Gut Reactions: 2013 Week 13

Aaron's gut reactions from the Packers' loss to the Detroit Lions.

  • Today was embarrassing for pretty much everyone involved with the Green Bay Packers, but Mike McCarthy especially should feel ashamed for how his team performed today.
  • The defense forced two turnovers early and the Packers got zero points out of them. If Morgan Burnett hadn't picked up the fumble and run it in, I feel positive the Packers' offense would only have gotten 3.
  • Sam Shields gave Calvin Johnson tons of space, and that led to the completions on the slants, but he was asked to cover the best wide receiver in football without help way more than he should have been and I thought he acquitted himself well. Hell of an interception in the endzone.
  • Even when Aaron Rodgers comes back, I have trouble seeing this team win another game.
  • Marshall Newhouse should walk back to Green Bay.
  • McCarthy was his usual stubborn self when it came to his play-calling. It was as if he was in an alternate universe.
  • It doesn't even matter when Rodgers comes back. This defense is not stopping anyone of consequence.
  • To that end, it's not like Rodgers can run block or pass protect.
  • Matt Flynn locked in on Nelson way, way too much early on. Later on it didn't matter because it was a jailbreak on every pass play.
  • McCarthy called two screens on the first drive, which was more than he'd called in the last three games combined. Then promptly didn't call another one while it mattered.
  • The Atlanta Falcons are bad. The Packers are almost as bad. Rodgers plays? Doesn't play? Who cares. Going to be the Battle of the Invalids.
  • Let me make one thing  clear. Yes, I'm depressed. I'm upset. This Packers team sucks...right now. There is still a very, very, very, very, very small chance this team gets Rodgers back, finds a way to move the ball, put points on the board and extend this sudden fountain of turnovers for the next month leading to a string of four victories, all while the Lions lose twice to teams they'll be favored over. Yep, there's a chance.
  • Realistically? Time to get ready for the draft.

 

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Comments (196)

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luke's picture

November 28, 2013 at 02:53 pm

Will the draft even help this mess?

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:45 pm

I am not sure it will. We need upgrades at cornerback, safety, linebacker, offensive line, defensive line….I mean there are a lot of holes to fill. You cannot fill them all through the draft and get them to make an immediate impact. I think it's time to look at going after a free agent or two. Not asking TT to break the bank or overreach or anything like that but let's look at who would be worth some money and bring them on board. At this point we need some serious help and we need it to start day 1 next season or we'll be right back to where we are right now.

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Mark in the montain's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:28 pm

There is no bank if we resign Shields, and he is our best corner.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:22 pm

we should be ok at corner when we get hayward back next season. we'll have shields, tramon, and hayward. the o-line should be ok too. we'll have a healthy bulaga and tretter and sherrod will (hopefully) finally have a full offseason to get ready. barclay will be a backup tackle.

we DEFINITELY need an upgrade at safety. in fact, i could see ted drafting 2 safeties this time around. i can also see ted picking up another d-lineman or 2 since pickett and raji are probably gone. we also need an upgrade at tight end. our tight ends are all mediocre at best. i wouldn't be surprised if ted picks up a backup qb in one of the later rounds. i think tolzein is going to be good but he just needs an offseason and some more experience.

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Cow42's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:23 pm

Hard to tell what we have at TE... these joke QB's that have been trotting out onto the field can't look past read #1 or 2.

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Mark in the montain's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:44 pm

we will aiso have need at tight end.

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Nick Perry's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:30 pm

This is Ted T drafting at work. Jezzzzz how much more do people have to see? This is a crappy team with great QB. A few games back they showed a stat that 50 of the 53 players have never played for another team. This is totally on TT and the team he's assembled.

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Ruppert's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:03 pm

Great point. I will disagree slightly, though. This is actually a crappy defense with a great QB. I'll give the offense a pass without Cobb, Bulaga, Finley and a still-hobbling Jones. Although you can certainly blame Thompson for drafting guys that get hurt if you're so inclined.

But this defense is definitely all Thompson's. And man, was it pathetic today. It was just as bad last week, only Stafford and CJ are just this much better than Ponder and...well...whoever Minnesota's WRs are.

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Al Katraz's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:35 pm

IMHO it will take three very GOOD drafts, not 5,6,7 round developmental projects and undrafteds. The team will also need free agent help. The Lions top player, a free agent. The Bears best defensement, a free agent. The Vikes, three draft picks last year in the frist round and two of them made the pro bowl, this year three, count em three top first round picks, one a defensive back picked our pocket last week.
Where was Datone, Perry, Lacy, Franklin today? They are supposed to by the draft picks they were, bolster the running game and the pass defense. I fn missed something today, last week, the week before.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:00 pm

perry created an INT today, franklin is on IR and lacy can't be expected to run anywhere when the lions are stacking the box and our banged up o-line (with lang at center and newhouse at right guard) can't open any running lanes

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packsmack25's picture

November 28, 2013 at 02:54 pm

You're completely stupid if you don't realize how Rodgers being in there makes the defense better as well. Less short fields, less time out there, less pressure on the opposing offense in the way of chasing points. But right, they don't win another game, sure.

That said, with a zero percent margin for error and a lot of help needed, the chances are slim and none of this team making the playoffs, so it honestly would be in their best interest to tank.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:12 pm

i agree. shut rodgers down for the rest of the season and let tolzien get as many reps as possible. he will be a decent backup but he needs experience. i would also let guys like perry, matthews, jolly and neal sit and get 100% healthy. it's obvious that losing rodgers just took the wind out of this teams' sails. let's just play out the rest of the season and we should have a fairly high draft pick for a change

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PackerAaron's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:45 pm

"You’re completely stupid if you don’t realize how Rodgers being in there makes the defense better as well"

I do realize it. I just think it will make little to no difference. Happy to be proven wrong. We'll see.

Oh, and thanks for calling me "completely stupid" for having an opinion.

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packsmack25's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:08 pm

Sorry. Emotional gut reaction. My bad Aaron.

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Mark in the montain's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:32 pm

Aaron not stupid!

Aaron smart.

Mikie inept.

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FootballGods's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:40 pm

But seriously. Our run D is not going to be that bad when the opposing team is playing from behind.... Right? FML.

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Al Katraz's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:37 pm

Bull Shit. He would have been sent to the hospital today. Lucky he didn't play. I meant with him in there does the O line block better? Do the running backs open holes up to run through?
I saw our receivers covered like butter today.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:10 pm

With Rodgers in the game? You damn right the OL blocks better! You damn right the RB has more and bigger holes to run thru! And you damn right the recievers are more open!

Rodgers makes EVERY player on the team better and not just on Offense! If you've been paying attention the last month you would know exactly what an Elite Franchise QB does for an organization and team!

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:47 pm

rodgers also makes the coaches better!

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:57 pm

That's why I said organization!

