Tim Masthay: the Key to Winning the NFC Championship
by texwestern on Jan 17, 2011 11:35 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Preview
Email
PrintI bet that's not an article title you'd have expected at the beginning of the year.
Let's face it. The Bears have an offense that is capable of breaking big plays. I would argue this is one of the most formidable offenses that has resided in the Windy City in the last few decades. Likewise, their defense has its usual bevy of talent and intelligence, and will do its best to put Aaron Rodgers on the turf...and will more than likely succeed a few times. However, there's one player who worries me more than any other on Chicago's roster. I firmly believe that if the Packers' special teams can keep Devin Hester from breaking a big return, Green Bay will win on Sunday.
The stats help to back this up. Green Bay has twice allowed Hester to return a punt for a touchdown, and has lost each game (Hester's first career game in 2006, a 26-0 Bears win, and week 3 of this season, a 20-17 Bears victory). And in regular season games in which he scores a return touchdown, the Bears are 9-3 overall (this doesn't include Super Bowl XV, when he returned a kickoff for a score in the loss to the Colts).
There's no question that with his speed and agility and with the well-coached blockers in front of him, Hester is as dangerous a threat as anyone who has ever returned kicks in this league. Seattle's punter, Jon Ryan, did an excellent job of keeping the ball away from him last week, however. Hester only returned two punts in the game, as three kicks went out of bounds, three were fair catches, and one was a touchback. (I think I got those stats right...they showed them on a post-game show and I may be off by one or two.) However, the two he returned gained four and 26 yards each. That's the trouble with Hester...kick it to him even once and he very well could take it back.
This finally brings me to my point: Packers punter Tim Masthay will be the key to winning this game. The Packers' special teams in general this season have not been as blowfully bad as in recent years. Especially of late, Tim Masthay has been punting the ball with confidence and direction, and he impressed me greatly with his kicks against Philly in the Wild-Card round. Plus, his leg should be well-rested since he didn't kick a single ball during Saturday's game in Atlanta. If he can help to prevent any big game-changing returns by keeping his punts to the sidelines and forcing fair catches by getting good hang time, I think he will end up being one of the determining factors that decides which NFC North team plays in the Super Bowl.
43 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I didn't read this article
All I needed was the following to know that it rocked:
1. It’s true since he’s the main reason we won’t the last game of the regular season because…
2. Hester has decided to light it up again.
3. The picture put in with it.
That is all. Great job!
If he is truly a "deciding factor" I'm very very nervous about this game.
2011 WhiteSox Baseball: we're all in
Why?
He’s already won us two games this year…and big games.
Mathasty won us the Jets game pretty much. It was his punting and the special teams play that allowed us to basically do nothing on offense, but still win that game. He also won us the second Bears game for the same reasons.
He’s young, but he’s growing as a punter and I think that he can pull out one more for us this year.
by PackApologist on Jan 17, 2011 12:06 PM CST up reply actions
I'm at least as worried about kickoffs
Our kick return coverage has been awful this year. And we gave one up against the Falcons. I hate to give up good field position, but a squib kick or two might be the safer option. Better to give up good field position than great field position/TD. Maybe one of those ‘pop fly’ style kicks. Hell, I’d even go for an onside just to keep it away from Hester.
53 Bears, 1 Cup
by I voted for Kodos on Jan 17, 2011 12:10 PM CST reply actions
absolutely
I would say Crosby’s play will be far more pivotal, since he actually scores points. Kick off coverage has been our weakness for…10 years and counting. Yes an onside kick to start the game would be a nice play.,
by Matthew Grassinger on Jan 17, 2011 4:14 PM CST up reply actions
No doubt
I cringe at the thought of Crosby’s losing this game for us. God, he better pull through because I have a feeling we are going to be calling his name more than once against Chicago.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
REVENGE 4 DEANNA !!!
Brent Favre is the cheater!!!!!
Crosby
I would have to say that, if Crosby misses a field goal after the offense fails to get [misses] a touchdown, it would be hard for me to say that just Crosby lost the game for us.
