I use the same phrase in golf a lot more times than I care to admit. When asked why I shot so bad I say “offense, defense, special teams.” In golf a bad round is the result of a loss of all phases. In football, the Packers were somehow able to overcome the complete and total loss of special teams and yet finish 11-5 last year. One would think changes would be made to improve that situation. One would be wrong.
A year after which firing special teams coach Mike Stock and replacing him with Shawn Slocum turned out to be a bust, the Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy stood pat and kept Slocum on as special teams coordinator. Why? I have no idea. The bottom line is the Packers have no excuse for being so bad on special teams. The roster is well stocked with promising young players who are fighting to make the team and special teams might be their only hope. Either the Packers’ depth isn’t what we think it is or the special teams’ coach is clueless.
My guess is the later. When McCarthy hired Slocum there were other well respected special teams coaches available and yet McCarthy hired the assistant to the worst special teams coach in the Packers’ recent history. The results last year reflected that poor decision. Going into the 2010 season the Packers are widely regarded as Super Bowl contenders because of Aaron Rodgers and the No. 2 defense in the NFL. Both Rodgers and the defense should be even better this year, but will it be enough to overcome the failings of the special teams?
I doubt it. Like a Brett Favre interception in the playoffs, you know it’s coming, but the heartbreak is still the same.