Let’s take back the Tundra.

So it has come to pass on this Conference Championship Sunday, that the tide has turned in Green Bay Packers land.  Not only is the team too soft to play smash mouth football, but the fans are too soft too.

Bob McGinn, over at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, wrote an in-depth article detailing how this team has become soft and has lost its edge.  It is a good read and is resonating with many fans based on what I saw in the comments section.

So the two questions that arise would of course be, are the Packers too soft and have the Lambeau faithful lost their heart?

I am not, nor will I ever be such a technical fan or writer that I am willing to break down the plays and statistics to support the grades a team deserves or pinpoint the failures.  I look at the emotional picture, the feelings derived from the game.  So to answer if this team is soft, I look back at what I saw over the past season.  Was there an edge when they played?  Yes and no.

It may seem like a copout but when the starters were in and we did not have the injuries, I felt that there was an aggressiveness to this team.  But as the season unraveled with injuries, and younger players were inserted, I felt that the smash mouth, aggressiveness began to decline.

On the defensive side of the ball, the loss of Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson took away two of the hardest hitters on the team, both physically and emotionally.  There was nobody on the line or in the secondary that could match the missing intensity of these two players.  There was a lack of swag that was apparent in the Super Bowl.  The defense that year had an identity.  This year there was no identity and I would blame that on a lack of continuity and senior leadership.

The rookies and first year players stepped up best they could under the circumstances and played admirably, but it was not enough to create that environment of intimidation and respect that comes with smash mouth football and leads to other teams respecting us.

Offensively, the lack of a line, a running game and the inability to stretch the field prevented Aaron Rodgers and the offense from developing a rhythm or even an identity.  There was some attitude here and there during the course of games, but as hard as it is to admit, it was not there enough to establish that dominance and aggressiveness.  Think back … do you really think that there were any teams that really feared playing us?  I don’t think so.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Green Bay Packers line up for a play during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

So what does the team need to do?  I would first say let’s see what happens with a team that is truly healthy for the majority of the season.  It is easy to point fingers after the fact, but considering all that this team went through, the end result was more than most teams would have been able to accomplish.  What would have been different if both sides of the ball would have had the time to establish their identity?  It is hard to say but I think as a fan we need to be fair and objective in analyzing what happened.

Then there is the second point he brought up.  The one thing we have control over and that is the environment that we as fans create.  So does Lambeau Field lack the intensity and edge that other stadiums have.  Is it a place where other teams fear playing at?  To be honest I cannot answer this question.  I did not make it to any games this year so I can’t constructively comment on what may or may not have been.

I do know this though, it is not close to being the twelfth man as Seattle has or anything like the Raider Nation.  Granted we are Lambeau and we are much more different in our style and attitude, but can we change?  Do we need to change to bring another dimension to what “OUR” team offers.  I am not saying that we all become rude, obnoxious, screaming jerks.  But do we as fans need to up our game and become a force that needs to intimidate and instill some fear in other teams and provide that home field jolt for our team?  Are the fans in the stands there to be seen for social purposes only or are they there to make a difference?

So I pose this question to all of you who have gone to games this past season, were more people there to be seen or were they there to be heard and make a difference?

A Green Bay Packers fan holds up a sign during the NFC Wild Card playoff game . Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Secondly, if we need to Take Back the Tundra, what do we need to do?  I am going to take this on as my battle cry.  From now until when the fans are able to once again stand in front of this team and make a difference, I am going to reach out to all of you for your thoughts, your inspiration and your energy.  Tell me what we need to do and together we will energize and amplify Lambeau Field, for our battle has not ended, rather it has just begun.

To quote one of the most dynamic minds of our time, Bluto, from Animal House, “What? Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell No!  And it ain’t over now. ‘Cause when the goin’ gets tough…The tough get goin’! Who’s with me? Let’s go!”

LETS TAKE BACK THE TUNDRA.

Sep 24, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Cedric Benson (32) carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Green Bay 14-12. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers and Cedric Benson were just getting to know one another early last fall when a freak injury got in the way in Indianapolis in week five of the 2012 season.

Will that be it? Will the Packers part ways with the 30-year-old running back now that the team’s season has come to an end? Probably. Given past history and GM Ted Thompson’s propensity to eject elderly running backs from his roster, Benson will most likely be gone sometime soon.

It’s a shame that Benson didn’t have the chance to show what he had left in the tank this past season

After a slow start, Benson was just getting into a groove. The Packers signed Benson midway through training camp where he got a handful of carries before being thrust into the starting backfield when the Packers hosted the San Francisco 49ers in the season opener. In that game, he carried the ball 9 times for 18 yards. Not exactly a barn burning opener for the veteran.

Green Bay Packers running back Cedric Benson (32) tries to break a tackle by Chicago Bears defensive end Corey Wootton (98) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

However, in week two, Benson showed flashes of his old self, gaining 81 yards on 20 carries against his former team, the Chicago Bears. He also caught four passes for 35 yards in the Packers first win of the season.

In week three, it was his strong running in the second half of the Packers “Fail Mary” loss in Seattle that gave the Packers brass and fans a glimpse of how he can carry a team. With Aaron Rodgers getting sacked eight times in the first half, the Packers went to Benson and his hard running style in the second half.

Though he carried the ball 17 times for only 45 yards, he picked up some tough yardage inside and kept the hard-charging Seattle defense off balance enough to help give the Packers the lead until the final play of the game.

In week four at home against the New Orleans Saints, Benson again picked up the pace, running 18 times for 84 yards. He also caught four passes for another 22 yards in the team’s exciting 28-27 win.

In the fifth game of the season at Indianapolis, Benson was again running hard in the first half when his leg was rolled up on and he suffered what was to become a season-ending Lisfranc fracture in his foot. The hope was that he would recover in time to help the Packers in their playoff run, but that didn’t happen. He was placed on injured reserve.

Though he wants to return to the Packers in 2013, the likelihood that will happen seems less with each passing day. That doesn’t mean that Benson isn’t optimistic.

Green Bay Packers running back Cedric Benson (32) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

“Hopefully upstairs feels the same way,” Benson said when asked about his future with the team. “A contending team and a team that takes pride in being precise and executing and doing things correct; I’m all for it.”

What the Packers backfield will look like in 2013 is unclear, but it most likely will include Alex Green, DuJuan Harris, John Kuhn, and possibly James Starks and Brandon Saine, who both were also hampered by injuries.

It’s possible Benson could be re-signed for the minimum, but it’s most likely the Packers have seen the last of him.

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August 3, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers looks on prior to the Family Night scrimmage at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

A deeply disturbing trend has formed since the Green Bay Packers’ playoff loss this past weekend.

History and fact have been thrown out the window in favor of pitchforks and anger. Far too many voices are calling for the head of defensive coordinator Dom Capers. These people will tell you how bad the tackling was and how poor game planning became. These claims are always coupled with demands for any number of possible replacements.

These accusations are meritless, and Dom Capers should be retained as defensive coordinator.

As always, the numbers do not lie. The defense finished eleventh in points allowed, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact the Packers play in the league’s highest scoring division. Even more telling, Green Bay finished eighth overall in Football Outsiders’ weighted defensive rankings. Now, consider the fact that the 2012 Green Bay defense lost Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, Sam Shields, D.J. Smith, Nick Perry, C.J. Wilson, and Mike Neal for multiple games this season. This meant consider playing time for many rookies such as Casey Hayward, Dezman Moses, Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels. To perform at the level Green Bay did with so many injuries and shifting lineups is a credit to the coaching staff, and we haven’t even gotten into Desmond Bishop and the “bad tackling.”

Oct 28, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Rashad Jennings (23) fumbles the football as Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) and linebacker Brad Jones (59) watch for the ball during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The perception that the Packers were a bad tackling team this year is perhaps the most frustrating. It was a constant theme during the three games against the Minnesota Vikings and their all-everything running back Adrian Peterson. It’s the calling card of just about every armchair general manager who wants to see Capers ousted.

Well, here’s the reality: the Packers had the third fewest missed tackles in the NFL this year. That’s top three in the league, ladies and gentlemen. If the Packers weren’t a good tackling team this year, then nobody was.

Not only are most of the accusations of Capers factually incorrect, but the suggestions we’ve heard to succeed him range from bad to hysterical. Prior to his hiring by the St. Louis Rams, many were calling for Rob Ryan. Why? The only explanation I can conjure is he coaches a 3-4 and he’s not Dom Capers. Any cursory analysis of Ryan’s defensive record should quickly dismiss him as a reasonable candidate. He’s been a defensive coordinator every year from 2004 through 2012. In that time, he’s never finished with a top 10 defense in points allowed. Worse still, he’s finished in the bottom half seven times. Most of these teams had very capable defensive talent, especially these last few years with the Dallas Cowboys. Ryan is just not a good coach, and certainly not someone worthy of replacing Capers.

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith reacts to play against the Detroit Lions during 2nd Half of a game at Ford Field. Bears won 26-24. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Yet, the far more egregious replacement suggestion is Lovie Smith. Now, Smith is one of the better defensive minds in the league. He’s run strong defenses during his time in Chicago and St. Louis and will be a good hire for someone. That doesn’t change the fact he’s a terrible schematic fit for the Packers. Smith runs a cover-2 base 4-3 defense. This defense demands pressure primarily from the four man rushes with the middle and weakside linebacker have the freedom to play in space.

Even though Green Bay has a fair amount of talent on the defensive side of the ball, that talent does not fit into Smith’s defense. Specifically, the cover-2 has no position for the Packers’ best defensive players, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Raji is the prototype 3-4 nose tackle. His strength is that he can take on two or more blockers and still provide push up in the middle to free the pass rushers. In a 4-3, Raji is moved away from the 0 gap and forced to play where it is easier for offensive lineman to block him out of the play. Charles Woodson also wouldn’t have a proper spot in this defense. Woodson will be a full-time safety going forward. In the cover-2, that position rarely plays around the line of scrimmage. Woodson’s best trait at this point in his career is to move down toward the linebackers and either cover the slot or rush the passer. He could not do this in the cover-2 as a safety. And while Raji and Woodson’s production would be greatly diminished, neither would constitute the greatest atrocity. That distinction would fall upon Clay Matthews who would be left with no position at all.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

One of the reasons Matthews was still available at the twenty-sixth pick in the 2009 draft was scheme fit. Matthews is not large enough to play defensive end, nor can his pass rushing skills be fully realized playing linebacker in a 4-3. The only way to maximize his ability is as a 3-4 outside linebacker. If Smith were to be hired, Clay Matthews would essentially become Aaron Kampman the sequel. For those who have forgotten, Kampman was the Packers’ best pass rusher back when they featured a 4-3 base defense. In the four years prior to the Packers’ switch to a 3-4, Kampman averaged just under 11 sacks a season. In all the years combined since the switch, Kampman has only acquired 7.5 sacks. If the Packers don’t want to repeat history, they’ll steer clear Lovie Smith and a switch back to a 4-3.

Now, Capers does deserve criticism for the way the defense performed against the 49ers. Colin Kaepernick was unaccounted for nearly the entire night, and the final score reflected it. However, one game does not justify a coordinator change. The defense needs to continue to improve in 2013 or Capers may actually be ousted. Given that the Packers are a smart organization, they’ll approach this as they do everything else: using reason.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Not a whole lot of breaking news came of Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy’s season ending press conference late this afternoon, though he did  say his former MVP, Aaron Rodgers, has (health) “issues” and didn’t pass the physical to play in the Pro Bowl

As an aside, one has to wonder if Rodgers isn’t real disappointed that he’s skipping that joke of a game in Hawaii, given how he ripped his fellow players last year for their lack of effort. One thing is for sure, his head coach and staff will be there – they’ve been assigned once again to coach the fiasco.

