Overreaction to Aaron Rodgers’ Latest Interview Shows We’ve Already Reached Peak Offseason
Relax, Packer fans. Aaron Rodgers doesn't hate Green Bay.
By TimBackes
There may be one more game of football left to play in the NFL season, but the Green Bay Packers have been in their offseason for a month now—and apparently, it’s been quite a long month indeed.
Overreaction among fans and media alike is common to every tiny morsel of news that arises during the offseason. Yesterday’s online blowup in the wake of some quotes from Aaron Rodgers is a perfect example of both how much people can overanalyze some pretty benign quotes, as well as why Aaron Rodgers is more than justified in being extremely protective of his image and the kinds of things he says to the media.
There are a couple of quotes that made the rounds yesterday on Twitter and through sports media that raised some eyebrows. Here’s the first—Rodgers speaking on the Packers not retaining quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt:
“My quarterback coach didn’t get retained. I thought that was an interesting change—really without consulting me. There’s a close connection between quarterback and quarterback coach. And that was an interesting decision.”
Of course, people immediately jumped on this quote and pointed to it as some sort of unmistakable sign that Mike McCarthy has “lost” Aaron Rodgers, or something equally ridiculous.
First, let’s get the facts out of the way. According to Jason Wilde, “Alex Van Pelt did not sign an extension before the 2017 season because he wanted to be able to pursue a coordinator job. Mike McCarthy has historically blocked position coaches from coordinator interviews if under contract. Ben McAdoo did [the] same thing after being blocked.”
It is absolutely reasonable to point out the fact that Van Pelt is the coach of more quarterbacks than just Aaron Rodgers. As Cheesehead TV’s own Zachary Jacobson pointed out on Twitter today, “If you consult Rodgers about it, then you better do the same with the two other QBs on the roster.” Providing Rodgers with that sort of preferential treatment, and the ability to have that large of an influence over hiring and firing decisions himself, and is the same sort of scenario that led to a degradation of the locker room under Mike Sherman.
Now, all that being said, it is also absolutely reasonable for Rodgers to be upset that a mentor and friend is no longer with the team, and that the Packers didn’t make a larger effort to hold on to him.
None of this means Rodgers is frustrated with Green Bay’s front office, or is looking for a way out of town, or any of the other ridiculous takes you’ve been exposed to today.
The other quote that got people talking today was about Rodgers hoping to play until he’s in his 40s, but realizing that every single player, without exception, becomes expendable at some point in his career, and that he might not be able to remain a Packer forever if he hopes to play that long.
“I think you have to be humble enough to realize if it could happen o Brett, it can happen to you,” said Rodgers.
Rodgers went on to marvel at the success of the Patriots, particularly of Tom Brady, who himself has surpassed the 40-year milestone.
Again, despite the ridiculous takes you may have seen poisoning sports news and social media today, this doesn’t imply that Rodgers is looking for a way out of Green Bay, or that (as one Packers reporter actually speculated) Rodgers could perhaps be pondering a way to get to New England. It simply means that Rodgers is aware that every player has an expiration date, and that not all teams are willing to take a chance on a player who is 40 or older, regardless of his career accomplishments.
These are the kinds of quotes that would barely raise eyebrows during the regular season, but that cause massive eruptions among fanbases during the offseason. If you feel like finding yourself some Grade A WorstPackTakes material, spend some time on Twitter reading responses to these quotes today.
When Rodgers ultimately signs his massive contract extension, people will look back on the response to this innocuous interview (if anybody even remembers it) and shake their heads.
Just under six months until training camp begins…
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
__________________________
Comments (137)
4thand1
February 02, 2018 at 06:26 am
The sky is falling!
TheVOR
February 02, 2018 at 09:25 am
Its today's media, they look at discussion, and put the best possible opinionated story behind it, and damned be the actual facts. It used to be when you listened to or read a news piece, it was responsible reporting of facts, with the authors style in presentation.
Today is, take a phrase, or a fact, and build some hysterical twisted fabrication of a "story" in order to draw attention to ones self. Back in the 60's, when I delivered the news in Green Bay Wisconsin, there was a column that was an "Opinion" column. The rest was actual and factual new, that didn't have a much of "fake" added to it.
Qoojo
February 03, 2018 at 09:25 am
You're just a low brow parrot upset by facts that don't agree with your view.
