I can't. I can't believe, THIS team, the team that looked like we were not even going to make the playoffs after Detroit, with all of the injuries, is in the Super Bowl!
It's crazy.
Is anybody else still in shock?
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Was listening to Homer today on ESPN Milwaukee. All day long he repeatedly stated, "We're going to the SUPER BOWL!!" I couldn't get enough of it.
Yep. This was an odd season for sure. At the beginning we were told the Packers were the favorites to get there and win. Then all the injuries. Then some bad games and losses. Then getting a small window just to make it into the playoffs. Then a tough road for the playoffs.
To tell the truth, I never gave the Super Bowl much thought because I was always worrying about winning the next game. Never considered getting beyond that point because there was too much riding on the next game, who cared about winning in January and February because it was always just win the next one.
Unlike the '96 season where we knew the Packers were favored to get to and to win the SB. This season has been one heckuva ride. And now they're playing great...just when they need to.
To tell the truth, I never gave the Super Bowl much thought because I was always worrying about winning the next game. Never considered getting beyond that point because there was too much riding on the next game, who cared about winning in January and February because it was always just win the next one.
Unlike the '96 season where we knew the Packers were favored to get to and to win the SB. This season has been one heckuva ride. And now they're playing great...just when they need to.
Once the playoffs began, you could see in his pressers that McCarthy was confident this team could make it to the SB. Not that he was just saying it, but that he really meant it. It is almost as if the way it all went down--not just this season but the way last season went one-and-done--that it created a perfect storm of focus with these guys at just the right time. And he knew it.
McCarthy said that one game at a time, they could take care of business. 16 quarters of football, he said.
Hot damn that's good.
McCarthy said that one game at a time, they could take care of business. 16 quarters of football, he said.
Hot damn that's good.
quote:Originally posted by GBP1:
This season has been one heckuva ride. And now they're playing great...just when they need to.
+1
although I did believe 2010 Season was Year 1 of our "window"....with all the injuries, I then thought that it would have to wait until Year 2 of our "window"....I'm elated that MM and TT and the veteran's on our staff didn't give up the hope...what we all don't know is what is said in the lockerroom....and you have to believe that Woodie has been our "Reggie White" for lockerroom svengali...
we have a chance to go to multiple Super Bowls in the next 5 years due to the heart of this year's team...
a caveat...I feel bad that Al Harris could not be a part of this success....
I believe him and Woody helped develop our young secondary into the force it is...
During the 95/96 season, I began to think that the Packers were a team of destiny, and were bound to go back to the SB. It was fun to watch, to say the least.
I began to have the same feeling about this year's team after the win vs the Giants, and MM's confidence began to inspire me. In spite of everything this team has had to overcome this year, he kept the team focused and had them believing they could achieve this goal. Watching it come to fruition has been wonderful!
I began to have the same feeling about this year's team after the win vs the Giants, and MM's confidence began to inspire me. In spite of everything this team has had to overcome this year, he kept the team focused and had them believing they could achieve this goal. Watching it come to fruition has been wonderful!
Know it might be awkward, but I wish Al Harris could be on the Packer sideline in street clothes. He deserves it. That, and a ring.
I still remember a few nervous weeks in '96....the back to back losses near the end season.
As far as Al Harris on the sidelines, I love the idea. How do we make it happen?
As far as Al Harris on the sidelines, I love the idea. How do we make it happen?
Teams that lose players the caliber of Finley and Grant and lose 3 LBs that have been legitimate starters at 1 time or another just don't make the Super Bowl.
But yet, the Packers are in the Super Bowl. Truly incredible. In week 1 I believed this team had a legit. shot at the Super Bowl, but by the time the Miami game came around I pretty much thought the Super Bowl was a pipe dream with Matthews, Finley, Grant, and a host of others out. To go from where they were healthwise in that Miami game to being favored in the Super Bowl is the greatest Packer accomplishment of my lifetime. It will be hard to ever duplicate this kind of year ever again.
They're not as strong as the '96 squad, but they might be a better story in the end if they can pull this out in 2 weeks. The '96 squad had some adversity, but nothing like what this '10 team had to face.
But yet, the Packers are in the Super Bowl. Truly incredible. In week 1 I believed this team had a legit. shot at the Super Bowl, but by the time the Miami game came around I pretty much thought the Super Bowl was a pipe dream with Matthews, Finley, Grant, and a host of others out. To go from where they were healthwise in that Miami game to being favored in the Super Bowl is the greatest Packer accomplishment of my lifetime. It will be hard to ever duplicate this kind of year ever again.
