An Alarming Trend in Green Bay: Poor Starts

The Green Bay Packers stood at 5-5 after a 37-3 win over the Chicago Bears. At that point, they had at least given themselves a puncher's chance at the playoffs.

However, they are being plagued lately by a number of problems. We've talked about their defensive issues, and we've discussed the special teams.

The most alarming recent trend with this team might be their slow starts. Since getting to 5-5, the Packers have been blown away by the Saints and Panthers in the first quarters of those games. Against Minnesota, the Packers started slowly, recovered briefly thanks to a couple big plays, and found a way to lose.

In four of the Packers' last five games (Chicago being a notable exception), the Packers have fallen behind. They have lost all four of those games.

Against Houston on Sunday, the Packers came out almost completely unprepared. Tramon Williams got beat by Kevin Walter less than two minutes into the game, and Walter turned the long pass into a longer touchdown when Williams and Nick Collins ran into each other. Walter burned Williams later on for a long play, too. On both plays, Williams was where he needed to be, but never bothered to locate the football. Walter, of course, knew exactly where the ball was because he thought to look for it.

I've said a lot of things about the Packers' season to this point, but the one thing I have not done is call out head coach Mike McCarthy.

However, that may have to change. The Packers can't afford to keep starting games this badly unless a 10-loss season is their goal.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-07-2008 @ 6:38PM

Bob Haack said...

Having been a cheesehead since 1958....a few comments, if you please. You idiots. you couldn't wait to get rid of Favre quick enough. When you idiots are drunk you get smart. Guess what? You are not so smart. In fact, you are rather stupid. You don't trade "Babe Ruth" and expect to get lucky. How does 13-3 look about now. This year's team is a better team with one notable exception. I don't know who is dumber Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy or the drunk cheeseheads. Drink up idiots. The bell has rung. It is always amusing how alcohol never fails to improve some idiot's IQ. Wrong again.

12-07-2008 @ 7:26PM

PACK FAN said...

BOB, THE QUARTERBACK SITUATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS LOSS. THE DEFENSE GAVE UP 549 TOTAL YARDS. WHAT A DISGRACE, TO GET GASHED LIKE THAT. STUPID PENALTIES DID'NT HELP EITHER. RIGHTNOW, WE JUST STINK.

12-07-2008 @ 8:16PM

Doug said...

Bob, last time I checked neither Aaron or Brett play on the defensive side of the ball. It wasn't Aaron who never thought to turn around and look for the ball on Houston's first touchdown. A-Rod didn't play his best game, but he did give the Packers the lead in the 4th, and then got them tied. Both times, the defense gave it right back. Aaron didn't push off the nullify a 44-yard pass play, or commit any of the holding penalties. You can't blame Aaron for letting Houston drive from their own 3 yard line to kick the game winner. For the last 2 weeks, A-Rod has more than held up his end of the deal. The defense has stayed home.

12-08-2008 @ 9:31AM

Schrades said...

Bob -

Don't call yourself a cheesehead anymore, that title is for those fans that stick with the team, this Favre Love bologna has got to stop already. Rogers has done his job this year, TT has provided the players to be competitive, we match up or are superior to all the teams in our division and many in the conference. We have a coaching problem and MM had better seriously review his staff and their effectiveness.

12-08-2008 @ 12:25PM

bruce said...

I have been a Packer fan since 1953 and lived there until 1967. I think the Pack defense is a total shame and had better let the defensive coach go after this season. How much longer can these plays go on. I bet they would have trouble defending a flag football team. I think the train is getting ready to leave town for both Ted and Mike and hope they both get on it.

12-08-2008 @ 7:55PM

allaboard said...

boy oh boy . how ted and mike derailed...not to impressive...poor play calling.....what ever happened to the defensive line?..talk about throwing away a season.. and i think they knew it from , when the train went down the tracks..

12-10-2008 @ 6:28PM

Brad said...

I think this team has taken on Thompsons personality.
There is no fire or leadership on this team . Where Rodgers has played well ,he has not brought this team together with fire and excitement the way Brett did . McCarthy and his staff have done a poor job with using the zone blocking on the offensive line , play calling , defense ,personal choices and special teams . They make the same mistakes week after week .

12-22-2008 @ 1:46PM

Duane said...

I was a Packer fan when TV was blacl and white. Thick and thin
but still a fan. Leardership is gone fron the top down, Teddy T
has giving away some very good players . I didn't like him when he first came to GB. Now it's time for him to leave. How about if we ask Mike H to come back ad GM? We might have to wait a year but I think he will.
GO PACK WE STILL LOVE YA