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PACKERS NURTURE MODEST PLAYOFF HOPES AFTER BEATING BEARS
posted 12/04/00
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| CB Tyrone Williams celebrates his 4th quarter interception return for a touchdown with S LeRoy Butler. |
THE WEEK PAST: In happy contrast to their first 2000 encounter with the Bears, in Green Bay, the Packers stepped out to a 14-0 lead in Chicago's venerable Soldier Field, and after permitting their hosts to avoid a shutout with a field goal late in the second period, closed the door on the Midway Monsters thereafter while doubling their early point production with a pair of second half touchdowns en route to a 28-6 victory.
And, documenting the Packers' domination of their antediluvian enemies on this occasion, they erected a 21-3 advantage with an impressive display of execution - going turnover-free throughout, with quarterback Brett Favre presiding over three long scoring drives as follows:
-A 12-play, 80-yard march to a 7-0 lead, the score coming in the opening seconds of the second quarter on a 2-yard bolt over right guard by Ahman Green;
-An 8-play, 64-yard drive, capped by Favre's 5-yard strike to wideout
Antonio Freeman in the rear of the end zone, Freeman managing to keep both his feet in bounds while falling out of the end zone on the way down.
-And a 10-play, 81-yard march midway through the third quarter, Green again doing the honors - this time on an 8-yard slant off left tackle.
Although things appeared to be well in hand, right cornerback Tyrone Williams made sure the Green and Gold could close out the evening in comfort, waylaying a Shane Matthews pass and returning it 38 yards down the right sideline for Green Bay's final touchdown of the night in the third quarter.
The Bears later added an innocuous, 46-yard field goal by Paul Edinger, who earlier had put them on the scoreboard with a 32-yard FG midway through the second quarter.
Favre, forging one of his most efficient performances of the season, completed 19 of 31 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown - without an interception.
Six of Favre's passes went to split end Bill Schroeder, who amassed a team-leading 119 yards, and three others to running back Ahman Green, who closed out the evening with 85 yards of offense, including 69 yards on 20 rushing attempts, and the two touchdowns.
On the other side of the football, Coordinator Ed Donatell's defensive unit staged a sterling demonstration of team defense, no fewer than 11 players posting three or more tackles. Vonnie Holliday led the way with 7 stops, LeRoy Butler, Mike McKenzie and Nate Wayne each weighing in with 6 apiece and Darren Sharper with 5. David Bowens chipped in with 4 and Bernardo Harris, Tod McBride, Tyrone Williams, K.D. Williams and Billy Lyon with 3 apiece.
COACH SHERMAN'S POSTGAME COMMENTS:
(on the performance and the result) "I was pleased with our offense, defense and special teams. I thought all three phases came out...A couple times, we didn't punt the ball as well as I would like to, but the punter did respond after a couple bad ones and punted well the rest of the way.
"I've felt that every game you have to win the game up front. And, in credit to them, I thought they moved the ball at certain times...they ran the ball. So it was not an easy victory for us, I promise you."
(on such a solid performance following an off-key effort against Carolina six days earlier) "We talked about maybe the focus should just be on the Bears. We needed to get this victory. We were disappointed with the way we played. The fact that we lost to the Bears the last time, we were mad about the fact that we lost Monday night and had disappointed a lot of our fans. We wanted to prove something tonight...that we weren't dead."
(on Brett Favre's play) "Brett's performance, I thought, as he's done all year long, he was a great leader out there...made some big throws when we needed them. And (Antonio) Freeman made a great catch in the end zone to keep both feet in bounds."
(on the Packers apparently having attacked the Bears up the middle of the defense) "Well, the first time they played us, they played a lot of 2-deep coverage, and we were some way anticipating that again because it was successful for them - and then they got out of that and played a little bit more 'man' coverage. But were just fortunate that we made some plays tonight - the same plays that we've been running at different times. They just happened to click. Sometime you catch 'em, sometimes you don't."
(on the injury to defensive tackle Steve Warren) "Warren has the same injury, unfortunately, that Santana Dotson has. He tore the quad muscle on top of his (right) knee cap."
(on the injury to center Frank Winters) "He tore a muscle in his bicep. It happened right before the half...I'm not sure about him at this present time...I suspect Frank will put a little tape on it and be OK - unless there's some reason that we can't do that."
