New Year's Resolutions Guaranteed to Ensure a Packers' Championship
By Chris Havel
The Green Bay Packers’ overwhelming 12-3 season leaves little room for criticism, but that is no reason to offer some friendly, well-intentioned and unsolicited advice in the form of New Year’s resolutions.
GM Ted Thompson resolves to react to fan and media criticism of his personnel moves the best way he knows, which is with a blink and a shrug.
Coach Mike McCarthy resolves to never, ever forget that this team is fueled by a “pass first, run second” offensive attack. If the weather is frightful, he needs to game plan accordingly. For instance, in inclement weather a healthy dose of the double-tight end formation – good for passing or running – is a solid bet. When it is windy and passing becomes haphazard at best, that means fewer five-receiver groupings (because teams don’t have to defend 30 yards downfield) and more short passes such as stick routes to the tight ends, quick slants to the wide receivers and a healthy dose of check-downs to the running backs.
McCarthy resolves to take his team outside to practice at least once when the weather is bad. He could think of it as a field trip for his class, or outdoor recess, or whatever he wants so long as the players have a chance to bundle up, suck it up and run a few plays for an hour. Based on the performance at Soldier Field it can’t hurt.
McCarthy resolves to continue to be the same genuine, grounded and gutsy man that replaced Mike Sherman as the Packers’ head coach. It would be easy, if not understandable, to believe McCarthy will be tempted to get a big head. But arrogance, like that Michelin man jacket he wore in Chicago, just doesn’t suit him.
McCarthy resolves to avoid any temptation to say, “I told you so.”
McCarthy resolves to settle on a starting offensive line before the playoff opener. His best unit (left to right) is Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Jason Spitz and Mark Tauscher. But that is only true if Colledge is playing at a high level, which hasn’t happened nearly enough despite his considerable talent. If Colledge is going to remain inconsistent the Packers are better off with Spitz at left guard and Junious Coston at right guard. I know Spitz has stated his preference to play right guard, but since when does a player get to decide where he lines up?
McCarthy resolves to accept his well-deserved NFL Coach of the Year award on behalf of the entire organization. The longer I cover the Packers, the more I realize success demands a team effort, and that team extends well beyond the playing field.
Brett Favre resolves to keep being the same person that he has always been. Then again, if success and tragedy and everything he has endured hasn’t changed him by know, I seriously doubt that’s going to happen.
Jon Ryan resolves to shake off the disaster at Soldier Field and trust in himself. He has the unenviable task of rarely being called upon to win games, but routinely being asked not to lose them. He has the mental toughness to deal with it, but I figure I will remind him just in case.
Ryan Grant resolves to send a “Thank You” card to the New York Giants for keeping him on the roster, and another to the Packers for rescuing him from New York.
Donald Driver resolves to catch more touchdown passes in the post-season than he did in the regular season. He has two touchdown receptions going into the regular-season finale against Detroit, so three in the playoffs is not only do-able but expected. Driver is that good.
The defense resolves to embrace its role as the driving force of this team. While McCarthy and Favre and the improved special teams play gets accolades, it is the defense that is going to lead the Packers deep into the post-season.
The Packers resolve to continue to be one of the classiest and winningest organizations in the National Football League.
Chris Havel is a freelance writer, best-selling author and host of northeast Wisconsin’s top-rated sports radio talk show, Sports Line, heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 107.5 FM and 1400 AM THE FAN. He writes a weekly column exclusively for Packers Fan Tours’ Website throughout the 2007 season.
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