Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - Rush to Judgement
The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.
By JerseyAl
A couple of weeks ago, I described in this space how the Chiefs, Lions and Eagles had all won their playoff games largely due to a fierce pass rush that got home and sacked the quarterback. And now, to win the Super Bowl and prevent the dreaded (and phony) "three-peat" by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles unabashedly unleashed the pass rushing hounds. Six sacks of Patrick Mahomes were tallied without a single blitz the entire game. And now the world are believers. I can't begin to tell you how many "you win in the trenches" proclamations I've seen the last few days, as if it were breaking news. The "Packers need a WR1" argument has been forgotten (for now, but I'm sure it will return) as everyone is calling for the Packers to shore up both lines of scrimmage. Well yeah, duh!
I've always preferred the approach of a head coach overseeing all aspects of a game while coordinators actually call the plays. LaFleur has admitted that he often is too busy thinking about which plays to call on the next offensive series to really know what's going on defensively or on special teams. I believe this is also a contributing factor to errors in time management we've witnessed. I'll unapologetically jump on this convenient opportunity of an Eagles Super Bowl win to mention that their head coach does not call plays.
You need to check out this great article over at the Packers Wire where CHTV alumnus Zack Kruse and salary cap guru Ken Ingalls go through the Packers roster position by position and cover all salary cap considerations. The overall good news is the Packers have money to spend on outside free agents and no priority free agents of their own they HAVE to resign. This is similar to their situation in 2019, which allowed them to sign the Smith Brothers, Billy Turner, and Adrian Amos in free agency.
Wanna-be GM Josh Jacobs thinks the Packers need three things - another defensive end (no pass rush), another defensive back (No Jaire?) and a WR1 (2025 underperformances, Watson to miss much of next year, Doubs concussion concerns). Hard to argue with any of these. Both Jacobs and Keisan Nixon are doing their best to publicly (and privately) recruit Maxx Crosby if the Raiders decide to seek a trade. I don't know how realistic that is, but oh, what a defense the Packers would have!
It was great to see Sterling Sharpe finally get his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. One of the very first public articles I wrote (close to 20 years ago!) was an essay of why Sharpe would have been universally recognized as a top-5 wide receiver if he just had a few more healthy years in the NFL. As it is, my top-five (in order) is Don Hutson, Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe, Randy Moss and (whoever comes to mind on any given day).
WIth Sharpe in, people are asking who the next Packers enshrined should be. While most everyone is picking more recent players (or Mike Holmgren), I'll toss another name into the Senior Committee ring - Boyd Dowler. I know he doesn't have gawdy stats (Dowler retired with a career record of 474 receptions for 7,270 yards and 40 touchdowns while leading the Packers in receptions for seven seasons), but he was the NFL Rookie of the year in 1959, a two-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the NFL 1960's All-decade team. I happened to sit next to him at a performance of the Lombardi play on Broadway. He didn't say much, but stared intently at the actors with a slight smile on his face the entire time. I'm sure he was being brought back to that special time in his life spent with a special coach and father-figure who was a huge influence on his life. I'll never forget that look on his face - I kept peeking over and it never changed.
Draft Season is officially on! The 2025 CHTV Football Draft Guide team has been assembled and game tape is being carefully studied as we speak. Details will be coming soon - STAY TUNED.
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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
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Comments (58)
BradHTX
February 12, 2025 at 07:31 am
“I happened to sit next to him at a performance of the Lombardi play on Broadway. He didn't say much, but stared intently at the actors with a slight smile on his face the entire time.”
What a cool experience, Al! Thanks for sharing that highly unpolluted story.
Spock
February 12, 2025 at 07:46 am
A woman in my complex met me for the first time and after seeing my homemade Packers' cane (see my pdf picture) and my big "G" on my hat told me she had a funny story to tell me. She had/has worked as a massage therapist at a senior citizen's center and at one time had given a massage to an older gentleman just before that year's Super Bowl. There was some buzz going on at the time about Super Bowl one and since she and her husband didn't know much about football she asked the gent if he knew who played in the first Super Bowl. The gentleman replied that he, "Sure did." and quickly gave her a whole list of who played on both teams -including himself. The man's name: Jimmy Tayor!
