2013 NFC North/NFL Thread

[brandx]

Regardless of how the Packers finish, there needs to be changes in the coaching front.  Dom needs to go.  Its not working.  Personally, I think McCarthy is and has always been a terribly overrated coach.  What is his win percentage without Rodgers/Favre?  He has been standing on their shoulders for years.  There are bonehead calls every week... Look no further than the TYFNC (Thank You For Not Coaching) section of Bill Barnwell's column on Grantland every single week.  McCarthy is always there.  This week:

I agree Dom needs to go - just too many guys out of position game after game.

Bill Belichick is also a terribly over-rated  coach - losing record without Brady.  One career playoff win without him   

[Hards Alumni]

No flaming,  I'm not a Packers fan, but I can't get on him for that call.  Would you have gone for a TD there in OT?  I think he played the percentages.  If you don't get the TD, Minnesota wins with a FG.    If it was 4th and goal from the 1, probably go for it.  I would imagine if he went for it, didn't make it and lost that he would be in Grantland's column as well....right?

You're probably right. Typically, Barnwell checks the statistics and follows those... very moneyball type of columnist.

I feel like there are probably three or four times a game where I am dumbfounded with McCarthy's decision making... but it could be worse.  The Packers could have Ron Rivera or Leslie Frazier.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I agree Dom needs to go - just too many guys out of position game after game.

Bill Belichick is also a terribly over-rated  coach - losing record without Brady.  One career playoff win without him   

I lived in Cleveland for a good chunk of B.B's tenure with the Browns.  I think we would all agree you can be a much better coach if you have really good players.  <insert Tom Crean here if you wish, along with just about every other coach>

[Hards Alumni]

I lived in Cleveland for a good chunk of B.B's tenure with the Browns.  I think we would all agree you can be a much better coach if you have really good players.  <insert Tom Crean here if you wish, along with just about every other coach>

Hey now, no Bush doctrine in this thread!

[jesmu84]

If you're looking for some McCarthy hate, check out this guy's twitter.

https://twitter.com/ny2lasports

He's normally a source for bb recruiting, but on Sundays spews loathing.

[NavinRJohnson]

Here is my argument.

At every level of football...from youth, to high school, to college...it is almost always played outdoors and in the elements.  Unlike basketball, volleyball, etc. it is an integral part of the game.

The fact that youth leagues, high schools, etc cannot afford to build climate controlled indoor facilities, is not a good reason for the NFL game to be played in anything other than ideal conditions.

[GGGG]

The fact that youth leagues, high schools, etc cannot afford to build climate controlled indoor facilities, is not a good reason for the NFL game to be played in anything other than ideal conditions.

I don't think indoor facilities with plastic fields are ideal.

[🏀]

I don't think indoor facilities with plastic fields are ideal.

Have you been on FieldTurf?

If not, go to Valley Fields, it's really nice stuff. Optimally, you could run a retractable roof with GrassMaster, but FieldTurf is nothing to scoff at.

[mu03eng]

I think he should have kicked the FG.  If he goes for the TD, and doesn't get it, the Vikings really only have to go about 65 yards for the win.  As it stood, they exceeded that amount on their next drive and it ended in a tie.

A tie wasn't that bad of a result for the Packers.

I've been hearing a fair amount of talk about this call with everyone saying he should have gone for it because at worst the Vikings have the ball at the 2 with Christian Ponder.  Apparently everyone forgot the at least 2 times(might have been three) the Packers pinned the Vikings inside of the 5, including once at the 2 and the D let them out to at least the 50 and gave up a score on one of the drives.

Boggles the mind that the defense could change so much that 2 years ago it was the league leader in take aways and now is the league worst in take aways.

[GGGG]

Have you been on FieldTurf?

If not, go to Valley Fields, it's really nice stuff. Optimally, you could run a retractable roof with GrassMaster, but FieldTurf is nothing to scoff at.

I don't mind field turf outdoors.

[🏀]

I don't mind field turf outdoors.

Well, there we go.

[GGGG]

Boggles the mind that the defense could change so much that 2 years ago it was the league leader in take aways and now is the league worst in take aways.

Nick Collins was better than we all realized at the time - and I thought he was very, very good.  They have not been able to replace him at all.

Charles Woodson got old.  Tramon Williams is getting there.

[GGGG]

Well, there we go.

I probably should have kept the "plastic field" part out of my initial post.

I think football is "ideal" is played outdoors with well maintained natural turf fields, or if need be fieldturf.  I just think the outdoor elements are part of the game.

[🏀]

I probably should have kept the "plastic field" part out of my initial post.

I think football is "ideal" is played outdoors with well maintained natural turf fields, or if need be fieldturf.  I just think the outdoor elements are part of the game.

This isn't acceptable?

[MerrittsMustache]

Boggles the mind that the defense could change so much that 2 years ago it was the league leader in take aways and now is the league worst in take aways.

Takeaways often cover up weaknesses that are exposed when opponents take care of the ball.

Sincerely,
The Chicago Bears

[Hards Alumni]

I've been hearing a fair amount of talk about this call with everyone saying he should have gone for it because at worst the Vikings have the ball at the 2 with Christian Ponder.  Apparently everyone forgot the at least 2 times(might have been three) the Packers pinned the Vikings inside of the 5, including once at the 2 and the D let them out to at least the 50 and gave up a score on one of the drives.

Boggles the mind that the defense could change so much that 2 years ago it was the league leader in take aways and now is the league worst in take aways.

If you're going to say that the Packers couldn't stop the Vikings no matter where they start then I'd agree.  All the more reason to try and win the game when you have a chance.  Why kick the FG if you know your defense has been garbage all game?

[GGGG]

This isn't acceptable?

I have no idea how to judge a playing surface from a picture.

[hairy worthen]

I have no idea how to judge a playing surface from a picture.

Just rest assured, that if it is the bears playing surface, then it sucks.

There is no excuse for poor playing surfaces regardless of the weather.

[mu03eng]

If you're going to say that the Packers couldn't stop the Vikings no matter where they start then I'd agree.  All the more reason to try and win the game when you have a chance.  Why kick the FG if you know your defense has been garbage all game?

I'm just saying that, without any actual statistics, that if they don't make it I didn't think the defense had enough to prevent a field goal.  The defense was able to clamp down in the red zone a fair amount because they didn't have as much ground to cover and as many crossing/post routes to manage.  So my point was if the Packers gave it up at the 2, they(Viqueens) were likely to move into better field position and then a 50/50 proposition at a game winning field goal.

[GGGG]

There is no excuse for poor playing surfaces regardless of the weather.

I don't disagree with that. 

[Dish]

We talk about the QB position all the time (both here and in the media), and it's always an interesting discussion. To me, the RG3 trade is becoming more and more fascinating. A year ago, people were killing the Rams (and the Browns) for making (not making) a move up for RG3.

A year later, both the Rams (and Browns) are in much better positions than the Skins. The Rams, with a solid defense in place, are going to get a top 5 pick next year (in addition to their own pick) from the Skins. Whether or not they want to go with Bradford long term remains to be seen, but they are a team quickly on the rise. Same goes with the Browns. Obviously they have QB issues that need to be addressed, but by not making that deal to move up (and their dealing of Richardson for a 1st rounder), they are in a far better position to be succsessful long term. If there were stock to buy, I'd be all in on the Rams and Browns. Write it down, next year, Cleveland is making the playoffs.

It depends how you feel on RG3 and his future, but I'd argue if the Skins had taken Cousins where they did, and kept the rest of their picks (and future picks), they'd be in a much better position today.

[hairy worthen]

We talk about the QB position all the time (both here and in the media), and it's always an interesting discussion. To me, the RG3 trade is becoming more and more fascinating. A year ago, people were killing the Rams (and the Browns) for making (not making) a move up for RG3.

A year later, both the Rams (and Browns) are in much better positions than the Skins. The Rams, with a solid defense in place, are going to get a top 5 pick next year (in addition to their own pick) from the Skins. Whether or not they want to go with Bradford long term remains to be seen, but they are a team quickly on the rise. Same goes with the Browns. Obviously they have QB issues that need to be addressed, but by not making that deal to move up (and their dealing of Richardson for a 1st rounder), they are in a far better position to be succsessful long term. If there were stock to buy, I'd be all in on the Rams and Browns. Write it down, next year, Cleveland is making the playoffs.

It depends how you feel on RG3 and his future, but I'd argue if the Skins had taken Cousins where they did, and kept the rest of their picks (and future picks), they'd be in a much better position today.

But fans want instant gratification. That's why so many criticize Ted Thompson. The fact of the matter is mid and late round draft choices are the ones that make or break most teams.

[Dish]

The Lions want to do everything possible to lose.

[Sunbelt15]

The Lions want to do everything possible to lose.

I'm saying the same thing about Green Bay right about now (close to halftime).

[brandx]

I think it's official after the last 2 weeks. This team is done this year. Unless Rodgers can coach defense or play safety, his return isn't going to make much difference.

I've watched GB since the crap teams of the 70's and this is the WORST defensive team I have seen. Weak. Soft. Extremely poorly coached. Jennings is probably the worst starting safety in the league. Pickett is through - getting killed by the center. No need to double team.

Can we keep the Lions under 700 yards? The big question for the 2nd half. Can our offense stay within 500 yards of Detroit's offense? Has any team ever been outgained by 500 yards in a single game. They only outgained us by 300 in ONE HALF.