"For it seems now more certain than ever, that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate" - Walter Cronkite
Of course that quote from Feb 27, 1968 was all fact when it was said on the national nightly news right? I am not sure you really know the answer so I will help you, no. But continue with rant and don't let the facts get in the way of your faulty memory. By the way, that quote upset a lot of people too.
Dr.Rodgers
February 04, 2018 at 03:47 pm
You mean like Fox gnews the ultimate in fake crap.
holmesmd
February 03, 2018 at 08:46 am
I see the worry chair is warm indeed!;P
dobber
February 03, 2018 at 09:21 am
It never gets cool...
TKWorldWide
February 03, 2018 at 10:34 am
This whole mess could have been avoided if 12 would have tacked a “just sayin’” at the end.
dobber
February 03, 2018 at 11:57 am
He didn't want to draw the public wrath of the TKStinator when he's trying to re-up his contract...
Savage57
February 02, 2018 at 07:00 am
Rodgers, as guarded a player as there is in the NFL, never says anything without a reason.
He's making it known he's chapped about losing his coach, and now it's up to MM and whoever the new guy is to make it right with him.
I don't see him (or any other elite QB for that matter) as a prima donna. I see him as the de facto engine that powers the team, questioning what he saw as a decision and process he'd like to have been involved in.
Nothing to see here, folks, just keep moving.
NickPerry
February 02, 2018 at 07:09 am
Off Topic... If any of you guys subscribe to Bob McGinn Football there's an excellent read there about why the Packers should have hired Jon Dorsey. Like him or not it's a pretty damn good article and points to the fact Mark Murphy never even contacted Dorsey about the GM Job. IMO that was a HUGE mistake.
I only say that because I agree with what McGinn said about what the Packers FO would have looked like had he hired Dorsey when he had the chance for over 6 months to do so. The Packers would have still probably had Highsmith, Wolf, while still keeping Gutekunst and Ball. If you look at the Packers current FO who in the hell is left?? Ball? UGH!!!! This isn't a knock on Gutekunst but IMO Murphy has left Gutekunst's cupboard bare compared what could have been. Lets face it, the Packers FO has been stocked with great people for quite a while. Now, not so much.
Say what you want about McGinn. IMO this piece he wrote is the truth, right on the money. Hopefully the Packers can hire some seasoned veteran scouts once the draft is over because right now it's looking pretty bare.
Down vote this all you like but I have a feeling Murphy not hiring Dorsey and the ripple effect it's had (losing Wolf & Highsmith) will be a point Packers fans point to as the time when the franchise took a dramatic turn for the worse.
I'll be HAPPY to say I was wrong and an idiot for being so concerned over this, but McGinns piece made so much sense I don't think so.
worztik
February 02, 2018 at 07:11 am
Nick... Today I’m taking a wait and see approach but, what you say makes sense! As long as TT is involved (with Ball!) not a lot is going to change... unfortunately!!!
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 09:26 am
Why do we assume that TT wants anything to do with making any of those decisions anymore?
HankScorpio
February 02, 2018 at 07:35 am
I'm not a big fan of Dorsey after reading the Peter King postmortem on his dismissal from KC. I saw of lot of the common complaints about TT in what King wrote. If there is any truth to that, Dorsey is the nut that fell closest to TT from the TT tree.
https://www.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/29/kansas-city-chiefs-john-dorsey-fired-...
Razer
February 02, 2018 at 07:39 am
Not sure that I buy the assumption that hiring Dorsey would have kept Wolf and Highsmith in the mix. Being passed over is being passed over and noses get out of joint.
Ultimately, I doubt that Dorsey would want to come to an organization that made all the pieces linked via Murphy. Our optimism with the org changes may sour if Murphy's inner Jerry Jones can't keep quiet.
And you should consider that Kansas City is facing a cap crunch largely constructed under Dorsey's guidance. How would Packer fans feel if they had a decent team that couldn't quite get there AND it had a money issue. Probably just a little worse than they feel today. I am not going to wish for the greener grass until I see what our new fertilizer does for our crops.
flackcatcher
February 03, 2018 at 01:22 am
"Cap crunch". That's a polite way of describing the fiscal mess Dorsey left the Chiefs in. Owner was way too kind to Dorsey with the coming cap hell K.C. faces.
dobber
February 03, 2018 at 05:38 am
"Cap crunch" is also what I had for breakfast this morning...I prefer the little red berries.
TKWorldWide
February 04, 2018 at 03:22 pm
Seconded!
RCPackerFan
February 02, 2018 at 07:49 am
I personally dislike McGinn. So I won't pay to read his stuff.
I am skeptical at best about his 'facts'. He is a bitter old man who likes to choose the negative side of everything he writes. His writing is has a negative twist so much that its hard to believe everything he says.
While it maybe was a mistake that he didn't try and get Dorsey, they had 2 rising stars as GM candidates. They were going to lose someone no matter what. And as far as Highsmith he left because he wasn't going to get any higher in Green Bay. There was to many people above him.
I disagree that hiring Dorsey that they would have been able to have kept Wolf, Gutekunst, Ball, Hightower. Gutekunst basically had the job in San Francisco last year, but chose to not take it and come back to GB. The same search firm that helped GB hire Gutekunst was helping Houston find their GM job. I wouldn't have been surprised if Gutekunst would have wound up there.
Wolf left because he didn't get the GM job. Many reports afterwards said that he thought he automatically had the job. Was he pissed that he got passed over for Gutekunst or that he didn't get the job?
This could be a moment that we could look back on and say the wrong decision was made. But that its easy to look back on what has happened. But this could be the move we look back on and say this was the best decision made.
For McGinn and others, how can we say that hiring Gutekunst was a mistake? Gutekunst is highly thought of around the league. Its not like they are hiring some schmuck. We honestly won't know for a few years if this was a good or bad hiring. Until then how about giving Gutekunst a chance to prove himself.
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 08:43 am
"For McGinn and others, how can we say that hiring Gutekunst was a mistake? Gutekunst is highly thought of around the league. Its not like they are hiring some schmuck. "
I agree. Until he's established some kind of track record for himself, it's much ado about nothing.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 08:49 am
I agree with RC. I took a long look at Dorsey when he got fired. I concluded that Dorsey is a proven talent evaluator and a good drafter. He was bad with contracts, and loved to re-sign his own picks, sometimes before it made sense to do it. Maclin and LT Fisher were the biggest head scratchers: I'd have been screaming bloody murder if GB had extended a not really proven player when the player had a year plus a 5th year option left on his contract (some talked about doing this with Dix last year: how would that look today?). His cap guru left.
The ominous similarity is that prior to 2012, only Pioli reported to the owner, Hunt. In 2013 when Dorsey was hired, Coach Reid, Dorsey, and President Montgomery all began reporting to Hunt. Despite that, it does not look like the three could get on the same page.
I wrote a long comment on APC about Dorsey and why I concluded that he should not be GB's next GM (unless Ball was as good as advertised).
TimBackes
February 02, 2018 at 09:15 am
Completely agreed. For as much knowledge as McGinn has about the game, he really comes across as a guy with an axe to grind with the organization over the last five years or so. I don't put a whole lot of stock in his rumor mongering.
Dzehren
February 02, 2018 at 08:23 am
Gute would have been hired in Houston and Wolf would have bolted for the Raiders
croatpackfan
February 02, 2018 at 09:01 am
Nick, I think it is really, really sad what Bob McGinn become....
He will say or write anything that may cause turmoil amongst Packers fan base, hoping to produce some, even smallest problem to the Packers organization, organization which don't see his greatness...
As I recall, John Dorsey has received an offer and accepted a job GM before the end of the season ...
Do you, like Bob McGinn, think that John Dorsey would leave the new position less than a month after accepting that job at Browns?
Whatever you think, I would never take such an inconstant person for one of the most important positions in my organization. Such act from John Dorsey would forever ruin his reputation and could no longer find a more serious job ...
Bob McGinn is ever smaller in my eyes day after day, which, to re-close, is very sad ...
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 10:31 am
Agreed Croat. I think though that when Dorsey got fired, some thought Murphy should have hired Dorsey then, before Cleveland did. That would mean letting TT go last summer. Trying to hire Dorsey now would mean sending draft picks for him, if as you note, Dorsey would entertain the notion of being so fickle.
Don Hutson
February 02, 2018 at 11:53 pm
But McGinn'd game tstings ste excellent.
Don Hutson
February 02, 2018 at 11:54 pm
Learn to type.
Bear
February 02, 2018 at 09:50 am
Gullible
Mojo
February 02, 2018 at 05:00 pm
NP, I generally disagree with this being the time the franchise took a dramatic turn for the worse only because I don't have enough info right now on abilities of the current front-office (although I didn't give you a thumbs down).
