Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - We'll Always Have Dallas

The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.

Ah Yes, Dallas - Well, we had one good week anyway. One game where the Packers found what could be a successful identity on offense. So of course, they completely abandoned it against the Titans in a critical season-deciding game - a game they could have, and maybe should have won. Instead, they reverted back to McCarthy/Rodgers ball. Unfortunately, they don't have a young and spry Aaron Rodgers and a WR group with the likes of a Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, or Davante Adams among them. Honestly, I hated when the "go and get open" offense became the favored scheme during the last part of McCarthy's tenure - a big reason why I was not the most fervent MM supporter, despite the early Super Bowl win. While I never called for MM's firing (I was cognizant of his many other pawsitives), I didn't shed any tears when the Packers sent him home. I find it beyond ironic that it was with McCarthy back in the house that we saw the return of some semblance of the LaFleur offense. But why was it a one-day deal, especially when the Packers snapped their losing streak with that more varied offensive approach?  Because there are two chefs in the kitchen. The sous chef is strong-willed and opinionated on what the recipe should be. Fearing pissing off the sous chef and losing him, the head chef gives in more than he should. Let LaFleur cook.

It's Maddening: Ben Fennel asks what I have been asking for most of the season:

 

 

But they Don't have any WRs! - Um, no. It's not the WR room, it's how they're being used. We saw firsthand in several of the Packers' losses how teams led by a below-average QB and possessing a middling and sometime injury-ravaged, practice squad level WR group can find ways to be successful and score points. If they can do it, the Packers certainly should be able to.

Situational Football - 5:26 left in the fourth quarter, Packers on the Titans 37, 4th and seven. They're one first down from field goal range and making it a one-score game. All you want here is to MAKE THE FIRST DOWN. Rodgers has several options to just get the first down and give the Packers a real chance to come back in this game. Instead, he throws up a prayer to a receiver that is blanketed and not at all expecting to be a target. I lose my mind when Rodgers does this stuff instead of just doing the easy thing to keep your team in the game. It's inexcusable.

 

As for the defense... - Just a huge disappointment - Adding Reed, bringing back Campbell and Douglas, Jaire returning from an injury-lost season, and two first-round draft picks spent on defense. Plenty was done to improve a defense that showed signs of competence the previous season. Could this be the softest defense in the NFL? I'm talking soft in scheme AND soft in attitude. The cornerbacks playing off in 3rd and short and allowing easy completions and first down conversions? Shoot that into the next galaxy. And the fact they're still doing it in week 11 with the season on the line? That's a fire-able coaching offense. The miscommunication in the secondary is ever-present. Simple two-man WR routes with two DBs in coverage and both DBs go to the same WR leaving the other wide open? You haven't been able to fix this eleven games in? That's a fire-able coaching offense. Insisting on playing Rasul Douglas in the slot where he just doesn't belong? That's a fire-able coaching offense. Young players in the secondary all regressing instead of improving? Did their skills and athletic ability suddenly dissipate or are they getting bad coaching?  I suppose you can see where I'm going with this.

Finally, Special Teams - The egregious madness of throwing Amari Rodgers out there week after week to fumble or muff punts stands out. It's the big ugly mole on the face of special teams. (moley, moley, moley...). If you put that aside, Bisaccia has done his job and improved the special teams. The punt coverage and kickoff coverage units have been solid, with very few long returns, a BIG change from the previous two seasons. Pat O'Donnell is 10th in the league in net punting yards. The field goal unit has had a few blips, with an inexperienced snapper and 80-year-old Mason Crosby, but overall, acceptable. Crosby has only 14 attempts (which says a lot about the offense), with one kick blocked. 

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

__________________________

10 points
 

Comments (85)

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

November 23, 2022 at 06:31 am

Happy Thanksgiving everyone (a tad early). I appreciate all of your passions regarding the Green n Gold.

Better days ahead for sure. And more importantly, I hope you all are doing okay to really, really good in your personal lives...

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bjkdad44's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:05 pm

Better days… five years from now… MAYBE!

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pantz_bURp's picture

November 23, 2022 at 05:29 pm

If the Gods are on our side daddy44! :)

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stockholder's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:51 am

Ah yes- Dallas. - The packers never lost command of the game. Like they did with the Titans.
It’s Maddening- Not really. That was Adams Route. Or should I say Jordy Nelsons.
Take the hint. The Sous chef knows a #1 Wr would have been open.
Wrs- Why are we bringing in Allison? Why is the Packer #1 projected to be a WR. USED ??
Situational Football- Inexcusable. There have been too many Inexcusable calls on a 4th and 1.
Jones instead of Dillion. Run The problematic right side, instead of the left. And with Rodgers broken thumb.
Why pass?
The defense gave them the short stuff. And the Titans took it.
STs.- Amari Rodgers, That was on Gutey. Not Bisaccia.

