![]() But LaFleur owes it to his football team and the passionate fan base to make a change. The NFL is a cold, ruthless business and firing coaches in-season is never fun. O’Brien, who’s from Superior, Wis., and was a Packer in 1979, was one of the best special teams coordinators in the game from 1987-2014. Seely won three Super Bowls with New England as their special teams coordinator. LaFleur would likely have to pry someone such as the great Scott O’Brien or Brad Seely out of retirement. Or he can fire Drayton and hope the next coordinator can at least make the units adequate by the time the playoffs arrive. LaFleur can continue on this predictable path to nowhere with Drayton. That’s why it's important for LaFleur to act now. They won't be as fortunate in the postseason when they run into juggernauts like Tampa Bay or Arizona. The Packers can get away with a comedy of special teams errors against the lowly Bears (4-9). We’ve got to coach better, and we’ve got to execute better.” “Certainly, it’s not up to our standard,” LaFleur said of the special teams performance. And Packers wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling failed to corral an on-side kick late and Chicago’s Herbert recovered.But Chicago was penalized on the play and the Packers dodged a bullet. In the second half, Green Bay’s shaky punt returner Amari Rodgers muffed a punt and the Bears recovered. ![]() Chicago finished the first half with 213 yards on special teams, while the Packers had a measly 19.That brain fart cost Green Bay 35 yards of field position. Packers kick returner Malik Taylor fielded one ball that was headed out of bounds, then stepped out of bounds himself at the 5-yard line.Green Bay’s Mason Crosby sent one kickoff out of bounds, allowing the Bears to begin at the 40-yard line.Chicago’s Khalil Herbert averaged 41.0 yards per kickoff return on his two first half attempts.In the first half alone, Grant returned three punts for 131 yards - a remarkable average of 43.3 yards per punt. Chicago’s Jakeem Grant returned a punt 97 yards for a touchdown that gave the Bears a 24-14 lead in the second quarter.On Sunday, Green Bay’s list of special teams mistakes was longer than “War and Peace.” Among the foibles were: For some strange reason, LaFleur promoted from within by hiring Drayton - and the results have been even worse. LaFleur’s first two teams finished 26 th and 29 th in special teams rankings, so he fired coordinator Shawn Mennenga after the 2020 campaign. The Packers finished dead last in special teams rankings in 2005, 2006, 20. ![]() To the surprise of no one, though, Green Bay’s special teams continue to be abysmal. Green Bay’s offense struggled early, but has averaged 37.3 points per game the last three weeks and has jumped to No. The Packers have their best defense since their 2010 Super Bowl winning team and currently rank sixth in total defense and seventh in points allowed. Green Bay has another championship-level football team in 2021. Today, LaFleur should look back at those 2014 Packers and decide he doesn’t want to make the same mistake McCarthy did. “It definitely showed up in the Seattle game.” “Our special team errors have been critical more because of the timing of it,” McCarthy said. Just days later, McCarthy fired Slocum - something he could have done earlier that season as the special teams gaffes continued to grow. Instead, Bostick lunged for the ball, fumbled it away, and the Packers eventually lost in overtime, 28-22. Steven Hauschka’s kick went to third string tight end Brandon Bostick, whose only job on the play was to block. Then, with the Packers clinging to a 19-14 lead with 2:09 left in the game, Seattle’s lone hope was an on-sides kick. Hawk was then stuck in no-mans land, and when he charged at Ryan, the crafty punter lofted a 19-yard touchdown pass to Gary Gilliam. ![]() Seattle knew Green Bay liked to crash hard off the left side, and Ryan pulled the ball down and took off in that direction. The Seahawks lined up for a 37-yard field goal and Jon Ryan - a one-time Packer - was Seattle’s holder. In the NFC title game - with a berth to the Super Bowl in the line - Green Bay led Seattle, 16-0, with just less than 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Packers Experiences powered by QuintEventsĬOPYRIGHT © GREEN BAY PACKERS, INC.Packers head coach Mike McCarthy ignored the problem, and week after week special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum made comments such as, “We’ve got to keep working. ![]()
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