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JJB's picture

November 28, 2013 at 02:54 pm

This is all TT fault. He runs the team and the backup QB has been a fucking joke for years. So this is 110% all this fucking fault. He keeps Jennings, Newhouse, and Brad Jones on the team and they couldn't make it in the CFL

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Gary's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:03 pm

It's funny how all anyone says when Rodgers is healthy is that our season would be over if he missed an extended period due to injury. Then when that happens, everyone magically expects us to keep winning. With that said, however, I do at least expect them to be competetive and that haven't been. I believe that falls mostly on McCarthy and his staff.

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Nick Perry's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:37 pm

Thank you. I couldn't have said it better. 50 of the 53 players have never played anywhere other than GB which means this is totally TT draft work on the field. People can blame Capers, and he does suck. They can blame MM play calling, which does suck. The real problem is the drafts from 2010 through 2012 were horrible except for a player here or there like Cobb or Hayward. TT treats FA like the plague and for some reason thinks UDFA are just as good. Yes you get lucky from time to time like Shields. But for every Shields there's a MD Jennings. The fact Newhouse is still on this team tells you the coaches and GM have butt inserted in rear. See ya during the draft. Note to medical staff.... STAY AWAY FROM RODGERS. LET HIM HEAL AND COME BACK NEXT YEAR, WE DONT NEED YOU SCREWING HIM UP WORSE.

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Al Katraz's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:40 pm

Your being way to kind. Neal is slow as molasis, Hawk has reverted to overuning the play and looking like an idiot, Mathews is being manhandled by one offensive linemen and Perry makes his one play of the game then disappears. Yes this is Teds fault for playing cheap ball. Get used to it. I think you have not seen the worst yet.
Even the analyst were commenting, "noboby but nobody these days gives up almost 400 yards in the first half. Its unheard of".

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Adam's picture

November 29, 2013 at 07:21 am

You do realize the team has a top five paid offense and defensive player right. What would you rather have the Pack in cap hell cause they overpaid a bunch aged players

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 02:57 pm

Shut it down. What was on the field today was a God damn travesty and a fucking embarrassment to us all. Shut it down, get decent draft position for once , get healthy in the offseason, refocus and come back ready to look like the God damn GREEN BAY PACKERS in 2014.

I'm not one to call for coaches heads, but Dom's time has run it's course. His players obviously don't respect him enough to play to their potential for him.. time for a new, younger face to lead the D.

Happy FUCKING thanksgiving.

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Tarynfor12's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:07 pm

" His players obviously don’t respect him enough to play to their potential for him.."
This is their potential and its all we're going to see from many of them.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:11 pm

Bullshit. They packed it in.

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Tarynfor12's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:15 pm

If the players packed it in,that's worst then the low level of potential.That makes them quitters and thus the losers.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:19 pm

No argument here.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:39 pm

Its totally obvious this team lost its leader and the rest of the team its rudder when Rodgers went down. I commented a couple weeks ago that losing Rodgers affected the D also.

That said, Capers has to go. I just don't understand how he could continue to play 2 DL all fucking game when it was obvious they couldn't stop the run that way. Even when Det was trying run the game out he only had 2 DL in the game. He needed to get another DL on the field and count on them to stop the run and Matthews and Perry to bring the pass rush.

Another thing I mentioned a couple weeks ago was Capers being situationally predictable.

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VApackerfan's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:05 pm

Stroh, couldn't agree more. I think the game has surpassed capers. Very predictable. We need a new aggressive edge to this defense, and that's not gonna happen under capers. All those creative pass rush designs everyone talked about when capers came in 5 years ago, are non existent now. I think packer fans are upset, b/c without Rodgers, we were hoping for the def to step up and lead this team. That, mixed with a hopeful offense, we could have potentially hit 2-2 without Rodgers. However, our defense has failed miserably. Time for change!

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greenbaysavant's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:59 pm

Couldn't put it much more succinctly, Fitz.

I thought I was watching the Jaguars today. They shit their pants on national tv.

I don't understand how they could be so ineffectual against the lions in every facet of the game. There are only a few new wrinkles to their offense (Reggie Bush).

It is Capers time to go. The scheme sucks. No one is where they're supposed to be. It's been a continual downward trend.I don't understand how the tackling could be so bad.

I'm pulling for 10th overall pick, don't see how they could draft any higher.

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jeremy's picture

November 28, 2013 at 02:58 pm

The one good thing is that there is now zero case to be made against the major changes that need to take place. MM either needs to be a head coach or an OC, and the defensive coaching staff needs a significant overhaul.

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jeremy's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:00 pm

I'll add offensive line coaching to the list as well.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:48 pm

No problem w/ the OL coaching. Lets remember we have 2 1st rd picks on the OL that are out for the year and we lost the starting Center. The one problem I had w/ the OL was how the hell they ever thought Newhouse should play OG. That just boggled my mind. Newhouse is not a physical OL and asking him to play OG was dumb especially since I doubt Newhouse has practiced OG all year.

Bahktiari was atrocious today and Barclay wasn't much better. But that's the hand we are dealt due to the injuries. Backups are backups for a reason and the more they play, the more they get exposed!

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Charlie Kelly's picture

November 28, 2013 at 02:59 pm

I'm not saying McCarthy needs to go, but his play calling sure as hell does.

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:09 pm

I think he does need to go but probably won't. I think the past month has shown that Rodgers masks McCarthy's inadequacies as a coach. But I think Thompson is also partially responsible. I mean who keeps Newhouse around? Who allows Jennings and House to be the back end of your defense? Who keeps Hawk and Jones as your starting inside linebackers? Who allows your franchise QB to get knocked around year after year and fails to do anything about it? His draft and develop only works if you draft players worth a football. And you can't rely on hitting right on all draft picks all the time. There comes a time when a free agent or two needs to be signed and yet we almost never do and this is our result. A sub .500 team because we're vulnerable in way too many areas. We also need to look at our scouts. Who are these guys that predicted players like Newhouse, House, Jennings, Burnett would be starting NFL caliber players? Who said Hawk was a top 10 pick? Let's evaluate their ability to evaluate.

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Wisconsinexile's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:50 pm

You forget that Thompson didn't plan for Bulaga to go down, or Tretter, or Sherrod. Give him some credit. Or EDS today. I think the loss of Philbin hurt, and TT needs to tell his charge that he needs to find a play-calling OC and a new DC by mini-camp, or he'll find a new coach. TT seems to avoid conflict, so I know that won't likely happen. There's enough talent here. The coaches aren't getting it done. And in McCarthy world, accountability means saying "we'll do better."

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Barutan Seijin's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:05 pm

Sorry not buying that one. Someone's going to get hurt. That's a given. You will need competent backups. The Packers do not have them. (And on D, the starters aren't even that good.)

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:02 pm

Newhouse is fine as a backup OT. The fact he's had to play so much as a starter just illustrates that fact. Backups are backups for a reason and the more they play the more they get exposed. Newhouse Bahktiari and Barclay are all backups at best being pressed into starting roles by injuries. Playing Newhouse at OG was just idiotic. He has no business playing OG and he should never have been put in that position.

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Geo's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:21 pm

He has no business playing at all!

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Marlow's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:21 pm

Excellent point about the scouting.

