Is this a matter of inexperience by LaFleur? Is this something that Rodgers is pushing for because he is loyal to some players (Allison)? Or is there some jealousy that another player (Jones) might get more credit for wins than Rodgers? No catches by Jones, but Williams had one catch for seven yards. Even though it seems obvious that Jones is the additive that makes the offense much more effective. I'm not interested in hearing about tweaks and how another draft or two could really change the team. At this point in Rodgers' career, this team has to be in "win now" mode. Because the clock is ticking, and no one ever beats Father Time.

Very appropriate questions Cory. This offense isn't running well.
Just watched the Saints game, and what a difference. The Saints operate with passion and urgency, despite being heavily favored. They used every weapon, TE, WRs, RBs, QB-the joker-Hill. Drees threads the needle in narrow windows. Ball is hiked with 5-7 seconds on the play clock even well after a big lead in 3rd quarter.
So the fine tuning is like you said,
- getting better personnel on the field; Lazard and Kumerow, in place of Allison and less of MVS.
- using RBs and FBs in passing (for some reason this part of the playbook was left in the print shop)
- more swing and screens, play actions

add to that, the CHTV fan base has clearly ordered up;
- up tempo, and no-huddle
- quick timed throws (this is on Rodgers).
- more trickery

Yes fine tuning. Get Rodgers to throw better is not fine tuning. He just needs to kick it into high gear. And stop taking sacks and take chances to put points on the board. That is the grounding just before the half and the sack after Lowery interception. That's probably fine tuning for a star. I think the defense is starting to fine tune their play. Especially in the Dline. But they can run out of gas at the end of a game when the offense is sputtering. Offense need fine tuning. Allison and MVS need to catch passes. No more false starts. And Lafluer needs to script more plays and play a bit more conservative is critical situations. A field goal here or there or getting a first down when needed will really help

If MLF has been conservative and kept his playbook conservative up to now, and kept ARodgers to being somewhat of a conservative game manager QB to do just enough to win, that has its merits in being astute, if GB pulls out a full range of plays only when it is needed.
Maybe MLF will unleash the full playbook, and surprise the last critical adversary Minnepo with up tempo and quick timed passes, and some deceptive alignments; 4 WR, or 3 TE sets, whatever.
Or maybe he'll just wait to use it in the NFC championship game?
GB won't beat Minnepo with any version of this lethargic offense. If MLF staff can't inject some adrenaline and a will-to-win offensive attack for 60 minutes, just put in the back-ups and save em for Detro and concede the game as a kind of exhibition for the bottom of the roster. We might even enjoy the game more than watching the starters yawning in the huddle.
I leave you to wonder just how far I might be exaggerating here to make point........

This team does need some fine tuning. Specifically on offense.

But lets be honest with ourselves. The last 2 weeks they have just missed on a lot of big time plays that would have made everyone feel all warm and fuzzy. Sometimes those 1-2 plays can change the whole perspective of a game or of a team. Especially when you look at the scoreboard.

Just look at this week alone. MVS doesn't catch the bomb on the first play of the game. Later, Adams has 2 drops, Allison has a drop. Also in the game they had at least 3 dropped interceptions. 1 of which I think would have been returned for a TD.

So the question is: Who are the 2019 Green Bay Packers... As a simple answer, they are the Seattle Seahawks. They are team that constantly finds ways to win, and doesn't always win pretty but they win. The one difference is the Seahawks have won 9 of their 11 games by 7 points or less. The 2 games more then 7 points was 8 vs the Eagles and 17 to the Cardinals. The Packers have won 5 of their 11 games by 7 points or less.
So while they are a lot like the Seahawks, the Packers have actually have won games better then the Seahawks.

This team needs some fine tuning, but a convincing win in Minnesota can change the overall look on this team!

To Gutekunst's/MLF credit, they did fine tune the Special Teams after numerous attempted adjustments throughout the year, so we can still give benefit of the doubt that they will make some for the offense.

It’s all about getting jones 20 plus touches
Playing fast all 4 quarters
Controlling the clock to keep cousins off the field and keeping our defense fresh

Many of us on the board wanted MM gone years ago. I think we were proven right on that.
Many of us on the board wanted Packers to spend on free agency. I think we were proven right on that.
Now many of us on the board want AR to be play smarter (not to hold the ball so long, take what the D gives, etc) and this inconsistent offense seems to prove that out.

There are good points about a few plays here and there making the difference. That is true too. But overall, the issue right now is mostly AR. MLF is not off the hook at all - he should be planning to go more up tempo, getting passes to AJ (as when DA was out) - these seem to be a no brainer. I think we had a little more hope for him in this regard. But being a first year head coach is a reasonable excuse. I can't find any reasonable excuse for AR not playing smarter - especially since evidence points to him not throwing as unbelievably good as he used to.

Maybe they were saving the best plays for the Vikings this week and the playoffs. If you can beat a bad team without being fancy, why waste all your good play calls on them?

We should start Jamal Williams in cold games then bring Aaron Jones in later as a change of pace back. Thump them until it hurts their bones then use speed to beat them. One thing we're missing are the usage of our TE's. Use the middle of the field and their height more often.

A little more Kumerow and Lazard would certainly be helpful. Allison, if he catches the ball, doesn’t seem to provide any yards after the catch. For the same reason more Tonyan and less targeting of Jimmy Graham. It doesn’t mean Graham doesn’t have a role as he should be targeted with Lewis around the goal line. Also, how about trying to create some plays to get Sternberger open in space. Seems like he has some potential as a pass catcher. Other teams seem to find their TEs some room. Why not the Packers?

Moving forward less Allison and Graham is a start . I don’t think there is too much else that can be changed at this point.

G-Mo getting 51% of the snaps while Jake gets 19% is messed up. Also, MVS, what the heck happened there? That was a guy who appeared to be ready for a breakout season, and hardly sees a ball these days.

You have to start to believe some larger percentage of this is on Rodgers and his fear/inability to get the ball out and make the throws happen. He seems far more hesitant to throw the ball into tight windows than he used to be. He should go back and watch his SB XLV playoff performances and some of the throws he was making. Technically, he should be even better with all the additional experience, instead he's more hesitant and unwilling to make the throws.

It looked like MVS was poised to have a breakout year, and instead, what a disappointment. In his defense, he's nary seen a ball in weeks, so when he finally does see one, he's less than ready to make the catch. That was a huge miss last Sunday, that all being on MVS, gotta make that catch. That's the stuff 1 and done is made of..

I think people are forgetting this is a first year offense lol. They are still fine tuning the transition in general. They won't look like the saints who has had sean peyton for ever, they won't look like the 49ners who have had shanny for three years. This offense looks exactly how its suppose to look inconsistent at best. What really baffles me is, everyone knows this!, fans, reporters, media yet they still complain and wine and downplay the record. You dont stumble to 11-3, it's not possible in a league that is literally week to week, just go ask the 49ners. Everyone needs to relax and be grateful we are were we are with a dang Rookie Head Coach. Sheesh

Per Peter Bukowski on Twitter...

Without Raven Green or Ibraheim Campbell on the field, GB is giving up 24.1 points per game.

With them on the field, 16.1 points per game.

Cory,
Cheesehead TV needs to make a "Winning Ugly" t-shirt.
This has to be our war-cry moving on into the playoffs.

First off, comparing the Saints offense playing inside a dome in perfect conditions to the Packers offense playing outside in frigid 13 degrees in a bit ridiculous. Any offense should play better in a dome than outside in the frigid weather of Green Bay. Secondly, the Saints and Brees have been playing in the same offense for how many years now, at least 15 maybe more. The Saints receiving corps is better than the Packers receiving corps because they are faster and they actually catch the ball when it is throw to them.

As for Cory's article the Packers offense needs some fine tuning and they need it in all areas of the offense. First the OL needs to reduce/eliminate pre-snap penalties. These are experienced OLs, the pre-snap penalties should not happen as frequently as they do and some of that is on coaching. Our RBs, especially Jones need to be more involved in the passing game. That is on MLF and the OC, especially when Jones is left trying to block blitzing LBs when Williams or Vitale should be on the field for that. Those plays were WTF plays during the Bears game. We can quickly fine tune our WR corps by playing Lazard and Kumerow instead of MVS and Allison. We will need to make a priority of finding better WRs during the offseason. As for TE, just sit Graham and rotate Lewis, Sternberger and Tonyan. They cannot possibly be any worse or slower than Graham.

MLF and Rodgers need to get beyond their scripted plays and establish some rhythm with this offense. Eliminating pre-snap penalties and giving more snaps to Lazard and Kumerow could help. Getting Jones back involved with the passing game should also help. MLF is the HC. If he is going to call the plays then he needs to put his stamp on this offense and demand the execution required from every player to make it go. Granted the offense is hampered by the quality of its weapons, especially in the passing game, but the players are healthy and by this point in the season the execution by the offense should be better. The most important area is that they need to play better when they have a lead late in the game and need to keep the opponents offense off the field. Just a few first downs late in each of the last 3 games would have created a different feel about this team going into the Minnesota game.

The issue for MLF this week is that he needs to motivate a young team which has just earned a playoff berth to play at a high level on the road in a game that they don't necessarily need to win (looking at it from a player's point of view). It is always a question as to how motivated the players are over playoff seeding. It matters to the coaches and the fans but how much does it matter to the players? We'll see how well MLF handles that challenge. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

Everything you seen last night in the NO game is what the Packers either don't have or can't do with a special emphasis on the QB position. Brees is fighting father time and Rodgers seems to be embracing it.

