Alright, I've been out of the state for the past week. Michigan sucks and so does working 14 hour shifts of managing a large scale project you know nothing about.
So, I spent a little time trying to catch up on a week or so worth of posts, great fun.
About the Packers and Giants game. I think the first Giants game was the last time I seen the Packers play like they really wanted to win the game, other than the final game of the regular season of course. It seemed like the team was going through the motions, no urgency at all. I had hope, until the end of the half when Ahmad Bradshaw ran anywhere he wanted and then the Hail Mary touchdown. Prior to that drive, I had mouthed off "Packers are going to come out in the 2nd half, take a 17 - 13 lead and never trail again". As I said, the touchdown destroyed that confidence. I can't recall thinking the Packers would come back after that.
The loss stung, but as I had said prior to the closure of the season, the Giants are the team I fear the most for the Packers. I doubt I was alone so the loss wasn't a total shocker. The Packers being 2 - 4 in their own home in the Playoffs the last six tries boggles my mind. I actually attended the game the Packers last won in Lambeau Field in the playoffs. Yes, I am saying you all need to pitch in and buy me ticket(s) for the upcoming games in the playoffs.
2012 Off SeasonPackers have to address the defensive line priority one. I'm no longer enamored with a high octane offense, it's just too fragile to rely on. Give me a stout stingy defense over a high octane offense. The offensive line needs some fixing too, but I don't believe it's as dire as some mistakenly cry about. Daryn Colledge's loss was huge, but c'mon people, it's not the end of the world.
I also believe the Packers were trying too hard during the Giants game for several reasons... the loss of Michael Philbin and to prove those wrong who felt the Packers shouldn't have rested players. I think this because when the latter was mentioned, the players responded very quickly and sternly it was not a problem. They came off defensive. And from Aaron Rodgers comments saying he couldn't wait to remind the world who should be talked about as the NFC favorite ... I just believe they went out and were emotionally drained from all things mentioned and lost their focus.
DL, OL and OLB I think are the biggest three areas of need in that order.
Speaking of the DL...
You look at it now, even though they’re saying that stuff, before the season and throughout the whole offseason, everybody had that attitude that they could just replace me, that I was just another player. ‘We can just let him walk,’ Certain players spoke out publicly about guys they hoped they’d bring back, but back then you didn’t hear anybody say too much about me. So I don’t pay it too much attention.
Cullen Jenkins wrote:
It's obvious to anyone who watched the Packers secondary that the lack of communication was huge and the loss of Nick Collins was the biggest loss to the defense this season. Even with that said, a complimentary rush opposite of Clay Matthews III was debilitating. Cullen Jenkins had a good first quarter of the season and tailed off to zero sacks in the last three (approx) quarters of the season, but hell I'd rather him be cut and then signed by the Packers.
DropsIt seemed to me as the season grew on, the Packers dropped more and more catchable passes, culminating with the Divisonal game. I think Jermichael Finley's drops were coming from trying too hard in his contract year and nothing to do with talent.
15 - 1The Packers are the first team to lose by a margin of as many as 17 points in the divisional round and I believe the third team to fail to reach the Super Bowl after going 15 - 1.
TacklingAs I mentioned in the other thread, I don't see tackling improving until a new defensive coordinator is in Green Bay. I say this because Mike McCarthy admitted it was a problem all year and yet was not fixed. I see no reason why it'll be fixed by the same coordinator in the upcoming off season.
PlayersCharles Woodson has stated clearly he's not ready to move to Safety because he still feels he's playing at a top CB level. I don't see this happening at all unless Nick Collins does not come back.
I remember games where Charles Woodson played Safety and he sucked big time. Plus, his tackling has gone to shit lately. He's always going for the strip instead of the damn tackle! It's common sense that if you are the first person to the ball carrier you WRAP UP and the second person goes for the ball while attempting to bring the ball carrier down!
Woodson is still my favorite defender and one of my all time favorites, but he needs to stick to Cornerback and his blitzes.
Matt Flynn - he's gone and Packers won't get anything extra, get over it.
Pat Lee - gone.
Donald Driver - I think it's 70/30 he's gone. Recently has said he understands that it might be difficult to play til 40 and is accepting that.
Chad Clifton - 2 first rounders on Tackles plus Marshall Newhouse played well. Gotta see what the kids can do and bid adieu to Mr. Clifton and the money saved would be a plus.
Scott Wells - must be resigned.
Ryan Grant - I think he'll be back at a bargain.
Jarett Bush - has no business playing in the secondary. Proof? Watch the Hail Mary play against the Giants.
Jermichael Finley - he'll be resigned and he should be. He's a helluva talent and his drops were downright bullshit. When he gets his contract, he'll be more natural an not trying so hard and will dominate in 2012.
Howard Green - has a good role with the Packers and should be resigned.
Tramon Williams - will be better after he heals up fully. Shoulder injuries for a CB are like kryponite.
Nick Collins - gosh I hate doing this, but I read something encouraging about Nick Collins returning...something about that his neck will be back to how it was (strength wise) pre-injury. I don't know how much faith to put into it, especially since I can't even find it again, but who knows. I guess we'll know for sure sometime in March.
I think Scott Wells is the top free agent priority signing for the Packers.