Hello Wisconsin: The Biggest Stories of the 2022 Season

Wrapping up the 2022 season.

And just like that, the 2022 season is winding down; the conference championship games this weekend marking the final stage in the journey to Super Bowl LVII.

Now that we’re a few weeks removed from the Packers being officially eliminated by the Detroit Lions (in primetime… at home…) I wanted to give one of the final “Hello Wisconsin” columns of the season its start by reviewing some of the top moments from the Packers’ season.

By “top,” I don’t necessarily mean best. I’m talking most important, interesting, or newsworthy.

Here’s a quick top five (in no particular order) of some of the biggest Packer stories of the 2022 season.

1. Packers underachieve, fail to make playoffs

There was no bigger story than this one. At one point this season the Packers were on an unfathomable five-game losing streak. After starting the season 3-1, the Packers were sitting at 4-8 and looking completely dead in the water.

While the team ultimately fought back to an 8-8 record, an absolute dud at home in the final week of the season against Detroit ended their campaign officially. 

It was the first time a Matt LaFleur Packers team failed to win 13 games, failed to have a winning record, failed to make the playoffs, failed to produce an offensive pro bowler… you name it. 

The Packers entered the season as major favorites in the NFC North, and while the team wasn’t expected to be as strong as it was in the last couple seasons, there were still thoughts that the Packers could contend in what was projected to be (and ended up being) a relatively weak NFC.

But the Packers quickly proved they were deficient in numerous areas of the roster. Many players regressed from previous years, while others failed to meet their expected potential. 

2022 will go down as a wasted year, one in which the Packers attempted to squeeze more out of a declining and aging quarterback they should have traded in the offseason while failing to get enough evaluation time for their would-be quarterback of the future.

2. The future of the quarterback position

Almost going hand-in-hand with the disappointment that was the season is the issue of the long-term future of the quarterback position.

There’s no doubt about it; Aaron Rodgers was not good this season. And that’s not me saying he wasn’t good compared to his typical standard; he simply wasn’t good. At best, he was a middle-of-the-road quarterback in a league that is seeing a significant youth movement at the quarterback position. At age 39, Rodgers saw a drop-off in play that was likely exacerbated by a thumb injury but certainly cannot be fully explained by it. Simply put, he is a player in decline, and going into his age 40 season next year, the wheels could fall off at any time.

Meanwhile, in his third year (essentially second, considering the weirdness of his rookie year with COVID), Jordan Love didn’t get a whole lot of playing time, even as the Packers continued to lose game after game. LaFleur would never have had the guts to play Love with the Packers not officially eliminated, and so there was little opportunity for Love to get on the field.

But against the Philadelphia Eagles, a game in which Love saw his most playing time of the season, he looked significantly improved from his previous couple years, and provided Packer fans with a taste of his talent. He threw in rhythm, hit the open man, and didn’t avoid using the middle of the field.

Ball placement wasn’t perfect, but decision making was vastly improved, and one could easily see the increased confidence. 

At this point, Love is as ready as he’s ever going to be. The Packers have two choices this offseason: potentially abandon any future with Love and bring Rodgers back, or accept reality and move into the franchise’s next era, with Love as the would-be standard bearer. 

3. Success of the 2022 draft class

Not every aspect of the 2022 season was gloomy. The Packers had their best year one performance from their draft class in many years. Players like Quay Walker, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Kingsley Enagbare all saw significant playing time and looked like strong picks with a lot of potential. Zach Tom got playing time in relief of other linemen and looks to be a long-term starter. Devonte Wyatt got playing time finally at the end of the year and immediately began impacting the line of scrimmage.

In terms of immediate impact, you can’t ask for a whole lot more than what the Packers got out of their 2022 draft class. General manager Brian Gutekunst deserves recognition for getting these guys in the door.

Hopefully he’s able to replicate the success with his 2023 draft class, because this cap-strapped team is going to need cheap young players to perform well.

4. Becoming the winningest franchise

This isn’t an accomplishment you’d exactly spend a ton of time celebrating in an otherwise dismal year by the Packers’ standards, but it is worth recognizing after the fact that the Packers surpassed the Chicago Bears this season to become the NFL’s all-time winningest franchise.

This was a lead, much like the rivalry lead, that the Bears had a vice grip on prior to the last couple decade. All these years of winning with Brett Favre and Rodgers have brought the Packers storming back in the wins rankings to the point where they now top the all-time list.

Just one more historical accomplishment to add to the Packers’ franchise resume.

5. Puzzling staffing and personnel decisions continue

Perhaps the largest weakness LaFleur has shown has a head coach is his inability to discern when a player or coach is a liability at their position.

It’s been seen numerous times in the past. LaFleur mishandled previous special teams coaches, and made an awful hire in Shawn Mennenga. He mishandled who should play offensive line in the playoffs last season, one factor in the Packers’ untimely loss at home to the 49ers. 

Perhaps most egregiously, he continued to trot Amari Rodgers back out on kickoffs for a full season and a half, despite Rodgers proving week after week that he was a game-wrecking liability as a returner. Since midway through the 2021 season, fans had been calling for the Packers to move to a different returner. For whatever reason, LaFleur decided not to move on.

Finally, after another large number of errors by Rodgers, the Packers cut ties with him and moved on to Keisean Nixon. All Nixon did was become a first team all-pro return man in just a half season of action, proving yet again that the Packers moved on from Rodgers far too late. 

All eyes are now on the defensive coordinator job. At this point, it is clear the Packers will be bringing Joe Barry back for a third year in the role. I understand not wanting it to look like you don’t give coaches a chance, but Barry has done nothing to deserve a third season. The players do not seem to enjoy playing for him, and do not seem to be put into positions to succeed. Inexcusable communication errors were still happening in the final week of the season. Schematically, the defense has been awful, and it never manages to live up to the sum of its parts.

Joe Barry was a dismal failure in two prior stops as a defensive coordinator and has no business having his job in Green Bay for another season. LaFleur, as usual, is apparently going to be the last one to realize this.

Wisconsin Beer of the Week

It had been a while since I made a stop at Supermoon Brewing Company, one of the newer breweries here in Milwaukee. I saw they were releasing some cool stuff on Black Friday, so I stopped in to grab a bottle of that release (which is still waiting for me in my beer fridge), and also a bottle of this week’s Beer of the Week, Epitope.

Supermoon’s beginnings have been relatively similar to those of my favorite Milwaukee brewery, 1840 Brewing Company. They started with only occasional releases and pickup hours, without much of a tap room to speak of. They also started by creating beers that take a long time to ferment.

Epitope, for example, is a 6.8 percent aged farmhouse ale, meaning it’s going to have the sweetness of a farmhouse with the funkiness of a beer that’s been left to age for a while. Here’s the Supermoon description:

“Turbid mashed young saison brewed with aged Wisconsin hops, blended with french oak fermented farmhouse algae aged three years.”

So essentially, this is a new saison mixed with a three-year-aged farmhouse. 