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chris k's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:00 pm

Classic Nagler over reaction immediately after the game. Meanwhile, you'll rip commentors later on in the week who act the same...
You have trouble seeing this team win anothet once Aaron comes back?! You're a mess dude, respectively...

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PackerAaron's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:32 pm

Hence the title Gut Reactions. I have long admitted my initial reactions are emotional. Then I calm down and look at it calmly during the week. It's the whole point of the post. I have no problem with people being emotional on Sundays. When it's Wednesday and you're still spouting emotional nonsense, that's when I take issue.

As for this team going forward, can they win a game or two? Sure, they could win them all. Do I expect them to? Nope.

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Pack Morris's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:15 pm

Aaron, this column is probably my favorite read after a game. I greatly admire the concept - it's very, uh, gutsy. And you're far more reasonable than I am post-game! Thanks for the therapy. Write on, man.

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Mark in the montain's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:03 pm

Ahmen brother!

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:01 pm

This team, next year... Healthy, with Lacy and no 8-9 man boxes... Is going to be heard from. In a big way.

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VApackerfan's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:57 pm

Key word "healthy ". Injuries will happen and it's always going to shake up your roster. I've learned a long time ago that you can't judge next years team on what the roster could be.

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Mark in the montain's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:06 pm

Off season yoga program. Breath deep and stretch.

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UP-Packer's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:03 pm

Get ready. GB has 15 free agents come January. 2014 may not be the season for any rejuvenation. --- 2015 may be more realistic.

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Gary's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:05 pm

After what we've seen since AR got injured does anyone really think any of these free agents matter? They're all expendable as far as I'm concerned. They don't even matter.

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I bleed Green More's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:43 pm

Who made that big of an impact today, maybe Shields would be a loss. The others maybe not so much, heck today was so bad was anyone even out there.

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Fred's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:53 pm

I made a joke to a friend wondering if the Clintonville Truckers had kidnapped the Packers and were playing in the green and gold today. Then I felt bad for insulting the Clintonville Truckers. Jeez that was a bad performance.

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QOTSA1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:06 pm

I would say Dietrich-Smith would be a big loss. He is a decent center, and you saw today what it was like not having him in the game.

Another big complaint I have about the way this team is put together is that there is no true back up center. I know you can't have a back up at every offensive line position, but you should not have to shuffle 3 spots if one guy goes down.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:50 pm

i think they were counting on having tretter as the backup center but he went down in OTA's

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:59 pm

"GB has 15 free agents come January"

And we will be better off if most of them aren't back.

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JJB's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:03 pm

Also someone tell Sitton to shut the fuck up

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:14 pm

this is the least our our problems. this blowout was going to happen regardless of this incident

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:04 pm

Why are opposing WR continually wide open on quick slants against our DB's and LB's, yet our WR's run the same route and are instantly smoked by a defender?

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Mel's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:09 pm

Because Capers tells them to give them 8yd cushings...

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Tarynfor12's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:12 pm

We fax our plays to them from the sideline.

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ay hombre's picture

November 29, 2013 at 05:31 am

Yes! Thank you.

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Red Dub's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:08 pm

Rodgers' absence has exposed McCarthy as a fraud of a coach.If wasn't for a fluke of a playoff run in 2010 he would be deservedly getting fired after this.

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Fred's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:59 pm

McCarthy has built his offense around A player who has abilities no other player has. He'd be stupid if he didn't. I see ZERO problem with this. My problem with McCarthy is his complete lack of imagination or ability to adjust without Rodgers in the lineup. In other words, rather than give Flynn the best chance to succeed, he tried to run the offense as though Rodgers were still his QB, and his response when that failed was to go more aggressive. Really? That makes sense if Rodgers on the field, but not Flynn. Why not try to get the ball out of Flynn's hands quicler and are "great" recievers make plays? Why not try more screen and draws to keep that pass rush honest? That's my problem with McCarthy.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:15 pm

I have no problem building his offense around one player either. It damn well should be when you have Rodgers at QB. But that's the offense they have and have practiced for months on end. Now take that one player out and its crazy to think you can just reinvent the offense in the matter of a few weeks. He's tried to count on Lacy a lot more, but when the D stacks 8 or 9 in the box you can't run. The problem is expecting any other player, especially a backup to be able to run that offense in nearly the same manner. Or expecting the offense to reinvent itself in a matter of a couple weeks.

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TLO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:57 pm

Fred you nailed it man, what is wrong with rolling the pocket and short quick passes. With three and out constantly when can the D rest. MM has no clue of ball control.

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Fred's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:00 pm

Exactly. Who says reinvent? McCarthy's version of the WCO certainly has slant passes & screens & draws in it. Those plays are definitely in his play book. They're in pretty much everyone's play book. But how many run/pass options did we see today? How many three-step drops or rollouts did we see today? We saw two screen right away & one went for 20. Whatever McCarthy was thinking today was beyond me. But I admit I don't know much.

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KennyPayne's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:09 pm

Well MM decreed the Defensive scheme and staff to be sound earlier in the week and the Wisconsin press has been telling us for years that TT is the best talent evaluator in the business so I'm befuddled.

The D was down only 1 player today so I guess we have sufficient talent and a great coaching staff and the D's poor play must all be attributable to ARod being hurt.

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Nerd's Phone's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:09 pm

When they do this and Aaron bails them out, everyone says it's ok because they won. This is why it's not.

Just sayin.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:17 pm

I hate football

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:17 pm

Alarm were going off 3rd and 4th game of the season but no one was listning cause we were winning,now we peeled off that layer of protection and its pitful.Really last week was worse getting beat by 2-8 team at home

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Ho Le Fuk's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:21 pm

Pooch - The Vikes are actually one team way better than their record suggest and they have a lot of young talent looking for a QB to lead them. The Packers, they are what their record says they are.

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:28 pm

Last week we run no huddle offense and make a comeback,this week no sign of no huddle offense WHY???????????? No rollout by QB whole game WHY???????????

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Morgan Mundane's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:49 pm

The why is the reason Seattle, Oakland and the Bills all dumped him in the past year. A drop back passer he ain't.

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RunAndHyde's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:28 pm

What a joke of a fuckin game. I would like to say that 53 made a play....again. We just suck at everything else that matters. Here's to a good draft pick next year....cheers.

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:36 pm

Total yards Lions 561 Packers 126...r u fucking kidding me,thaats a bad high school game

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:37 pm

This team is an embarrassment. With or without Rodgers this team is bad. Rodgers helps to mask a lot of the problems, but even he would have a problem with the 2 seconds before the pocket collapses. And we know he can't pass rush or cover so….. Basically I think this is a failure on multiple levels starting at the top. Many of these players are not worth a bag of footballs. How they are still around I have no clue. How does Thompson ignore the o-line year after year? I mean at some point he has to realize his most important player needs to stand upright or the result is 0-4-1 and counting. And let's not get started on what is probably the worst linebacking group in the NFL and the "oh God he just threw it. Hold your breath and pray" defensive backs. Building through the draft is great and what they should spend most of their time, money and effort on. Except when you have 15 problem areas that need an immediate upgrade. Can't draft that many Ted. Signing a free agent or two won't kill you. Then moving on down, McCarthy just aint cutting it. I think Rodgers makes him look adequate, but honest to goodness his abilities to lead this team have been called into serious question. His team is falling apart at the seams and actually regressing week to week and he has not a clue how to right the ship. Capers and Clements cannot coach these guys or at least cannot find the strengths of their players and scheme to them. And this team has given up. They look gutted, tired, and beaten. You can't finger point to one problem because as soon as you find one problem another 10 spring up that look worse. The whole place is on fire. Trying to put it out with a cup of water aint gonna cut it. I hope there are some massive shake ups to this team in 2014 because this is about as bad as it ought to be in Green Bay.

