~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

GREEN BAY PACKERS: Crashing and Burning leading to a new ERA coming.. How and why they fell apart in 2014...



1/12/15



Written by: Adam Schefter





In 2010 the Green Bay Packers were on top of the Football World winning Super Bowl 45 over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had the Pack as Super Bowl Champions and looked to start a Dynasty.

But then that dream fell apart faster than the confetti hitting the floor in Dallas.

So as the Green and Gold rolled out to a 15-1 Record in 2011, Green Bay was upset in the Divisional Round by Eli Manning and the New York Giants who went on to win the Super Bowl.

Green Bay went home.

So as the Packers attempted to get back to the Super Bowl in 2014 racing out to a 6-2 start, speed bumps derailed their Season and the Pack slumped to a 9-7 Record missing the Playoffs for the first time since 2008.

So what happened?

Green Bay looked poised to become a Dynasty entering 2011 as they won the Super Bowl with Dom Capers Defense ranked 2nd best in the league.

But the Off-Season was the first domino to fall. The Team saw many departures and Capers Defense took what seemed like 10 steps back.

The 2011 Packers entered the Divisional Round with the Giants and gave up 37 points and couldn't stop the run.

This became a pattern for the 2012 and 2013 Packers in the Playoffs. Giving up 45 points to Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco.

Entering the 2014 Season, many fans gave up hope as the Packers ended September with a 2-2 Record and had one of the worst Defenses in the league.

But after a 28-24 victory over the Detroit Lions, McCarthy went on record saying he turned over a new leaf.

But it was a lie as the very next week he was back to his conservative ways as the Packers lost in Chicago 27-20 to the Bears.

"That's when it all began I think. He never changed." WR Jordy Nelson said.

As the year went on, McCarthy began to get called out during Games.

Cameras caught Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Eddie Lacy etc having words with McCarthy.

"He never made adjustments for us and we felt like we were left out to dry through the year. It was awful. He never changed." Aaron Rodgers said.

McCarthy's Offense was so stale that from the opening play Rodgers WRs were constantly covered. Rodgers still finished with 4,106 yards and 35 Touchdowns. But due to poor schemes he threw 14 Interceptions. Double digit picks for the first time in years.

The Packers stumbled to a 9-7 finish and McCarthy and Capers were shown the door by Seasons end.

[trekfan]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

No surprise McCarthy got canned, interested to see where Green Bay goes with their hire. I feel like they could grab a defensive guy and just let Rogers be the OC (like Dungy and Peyton back in Indy).

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Matchup Preview *|* January 18, 2015
	@
Cleveland Browns (13-4, 7-1 Away)		New England Patriots (14-3, 7-1 Home)
Injury Report Jordan Cameron(TE) Pulled Groin(IR) NONE Game Notes ~~AFC CHAMPIONSHIP~~ The Cleveland Browns have been a Cinderella Story in 2014 under first year Head Coach Mike Pettine. Cleveland went on to win their first AFC North Division Title and a trip back to the Playoffs for the first time since 2002. A Divisional Round victory over the Titans has QB Brian Hoyer ready to make history and get Browns into their first ever Super Bowl appearence before testing Free Agency. But standing in their way is Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Dynasty stomped the Chargers in a Blizzard last week in the Divisional Round 45-7.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

The Dynasty Continues...Brady, PATRIOTS punch ticket to Super Bowl 49 off Game Winning Drive 20-17 over BROWNS...






RECAP






Foxboro, MA- The Dynasty continues as the New England Patriots(15-3) are back in the Super Bowl!

The Pats knocked off the Cleveland Browns(13-5) in Foxboro this Afternoon as Tom Brady added yet another AFC Championship to his resume.

"When you go up against a guy like that or even the Patriots, you're going to have your work cut out for you. The way they do things you just have to admire and appreciate the greatness that they have become." Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine stated.

The Browns battled back from a 3 and out to take a 7-0 lead early in the first. Cleveland's Defense made Brady uncomfortable sacking him 10 times with "Million Dollar Man" Phil Taylor and CB Buster Skrine sacking Brady 3 times each.

But "The GOAT" wouldn't go down easy.