What fans have seen only once this year, at Dallas, was an offense explosion by the Packers. To score with returns and running the ball and throwing at will indicates to us that the Packers have control over their opponent. I see the offense look good one series and then bog down due to drop passes, penalties, or a missed block. It's expected since a new offense doesn't always run efficiently until the thinking stops and instinct takes over.
The defense seems to be in the same category. Even in their second year, the defense is thinking too much and not going on instinct. Maybe adding so many new players also have an effect on the defense.
I have doubts that this team can play this year like we saw from NO last night. The positive is that 11 wins is terrific and wins count no matter how ugly they seem to us. Next year should be different, but enjoying the ride of this season's results and seeing how far they go in the playoffs.

Jones (and everyone else) gets more touches if we don’t go 3-and-out the last four times we have the ball. Only one first down following the 2 scoring drives means we have far too few offensive snaps to spread around. Just 3 or 4 first downs could have added 8-10 more touches.

The Packers should put the defensive backs through drills with the receivers for catching , they left a lot of missed interceptions on the field against the Bears , can’t let that happen in the upcoming games. Just catch the damn ball , Lowery might have to move to defensive back!

Yes, there are hits and misses, drops and blown coverages, missed blocks and sacks. It isn't always pretty from an execution standpoint, but if it means winning games I wouldn't want the Packers to change a thing. I'll take wins over better stats every game.

Like it or not, this WR corps is what it is unless we can get MVS firing. While Kumerow and Lazard might make some improvement taking snaps from Alison, I don’t think the yield will be as much as Cory seems to think.

The problem for me is that those three are very similar. MVS, if credible creates holes simply by his presence. Add that and it opens things up for the rest of the pass catchers. Without it we lack speed. Since we already lack quick twitch, that leaves us being rather easy to scheme against.

Whether MVS can be turned around is a different question, but the attempt needs to be made a priority by both coaches and Rodgers. In the meantime, get the RBs out in passing sets more as well.

The internet is abuzz about a hoped for change in WR snaps. Articles by nearly all the poor packer bloggers about drops.
Yet look closer. Pete whines about drops....but nothing about adams drops
instead he calls out MVS and GMO by name

If defenses are changing up to cover Jones, and they are, that makes it move MLF. he has not moved well

Playing a football game is a bit like playing poker, you never want your opponents to know what you have in your hand. The Packers have did a pretty good job at it this year and I like Aaron dealing the cards. I would venture to say Aaron and the rest of the team still have a few tricks up his sleeve for last two games and the playoffs. I would venture to say to all the nervous fans, JUST RELAX AND LET THEM RUN THE TABLE.

This is one of the under the radar additions that may be HUGE for this team moving forward
https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/17/packers-pr-kr-tyler-ervin-ma...

I am somewhat amused at this thread. MLF not doing this. MLF should be doing that. (Taryn theme trolling.. and failing.. :-) What's funny is MLF is trying to fine tune his offense over the past month. Getting some players healthy and understanding the scheme has helped of course. But the reality is most of these players are only now getting the time needed in this scheme to make it work. For this team, as '61 has pointed out, not enough time this season to understand or make the adjustments needed in season. (Vs the N.O. Saints) MLF has gone heavy, he wants to run the ball and he wants his QB to throw in the voids in the soft middle. But as the young Packers HC is finding out, what you want vs want you get are two very different things. This offense is... what it is. And that's not going to change (no matter how much we fans scream about it). Is this team good enough to win, yes. But it's going to be ugly for the rest of this season, better get use to it....

IMO, this team still needs a fairly significant upgrade in talent before it'll be a legitimate Super Bowl contending team. "Fine tuning" may improve onfield performance to an extent, but at a point it just becomes putting lipstick on a pig- you aren't going to get mental midgets to be brain surgeons, you aren't going to make slow players fast, you aren't going to get players with poor hand/eye coordination to catch, throw or kick a football.

For me, this season has turned into a bonus season where they've performed above and beyond what I (or many) expected. Add some good players this offseason and next year I don't think wins will be so ugly.

Lets hope for a magic run this year. Next year we should be lethal if - we add the following. A legit top tier veteran WR , TE and ILB. All through Free agency. Plus up OL and DL through the draft.

As for TE, just sit Graham and rotate Lewis, Sternberger and Tonyan. They cannot possibly be any worse or slower than Graham. Since '61.

I will add that Sternberger and Tonyan block as well or better than Graham. I was okay with playing Graham for his veteran leadership against Washington, but it seems to me time to move on.

Getting a talent infusion is not as difficult as it seems, nor as time consuming. GMO is just not good. Putting his snaps in the hands and blocking of Jake and/or Lazard is a big improvement.

Getting Jimmy G off the field instead of running long routes with one broken leg and a concrete cast in favor of Jake is a big improvement.

Jake S has been coming on. Open on long routes. I expect him to make a couple of 'WOW" plays in the next two games. Maybe there is an issue with Jimmy G because he was a level slower v the bears. Maybe a week or 2 off would get him back to meh level instead of hurting the team.

These are simply coaching adjustment. No new players just being smarter