesn't dictate the season but only a powerhouse can say 'screw preseason wins or not', the rest ain't so fortunate. I have experience in coaching soccer and psychology is part of my everyday work. Psychology is the key here.

Winning breeds winning; epsecially with the talent level being so close in the NFL. Short seasons and fast starts are paramount; saying otherwise doesn't fool facts or me.

[packrulz]

Coaches always talk up the preseason games because people buy those tickets but they don't really want to show much on offense or defense until the games count, they just want the players to get in shape, evaluate talent, and get the rookies some playing time. ARod needs to handle blitzes better though and the RB's need to block better, the viqueens will be coming after him hard.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Potentially going 0-4 in the pre-season, with the debacle that went on, has the Vikings licking their chops.

The Vikings have been licking their chops for years.

I don't know if winning this thing matters at all. What matters is 1) stay healthy, 2) solid, consistent offensive line play, and 3) improvement from the defensive line, and finally, 4) very few mistakes vis a vis penalties and turnovers

Bingo!

I know a lot of fellas in this forum love McGinn, but I'm sorry this is another whack job by the man!

I read this article a day or two ago and my first thought was: "Why is this guy writing a column about the worst case scenario that hasn't happened yet and probably won't?"

And even if it does, why is McGinn stirring the pot now?

Why not write a piece on how dire and urgent things would be in Green Bay if the Packers went 0 -16 this season?

It's a classic example of the media leading the fans around by the nose.

Oh, I get it. If the Pack goes 0-4 in the preseason I'm supposed to panic, jump on Thompson's back and bloody his white scalp and kill McCarthy's dogs!

McGinn's become a hack.

McGinn???? I don't care about journalists. Apples and oranges.

I think McCarthy said it himself. Still, going 4-0 or 0-4 in the preseason doesn't dictate the season but only a powerhouse can say 'screw preseason wins or not', the rest ain't so fortunate. I have experience in coaching soccer and psychology is part of my everyday work. Psychology is the key here.

Winning breeds winning; epsecially with the talent level being so close in the NFL. Short seasons and fast starts are paramount; saying otherwise doesn't fool facts or me.

I agree with you re: the regular season (psychology of winning, momentum and all that), but NFL pre-season is a whole different animal. This is professional sports. Taking the pre-season record seriously is like a professional salesman taking his role-play sales in a training session seriously.

[The Leaper]

The Packers don't have to win the game...but the starters need to outplay the starters of the Broncos.

Another poor showing, and the confidence gained from last years run will basically be gone.

[Fosco33]

McGinn???? I don't care about journalists. Apples and oranges.

I think McCarthy said it himself. Still, going 4-0 or 0-4 in the preseason doesn't dictate the season but only a powerhouse can say 'screw preseason wins or not', the rest ain't so fortunate. I have experience in coaching soccer and psychology is part of my everyday work. Psychology is the key here.

Winning breeds winning; epsecially with the talent level being so close in the NFL. Short seasons and fast starts are paramount; saying otherwise doesn't fool facts or me.

Since 1999, here's the Packers pre-season verses regular season records:
1999 (4-0) vs. (8-8)
2000 (2-2) vs. (9-7)
2001 (2-2) vs. (12-4)
2002 (3-1) vs. (12-4)
2003 (2-3) vs. (10-6)
2004 (1-3) vs. (10-6)
2005 (2-2) vs. (4-12)
2006 (1-3) vs. (8-8)
2007 (2-2) vs. (13-3)

Only two years ('99 and '02) were the Packers better than .500 during preseason (and the results were very different). Packers were 1-3 twice ('04 and '06) (with the results varying again).

Winning in the preseason doesn't mean anything at all. Playing well with 1st string means little (as the playbook, tendencies and gameplans are all really basic).

And as Favre has shown in the past - starting the season 1-3 or 1-4 doesn't always mean the season is over.

[retailguy]

The Packers don't have to win the game...but the starters need to outplay the starters of the Broncos.

Another poor showing, and the confidence gained from last years run will basically be gone.

QFT

If I'd have said this, there would be a mass uprising about my "negativity".

Specifically, if the 'new line' doesn't play better, it doesn't bode well for the Monday Night Game against Minnesota. We need a solid OL for that game... The Vikings line is going to have their ears pinned back for sure.

[retailguy]

Winning in the preseason doesn't mean anything at all. Playing well with 1st string means little (as the playbook, tendencies and gameplans are all really basic).

And as Favre has shown in the past - starting the season 1-3 or 1-4 doesn't always mean the season is over.