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Oppy's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:37 am

The sous chef plays hero ball instead of winning ball when the chips are down.

The sous chef is the guy who chucks it down field, not the play caller.

How many all 22 screen shots of Rodgers throwing incomplete deep bombs downfield while there's open targets underneath that would net a first down do we need to see before people understand the concept and reality of HERO BALL?

Take the hint. It's the QB.

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stockholder's picture

November 23, 2022 at 11:34 am

Thats on the coach. He has every right to bench him. Even chew him out.

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Oppy's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:17 pm

LaFleur probably doesn't want to hear you whining about it if he did.

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packer132's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:31 pm

You got that right, Oppy: Instead of getting a 1st down to keep the drive going, Rodgers throws a bomb into double coverage which hits the turf again. Its boring to him to run the ball and not get to throw, so thats what he does. He thinks he knows more than anyone yet the team sits at 4-7. Results won't change until #12 is on another team. He gave us great years but the king must go after the season.

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bjkdad44's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:07 pm

Allison? What have I missed?

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T7Steve's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:57 am

Wish we'd get confessions from the polluted locker room.

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jlc1's picture

November 23, 2022 at 03:41 pm

This is a very important question. The effort level, very, um, low energy, sure seems to speak to a locker room with no leadership, starting with the coaches. Yes, let's hear what the players are saying to each other. Better yet if there is a leader or two in there have them call a players only meeting.

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T7Steve's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:57 am

again

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Houndog's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:01 am

Great article Al, and right on point, the Packers have been out-coached all season. The comparison to the chefs was spot-on, but I see at least a part of that falling on management as well as MLF. It was Murphy and crew that put MLF and Rodgers together on the telephone PRIOR to the hire. It was Murphy and crew that threw huge money at Rodgers to keep him here last spring.
Of course LaFleur wants him there, he'd be a fool not to, he's ridden that arm to 3 consecutive 13 win seasons, but now it's his reputation on the line as well, and he needs to grow a pair. It's broken, and it's time to fix it, or lose your job. Like your article states, there's more than enough fire-able offenses here to go around. Murphy's name should top that list.
LaFleur (supposedly) learned under Kyle Shanahan, and as a Packer fan living in 49er territory I can tell you there is no comparison in these two offenses, so who's offense are they running? MLF's, or Rodgers? And, who's in charge, MLF, Rodgers, or Murphy? Likely the latter, the "I'm In Charge Guy" and the biggest problem.
The only part of your writings I don't quite get is the jab at Crosby. Yeah, he's up in years, but has been a great Packer, won us a lot of games, and has been at least reliable this year. After last year's mess I've watched him closely this year, and a large share of his points have been dead-center between the uprights. Sure, he no longer has a 22 or 25 y/o leg, but those guys haven't had the clutch, crunch-time experience Crosby has, a luxury that could possibly have no value in this 'lost' season. So..........
Great article Al, as always!

3 points
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barutanseijin's picture

November 23, 2022 at 05:44 pm

That blocked kick was due to the super low trajectory that Crosby takes to compensate for his lack of power. I doubt that he could hit a 50+ attempt. And his kickoffs are pathetically short. He is done. Time for a new kicker.

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NickPerry's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:23 am

Once again Jersey Al TOTALLY nails it. This has long been one of my favorite weekly pieces, and once again Al has managed to sum up this ENTIRE Packers season with this one piece.

This IS maddening, they play HORRIBLE situational football and never needed other WRs when Adams was out (7-0) ah, remember that? Furthermore they have NO defense because they hired a previous 2 time loser as a Defensive Coordinator. Now I know I had HUGE expectations for this defense this year because on paper they ARE a very talented group. But when your "Sous Chef" has no testicles, and your "Head Chef" learned his trade at White Castle Hamburgers, you get those little square things not fitting in the round holes.

Last Thing... I haven't listened to it yet but I read on Yardbarker where Rodgers all but said he's been playing with a broken thumb. Now I have no idea if this is true, but what I do know is the SECOND this team is eliminated (Sunday Night and I don't give a shit about mathematics) I want to see Jordan Love.

Put Rodgers on IR and let MLF run HIS scheme while devising a game plan FOR Jordan Love. Lets see once and for all exactly what this kid has over an extended time.