I was hoping for a bit more complexity in the flavor profile, but it definitely stands out when it hits the taste buds. The aftertaste is a bit thin, but the funk definitely comes through.

This one isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. If you like Brett-aged beers or other types of aged farmhouse ales and saisons, you’ll enjoy this. But that tends to be a smaller market segment. 

Around the NFL Playoffs

Typically in this space we’d go around the NFC North, but now that all the teams have been eliminated for at least one week of football action, let’s take a quick look at the final four teams remaining in the playoffs. You’d be hard-pressed to argue that we didn’t end up with the league’s four strongest teams playing this weekend.

  • The CINCINNATI BENGALS have proven to any doubters who might have remained that they are legitimate, and that they have staying powers as contenders in this league. I have to admit, I thought their 2021 season was a fluke, and that with Zac Taylor as a coach they’d be hamstrung. They’ve proven me wrong and then some. Many seemed to take for granted that the AFC would come down to Kansas City or Buffalo, just like last year, and once again the Bengals seemed hell-bent to prove them wrong. Somehow the defending AFC Champs have flown under the radar all year long. They’ve beaten Kansas City several times in a row and have no reason to fear them this weekend. Plus, Joe Burrow is one of the best players in the league at the moment, and definitely the coolest. It’ll be fun to watch them this weekend.

 

  • The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS have been the league’s best team almost all season long, and Patrick Mahomes is almost certainly going to win his second MVP award at age 27. He’s on a trajectory for an all-time great career. But with his injured ankle potentially playing a role this weekend, combined with the team’s recent history against Cincinnati, Chiefs fans may be feeling understandably nervous heading into this game. This team (and Mahomes himself) have been playing more polished football than they did in 2021, but the injury timing and a confident Bengals squad may prove to be their undoing.

 

  • The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES were the NFC’s best team all season long, and the Jalen Hurts drop-off many were waiting for never really happened. This team is loaded with talent and have done a remarkable job of rebuilding after the soft restart the team had to perform following its 2017 title run and the Carson Wentz disaster. Despite everything they’ve accomplished this season, it feels like people still aren’t taking them particularly seriously as a contender. But they should; homefield advantage in Philly means a lot, and this team is playing hungry.

 

  • The SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS are probably the other team in the league with the most overall talent. Seriously, imagine this team with a legitimate quarterback. I’m not buying into the Brocky Purdy hype as a long-term solution; this is just a team that’s well-coached with a massive amount of talent surrounding their young quarterback, preventing him from having to do a whole lot of the heavy lifting. The 49ers continue to play tough, hard-nosed football with explosive potential on offense. If anyone’s capable of shutting down the Eagles, it’s this guys.

Final Look: Conference Championship Games

Here’s how I see things playing out this weekend.

CINCINNATI AT KANSAS CITY: The Chiefs are due for a win against the Bengals and have the ever-important homefield advantage. However, the Bengals are playing like a team possessed, and are arguably the hottest of all four remaining teams. The Patrick Mahomes injury could prove to be a pretty big deal against a Bengals defense and pass rush that has really been coming alive lately. Ultimately, I think the Bengals edge out another victory, 24-20.

SAN FRANCISCO AT PHILADELPHIA: It just feels like there’s no slowing down the 49ers. Even with Mr. Irrelevant at quarterback, the 49ers have been taking down teams week after week, including contenders, and often without a whole lot of difficulty. That being said, the Eagles played their first complete game in a while against the Giants and looked primed for the competition in the NFC Championship. I’m going to take the home team in the NFC in a hell of a fight. Eagles 27, 49ers 24

 

 

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__________________________

Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.

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5 points
 

Comments (104)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
NickPerry's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:00 am

It took until last season for me to begin to see perhaps MLF wasn't the "Boy Genius" I thought he was. There's no use in rehashing all of the mismanagement by MLF and his coaching staff and team, but it's been a steady increase of just plain boneheaded decisions with the coaching staff and players MLF decides to trot out on the field. But the thing that angers me to no end, even more than hiring Mennenga, then Drayton. Hiring Joe Barry and now keeping Joe Barry. Or even the mismanagement of the tackles, Amari Rodgers, or playing Hanson and Newman as long as he did this season, is his FAILURE to stand up to Rodgers.

MLF is SOFT and so is his team. This team and offense don't look like anything we saw in 2020, not really. How he allows Rodgers to do whatever the hell he wants is beyond me. Maybe he's afraid Mark Murphy will fire him. But IMO the lack of guts he's showed these last 2 years especially have screwed him more than any firing Murphy could do. Had he stood up to Rodgers and been fired, at least he'd have his pride. Now he just has perfect eyebrows and a "Buddy" as his QB of the GBP.

I'll always be a Packers fan and will scream at my TV on Future Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays as long as I'm breathing. I'm still hoping a trade for Rodgers happens and PERHAPS MLF can turn things around. What I saw in the 4th quarter in Philly from Jordan Love reminded me what this offense COULD look like. But until 12 is gone it won't. And until 12 is gone MLF will continue to bow to him.

It's a God Damn shame...

12 points
15
3
Packerpasty's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:30 am

exactly...and he will always be soft and his teams will take on that personality....I think his future lies in an OC some other team...

5 points
5
0
Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:47 am

I think he ends up in college football.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:07 am

Div II.

3 points
3
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:36 am

It’s not just softness, it’s the ineffective camps, poor personnel management on and off the field, the inability to adjust between games and in games and to address repeating issues. and the incredibly timid overall offensive design. It is not just temperament but competence. After this amount of time, the competence is unlikely to blossom and the temperament is always likely to be a bar to success.

9 points
9
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jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:30 am

In the history of the league, rarely have so many done so poorly with so much talent.

1 points
1
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PackyCheese500's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:52 pm

I want a real coach, like Rich B or Ben Johnson of the Lions!

-1 points
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1
stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:16 am

Joe Barry was a dismal failure. etc. to MLF last one to realize this.
Of the 4 teams currently in the playoffs. They all play a 4 man front!
We don't!! It's been that way since 2010. Why?
Because Gutey and TT kept drafting players for the 3-4-4.
Something MLF wanted to change but couldn't.
Gutey doesn't get it. The 4 play-off teams do!
The DL is dead last in the NFL.
And the speed of their LBs is the difference maker.
They know how to Tackle. Not push the pile.
I just don't want Gutey fired because of his selection of Love.
I want him fired because he is wrecking the Packers.
MLF must play his choices. Changing QBs won't help.
Capers , Pettine and now Barry.
People are too locked in On Rodgers play.
And not seeing the real problem of the packers.
It's the Defense Front. And a GM that won't change.

-1 points
4
5
Johnblood27's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:45 am

There is more than one problem with the Green Bay Packers right now.

DL - yup
MLF softness - yup
AR decline and arrogance - yup
D Coordinator - yup
Coaching weakness across the staff - yup
President meddling - yup
GM neutered - yup

But... as the draft class shows, the GM can see talent, he also has made successes out of scrap heap acquisitions. GM is not a current problem minus the President meddling.

