Lombardi Ave » 2012 – season in disarray http://lombardiave.com A Green Bay Packers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more. Thu, 23 May 2013 11:52:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Green Bay Packers: A Mediocre season leaves team in disarray http://lombardiave.com/2013/01/15/post-mortem-on-a-mediocre-green-bay-packers-season/ http://lombardiave.com/2013/01/15/post-mortem-on-a-mediocre-green-bay-packers-season/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:55:36 +0000 Tommy Marquardt http://lombardiave.com/?p=13800 Enough ‘rah-rah’, ‘they are better than that’, ‘ugly wins are still wins’ blather … the fact is that the Packers played one (1) complete game in the 2012 season. They beat the teams that they should have beaten (Indy the notable exception) based on talent alone, with the lone exception being at the Texans where [...]

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Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Enough ‘rah-rah’, ‘they are better than that’, ‘ugly wins are still wins’ blather … the fact is that the Packers played one (1) complete game in the 2012 season. They beat the teams that they should have beaten (Indy the notable exception) based on talent alone, with the lone exception being at the Texans where the Packers played (IMO) their only complete game of the year. Much like the 2011 season, winning can hide deficiencies which can come back with a vengeance in the playoffs.

Setting aside the fact that the Packers gave up 579 yards (sic) of total offense to the 49ers, the Packers failed at almost all of their signature “critical points.” The most important of those is the ‘double-up’ at the half, Rodgers even talked about it in the run up to the SF game. A perfect opportunity was squandered on third and 8 when Kaepernick was able to scramble for a first down just after the two-minute warning.

What is truly infuriating is that the defense played like they didn’t know Colin Kaepernick would be a run threat. In fact, the scheme didn’t even seem to take that into account at all. Let’s see: LBs crashing down on the read option? Check. Total disregard for outside containment on the QB? Check. I thought those would have been emphasized in film study in the run-up to last weekend, but that game is over along with the 2012 season.

Living in the Philadelphia area, I am no stranger to disappointment, not for myself but for many friends. The depth of the disappointment is dependent on expectations and while those have been low around here lately, for a Packers fan things are different. MVP QBs don’t grow on trees, and the Packers have one. Not just a franchise QB, an MVP. There are exactly three of those in the NFL, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Rodgers. And while Rodgers is the youngest, they seem to be piddling away opportunities to win championships. No one can expect to top Tom Brady’s run of 3 out of 4 Super Bowls to start his run, but if Aaron Rodgers ends up like Peyton Manning (4 MVPs, 1 Super Bowl) it won’t be good enough.

Add to the mix that Roethlisberger and the other Manning have two Super Bowls each and Rodgers’ ‘legacy’ will negligible outside of Wisconsin without at least one more Super Bowl win.

The Packers stumbled through the 2012 season, and while they showed flashes of a great team, I never saw dominance outside of the Houston game (the meaningless game against the Titans doesn’t count). The regular season finale in Minneapolis should have opened my eyes; when they needed to, the defense couldn’t step up their game.

Another offseason has come too soon.

]]> http://lombardiave.com/2013/01/15/post-mortem-on-a-mediocre-green-bay-packers-season/feed/ 0 Has the Packers’ window of opportunity closed? http://lombardiave.com/2012/10/08/has-the-packers-window-of-opportunity-closed/ http://lombardiave.com/2012/10/08/has-the-packers-window-of-opportunity-closed/#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:39:13 +0000 Jerry Bulone http://lombardiave.com/?p=11518 By Jerry Bulone As I watched Sunday’s game against the Colts, I couldn’t help but think … Is this it? What happened to the NFL’s next dynasty? Not to long ago we were 13-0 and the only question was will the undefeated, defending World Champions run the table and cement their place as one of the [...]

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Oct 7, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) reacts to missing a game tying field goal with 8 seconds to go in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Green Bay 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

By Jerry Bulone

As I watched Sunday’s game against the Colts, I couldn’t help but think … Is this it? What happened to the NFL’s next dynasty? Not to long ago we were 13-0 and the only question was will the undefeated, defending World Champions run the table and cement their place as one of the best teams ever?

Sure the “D” gave up a ton of yards, but they created turnovers, and part of the reason was that our offense forced other teams to air it out just to be competitive. And trying to win a shootout against Aaron Rodgers last year would be like trying to win one against Billy the Kid in the Old Wild West.

However, on Dec. 18, 2011, that all changed.

An interim coach welcomed the Packers’ high powered offense to Kansas City. I remember watching this game from my basement, playing with my kids, not really paying attention at first. After all, I was too busy dreaming of a 14-0 Packers team playing the next week at Chicago on Christmas Eve, while 19-0 looked more and more realistic.

As the game went on I will never forget the faces on those Packers players that day. Almost like they were thinking the same thing I was. They couldn’t believe that someone was actually stopping them. They basically caught a stout uppercut to the chin from a little known challenger and much like Mike Tyson after that infamous night in Tokyo, the undefeated world champion Packers were never the same again.

Oct 7, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts nose tackle Martin Tevaseu (68) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Green Bay 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Fast forward to this year and things have gone from bad to worse. Sure, we are only five games in but the same issues keep surfacing. Rodgers is getting pressured more, receivers are creating less separation, running backs are finding even less space. The defense that was supposed to be much improved because of the vast influx of young talent, may actually be worse.

What you seem to have is a coach, a team, and a fan base looking for answers.

The answer may just be that the Packers caught lightning in a bottle during those 19 wonderful games. Or that other teams have simply figured them out. Maybe the constant reshuffling of our front office and coaching staff has finally affected the product on the field.

Either way, the big question remains – is this the end? Has our window of opportunity officially closed? Or is this just a bunch of fans over reacting to a slow start?

No one really knows. However, what i do know is that I was not the only Packers fan watching that game thinking, what has happened to our mighty Packers?

Whether you agree or disagree, there is one thing we can all agree on –  it isn’t going to get any easier.  Next week as we have to travel to Houston to play the undefeated Texans … get your popcorn ready.

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