What Can the Packers Expect on Special Teams in 2019?

Today, I ask whether Shawn Mennenga can fix the Packers Special Teams Unit in 2019.

Can Shawn Mennenga Fix the Packers Special Teams?

The Green Bay Packers special teams unit has been an area of weakness for a long time.  Last season saw the Packers lose countless games because of special teams blunders.  As we head into the 2019 season, the Packers look for Shawn Mennenga to finally right the ship for the Packers on special teams.

Mennenga does have some experience with Mike Pettine as their time in Cleveland overlapped in 2014 and 2015.  This can only help as both coordinators know each other's thought processes and can immediately develop continuity with their players and enforce the same philosophies.  

Additionally, he has served as a defensive coordinator in the past (2001,2005-2008) and has been a defensive positional coach in college, which will allow him to teach his players to focus on tackling and proper blocking techniques which were an area in which the Packers were deficient last season.

Mennenga spent seven seasons with the Browns as a special teams assistant under Chris Tabor (2011-2017) where he worked with the likes of Joshua Cribbs, Britton Colquitt and others who seemed provide a glimmer of sunshine during some of Cleveland's darkest days.

Bringing Stability to the Packers Special Teams Unit

The question that needs to be asked is whether Mennenga can bring immediate results to the Packers special teams unit, or whether his results in Cleveland were because of a good system and talented players who fit that system.  It is a fair question to ask whether installing his system in Green Bay will take a season or more to implement as he will undoubtedly have to spend time weeding out players who cannot get the job done. 

He will have to develop the special teams' games of players like Oren Burks, J'mon Moore, Josh Jackson, Josh Jones (if he stays in Green Bay) and other young players from the 2019 draft class, teaching them to be technically sound enough blockers and tacklers so they will not make game-altering blunders on a week to week basis.  

Mennenga will have to get his young players to understand that consistent and productive performances on special teams will put the coaching staff on notice and allow them to gain additional reps at their respective positions in the event that a player is injured or not performing up to the standards set by the coaching staff.  Additionally, he will have to find a way to bring consistency to JK Scott's punting game and get the placekicking team on the same page.  

My guess is that we will see a gradual improvement in 2019 as Mennenga turns over the roster of the special teams unit and looks for players who will play technically sound football on a consistent basis.  Fixing these areas on special teams could easily increase the Packers win total by two or three games in 2019.

We here at Cheesehead TV wish Shawn Mennenga the best of luck fixing this disastrous special teams unit and hopefully making it yield more positive results in 2019.               

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David Michalski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @kilbas27dave 

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3 points
 

Comments (84)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Point-Packer's picture

June 19, 2019 at 04:08 pm

Special Teams: another poop stain on Mike McCarthys XXXL polo. Literally cost GB a SB and god knows how many games. Hired his buddies to lead the unit. Hope like hell those days are over.

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dblbogey's picture

June 19, 2019 at 09:00 pm

MM kept Slocum 3 years too long, kept Capers 4 years too long. There is quite a string of just dumb mistakes in the MM era.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 20, 2019 at 06:23 am

To be fair. It would have been nice to have seen what Capers could have done with a GM that was willing to use FA to get players.

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greengold's picture

June 22, 2019 at 09:53 am

No doubt, RC!

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Roadrunner23's picture

June 19, 2019 at 04:31 pm

You are what you commit to.
Special teams never seemed to be a major focus in The McCarthy era. Lack of execution on Special teams led to many heartbreaking defeat’s and a chance at another Super Bowl at Seattle. McCarthy always seemed to put his worst qualified coaching buddies at the special-teams position and it cost them.
Let’s hope the new ST coach is a good one.
He sure seems like a no nonsense kinda guy.

7 points
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Turophile's picture

June 20, 2019 at 03:36 am

This is generally true. As nostradanus said, you get what you emphasise, and McCarthy never put the necessary focus on special teams.

One positive for ST is the Packers policy of gathering of some of the most athletic players available. There is the potential for there to be a solid unit given good training and a commitment throughout the coaching staff to get better.

Time will tell if the Packers can improve some of their longer-term weaknesses (defense, running game, tackling , ST). I have hope that they can improve all of these. There are some positive signs already, but you cannot get too excited in OTAs. At least 2019 should prove to be a very interesting journey.