Um, I understand what you're saying and I agree to a point. What I don't agree with, is not playing well as the 1st string.

If you can't do the basic stuff well, what're you going to look like when you roll the complex stuff out?

I really believe they need to look solid and perform "in sync". To me at least, that much matters. The game result doesn't.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft Crusty developed a distinct sense of urgency, but my physician prescribed Flow Max. Problem was, he'd forgotten that he'd prescribed Levitra a few months earlier. That's a troublesome drug interaction. Think 'fire hydrant in the summer' or think 'Old Faithful' in Yellowstone.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Cleft Crusty developed a distinct sense of urgency, but my physician prescribed Flow Max. Problem was, he'd forgotten that he'd prescribed Levitra a few months earlier. That's a troublesome drug interaction. Think 'fire hydrant in the summer' or think 'Old Faithful' in Yellowstone.

Have you tried a cocktail of cranberry juice and Saw Palmetto? It works for me.

[swede]

Cleft Crusty developed a distinct sense of urgency, but my physician prescribed Flow Max. Problem was, he'd forgotten that he'd prescribed Levitra a few months earlier. That's a troublesome drug interaction. Think 'fire hydrant in the summer' or think 'Old Faithful' in Yellowstone.

Have you tried a cocktail of cranberry juice and Saw Palmetto? It works for me.

I'm sticking with milk of magnesia and vodka.

Gramps called it a "Phillips Screwdriver."

[mmmdk]

McGinn???? I don't care about journalists. Apples and oranges.

I think McCarthy said it himself. Still, going 4-0 or 0-4 in the preseason doesn't dictate the season but only a powerhouse can say 'screw preseason wins or not', the rest ain't so fortunate. I have experience in coaching soccer and psychology is part of my everyday work. Psychology is the key here.

Winning breeds winning; epsecially with the talent level being so close in the NFL. Short seasons and fast starts are paramount; saying otherwise doesn't fool facts or me.

Since 1999, here's the Packers pre-season verses regular season records:
1999 (4-0) vs. (8-8)
2000 (2-2) vs. (9-7)
2001 (2-2) vs. (12-4)
2002 (3-1) vs. (12-4)
2003 (2-3) vs. (10-6)
2004 (1-3) vs. (10-6)
2005 (2-2) vs. (4-12)
2006 (1-3) vs. (8-8)
2007 (2-2) vs. (13-3)

Only two years ('99 and '02) were the Packers better than .500 during preseason (and the results were very different). Packers were 1-3 twice ('04 and '06) (with the results varying again).

Winning in the preseason doesn't mean anything at all. Playing well with 1st string means little (as the playbook, tendencies and gameplans are all really basic).

And as Favre has shown in the past - starting the season 1-3 or 1-4 doesn't always mean the season is over.

I don't think we're that far apart; but did we have a legend QB made of kevlar from 1992 till 2007 or do we (now) have a QB with no NFL starts hence no wins? Going 0-4 would matter to Packers 2008 team going into week 1; less with a proven QB.
Also, 0-4 is the record I'd want to avoid. Just 1 win makes a world of a difference.

Winning breeds winning; why should NFL be any different? And why doesn't anybody pick up my notion that IT'S A PROVEN FACT THAT FAST STARTS AND MOMENTUM CARRIES TEAMS TO PLAYOFFS!!! How many teams made the playoffs with slow starts? Not many. Where's the stat guy for the thickheaded? :D

[imscott72]

The Packers don't have to win the game...but the starters need to outplay the starters of the Broncos.

Another poor showing, and the confidence gained from last years run will basically be gone.

Exactly. Who cares who wins. Let's just hope there is improvement from last week, which shouldn't be too hard. :roll: Obviously the lines concern us the most and we need to see a lot of improvement there tonight.

[mmmdk]

The Packers don't have to win the game...but the starters need to outplay the starters of the Broncos.

Another poor showing, and the confidence gained from last years run will basically be gone.

Exactly. Who cares who wins. Let's just hope there is improvement from last week, which shouldn't be too hard. :roll: Obviously the lines concern us the most and we need to see a lot of improvement there tonight.

I agree - I just add the winning to the deal. No biggie!

[Gunakor]

I won't wring my hands if the Packers lose the game Friday night, but I won't be happy if I don't see improvement in the play of the starters over last week. If the starters on O move the ball well and score I'll be more than a tad relieved. :wink: I also hope to see our D be a little more stingy.