They're not as strong as the '96 squad, but they might be a better story in the end if they can pull this out in 2 weeks. The '96 squad had some adversity, but nothing like what this '10 team had to face.
'96 squad was dominant and the biggest trauma was the upset loss to Indy. Ruettgers injury forced us to go with a journeyman Bruce Wilkerson, I believe, but Reggie, Santana and Sean Jones made up for it and Freeman was really hitting his stride as a receiver (before his big payday).
The upset loss to Lindy in Indy was in 97. They lost to the Queens in the dump and then to the Chefs and Dallass later in the year when guys were getting hurt in droves, including Chmura and Brooks. The biggest 'trauma' in '96 in terms of doubt was, of all games, against the Rams on the road. STL was horrible that year what with the Immortal Tony Banks and Superstar Lawrence Phillips, but that game was in doubt until Evans had an INT that turned it around. GB was on the ropes until then, and a loss there may have led to an implosion.
And to boot, hoisting the Halas Trophy in Chicago. I said it before, I think the NFCCG was/is more important than the SB. I hope we win the SB, and I'm happier than a pig in mud that were going, but beating the Bears in their house on the biggest stage, is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
quote:Originally posted by CS Pack:
I can't. I can't believe, THIS team, the team that looked like we were not even going to make the playoffs after Detroit, with all of the injuries, is in the Super Bowl!
It's crazy.
Is anybody else still in shock?
WOOOHOOOO!!! Unbelievable. I had this team for dead when Nick Barnett went down.
In 2009, Goalline said that 2010 would be the year for the Packers to go.
Well here we are.....2 weeks away from another World Championship.
Let's bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back home where it belongs....TITLETOWN!!!
Well here we are.....2 weeks away from another World Championship.
Let's bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back home where it belongs....TITLETOWN!!!
I've been wondering if injuries had not forced MM to play certain players and switch others to different positions would the Packers still be going to the Super Bowl???
I was just reading the Times Four poll on rating Mike McCarthy as coach started Sept 28"
Poor 28
Average 86
Good 82
Great 6
So he rates somewhere between average and good, with 28 people rating him as a poor coach, yet he is taking the team to the Super Bowl.
I admit I rate him a little higher than I did in September.
Poor 28
Average 86
Good 82
Great 6
So he rates somewhere between average and good, with 28 people rating him as a poor coach, yet he is taking the team to the Super Bowl.
I admit I rate him a little higher than I did in September.
It hasn't sunk in for me yet. I am still too happy about beating the Bears in the biggest game they have ever faced them in. In their house!! I'll probably let that linger until the weekend then start thinking about the SB next week.
Exactly. CHI could beat GB the next 20 times they play, but those fans will never, ever live Sunday down. It's good to be on this side of it.
They were told going into the season this team hadn't beat the Eagles in Philly in 50 years. They beat them. Twice. In their house.
They were told after losing ___ and ___ and especially ___ they wouldn't recover and to look to next year. They ignored that and played better then when ___ and ___ and even ___ were playing.
They were told by many the season was over after losing to the Lions.
They were told "Matty Ice" was essentially unbeatable in ATL and while the game would be competitive they would probably lose to the #1 seed. They didn't. They sent Matty and co packing for the off season.
They were told no NFC 6th seed ever made it to the SB and that Lovie Smiths # 1 goal was to beat GB and that Smith played "vanilla" on O to set the Packers up for a loss on the road against one of their most fierce rivals. They went in there. Knock Cutler out. Shut Lovie up. Beat the Bears. And onto the Super Bowl.
Now they're being told the Steelers have all the experience. Big Ben has the edge over Rodgers in experience and this Steeler D will stifle Rodgers and get to GB's OL. That Starks isn't Mendenhall and they'll make GB one demensional.
It's been just jaw dropping at times to see this teams guts and their confidence build and build. It's been an amazing ride.
They were told after losing ___ and ___ and especially ___ they wouldn't recover and to look to next year. They ignored that and played better then when ___ and ___ and even ___ were playing.
They were told by many the season was over after losing to the Lions.
They were told "Matty Ice" was essentially unbeatable in ATL and while the game would be competitive they would probably lose to the #1 seed. They didn't. They sent Matty and co packing for the off season.
They were told no NFC 6th seed ever made it to the SB and that Lovie Smiths # 1 goal was to beat GB and that Smith played "vanilla" on O to set the Packers up for a loss on the road against one of their most fierce rivals. They went in there. Knock Cutler out. Shut Lovie up. Beat the Bears. And onto the Super Bowl.
Now they're being told the Steelers have all the experience. Big Ben has the edge over Rodgers in experience and this Steeler D will stifle Rodgers and get to GB's OL. That Starks isn't Mendenhall and they'll make GB one demensional.
