Why Davante Adams Leaving May Help The Packers Offense

While Davante Adams is a huge loss, there are some benefits to the offense.

Davante Adams has played his last down as a Packer.

We all know Aaron Rodgers had an occasional case of tunnel vision for his favorite receiver. This year, we can expect the ball to be spread around more to other receivers. Without a clear-cut number 1 receiver, defenses will have a harder time identifying the primary option on each pass play.

Adding a little balance in the passing attack is nice... but it won't completely offset the loss of Adams.

Adding a little balance to the overall offense might, though.

With a tandem of star running backs in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, it seems logical that the Packers will lean on the run more in 2022.

But it won't just be a consolation prize move made out of necessity - history shows it's what they should do anyway.

Look at how the Packers offense has fared in the three years since Matt LaFleur took over as head coach:

2019: pass 58% - run  42%
573 pass attempts (6.1 ypa); 411 rushing attempts (4.4 ypc) 376 points (15th)

2020: pass 54% - run 46%
529 pass attempts (7.5 ypa); 443 rushing attempts (4.8 ypc) 509 points (1st)

2021: pass 57% - run 43%
593 pass attempts (6.9 ypa); 446 rushing attempts (4.3 ypc) 450 points (10th)

Under Matt LaFleur, the Packers have passed more than they ran every year. That's not a big surprise.

What is a bit of a surprise is that in 2020, when they passed the least, their average yards per pass and average yards per rush both increased. Oh, and they had by far the most points per game and led the NFL in scoring.

After an average year of offensive production in 2019, they cut back on their passing volume and saw a huge increase in offensive efficiency and output as a result of running the ball 10% more.

Then, for some reason, they came out in 2021 and reverted to a more pass-happy attack, with predictably diminished results.

Why?

Maybe LaFleur was emboldened to pass more after Rodgers broke out of his stretch of three less-than-amazing years of production. Maybe Rodgers audibled to more passes, knowing it was the last dance with his favorite receiver. Maybe some situational analytics in the playbook took precedent over common sense. 

Whatever the reason, the results are clear: the Packers did better, by almost every offensive measure, when they ran more.

With Davante Adams gone, there will be less pressure to pass. There will be more flexibility in the offense.

Matt LaFleur knows this and he knows how to build around whatever talent he has. He's not running a McCarthy offense where pegs have to be forced into holes whether they fit or not. LaFleur built offenses good enough to win with the pass-happy Falcons in 2016 (who threw on 56% of their plays) as well as the ground-focused Titans in 2018 (who threw passes less than they ran) in addition to putting young quarterbacks like Robert Griffin and Jared Goff in a position to be successful without all star supporting casts.

LaFleur is great at adjusting his scheme to the players he has.

Now that he no longer has Adams, he will adjust. While 17 was an immense talent, he did make the offense predictable in some ways and got them away from their more successful running strategy.

Throw in an upgraded defense, and the Packers will have an even easier time sticking to the run to grind out the clock and wear down opponents.

Green Bay's offense will look a lot different this year, but it just might be more successful.

 

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Bruce Irons has played, coached, and studied football for decades. Best-selling author of books such as A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft, A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap, and A Fan's Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits And Misses, Bruce contributes to CheeseHeadTV and PackersForTheWin.com.

Follow Bruce Irons on Twitter at @BruceIronsNFL.

__________________________

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6 points
 

Comments (57)

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

May 22, 2022 at 06:26 am

Bruce, I would agree to a certain extent. We will no longer have that 'go to' receiver who was great, especially in the red zone. However, we should have a more well rounded offense in that Rodgers' will be forced to move the ball around to most of the receivers and I would like to believe that the running game will be used more as well.

The defense, partly because of the trade of Adams, will be much better and certainly is much better on paper and hopefully that translates to the field.

With the hiring of our new ST coach, we should see improvement in special teams as well.

So, I believe, overall, the packers should be better than last season. It should be an interesting and exciting season this year.

8 points
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PatrickGB's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:20 am

The whole team might end up being better. Yet if the offense gets better I will be pleasantly surprised.