4 points
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BoCallahan's picture

June 19, 2019 at 05:38 pm

“We here at Cheesehead TV wish Shawn Mennenga the best of luck...”
THEY DON’T NEED YOUR WELL WISHES. They need a ST Coach who knows what he is doing and can communicate it to his squad. They need a Head Coach who understands the importance of ST and is willing to replace personnel when they are not getting the job done. They need a GM who brings in athletes willing to contribute wherever and however they are needed. None of that is accomplished by luck. It is through hard work, determination, commitment, and execution. Save your luck for the bingo hall.

-13 points
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albert999's picture

June 19, 2019 at 05:44 pm

angry
take a pill

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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 06:58 pm

Doesn't sound like it has been a good day for Bo... but only Bo would know.

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porupack's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:22 pm

Good luck with your assessment, Bo. Hope it turns out. Bingo too.

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DavidMichalski's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:55 pm

Ooooooof hope tomorrow is a better day for you Bo.

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BoCallahan's picture

June 20, 2019 at 09:06 am

I did not have a bad day yesterday. I’m just sick from what the Pack has put on the field for years now. ST needs to be an emphasis not an afterthought. MM rolled the dice and crossed his fingers with his rabbit foot in his pocket. I also saw him toss some coins in a well and heard him mumble something about STs. The Pack has tried the luck route and lost games because of it. If I sound angry, it’s because of being reminded of our ST blunders. I’m not sending ML good luck wishes. I’m exhorting him and his staff to make STs a priority and burn the midnight oil in an attempt to make the STs unit a success.
G-30, B-0. Those are my lucky BINGO numbers and the score of opening day.

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DavidMichalski's picture

June 20, 2019 at 09:55 am

Yea Bo, definitely a fair point with the blunders as I mentioned throughout the piece. The good luck was more of a "you have your hands full fixing this mess" though. I totally agree though, special teams needs to be an emphasis. I am always for investing in a few proven special teams players and then sprinkling young talented guys around them.

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Adorabelle's picture

June 20, 2019 at 11:32 am

The author beat me to it - the good luck was meant as in you got a lot of work to do. But the frustration of Bo is well felt. Winning and losing in the NFL is a whisker thin margin. Because the Packers could not field an onside kick they "wasted the prime of Aaron Rodgers". Aaron Rodgers ability did not change but the difference of losing that NFCCG changes your whole legacy.

The Green Bay Packers in their past did not seem to truly think of special teams as an equal partner to the offense and the defense. But a big special teams play seems to really up your chances to win. My personal feeling is that the Packers treated special teams in the past more like a "don't mess it up play" rather than a chance to change the whole game.

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hobowilly's picture

June 20, 2019 at 01:49 pm

Dang Bo, say what you mean! Don't know why so many give you the down arrow, but i appreciated your Lombardi style comments; we, as a collective group of a great, great fan base wish all packer personnel well, surely! Does anyone believe all are not doing their level best?! To the last whistle, the green & gold will compete to win, some have it consistently, some don't. There's so much to winning though and i love the GB style (eg hire high quality character, players that can contribute at the highest level, get rid of locker room poison and move on from unproductive players). The community is so very unique and the Green Bay Packers are truly the epitome of Americana. Said another way, America's real NFL franchise!

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albert999's picture

June 19, 2019 at 05:46 pm

special teams can’t get any worse so i believe the new coach there on ST’s will rise to the challenge and make a real upgrade in that area

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dobber's picture

June 20, 2019 at 08:05 am

I'm usually reluctant to use the old, "It couldn't possibly get any worse", comment because invariably I get proven wrong.

However, in this case, trying just about anything is better than sticking with what we've seen in recent years.

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Grandfathered's picture

June 21, 2019 at 08:33 pm

Your comment reminded me of the Packers ST units of the late 70's and all through the 80's. Yes, it can get worse.

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Since'61's picture

June 19, 2019 at 06:03 pm

Special Teams require attention to detail, just like the rest of the team. STs need players who are aware of the game situation, such as not returning a KO out of the end zone when Aaron Rodgers is your QB.
ST players need to be assignment sure, stay in their lanes, make their blocks, etc.