8 points
8
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:58 am

Does he know talent?
ILB and DL were finally drafted.
But look at the failures beyond rd. 1
For the Defense! Not the offense!
Because you did have a MVP QB.
He stayed with Lowrey and never replaced
Daniels. Until Wyatt.
He kept trying to trade for a ILb until Walker.
His best pick outside of RD. 1 was Jenkins.
But still RT never got fixed.
Yes -he picked up flash in the pan players.
Then he over-paid them. Causing a bigger problems.
The point is; None of his pick-ups could play in a 4-3-4.
You're saying Murphy is interfering.
Murphy has nothing to do with the drafts.
They were on the same page with MLF.

1 points
3
2
Johnblood27's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:10 am

The defensive "failures" you point to I lay at the feet of doltish DC's that played a scheme that does not allow the players on the team to play to their strengths.

Is that the GM's fault?

6 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:43 am

In the sense of a true GM, it would be, in our case though that’s not Gute but Murphy via LaFleur, his personal hire.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:57 am

Yes - It is the GMs Fault.
When Walker got thrown out.
The Packers were Done.
I Knew that. As other fans.
The 3-4-4 is for guys who No
longer can make it in the 4-3-4.
The game changed to Speed.
That why Campbell was released,
Thats why P. Smith came to GB.
Thats why Gutey is over-paying.
He is stopping the team from
what is working in the NFL.
Because the NFC is WEAK!

-2 points
2
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jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:33 am

You clearly have no clue how the Packers are set organizationally set up, which is weird considering how often that topic has been discussed over the past 12+ months.

You're just embarrassing yourself again.

2 points
2
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:15 pm

It's set up for the MVP to take the heat.
The Final 4 have the 4-3-4.
Look it up.
They No longer have Woodson ,Cm3, Collins,
etc. Dude the talent is on Gutey!

1 points
2
1
jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:07 pm

For Pete's sake - you're saying that the FO has structured the team so that Rodgers takes all of the heat? So why does Rodgers want to come back? Shouldn't he say "screw you, I'm done with this crap" and ask to be traded?

It doesn't surprise me that you're a conspiracy theorist.

You're right, the talent is on Gutekunst, which is why we had a very good 2022 draft - he's doing a good job. MLF and his staff are responsible for results, and when you get idiotic crap like A.Rodg, the OL, etc,, then that's on him - and by extension, MM for not doing anything about MLF.

If we were running a 4-3 you'd want a 3-4. You're one of those people who're only happy when bitching about crap they're clueless about.

0 points
1
1
jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:12 pm

Get another DT in round three and maybe sniff out another Edge guy. I have zeroed in on Uzomah in the lower first round. The 3-4 is passe' You have to be multiple and flex from four man fronts to stuffing six up front. Barry showed a bit of the heavy stuff, but only for a game, then his reverting to the recipe for failure.
It was obvious his LBs couldn't crash a gap correctly, with the exception of McDuffie. Campbell is still on the team, I believe.

2 points
2
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:27 pm

If you can't rush the QB.
No defensive secondary will be good enough.
We look at edge; because Gary took the heat off everyone.
But Campbell isn't fast enough to go sideline to sideline.
Walker is everything we hoped for.
But the switch in the front had to happen.
Clark is Double teamed.That has to End!
Or this DL will continue to fail.
Having that rippling effect.

0 points
0
0
jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:43 pm

We know Barry is a Fraud, no doubt. This reflects the culture of the Club. They have been risk-averse with defensive strategy since the time Fritz left the building. They snag Gary, but leave Sweat on the sideline with their fascination with Savage. We wanted Thornhill and save a pick in the 4th. Has Walker made an impact with the pass rush? If they're going to waste the #22 on LB, take Karlaftis.

1 points
1
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nygary's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:30 am

stockholder I agree with what you just posted. But its not Rodger's play that angers me as much as his attitude. As long as he stays our QB we will continue to struggle. The entire culture of the F.O. and coaching staff needs to change. Others have posted we should be playing 4DL. I agree if we had the talent there. Plus so many plays we only use 2DL. Someone should be fired for starting Dean Lowry, Hansen, and Newman.

5 points
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:49 am

It's 1 bourbon, 1 scotch 1 beer.
He can't get through to the FO.

2 points
2
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:42 am

MLF has never tried to go to a 4 man front. TT was gone before he arrived. He hired 3-4 coaches and he’s their boss. In fact Gute appears to have gone out of his way to find pieces for the offense LaFleur was supposed to bring in, for Pettine and then Barry. They just have not used them seriously (LaFleur) or not successfully Just more baseless rubbish.

2 points
4
2
stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:06 am

Yes he did when he was told he "had to keep Pettine".
He went along with it. Because they thought
MMs offense was out. Works in Dallas!
And they warned Rodgers at that time.
Rodgers said the MLF Offense could work.
It did as long as he had someone to throw too.
Get off it CW. Gutey is to Blame.
Rodgers knows the NFL.
He knows where he can survive.
This FO cost him his best years. because their to stubborn.
And now everyone thinks he's used up.
If Rodgers goes, Gutey has to Go!

-1 points
2
3
jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:37 am

You have the strangest and most illogical unshakable Packers fixations. I'd hate to know what your non-Packers ones are.

MMs offense worked so well in Dallas that they're out of the playoffs, losing a game they could've/should've won. Given Jerrah's mercurial nature, it wouldn't surprise me if McCarthy is out by the end of the month (I think he stays, though. Jerrah's not a complete idiot, unlike our own "owner").

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:35 pm

Dallas- Poor QB play. Jones says No changes.
The eagles will win the super-bowl.
Their FO is excellent.
Hurts got weapons.

2 points
2
0
PackyCheese500's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:53 pm

Gutey does not dictate the defensive scheme. The D-Coordinator does, who is hired by the HC. Do not blame him for something he did't cause

-1 points
2
3
Handsback's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:30 am

I agree with Nick above, the biggest surprise isn't that the Packers are a soft team, but that other teams openly talk about it.
The won/lost record was bad, and I never thought they would perform like that. But...football is a violent sport. That requires toughness, physical and mental prowess that forces your will on your opponent.
The Packers are not that and for teams to say that after beating up on you...well you either respond with fire or water to wash away the sting of defeat.
Too much water and not enough fire.
Just MHO.

10 points
10
0
Razer's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:04 am

...I agree with Nick above, the biggest surprise isn't that the Packers are a soft team, but that other teams openly talk about it...

This really gets me as well. When Saleh of the Jets talked about pouring to the Packers in the second half and then the Lions did the same it showed me how soft this team really is. We have relied on Aaron Rodgers dissecting other teams as our formula for success. This is not good enough anymore. Between Rodgers, Murphy, Gutekunst, LaFleur or Joe Barry I don't see the answer in-house.

5 points
5
0
dobber's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:18 am

The term you're looking for is "frontrunners". Over the years, the Packers have played primarily as frontrunners.

3 points
3
0
pacman's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:39 am

I just read that the Cowboys fired 5 assistant coaches. Somebody is holding someone responsible. We don't know if that is right but in GB, nobody gets held responsible for a terrible underperforming season.