T7Steve
February 12, 2025 at 07:45 am
Where do you rank James Lofton, Al? Is he even close to your top 10?
JerseyAl
February 12, 2025 at 08:31 am
I haven't thought about it that deeply, but I'd say he's close.
dblbogey
February 12, 2025 at 05:50 pm
Max McGee deserves some honor for helping us win a Super Bowl with no sleep and a bad hangover. Off topic, but i saw this stat during the Super Bowl. This year's Eagles DL averaged 338 pounds. The packers DL averaged 245 pounds in Super Bowl 1. Things have certainly changed.
JerseyAl
February 12, 2025 at 05:55 pm
I believe you mean OL
LambeauPlain
February 12, 2025 at 08:05 am
"I've always preferred the approach of a head coach overseeing all aspects of a game while coordinators actually call the plays."
Musica for my orecchios, Mr. Bracco! I noted the improvement in the defense in late 2023 when LaFleur did get more involved. I believe he can be a much better HC if he was, well...a true HC. He delegates heavily to his Hafley and Basaccia...and makes his OC mostly his administrative assistant.
I am not on board with the Packers mortgaging the future with an ultra high priced DE for the 7th ranked Halfey D...especially with this draft solid for both DL AND OL talent (decent CB group too). I also believe Covington will get far more out of his DL room than Rebrovich did. Sign a proven DL FA? Sure. But paying for sizzle when next year has much steak at risk with many key impact players K's coming due? No.
I saw that Lombardi play in Milwaukee, Al. The man who played Lombardi seemed like the Vince we read about. And the woman who played Marie was simply outstanding.
Dave Hanner
February 12, 2025 at 02:16 pm
Dowler was great, no doubt relatively short career and was he even on the all decade team as a WR? Not enough to make the cut for the hall IMHO but glad we had him. Starr. Dowler. Touchdown was a frequent Ray Scott call.
JerseyAl
February 12, 2025 at 02:24 pm
..."was he even on the all decade team as a WR?"
What else would he have been? He was 1st team all-decade WR along with Lance Alworth, Don Maynard, and Bobby Mitchell.
Bitternotsour
February 12, 2025 at 02:54 pm
Andy Reid and Mike Holmgren would like a word about your preferences.
TXCHEESE
February 12, 2025 at 08:05 am
Lions were one and done in the playoffs. Just sayin. I would rather give a little more and go after Garrett than Crosby. While both are very good pass rushers, I think Garrett brings a little more overall physicality to a defense. Would NOT complain if either of them end up in GB.
So happy for Sharpe. There is a real possibility if Sharpe would have stayed healthy, we may all be saying Jerry who?
Guam
February 12, 2025 at 08:23 am
How about giving up no draft choices and signing Mack or Young as a free agent pass rusher? You get most of Garrett's pass rush with no loss of draft choices and less hurt on the cap line.
HawkPacker
February 12, 2025 at 09:19 am
I agree Guam. If you make a trade, you lose players/draft picks and still have to pay a fortune.
PhantomII
February 12, 2025 at 08:32 pm
Yes, plus Gary could look at his physique and figure out how to get his.... half way close to Garrett so we could have 2 terrors at either DE position.
Guam
February 12, 2025 at 08:11 am
Thank you Al! I have been banging the drum for awhile now about LaFleur giving up his play calling duties so he can better manage the game. I have gotten more down votes for this opinion than maybe any other comment I have offered on this site.
