Great calls, poor execution

[Patler]

Once again, MM pulls rabbits out of a hate, and comes up with great calls in crucial situations. He crosses up the defense on 3rd or 4th and short, calls deep passes, has guys open, and they either drop the ball (Jennings) or the QB misses them (Rodgers to Jones, Flynn to Jennings).

Can't blame MM. After all, he isn't the one throwing it or catching it. Poor execution by the players.

[Noodle]

Bold stance, Patler. I missed the game, but I read the Offical thread, and the universal view about the 4th down play at the end was "WTF?".

I think what you may miss, my statiscally intoxicated brother, is the difficulty involved in executing the plays you laud. In real life, there is actually some substantial amount of risk involved in trying to complete a long pass play -- disruption in route, disruption in throw, slight miscalculation here or there.

And besides, any FOOTBALL fan gets a rash from the idea that his/her team can't bang out 1.5 friggin yards on the ground in two plays if the whole dang season is on the line.

I mean honestly, if the Pack has to win your way, with gimmicks and surprise, is it really worth it?

What Would Vince Do?

[denverYooper]

Quarless fumbled early when they were getting into a little rhythm and killed a good-looking drive

Jennings flubbed a sure TD and turned it into a TO.

Flynn threw a pick to Levy in the endzone & wiped points off of the board.

[pbmax]

Jennings play was inexcusable. Didn't see Quarless' fumble yet or the 4th down throw.

[Bretsky]

I think you get the first down first; I don't have unlimited faith in my backup QB to make that throw on 4th down. Maybe you give it a wing on 2nd and one but not 4th. Frankly on 3rd and 4th I'd have preferred high % passing plays to just get the first. Screen pass......etc. They had plenty of time. I just don't have that much faith on my backup QB who lacks practice time with the #1's

[bobblehead]

Bold stance, Patler. I missed the game, but I read the Offical thread, and the universal view about the 4th down play at the end was "WTF?".

I think what you may miss, my statiscally intoxicated brother, is the difficulty involved in executing the plays you laud. In real life, there is actually some substantial amount of risk involved in trying to complete a long pass play -- disruption in route, disruption in throw, slight miscalculation here or there.

And besides, any FOOTBALL fan gets a rash from the idea that his/her team can't bang out 1.5 friggin yards on the ground in two plays if the whole dang season is on the line.

I mean honestly, if the Pack has to win your way, with gimmicks and surprise, is it really worth it?

What Would Vince Do?

If that is what the defense is giving you, then you have to execute. Trying to bang it down their throats when they are selling out to stop you is foolish. You get the matchups and you win the matchups....you don't try to win the matchups that aren't there.

[MJZiggy]

What Would Vince Do?

The thought of his post-game reaction gives me shivers.

[pbmax]

I think you get the first down first; I don't have unlimited faith in my backup QB to make that throw on 4th down. Maybe you give it a wing on 2nd and one but not 4th. Frankly on 3rd and 4th I'd have preferred high % passing plays to just get the first. Screen pass......etc. They had plenty of time. I just don't have that much faith on my backup QB who lacks practice time with the #1's

With little running threat, those 3rd and 4th and short quick passes are tough to complete, as the D is playing nothing but those routes. That is why the deep stuff is open every time they come to this situation.

[Bretsky]

With little running threat, those 3rd and 4th and short quick passes are tough to complete, as the D is playing nothing but those routes. That is why the deep stuff is open every time they come to this situation.

There has to be a high % play or two that we had faith in. Certainly higher % than a fly pattern.

[digitaldean]

I see your point Patler.

It is kind of maddening that even w/o Vanden Bosch that the O-line stunk on ice today.

The receiving corps (Quarless, Jennings) and A-Rod made enough mistakes that were the difference in the game. Guess what, that's what the playoffs are like. They will be invariably close games, we HAVE to find a way to win those games. Alas, it may be too little, too late if we don't get some divine intervention in the divisional race.

Suh was a beast and made Wells look just plain awful. Cliffy wasn't much better.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Jennings play was inexcusable. Didn't see Quarless' fumble yet or the 4th down throw.

Quarrles' fumble was simply a good strip. He had it close to his body but simply didn't anticpate the guy coming in for the strip.

Jennings had a step on the 4th down pass, just an overthrown ball.

[mission]

Quarrles' fumble was simply a good strip. He had it close to his body but simply didn't anticpate the guy coming in for the strip.

Jennings had a step on the 4th down pass, just an overthrown ball.

Nope. He had the ball low and literally right before he fumbled, I yelled "don't fumble you dumbass!". It looked inevitable. Did you notice the difference between that play and all his second half catches when getting tackled? He obviously got an earful for being lazy with the ball.

I'm pretty sure Patler doesn't actually think this. You need to play percentages and MM constantly decides to gamble. If he went to the casino he'd play roulette or blackjack where the house has odds to win because it's exciting and doesn't take long.

Also worth noting that a quick score there just means we have to kickoff and give up a long return before a bomb to megatron to win it. MM doesn't think at all about the big picture. He's probably a shitty chess player too.

(I keep looking for my 'mm doesn't have it' thread from a couple years back that I always bump.... can't find it)

[HarveyWallbangers]

I liked the call on 4th down. Flynn just blew it. If he couldn't make that throw, what makes people think he'd make another throw for a game winner. That was about as easy as it comes. I figured before the snap it would have been their best shot to get to the end zone. It was there.

[channtheman]

Before the Queerless fumble I screamed "GO DOWN IDIOT!" and sure enough the fucking moron fumbled. Inexcusable and just another shitty close game where the Packers lose it.

[Patler]

Bold stance, Patler. I missed the game, but I read the Offical thread, and the universal view about the 4th down play at the end was "WTF?".

I think what you may miss, my statiscally intoxicated brother, is the difficulty involved in executing the plays you laud. In real life, there is actually some substantial amount of risk involved in trying to complete a long pass play -- disruption in route, disruption in throw, slight miscalculation here or there.

Go on, Flynn is paid to make those throws, isn't he? It was only a 31 yard throw. He should never miss that indoors in good conditions.

At least....that is what a few had to say a couple days ago when discussing Crosby's missed 52 yard field goal against the Vikings in 2008. I said it was MM's fault, and dumb to run out the clock with just 3 plays in two minutes and settle for a 52 yard field goal attempt. Many of you agreed with me, but some said Crosby is a pro, in doors, and shouldn't have missed, even though all kickers collectively hit 50 yarders at only slightly more than 50%.

If there was no excuse for Crosby missing from 52, there is no excuse for Flynn missing a 31 yard toss.