Packers vs Bears Game Thread: Seasons End

[DoURant]

Matt LaFleur on late-game clock mismanagement: ‘That falls on my shoulders’

"That’s on me. That can’t happen."

www.acmepackingcompany.com

You are an NFL head coach. You were down by 2 with 1 minute left in the game.

How were you and your special teams coach not on the same page as to the range of your kicker? You didn’t think to discuss that with him before 4th down?

My only explanation, and by all means not making an excuse for him, is that all kickoffs in that direction were short all day, making me think that the wind was blowing in. Then the announcers said the flags were limp on the goalpost. Regardless, the timeout screwed that all up. Either a 1st down going for it, or making/ missing the FG is what it came down to, and if he wanted to think about it, take the timeout before the delay of game penalty would be called.

 

[Firethorn1001]

I will say one thing. I'm not a fire X person, but MLF calls one more freaking sweep play next week I might move to the head of the line...

 

[adambr2]

The number of “that can’t happen” we’ve heard from MLF this season is nauseating.

What can’t happen is repeatedly having to sheepishly explain that something that did happen during a game can’t happen.

Do better at in-game communication and instinctive decision making so you don’t have to keep returning to the podium with that statement.

MLF has said numerous times that he makes decisions with “his gut”. Maybe try, I don’t know, trying to think ahead a little bit during the game instead?

 

[Half Empty]

Didn't see your other post with uncensoreddefinition. Live posting, it could have been anything, and filling in the blank could make anyone think the worst... it wasn't directed towards me, but for what it's worth, my first thought was negative, and I can see why OS reacted the way he did.

Fair enough. However, for him to react that way without asking what was censored. It took a while for me to do the definition thing because I never thought that word would be blocked. I guess we're all oriented to think that any ***** word must be really offensive.

 

[DoURant]

I will say one thing. I'm not a fire X person, but MLF calls one more freaking sweep play next week I might move to the head of the line...

He calls too many in a game, or none... no middle ground. And twice on 4th down this year that went backwards. I hate when coaches try to get cute in important situations, such as 4th down.

 

[adambr2]

My only explanation, and by all means not making an excuse for him, is that all kickoffs in that direction were short all day, making me think that the wind was blowing in. Then the announcers said the flags were limp on the goalpost. Regardless, the timeout screwed that all up. Either a 1st down going for it, or making/ missing the FG is what it came down to, and if he wanted to think about it, take the timeout before the delay of game penalty would be called.

If MLF goes for the FG and McManus misses, that is defensible.

If he goes for it on 4th and they fail, that is defensible.

What is not defensible is MLF and Bisaccia not being on the same page on what they were going to do on 4th down.

 

[David Ciembronowicz]

FoxNews headline that says a lot about this game:

Chicago shocks clueless Green Bay Packers with punt return trickery for touchdown​

adds insult to injury unfortunately and questions ST players and coach(es). Pondering, is MLF tired of being HC of "the youngest team in the NFL"? In this position, takes a toll on anyone having to deal with guys who are not seasoned, have significant holes in their game and in this day and age require constant teaching, mentoring and leadership. Just a question but one that if you look at MLF face at times he is clearly frustrated.

 

[Calebs Revenge]

George Halas.

Bazinga.
But to be fair. I think Halas was done coaching by the time of first Super Bowl iirc. I could be wrong.

 

[DoURant]

The number of “that can’t happen” we’ve heard from MLF this season is nauseating.

"That can't happen" is MLF's version of MM's "Pad level, and fundamentals"

 

[Magooch]

"That can't happen" is MLF's version of MM's "Pad level, and fundamentals"

Yeah, I've beleaguered this point plenty of times. Every time something like this happens, MLF gives a generic pseudo-apology where he claims responsibility and says that can't happen anymore and yet... they still happen, week after week after week... I'd rather he just say nothing at this point rather than say this sort of stuff any longer

 

[gopkrs]

We did not look good when they returned kick offs today. Really no excuse for that.

 

[OldSchool101]

Only listened to the Game live. Upon watching the replay couple observations.

The Obvious. We either held our players or went conservative. That also tells me we likely went more vanilla on Offensive gameplan
Player protection > a Win

-I Didn’t see Love after Qtr2 12:15. There are 20-three minute segments.
Love played in just 6 of those 20 segments

-Kenny Clark barely played. They pulled him early and I saw him on the last drive during the last Bears fumble caused by Valentine.

-Josh Jacobs only played 6 of 20 three minute game segments. Meaning he was purposely pulled back after the 1st quarter + 1 possession.

-KC played Wentz and LOST 0-31. I bet their fans are in shear panic!

-#95 Wyatt was used, but sparingly.

-Kitan Olodapo, our 3rd string Safety played extensively in the Secondary and from go.

-on the Bears Punt return for a TD. Packers TE #86 was clearly held and it 100% impacted a clear path for the returner. Technically there was blocking in the back on one frame if you look closely. However the holding was a full arm bar and our TE could only waive his 1 arm to contest it as it was happening. That should’ve been -10 yards from that spot. The shoving in the back on our guy next to him was more borderline, but gets called regularly when they impact a play, which it did.


