Green Bay Packers' offense must get its act together
 BY MIKE VANDERMAUSE MVANDERMAUSE@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM DECEMBER 12, 2010

[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20101212&Category=PKR07&ArtNo=101212053&Ref=AR&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]The Green Bay Packers picked a terrible time to turn in one of their worst offensive performances during the Mike McCarthy era.

How can a team locked in a heated playoff battle and with so much on the line play such uninspiring football on offense?

The Packers 7-3 loss to the Detroit Lions Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit dealt their playoff hopes a serious jolt. The Packers tumbled to the No. 8 seed in the NFC and with their division defeat stand a good chance of losing any tiebreakers with the first-place Chicago Bears in the NFC North.

But lets forget about the playoffs for now, because unless the Packers shake themselves out of their offensive funk, they will be headed home when the regular season ends.

The Lions (3-10) entered the game ranked No. 25 in the NFL in scoring defense and had been allowing nearly 26 points per game, yet the Packers made them look like world beaters.

The Packers offense got manhandled in the trenches, and the lackluster performance casts serious doubts on their ability to play efficiently against higher-ranked scoring defenses down the stretch.

The Packers had no running game to speak of, with their backs gaining 31 yards in 15 carries. Adding to their list of woes, the Packers committed inexcusable turnovers, the status of quarterback Aaron Rodgers is uncertain after he was knocked woozy on a reckless second-quarter scramble, and backup Matt Flynn fell flat when given the chance to take charge in the second half.

At least the Packers defense came ready to play against the Lions, although it couldnt score any points to offset the offenses startling inadequacy.

Rodgers absence for just over half the game due to a concussion was no excuse for the Packers awful showing. The offense produced just two first downs with Rodgers at the controls.

In the second half it became a quarterback showdown between the Lions third-stringer (Drew Stanton) and the Packers second-stringer (Flynn).

Both drove their teams into the red zone in the second half, but with the outcome hanging in the balance, Stanton tossed the game-winning touchdown pass and Flynn threw up the game-losing interception.

The Lions have improved, but they still had been beating themselves all season with critical mistakes, so it was shocking that the playoff-contending Packers were the ones who gagged.

Greg Jennings turned an almost certain touchdown pass into a momentum-killing drop and Lions interception in the first half, and tight end Andrew Quarless also coughed up the football in Lions territory.

Those are the kind of blunders that lose games, whether they come from a seasoned veteran like Jennings or inexperienced players like Quarless and Flynn.

Two years ago McCarthy jettisoned defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and special teams coach Mike Stock when their units werent performing up to acceptable standards.

In assessing the current state of the offense, McCarthy must look first in the mirror and hold himself accountable, since thats his area of expertise and he calls the plays.

This isnt the only time the offense has sputtered this season. Something isnt right, and if McCarthy doesnt get it fixed, the Packers will miss the playoffs for the second time in three years and the third time in his five years as head coach.

Things wont get any easier with New England, the New York Giants and Chicago looming on the schedule. This is no time for the offense to go in the tank.

Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.

Just how do you think they will get their "act together"? Are they going to get a O-Line that can actually block? A running back that can actually pick up 1 whole yard? A head coach who came from the Mike Martz school of getting your QB killed. They same garbage year after year. MM can't even manage the clock at the end of the half or the end of the game! I love the fact that if it's a close game, the Packers never win. 2 playoff appearances in 6 years, what part of that makes anybody with rational thought, think this is anything more than a .500 club?

"Scott1956" wrote:

The offense has been out of sync all year--not just this came. We just played both halves as poorly as we've been playing the first half (on offense) all year. The defense played well enough to win.

I don't know if the play calling changed when Flynn came in, or if Rogers is always looking for the big play, but Flynn was taking what the defense gave him and moving the ball. He just couldn't make the plays he needed to. I really think Rogers is trying to be MVP of fantasy football instead of getting first downs and winning games. I've read before that his role model is Brady--maybe he needs to study Brady a little more closely. Brady is patient and analytical. Unlike Manning, Brady doesn't go through a million gyrations at the line of scrimmage. He's decisive and surgical. Rogers needs to pick up the pace and stop going for the long ball on EVERY play. MOVE THE CHAINS. That's how you score points and dominate time of possession.

"Star15Fan" wrote:

I get the impression that Mike V is suggesting that MM be let go if the Packers miss the playoffs. I agree. I don't care that we have had a ton of injuries, MM seems to produce a mediocre team every year. He should look in the mirror. If I am Ted Thompson the only way I let MM come back is if he fires the OL coach and special teams coach. Those two units have been sub-standard for years. I am embarrassed to be a Packer fan. At least we could lose with enthusiasm but with MM that will never happen. His teams are so lacking in inspiration.

"packersinmn" wrote:

Pats just might put up a "50 burger" next week on this packer team...One big reason is their coach will not "settle" for anything less than a 110% effort...

Brady said it as others have, "nobody on the team has a secure position, if they don't do their job coach will yank them immediately"...

Also, McCarthy NEVER gives a running back an opportunity the entire game...McCoy of the Eagles had 14 yards at half time but busted one for 60 something and ended up with over 100...MM would never have given him that many touches if he wasn't getting yards early...

How many games have we seen guys like Peterson have a slow game going late in the 2nd half when they break it open and end up with a buck-fifth...

Last year MM was the worst play caller in the entire league and he has improved on being worse this year than last...heading for an all time low in play calling in the NFL />..

V-Moose..."offense better get act together"...WHAT OFFENSE? Rodgers got no protection and can't open a hole in swiss cheese...

Moose, should be writing about Rodgers having a short career...maybe out of football before he reaches 30 because of multiple concussions...that goes directly to TT...don't protect your franchise and you might be headed south;

"shhhharleyrod" wrote:

This loss makes me sick! Why would you put the game in the hands of a career backup QB on 4th and 1?
Why, why, why, why, why? I'm not gonna sit here and bash MM or Ted Thompson but why would you call that play as your last play of the game? This team was flat from the opening K/O and that is a direct reflection of the coaching staff and their preparation! MM and Ted Thompson have assembled a talented team but they just can not get these guys ready to play on Sundays. Miami, Wash and Det are far inferior teams, no excuses for losing to them except lack of prep. And by the way....where has 52 been the last 6 weeks??

"PaPackFan77" wrote:

Where's the short passing game? The West Coast offense? Flynn ran it for most of 2nd Half and moved the ball and had much better rythm than Rodgers in the 1st Half. Flynn wasn't the great, but did okay considering the situation.

The WC helps if a team doesn't have a great RB. It eats up the clock and keeps the chains moving. It keeps the defense off the field. Why don't we run it with Rodgers anymore. It's all vertical passing game. The big play.

"rover27" wrote:

Us "geniuses" realize you need to be PREPARED for the game of football. The amount of injuries and sub-standard leadership evident in the factual results are a direct condemnation of the coaching staff & players. Its not panic, its recognition of failed leadership, preparation, and ingenuity. Maybe we should keep the current staff, but cut their pay. Then maybe they would be incented to try harder. Oh, but then they would just go somewhere else. Take some responsibility and make it happen, or get out.

"deerlakejens" wrote: