Totally agree with you

I heard a national radio host this week say, “It’s the job of every NFL fan to be unhappy.” It really hit home. Is there a single fanbase that is completely happy and satisfied? There’s inconsistency all over the league, especially this year. Why? Danged if I know. Parity? Lack of practice time due to CBA? Injuries? Coaching? Salary cap hell?

Be that as it may, a fan can either get a lifetime ticket for the Worry Bus, or they can hold on loosely (but don’t let go) and enjoy the ride. Personally, I choose the second option.
GPG!

Certain players seem to hit the doghouse for no reason related to performance- Valentine, Rhyan. Others seem to become favorites for no performance reason- Hobbs, Morgan. Is it as simple as coaching bias? Draft status? It's a thing for sure. Just think back to Kevin King, Myers and Savage. Not throwing to their best receivers more consistently smells like an organizational direction to keep stats down and thus reduce the cost of resigning players, especially the receivers. No more Davonte's here. LeFleur is and always has been more fascinated with being original and outside the box than he is with running plays that just work. You get the good with the bad. His game management woes continue due to his stubborn personality and the old fashioned notion of 'feeling it' when it comes to game flow. He allows his emotions to make decisions and anyone trained in leadership techniques knows that is not a good thing. In the insular world of pro football I bet he never has really gotten that kind of training. Hopefully he will eventually "learn the hard way" and show improvement. If you remember back to Andy Reed's early years he had the same issues, but he learned. All in all we have more good than bad. Some self scouting and some real effort at getting better could put us over the top. Are we capable of getting out of our own way? We'll see. GPG!

"Lumpy" is my go-to term for the Packers offense when they're misfiring.

And speaking of lumpy, when you find that guy who's responsible for Hobbs, I got a pillowcase full of soap bars with his name on it.

The 'disjointedness' is what currently separates the Packers from the Lions. I get the sense the Lions, from the top-down are in alignment with their mission and expectations. MLF and Gute operate in a more self-indulgent 'rogue' manner which, IMO, creates a bumpy, disjointed product. Don't feel that there is a guiding hand over-seeing these two.

For example MLF has been allowed to neglect 2/3 of his team, eschew personnel mgmt, continue his often questionable play calls, in-game head-scratchers and proceed unabated year after year.

Gute has had numerous roster miscues with little push-back.

Al brought back some memories. When I was a youngster, my grandmother came to live with us when she could no longer be trusted to take care of herself. The family was given boxes of chocolates during one of the holidays. When I came home from school one day, I thought I'd sneak a piece or two. Opened the boxes and a corner was bit off every piece in every box. Being the youngest and due to past history, I was the one given the blame. Finally, after I had suffered much ridicule from all my older siblings and faced punishment from my parents, my grandma pipes up and said she did that for us, so we'd know what flavors they were.

I think the disjointed O is a plan from a well-established head coach who's started learning to plan for the later games and playoffs. Just do enough to win while not looking and showing your best so there will always be questions and surprises for the teams down the road. I know! I'm grasping at straws, but it sounds like the only explanation for an offense that's in its third season under Love.

Maybe they're just working out Hobbs because he's missed so much time, and want him to become a better backup? Otherwise, was Valentine dinged or being punished?

My first thought, was why keep going
to Romeo Doubs?
And throwing to him deep was crazy.
I get that Love wants his friend resigned.
But the offense wasn't moving the chains.
If this continues to make him are #1 WR.
The approach will never be successful..

There is a big advantage to "going for it" on 4th down in the regular season- that is the idea of getting used to extreme pressure. If you go for it and get used to the pressure now, in the playoffs when the pressure is really amped up you are ready for it. The aggressive mentality also makes 3rd down different. The defense is worried about those short passes more on 3rd down, leaving the longer ones a little more open.

I like the idea we are developing a championship team, more than we are playing it safe in the regular season to hang on to a possible win.

Our offense has been disjointed in every game except perhaps the Dallas one. However, with hindsight, that looks to say as much about that defense as anything. Yet Jacobs is playing well, so is Love as well as Doubs and Kraft with Golden emerging. So if it’s not the timbers it must be the helmsman. The reality is that LaFleur is perennially cited as an offensive genius but where is the evidence? He is the problem far more often than the savior in my eyes. When did we last feel LaFleur was the reason we won a game?

To your point about crossers, that may have been influenced by Baker, but since the middle of last season the slot role has seen heavily diminished use of slants and other cross field plays. That was a big factor in Reed’s drop off. Aditionally, while deep crossers are also where Watson shines, they have always appeared frustratingly rarely despite significant success when they do.

Whether Baker was a contributing factor on Sunday, this appears to be more due to LaFleur’s offensive design and calling than anything since it’s a long term phenomenon while being one that seemingly runs counter to our receivers’ talents. On a number of occasions in Sunday we were running plays with no short option route even when one would moved the chains. That’s not Love, that’s play design and a window into the philosophy.

One can focus on appearances, in vague descriptions...and well, it sounds like a reason; lumpy, inconsistent, playing scared. Its not that this article isn't true, its that this kind of truth is unhelpful unless there is specific diagnosis. We say someone seems sick, and not firing on all cylinders, or go get a test and fix it. The CBs have been exposed since game 2 of the season....and the defense will continue to regress if that isn't fixed. Lumpy, scared, whatever.....it is the reason the talent invested on the Dline and LBers...are negated. About any price right now to acquire a CB in a trade is a worthy investment....to not waste the Parsons investment. That's what I got tah say....
Offense will figure it out, the talent is there... the majority of that is JLove and scheming around his strengths and weaknesses (vision). With Jacobs there, the pieces are there including Watson and Golden. There are a lot of rookie TE and WR emerging around the league this year that should put to rest this idea of "easing' rookies in. GIve Golden the look first on a planned target. Geez Matt.

I too have questioned the continued use of our WR’s on the perimeter—no slants- crossing routes. I don’t believe it’s Love—must be LaFluer?
Colin Cowerd made comments about the Packers similar to Al. We play with our food; feeling empty when we leave the table.
We are going to improve—right??
Go Packers!!!

Do the Packers still script the first few series of plays on offense? LaFleur's internal dialog must really be a cacophony of confusion. We don't see the illusion of complexity because he's playing Whack-A-Mole between his ears.

It's been an unpredictable season for all the best teams this year so far. I look for our young players to continue to improve, but I don't have confidence in Matt to lead this group. Since both Doug in Sandpoint and Rasheed Walker have been proven wrong in their 17-0 predictions, I'll just look forward to a win Sunday night. GPG

CW—I ask the same question—“offensive genius”—where is he?

"Any given Sunday".

I was a Packers fan beginning in 1961. For that decade I thought the Packers were going to win every game and most of the they did. I lived through the nightmare of the 70's & 80's, even once cheering for the Denver Broncos at Lambeau. It got that bad. Many of you have come on board since the 90's when we had two Hall of Fame QB's playing back-to-back.
The whining around here sometimes gets to be a bit much. The parity of the NFL means on 'any given Sunday' a team can rise up an knock off a contender. Look at the Bills. Are they awful or has the NFL caught up to them? etc. etc. How about the Ravens?
Where Green Bay is right now is not a bad place. You don't win on style points, you win by scoring more points than the other team, that's it. 3-0 is a win just like 50-0.

If the Packers lose to the Steelers and His Darkness it's not the end of the world. You only need to look at what's happening in Madison to the Badgers football program to see what truly is the end of the world for that program. That level of unease is not in Green Bay.

The offense definitely has not been playing clean football. They have the ability too, they just haven't yet. To me the biggest thing the offense needs to do is to start targeting their top players more. That means Golden, Kraft, Doubs, and when Watson comes back him as well. I get spreading the ball around, but you have to put the ball in your playmakers hands and let them make plays.