(on the injury to Ahman Green) "He caught his knee underneath him and we thought he was going to be out for the game and the season at that point, because he felt something in his knee. But, as it turned out, it scared him more than anything, and we were able to tape up his knee and he was able to go back in...He showed a lot of toughness and courage."
(on whether Bill Schroeder is becoming the 'go-to guy' in the Packers offense) "I wouldn't say anybody is necessarily the 'go-to-guy' in this offense. I think, on the first drive, four or five guys (caught passes)...We like to spread it around....It just so happens sometimes coverage dictates that Billy gets the ball."
THE PLAYER PERSPECTIVE:
Brett Favre (on the game plan appearing to have been to attack the middle of the field, and having done so with success): "We executed real well. We knew going in that the strength of their team was their defense. We still have the utmost respect for 'em. We knew we had to out-physical 'em...I don't want to say we did. Obviously, we scored a lot of points. But we didn't turn the ball over, and we made some big plays - big enough to keep drives going.
"Once again, without looking at the film, it's hard to say what exactly they did. We called the plays that we felt like would be effective and, for the most part, they were. Like I say, we made the plays when we needed to. We had some big third-down conversions...Ahman (Green) ran the ball hard...Our offensive line has played well all year. They've been the real positive. Point for our team on offense this year - and tonight was no exception."
(on whether losing to teams you feel you should have beaten is frustrating) "No, it's not frustrating. I think if anyone who followed us all year knows that our team has suffered some big injuries. We have inexperience in some areas. Once again, I don't want to make excuses...we've had a lot of opportunities this year. But I think it is proof of what we can do. We beat a very good football team. Their record is no indication of how good they can be. And if we can somehow - in the future - put it together, avoid injuries, we know what we're capable of doing.
"But it's not frustrating. You take it in stride and whatever happens, happens, and for me, I just go out and try to put this team in a position to win every week. "
(on having collaborated on a 50th touchdown pass with wide receiver Antonio Freeman, and 'the friendship you've had for him over the years') "You know, Antonio's had his problems this year and I think it's upset him. But you don't catch 50 touchdowns by luck, by chance. The catch he made tonight in the end zone - to keep his feet in bounds - I think it shows what Antonio Freeman can do. He's a playmaker...And, once again, he's had his struggles this year but he'll bounce back from it. But I think it's amazing, to have a combination like that...I know it's hard to do. It's hard to throw one touchdown, period, let alone 50 to one guy."
(on tying Dan Marino's NFL record by posting a ninth consecutive 3,000-yard season) "I wasn't aware of it until Joe Theismann (ESPN analyst) brought it up yesterday. I think the most impressive thing is that I've been able to play for that long period of time. You know, by playing and being in the lineup every week, all those individual honors or records - whatever you want to call them - if you don't play, you don't get anything.
"I enjoy playing, regardless of records. You know, it's been a disappointing season, for the most part, this year. But that's no reason to pack it in. And I feel fortunate and lucky every day I can step out on the field."
(on 'a lot of people' having held it against him that he frequently has played hurt throughout his career) "I figured this out a long time ago - you can't please everyone. And, regardless of what you do, somebody's going to find some fault in it. The bottom line is football is a rough, violent sport. Everyone who puts a uniform on knows that from the outset. And you know that being able to play with injuries is expected, first of all. I expect it. And my team, I would think, relies on me to be in there every week - as I rely on guys being there. I know it's frustrating sometimes when guys get hurt and they can't play. I don't want to be one of those guys. And, you know, if some people don't like it, so be it. I'm just doing my job."
"I've said it all along this year that, the one constant that we have to have is Number Four. We're not good enough right now to overcome early turnovers or an early deficit - like at Carolina last week...like Chicago, when we played 'em in Green Bay. I can't dig a hole for this team. If we get beat, we get beat, but I can't set this team back initially. So, if I know I can make the plays and I can bring this team from behind...but right now, we're not in a position to be able to do that. And I'd like to say that I'm showing a different side of Brett Favre...showing my versatility...You know, trying to take what they give you. Sometimes throwing a checkdown, throwing underneath...allowing guys on your team to make plays. That's what it's all about. When you have a chance, take a shot down the field, and I think I'm doing that fairly well right now."
