Doom and Gloom @ Packerrats

[superfan]

Losing that Bengals game, IMO, has caused about 80% of this. If we would have won that game, as ugly as it was, we're 3-0 and the gloom and doom is not nearly as bad.

How fair is that though? If we would have had one more play, and had won the game, that doesn't change how poorly we played for the rest of the game. But, ah, see, losing that game that was supposed to be so easy gives the chicken littles the ability to talk about how awful we are. A week later, the Bengals don't seem as bad as they did before we played them, but the pessimism that was born out of that game still exists, because it had a week in between to fester.

I don't in any way mean to suggest that our loss to the Bengals was "OK" - a loss is never okay. But better it be at the beginning of the season, that came down to the final seconds of the game, to a team that is NOT the joke that we thought they were, than some other type of loss.

Excellent post. I have always found some humor in the "whine line" reactions after games - it's amazing how often one critical play here or there results in a win or loss, and how much that one play shapes the entire perception of the game. A win always glosses over the negatives, while a loss accentuates them.

Imagine how much different the national coverage leading up to Monday's game would be if the Vikings had failed to pull out a victory last week. And that victory ultimately came down to one play.

[channtheman]

Losing that Bengals game, IMO, has caused about 80% of this. If we would have won that game, as ugly as it was, we're 3-0 and the gloom and doom is not nearly as bad.

How fair is that though? If we would have had one more play, and had won the game, that doesn't change how poorly we played for the rest of the game. But, ah, see, losing that game that was supposed to be so easy gives the chicken littles the ability to talk about how awful we are. A week later, the Bengals don't seem as bad as they did before we played them, but the pessimism that was born out of that game still exists, because it had a week in between to fester.

I don't in any way mean to suggest that our loss to the Bengals was "OK" - a loss is never okay. But better it be at the beginning of the season, that came down to the final seconds of the game, to a team that is NOT the joke that we thought they were, than some other type of loss.

Excellent post. I have always found some humor in the "whine line" reactions after games - it's amazing how often one critical play here or there results in a win or loss, and how much that one play shapes the entire perception of the game. A win always glosses over the negatives, while a loss accentuates them.

Imagine how much different the national coverage leading up to Monday's game would be if the Vikings had failed to pull out a victory last week. And that victory ultimately came down to one play.

And Favre actually did throw the interception that would have led to a TD and sealed the game. Unfortunately the 49er dropped it.

[swede]

You guys are cheering me up!

Is this where we break into song?

[MJZiggy]

You guys are cheering me up!

Is this where we break into song?

Yes.

[Fritz]

You guys are cheering me up!

Is this where we break into song?

Just like a Disney musical. If there were lunch tables around, we'd jump up on them and do some shit Fred Astaire could only dream of.

[MJZiggy]

You guys are cheering me up!

Is this where we break into song?

Just like a Disney musical. If there were lunch tables around, we'd jump up on them and do some shit Fred Astaire could only dream of.

I'm pretty sure he would have dreamt--ah never mind...!

[bigcoz75]

You guys are cheering me up!

Is this where we break into song?

Just like a Disney musical. If there were lunch tables around, we'd jump up on them and do some shit Fred Astaire could only dream of.

Nah I'm from GreenBay. I'm sure he'd seen the chicken dance.

[Waldo]

The best teams at the end don't just march to victory.

They struggle, find their identity, bolster it, and crush their opposition.

The dominant team rarely, if ever, wins it all.

[retailguy]

Re: Doom and Gloom @ Packerrats

Every time I come to Packerrats lately I see nothing but pessimism and criticism. Wow, are people here - most of them - ever negative about the Packers. I've read numerous times now that Minnesota has more talent, that Minnesota has done a better job of building its defensive and offensive lines, that Percy Harvin is a star waiting to happen, that Thompson has failed to have enough veteran backup help, that he loves youth too much, that the GB offensive coaches suck, that the Packers will just slam the ball uselessly into the Williams wall, that the Packers will not even bother to run so the Vikes will tee off, and on and on and on and on.

We're three games into the season. Last year sucked, for sure. This year's team certainly appears to be a work in progress, and as always - for NFL teams - any major injuries can tear up a team.

To me, the jury is still out on this team, and consequently on the coaches and GM. If this team goes 8 -8 with no major injuries, then it may well be that either McCarthy has to go or that both McCarthy and Thompson have to go.

But for so many of you, the jury seems to be in: it's over, the season is lost, we're gonna get trashed by Minny, oh, oh, oh.

Buncha Eeyores out there.

I say wait and see. I say that the Pack can win on Monday night. I say that if the Packers show definite signs of improvement yet still lose a close game (and there are no major injuries), the season's not over yet, either. That won't be fatal.

Let's see how it plays out.

Fritz - I am certain that I would be one of those that you'd refer to as a "doom & gloomer". It is fair to say I'm frustrated. It's fair to say I'm not a fan of some positions on this team.

In my defense, I've been told for the last 3 years that the OL would be better. It isn't. I comment on that, then I'm told things like last week Barbre graded out as our best lineman. Yeah, ok. I've said all along that they play well one week, then the next they don't. That's not change, it's the same old thing in the 4th year...