It certainly wasn't all on the players. We will never win with MLF.

9 points
9
0
jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:34 am

A McCarthy move to stack wood for the fire.(ing)

0 points
0
0
jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:39 am

Succeeding by failing. It's the (new) Packer way.

0 points
0
0
Lphill's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:48 am

as I have been saying, no owner , nobody gets fired when they should , after the Eagles game Barry would have been fired if he was on any other team but not the Packers.

4 points
5
1
stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:15 am

Which will cost MLF his job.
Barry got it. Walker started right away.
Gary made it too easy for the old guys.
The old guys need the speed of youth to succeed.
Barry should be fired
just so they switch to the 4-3-4.

1 points
3
2
jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:26 pm

4-2-5 hybrid to 6-1-4. Just getting revved up to watch Spags put on his show Sunday, trying to shake up Burrow.

4 points
4
0
dobber's picture

January 26, 2023 at 07:51 am

"1. Packers underachieve, fail to make playoffs"

I would hold they overachieved in 2019-2021, and especially in 2021...probably by 2-3 wins each season. Those were really 10 or maybe 11-win teams, especially given their injuries...now, I understand: your record says what you are, but if you're going to argue that you need to accept the Vikings' record this season, too. So did they underachieve? Maybe in light of a returning MVP and defensive hype, yes, but again given injuries and talent losses on offense, a 10-11 win season seemed to be their ceiling coming into the season.

"2. The future of the quarterback position"

Beaten into the ground. Not taking the bait.

"3. Success of the 2022 draft class"

Big point of optimism and a reason why this team doesn't need to be torn down to the studs. Rookies playing key snaps really only means they were put in the game, and the metric of "3 starters per draft is a successful draft" really is a terrible metric....there are a lot of homegrown draft picks playing on really bad teams. Still, these guys stepped in when called on and played well--arguably catalyzing the upturn at the end of the year--when the team was playing better, these guys were important contributors.

"5. Puzzling staffing and personnel decisions continue"

Management and coaching are a mess. There are a lot of changes that need to happen...yes, there were votes of confidence, but those don't mean very much until the dust settles. I think Jerry Gray is gone, and the new DB/passing game/assistant DC is waiting for a phone call in Madison.

7 points
7
0
Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:56 am

This team didn’t underperform, it was pretty much what I and a number of others expected and predicted this time last year. A team that had underperformed when it mattered with its star receiver gone and no cap available and led by a head coach who hadn’t got it done with more abs shows serious areas of deficiency as a leader, man manager and tactician. We also had an old QB who was coming off two seasons above his bell curve.

We got what we looked like we were worthy of if anyone took off our green and gold glasses. We got what we asked for when we brought back Rodgers with no Adams and no cap and then proceeded as if it was just another year from a coaching approach. We compounded that with how we handled and brought in our young players. Our personnel management alone might have sunk a contender.

The one area where we beat the curve appears to be the draft and SFA pick ups. We also got treated to a season long illustration of why LaFleur is not a head coach.

We got what it always seemed likely Murphy paid for. We won’t get significantly more till we face that reality.

7 points
7
0
Rarescope's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:00 am

""2. The future of the quarterback position"

Beaten into the ground. Not taking the bait."

I knew I could count on you dobber ;)

1 points
1
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T7Steve's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:07 am

MLF acts like he's still in school and wants to be popular with the crew. Doesn't want to upset anyone or be the one to point out their problems or mistakes.

I could see his decision making was a problem in the 2019 playoffs. After MM I was looking for someone who could coach on the fly and make game altering adjustments and decisions. I'm sorry, but I don't think he'd even make a good offensive coordinator anymore. He's lost his drive. He's reached his pinnacle. He's got nothing else to shoot for. I think he's even lost his pride or didn't have enough to know he was where the buck stops and should want it that way.

The games this weekend are very intriguing. I'm not a fan of any of these teams (of course) but enjoy watching complimentary football played and coached the way it should be. If it's crappy weather outside, maybe Moma will let me watch them start to finish even.

4 points
4
0
Razer's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:20 am

Total agree. Being likeable and presentable seems to be the attributes that got LaFleur the job. "He'll get along" must have been the criteria.

Just wondering if anyone within the organization sees coaching as a problem. The rubber stamping of Joe Barry suggests not. Rich Bisaccia was a good hire but I can't see him sticking around behind the guys in front of him.

5 points
5
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mrtundra's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:14 am

MLF's and the front office's inability to see that changes are needed, is probably my biggest beef with this team, right now. The fact Amari Rodgers was used as a returner, way too long, and that Keisean Nixon shined in that spot, are definite signs the coaches are clueless about talent. Playing Hanson and Newman ever, on the O Line, is asking for trouble. Having Rodgers play out of the shotgun, on run plays, instead of under center, shoots us in the foot Bringing Barry back has to be demoralizing for our Defensive players. Maybe they should ignore his coaching and take a proactive approach to the defense. Have a team captain call the defensive plays and schemes, from the field. A Safety, like Amos, or a CB like Jaire, could do the job. Bet they wouldn't have the defense lining up, in soft zone coverage, on short yard to gain plays.

7 points
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dobber's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:21 am

"MLF's and the front office's inability to see that changes are needed, is probably my biggest beef with this team, right now."

I always take the sign of rapid assistant coach turnover as the GM/chief decision maker putting the HC on the hot seat and holding him accountable. Does not appear to be happening.

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:23 am

I just want to touch on a couple of points here.

2. The future of the quarterback position
"At age 39, Rodgers saw a drop-off in play that was likely exacerbated by a thumb injury but certainly cannot be fully explained by it. Simply put, he is a player in decline, and going into his age 40 season next year, the wheels could fall off at any time."

While Rodgers did have one of his worst years playing, I didn't see a decline in his abilities. Its easy to look at the record and how the offense performed and say its all on Rodgers. But its simply not true. He was a part of it no doubt, but there were too many other issues going on. He had a broken thumb on his throwing hand. That clearly caused issues with his accuracy. We don't know if he had any other injuries that he was dealing with. We only found out the thumb because of Big B. Thank you Big B!

But we have to be true to ourselves when reviewing what went wrong with the offense. Besides Rodgers thumb, there were issues around him. The OL was a mess. I have pointed that out many times on this page. But to start the season they had Yosh at LT, Runyan at LG, Hanson at RG and Newman at RT. The only player on opening day that remained in his spot was Myers at C. When the OL finally got healthy, the offense performed better. That lineup was Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, Yosh. It wasn't until they got to this lineup that the offense started to perform better.

The other issue was WR. No Adams, they relied on youth, and brining in Watkins. But they suffered to many injuries at the position to have any consistency. Watson had surgery which delayed his progress. Lazard was hurt at the beginning of the season. Then Watkins went on IR, then Cobb went on IR, then Watson missed some games, then Doubs missed games. They used up Winfree's elevations from the practice squad by week 5/6. WR position was a mess for the majority of the year.

Also with the receiving game, I saw a stat (i don't know if its true) that the Packers had the most drops in the league.

