I'm not talking about overtime.

I've always been a fan of kicking off and letting the defense setting the tone for your team. But most of the coaches I've been around tend to taking the ball all the time.... but if your defense is better shouldn't you kick it away?

And as said here

http://packershome.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=6044 



So if this is true... shouldn't Mike McCarthy kick it off if he wins the coin toss? (I'm not talking about over time)

usually I think Mike McCarthy wants the ball.

What would you choose if you were the head coach?

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I like deferring because I like being able to come out after halftime with adjustments and set the scoring tone for the rest of the game. Only problem with kicking first in this game is Daniel Manning. If Crosby can guarantee a touch-back then I say kick it first.

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Was also going to add. For this game being a rivalry match-up for the first game of the year, I think I'd rather have the juiced up defense out there then the juiced up offense, less mistakes for a defense that's hyped up then the offense being jittery. Just my opinion of course. Of course Rodgers is Mr. Cool, so I don't think he can even get overexcited.

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Well it seems we usually receive; I think partly to set the tone and put some points on the board first. And it worked well in the preseason

Both ways are good. IF your team executes correctly.
I myself would send which ever unit i thought was the strongest to start the game.

I think they usually start getting the ball is like was already stated, to try to score and put the pressure on the other team.

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I'd take the ball. If you don't score, then you can see for the next drive why the offense isn't working. You also begin the process of tiring out the defense.

If you do score, the opponent is put on notice - the pressure starts to build up to play catch up.

In Madden however I usually pick whichever side has favourable wind in the 4th quarter and let the opponent choose to kick or receive.

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Good thread i was going to make one like this.

See the thing is packers scored like what an average of 3 points in the first quarter last season? Why keep receiving if they struggle so bad in the first quarter?

I know coaches like to get the lead quick and defend it. But i think in the situation the packers were in last season they were better of defending first.

This season i think they should receive first and see how things go. If they go back to the way things were, defend first.

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Id kick off and see how our defense plays first.

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I don't think they would kick first in the first game. Since the offense is so elusive and the defense is still a question mark. But boy if they were to defend first and force a 3 and out that would be awesome.

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I agree with this... put your stronger unit on first....

I prefer kicking off though and getting the ball to start the 2nd half.

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