During the Super Bowl Tom Brady related a conversation he had with Nick Sirianni where Sirianni stated he loves being involved in the offense but needed to step away from calling plays during the game so he could focus on managing the overall game. And that is precisely what LaFleur needs to do. The Packers make too many clock management mistakes, too many challenge call mistakes, and take too many pre-snap offensive penalties because the play call comes in late. LaFleur is overloaded with in-game duties and can't handle all of them well. Delegate and improve!
And for those commenters who say LaFleur was hired for his offensive genius and the Packers shouldn't give that up - they don't have to. LaFleur still has all week to put his stamp on the offensive game plan and is certainly able to discuss play calls with his OC (presumptive play caller) during the game. He just has to relinquish the actual selection and relay of the play call to the QB. The Packers wouldn't lose his offensive acumen but would gain a true HC that is managing the game properly.
I watched Boyd Dowler play when I was a kid and always believed he was the best receiver the Packers had at the time. Tall, long strides, good route runner with great hands. Would love to see him get some attention from the Senior Committee.
And somewhere I have a plaster cast from my broken left wrist (gotten while playing football!) with Dowler's autograph along with Bart Starr's, Jerry Kramer's and Ron Kramer's.
LambeauPlain
February 12, 2025 at 08:18 am
A thumbs up from me! I agree. LaFleur is bumping into his ceiling as a "HC" and the only way to break through it is to become a true one and manage the entire team.
Guam
February 12, 2025 at 08:22 am
Amen LP!
T7Steve
February 12, 2025 at 08:24 am
That's quite a cast of characters.
I also heard that the Eagles GM (who picked/hired the OC) MADE him give up the play calling so he could be the HC.
Guam
February 12, 2025 at 09:49 am
Yeah, the Packers were still playing games in Milwaukee then and my parents took me to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant. Imagine my surprise when four of the greatest Packers ever walked into the same restaurant. They were very gracious and signed my cast and asked if I would continue playing football after my wrist healed. I told them I hadn't stopped playing - the cast made a great club!
Didn't know Sirianni was ordered to give up play calling. Wish someone would tell LaFleur that. The hardest thing ever is realizing you are the problem - particularly when you have been highly successful.
T7Steve
February 12, 2025 at 10:20 am
Wonder if Andy Reid is starting to ponder about it too? First time since he was coaching in Philly that I saw him unable to make adjustments and go completely away from the running game. My chiefs' fan employee was screaming about not even getting their best running back Kareem Hunt on the field. Didn't even try.
Makes me wonder who gets the right player packages on the field and how do they know soon enough to put them on the field depending on how the play that just happens? Ridiculous, that a head coach would have time to do all of that and still see that the D is adjusting properly to what is going on.
In 82 my buddy and I were walking through the parking lot at County Stadium when we saw two rough looking men bothering a gorgeous woman and a girl who turned out to be her daughter. We chased the guys off and escorted the women into the stadium. Turns out it was Gorman Thomas's wife. She asked if we could see them back out to her car safely and we did it several times during the rest of the season. Hoped to get some sort of pass out of it but nothing ever came of it but it was worth it for the gratitude that was showed.
Guam
February 12, 2025 at 11:16 am
There is a lot that has to happen in 40 seconds to get the right play executed. Imagine a scenario where it is third and three on the opponents 40 yard line and there is less than two minutes left in the half. LaFleur has to do the following:
(1) Decide the strategy - try third down and punt if you don't make it or go for it over two downs.
(2) Pick the play(s) based on the strategy decision and relay them to the QB.
(3) Get the right players on the field to match the play call.
(4) Get the play call and players in with enough time for the QB to get to the line of scrimmage and check out the defense and make any adjustments needed.
(5) Inform special teams of the strategy so they can get their personnel ready if needed.
(6) Manage the clock to insure the play gets off and then decide if a timeout is necessary after the play is run.
Could you make all those decisions properly within 20-30 seconds on a regular basis? I know I couldn't and I suspect LaFleur struggles too. The Packers take too many timeouts because the clock is running out or Love doesn't have enough time to survey the defense and make needed adjustments so the play fails. And the clock management gets away from LaFleur because he has to select the next play.