If the new ST coach can just cut down on the penalties and sloppy play the STs will be significantly improved. Time will tell. Thanks, Since ‘61

5 points
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Lare's picture

June 20, 2019 at 05:43 am

My sentiments exactly. Less penalties and stupid mistakes, consistent play and no turnovers would be a huge improvement for the ST's.

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Coldworld's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:12 pm

Incisive point.

It’s the boneheaded plays that cost us most dearly, but the same lack of focus was behind the routine failure to stay in lanes etc.

It’s not just about athleticism, that’s important, but about athletes who understand what they are doing and coaching is about getting them to that point so that they can be aware of what to do if the next person loses assignment, a kicker shaped to throw etc.

Hopefully the new coach will instill that along with an understanding of the consequences of freelancing. That seemed beyond the ST coaches we have had here for a long time.

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jannes bjornson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 11:17 pm

It's like Belichick says, he wants smart players on the field. Keeping some of these hammerhead scrubs over the years cost this team key games and a SB berth.

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Leatherhead's picture

June 19, 2019 at 06:05 pm

There’s a simple solution which I’ve explained before. It would stop trick plays from succeeding against us, avoid turnovers and injuries, result in more points for us and fewer possessions/points for our opponents.

Naturally, I assume we won’t do this.

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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:42 pm

Uhhh... never mind.

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Leatherhead's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:44 pm

Yet another Sampson post that is not topic or football related, but is just an insulting personal attack.

I don’t think everything is turning to crap ( although from a biological perspective it would be correct).

I like to win football games. As a player , coach,fan and armchair GM. I’m in favor of winning.

So how do you use special teams to help the 2019 Packers win games? IMO, the data is pretty clear. So just play the percentages, score more points, and give your opponent fewer possessions . Ba da bing, ba da boom.

1). Always go for two after a TD unless one wins the game. If your offense can’t score from two yards out more than 50% of the time then you have bigger problems than special teams. And it it can, then run the play for two. To me, you score more points over the course of the season by going for it.

2) Go for it on 4th down if you are across midfield. It’s better than trying a long field goal, or trying to pin them deep with a punt, unless the kick wins the game.

3). When the other team is punting, it means we’re getting the ball. That means don’t screw it up by allowing a fake, or turning it over. Don’t penalize your offense with a penalty. Just Catchthefrickinball ....fair catch. Always. Avoid penalties, injuries, and turnovers.

I GUARANTEE that if the Packers just followed these three rules, they would score more points and allow fewer. We would have the “cleanest “ (fewest screw ups) special teams. Fewer punts, fewer long FGs, fewer penalty yards, fewer turnovers, fewer injuries.

-3 points
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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:41 pm

What?... never mind.

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Coldworld's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:14 pm

Not returning kicks would only potentially solve one of the problems we have had on ST even if that were adopted as a policy.

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Since'61's picture

June 19, 2019 at 10:45 pm

Agree Coldworld. Besides we still need to return any kicks which do not reach the end zone. Thanks, Since ‘61

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Leatherhead's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:55 pm

I absolutely agree with you two. Anytime we can take a touchback we should, but if the ball comes down short of the goal line, what can you do except wrap your arms around it and go down without fumbling?

The best solution would be to only let your opponent kick off once each game.

We pay too much money to our offensive and defensive stars to let rookies and UDFAs have such a big impact. If we didn’t have the special teams miscues we had last year, what would our record have been? Maybe three more wins?

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jannes bjornson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 11:27 pm

If they drop the ball at the five, as most teams are focusing more and more on to prevent the touchback placed on the twenty-five yardline, you grab the damn ball and find the seam and get positive yards. Why is the hell would you try to down it inside the ten? Desmond Howard gave the Pack a SB victory in New orleans. Changed the momentumof that game. One key block by Prior and a talented returner. If you want better special teams you have to have the talented players. Davis is not that guy. Crosby has some competition to deal with this year. Scott will be better and he can send it 60 yards w/out issue. He just needs to master the placement. Zook was not given much to work with and the injuries kept piling up. I want LeFleur's group to be aggressive and gain field position any way they can.

