MCGINN---NEW JSO ARTICLES..........THE BLAME FALLS ON

[call_me_ishmael]

I don't see the debate on tight ends, etc. Who cares? Woulda shoulda coulda - it didn't happen. I think we'll address it this off-season in some form.

I personally believe Rich Rodgers has been put on a diet and will be faster than a super market rascal next year. Still comically slow, but faster. I seem to recall a championship type team with RR at tight end, so I am not overly concerned about it. You could do better and it's a priority but it's not a show stopper.

[RashanGary]

I doubt either TT or MM cares at all what McGinn thinks or writes. Nothing from McGinn will cause them to change, or even consider changing.

The first time I opened this thread was today and I was curious what people here were saying. I did not read his article and still haven't. The reason is he's proven he doesn't know what he's talking about over the years. The Packers are one of a couple franchises that are consistently one of the best teams in football. Analysis that doesn't start with that is ridiculous and not worth my time. Nitpicking the packers or patriots or steelers for not winning the Super Bowl every year.... I just can't take it seriously. At the same time, it feeds on the average persons interest and that is what McGinn is paid to do. He's doing what he does and doing it well. It just doesn't interest me.

[Fritz]

It seems to me the Patriots really are a cut above everyone else over a period of several years now; beneath them are another tier of consistently very good teams. Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Seattle the last few years, a few others.

[Patler]

It seems to me the Patriots really are a cut above everyone else over a period of several years now; beneath them are another tier of consistently very good teams. Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Seattle the last few years, a few others.

It does seem that way, and still they will have just 1 SB win in the last 11 years; the same as GB and Seattle, one less than Pittsburgh and the NY Giants, who you haven't even mentioned. Just proves that there is good fortune involved in winning Super Bowls, too.

[mraynrand]

In what way is Sanders more inconsistent? I find your assertions sometimes....well, just odd. My initial reaction based on what I observed, was that Cobb, if anything was more inconsistent. Then just to check myself, I examine the stats. Let's say a low impact game for a receiver like this is under 50 yds receiving? Cobb had 10 games this season like that. Sanders had 3. Sanders also averaged almost 5 more yards per reception, meaning he was much more of a big play threat. And remember he had high voice, no HGH Peyton and Brockness monster throwing it to him.

I'm talking about Sanders playing for Pittsburgh too, because we're talking about signing a FA. Based on watching Pittsburgh games, I thought he was inconsistent in route running and had drops. Also have a buddy who is Pitt follower and he wasn't excited about keeping the guy (not just because they had other receivers).

[mraynrand]

Yet, he caught more passes than Finley did in any season but one, and he was #12 on the TE list for receptions this year, only 3 short of being in the top 10. I don't think his problem is getting open, I think his problem is doing something with it after he catches it. I don't know if coaching can improve that, maybe not.

Coaching could take advantage of his strengths by running him where his good hands will get first downs where he catches it, instead of asking him to turn upfield like Gronk or any other more athletic guy. Also, coaching can decide to have him train to be lighter, etc. to optimize for pass catching, if that's what they think is his strength.

[mraynrand]

Yes he jogged up the field against piss poor coverage and caught that moonball with no one in front of him. The guy is pretty good good at attacking the ball at it's highest point, the problem is he just doesn't get open often. If you can't concede Daniels is a more complete TE, ok. The funny thing s you highlight two plays over two seasons. Whereas I highlight two plays from the same game.

The question is whether you overall do better for the team by signing the 31 year old or drafting the rookie. I think that the first year Daniels is the better option, but then he starts to decline while the other guy ascends (hopefully, it's not certain Rodgers will continue upward). So this year, I think they are about equal, with the veteran wiles in Daniels' favor. Given what happened to Q, in hindsight you'd like to have had him on the roster. Otherwise, I think it's a wash, especially going forward.

[pbmax]

Yes he jogged up the field against piss poor coverage and caught that moonball with no one in front of him. The guy is pretty good good at attacking the ball at it's highest point, the problem is he just doesn't get open often. If you can't concede Daniels is a more complete TE, ok. The funny thing s you highlight two plays over two seasons. Whereas I highlight two plays from the same game.

