Uncharted Territory Ahead for LaFleur

Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur possibly faces something new in his time in Green Bay; starting a quarterback not named Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love.

If Jordan Love is not cleared to start on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. That's the big "IF" in Titletown this week. If Jordan Love is not cleared. Words reiterated by Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur on Monday as he spoke to the Packers media.

 

 

It would be uncharted territory for the 6th year Packers head coach. Including playoffs, in his previous 91 games as head coach, he has either had Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love as his starting quarterback.

To avoid the franchise’s first 0-2 start since 2006, the Packers head coach might have to turn to newly-acquired quarterback Malik Willis. LaFleur said he will call on the experience he had with the Titans in 2017 when Blaine Gabbert had to start for Marcus Mariota.

In three starts for the Titans, Gabbert was 32/52 passing for 290 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

 

 

The pressure will surely be on not just LaFleur, but also defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and his high-priced defensive unit. With what they’re paying them, the Packers should be expecting guys like Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Jaire Alexander and Xavier McKinney to carry the team if the offense struggles to consistently put up points without Love in the next few games.

On Friday night, the defense had two interceptions, three total takeaways and two sacks against the Eagles. To win without Love, the Packers defense will have to exceed those numbers.

 

What has to make Packers fans uneasy about the potential next month without Love is how the team has fared the last 10 years when its preferred starting quarterback wasn’t able to play.

In both 2013 and 2017, potential Super Bowl teams had their seasons derailed after Rodgers broke his collarbone and the team struggled to stay afloat with the backup.

In 2013, Green Bay started 5-2 and was viewed as a challenger to the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC. Despite having solid seasons from Eddie Lacy, the offensive rookie of the year, and Jordy Nelson, the team went 0-4-1 without Rodgers with Seneca Wallace and Scott Tolzien at quarterback. Matt Flynn did somewhat save the day, with wins over the Falcons and Cowboys, keeping the Packers in playoff contention before Rodgers returned in Week 17.

The 2017 season was almost deja vu, as another Rodgers’ collarbone injury was followed by backup Brent Huntley going 3-5 in a midseason stretch that left the Packers at 7-6 with three games left in its season. Unlike 2013, Rodgers was unable to get the Packers into the playoffs.

If the 2024 Packers are going to do what was projected of them this summer, then this stretch where the franchise quarterback is not playing, could be the determining factor in what level of success that may or may not be.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch

__________________________

 

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (23)

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

September 10, 2024 at 06:28 pm

Sit Myers, go with an inside IOL of Rhyan-Jenkins-Morgan and run more. Helps out Willis(and the defense) if they can consistently get positive yardage running the ball. IMO that's an impossibility with Myers on the field.

0 points
0
0
SicSemperTyrannis's picture

September 10, 2024 at 09:27 pm

Myers was hurt in Brazil. He played hurt much of last season. Hopefully they don't play him or anyone else on the O line while hurt. If Rhyan and Morgan are both in the game together, doesn't it make more sense to have Rhyan at his usual RG spot and Morgan at LG, the side where he has experience?

Certainly our O line is key to success, regardless of who is in at QB.

I'm resigned to the reality of JL10 being out, for at least 2 weeks, maybe 6. While it's definitely a season changer, at least it's not a career ender.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

September 10, 2024 at 09:42 pm

Myers wasn't hurt, he missed the last few snaps with cramps.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

September 11, 2024 at 10:28 am

It's amazing we only got 160+ yards on the ground with Myers at C. I was told it would be impossible. And we lead the league in rushing yards/attempt at almost 8 yards/carry? Philadelphia must have a terrible defensive line, right?

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

September 11, 2024 at 11:59 am

Fortunately not every run relied on blocking from Myers. Jenkins actually took his man as well to bail him out on a couple that did. Jenkins particularly, Tom and Morgan all were run game plusses. In the 2 point conversion it is Myers getting blown up immediately that killed the attempt. Again, detail and context over desired narrative. The run blocking by some was good, by Jenkins excellent, but as a whole it was deficient. Myers was not good in any one’s eyes. He was only adequate in pass protection as well. For once PFF and Herman agree on this too.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

September 11, 2024 at 03:57 pm

I trust Wahle a smidge more than Leatherhead and he said Myers was the same, good and bad, as last season. I leaned towards trying something new as well. I will be very disappointed if they resign Myers and if they don't plan on it they might as well go in a different direction now.

