Championship Teams Need The Intangibles

This offseason has been one of action.

Personally, my level of optimism has been up and down throughout this offseason, but as it stands right now I feel like you probably do – I appreciate what’s been done so far, but realize the upcoming draft is crucial for this team’s 2017 chances.

The Packers have added talent and given themselves flexibility at multiple positions of need.

In addition to talent on the field, the Packers have added some strong leaders this offseason.

The Packers have brought in emotional leaders through free agency in the past, the most obvious examples being Reggie White and Charles Woodson.

Martellus Bennett and Ricky Jean Francois are bringing a welcome infusion of attitude and leadership.

If you haven’t followed Martellus Bennett on Twitter yet, do yourself a favor. If you don’t have Twitter, no judgment. In fact, good for you.

Most recently Bennett was vocal in criticizing the NFL for creating a training video about the rules players must follow while celebrating. 

He allowed the fans to vote online for which number he would wear. He just announced that he’s donating all of the commission he receives from his jersey sales to charity.

He wrote an interactive children’s book that’s receiving great reviews.

None of this has to do with Bennett’s impact on the field, but we all know that the locker room is important to the chemistry and atmosphere of a team. I think Bennett is bringing in a big attitude that can balance out the all-business side of the spectrum that this team is heavy on. This is a game at the end of the day.

Ricky Jean Francois is considered a leader on and off the field. He’s a grinder who rarely misses games and can play every position on the defensive line in the 3-4.

He also seeks to make an impact that’s bigger than what happens on a football field.

Check out this article, if you haven’t already, for some cool insights to the new Packers defensive lineman. He talks about the importance of being a father, and also his trip to Haiti in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane last year.

Players, or really just people in general, respond to different types of leadership.

Many may remember the screaming tirade overheard by reporters by Mike Daniels after a loss to the Indianapolis Colts at home last season.

There were comments afterwards by players who felt opposite ways about it. Some people respond to fiery leadership, and others find it excessive. 

Others prefer the Jordy Nelson approach, which is that of a calm teacher. Speaking on motivation, Nelson has commented that guys in the NFL should not need a rah-rah speech.

We will see how it plays out, but it seems to me that the Packers have added two players with different types of the leadership intangible. I am a big believer in having a veteran presence to show everyone else the way, and this offseason has brought a fresh new supply of such presence.  

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Comments (10)

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cheesehead1's picture

March 26, 2017 at 12:23 pm

I like the signings so far, but more help is needed on D. Give Aaron some D help. Would like to see us draft T.J. Watt. Having a good pass rush should help out our DB'S.

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Since'61's picture

March 26, 2017 at 06:46 pm

Leadership has been missing on the defensive side of the ball since the departure of Woodson. If Francois can bring that leadership quality plus some nasty attitude to the defense he will be a very welcomed addition. With the difference between winning and losing in the NFL measured in millimeters or milliseconds attitude can be the difference maker. Thanks, Since '61

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NickPerry's picture

March 26, 2017 at 09:59 pm

I agree Since '61. I also like the idea of a front with Clark, Daniels, and Francois. I think it definitely could be one of the better fronts the Packers have had in some time. The Packers are always one of if not the youngest team in the NFL. Youth is great but you have to have leadership too.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 26, 2017 at 07:10 pm

I agree that the draft is critical to 2017, but more for 2018. I think too many people are assuming that we will get immediate help at multiple positions. That isn't what normally happens, which is closer to one starter, one or two contributors, with some playing a lot but at less than an NFL average, with some rare exceptions of guys being above average starters right away.

2016: Clark 33% C+; Martinez 75% C-, Lowry and Fackrell, 15% C-.

2015: Randall 70% C+, Rollins 30% C++, Ryan 24% C- -, Monty 21% B- Rip: B-

2014: Dix 86% C; Adams 70% D+, RR: 46% D; Linsley: 100% B-;

2013: Bakh: 100% D++; Lacy: 61% B+: Hyde 40% C+, Boyd: 10% C- -; Jones 25% D+; Nate Palmer 19% D-

2012: Hayward 63% B+; McMillian 54% D; Worthy 42% D; Daniels 21% C- ; Perry 18% C

2011: Cobb, Alex Green, House

2010: Bulaga, Starks, Burnett, Neal, Newhouse, Wilson,

I need to differentiate between getting starters who we had to start but were still terrible (RR) and weren't very good (Adams) and rookies who played a lot because they played well (Hayward). Also, I provided the actual % of snaps played, but Lacy at 61% was the starter w/o a doubt. Same for Rip. I am not grading against a curve: this is to see how the 2017 draft might help us in 2017.

2016: 2 starters, 2 minor contributors.
2015: 1 starter, 2 or 3 modest contributors
2014: 3 starters (1 who was NFL ave.) 1 major contributor, 2 modest contributors both < average
2013: 2 starters (1 good, 1 < ave.), 2 or 3 modest contributors one pretty decent, 1 < ave, 1 bad, and a minor contributor in Boyd who was ok but limited.
2012: 1 starter, good, 2 major contributors who both sucked, 2 modest contributors who were ok average to below average.
2011: Cobb played really well when he broke through all the receiving talent and played, House held up when he played, don't remember Green.
2010: Burnett, Neal and Newhouse played a lot but were all below average. Bulaga was good for a rookie, Starks was pretty good, Wilson was ok at his thing.

Because the talent is rich and deep at OLB, CB (and TE but no rookie TE is beating out Bennett or Kendricks), we might see higher % of snaps from those positions and pretty decent play. Otherwise, I think people are banking on getting too much immediate help from this draft.

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Savage57's picture

March 27, 2017 at 08:12 am

A good example of the bromide 'ask the guy what time it is and he'll tell you how to build a watch'.

Sometimes less is more.

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Bearmeat's picture

March 26, 2017 at 08:32 pm

He may think he doesn't, but the fact is that Ted needs to get a starter at OLB and at CB in this draft. Getting two high producing, immediate starters would be the best draft GB has had in a very long time.

The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Ted has been expecting his draft picks to grow into competent starters for his entire tenure here. Sometimes it works brilliantly. Most of the time it does not.

Having an insurance policy for Randall, Rollins and the constant injury issues by our two starting OLBs would have been smart.

But nope. Ted gonna Ted. :(

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4thand1's picture

March 26, 2017 at 08:44 pm

My gut tells me Fackrell is going to make an impact this year. The odds are in our favor for some guy drafted on defense to shine. Then there's Elliot, all he seems to do is make plays when healthy.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 27, 2017 at 06:57 am

I'm with you on this.

Also add that Elliott makes plays whenever he's on the field. The biggest problem with him, is he never seems to get on the field at least defensively.
IMO, it just seems like he didn't get to play as much defensively because the players that were playing more simply cost more.
Hopefully with Peppers and Jones now gone it will give Elliott some more chances to play more.

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Savage57's picture

March 27, 2017 at 08:10 am

"If you haven’t followed Martellus Bennett on Twitter yet, do yourself a favor. If you don’t have Twitter, no judgment. In fact, good for you."

Kudo's and a like for the article for this sentence alone. Nice to see someone not climb the soapbox and cry to the wind that someone sucks because they are/are not on social media.

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Spock's picture

March 27, 2017 at 11:57 am

Nice article and a refreshing take on FA instead of the usual which (insert "name" player on downside of their career) FA player should we look at now. Nothing really wrong with those other articles I guess, just not my thing. As someone whose only "social media" is the Packer blogs I enjoyed the "no Judgment" comment immensely. :) I hadn't considered the leadership angle of the signings and this was of interest to me. Good work Kevin!

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