The first hammer has fallen in the aftermath of the crazy finish to the NFC Championship Game.
The Green Bay Packers have released special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum, head coach Mike McCarthy announced in a short statement Friday.
"I would like to thank Shawn for all of his contributions over the past nine years," McCarthy said. "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 played a short, but massive role in the outcome of the matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Tight end Brandon Bostick, part of the hands team trotted out by Green Bay to defend Seattle's last-ditch onside kick attempt, dropped the live ball, which bounced directly into the hands of Seattle's Chris Matthews.
It looked like an example of poor hand-eye coordination and terrible luck at the worst possible time, but it was later revealed Bostick blew his assignment, which was to block oncoming members of Seattle's kick coverage team and allow Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson to catch the kick.
While Bostick admitted blame after the loss, that apparently wasn't enough for Green Bay, which showed Slocum the door after nearly a decade with the team.
Slocum joined the team in 2006 as a special teams assistant before being promoted in 2009. As of Friday afternoon, only former Illinois and Florida head coach Ron Zook was listed as an assistant on the special teams staff, though it is not known if he will be elevated to fill the position.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews Super Bowl XLIX and gives our picks for the big game. Watch the entire show (and Wess eat his softball pants) on NFL NOW.
