Positives & Negatives in Cincinnati.

+++

 

Franklin showed some ability

Quarless run blocking

Best pass rush of the year so far

Mathstay kickoffs

Jordy circus catches

 

----

 

Giving up a 30-14 lead - inexcusable

MM playcalling

Rodgers was off

Turnovers!

1-2

 

 

If we get sum running backs back,  F can play return guy.

 

Packers-Bengals post-game quotes

Posted by Duke Bobber on September 22, 2013 – 8:03 pm

 

HEAD COACH MIKE McCARTHY:

 

What was your thinking on going for it on fourth down?
“It was really on the mark. It was based on probability. You think it’s going to be close, so it was an inches play. We had a couple things going on. It was something that we talked about. Obviously we thought we could convert it. That’s why we called the play. We didn’t get it done. That’s the profession of play calling. When it works, it’s excellent execution by the players. When it doesn’t, it’s the play callers. I had confidence in Mason (Crosby) going in. We were inside the mark in our field goal. It had nothing to do with that. I just felt that we had a chance to convert and get another set of downs, and particularly have their defense on the field for another long drive.”

 

As a play caller, what thoughts went through your mind during the challenge of the spot of the football the play before fourth down?
“With the challenge, you obviously had plenty of time to think about it. I probably over thought it, because my initial thought was to kick the field goal. I’m paid to make those decisions. We they go wrong, I’m responsible.”

 

QB AARON RODGERS:

 

What happened on the two interceptions?
“I couldn’t tell on the first one if James (Jones) actually saw me, I was throwing to a spot that I thought he would be at. On the second one, I felt good about the ball, but Leon (Hall) made a good play.”

 

You were part of the playoff game at Arizona that was really crazy. Would you say this game was like that?
“That one was a lot more fun. We scored a lot of points and moved the ball well. This one, we scored a lot of points, but we didn’t move the ball very well for the most part. The defense played excellent today, they put us in a great position to put the game away on multiple occasions. Especially early in the game, converting those drives into touchdowns instead of field goals. One drive we got no points on after a sack and it’s disappointing.

 

They batted down three balls on the last series. Were they doing anything different?
“I think they were looking to bat it down a little more, knowing we were going to be looking for some quick passes. They are smart defensive ends, they’ve played some years in this league. They are both 6-6 plus. We tried some different things, cutting them on some play, split the line at times. But they are good players.”

 

How did you come out of this physically? It looked like Michael Johnson got your knee one time. Did you make amends afterwards?
“Yeah, we made amends. He said he didn’t mean anything by it and I trust him. We have a week off and we have to get some guys healthy.

 

WR JAMES JONES:

 

How tough was communication on offense early in the game?
“It wasn’t bad at all.”

 

Were you surprised that Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions today?
“The first interception was my fault. Hands down. I stopped on the route. I can never do that. I put the quarterback in a bad situation right there, giving him mixed reads. That was completely all me. I had a slant route. I’ve got to cross the defender’s face. I can’t do that (stop) to the quarterback. That was my fault.

 

Did you see anything strange on that play?
“No. I didn’t see anything strange. In the heat of the moment, you make mistakes sometimes. That was one of my mistakes. I didn’t cross the DB’s face. (Rodgers) was looking for me and threw it. The defender had cut me off and intercepted the ball.”

 

LB CLAY MATTHEWS:

 

How wild was this game?
“Crazy. It was wild with regard to the calls and the plays that happened. Ultimately, there were two very good, playoff-caliber teams out there today. They made more plays than us to win the ball game. That’s kind of where we are right now.”

that game was insanity squared.

not MM's best day and a grumpy AR... weird

I guess we don't attack the middle of the field at all if Finley's out.

big + for Crosby - his kicks look a lot better, straight with no hook.

minus for Datone - by blocking that extra point which didn't affect the outcome I lost out on winning a pool with a 5. 

weirdest game I've seen in awhile.  made too many mistakes to win on the road even tho they still could have in the end.

funny, I was confident all week until I saw how the pregame shows were blowing sunshine so far up AR and GB's butt.  figured all the demons would come home to roost and boy did they.

who the hell runs a small quick rookie RB straight up the gut behind EDS in an attempt to get a 1/2 yard?  and if MM has never heard of a bootleg he should watch Luck in the Colts/Niners game from yesterday.  I could hear brainfarts from Cincinnati on my couch in Wisconsin....