But back to McCarthy’s press conference: He talked about the disappointment of losing to the 49ers “the better team;” he talked about the issue of injuries; he talked about the problems of training a football team in this day and age of the new collective bargaining agreement which limits the number of “padded” practices; he gave a vote of confidence (but not a full vote) toward defensive coordinator Dom Capers, saying he trusted him and respected his experience; he said he was very pleased with the play of tight end Jermichael Finley the last part of the season, making one believe that the talented player will be back to play for the Packers in the final year of his contract.

Looking a bit peaked, but relieved to be moving forward, McCarthy said just enough to make one walk away with these impressions: He likes the talent he has at his disposal, but isn’t happy with the way the season transpired, especially with the injuries; He is happy with the way his MVP quarterback played, but indicated he had some physical issues at the end that the coach hopes are resolved; and he’s looking forward to evaluating each and every player and coach and getting on with the management of his team in the offseason.

It will be a challenge for McCarthy to get back to the Super Bowl. He said as much.

“Had the opportunity to speak to every player throughout Sunday and Monday,” he said. “… looking back on the season … lot of adversity, but one thing that I really appreciate about this football team was its ability to respond. Every time we encountered adversity through injuries, through a loss, we lined up the next week and responded. The goal around here is not to win 12 games, to win division championships. The goal here will always be the same … so I do appreciate the support, concern and understand the disappointment of the fans. But this is the best organization in all of professional sports. We have the resources, we’ll make the right decisions as we move forward.”

McCarthy also said that much of what is brought out through meetings with coaches and players over the course of the next few days will “be applied” toward making improvements to the team.

Dom Capers (left) shares some words with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

On Dom Capers, the beleaguered defensive coordinator, McCarthy was adamant that there would be no knee-jerk reactions to any decisions made about his coaching staff. But when asked specifically if Capers would be back as his defensive coordinator, McCarthy said, ”I’m not making [any] decisions but I feel very confident that Dom Capers is going to be our defensive coordinator. But I think it’s totally premature to make those types of … that’s what knee-jerk, reactive people do. You don’t make crazy decisions like that, especially a man of Dom Capers ability, his experience. I trust him. The level of responsibility he has with our coaching staff, and I think it’s ridiculous that I have to answer the question, frankly. I’m appalled by it. There’s a process that goes [on]. I would not do my job, I would not fulfill my responsibility if I didn’t look at the job Dom Capers has done, the job Mike McCarthy’s done, what Tom Clements has done, all the way down, and I can promise you that’s what’s going to happen. I don’t dig the drama stuff, and I get the concern. We have great fans, but there’s no decisions going to be made today, and we have never operated that way and never will … our process has already started there’s no decision on anybody. I have great faith and respect for Dom Capers and all our coaches …”

He did say the defense was going to be first up when he begins his evaluations at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Looking ahead to next year and considering how his team might have a different look next year, McCarthy said, “change is constant … it’s around 20 percent on how your roster changes each year … that will probably hold true again this year. We’re a draft and develop football team …”

On the ultimate goal of the Super Bowl, McCarthy talked about the difficulty in achieving it. “I think … once you get there how hard it is to win one … the excitement, the youthfulness … look back on it look back on everything involved in it. One of the biggest challenges in this business is handling success. How the individuals handle winning the Super Bowl and a 15-1 season  and now this year is factored into how your locker room operates, it’s a factor in how your coaching staff operates, it’s a factor in how your personnel department operates, so success changes people. You always want to make sure it’s for the best and that’s … not always true.”

And with that, McCarthy was gone to the inner sanctum of 1265 Lombardi Avenue to begin anew; to look at how he can best improve the Green Bay Packers.

The silence that is the offseason for most football coaches, aside from the occasional snippets of information that leak out through beat writers or bloggers, it’s time now for everyone to take a breath, enjoy what has been and look toward late July and early August when the players – old and new – once again take to the field in 32 cities across America.

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