TT and MM looking a little smarter now...

[Greg C.]

Today's win was another step in the right direction, and what I liked most about it is that some of Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy's more questionable moves (some of which I personally liked, and others that I didn't) are looking more reasonable than they did at first. Such as:

1. Not bringing in veterans to help out the O-line. The Rookies are doing just fine, thank you, now that they've got some experience under their belts.

2. Signing Charles Woodson. He's played pretty well all season, and is getting better. Harris may be better than Woodson in coverage, but not by much, and Woodson brings a playmaking mentality that this defense badly needs. When asked in the post-game press conference about his interception, the first thing Woodson said was, "I should have had three." (He said he didn't get the others because the ball was badly thrown or he got pushed by the receiver.)

3. Trading Samkon Gado for Vernand Morency. We learned way back in June that Gado was having trouble with this blocking scheme, and he showed zero improvement before the season started. Meanwhile, Morency right from day one has looked well-suited to this offense.

4. Keeping all those tight ends and using them in so many different ways. The tight ends seem to be making the offense very flexible. I'm not sold on this approach yet, but it does not look like such a weird idea anymore.

5. Keeping Brady Poppinga in the starting lineup in spite of his early-season struggles in coverage. He seems to be getting the hang of it now.

Maybe there are some others I'm missing. The point is that with a young team, first-year coach, first-year coordinators, and a GM who is only in his second year on the job, we might be best to remain patient and see how things work out. Right now things are looking better.

 

[tromadz]

well people expected the entire script to be flipped starting with game 1 (vs the best defense in the league no less) and that was irrational.

There was going to be growing pains, and mistakes made by rookies(including rookie HC, McCarthy) and eventually they would gel as a team.

The zone blocking scheme looked like a joke at first, but now we have a consistent running game (2 1oo-yard runners, baby).

The gado move was not popular, because GADO was so popular. He was a good player, and an even better person, but he didnt fit in, so we got someone who did.

3-4, looking at 4-4 if we can beat the bills. Long season and unfortunately it might be too big of a hole to rebound from, but we'll learn a lot about the team, and be dominant next year with favre at the helm.

 

[WinnipegPackFan]

I may owe TT an apology, time will tell on this. These last two wins were very nice and it seems the team is headed in the right direction but I still want to see "Close" games against the better teams we have yet to face !!

 

[Packersfan43084]

In my humble opinion, the Packers can make the playoffs, if they can keep rolling. If our offense can stay balanced we'll be in great shape. Defensivley, we're still not all there yet, but still can make plays.

Don't forget about Ted Thompson re-signing Kampman this past offseason. If he hadn't, our defense would be terrible (Kampman has 8.5 sacks) and he would probably would be wearing a Vikings jersey.

 

[GakkofNorway]

I may owe TT an apology, time will tell on this. These last two wins were very nice and it seems the team is headed in the right direction but I still want to see "Close" games against the better teams we have yet to face !!

I agree, but people say we only beat poor teams, yea it might be, but the Saints look for real and that was a close game that we had won with the kind of execution we had today. So I think we can beat good teams too.

 

[Greg C.]

Today's win was stronger than last week's win (got an early lead this time and never let them back into it), so I do think the Packers are capable of beating some good teeams now. Not to get ahead of ourselves here, but if the Packers beat the Bills next week, and the Vikings lose at least one of their next two games, the Packers will be in position to move into second place by beating the Vikings at the Crap Dome on November 12th.

 

[GakkofNorway]

if the roof doesn't fall down that is

 

[WinnipegPackFan]

I may owe TT an apology, time will tell on this. These last two wins were very nice and it seems the team is headed in the right direction but I still want to see "Close" games against the better teams we have yet to face !!

I agree, but people say we only beat poor teams, yea it might be, but the Saints look for real and that was a close game that we had won with the kind of execution we had today. So I think we can beat good teams too.

Good point about the Saints Gakk :thumbsup:

 

[HatestheEagles084]

Today's win was another step in the right direction, and what I liked most about it is that some of Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy's more questionable moves (some of which I personally liked, and others that I didn't) are looking more reasonable than they did at first. Such as:

1. Not bringing in veterans to help out the O-line. The Rookies are doing just fine, thank you, now that they've got some experience under their belts.

2. Signing Charles Woodson. He's played pretty well all season, and is getting better. Harris may be better than Woodson in coverage, but not by much, and Woodson brings a playmaking mentality that this defense badly needs. When asked in the post-game press conference about his interception, the first thing Woodson said was, "I should have had three." (He said he didn't get the others because the ball was badly thrown or he got pushed by the receiver.)

3. Trading Samkon Gado for Vernand Morency. We learned way back in June that Gado was having trouble with this blocking scheme, and he showed zero improvement before the season started. Meanwhile, Morency right from day one has looked well-suited to this offense.

4. Keeping all those tight ends and using them in so many different ways. The tight ends seem to be making the offense very flexible. I'm not sold on this approach yet, but it does not look like such a weird idea anymore.

