On to next season we go. And the off season.

Al once again a good article. Not sure if I am more sad about the Packers not playing anymore or not being able to ready you articles about the game. Ok that was sappy and was a stretch. Do not let it go to your head.

When Rodgers was traded and we were all boarding the Love train I was excited for a season of unknowns. I agree I never throught I would be boarding a roller coaster where the biggest drop was at the end of the ride. It has been a great ride and we are looking good for the near future if Love keeps getting better. If love keeps improving it will be 3 franchise QBs in a row when most teams have 3 bums in a row.

As for Carlson, I do not agree with them drafting him in the 6th round. Yes in yesterdays comment I said the 5th because I was mistaken. But we did and we have him. So Crosby's first regular season 79.5% FG. Carlson's first regular season 81.8% FG. Both of them had a 53 as the long FG. I am not comparing XP because during Crosby's first year the XP was much closer. I could look at his first year when the moved it back but he had played 7 seasons by then. So it would not be fair. Yes that was Carlson demise. He missed 5 during the regular season. If you look at their college stats they are very similar. I am not saying Carlson will be as good as Crosby but if we are going to compare Loves first season as a starter to Rodgers then we need to do the same for Carlson.

My biggest problem with the "Love Shove" is that Myers is AWFUL at power blocking.
Get a center who can run block and the shove will work. I'm really hoping for a center in the second or third round.

One of the most exciting developments for me during this season, was seeing guys who were touted as good blockers in college, prove that touting to be true: Watson, Wicks, and Kraft.

As for Carlson, it has been painful, but I really believe he will fix the extra-point issues during the off season. Secondly, his miss in the game was in pouring rain, and it barely missed. Thirdly, his lamented "short kick-offs" were clearly on purpose, and they often resulted in the opponent starting at the 20 instead of the 25. Yes, bring in a good kicker as competition, but I think Carlson will be fine.

Side note: When Rasheed Walker was drafted, he was seen as a boom-or-bust: he had ELITE long arms and huge hands, but had been inconsistent/raw. Forget the "7th round" part now, he always had the physical ability to be elite; the question was, "Will he develop the skills to play in the NFL?" I'm completely pumped that we have our next potential Pro-Bowl LT AND QB!

Yesterday I found myself checking over and over to see if Joe Barry had been fired yet. Each time I looked I got a little more bummed. You see, IMO there shouldn't EVEN be a question. Hey LaFleur, just go put in the tape of the 49ers last scoring drive. The one with little resistance, no pressure,CBs playing WAY off. The normal same ole same ole.

Carlson...I'm done talking about Andres. Bring him back next season to OTAs and TC and have some competition, REAL competition. Bring in a guy or two who could actually win the job. Hell, a veteran wouldn't even be a bad idea. The job can't be handed to him next season. Andres needs to EARN the job because he was the best kicker. Time will tell.

Let them score... I say no as well Al. Anyone who's watched the Packers defense play, watched Joe Barry coordinate, KNOWS that's just Barry's defense...PERIOD! By the way Al, I think the word "Insanity" is the perfect word. You know, the whole doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. As a 12 step member it took me a LONG time to really get that whole insanity thing. But you know what? Once I did, once I truly understood, getting and STAYING sober was much easier. You should try it Matt.

Wicks...Watching him block Bosa was one of the highlights of the game for me. I found myself more than once this season looking ahead in Wicks career and thinking, Gutey STOLE this guy in the 5th round. OMG, could you imagine if Watson could ever get those hammys figured out? WITH the two TEs? WOW, just WOW!

Jordan Love...I noticed many of the Love haters at the start of the season, those who were bashing Love when he struggled the first few weeks, got really, REALLY quiet those last 0 or 11 weeks. Not a peep out of them during Wildcard Weekend either. Then on Saturday night they were back, in full throat telling us once again "I told you so". To those...BITE ME! I mean common, how weak is that?

BTW...Love WON his first playoff game. Rodgers didn't....Things that make you go Hmmm...

