The Green Bay Packers released special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum earlier today. The team’s official website announced the move, referring to it as a release, versus a firing. After the Packers sub-par performance on special teams this season, there was speculation as to whether the team might make a move with the coaching staff.
The Packers saw seven kicks blocked in 2014 and a season-culminating gaffe on special teams in Seattle in the NFC championship game. Tight end Brandon Bostick was on the “hands” team for an onside kick try and abandoned his blocking assignment to make a play on the ball. He wasn’t able to handle it and it squirted loose to be recovered by the Seahawks.
After the 2013 season, the Packers hired Ron Zook to come in as assistant special teams coach, a sign that they wanted to see more from this area. After this season, in which the Packers ranked last in special teams ranking according to Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News, the team felt a change was necessary. Based on those standings, there is only one direction for the Packers special teams to go.
There has been no announcement as to whether Zook will assume the role of special teams coordinator or if the team will consider outside candidates as well.
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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I think this should not surprise anybody… Oh, OK. Except Mike McCarthy haters who thought that Mike McCarthy will not do that because he is close friend with Shawn Slocum…
And now I won’t have to listen to my mother-in-law asking me “Why is Brett Favre on the sideline?”
Good. The guy needed to go. He could use injuries as an excuse in 2010 and 2012, but Crosby’s struggles in 2011, Masthay’s struggles this year, and the gawd-awful protection units this year (with no injuries of note) were inexcusable! I am beyond weary of holding my breath every single time special teams trots out there.
Seeing how MM operates, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ron Zook take Slocumb’s job. To be fair, I know nothing about him other than that he sucked at HC of UF and UI, but with how putrid special teams were this year, wouldn’t it be nice to see a complete change in the coaching staff in that third of the game?
Yes!!!
Finally! …Now let’s hope they find the right guy! Because Ron Zook was part of the equation, I don’t think he’s the answer. But, if Slocum over rode Zooks way of doing things, maybe he is valid option.
Exactly. If the Packers think Zook is the answer, then they’re smoking crack.
We have already started to improve for 2015. This a good start to moving past the Seattle debacle. ST has no way to go but up.
I look forward to learn of Slocum’s replacement. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since ’61
As long as they don’t promote Zook. He’s part of the problem too.
He had it coming. Look at his track record of special teams rankings:
2009: 31st
2010: 29th
2011: 31st
2012: 12th
2013: 20th
2014: 32nd
They’d better not promote Ron Zook either. He’s as much a part of the problem as Slocum and if anything, needs to go too. He was mediocre as the Florida Gators head coach, then abysmal from 2005-2011 as the Illini coach. After being out of football for 3 year, the Packers thought he’d be a good hire? I don’t get it. Packers need to break tradition and hire someone from the outside.
It’s foolish for fans to expect a bad HC to make good assistant coach hires. The fish rots from the head down.
I know he has nothing to do with Special Teams, but dang I wish we could coax Kevin Greene back into coaching for us.
Glad to see this move, and it had to be hard for Mike considering how far back they go.
Except Mason Crosby, who was nearly flawless this year. Kicking field goals is a LOT harder than it looks!
9 years of gross incompetence turns out to be even more than MM can stomach…..