Deciding what’s important, what's essential following loss

fpadmin | 01/26/2015

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By CHRIS HAVEL
Playing ‘The Blame Game’ gets old fast, what matters is what Packers do next
It won’t be long before someone decides Vince Lombardi is to blame for the Packers’ 28-22 overtime loss at Seattle last Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
Everyone has drawn fire, from the head coach and the MVP quarterback to the defense, special teams and even Randall Cobb for calling “tails.” That’s enough already.
The Packers were foiled by familiar and seemingly correctible failings, namely run defense, special teams and a less-than-killer-instinct. Let’s not turn the Packers’ playoff loss into something it isn’t.
It isn’t an indictment of Aaron Rodgers’ ability in big games. Rodgers is the NFL’s best quarterback. He struggled at times in the NFC Championship but in his defense he was hobbled by a strained left calf muscle and going against one of the NFL’s top defenses. Rodgers isn’t the problem, unless it’s fools who think he should play with a 125 quarterback rating game in, game out. The idea that Rodgers let the Packers down because he didn’t play his best, which would have been good enough to overcome the team’s other shortcomings.
Indeed, Rodgers didn’t play his best, but he certainly played well enough for the Packers to advance to the Super Bowl. It’s not his job to defend a two-point conversion, sniff out a fake field goal attempt or recover an onside kick. It’s also not his job to decide whether to go for a touchdown or a field goal on fourth down. That’s head coach Mike McCarthy’s job.
Those who wish to blame McCarthy should do so because:

He allowed the special teams to be their undoing despite ample alerts;
He didn’t go from building a lead to nailing the coffin shut. He allowed the Seahawks to rally late because he didn’t put them away.
Once McCarthy realized that the Packers’ offensive line was protecting the quarterback extraordinarily well, and that Rodgers could to some degree protect himself, he should’ve cut loose with the passing game.

Instead, he played it conservative from start to bitter finish. McCarthy’s greatest mistake was keeping special teams’ coordinator Shawn Slocum on his coaching staff. Former assistant Chad Morton was fired by Green Bay and hired by Seattle in the past offseason. Clearly Morton wasn’t the problem in Green Bay a year ago.
Now we’ll see if McCarthy is able to move on from Slocum. If he isn’t able to cut ties, McCarthy should consider relinquishing some of his play-calling duties. While I think he is an above-average play caller, especially in concert with Rodgers’ ability to change plays at the line, it behooves him to monitor his underwhelming special teams.
Defensive coordinator Dom Capers has earned another season. His decision to move Clay Matthews to inside linebacker, plus another handful of solid moves, helped the defense improve a great deal. Sam Barrington is an ascending player at inside linebacker, while Sam Shields, Micah Hyde, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Casey Hayward and Sean Richardson are all young, talented defensive backs. Retaining Julius Peppers is critical to the defense’s success. Peppers’ presence, athleticism and big-play ability helped fuel the 12-4 season.
The Packers’ strengths are evident. Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, the receivers and the offensive line are golden. The tight ends are in need of an upgrade, but otherwise the offense is capable of playing to championship form.
While the strengths are apparent, so are their weaknesses. The special teams’ coordinator is a serious problem. Green Bay finished last in the NFL’s ranking among special teams. The run defense also needs to be shored up through the draft, and perhaps in free agency. Otherwise, the Packers are a Super Bowl-caliber team. They have the salary cap space to retain their top talent (Bryan Bulaga, Tramon Williams and Cobb). They also have an excellent GM, a strong head coach and the NFL’s top quarterback to go with a quality core group.
What the Packers need is the time to heal the wounds from Seattle and the determination to honestly address and correct the problems.
The Packers are really close to being a Super Bowl champion. They need to use the heartbreaking loss at Seattle to inspire them to take that next step.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly