The Lass Word: This Will Be a Fun Offense to Watch
Coaches can now become mad scientists.
By KenLass
This spring is not like last spring. The offseason workouts in 2023 resembled a school classroom. Particularly on offense, it was Green Bay Packers 101. Here’s the base offense. Here’s where you line up. Here’s how you run the route. This is the way we want you to block.
It was a huge collection of first year players mixed in with young veterans, all working together for the first time, and nobody knew how it was going to turn out. Even the quarterback was in his first year as a starter. Strangers learning to be pros.
And when the season began, it showed. For ten games, you could see the flashes of collective talent, but it was largely nullified by mistakes and uncertainty. Inaccurate passes, drops, missed blocks, turnovers.....and mostly penalties. Lots of killing penalties.
But eventually talent, hard work and good coaching will coalesce. The switch flipped on during a Thanksgiving Day game in which the Packers were heavy underdogs on national TV against the Detroit Lions. Suddenly Jordan Love could feel the routes his receivers were running, anticipate their cuts, deliver the ball on the money. Suddenly blocks were lining up perfectly for Aaron Jones, who finished with a run of five straight 100 yard rushing games. All that classroom work, all that teaching was paying off. Green Bay went on to win five of their last six in the regular season, and then shocked the Cowboys in the playoffs.
But if the last offseason was a classroom, this offseason is more of a laboratory. A place where you conduct experiments. And that’s precisely what the coaches are doing. Most of last year’s working parts on offense are back. They’ve learned the basics. Now it’s time to push the envelope. “You’re always looking to take the next step. You have to keep evolving.” says offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.
A common phrase among players and coaches in Green Bay’s OTAs is “night and day”, referring to the level of sophistication with which the team can approach the playbook for the coming season. There’s a huge toolbox to utilize. Christian Watson has the speed to take the top off a defense. Romeo Doubs is exceptional at competing for the ball. Jayden Reed knows how to find the soft spots from the slot. Dontayvion Wicks shows the ability to run extremely precise routes. Bo Melton can explode after the catch. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can get open crossing the middle or sprinting down the seam. Josh Jacobs has the power to run between the tackles, and the burst to win the edge and take it wide. Together they are like volatile chemicals, and the Packers are pouring them into the test tube in various combinations to see what explodes.
“What’s our best next step?” Stenavich explains. “It’s not just running the foundational base things, but now we can go, okay let’s see how this looks. Maybe get this guy the ball in a certain way, a certain package with certain players on the field, just stuff like that where you can see, is this the direction we want to go?”
The options are many. Most are likely to involve a lot of pre-snap motion. Watson and Reed running jet sweeps through the backfield, double tight end crosses, five wides, wildcats with Jacobs and newcomer Marshawn Lloyd, double passes, maybe even a flea flicker or two. Will the team keep some version of the Love Shove in for short yardage situations? The results were mixed last season.
At any rate, the coaches don’t have to hold back. The youngest team in the NFL last year is now a team of experienced, youthful eager beavers. Like any good scientist about to embark on a challenge to find a successful new formula, Steno can’t hide his enthusiasm. “We can start experimenting with things faster and just start taking the next steps with the offense, so it’s been good.”
As the 2023 season wound down, the Green Bay offense put up 33 points on the Panthers, 33 again on the Vikings, then laid a 48 point barrage on the Cowboys (though seven of those points came on a pick six). The best part? They’re only going to get better. Especially if the laboratory experiments bear fruit this summer. If you enjoyed watching the Green Bay offense last year, rest assured the fun has just begun.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (62)
Handsback
June 10, 2024 at 06:18 am
Most likely all of us are wondering if the late season surge last year was organic and a build-up to a commitment of excellence or a fart in a frying pan?
I for one believe it to be the former. I want to compare it to two teams I remember right before they started their run of dominance, the Cowboys in the early 2000s and 49ers in the 90s.
I'm a fan so of course I'm looking through green and gold colored glasses. I just see so much young talent and their performance late last season after going through that tough learning curve earlier was amazing.
So start the mad experiments and develop a great short yardage play for 2 points, and a passing attack that can't be stopped. Whatever they do, I hope they go to the SB!