10 points
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Since'61's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:22 am

Good post Nick. If in fact Rodgers has been playing with a broken thumb then the Packers coaching and medical staff have been negligent. Why would they allow Rodgers to play with a broken thumb on his throwing hand??

All they have done is hurt the team. The Packers medical staff has been notoriously conservative and yet they are allowing their best and highest paid player to play with a broken thumb. If it was on his left hand that's one thing but one his throwing hand there is no excuse for it.

I would think that they are in violation of the league rules which cover injury reporting. Besides the injury implications what does this say about Love? Why haven't they sat Rodgers for at least a few games so Rodgers thumb could heal. I hope it's not true that Rodgers thumb is broken. If it is then we have further proof that our coaching staff is incompetent. Thanks, Since '61

4 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:53 am

They have precedent, letting Favre throw games via picks and whiffs during the 1999 season. Another case of ego massage to keep the "ironman" myth intact. In this case Tarnishing the Brand.

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Since'61's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:10 pm

That’s true Johannes. However, the league has changed the injury reporting rules since Favre played with his broken thumb back in 1999. Also I doubt that the usually very conservative Packer medical staff would allow Rodgers to play with a broken thumb.

Whatever the case if the Packers had given Rodgers a week or two off the injury could have been healed by now.
Thanks, Since ‘61

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:29 pm

Yes, he should have been given R&R. This points to another questionable management decision by LaFleur in forgoing the Bye, post Londongrad. He essentially created two short week scenarios. A good percentage of the offense is sitting out weekly practices, nursing injuries. There is very little cohesiveness in line play, timing and urgency.

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jlc1's picture

November 23, 2022 at 03:43 pm

Maybe. On the other hand MLF teams with byes, regular season and postseason, don't win games. So based on his record no byes would be best.

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Guam's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:59 am

Do you really believe that the notoriously conservative Packer medical staff has actually allowed Rodgers to play with a broken thumb? That would be so totally out of character that it seems near impossible.

The alternative is that QB1 is trying to excuse his bad performances this year by inferring a broken thumb that in fact is not broken. A little bit like "I've been immunized" but not really vaccinated.

You can believe who you want to, but I think I know which option I trust more.........

3 points
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croatpackfan's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:33 am

I'm with you Guam. To many excuses for underperforming of, as eloquently put by Al, Sous Chief. That sous chief is, basically Head Chief by his behavior, not subordinate one...

I, also, do not agree that he has broken thumb. He wouldn't be able to even throw the ball, well, except if he drunk his ayahuasca tea before every game. I can believe his thumb is injured, but not broken bone injured!

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 23, 2022 at 12:32 pm

Let’s define broken. Technically a hairline fracture is a break and the answer to that is typically to suck it up and live through it. You can, and I have, played through that without much risk. Whether you can play QB effectively is another question, but some context is necessary, even if it is true.

Al, Great piece but I depart over LaFleur. He’s no leader, motivator or tactician. I have no desire to see him back after this season, whether Rodgers goes or not. He’s been shown to be deficient in all one asks if a Head Coach. Not all of it is down to Rodgers and what is is due to LaFleur not being the leader. A terrible hire by Mark Murphy. He (they) both need to go before things get better meaningfully.

4 points
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wildbill's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:09 pm

Nice to throw some actual facts in Cold but the hens are already clucking now so no stopping them. I totally agree with you on MLF.

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dobber's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:53 am

There are $50M reasons why they're going to ride 12 as long as he can suit up.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 23, 2022 at 12:52 pm

The worst value is to keep using something you’ve bought even though it’s actually preventing you from moving on. Terrible decisions get worse if you persist in pretending otherwise.

5 points
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NickPerry's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:08 pm

I did listen to it this morning and what he said when McAfee was asking him about the thumb, it it broken was this. He said he has broken bones before which sort of made it sound like yes, he's been playing with a broken thumb without actually saying it's broken. He then went on to mention the thumbs not an excuse and blah, blah, blah.

IF Love isn't playing once eliminated then either they KNOW Jordan Love really sucks or MLF is a bigger whimp than I EVER could have imagined.

2 points
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Bitternotsour's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:48 pm

You need a more expansive imagination. MLF is a huge pussy. Rodgers owns MLF. He has his testicles buried in his back yard. If Matt is compliant enough he gets to go over and visit them occasionally.

2 points
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wildbill's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:11 pm

Love=Kizer 2.0. They would have never thrown 150 million at Rodgers if Love was anything close to being a starting NFL QB.
Nuff Said…

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bjkdad44's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:12 pm

Great commentary… as usual Since ‘61…. But the number one reason for this shit show is lack of good precision coaching… imho!!!