4 points
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Handsback's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:58 pm

Old School, what you just described is what we will probably see from the Cardinals.
I think the Packers would have been much better if Davis had been available. That being said they had problems in all areas of ST including their shinning new punter!

3 points
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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:07 pm

OS has the NFL confused with the "new & improved" XFL... The Packers were a disaster on special teams. -- Improvement in season 2019 will NOT come with silly rule or team policy changes, but with proper coaching. ... MM & Zook were clowns trying to improve special teams.
OS knows this.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:16 pm

I’m not confused at all. Other than “proper coaching”, do you have a point? I’ve offered simple, obvious, easily accomplished special teams hacks. Where am I confused?

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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:37 pm

"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit."..., WC Fields.

"You can fool some of the people some of the time -- and that's enough to make a decent living"... WC Fields.

"Always denigrate the Pack in the morning. Might as well get it over with."....Samson

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Leatherhead's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:12 pm

Eventually....and soon....we’re going to see an NFL team do this, they’re going to succeed, and they’re going to be copied. There are already articles about colleges that are doing stuff like this. Google search “never punting”.

I didn’t know that the new AZ coach was a data guy.

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dobber's picture

June 19, 2019 at 09:07 pm

Most of the percentages point to this...especially on going for 2.

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Handsback's picture

June 20, 2019 at 07:55 am

Old School what you were impliing, I think, is exactly what Mike Leech does with his Air Raid offense. Kingsbury runs the Air Raid and will be incorporating it into the pro game. Senerios like 4th and one on your 30 yard line...they go for it. Go for two verses one happens often if they see a mismatch. You will see some strange stuff coming from AZ.

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dobber's picture

June 20, 2019 at 09:20 am

True, but situational play will never go away (as you imply). It all comes down to knowing your team, knowing what your team is good at, and being willing to accept some added degree of risk.

There was some talk of job security below. We know that for every 5 times a coach takes this chance and succeeds, fans and the media will home in on that one time that the chance fails. Even if this earns a net positive in games won.

2 points
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murf7777's picture

June 20, 2019 at 08:22 am

OS I think you have some good strategies. Unfortunately making over 50% is more then the average today. Like most sports today using analytics to manage the game are ever increasing. I would say the biggest drawback regarding 2-pt conversion is job security. Recent stats shows the average team makes the conversion 48.2% of the time and since lengthening a 1-pt kick 95.2% down from the historic average of 99.5%. At a 47.6% 2-pt success rate you are ahead of the numbers. So, those stats show it’s about a break even proposition. Since a failed attempt would be scrutinized to the 10th degree by fans and pundits, How many coaches would risk their job security over such a minimal advantage?

If a team put an inordinate amount of time working on 2pt conversion to increase those odds maybe your right. With minimal practice time, and so many other areas of the game that could create higher advantage percentages(creating turnovers) for use of that practice time I doubt you will ever see coaches risking their job security except in situational times throughout a game.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 20, 2019 at 11:08 am

Actually, league wide it was 66/129. That’s over 50%. Packers were 3 out of 4. Rams were 5 out of 6. Lions were 0-5. Personally, I think if you commit to going for two every time a good team would do better than the average...maybe around 60%, or even better.

Good offensive teams already spend a lot of time practicing short yardage. Good QBs should certainly be able to complete over half of their short passes..

I do agree that coaches are very conservative. I remember the sentiment that three things could happen when you passed and two were bad....yet the NFL became a passing league anyway, because it helps you win games.

Change happens slowly, but it happens.

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porupack's picture

June 20, 2019 at 02:47 pm

I agree OS, if it is a matter of increasing 2 pt attempts, and 4th down attempts. I agree that percentage stats should be more important than fan perception, and good coach and GM can beat fan criticism if they hang tough with their analytics.
My disagreement with OS is if he implies an absolute policy. That simply gives away the advantage of being unpredictable. If you go for 2pt or play 4th down half the time....that's extra game planning for the opposition. But if coaches are committed to the percentage favors, and if they are above average team, and if they prepare a whole arsenal of plays for that, and if they prepare the team; those conversion percentages should certainly be well above the norm.
And that doesn't even mention the psychological impact of that aggressive strategy on the other team even if that other team wins a few attempts. Go back, and show em, the O aint afraid of a setback.

