NFC Championship: Buccaneers @ Packers - Sunday, Jan 24th, 2:05 PM

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Centers come and go. Exaggerating a little but there are much harder positions to replace. If the Packers have done one thing really well, it's been knowing when to let linemen go. Same goes for Aaron Jones, I am not too busted up over losing a diminutive RB. Not to downplay the player he's been overall, but I wouldn't pay him if we had the money. He's been good at taking busted plays and turning them into gains, he was fun to watch but just not a position I'd invest in. He'll likely go to some team thinking he can cure their running game fade into nothingness over 1-2 seasons. The odds of the back-end of any Jones contract being good for the Packers are really slim.

 

On the 49ers, what usually happens is that half of those players are never the same again and your window never really re-opens, and that division does them no favors. There will be other teams that challenge for sure, but who those teams are is really anyone's guess. Tampa will likely be a thorn for the Packers again.

 

The Packers could be worse offensively and still be quite good. Until that defense is dependable it just doesn't matter. I'm in agreement with you though basically. Everything fell into their lap this year and they blew it, there's no other way to say it. This was as "easy" as it was going to get. My gut says the Rodgers-Packers 2nd title ship has sailed.

 

If Pettine goes, it's another year of growing pains schematically too. I just don't have any faith in em at this point.

[GAME05]

The sky isn't going to fall in free agency.

 

Maybe our next DC doesn't sniff glue and the defense is better overall. Gary will be better than Preston Smith. Lazard and MVS will be better. Are centers/guards so hard to find replacements for? Dillon and maybe a returning Williams will replace Jones just fine.

 

It's not like this is the first time we've had a great team and lost good players.

[PeaveyFury]

Centers come and go. Exaggerating a little but there are much harder positions to replace. If the Packers have done one thing really well, it's been knowing when to let linemen go. Same goes for Aaron Jones, I am not too busted up over losing a diminutive RB. Not to downplay the player he's been overall, but I wouldn't pay him if we had the money. He's been good at taking busted plays and turning them into gains, he was fun to watch but just not a position I'd invest in. He'll likely go to some team thinking he can cure their running game fade into nothingness over 1-2 seasons. The odds of the back-end of any Jones contract being good for the Packers are really slim.

 

On the 49ers, what usually happens is that half of those players are never the same again and your window never really re-opens, and that division does them no favors. There will be other teams that challenge for sure, but who those teams are is really anyone's guess. Tampa will likely be a thorn for the Packers again.

 

The Packers could be worse offensively and still be quite good. Until that defense is dependable it just doesn't matter.

 

I pretty much agree with all of your post as quoted. They have a good track record with regard to the line, so I'm confident they'll make the correct call on Linsley either way. I've long been on the record that a second contract to Jones for many years or significant money is a mistake. If he's willing to come back on a short deal, that's a different story, but that's unlikely. I do wonder if he'd be willing to punt FA a year just knowing the cap situation for most teams vs. what may happen for 2022.

 

But yeah. The defense is the key to success going forward. They've got a couple of holes to fill at CB (Sullivan can't be your 3rd DB, clearly) and on the line. But, they've got draft capital if limited cap room.

[homer]

Packers have historically made the right call when letting O Linemen go - Lang, Bulaga, Sitton were all replaced adequately.

[adambr2]

And on King, I have no interest in King being back in 2021. Not for a 8M a year on a multi year deal, and not for a 1 year 3M prove it deal. No interest. King sucks. He has sporadic flashes of good play and even good games that hide this fact, but overall, he sucks. What Pettine sees in King over Jackson I am really not sure but considering how bad Pettine is at most of his job it would not surprise me that he's a lousy talent evaluator as well.

[PeaveyFury]

And on King, I have no interest in King being back in 2021. Not for a 8M a year on a multi year deal, and not for a 1 year 3M prove it deal. No interest. King sucks. He has sporadic flashes of good play and even good games that hide this fact, but overall, he sucks. What Pettine sees in King over Jackson I am really not sure but considering how bad Pettine is at most of his job it would not surprise me that he's a lousy talent evaluator as well.

 

I guess I'd take King back on a 1/$3m deal to be the nickel corner, but I don't think he's a legit #2/boundary guy (but someone may stupidly pay him like one). Considering the fact that he's good to miss 2-5 games a year with injuries and their limited off season resources, the correct call is likely to let him go.

 

As for Jackson, obviously it's a huge off season for him. New DC, potentially new DC opinions, and a clear opportunity to step up into the hole likely vacated by King. If he can't play his way into at least the Sullivan/3rd CB role, he's likely a camp casualty, IMO.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

And on King, I have no interest in King being back in 2021. Not for a 8M a year on a multi year deal, and not for a 1 year 3M prove it deal. No interest. King sucks. He has sporadic flashes of good play and even good games that hide this fact, but overall, he sucks. What Pettine sees in King over Jackson I am really not sure but considering how bad Pettine is at most of his job it would not surprise me that he's a lousy talent evaluator as well.