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:15 pm

You cannot allow guys like Savage to stay on the field, or Watkins. You are correct to critique the lack of urgency.

3 points
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Since'61's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:30 pm

There is no question about the lack of good coaching. The coaching staff has been a mess this season.
Thanks, Since '61

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dobber's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:51 am

"I haven't listened to it yet but I read on Yardbarker where Rodgers all but said he's been playing with a broken thumb. "

So, at first, it wasn't a big deal and he'd be able to play through it. NOW--after losing 5 of 6--it's broken? Yeah...whatever.

5 points
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Leatherhead's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:40 pm

I share dobber’s cynicism. Obviously, the hand hasn’t been right during this losing streak. The thumb is broken. He should sit.

This “confession “ accomplishes two thing: It paves the way for Love, and it might convince another team to trade for him if his thumb is healed. Without this, it’s hard for the franchise to bench him and he’s not playing in a way that would create a lot of interest in him for a trade.

Rodgers, as with the Chinavirus, answers questions in a way that aren’t truth or lies. Examples: “Is your Thumb broken?”

“Well , I’ve had worse injuries. It’s not like in 2018 with my leg, and it’s not as bad as when I broke my finger in college”

That’s not a yes, and it’s not a no. He’s good at that. You have to pay attention, but this is a pretty deceptive guy, on and off the field.

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wildbill's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:13 pm

Deceptive? Or playing all you drama queens like a fiddle, lol

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barutanseijin's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:34 pm

I tend to agree with your takes LH, but that’s a racist name for the Covid virus. Unnecessary.

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Handsback's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:29 am

For the Packers to win, they had to change their offense. They have shown glimpses of what it could be, but thats all.
The defense with better players this year has taken a step back from last year. The coaches have stayed the same on defense so what happened? Did they change philosophy or are key guys playing worst? I don't know. This is when a young HC needs to make decisions on fixing the problems rather then take the safe route of political adjustments that are done for short term gains. Like patching a roof verses replacing it because its quicker and cheaper.
Don't know if this makes sense, too early in the morning, but hopefully it will ring true to some.
Thanks Al for all you do.

3 points
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Fubared's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:32 am

Happy Thanks-Giving to all the packers fans on this board. Its been a tough year.
Great article a usual Al. One other thing about MM that drove me nuts and something I dont like, HC calling plays. He got so caught up in it he missed red flap ops and managing the clock. Never had time outs left at the end of games.

Looking forward to another Lions game tomorrow. Being Orig from Detroit my father had season tickets and we would go to the games on TG, the head for home after wards and the entire family would show up for dinner.
The games were at Briggs Stadium, and out door facility. I remember as a little boy freezing my arse off at the games. Thing is they had a pretty good team back then, won the equivalent of the super bowl in either 57 or 59 not sure. I was at that game and the Lions did a beat down of the Browns even with the great Jim Brown at running bacak.

I say savor your moments pack fans, its been more then 50 years now since the team was a winning team. All the things Al mentioned happened to the Lions during that time - coaching, defense, QB's
If they had one of those things they missed the other two.

4 points
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Razer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:01 am

...One other thing about MM that drove me nuts and something I dont like, HC calling plays...

Totally agree. In this day of media and promotion, a HC playcaller is a poor choice. HC needs to coach the coaches and oversee the team/game. The Packers already saw this diluted/confused scenario play out under MM then went and did it again. Talk about ignoring experience.

4 points
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Since'61's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:55 pm

Fubared - the Lions defeated the Browns in the 1957 NFL Championship.
The Colts won the NFL title in 1958 and '59.

The Lions had a good team back then, Bobby Layne QB, Joe Schmidt MLB and Dick "Night Train" Lane at Safety.

Enjoy the game tomorrow. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
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Lphill's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:43 am

Mason Crosby has seen better days, who here wouldn't take Jamaal Williams over AJ Dillon?

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mrtundra's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:19 am

I think Dillon should have been in the backfield, taking the snap from Rodgers, on that goal line play where Aaron Jones got stuffed. Was Dillon injured? Why wasn't he in there? Jamaal was a great Packer. I miss him, as well. I would not trade Dillon for him, however. If Jones is gone, next year, as many say he will be, the tandem of Dillon and Williams would be intriguing, for the Packers. Never gonna happen, though.

2 points
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HarryHodag's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:47 am

Me for one. Williams left via free agency. Dillon has been misused in this offense. If you recall, there were NO complaints about Dillon last year. Why? Because Hackett used him as a SECOND feature back instead of trying to use him as a fullback for Aaron Jones.
I'm glad Williams has found his game but to put down Dillon is simply wrong.