I don't see change, I don't see improvement, I see anything but consistency. I haven't seen anything from this season that suggests our OL problems are behind us. Then someone posts that everyone is negative because of the Bengals game. Yes, that stunk, but did you watch the Bears game? Did you actually watch the Rams game? In spite of the victories, did the team do much to inspire your confidence that when they play someone of quality that they'll step up their game? Really?

Yeah, I know it was a win, and a win is a win, however, even those excited by the win, myself included, didn't see a dominant victory. We beat Chicago because Cutler melted down. We beat St. Louis because they are in the beginning of a rebuild and they aren't very good. Would we beat Chicago today? I'm not so sure. We'll see shortly.

I'm continuing to watch for things to improve. But the fact that I talk about what I see wrong doesn't make me negative. It's what I see. I don't see much good to talk about. I really admire the way Aaron Rodgers has played in spite of how his line has performed. I'm a big fan of the WR's. I think Finley could be great. I don't understand 3 fullbacks. I don't understand Kampman as a LB'er. I am hopeful that Matthews is the real deal. I like the DL, and worry about Raji staying healthy. I worry about the DL's lack of pressure. This defense needs that to be successful.

So label me however you want, Fritz, I'll keep showing up and like you, hoping for a Packer win. Even if you think I'm eeyore.

[MJZiggy]

RG, If we end this season with a winning record, I'm expecting you to buy the custard...I'm just sayin.

[retailguy]

RG, If we end this season with a winning record, I'm expecting you to buy the custard...I'm just sayin.

Happy to do that. Storheims is gone, so we'll hafta find another place, but I'd show up for that.

Maybe we can meet in old St Lou and go to Ted Drewe's? and if they don't end up with a winning record, then you're buying, and I'm taking some home too.

[pbmax]

Re: Doom and Gloom @ Packerrats

In my defense, I've been told for the last 3 years that the OL would be better. It isn't. I comment on that, then I'm told things like last week Barbre graded out as our best lineman. Yeah, ok. I've said all along that they play well one week, then the next they don't. That's not change, it's the same old thing in the 4th year...

Barbre having the best game is just a footnote in his possible improvement. No one disagrees that the line has struggled. People were looking for the weak link to improve. He did for a week. Not we need Colledge and Spitz to hold up their end of the donkey.

I think many agree with you that line play has been a recurring problem. The only difference is cause and solution. I think the guys there can do it, especially of we can find an LT and put everyone else back in the proper place.

[MJZiggy]

RG, If we end this season with a winning record, I'm expecting you to buy the custard...I'm just sayin.

Happy to do that. Storheims is gone, so we'll hafta find another place, but I'd show up for that.

Maybe we can meet in old St Lou and go to Ted Drewe's? and if they don't end up with a winning record, then you're buying, and I'm taking some home too.

Storheim's? Gone?

http://www.teddrewes.com/Drewes.asp

I'd have to tack it onto the end of another trip. Do they have custard in Kentucky?

[retailguy]

Re: Doom and Gloom @ Packerrats

In my defense, I've been told for the last 3 years that the OL would be better. It isn't. I comment on that, then I'm told things like last week Barbre graded out as our best lineman. Yeah, ok. I've said all along that they play well one week, then the next they don't. That's not change, it's the same old thing in the 4th year...

Barbre having the best game is just a footnote in his possible improvement. No one disagrees that the line has struggled. People were looking for the weak link to improve. He did for a week. Not we need Colledge and Spitz to hold up their end of the donkey.

I think many agree with you that line play has been a recurring problem. The only difference is cause and solution. I think the guys there can do it, especially of we can find an LT and put everyone else back in the proper place.

I'd like to know where we're going to find that LT in October. I thought the time to look for immediate help was in March, and the time to look for long-term help was in April. If Ted can find a "suitable" LT in October, well buddy, I'll be his biggest fan.

Personally, I think we've got what we've got, and THAT is what worries me.

[pbmax]

Re: Doom and Gloom @ Packerrats

In my defense, I've been told for the last 3 years that the OL would be better. It isn't. I comment on that, then I'm told things like last week Barbre graded out as our best lineman. Yeah, ok. I've said all along that they play well one week, then the next they don't. That's not change, it's the same old thing in the 4th year...

Barbre having the best game is just a footnote in his possible improvement. No one disagrees that the line has struggled. People were looking for the weak link to improve. He did for a week. Not we need Colledge and Spitz to hold up their end of the donkey.

I think many agree with you that line play has been a recurring problem. The only difference is cause and solution. I think the guys there can do it, especially of we can find an LT and put everyone else back in the proper place.

I'd like to know where we're going to find that LT in October. I thought the time to look for immediate help was in March, and the time to look for long-term help was in April. If Ted can find a "suitable" LT in October, well buddy, I'll be his biggest fan.

Personally, I think we've got what we've got, and THAT is what worries me.

I would prefer Colledge slide back to Guard, so I am hoping its Clifton or if necessary, Levi Jones. But McCarthy doesn't seem to agree with me.