 

I guess I'd take King back on a 1/$3m deal to be the nickel corner, but I don't think he's a legit #2/boundary guy (but someone may stupidly pay him like one). Considering the fact that he's good to miss 2-5 games a year with injuries and their limited off season resources, the correct call is likely to let him go.

 

As for Jackson, obviously it's a huge off season for him. New DC, potentially new DC opinions, and a clear opportunity to step up into the hole likely vacated by King. If he can't play his way into at least the Sullivan/3rd CB role, he's likely a camp casualty, IMO.

 

I'm fully prepared for King to sign a cheap deal someplace like Pittsburgh, Seattle, or New England, then proceed to play like a stud next year, ala Casey Hayward. He has every physical tool you'd want in a corner, but for whatever reason, hasn't been able to put together the consistency needed at the position. He's probably a guy who at this point needs a change of scenery.

 

Also, be prepared for the Packers to target CB early in the 2021 draft.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

They need a CB, so I am prepared for them to not do that. I know many will disagree, but CB2 is the biggest hole on this team. There is potential on the roster at other spots of weakness, the cupboard is bare at CB. I do not think the draft is the answer but the inflexibility elsewhere is a problem. They can let King go but it doesn't solve the problem if their answer is Chandon Sullivan.

[MrTPlush]

The worst part about MLFs explanation for the field goal kick was the fact he did it because he thought he had 4 timeouts due to the 2:00 warning. Problem is that was a terrible assumption with 2:05 left before kicking it off. A normal kick return and he doesn’t even get the 4th timeout he thought he had. The returner intentionally fell down gifting MLF the timeout. That is just brutal.

[adambr2]

The worst part about MLFs explanation for the field goal kick was the fact he did it because he thought he had 4 timeouts due to the 2:00 warning. Problem is that was a terrible assumption with 2:05 left before kicking it off. A normal kick return and he doesn’t even get the 4th timeout he thought he had. The returner intentionally fell down gifting MLF the timeout. That is just brutal.

 

I honestly thought they should have just went onsides. That would at least have assured they still got the 2 minute warning and they still needed to stop them 3 and out regardless. They got a break on the kickoff. Dumb special teams play by Tampa.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I guess I'd take King back on a 1/$3m deal to be the nickel corner

 

King's best attributes (size/physicality) wouldn't be able to be used as any help to him playing the slot....no way would I want him playing nickel corner for the Packers. I'd be open to resigning to a small FA deal like you mentioned to remain at CB2 under a different defensive scheme that plays more cover 2/cover 3. But I won't sweat losing him in free agency if that's the case.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The worst part about MLFs explanation for the field goal kick was the fact he did it because he thought he had 4 timeouts due to the 2:00 warning. Problem is that was a terrible assumption with 2:05 left before kicking it off. A normal kick return and he doesn’t even get the 4th timeout he thought he had. The returner intentionally fell down gifting MLF the timeout. That is just brutal.

 

The call just makes no sense. You need a stop and touchdown either way. It's only justification is if the FG pulled you within 3.

 

The win probability was 10% if you go for it. It was 9% if you kick the FG. If you convert the FG the probability was 9%. If you convert the TD it was 24%. It likely jumps much higher if you also get the 2.

 

It was inexplicable.

[Fear The Chorizo]

The worst part about MLFs explanation for the field goal kick was the fact he did it because he thought he had 4 timeouts due to the 2:00 warning. Problem is that was a terrible assumption with 2:05 left before kicking it off. A normal kick return and he doesn’t even get the 4th timeout he thought he had. The returner intentionally fell down gifting MLF the timeout. That is just brutal.

 

I thought those reasons (4 timeouts with the 2 minute warning) were exactly why going for it on 4th and goal made tons of sense. Don't make it and TB takes the field inside their own 10 instead of at the 25-35 after the kickoff (or even further after an unsuccessful onside kick), and you have enough timeouts to get a stop and leave plenty of time to get the ball back even if TB gets a 1st down. Kicking the field goal in that spot gives them zero room for error defensively and automatically leaves them with a long field and no timeouts to still have to score a TD even if they force a 3 and out.

[TURBO]

The worst part about MLFs explanation for the field goal kick was the fact he did it because he thought he had 4 timeouts due to the 2:00 warning. Problem is that was a terrible assumption with 2:05 left before kicking it off. A normal kick return and he doesn’t even get the 4th timeout he thought he had. The returner intentionally fell down gifting MLF the timeout. That is just brutal.

