It saddens me I will be writing a R&R post for the last time, I was not ready for the season to end – especially like this. I am proud of this team for fighting through adversity this year and going as far as they did without many of their star players.
Where was this offense all season? This will be the million dollar question throughout the offseason. It took injuries to Nelson, Cobb, Adams and Montgomery to force McCarthy’s hand and play Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis but when they finally got their chance they excelled, besides Abby’s drop on his first attempt he caught everything tossed his way and Janis’s play speaks for itself. Rodgers seemed to get upset with him on a corner route in the end-zone, Aaron threw to the front corner and Jeff went to the back but after that play they seemed to get on the same page with some big catches to keep the beat up Packers in a game most figured to be a blowout like the first meeting. Speaking for myself I believe if McCarthy had played Janis more this season things could have been different, he stretches the field with speed, even though his route running is not where Rodgers would like, It might have been worth a few bad routes for the payoff of big plays which he showed can happen in this game. But the what “could have been, should have been’s” are meaningless now so onto next season and hope these two guys showed enough for Rodgers and McCarthy to trust them more.
It’s hard to blame the defense for this loss but it was one big play they messed up on which ended their season on a low note, Larry Fitzgerald is the Cardinals best receiver and for them to let him get wide open like that was mind boggling, granted Palmer made a great play by escaping the pass rush and buying time but someone on defense blew the coverage on Fitz big time. Even after the catch the guys looked bad trying to tackle him.
There will be some fans screaming Fire McCarthy, Fire Capers, Fire Thompson just like every year they fall short but the reality is they are the reason this team is in the playoffs each year and this year they did it with a depleted group. One thing I believe needs to be done is Bennett as OC needs to be replaced, I have been saying that all year and yes even when they were 6-0 that Bennett is not a very good offensive coordinator. Right from the start you could see the offense was not its usual self and I believe it’s on Bennett. Clements is a much better OC so let him do the job even if they want to call him a assistant head coach. Put Bennett back as the receiver coach because Van Pelt obviously isn’t the man for the job. These are just my feelings so don’t take them to heart and think it will be done because most likely nothing will change and everyone promoted this year will be right back next year doing the same jobs!
Well the season is done. it’s been a bumpy ride and lots of memories, I want to thank all my readers for your support and criticism, I enjoyed your input to each of my R&R posts. Sorry it comes to an end but maybe I will see you all next season same time same place~
Let us know your thoughts about not only this game but the season as a whole in the comments below or the facebook fanpage.
Thank you,
Jeff
Follow me on [email protected]
#GoPacGo
Well said on all points. The Pack will be back on top next season of that I have NO DOUBT!!!
So, yes, we had many injuries – Jordy, Sam B., Andrew Q., Morgan B, Sam Shields, Ty M., DaVante A., each O-Lineman, Eddie’s rib, and likely a few that don’t come immediately to mind.
Yes, big names. But, every team has injuries, and those we relied on (when they were healthy) didn’t deliver at a level we needed.
I think when we talk injuries as a driver of our shorter-than-desired playoff run, or in regard to the season in total, we have to talk about execution, or lack thereof, by those that did play when healthy. Drops, sacks, missed tackles, dropped INT’s, fumbles, missed blocks and many a penalty. Keep these in mind for next year too, please – as we may have been “hurt” more by poor execution than by injuries. That said, we played better than expected vs. AZ, so yes, there is a lot of optimism for next year, provided we execute. That’s on both the players and the coaches, so all involved have something to work on and build on.
Couple of things. I think Mathews might have a valid point. In golf s “sudden death” playoff goes until someone actually wins, in basketball they play until someone wins, hockey the same. Why only in football does a team not get a chance to play? Nest, I think the Coach is maybe a little conservative in his decisions. OK that is it. Have a great off year.
Ya agree they should have to play the whole over time so each team gets a chance to win the rule suck and they need to change that rule at least it would be fair to all teams.
If Sam Shields catches that ball for an INT, we win the game…..
He dropped two that resulted in 10 points for the Cards.
Yes, for me that was the biggest frustration of this game. His two drops cost us 10 points. To take that a step further, on the AZ tipped pass for a touchdown, Randall and Heyward were blanketing their receivers. Shields was so far off Michael Floyd that he wasn’t even in the TV shot when Floyd caught it. Had he been covering like the rest of his defensive backfield, there wouldn’t be a catch off the tip. My biggest rant: Big contract money and failure in the big moment from our veteran defensive back.
I agree that they did better than they probably should have with the receiving core they had and that they needed the speed of Janes but his hands and routes will cost us too many interceptions in key moments. Even in his biggest play of his career in Arizona (yes I was there in person so did not get to see all the replays) he managed to drop it and get lucky to have a second chance before it hit the ground. Nelson and Montgomery should be ahead of him on the depth chart as should Abredaris (sp?)….my concerns were why Cobb can’t get open without Nelson and Janis in general!! If we could trade Janes and get something for him I would do it in a heartbeat….by the time you look at a WR depth chart where is Janes in your mind?
Nelson
Cobb
Jones
Adams
Montgomery
Abredaris
Janis
???
Jones probably won’t be re-signed so you go with your list, in that order, minus Jones.
Tough year but it did on a great season ending game despite the loss. My one question that will haunt me all off season is what happened to the team after the first loss to Denver? After that game they were not a team anymore . Arguments on the sidelines, throwing I-pads, and total confusion. Then at Washington it all changed. Why?
Anyway I’m Green and Gold forever! Next year we will return to greatness