HarveyWallbangers
09-11-2007, 10:25 PM
There's no need to panic
By Mike Vandermause, Green Bay Press Gazette
After the Green Bay Packers’ pathetic offensive performance on Sunday, it would be easy to label the situation as hopeless.
The Packers couldn’t run against the Philadelphia Eagles. They couldn’t block. They couldn’t function.
The Packers rank last in the NFL in rushing yards and 29th in total yards, and some of the natives are getting restless.
Log onto the Internet or tune in any talk radio program, and you’ll find no shortage of venom spewing at anyone associated with the Packers’ offense.
General Manager Ted Thompson is being taken to task for not infusing the roster with enough talent. Coach Mike McCarthy gets accused of lacking flair in his play calling. Coordinator Joe Philbin is criticized for not having a firm grasp of the zone-blocking system. The running backs are called a collection of nobodies. The offensive line is blasted for an uninspired effort.
All this vitriol follows the Packers’ first home-opening victory in five years. One shudders to think how loud the naysayers would have cranked up the volume had the Packers lost.
You can’t sugarcoat the offense’s failed efforts. Ten first downs, 215 total yards and 3 points are no way to win football games. Clearly, the offense deserves its fair share of criticism, but things must be kept in perspective.
Now is not the time to panic. Now is not the time to scrap the zone-blocking system or mortgage the future of the team by swinging a trade. Now is not the time to declare the offense a disaster area and write off the season.
The Packers had one lousy game against a fairly formidable defense. There still is reason to believe things can be turned around, without pining away for receiver Randy Moss or running backs Chris Brown or Travis Henry or some other playmaker the Packers took a pass on in the offseason.
This is not to suggest Thompson and the Packers couldn’t have done more to upgrade the roster, but there’s no sense living in the past. What matters are the 15 remaining games, and the five plausible reasons why not all is lost for the offense:
1. Quarterback Brett Favre still can make things happen, as evidenced by his improvisational skills against the Eagles. When everything was crumbling around him, Favre proved he could elude defenders and find an open receiver. At 37, Favre remains dangerous even under the most dire circumstances.
2. Help is on the way in the backfield. Say what you want about Vernand Morency’s limited NFL experience that includes two career starts, it’s not unreasonable to think he can make a difference. All his offseason hard work was forgotten when he hurt his knee on the first day of training camp. If he can stay healthy – and yes, that’s a king-sized if – Morency can make an impact.
3. Things can’t get much worse on the line. This was an improving unit last season, so one bad day shouldn’t suggest it has hit a wall. The Eagles’ defense will make other teams look silly this year. Pride alone will elevate the line’s level of play.
4. Greg Jennings didn’t play and Donald Driver wasn’t 100 percent. When the starting receivers are good to go, the offense will receive a much-needed boost.
5. The Packers’ stellar defense will take the pressure off. Sunday’s game taught us that winning is no longer dependent on frequent scores. An offensive unit that isn’t pressing for results will function better.
By Mike Vandermause, Green Bay Press Gazette
After the Green Bay Packers’ pathetic offensive performance on Sunday, it would be easy to label the situation as hopeless.
The Packers couldn’t run against the Philadelphia Eagles. They couldn’t block. They couldn’t function.
The Packers rank last in the NFL in rushing yards and 29th in total yards, and some of the natives are getting restless.
Log onto the Internet or tune in any talk radio program, and you’ll find no shortage of venom spewing at anyone associated with the Packers’ offense.
General Manager Ted Thompson is being taken to task for not infusing the roster with enough talent. Coach Mike McCarthy gets accused of lacking flair in his play calling. Coordinator Joe Philbin is criticized for not having a firm grasp of the zone-blocking system. The running backs are called a collection of nobodies. The offensive line is blasted for an uninspired effort.
All this vitriol follows the Packers’ first home-opening victory in five years. One shudders to think how loud the naysayers would have cranked up the volume had the Packers lost.
You can’t sugarcoat the offense’s failed efforts. Ten first downs, 215 total yards and 3 points are no way to win football games. Clearly, the offense deserves its fair share of criticism, but things must be kept in perspective.
Now is not the time to panic. Now is not the time to scrap the zone-blocking system or mortgage the future of the team by swinging a trade. Now is not the time to declare the offense a disaster area and write off the season.
The Packers had one lousy game against a fairly formidable defense. There still is reason to believe things can be turned around, without pining away for receiver Randy Moss or running backs Chris Brown or Travis Henry or some other playmaker the Packers took a pass on in the offseason.
This is not to suggest Thompson and the Packers couldn’t have done more to upgrade the roster, but there’s no sense living in the past. What matters are the 15 remaining games, and the five plausible reasons why not all is lost for the offense:
1. Quarterback Brett Favre still can make things happen, as evidenced by his improvisational skills against the Eagles. When everything was crumbling around him, Favre proved he could elude defenders and find an open receiver. At 37, Favre remains dangerous even under the most dire circumstances.
2. Help is on the way in the backfield. Say what you want about Vernand Morency’s limited NFL experience that includes two career starts, it’s not unreasonable to think he can make a difference. All his offseason hard work was forgotten when he hurt his knee on the first day of training camp. If he can stay healthy – and yes, that’s a king-sized if – Morency can make an impact.
3. Things can’t get much worse on the line. This was an improving unit last season, so one bad day shouldn’t suggest it has hit a wall. The Eagles’ defense will make other teams look silly this year. Pride alone will elevate the line’s level of play.
4. Greg Jennings didn’t play and Donald Driver wasn’t 100 percent. When the starting receivers are good to go, the offense will receive a much-needed boost.
5. The Packers’ stellar defense will take the pressure off. Sunday’s game taught us that winning is no longer dependent on frequent scores. An offensive unit that isn’t pressing for results will function better.