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Nerd's Phone's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:37 pm

Ted spent two first round picks on the Oline, in addition to Lang and Sitton, who are pro bowl level.

That's the opposite of ignoring.

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:40 pm

Thompson has focused heavily on defense the last two years. Funny how his draft picks are working in this scheme.

But anyway. Back to linemen. Let's look at the last 5 drafts for just o-linemen.

2013-He picks up two O-linemen in the 4th round: Bakhtiari and Tretter.

2012 he picks one up in the 7th: Datko

2011 he picks up Sherrod in the 1st and Schlauderaff in the 5th.

2010 he picks up Bulaga in the 1st and Newhouse in the 5th

2009 he picks up Lang in the 1st and Meredith in the 4th.

So in the last 5 drafts he has picked up 9 linemen. How many of those guys are adequate o-linemen who contribute to the Green Bay Packers? Two. Lang and Bakhtiari (and he's a rookie who plays like one despite showing some flashes). Bulaga could be on that list but he's been injured the better part of the last two seasons. Not TT's fault per say but again this goes back to his inability to put forth any kind of plan to fix this problem.

To me he's ignored this issue because it's still an issue. He has no ability to evaluate o-linemen and after Rodgers was sacked 50+ times in a single season he should have realized this was a serious need and gone out and did something about it. He hasn't.

The last two drafts he hasn't picked up anyone earlier than the 4th round despite their franchise sitting on his backside? Last year he was sacked 10 times in two games and was on his back 8 times in one game.

How TT doesn't get on the phone to figure out how to fix this is why I say he is ignoring it. Because drafting two guys in the 4th round and keeping Newhouse is about as proactive as rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and expecting a different outcome.

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QOTSA1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:16 pm

Bill Johnson always says on Green and Gold Today, that Ted Thompson wouldn't know an offensive lineman if he was pancake blocked by one, and I would have to agree.

His strategy seems to be just pick 2 every draft, 17 in 9 drafts, and hope they work out.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:50 pm

Who the fuck is Bill Johnson and what team does he scout for?

Bulaga was a gift where we got him. He was expected to go in the 10-12 range and we got him at 23. After we got him the next OT was Roger Saffold at the top of the 2nd. 3 other OT went in the top 11 picks of his draft and SF at 11 took Anthony Davis when most teams would have taken Bulaga. SF already had a Bulaga-type at LT in Staley and wanted more of a power Run blocker at RT not a pass blocker.

In the '11 draft Smith went 9 to Dallas, Solder went 17 to NE. They've been good to very good, but we had NO chance at either. After that Costanzo at 22 has been ok nothing to write home about. He's been healthy and started, that the best you can say about him. Carpenter went 25 to seattle and he was a complete BUST at OT and is now the BACKUP OG. Carimi went 29 to Chi and he too was a complete BUST and isn't even on Chicago's roster anymore. Sherrod was/is considered to be the best pass blocker among the guys outside of Smith and Solder.

We'll know next year if Sherrod is going to be good or not, but he has all the measurables to be a good pass blocking LT.

Put Bulaga and Sherrod in at OT and the Packers OL is probably a strength, instead of the injury decimated unit it is now.

Bill Johnson should try a different hobby, cuz as a draft scout he doesn't know Dick!

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:10 pm

Bill Johnson is a blowhard that should be publicly beaten on the 50 yd line of Lambeau field for the way he belittles the listeners of his show. I quit listening because the guy is such an uninformed tool. His knowledge of X's and O's leaves much to be desired. He attempts to mask this "fact" with what he thinks are funny, quippy little one liners and personal jabs that he hopes will draw attention away from his ineptitude ... He's not fooling this guy. He's a fraud.

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Ho Le Fuk's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:19 pm

You and I are on the same page that's for sure. You give your franchise 121 mil contract. The year before he almost breaks a record for the most sacks on a QB. Instead of drafting a top O lineman in the first and again in the second round, his pea brain says " I got beluga and Sherrod coming back no problem, lets go defensive line and running back.
No offense to Lacy but there were some very good backs available in the third round, many as good if not better than him.
Datone Jones? Really? Datone Jones and Lacy?

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Barutan Seijin's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:01 pm

The great Beluga was projected at 10 to 12 but fell to 23? Looks like there was a reason for that.

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mike colombo's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:25 pm

gotta believe that with bulaga and sherrod healthy the o-line is light years better. may want to look for a taller wr like the ones that eat us alive on a weekly basis. imagine arod with a tall big target-oh yea we had one in finley-damn.

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larry valdes's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:41 pm

Number one injuries no nfl team will be able to play without rodgers.matthews bulaga cobb finley harris hayward shields perry with these players we could have gone to the playoof but we could have not win because ted still cant see that we needed a safety mcmillan jennings newhouse they have to go if he can see this after 13 games he too have a problem.

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I bleed Green More's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:50 pm

All the guys you listed have to go, you got that right.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:38 pm

One safety is not the difference between a playoff team and a SB contender! To suggest that is idiotic. We won a SB w/ Charlie Peprah playing one safety. In the grand scheme of things safety is one of the least important positions on a team!

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:06 pm

I disagree that a safety is one of the least important positions. I think they are very important. The Packers got away with Peprah as the safety because we had Collins back there to mask Peprah's below average play. Collins could direct Peprah, sort of give him a pre snap read, Collins was a ball hawk, you could trust Collins to cover, blitz (etc) and he was fast. Collins was a difference maker.

The year we won the Super Bowl we had several play makers on the back end-Shields, Woodson, Williams in addition to Collins. So hiding Peprah or at least putting him in a position to be some what successful was easier.

Now we just don't have anyone on our back end who can make a play. They run into each other, they look lost and confused, they can't tackle, they can't cover, they can't take the ball away. And we're paying the price.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:17 pm

Safety is not that important. It is the least important Defensive position. DL, OLB, ILB and CB are much more valuable. Only one that might be close is the ILB. Which is why unless you find a special talent at those positions teams never use 1st rd picks on them. Sure we had Collins and he was a great find. Most teams looked at Collins as a CB in his draft class. Thompson got him in the 2nd becuz he was a small school terrific athlete. Even he took 3 years to look like he was worth the 2nd rd pick.

Run stuffers, Pass rushers, Cover CB all rate higher than Safety!

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Ruppert's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:14 pm

If safety was the only problem on our defense, you would have a great point. But it ain't.

