Railbird Central Podcast: Packers Thoughts from Championship Weekend
Host Brian Carriveau shares reflections on wins by the Seahawks and the Broncos as they relate to the Packers.
Episode 354
As the Seahawks and the Broncos advance to the Super Bowl, I share my thoughts to Championship Weekend as it relates to the Green Bay Packers. I compare the play of the Packers' B.J. Raji and Micah Hyde respectively to Terrance Knighton of Denver and Kam Chancellor of Seattle as one of many reasons the Packers aren't the same caliber of team.
Listen in...
Streaming audio - Press play
Download Versions: Download Audio Podcast
Free Subscription Option 
Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America" and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (15)
January 20, 2014 at 11:55 am
Another great show today Brian. Keep up the great work.
Brian Carriveau
January 20, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Thanks for listening and reading, RC. Appreciate it.
January 20, 2014 at 01:26 pm
I thought the same thing on that Kam Chancellor INT.
Evan
January 20, 2014 at 01:42 pm
I think Walter Thurmond just nearly missed an INT on that same play a little later in the game. I think it's safe to say opposing teams have figured that play out.
January 20, 2014 at 02:43 pm
Interestingly enough (or not), the Niners jumped at least two (maybe three) outs in the 2nd half. On all attempts, Wilson threw high to avoid the pick.
Say what you want about his ceiling, dude is a smart player. A winner. And makes plays when he needs to (see 4th down play from the 36 - ish).
January 20, 2014 at 02:26 pm
I dislike Richard Sherman a lot, but you can't say he's not awesome. He just makes plays everywhere. Stat of the day: 24 other CBs, including our own Davon House, were drafted ahead of him in 2011. Talk about a chip on your shoulder.....
January 20, 2014 at 03:44 pm
Anyone notice how SEA played D on SF's final drive? I don't think they ever rushed more than three, keeping one back for a spy on CK. On Sherman's INT they only rushed ONE. People would be ready to ride MM and Dom out on a rail if GB did that, even if the game ended the same way.
January 20, 2014 at 04:21 pm
They have the people to cover. What I thought was dumb was the play calling. Let the clock run, force a deep throw with 2 time outs remaining.
January 20, 2014 at 05:02 pm
I thought the clock mgmt by SF at the end of that game was dumb too. Started with that idiot Crabtree not running out of bounds on that long pass on the sideline. Classic.
As 4th and I says, SEA has the defenders to sit back in a situation like that (see the result). Kaepernick's feet were more of a threat than his arm last night. They banked on him failing in the air and he did. Great coaching. Top tier talent across the board in the secondary. Neither of which can be attributed to the 2013 GB Packers.
I've never been a fan of Pete Carrol, but lately I've admired how he coaches this team. What they do with mediocre at best receiving talent in a "passing league" is simply astonishing. Granted, he has one of the better defenses in the last decade, that certainly helps. His ability to pick his spots in the passing game, see deep ball to Baldwin and 4th down TD to Kearse is incredible. And he's been doing that all year.
January 20, 2014 at 04:54 pm
Brian, I could not agree more that Knighton was a difference maker yesterday in a way that we could only dream that Raji had been.
How does Denver signing Knighton as a free agent this past offseason (along with Shaun Phillips, Dominique Rodger-Cromartie, Wes Welker, and Louis Vazquez -- all big contributors this season) square with the point you make in the podcast that TT can not sign any free agents because of Aaron Rodgers' contract.
Doesn't Peyton Manning have a hefty contract as well?
Brian Carriveau
January 20, 2014 at 05:20 pm
Good point. I guess what also went unsaid was that the Packers have the highest paid linebacker in the NFL as well, which makes it a little harder.
But no doubt about it, the Broncos got decent deals on guys like Knighton and Vasquez that didn't break the bank. Kudos to them.
I think the Packers might make a play for a decent free agent this year at a position that won't be too costly (like safety), but I wouldn't expect them to sign a bunch of free agents.
January 20, 2014 at 05:34 pm
Jack Del Rio called 1 minute into free agency to aquire Knighton. He coached him in Jacksonville. Why wasn't he tearing up the league there? Funny how players fly under the radar. The packers have to make cap room.
January 20, 2014 at 08:44 pm
Brian very good article forgot to mention free agents lb benette and the linebacker from the lions.
January 20, 2014 at 11:18 pm
I didn't see the Denver-NE game. But did watch the SF-Seattle contest. My lord. The disparity in talent between these two defenses and the Packers D is downright shameful! Outside of CM3 (only when healthy) there is not 1 guy who could start on either team and we have guys starting who wouldn't even be on the these teams 53. For crap sakes TT. Get with it!! Depending totally on #12 to beat a real 53-man roster isn't gonna cut it.
January 21, 2014 at 10:21 am
It sad, but true.
With the exception of CM3, the only other defensive player who would have a solid chance of starting on the Seahawks (and probably the Niners) is Tramon Williams and maybe Shields - and that's debatable on the Seahawks. Not a single D-lineman, safety or LB minus Mathews is of starting caliber on the Seahawks or Niners this year. Hell, even the Seahawk backups on the D-line talent-wise are better than GB's starters- Avril, Bennett, McDonald.
Just awful.