After stepping back, decompressing, thawing out and taking a deep breath, here are my thoughts on the end of the Packers season: First of all, this was a blessed campaign. Considering the preseason prognostications for the Packers, in the end maybe we were playing with "house money." Nonetheless, when you have house money at your table, you need to take advantage and there is no doubt the Packers missed a golden opportunity to make it to the Super Bowl this season. Coach Mike McCarthy's play calling in the game has come under some criticism this week. Many felt he should have invested more plays in the ground game, especially early. But I know there was a great temptation to go right at the banged up New York secondary with Green Bay's talented corps of receivers. I'm not sure I would have been able to resist just trying to exploit that perceived weakness right away as well. In the first quarter, the Packers had 10 offensive snaps from scrimmage and ran just three times. At half time, they had run the football only eight times in 26 plays and one of those runs was a kneel down to end the half. The production just wasn't there. Ryan Grant had seven carries for just 12 yards with a long gain of 3 yards. I'm no play caller, but I don't think I would have had the determination to stick with the ground game any more than Coach McCarthy did Sunday night. By the way, his play calling was a major factor in the Packers success this past season and will continue to be a strength in the future. Mike is simply the best play caller we've had here since Holmgren. (The Giants ran 14 times for 55 yards in the first half, 39 rushes for 134 yards in the game with 2 touchdowns--that's production.) The real problem for Green Bay in the Championship game was number of plays -- just 49 overall due to a 1 for 10 third down conversion rate. Another impression: Brett Favre at 27 years old could handle the cold a lot better than he can at 38 years old. At 27, he beat Carolina on a frigid afternoon at Lambeau for the NFC Championship. In the process he posted a 107.3 QB rating with 2 TD passes and 1 interception. Against the Giants, he managed a QB rating of 70.7 with 2 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. I know, I know, he has a gaudy cold weather record especially at Lambeau. But we are not talking about cold weather as in sub 34 degrees. We are talking arctic, like Chicago this past December with 40 mph winds and Green Bay last Sunday night with wind chills of minus 23 degrees. Finally, I am the biggest Al Harris fan. I have been touting him for the Pro Bowl for better than 4 years. But don't call him a shut down cornerback any more. What T O did to him in Dallas and Plaxico Burress accomplished Sunday night does not happen to a shut down corner. Burress had 11 catches 154 yards. Al is still one of the best corners in the league. He was All Pro caliber last year and a season or two before. But time takes a toll on all of us. Same for Charles Woodson, injuries and lack of practice time I believe are a factor in his game. They are both very, very good corners but-- shutdown? There is some potential front line talent at that position on the roster, especially with Will Blackmon. But unfortunately in his short time with the Pack he's been injured almost as much as Ben Sheets with the Brewers. Tramon Williams showed potential this season as well. But in life you can never have enough, pitching, money -- or cornerbacks. GM Ted Thompson knows that as well as anyone. The frustration we all -- observers, coaches, players , front office people and of course all of us as fans -- feel is this: The Packers may have better teams in the near future that may never get to 13-3, a bye week and home field throughout the NFC playoffs, so this was truly an opportunity missed and everyone is hurting over it. Despite the disappointment, this was an unexpectedly blessed campaign. I never enjoyed a season more than this one! Please don't forget about the "Snow Globe" divisional playoff win over Seattle just because the Packers lost to the Giants the next week. That Saturday night in Lambeau was one of the most idyllic games of my broadcasting career! Packers, playoffs, winning, snow--what could be better!? With Ted Thompson and his personnel staff handling talent and Mike McCarthy running the football team. the Packers are poised for a great run in the near future. Thanks very much for your participation in our broadcast entities--we really appreciate your listenership and look forward to visiting with you in forums like these and perhaps a chat or two in the future. Take care Packer Nation have a great off season.