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:40 pm

Never said safety was our only problem.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:49 pm

The worst part about this is we'll have to listen to that fuckin cow gloat till next year.

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ZeroTolerance's picture

November 28, 2013 at 03:53 pm

The D sucks, the ST sucks, and the O sucks. Rodgers is no Brett Farve - who would never have sat out so long. So Rodgers breaks the bone and is lost for the season - so what - the season IS lost. I'll say it again - Brett Farve would have played. Rodgers - take off the skirt.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:35 pm

you're fucking high!

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ZeroTolerance's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:44 pm

And you are an idiot.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:02 pm

how are you typing when you have brett favre's balls in your face?

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:39 pm

Muscle memory?

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:57 pm

haha!!!! funny fitz!

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Calabasa's picture

November 29, 2013 at 12:14 am

"Brett Farve would have played."

First off learn how to spell if you're going to spout garbage. Who cares what you think about the Wrangler Dangler?

"Lynn Dickey would've played." Equally relevant comment.

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:00 pm

We need to plug a hole or two with a bonafide free agent Iam not talking 5,6 free aents.1or 2 Cant depend on 5th 6th rounders or F.A.to develope.Window of opportunity is closing with our hof qb.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:12 pm

Who the fuck is going to pay for free agents, Einstein? Ever hear of the thing called the salary cap?

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:21 pm

Fuck glad your not our g.m.,guess Packers only team in league cant sigh f.a..Maybe they shouldnt pay out dumb ass contracts to the likes of Morgan Burnett,Brad Jones...

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RunAndHyde's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:24 pm

Brad.....Jones....sucks. Why the f#ck did they pay him this year. He hits about as hard as I would imagine DRC s skinny ass hitting. P.s. get a new chin strap AJ you look like a fool.

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Geo's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:35 pm

Exactly! I would also pull that 8 mil offer to Raji.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:03 pm

Hows that working in Buffalo?

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Morgan Mundane's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:47 pm

Owners with deep pockets have a lot of free agents. They back load the contracts to get the most out of them now and then dump the guys later before the big money kicks in. Ted Thompson refuses to do this so the Packers as a team is, already way behind the eight ball, trying to make 5,6,7 rounders in silk purses versus out nemeis teams getting instant talent: Bush, Peppers, Allen.
We get Richardson, Hayward, Nixon, Burnett, Ross.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:23 pm

Hayward had 8 picks last year and blew out his hamstring. EVERYONE was high on him.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:34 pm

If your ok w/ being 8-8 for the past 20 years go be a cowgirls fan! They have plenty of FA for you to droll over, but it hasn't done them a bit of good for 20 yrs!

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Nerd's Phone's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:27 pm

The defense broke INT drought.

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Bob's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:40 pm

Rodgers chucks the clipboard as the GBP's chuck their season away. This owner is pissed off at the total lack of effort or caring they showed today!

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Ho Le Fuk's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:12 pm

Ya Bob but Rogers said before the game he is having things on his shoulder checked out next week and if HE is not satisfied, he is not coming back just to get hurt again.
I see him sitting at least two more games. If I were him I would try and milk it the rest of the season. The pack were eliminated today from anything post season so whats the hurry, Throw some more clip boards buddy.

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RC Packer Fan's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:50 pm

Rodgers Makes so much of a difference. His ability to change plays at the line and make sure the OL is on the same page, is the biggest difference why the backup QB's haven't had time to throw.

There was a number of plays to today where Flynn had open receivers but didn't get them the ball.

Lets face it. Rodgers is 90% of our team. He changes the offense, defense, special teams, and coaches.

Its a different team when Rodgers is playing. He should be MVP this year just based on what has happened without him. They were 5-2 with him. They are now 0-4-1 without him.
The team is pathetic without him. Might as well shut it down, and get some high draft picks.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:52 pm

Our coaches aren't coaching. Our throwers aren't throwing. Our catchers aren't catching. Our blockers aren't blocking... Other than that... We look good.

If I see AJ's dumbass helmet go flying again, I'm going to be rooting for his head to be in it.

If we pay that fatass Raji anything more than a middle of the road contract to go with his middle of the road play, well... That would be pretty fucking stupid. He can leave if he wants "good player" cash. He just hasn't earned it and at this point he is what he is... J.A.G.

On a positive note, I was just slinging lasers to the kids in the yard... They ran crisp routes and man can I throw!

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Ho Le Fuk's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:09 pm

I see no value what so ever in having three big galoots who most of the time are laying flat on their faces with O linemen on top of them. None of these guys can stand up straight and pass rush. I have not seen Raji do squat. To offer him that kind of money, is totally ridiculous but hey, for us to get a quality pass rushed, Teddy boy knows its going to costs him a hell of lot more than that.

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casual fan's picture

November 29, 2013 at 05:25 am

You forgot tackling!

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Steven's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:56 pm

Well hats off cow. Hoping we sit rodhers and get a high dradt pick. Safety or d line. Anyway just like our deal i will see.yall in the offseason. Eddie lacy is a boss. That is all, se you guys.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:03 pm

Dude, don't go anywhere. That udder having scrote has vowed to leave multiple times... Yet... He keeps coming back to everyone's dismay. He is human herpes.

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Cow42's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:35 pm

I agree with Fitz (not the herpes part)... don't go. Having to watch that game was punishment enough for you.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:22 pm

Sometimes you make it hard to continue to wish ill will towards you. But I've gotta stay strong, stay the course... and hope you wander out into heavy traffic.

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Cow42's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:33 pm

One time I wandered into traffic just outside DePere... Bunch of Packer defensive players drove by in their cars... Surprisingly none of them hit me.

Phew.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:16 pm

God dammit... That's kinda funny.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:28 pm

Fitz... And now we're the butt of the joke cuz we have to put up w/ the Holstein!

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RunAndHyde's picture

November 29, 2013 at 09:29 am

Lmao yes it definitely was kinda funny.

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steven's picture

December 01, 2013 at 04:38 pm

Well thank you cow. Gotta ask whats up with the name?

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some guy's picture

November 28, 2013 at 04:59 pm

if they pay raji more than 5 million (and he's not even worth that) i'll know Ted is a problem.

its all good when you hit a grand slam with 12, but the overall talent of this team is average at best when everyone is healthy - outside the Qb position.

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Barutan Seijin's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:11 pm

I don't think they're even average. A lot of them are just bad. The Lions are beatable & some so-so teams have beaten them. The Packers are below that level.

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Hofschneider's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:05 pm

What I don't get: how comes that this team sucks but we have to pay them when free agency comes? ... Let them go. EDS and Shields, ok. But Raji, Pickett,
Finley. That's at lot of cap space - mabye someone will give us a 6th for Tramon Williams... 8 millions for someone who can't tackle. Yes, last week was better, but come on. Defensively we are so used to mediocre play that we overreact when Hawk or Williams or whoever makes a single play. Oh, and MM isn't a good motivater, a horrible playcaller, a bad ingame-ajuster and all he is "known" for is his QB-school. How us this working? And if TT is such a great scout, why are safetys and linebackers... Ok... Enough!
out

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:00 pm

Playing only 2 DL all game set Raji and Pickett up to fail. Or didn't you notice they used only 2 DL for more than about 90% of the plays?! Hell even when the leo's were in the 4 min offense and trying to just run clock, Capers only had 2 DL on the field. Its impossible for DL to win in that situation!