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
The Bears still suck!
If Crosby goes 2-4
…and we lose by 3 or less, I’m going to say that just Crosby lost the game for us.
And, if one of his misses
happens after the offense has first down inside the five yard line, you don’t lay some of the blame on the O (or even popular scapegoat Mikw McMoron), for failing to get a TD (especially if a holding penalty or two moves Crosby back out of chip shot range)?
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
The Bears still suck!
So, you're saying that
the offense would completely get a free pass for failing to get it in the end zone?
Because, that is the only way you could put it all on Crosby.
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
The Bears still suck!
I don't think that is a recipe for success,
since it seems like the Bears is an offense that depends more on the big play than driving the ball down the field in 10-15 plays. If the Packers can win the battle of field position on Sunday – something Masthay will have a say in – the Bears won’t be able to score. In this game, getting out to midfield and then punting will not be a bad thing.
The Packers have more or less bottled Hester up this year, and there isn’t any reason to think that won’t continue.
Packer's recipe for success
Well hell, let’s just score every time we have the ball and not worry about punting
to Hester, ALA Atlanta. Ha, ha!.
BJK
by Crotext on Jan 17, 2011 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
It's more heroic than awe inspiring, IMO.
"Center Andrew Bogut was asked how the Bucks are fitting in their many new players so far. Chris Douglas-Roberts -- one of those new guys, not happy with his role -- chuckled in the next stall."
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 17, 2011 8:47 PM CST up reply actions
huh?!
I would say keeping him off the field is key. He is a good punter for his age, but he didn’t punt on Sat. and GB won. We allowed a TD on ST and ATL scored one more point than they did in the previous meeting. We need to keep Hester off the field entirely. I don’t think the coaches are sitting around thinking ’ I sure hope Masthay has a good game’. I think scoring 40+ pts and ball control is more important. Honestly, who writes an article about a punter before the championship game? WTF?
by Matthew Grassinger on Jan 17, 2011 4:08 PM CST reply actions
That's what I was thinking
Even though punting is hugely important it seems real boring right now
Well, if you've watched football over the past 8 decades . . .
You’d understand that special teams are important and frequently decide the outcome of the game. I really hope our coaches ARE considering how they want to go about with kickoffs (squib, popup, kick-away, etc.) and how they will try to neutralize Hester on punt returns. You do realize that just because we tell the kicker to kick it out of bounds it doesn’t mean it will work, or that we won’t average 25 yards a punt (in which case the coaches have to decide if it’s worth eliminating the risk of kicking to Hester or not).
Do you really think coaches don’t think about special teams, that they just trust in their offense to score 40 points? I can’t even think of a coach bad enough to whom I can compare your theoretical coach. Maybe some Pop Warner football coach, but that’s about it. So how Masthay plays and what the coaches tell him to do is a factor, whether you find it boring or not.
53 Bears, 1 Cup
by I voted for Kodos on Jan 17, 2011 5:49 PM CST up reply actions
Unfotunately
after every time we score STs has to take the field.
So the threat is always there. Saturday Mason Crosby doinked a field goal and we gave up kick off return thats a possible 13-17 point swing, and in a close game thats huge! Obviously our defense and offense covered that up. I’m hoping that the offense and defense will have a big game Sunday.
Masthay is definitely key
To me, it breaks down like this: the Packers and Bears are better (and worse) at different things, but on offense and defense, these differences almost average out completely. ST is the difference. Our return abilities are not threatening anyone (except ourselves, possibly – please find a replacement for Tramon this off-season!) As Kodos said above, I too am worried about kickoffs. Our coverage units are embarrassingly ineffective. A few squib kicks (and maybe an onside kick) would be welcome choices in my mind.
Unfortunately, Crosby is what he is and we can’t revamp the coverage units in one week. We have to make due. But Masthay can seriously help level the ST playing field. If he plays like week 17, that’s a complete elimination of the Bears punt return game – a crucial staple of Lovie’s team. If Masthay has that good of a game again, I like our chances; without his solid contribution, it could be another nightmare of a 3-4 point loss courtesy of da ST.