On punt returns, 100% fair catch puts the team at disadvantage. Better to coach a conservative, mistake free return; go for 10 yards and be ready to drop unless a clear seam. Always fair catching leaves opposing teams to pin you. And they might even drill line drives for max distance (irregardless of hang time), knowing you aren't going to punish them.

Well, now that we may have a capable defense, the aggressive 4th down and 2pt plays should be much reduced risk that the other team scores after a failed attempt.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 20, 2019 at 04:05 pm

Here's what I'm going to do this season, and I'd encourage you and others to do the same:

On every opponent punt, I'm going to keep track of what happens. Successful fake, penalty, turnover, long return, etc.

I've already done last year, and there isn't any doubt that if we had just fair caught every one we'd have been ahead of what happened.

-2 points
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Samson's picture

June 20, 2019 at 06:22 pm

Why don't you reread porupack's post above.... When the opposition knows you are going to fair catch every punt... they will set you up to lose. -- When the opposition knows what you're going to do ahead of time, it's going to work against you. -- Didn't you learn anything from MM's lack of innovation?

0 points
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Befuddled's picture

June 21, 2019 at 04:36 am

We saw what happened last year when the ball was allowed to bounce off the turf. 2 turnovers. How many times did Micah Hyde let the ball bounce in front of him and roll 10+ yards towards our goal line. Too many. I remember Mike Prior getting cheers for making a fair catch because it was such an improvement over the Terrell Buckley disaster. I would rather see a fair catch than having the ball bounce and roll towards our goal line or worse, hit one of our players as it did last year. [debatable] That's assuming we have a player capable of catching a punt without fumbling.

1 points
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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 19, 2019 at 06:22 pm

I was disappointed they didn’t close the deal with Darren Rizzi. I think he was at or near the top of the list of candidates.

But of course, I do wish Mennenga the best of luck. :)

4 points
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Samson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:09 pm

Reportedly, the Saints offered an "arm & a leg" for Rizzi. --- The Packers didn't match or exceed the offer.... Happens all the time, especially in the NFL coaching carousel.

1 points
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ricky's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:10 pm

He was the top choice. But GB didn't want to pay him, so he went elsewhere. Whether this is penny wise and pound foolish remains to be seen. IfMennenga can get the guys to play with intensity, focus and discipline, the ST's will be improved. If not...

1 points
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Lare's picture

June 20, 2019 at 03:31 pm

I don't think money was the issue. I think it was more his family not wanting to move from Florida to Green Bay.

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ricky's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:11 pm

He was the top choice. But GB didn't want to pay him, so he went elsewhere. Whether this is penny wise and pound foolish remains to be seen. IfMennenga can get the guys to play with intensity, focus and discipline, the ST's will be improved. If not...

0 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 19, 2019 at 09:12 pm

31 other teams..... Not all are a fit.

-1 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:29 pm

OK folks, I have posted before and I will reiterate it here.

Last year we witnessed the creativity ST can have. (not with us) Unique in my watching career. 50+ years.

It would be absolutely crazy if the Pack doesn't have that capability involved in their ST play. What a weapon and option!!

Very important the specific distance/time is selected. But make the D defend every inch of the field, every situation, every minute.

Last year those ST plays changed football, IMO. I want the Pack do double down, and make those plays, plus plays.

Yes we can.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 11:37 pm

You get the feeling LeFleur knows the game is played 60 minutes. That includes the transition game. Mccarthy talked a good game about every play counting BS, but seeing is believing. Foregoing 2pts when the odds favor it or taking your team out of the field position battle with 54-56 yard field goal attempts (misses) in the second or third quarters was unsound. Le Fleur mentioned the triad from day one. Belichick is deeply involved with the sp. teams coaching. He knows it helps you win key games at key moments.

0 points
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hobowilly's picture

June 20, 2019 at 02:36 pm

Couldn't resist foot-stomping this: Belichick is deeply involved with the sp. teams coaching. He knows it helps you win key games at key moments. Bluntly, this is what i abhorred MM for: his lack of situational awareness in key game moments and overall poor play calling in the clutch . For those handful of times GB pulled games out of the fire, it was AR that pulled it off, despite MM's stubborn non-creative play calling.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

June 22, 2019 at 07:41 am

ST in the league is changing too. We can’t be left behind in the dark ages on this.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:16 pm

Golfers have coaches for their swings. I have often wondered why NFL teams don’t have a specialist kicking mechanics coach.