If Dorsey is hired and Wolf and Highsmith stay I'd assume it would be in roles similar to what they previously had under TT - talent evaluators and scouts. Until I know what recommendations they tossed into Teds ear, I can't tell if losing them is going to cause a GB apocalyptic collapse. For all we know, they were the worst talent evaluators in the front office.
Although the buck stops with the GM, some of Ted minions were undoubtedly responsible for some of the lousy picks the last five years. Could just of easily been Wolf and Highsmith.
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 01:49 pm
"Although the buck stops with the GM, some of Ted minions were undoubtedly responsible for some of the lousy picks the last five years. Could just of easily been Wolf and Highsmith."
What we heard about the internal candidates was that part of their interview process included their scouting reports over recent years. I can only assume that meant that there was, as part of the process, some comparison of the guys they advocated for to their performances since that time. They chose Gutekunst. I don' think we'll ever know if it was because they all had good intuition and he had some other quality that was coveted, or if others had more misses than Gutekunst did. Being the ray of sunshine I consider myself to be, I'll guess the former and continue to think good thoughts of former Packers employees...
marpag1
February 02, 2018 at 01:49 pm
Meh... seems like Bob's typical waah waah why didn't the Packers do what I wanted them to do?
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:06 am
My problem with McGinn’s approach is that neither he nor anyone else can evaluate Gutenkunst’s potential. I would have liked Dorsey in the mix, but I find it risible to propose that a Dorsey hiring would have persuaded everyone in the front office to put their careers on hold.
Only time will tell if Murphy blew it or hit a home run.
I think there is another aspect here that has some relevance. Dorsey just took perhaps the best opportunity in football outside Green Bay. An utterly disfunction life organization with nowhere to go but up and a plethora of picks and cap and, at least for now, seemingly total authority. That would be a pretty tempting gig for a GM candidate: a perhaps once in a lifetime chance to completely reshape a franchise with little to no pressure and time aplenty. Who knows if he would have given that up.
Spock
February 03, 2018 at 08:36 am
Nick, Nick. First off my opinion of McGinn's (current) articles on the Packers are well documented on this site. McGinn USED TO BE a damn fine writer. I no longer trust anything he writes about the Packers. I'm not sure why you are on this "conspiracy theory" bend lately, but I'll say it again: R-E-L-A-X. Let's see how this all shakes out before we get into "the sky is falling" mode, okay? Almost everyone on the fan blogs wanted massive coach, GM changes for the Packers. Now we have it. Let's see what happens. I'm going to continue to be optimistic that this will turn out fine. I'm not going to tie myself in knots over what I can't control. If you want drama, follow our current insane politics instead, LOL. :)
Roadrunner23
February 02, 2018 at 07:24 am
I think Rodgers is just posturing and using this as leverage for his contract negotiation. Is he a little miffed that he wasn't consulted? Yes, but that is not his call and he will get over it. When he gets to Green Bay in April I'm sure he will be very energized with Philben being there and the new direction the Packers "Super Charged" offense is going to take.
As for Nick Perry's comment on Dorsey I'm sure there is a reason Dorsey was let go in K.C. and I was perplexed as to why the Packers didn't reach out to him as Murphy has known for a year maybe more that Thompson could no longer handle the G.M. job. Only time will tell if this was the right decision but I do not think the cupboard is bare in the Packers front office and I know as Packers fans we are all behind Gute and all the rest of the Packers Brass.
Change is hard but the best thing about change is it brings something new!
This is going to be a really interesting off-season and 2018 Packers season.
GO PACK!!
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 08:47 am
These kinds of changes typically happen more at the ends of seasons than during seasons. Cleveland jumped the shark and got Dorsey in early December with several weeks left to go in the season. How much planning had gone into the changing of the guard in GB at that point and when the wheels started turning in earnest is still fairly unclear. Dorsey was a "free agent" so there would have been no tampering issues, but do you start undermining your current GM before he's even stepped down?
Bear
February 02, 2018 at 09:56 am
Dobber, you know those who wanted Thompson out, would soon be complaining about his replacement... That’s who they are.
fastmoving
February 02, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Just right...............thats a sure thing.
But that is just because of here huge success in life, they know just everything.
......in here world
NickPerry
February 03, 2018 at 05:56 am
First of all I'm not "Complaining" about Gutekunst being hired. If you go back and look at every single post I've made since he's been hired, they've been positive, supportive, and I've been pretty damn excited about the possibilities for this team with him as GM.
