For the First Time Since 2008, the Packers' Season Has an Expiration Date
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (29)
4thand1
December 18, 2017 at 11:25 pm
Turn out the lights, the paaarrties ooovvveeer. My Dandy Don impersonation.
ZacharyJacobson
December 18, 2017 at 11:44 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAS-pvQ06s4
TarynsEyes
December 18, 2017 at 11:45 pm
Let's go Brett...we need to lose out and move up the draft pick board.
4zone
December 19, 2017 at 12:22 am
8-8 the best we can do now. With Detroit playing for a playoff spot at home, maybe we've already won our last game of the year. We sit at #15 now I think. I doubt we can make it into the top 10 though.
CAG123
December 19, 2017 at 12:29 am
I’m glad this happened the Packers abysmal defensive play didn’t warrant a playoff spot. This could and should finally invoke the change the Packers need on at defensive coordinator and maybe even some other positions Rodgers should not be the end all be all for this team. Making the playoffs for the sake of just making the playoffs isn’t good enough for this team they should have definitely played in 2 more SBs and won one of them. Capers and his gimmicky defenses can go now and fresh defensive mind should take his place
cpabandit
December 19, 2017 at 01:07 am
Throughout the season and going back five years Packer fans were calling for the firing of Capers, a few seasons for the firing of McCarthy and for several years the firing of TT. Rogers absence exposed many of the players' shortcomings particularly the defense and Capers defensing obsolete scheming and shortcomings but also the play calling of McCarthy and the drafting by TT. The question the fans may now have is does management hear us and merely wave us off as just being fans or do they now see what Rogers exposed, that the fans' requests may be valid? Or will they continue to waste the remaining years of one of the greatest QB's we will ever get to see play and just smile at the money the team is making?
IBackthePack92
December 19, 2017 at 01:28 am
Well time to clean house. Ok, at least get rid of Capers please. Give WR Micheal Clark some reps in the next two games. Also, it will be very important to sign Davante Adams. Last we need to run Aaron Jones more. Not to take anything away from Williams. In my opinion Jones is a RB I've been waiting for. Instead of powerbacks all the time, he has awesome vision, cutting ability, agility and quickness to get through the tight holes. Also it will give him some good pass blocking reps that he needs. All in all, even though i wanted to see us in the playoffs, maybe now Mr. Murphy will grow a pair and do what needs to be done with management and staff. true packer fan
Thegreatreynoldo
December 19, 2017 at 03:11 am
The defensive issues were entirely foreseeable. We needed a lot of help at CB and OLB. At my most charitable, or most optimistic, I thought TT might conceivably have done just barely enough at both positions. But everything would have to go right: House would need to be healthy, Randall and Rollins would have to both rebound, and the draft pick would have to be better than most rookie CBs generally are. These things didn't happen. At OLB, Perry and CM3 would have to stay healthy, Brooks would need to be healthy and still have some juice, and one of Fackrell/Biegel would have to be able to at least take some snaps or be decent at some assigned role. Didn't happen. We got big second year jumps from Clark and Martinez and still had a lousy defense.
Since 2012, TT has used 71% of his first through fourth round draft picks on defense. That includes 5 of 5 firsts, 3 of 5 seconds, and 7 of 10 fourths.
The draft capital spent on defense, especially if weighting for high picks, has been enormous. Either the talent evaluation has been bad, or the coaching has been bad. Someone, TT or Capers, has to be fired, right? Right?
croatpackfan
December 19, 2017 at 03:13 am
It may be good that season is over... For several reasons:
1. there is 2 games left for testing young guys to find out what Packers have on the roster. I say play Mays, Clarck, Yancey, all young OL, all young CB, DL, OLB (like Biegel and Odom)...
2. start the evaluation of the season now, so managment can start to do adequate moves on time...
3. Players will have, finally additional time to heal, rest and prepare for the new season...
4. Put the best players on IR and promote all PS players for the last 2 games on the roster...
Doing that Packers may get additional, very valable information...
