Packersnews.com:
Key players make key errors
Turnovers by Favre, Green play pivotal role in defeat
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
There's no place Packers coach Mike McCarthy would rather see the football than in the hands of quarterback Brett Favre or running back Ahman Green.
That's why it was so disconcerting for McCarthy to watch those prominent players commit critical turnovers in the second half of Sunday's game.
Favre was the first culprit. The Packers reached the Saints' 7-yard-line in the third quarter when Favre lobbed a pass into the hands of Saints safety Omar Stoutmire.
"I couldn't believe he threw it," Stoutmire said. "I thought he was just going to go down and take the sack. Then he threw it right to me."
Favre said he was trying to throw the ball away and was hit as he threw the pass.
"I think Donald was coming across, and I was throwing it right over his head, and I got hit," Favre said. "It's unfortunate, because we had a good drive going. Up to that point, we had done a good job of controlling the ball and taking care of it."
Six plays later, John Carney kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Saints a 17-13 lead.
As costly as Favre's interception was, Green's fumble in the fourth quarter essentially ended the Packers' chances to win. The Packers trailed 27-20 but had plenty of time to rally. Instead, Saints defensive end Charles Grant knocked the ball out of Green's hands.
"The defender just got a good swipe at it coming from the back side behind me, where I really didn't see him coming from behind, because I was trying to get up the field," Green said. "He got a really good hit on the ball, and I just lost it."
Deuce McAllister ran for a 23-yard touchdown on the next play to give the Saints a 34-20 lead.
Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski appeared especially frustrated at Green's fumble.
"That doesn't help. You've got to take care of the football. I don't care. Whoever has the ball in his hands, he's got the ball in his hands for the whole team," Jagodzinski said. "You've got to hang onto the football. That's what loses games. You can't turn the ball over in this league."
Even though Favre led the NFL with 29 interceptions last season and Green has a history of fumbling, their teammates were surprised to see two of their best players give up the ball at such costly points in the game.
"It happens, but it's really something that you just hate to see," center Scott Wells said. "That interception was a killer. I'm not blaming Brett in any way, but if we don't turn the ball over there, that's almost a certain touchdown."
Saints receiver Joe Horn said the two turnovers were the difference in the game, and said he was surprised to see them come from Favre and Green.
"We turned the ball over early, and it cost us 13 points early," Horn said. "But their turnovers pretty much did them in."
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I agree, we aren't good enough(we're too young,raw,weak in certain areas) to turn the ball over and win, even vs. average\mediocre teams.
Key players make key errors
Turnovers by Favre, Green play pivotal role in defeat
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
There's no place Packers coach Mike McCarthy would rather see the football than in the hands of quarterback Brett Favre or running back Ahman Green.
That's why it was so disconcerting for McCarthy to watch those prominent players commit critical turnovers in the second half of Sunday's game.
Favre was the first culprit. The Packers reached the Saints' 7-yard-line in the third quarter when Favre lobbed a pass into the hands of Saints safety Omar Stoutmire.
"I couldn't believe he threw it," Stoutmire said. "I thought he was just going to go down and take the sack. Then he threw it right to me."
Favre said he was trying to throw the ball away and was hit as he threw the pass.
"I think Donald was coming across, and I was throwing it right over his head, and I got hit," Favre said. "It's unfortunate, because we had a good drive going. Up to that point, we had done a good job of controlling the ball and taking care of it."
Six plays later, John Carney kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Saints a 17-13 lead.
As costly as Favre's interception was, Green's fumble in the fourth quarter essentially ended the Packers' chances to win. The Packers trailed 27-20 but had plenty of time to rally. Instead, Saints defensive end Charles Grant knocked the ball out of Green's hands.
"The defender just got a good swipe at it coming from the back side behind me, where I really didn't see him coming from behind, because I was trying to get up the field," Green said. "He got a really good hit on the ball, and I just lost it."
Deuce McAllister ran for a 23-yard touchdown on the next play to give the Saints a 34-20 lead.
Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski appeared especially frustrated at Green's fumble.
"That doesn't help. You've got to take care of the football. I don't care. Whoever has the ball in his hands, he's got the ball in his hands for the whole team," Jagodzinski said. "You've got to hang onto the football. That's what loses games. You can't turn the ball over in this league."
Even though Favre led the NFL with 29 interceptions last season and Green has a history of fumbling, their teammates were surprised to see two of their best players give up the ball at such costly points in the game.
"It happens, but it's really something that you just hate to see," center Scott Wells said. "That interception was a killer. I'm not blaming Brett in any way, but if we don't turn the ball over there, that's almost a certain touchdown."
Saints receiver Joe Horn said the two turnovers were the difference in the game, and said he was surprised to see them come from Favre and Green.
"We turned the ball over early, and it cost us 13 points early," Horn said. "But their turnovers pretty much did them in."
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I agree, we aren't good enough(we're too young,raw,weak in certain areas) to turn the ball over and win, even vs. average\mediocre teams.