The Lynch Mob Finally Gets Its Man » Brats & Beer

October 3, 2006
posted under: Ahmad Carroll, Packers

After the dust settled following last night’s 31-9 drubbing in Philadelphia, there was one clear chorus that arose from Packer Nation on message boards and blogs, in newspaper columns, and on sports call in shows: Ahmad Carroll must go. Well, there he goes. The Packers released the former first-round draft pick after 34 dismal games of pass interference penalties and blown coverages. I can’t say that I’m surprised it happened this quickly after the game, though I thought maybe Mike McCarthy would wait a couple days just to let the din die down.

Now I’m certainly not sad to see Ahmad go, but unlike some who have said Carroll isn’t fit to even suit up for a football team, I think some team out there is going to get a decent player for their special teams squad. You certainly don’t want Ahmad out there trying to cover receivers, but the guy is good at — and actually seems to enjoy — hitting people.

Of course now comes the real question: Who plays in his place? Fourth-round pick Will Blackmon is still hurt, so that leaves undrafted free agent Jarrett Bush. Bush has seen limited action, but I can’t recall his name ever being called, for good or ill, so it’s up in the air how much an improvement he’ll be. As the Oracle of Cheese’s Magic 8-Ball might say, the outlook is hazy.

I still think there are bigger problems in the secondary, though, than just Ahmad, whether it’s communication, the coaching, or the in-game play calling. How else do you explain Greg Lewis being so wide open that there wasn’t a single Green & Gold body within 15 yards? Packers DB’s coach Kurt Schottenheimer has been singled out on this in the past and he has either got to do a better job of preparing these guys or McCarthy has got to find someone who can.