Things I don't understand following the Buffalo game

[mraynrand]

The "Lacy drive" in the first half, with three consecutive runs for 50 yards or so, was pretty darned exciting. I was hooked fro the day, but MM wouldn't give me my fix!!

can I join the choir?

[pbmax]

Somewhere in the JSO they mentioned that they went to the Cobb package yesterday in order to get him freed up in coverage. And maybe it wasn't asked, but that seems to point to them still thinking "pass pass pass" despite them finally having a running back who can carry the load.

Cobb in the backfield is designed to get him on a LB in coverage, not as a substitute for running. They run him on it only so the Defense can't send a safety or CB in for the LB.

Cobb is fearless though, several of those runs looked like he was going to get his clock cleaned.

[pbmax]

I would buy the giving him one look and then the other caused some of the imbalance. McCarthy entrusts Rodgers with checks and audibles for a significant percentage of the play calls. If it isn't red zone or short yardage, Rodgers has a green light to alter the play.

He is usually dead on, but coverage disguises (Lovie's Bears) and single versus 2 high safety has given him fits before.

They need to get used to the idea of banging away at the run occasionally even against a seven man box, no matter who is vulnerable in the D backfield.

[vince]

Passing game wasn't working but if Nelson just does what he always does and catches that one long one, and Boykin (mugged or not) catches the one that bounced off him for a pick, we're singing a very different tune today...and if they could cover a punt.. and if they could block up a field goal attempt....

Lacy had some nice runs but he also took some pretty square hits. Not saying that his injury impacted his carries because we'll never know that but he did have a hip from the previous game that we didn't know about either until he had to sit out a couple practices.

[vince]

Diehl needs to be fired right along with Slocum. With our luck he'll probably have the game next week too since it's unlikely to be at the top of the list of attractive matchups. Macaya Hyde and Brian Beluga. That was ridiculous. Get Billick back in the booth. Hated that guy as a coach but I thought he was great as an analyst.

[Deputy Nutz]

Ya, I would just hope that an NFL coach isn't so narrow minded. Passing plays do give more of an adrenalin rush than watching a typical 80 yard drive mostly on the ground. So maybe there is an addiction factor even in the NFL. But yesterday was different. When given the ball, Lacy and Starks were breaking into the open to much excitement time and time again. The "Lacy drive" in the first half, with three consecutive runs for 50 yards or so, was pretty darned exciting. I was hooked fro the day, but MM wouldn't give me my fix!!

I guess it just reverts back to the game plan then, or something Packer fan doesn't want to hear; MM is trying to feed Aaron's ego. He is after all the front runner for the MVP, why would you not let him spin it? It has rarely if ever let you down in this magnitude.

I get it, let the hot hand run, but it isn't that simple although it should be. Maybe McCarthy just out schemed himself because his players didn't execute. He just trusted too damn much and he got his heart broken.

[pbmax]

McCarthy at his PC today said he was comfortable with the balance and only would take 1 or 2 calls back.

Now, he has mislead on this point before, but its clear he isn't going to put this one up for public debate.

[Patler]

Rushing Breakdown
1 st Half: Lacy -10/73 Starks - 4/19
2nd Half: Lacy - 5/24 Starks - zilch Cobb - 3/15

Passing Breakdown
1 st Half: 8/24/70/0/0
2nd Half: 9/18/115/0/2

[mraynrand]

Get Billick back in the booth. Hated that guy as a coach but I thought he was great as an analyst.

agree.

My favorite announcing team in the past several years:



Tan in a can!

[Joemailman]

Diehl needs to be fired right along with Slocum. With our luck he'll probably have the game next week too since it's unlikely to be at the top of the list of attractive matchups. Macaya Hyde and Brian Beluga. That was ridiculous. Get Billick back in the booth. Hated that guy as a coach but I thought he was great as an analyst.

Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale this week.

[King Friday]

I have no idea why McCarthy refused to run the ball yesterday. He's a complete bonehead at times, which is why he might never reach the point of being an elite head coach. He came up with such a creative attack against New England...and then apparently burned every piece of paper that related to that game plan and had the Men In Black come erase his memory of it as well. Cobb should be in the backfield at least 8-10 times every game...used as both a rusher and receiver.

Why have the Packers been averse to acquiring an actual receiving threat out of the backfield? Lacy is a nice back and capable receiver, but he's not fast enough to be a true receiving threat on the edge. Starks is fast enough, but can't catch. Why can't we get a Reggie Bush type player as someone to rely on in these games against stout defensive fronts? You would hope that Cobb's play out of the backfield would cause a light bulb to go off...but I won't hold my breath.

IMO, that is one of the biggest factors making it difficult for Green Bay to attack these defenses...especially when the offensive brain trust figures that throwing the ball 60%+ of the time is always the best option. Without a threat out of the backfield, and especially without capable receiving threats at TE, you've made it far easier for a defense to take away most of your passing options.

[pbmax]

Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale this week.

Radio it is then. I would rather listen to carnival rides than Ronde Barber.

[Pugger]

Passing game wasn't working but if Nelson just does what he always does and catches that one long one, and Boykin (mugged or not) catches the one that bounced off him for a pick, we're singing a very different tune today...and if they could cover a punt.. and if they could block up a field goal attempt....

Lacy had some nice runs but he also took some pretty square hits. Not saying that his injury impacted his carries because we'll never know that but he did have a hip from the previous game that we didn't know about either until he had to sit out a couple practices.

I truly suspect we didn't run with Lacy much in the second half because his hip was bothering him. I remember one time after a tackle Lacy was rolling on the ground in pain. I didn't think we'd see him again and we didn't very much after that.

[red]

I truly suspect we didn't run with Lacy much in the second half because his hip was bothering him. I remember one time after a tackle Lacy was rolling on the ground in pain. I didn't think we'd see him again and we didn't very much after that.

Yup, a couple of us were talking about it in the game thread. He was really slow getting up a few times and the cameras caught the training staff talking to him once.

Still, even if lacy couldnt go, starks was running just fine

And patler nailed it all in the first post, its nice to see those same thoughts coming from a non drunk every now and then, makes me feel connected with reality every now and then

[sharpe1027]

I don't care so much about the run to pass ratio normally, but the Bills had almost no offensive threat all day. On the other hand, Jordy was 10 yards open deep three different times and only got the ball once, for a drop.