CentralPA_PackFan
June 10, 2024 at 07:01 am
I'm with you on your post, but you're a decade off on the dominance of the Cowboys and 49ers. It should be the early 90s for the Cowboys, and the 80s for the 49ers. It's especially true for the Cowboys, since they haven't done squat since the early 90s. The 49ers at least managed to win a Super Bowl in the 90s and be in a couple of others since then. GPG
dobber
June 10, 2024 at 08:03 am
Your point is right on: every fall has teams that make late runs and many are off-season media darlings. Some carry it into the next season and the hope pans out. Others muddle or fail--often costing their front offices and coaching staffs their jobs. I think there's a lot to be optimistic about with this Packers team, but the division is better and the schedule is more challenging. They could play pretty well in 2024 and have it not turn into more than +1 game in the standings.
T7Steve
June 10, 2024 at 09:16 am
The schedule looks more daunting than last season, but last year we played well against the good teams and played poorly against the bad teams. I think a more mature team this season will prevail against the lesser opponents and give a good show against the better ones.
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 10:28 am
If there is a constant in the NFL, it’s the annual realization in November that the expected strength of schedule has not manifested as predicted.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 11:51 am
Dobber - PERISH THE THOUGHT!!
14-3, sweep the division, and win the SB :)
LeotisHarris
June 10, 2024 at 10:36 am
I'm adding "fart in a frying pan" to my lexicon thanks to you, even though it challenges my "don't wash the cast iron skillet" worldview.
Bitternotsour
June 10, 2024 at 10:59 am
Wash the cast iron skillet. I use both cast iron and carbon steel, and encourage you to wash them. Be sensible, don't get out the scouring powder, but do wash them.
On the west coast we say 'fart in a skillet" - which should also be washed.
porupack
June 10, 2024 at 06:54 am
Every Team got better. They always do in the off season. Then when the games begin, some didn't get as better as others. We'll see. The off season is full of Shoulds, woulds and oughtas.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 11:55 am
"The off season is full of Shoulds, woulds and oughtas."
Yes, and JL10 got together with at least Reed and Doubs, and there's nearly 100% attendance at OTAs.
I cannot be convinced this isn't an advantage.
T7Steve
June 10, 2024 at 06:55 am
"a certain package with certain players on the field, just stuff like that where you can see, is this the direction we want to go?”
I really want them to avoid that if possible. Ds can see who's on the field and prepare for those packages. That was a problem with the previous QB, when even I could guess at a better than 75% rate, what play they were going to rum.
Early last season I wasn't patient enough. I thought they had all summer to learn this stuff. HA! Then I started to study with Dusty's single play calls once a week and realized a bunch of new respect for these kids. Every play Dusty tries to teach I have to go back through and review over and over again. Then I think I have it down so I can recognize it during a game, and he comes up with a different twist and I have to start all over again.
dobber
June 10, 2024 at 08:06 am
I think the whole point of "illusion of complexity" was to be able to run just about any play out of just about any player package and any set. Whatever the case: winning is about out-executing your opponent and winning your battles. Do that first, and everything else falls into place. Trickeration dazzles fans, but it's usually not what wins games.
T7Steve
June 10, 2024 at 08:24 am
True. Execution and beating your opponent are key. If it's a package where 90% of the plays are runs it gives the D a better chance to counter and execute too.
What would you have guessed the play was going to be in 2022 if Rodgers was under center? Run or pass?
That's what made Love so effective with play-action. He would do anything from under center.
dobber
June 10, 2024 at 10:57 am
This is where I think we landed in the MM era with ARod: I think both started to believe they were matchup proof and could just line up, call plays, and win without too much help from play calls and scheme.
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 11:05 am
Arguably that persisted through Adams being 80% of the offense. It worked pretty well against all but the best teams as long as we had a top WR at the top of his game paired with Rodgers.
We did not have that for a while between Jordy (injury then decline) and Adams becoming elite, which led to MM being fired. It resumed under LaFleur with Adams, but failed when it mattered for very similar reasons.
After last year’s revelations, I’m firmly of the opinion that this was driven by Rodgers more than MM or LaFleur, though both facilitated it, the true reasons for which would be as fascinating to know as they are unlikely to ever be revealed.