7 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:57 am

Deguara should be the lead dog for both Jones and Dillon. A.J. is a downhill back.

0 points
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Razer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:07 am

In a non CAP league, I would take Williams over Dillon every day. Williams will take the hit and fight for the yards long after Dillon is on the ground. Jones is the same kind of runner who inspires because he just doesn't go down easy. Dillon for all his size rarely stays on his feet after first contact. Absolutely not the guy you want on the goal line. Sorry but he was way over drafted.

-3 points
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barutanseijin's picture

November 23, 2022 at 05:54 pm

Indeed. He looks better than he runs. Everyone is mesmerized by his quads.

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bjkdad44's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:17 pm

Use him correctly… another coaching problem!

3 points
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MemphoMike's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:48 am

Always an enjoyable read! I have to agree with the previous posts on questioning MLF. My particular concern is his lack of authority over his team. I want MLF to succeed, I think we all do as fans. But some of his decisions, and lack of decisions, are costing this team dearly. These questionable decisions started with the hiring of Barry as DC. Gutey makes the hire but MLF supported this hire. Barry has NEVER been successful at this post yet MLF hires him. The LAR had Barry on staff while interviewing for DC post and hired outside. Alarm bells, anyone?! Then there's his terrible decision making in certain situations. Two pop out, one was when AR was out for the KC game. Love was under the spotlight....what would he do in primetime!? MLF, being the offensive genius they claim him to be, never creates a gameplan for Love. Rather, he sticks with the same plays, schemes as he would with AR....really? Terrible decision that he later acknowledged. Another obvious bad decision, there are others, was the NFC Championship game and going with two OL that were fresh off injuries rather than the younger players that had jelled and got the team to the big game. That decision cost us the game. There are others...but I've already typed too much! MLF needs to man up, take control of this team, be decisive, fire his lame coaches, and be the leader of this team. I actually like MLF and hope that he's learning from his past experiences. However, if he can't do that, be prepared for a long miserable, lackluster ride under MLF leadership.

5 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:24 am

Well said Mempho!

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:34 am

He's got that Lindy Infante vibe.

4 points
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Razer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:15 am

...Barry has NEVER been successful at this post yet MLF hires him. The LAR had Barry on staff while interviewing for DC post and hired outside. Alarm bells, anyone?!...

Matt Lafleur may be a decent positional coach or even OC but he is so far over his head it is sad. Almost every aspect of this team is disorganized and confused. As head coach, Matt first needs to compile the best coaches in the business to teach a system then ensure that this is happening. I don't think that he knows enough good coaches to get past the first step.

8 points
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Guam's picture

November 23, 2022 at 07:55 am

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I have long believed that this is Rodgers' offense, not MLF's. And the lack of man-beater formations (bunches, crosses, etc.) is just mind boggling. The old McCarthy offense was stale 6-7 years ago and hasn't gotten any fresher since. DC's all over the league know how to stop that offense and yet Rodgers' clings to it.

I am not relieving MLF of his other mistakes (no in-game adjustments, Mo Drayton, Joe Barry), but I really don't blame him for this offensive mess. And for those who think MLF needs to "grow a pair", remember it was his boss (Murphy) who doled out the huge contract to Rodgers and said "we're not idiots" when asked about retaining Rodgers. MLF's hands are tied when it comes to QB1, and QB1 knows it.

Personally, I would like to see Murphy, Rodgers and the entire coaching staff (except Bisaccia) shown the door at the end of the season.

8 points
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Since'61's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:07 am

Great job again Al!

The Dallas game was a nice interlude from what is becoming regular weekly losses.

Our receiving corps now has Watson, Lazard, Cobb and Tonyan. Not the greatest but they're not the worst either especially since Watson has come on strong. So yes the lack of rubs, crossing routes, bunches etc. is maddening.

The packers have not been particularly good in situational football since the Holmgren era. That more than anything else has led to our early exits from the playoffs. However this year has been worse because even Rodgers has consistently made poor decisions. One of Rodgers strengths throughout his career has been his decision making in terms of who and where to throw the ball. That characteristic seems to be deserting Rodgers this season. I was sure that he was going to Cobb on the play in the clip in the article. I have no idea what Rodgers was seeing in that play.

As for the defense the Titans game is just another example of absolutely miserable coaching on defense. It's among the reasons why I don't have confidence that our coaching staff can prepare this team for a playoff run even with our slim chances. It has become very frustrating to watch the same mistakes week after week in our defensive secondary. No excuse for it at this point in the season.