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jvole's picture

May 22, 2022 at 02:43 pm

Rodgers talked about how he learned that he should not predetermine where was going to throw the ball. Well, I think it is his greatest weakness as a quarterback. How many times have we watched hold it, hold it, hold it, waiting for Adams to get open. They will be better without Adams.

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

May 22, 2022 at 07:43 pm

The question is, why did it take him till age 38 to learn this?

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Johnblood27's picture

May 22, 2022 at 06:39 am

II believe the answer to all of the questions posed in the article is...

"THE OFFENSIVE LINE"

AR is a known quantity - future HoF QB who can make a 55% passing offense nearly unstoppable. Receivers are a dime a dozen with the occasional elite talent (DA) thrown in. Receivers are made to look good by a QB who can get them the ball consistently and throw them open occasionally.

The running game goes when the engine is purring - the engine is the offensive line and play call vs a specific alignment or personnel of the defense.

The health of the OL will dictate the overall success of the offense so long as the talent is truly there. Bakh and Jenks injuries were real scheme changers on the OL, Meyers to a lesser extent, and the injuries necessitated much patchwork. Much more than simply "next man up" and just doing the same thing. The entire OL blocking scheme changed based upon the talent available to include extra blockers at the point of attack on runs and in the passing game which removed potential targets and altered route combinations and so the overall offense reacted to those changes in terms of efficiency and production.

When Bakh, Jenkins and Meyers are all healthy and we sort out the best two guards to place alongside them we will see a humming offense because the talent is truly there with the GBP starters on the OL.

AR can cover for limitations, but he cannot single-handedly dominate a game, same for DA or AJ or AJ2. They work for the better or worse within the context of the OL.

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murf7777's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:33 am

Good response JB, I agree with everything you said and you took the words right out of my mouth. Most important IMO was the injuries to the OL that our offense took a step back. Not much to do with how much passing vs runs. Every year we are middle of the pack with how much we run vs pass and I don’t expect that to change.

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PeteK's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:36 am

John, exactly my belief. If the injured come back fully healed; we could the best rushing attack in football. That usually opens up the passing game and gives our aging and young WRs an advantage. We were good with 2 pro bowlers missing, a rookie at G, and Patrick at C (who was a good fill-in ,but was not the starter when camp broke).

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Since'61's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:04 am

Good post Johnblood. I’ve posted for years that the offense goes as far as their OL takes them. Which makes MLG’s decision to switch up the OL for SF playoff game even more questionable.

While I agree that MLF is at planning his offense on the talent available he does not do a very good job of making in game adjustments when our opponent takes away one of our key players as SF did to Adams in the playoff game.

He needs to anticipate how our opponents will respond to his game plan and what adjustments he will when he sees what our opponents are doing to stop his plan. Thanks, Since ‘61

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Rossonero's picture

May 22, 2022 at 06:43 am

This will absolutely force Rodgers to play more in LaFleur's scheme. It's less tempting to "can" plays and chuck it to Adams when he's gone. No rookie receiver has caught more than 38 passes from Rodgers I believe, and I don't anticipate that changing this year. If it does, it won't be by a very wide margin. We have one of the finest tandems of RBs in the league, and if the O-line gets healthy, the run can set up the pass and some nasty play action fakes.

My only concern is when we need clutch passing plays. For example, I went back and watched the ending of the 49ers game. Rodgers somehow finds Adams on two consecutive long passing plays for around 50 total yards, putting Crosby in position for the game winner. After I watched the clip, I couldn't help but wonder, was it the 49ers just playing some stupid prevent defense? Is it that Adams is so insanely good he's always getting open? In a situation like that in 2022, who will we throw to when we can't run the ball with only 30 seconds left and no timeouts?

It's going to take some very creative play calling, but if anyone can get it done, it's Matt LaFleur.

3 points
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greengold's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:52 am

Rossonero, I think you’ll see some stars born this year at WR. I also can see Sammy Watkins having a great time making those very connections with Aaron Rodgers. Can’t forget about his QB’s Best Friends Randall Cobb & Allen Lazard.

