Moving on

I know this was a tough loss that ranks right up there in annals of Packers’ history, but I don’t put it in the same category as games such as these, rated in terms of pain.

1. The Super Bowl loss to Denver. Nothing else needs be said here.

2. The T.O. game when Steve Young falls down leaving center and gets up and throws the game winner with no time left. Still haven’t gotten over that one. More than likely the Packers would have had their chance to avenge their Super Bowl loss the previous season.

3. The fourth-and-26-loss to Philly. Sherman chickened out on fourth-and-one, Darren Sharper inexplicably was playing 35 yards off the line of scrimmage, and after winning the overtime toss Brett Favre promptly throws the game away with a moon ball that is picked off setting up the game winning field goal.

4. The NFC Championship loss to the Giants in Lambeau Field. The Giants miss about a dozen field goals sending the game to overtime and after winning the overtime toss Brett Favre promptly throws the game away with a moon ball that is picked off setting up the game winning field goal.

5. The loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the wildcard round that was the first Lambeau Field playoff loss in Green Bay Packers’ history. The Packers couldn’t stop Michael Vick and Favre threw two picks and completed only 20 of 42 passes as the Packers officially lost their Lambeau Field mystique.

Others receiving votes: The beat-down Randy Moss and the boys put on us in the 2005 playoffs; the six interception debacle in St. Louis in 2002. The Rams had 13 first downs and won 45-17. I was embarrassed to be a fan that day; the Bob Thomas field goal in 1983 that gave the Bears a 23-21 final game win knocking the Packers out of the playoffs and leading to the firing of head coach Bart Starr.

The loss to the Cardinals might be in the top ten but I just can’t feel that bad after the way the Packers fought back from a rough start and took it to overtime at 45-points a piece for crying out loud. This after being down 31-10 late in the third quarter. The Packers are a team on the rise and have a future MVP quarterback at the helm. Aaron Rodgers is just amazing. Even after throwing a pick on his first pass of the game on a stupid decision, he came back and threw for over 400 yards and four TDs in his first playoff start. Of course he had the big miss to Jennings in overtime that could have won the game, but if you’d said before the game we’d score 45 and lose I would have laughed at you. Rodgers will take the heat but it was the defense that let the Packers down in this game.

The Packers’ number two defense sure has a lot of work to do in the secondary. Head coach Mike McCarthy hired defensive Dom Capers to shore up the defense and in particular stop the run. Capers turned the Packers’ sieve-like run defense into the leagues best in one year. Year two his focus must be on bringing balance to the defense and shoring up pass defense. Part of that is looking at his own game plans too. Against Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner, Capers’ defense couldn’t get home when they brought pressure and were ripped to shreds. Even when they played coverage against those QBs they had little success.

The offseason is going to be a hard one to predict with the upcoming labor war looming, so how the Packers go about improving the secondary and offensive line is anybodies guess. Players they thought they might lose they might not and players they thought would be available may not be. I’m not confident the two sides reach an agreement in time meaning the salary cap is a thing of the past. But that is a story for another day.

I’m not in mourning by any means. We know there will be football in 2010, any lockout would not come before 2011, so the Packers have the opportunity to keep the momentum going. I think they will be favored to win the NFC next year by many. Even with the disappointing loss I think it will be a much smoother offseason than last year when the team was coming off a 6-10 record and had questions galore. The problems areas are well defined but the strengths certainly outweigh them at this point.

The Packers can beat anybody in the league and they are still young and growing. Just imagine what Rodgers, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley are going to do the next five years. Records are about to fall.

I think I will have one final take on the 2009 season as a whole and then focus on 2010. I like my Green Bay Packers and we might be on the verge of something special.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 10:29 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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  • Larry

    Like Rick’s detail but don’t agree with much of what he said. Barnett is better than Hawk..period. I’m OK with an outside LB later but after 50+ sacks and another year older we must swap out some line positions and tackles are better earlier than later in the draft. Guards can wait and Lang (a rookie) is a player at LG, RG, or RT. (I’m choosing RT or LG)

    Nickel corner is a priority…Harris is 34 going on 35 with a major knee injury…banking on him is foolish at this stage of his carreer.

