Shawn Slocum
Two days after his season ending press conference, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has fired his special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum.
Slocum became McCarthy’s assistant special teams coach from 2006-09 before taking over as special teams coordinator the next six years.
The Packers finished last in the Dallas Morning News’ annual special teams rankings this past season. They had seven blocked kicks, including five over the final seven regular-season games.
The problems culminated with two critical plays the cost the Packers the NFC Championship game against Seattle. The Packers gave up a fake field goal with a 16-0 second-half lead over Seattle. Then came Brandon Bostick’s attempt to catch an onside kick. The ball bounced off his helmet and was recovered by the Seahawks, who went on to win 28-22 in overtime.
“I would like to thank Shawn for all of his contributions over the past nine years,” McCarthy said in a statement this afternoon. “He was a positive contributor to our success, including helping us win Super Bowl XLV. We wish Shawn, Michelle and their family the best moving forward.”
Special Teams assistant coach Ron Zook remains on the staff at this time.
Jon Ryan
We caught up with former Packers punter Jon Ryan, who punts for Seattle now. He threw the touchdown pass on the fake field goal call in the NFC Championship game. Some of his comments are below.
AUDIO: Jon Ryan on deciding to run the fake field goal :21
AUDIO: Jon Ryan says they were looking for Brad Jones on the play :14
Ryan said the they put the fake in earlier in the week. They repped it just a handful of times during practice.