Lphill
December 19, 2017 at 05:48 am
Shut down Rodgers he has nothing to prove he tried to save the season but one player can't do it alone . I'm wondering if Marvin Lewis should be considered as defensive coordinator I think he is a better defensive coach .
Slim11
December 19, 2017 at 06:54 am
I agree with shutting Rodgers down. I just hope the damage hasn't been done and his arm strength isn't beyond repair/recovery. Since they re-signed Callahan, give him a half or a full game with the starters. This serves two purposes. First, it will show what he can or can't do. Second, it will show if Hundley is a bad fit to this offense or just a bad QB overall.
It appears Marvin Lewis might be headed to Cleveland to pair up with Hue Jackson. If Jackson becomes the next Bengals HC, Lewis might be available. I don't see Lewis staying in Cincinnati and associated with Mike Brown in any capacity.
Razer
December 19, 2017 at 06:55 am
Get something out of the season, play some of the young guys like Mays and Michael Clark to see what they have.
In the meantime I will be pulling for Pittsburgh to take the AFC and the Saints and Drew Brees to win the NFC.
I won't sleep on the LA Rams, they may be ready to take it all.
RCPackerFan
December 19, 2017 at 07:00 am
Completely agree!
I now want to see the young players play. I would IR Adams, and Perry and bring up someone off the PS that they would like to see play. Maybe Reggie Gilbert and Yancey?
Lets take the next 2 weeks and give these young players a ton of playing time. Allowing them to gain some much needed experience. That could set them up really well for the offseason and for next year.
rdent
December 19, 2017 at 10:55 am
RC, I would like to add to this. If Kenny Clark is still playing on a gimpy ankle why not put M.Adams in? Is he still that injured that he hasn't seen the field? The season is over time to empty the bench.
RCPackerFan
December 19, 2017 at 07:24 am
Now that the season is officially done, I think its time they play the young players. Get them as much playing time as possible and get them ready for next year.
As I mentioned to Razer, I think they should IR Adams and Perry and bring up a couple of Practice Squad players. Maybe bring up Yancey and Gilbert as replacements. Give them some actual game experience and see if that can spring board them into a good offseason.
The young players that I'd like to see get some playing time are:
Clark - I actually wanted to see him since he was brought up from the PS. His size alone is a mismatch. I'd like to see what he could do against starters. Getting him some playing time will allow him to go into the offseason knowing where he needs to improve. And it should give him a head start on next year.
Davis - I'd like to see him get more action at WR. We know he can be an explosive PR. Lets see what he can do on offense. He has speed, lets see them find ways to use it.
Mays - Now that the games mean nothing, why not see what he has. If he does nothing, they should look at add another RB next year. But perhaps they have another really good player that could contribute next year.
Biegel/Adams - To me there is no reason they shouldn't play a ton of ball these last 2 weeks. We need to find out what we have in these 2 guys. They need more experience.
Odom - They basically wasted a roster spot on him all year. They might as well see what they have in him on the field.
Pipkins/Brown - I thought Pipkins played well when he has been on the field. Whatever reason Capers doesn't trust him. Well now that the season is over, lets see what we have. Brown is in a similar boat as Pipkins. Maybe we have a couple of guys that could take a step next year.
These last 2 games to me are no longer about this year. They are all about next year. Might as well try and prepare them for next year.
pacman
December 19, 2017 at 08:20 am
I think TT/MM/DC should put on pads and get in the game. Maybe they will see it from a player perspective and learn something.
pacman
December 19, 2017 at 09:08 am
OMG! Who gave me a dislike for this post??? We must have TT/MM/DC on this board! ;)
Since'61
December 19, 2017 at 01:30 pm
I would like to see the Packers just come out and run the football. Let's see what Williams and Jones can do if they each get 15 carries or more per game. At least 10 carries each regardless of the score or the time remaining just run the ball. Give the OL a break and let them do the pounding instead of being pounded on.
