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Most everyone here knows that I disappear for a while after a playoff loss every year, and I'll probably do so again here. The loss just hurts, and I can't even watch the other playoff games now.
This one doesn't rank quite up there with last year's heartbreak, or the 4th-and-26 debacle of the Sherman era, but it hurts pretty bad. When that pass hit Sam Shields's hands, for a brief moment I saw (as I think Shields did) the open field in front of him, a 20 - 10 lead with just over four minutes to play, and I thought in that millisecond that maybe this was another team of destiny.
But they couldn't close the deal, and it's over, and there's a lot that went wrong this season, as we have been hashing out. But in the last day or so I've been reflecting on what I enjoyed about the season, and there is much to be thankful for. So here's my list. Feel free to add yours.
- The Hail Mary play in Detroit, since I was there to see it. You don't see many plays like that in the NFL, period. And the Hail Mary in Arizona. What a wonderful, though brief, moment that was.
- The play of the defense, most of the time. It felt good to think, as the season went on, that the Packer defense might really stop a team and get a punt. More specifically . . .
- The resurgence of BJ Raji and Letroy Guion. It was fun to see Raji getting penetration, or Guion throwing a guard aside. It was really nice to see an opposing running back get stuffed or even thrown for a loss. I'd like to see both those guys back.
- I really enjoyed the last part of the season, watching Nick Perry play. I was ready to be done with him earlier in the year, but I was wrong. I root for the guy because I think he's talented and fundamentally a good though quiet guy. He really has a style of play that gets him hurt a lot, but at the end of the year he really made some plays. I was glad for him. I hope he'll be back.
-I enjoyed watching Mike Neal. That guy hustles and hustles harder than anyone else on the defense, I think, and he makes some plays. He wore down a little at the end, but I really admire his switch to OLB and how hard he plays. I'd like to see him back, too.
- It was fun to see the occasional play from Datone Jones. He really did make some splash plays - some sacks, some big tackles for loss when he's too quick for the opposing lineman and gets into the backfield. If he can be more consistent and maybe complete the conversion to OLB, that would really help this team. You got to see flashes of why TT drafted him.
- The two rookie corners. Man, it was fun to watch them play. Randall is fearless. He's the real deal, Wist's usual pessimism not withstanding. Rollins too will only get better.
- HHCD's development. It was rough early in the season, but by season's end he was a much better tackler, and he gets the game and his position.
- Mason Crosby. Yeah, he missed the Detroit game-winning kick, but that was more of a placement issue. Look at all the extra points other kickers missed this year - but Mason was still money on them. He's a professional and I really enjoyed watching him, especially after that agonizing season a couple years ago. Kudos to MM for sticking with him. Now pay the man!
- Rob Lovato. Wow. The guy's making sub sandwiches one minute and snapping in a playoff game the next. And without any issue. Kudos to TT for signing him, especially amongst the numerous vets he could've had. It was fun to see the kid just step right in and perform.
- James Jones. He's lost any speed he may have had, and he's done in GB, but the man is a true professional. I have a lot of respect for him and wish him well.
- The flashes from Abby and Janis in the playoff game were really enjoyable, not just in the moment but for the possibilities for next year. They both made some tough catches in clutch situations.
- The moments during that stretch of the season where they ran the ball well. I don't know why, but I enjoy watching the Packers run it down the other team's throat, and the Dallas game was great for me. For some reason, watching Starks or Lacy charge through a hole on first down for a gain of seven is much more satisfying than a seven yard pass, even though the results are the same. So I enjoyed the heck out of the Dallas game. Plus, it was my youngest daughter's first time at Lambeau.
- Red's awesome alternative game day threads.
- The Packerrats in general. I've been on other sites, but none are as good as this one. Thanks, Mad. And I could name almost every one of you as someone I enjoy - I love the personalities (okay, 95% of them) - but for me, PB and Patler are worth mentioning because they bring both incredible insight, knowledge and civility to this site. I do miss KYPack's posts, though. Wish he'd post more.
