Packers do have an Achilles’s heel

I use the same phrase in golf a lot more times than I care to admit. When asked why I shot so bad I say “offense, defense, special teams.” In golf a bad round is the result of a loss of all phases. In football, the Packers were somehow able to overcome the complete and total loss of special teams and yet finish 11-5 last year. One would think changes would be made to improve that situation. One would be wrong.

A year after which firing special teams coach Mike Stock and replacing him with Shawn Slocum turned out to be a bust, the Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy stood pat and kept Slocum on as special teams coordinator. Why? I have no idea. The bottom line is the Packers have no excuse for being so bad on special teams. The roster is well stocked with promising young players who are fighting to make the team and special teams might be their only hope. Either the Packers’ depth isn’t what we think it is or the special teams’ coach is clueless.

My guess is the later. When McCarthy hired Slocum there were other well respected special teams coaches available and yet McCarthy hired the assistant to the worst special teams coach in the Packers’ recent history. The results last year reflected that poor decision. Going into the 2010 season the Packers are widely regarded as Super Bowl contenders because of Aaron Rodgers and the No. 2 defense in the NFL. Both Rodgers and the defense should be even better this year, but will it be enough to overcome the failings of the special teams?

I doubt it. Like a Brett Favre interception in the playoffs, you know it’s coming, but the heartbreak is still the same.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 10:09 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.

  • Steve Cheez

    We have shown that both from coaching and management we can do some things very well. Why this blind spot with the not-so-special teams? I feel your pain, Al, nothing sucks worse than dominating a game and giving it away on a couple bonehead ST gaffes.

  • PackerPete

    While I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed above concerning the Packer managements lack of foresight in choosing a leader for the special teams, I reserve the right to save some room under that bus for James Campen.

    Between Kurt Schottenheimer, Bob Sanders, John Bonamego, Mike Stock, Shawn Slocum, James Campen, Jerry Fontenot and Rock Gullickson, there is plenty of pattern to say that while TT and MM can certainly do some things correctly, the blind loyalty shown to some poor hires on the staff has certainly hurt this teams performance as well as the development of certain players.

  • Mel e Mel

    MM must have an issue with strong personalities who may have a different pov. The OC doesnt call plays The OL has the same tackles as the Sherman era, and the ST has been consistently inconsistent. We could have had Mike Tice but let da Bears get him on their OL. I knew we were in trouble last year when I read that after a bad practice Campen had the OL run laps. The whole scenario with Babre being named starter, and that unsigned Tauscher was always part of the plan (after he worked out for the Chiefs) Players are not accountable under Campen and Stock its pretty obvious. I can grant Campen that we havent spent any high draft choices on O line until this year. ST is a another kettle of fish. Blackmon going down hurts but that is far from the only issue. tampering with Crosbys motion, horrid coverage breakdown and shanked punts. Hopefully the Aussie works out and the coverage units dont give up scores. I Think thats about all we can hope for.

  • Sheesh

    Why is everyone so high on the Defense???? Did I not see Favre, the Steelers and the cards destroy(not just beat but destroy) this most overrated unit. How have they improved??? Al Harris(who knows how he will be)…jolly may be playing in the penal league…just wondering but it doesn’t look like we have done a great job other than having another year under out belts in the capers system.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    Sheesh, first look at the vast improvement in the run defense. Only an offense with a superior QB in good conditions has an edge. If we had home field we would have made the SB. Second, one more year in Capers’ system will mean a lot to the whole defense but especially Jones, Matthews and Raji. If Burnett can take over at safety that will be an improvement. Finally I think Capers can improve by having enough faith in his DB’s to blitz them early to keep the protection schemes off balance. I like Jolly but if Raji and the guys we drafted can get more inside rush we could be #1.

  • Rick

    Packers have a top 5 offense passed on a pass first west coast system.

    Packers have a top 5 defense stat wise but due to injuries had minimal pressure up the middle which allowed solid QBs to destroy the weakend secondary. Healthy
    the Pakcers have a good top 5 defense.

