Season Reviews: Allen Barbre
by Mitchell_M on Feb 8, 2010 8:00 AM CST
in Analysis
8 comments
While our 2009 wasn't as successful as it was for other teams, we saw enough to expect more success in 2010 and beyond. There's a lot to like about the Green Bay Packers going forward, unless of course you're cheering for the other team. But which players fit in the best? Which don't? Which ones are keepers, and which ones need to be driven out of town? It's time to look at who did well (and who didn't), and ultimately what their role will be going forward.
It's the end of 2008, and Green Bay's starting tackle tears his ACL. There's no telling whether or not he'll be back in time for 2009, a crossroads made all the more complex by his status as an unrestricted free agent. There are a few options for the team. Number one is to find a rookie replacement in the draft. This was a popular stance, given the abundance of talent at OT, especially in the first round. The second was to find a replacement in free agency, which could have worked as easily as it could have imploded. The final option was the most understated, the most logical, and the most dangerous, all at the same time.
8 comments | 0 recs |
Super Bowl Recap: Saints Win Their First Title 31-17
by Brandon on Feb 8, 2010 1:10 AM CST
in Analysis
18 comments
Here are some key stats from ESPN:
| Stat | Saints | Colts |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 332 | 432 |
| Yards/Pass Attempt | 7.2 | 7.4 |
| Rushing Yards/Carry | 2.8 | 5.2 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 3 for 9 | 6 for 13 |
| 4th Down Efficiency | 0 for 1 | 1 for 2 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
The Colts had more yards, ran the ball better, and converted on 3rd down. Knowing nothing else about the game, I'd think the Colts had won. I'm not saying the Saints were entirely lucky (just somewhat). I'm pointing out that they won with a little help from better field position and a rope-a-dope big play.
18 comments | 0 recs |
Super Bowl Open Thread: Colts Up 10-6 Over The Saints At Halftime
by Brandon on Feb 7, 2010 3:18 PM CST
in News
45 comments
All the NFL team writers will be hanging out at the Super Bowl open thread at SB Nation. Please feel free to join us there.
Halftime Update. I'd be really frustrated if I were a Saints fan. Three potential scoring drives and only 6 points to show for it. No one has won the turnover battle yet, but the Colts are winning the red zone battle. The Saints had been very successful in the red zone this season, but not in this game.
What do you think of going for it on 4th and 1? I'm on the fence about it.
45 comments | 0 recs
The APC Super Bowl Pre-Game Show
by Brandon on Feb 7, 2010 3:15 PM CST
in Analysis
0 comments
The fans that write for the Colts and Saints sites at SB Nation have obtained press credentials and been in Florida for most of the week. Big Blue Shoe at Stampede Blue used the opportunity to interview a number of coaches and players. Dave over at Canal Street Chronicles has been all over the place too. Joel has been in Miami covering the game for SB Nation.
The only major story all week has been the health of DE Dwight Freeney. The most recent reports say he's walking without a limp and will be playing tonight. Freeney is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and he won't be at 100% under any circumstances, but it's not a game changer whether he plays or not. The Colts have to pressure QB Drew Brees, but they should be able to create a good rush with DE Raheem Brock and DE Robert Mathis.
Stampede Blue has been all over the statistical analysis here, here, and here. I love statistical analysis, it's the first thing I reference before nearly every game, except in the Super Bowl. I would point out an obvious mismatch, but it doesn't seem like there is one in this game. A good running team could exploit the Saints poor run defense, but the Colts aren't a strong running team. Also, these teams have each only played two meaningful games in the past two months, so even recent trend analysis doesn't help a lot. Overall they are two passing teams that should be throwing a lot of passes, which has the makings of a great game.
0 comments | 0 recs |
QB talk leading to the Super Bowl, and the missing GREAT ONE.
by MikeDB on Feb 7, 2010 12:54 PM CST
8 comments
Of course, there is always TOO much sports talk leading up to the Super Bowl. With Peyton Manning in the game, there is a lot of discussion about whether he might be the best QB of all time. As everyone knows, the argument against him is that he's only won one Super Bowl and doesn't have great record in the playoffs. So QBs like Brady, Montana, Aikman, Bradshaw, etc are mentioned.
But the QB who has won the most NFL championships in history is never mentioned: Green Bay QB, BART STARR. He also won 2 Super Bowl MVPs (one of only 4 multi-MVP winners), and had a 9-1 record in the playoffs.
If they are going to KEEP saying that it is the hardware that really determines greatness, then they should start mentioning Starr every time they talk about QB greats.
PACKER FANS! Start filling ESPN and CBS inboxes with messages telling them to add Starr to the conversation.