Hope that we find a way to beat the Eagles but not expecting it. Thanks, Since '61

4 points
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Razer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:11 am

The repeating of mistakes and poor execution is maddening and, I believe, rolls back to coaching. Yes we have a coaching problem.

But we gnash our teeth and wonder why the team doesn't perform well against teams with strong O-line and D-lines. On offense, our O-line is average and hurt and the run game disappears when we face solid D-lines. The run game always goes away against solid defensive teams like the Titans. We don't have roadgrader kind of lines. Rely on passing game then. The pass game without good WRs and TEs? This is an offensive design problem.

We run a 3-4 defense where the big uglies in the trenches eat up blocks and the linebackers do the read/react. Our D-line has been under designed for a decade now and we have never invested in linebackers of any significance. We had to play all our cards against stopping Derrick Henry and hope that our confused secondary could handle the rest. Tannehill stood in a clean pocket like Joe Montana and made all the throws without much pocket collapse.

The Packers are designed with one player in mind and the plan basically stops there. We are not drafting well enough to make this star QB concentric system work and our coaches are not good enough to make the existing pieces at least work as a cohesive unit.

4 points
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mrtundra's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:25 am

So, do we draft, or trade for, more O Line help when the draft or FA opens up next Spring? We drafted high on Defense this year. Do we draft Offense this next draft? What do we do?

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:47 am

OT in round one or two for starters. Making believe you can find gold in a lead mine gives you Hanson and Newman. Not sold on Nijman. Uncertainty all around Bhak and Jenkins long-term durability. Keeping Lowry in a 3-4 scheme is pointless. When I need a mental cleansing, I turn on a Chiefs game and watch Spags do his thing.
Barry, what is your major malfunction?

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:01 pm

Drafting a guard and C in the mid rounds I could see. As to T, A lot depends on what they think of Walker and Jones, but Tom and Nijman look like the future. To be honest, I’ve so little faith in the current OL coaching that I’m not sure what to make of what our depth ought to represent.

Safety has to be a priority. So does TE. There is little room for FA activity of note. RB, since LaFleur and Hill couldn’t work through things, WR, a G/C or two. Maybe a QB. So mostly O, but S might be the biggest need.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:38 pm

In any event, take the blue chips as fast as you can. I have little faith in the personnel dept. They like marginal qualities based on RAS and seem blurry-eyed viewing the Film.

1 points
1
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LeotisHarris's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:40 am

The "moley, moley, moley" tucked in amongst all the ugly truth made me chuckle. Thanks for all of it, Al.

Enjoy Thanksgiving, ya filthy animals.

6 points
7
1
jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:39 pm

Hey, I bathe at least once a month...

1 points
1
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HarryHodag's picture

November 23, 2022 at 08:51 am

If there is any chance for the Packers is they seem to be catching Philly on a bit of a downer. A key to the game will be the work of the Packers guards and center. Philly now has lots of big meat in the middle of the line and they're going to try to clog up the running game forcing an injured Rodgers to throw. The o-line has to move those big bodies enough so Philly can't sit back and wait for the pass.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:42 pm

The Eagles are the type of team to pound the Pack all over the field. They will have Walker spy Hurts and the rest of the Middle will be exploited as the Pack has zero safeties to bring the wood, with the exception of Rudy.

1 points
1
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:32 am

Having been a Packer fan ever since I was a child every new season brought excitement and joy for as long as I can remember. However, this offseason taught me a valuable lesson, which was our Packer organization is NOT always about putting the most competitive product on the field. I was amongst the first (if not the first) here at CCTV who was adamant the Packers trade Rodgers to Denver (or whoever) for a slew of top draft choices and young talented players, while allowing our first round QB, Jordan Love play. There were a myriad of reasons why the Packers needed to make this trade for the good of the organization. However, the Packers (Murphy) choose optics and marketing/sales over setting the team up for success for the next 8 to 10-seasons. This was a generational screw up along the lines of the John Hadl trade, and has set the team backwards a good 4 years minimum IMO.