We’ll be fine.

Add in players like Watson & Doubs, who will likely command S help once some tape builds on them, and all that underneath 1D stuff should be open for Watkins, Cobb, Lazard to clean up.

1 points
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PhantomII's picture

May 22, 2022 at 09:43 am

Our Defense has the potential to be Elite. Many of those situations should not come to bare to the offense and will result in a change of possession 3 n out / INT and hand the ball to our Offense instead. That's where we have the money and draft picks spent. If we get healthy and stay healthy we will make some noise. I do predict a slow start on offense as we are not full strength yet but a couple Rooks look like they could start on the OL. Most games should not be as close as we're used to unless the Offense stalls and we grind on our own D. Time for them to learn to take the INT to the house.....GPG

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

May 22, 2022 at 07:47 pm

Forget the clutch passing. They had the lead and the ball late in that 4th qtr with a chance to run the clock out and end the game. And what did Rodgers do? Throw 3 deep incompletions and punt, including one on the same exact play they ran the last play of their season where he forced it to Adams in double coverage. Did the same exact thing by forcing into double coverage while anothet guy was wide open. Just run the damn ball and they will win those games.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 23, 2022 at 04:29 am

[Not directed at you, Rossonero. I agree with the gist of your comment. In addition to that SF game scenario, GB got 235 first downs by passing, and Adams had a whopping 84 of them (35.7% in 2021, 33.8% in 2020). The real difference between 2020 and 2021 was a drop from 80% TD rate in the red zone down to 58.6%. I give LaFleur and a good OL credit for that Redzone figure.]

This 38 receptions as the most for a rookie is overblown. That seems normal to me, and given the circumstances, wholly explainable.

From 1992 to 2005, the most receptions by a rookie during the Favre years was 23 (Javon Walker for 319 yards), if I didn't miss anyone. After those 14 seasons, Jennings finally broke out with 45 receptions in 2006 because after Driver the Packers had shit for receivers. Note Jennings 43% catch rate: lots of balls forced his way. Note third-year UDFA Ruvell Martin (who reminds me a little of Lazard), has 21 receptions that year despite an awful 48% catch rate. The outlier is James Jones with 47 receptions in 2007, despite GB having Driver and Jennings ahead of him.

Considering GB had Driver, Jennings, and Jones, Nelson getting 33 receptions as a rookie in 2008 seems to me like he had a QB who is not averse to spreading the ball around. Ditto for Cobb's 25 receptions in 2011 considering Nelson, Jennings, Jones, Driver (not to mention Finley and his 92 targets) were all established veterans.

As long as we are comparing, in the best offensive year in recent memory, Adams got 149 targets (despite missing two game) out of 536 passing attempts, 28.3%. Adams averaged 10.6 targets per game. In 2021, he had 169 in 16 games, or 10.56 targets per game, and he was targeted on 29.5% of passing attempts.

We shall see if GB's offense stays the same or improves without Adams. In 1995, Robert Brooks went from 648 yards as second fiddle to Sterling Sharpe to 1497 yards in 1995 w/o Sharpe, though that may have been in part to Favre having his first MVP season. I don't think it is reasonable to expect AR to greatly improve on his back to back MVP seasons.

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stockholder's picture

May 22, 2022 at 07:10 am

Adams leaving only helped the Defense. You saw where the picks went. Let's get right to it. The Packers need a TE. Yes, Tonyan's return helps. But SIZE matters. The TE is more a question mark, then Adams Leaving. And the packers haven't had a True threat since Finley left.
Nobody wins with just WRs. The packers need 250 lb. TEs; that can block and CATCH. Not just some scheme player thats only good for a couple of first downs.
The NFL is about mismatches. But unless you win the trench first. You're only hoping for the big play. Rbs with second efforts. And power on 4th and ones. Something the packers have failed to put together for Rodgers.
Favre had Wrs, Rbs, and two TE's, in Jackson and Chewie. Not to mention Bubba Franks.
Rodgers has had Fa's, Head cases, and Failures.
And you have to admit, Even a couple of those screwed up the STs. ( That put the team in the hole.) Regardless how much they spent on Graham. He just wasn't Favre's equals.
We're finally seeing some pieces to help Rodgers. I just wonder why it took so long.