I've never hid my dislike for Thompson and am of the opinion the Packers should have had more than just one SB appearance under his guidance. Sorry but NFC North banners don't do it for me. Thompson IMO should have been gone LONG ago and put in the position he is now.
Besides, is Gutekunst really Thompson's replacement? He is in name only, but not in power or decision making. Christ he can't even hire his own Head Coach. Personally I think Guntkunst should have been given full control, EXACTLY what Thompson had. This arrangement the Packers have with Murphy, Gutekunst, McCarthy, and Ball is a bad idea IMO. Just too many damn cooks in the kitchen.
Bear
February 02, 2018 at 10:11 am
Dobber, you know those who wanted Thompson out, would soon be complaining about his replacement... That’s who they are.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 10:36 am
Bear, I know those who made apologies for TT, and for every coaches regardless of how bad they were, would soon be defending the new GM and the remaining coaches. That's who they are.
Give me the name of a single poster who has attacked Gutekunst.
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 12:45 pm
He's had a force-field around him so far...all the darts are landing on all the other names. The biggest hits he's taken are for not being Eliot Wolf or (now) John Dorsey, or for accepting the GM role in this new structure. I don't think the honeymoon will last long.
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:13 am
I am certainly no Murphy fan. I neither like nor trust his reorganization and believe that he most certainly should live or die based upon its outcome.
However, to start questioning Gutenkunst is, frankly, beyond silly. He has had neither the time nor the opportunity yet to do anything more than utter a few words to the media. So far, those words have seemed encouraging. Only time will tell folks.
HankScorpio
February 02, 2018 at 07:25 am
I think part of the over-reaction is based on how things ended so ugly with Favre and the Packers. At least it is with me. I'm really sensitive to the warning signs that we're heading down that road again.
lebowski
February 02, 2018 at 08:20 am
My first thought when hearing it, this is the same sort of passive-aggressive shot Favre started making at the organization when they didn't treat him like a player/GM.
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:18 am
And that was one thing that the organization did right. Another thing the organization had done right previously was to get rid of coaches that were unable to coach Favre, re-energizing his career.
Ego can get to us all, even the most reasonable of people. Perhaps the fact is that some reduction in AR’s comfort zone was a decision he will come to be grateful for.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 07:33 am
"McCarthy has historically blocked position coaches from coordinator interviews if under contract."
Perhaps this is why MM doesn't get the very best position coaches in GB (assumes for the moment that the position coaches have been so-so.) I am just suggesting if one is young, ambitious, and very talented, one knows GB will block your upward mobility, so those coaches go to other teams.
Edit: Does anyone know if other teams routinely block position coaches from interviewing with other teams?
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 08:48 am
I've read that there were several blocks this off-season so far....most of this comes from profootballrumors.com, so take that for what it is.
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:19 am
It is pretty frequent if the team values the coach or if the requ sting party is a rival team.
jh9
February 02, 2018 at 08:02 am
If New England loses the Super Bowl and if Brady's play declines next year, it wouldn't surprise me to see Aaron Rodgers go play with Belichick.
By that time AR will be thirty-five years old and he will have about four or five good years left. That doesn't leave much time for him to cement his legacy. Why would he continue to wait for Green Bay to get its act together or any other NFL team?
Play with a proven coach and program and win two more Super Bowls before retiring.
It makes sense.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 08:12 am
Except AR is under contract still for 2019 and cannot leave GB. Thus it not only makes no sense, it is not possible. And no, GB won't trade him.
HankScorpio
February 02, 2018 at 08:19 am
And Rodgers would be tagged in 2020. And probably 2021, as well. Maybe even 2022.
Dzehren
February 02, 2018 at 08:27 am
Exactly
jh9
February 02, 2018 at 04:30 pm
New England traded Garoppolo and as of now they don't have a successor to Brady. Maybe they'll sign someone next year.
I still maintain the timing for both AR and New England is close. There's a lot on the line for both parties. I wouldn't be too dismissive.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 09:04 am
jh9...good thought.
First, let's see if Belichick sticks around in NE. I'm not positive Tom is going to keep playing if he goes back to back, so without Garoppolo they're going to need a QB. Not sure this thought would be much different than Brett romanticizing what it would be like if he could play for Minnesota. He felt he had a better chance to win there and wanted to go there.
