A Few Random Observations

[mraynrand]

I like the fact that it appears we will have an effective run game.

It's twice as good though, that its being done without that god forsaken U-71 package.

I hope you're kidding. This formation led to the best rushing attack in Packer history, and protected Favre with his broken thumb. The Packers were in rough shape at the bye in 2003, and the creation of this formation propelled them into the playoffs. Sure, teams started figuring it out in 2004, but at least give credit for something that was hugely successful for almost an entire season.

[Scott Campbell]

I like the fact that it appears we will have an effective run game.

It's twice as good though, that its being done without that god forsaken U-71 package.

I hope you're kidding. This formation led to the best rushing attack in Packer history, and protected Favre with his broken thumb. The Packers were in rough shape at the bye in 2003, and the creation of this formation propelled them into the playoffs. Sure, teams started figuring it out in 2004, but at least give credit for something that was hugely successful for almost an entire season.

I'll give them credit for innovating with U-71. Too bad it took them 2 years to adjust once other teams figured it out.

[Zool]

Re: A Few Random Observations

could you explain how the Packers playcalling was unpredictable

This week, and the last, he's put together a few drives with really good mix of run and pass, causing the defense to guess, and guess wrong a lot of the time (like the drive that sealed it last week, and the third and fourth scoring drives this week (if I recall correctly)). I assume that's what we mean when we call his playcalling unpredictable.

McCarthy at least seems to have a better intuition about how to "mix it up" than Sherman did, though this might be an illusion at this point.

It's not an illusion Lurk. Believe what you see. It's only going to get better as the team continues to be able to pose a serious running threat.

Agreed. I could pretty much call the play and direction of the play from Sherman's offensive set before the snap. If I can do it, you know people in the NFL can do it and a whole lot faster. I was trying yesterday. I remember a second and 2 in the 2nd quarter that I said "pass" out loud before the snap. Was a 3 wide, 1 TE, 1 back set. I believe Ahman was offset even. Looked like one of their max protect pass plays with Bubba and Ahman blocking. Turned out to be a 5 yard run. Thats just the first example that came to mind.

Barnett played by far the best game I have seen him play. If he can come anywhere near that for the rest of the year, I will have to stop talking shit about him. Hawk played average/poor yesterday. Looked lost on a few zone plays. Played the run OK. Disappointing after last weeks play, but I guess he's still a rook.

[Guiness]

I like the fact that it appears we will have an effective run game.

It's twice as good though, that its being done without that god forsaken U-71 package.

I hope you're kidding. This formation led to the best rushing attack in Packer history, and protected Favre with his broken thumb. The Packers were in rough shape at the bye in 2003, and the creation of this formation propelled them into the playoffs. Sure, teams started figuring it out in 2004, but at least give credit for something that was hugely successful for almost an entire season.

I'll give them credit for innovating with U-71. Too bad it took them 2 years to adjust once other teams figured it out.

Both quite right. The U-71 was a solid, and produced. I know most around here seem to detest it, but the end of its usefulness, and Ahman's slump coincided. I'm not convinced of which was the cause, and which was the effect.

Whichever was the reason (ineffective with lower quality backs, or opposition seeing it coming) it took them a bloody long time to abandon it.

[Guiness]

Re: A Few Random Observations

could you explain how the Packers playcalling was unpredictable

This week, and the last, he's put together a few drives with really good mix of run and pass, causing the defense to guess, and guess wrong a lot of the time (like the drive that sealed it last week, and the third and fourth scoring drives this week (if I recall correctly)). I assume that's what we mean when we call his playcalling unpredictable.

McCarthy at least seems to have a better intuition about how to "mix it up" than Sherman did, though this might be an illusion at this point.

I don't know how much credit I'd give McCarthy for that. My 5 year old has a better idea of how to mix it up than Sherman, and he'll tell you the same banana, banana, orange! knock knock joke 5 times in a row!

I don't know that we've seen half time adjustments yet. Certainly wouldn't brag about what happened at the half in the Philly game

[vince]

Re: A Few Random Observations

I don't know that we've seen half time adjustments yet. Certainly wouldn't brag about what happened at the half in the Philly game

Ahmad Carroll happened in the Philly game. Thankfully, he won't happen again.

[swede]

Another excellent post by the Shadow, and I agree with most of it.

#8 is particularly good:

8. Barnett had a great game, but the silly antics should go.

Every time Barnett makes a play, he follows it up with his inane jackassery. Maybe he thinks everyone sees a Samurai, but to me he looks like one of those gymnasts who is dancing around waving a big ribbon.

When Barnett does that I always think of a cook at George Webbs smacking a cockroach with his spatula.

He must not have friends. A friend would say, "Dude you're tearin' it up an' aything but the Samurai thing ain't doin' it for nobody."

[swede]

As far as play-calling goes, in the first half I liked the tendency to throw on first downs. Because the execution was good, this gave the team a lot of 2nd and shorts. I commented on it a number of times. Good execution is probably more important than play-calling anyway.

I'm getting a little more used to watching the o line run the ZBS. Those cutback lanes can be huge on some plays! The running back is suddenly at the next level with a head of steam. It made Ahman look young again, and it made Maurency look like as big a steal as Ahman was back in the day.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Love Barnett's antics... most of the time... in the right situation. This team has needed a little fire on the defensive side of the ball.

[Partial]

Love Barnett's antics... most of the time... in the right situation. This team has needed a little fire on the defensive side of the ball.

Then he should throw a fist in the air, not be a dancing samurai.

[KYPack]

Perhaps Roethlisburger should have sat out this week....

You got that right.

Since the cycle wreck, Roethlisburger has had his appendix taken out and sustained a concussion.

Start Batch next week and give this kid a blow. Those concussions can end his run early. The Burgh is going nowhere, give Roethlisburger a rest.

[Badgepack]

Getting the young players the feel of winning is important, especially at home.

Favre having fun and playing in control is important.

A running game within a true West Coast offense helps alot also.

Even with all of this years injuries, things are looking so much better than last year.

[The Shadow]

The team is clearly on the right road , and we have to credit the oft-maligned Ted Thompson for making the correct, often tough, decisions.

[VegasPackFan]

In regards to the U71 pkg, OK, I agree that at the time it was first implemented, it was highly effective. It certainly made our offense very powerful at that time.

But that formation became a joke therafter. They stubbornly stuck with it after every darn team we played proved that they knew EXACTLY what to do with it. I grew to dread the very site of the formation.

So with that, I give it an overall score of ZERO. It didnt get us to the Super Bowl, it didnt get us into an NFC Chamionship game, and it was used for far too long.

[Joemailman]

I thought Gilbert Brown digging the grave was pretty cool. Maybe Barnett should try that.