8 comments | 1 recs
Super Slice of Cheese
by texwestern on Feb 5, 2010 5:35 PM CST
in News
4 comments
That's right, there is little to no Packers news this week, as one would expect. Therefore, here are a variety of interesting links about the Saints and Colts.
On Sharper, the Saints and scheme - NFC North Blog - ESPN
Kevin Seifert examines Darren Sharper's second career resurrection.
Lombardi family tree branching out in Super Bowl XLIV
The Saints' QB coach is hoping to win the trophy with his own name on it.
Injury can't stop Sorgi
Former Badger Jim Sorgi is taking his role on IR with the Colts seriously.
Skill players may lack star power, but make up for it with balance
Here's an interesting analysis of the role players surrounding Brees and Manning.
4 comments | 0 recs |
My Very Abbreviated Super Bowl Preview
by Brandon on Feb 5, 2010 11:00 AM CST
in Analysis
7 comments
I was planning to do a detailed Super Bowl preview, but I got lazy and I could never do it as well as Bill Barnwell and Aaron Schatz anyway:
We've covered seven Super Bowls since Football Outsiders launched in 2003, and out of those seven games, Super Bowl XLIV looks like the closest matchup before the fact...
The Saints may be a little bit overdependent on big plays, whether they be deep bombs, kick returns, or the kind of turnovers that Peyton Manning rarely makes. On the other hand, the Colts may be a little bit overdependent on the health of Dwight Freeney's ankle. Put it all in the big blender of matchups, and the result still comes out 50-50. This should be, and hopefully will be, an exciting, high-scoring, and very close game.
There is a lot of analysis in their entire article, maybe a little too much, but all that work for an even matchup?
I've said it all postseason, but turnovers will be the difference in the game. The problem at this point is that the Colts and Saints are both pretty good at protecting the ball, according to Team Rankings, the Colts had 1.4 turnovers per game vs. 1.6 for the Saints. On the other hand, no team was better last season at takeaways then the Saints. And that doesn't mean that one of those teams won't start turning it over in the Super Bowl. Sometimes teams that had been good at avoiding turnovers all season can collapse at the worst possible moment, and I'm specifically thinking of the Vikings two weeks ago. Though you could say the same thing about the Packers in Arizona during the Wild Card game.
One interesting point that Football Outsiders mentioned: the Saints are really good in the red zone on offense and defense. Plus the Colts are a great red zone offensive team. This isn't a key to the game, but I'll be watching the great Colts red zone offense against the great Saints red zone defense.
What are you going to be watching for on Sunday? Or will you just turn in for Favre's Hyundai ad? Predictions?
7 comments | 0 recs |
Season Reviews: Clay Matthews
by Mitchell_M on Feb 5, 2010 8:00 AM CST
in Analysis
8 comments
While our 2009 wasn't as successful as it was for other teams, we saw enough to expect more success in 2010 and beyond. There's a lot to like about the Green Bay Packers going forward, unless of course you're cheering for the other team. But which players fit in the best? Which don't? Which ones are keepers, and which ones need to be driven out of town? It's time to look at who did well (and who didn't), and ultimately what their role will be going forward.
Ted Thompson doesn't trade up in the draft. He just doesn't. So when he made an agreement with New England that would send the Patriots a second-round pick and two thirds in exchange for the 26th overall pick, and he used that pick on an undersized walk-on who played a different position, some of us were left scratching our heads.
After all, we knew that the offensive line was an issue going forward. We had linebackers, more than we knew what to do with. Why give up three picks which could shore up some major weaknesses to take a player who arguably was a one-year wonder at USC?
8 comments | 0 recs |
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Packers Schedule
Chicago
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Sun 09/13 | W 21 - 15 |
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Cincinnati
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Sun 09/20 | L 24 - 31 |
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@
St. Louis
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Sun 09/27 | W 36 - 17 |
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@
Minnesota
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Mon 10/05 | L 23 - 30 |
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Detroit
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Sun 10/18 | W 26 - 0 |
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@
Cleveland
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Sun 10/25 | W 31 - 3 |
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Minnesota
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Sun 11/01 | L 26 - 38 |
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@
Tampa Bay
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Sun 11/08 | L 28 - 38 |
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Dallas
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Sun 11/15 | W 17 - 7 |
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San Francisco
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Sun 11/22 | W 30 - 24 |
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@
Detroit
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Thu 11/26 | W 34 - 12 |
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Baltimore
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Mon 12/07 | W 27 - 14 |
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@
Chicago
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Sun 12/13 | W 21 - 14 |
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@
Pittsburgh
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Sun 12/20 | L 36 - 37 |
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Seattle
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Sun 12/27 | W 48 - 10 |
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@
Arizona
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Sun 01/03 | W 33 - 7 |
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@
Arizona
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Sun 01/10 | L 45 - 51 |
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