    Special Teams have been rated between 32 and 28th rating for almost 5 years.

    We need a special teams gunner that can force the returner to fair catch or hold up to reduce runbacks. We added Shields and he has that skill and crazy speed.

    We also need more DE/DT/LB with mass to hold their lane on returns and tackle. The 3 FBs did not get that done. We added that as well.

    Havener played well on special teams. Bigby or Burnett whichever is the backup will add a lot to the special teams mix.

    Injuries and a tough schedule. We can be 8-8 with the wrong injuries or a super bowl team if the right guys stay healthy.

  • Steve Cheez

    Thanks for clearing that up, Rick…

  • Rick

    I detect a sarcastic Cheese :)

  • roy jamison

    Al, you are correct sir. The Pack’s punting, kickoffs, and to a lesser degree field goal kicking teams have been more erratic than special.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Me thinks a little early in the year for such pessimism re STs. An honest evaluation reveals the injury factor as the cause for poor showing just as the 6-10 was caused by injuries to the OL.
    According to the reports I get from the OTAs none of the newcomers can hold onto the ball, but you guys seem to overlook the impact Blackmon had in ‘o8. 9th in the league in returns, not bad. Further, what if Bush didn’t have to play corner and stayed exclusively on ST? Again, all due to injury.
    To those who think I’m counting too heavily on Blackmon to come back, I say I’m more concerned about Driver, Spitz, Barnett, Pickett, and Harris. Those people have a much larger impact on the team as a whole.
    What would the OL look like with Spitz at LG and Lang at RG? Hm.

  • PackerPete

    LT, it would look to me like Josh Sitton was on the DL…

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Yeh, dumb; just trying to satisfy the “get rid of Colledge” crowd and get something started here. Talking about STs in print is not nearly as exciting as it is to watch in action during a game.

  • iccyfan

    LT’s question:
    “Further, what if Bush didn’t have to play corner and stayed exclusively on ST?”

    2008 Season Factoid:
    Although he was the Packers’ second leading tackler on special teams (17) this past season, Bush also lead the unit in penalties committed (6).

    Conclusion:
    While JB was a distinct liability on the field as a CB, he’s not that stellar on ST’s either.

  • Rocky70

    J. Bush is entering his 5th season as a Packer ………. He has played in 65 of a possible 67 games in his first 4 years in the NFL ………. GB has gone 39-28 in those 67 games.

    The question is simple ……….. If Bush didn’t exist: ………. Would GB have won 40? 41? …….. Or still 39 games?

    It’s pretty lame to blame a fringe player for your team’s ultimate deficiences ……… Or you must have a pretty good team if a fringe player like Bush is still the focus of ‘fan hatred’. ………… Having said that ……….. Either Bush or Underwood doesn’t make the final 53 ………… Make your choice.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    Rocky, I don’t think anyone hates Bush. It’s just that when he’s playing DB, the opposing QB can reliably target him on isolation plays with even their 4th wide-out. Similarly he hasn’t been very good on a lousy ST unit. But the killer was giving him a $million contract with money that could have gone to someone who can play at an NFL level.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Interesting choice 70, or maybe both; who knows? Speaking of who knows what, do you think this keeping Bush on the roster for so long is another one of those TT ego things some here like (or, used to) talk about?
    Maybe he’s worth keeping just to keep these blogs active. Nothing else to talk about.

    • Rocky70

      It’s very possible that both Underwood & Bush get their pink slips before game one ……… The health of Lee, Blackmon & Harris will be the determining factor along with how much potential Shields shows in TC ……….. The Titans offered Bush a contract, thus the matching offer from GB ………… I’m guessing TT cringed when Bush was thrown into the fire as a CB in season 2009 (as did most fans) but TT doesn’t have to validate any of his moves (ego or not) ………….. TT’s the boss.

  • roy jamison

    Nice article in the JS on Brian Buluga. Maybe TT hit a home run again.