3. Success of the 2022 draft class

This has to be one of the best draft classes I have ever seen in GB.
Walker - He was an instant impact player. While he went through his rookie mistakes, he brought speed and playmaking ability to the defense. He will only improve with experience.
Wyatt - while he didn't get a ton of playing time, he came on late in the year.
Watson - While he likely won't win OROY, I don't know how many other rookies had as big of an impact on the team as Watson had.
Rhyan - hopefully he can come into next year and learn from his rough rookie year.
Doubs - He was our best WR until he got hurt in Detroit. He wasn't the same after he came back from injury, but he was a great find in the 4th round.
Tom - Tom should have been the opening day starting RT. And he should be a starter next year. But his ability to play all 5 positions and not just play them, play them well is very impressive for a rookie.
Enagbare - What a great find in the 5th round. While he only had 3 sacks, he provided pressure and was a really good find as a 5th round pick.
Carpenter - While he didn't provide anything on defense, he was a special teams standout. He was one of the parts that helped turn the coverage units around.
Ford - We have no idea what Ford can do as he didn't play in any games. He will likely have an uphill battle next year, but he has the size you can't coach.
Walker - He was injured and didn't get to play until the final preseaon game. But they kept him on the 53 because he did look great in that final game. He potentially could be a player next year to look for as a possible starter.
Toure - Once he started to get playing time he added something to the WR position. He made some crazy plays this year. He could be a player to watch next year to take a step.

And if the drafted players weren't enough they had brought in some UDFA's as well that look like they could have bright futures.
Caleb Jones - Monster of a man who moved much better then they probably anticipated. He could very well factor in at RT next year.
Jack Coco - the LS for the year and he was a major improvement from last year.
Luke Tenuta - He was a drafted player but was claimed from the Colts.
Bo Melton - He was drafted by the Seahawks and the Packers signed him off their PS late in the year. He Is a guy to watch next year as someone that could show up.
Tyler Goodson - He looked really good in preseason. I was hoping he was going to be on the 53, but he went to the PS and remained there for the season.
Austin Allen - He is intriguing. He went undrafted and spent time on the Giants PS. But he is intriguing being 6'8. He is a guy that could emerge next season in GB.

This was a very good draft class. With development this years rookie class will no doubt make an impact in the future!

-2 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:05 am

I do see a decline in Rodgers abilities. He is not the athlete of 2 years ago. What I’m not sure of is how material that is at this point with the right team and coaching or how fast the decline will proceed. I’m just sure he won’t have either next year.

The problem is muddied by a pathetic, negative and one dimensional offensive design, O line issues of health and coaching and very poor personnel decisions. Rodgers was never going to win in this situation, but I think it’s fair to say that he’s no longer at his peak. The time has simply passed, what we saw was that LaFleur had made sure that it passed without another ring.

Rodgers is no longer carrying this team or one similar anywhere, but he might carry a much better one that was better coached. LaFleur will never carry any team.

6 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:26 am

The one part of the scheme that just didn't work was the read option type of stuff. Rodgers is not the athlete anymore to do that. You need a bigger threat to run then Rodgers. Early in the year they focused way to much on read option plays.

Outside of his ability to run his skills haven't diminished. What he lacks in running ability he makes up for it in knowledge and experience. So I would say he has plateaued. I just haven't seen the decline in throwing the ball. I guess that is what I was referring too.

Rodgers didn't carry the team this year. But under the circumstances around him, I don't know how many QB's would have. He needs better players around him. But shouldn't we be trying to get as many weapons around the QB regardless of who he is.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:52 am

We agree on the not with this team aspect, but I think he’s not on the upswing and the draft and develop approach our cap now forces and his window will not coincide. For that reason we need to move in and so does he. On that I accept we differ.

Additionally, he and we shouldn’t expect success with this coaching regime and apparently that’s what we are getting. The only good things to come out if this year was the draft, and Bissacia and Nixon, neither of whom may return.

2 points
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jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:49 am

"Outside of his ability to run his skills haven't diminished. "

Not sure what team you were watching, but it couldn't have been the Packers. Yes, he's on the slippery slope to retirement - loss of accuracy (especially on deep balls) and even some occasional inability to hit some of the throws into the flat. He's not in any way shape or form horrible, but he finished middle of the pack for a reason - the signs were there for everyone to see.

Whether his arm dies all at once (like Starr's sort of did) or whether he has 2-3 more years before he's done, only time will tell. I suspect he'll be one of the lucky ones, with decreasing ability over several years - I hope he's able to adjust his play to his new reality, because if he can he'll still be an effective QB, but more as a game manager.

He isn't anywhere near worth what his contract is paying him, though.

1 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:49 pm

Its funny how everyone keeps telling me I'm not seeing what I'm seeing. And it always comes from those who hate Rodgers. Weird.
And I keep getting thumbs downs on anything I write anytime I try bringing a little truth to the table regarding Rodgers. That its not just about Rodgers and its about the players around him. This is a team game. It takes 11 guys on offense to make it work. Same on defense. Yes sometimes a QB can overcome if an OL missed a block, or if no WR can get open. But you can't survive that way.

A lot of the deep throws that he missed can be caused by many factors. First his thumb had to play a part in it. But also the timing with the WR's is another thing. The very first throw of the season was an absolute dime that Watson dropped. He made a quite a few throws like that this year. Also I saw a stat that showed that GB was one of the teams that dropped the most catchable passes this year. Its easy to place the blame on the QB, but I prefer not taking the easy way out.

What QB is worth the money they are getting paid? Look at what money the Browns gave up to Watson, even after his off field issues. What player in the NFL is worth the money they get paid? When Damar Hamlin was laying on the field and the EMT's were essentially bringing him back to life or keeping him alive, they were likely the least paid people on the field that night. They literally saved a mans life on the field and they were very much most likely the least paid people there. Kind of puts things into perspective.

1 points
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jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 05:52 pm

Its funny how everyone keeps telling me I'm not seeing what I'm seeing. And it always comes from those who hate Rodgers

Oh for fuck's sake. As I've repeatedly stated, I do not hate Rodgers. My opinion is that he's on his way down. - if you cannot see this and cannot realize that you're in the wrong here, I cannot do anything to open your eyes or get it through the ivory that's atop your neck that you're wrong.

But who cares? MM will bring him back, we'll suffer through another lost year, and you'll be posting a year from now how well Rodgers is playing and how the team is letting him down. SMH.

You know, maybe you're getting thumbs down because your posts are, oh, I don't know, stupid?

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2023 at 06:55 am

You seem like a pleasant fella. Assuming you are a fella.

So I'm a stupid poster here? LMAO

0 points
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T7Steve's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:19 am

RCP, you put allot of work into this post. Thanks.

I only have an issue with, "Ford - We have no idea what Ford can do as he didn't play in any games." Ford stepped in for Savage when he got benched/injured and started out fantastic. I think that helped Savage to get better later in the season, when he moved to slot, and they even were on the field together (probably because of Stokes' injury). Ford came back to earth a little when his play showed up on film and opposing teams could scout him, but still had some impact.

