Wild Card Week: They Might Be Giants

[pbmax]

No better alternatives in the experience and opinion of the Packers front office and coaching staff.

I didn't see McCarthy sidestepping any questions though. Perhaps you can expand on that PB?

I thought he unequivocably said that they're convinced that Herb Waters, who has been practicing, meeting and learning with the team all year, has earned his opportunity to be promoted and they feel he's their best option to replace Dorleant's roster spot.

He also commented on how they maintain their board of available players and conduct workouts every Tuesday for evaluations. If they thought there was a better option available, they'd have made it.

He also intimated that Waters probably won't make the game-day roster, so they're likely going to dress Hawkins for emergency duty and go with Gunter, Randall, and Hyde, with Burnett inside and Brice at nickel safety and Evans added in dime.

The way this game figures to play out that doesn't seem too bad. That's how they ended the Detroit game and that crew held up better than with Rollins in the game.

vince, see my above to Maxie. He just sidestepped the part about his preference between vet versus young player on PS. I found that odd for a coach who is supposed to have a beef with his GM over player acquisition.

[pbmax]

On another note, Vince, regarding PB's idea of MM sidestepping, I interpreted that to mean that PB believes that the Packers are carrying Kyle Murphy on the 53, hoping to goodness he won't be needed cuz he's not ready to play.

Murphy is a good example. Not sure he has been active at all this year. And they have stashed guys before, including Callahan now if I am not mistaken. But often its a developing O lineman.

[vince]

Gotcha thanks PB. I think he was taking the opportunity to support his guy and build up Herb's confidence rather than tearing down the dearth of available free agents and the out-of-league over-the-hill gang - which indirectly criticizes his new guy. If they think Herb has potential for continued future development, there's every reason in the world to make this move for him.

His comment about not putting guys on the 53 unless they're ready to contribute on the 46 was in the same vein but I agree that was a bit of a slip because it's clear they stash developmental prospects there to protect them from pilferage by other teams.

[vince]

vince, see my above to Maxie. He just sidestepped the part about his preference between vet versus young player on PS. I found that odd for a coach who is supposed to have a beef with his GM over player acquisition.

OK now I get you. It's possible. It's obviously unrealistic to think or expect Ted and Mike to always agree behind closed doors, but I think it's a bigger stretch to interpret that occuring now as opposed to last year when they had no vertical threat with all the skill position injuries (and no TE threat) to open things up for the O.

[mission]

Now if he can learn to not take his foot off the gas.

Honestly, this is actually the one thing that gives me some hope heading into the playoffs. I've largely been a "fire MM" guy because he hasn't seen what's been so obvious to us. Letting his foot off the gas, going into turtle mode. We can go on and on down the list of games where this has led to a loss or a much closer game than it should have been.

We didn't see that against the Lions at the end (besides the hail mary and not kneeling the ball) and I'm praying that he's finally come to his senses on how to close out a game offensively.

[Guiness]

Murphy is a good example. Not sure he has been active at all this year. And they have stashed guys before, including Callahan now if I am not mistaken. But often its a developing O lineman.

How is Atlas Herrion doing?

Did he ever play a down in the NFL?

[Pugger]

The Browns wouldn't have traded Tramon back to us, say halfway through the season?

Is Tramon today better than the young players presently on our roster?

[pbmax]

Honestly, this is actually the one thing that gives me some hope heading into the playoffs. I've largely been a "fire MM" guy because he hasn't seen what's been so obvious to us. Letting his foot off the gas, going into turtle mode. We can go on and on down the list of games where this has led to a loss or a much closer game than it should have been.

We didn't see that against the Lions at the end (besides the hail mary and not kneeling the ball) and I'm praying that he's finally come to his senses on how to close out a game offensively.

In a weird and bad way, not kneeling might have been a sign that he wanted a first down? I don't know, handing the ball back to the Lions with 10 seconds on the clock and down 2 scores is one time you WANT your foot off the pedal.

[3irty1]

I think the condition of the secondary is forcing MM's hand a bit. He's in a 2011 headspace where he needs to play defense with offense.

It takes a lot to shake MM's faith in his team. How many coaches would have ridden out Mason Crosby's shit streak? I think this is the source of MM's end-of-game routine. When your prevent defense contains the entirety of your duct-taped secondary, even MM has to have his reservations about relying on them to close a game.

[pbmax]

Packer Report @PackerReport 20m20 minutes ago
Cobb had good day yesterday. Making progress. Played well first game against Giants. "Would be great to have him to ready."

Packer Report @PackerReport 36m36 minutes ago
"Coldest ever" MM says of practice. "I didn't realize it was that cold."

Michael Cohen @Michael_Cohen13 36m36 minutes ago
McCarthy said yesterday's practice was "the coldest ever, that was the consensus." Didn't realize it was so bad until they got outside.

Packer Report @PackerReport 35m35 minutes ago
Fullback-friendly offense: "Easy to fall in love" with a one-back offense but likes the flexibility of a two-back scheme.

Green Bay Packers @packers 34m34 minutes ago
McCarthy on Julius Peppers being playoff captain again: Shows you the impact he has on our locker room...When he speaks, everybody listens.

Packer Report @PackerReport 33m33 minutes ago
MM on playoff captains; "You put more on their plate." Stakes are higher.

Green Bay Packers @packers 34m34 minutes ago
McCarthy: When we go with the 6 playoff captains, there's more responsibility as far as who speaks to the team & turning things up a notch.

JS Comments @JSComments 9m9 minutes ago
TT picked Rodgers to stick it to Favre and TT ended up getting it right despite himself, or by accident!

Green Bay Packers @packers 12m12 minutes ago
McCarthy: "When Julius Peppers speaks, everybody listens."

"DATE A MODEL"

[Pugger]

Packers have no defense. Packers lose by 10 or worse

The Gmen have no offense so we should outscore NJ anyway.

[Pugger]

I hate to say it but I agree with you, sharpcheddar. I think the Giants' secondary will blanket the Packers' receivers, and we'll all be wondering why the hell they can't get open while Rodgers dances around forever and ends up sacked. On offense, the Giants will run the ball and run the ball and control the clock, and the Packer defense will be unable to stop it.

JJP isn't playing so perhaps they won't sack Rodgers like you suggest. The Gmen aren't all that hot at running the ball and Eli is inconsistent as hell.

[pbmax]

I think the condition of the secondary is forcing MM's hand a bit. He's in a 2011 headspace where he needs to play defense with offense.

It takes a lot to shake MM's faith in his team. How many coaches would have ridden out Mason Crosby's shit streak? I think this is the source of MM's end-of-game routine. When your prevent defense contains the entirety of your duct-taped secondary, even MM has to have his reservations about relying on them to close a game.

He always goes into the game thinking his guys will deliver. You have to be that Vikings defense with the Williams Wall or the NE Patriots to make him plan differently.

Seriously, I even like most of his faults.

[hoosier]

Is anyone else thinking to themselves that they kindof like the Packers better with Geronimo in place of Cobb and the amoeba in place of Randall/Rollins?

[pbmax]

Is anyone else thinking to themselves that they kindof like the Packers better with Geronimo in place of Cobb and the amoeba in place of Randall/Rollins?

I like the amoeba and 2 deep safeties if there is no pass rush. Bleed slowly.