I'll probably post a little more, but I need a break from football soon. Thanks, guys. Another good season. They didn't win it all, but there was a lot to enjoy.
This one doesn't rank quite up there with last year's heartbreak, or the 4th-and-26 debacle of the Sherman era, but it hurts pretty bad. When that pass hit Sam Shields's hands, for a brief moment I saw (as I think Shields did) the open field in front of him, a 20 - 10 lead with just over four minutes to play, and I thought in that millisecond that maybe this was another team of destiny.
But they couldn't close the deal, and it's over, and there's a lot that went wrong this season, as we have been hashing out. But in the last day or so I've been reflecting on what I enjoyed about the season, and there is much to be thankful for. So here's my list. Feel free to add yours.
- The Hail Mary play in Detroit, since I was there to see it. You don't see many plays like that in the NFL, period. And the Hail Mary in Arizona. What a wonderful, though brief, moment that was.
- The play of the defense, most of the time. It felt good to think, as the season went on, that the Packer defense might really stop a team and get a punt. More specifically . . .
- The resurgence of BJ Raji and Letroy Guion. It was fun to see Raji getting penetration, or Guion throwing a guard aside. It was really nice to see an opposing running back get stuffed or even thrown for a loss. I'd like to see both those guys back.
- I really enjoyed the last part of the season, watching Nick Perry play. I was ready to be done with him earlier in the year, but I was wrong. I root for the guy because I think he's talented and fundamentally a good though quiet guy. He really has a style of play that gets him hurt a lot, but at the end of the year he really made some plays. I was glad for him. I hope he'll be back.
-I enjoyed watching Mike Neal. That guy hustles and hustles harder than anyone else on the defense, I think, and he makes some plays. He wore down a little at the end, but I really admire his switch to OLB and how hard he plays. I'd like to see him back, too.
- It was fun to see the occasional play from Datone Jones. He really did make some splash plays - some sacks, some big tackles for loss when he's too quick for the opposing lineman and gets into the backfield. If he can be more consistent and maybe complete the conversion to OLB, that would really help this team. You got to see flashes of why TT drafted him.
- The two rookie corners. Man, it was fun to watch them play. Randall is fearless. He's the real deal, Wist's usual pessimism not withstanding. Rollins too will only get better.
- HHCD's development. It was rough early in the season, but by season's end he was a much better tackler, and he gets the game and his position.
- Mason Crosby. Yeah, he missed the Detroit game-winning kick, but that was more of a placement issue. Look at all the extra points other kickers missed this year - but Mason was still money on them. He's a professional and I really enjoyed watching him, especially after that agonizing season a couple years ago. Kudos to MM for sticking with him. Now pay the man!
- Rob Lovato. Wow. The guy's making sub sandwiches one minute and snapping in a playoff game the next. And without any issue. Kudos to TT for signing him, especially amongst the numerous vets he could've had. It was fun to see the kid just step right in and perform.
- James Jones. He's lost any speed he may have had, and he's done in GB, but the man is a true professional. I have a lot of respect for him and wish him well.
- The flashes from Abby and Janis in the playoff game were really enjoyable, not just in the moment but for the possibilities for next year. They both made some tough catches in clutch situations.
- The moments during that stretch of the season where they ran the ball well. I don't know why, but I enjoy watching the Packers run it down the other team's throat, and the Dallas game was great for me. For some reason, watching Starks or Lacy charge through a hole on first down for a gain of seven is much more satisfying than a seven yard pass, even though the results are the same. So I enjoyed the heck out of the Dallas game. Plus, it was my youngest daughter's first time at Lambeau.
- Red's awesome alternative game day threads.
- The Packerrats in general. I've been on other sites, but none are as good as this one. Thanks, Mad. And I could name almost every one of you as someone I enjoy - I love the personalities (okay, 95% of them) - but for me, PB and Patler are worth mentioning because they bring both incredible insight, knowledge and civility to this site. I do miss KYPack's posts, though. Wish he'd post more.
I'll probably post a little more, but I need a break from football soon. Thanks, guys. Another good season. They didn't win it all, but there was a lot to enjoy.
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