LaFleur needs to delegate some of these decisions al a Sirianni or Campbell and manage what he or any normal person can reasonably be expected to handle. Right now he is a bottleneck in the decision making process and it shows.
T7Steve
February 12, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Still don't know how he does it. Used to be our coach would have a guard stand next to him to shuttle play into the huddle and would just yell to someone to go in for someone. Lot easier back then.
ricky
February 12, 2025 at 08:51 am
Why is it Gutekunst can bring in FA's who fill needs and make an immediate difference for the team, yet drafts guys who are "developmental players" with high RAS scores and "versatility"? The addition of the Smith brothers immediately changed the pass rush from barely acceptable to dangerous. Amos stabilized the pass defense; not flashy, but always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. And Turner was more than serviceable on the line. Last year, it was McKinney and Jacobs. Meanwhile, we're still waiting for Gary and a lot of others make that "next step" and become game changers.
So, is it the players who are drafted? Or is the coaching staff unable to bring out the talent of the players?
Leatherhead
February 12, 2025 at 08:59 am
Adding the Smiths in 2019 helped a lot. But remember, we were also adding DBs to improve the coverage at the same time. IF we want to improve the pass rush, we're going to have to improve the coverage enough so the QB can't just throw to an open guy.
The FAs that we get are 26 years old. The guys we're drafting are 21, 22. I don't know about you, but I was a lot more mature physically at 26 than I was at 21.
In the military, nobody expects that 2nd lieutenant to show up the first day and be impactful. He's sent for training, he's sent for more training, Finally, after 2 years, he's promoted to a 1st lieutenant and a higher set up expectations and responsibilities. I think we should remember this when we're looking at our rookies.
It's hard to believe that we can make the playoffs every year when the coaching staff isn't "bringing out the talent". I don't see how that happens.
Bitternotsour
February 12, 2025 at 02:56 pm
Everyone expects a 2nd lieutenant to show up the first day and be an asshole.
LambeauPlain
February 12, 2025 at 09:03 am
ricky...I believe it may be as simple with FAs you are hiring guys with an NFL track record of proven performance. More predictive facts, data, stats playing NFL football. That matters.
Drafting prospects is a crap shoot because college football is far less challenging and competitive than the NFL. And they are still very young men who need additional maturity, learn how to manage their NFL careers, and get coached up...or down, unfortunately.
It is the main reason very, very few college draft prospects are labeled as "Pro Bowl Talent, First Year Starter, Boom or Bust, or even Productive Starter Within Two Years".
barutanseijin
February 12, 2025 at 05:51 pm
The pro scouting has been better than the college scouting for some time now.
HarryHodag
February 12, 2025 at 09:03 am
The Super Bowl outcome tamped down my unease about the Packers losses this past season. Losing twice to the Super Bowl champs now isn't as bad as, say, losing to the Bears(and nearly losing a second time). Losing to Detroit and Minnesota twice also left me feeling uneasy.
The Packers are still too far away to win it all as much as I had hoped 2025 was going to be their year. The schedule is brutal including another match with the Eagles. Compare the Eagles defensive line with the Packers. Compare their offensive line to the Packers. While the running game is equal, the Eagles have the edge at receiver, linebacker and defensive secondary. Quarterbacking is comparable though Hurts might have an edge with his mobility. That's just the Eagles, not mentioning the Lions and Vikings.
Jordan Love will need to have his best year in 2025. Gute needs to pull a cow-sized rabbit out his hat to make this roster Super Bowl ready by this fall. "The youngest team in the league" no longer applies. It's win now or rebuild as several players will be free agents after the next couple of years.
Being positive and hopeful is being overridden by a gnawing feeling that it's a rehash of the Ted Thompson-Mike McCarthy "close but no cigar" years.
the_gavia_pass
February 12, 2025 at 10:14 am
Hurts IQ is far superior to love IQ, that is the big difference.
and Hurts is a real leader.