"We put pressure on him all game dropping him quite a bit but the man just wouldn't quit and got us in the end." Browns Defensive Coordinator Jim O'Neil stated.

New England took a 14-7 lead into halftime after Brady's hailmary attempt was picked off in the End Zone by Browns CB Joe Haden.

Brady finished the AFC Title Game with 195 yards, 2 Touchdowns and a pick.

Entering the 4th Quarter the Patriots(15-3) held a 17-7 lead before Browns Quarterback Brian Hoyer led Cleveland down on 10 unanswered points to tie the Game at 17.

"It's a pressure situation for sure. We fought hard but New England is a tough team." Hoyer stated.

Hoyer had 280 yards and 2 Touchdowns. He should be at the top of anyone's list looking for a QB in Free Agency.

"Brian (Hoyer) has been amazing this year for us and he'll make any Team better at the Quarterback Position. We owe him a lot for how far we got this year." Pettine added.

After tying the Game at 17-17, Tom Brady took the field with 80 yards and 2 Timeouts.

Vintage Brady.

Stephen Gostkowski booted the Game Winner as time expired sending the Patriots back into the Super Bowl.

Their first trip back since 2011.

"Great to be back in the Super Bowl. We're all excited to try and win it all." Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick stated.


UP NEXT


Patriots(15-3) Head to Arizona for Super Bowl 49 to face Seahawks/Cowboys.

Browns(13-5) Head into their Off-Season Program.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Matchup Preview *|* January 18, 2015
	@
Dallas Cowboys (13-5, 4-4 Away)		Seattle Seahawks (13-4, 8-0 Home)
Injury Report Bruce Carter(LB) IR Sidney Rice(WR) Broken Collarbone(IR) Brock Berlin(R)(QB) Shoulder Tear(2 Weeks) Game Notes ~~NFC Championship~~ For the first time since 1995 the Dallas Cowboys are back in the NFC Championship Game. Dem Boyz' have been making noise in the Playoffs with Rod Marinelli's Defense stepping up. Dallas shut out the 49ers on Wildcard Weekend and upset the #1 Seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida over the Divisional Round. Quarterback Tony Romo missed some games but has made up for it in the Playoffs throwing 5 Touchdowns to just 1 pick. But on Championship Sunday, the Boys will have a much tougher challenge as they look to knock off the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 6, Dallas was blown out in Seattle 43-7 with Romo throwing 4 picks to the Legion of Boom. Seattle is unbeaten at home and look to repeat as NFC Champions. The winner will face Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Was rooting for a Browns-Cowboys bizarro Super Bowl after the Divisional Round results... now I'm just rooting for the Pats to lose in the end.

[trekfan]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Was rooting for a Browns-Cowboys bizarro Super Bowl after the Divisional Round results... now I'm just rooting for the Pats to lose in the end.

I second this motion. I'll allow the Cowboys a Super Bowl victory if it keeps the Patriots from adding another one ... this is truly a terrible timeline, lol.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Whats bizarre is that the same two Teams made the Super Bowl in the end lol

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

SEAHAWKS storm back, punch Ticket to Super Bowl 49 with 31-20 Victory over COWBOYS...






RECAP






Seattle, WA- The defending Super Bowl Champions are back in the Super Bowl as the Seattle Seahawks(14-4) dominated once again, the Dallas Cowboys(13-6) at the CLink.

Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson led the way with 188 yards and 2 Touchdowns. BEAST MODE rushed for 104 yards and a Score. Backup RB Robert Turbin ran 12 yards for another Seahawks Touchdown.

"Executed well, played smart Football and we got a chance to go back to back. Excited for our Football Team." Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll stated.

The Cowboys held a 10-0 lead in the first half with Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli's Unit shutting down the defending Champions.

"First half we executed perfectly. We only got 10 points and that killed us. That's the thing about Seattle, they never quit." Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett stated.

In the 3rd Quarter Seattle found it's footing.

Rattling off 21 straight points as the defending Champions showed everyone why they are unbeaten at home.

"We love the crowd here, the atmosphere. Everything." Carroll chimed in.

Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo had a much better outing than Week 6 when he threw 4 picks to the Legion of Boom. He finished with 245 yards and a Touchdown. A sack by Seattle, Romo fumbled the ball and Seattle returned it to the12 yard line where Turbin punched it in for a 21-10 Seahawks lead.