I enjoyed watching this team gel and come together over the season. Really, the best part of the season and a reason to be excited about next year. But if MLF keeps Barry for next year, it is going to be tough to watch them. It will be like watching Amari Rodgers trot out for a punt return and having that thought....'ugggh we are doomed'.

I never liked the “assisted” QB sneaks by Philly, GB, Detroit, anybody. Looks more like rugby.
Totally agree on good tacklers being drafted. With the much higher level of competition PLUS the constraints of the CBA, I’d wager it’s nearly impossible for a player to IMPROVE his tackling in the NFL.
Find a way to KEEP AARON JONES.
A little cap relief and plentiful early picks in the draft: GPG.

Fred Warner - Gute had his chance-
But we don't play the 4-3-4 either.
Our defense is 28th against the Run.
11th against the pass.
For how many years now.?
I doubt a change in DCs is going to change that.
Especially with the doors still
revolving in the secondary.
And let's be positive as always
when it comes to change.
Drafting a ILB is like pulling teeth.
The Kenny Clarke help cry fell on the deaf.
But who really is the dummy behind all of this.
GMs that avoid the stats,
Or a guy who can't find a reliable solution.

On Nagler's and Herman's recent joint blog, they both felt that Barry would be back, next season. I hope they are wrong. I think any success our D had, in the latter part of the season, was because MLF inserted himself into Barry's fiefdom and forced some temporary changes. As for the ride, I loved it and am excited for what the future has in store, for this young team. Get some tacklers on the DB/LB squads, some competition for Carlson, some more receiver help(depth is good) and some more protection for Love and we will be off to the races. GO PACK, GO!!!

I think that we all knew at some point Carlson's kicking would cost the Packers a game similar to how we felt about the STs in 2021. In both cases the Packers lost winnable playoff games to the 49ers. I'm not trying to put all the blame on Carlson. I'm just saying that this is a reason to bring in competition for the 2024 TC.

I've never liked the Tush Push or the Love Shove or whatever. Either kick the FG or give the ball to Aaron Jones in that spot. Maybe if Dillon were available they would have run it with him. Either way I was disappointed with the call.

The entire 49ers game winning drive was just bad defense period! Barry needs to go IMO.
Another reason that Barry needs to go is that the defense's tackling has not improved at all since he's been the DC. Long overdue for a change.

It's still early in Love's career but I think he is going to fine. HOFer who knows? But his improvement during this season was obvious. Hopefully he won't regress in 2024. If he continues to improve next season then we'll know that he is on his way and so are the Packers. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

"2023 was a Gift" that will keep on giving!

Jordan Love substantially exceeded my expectations and appears to be the Packers starting QB for the next decade plus with the potential for greatness. The entire WR group wildly exceeded my expectations with their receiving, blocking, and depth. The TE group is a vast improvement over the TE's of the last decade and the Packers finally have TEs that are serious receiving threats. The O-line is still a work in progress but Gute appears to have found young, bookend tackles in the fourth and seventh rounds of the same draft! Now if he can just improve the IOL.

The post Aaron Rodgers offense has been rebuilt in remarkably quick fashion. I believe the defense has talent. Now if the Packers will just hire an aggressive DC!

The future looks bright!

"Draft some defensive backs that know how to tackle."
We actually have 2 who aren't afraid to tackle or hit hard and that is Valentine and Balletine (Lazer and Blazer)... They played well together, but not as well apart and paired up with Alexander... who btw most definitely IS afraid to tackle. I think as they grow and get experience, they'll be quite good. Safety is a spot we need a stud though.

"Other than a new defensive coordinator, my wish for this defense is simple: draft some defensive backs that know how to tackle."

That would work.

So would hiring a DC who coaches the skill of tackling...kind of a big deal in football. During the 3 seasons of prevent (the win) defense of Barry Ball, two constants are evident to me:

1. Losing games late in the contest after the Offense took the lead...it's not the points, it is when Barry gives them up. Saturday was another example of the "continuity" of Barry.
2. Poor tackling. Technique, leverage, angles, and physicality are all lacking.

Good observation, Al.

Regarding Anders Carlson - for me it is interesting that nobody talking about LS who had bad snaps more times than not. When you take that in equation, I wonder how many missed kicks are on Anders and how many are on bad ball placement because of bad snaps. As I can recolect, there was one really bad snap on the second FG he scored. Also, there was the rain, but not only a rain, there was gusts of wind, that were influencing a much more on longer FG. And longer the FG try is more important become placement of the ball on the ground for kicker to kick. Half of inch may make 3, 4, 5 yards to either side of the intentional point were ball is supposed to pass through side bars. At least, we can congratulate Whealan, our ball holder and punter, who manage to put the ball after all those bad snaps for kicker to kick.

Fierce Freddy - I really do not understand why Joe Barry did not do something to move that guy from influencing the game. 49ers ate playing most times 4-3 D, so additional TE might be used to occupy his attention to come to tackle or blitz.

The Love shove - they showed on TV several angles of that shove and one from left side was clearly showing the ball over 10 yards line. Only question is did referees blew their wistles before that happened.

Bad Defense or Let Them Score? - Barry called his special "preventive" D through the last (last score) possesion that has only one idea: to prevent team that applies "preventive" D to win the game.

Better Blocker - They both are "wow" blockers, but their performance is not consistant enough to decide who is better.

Slip Sliding Away - On spot. I noticed that as well.

Tackling - Honestly, I do not think that tackling those huge rings that are rolling on the practice field will improve tackling for anyone. Only right positioning and taking the right angle allows players to takle other human.

Loving Love - I'm with you on the issue. I already stated that I believe Jordan put on himself to much pressure as he did not looked calm and poised from the beginning of the game. He tried to do more than he needed. Both INT was his bad throws that was made out of calmness. I was fully on Jordan Love train from that game vs Philly, when he replaced FPQB and play much better than replaced one.

All together I agree on your observations.

Tom Pelisserio, just a few minutes ago, reported that his sources say Joe Barry has been let go from his job, as Packers DC.

Anders -
They really need to look at bringing in another kicker for competition. But I have no problem going with Carlson again. What they really need to bring in is another LS. This season a lot of Anders misses can be contributed to the process. The snap, the hold and the kick. Even in the 49ers game, somehow he made one that the kick was on the ground.
Lets not forget that Anders was a rookie this year. There are going to be ups and downs with rookies. And with players you draft and develop them. They drafted him and now they have to develop him.

Fierce Freddy -
Walker can be our Freddy. We just need him put in the right defense for one. He needs to be allowed to use his skills. He could be a great blitzing LB if given the chance. He also needs a running mate. Campbell was clearly injured and something else is going on there. So finding someone to play alongside him would be great.

The Love Shove -
Great. Doesn't make up for the fact that 49ers were lined up offsides on the play. And it wasn't called.

Bad Defense or Let Them Score? -
The final drive should be a reminder that Barry needs to go.

Better Blocker -
Wicks blocking on Bosa was impressive. I can't wait to see this rookie class next year and see how they develop.

Slip Sliding Away -
Whoever is in charge of shoes does a fantastic job. They hardly ever slip in the worst of conditions. You see other teams slipping all the time.

Tackling -
We need some safety's that don't throw shoulders into guys to tackle. Whatever happened to wrapping up?

Loving Love -
We had players telling us that last year how good Love was. I remember Campbell saying he was already then a top 15 QB in the league.

Per Tom Pelissero -

A change in GB: Joe Barry will not return as the Packers DC per sources.

Joe Barry has been FIRED!!!!

YES!!!!!!!

