Is McCarthy Punch-Drunk?

[pbmax]

You guys must not remember how bad I running game was last season before Harris joined the squad. Maybe it wouldn't be such a big lost if Franklin wasn't struggling as bad as he is, guess this leaves us with Lacy as the only RB I trust on this roster. Plus no one can replace his speed in the backfield unless they plan on using Cobb.

I get that, but the effectiveness difference still seems small compared to a healthy Starks, for instance. Health aside (not the reality of his career so far), he can be that effective I think. More open question with Green.

Somewhere I read that Starks was the third best protector in camp on blitz pickup. Kuhn was first. Need to go find the second. The only definite falloff with Starks is his hands on screens.

[denverYooper]

I think the universe is telling us to stop worrying about the defense and get busy worrying about the offense. Its going to take some time to figure out what they will do well.

Prior to camp, though biggest adjustment was O line switch and no Jennings (and no Driver for backup) for full season.

Now its RB, O line and then concern about the receivers.

It's funny that something unexpected always seems to happen every year -- like the defense just totally falling to pieces after Collins went down and Wood slowed down. I mean, you look at this thing and Lacy gives you some hope that the offense will have more balance and perform a little better, especially vs the dreaded C2 looks, but then there is a nonzero chance that one or both of the very green tackles just melts down from time to time or any one of the OL/RB/TE/WR gets injured and somehow compromises the whole system. (I didn't include QB injury, which is always nonzero probability, but that would result in a complete shift of expectations -- I'm talking about injuries to a James Jones, a John Kuhn, or a TJ Lang that somehow result in small enough breakdowns to consistently derail the offense in annoying little ways.)

It would not surprise me in the least to see the defense carry the team a bit more this year than we've become accustomed to. Even if I don't quite trust them yet, that trust can be built up with as few as 3 4th Q stands to close out games.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Sometimes a man has to lie to preserve his integrity. Some day when you are older you will understand.

I just googled Wee Willie Parker and a running back for Pittsburg came up!

Crap. I just sent an email to Packers Pro Shop inquiring about ordering a Wee Willie jersey.

[Fritz]

i think M3's smoking the crack rock

Is McCarthy punch-drunk?

He's either been punched, or he's drunk, but not both.

Or he's fucking with Jim Harbaugh's head.

[Harlan Huckleby]

It's funny that something unexpected always seems to happen every year -- like the defense just totally falling to pieces after Collins went down and Wood slowed down. I mean, you look at this thing and Lacy gives you some hope that the offense will have more balance and perform a little better, especially vs the dreaded C2 looks, but then there is a nonzero chance that one or both of the very green tackles just melts down from time to time or any one of the OL/RB/TE/WR gets injured and somehow compromises the whole system. (I didn't include QB injury, which is always nonzero probability, but that would result in a complete shift of expectations -- I'm talking about injuries to a James Jones, a John Kuhn, or a TJ Lang that somehow result in small enough breakdowns to consistently derail the offense in annoying little ways.)

I always thought roster size should be about 60 to better mitigate the impact of inuries. But then smarter people point out that the real problem is a lack of available talent, particular for offensive lineman.

I still think larger rosters would help development and continuity. How about a farm league, where players stay in football shape and can be called up?

All I know is that the high impact of injuries is sucky for the sport and fans.

[mraynrand]

Maybe M3 was sad about his 5 year old starting kindergarten. Or his 2 year old is keeping them up all night with growing pains. Or he got in a fight with his wife. Or someone took the last bear claw from the donut table that morning before he could get it. There are any number of reasons why this might "look downtrodden"

They reduced the menu at the Golden Corral

[Harlan Huckleby]

Hey, how about having a larger scout team, that plays a short undercard game against the opposition before the real game?

Sounds crazy, but wouldn't that be good for player development and stability?

[mraynrand]

How about a farm league, where players stay in football shape and can be called up?

How about a dealership that hires cut running backs, where they can try to sell cars for a week, get called up to one of the top 10 teams in the league and then prominently figure into the game planning for the next year. Could call it "Horatio Algers Motors"

[Fritz]

I smell a new reality show.

[mraynrand]

I smell a new reality show.

Car Dealership Street Free Agents - Sundays on A&E

[Brandon494]

Hey, how about having a larger scout team, that plays a short undercard game against the opposition before the real game?

Sounds crazy, but wouldn't that be good for player development and stability?

Wouldn't work, NFL would make no extra money from doing this.

[Fritz]

Car Dealership Street Free Agents - Sundays on A&E

Followed by Jermichael's Baby Mamas at ten.

[MadScientist]

I can barely remember what I had for breakfast this morning, but have the Packers had a change of pace back in the past few years that was not six foot and 220?

The problem has been they've been changing pace from shitty to crappy.

[Maxie the Taxi]

The problem has been they've been changing pace from shitty to crappy.

Exactly. Although it's more like changing pace from walking wounded to injured.

[Harlan Huckleby]

How about a dealership that hires cut running backs, where they can try to sell cars for a week, get called up to one of the top 10 teams in the league and then prominently figure into the game planning for the next year. Could call it "Horatio Algers Motors"

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_did_the_NFL_get_the_name_Taxi_Squad

Arthur B. "Mickey" McBride (20 March 1888-10 November 1972) was the founder of the Cleveland Browns professional football team. McBride was a wealthy businessman who made a fortune in operating taxicab companies.... McBride contributed to the lexicon of football with the term "taxi squad." Browns' players who were not on the active roster, due to injury or other reason, were temporarily put on the McBride's payroll as taxi drivers.