That is his job, to knock the defenders out of the front of the group. Problem for Detroit was that the Defenders were a little too deep. But not by much, RichRod really was the highest set of hands on that play. It was run as designed.

Janis did the same thing on his Hail Mary, he just didn't have other Packers on his side to collide with the DB, but he was last to the spot with the highest hands.

That is legitimately the design of the play.

[pbmax]

Including their speedy #2 guy, who was ALSO a free agent signing. And he makes half of what Cobb does.......oops!

Sanders was a great signing, but probably of no interest to the Packers given the WR roster in 2014. Nelson, Cobb, Boykin, Dorsey?, Adams, Abby and Janis.

[call_me_ishmael]

It does seem that way, and still they will have just 1 SB win in the last 11 years; the same as GB and Seattle, one less than Pittsburgh and the NY Giants, who you haven't even mentioned. Just proves that there is good fortune involved in winning Super Bowls, too.

NE has been to 5 straight AFC Championship games and 10 of the last 15. So, 2/3 of the time. That is really damn impressive and a clear cut above what GB has done in the same duration. Having said that, the end result is the same.

[Bretsky]

As much as you love the "FA wins superbowls" shtick its always proven hollow. I think Ted did a good job this year, McCarthy and bad luck are the main culprits. Not that he's a bad coach. I'd prefer McCarthy as a coach to both Carroll and Tomlin but there are some guys I'd rather have.

Belichick is obviously a fabulous coach. Maybe even underrated considering his shortcomings as a GM. That is the big disadvantage of BB is that he doesn't play well with others so you'll never have an elite GM and coach at the same time. .

Because I criticize Ted Thompson for Hibernating during most free agent periods I know I'm labled as a FA wins Super Bowls guy. I would not put myself there. I would say this

Effective Drafting PLUS Annual Utliization of Free Agency to help fill holes is > than TT's draft only. Wist gets ripped, often unnecessary in here, for pointing out TT is constantly churning over the bottoms ten or so on the roster in hopes of finding a gem at the sacrifice of plugging in a hole or two. YES.....once in a blue moon we'll find a Sam Shields, but with his speed he wasn't exactly a complete secret. I'd just like to be like other teams and occasionally fill some holes. When TT has went out and found players....Woodson....Peppers...etc....he's did ok. I'd just like to see him do it a bit more.

At minimum I'd rather see one or two crafty Veteran signings (see Hoody's record for plenty of examples) as opposed to keeping a lug like Frank Zombo around for two years and then cast him away when he clearly is never going to help us.

Completely agree on Hoody Genius as a coach and Hoody Idiot as a GM. Had Scott Piolo stayed as the GM the reast of the NFL might have never had a chance. I've read and watched specials on this. Piolo brought a lot of sense to that duo and often protected Hoody from himself. TG he left.

[Bretsky]

On a sidenote in regards o coaching, Holmgren chatted with MM and advised him against giving up play calling in the offseason. MM noted to Holmy he needs to be more involved in special teams and other misc things. This was all noted on NFL Network.

Didn't seem to me like MM had a lot of faith in Ron Zook. Either way.....changes....miserable failure.

[mraynrand]

Either way.....changes....miserable failure.

Well, I think there's broad consensus that the O changes didn't work, but I also think it's a bad idea to attach too much of the problems to the changes. I think he injuries and fat Lacy are bigger issues. But some changes need to be made, you can see they are already happening and it will be interesting to see if the team can have a healthy year so that we can actually see if the changes work.

[Pugger]

NE has been to 5 straight AFC Championship games and 10 of the last 15. So, 2/3 of the time. That is really damn impressive and a clear cut above what GB has done in the same duration. Having said that, the end result is the same.

We just had 7 straight seasons making the playoffs. Not many teams can say that. Often a team will lose in the playoffs because a couple of plays. Not often does a team in the playoffs get blown out like AZ did against Carolina last Sunday. Jad their kicker made that extra point would Denver be in SB 50 instead of NE? Had we won the toss in AZ and won that game we would have been to 2 consecutive conference championship games. Winning it all is hard. Only one team ends the season happy.

[Pugger]

Ted does use FA but he signs his own guys, not those from other clubs. A lot of people don't think that is very sexy. It is boring to most fans to resign your own rather than shiny new toys. Signing your own vets is boring.