Post game chat with Cleft Crusty (Bears)

[Cleft Crusty]

Hi Folks,

Well the Packers finally met up with a better team and lost their first game. Ask Crusty all about it, in my post-game chat. If you're too sore to ask questions, just read my new book "24 most memorable Packer collapses at Lambeau" available on Amazon - just in time. Remember, I wrote 'Bloodbaths in a Mudbath', the history of the Bears Packer rivalry. And although I claim not to be a fan of any team (I'm totally objective), there were many more Bears pics in my book and as a kid I loved the Bears. But I'm objective. Fire away.

[b bulldog]

Do you think Collins will ever have the smarts to go with his athleticism?

[Cleft Crusty]

Do you think Collins will ever have the smarts to go with his athleticism?

He had a Wunderlich score of 14 - that's a little above room temperature. But you need to have more savvy than book learning at safety. Poppinga gave Clark a free release on the play in question, so it wasn't just Collins stinkin' it up.

[b bulldog]

Agree but CVollins is on the bad end of these plays way to often

[BallHawk]

Cleft, what team do you think won tonight?

The more talented team

OR

The team that executed better

Or do you think both?

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft, what team do you think won tonight?

The more talented team

OR

The team that executed better

Or do you think both?

The better team won. Forcing two fumbles and getting a tough pick showed why the Bears Defense is considered elite even when missing starters. They played well enough to win in a must win game. Bears are the better team. Period.

[Cleft Crusty]

Agree but CVollins is on the bad end of these plays way to often

Like the tipped pass for an interception? Collins isn't a threat to make anyone forget LeRoy Butler, but it's laughable if anyone wants to focus on Collins as the reason for this loss.

[BallHawk]

Cleft, elite defenses don't give up 34 points to the Lions.

[Cleft Crusty]

Cleft, elite defenses don't give up 34 points to the Lions.

They didn't. Perhaps you didn't watch the game or read the accounts, but some NFL observers did and they saw a Lions return for a TD and an onside kick for a TD. The defense wasn't on the field for those plays.

[b bulldog]

he isn't the reason but part of the whole problem. He misses too many tackles and usually drops many pics. Tonight was a first, he actually make a decent play. He is a bust and his play demonstrates this.

[OS PA]

Is the play calling in the second half excusable? As far as I know, if something isn't broken, don't fix it.

[Cleft Crusty]

he isn't the reason but part of the whole problem. He misses too many tackles and usually drops many pics. Tonight was a first, he actually make a decent play. He is a bust and his play demonstrates this.

Busts usually don't start in the NFL after three seasons. The Packers have plenty of options at safety and Collins is the best. Not much of a game changer and not a pro bowler, but not a bust. Joey Thomas and Joey Jamison are busts. Try to separate your emotions from your evaluations and you may find a more satisfying answer. The Packers got beat by a better team with an elite playmaking defense and a better coach.

[Cleft Crusty]

Is the play calling in the second half excusable? As far as I know, if something isn't broken, don't fix it.

Several Packers suffered injuries and Favre threw a pick right to Urlacher. McCarthy apparently chose that time to pull in the reins on Favre. Often on these boards and in my e-mails sent to the JS, I see all kinds of fans wanting Favre to be 'held accountable' for his mistakes. The only two ways to do that are to 1) bench a QB, or 2) change the playcalling so he can't kill you with terrible decisions. It appears McCarthy was responding to Favre's bad judgment and the injuries in going 'conservative' in the second half.

[woodbuck27]

Is the play calling in the second half excusable? As far as I know, if something isn't broken, don't fix it.

That was an obvious error that stole our momentum.

Favre was on fire. The receiving Corps. were in great sync.

Why hose him (them) down in such a criticle game. . .

MM is a young coach and goes to shool two weeks in a row.

He is mighty sharp on the red flag calls though. At least his spoters are.

[The Leaper]

What is the poorer strategy from GB tonight?

Chili-dip kickoffs to the 35 yard line, where you may as well just kick the ball out of bounds and eliminate the chances of a return entirely.

OR

Allowing refs into the stadium to do your game without subjecting them to a simple first grade math test first to determine if they can count anything other than the Benjamins Lovie floated their way before the game?