Despite special teams blunders costing wins, the Green Bay Packers express faith in coordinator Rich Bisaccia. This decision defies logic and fuels the definition of insanity.
If you don't like something, change it. If you've want something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done. These are motivational quotes and yes, they borderline on clichés. Perhaps the Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst need a refresher, though.
It's one thing to bring back head coach Matt LaFleur. For his faults in big games and in the playoffs, LaFleur is one of the winningest coaches currently in the NFL. He's brought the Packers to the NFL playoffs in six of his seven seasons, and his winning percentage is currently sixth best amongst active NFL coaches.
Only better than him are Andy Reid, Sean Payton, John Harbaugh, Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. That's the elite of the elite in the NFL.
So yes, it may have been a bit baffling when reports came out in the hours after the Packers' playoff collapse to the Chicago Bears that LaFleur was heading towards an extension, but you could make it make sense. Rather easily, actually.
But bringing back special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia? Bringing him back after special teams played a major role in each and every single one of Green Bay's losses this past season minus the season finale against he Minnesota Vikings -- which was essentially a preseason game?
That makes no sense, and it's the definition of insanity.
Even more insane is expressing confidence in Bisaccia, but that's exactly what Gutekunst did when talking to the media for the first time since the season ended.
What payoff has Gutekunst seen on special teams?
Was it this play against the Cleveland Browns in a game the Packers lost by three?
Or maybe it was this blocked extra point that the Dallas Cowboys ran back for two points? This game ended in a tie:
Perhaps it was this muffed onside kick return that if successfully recovered, would have likely won the Packers the NFC North:
Those are just three examples in a season that was full of special teams errors. We're also not even talking about the myriad of special teams penalties (a holding on kickoff return was basically guaranteed weekly) or the seesaw decisions been a hurt Brandon McManus and a kicker in Lucas Havrisik who set the franchise record for longest field goal.
Special teams was mismanaged at every turn, yet Gutekusnt still has faith in Bisaccia?
That's insanity.
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