    Thompson or Jones would be good enough at LB and the DL stopped the run just fine this year…Capers needs to blitz more against elite QB’s.The scheme can be tweeked.

    Saying we must get a starter is like saying we must win the lottery…nothin guarantted except the price of ticket.

  • iccyfan

    LarryTex Says: “I was just responding to iccy because most of us, myself included, kept saying the same thing again and again. OT/CB, I got it.”

    You’ve made your opinion abundantly clear; how many times have you opined that Jarrett Bush and Allen Barbre just need more playing time? You are the champion of all underperforming players…

    We get it – you think the answers to all the Packer problems are already on the roster and we just have to be patient while the infallible coaching staff has a chance to work their magic. You’re entitled to your opinion, but you’ll need to practice patience while the rest of us work towards your level of enlightenment…
    ;)

  • Rick

    Thanks for the “A” PB.

    Sorry I could not resist

    PB from your lips to God’s ears about a quality OT in the draft but I do not see it with our draft position and development time. Gallery is still a work in progress. Michael Oher was one of the top OT talents in the draft and he is a RT only. A very good one but he will need time to see if he can switch to LT for the Ravens.

    I believe Clifton, Tausher and Wahle had time over in NFL Europe to to help. Green Bay used that opportunity to develop one of the better lines in the NFL.

    Get me a couple 4 year college starters from the middle of the pack Big 10 or SEC schools and let me have our O line and strength coaches loose on them for a full camp, regular season and then rate them. You would have a solid base of O lineman. Not pro bowler A+ ,though you hope, but solid B players that make the world go round.

  • Rick

    Larry I agree that Barnett is a better player overall, but AJ was not playing well in our old 4-3 scheme and he is playing great in the new 3-4 capers scheme. Barnett stuffs the run but is not fluid and is a step slow in coverage in the 3-4 scheme. Barnett is a fantastic player, I do not want to trade him. He is expendable for the correct return though, and outside of A-Rod or Jennings probably has one of the highest trade values on the team.

  • roy jamison

    Wonder if any coach could have developed the offensive line guys we have better than Campen? We all got the same propoganda about how competant Barbre was going to be and wasn’t. Moll is another example of a late round guy who hung around long enuf to get a swap of equal talent. Breno Giacomini has been a project. Jason Spitz is the center of the future altho I don’t think Wells will want to stick around if that happens.

  • Rick

    Roy that is a good point. We drafted ZBS scheme guys and then Jags left us. We have been kind of stuck since then. The lack of quality depth other than Lang is scary.

  • jonnyfootballhero

    I thought Clifton and Tausher both started as rookies?? I could be wrong though; it’s happened before.

  • iccyfan

    “Get me a couple 4 year college starters from the middle of the pack Big 10 or SEC schools and let me have our O line and strength coaches loose on them for a full camp, regular season and then rate them.”

    Sounds like Brian Bulaga, a junior left tackle from the University of Iowa who’s decided to declare for the draft. Iowa has done a pretty fair job developing pro-ready offensive linemen, including Marshall Yanda, a third or fourth round pick who’s started since day one for the Ravens.

  • Rick

    I had to break out the old Packers book.
    They did play for a game in 2000 as rookies in a 29-3 blow out of the cardinals.
    Tausher filled in when Dotson went down in 01 . He did so good in spot play that we sent him to Europe in 02 after his MCL strain in 01 to see if he was ready to play.

  • Rick

    Iccy
    I will love it if Bulaga was available but i fear the run on tackles will suck him up before we pick. Great call on the Yanda pick. That is a case of what I am thinking for the Packers.

  • Larry

    Rick, Hawk is mediocre at best. Way too slow..need I remind you that the middle is the problem. Hawk was drafted as a 4-3 linebacker. Bigby has no intincs at all and is more likely to miss than put a lights out tackle on. You want creative…pair Woodson with Collins
    (speed and intincs) and sign/draft 3 CB to compete opposite Williams with Harris.

    Rod Woodson played alot of years as a safety.

  • Larry

    Like to add that Hawk is the first LB off the field and in some games playing just 15 snaps. Also, it’s more likely to see a safety blitz than a corner..Woodson’s a natural.

  • Larry

    And,,,trade the 23rd to Oakland (new coach coming) with Hawk or Harrell or Kampman for CB Asomugha (sp?)- too much coffee!!!!!

  • packer_bob

    You think Oakland would trade however you say his name for Hawk, Harrell and our first pick?

    Didn’t they just re-sign him to a big deal last year? I don’t watch the Raiders but by reputation this guy was referred to as the best cover corner in the league prior to this year, now Revis seems to have that title.

    Hard to believe they’ve give him up for a complete bust in Harrell, an OK linebacker and the 23rd overall.

    We are talking about Al Davis though. Still I doubt they would do that.

    And I’m not particularly big on Hawk, but he did seem to make some plays the latter part of the year. I didn’t see him do anything against the Cards, but you could make that statement about the entire D, other than the Woodson forced fumble.

  • packer_bob

    Let’s not forget this either: Hawk is a pro-bowl alternate.

  • Larry

    The Raiders need to rebuild, like Detroit did last year by trading Williams to Dallas for 3 draft picks. One player on a bad tean can’t make a difference. (Rodgers in Cleveland) or Haynesworth in Washington even Calvin Johnson in Detroit can’t do it alone. Its better sometimes to get maximum value for a great player to jump start the rebuild. That’s why Allen was traded to Minn or even Cutler to Chicago. Sure there was bad blood but look at what Denver got for Cutler and look at what Cutler did for Chicago.

    Dallas traded Hershal Walker for that reason. With the players we have available and the 23rd we can pry loose a key player from a rebuilder.
    Hawk is not a bad player but he isn’t the answer. Hawk, Bigby and Bush together weakens the middle of the field. Hawk doesn’t get deep enough and Chiller is better in coverage. Bigby is a step late constantly and a solid nickel CB is just essential these days.

  • Steve Cheez

    Wow! I’d certainly give up a 1st plus clear out some of that deadwood for Asomugha. Somebody get Al Davis on the phone (no, the other one :-) )

  • Rocky70

    A little nap-time while the offense is on the field ????

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENvmq-rkVZc&feature=player_embedded

  • packer_bob

    Well, we knew somebody was asleep at the wheel.

    That just confirms it.

  • Rick

    Steve – LOL

    I love it if we could trade for Asmugha. He is probably worth a 1st and 3rd pick (Top tier RFA tender level) up to two 1st rounders. If this is something we want, you know I am all in at this point.
    I won’t get into the NFL draft point system but my thought is give 2010 1st round and 2011 1st round to get Asmugha and a 2010 3rd round back. If there is no 2011 season they will get our first pick when the next season starts. That is a great deal for them and for us. It might actualy make sense for them to do so and aquire more early round talent. We also do not have to pay stupid first round money on a player we have never seen play in the NFL(Mr Herrell your phone is ringing)

  • Rick

    Rocky– Confucius once say, ” You snooze, you lose.”

    If everyone is serious about OT being the number one need. the top RFAs will be receiving top RFA tier tags which will cost us a 1st and 3rd. Alex Barron comes to my mind but there are others.

    If we want further Defensive help like I have been advocating, Shawne Merrimam is on the Chargers and is under the final 8 and maybe final 4 rules as a RFA. He would be a great piece to add and is a starter worthy of giving a 1st and 3rd round picks especially if we can sign Seymour as a FA DE. I would not be against a poison pill contract offer like Minnesota and the Seahawks experienced.

  • Larry

    Why is Seynour better than a younger Jolly, Jenkins, Raji. Don’t see the upgrade.

  • Rocky70

    ” Why is Seynour better than a younger Jolly, Jenkins, Raji. Don’t see the upgrade. ”

    He’s not an upgrade ……… We’re entering that time of year again (off-season) when fans want to sign anyone who’s not presently a Packer …….. Comes from reading too many hyped press stories & playing ‘Madden 2010′ ………. Most of the comments concerning ‘actual players’ in this blog are laughable at best ………. This link might help some of you to get a more realistic view of the off-season …………. Please note the difference between RFA & UFA ….. That’s the key ………….

    http://gnb.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=9&c=12&yr=2010&nid=83&lnid=83&rc=16

  • Rick

    Rocky- If you suck at Madden; hate the game not the players.