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Uncle Louie's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:18 pm

Total agree, quit giving out large 2nd contracts to your crappy draft picks, let them go. You'll have money freed up to bring in better players. Shitty players won't count against your salary cap if you quit resigning them. Don't you know how the salary cap works? Lol

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Hofschneider's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:11 pm

And why do we have coaches, that choose MD Jennings over Banjo or... lets say: anybody. Can it be worse. Is (or was it McM?) He tackled is own guy on Johnssons TD. And is a CB that tackles as bad as House does. And who chooses Brad Jones over Lattimore (not today but in general). And who chooses Newhouse over... well Sherrod can't, just can't be that bad. wow... this team is a mess.

And my gut is empty now. I hope.

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PackRat's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:13 pm

It's obvious.

Pad level.

Shows you that AR12 IS the best quarterback in the league...this team is BETTER than the teams of the last two years--but without Rodgers, we are bottom quarter. So while he is worth 20 million, when he's not there everyone suffers.

TT is responsible for Caper's employment over the last several years and our bend but not break defense. Problem is we are completely bending without safeties, no reliable corner opposite Shields and 8 million dollars of Brad Jones/AJ Hawk that are constantly on the wrong side of blockers and get destroyed by them even when in a position to make the play. A three man front means you have blockers on you almost every play--they show up one game a year. Barrington, Lattimore...we have no downhill defensive players. Picket and Jolly are good complements. MAYBE Datone will turn out to be a good player but right now it is as if he is not on the field. Raji? Are you kidding me? The rap on him out of college was that he took plays off--either he's been hurt for two years or just taking the season off.

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Barutan Seijin's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:13 pm

The Good: Reggie Bush, Joique Bell

The Bad: ???

The Ugly: The 2013 Green Bay Packers

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PackRat's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:16 pm

BTW, Flynn's arm had none of the zip it had over the last two weeks. Possibly too many reps for a guy who was predominantly unemployed/a backup for most of the last two seasons?

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Fish crane's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:03 pm

Or possibly because he had a defender wrapped around it

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Morgan Mundane's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:05 pm

He didn't get it sore handing the ball of twice, then passing, twice then passing. How tiring can that be?

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showpan's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:30 pm

Using Rogers as being out for an excuse why this team sucks makes a s much sense as it does to me as it did for the Colts...lol....you can't build a team around one player and there is no "I" in team. That being said, Rogers makes up for MM's sucky play calling because he changes the plays at the line. Our Oline sucks and has for many years and it's why Favre got hit so much, had to rely on pain pills and had so many int's. This game is won in the trenches, not on the back of one awesome QB. TT's inability to spend any money on players that are worth paying showed today. MM's predictable play calling has gotten old. Capers needs to go....along with our trainers who have the worst record in this league for injuries.

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:15 pm

I do have to say if the past 5 weeks don't prove that it's clearly Aaron Rodgers carrying this team and masking McCarthy's failures as a coach I don't know what else could.

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Morgan Mundane's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:44 pm

Another inspiring game plan Mike: two rushes and a pass, two rushes and a pass. They asked Suh after the game and he honestly said, they knew in advance what to expect and were well prepared for it. Two rushes and a pass.

The Lions, screen passes, dink passes, end arounds, passes deep, over the middle, slants. The whole kichen sink. If your season was predicated on today being a win, would two runs and a pass even be in your repitoire?

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Cow42's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:46 pm

The offense would be better w/ Rodgers (obviously).

As for the D...
It's very simple.
This team lacks talent up the middle.

The middle of the defense is horrible... it all starts right there. If your opponent knows that you know that you can't stop them from running between the tackles... well... the entire field opens up.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:44 pm

I think they've tried to build with smaller fast guys, but they can't tackle for shit and get run over. Teams are running the ball again to take advantage of it.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 05:56 pm

up until now i thought that a lot of these problems we are seeing were the players not being talented enough. now, after seeing guys like jeremy ross, breno giacomini, and allen barbre going to other teams and playing pretty well that it's on our coaches. these guys were horrible when they were with the packers and now they are all starting for other teams and are productive. i'm just thinking out loud. what say you?

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:26 pm

Seems legit. Ross just got a little better I guess. Packers had pretty good special teams until the injuries forced them into other positions. They keep plugging holes with less talent.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:32 pm

Ross was horrible for the Packers. Everyone wanted his head on a platter. Also he's one of those late round picks people bitch about or was he an ufa?

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:00 pm

well, originally he was an UFA who was drafted by new england but he never played for them. he was also on the colts' roster during the 2011-2012 season but i think he was a practice squad player.

yeah, he was horrible when he played here but he looked like a world beater today!

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Lennysmalls's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:19 pm

you're analysis of Ross being good now is predicated on him playing against...the Packers ST. let's wait until the end of the season until we anoint mr. Ross, shall we?

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 29, 2013 at 01:20 am

i saw him out there making a bunch of plays on offense too. i'm not saying he's good but you have to admit that the guy played a solid game today

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ScoWes's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:20 pm

Blame mostly sits with Ted Thompson. For a couple years now there has been this "Trust in Ted" Philosophy while the serious needs of this team have been ignored. There have been some good additions (Lacy), but overall the teams glaring needs for a few seasons have been ignored:
1) Safety & DB
2) LBs

TT has done NOTHING to address these needs but hope to find a diamond in the rough with UDFAs...

Ludicrous policy and the Packers have slipped quietly, and not obviously, down the NFC North past the Lions, Bears, and if they ever found a QB, the Vikings.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:31 pm

One thing I gotta say, I heard a lot of comments about Hawk. He did lead the team in tackles. Asking him to cover Bush out of the backfield is a mismatch no line backer can handle. It was a perfect throw over the top to Bush. He was there. The 32 yard pass play on 3rd down that is.

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:34 pm

Ok everyone,HAVING ROGERS BACK IS NOT THE ANSWER,we havent heen competitive in a playoff game since 2010.So get over this when Rogers comes back everything will be fine.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 06:41 pm

The only answer is to suck for a few years and get high draft picks like the teams at the top now. Ok, trade Rodgers now and we'll go on sucking for the next decade. Can't wait till read your posts the next few years.

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Steven's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:08 pm

Well i have to give hats off to cow. Still to pessemistic. But great call on this.... but reading this blog has made me proud. Proud of you guys. Wich each loss we are so proud. But when we lose we are in despair. We all share the same emotional attachment to this te we love. Wether were negatively or postive thinking people. I am proud to call you my packer fan brethern.