"You know, regardless of the postseason, whether you have one or you don't have one, I told the guys before the game, 'This is about pride, and what you have inside. If you want to be the best player in this game, you can be, or at least you can strive to be. If you want to start packing it in and start packing your bags and getting ready to go home, you can do that, too. It's up to you."
"And every time I step foot on the football field, whether it's practice or a game, regardless of the situation our season's in, I want to be the best. I don't ever want to embarrass myself on the field. The other guys should feel that way, too. And there's a tough road ahead of us with these three games but if you go out and give it your all, if you play with everything you have, that's all people can ask of you. So, whatever happens, happens."
Bill Schroeder (on the game plan): "We attacked them downfield as much as we could. Earlier in the game, they were squatting on some of the shorter routes we were running, so we decided that we were going to attack 'em deeper, and it was very effective this week."
(on Brett Favre) "Brett's an amazing quarterback. He's an amazing athlete. Anything he does, he's good at. And he has a desire to win. Even when we were up 28-3, he came in the huddle and said, 'Hey, this is not over yet. We've got to go out and put some points on the board.' He's the type of guy that's going to work hard all the time, no matter whether we're down 40 up by 40. He's just that type of athlete - that's why he's so fun to play with."
(on why he has been so much more productive of late) "I don't know why. I guess it's a little bit of everything. Working hard, going out there and practicing every day...and getting open a little more than I have in the past."
Bernardo Harris (on the defensive performance, which held the Bears without a touchdown): "It was a statement thing. We wanted to play with intensity from first play to last. We just wanted to play the way we knew we were capable of playing."
NOTE-WORTHY:
-Sunday night's victory was the Packers' 71st in their 80-year-old rivalry with the Bears. Chicago has won 83 of the previous 160 regular season meetings and there have been 6 ties.
-The victory also was the Packers' seventh straight on Chicago turf, a club record in the series.
-Strong safety LeRoy Butler, the team's elder statesman in terms of Packers service, played against the Bears for the 22nd time in his 11-year NFL career.
-Butler was making his 104th consecutive start, second longest such streak on the Green Bay roster (behind Brett Favre's 138-game skein).
-The Packers' three sustained scoring drives consumed 15 minutes, 49 seconds of "clock," the initial 12-play march taking 6 minutes, 38 seconds, the second - an 8-play sortie, 4 minutes, 24 seconds, and the third, a 10-play excursion, 4 minutes, 47 seconds.
-Bob Davie, Notre Dame's head football coach, was a guest on the Packers sideline during the game. He and Packers Head Coach Mike Sherman coached together at Texas A&M when both were in the college ranks.
-Quarterback Brett Favre formally went over the 3,000 mark in passing yards for a record-tying ninth consecutive season on a 33-yard strike to Bill Schroeder midway through the second quarter.
-K.D. Williams made his third consecutive start at strong side linebacker, filling in for Na'il Diggs, sidelined with a knee injury.
-Williams threw the Bears' Eddie Kennison for a three-yard loss on the latter's attempted reverse on Chicago's first offensive series of the game.
-Billy Lyon registered his first quarterback sack of the season - the Packers' only such effort in the contest - in Sunday night's game, felling Bears signal caller Shane Matthews for a 7-yard loss midway through the fourth quarter.
-Cornerback Mike McKenzie, rounding back into form after being hobbled by a knee injury, executed a straining, fingertip "breakup" of a bomb intended for the Bears' Marty Booker shortly before the half, preventing a potential long gainer and a possible touchdown.
-Allen Rossum's fair catch of a Louie Aguiar punt in the third quarter was his 21st of the season, setting a Packers record. The old mark, 20, was established by Jon Staggers in 1972.
-Guard Marco Rivera (offense), tackle Russell Maryland (defense) and long snapper Rob Davis (special teams) were Packers captains for the 160th meeting with the Bears.
-Packers inactives Sunday night included wide receiver Corey Bradford, offensive tackle Earl Dotson, running backs Dorsey Levens and Herbert "Whisper" Goodman, safety Chris Akins linebackers Brian Williams and Na'il Diggs and designated Third Quarterback Danny Wuerffel.
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