LambeauPlain
February 12, 2025 at 10:33 am
Hurts IQ is not just superior to Love, but FAR superior? And Love is not a "real leader."
How do you know this? Based on what facts and data? Or is it simply an uninformed "opinion"?
Hurts is a good QB, already logged 4 seasons as a starter.
I like Love's production potential as an NFL QB after the 2026 season. Maybe even you will see him as an intelligent, productive leader. I believe he already is, and certainly not demonstrably inferior to Hurts.
T7Steve
February 12, 2025 at 01:01 pm
Just point to the second half of last season. That shows his and the team's real ceiling. Some very highly respected QBs have had bad games and seasons even in Green Bay. Don't know why people are so quick to throw him and even the coaches under the bus.
Packerpasty
February 12, 2025 at 07:24 pm
too much pointing to that second half...its time for Love to show some growth in his footwork, accuracy, leadership on the field..its going to be his sixth year being coached by NFL coaches day in and day out, this past season he resembled his old college self, which aint a good thing...he's got the tool now its time to show some growth...
HarryHodag
February 13, 2025 at 02:23 pm
Nope, not buying it.
RCPackerFan
February 12, 2025 at 09:38 am
" The "Packers need a WR1" argument has been forgotten (for now, but I'm sure it will return) as everyone is calling for the Packers to shore up both lines of scrimmage. Well yeah, duh!"
Its comical to me listening to fans..
The Packers draft an OL in the first round (for the first time since 2011) and all we have heard ever since is how they should have taken Cooper DeJean. But let me ask this question. Since GB had neither player in the Eagles game, which player would have helped the Packers more in the Packers Eagles game? DeJean or Morgan?
While a lot of people will say DeJean, the correct answer is Morgan. The Packers OL suffered only after Jenkins got hurt. If they have Morgan, the offense keeps rolling. Instead they tried to go with Glover and then Telford. And it was a clear weakness. The Packers didn't lose because of their defense. They lost because of their offense.
Its unfortunate that Morgan got hurt. But he was showing he was becoming a good player before his injury. I believe he will be a starter this year. Either LT or LG.
I do think they will add more to the OL via draft and possibly free agency.
stockholder
February 12, 2025 at 10:15 am
Spend the Money.
It’s time to throw money at the problems.
Gute wants the athlete.
I want the warrior.
Knee injuries are the other problem.
Paying Alexander and Myers would work.
If it wasn’t for their knees.
Duh- If RG is the downfall.
Paying Turner and playing RG wasn’t.
Return to what worked!
Murphys problem is our problem.
The "Tush push".
It’s time to go to the big and Tall shop.
You don’t want MLF calling plays.
Then how about bringing back #12.
And it just might help Love again.
Congratulations to Sharpe.
And with your story of Boyd Dowler.
It’s obvious a #1 WR is needed.
I truly couldn’t help but think.
This might-
Open the door for Gute to sign Adams.
If the price is right.
LeotisHarris
February 12, 2025 at 10:24 am
"It’s time to go to the big and Tall shop."
That's gonna take some effort, too. Gute can't just hang around in the parking lot by Putzer's anymore.
Bitternotsour
February 12, 2025 at 02:59 pm
omg
TheBigCat
February 12, 2025 at 10:29 am
Al: Names to add to the all-time wide receiver list: Paul Warfield, Bob Hayes (just having him in the line-up would stretch the field) and Willie Gault (I added him because he was a world-class hurdler, and I dig hurdlers). And then there Steve's Largent: a guy w average speed who ran precise routes to get open and could catch.
JerseyAl
February 12, 2025 at 01:52 pm
These would be my candidates for #5 on the list" Paul Warfield, Lance Allworth, Raymond Berry, Fred Biletnikoff, Steve Largent, Chris Carter, Calvin Johnson, Art Monk, Michael Irvin.