I'm not sure Leatherhead and context have ever met, or are certainly not friends if they have.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

September 12, 2024 at 11:48 am

Here's some context for you, chesty.

In the entire history of the Green Bay Packers, never even ONCE have the Packers run the ball at least 20 times for 160 yards. IOW, this was a HISTORICALLY strong performance. And you're expecting me to believe that this was accomplished with 3/5 of the line, and that Myers is not an NFL center.

He was well regarded by scouts in the draft, and the Packer coaching staff has consistently said they like what he brings. He has started every game that he's healthy. The coaches can see what he brings, and I can see what he brings, but PFF cannot, and since PFF is doing your thinking for you, you cannot see it either.

Bottom Line: A HISTORICALLY strong game on the ground and you, and Coldword, think our players suck and Butkus should be fired. Classic.

0 points
0
0
ricky's picture

September 10, 2024 at 06:45 pm

It is gut check for this team. Yes, they're going to have to overcome greater odds with a backup at QB. It has been done, when the team decided that they were going to ignore the odds and take their game to a new level. That's what has to happen. From the head coach to the guy barely hanging onto their job on special teams, everyone has to up their game. They need to play tough, mean and penalty free football. Do it to them before they do it to you. Break their will, impose yourself on them, dominate and decimate. This all starts with LaFleur, but it is also on the players. They need to look at that first game and decide they weren't good enough. Make the other team hate taking the field, knowing that anything they do, you already have the answer. And you get punished for trying. Let the other teams fear playing the Packers. This is the time to man up, and show who has the brass where it counts.

I tried adding in the Alec Baldwin speech from "Glengarry Glen Ross" here but it didn't work. But look it up, it sums up what this team needs to do: always be closing out the game.

0 points
0
0
SicSemperTyrannis's picture

September 10, 2024 at 09:30 pm

Alec Baldwin is a dirty word. He committed premeditated murder and got away without so much as the MANDATORY sentence for the gun charge. No one here would have gotten that treatment.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

September 11, 2024 at 03:59 pm

That's pretty wacky.

0 points
0
0
Bitternotsour's picture

September 11, 2024 at 06:33 pm

big film insider are you?

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

September 10, 2024 at 06:57 pm

Gute dug the grave.
Now let's see MLF climb out of it.
If a guy like Broke Purdy can lead SF.
I expect Willis to Win too.
After all Gute doesn't know failure.
And most here think he walks on water.
So what are you afraid of?
He built the team and you praised his picks.
We're at HOME! Nothing can go wrong.
This team doesn't need Love.
It didn't need Rodgers.
It only needs Gute.
If Willis Fails.
Life will go on in Green Bay.
Because Gute loves turn-over.
Even at the expense of MLF..

0 points
0
0
Bitternotsour's picture

September 10, 2024 at 07:13 pm

Did you see Rodgers yesterday. He's afraid of his own shadow. So sad. The back-up played better than he did, but the backup wasn't afraid to get hit.

0 points
0
0
edp1959's picture

September 11, 2024 at 09:01 pm

Evidently your RDS didn’t allow you to see past your nose. Rodger’s passes were crisp and on target unlike behind and into coverage all day like Love did. Glad to hear that you still feel the need to follow someone you have so much hatred for.

0 points
0
0
packer132's picture

September 10, 2024 at 07:16 pm

Get a grip, grim reaper. Gute assembled a very good team so why are you dragging him through the mud? (again). He had nothing to do with Love's injury or Packers loss. I blame LaFleur for several bad decisions which cost the game. For your information, teams turn over the 53-man roster about 20-25% every year. What's your gripe? Still wishing that your man Rodgers was the QB? Grow up.