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:30 am

I have a tendency to ramble a lot lol.

Wrong Ford. I was talking about Johnathon Ford the DT they drafted. He didn't play at all this season.
Johnathon Ford we don't know what he will do, but they kept him on the 53 all year for a reason. He is a big boy. 6'5 338 lbs. If he develops he could be a nice 7th round player.

But Rudy Ford (who you are referring to) was really good! He was a hell of a pick up. He was a huge upgrade as a gunner and as a coverage special teams player. But when he got an opportunity to play S he performed really well. He had 3 interceptions on the season when he got playing time. He could be a factor at S next year.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:14 am

There are four-five J. Fords in this draft. Get one who can see the field.

1 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:50 pm

We have 3 Fords currently on the roster. WHy not get a couple of more.

2 points
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T7Steve's picture

January 26, 2023 at 02:45 pm

Ok. I thought of Johnathon after I read through some more comments. I get it now. I really liked him in camp and wondered why he couldn't see the field when we were getting run on so much. I guess it was mostly because when they were getting run on they only had TWO down lineman. IN TODAYS NFL!

1 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 06:08 pm

Yeah i thought Ford was a guy that could potentially be a good run defender. They must not have trusted him at all to play with the 1's. But they kept him on the 53 for a reason. Perhaps he will become a player like Yosh. Not active on game days but is on the 53. And then becomes a full time player a year later.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:56 am

I think he means, at least I read it as a reference to, the other Ford, the NT.

1 points
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T7Steve's picture

January 26, 2023 at 02:47 pm

Thanks. I think you liked him during camp too? I think I was more worried about the O-line at the time because we were going to have a top 5 D. At least on paper. Couldn't swat a fly with that paper.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:44 am

He can't connect on the deep out to the left sideline with consistent accuracy. Not in the 2019 playoff game. Not anytime since. The broken Collarbones affected his delivery. They keep calling the same plays in predictable down and distance. The whole offense is stale.

0 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 08:44 am

Funny, I don't recall what Vince's eyebrows looked like?

-1 points
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1
croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:10 am

Tim, old proverb says: "Fish always smell from the head!"

Expecting subordinants to play on their possible level in that situation is ridiculous. Packers team was disjoint whole year. Every player on O and D played their own game, not team game. There is why all those miscommunication happened. We saw shell of the system, but that shell was empty of any substance. There was emptiness inside. Again, on O as on D. Only full shell was the shell on ST. And, while ST is rarely responsible for wins, they might be responsible for losing games. The only improvement was on 3rd phase of Packers team. Look who was head of it!

Problems in management structure very often related not to scheme, but to the persons who should be responsible for their acts. If they are not, every employee would feel free to act like that. So, those former "silos" were not problem because of scheme, but because of the people running the existing scheme.

Today Packers do not know what they want to be in the future. They hang on the past to repeat. Life does not work like that. If you do not follow development of others, you'll find yourself alone while others will be light years away in front of you.

That is all I will say. Nothing more. Time will tell who is right and who is wrong. I'm all to follow others, successful organizations, if we can not be the leader of inovations. Packers should find young responsible HC in college football, bring it in and let him learn a year or two behind as assistant head coach. Just to adapt himself to NFL and then start with him at helm, giving him full authorities and responsibilities for team results. And demand accountability from top to bottom.

1 points
3
2
Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:59 am

""""Today Packers do not know what they want to be in the future""""

I have absolutely no idea how you could possibly know this. I'm pretty sure that intelligent, educated, experienced, men....who are getting paid very good salaries....are working every single day at 1265 on our future.

They're just running around blathering nonsensically about ....what?

IMO, the Packers do know. Some of us do not.

1 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:50 am

There is some truth (maybe even a lot of) in your post. But, when you take all data we knows and all show (or no show) we saw and looking, we can make some educated guesses. I'm not alone in this. Many posters placed very articulate and logical conclusions based on the facts we knows. Some outing from different personnel, players or coaches also gives hints. Life is logical, acts have their starting points, decisions and consequences. We might not see them all, but it isn't necessary to have all information to make right conclusion. Or, at least be very close to the right conclusions. Of course that our conclusions can be little bit harsher than consequences "deserve", but we have possibility to express our "judgements" in that way, because our thinking and feelings (gut feelings) might be on the spot or not, but without any consequence for people in subject.

I already wrote that time will tell. There is also very true proverb: "The Earth swore to Paradise that all secrets would be revealed!" or, to translate - you can lie a little to everybody, or lie a lot to somebody, but you can never lie a lot to everybody. Meaning of that that we will see who was right and who was wrong.

"IMO, the Packers do know. Some of us do not." And some of us knows, too.

-1 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:37 pm

Right now it certainly seems like a year ago they did not. The testimony was written in a contract and where that leaves everyone now after a season clearly not foreseen by those negotiating it.

Sorry, smart people lose their grip on reality too and thus make very poor decisions. It’s not just guesswork that this has happened here. Everything about last season, our cap and the current impotence screams it.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:27 am

In the article, the author refers to Amari Rodgers.""...."he continued to trot Amari Rodgers back out on kickoffs for a full season and a half, despite Rodgers proving week after week that he was a game-wrecking liability as a returner. ""

Pro-football-reference says he had two turnovers in his time with the Packers, both of them as a punt returner. As a kick returner, he didn't have a turnover.. His first turnover came in a loss to Washington. His second, in a win over Dallas after which he was cut. He had bobbles, was charged with four fumbles, two of which resulted in turnovers. The only game he played a part in costing us was the Washington game.

Rodgers was not a good return man for us, but of course, I don't think we should return punts in the first place. Catch the ball and give it to the offense. Both of his turnovers were on actual returns....which we shouldn't do. Nixon had a good season as a kick returner, but if he comes out and loses some fumbles next year he'll be in the same boat. The reality is, we went 13-4 with Amari Rodgers as a punt and kick returner and he didn't have a single turnover in 2021. In 2022, we went 8-9 with a Pro-Bowl returner, who took over punt return duties after Rodgers was released, where he was a average-ish punt returner on 11 attempts, had one fumble which was recovered, and no turnovers.

I wouldn't call Rodgers a game wrecker. I think it's overkill. But that's popular here. If Gutekunst/LaFleur/Love come out and win the division next year, it's going to make some people look like they said some really foolish things. What we have is a good GM, a good HC, and a good young QB. Some "fans" are having a hard time seeing that.

-1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:59 am

False equivalency on steroids. A. Rodgers vs. Amon-Ra St.Brown, you make the call ? A guy who caught swing passes in a run and shoot offense vs a guy running an entire route tree in pro style offense along with London. This fail does go up the line. When a GM tries to cover his ass, they play His guys.

2 points
4
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:14 am

So your point is that since St. Brown is better than Amari Rodgers, that's an indictment of the Packers personnel department, the scouts, and the GM and the coaches?