It's been just jaw dropping at times to see this teams guts and their confidence build and build. It's been an amazing ride.
quote:Originally posted by justanotherpackerfan:
I still remember a few nervous weeks in '96....the back to back losses near the end season.
As far as Al Harris on the sidelines, I love the idea. How do we make it happen?
He buys a ticket?
quote:Originally posted by packerboi:
They were told going into the season this team hadn't beat the Eagles in Philly in 50 years. They beat them. Twice. In their house.
They were told after losing ___ and ___ and especially ___ they wouldn't recover and to look to next year. They ignored that and played better then when ___ and ___ and even ___ were playing.
They were told by many the season was over after losing to the Lions.
They were told "Matty Ice" was essentially unbeatable in ATL and while the game would be competitive they would probably lose to the #1 seed. They didn't. They sent Matty and co packing for the off season.
They were told no NFC 6th seed ever made it to the SB and that Lovie Smiths # 1 goal was to beat GB and that Smith played "vanilla" on O to set the Packers up for a loss on the road against one of their most fierce rivals. They went in there. Knock Cutler out. Shut Lovie up. Beat the Bears. And onto the Super Bowl.
Now they're being told the Steelers have all the experience. Big Ben has the edge over Rodgers in experience and this Steeler D will stifle Rodgers and get to GB's OL. That Starks isn't Mendenhall and they'll make GB one demensional.
It's been just jaw dropping at times to see this teams guts and their confidence build and build. It's been an amazing ride.
Nice breakdown, you got me FIRED up, I'm ready to run through a wall.
God bless the GREEN BAY PACKERS!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm still giddy like a 6 year old school girl.
GO PACK GO!!!!
I'm still giddy like a 6 year old school girl.
GO PACK GO!!!!
quote:Originally posted by packerboi:
They were told going into the season this team hadn't beat the Eagles in Philly in 50 years. They beat them. Twice. In their house.
They were told after losing ___ and ___ and especially ___ they wouldn't recover and to look to next year. They ignored that and played better then when ___ and ___ and even ___ were playing.
They were told by many the season was over after losing to the Lions.
They were told "Matty Ice" was essentially unbeatable in ATL and while the game would be competitive they would probably lose to the #1 seed. They didn't. They sent Matty and co packing for the off season.
They were told no NFC 6th seed ever made it to the SB and that Lovie Smiths # 1 goal was to beat GB and that Smith played "vanilla" on O to set the Packers up for a loss on the road against one of their most fierce rivals. They went in there. Knock Cutler out. Shut Lovie up. Beat the Bears. And onto the Super Bowl.
Now they're being told the Steelers have all the experience. Big Ben has the edge over Rodgers in experience and this Steeler D will stifle Rodgers and get to GB's OL. That Starks isn't Mendenhall and they'll make GB one demensional.
It's been just jaw dropping at times to see this teams guts and their confidence build and build. It's been an amazing ride.
Yes sir!
Got to like the "North Texas" reference vs Jerry's House.
At the beginning of the year I was laughing at the thought of the Cowpokes thinking they'd be playing a home game in the Super Bowl, I never really gave it much thought at that time the Packers might be there.
It's early Thursday morning of week 1, and I still can't freaking believe it.
Yep, me too atticus. I don't think it'll hit until I see them getting off that plane. Then I'll be like, wow, it's real, my team is there!
Going to be an exciting 10 days!
Going to be an exciting 10 days!
I think about the last 10 years, and this team accomplishing this run has erased a lot of bitter memories for me. It more or less started in 2003 with the 4th and 26 game, went through the Vikings beating us in Lambeau, and then culminated in the 2007 debacle.
I can now watch them play without the sting of those experiences tempering my enthusiasm. It's the way I felt in the Reggie years... I missed that feeling.
I can now watch them play without the sting of those experiences tempering my enthusiasm. It's the way I felt in the Reggie years... I missed that feeling.
I can kind of relate to MC. During the the Sherman years I really didn't think the Packers would make it back to the bowl for long, long time. It always seemed like something was always "just not right" with the team. Even at the beginning of the season I can't say I really believed they would go this year either, but the current team has performed at a higher level that I could have imagined. That is some delicious black bird.
The one constant through the current drought was a defense that ranged from pretty good to pretty mediocre, but never championship level until this year. The '07 team would have gotten carved up by Brady had they managed to get past the Giants and last year's team buckled whenever they faced a top-tier QB.
I still believe that defense wins championships and the Packers (finally) have one that's capable of doing it.