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stockholder's picture

May 22, 2022 at 07:41 am

I say the packers should go after Austin Hooper when he is released.

-1 points
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dobber's picture

May 23, 2022 at 08:51 am

He was released a couple months ago.
The Packers passed.
He signed with TN.

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Since'61's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:09 am

Stockholder we should also remember that Favre had a better HC and play caller in Mike Holmgren than Rodgers has with MLF. MLF is good but at best he would be a clip board holder for Mike Holmgren. Thanks, Since ‘61

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13TimeChamps's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:49 am

Holmgren also had better control of his QB1 than MLF does.

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Since'61's picture

May 22, 2022 at 02:18 pm

Absolutely true 13Times. However Favre was basically a rookie when he came to Green Bay. Rodgers is way beyond where Favre was in terms of NFL experience by the time MLF became the Packers HC.

I think MLF sees Rodgers as a peer rather than a true coach/player relationship. Thanks, Since '61

4 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

May 22, 2022 at 05:58 pm

IDK, I don't remember Holmgren ever turning down a chance to go away from the run when it was working, especially that last year.

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jannes bjornson's picture

May 22, 2022 at 01:06 pm

No doubt one should have been drafted last month. The past three drafts were about filling the voids where they had selected scrubs previously, as in Burks, Sternberger , etc and are still a draft away from fulfillment.. They were lucky Tonyan stayed healthy for one season, but I wouldn't put too many eggs in his basket. Getting a veteran TE, post-June 1st is essential. Lewis is a guy with limited reps and can you still count on him to execute the play after the chuck-up in the Playoff Game? See if they use Deguara correctly and scheme to his strengths. Maybe Cook would be on the list? He may have burned some bridges.

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Charvid's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:01 am

It seems equally possible, that without his “security blanket” (DA), AR takes more sacks while looking for an open receiver. May lead to not only more sacks taken, but more picks thrown.

Both those risks can be partially mitigated by running the ball more.

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egbertsouse's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:02 am

Right, because losing all-pros always helps your team. Yeah, if the Rams could just get rid of that Aaron Donald guy, they’d be so much better because other guys could make more tackles and sacks.

The Packers media are really making an effort to peddle this nonsense to obscure the fact that Watkins is now their WR1.

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Guam's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:16 am

The Packer defense lost two very high level players in Zadarious Smith and Jaire Alexander last year and yet performed very well. Why? Their replacements (Gary, Douglas) performed very well.

The Packers went 7 - 0 over the last couple of years when Adams was out with injuries. He can be replaced if others step up.

NFL football is a game of replacement. Happens every year.

9 points
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Johnblood27's picture

May 22, 2022 at 09:27 pm

You are on the right wavelength Guam!

That is exactly why I am an unabashed Jordan Love fan!!!

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murf7777's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:41 am

When you take into consideration all the players they signed due to the extra SC and the extra draft picks, yes, I think they are a better team without Adams. That’s not taking anything away from how good Adams is, it’s just one player can only do so much for a team. This isn’t the NBA where one star can make a much bigger difference. There are 22 starters, multiple extras and ST’s in the NFL.

Also, because Arod is so damn good he will overcome the loss of Adams.

2 points
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PeteK's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:52 am

Discussion is about how successfully we could replace Adam's contributions by others facets improving this season, healthy players and draft additions. I heard it all season from non Packer fans, "Every team has injuries". Yes they do, but 4 pro bowlers, a good TE, and starting C is an unusually lg amount. How we won 13 games was incredible and had the makings of a great season.

5 points
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PatrickGB's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:14 am

Sorry, I don’t buy it. While I agree with the author and posters that our defense will be better. I don’t think that any offense improves with the loss of a pro bowl receiver. We will make do with what we have and probably do ok. But better? I don’t think so. We have a great staff and will make good adjustments and will do ok. The offense will be more well rounded and less predictable. That might just be good enough and that’s fine. But better? Nah. Still, thanks for the article and optimism!