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Idiot Fan's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:09 pm

No offense, but you all are almost as depressing as that game was. We've all seen what a difference a single player can make. Earlier this year we played the lions, but that time they were missing their best player and we weren't, and we handled them easily. And this time we were also missing EDS, Cobb, and Finley. I would be happy to see some changes in the off season (newhouse out, capers out, safety in), but this is not a catastrophic rebuild.

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4thand1's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:22 pm

Thank you. No need to dismantle an entire franchise, just a few bad apples.

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:28 pm

"this is not a catastrophic rebuild."

No, not even close. If we get healthy, draft a high end safety to hold Morgan's hand... We will be very tough to deal with.

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Jameson's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:49 pm

We haven't been able to stay healthy the last few years. That's to be expected in the NFL but it should also show us the importance of back ups and making sure we have the best possible 53 man roster.

If we're going to rely solely on the draft we have to find better ways of evaluating talent because we have some below average talent in several key areas-secondary, linebacker, and offensive line.

We have probably the most important position locked down. But we have to surround him with some adequate support.

This includes coaches who have the ability to take players strength and develop schemes that emphasize those strengths.

I'm not sure we've got talented enough players in key positions nor coaches who have the ability to work with what they have. New England has found a way to do it. We need to follow suit.

Now granted we shouldn't engage in some kind of blood bath where everyone that isn't nailed down is fired, but there are some definite BIG needs this team has to address. We can't be passive about this and just chalk this all up to injury and hope we get everyone back. We need to be proactive. Players aren't getting any younger here waiting for the pieces to fall into place.

I think we need to look at free agency and start finding some holes to fill that way as well. We can't keep turning a blind eye to some glaring needs because building only through the draft is what was on the field today.

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:01 pm

Best post all day

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:51 pm

totally agree. once we get healthy at o-line and get some key players back like hayward, cobb, and (obviously) rodgers, we need significant upgrades at safety, d-line, backup qb and tight end and we should be ok.

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Idiot Fan's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:20 pm

The odd thing is that, for the first third of the season or so, the Dline was a real strength. Since then though, they've totally fallen apart. Are the big boys just getting tired or what?

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:05 pm

I think Capers has been playing 2 DL far too often. If you noticed against the lions he played 2 DL what seemed every down. Asking any DL to succeed under those circumstances is impossible. I think he's become over-reliant on the nickel D w/ the 2 DL. IIRC, it seemed most of the time Capers started a series w/ 2 DL Det went no huddle and kept them in that and ran against it.

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Ruppert's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:15 pm

Our team can't stop Jeremy Ross. Jeremy. Fucking. Ross.

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Morgan Mundane's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:03 pm

Yes but he had a purpose today. Winning was important for him today. The game meant something.

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mike colombo's picture

November 28, 2013 at 07:56 pm

ryan, romo, cutler, rothlisberger. theres no way we stop these guys in the next 4 weeks. they'll lite up our secondary like a christmas tree.

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Paul Ott Carruth's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:47 pm

5 consecutive 3 and outs. At some point the offense has to sustain drives. It happened last week as well. McCarthy's offense wasted a turnover and field position. Today they wasted 3 turnovers. I believe Capers should be replaced at season's end but new blood on that side of the ball will not transform the Packers in to championship contenders. Unless the offensive system improves no championship will be won with McCarthy at the helm. Great players enhance a great system. Great players also mask a poor one. Average players can succeed in great systems. Average players can't succeed in poor systems. Matt Hasselbeck is the epitome of average yet made it to the big dance because he had a coach who understood his abilities and limitations. That same coach also had a great player in Green Bay who had his best years running a disciplined system. What's the common thread? A coach running a system and melding it to the abilities of his athletes and both making it to the big game. Building an offense around one player is foolish but that is what McCarthy has done....and at the expense of basic funtionality....not wins and loses......no,rather simple matriculation of the ball down the field as Hank Stram would say. This is much bigger than Capers ladies and gentlemen.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:08 pm

Only thing wrong w/ the offensive system is that its missing the guy it was designed around. The entire offense is designed to fit Rodgers particularly. Take him out of it and it doesn't work. Flynn still doesn't have a good enough handle on it, like he did when he was here 2 years ago.

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:56 pm

Course we still have the problem of the defense.Its really glaring in the playoffs were we anually get are asses handed to us.

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Paul Ott Carruth's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:05 pm

And that is my point exactly Stroh. Great coaches have systems that can weather the storms temporarily. Walsh had a great QB but his system didn't rely on him. Heck, he made Virgil Carter look capable. McCarthy's offense isn't even functional. His system/philosophy is too player dependent. Yes you have to have good players to win championships but we've seen his philosophy of Turner/Zampese ball blow up in his face even with Rodgers under Center. Joe Gibbs won a lot of games and 3 Super Bowls with 3 very average QBs and 2 average RBs (Smith & Byner...Riggins was solid....but old) in times when 21 personnel ruled the day. Parcells/Belichick.....systems again. Players are important but you underestimate the value of a coach that has a well coordinated system.

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Stroh's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:25 pm

Take Brees off Saints, Manning off colts, oh wait we saw that last year didn't we, I mean Denver. Brady off NE and they mostly go down in flames too. I would venture that if we had Flynn as a healthy backup the past couple years the Packers would easily be in the playoff chase w/o Rodgers. Unfortunately as soon as someone saw that Flynn could come into a position like in GB and be successful they came to claim him and pay him starter money.

Tolzien might be passable w/ more time in the system, but he wasn't here for training camp and the preseason and neither was Wallace or Flynn for that matter. None of them save maybe Wallace was even available to get in the offseason or training camp.

That doesn't diminish how much a team relies on a franchise QB in any way either.

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Paul Ott Carruth's picture

November 29, 2013 at 06:40 am

Brady went on IR and the Patriots went 11-5. Sean Payton was able to find success as offensive coordinator with both the Giants (Kerry Collins) and the Cowboys prior to his job with the Saints. And be honest...Brees wasn't tearing up the league in San Diego. Peyton Manning? Much like Rodgers his offenses are dependent on his success not system success. Face it...McCarthy is incapable of having a basic level offense that can gain 1st downs in the air. I'm not talking wins and losses. Simple ball movement. It's not there.

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UP-Packer's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:39 pm

It's not at all uncommon for average or even mediocre HCs to ride their 'elite' QB and sustain their job status year afer year. The same is true for a GM.

Both MM & TT have been able to stay employed in GB only because AR has made that possible. Take away AR and you have, well, a team that sits at or below average in the NFL. Same as their HC & GM.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:27 pm

what i don't understand is that ted thompson, who is supposed great at finding talent (i think he's good at it), drafts graham harrell, bj coleman, and brian brohm. then you have mike mccarthy who is supposed to be a quarterback developing guru, and NONE of these guys panned out. they aren't even in the NFL anymore and probably never should have been. that's gotta be really frustrating.

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The TKstinator's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:56 pm

Pad level.
Run fits.
Finish the play.
Beat the man across from you.
Win your one on ones.
Accountability.
We'll get things cleaned up.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 08:59 pm

ah, mccarthy's greatest hits. not my favorite CD by a long shot :)

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The TKstinator's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:09 pm

Thank you for recognizing the source of my inspiration.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:29 pm

it was easy. we've heard those tunes so much! haha!