0 points
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porupack's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:30 pm

Yeah, I kick my mechanic sometimes too for the same reason, for not being more of a specialist.

2 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 19, 2019 at 07:36 pm

porupack,

Give him a chance to clean that blob of grease off his foot.

1 points
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Adorabelle's picture

June 20, 2019 at 11:36 am

You mean they don't have a "swing coach" for when the kicker gets into a bad habit? Good grief.

0 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 20, 2019 at 07:03 pm

Adorabelle,

Sure they do. There is a sensor in the jock strap. :-)

0 points
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Adorabelle's picture

June 20, 2019 at 09:08 pm

<<Sure they do. There is a sensor in the jock strap. :-)>>

Shock treatment when he does it wrong. Now thats motivation.

0 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 20, 2019 at 09:28 pm

Adorabelle,

I said a sensor, but your idea has merit. Won't be able to wear white pants though.

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splitpea1's picture

June 19, 2019 at 08:43 pm

Mennenga should just burn any film from last season and tell any holdovers from last year's unit (except for maybe Crosby) to forget everything they ever learned and start anew. I can't see any other way to go about it. Establish competence first by not shooting yourself in the foot with dumb penalties, blown assignments, and a lack of awareness. Practice long-snapping endlessly and be prepared to replace any specialist that isn't getting the job done. Don't screw around with anybody.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

June 19, 2019 at 11:43 pm

A lot of those players have already been tossed by Gutekunst. I like the new speed with Burks, Jaire, Jackson ,Savage, Hollman, Summers, J Moore, Greene, jamerson and the TEs can contribute some seal blocks. They should be better with Scott's placement and Crosby can return to form.

0 points
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Tundraboy's picture

June 19, 2019 at 09:19 pm

Truly Special Teams.

0 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 19, 2019 at 09:45 pm

1st game....

Davis returns kickoff out to the 45.

Illegal block in the back brings the ball back to the 9.

Can't this be taught?

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 19, 2019 at 11:09 pm

We could have just started on the 25.

Special teams are comprised of UDFAs and rookies and guys who got called up from the practice squad. They’re going to make more mistakes than Rodgers and Davonte Adams. Why give them the chance?

-2 points
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ILPackerBacker's picture

June 20, 2019 at 11:04 am

The trouble with this is that Tramon was far and away the worst member of the special teams. That he got repeated chances to make MENTAL mistakes on fielding the ball is also an a big clue of really subpar coaching and teaching.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

June 20, 2019 at 02:13 pm

He's not going to sacrifice his body at this point in his career. That's a young guys spot.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 20, 2019 at 04:00 pm

Tramon didn't do us any favors returning punts, but the only reason he was returning them is that the guys who would have been doing it were already hurt. But we had a lot of bad plays on special teams, and I certainly wouldn't single Tramon out as the worst.

1 points
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IceBowl's picture

June 20, 2019 at 07:10 pm

Old School,

No doubt we have had so many ST failures/blunders that they are hard for us to trust.

That does not excuse them, EVER!!

I believe we need performance from all 3 facets of the team. No excuses, execution and performance.

And the ability/execution to make a 6/7/8/9 yd play on a fake is needed. In this NFL you had better have that in your play book. Your opponents will.

0 points
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Befuddled's picture

June 21, 2019 at 05:00 am

Two turnovers were the result of players Moore, Montgomery, deciding to return the ball instead of taking a knee in the end zone. I would rather see them take a knee when the ball is kicked into the end zone and start at the 25. Even when they bring it out there rarely get past the 25 so why risk it.

0 points
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dobber's picture

June 20, 2019 at 08:17 am

I thought they've taught that very well...

0 points
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Point-Packer's picture

June 20, 2019 at 11:53 am

It got to a point that I expected a flag on every kick/punt return and was surprised when their wasn't one. It was that bad. MM's inability to fix the super special GB special teams unit was one of the many reasons why the Pack didn't return to the SB post 2011 - though interestingly the GB special team was ranked #27 in 2010. That being said, there's literally not one Special Teams player that I can point to as a standout on that unit since Randall Cobb was returning kicks..