"We just took our foot off the gas pedal in the Second half." Garrett added.



UP NEXT

Seahawks(14-4) head to Super Bowl 49 vs Patriots..

Cowboys(13-6) Head into their Off-Season Program...

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

OAKLAND RAIDERS: Hire Chargers Defensive Coordinator John Pagano for Head Coach.. Pagano's second pair of Brothers as Head Coach at same time in NFL...



1/19/15



Written By: Adam Schefter



San Diego Chargers Defensive Coordinator John Pagano has officially been named the next Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders.

With the hire, John joins his Brother Chuck Pagano (Colts Head Coach) as the second pair of Brothers to be a Head Coach in the NFL at the same time.

They join the Harbaughs.

"It's an honor for me personally to be the next Head Coach of the Raiders. Planning and Coaching against them twice a year had it's challenges. I'm excited to help turn this legendary Franchise around and get to work. It's time to just win baby." Pagano stated in his Press Conference.

John Pagano has spent the past two years being the Chargers Defensive Coordinator and has been with San Diego since 2002 in various positions.

Oakland Owner Mark Davis and General Manager Reggie Mckenzie has had a long Coaching search. The list of interviews had the names of Dan Quinn, Mike Smith, Eric Mangini, Jack Del Rio, among others.

Pagano's Deal is a 3 year Contract for 3M.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

GREEN BAY PACKERS: Hire Joe Philbin as Head Coach..



1/19/15



Written by: Adam Schefter




A familiar face is back in Green Bay as the Packers have hired Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin as their new Head Coach.

Welcome back Joe..

Philbin was with the Green and Gold as their Offensive Coordinator when the Packers won Super Bowl 45.

In 2012 he accepted his first Head Coach gig in South Beach for the Miami Dolphins.

In his first year the Fins finished 7-9, then 8-8 in 2013, and this Season another 7-9 finish all but sealed his fate.

It was being reported around Thanksgiving that Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross was planning on firing Philbin to make room for ex-Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

News broke that McCarthy was in Miami over the Holiday secretly meeting with the Miami Dolphins despite still being under Contract in Green Bay.

Once the news broke, Packers Owner Mark Murphy then reached out to Joe for a offer "home."

"Glad to be back home in Green Bay. It's about tradition and glory and we need to get back to winning this Division and get another Super Bowl." Philbin stated.

The Packers missed the Playoffs this Season after slumping to a 9-7 Record and McCarthy making a beeline for South Beach.

Philbin signs a 3 year Deal worth 3.6m.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

MIAMI DOLPHINS: Hire Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy to 3 year/6.5M Deal .



1/19/15



Written By: Adam Schefter



It's now official as the Miami Dolphins have their next Head Coach.

McCarthy has signed the Contract.

"I was here over Thanksgiving talking to the Dolphins about a move down here to South Beach. I wasn't happy in Green Bay. Just ended with a bad taste in my mouth. I'm excited for a fresh start." McCarthy stated.

This was speculated 2 months ago when McCarthy and Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross held a meeting to discuss McCarthy's arrival in South Beach.

"He won them a Super Bowl. They should be thankful for what Mike has done, but now we get to look forward to him helping this great Franchise to win a Super Bowl for us. I'm excited to have him aboard with the Miami Dolphins." Ross stated.

[TMJOHNS18]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Let's go Touchdown Tommy!

[trekfan]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

So Dolphins and Packers basically trade head coaches ... not sure either team is gonna be happy with the results. I suspect Pagano may do decently with the Raiders, assuming they can find him talented players that fit his scheme.



Hoping Seattle finishes off New England, but we'll see how screwy things get, lol.

[johnstone1987]

Re: ~~Lords of the Gridiron~~

Let's go Touchdown Tommy!

So Dolphins and Packers basically trade head coaches ... not sure either team is gonna be happy with the results. I suspect Pagano may do decently with the Raiders, assuming they can find him talented players that fit his scheme.



Hoping Seattle finishes off New England, but we'll see how screwy things get, lol.

Yeah it was quite a Storyline throughout the year man. Miami wanted McCarthy and GB welcomed back Philbin