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murf7777's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:44 am

Patrick, we will be better if our OL comes back in tact. Think about it we lost One All-pro and another Pro bowler and one ascending center. If our OL is healthy, I expect this offense to produce more in 2022.

3 points
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PatrickGB's picture

May 22, 2022 at 01:52 pm

I love your optimism.

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greengold's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:35 am

Bruce, I’ve put a lot of thought into this run/pass thing over the years, and suspect TEN’s run heavy attack was most likely mandated by HC Mike Vrabel, as opposed to having been called freely by their OC at the time, Matt LaFleur. Vrabel’s a Belichick prodigy who knows the importance of a balanced attack.

If it were LaFleur’s idea to run that much, we would have seen it with the Packers. Especially with an embarrassment of riches at RB throughout his tenure.

Of course running more makes sense, and increases efficiency on offense.

Seems Matt LaFleur has succumbed to the wishes of his pass happy QB1 here in Green Bay. That’s the way I look at it. Signing Aaron Jones to a $10M contract, then ignoring the 3 headed monster rushing attack of Jones, Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon in 2020 was an affirmation of this.

I don’t see the Packers rushing more this year either, because Aaron Rodgers chases MVP trophies, endlessly, to the detriment of both team success, and that of others. He’s got a whole handful of new toys to play with in Sammy Watkins, Amari Rodgers in his year 2, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure…

You think he’s going to hand the ball off more? Yeah. Me either.

I bet Aaron Rodgers sets a personal record for passing attempts this year, going well over 600. Easy. Especially with an increase in the number of times our Defense will be handing the ball back to him in 2022.

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Bearmeat's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:17 am

If 12 decides to play nice and not selfish ball, sure, they'll be more than fine. Personally, I'm expecting a lot of fits and starts with passes out of bounds, sacks, and angry hand gestures at rookies while Cobb and Watkins are hurt. Further, I'm skeptical that when the chips aren't down in January, that the worst won't happen.

Vic Tafur on the Athletic just said of the Packers O/U: "The Packers are pretty reliable in the regular season, thanks to Aaron Rodgers (who needs Davante Adams?), an improving running game and an opportunistic defense, not to mention a big home edge. Their moves the last three offseasons have guaranteed they’re not winning another ring with Rodgers, but 11 wins? Easy money."

He's right. Except it's not management that's cost GB in the past 3 years. It's the QB. I expect to win a lot of games despite angry 12 most Sundays. I expect to lose badly in January. Yawn.

-3 points
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greengold's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:31 am

Bearmeat, we differ slightly here. Completely agree with your sentiment, but, I think this new Packers D will transcend all, to the point that we stand a legit chance to bring home another Lombardi Trophy this season.

We’ll see all the antics, of course, but, I do think the O will get in synch with the new talent on board by around Week8-10, and then, look out.

Defense wins Championships. If we can stay healthy, I don’t see how anyone can screw this up.

2 points
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Bearmeat's picture

May 22, 2022 at 09:09 am

Because there are other really good teams out there with a non-choking QB AND a good defense? I mean, the entire AFCW for example? Most of the NFCW too. And the Bucs. And maybe the Eagles - who I think will be good.

Sure. GBs D, on paper, should be excellent. But if you remember back to pre-diva ARod days (and pre-Favre diva days in the mid-90s), we had a suffocating defense AND a QB who could, and did make the big play when needed. Rodgers has not done that since 2010.

-2 points
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greengold's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:26 am

I totally get it, man. 100%.

Seems to me the talent infusion on both sides of the ball will have us contending. The D side so much so that I think we may, in fact, be AR choke-proof!

Add in the fact we will probably see our STs contribute heavily to Ws…

Those playoff losses over the last decade have been unforgivable. While AR shares blame in all of them, along with our D and STs to varying degrees, this is the first year where we can point to tangible, significant improvements in all 3 phases of this Packers team.

On paper, I can see us contending, in spite of all the previous BS. We’ll see.