I get the impression you think Gute sits on a throne and just takes the guys that he likes, or the guy Murphy told him he should pick. I think that it's a lot more involved than that, and Amari Rodgers and St. Brown both got ranked on the Big Board along with about 250 other guys, and it was a team effort involving some people who've been successful of multiple occasions, not just one guy sitting on a throne like it was back in the bad old days of the 1970s. It's collaborative.

I did check, and on the Consensus Big Board, they had St. Brown at #62 and Amari Rodgers at #79, so that's a similar Day Two tier. But the Packers board could have been different for reasons I'm not aware of. If that's your case for incompetence on the part of the Scouting and Personnel department, I think it's not a very strong one.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:17 am

An absolute whiff. They are paid, as you stated, very handsomely to Watch the Film.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:12 am

So, we should fire the scouts? The personnel department? That's your point?

2 points
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:29 am

No -Guty is sticking to the 3-4-4.
Thats the scheme they're drafting for.
Big edge guys. Pass rushers only!
The conversion to OLB doesn't work
For everyone.
Remember how Gary had to learn behind the Smiths.
But The DL only had Clark.
Then the trades for retreads at LB.
Barry rushed Lowrey and Reed.
Gutey is to BLAME!

-2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:49 am

So we should fire the GM who just got a contract extension a few months earlier for going 39-10 and winning the division three years in a row?

And the scouts? And Murphy? Who else?

0 points
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:58 am

Yes! I'm for it! Fire Gutey.-
The Packers will never win a Super-Bowl under Gutey.
I get you like the College try.
But unless he's willing to change this defense.
Fire him.
The Packers won the super-bowl
Because they had a great Defense in 2010.
Well the LBS got slow. The DL left.
And the secondary fell apart.

-4 points
1
5
jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:12 pm

The clown show has cost this team another SB, or two.. The whole operation, yes, should go. Get Better.

0 points
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jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:16 pm

How in the hell can you not know that MLF does not report to Gutekunst? Say it with me AND REMEMBER that MLF reports to Murphy! So - Gutekunst can have no input on the defensive scheme - that responsibility lies solely with MLF. All Gutekunst can do is create a roster that will fit the defensive scheme THAT MLF IS RUNNING.

Your favorite color must be maroon.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:40 pm

This is a poster who has admitted that he doesn’t read and doesn’t research. He does opine.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 26, 2023 at 03:11 pm

Where's the Hardware?

0 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:54 am

stockholder, you are boring. We know you like 4-3. Good. Find team that play 4-3 and root for them...

-2 points
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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:05 pm

No- if I told youI wanted Rodgers traded.
I would get a 1000 likes.
But I'm only showing you
a counter point.
Not because I want to be argumentative.
But- because what the packers are doing , won't work.
This is a copy cat NFL.
You change to be successful.
4 teams that are still in the playoffs went with the 4-3-4.
Look it up!

0 points
1
1
croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:18 pm

Ah, you must be right,. It is all about scheme. No matter who plays, scheme is the important one. Not players and execution. I got it.

Now lets go and see who are the 4 teams rest in competition for SB. All 4 teams has QB that are younger than 30. And 3 of them has QB on rookie contracts. It must be some secret there as it is in your schemes!

3 points
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croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:08 pm

Leatherhead, I agree with you completely with your assessment of Brian Gutekunst.

I will right down again. Last draft he had 5 picks that were contributed very well or at least above average when they got the chance to play (Watson, Walker, Doubs, Wyatt, Enagbare), 3 that was showing very good capabilities (Tom, Toure, Carpenter at ST). So from 11 picks we had as contributors 8 of them. And not just as statists. Tell me that is not excellent draft.

From earlier drafts we have Gary, Dillon, Deguara, Jenkins, T. J. Slaton, McDuffie, Stokes, Love, Myers, Runyan, Savage and FA: Ford, Barnes, Nixon, Douglas, Nijman and some UDFA that might be very good players for Packers in the future.

I see that as marvelous job from Packers Personnel department and scouting team, not that they are bad!

0 points
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2
Rarescope's picture

January 26, 2023 at 09:59 am

I love how you always have a different take on some of these things - far more interesting than reading ARod Sux!!! over and over again. My take is that the value of explosive plays and momentum can't be overstated. So Amari may not have been the turnover machine that many perceived him to be, he sure wasn't doing us any favors in the momentum category. The old whole is greater (or lesser in this case) than the sum of its parts adage.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:32 am

Thanks, Rarescope.

I agree on explosive plays, but I think those few explosive returns you get are dwarfed by the penalties, turnovers, and injuries you incur. And they're going to happen.

Jaelen Reagor, of the Division Champion Vikings, had four fumbles on punt returns last year. Montrel Washingtono had 4, too. And six guys had at least 3. So that's 10, out of the 32 teams, that had at least 3 fumbles on punt returns. Only 3 punts were returned for TD. So, as far as "explosive plays", returning punts is going to generate more explosive plays against you than it is for you. And that's not even counting the holding and block in the back penalties that we get, or the unnecessary injuries.

The vast, overwhelming number of returns is 10 yards or less. Catch the frickin ball, give it to the offense that has all the multi-million $$ players, and put the bottom of your roster on the bench where they can't hurt you.

1 points
1
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Rarescope's picture

January 30, 2023 at 09:48 am

Last night KC got nigh within field goal range after getting the ball back with less than a minute of play time left thanks to a punt return. Just curious if that changes your opinion - like, punts should only be returned when the game is on the line and you NEED that explosive play - doesn't need to be a TD to impact the game.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:16 am

Winning the Division with a 40 year old, 59 million actual salary QB and huge future dead cap is a laughable goal.

Rodgers was just not good as a returner. He also wasn’t ball secure and had issues making decisions about when to leave or catch. I really don’t know why you try to cherry pick to deny the very visible issues.

Where you have a very valid point that gets lost is in how we handled him as a receiver. Why does that matter? Because we did the same with the new ones this year. Even Watson. Amari was picked to fulfill a role. He was a guy in college who never ran a full route tree and was used as a slot whom they schemed in space and let him run after the catch. LaFleur gets him and the one thing he doesn’t do is that, instead takes a stocky guy and trains him as an all purpose receiver.

I could write a thesis in this, but we managed to take Watson, Doubs and Toure and then use none of them in ways that took what they excelled at in college. Doubs was a guy who was great deep and at breaking away from players at the mid levels. We used him as a guy mostly running through traffic from near the line. We seldom sent him deep, and when we did made no use if his lateral ability. Ironically, the guy built for that was probably Amari, whom we ignored.

Watson really struggled tracking over the shoulder but ate people for breakfast in deep and intermediate crossers. So what do we do? Start throwing go routes and then using him as a dirt if TE in traffic ten yards down the field. A great way to break your new toy.

Toure excelled at the deep ball but also at finding space and adjusting in the end zone. We saw that in camp. He’s got incredible short area agility. We never saw him used. We never even tried him as a red zone option. We never tried him seriously at all even after he showed his recognition skills to find space for his lone TD.