5. Keeping Brady Poppinga in the starting lineup in spite of his early-season struggles in coverage. He seems to be getting the hang of it now.

Maybe there are some others I'm missing. The point is that with a young team, first-year coach, first-year coordinators, and a GM who is only in his second year on the job, we might be best to remain patient and see how things work out. Right now things are looking better.

I dumped on the zone blocking scheme after the first few games but it looks like its finally taking hold

the offensive line, great work, let these kids play together, get to know each others tendencies, etc...

Mike McCarthy has brought an enthusiastic spirit which has carried over to the team and the fans, we're winning the games that we should win at this point and still giving teams such as new orleans, st. louis a run for their money...it simply feels great to win, two in a row,

 

[PackerChick]

yes, things are getting better, but its going to get rougher down the road. We must rise up to the challenge.

 

[BryanAschenbrenner]

I may owe TT an apology, time will tell on this. These last two wins were very nice and it seems the team is headed in the right direction but I still want to see "Close" games against the better teams we have yet to face !!

I agree, but people say we only beat poor teams, yea it might be, but the Saints look for real and that was a close game that we had won with the kind of execution we had today. So I think we can beat good teams too.

I agree. By the way, in your sig it says "Donald Driver Wrote". Was he on these forums or something? Just curious.

 

[jhensiak]

Even though my excitement is tempered by the teams we have beat, Remember...The first step to being a good team is beating the teams you are supposed to beat. This is turning into a exciting, young, and talented team with a HOF QB. This is the first time in a long time I am excited about the next few years.

Thanks Ted :bang:

 

[longtimefan]

I may owe TT an apology, time will tell on this. These last two wins were very nice and it seems the team is headed in the right direction but I still want to see "Close" games against the better teams we have yet to face !!

I agree, but people say we only beat poor teams, yea it might be, but the Saints look for real and that was a close game that we had won with the kind of execution we had today. So I think we can beat good teams too.

I agree. By the way, in your sig it says "Donald Driver Wrote". Was he on these forums or something? Just curious.

DD said it talking to reporters today is what I think I read

 

[Packula]

Meh.

This is a game we should have won...even if we completely sucked. Arizona is a team without any hope right now...they were waving a white flag by the end of the first quarter.

Now, don't let me take anything away from what I'm seeing that is positive: the OLine is looking better, Green and Morency were exploding through the holes, Favre is passing efficiently, and our defense is...well, good enough to hold off the Cardinals.

There's a lot of hope right now.

But we need to beat NFL talent, not Division III college football talent, in order to say we're truly "on the right track". Our three wins are against teams that are, to say it bluntly, wallowing in their own misery.

I think the best realistic thing that can be said is that we are forward thinking, and that is what is allowing us to beat bad teams.

Now, let's see what happens with a team that is just a touch better next week, and then let's see the real test against the Patriots.

 

[Cory]

yes, things are getting better, but its going to get rougher down the road. We must rise up to the challenge.

You are 100% right it gets rougher down the road. However, I do like the mental makeup of this team to come out fighting.

 

[Cory]

Meh.

This is a game we should have won...even if we completely sucked. Arizona is a team without any hope right now...they were waving a white flag by the end of the first quarter.

Now, don't let me take anything away from what I'm seeing that is positive: the OLine is looking better, Green and Morency were exploding through the holes, Favre is passing efficiently, and our defense is...well, good enough to hold off the Cardinals.

There's a lot of hope right now.

But we need to beat NFL talent, not Division III college football talent, in order to say we're truly "on the right track". Our three wins are against teams that are, to say it bluntly, wallowing in their own misery.

I think the best realistic thing that can be said is that we are forward thinking, and that is what is allowing us to beat bad teams.

Now, let's see what happens with a team that is just a touch better next week, and then let's see the real test against the Patriots.

Ok the Lions might be division III talent, but the Phins and Cards were both **** picks for the playoffs this year while the Packers were picked to be the worst of the worst.

 

[Anubis]

Not to take anything away from today's win, but let's have a dose of realism, shall we?

I will concur that the offense was firing on all cylinders today, and the zone blocking scheme was working very well. However, this win was against a team that is now 1-7, not 7-1. They have that record for a reason, and I can guarantee it is not because they are playing good. Ditto goes for Miami, who are 1-6. If we were unable to beat either of these teams (despite how "****" what some number-crunching propeller head thought they were before the season started), it would not say much for the Packers progress to date.

Morency was definately a good choice for our system. He has performed consistantly and had another stellar game today. I was sceptical about trading Gado when it happened, but Morency is making the right moves on offense.

Woodson is finally starting to live up to some of the hype. He is an above-average corner, and is making some very good decisions on the field. I really hope he is able to continue his INT streak vs. Buffalo.

I can't say I care much for Sanders as DC, though. We need to be more consistant throughout the entire game, not just the first couple of quarters. What was with Cliftons three penalties today??? They could have cost us big under slightly different circumstances.

MM should leave the trick plays to college ball and the Steelers. The failed FG fake on our first drive is the kind of thing that is both unnecessary, and can come back to haunt us later. Take the points when you can get them.