The Corner Theorem: 38 + 21 = no fly zone
The fact that I read this
and didn’t immediately call you up and declare you mentally ill means you have a good point.
"Brandon Jennings needs a nickname before he gives himself one. Oh wait, Young Money, he already did."
by Mitchell Maurer on Jan 17, 2011 7:56 PM CST reply actions
Field position and special teams plays seem to be the thing that breaks us often, so I definitely think it will be crucial.
"Center Andrew Bogut was asked how the Bucks are fitting in their many new players so far. Chris Douglas-Roberts -- one of those new guys, not happy with his role -- chuckled in the next stall."
Field position and field condition...
Nothing to add on the Masthay discussion.
However, the condition of the field could also be very important. Forever, the Bears have tried to use their home field to neutralize the team speed of their opponents. I was happy to hear Tramon Williams openly discuss the poor condition of the turf at Soldiers Field and how the Packers will use the “proper spikes.”
I’d love to see the awful turf backfire on the Bears—and have one (or more!) of their players slip in key situations, leading to a Packer touchdown. It is sad that the Bears know they are slow afoot and try to neutralize their opponent by having a turf that would make a high school groundskeeper cringe.
Carlos Silva lemonade: made from freshly squeezed Milton Bradley lemons. -- the Jim Hendry kook book.
Bears might change strategy on Masthay
I think I remember in Week 17 that the Bears did not try to come after Masthay much. Why would they? Past film and stats would have shown him to not be much of a threat and they have the best punt returner in football. Given his performance in Week 17, the Bears might decide to bring more pressure to throw off his timing. I’m not sure how he has fared this season when under pressure, but that potential change in strategy has me a little worried. But only a little.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
Bringing pressure on Masthay
Its really unlikely they would block a punt. How often does that happen? And the direct cost of trying put pressure on Masthay is that there is less blocking for Hester! I don’t see them going that route… Hester is FAR more likely to return a punt for a TD than a punt being blocked!! So I don’t see them trying to bring extra pressure on Masthay!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
I agree that it is unlikely because of Hester,
but blocking a punt is not the only possible benefit to bringing pressure. If they can rattle our rookie punter, making him feel rushed and out of rhythm, that could result in poor punts and good field position for the Bears. If they mix up this strategy, and Masthay doesn’t know if pressure is coming or not, it could even result in Hester getting good return opportunities.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
So you think Masthay can't handle a little pressure?
he’s been kicking for a job for the past year or more! The only time teams bring pressure on a punt is if they see something that they can take advantage of to get a blocked punt or if they absolutely need a blocked punt! Otherwise the far more effective strategy, especially w/ a returner like Hester is to block for the return! Makes no sense to basically take the ball out of Hesters hands but going for a blocked punt!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Strohman, what is wrong with you?
Seriously, do you know what social deficiency you suffer from or are the doctor’s still trying to riddle that one out? I never commented on whether or not I think Masthay can handle the pressure. I just said it is a possibility. I don’t think all the teams in the league have gotten your white paper on the art of punt defense and what is the “far more effective strategy,” and clearly there is no coach (let alone fan) who is as smart as you. So, maybe they will go against “Strohventional Wisdom” and bring some pressure.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
by Ben T on Jan 18, 2011 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Maybe the problem is YOU!!
You said… “If they can rattle our rookie punter.” All I did was point out that he had to handle pressure during training camp just to get a job! That indicates he handled the pressure just fine! Not too mention that he handled the pressure of kicking to Hester just fine in the last game of the season, which was for all intents and purposes a playoff game!
Go F Yourself! Not a damn thing wrong w/ my reply except the way you took it! You don’t like it… As I’ve stated before, I DON’T CARE! Is that a social deficiency? Or are You the socially deficient?