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IceBowl's picture

June 20, 2019 at 06:52 pm

Our SB MVP was our kick returner.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 20, 2019 at 04:07 pm

Thanks for reminding me of that. If there's one single thing I do not want to see any returns called back.

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ILPackerBacker's picture

June 20, 2019 at 11:02 am

Generally like David but he and most fans should know better. The issue with ST was the coach. Repeatedly failing to get the correct people in and not being prepared.

Go back and LISTEN to him admit after the NE game that on the critical roughing the punter call he was UNPREPARED. His words. Not my words, his.

LISTEN to him talk about knowing the wrong people were on the field and specifically that the guy who roughed was not fast/quick enough for the block.

That tied to the total lack of accountability at 1265 and the failure of the inbred press to follow up so few people know this happened. Not a single follow up question to the idiot inept non competent coach. Watch it, watch the reporters paying ZERO attention to this.

The special teams should be enough better that everyone notices.

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hobowilly's picture

June 20, 2019 at 02:23 pm

Oh, and one more thought: I'm really charged with the new group of mgmt/coaches. Digressing quite a bit concerning past players and how long they were kept specifically: I was never a Jarrett Bush fan....he tried 3-4 years being a CB and was Gunter like (never got it and cost the team dearly). Since (apparently) he had pictures of someone in a compromising situation...just kidding, he was kept on. He eventually became a very good gunner, and believe he made the pro-bowl and had an interception in the super bowl even. My point is: we now have a GM and hopefully like minded HC that will work like heck to get the best out of a players' talents, but if after a couple years, they don't contribute....then off to Appleton! Nothing against Bush personally, many of us have had challenges but few can say we were given the opportunity to play in the NFL. For that kind of $$, don't most put out 110% and most don't use PED's and such. Here's wishing Jarrett well, life continues!

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Lare's picture

June 20, 2019 at 03:37 pm

Bush and Gunter were Ted's guys. You don't win Super Bowls with those types of players.

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flackcatcher's picture

June 21, 2019 at 11:03 pm

Gunter was in a impossible situation in 2016. He liberality was the last corner standing. Go back and watch the last 8 games of that year. Capers went big 7 because he had no CB. Randall and Rollins both had serious quad injuries that should have IR them both for the year, but they played because the Packers had no one else. And in case you forgot, it was that spit and duct tape defense that got the Packers to the NFC champ game that year. (YES, yes, we all know Rodgers played out of his mind during that run. greatness on display. But it was that old and slow and beat up secondary that found a way to shut down elite WR like OBJ that got them there. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. McCarthy and Capers did some of the best coaching you will ever see, in getting a beat up and crippled team that had no business even being on the field into the NFC champ game that year.)

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Leatherhead's picture

June 20, 2019 at 03:58 pm

Didn't we win a Super Bowl with Bush? And didn't he make a really good interception in the game?

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Adorabelle's picture

June 22, 2019 at 01:37 pm

One of my favorite plays is the one of Bush intercepting a pass in the Super Bowl. But I really think he got it because he was in the wrong place, left the tight end wide open, and got to the ball because Big Ben thought there was no way anyone would be where Bush was.

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LeotisHarris's picture

June 20, 2019 at 08:21 pm

I hope the Packers don't lose countless games again this season because of special teams blunders. If Coach Mennenga can't right the ship, and without a glimmer of sunshine the Packers are destined to finish 0 and countless.

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IceBowl's picture

June 20, 2019 at 09:45 pm

LeotisHarris,

We have said that same thing over the last few years. Each new ST coach was going to solve the issue. Previous coaches were paid millions, as is MENNENGA.

It is time to make ST an EQUAL part of the packers.

Points to be had, games to be won. No joke.

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greengold's picture

June 22, 2019 at 10:06 am

It will be interesting to see how "accountability" comes into play with LaFleur. STs will be one of those areas of prime focus this season.

I think we will be way better than we have been, just for the coaching change alone, but, add to that a more athletic, football smart group of players assembled by Gutey.

New leadership and improved personnel top to bottom will help this unit immensely.

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