Wags
by Len Wagner
Monday, October 30, 2000
"Talent Falls Incomplete"
You can’t blame Jill Krynicki, a faithful reader of this weekly drivel, for
the Packers’ exasperating 28-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins Sunday. After
all, she flew into Green Bay a couple weeks ago and was on hand in Lambeau
Field as the Pack nicked San Francisco. Afterward, she proudly proclaimed
the Packers had never lost a game when she was on hand to lend her support
. . . and she would be in Miami for the next game. If the Packers were not
having salary cap problems, she might have negotiated a contract.
And when the Packers challenged themselves and Miami’s mostly scary
resistance by going for the yardage on fourth-and-one at the Dolphins’ 40
on their first drive -- a rare aggressive decision -- and converted, it
appeared Jill had them headed in the right direction.
However, all Jill’s grandstand efforts were easily overcome in time by the
latent bumbling on the field as the Pack watched -- pretty much the correct
word -- a 17-0 lead against one of the staunchest defenses in the league
disappear in Dave Wannstedt’s impressive impression of Houdini.
Coaches -- and my limited experience in the profession confirms this --
will always tell you that a team wins together and loses together. But
privately, coaches also will pinpoint particular individual contributions
that loomed excessively large in either the win or the loss. The Packers
had a bunch of the latter against the Dolphins.
Two in particular, both of whom may glaringly represent some of the
Packers’ overall problems, inconsistency and players with incomplete talent:
Tyrone Williams is a decent -- not great but improved -- cover man but
can’t tackle, as was proven in this game. His flimsy effort on Dolphin
Oronde Gadsen late in the first half was one of several turning points in
the game because it surrendered Green Bay’s momentum. The Dolphins had
third-and-11 at the Packers’ 20. When Williams, with the technique of a Pop
Warner League rookie that left his socks and rhyming apparel scattered on
the greensward, missed Gadsen, it gave the Dolphins a first down and,
shortly a touchdown just before the half ended. Later, he missed another
key tackle with an ineffectual rolling block.
Ahman Green is a good runner. Maybe better than Dorsey Levens. But he
proved again why Mike Holmgren was more than willing to ship him out of
Seattle. He has hands made of granite, not conducive to catching passes
with any regularity. One that he dropped in the open field foiled a Packer
first down and led to great field position and another score for the Dolphins.
Josh Bidwell also could be listed in this inconsistency category. But
you’ve read that here before. Yes, he had to handle a bad snap that
resulted in some pressure but his 25-yard line drive triggered that 81-yard
punt return for a Miami touchdown.
There are more. Bill Schroeder, who I have defended because he has made
some big plays, dropped a wide-open toss. But then Antonio Freeman couldn’t
even get in position to attempt to catch a meaningful pass. Where is Donald
Driver when we need him? Bubba Franks is very athletic but he’s still
trying to add 2 and 2 in the offense and come out with the right answer.
Corey Bradford was out of position on the punt return team and that was a
big factor in the success of the Dolphins’ fake that led to another touchdown.
And, by the way, don’t these coaches ever learn? What was Bradford even
doing on a punt return team?
Speaking of coaches, Mike Sherman uttered those famous words, "We didn’t
get it done today but we will get it done," after the game. It might as
well be a recording. In fact, wasn’t that an echo from Ray Rhodes a year ago?
Wait now. I’m not ripping Sherman. Yet. Though he and his staff had a good
game plan for the Dolphins, the jury is still out. But don’t we all get
tired of hearing those politician-like promises? Real action would be
considerably more acceptable.
Overall, 20 points against the Miami defense -- considering the generally
mediocre Miami offense -- should have been enough to win. And the offensive
line needs to be applauded, especially the rookie tackles -- despite the
final sack that caused a game-ending fumble. But before we get too excited
about the offense, bear (no pun intended Mr. Wannstedt) in mind that two of
the touchdowns were helped by some very generous pass interference calls on
the Dolphins.
(Pass interference rules, by the way, should be on the agenda for the next
NFL Rules Committee meeting. Does anybody, including officials or Mike
McKenzie , really understand them?)
While the 20 points didn’t get it done, the Packers’ defense as a team, in
the final analysis, played a reasonable game, the score being skewed by
those special teams gaffes.
And now the Vikings.
As noted here before, the reason for keeping score is because anything can
happen. "Anything" almost did in Miami. And it did in Tampa.
And where will YOU be Monday night, Jill? |