 

I honestly thought they should have just went onsides. That would at least have assured they still got the 2 minute warning and they still needed to stop them 3 and out regardless. They got a break on the kickoff. Dumb special teams play by Tampa.

 

But still not as dumb as kicking the field goal there...

 

Agreed with the onsides kick, that is what I expected, but then again, I expected them to go for it on 4th and goal rather than kicking the field goal.

[PeaveyFury]

But still not as dumb as kicking the field goal there...

 

It would have been mighty close if they had ended up needing to punt. Obviously, they didn't.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The worst part about MLFs explanation for the field goal kick was the fact he did it because he thought he had 4 timeouts due to the 2:00 warning. Problem is that was a terrible assumption with 2:05 left before kicking it off. A normal kick return and he doesn’t even get the 4th timeout he thought he had. The returner intentionally fell down gifting MLF the timeout. That is just brutal.

 

I honestly thought they should have just went onsides. That would at least have assured they still got the 2 minute warning and they still needed to stop them 3 and out regardless. They got a break on the kickoff. Dumb special teams play by Tampa.

 

But still not as dumb as kicking the field goal there...

 

Agreed with the onsides kick, that is what I expected, but then again, I expected them to go for it on 4th and goal rather than kicking the field goal.

 

You could argue not onside kicking was also quite pointless. You needed a 3 and out regardless. Sure, you can maybe go down 8 again but either outcome requires going down the field with no timeouts and 90 seconds.

 

I don't think they could have done that against that defense anyway, in either scenario. If all the Bucs had to do was keep the clamps on and play the sidelines for 90 seconds.

 

In fact if the Bucs do start the drive at the 40, they likely play it more conservative and you're MORE likely to get the ball back.

 

Packers blew a lot of chances, that's definitely the reality.

[PeaveyFury]

I guess I'd take King back on a 1/$3m deal to be the nickel corner

 

King's best attributes (size/physicality) wouldn't be able to be used as any help to him playing the slot....no way would I want him playing nickel corner for the Packers. I'd be open to resigning to a small FA deal like you mentioned to remain at CB2 under a different defensive scheme that plays more cover 2/cover 3. But I won't sweat losing him in free agency if that's the case.

 

Sorry, to clarify- I'd bring him in as a boundary guy in the nickel package. I don't think he's an every down boundary guy. Not physical enough to help with the run. If it's coverage all the way, it can hide some of his flaws.

[MrTPlush]

I didn’t noticed it yesterday because of the PI call at the end...but there was, what appeared to be, a massive hold by the lineman on that same play. So bad it’s amazing it wasn’t called. Real disappointing the refs messed that last play up. Part of the game...but real disappointing.

[homer]

I didn’t noticed it yesterday because of the PI call at the end...but there was, what appeared to be, a massive hold by the lineman on that same play. So bad it’s amazing it wasn’t called. Real disappointing the refs messed that last play up. Part of the game...but real disappointing.

 

They were letting a lot go. The Packers massively held on some key play on that last drive they had. I think it was Linsley or maybe Patrick.

[pacopete4]

I think the point is if you're not calling it all day, don't call it on one of the deciding plays. Why refs interject themselves in big situations like that is always a mystery to me.

[Outlander]

Yes, there was definitely holding by the Bucs on the same play the Packers were called for pass interference. However, like previously said the Packers were holding quite a bit as well and don't recall them getting called once. It's the problem with just letting them play, guys try to get away with more and more and then they finally call one against the Packers at the end when the Packers would have gotten the ball back if not called. It is kind of brutal and makes me wish they would just call it like a regular game and do your job.

[CheezWizHed]

Well, that sucked. So when does spring training start?

[adambr2]

Well, that sucked. So when does spring training start?

 

Hard to even get excited about that. It's almost February and I literally can't think of anyone we've added off the top of my head.

[jerichoholicninja]

[sarcasm]Was I right about the NFL wanting Brady over Rodgers?[/sarcasm]

 

I'm glad I don't have an NFL team to root for. It's a shame that the outcomes of games are so often determined by the refs. And I don't mean that anything underhanded is going on. Refs have an incredibly tough job to do. They're 10 plus yards away from the action, it moves incredibly fast, and bodies block your view from stuff. Worst though, the rules for so many penalties are incredibly complex and haphazardly applied. Buck kept saying all game that the refs were letting things go, well if the rule book says those are penalties then they are penalties. The refs can't just change the rules because they feel like it.

[homer]

I don't think the game came down to the refs. It sucks there were a few goofy calls or no calls but if you're blaming the refs you probably didn't deserve to win (sure there are probably few egregious cases. See Mary, Fail)