0 points
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Bearmeat's picture

May 22, 2022 at 12:43 pm

Oh, I think we'll contend. And you're absolutely right that the D/ST has been atrocious for most of the past decade. But Let's not forget who was paid to bring home the dubs when it really mattered. You have the contract, you get the responsibility to bring home the bacon. He did have the contract (and does) and he hasn't. 2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021.

Yes, there were mitigating circumstances in all of those playoff losses. But the one constant was an ineffective passing game in January that had put up video game stats all year. MVP all of those years SHOULD have won at least one Lombardi.

-1 points
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PeteK's picture

May 22, 2022 at 09:10 am

Free agency is a very tricky processes. I would say that the last few seasons have been very successful for management when compared to the league. Zadarious, Campbell, Preston, Douglas, Amos, Turner, Lewis, were all successful signees. Yes there were some duds, but when compared to the rest of the league, I would wager non were better. Not even the Rams.

2 points
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greengold's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:30 am

No GM hits them all. I agree, PeteK, Gutekunst has done very well. So much so that I consider him more of a savant of late.

He and his staff have found some real gems along the way.

1 points
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Jensen77's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:30 am

The other point to consider is the packers have never lost a game when Davante Adams did not play, I believe?

7 points
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PhantomII's picture

May 22, 2022 at 09:56 am

I would like to say that every game this year and it still be true even though he's not on the roster.

1 points
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dobber's picture

May 23, 2022 at 09:09 am

It's one thing to cobble together wins over 2-3 games in-season with unscouted looks against teams of varying quality. It's going to be a wholly different thing to do it over 17 games and in the playoffs when opponents get a couple weeks of film to dissect.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that the dominance--especially in the regular season--of the Adams-Rodgers connection helped to open up all those receivers we like to complain about #12 not throwing to. Opposing DCs were always going to shade help to Adams' side of the field, and he STILL was getting open. The question becomes one of whether the remaining Packers receivers are going to be able to gain separation and uncover for 12 to get them the ball without Adams attracting all that attention play-in and play-out?

ARod hasn't thrown more than 7 INTs in a season since 2015...that's got a pretty significant chance of changing this year. He's going to need to throw the ball to less familiar targets and in tighter windows than he's used to. If #12 replicates 2020 or 2021 stats this season, then he's likely earned another MVP.

1 points
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NickPerry's picture

May 22, 2022 at 08:46 am

As great as Adams is/was I'm happy as hell he's in Vegas. The Packers were 7-0 in games played without him and say WHATEVER you want to try and say that doesn't mean anything, but at the end of the day it's still 7-0! They also beat some pretty dame good teams like the Saints WITH Drew Brees in 2020, and the Cardinals who were undefeated in 2021.

THIS offense is made to scheme players open, NOT just to scheme Davante Adams open. Aaron Jones is still one hell of a RB and AJ Dillion is just getting started. The beard and butter IS the running game. Like JB27 said above it starts and ends with the Offensive Line. Getting Bakhtiari back, a full year for Meyers (sort of), and other year under the belt of JRJ, and Sean Rhyan oe Zack Ton at RG I think we just got quite a bit better. Yosh Nijman at RT until Jenkins is back and they have a top 10 or better O-Line when healthy.

The defense is going to create more 3 & outs, I have no doubts. With that comes MORE opportunities to cram the ball down the opposing teams throat. Sonner of later they begin to bleed and break. The play action becomes better, the SCHEMED open WR's become more wide open. Lazard, Watson, Cobb, Watkins, Doubs, Amari Rodgers, Tonyan, Degura, and others will be MORE that enough to be successful AND win a SB.

On 3rd and 8, give me an HONEST shot with ALL 11 players on offense, instead of 17 and 12 and what seemed to be no consideration for anything else. At least in 12's mind. That's DONE! Lets GO!!

8 points
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greengold's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:05 am

In a perfect world… LOL

Nick, you know I agree with you 100% as to that being our most prudent course.

IMO, the talent infusion at WR is so great, and so completely underrated, that I believe sometime between Week 6 and Week 10, this offense is really going to start humming on all cylinders.