Well, well, I just read the Barry has been released. I can finally stop complaining about him and look forward to a new D-Coord; I’m hoping it’s Leonard.
I’m hopeful we keep Jones. I’m also hopeful Van Ness can become what Hutchinson is in Detroit…what I originally expected he would become.
If I was allowed to sign a free agent, it would be Buddha Baker.
I read Bahk wants to return, I have mixed emotions, but I think I would release him and save 21 mil.
I predicted the 9rs would be lucky to escape with a win—and they were.
Go Packers!!!

I just saw on another Packer website that Joe Barry has been fired. I then, immediately went to this site and no mention of it yet so this is new news.

Ding Dong, the witch is dead! The next step to our next Lombardi trophy!
Step into my office, you're fucking fired!

Barry is gone!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, the season was a gift. The football future in Green Bay is so bright the "welcome back to the 80s" CHTV crowd is silent and the dumpster fire has somehow been extinguished. That's another gift in my book.

I'll take the positive comments from Favre and Young hoping they came from lucid moments because both men are sadly showing signs of CTE. What an awful price to pay fame and fortune.

It was exciting to watch this young team begin to gel in the second half of the season. I would like to get to a point where I could enjoy watching a football game again. It's a struggle, and so frustrating to see how the game is marketed to and produced for viewers. It's reality TV in every aspect. The pervasive sports betting content is sickening and that relationship will only further solidify. I love the Green Bay Packers. I'm not certain I can continue to be an NFL fan.

It was good to experience this season with most of you. Thanks to CHTV for the forum and content.

Was going to make this comment no matter what the decision was on Barry - - This leadership has earned my trust that they'll make the best decision for the team. I'm glad to see we'll be getting a new DC, that's what I was hoping for.

Perry made a great point on a recent comment with Andy Herman. An additional benefit of the huge outperformance of this team this year is that it makes this DC position a lot more attractive today than it would be had this team had a true rebuilding year and faced uncertainty in the future. So the great work by MLF, Love and this young offense has inadvertently given the defense a great opportunity to right the ship and finally be competitive.

Super excited to see where we go with this decision.

Packers news gets better every day. Rip JB

Just a couple of comments...the defense against SF was worst then you know. Their 2nd best playmaker didn't play and Purdy missed a lot of easy throws (was pressured on some) where his receivers were wide open.
I don't think Gary and Alexander are/were playing at close to 100% I think both will be quite a bit better as long as they don't get major injuries.
Barry being replaced by a proven capable DC will make a huge difference. Hoping for a Wink here...
Kicking competition will be great for young Carlson.
Lastly, the Packers need another RB and two oline guys that when they come into the game, the level of performance doesn't drop. Hopefully a guard and tackle.
JMHO

Barry Fired.. and thanks Al for the article.. I'm buying it all!!!

Any predictions on our next DC?

Draft Blake Corum if avail in the 3rd/4th round.

One heartache after the next...is there a professional sports franchise in existence today that has wasted more opportunities than the Packers this century because they couldn't get it done when it matters? (channel Braverheart stone throwing scene). Perhaps the kids should watch that scene before the next gut punch comes knocking. I can't say we'd necessarily have more Lombardi trophies, but damn if we shouldn't be just beneath the Patriots in appearances.

NE 11
DAL 8
PIT 8
DEN 8
SF 7
GB 5

Another sign Matt is maturing as a HC...or the Football Committee voted 3-1 to move on from Barry Ball...or a combination of the 2.

I am hoping, due to the quick decision, Matt admitted to himself he made a mistake retaining his buddy and faced the cold reality of what needed to done.

It has been done! Let it be written.

Joe gets to depart with his 2024 annual salary in his wallet. Nice parting gift for the man...who seems like a fine fellow. Just not a good DC.

They didn't deliberately allow that score Al, the secondary tackle like penguins. Owens did it in the above example and Savage in the other McCaffrey TD.

Since Jaire blew his shoulder 2 seasons ago whilst attempting to lay the proverbial wood. When faced with a front-on tackle, the strategy of the Packers secondary has now been to attempt to chop block. That's predominantly a coaching problem.

Hire someone from the Baltimore defensive coaching tree and teach these guys better angles and better tackling technique.