The Ron Wolf quote that started this thread came to my mind as well after the game. But I always thought it was a little unfair to that '97 squad, since they at least won two playoff games (including the NFC Championship on the road). The quote is perhaps more relevant now, since this is first team in NFL history to go 15-1 and lose the first playoff game. However going into the 2012 season this team looks superior to the one heading into '98, and with the nucleus they have, I'd be shocked if they didn't have a chance for playoff redemption next year.
So here we are, another year later and another team who overmatched us in the playoffs.
It makes me think of the Fart in the Wind comment Wolf made after the 1997 season ended.
Just 2 years ago, there was talk of a potential Packers "dynasty" after we beat the Bears in the NFCCG and then the Steelers to win the Super Bowl. None of us have won a playoff game since (except beating Joe Webb which doesn't feel like a playoff win, especially considering they beat us the week before with Ponder).
Anyway, we've seen the 49ers & Seahawks improving for a few years, especially on defense. And now with new QB's just this year, they took huge steps forward thruout the year.
Obviously we all HOPE we win another Super Bowl. Dynasty talk is clearly over.
But Farve was one & done with rings even though he, like Rodgers, was young still when he won his first one.
Peyton Manning was one & done.
Steve Young only won one.
Marino never made it back after the first one as a 2nd year young stud.
Drew Brees is one & done, he won't win another.
We have seen our defense regress.
And now we know that a big cog in our great passing game we've had (Greg Jennings) is going to be gone.
He was our best one, but what made our WR corps so good was the depth we had 1-2-3-4. Woodson's on the downside of his career. Those were special players for us, like it or not. They weren't "just guys".
So who here thinks this is going to be another "era" where we are a FART IN THE WIND?
That the Super Bowl win in Dallas will be the only one for Rodgers?
To me, it all, 100%, depends on the defense. We need the defense to get physical. Get to the point where they can stop people. Not just pray for interceptions, but actually stop people.
How many 3rd downs does this soft feminine defense allow?
https://packergeeks.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/ron-wolf-holmgren-pig-headed-in-1998-super-bowl/