The ONLY good thing about yesterday's loss was SF lost too....and they looked more terrible then the Packers did     and I couldn't be happier.  In his press conference, hairball looked like he just got slugged in the stomach....      I know karma and all that, but d*mn that just made my day.  

quote:

I could hear brainfarts from Cincinnati on my couch in Wisconsin....

You might want to see a doctor about that. 

What's wrong with excellent hearing? 

Sam Shields is becoming a shut down corner.

I don't think those farts are coming from Cincinnati, Tdog. 

Gut-wrenching loss yesterday.  Snake-bit on injuries -- again.  Go into the game missing Lacy, Burnett, Heyward and Kuhn (not including Bulaga, D. Harris and all the guys on PUP like Sherrod, Worthy, etc.), and lose during the game Finley, Starks and Matthews.  Bengals come in healthy (21 of 22 preferred starters), lose nobody.  I have no doubt the Packers would have won if we had just some of those guys.  Feels like 2010 all over again.  Reminiscent of that Redskins game around the same time of year in 2010 when Finley went down early in the game (for the season), Matthews left injured and we lost in the last few seconds.  Just unbelievable.  And what a crap call that was by McCarthy on 4th and inches.  I was OK with going for it vs. the field goal.  But really, the best call was Franklin up the middle against that Bengals D-line?  Not a sneak by Rodgers, or a roll-out -- like Luck executed beautifully againt the 49ers yesterday?  That call was exactly what the Bengals were expecting.  Stupid. 

 

Best hope is none of the injuries yesterday are serious, we get everyone back after the bye (except maybe Heyward), and we win our first division game at home vs. the Lions.  Going to that game.  A must-win.  Our two losses may have been against the two best teams -- albeit on paper -- we'll face all year.  I like how we match up against the Bears, Lions and Vikings in our division.  Ravens?  Not the team that went to the Super Bowl last year.  Browns, Eagles two of the weaker teams, and we get both at home.  Maybe we'll get the Giants team that lost 38-0 to the Panthers yesterday.  Falcons in Lambeau in December -- like that match-up.  Cowboys?  Decent team, nothing special.  Steelers -- a shell of what they used to be, and that's in GB.  That's it.  No Seahawks or even Saints.  No Bronocs, Colts, Patriots or even Chiefs or Dolphins.  I keep saying it:  if we can stay relatively healthy -- and that's (once again) turning out to be a huge IF -- we'll make the playoffs and have as good a shot as any team in the NFC at getting to the Super Bowl.  Starts with beating the Lions in Lambeau in two weeks.  

+

 

Shields looked really good against an elite receiver

Franklin was a nice surprise

Defense created turnovers.. HAWK was involved in one.

 

-

 

Turnovers

Arod looked bad

Giving up huge lead to lose

Excalidumdum was picked up off the scrap heap from KFFL

Injuries...especially CMIII being held out for "precautionary" reasons.  

1-2 sucks... but we'll be there in the end.  

+ I agree-Shields looked good again. Please Uncle Ted sign this guy

+ Ugly damn game, Aaron was off his mark, many injuries and 'missed it by that much' plays and yet we were in it til the end again...

+ Hawk and Jones were better in the middle, Jenning is improving

+ EDS looked better

 

- Tramon had his moments, but is not the man to man corner he once was

 

 

+ I agree-Shields looked good again. Please Uncle Ted sign this guy

 

My guess is next off season we'll see Tramon's money shifted to Shields.  Whether Tramon gets cut or restructured is the question. 

If Datone doesn't block the extra point, Packers are up by 1 and MM goes for the field goal on that 4th down.....