-Musgrave was pulled out with Jacobs early in first half. We used #86 (Sims?) extensively.

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[rmontro]

Our hope is basically that a team that hasn’t been able to put it together against a good team all season is finally going to just “flip a switch” in the next 7 days. I just don’t know how realistic that is.

It's certainly possible, but I can't imagine too many people think that it is probable.

I think MLF is a good coach, but I'm wondering if maybe he's getting a little lazy or worn out in the position.

 

[DoURant]

If MLF goes for the FG and McManus misses, that is defensible.

If he goes for it on 4th and they fail, that is defensible.

What is not defensible is MLF and Bisaccia not being on the same page on what they were going to do on 4th down.

I agree, however your last point was defenseible, up until the time they took the timeout way too early.... that's when their lack of being on the same page became "indefensible".

 

[Calebs Revenge]

You never know......this game could really rule ur guys up and they come out against Philly with their hair on fire!!!!
Any given Sunday.....amirite?!?!?!?

 

[Calebs Revenge]

Rile

 

[Firethorn1001]

86 is Fitzpatrick I believe I thought he was the one that chipped the rusher and went out when Willis was crushed (although Kraft? Not sure). Once Watson went down then Love got banged I think the dynamic from playing to win moved to play to win without key guys.

 

[DoURant]

You never know......this game could really rule ur guys up and they come out against Philly with their hair on fire!!!!
Any given Sunday.....amirite?!?!?!?

Any given Sunday... that's why you play the game.

 

[gopkrs]

86 is Fitzpatrick I believe I thought he was the one that chipped the rusher and went out when Willis was crushed (although Kraft? Not sure). Once Watson went down then Love got banged I think the dynamic from playing to win moved to play to win without key guys.

No, that was Kraft. He was in such a hurry to get into a pattern that he made a horrible mistake. Do what you have to do first!

 

[Snoops]

Of course. It just seems to me like the hopes of that happening are rooted more in blind optimism than any logical reason to expect it. That 2010 team was riding momentum heading into the postseason. This one is coming off two division losses including a home loss to the Bears.

Our hope is basically that a team that hasn’t been able to put it together against a good team all season is finally going to just “flip a switch” in the next 7 days. I just don’t know how realistic that is.

You are spot on my friend. Barkley is gonna abuse us. I don’t think think this game will be close at all I’m thinking like 36-13 just a blowout honestly

 

[melvin dangerr]

I just don’t see the leaders. I don’t see the Charles Woodson or the Greg Jennings.

Not for nothing, but this NFC field is also many times more difficult than that one was.

That 2010 team had a feel to it after they beat Atlanta that they weren’t going to be stopped. If the Packers survive their next 2 games against the NFCs two best teams, maybe I’ll have that feeling about them to. But I just don’t right now.

You hit the key word “A feel for it”

 

[Snoops]

DEt vs mn should be good game. Prepare for gb draft day. Too many questions on this team on all three levels (plus coaching)that make a "run" seem likely. What is really concerning is a question of who are/is the leader(s) on this team? Is it Love, IMO not; is it Jacobs (maybe), anyone on the OL?, WR? What about on D, who stands out other than McKinney and Gary, they are likely the leaders but do they have teamwide influence? Leadership is critical to winning, ensuring everyone has a sense of urgency, focus on doing your job right every play, who do you see out there that does that on this GB team. Hard to see despite an 11-6 record

I compare love to J Winston…. He isn’t a superstar but can win games if Green Bay has a solid team around him you can win games but he is not good enough to win games himself…

 

[Pkrjones]

My bigger concern is we have an ultra fragile #33 overall draft selection. I’d replace Watson and Alexander next year imo

Need to find a #1 WR in free agency or the draft... Reed, Wicks, Doubs, Heath & Melton won't get GB too far. They're all #2/3 & 3/4 WR's, usually one or 2 out any given week. Can't ride Jacobs this hard & expect him to last his entire contract.

 

[adambr2]

Need to find a #1 WR in free agency or the draft... Reed, Wicks, Doubs, Heath & Melton won't get GB too far. They're all #2/3 & 3/4 WR's, usually one or 2 out any given week. Can't ride Jacobs this hard & expect him to last his entire contract.

Yeah that is a brutal WR room. I was really hoping Reed was emerge into a #1, but I’ve been really disappointed. Reed and Doubs both add something to the offense, but there’s no #1 WR on this roster, or anything close to it.

 

[DoURant]

Need to find a #1 WR in free agency or the draft... Reed, Wicks, Doubs, Heath & Melton won't get GB too far. They're all #2/3 & 3/4 WR's, usually one or 2 out any given week. Can't ride Jacobs this hard & expect him to last his entire contract.

Yeah, they need an Alpha in the room. No true #1 on the roster. There was hope that one would emerge out of this group, but I think you are right... a bunch of 2-4's is what we have.