Official Packers vs. Falcons Discussion Thread

[esoxx]

I'm inclined to agree with hoosier. Stubby had the players sky high for the Patriots, so Atlanta with its poor record coming into town where we think we're invincible is a recipe for an emotional let down and an upset.

This game will test Stubby's skill at getting his guys ready to play. As a Super Bowl favorite the Packers have a target on their back. Atlanta has something to prove and will be motivated.

Now is not the time for the Packers to take their foot off the gas pedal and coast.

I expect Stubby will find a way to get this message across.

Why must you disparge one Michael John McCarthy?

[denverYooper]

I referenced the Peppers effect on the team a few weeks ago. There is no doubt he can bring an extra-hungry veteran dimension to the locker room. The guy is smart too. I read where he challenges Capers with tough questions. This team still has a major upside to it.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Peppers is really going to turn it on in the playoffs, too. Not that he's slacking now, because I think he's generally doing what they ask of him. But I feel like he'll have an extra gear when the prize gets that much more real.

[mraynrand]

Ohh Dear. Is that a fly buzzing around my head?

i'm betting it's inside your skull. Lay off the wood alcohol.

[mraynrand]

Why must you disparge one Michael John McCarthy?

Stubby is a term of endearment

[Maxie the Taxi]

Stubby is a term of endearment

My thought exactly.

[esoxx]

I had been calling him Stubby but now having second thoughts.

From now on, I'm only going to refer to him as "Sir Michael John McCarthy."

[esoxx]

As for the game, yes, this is a game that is in a classic "let-down" spot. Sky high in game against the Pats, took high intensity, focus, etc.. Now facing a team with losing record, natural tendancy to not rise up to that same level.

Not that they'll need to in order to beat the Falcons, but it's a factor when handicapping this game.

[MadScientist]

I don't think the Packers will take preparation lightly after Atlanta just toppled Arizona. The team also has plenty to work on after that Pats game, if anything I think their sense of urgency would be heightened. On the road this would be such a trap. It seems like home field advantage is going through a renaissance throughout the league this season. In Lambeau though this is not a trap. The Falcons are an inferior team, a warm weather dome team, coming to Lambeau and will be torn apart.

I also think its about time to start talking about the locker room effect of Peppers. http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/pos...red-up-packers

In 1996 and in 2010 we had a guy like him, an old hall of famer without a ring. You can't match a sense of urgency like that and having him around as a hungry leader is big.

There's also the classic Mike McCarthy December running game to look forward to but this time Rodgers is also having a run away MVP season. This team isn't going to lose at home and certainly not to the Falcons.

Agree with this. Atlanta is coming off a good win against a 9-2 opponent. They put up 500 yards against that defense. The Packers are coming off a squeaker at home where they totally failed in the red zone. There's plenty to keep the Packers focused on this game. And if there is any hint of a let down, MM just need to say 'Did anybody get a ring for winning last Sunday? Did we clinch home field advantage for the playoffs? No, then we have a lot of work to do."

[Maxie the Taxi]

I had been calling him Stubby but now having second thoughts.

From now on, I'm only going to refer to him as "Sir Michael John McCarthy."

I think I'm going to refer to him from now on as "Fat Stubby." Half the fun of being a fan is hurling terms of endearment at professional coaches and managers.

[esoxx]

I think I'm going to refer to him from now on as "Fat Stubby." Half the fun of being a fan is hurling terms of endearment at professional coaches and managers.

What is your BMI?

[Fritz]

I kinda like "Fat Mike." It reminds me of "Fat" Tuesday Weld.

[Maxie the Taxi]

What is your BMI?

Off the charts. If my height were proportional to my weight, I'd be as tall as Eino Hendrickson.

[oldbutnotdeadyet]

I had been calling him Stubby but now having second thoughts.

From now on, I'm only going to refer to him as "Sir Michael John McCarthy."

Youse guys are confusing the hell out of me, now I don't know what to call him, mayne just coach?

[oldbutnotdeadyet]

When you are playing to get to the superbowl, all games are trap games...

[Tyrion Lannister]

Ticket prices for this game are dwindling like an Enron stock on Stubhub.

I just purchased tickets for myself and my escort. For those of you too weak to weather the frigid Russian-like winter, look for me on TV. I will be sitting next to a hot chick, wearing a Favre jersey and holding up a sign that reads:

Elf's
Sports And
Playboy
Network

"Fire Ted Thompson!"