Official Packers vs. Patriots Game Day Thread

[denverYooper]

This was just one time of several, but even tonight, with Flynn, they could have used the last 4 minutes better than they did. The sad thing is that a little more efficient use to give them another 10 seconds may have allowed them to run a normal play scenario on the last play.

MM appeared scared of scoring with too much time left, so he frittered time away, then didn't have enough time for himself on the final play.

Indeed, he did fritter some time away. But vs. Atlanta, they scored with too much time left and special teams killed them.

From a coaching standpoint it still seems like he's still feeling out his game management. An example that comes to mind is his use of challenges -- he went from being very loose with the challenge flag, like with the Jones fumble in the Bears game, to being too tight, like in the Atlanta game on the Gonzalez reception. And he has yet to find a good balance. Here, too, he found himself in a similar situation (to the Atlanta endgame) and with a backup quarterback. So he explored a different part of that decision space and it still hurt him from a game management standpoint.

[pbmax]

The 14 points handed to the Patriots by Flynn and the KO coverage team were pretty big in this game.

That plus some horrible tackling on both plays.

[pbmax]

He won't be bothering anybody for the next month.

That is not the first time he has gone right to personal insults when people don't agree with his rants.

[pbmax]

This was just one time of several, but even tonight, with Flynn, they could have used the last 4 minutes better than they did. The sad thing is that a little more efficient use to give them another 10 seconds may have allowed them to run a normal play scenario on the last play.

MM appeared scared of scoring with too much time left, so he frittered time away, then didn't have enough time for himself on the final play.

Special Teams maybe. But he punted at midfield with five minutes in the game and trusted the D to get him the ball back. I don't think the D worried him.

[Bossman641]

That is not the first time he has gone right to personal insults when people don't agree with his rants.

Did he even have a rant this time? I thought his post came completely out of left field.

[Patler]

Because of TO usage or the speed with which plays get called? He doesn't run much in the 2 minute drill and he does have the QB spike.

He does not seem to insist on sideline routes except in very specific situations. What else have you seen?

They take a long time getting plays in and are very nonchalant at times in getting lined up and the ball snapped. I'm sure he works on keeping the guys relaxed and not rushed unnecessarily to avoid mistakes, but at times there is no hurry or efficiency to them at all. It drives me crazy when it ends like tonight when they can't get the last play called or the ball snapped.

[Patler]

That plus some horrible tackling on both plays.

Ya, what was with them tonight? Defense, ST and the offense on the interception all had guys sliding off like they were tackling greased pigs. Little guys slid of little guys, bigger guys slid of little guys and all were ineffective even in tackling a guard returning a kick.

That, the dropped passes and missed interceptions all make you wonder: is it scripted ?

[mission]

Indeed, he did fritter some time away. But vs. Atlanta, they scored with too much time left and special teams killed them.

From a coaching standpoint it still seems like he's still feeling out his game management. An example that comes to mind is his use of challenges -- he went from being very loose with the challenge flag, like with the Jones fumble in the Bears game, to being too tight, like in the Atlanta game on the Gonzalez reception. And he has yet to find a good balance. Here, too, he found himself in a similar situation (to the Atlanta endgame) and with a backup quarterback. So he explored a different part of that decision space and it still hurt him from a game management standpoint.

I didn't know this was a learn-on-the-job type of thing.

[Charles Woodson]

Indeed, he did fritter some time away. But vs. Atlanta, they scored with too much time left and special teams killed them.

From a coaching standpoint it still seems like he's still feeling out his game management. An example that comes to mind is his use of challenges -- he went from being very loose with the challenge flag, like with the Jones fumble in the Bears game, to being too tight, like in the Atlanta game on the Gonzalez reception. And he has yet to find a good balance. Here, too, he found himself in a similar situation (to the Atlanta endgame) and with a backup quarterback. So he explored a different part of that decision space and it still hurt him from a game management standpoint.

Really? How do you justify this for MM who has been coaching for five years. You're saying that you can honestly say that the head coach for the past five years hasnt had enough time to figure out how to manage the game, whether it be challenges or timeouts? I feel like MM embarrassed the packers tonight with those last few minutes. Say what you will but that costs us a loss.

[Pugger]

I've never seen a bigger bunch of whiners. We just lost 31-27 to the New England Patriots at their place with Matt Flynn at QB. A Patriots team that has won 27 consecutive home games when Tom Brady starts. Let's beat the Giants and Bears and then kick the shit out of the Bears in the first round of the playoffs.

+ 10000000000000

[Pugger]

If this team gets to the playoffs, considering the injury situation, MM would deserve consideration for Coach Of The Year. He won't get it, but he'd deserve it. I'm not saying he's a great coach, but he deserves better than the criticism he gets here. The last time the Packers had anything close to the kind of injuries they've had this year, they went 4-12.

Here here!

[swede]

Hahahaha. Okay buddy. You keep your green and gold glasses on. 6 games lost this season by a total of 20 points! MM has a problem winning close games, plain and simple. And we are not going to kick the shit out of anyone in the playoffs, if we happen to get in. This team is beat to shit, has the special teams of a pop warner team and a coach who needs to read Time Management for Dummies. Now by no means do I think the Packers are out of it, but sticking your head in the sand and ignoring MMs fuck ups arent going to make them go away.

I'm leaning your way. It causes me great concern when some of the finest posters on this board are content to say that we tried really hard, overlooking the barrage of 4th quarter bombs in short yardage situations and the end-of game time-manglement. Enjoy your moral victory along with the drubbing by the Lions.

The game moves too fast for Stubby in pressure situations. TT is unwilling to drop Stubby, and Stubby is unwilling to take the clipboard and headset away from himself.

Stubby is the guy that will allow us to go on a long run of being a little bit better than average. Yay

[pbmax]

Swede, I am doing all I can. I sent my resume to Thompson (along with Fritz and KYPack's) offering to be Special Teams coach at the same rate of pay divided three ways. I have not heard back. This week I will forward Patler's resume to be a Sherman like game clock management consultant.

But I don't think satisfied is the word for what people are experiencing. This loss simply makes more sense than losing to the Lions or the Dolphins or Redskins in terms of the opponent and venue.

The troubling part is that the same execution problems haunt this team. Dropped passes, bad special teams play, inconsistent O line work and a failure or two near the end of the game. These problems continue a trend over the McCarthy years. Now injuries have really hampered special teams and have put a rookie at RT. Not much can be done about that until we fire the strength and conditioning coach so they can bring the free weights back in and usher in a new era of hamstring pulls.

There are some hopeful signs, such as penalties taking a real dip and the O line having improved over last year. But its a huge mixed bag. And its hard to check for improvement in some areas; for instance, to see if McCarthy's work to improve special teams has paid off or the results are because there are new faces every two weeks. So far, the only clear answer is that Shields must stay as KO returner.

[Freak Out]

I think most of the board would be fine with those changes pbmax.

[mmmdk]

I think most of the board would be fine with those changes pbmax.

Just fabulous, pbmax !