0 points
0
0
Packers0808's picture

September 10, 2024 at 07:21 pm

God almighty grow up one of these days and quit kissing the cardboard cut out of Rodgers ass every day.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

September 10, 2024 at 07:50 pm

In the words of the eminent philosopher Charles M. Brown: Good Grief!

0 points
0
0
joejetson's picture

September 10, 2024 at 07:00 pm

If ever there was a time for the defense to step up and control a game, this is it.

The only time I remember them doing that was the playoff loss to SF a couple of years ago. Even in that game, they caved in the 4th quarter.

They're already a game behind everyone in the Division. They can't afford to dig a deep hole and have to climb out against a difficult schedule over the last half of the season.

Lots of high priced talent on the defense. Now's the time to earn the $.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

September 10, 2024 at 09:35 pm

I don't think The Honeymooners is as old as Stockholder's schtick. Man needs some new material.

0 points
0
0
Packerlifer's picture

September 11, 2024 at 09:23 am

Many years ago, just before the arrival of Dan Marino, the Miami Dolphins under coach Don Shula made a Super Bowl using a "two-headed" qb called "WoodStrock." David Woodley was the physically talented but young and raw :starter" but Shula alternated in a more experienced Don Strock depending on situation and performance. "Woodstrock" worked extremely well because the coaching used and played to their respective strengths and supported them with strong running and defense.

During this coming Love-less stretch for the Packers maybe LaFleur should consider his own "two head" qb to get through and stay alive in the playoff chase. Malik Willis is the young, physically intriguing. player but Sean Clifford is the more versed in the offense. If they deserve to be on an NFL roster at all, Green Bay coaching needs to game plan and play call to utilize their respective positives to best benefit for the team.

Willis was just a couple of years ago one of the more attractive collegians entering the draft. Looking at his tape he possesses a strong arm and running ability. He was, for a time not so long ago, the expected or hoped for "franchise qb" for Tennessee. He didn't pan out there but his physical skill set still seems to be there if he can get the development he needs for the rest of the pro qb package.

Clifford looked like a real prospect as a rookie last year but for whatever reason didn't progress as hoped this year. Still, the Packers won 2 of 3 preseason games with him and Pratt playing . Granted, it was preseason against other teams' second, third and fourth level players and Clifford didn't look good against Denver's starters in that game. But Clifford wasn't playing with the Green Bay starters, either.

If LaFleur is the creative coach we've been thinking he will be trying to "sandbag" the opposition by keeping the notion of Love playing while he works on a quarterback plan we could call "Willfford." Willis & Clifford both being prepped and deployed according to situation and performance.

Unlike 2013 and "17, the rest of the team can't deflate and take a write off on the season because the starter is out. With Love the Pack would've been favored in the next 3 and 4 of 5 in the upcoming stretch of the schedule. They've got 2 of the next 3 at home and a beatable opponent on the road.

Obviously it's going to take more from the running game, defense and special teams for "Willfford" to work but that's precisely what Shula did with his Dolphins during "Woodstock"s time. They did it for a full 2 seasons. The Packers only have to do it for a few weeks.

0 points
0
0
13TimeChamps's picture

September 11, 2024 at 05:07 pm

No. Just no.

0 points
0
0
LeotisHarris's picture

September 11, 2024 at 06:38 pm

Tom Landry alternated Roger Staubach and Craig Morton at QB for the first part of the 1971 season. The intention was to have them alternate *games* but by week 7 against the Bears Landry had them alternating *plays*. With the team at 4-3, Landry named Staubach the starter and the Cowboys went on a seven-win run to finish 11-3. They bounced the Vikings and 49ers from the playoffs and beat the Dolphins in the Super Bowl.

I don't think we have a Staubach-Morton situation in Green Bay. We're dealing with an offense that had 12 men on the field last week. One QB is enough.

0 points
0
0
Packerpasty's picture

September 11, 2024 at 09:25 am

once again we get to see what the brilliant MLF has up his sleeve...

0 points
0
0