Flatly, I’ve never seen a coaching staff handle rookies so inexpertly. It’s not just WRs. We never got to see if a real coach could have made Amari’s talents relevant on O. We instead got far too much opportunity to see his lack of acumen at this level as a returner. There are so many reasons why, just on O alone, we desperately need to be done with LaFleur, but this is a big one (and there’s a lot more I could have added about how the WRs and rookies generally were handled in camp too).

5 points
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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:42 am

Cherry picked? He had two turnovers as a Packer, both on punt returns, which I don't think we should be returning. How is that cherry picking?

As far as "visible issues", I'm pretty sure that people see what they're expecting to see. That goes for you, it goes for me. You have a much dimmer view of the Packers organization, coaches, personnel and scouting department, and some players than I do.

""""Flatly, I’ve never seen a coaching staff handle rookies so inexpertly""""

Didn't two of our rookies make the "All Rookie Team"?? I think so. How many of the other 31 teams had two rookies make the all rookie team? That's "inexpert" handling?

Since we're talking about Amari Rodgers never being used in the passing game, there are a couple of possibilities. One is that he was poorly coached and forgot everything he knew in college. A second possibility is that he wasn't very good and just got lucky in college. A third possibility is that the QB didn't want to throw it to him, and didn't. Amari Rodgers got more targets in 5 games (17) than he got in 25 games with us. Is that coaching? Maybe. Maybe it's something else.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:25 pm

And that might be because those 2 rookies on All Rookie Team are superb talents, not because they were used properly...

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BirdDogUni's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:21 am

Nathaniel Hackett was just hired as the Offensive Coordinator of the New York Jets...

The stars are aligning for a trade of AR12 to NYJ IMHO.

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dobber's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:26 am

We thought the stars were aligning for 12 to Denver when they hired Hackett, too. Jus' sayin'....

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BirdDogUni's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:34 pm

But, but this year is different...

To be fair, it is hard to trade a guy who just had back-to-back MVPs. I think Gutey would've but it didn't happen.

After an 8 - 9 season, it's much easier to pull the trigger.

If you can come up with a viable way to get us out of our current situation without trading AR12, I will sure listen.

I hope he goes to NYJ, but Murphy will probably rather he goes to Falcons or Colts or Titans.

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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:52 pm

Be ready. Its all you will be hearing until Rodgers says he is coming back and GB says they aren't trading Rodgers.

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Leatherhead's picture

January 27, 2023 at 10:37 am

The Packers have said they're considering some AFC teams as trade partners.

Two years ago, the Packers said "We aren't trading him". That's not what they're saying now. They're saying "Love is ready". They're saying "we're considering a trade to an AFC team".

Being the MVP is one thing. Being the aging QB coming off one of his worst seasons at age 39 is another.

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LeotisHarris's picture

January 26, 2023 at 03:53 pm

Pfft, maybe *you* did, dobber, but the rest of us knew Denver was in their enemy year.

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13TimeChamps's picture

January 26, 2023 at 10:26 am

Weren't the stars aligning for a trade to Denver when Hackett was hired as their head coach?

*EDIT* Beat me to it Dobber

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dobber's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:19 pm

;)

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Leatherhead's picture

January 26, 2023 at 11:11 am

To the Jets......

According to Spotrac, the Jets are a few million OVER the projected 2023 cap. They do have some candidates they could release and create $30 million or more in cap space. And they have their own draft pick in the first 6 rounds.

They have some superduper WRs: Corey Davis, Garrett Wilson, Braxton Berrios. They have a trio of TEs. They have Breece Hall at RB. And they have some guys up front who can block.

At QB, they have they Zach Wilson, and he's counting about $10 million on the cap. He's started over 20 games in two years and has a passer rating of 70. A guy might wonder if he'd benefit from a year on the bench behind Rodgers, especially if you were worried he might be a first round bust and you were hoping to salvage him.

The Jets had the #4 defense in the league last year, and finished 7-10. I know people love to say "Defense Wins Championships", but the reality is, you have to put some points on the board to win. The Jets had 10 games where they couldn't reach 20, and they were 1-9 in those games, despite the very good defense. In fact, with an offense that actually could keep itself on the field more, the defense probably ranks even higher because it wouldn't be on the field as much, and maybe they'd be playing with a lead.

Other than Wilson, the Jets are playing 38 year old Joe Flacco and some journeyman, Mike White. Neither of them is under contract for 2023.

I'm not understandinig why our Ayahuasca-loving, Beautiful Mystery guy from Northern California would want to live there. I mean, he's Butte. He's Cal. He's Green Bay. I'm not seeing it, but any trade is going to involve him going to a bigger place than Green Bay.

If you believe there's going to be a trade, and I do, then this is probably on the short list.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 12:28 pm

I just started to think how Nathaniel Hackett is more lucky guy than a good coach. He got first opportunity to be HC, because of ACR, now, he almost w/o any problems got OC job because of ACR. Doing nothing!

My God. What a lucky guy...

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jurp's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:19 pm

It's not necessarily WHAT you know, but WHO you know that helps you get ahead in your profession.

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BirdDogUni's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:55 pm

And the Broncos still owe him $12 million dollars, so Hackett is going to be alright. ;P

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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2023 at 01:53 pm

Just because he got the OC job, doesn't mean its because of Rodgers. The Denver job absolutely. But the Jets job is more in Hackett's wheelhouse as an OC.

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LeotisHarris's picture

January 26, 2023 at 03:57 pm

Croat, Google "Paul Hackett." Little Nate grew up in the NFL. It's all about relationships, nepotism, and not being a person of color.

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Johnblood27's picture

January 26, 2023 at 05:18 pm

Lane Kiffen says you are full of shi*!

Charlie Weis Jr agrees!

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TXCHEESE's picture

January 26, 2023 at 04:03 pm

Watching the divisional round games last week, I was struck by how many moving parts Philly and SF had on almost every play. Run or pass, it didn't matter. Either MLF didn't really learn from Shanahan very well or kow-towed to Rodgers and put his scheme back in the drawer until AR leaves. All this motion he was supposed to bring is basically a jet sweep threat about 6 times a game. Motion and misdirection are the eye candy that gets linebackers missing keys and allowing open running lanes. I wonder if Mr. Rodgers was just too lazy or set in his ways to truly master the offense, or if La Fleur simply doesn't have the goods.

Agree here that this team is soft. I know intensity picks up in the playoffs, but with the possible exception of NY, I'm confident GB would have lost in humiliating fashion to any team playing last week. Hell, they were playing a de facto playoff game in week 18 and were bullied the entire 4th quarter.

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13TimeChamps's picture

January 26, 2023 at 05:26 pm

.

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13TimeChamps's picture

January 26, 2023 at 05:29 pm

Remember the "illusion of complexity" ?

"“We want to have like plays, meaning, plays that start out looking the same that are different. We also want to create what we call an 'illusion of complexity,' meaning we're going to run the same concepts, but how many different ways can we run them?” LaFleur said.Jan 16, 2019"

I wish we had a date when AR12 officially shot that sh*t down and let LaFleur know who was in charge of the offense.

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