Why would Aaron be any different after years of what he's endured here? He wants to win as much as anyone in our organization or fanbase. I would suggest Aaron would take a discount to go play in NE, where he wouldn't do it here. He's getting every nickel here and I'm sure he feels justified and rightfully so for having to carry a below average team into the playoffs every year. He goes to NE he doesn't have to feel that weight and wouldn't feel like he's carrying a below average team. He'd be going to heaven so to speak over there.
Not sure why it's inciting to speak to these kinds of issues? Aaron Rodgers is a very very special player and our org is not anywhere commensurate to him as in our org is not very, very special. He has been through Ted and MM and now he gets Mark Murphy? It has to be wearing on him.
To the fans who think because Aaron is "under contract" as if that means there's no possible way he gets out...that's fantasy land. Aaron could and might create a worse situation than Brett did. Aaron saw what Brett did and how it "worked" for him. Yes, he's under contract, but he could make the situation so untenable that moving him is the only possible solution. I don't think he'll do it as overtly as Brett did, but he's a sharp guy who knows how to push the right buttons. It feels like the beginning of his end here has already begun and we have Mark Murphy to blame for that.
TimBackes
February 02, 2018 at 09:19 am
"Why would Aaron be any different after years of what he's endured here? He wants to win as much as anyone in our organization or fanbase."
This is absurd. years of what he's endured... like constant division titles and one of the winningest organizations in the league? Rodgers has a better chance winning a title in Green Bay than every other spot in the league except MAYBE New England, and Belichick's already said he doesn't plan on coaching into his 70s, so his time is limited there.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 01:42 pm
"Absurd"? "MAYBE New England"? MAYBE? Now, that's absurd. The team who has been to 7 straight AFC Championships and 8 SB's under Belichick would MAYBE give Aaron a better chance at getting there? He's been there ONCE with Green Bay. ONCE. I'm not a mathematician but 8>1. Bill Belichick and Mike McCarthy? Oh my... I think every single QB in the league past and present would choose to cast their lot with Bill Belichick and New England over Green Bay and Mike McCarthy.
Yes, 100% absolutely endured. Division titles? LOL. Winningest orgs? Oh, you mean as in regular season "winning" which means what exactly? That's the line of demarcation for you and me. Winning, real winning, is measured in Super Bowls. Those who don't win SB's like to point to everything but them because they can't. Our perspectives are very very different. I don't fault you for having your perspective as it's built off of what is constantly shoved down our throats as fans from our very own organization who likes to brag about being in the playoffs and calling seasons successful that end with 23 point losses in Championship games that aren't even that close. We have a CEO who said we're almost as good as New England so that must be true, too.
What do you think would happen to any team in the NFL who was quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers? Do you think they'd be a perennial playoff team? One would also think any team quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers would be no stranger to playing in Super Bowls. So, yes, he's absolutely endured here.
What is this team without him? This defense has been middle to bottom of the Pack for nearly every season he's been here and the offense is as great as it is because of him. The GM for 13 years was one of the goofiest guys I've ever seen in sports and he didn't do half of what he could've to help this organization win titles. Yes, endured Ted. Yes, is enduring middling meat and potatoes Mike McCarthy. Now, it's his turn to endure Mark Murphy. This should be fun.
The standard is Super Bowls. I see one successful season and an enduring of all the others.
fastmoving
February 02, 2018 at 11:30 am
whats NE without Brady?
Your points are mostly absurd to me. But at least you are put a lot of time in it, but I dont get your points anyway.
Lot of wholes in your post, but Im sure you cant find them.
By the way.......in NE came a lot of stuff together and it will never happen again.....
snowdog
February 02, 2018 at 12:42 pm
IMO , Brady and Bellick are joined at the hip . When Brady retires , so will Bill . What else would Bellick have to achieve that hasn't been done ?
jh9
February 02, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Like I said before, John, where have you been all these years...
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 09:04 am
His point is that ARod isn't in the drivers seat with this: the Packers are, and when it would no longer be cost-effective for the Packers to be in the drivers seat, we have no clue how effective ARod will be. He's strictly along for the ride for the next 4 years. ARod can't talk to the Patriots or its tampering, and the Pats would have to deal with league sanctions...and this kind of power play (or holding out) could be damaging to #12s future in media and advertising.