Starrbrite
February 12, 2025 at 04:56 pm
Raymond Berry—yes! I wasn’t sure anyone remembered him.
jannesbjornson
February 12, 2025 at 07:49 pm
Cliff Branch. He brought speed to the Pro Game.
Starrbrite
February 12, 2025 at 11:14 am
…. I’m waiting for the doomsday “cap” worriers to appear from their bomb shelters. Smelling like sardines and a kerosene lamp. Screaming, “we can’t,” we shouldn’t,” “how can we?”
It’s time to park in the handicap spot and jump to the front of the line before the Lions, or the Commanders, (or someone else) will.
Make a splash Guty. You’re a witness to the power of signing a great free agents—-do it!
Go Packers!!!
Bitternotsour
February 12, 2025 at 03:02 pm
You're one of the kids that failed the marshmallow test, clearly.
Starrbrite
February 12, 2025 at 04:52 pm
Good one Bitter…
splitpea1
February 12, 2025 at 11:16 am
Despite the record-breaking numbers, Sharpe had a relatively short career, so that's why it took so long to get in. And it probably helped that Holmgren was the coach on the Senior voting committee.
Agree about Dowler. I'm too young to have seen him play, but his numbers are impressive in that offense. Also being a member of the All-decade team should help his cause.
I'm also hoping Tom Coughlin's name will be called at some point. He doesn't have the elite regular season record, but a great postseason record (without HOF QBs)...and postseason is what matters most in my mind. He also deserves a lot of credit for building the Jaguars from the ground up.
Bitternotsour
February 12, 2025 at 03:03 pm
he was also a parcells asst on super bowl winners.
Starrbrite
February 12, 2025 at 02:39 pm
I agree with Al, et al, regarding Dowler- he belongs in the HOF.
One of my very favorite WR’s will be there soon—Fitzgerald.
Also believe Clay Matthews should get there.
Go Packers!!!
jaxpackfan
February 12, 2025 at 03:33 pm
Dowler would be a great addition to the HOF. So would Gale Gillingham and Ron Kramer. I'm not holding my breath though.
Starrbrite
February 12, 2025 at 04:59 pm
Yes Jax—-I believe Gillingham was one of the best ever guards.
Lphill
February 12, 2025 at 03:51 pm
Crosby will go to Detroit before Green Bay he is from Michigan.
gsd3
February 12, 2025 at 04:35 pm
While it's true that he born in and played college ball in Michigan , he actually grew up and played high school ball in Texas.
Kinda agree with your point though.
dobber
February 12, 2025 at 07:19 pm
He's attached to a contract, not a FA. The Raiders would need to put him up for sale and be convinced that Detroit's offering a deal they want to take.
Packerpasty
February 12, 2025 at 07:26 pm
He'll go wherever the money is the most...it would be terrible to spend draft choices and money for him or Garrett and then still not win it all...could set a franchise back for years...like the Browns...
Starrbrite
February 12, 2025 at 07:43 pm
Pasty—we’re not getting Deshaun Watson—it’s Garrett. The Browns are where they are because of blunder after blunder. We’re not going down the “never recover” road with a player like Garrett.
Let’s take a chance—maybe we win a SB, maybe not. We can always fire Guty if it doesn’t work out…tsk tsk.
Dragon5
February 12, 2025 at 08:57 pm
"fire Guty if (Garrett) doesn't work out)...
That could be interpreted as wishful thinking, but Gute's legacy is already tied to Love
Starrbrite
February 13, 2025 at 12:11 am
That was tongue in cheek Dragon.
Truth is, I believe Guty is a good GM. But I think you’re right—Love will be Guty’s legacy.
murf7777
February 13, 2025 at 09:47 am
Some of us like Leatherhead and a few others have been saying to build the trenches for years.
Starrbrite
February 14, 2025 at 02:42 pm
Yeah, however, Leather want a CB and many of use want an edge.