    I actually play COD6 thank you.

    Larry
    Jolly and Jenkins are great solid 4-3 DTs that run stuff in our 3-4 but have no 3-4 DE technique and do not shed blockers well. You saw that time and again against the Steelers and Cardinals. Good but great in that role. Remember the defense line of the Raiders improved quite nicely after Seymour joined their D line. His technique helps him either penetrate the Oline which flattens plays to the outside or forces the offense to leave in a TE, FB or now a RB in the newer spread formations to help block. Every dominate defense generally want pressure from the gut of the defense, the line. That allows us to bring in pressure or fake pressure from all over the field. Why do you think Favre always had problems against the Steelers and other 3-4 defenses. You did not know where the pressure was coming from, and he and Manning are probably the two best at reading and attacking defenses since Elway retired.

    Raji is a great looking NT not a DE and he showed how dominate he will be many times this year. I am amazed at Pickett. He is a DT that has played his guts out for us since leaving the Rams and while not the right size as a 3-4 NT he was vicious and really impressed me with how well he did in this scheme.

    Of note, Kaupman is a great 4-3 DE but not a great 3-4 OLB. He can try, but a 7th rounder almost replaced without the defense missing a beat. He used his athleticism to be relevant but is not that kind of OLB player and is just playing out of his natural position.

  • Rick

    Rocky- That is a nice link thank you.
    You realize that ZERO RFAs changed teams last year. That will change with the economics of an uncapped year and the final 8 an 4 rules.

  • roy jamison

    Tim Masthay…competition for the punter job came fast. After looking at that sorry net average of Kapinos, this guy or just about any guy has a chance to be the new punter. Anyone..except Frosty.

  • Rick

    So true Roy. I am a little miffed about our constant miss on special teams the last few years.

  • packer_bob

    While I like our current D-line, I think Rick accurately described our need for someone that can create QB pressure on his own.

    I’m not going to pretend I watched any of Seymour in Oakland—I didn’t. But if he’s got anything left in the tank, he (or someone that can do something similar) would be a valuable asset.

    Standing pat is not the way to go, imo. If only TT would return my voicemails, I’m sure I could convince him of this but he’s tuned me out since the 2008 offseason. We need to improve in just a few areas to be a viable SB contender. We have a window of opportunity, but opportunites need to be siezed.

    Anybody else think we would have beaten New Orleans today? I don’t.

  • Rocky70

    ” You realize that ZERO RFAs changed teams last year. That will change with the economics of an uncapped year and the final 8 an 4 rules. ”

    Have to agree……… Some teams will take a chance if they don’t mind losing the draft picks ………… However, I doubt the owners will get stupid all of a sudden …… 2011 is their key year, not 2010 ………. Look for the player’s union to scream collusion at some point in time during this off-season ……….

    Wisen-Heimer went from ‘so-called’ genius to just another HC in six days …….. GB would not have stood a chance against NO ………… Just like the Vikes don’t stand a chance against the Cowboys on Sunday.

  • packer_bob

    OK, Rocky, I’ll bite—Why doesn’t Minnesota stand a chance tomorrow?

    The so-called experts ride the wave of who’s up and who’s down—I saw alot of media types calling Cardinals based on NO’s downturn at the end of the season, and the perception of Warner as a playoff QB.

    Many experts were high on the Pack last week, cuz of their momentum.

    Now it’s more of the same with the Cowboys. Minnesota was 8-0 at home this year and has a ton of talent. They’re the number two seed for a reason.

    I agree that certainly Dallas can win the game, just wondering why you would say the Vikings have “don’t stand a chance.”

  • Rocky70

    Besides the two wins versus GB, the Vikes only beat two other winning teams all season (Bengals, Ravens) ……….. All three of those teams got smoked in the 1st round of the playoffs (one & out) ……… The Vikes schedule wasn’t that impressive to begin with …….. Even less so at this point.

    The Vikes last significant win was against the Bengals over a month ago ……. Since then they’ve lost two & beat up a ‘mailed in’ Giant team in the season’s finale ……… Dallas has won 4 in a row including two against Philly & one against the Saints at NO. …. Their last loss was against SD by a FG (20-17).