The defense has been more concerning for me. They have not played the same way that they started the season. Whether that means teams are figuring them out, or what it is I have no idea. Before this game they had mostly not allowed a lot of big plays down the field. And then on 3rd downs they allowed big plays multiple times. Hopefully Wyatt comes back because since he has been out the defense has struggled. Hopefully getting him back will help!

Coaches and scouts will tell you that you play like you practice. Well, I wrote a few weeks ago that Mason Cosby said MLF doesn't employ a stringent regiment week to week. His comments to me seemed like a helter skelter or I have heard the term fart in a frying pan as a way to approach the next game. If I wanted to look at improving the Pack's game performance that is where I would look.
JMHO

I don't blame Hafley. We have known the Cornerback Room was depleted for some time. He is not in charge of personnel acquisition. Was it his choice to move on from Slaton? Wyatt, though his is talented has a history of missing many games due to injuries. What was the realistic plan to replace him during his absences?

I am hoping that our "Good team" shows up in Pittsburgh. We know that AR holds the ball and all we need to do is cover a couple of his go to guys and we should be able to get to him. Beating AR in Pittsburgh and by a lot ( given their week D) should be our focus.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Yes - this isn't the stunningly amazing team that most of us thought or hoped for (thus far). But what other team has been? While the aesthetics say one thing - the standings say another. The Packers are still positioned as a top tier SB contestant - with much of the season remaining for continued development and improvement. So I'm more pleased - than not - with the Packers season to date.

I guess everybody is a coach except the coaches. Risible! I am one too!

For Al, Some "box of chocolate" knowledge for you (from "The Straight Dope" by Cecil Adams):

"Here’s a list of selected candies comparing the old codes with those of two present-day firms, Chicago-based Fannie May and Massachusetts-based Fanny Farmer. (And no, I am not going to speculate on why candy makers tend to be named Fanny. I’ve got enough problems already.)

(UC = universal code; FM = Fannie May; FF = Fanny Farmer)

Vanilla cream — UC, round with “V” on top; FM, round with straight line; FF, round with single “arrow”

Chocolate cream — UC, round with open “C” on top; FM, round with 2 curved lines (light inside); FF, round with 2 straight lines (dark inside)

Cherry cordial — UC, round with closed “C”; FM, round with circular hieroglyphic; FF, round with closed “C”

Vanilla caramel — UC, square with “V” on top; FM, square with straight line; FF, square with V-like zigzags

Peppermint — UC, round, flat, unmarked; FM, round, flat, wavy stripes; FF, discontinued

Nougat — UC, rectangle, straight line; FM, rectangle, straight line; FF, rectangle, 1 or 2 straight lines

Orange cream — UC, round with “O” on top; FM, oval, slanted “Hostess cupcake” swirls; FF, oval with narrow zigzags

Shredded coconut — UC, not listed; FM, round, wide zigzags; FF, round, lumpy, one arrow

Marshmallow — UC, not listed; FM, square with 2 or 4 “peaks”; FF, round with random peak pattern

Cecil advises keeping this list with you always, so you can be prepared next time the ticklish task of candy picking presents itself. (Some candy makers also supply their own lists.) If that isn’t practical, you might try memorizing the ones you find particularly loathsome (e.g., the dread coconut), the better to dodge them in the future. So many chocobits, so little time — no use getting stuck with ones you don’t like." Cecil Adams

Al -I could not have said it better myself. The inconsistency with this Packers team can be maddening. Fortunately they have only lost one game. However if the OL doesn't improve and secondary continues as it has been playing we could be in for a long remainder of the season. The Steelers are the right challenge for this team at this point in the season and how this game goes could be a barometer to measure the rest of the season against. The Steeelers head coach and the QB are among the best in the league at their respective roles. The Packers must keep Rodgers on the sidelines which is dependent on execution and mitigation of penalties by the OL. The Packers defense must get off the field on 3rd down or we are in for a long Sunday evening. GPG! Thanks, Since '61

Another week, another fine display of critical mass Curd Nation waking up to sobering, frustrating reality.

