Special teams coach [intlink id=”621″ type=”category”]Shawn Slocum[/intlink] has been the weak link on the Green Bay Packers coaching staff since joining the team in 2006.
The Packers have consistently been ranked near the bottom of the league in special teams and the units have produced a fairly regular comedy of errors. So, it wasn’t too surprising to see all the Packers running toward a punt returner that was never going to catch the ball and the guy who did catch the ball running down the sidelines in yesterday’s game against the [intlink id=”13″ type=”category”]Chicago Bears[/intlink].
A directional kick left was called on the play to keep the ball away from Devin Hester. Of course, Hester moved to his left away from the ball and everyone on the Packers followed him away from the kick. Johnny Knox would field the ball, which was kicked exactly where it was supposed to go, and no one was around him.
Fortunately, there was a flag on the play and the 89-yard return was negated.
That doesn’t explain why everyone on the Packers went to the right when the call was made to kick left. Are they all a bunch of idiots? Was the Bears plan that masterful and well executed? Are they poorly coached?
You could argue all three, but the fact that this sort of special teams blunder isn’t out of the ordinary tells me it has something to do with the coaching.
So what did Slocum have to say about the play today?
Not much, other than someone should have been covering Knox.
“You’d like for them to have the awareness of knowing where the ball is,” Slocum said. “No. 1 the direction of the kick call indicates that. It’s a tough chore because you’re fighting to get out and they’re trying to hold you up. Then you’re trying to defeat the man that’s blocking you. Then you’re going down the field and the next indicator is the returner.”
Ah, thanks.
Good excuse.
Doesn’t anyone just look up to see where the ball is going? It’s not like returners never “act” like they got it. And how about some lane discipline?
On that play they looked like a bunch of five-year-olds chasing a soccer ball.
Give credit where credit was due. It was a great call by the Bears as a desperation move at the end of the game. Of course I am happy that it was called back (mainly because of the embarrassment factor if it had succeeded) but if it would have worked I am confident Driver would have recovered the on-side kick!
Good call Kirby. I was saying the same thing yesterday about DD!
The worst part is that MM said the Bears actually tried the same play earlier in the game, when Masthay put it inside the 5. Fool me twice?
As for the players, it’s pretty hard to be running downfield full speed, taking on blockers and looking back over your head to see where the ball is. But still, SOMEBODY should have noticed!
Also, many people questioned the holding call… However Jason Wilde’s blog post shows that Bush was clearly held for about 5 yards. It was a good call by the refs. (…And the Bears.)
Chewing the cud, but last year MM said that the spotty special teams was due to the huge amount of injuries, ergo, healthy the ST’s should be light years better. Is it? Nope.
The Packers have two major issues – poor ST’s, particularly coverage and return blocking, and an inconsistent offense, sputtering too much and having to punt. Put the two links together consecutively in the chain and you’ve got a major Achilles Heel.
MM getting out adjusted on offense, and then MM’s ST’s guy to follow it up is what leaves the Pack vulnerable. So much talent left exposed to consecutive weaknesses. If the Packers could consistently sustain drives, fine. Otherwise, have a crack punting game. One or the other if you somehow can’t manage both.
The Pack had to overly rely on the Defense last year to get the trophy. The D likely won’t fly so high in 2011. Time for MM to plug one of the two holes, at least, preferably both.
FINALLY…I’ve been screaming about Slocum for 2 years to be shit canned…He’s a horrible coach. No improvement year after year after year. I wish i could go to my job, perform near the bottom of the scale, have no accountabilities, and get new contracts and raises..WOW. WTF is going on?..MM or TT don’t see a problem?…I figured, because they won the S B. He wouldnt be fired this year. When you win the S B, everyone gets moved up, or takes a better job, I think its safe to say no other teams have been vying for Slocums services.
After i wrote that, not one post on here said anything about Slocum?…Just talk about that 1 play…..stupid is as stupid does i guess….let me educate you “fans”…Remember the run 74 yard run back…by 300 + lb’er Dan Connely?..No?…figures. Field position…field position is important…figure it out. Lastly…What has MM been say for the last 4 years about special teams play?…..”We have to tighten that up”….EVERY YEAR…………………………………………………………………dah ummm dahhhhh. Good call Kirby!!!!…..Driver will get the onside kick!!!!…hey dumb fucks.The issue and article isnt if Driver can get an onside kick…….LOOK AT THE BIG picture……NOOO, not a good call…fixing special teams WOULD BE A GOOD CALL………………….No wonder why Slocum hasnt gotten fired with such dumb fuck fans like you, that dont even know there’s a problem!!!….sorry….but jesus Christ, whats the article about you dumb fucks?
toolkien… you bring up great points.Very logical thought process.
I agree Slocum makes excuses and has the weakest squad on the field. Also I blame him for keeping Jarret Bush on the roster
ferda…the sad thing is, J bush is their best special teams player, notice he was the closest Packer to the ball.