WestCoastPackerBacker
June 10, 2024 at 01:49 pm
To be fair, there wasn't a whole lot of talent beyond Adams to catch passes. What has Lazard done since leaving GB (an UDFA at that) , Cobb was on his last legs and good for a nice 3rd down chain-moving play here and there, MVS (5th rounder) didn't do much on a WR-needy team with the best QB in football. Lewis was on his last legs; Tonyan was a one-year wonder UDFA. Rodgers had RBs that could catch out of the backfield, but there just wasn't much beyond Davante. They finally added Watson and Doubs, who both had good rookie seasons despite their respective time lost to injuries, but Rodgers didn't get to play with a more developed WR corps like he had in his early days. And he didn't have TEs like the two they drafted last season. He spread the ball around fine when he had Jennings, Driver, Jones; then Jennings, Jones, Jordy, Finley then Jordy, Jones, Cobb and then add Adams. Neither GM added much to that, and next to nothing in terms of TE talent. Chicken or egg? Did #12 get so Adams focused because he changed as a QB (no longer spreading the ball around) or was it because their roster building depended on him making do with late round picks and UDFA and aged players?
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 09:04 am
The goal is surely to keep your opponent unsure where the threat will come from without needing to resort to trick plays or gadget players. Keep them guessing and keeping your best player matchups on the field.
T7Steve
June 10, 2024 at 09:10 am
I forgot to ask when I made my first comment.
Who's the young guy behind MLF in the picture above? Looks like me when I'm going ice fishing (a very younger version of me).
Johnblood27
June 10, 2024 at 09:22 am
that guy looks a lot like Alex McGeough, now a WR and name changed to Alex McGoon...
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 03:54 pm
Mr Magoo
Guam
June 10, 2024 at 07:17 am
Last year everyone believed the defense would have to carry the offense early in the year as the kiddie corps learned how to score points. The defense failed and the team started 2-5. This year is the reverse. A potentially dynamic offense will have to carry the defense early as new defensive coaches and a bunch of new players at safety and linebacker will need some time to jell. Let's hope this year's offense does a better job than last year's defense. I think they will.......
dobber
June 10, 2024 at 08:16 am
Over the first 7 games in 2023, when the defense surrendered 20 or fewer points (4 games), the Packers' record was 2-2. 20 is a couple points less than league average...good teams win those games and even bad teams often find a way to scrape together 20 points. They were, of course, 0-3 in the games where they surrendered 24, 25, and 34 points. Good teams find ways to win some of those toss-up 23-27 point games. They surrendered 24+ points only 6 times in 2023, and were 1-2 in games where the defense gave up 30+.
Leatherhead
June 10, 2024 at 09:09 am
''''The defense failed and the team started 2-5."""
You know that I hate that narrative. Four of our first Six opponents couldn't get past 20. The defense played well enough for us to be better than 2-5.
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 10:57 am
We lost to Detroit who were a good team, particularly early. Other than that, we played some pretty poor teams. We beat a woeful Chicago and New Orleans but also lost to Atalanta, Denver, Las Vegas.
Some dreadful offenses and dubious QBs in there at that time. That speaks far more to the reason that, Detroit aside, our opponents scoring was low than the performance of our D. Stats have a place, but without context they can, as here, completely turn reality on its head.
Taking solace from the relatively few points given up in 4 of those games is pretty hard to justify in the context of Carr, Ridder, Garoppolo, Wilson (2023 vintage) and Fields (with no surrounding cast either). How many of those will be starting anywhere this year?
Leatherhead
June 10, 2024 at 02:33 pm
Woeful Chicago.......Chicago went 0-2 against us and 7-8 against the rest of the league. We went 2-0 against Chicago, and 7-8 against the rest of the league.
Woeful?
We held most those teams below their season average. That means we did better than most teams against them. Just like when we held the 49ers to 24 on their home field. The Saints, for example, were a better offensive team than the Packers (who only have the dreadful and dubious Love). Denver and Chicago were each close to GB in scoring, so the whole "woeful" stuff doesn't really track with me.
The combined record of those 5 teams.....Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Denver, and LV, was 39-46. These weren't dubious and woeful teams....these were average teams. Denver and LV clearly could have been wins if the offense had mustered anything.
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 07:27 pm
Chicago were woeful early by any measure. Again, deliberately avoiding context to try to maintain some shred of plausibility with which to shore up your desired narrative.
Guam
June 10, 2024 at 05:36 pm
"The defense played well enough for us to be better than 2-5".
No they didn't, not with our offense in training wheels. That was the point of the preseason narrative - the defense was going to have to be really good to carry an offense that everyone knew would struggle scoring out of the gate. The defense wasn't really good, they were average. Average would have been okay with a high powered offense but that wasn't the case. The defense was okay, but they weren't good enough to carry the team and hence failed the narrative.
Hopefully our offense is good enough to carry the narrative his year.
Leatherhead
June 10, 2024 at 07:38 pm
When an average defense holds a team below their season average on their home field, what is that called? Average?
High powered offense? We won every game that the offense scored 23 or more points. But we lost most of the games where we didn't get to 21.
Swisch
June 10, 2024 at 08:01 pm
To remember the games against the Giants and Panthers late last season is enough to realize that statistics are only part of the story, and that the Packers defense was exasperatingly unreliable.
One more year of Joe Barry would have endangered many of us here at CHTV with the prospect of heart attacks or trips to the insane asylum.
His departure was simply a matter of compassion for fans over age 60. His departure is a huge sigh of relief!
Leatherhead
June 10, 2024 at 08:50 pm
Swisch...go back and look at who was on the field in those games. Not our starters. Not Alexander, Savage, Stokes, Campbell,
Hey, I was plenty out of joint when we lost to Tampa. It was a home game and we really needed to win the rest of our home games, and we were just terrible, but after a few days when I took a good look at who was on the field, it made me less mad.
"exasparatingly unreliable"??? I think you could rely on the defense to keep the score to 24 or less most of the time, unless there are several turnovers.
You are never as good, or as bad, as you looked in one game. The defense wasn't as bad as they looked against Tampa, and they weren't as good as they looked against the Rams.
Swisch
June 11, 2024 at 11:12 am
A thumbs up from me, Leatherhead, for good discussion -- even as we mostly disagree.
To me, the defense was exasperatingly unreliable when we needed it the most.
There are times to play soft, perhaps, but most of the time I like our defense to be at least a little aggressive.
I think the players respond well when they are going forward more often than backpedaling.
I think our defenders respond well to opportunities for dash and daring.
***
Also, I think when the opposition knew our defense was going to play soft it meant big trouble.
Predictability kills.
My hunch is that Barry was not adept at mixing things up, or else refused to do so.
***
As I go largely by my impressions of the Packers, I could be wrong about a lot of things -- but I like to think that over the years here at CHTV I've been mostly sensible.
My impression of Barry is that he had plenty of time to show his stuff as a DC for the Packers, and fell considerably short -- along the way discouraging his players and driving fans to the brink of madness.
***
Even if much of what you say is on target about Barry's defense, Leatherhead, I think a change is good because it's time for the Packers to strive for an elite and dominating defense that is one of the best in the NFL.
LambeauPlain
June 10, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Again, to keep Barry Ball a fading Packer Fan memory...it wasn't just the points given up in games...it is when it the points were given up during the games.
Predictably, late in the games...too often when the O gave the D a lead.
LLCHESTY
June 11, 2024 at 02:15 am
Dammit you guys, how is LH going to sell his Joe Barry bobblehead on eBay if you keep putting him down?
NickPerry
June 10, 2024 at 07:55 am
"Christian Watson has the speed to take the top off a defense. Romeo Doubs is exceptional at competing for the ball. Jayden Reed knows how to find the soft spots from the slot. Dontayvion Wicks shows the ability to run extremely precise routes. Bo Melton can explode after the catch. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft can get open crossing the middle or sprinting down the seam. Josh Jacobs has the power to run between the tackles, and the burst to win the edge and take it wide."
Just LOOK at the NUMBER of skill position players this team has. Ken just mentioned 8 of them and didn't even get to Marshawn Lloyd whom I'm especially excited about. It made me think about 2022 when they were trotting guys like Lazard, an OLD Cobb, and hopefully Aaron Jones if he was healthy...UGH!!!!
This team has an abundance of riches, hopefully who continue to take those steps forward. In the NFL things happen though. What's so amazing in THIS Packers roster as it's currently constructed could lose HALF of those names to injury for a week and STILL come in and kick your ass!
I've been a Packers fan since 1966 (My first memory watching the Packers with my Dad) and honestly can't remember a season I've been more excited for. I was always looking at 2025 as the season they get another. Now, I'm really thinking why not THIS year!
Go Pack GO!!
Guam
June 10, 2024 at 08:16 am
There are lots of reasons to be optimistic about the Packers this year. For me there are two questions that need to be answered before we can start thinking "this is the year". (1) How will Hafley's defense perform? and (2) Jordan Love had a fabulous last half of last year - does that continue?
Regarding #1, I just don't know yet - TBD. Regarding #2, I am a big Jordan Love fan and I don't see a sophomore slump, but stranger things have happened. I would love to see it come together in 2024 but 2025 may be the better bet for a title.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 03:59 pm
GPG :)
Heyjoe414
June 13, 2024 at 08:00 am
I'm certainly happy that Lazard and Cobb followed Rodgers to NYC. Cobb was a terrific slot receiver in his day. Lazard was an OK receiver and a v good blocker. But both are closer to the end than the beginning. I wish them well but they don't fit with what the Packers are doing.
