Mike McCarthy really does have a plan to fix the Green Bay Packers special teams.
Phase one was to fire special teams coach Shawn Slocum and replace him with Ron Zook. Phase two was to start paying more attention to special team himself. Phase three is to let more veteran players run around out there and cover kicks.
“I think we need to adjust our special teams philosophy,” McCarthy said.
“I know what it was here the last 20 years, but we had starters play more on special teams [last] year than we had in the past, and that will continue to increase. Special teams needs to be an asset, not something that we use as a stepping stone offense or defense. That’s part of the charge.”
In that last 20 years that McCarthy referenced, the Packers almost exclusively played youngsters and backups on special teams. Last year, safety Morgan Burnett was the only starter to play more than 25 percent of the Packers’ special teams snaps. He played 25.1 percent, which ranked 15th on the team.
For whatever reason the Packers didn’t previously play veterans on special teams — whether that be increased injury potential or reward for being a starter — things are obviously about to change.
And why the hell not?
The Packers have been awful on special teams for years. Other successful teams are also freely using starters on special teams, most notably Seattle.
Maybe throwing a few more starting defenders out there will do the trick.
Monty, please cease to use the above photo in articles. That photo should be banned. Everyone can say what they want about McCarthy being to conservative, Rodgers having another bad playoff game, the special teams allowing a TD on a field goal, (legit complaint) etc. To me the above photo and just seconds before was the beginning of the end. So many players and coaches congratulating each other on a victory and losing focus. When infact they did not realize they were playing against a quality NFL team with five minutes left to discover defeat.
Yes that photo has to go. Sickens me.
I like the photo. It’s a great reminder. It should be framed in the Packer locker room for motivation. They don’t deserve to forget.
I don’t need any more reminders, i’ll remember this game the rest of my life without any reminders.
Motivation?… Motivation shouldn’t consist of reminding players in the locker room (some that weren’t even there) of a negative meltdown of epic proportion. What a horrible idea.
I believe the team should see also. I just want to be selfish and not have to endure the hardship on my eyes and increase in my blood pressure. In addition my wife has indicated with conviction that I have to clean up the vomit from this day forward.
How about this one?
http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/kkcb.com/files/2012/09/152732550.jpg
Thanks Money. I hope you realize I now have to clean up the mess!