The Elephant in the Room...

has never hit higher than 80% of his FG…. I wouldn’t say that 75% is much of a slump! It seems to be what he is. I’ve been a big fan of his, but if he doesn’t hit well over 80%, its time to move on… He’s been given years to get himself right and he hasn’t done it… And now he’s got a phobia about the right hash! Whats next a phobia from the left hash too? Or maybe about kicking it off? He had better have a damn good year!!!

Same w/ Bigby, Colledge, Hawk etc…

we brought in new punters for the season so you COULD say they did something to address that aspect of the game. They also brought in some young guys with great return histories to compete for roster spots. But yeah, no major moves…

Well, I’m pretty sure we brought two new punters in this offseason, and from what I’ve read both of them have been looking pretty good. Who knows with Crosby. He needs to improve his accuracy bad. He’s got one of the strongest legs in the league. It just doesn’t matter much if you can’t kick the ball straight.

I agree that we need Crosby to be a little more clutch at times but that goes for all players…I think Crosby will be fine, I also agree that the punting last year was FORRIBLE-(F***ing+Horrible) so thats got to improve…But what we are not talking about is the lack of discipline that people are showing on punt return and not staying in their lanes on kickoffs…That has to improve otherwise we will be a GREAT team on 2 aspects of the field and it takes all 3 to seriously contend…Think of the year we won the superbowl in 96…We had Desmond Howard returning punts doing damage whice set up our Great offense…

You know so often fans want the big splashy offseason action. They want coaches fired, new players brought in, or something else that can fill up a press conference and headline. Unfortunately these sorts of things don’t always work for addressing problems. The solution that’s been worked in so far this year is changing the practice routine and more of a focus calling holding penalties. They also left the rather worthless punter that was around last year.

Will it work? Maybe, maybe not. It’s impossible to tell right now. Really we won’t know the results till the preseason games…or at least camp.

I wouldn’t call it the elephant in the room that nobody’s talking about.

Sportswriters covering the Packers have written several articles on the new punters and what Crosby’s been doing to improve, and the coaching staff has addressed the topic in several interviews, sometimes addressing ONLY this in a whole interview. I know they’ve changed their practice routine.

Now, you can say “I want more” and “I’m pissed!” But it’s the offseason. I mean, what exactly can they do right now to make you happy.

So… not sayin’ I’m happy with the way the ST played last year either (who is?), but it’s not like you’re writing this big scoop here or unearthing some taboo subject. It’s special teams. Nobody ever talks about special teams.

Of the 4 aspects in Special Teams (Kicking, Punting, Coverage, Returning), Returning is the only thing I’m not worried about.

Returning- I’m comfortable with Will Blackmon returning (when he’s on the field). Maybe Shields will transition into returning kickoffs and punts along with being a gunner as well. Maybe Ryan Starks provides good depth in case or when Blackmon goes down. If anything, we improved this area.

Coverage- This absolutely killed us the past couple years. Critics were quick to point out how Minnesota torched our defense @ Lambeau last year. Little was discussed in that Minnesota’s average starting position on the field was the 46 yard line (if i recall correctly). It’s difficult to stop the opponent from scoring when they are within 20 yards of field goal range. Bush is supposedly a good Special Teams player, and may be returning to his duties. Havner was good in coverage last year, but his position is not locked. Shields was brought in to be our gunner, and I’m excited to see how he does in this role with us. His lightning fast speed should prove to be an asset.

Kicking- What is Crosby kicking again, a 75% accuracy? Not the best of numbers. It seems when you really need a field goal, he doesn’t deliver. Maybe we are just demanding because we’re still used to Mr. Ryan “Automatic” Longwell. IDK. Crosby is still young, so us and the staff are just hoping he steps up. Not too confident in this area though.

Punting- We’ve had issues with our Punters since the day Craig Hendrich packed up for Tennessee! We brought in I believe 2 punters to compete for the job. Hopefully we get a little luck and one is deemed worthy of being an NFL Punter.

I’ve been struggling with this one for a couple seasons now. They can’t make a sudden improvement with a high draft choice or big name free agent. Even the good punters that become free agents are often restricted. I had hoped they’d make a change with the special teams coach, but no luck there. The No. 1 thing they need to fix is the kick and punt coverage, and I can’t think of anyway else to do it except with better coaching.

Mason Crosby isn’t perfect, but by default he’s practically the best special teams player. His low 75% (approximately) conversion rate is in part because the team asks him to kick some long FG from 45+ yards which are lower % attempts. He’s not great on kickoffs either. I wish they’d at least given him some competition, but overall he’s OK.

As long as the punting doesn’t involve Kapinos, there’s a chance they can improve it.

Some combination of Blackmon and Jordy Nelson on kick/punt returns would be an improvement (assuming both remain healthy).

I know and don’t necessarily disagree with the comments about building from within, and making changes in holding, coaching, and practicing. Yet on the other hand, really who is there that can provide that spark? Few plays can energize a team like a punt or kick return for a TD. It can be a difference maker in an entire season. Look at Chicago in 06. Thank God they were dumb enough to move their most potent weapon to offense. He single handedly turned the tide on a few games then and has done next to nothing as a starting WR.

Growing from within is fine. But did we draft Starks to be a kick returner? Has that been mentioned as a possibility by anyone at 1265? I don’t believe so. Did he do it in college? I don’t know. But by failing to address the returner, we’ve argued for complacency in a team that absolutey sucks in special teams. No, they don’t have to prevent you from going to or winning the super bowl. But again, look what a difference good ST can make? You absolutely win the field position battle. How many times were we backed up inside the 20 last year? That changes the plays that can be called. How many times did we allow the opponent to have great field position, thus putting the defenses back up against a wall. Why isn’t that worth a draft pick or a trade? Surely we didn’t need Quarless. He may be the second coming of Antonio Gates, but if we are still in a hole with field position, explosive offensive plays and players are harder and harder to come by.

Shields can’t catch. He’s a gunner. Is that worth a roster spot? I don’t know.

Why would Chicago take him out of kick and punt returnI understand wanting him to contribute on offense but in reality he was there offense on special teams for a number of years…They shoulda kept him on returns but play him in the offense also..Its not like he was some awesome at WR that he needed to be there and only there It doesnt bother me because now we dont have to kick to him but still…?

Other than Will, the cupboard appears to be pretty bare. I agree you can’t get to all your needs in one season, but it’s been quite a while now.

I don’t know about Ginn’s contract so that’s a good point. My assumption would be that it’s like Harrell’s – much more palatable in the later years and thereby insuring locker room harmony.

Agreed that the red zone is a problem. With Finly drawing much of the attention, my anticipation would be that it frees up DD, GJ, RG, etc.

I’m hoping that Jordy Nelson can step in and be that guy..He is big and strong and he has made some good efforts and managed to get in the end zone while guys were trying to bring him down…I think that could be where we see him excel

The Packers finished like 7 or 8 in red zone offense. I don’t think its really much of a concern… I know McCarthy mentioned it as something he wants to improve, but outside of OL play there really arent’ any glaring weaknesses in our offense. McCarthy was just trying to find something that could be improved w/in the scheme w/o making any major personnel moves. Nelsons size and strength should give him an advantage in the red zone, of course the same can be said of Jones. Neither is going to jump over a DB to get the ball but will win a positioning battle to get the ball. Finley is the guy who can win the jump ball type throws. jennings has to get his on big plays and slants.

Rodgers hasnt even thrown a INT in the Red Zone in his career has he?