  • Rocky70

    From PFT:

    ” Joshua Price-Brent, a defensive tackle from Illinois who is eligible for next week’s supplemental draft, worked out for 18 teams today and was, according to one report, impressive. ”
    To the extent that you can gauge a team’s interest based on who they send to a workout, the 49ers, PACKERS, Saints and Lions appear particularly interested, as those four teams sent their personnel directors.
    Brandt reports that Price-Brent was measured at 6-foot-1 ¾ and 321 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 5.38 seconds, did 22 reps of the 225-pound bench press and had a 29-inch vertical jump. ”

    The supplemental draft takes place on July 15………. Moving Pickett outside at OTAs, drafting Mike Neal & CJ Wilson plus expending a draft pick on this dude could spell the end to Jolly and/or Harrell as Packers.

  • Mel e Mel

    6-1 320 sounds like a NT. Here is a topic for discussion, it looks like the Lions will actually have a decent team this year. That means an end to a decade of freebies. That will make the North a very interesting division.

  • Rick

    One of my friends is on the Illini as senior. About the workout, he said Joshua was a beast at it. He is squat and powerful an immediate force up the middle. Illinois used a 4-3 and he was a DE/DT. He showed 3 and 4 technique. He can cut to about 295 as DE or stay at current weight as NT.

    DUI arrest and acedemically ineligable forced him to declare for the supplemental. Early indications 5th round will take him, someone may go up to a 3rd.

    My guess is Lions with a 4th rounder

  • iccyfan

    After reading the “getting to know” article, my level of concern regarding Andrew Quarless just went up a few notches. He met Keyshawn Johnson in a NYC club, is a big fan of Michael Vick and lists playing “Call of Duty” as his hobby. Sheez, even Jermichael Finley, who was tagged as being immature, gave better PR answers than this! Oh well, he’s only a fifth rounder (if it doesn’t work out). If we take Joshua Brent in the supplemental, he can room with Quarless in TC…

  • AATP

    I swear, not matter what happens to the Packers there’s always going to be something that you’re not happy with…

  • Mel e Mel

    Just what we need This Joshua NT from ILL sounds like the perfect compliment to Suh. Oh by the way does anyone want see Colledge try and block Suh? Suh just may kill him, oh the humanity

  • Rick

    I suddenly see a burning balloon

  • Monty

    Al, I totally concur with your conclusions about special teams. I believe the reason that MM hires weak coaches like Campen and Slocum is because he is like his boss, TT in total control and they dont like people who think for themselves. I believe the reason TT hire MM instead of Shawn Payton is just for this reason, they want Yes men no matter how bad they are. Look what happened because they listened to Mike Stock, we got rid of a good punter and have been searching ever since. Until they get qualified st and ol coaches, this will be the weak link of the team. I think because of the bad special teams and uncertainty on the OL, this team will not make the playoffs. Besides its an even year and MM’s teams do worse in even years than they do in odd years.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Well, Monty your precise knowledge and logic says it all. I’m not going to spend much time following the team this year since its an even year.

    • Rocky70

      I, for one, marvel at the expertise, knowledge & logic that Monty brings to this board with every post ……… Kudos to Monty for a post well-done ……….. LOL.

  • Rocky70

    The annual “Favre Watch” has once again grabbed headlines.

    Watch Favre get into shape for the 2010 season by throwing to his adoring HS kids.
    Watch Favre show up for TC sometime during the preseason action.
    Watch Favre remind the national media that he’s on the best team he’s ever been a part of —- the ViQweens.
    Watch Favre remind everyone that it’s not about $$$ anymore except for the 13mil due him for the 2010 season.
    Watch Favre start to line-up all his ‘injuries’ as excuses when his poor play dooms the ViQweens to an 8-8 season.
    Watch Favre get thrashed not once but twice by the Pack as the Pack rolls to the North Division crown.

    It’s going to be a great 2010 season, at least for the Pack. …………