    The Cowboys DL is playing at it’s highest level all season ………… The Vikings OL is playing at it’s lowest level all season ……….. I see Felix Jones having a big day while BF & AP battle over who gets the ball ………. The only way the Vikes pull this one out is if they win the turnover battle by at least +2 ……… My score … Dallas 30 Vikes 16. ……….. Place your bets ………… Pretty much a sure thing.

  • AATP

    I just have to interject about the Cowboys/Vikings game this weekend… Although I hate the idea of Favre getting to another SuperBowl with a different team as to put a media enriched punctuation on his “&$ck You Green Bay” ride, I think I hate the idea of the Cowboys winning just as much. This only because I live in Dallas and the fair weather fans are out in force down here. This Cowboys team is even better then the Aikman, Smith, Irvin team – blah, blah, blah… they have the BEST defense in the NFL Play-offs and the most talent on offense… Bullshit I say and I’d love nothing more than to head into work on Tuesday to all the Cowgirl fans once again hanging their heads or whining the fact that their team was the Cowboys but they really liked so and so…

    So although I’d like to go ahead agree with everyone’s assessment for the sake of hoping Favre falls flat on his face, I really would love Minnesota knock off the Cowboys and then lose to the Saints personally – but that’s just me… :)

  • Dan

    Guess it’s time to cheer for the AFC.

    Vikings and Saints have Packer traitors (Favre, Longwell, and Sharper all left GB with the goal of sticking it to Thompson and the Packers).
    Cowboys – most arrogant team ever. Just got done listening to Irvin talking. I’d rather they cancel the Super Bowl than listen to Irvin and Cowboy fans gloat for a year.

  • Mel e Mel

    Its time to root for Chargers & Saints. Cowboys & Vikes are evil incarnate. I believe the vikes will win by the way. Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson, Antoine Winfield, Chester Taylor. All players MN picked up via trade and free agency. We have way too many holes not too participate. See the absolute beatdown the Cards got today? All those who dont want to participate free agency, get used to seeing the vikes in 1st place.

  • packer_bob

    Rocky,

    All your points are valid. I just think it’s overstating it to say the Vikes don’t have a chance. Two weeks of rest certainly helped the Saints look like a different team then they did down the stretch. I rate the game as a toss up, maybe slight edge to the Vikes as they are at home.

    AATP,

    I agree with your scenario being the most desirable. I can’t bring myself to root for the flipping Cowpokes no matter what. I can’t think of an NFC team I wouldn’t root for to kick their ass.

    Dan,

    You need to lay off the drugs. Say what you will about BF, it’s a big stretch to lable Longwell and Sharper as traitors. We chose not to pay them, it’s that simple.

  • packer_bob

    Oh and Rocky,

    The Ravens did not get “smoked” in the first round of the playoffs, or did you miss the beatdown they issued to New England?

    Just saying.

  • iccyfan

    Bob McGinn is one harsh grade-giver, though I don’t really disagree with any of his reasoning. I’m glad I never had him for a teacher!

    LT’s gonna hate those articles; D- for both Jarrett Bush and Allen Barbre!

    I’m glad to see him take Darren Colledge to task with an “F” – I knew he had played poorly just by watching but those statistics are eye-popping horrible – the man gave up ten more QB pressures that long-time draft joke Will Whittaker. I’d like to retract a comment I made earlier in this thread regarding it being a difficult decision on whether or not to “pay” Colledge as his contract grinds to an end – it’s not difficult at all – veteran minimum or walk! Either Spitz or Klubber Lang could be inserted and they wouldn’t be worse…

    I’m really in a conundrum regarding today’s NFC semi-final; who do you root for when you hate both teams? Favre’s an egotistical bastard, but he’ll be ours again when all is said and done. ;) Just kidding – Go Cowboys!!!

  • Steve Cheez

    I hate the Cowboys with every fiber of my being. I just happen to hate the Vikings more. So go Cowboys. AATP, you’ll just have to suck it up and take one for the team with the gloating afterward, then it’s all-in for the Saints.