I still believe that defense wins championships and the Packers (finally) have one that's capable of doing it.
quote:I think about the last 10 years, and this team accomplishing this run has erased a lot of bitter memories for me. It more or less started in 2003 with the 4th and 26 game, went through the Vikings beating us in Lambeau, and then culminated in the 2007 debacle.
Let's also not forget the Vick playoff game at home where they got embarassed. Unfortunately I was there in person to witness that debacle.
I agree 100% though that their recent playoff success has done a lot to erase those memories - much like what winning it all in 1996 did to all of those playoff losses to the Cowboys.
The part I've enjoyed the most is watching this defense come of age right before our eyes. I've forgotten how much fun it is to see them lock teams down and get after the QB.
Now that they are there in the big game, it's time to finish the deal and get a ring for the old guys like Driver and Clifton and C-Wood. It would be a storybook ending.
For me and my buddies the word for this season has been "Redemption".
beating Philly on the road twice
sending Vick home from the playoffs
beating the queens twice
beating the bears twice when it mattered most
reclaiming HFA quite a bit, only one loss at home
edit: forgot crushing the giants and eliminating them from the playoffs
by and large, all the result of a DOMinant defense.
First year in a long time that I had confidence in our defense to close out a game which they have had to do too much but they continue to deliver.
I'd really like the offense to shine in the SB to payback the defense for their efforts. But I trust the D to deliver either way.
beating Philly on the road twice
sending Vick home from the playoffs
beating the queens twice
beating the bears twice when it mattered most
reclaiming HFA quite a bit, only one loss at home
edit: forgot crushing the giants and eliminating them from the playoffs
by and large, all the result of a DOMinant defense.
First year in a long time that I had confidence in our defense to close out a game which they have had to do too much but they continue to deliver.
I'd really like the offense to shine in the SB to payback the defense for their efforts. But I trust the D to deliver either way.
The "growing up before our eyes" touches on something interesting. Part of what made 96 so satisfying was seeing the incrimental steps the team was making from Holmgren's first year on. They got closer each year and then they put it over the top in 96. It was a great climax to the process. I thought after last year they the team still had a couple years to go before they could compete for a SB but everything fast-forwarded this season. I can't say enough about how they have put it all together these last 5 weeks.
Let's hope we can keep this team together for the most part and keep this run going for years. We're fairly young except for several players and just think about all the guys on IR that hopefully will be healthy next year.
For me the 'leap' was taken by the 90's GBP the day they went out and completely abused the Whiners. That set the stage for 96 when I think everyone basically knew coming into the year that GB was going to win it all barring anything crazy.
This team's 'leap' to me was taken when GB went down and absolutely slapped a good ATL team around. That ass-kicking was as impressive a performance as I've seen from the GBP in a long time. The difference between this team and the '95 team is that the '95 team ran into the Dallass buzz saw the following week, while this one got to play a CHI team that wasn't nearly as good as a 3-time SB winner.
That said, I certainly didn't expect a SB when GB was 3-3 and players were dropping like flies. I would've been happy with scrapping into the playoffs at that point.
AR has taken the leap into greatness as well over the last month or so as well.
This team's 'leap' to me was taken when GB went down and absolutely slapped a good ATL team around. That ass-kicking was as impressive a performance as I've seen from the GBP in a long time. The difference between this team and the '95 team is that the '95 team ran into the Dallass buzz saw the following week, while this one got to play a CHI team that wasn't nearly as good as a 3-time SB winner.
That said, I certainly didn't expect a SB when GB was 3-3 and players were dropping like flies. I would've been happy with scrapping into the playoffs at that point.
AR has taken the leap into greatness as well over the last month or so as well.
The 1995 team did bitch slap the 49ers but wasn't quite ready for prime time. Picking up on DH13's point, Wolf recognized this and added some very key components in Santana Dotson and Eugene Robinson, along with Don Beebe and Desmond Howard (whose 96 performance couldn't have been foreseen by any one). Coupled with the development of youngsters like Freeman and Levens and the regular-season integration of Keith Jackson into the offense, the 96 team was clearly superior to the 95 unit.
As for the 2010 team, I find myself liking it more than the 1990's versions. The resilience they've shown, TT's mastery, stellar coaching-them-up, the dynamism of Dom's defenses, and the leadership and deservedness of vets like Driver and Woodson make this a very easy team to like.
As for the 2010 team, I find myself liking it more than the 1990's versions. The resilience they've shown, TT's mastery, stellar coaching-them-up, the dynamism of Dom's defenses, and the leadership and deservedness of vets like Driver and Woodson make this a very easy team to like.