Hopefully expectations aren't too high, although that's hard to avoid especially after the playoff games. Well I'd rather be looking up than down! GPG!
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 08:10 am
We have talent at the skill positions. My biggest question is will we make the right decisions on the OL. If there is one thing on this O that I have significant doubts about, it is Stenovich’s assessment of personnel or attachment to individuals.
I think of it as the Newman/Hanson effect. Players that were “playing the best football of their lives” per Stenovich only to prove both liabilities and yet perennial options despite other possibilities or play. Will we really get the best 5 available out there? Will we do so when there’s an injury too?
I’m hearing the same noises about Newman from Stenovich and seeing the same usage pattern. If that’s still going on in camp, coupled with not pushing competition and particularly at weaker spots (starter and depth), then I will see it as confirming past suspicions that his personnel management is confirmed as a real source of weakness and could be the biggest anchor holding this O back going forward.
dobber
June 10, 2024 at 08:19 am
This is clearly a transitional year for the second tier of the depth chart, but the top is pretty well set for the first 5--and maybe 6--guys. I would've liked to have seen a couple more draft picks who walk into camp ready to challenge the 1s at a couple spots, but I don't worry about the top.
GregC
June 10, 2024 at 09:52 am
It's been an issue at times, but I felt better about it by the end of last season. The Jake Hanson experiment was in the rear view mirror, and Royce Newman was just a backup. Their unconventional decision to rotate players at a couple of positions actually worked. The talent appears to have increased, so I think there are better pieces to work with now. I think they should leave Zach Tom at RT, and I'm looking forward to the training camp battle at LT, which may be a pretty even matchup.
How do you think the coaches might screw up the OL?
Bitternotsour
June 10, 2024 at 11:05 am
You worry about Stenovich, I worry about his boss. Perhaps this is the year when "all gas, no brakes" becomes something other than a pithy comment in press conferences. Let's hope LaFleur doesn't weaken.
Coldworld
June 10, 2024 at 11:36 am
Fair enough. I admit I’m assuming LaFleur becomes more not less aggressive and innovative in his use of talent. We know it’s there, if his O doesn’t visibly attempt to unleash it then that will be shocking.
If the new D isn’t illustrative of a similar mindset by the second half of the season then LaFleur should be facing similar questions for his hiring.
This year, LaFleur will show us what he really is without the smoke screen Rodgers and then of QB uncertainty, lack of skill player experience or depth or a coordinators hired before he had experience.
Time for the real LaFleur to stand up and justify the faith the team has had in him. Last year there were promising signs, but now the apprenticeship is over.
Leatherhead
June 13, 2024 at 10:16 am
'''''Time for the real LaFleur to stand up and justify the faith the team has had in him. '''''
1) Best winning percentage of any active coach.
2) All time, he's one of the best. Behind Lombardi and Madden, ahead of Dungy, Belichick, and Reid.
3) #1 offense in the NFL in 2020
4) Playoffs in 4 out of 5 years.
So just tell me in plain language, what would LaFleur have to do to justify the faith in him? Win the Super Bowl? Then just come out and say that,instead of insinuating that he's not very good when all the evidence is that he's a very good coach.
Bitternotsour
June 13, 2024 at 02:42 pm
He let himself be treated like used Kleenex by the former starting quarterback, his hiring and support of his assistants has been at best suspect, and despite having the best regular season records and #1 seeds, his teams have fallen flat in the playoffs. There's plenty of reasons to not be completely onboard, but the second half of last season with a young team gives me a lot of hope going forward.
I'm not willing to pretend that he walks on water.
Since'61
June 10, 2024 at 08:12 am
The only issues for the offense are the OL and injuries. Hopefully injuries will be minimized. If the OL plays effectively the sky is the limit for this offense. As of today we don't know who the best 5 will be or where they will line up. Does Tom move to Center? Walker to RT and Morgan start ar LT? Who will nail down the RG spot? IMO, the only confirmed OL position is LG by Jenkins.
The Packers should be experimenting with every possible combination to get the best 5 on the field and into the position where they will be most effective. If the Packers can accomplish that by Week 1 this offense will be a nightmare for opposing DCs. Thanks, Since '61
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 06:55 pm
Absolutely! Staff getting this right, and I'm going to say BEFORE week 1 so they have time to practice together and gel. That's the single biggest variable on the season, IMHO.