  • packer_bob

    McGinn is pretty tough. This made me laugh:

    “Justin Harrell: Looked pretty stout at DE after six days of practice in August” Grade: incomplete.

    And I look pretty stout every off season. It’s getting to the games that actually has stalled my pro career.

    Seriously, can’t he just give him a Z grade and move on? I know it’s not Harrell’s fault his back is junk, but jeez.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Hey, iccy, don’t let it be said I give Barbre, Bush, or Bell a passing grade I don’t. What I am saying is that w/ experience they MIGHT all be a lot better. Colledge I do grade out higher than most.
    Thats not to say they can’t all be replaced, what should be said is that the coaching staff, collectively knows better than we do.
    Also, to sooth a pet peeve of mind (those who trash our STs), I suggest all of you read the Spofford article on PACKERS.com. Might open your eyes. OR, should ARI fire their ST coach because of the Reggie Bush runback?

  • iccyfan

    “What I am saying is that w/ experience they MIGHT all be a lot better.”

    How do you define experience? Bush has four years with the team and Barbre three. Both of them have more field experience than Aaron Rodgers had before he was thrust into the starting role. At what point do you call it a day with a player and move on?

    Having said that, I’d be in favor of keeping Barbre on the roster as a backup. Bush does NOTHING well and needs to be written off as a failed experiment…

  • Mel e Mel

    Really if Campen is retained, the Pack arent serious about upgrading the team. The Bears just got mike Tice to be their O-line coach. Tice was a drill bit as a HC but an awesome line coach, like Joe Bugel. Baltimore can play with 2 rookie tackles, Minnesota can play with a rookie RT, The Saints lose a pro bowl LT and win 13 straight games. We dont even try TJ Lang until injuries force the situation. The most obvious advantage MN has is right at the oline. Now with the CBA we may not be able to get any free agents at position. Colledge and Babre need to go they are the poster children for mediocrity that plagues the Oline.

  • Sammy

    Rocky you suck and you are wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am currently washing
    Favre’s balls. I hope he retires so we don’t face him next year.

  • Larry

    FROM ROCKY>>>>Wisen-Heimer went from ’so-called’ genius to just another HC in six days …….. GB would not have stood a chance against NO ………… Just like the Vikes don’t stand a chance against the Cowboys on Sunday.

    Nice call Rocky!!!

  • packer_bob

    Rocky70=Nostradumbass.

    That is all.

  • Mel e Mel

    Soon Packer fans will have to bear the unbearable. NO couldnt defend tim hightower how are they going to deal with Peterson and Taylor. The Vikes will advance. The only good thing about this is it will light a fire under the front office. Status quo wont make it and certain players and coaches will have to be shown the door.

  • roy jamison

    Ol’ man Favre just keeps rollin’ along. Altho, he did get hit a couple of times that Viking line did a solid job. Chiefs castoff Jarod Allen continues to show why the KC team is where they are. It should be a good game in New Orleans, and because it’s there, you figure the odds guys will favor the Saints by 3 or 4.

  • packer_bob

    I think this will be a very interesting NFC championship game.

    Both teams are loaded with playmakers on offense. Personally, I think the Vikes have a little more on D, but then again, I happened to see them more this season as they are in our division.

    The Saints have an edge, although most of that has to do, in my mind at least, with them being at home. The Vikes are a far different team on the road vs. home.

    If I had to bet (and I won’t) I’d take the team formerly known as the Aints.

    But then again, this is a Vikings team that clearly had no chance, and managed to win anyway by 31 points. (Goooooood call by Rocky and many of the “experts”—-LOL)

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Re pundit media reporting: Wow, most all the “experts” agree with us. We need help at OT and DB, duh!
    Hey, c’mon guys, give BF his due, he couldn’t have done it w/us and we didn’t feel he was giving his all FOR US either.
    What surprised me the most this week-end was NO. Never thought their D was that good. More power to them, we’ll be one of the surprises next year.

  • roy jamison

    Yup, the Saints D is good and why not…they have Darren Sharper on their team. I don’t know if Mike McKenzie is on or off their roster…I know he came back as a fill in around December and did a solid job. But I give Brees a lot of credit. And Reggie Bush is now back playing like a hero. If I bet on this game, it probably would be a push.

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