Post-Game Analysis: Special Report

Mason Crosby watches his successful field goal attempt

Special teams weren't so special against the Patriots although place kicker Mason Crosby did well. He made his only field goal attempt and his only 33-yard extra point. All of his kickoffs were short and returnable and I was worried. However, in the post-game interview Coach Mike McCarthy said he told Crosby to kick them short so they could work on kickoff coverage. So I give Crosby an A+.

 

I was going to talk about punter Tim Masthay next, but let's jump on the kickoff coverage. All five were returned for an average of 24.6 average with a long return of 35. His first one was returned 31 yards to the 26 and his next two were stopped at the 17 and the 13. The second half kickoff was returned 35 yards to the 37. His fifth on was returned 24 yards to the 27 and his last I give the kickoff coverage team a C+.

 

Now I'll get to Masthay. He punted three times for an average of 34.0 with two inside the 20. Throw the average out since he was punting near the 50. His first was from the Green Bay 47 and was downed at the 18. His next was from the Patriot 47 and was downed at the 15. His last was from the Green Bay 13 and it was downed at the Patriot 37. There were two fair catches and one went out of bonds. I give Masthay a A-. As far as punt return coverage I give an incomplete for no action.

The recently departed Cody Mandell

Something has happened to Masthay. He doesn't kick a solid ball anymore. They brought in Cody Mandell to challenge him and cut him before the Patriots game after 12 days in camp. A strange quote came out about how they needed to get Mandell out of the locker room. It could have meant Masthay needed more reps, but that's only me speculating. However, there is still something wrong with Masthay. I can't put my finger on what it is. I just know something is wrong.

 

A side story about Mandell and Masthay was Crosby had missed four field goals in camp and all four was when Mandell was holding. As far as punting was concerned some reports had Mandell punting better than Masthay. So I give a grade of A+ to Masthay for holding on Crosby's kicks and an A+ to Brett Goode for good snaps on both the punts and the field goals.

 

Ty Montgomery returning a punt

Now to the return game. First are the kickoff returns and I give an incomplete for Ty Montgomery and his lead dog John Kuhn. Both kickoffs were downed in the endzone.

 

Montgomery was also the punt returner and he had four chances. He returned two and fair caught two. He returned his first one for 14 yards from his own 43 to the Patriots 43. He looked good. He fair caught his next one at the 14. The next one was downed at the Packers 25 and the final punt was from the Patriots 40 and Montgomery called for a fair catch at the Packer 20. I give Montgomery an A.

 

Finally it's time to talk 2-point conversions. Historically the McCarthy led Packers are terrible at converting 2-point conversions the past four seasons. Over McCarthy's first four seasons the Packer converted 5-of-7 two-pointers, but the next three seasons the Packers failed all eight tries. Last year they made it 0-for-9 before finally converting one in the second game against the Jets when Rodgers hit Randall Cobb in the third quarter for the first 2-point conversion since 2009. The Packers missed another one later in the season to be 1-for-11 over the last four seasons.

 

The problem the Packers have with scoring inside the red zone is amplified at the 2-yard line in less space because the Packers can't gain one or two yards on the ground to save their lives. I think the reason for that is the zone scheme blocking. The Packers don't smash mouth any more. Vince Lombardi must be spinning in his grave at how soft the Packers are on the line, both lines, for that matter.

 

Against the Patriots the first attempt was a pass from Scott Tolzien to Myles White - incomplete. The second attempt was a pass from Tolzien to Montgomery - incomplete. McCarthy finally decided to let Crosby attempt the new longer extra point on the third TD. I give the 2-point conversions a grade of F-.