BuckyBadger
June 10, 2024 at 08:21 am
I really hope they pick up right where they left off but experience as of a fan has me a little more hesitant. I would expect for the league to adjust and the Packers will have to adjust back. Last year the opposing defenses had little good film to base their game plans on. Now they will have a plenty of film to look at tendencies of every player from the OL to the skilled positions. Any flaw found will be exploited in opposing teams game plans. I would temper expectations a little to start the year, we see young teams struggle a bit out of the gates after early success.
GregC
June 10, 2024 at 10:17 am
This is possible, but the Packers will also be studying film and finding better ways to exploit opposing defenses. It's a two-way street.
cdoemel
June 10, 2024 at 01:19 pm
Last year we rarely had everyone healthy and available every game. So studying last year‘s film might not help as much as you think. Other than basic concepts. If we have everyone available, (Fingers crossed Kraft will be 100% on 9/6), some of the things they can do will look nothing like last year. Hopefully LaFleur and Steno’s lab cooks up some good looks.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 06:56 pm
FLAWLESS VICTORY! FINISH HIM!!
LOL
Bearmeat
June 10, 2024 at 09:07 am
This offense is going to beat asses all year. I can't wait for the NFCN tears. lol
cdoemel
June 10, 2024 at 01:11 pm
I certainly hope you’re right. Certainly seems like we have the potential to be an offensive juggernaut. And excited for the new vibe Hafley’s bringing. GPG!
Leatherhead
June 10, 2024 at 09:16 am
I've said all along I think we're going to have an offense that's as good as any in the NFC. Better than last year.
In a 17 game season, you get injuries, but we can work around some injuries at our skill positions. The backups are pretty good players.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 06:58 pm
Depth on the O line, too :)
(Both lines, actually)
tonyorth
June 10, 2024 at 10:07 am
Not only are we deep at skill positions but these guys are super young. Think about the 49ers - some great skill players but few of them and a very old team. Going young and redundant is surely a bet but one that over the course of a season should allow for both growth and insurance against injury. Would I love to have JustinJ - sure, who wouldn't? But I would much rather have a whole stable of skill players for those situations where injuries take a key guy out. We would have been better last year had Aaron Jones not been out for six games with no one behind him who could produce without wholesale alteration of the gameplan. The beauty of our current scheme is that because guys are young and mentally flexible (learning) I don't see us falling apart when one or two skill guys are unavailable.
NFLfan
June 10, 2024 at 10:34 am
There are so many moving parts that I am taking a 'wait-and-see' approach-I feel good about the Offense, particularly the plethora of talented receivers. That alone is very comforting.
Don't know enough about the reliability of the kickers, though. I no longer completely trust Bisaccia nor Matt's ability to step in if necessary.
Don't know enough about Hafley.
cdoemel
June 10, 2024 at 01:06 pm
We won’t know much until September 6th, other than listening to the coaches and players sounding excited. But doesn’t that happen most years? I tend to be an optimist and have high hopes every year. In Atlanta, Braves fans had ridiculously high expectations after last year. Not a lot of hope currently. Although we’re only 1/3 of the way through. That’s why you play the games. I wish we could get the TC games down here.
lou
June 10, 2024 at 01:32 pm
Love in the second half and playoffs was as good as any QB, they added a younger All Pro RB and one of the top RB's in the draft plus the WR and TE groups filled with young talent have a years experience under their belts. The key to all the offensive talent is the Offensive Line. The line has 2 top talents in Jenkin's and Tom as well as an ascending tackle in Walker and two question marks, the center position (below average production from a 2nd round pick) and a part time guard who excels in the run game but not as a pass blocker. Morgan was picked either as a future starting tackle or guard. Putting them in the right position as early as possible assuming Tom's injury doesn't have a set back is key to their offensive production. They lost a solid starting guard in Runyan they have to compensate for, $10M annually indicated how valuable he was.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 07:01 pm
I thought JRJ got $30MM or something ungodly?
WestCoastPackerBacker
June 10, 2024 at 01:40 pm
Anybody know the name of the long-haired guy in the photo above?
GregC
June 10, 2024 at 01:49 pm
This was addressed earlier in the thread. It is last year's #3 QB Alex McGough.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 10, 2024 at 07:03 pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t8GTHXTEvIc&pp=ygUTbXIgbWFnb28gdGhlbWUgc29...