Criticism aside, they Pack gave a very good effort that showed progress and resulted in a much-needed win. Let's hope the lads can continue to improve next week in Buffalo.

GO PACK!!!

Robert C. Hedley

 

[vixtalkn]

I can't say I care much for Sanders as DC, though. We need to be more consistant throughout the entire game, not just the first couple of quarters.

A win's a win, but I agree. Although we got to Lienert on a few blitzes, for the most part he had all day to pass. When he did pass his receivers were wide open. Something's missing in the pass defense. Either somebody's not executing or the script needs work.

 

[Packnic]

TT sucks

 

[millertime]

i think if we win the games we should and half of the games we shouldn't we can make the playoffs

 

[spardo62]

The jury is still out on both. I like the philosophy of TT and it seems he has done a good job of turning over the bottom half of the roster. We still need a couple of years to evaluate the top end of the drafts and we need to see what he does now that he has transformed the bottom half of the roster and has gotten much younger.

MM has shown growth over the course of the season and seems to have a good feel for the offense and playcalling. The performance of the defense the rest of this year and how MM reacts during the offseason will be telling.

That said, I am generally happy with the performance of both and feel good about the future of this franchise.

 

[Packnic]

nope seriously TT and MM suck, they lost the first few games so we should have canned them both long ago.

we shouldnt have hired MM because he coached at san fran, and that means something.

TT is a tight *** and is gonna ruin this franchise.

 

[Cory]

Not to take anything away from today's win, but let's have a dose of realism, shall we?

I will concur that the offense was firing on all cylinders today, and the zone blocking scheme was working very well. However, this win was against a team that is now 1-7, not 7-1. They have that record for a reason, and I can guarantee it is not because they are playing good. Ditto goes for Miami, who are 1-6. If we were unable to beat either of these teams (despite how "****" what some number-crunching propeller head thought they were before the season started), it would not say much for the Packers progress to date.

Morency was definately a good choice for our system. He has performed consistantly and had another stellar game today. I was sceptical about trading Gado when it happened, but Morency is making the right moves on offense.

Woodson is finally starting to live up to some of the hype. He is an above-average corner, and is making some very good decisions on the field. I really hope he is able to continue his INT streak vs. Buffalo.

I can't say I care much for Sanders as DC, though. We need to be more consistant throughout the entire game, not just the first couple of quarters. What was with Cliftons three penalties today??? They could have cost us big under slightly different circumstances.

MM should leave the trick plays to college ball and the Steelers. The failed FG fake on our first drive is the kind of thing that is both unnecessary, and can come back to haunt us later. Take the points when you can get them.

Criticism aside, they Pack gave a very good effort that showed progress and resulted in a much-needed win. Let's hope the lads can continue to improve next week in Buffalo.

GO PACK!!!

Robert C. Hedley

I bet that is what the Eagles fans, Saints fans, Rams fans, and Bears fans all said they beat the Packers this year. "Hey it's just the lowly Packers"...I agree AZ is not exactly New England, but as MM said he isn't going to apologize for a win. Imagine if we had lost these games?

 

[Anubis]

nope seriously TT and MM suck, they lost the first few games so we should have canned them both long ago.

we shouldnt have hired MM because he coached at san fran, and that means something.

TT is a tight *** and is gonna ruin this franchise.

Gee... Someone changed their tune awfully fast. :roll:

What's your point, Packnic? Is it the fact that in your world one good win absolves managemant of the mistakes of the past, or is it that there is not enough animosity on the forum for you anymore? Either way, I am not interested in your senseless banter.

Welcome to my killfile. *IGNORED*.

GO PACK!!!

Robert C. Hedley

 

[Anubis]

I bet that is what the Eagles fans, Saints fans, Rams fans, and Bears fans all said they beat the Packers this year. "Hey it's just the lowly Packers"...I agree AZ is not exactly New England, but as MM said he isn't going to apologize for a win. Imagine if we had lost these games?

Here are the relevent parts of my previous post that address your statement above:

Not to take anything away from today's win, but let's have a dose of realism, shall we?

I will concur that the offense was firing on all cylinders today, and the zone blocking scheme was working very well. However, this win was against a team that is now 1-7, not 7-1. They have that record for a reason, and I can guarantee it is not because they are playing good. Ditto goes for Miami, who are 1-6. If we were unable to beat either of these teams (despite how "****" what some number-crunching propeller head thought they were before the season started), it would not say much for the Packers progress to date.

Criticism aside, they Pack gave a very good effort that showed progress and resulted in a much-needed win. Let's hope the lads can continue to improve next week in Buffalo.

Nowhere did I imply that MM should "apologize" for the win (whatever that is supposed to mean). We beat AZ, who is a 1-7 team. Had we not won, this forum would be afire with fans calling for TT's and MM's heads on a platter.

Apparently, healthy criticism is still not welcome on this forum. That in itself speaks volumes about where most people think our season is headed.

GO PACK!!!

Robert C. Hedley