Fast forward to this season and Rodgers not only has shown horrible leadership, but he has played poorly. He continues to be a distraction on the team (think about the one bad apple in the barrel analogy) and I firmly believe the team has turned on him finally tiring of his antics. Why does anyone think Campbell made the comments he did about Jordan Love? The Packers are stuck with Aaron Rodgers now and look what we have? It is depressing to think about all the draft picks and young talent the Packers COULD have had, but instead the team choose to keep a divisive soon to be 39 year old QB whose talent is rapidly diminishing. Unfortunately we have to deal with reality and it is what it is, however if Jordan Love does not start beginning with the Chicago Bears game through the rest of the season the Packer organization will continue their string of making horrible front office decisions. Yes, I am excited with all the young talent currently on the team, and yes, the team will have to make some very difficult roster decisions this offseason due to the cap. With all that the team should have a top 10 or 12 draft pick selection setting themselves up well if they capitalize on their draft selections. It is my sincere hope the team recognizes it's horrific past offseason mistake and rectify it first by starting Jordan Love against Chicago (and playing other young players extensively the rest of the year). Then this offseason do what they should have done last offseason regardless of financial consequences. The organization cannot continue the mistake of keeping Rodgers to the detriment of the team. Discuss with Rodgers a trade and with his agreement make the trade gracefully keeping his legacy intact. Acknowledge his value and what he has meant to the Green Bay Packer organization, but don't continue to perpetuate one of the biggest front office screw ups in Green Bay Packers history. The Packers do not need to do a full rebuild! They just need to make a number of good remaining in-season decisions, and offseason decisions.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

3 points
5
2
bjkdad44's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:28 pm

You want to appease rodgers but you want to trade him… but keep him happy…. Which is it????

0 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

November 23, 2022 at 03:48 pm

Did you not read what I said? The Packers need to trade AR but they should do it gracefully/classy while recognizing his contributions. The Packer organization needs to keep his legacy intact not only for Rodgers benefit but for the Packer organization. Rodgers name will eventually be included on the ring of honor. His uniform number may become permanently retired.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:20 pm

That ship has sailed.

2 points
2
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croatpackfan's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:45 am

Thank you Al for this article every week.

1. Ah Yes, Dallas - "Because there are two chefs in the kitchen. The sous chef is strong-willed and opinionated on what the recipe should be. Fearing pissing off the sous chef and losing him, the head chef gives in more than he should." I agree. And you gave us correct diagnoses of all the problems Packers had and has and will have in this balance of power.

2. But they Don't have any WRs! - "Instead, he throws up a prayer to a receiver that is blanketed and not at all expecting to be a target. I lose my mind when Rodgers does this stuff instead of just doing the easy thing to keep your team in the game." I agree - It's inexcusable.

3. As for the defense... - "That's a fire-able coaching offense" I agree - no excuses and should produce loss of the job 2 months ago or earlier. Not today!

4. Finally, Special Teams - "...Bisaccia has done his job and improved the special teams." I agree with whole paragraph, but want to confirm that Rich Bisaccia really improved ST plays. Also, I will say once again, I'm sad that Mason Crosby is done on football field. He was nice guy and I like him lot, but he lost his leg strength and it become torture to watch him on kickoffs, PATs (XP) and FG. Those kicks are either low or short.

2 points
2
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Ferrari-Driver's picture

November 23, 2022 at 10:17 am

"We'll Always Have Dallas".....and the Bears

4 points
4
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Since'61's picture

November 23, 2022 at 12:22 pm

I prefer Paris over both Dallas and the Bears. Thanks, Since '61

3 points
3
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splitpea1's picture

November 23, 2022 at 11:20 am

On the coverage busts and players freelancing, MLF: ...."it's frustrating when I know it's being communicated the right way and it's just not executed the right way....so however you want to interpret that is, I guess, your choice."

It seems like he's blaming the players for this, not his DC. But I would really love to hear some kind of explanation from any one of them as to why they continue to employ the useless soft coverage on third down.

5 points
5
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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:29 pm

IMO Barry lost the Defense and confirmed his limitations as a DC when he refused to switch Alexander on Jefferson in the first game of the season (with telling results). To me it was a red flag - of someone who could only coach a system - not players within a system.

2 points
2
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Leatherhead's picture

November 23, 2022 at 01:47 pm

I'm in the grocery store this morning here in Texas, wearing my Packer gear as usual, and a guy in a Cowboy hat said, in a tone that indicated he didn't like us too much, "Packers, huh?" And I started thinking that even as disappointing as this season has been, we beat the Cowboys and we beat the Bears. That put a smile on my face.
XXXXXXXXXXXX

All the angst about special teams and Amari Rodgers. Last year, we had some bad units and we won 13 games. Special teams cost us one game, and that was a punt that got blocked and returned to the endzone in a game where we were historically bad on offense.

But this year we were much better, and we're 4-7. I'm not seeing the correlation between fire-breathing special teams coaches and demons with their hair on fire and winning games. I guess some of you are just going to have to continue to believe for a while, despite what you're seeing on the field.

Amari Rodgers returned punts and kicks for us in 24 games. He had two turnovers. Neither of them cost us a game. Yeah, there were several close calls, but close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and hydrogen bombs.