Agreed. Although, I'd prefer locking up Shields now. He's playing at a near elite level IMO and probably hasn't reached his ceiling yet. He has to be the top priority of the upcoming free agents.

quote:

If Datone doesn't block the extra point, Packers are up by 1 and MM goes for the field goal on that 4th down.....

Actually up by two, 30-28.

And of course, Crosby would have missed the FG at a critical time.

@PackerUpdate

GB played 2nd half without its LT, top 3 RBs, TE, All-Pro OLB, nickel back and S. No one likes to use injuries as excuse, but how can't you?

Injuries obviously hurt but the opportunities were there and the Packers failed to grasp them. Not an excuse.

Bakhtiari is injured?

 

I don't recall Bahktiari going out?

 

PLUS

1. Defense is back on the turnover train
2. If they're all healthy at once, RB group looks good with very little drop-off 

MINUS

1. Offensive line still looks shaky
2. Ross/Return game
3. Injuries - it's obvious and the rest of the league is also dealing with it. But why does it seem that in every game this year, someone on the opposing team is taking aim at a key Packer?

 

The LT is probably a reference to Bulaga. Played the first half without him as well. 

Michael Rodney rightfully referring to Bulaga, Lacy, Starks, Kuhn, Finley, Matthews, Heyward and Burnett.  As I said earlier, doesn't include two other potential starters in Sherrod and Worthy.  And though he gets no love, our best special teams player was missing as well (Bush).

I know what Rodney was referring to, but Bahktaria has been the starting LT since the beginning of August...  

 

 

"I don't recall Bahktiari going out?"

 

He wasn't... He missed the cut block on the final play allowing the ball to be tipped at the line. 

 

Edit-- Ahhhh, he meant BB..  Meh, that's a dead issue.  Our starting LT is Khal Bhakatari.

Paws

 

+ RUN BLOCKING.  Can't praise this enough.  Opened some holes against a great D-line.

+ Franklin looking like Darren Sproles.

+ Defense rising to the occasion after 14-0 start. 

+ Sam Shields

 

Negs

 

- #12 having a bad day and getting in a pissing match with MM

- Pass blocking

- Jeremy F#@king Ross.  Put Franklin or Cobb back there already.  How long are we going to stick with this mistake prone guy who is avg at best?

 

1-2 to start the season with both losses happening on the road to quality teams isn't a nightmare.. We just need to make sure we handle our business at home and limit the losses to NFC teams for tiebreakers.   Bears have a easy schedule so it's possible they take the division even if we beat them twice.   Have to win against the Eagles and Cowboys to at least secure that wildcard.

 

 

It all has a very 2010 feel to it. Inventing ways to lose tough games was a hallmark of that season. But I like a lot better where this team is right now. Just keep taking care of biz at home and steal a few away and your in it. Just have to be in it- then who knows?

Next time, kick the FG Mike...

At the point, that's pretty far...and as good as Croz has been in the reg season, I wouldn't trust him. In MM's mind, if you miss, they get great field position...if you get stuffed you give the same field position. No way to imagine it's not only a fumble, but a scoop and score situation.

And we still had enough time to march down and win...but just didn't get it done.

 

Now if you want to say he should have punted, I can buy that more than attempt a FG.

Plenty of blame to go around for this loss, but the biggest impact IMO, injuries. Losing Finley hurt big time...then Starks, then the Mayor...and Cincy still needed a miracle to win.

Would have been about a 48 yarder and well within Crosby's range. MM went for the killshot and obviously came up empty. 

Offense is the strength of the team.. It's a no brainer to try and end the game there by going for it on 4th down..  Just not with that play call and it didn't work out this time. 

Yep, that was not a good play call for that situation. But I also agree that going for it was the best decision. Although, who ever thought a fumble on it would be returned for a TD, nobody. Heck I'd have rather seen a fake FG attempt than trying to run a guy as little as Franklin into that massive line.

Cincy needed a miracle to win...given all our injuries, all our TO's that is saying something.

Bye week couldn't come at a better time.

It reminds me of Mike Sherman punting from the 35 or so in that playoff game we lost..  No balls... ****ty D... Bad combo.  Try to end it with your offense.