Knowing AR the way we do, he won’t be able to help himself, as opposing Ds will tire out as you say with the continued onslaught, from SO MANY ANGLES.

He’ll wind up throwing more and more, because the talent there is so rich, and there will be a lot of wide open Targets.

Running is the smart course. It always has been. But, we know what to expect.

If we can stay healthy, this could turn out to be one helluva aerial circus. Open Targets everywhere due to the many speed/size mismatches.

Spray Cheese.

2 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

May 22, 2022 at 10:19 am

Man, I am pumped for this upcoming season but moreso with all the good insight/data/opinions you all bring! I always wanted a dominating D and things are pointing in that direction at least. I think of the Eagles dominant D with Buddy Ryan and the Ravens D, da Bear's D...man they were scary! A running game by imposing your will is right up there as well.

The Packs last Super Bowl victory was one I couldn't have scripted any better. To beat the teams they did as a 6th seed and to play the Game at Jerry's World was icing on the cake. My 2nd favorite team is the Steelers...so to watch them in the Super Bowl with the Pack winning it all was truly special for me. One heartbeat, one team.....👍👌💪

2 points
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croatpackfan's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:20 am

Bruce, while I really hope that my view of the next season is badly wrong, I can only expect few numbers to rise substantialy 2022 season on offense:
1. number of times AR will roll his eyes;
2. number of balls thrown away;
3. number of accusing and angry sights to most of the Packers receivers;
4. number of plays that will be changed at line of scrimmage;
5. number of MLF press conferences where he will take full responsibility for poor preparation of game plan in which were not enough running plays;
6. number of humble statements how he needs to play better (from AR);
7. number of articles on all Packers orientated web pages and papers in which authors and fans will trying to find culpruit for bad offensive outing.

Lets hope I'm completely wrong and Packers will finaly win another SB.

-7 points
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Johnblood27's picture

May 22, 2022 at 09:40 pm

C'mon Croat...I am president of the "GB shoulda taken the draft picks for AR", but...

as big of a douche as AR is, he is a damn fine NFL QB. The Packer team this season will be very competitive and will mature as the season progresses.

I dont think AR is gonna act out towards the youngsters as much as everyone is saying, there will be some bumps, he will correct the kids when things get a little sideways, but everyone has to have some thick skin and just work through it so that the team is peaking in December and January. MM was pretty good at timing the teams peak performance, I hope MLF is learning a bit about the timing of things as he grows as a head coach.

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croatpackfan's picture

May 23, 2022 at 02:05 pm

As I said, I hope so. I really hope I'm completely wrong in my assessment... But that is how I see it at the moment.

AR statements are pure AR PR during and after the draft. We saw that many times... So, lets say I will be glad to be wrong in this case...

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ricky's picture

May 22, 2022 at 11:31 am

Thank you for agreeing with, and validating something Packers fans have been saying for years: when Rodgers spreads the ball around more, and relies more on the running game, actually running LaFleur's offense, the Packers are more effective. But as far as LaFleur adjusting to his players, rather than trying to force square pegs into round holes, ala McCarthy, I'm more skeptical. Right now, LaFleur is depending on Rodgers to win games. Period. When he was out, and Love started against KC, there was no change in game plan to fit Love's different skill set. And there were, predictably, no adjustments when things broke down. LaFleur puts in a game plan, and then stubbornly (ala McCarthy) sticks with it. Until he learns to tweak the offense as needed, there will be continued disappointment.

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WestWi_Packfan's picture

May 22, 2022 at 01:57 pm

You can look at the numbers and this will answer your question, 7-0 in games under Lafleur without Adams and it was obvious to see that in the playoff game with SF, Rodgers had tunnel vision with Adams and overlooked other WR's that were wide open on several occasions. Not having Adams will force them to use other players more often and actually make them harder to beat because opposing defenses wont know who's getting the ball as often like they did when Adams was there.