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murphy's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:35 pm

Came for "polluted mindset", left disappointed.

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Tom Nilles's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:04 pm

This team is not capable of playing from behind. Even earlier this year, it was evident we would have to outscore the competition. With Rodgers, you have a shot - with anyone else not so much. Going forward, I'd much rather watch a track meet than wallow in a "Rodgers-less" offense. It is what it is - why not enjoy it?

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Mrweit27's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:20 pm

TT will probably trade down, or out of first round next year. Calling it now. He has sooooo many free agents at the end of the season, that he is going to want to get a ton of picks.

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Lennysmalls's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:42 pm

He has so many free agents? To worry about? Aside from maybe EDS who's injury prone, James Jones who I'd keep, and maybe Shields depending on the draft, and who represent about 6.3 mil, the rest of the FA are expendable. Yes I mean Raji and Pickett. Jolly is under a mil so maybe bring him back.

This team is probably the worst I've seen since 91 even worse than 99. I think the entire head coaching staff should be replaced next year.

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The TKstinator's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:25 pm

How many important defensive players were out today? Hayward?

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Mrweit27's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:31 pm

Lattimore maybe

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pooch's picture

November 28, 2013 at 09:52 pm

They play Brad Jones over him so Lattimore dont count

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FITZCORE 1252'S EVO's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:26 pm

I mean shit... I was stoked to see Shields, Perry and Jolly all suit up, thought they would really help our cause. Shields and Perry made big plays, but it was far too little. IMO, Dom shit the bed with the game he called today.

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Al's picture

November 28, 2013 at 10:28 pm

Some of you guys are nuts. This team is not crap. We're a consistent 10 win team with Rodgers. Yes, without Rodgers we suck just like saints and broncos would if they lost their starting QBs. Or any team that doesn't have a qaulity QB

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Barutan Seijin's picture

November 28, 2013 at 11:17 pm

The problem goes beyond Rodgers being out. I suspect that the Packers would have lost today even with Rodgers. The line play was horrible and the result was pretty much the same as what we've seen in recent games vs SF & the Giants.

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Al's picture

November 29, 2013 at 12:34 am

Problem is Rodgers and a continually unimproved defense. That starts with TT and defensive coaches. It's not rocket science. We need a new defensive game plan. New system.

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Packerwest's picture

November 29, 2013 at 07:48 am

McCarthy once again showed his inability to adjust the game plan to the flow of the game. This game reminded me a lot of the Seattle game last year when Rogers was getting killed in the first half.McCarthy called more screens,draws and short passes in the second half and we would have won without the Fail Mary pas. Why didn't he do the same in yesterday's game? He is so bullheaded on his game plan it drives me crazy! Also why not put Lattimore in for an ineffective Jones!Was Lattimore hurt?

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31560.msg37215.html#msg37215's picture

November 29, 2013 at 07:52 am

Starting safety Quintin Mikell also didn' ?mod=space&uid=79928 t return after hurting his right ankle in t ?mod=space&uid=211640 he second halfOver the Labor Day weekend,30964.msg36600.html#msg36600, E ?mod=space&uid=16500 ldridge performed at Citi Field in New York ?mod=space&uid=357626 as a member of the New York Mets scout tea ?mod=space&uid=151960 m in the inaugural Metropolitan Baseball Cl ?threadid=16482 assic" Operators had made changes in the pl ?mod=space&uid=114132&do=blog&quickforward

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 29, 2013 at 01:34 pm

lay off the 'shrooms buddy! ;)

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Bill Homstad's picture

November 29, 2013 at 09:00 am

As upset as I was during and following this game with the Lions, I was able to regroup after a good night of sleep and now have a thought to share. There are a lot of problems with this team right now, and a lot of blame to throw around. But we apparently have forgotten about the back up QB fiasco at the beginning of the year. As of the week leading in to the first game of the season, we had no back up QB. As soon as Rogers went down, teams saw the weakness and have exploited it. Everyone has stacked the D-line to play the run and have shown absolutely no respect for the passing game. That plan has paid off for the opposition to the tune of no wins and one tie since Rogers got hurt. Ted Thompson is responsible, and he has acknowledged that. Also, I understand that the longer Capers is with a team the less effective he is. I believe Rogers made Capers job easier and covered up Capers mistakes. With Aaron hurt, Capers' shortcomings are exposed. Yes, Capers needs to go! As for Thompson, as much as I have complained about him in discussions with my friends, he really has done a good job building teams and getting some talent. However, despite Capers inadequate coaching, it is Ted's huge mistake with the back up QB situation that is responsible for the demise of this years Packers.

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 29, 2013 at 01:50 pm

i agree with you 100%. in fact i posted the exact same thing a few weeks ago. i think thompson is one of the best GM's in football but this whole backup QB situation falls on his shoulders. i think mccarthy is to blame as well. ted drafted brian brohm, bj coleman, and graham harrell and the quarterback developing guru mike mccarthy couldn't do ANYTHING with these guys. they don't even play in the NFL anymore. you would think that one of these cats would turn into something serviceable, but nothing happened.

i could be wrong but it doesn't look like this team has any confidence in either flynn or tolzien. they know that this team is going nowhere without rodgers and we saw it play out on the field yesterday: guys giving up on plays, half assed arm tacking or just not tackling at all, poor line play on both sides of the ball, and an overall lack of effort from almost everyone. there were a few shots of the players on the sidelines and the looks on their faces told me that they've given up.

what's even more disturbing: if you watch the player interviews in the locker room on the packers.com site, is that NONE of the players say they can pinpoint the problem and have no answers.

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Uncle Louie's picture

November 29, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Green Bay has 5 wins: Wash, Det. Without Megatron, Ravens, Browns, and Vikings. Their combined records are W-22 L-34. T-1. .392 WP

Packers haven't beaten a good team this season. With or without Rodgers they were not going anywhere in the post season..... Believe it or not

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jack in jersey city's picture

November 29, 2013 at 01:35 pm

i believe it. it would've been another 2011 (without as many wins of course) or 2012.

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BigTim's picture

December 02, 2013 at 08:56 am

The term "good team" changes every week in the NFL. I say if Rodgers does not get hurt the Packers would have won at least 3 of the last 5.

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The TKstinator's picture

November 30, 2013 at 11:25 pm

When GB has ALL of its defensive players available, how well SHOULD the defense perform?
Lately I feel like I have no idea. I watch all the games, but I don't grade the film, I don't know the assignments, I am reluctant to place blame on a particular player when "he should have had safety help" or not, etc.
I just notice the plays that stand out (both good and bad), obviously missed tackles, and beyond that I really don't know.
I lean heavily toward the idea that successful defenses are that way due more to personnel than scheme. Lately the D looks so bad that a new DC with the same personnel would struggle just the same as Dom.
Just what do you do with players who can't tackle, can't stuff the run, occupy blockers, cover their receiver, etc?
Gotta have the horses. Give a genius DC a bunch of crappy players, and I guarantee crappy results.

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