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
I believe he was referring to the way you disregard almost everyone else’s opinions and state your’s as fact. He has a good point and it is an interesting idea, and you’re just kind of disregarding it like it makes no sense.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.
I would say Masthay has been kicking under pressure from training camp.
He’s allowed to his opinion, all I did was point out that Masthay HAS been kicking under pressure all year. Did it in training camp just to get a job, after a slow start he responded by kicking nearly exceptionally since! He had to kick well enough to win the games vs Chi and philly vs 2 of the most accomplished returners. Thats ALOT of pressure and Masthay hasn’t even shown a glimpse of cracking under pressure… That Is also fact!
I guess its to the point where if I comment disagreeing w/ someone they all can call me out as being whatever they want including name calling! Whatever!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Seems to me
like you guys are talking about different kinds of pressure. Ben T is talking about pressure as in “opposing teams sending lots of players in an attempt to block the kick”, whereas Strohman is saying pressure as in “situational,” like fighting for his job or kicking in tough situations.
53 Bears, 1 Cup
by I voted for Kodos on Jan 19, 2011 2:51 AM CST up reply actions
Yes
Strohman and I were talking about the same kind of pressure with his first response. When that did not satisfy him, he decided to talk about situational pressure. It’s pretty typical of how he “discusses” things.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
Opinions and personal attacks
Didn’t look to me like Strohman did anything more than state his own opinion, about Masthay’s track record for handling pressure, and about a more effective punt defense strategy.
Nothing at all in there about what he said being fact.
And, there was nothing whatsoever in what Stroh said that justifies the personal attacks, in the form of brazen insults, that Ben responded with. Nothing!
I happen to believe that people who take offense when it is not intended are a little too sensitive, and that is the offendee’s problem, IMO, not the offender’s..
And, I agree with Stroh that there was nothing wrong with his reply except for the way that Ben took it.
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
The Bears still suck!
Truth to tell
It’s probably the exclamation points in the place of periods that rub most folks the wrong way. Those tend to make one believe that they’re being yelled at, and many bristle at that notion.
Let’s face it, while most of us have been Stroh’d!!! at one point or another during our tenure here, it’s not hard (for me) to see that if one were caught unawares, it could come off as something other than what was intended.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
On many sites,
exclamation points are a tool for adding emphasis, in lieu of boldface, italics, etc.
Sure, SBNation gives us those other tools, but many sites do not.
The habit of using e-points for that purpose could well have been developed prior to joining Acme, and I have always looked at it like that, so never had a problem with them.
Again, it seems to me to be a sensitivity thing.
-
The glass is way more than half-full!
I'd rather be correct, than politically correct.
I'd rather be right.
The Bears still suck!
If you really knew me,
you would know that I am likely the least sensitive person you have met or ever will meet. However, I am intolerant of know-it-alls who argue their points to the death even when no one is really arguing with them.
See, if you look back at my first comment, his response, and my follow-up, the average rational human would realize that it should have ended there. There was nothing wrong with his first response and he made his point. Even if he wanted to get the last word, he could have said something like “I understand what you are saying, but I just don’t think it will happen.” But nothing with Stroh ever ends that easily — he always feels the need to take it up a notch.
My opinion is that Strohman consistently exhibits anti-social behavior, and I am sure that it affects his personal relationships way beyond just APC. From now on, I will try to avoid exchanges with him so that this board does not get infected with this kind of crap. However, I will remind you that the common denominator in these spats is Strohman. I think that tells us something.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
Hush, children.
"Brandon Jennings needs a nickname before he gives himself one. Oh wait, Young Money, he already did."
by Mitchell Maurer on Jan 18, 2011 4:43 PM CST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Acme Packing Company
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Lawrence Taylor was told his Super Bowl ring was bought by Charlie Sheen
- Chad Ochocinco gets robbed, mourns loss of Starbucks gold card
- Robert Griffin III will be first NFL player with Roman numerals on his jersey
- Alex Smith joins the burgeoning ‘stats are for losers’ movement
- Roger Goodell wants Wi-Fi in every stadium