How much can you expect from scrubs? Our starting defensive unit has not given up a single point this year. They didn't even allow Carson Palmer and that explosive Bengals offense a single first down before giving way to the second team defense. The defense you'll see take the field on Sundays from September thru January is incredibly stingy, maybe one of the best in the entire league. I'm not worried about them at all.

[mmmdk]

I won't wring my hands if the Packers lose the game Friday night, but I won't be happy if I don't see improvement in the play of the starters over last week. If the starters on O move the ball well and score I'll be more than a tad relieved. :wink: I also hope to see our D be a little more stingy.


How much can you expect from scrubs? Our starting defensive unit has not given up a single point this year. They didn't even allow Carson Palmer and that explosive Bengals offense a single first down before giving way to the second team defense. The defense you'll see take the field on Sundays from September thru January is incredibly stingy, maybe one of the best in the entire league. I'm not worried about them at all.

Dude :shock: hope you're right though.

[Noodle]

The only reason the pre-season record counts is because it can drive the media and up the pressure. There's no denying that if the Pack goes 0fer in the preseason, those players are going to get asked every day if they're losing confidence, every day if they wish Favre were back, every day if they still have faith in the GM & coaches, every day if they're ever going to win again.

That kind of crap can make a team up tight and can be a needless distraction. I hate to sound like Tex, who's ideal state would look something like China as far as media is concerned, but the press are the ones who could make this a pain in the arse.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Another poor showing, and the confidence gained from last years run will basically be gone.

Based on what? Your opinion?

Have the players expressed this. What have you seen that would indicate this? :roll:

[mmmdk]

I won't wring my hands if the Packers lose the game Friday night, but I won't be happy if I don't see improvement in the play of the starters over last week. If the starters on O move the ball well and score I'll be more than a tad relieved. :wink: I also hope to see our D be a little more stingy.


How much can you expect from scrubs? Our starting defensive unit has not given up a single point this year. They didn't even allow Carson Palmer and that explosive Bengals offense a single first down before giving way to the second team defense. The defense you'll see take the field on Sundays from September thru January is incredibly stingy, maybe one of the best in the entire league. I'm not worried about them at all.

Dude :shock: hope you're right though.

Defense looks lost!

[Maxie the Taxi]

At least McGinn gave Rodgers his due in his latest column and generally told things as they were not as they might be if the sky fell down.

[Gunakor]

I won't wring my hands if the Packers lose the game Friday night, but I won't be happy if I don't see improvement in the play of the starters over last week. If the starters on O move the ball well and score I'll be more than a tad relieved. :wink: I also hope to see our D be a little more stingy.


How much can you expect from scrubs? Our starting defensive unit has not given up a single point this year. They didn't even allow Carson Palmer and that explosive Bengals offense a single first down before giving way to the second team defense. The defense you'll see take the field on Sundays from September thru January is incredibly stingy, maybe one of the best in the entire league. I'm not worried about them at all.

Dude :shock: hope you're right though.

Defense looks lost!

We talked about this on another thread. Ryan Pickett and AJ Hawk weren't playing, and that's a big deal because both are important pieces to thier rush defense. KGB wasn't dressed to play, so half of thier formidable end rush was missing on passing downs. Wood got a little banged up, and though he returned to the game you don't know how that may have affected him. 2 starting safeties went down with injury. Harris was less than spectacular, which might be a little worrisome. Barnett has some things to work on, but tackling has never really been a problem for him. Hopefully it was just a bad game and he'll fix whatever he needs to before Week 1.

[mmmdk]

I won't wring my hands if the Packers lose the game Friday night, but I won't be happy if I don't see improvement in the play of the starters over last week. If the starters on O move the ball well and score I'll be more than a tad relieved. :wink: I also hope to see our D be a little more stingy.


How much can you expect from scrubs? Our starting defensive unit has not given up a single point this year. They didn't even allow Carson Palmer and that explosive Bengals offense a single first down before giving way to the second team defense. The defense you'll see take the field on Sundays from September thru January is incredibly stingy, maybe one of the best in the entire league. I'm not worried about them at all.

Dude :shock: hope you're right though.

Defense looks lost!

We talked about this on another thread. Ryan Pickett and AJ Hawk weren't playing, and that's a big deal because both are important pieces to thier rush defense. KGB wasn't dressed to play, so half of thier formidable end rush was missing on passing downs. Wood got a little banged up, and though he returned to the game you don't know how that may have affected him. 2 starting safeties went down with injury. Harris was less than spectacular, which might be a little worrisome. Barnett has some things to work on, but tackling has never really been a problem for him. Hopefully it was just a bad game and he'll fix whatever he needs to before Week 1.

SMASHING