⏰ticking for Gute & MLF; I have a broom for Mr. Policy when he's ready. Secretly immersed in succession planning, he's on the lookout for greatness, because that's what this stoic franchise is meant to represent. The standard of mediocrity will no longer be accepted after this season--kicked in the ass & out the door.

Pat Kerwan said on NFL radio the Packers only beat 1 team with a winning record, so he does not consider the Packers elite until they string together some solid wins with the offense and defense performing well, the Steelers will be a good test.

Its not you your not alone in this feeling. My one constant that I harp on over and over is the achiles heel of this team, that if other teams exploited it more, we would not be 4-1-1 is the pass D. Cinci didnt exploit it until the second half, to late to come from behind.
This is the worst pass d in the NFL and the thing that will break the hearts of fans going forward as I still beleive this team is in for a 4 or 5 game losing streak that takes them out of the play off picture.
I cant name one person on the pass d that looks like they have a clue what to do.
Hafwit as I call him because he came here will zero defensive coaching looks clueless to solve the problem. IF I'm wrong this team is getting off the field with three and outs galore. I rest my case.

On paper, the Steelers are going to be a tough out. As balanced a team as any the Packers have played.

So...under LaFleur...have the Packers tended to play up or down to match the talent of the opponent? Well, the first two games this season they did. Lions look to be legit again. And the Washington Football Team may still be and were in game 2 (but their defense has been terrible two weeks in a row).

The Browns, cowboys, Bengals and Cardinals were viewed as weaker teams and the Packer played weak complementary football. All 4 games saw discipline problems (penalties!) and individual position breakdowns at different times.

The status quo, easy going LaFleur tends to up his game facing a perceived strong opponent. And if Hafley doesn't unleash hell I will be surprised.

This game feels like it will depend (AGAIN!) on the OL being consistent in pass and rush and STs simply being average...and LaFleur feeling like the Packers are viewed as the underdog.

You bring up good points Al, but this is what drives me crazy about MLF. On that late 4th down conversion, the Packers had 3rd and 1 and he takes out Jacobs? WTF? And puts in Brooks? And has him run an off tackle left? And loses a yard. I could not believe it. You take out your best RB and give it to your 3rd string back? I cant understand that thinking. You know Jacobs could pound out a yard. The Packers won DESPITE the play calling.

Late to the party. I usually try to catch Al's posts early.

Besides my multi year displeasure with MLF, I'm getting a bit frustrated with Nagler's complaint about fans who can't be happy with this win. I often listen to the game with this watch party playing a little louder than the network callers (if the delay is not too long). And Nagler was all over the Packers for bad play calls and keeping Hobbes in there. So fine, we get the win but we didn't win the SB so it's all about next week and what will MLF do. Winning while playing so inconsistent does not leave me feeling good about the Packers.

Back to MLF - he says after the game that he expects Hobbes to turn it around. That goes to the heart of the problem. If he is not playing well all game, get someone else in there. If your DC is bad (ie. Barry) and everyone knows it, get rid of him sooner. If your special teams coach makes mistakes worse than a high school coach and every knows it is going to come back and haunt you in the playoffs, I don't want to hear that we can't make a change mid season. I'm not a big JL fan (yet?) but they keep posting stats about he is pretty even with Rodgers. So why is it a question on 4th and 2. MLF doesn't seem to have that gut feel that lets him know when to stop being conservative and patient and to go for it.

I'll be very happy if MLF can come up with one of his rare game plans against the Steelers where we can say we out-coached a team. And that Hafley finds the magic of the first 2 games. Though I'm already starting to have nightmares of Rodgers carving us up (like he never did while he was a Packer).

Against the Steelers, I'll take a win any way we get it!

GPG!