Rest Rodgers, Adams, maybe Jordy and Cobb as well.
Play Allison, Clark and Trevor Davis as the WRs and R. Rodgers at TE.
On defense, well, just pull 11 guys out of the stands at Lambeau, they couldn't be any worse that what we have now. The only way the Packers could be worse than 32nd on defense would be if the league added teams and then we would be 33rd or 34th or whatever.
FIRE CAPERS! Thanks, Since '61
Finwiz
December 19, 2017 at 08:59 am
LOL - the part about pulling guys out of the stands.
Can I show up and play? I'll be good until I get hit the 1st time low, with the knee and no ACL.
Geezus - we've been reduced to jokes like this about the defense.
Perfectly fitting because they are pretty much a joke. I was tempted to capitalize joke, but I didn't.
What a season - all the promise of 2017, and look where we are now.
Truth be told I really wasn't seeing it in preseason, I knew we had problems.
First of all I wasn't seeing the depth, but 2nd of all the 1st string units didn't look good even when they played their ONE series.
Qoojo
December 19, 2017 at 09:55 am
At this point, since they are getting almost nothing out of the defensive picks, they could just all-in on offense. Draft more OL depth and get the total to 9 offensive line starters, no project linemen. They have RB covered now. Get TE and WRs. Ignore Cory and sign Adams. Basically ignore defense for the whole draft unless some stud pass rusher drops.
Thegreatreynoldo
December 20, 2017 at 02:46 am
Since '61, there is a chance that those 11 guys out of the stands might be less confused and more assignment sure than our current players. Sigh.
Qoojo
December 19, 2017 at 08:51 am
In about 5-6 years, this will be the norm because there is no way packers get lucky and end up with another HoF QB to cover for a horrid defense. Clock is ticking, and the three stooges are running the show.
pacman
December 19, 2017 at 09:14 am
It is almost unfathomable that DC remains. Anyone willing to chip in with me to buy a billboard across from Lambeau that says "PLEASE CHANGE SOMETHING!"
It wouldn't be in good taste to print "FIRE THEM ALL!";)
I'm guessing:
98% chance that DC 'retires'.
80% chance for TT.
20% chance for MM.
5% chance for Murphy.
Qoojo
December 19, 2017 at 09:50 am
I don't see Murphy as being upset with how things are going. Team is profitable. I think that is the most important thing to Murphy and the board. As far as they are concerned, TT keeps the team in the playoffs and profitable. I think MM looks at Capers, and thinks TT doesn't give him the players to run his defense. Too many young guys and UDFAs, so MM keeps Capers around.
I think there is a very good chance that absolutely nothing changes, except for the conditioning/workout regime.
Finwiz
December 19, 2017 at 09:22 am
I'd say your chances of retirement on all 3 are way high.
You don't have any idea the level of "good old boys" club we have going on in GB, and the level of loyalty between management. They view the longevity and loyalty as a highly favorable, positive statement about the organization.
pacman
December 19, 2017 at 09:33 am
I would agree except that DC is 67 and TT is 64. They have a face saving exit by retiring.
Finwiz
December 19, 2017 at 09:57 am
I love the banner idea somebody had, to express the fans displeasure.
I would seriously contribute.
Age isn't going to make those two clowns do jack sheet.
Not with the money they're making.
Where else can a tired old scheme of a defensive coordinator, and a chief, super-scout get this kind of money, and answer to no one??
Ponder that for a moment, and reevaluate.
rdent
December 19, 2017 at 10:45 am
My only hope for the future of the GB Packers is that TT and Dom Capers have an expiration date.
TXCHEESE
December 19, 2017 at 02:11 pm
I'm all for shutting down Rodgers and any other guys with lingering injuries, but the rest need to play. Some of these guys are making hundreds of thousands per game. You can work the young guys in, but you have to play to win. You send the wrong message by sitting everyone. wouldn't mind McCarthy firing DC early and let one of the other position coaches call the defense for a the last game or two.