Bretsky
10-04-2006, 12:40 AM
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:36 p.m.
Why Carroll was cut
You can sum up the answer in one word: Coach-killer. Games like the one Carroll had Monday night can get coaches fired. That's why the Packers had no choice but to make the move.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:33 p.m.
Carroll's struggles
Ahmad Carroll was sometimes compared to Terrell Buckley, another former No. 1 draft choice of the Packers, because they were both undersized cornerbacks. But Carroll was a much more physical player than Buckley and an asset at times on special teams.
Carroll was more like Vinnie Clark, the Packers' No. 1 pick in 1991. They both had problems playing the ball and finishing plays.
"He struggles with the ball downfield," coach Mike McCarthy said of Carroll. "It has been a problem for him and people will continue to challenge him until he stops it."
McCarthy said he expected Carroll to get another chance with another team in the near future. And McCarthy didn't discount that Carroll might be a good player some day.
“I think he’s a young, improving player," said McCarthy. "He was a junior coming out of college and sometimes it takes those guys a little longer to adjust. But we’re going in another direction.â€Â
McCarthy said Carroll had improved his bump-and-run techniques, in particular, this year.
Clark played with Atlanta, New Orleans and Jacksonville after leaving the Packers. But, among other things, he just never acquired the necessary feel to be a good player. Time will tell if Carroll will suffer the same fate or come back to haunt the Packers.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:20 p.m.
Playing short on defense
Getting rid of Ahmad Carroll might help the Packers' defense, but playing every down with 11 players might help even more.
The Packers got caught with only 10 defenders on the field on a 21-yard pass to tight end L.J. Smith just before Correll Buckhalter's fumble at the three-yard line. And coach Mike McCarthy said that wasn't the only time that the Packers' defense got caught with only 10 men on the field. He said it also happened one other time.
In addition, Carroll was late getting on the field on the 45-yard touchdown pass that he allowed.
"It's game management, that's what it comes under," admitted McCarthy.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:08 p.m.
Ferguson, Hodge doubtful
Coach Mike McCarthy said wide receiver Robert Ferguson and linebacker Abdul Hodge probably will be doubtful for Sunday's game against St. Louis. Ferguson injured his foot against Philadelphia; Hodge injured a knee.
Wide receiver Donald Driver injured a rib and his hip and will likely be listed as questionable. Linebacker Ben Taylor (hamstring) and tight end Donald Lee (knee) also are expected to be listed as questionable, said McCarthy.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:04 p.m.
Favre expected to play
Coach Mike McCarthy said late this afternoon that he expected quarterback Brett Favre to practice Wednesday and play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Favre suffered what McCarthy described as a combination head injury and stinger in the fourth quarter Monday night against Philadelphia. McCarthy said Favre will be listed as probable on Wednesday's injury report.
Favre has started an NFL record 225 games at quarterback.
Why Carroll was cut
You can sum up the answer in one word: Coach-killer. Games like the one Carroll had Monday night can get coaches fired. That's why the Packers had no choice but to make the move.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:33 p.m.
Carroll's struggles
Ahmad Carroll was sometimes compared to Terrell Buckley, another former No. 1 draft choice of the Packers, because they were both undersized cornerbacks. But Carroll was a much more physical player than Buckley and an asset at times on special teams.
Carroll was more like Vinnie Clark, the Packers' No. 1 pick in 1991. They both had problems playing the ball and finishing plays.
"He struggles with the ball downfield," coach Mike McCarthy said of Carroll. "It has been a problem for him and people will continue to challenge him until he stops it."
McCarthy said he expected Carroll to get another chance with another team in the near future. And McCarthy didn't discount that Carroll might be a good player some day.
“I think he’s a young, improving player," said McCarthy. "He was a junior coming out of college and sometimes it takes those guys a little longer to adjust. But we’re going in another direction.â€Â
McCarthy said Carroll had improved his bump-and-run techniques, in particular, this year.
Clark played with Atlanta, New Orleans and Jacksonville after leaving the Packers. But, among other things, he just never acquired the necessary feel to be a good player. Time will tell if Carroll will suffer the same fate or come back to haunt the Packers.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:20 p.m.
Playing short on defense
Getting rid of Ahmad Carroll might help the Packers' defense, but playing every down with 11 players might help even more.
The Packers got caught with only 10 defenders on the field on a 21-yard pass to tight end L.J. Smith just before Correll Buckhalter's fumble at the three-yard line. And coach Mike McCarthy said that wasn't the only time that the Packers' defense got caught with only 10 men on the field. He said it also happened one other time.
In addition, Carroll was late getting on the field on the 45-yard touchdown pass that he allowed.
"It's game management, that's what it comes under," admitted McCarthy.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:08 p.m.
Ferguson, Hodge doubtful
Coach Mike McCarthy said wide receiver Robert Ferguson and linebacker Abdul Hodge probably will be doubtful for Sunday's game against St. Louis. Ferguson injured his foot against Philadelphia; Hodge injured a knee.
Wide receiver Donald Driver injured a rib and his hip and will likely be listed as questionable. Linebacker Ben Taylor (hamstring) and tight end Donald Lee (knee) also are expected to be listed as questionable, said McCarthy.
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2006, 6:04 p.m.
Favre expected to play
Coach Mike McCarthy said late this afternoon that he expected quarterback Brett Favre to practice Wednesday and play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Favre suffered what McCarthy described as a combination head injury and stinger in the fourth quarter Monday night against Philadelphia. McCarthy said Favre will be listed as probable on Wednesday's injury report.
Favre has started an NFL record 225 games at quarterback.