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OWarrior's picture

May 22, 2022 at 03:12 pm

Did Rodgers choose to have tunnel vision, or was he forced to have tunnel vision? I'd like to see someone analyze the pack's offense last year, to determine if Adams was targeted so often because he was the only receiver who could get open - or, if the other receivers were getting open, and Rodgers just elected to go to Adams.

My contention is that Adams was the only receiver on the team who could get open. The other receivers were such poor route-runners that they could not be counted on, to get open.

The only way that the pack's passing game can be better this year, is if at least two of the new receivers are good enough route-runners to frequently get open.

I'm hoping that the wide receiver evaluations at training camp, include discussions on their route-running skills. That will be the key factor in how much Adams will be missed.

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LLCHESTY's picture

May 22, 2022 at 06:07 pm

I think he was targeted so often because he was one of the best WRs in the game and that's what you do in the modern day NFL when you have a top 5 WR. Get the ball in the hands of your playmakers. Limit the targets of slow rookies who lack confidence and aren't running crisp routes.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 23, 2022 at 04:51 am

Sharpe got 12 targets per game in 1993, and 10/gm in 1994. Brooks jumped from 5.75/gm to 10.4 targets per game in 1995 in the absence of Sharpe (167 targets for Brooks way back in 1995). Freeman peeked at 10 per game in his lone all pro season.

A team's best WR gets a lot of targets.
If that WR is elite, he gets a few more per game.

3 points
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OWarrior's picture

May 22, 2022 at 03:12 pm

Did Rodgers choose to have tunnel vision, or was he forced to have tunnel vision? I'd like to see someone analyze the pack's offense last year, to determine if Adams was targeted so often because he was the only receiver who could get open - or, if the other receivers were getting open, and Rodgers just elected to go to Adams.

My contention is that Adams was the only receiver on the team who could get open. The other receivers were such poor route-runners that they could not be counted on, to get open.

The only way that the pack's passing game can be better this year, is if at least two of the new receivers are good enough route-runners to frequently get open.

I'm hoping that the wide receiver evaluations at training camp, include discussions on their route-running skills. That will be the key factor in how much Adams will be missed.

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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

May 23, 2022 at 09:08 pm

Lets look at the timeline of events. 2020 the offense ran the shit out of the ball and was extremely creative by setting up the playaction pass with the run. It was one of the best, most explosive, and most efficient offenses the NFL has ever seen. In spring of 2021, 12 holds out in a thirst for more power and control over things. Right before the season starts, he comes back. As the season went along it became clear to anyone who watched the offense closely that Rodgers won the power struggle because the offense more closely resembled the static and predictable spread offense of the last few years of Mccarthy than it did the 2020 Lafleur offense. Gone were the jet motions, wide zone runs, wide zone playactions, screen passes, etc. I dont believe for a second that Lafleur overhauled his offensive philosophy in an offseason after the success it produced. That was all Rodgers. He threw a hissy fit and got what he wanted. And the offense took a major step back because of it. We can only hope Rodgers drops the ego a little and realizes his coach knows whats best for this team but I wont be holding my breath. If anything, this offense will be even more Rodgers-centric.

-1 points
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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

May 22, 2022 at 07:42 pm

Inject this article straight into my veins. "Lets run it and get the hell out of here."

1 points
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Stroh's picture

May 22, 2022 at 10:55 pm

"LaFleur is great at adjusting his scheme to the players he has.
Now that he no longer has Adams, he will adjust."

It's not LaFleur who has to adjust to the loss of Adams, it's Rodgers! The question is, Is Rodgers willing to adjust? Elway did and Terrell Davis ran the Broncos to a SB, in this offense. Will Rodgers allow the offense to be more run oriented than the past? Or will be continually change runs to pass?

Also, you clearly don't know what McCarthy's offense was predicated on. It had nothing to do with round pegs in square holes!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 24, 2022 at 03:05 am

The last time GB and AR lost their top wide receiver suddenly was in 2015. That was one of AR's worst seasons, statistically. And back then GB had Cobb, newly paid for a lot, and 2nd year man Davante Adams. Washed up James Jones out produced both of them.

That does not mean that GB is doomed to a repetition.

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