Bottom Line: The nature of special teams is that it's young men on the bottom of the roster, and they're going to make mistakes, and turnovers on special teams are a really big deal. They're game changers. So rather than pour time and energy down a gopher hole of special teams demons, I'd simply do everything I could to minimize the opportunity for our special teams to hurt us. I've said that for a while now, and every single time I see a team turn it over on a return it's just another brick in the pile.

0 points
3
3
Alberta_Packer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:16 pm

An up-vote just for wearing your Packers gear in hostile territory.

1 points
1
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bjkdad44's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:00 pm

Kurt Warner seems to know… it’s the Packer’s coaching… or non-coaching!!! Where the hell is the Packer’s coaching????

-1 points
0
1
ricky's picture

November 23, 2022 at 02:04 pm

Is it time to try to find a taker for Rodgers? It seems both Indy and the Jets could use a veteran QB, and might be willing to at least offer the Packers a decent draft pick and or player. To those who bristle and would demand multiple firsts and players (as in the trade for Wilson), sure, that would be great. But this season has tarnished the luster of Rodgers. He is no longer coming off his second MVP season, but a down year for him. This is a suggestion/question, not a demand. But it seems the clock is ticking, and we need to find out if LaFleur can win with a QB who will run his system, rather than demand to do things his way.

4 points
4
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Guam's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:59 pm

The ship has sailed on a Denver type trade. The Packers would be lucky to get a draft choice for Rodgers now.

2 points
2
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crayzpackfan's picture

November 23, 2022 at 03:42 pm

The factual pollution of this mindset is the absolute pollution of fact. Bro, I truly don’t know where to place blame with so many egos and moving parts. How does a team put together a game plan that beats the team that humiliates the team that humiliated us (Vikings, Cowboys), and then completely abandon that recipe?
Everyone here has their ideas on who is to blame. Guess what? Except for the die by the sword Rodgers folks, none of us are wrong!
It pisses me off that I don’t know for certain if Rodgers is continuing to go off script, if MLF doesn’t know what he is doing, if Gute actually has no say, if MM has truly become a Jerry Jones of GB, or if it’s a deficiency in talent and a QB declining?! Broken thumb? Jesus! Come on!
I think we have coaches who are going off the high board too soon. I think we have a GM who’s getting his shit pushed in by and egocentric president. I also think we have a QB who has somehow manipulated an entire football organization to bend their knees.
I’m sorry for the windy diatribe. A couple cocktails, placing myself between optimism and pessimism, and this is this crap you 2-3 readers have to wipe from their asses with. Sorry.
At any rate. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving everyone.

3 points
3
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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:12 pm

The Dallas game was the Packers "Super Bowl." Should management and coaching remain in place after this season - fans should prepare for a dark era - a la Bears and Lions. The end is here.

1 points
2
1
PackerGravy's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:49 pm

Lighten up Francis…

0 points
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MilwPackFan's picture

November 23, 2022 at 04:13 pm

MLF isn’t going anywhere since he just signed extension and his record setting first 3 years buys him more time. Having said that here’s best possible case going forward:

1) Fire Barry, hire DC who installs intensity & uses pieces correctly, getting into top 10 defenses; add another high draft pick safety or rusher & any luck at all possibly top 5 as we expected to this year. we have ability
2) Rogers retires & Love does OK or better than OK running MLF’s offense as designed
3) Stenovich replaced with better OC (would love to have him back on OL but realize demoting/staying with same team doesn’t happen too often)
4) Special Teams continues to improve

Isn’t this realistically the best we all can hope for?

4 points
5
1
Packers0808's picture

November 23, 2022 at 05:28 pm

Funny how some nurse called me a liar 2 days ago for saying I had the info Rodgers had a broken thumb and she or he goes off on a tangent about bruising, bleeding, splint etc. I actually had the info by accident from a person who knows a lot of the medical things going as to what and who Packers were ailing from and this was one I had certainty about. Oh well now it is out from the mouth of the walking wounded! Rodgers should not be playing and IMO biggest reason we have lost so many games since the Giants!

-1 points
1
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Packers0808's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:39 pm

Thumbs down for being knowledgeable and sharing? Risible!

-1 points
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Packers0808's picture

November 23, 2022 at 06:39 pm

Delete Duplicate!

0 points
2
2
barutanseijin's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:48 pm

Thumbs down for yet another excuse for poor play from the 50 million dollar man.

Falling for Rodgers’ PR maneuver? Predictable and tiresome.

1 points
1
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PackerGravy's picture

November 23, 2022 at 09:42 pm

What the hell is going on out there?!!!

0 points
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