Seriously, though: what's the price of ARod? Someone yesterday said they'd take two #1s for him...IMO that's undervaluing him pretty significantly based on where he is in his career and how much time he's got left.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 09:11 am
If Aaron ever got to New England it would enhance his image and marketing opportunities and post football media allure. He'd have the perspective of playing for an org that didn't sell out to win vs. one who did. His ability to compare and contrast would be something I'd love to hear him speak to should it ever get that far. He'd also be winning SB's not bowing out in the playoffs. Winning SB's is more marketable than not getting to them. Tampering happens all the time and is a way of life in the NFL. The notion that tampering fears would put the kibosh on it actually happening are unfounded due to the rampant nature of it throughout the league. You don't think the NFL would love seeing Aaron Rodgers move over to Brady's spot? Being able to compare the successes of two of the GOAT's would be a dream for the league.
carlos
February 02, 2018 at 09:52 am
It was hard enough to follow Favre’s foot steps. Now you’re speculating he’s going to follow Brady’s. I don’t see it happening. Give the front office a chance. Maybe they can turn this thing around. It’s not like the Packers have been cellar dwellers the last few years. Look at Poor Cleveland. A lot of my friends are Lion fans- now there’s frustration. Unfortunately for our division I see the Lions coming on. Yeah, I agree some noses got bent and left, but you can’t promote everyone. Maybe Rogers nose is a little bent also, but I think he’s fine and gets it.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 10:12 am
The other little thing is that AR is looking at $150M total, $100M guaranteed and a $60M signing bonus this year. If he wants to leave, he can play for $20M in 2018 and $21M in 2019 and hope like hell he doesn't get hurt or physically declines. Maybe he can get $100M+ insurance on himself. I have no idea what more money means to AR so IDK how he might take this into consideration.
I've pointed out that making AR play w/o an extension at $20.9M and $21.9M for 2018 and 2019, and then tagged in 2020 and 2021 is cheaper than extending him and has a massively reduced risk to GB's finances. There is the chance that he is a mere mortal as a QB by 2021 after all.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 10:42 am
Couldn't agree more. There is no impetus for the org to extend Aaron other than it being right for Aaron. The longer the org can push back his extension the better for them. He may be in decline by the end of his current contract. No one knows. Aaron may wish to play out his contract and become a FA. No one knows. It was posited by this piece that Aaron doesn't hate Green Bay. That's speculation. We don't know how he feels about the org as currently constituted other than he thinks some of the changes were "strange" and he said "we'll see" as to whether they'll work or not.
Did Aaron mention a thing about his contract yesterday or in the round of interviews and quotes he's been giving here lately? No. Why? Nobody has even asked him. I find that interesting that nobody has asked him about his contract situation. Did he tell them before hand that he wouldn't take questions on this subject? I used to coordinate these types of interviews and stipulations aren't uncommon. Would be no surprise to learn he made it a condition of the interview not to be asked about his contract.
The last thing I recall him saying about his situation is this prior to the start of the season:
"When it comes to setting the market values, I let that stuff take care of itself," Rodgers said in June. "I know my value in this league, and I know the team appreciates me. I'm going to continue to make myself an indispensable part of this roster. When you do that, when your time comes up to get a contract, you usually get a contract extension."
jh9
February 02, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Preach...
flackcatcher
February 03, 2018 at 01:52 am
1-2, 1-2-3 deal the Packers made in the Dan (dog Killer) Devine era. Almost killed the Packers too. So bad the NFL banned those kind of trades with future draft choices. (I won't name the QB the Packers traded for. Great player with a dead arm and bad knees who should have retired before he was traded for. By the way, the Packers did not do a physical examine before they traded for him.)
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:23 am
Paranoia. Compared to MM, BB, would be a much softer coach of course. I can see it now ... or perhaps not.
You are all missing the point. It is just the first stage of Danica persuading him that he needs to play for the Big City Bears.
Rationally be damned.
Razer
February 02, 2018 at 08:02 am
The NFL has become great reality TV and we love the drama. The media does a great job in inciting controversy around our teams and stars. We are one month on the sidelines and itching for action. I don't want to think of the next months without football. At least Minnesota got their heads handed to them and now get to have Philly fans partying in their house.
As for Rodgers, he needs a great coach to get another level out of his talent. Neither Clements or Van Pelt distinguished themselves. McCarthy hiring an old buddy to handle our star QB is not what I want to see. If we want Rodgers to expand his game, we should either get a true coach or get out of Rodgers way.
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:25 am
Was with you till the last point. Actually, I think Philbin agreeing to come back was the best off field offensive news in a long time.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 08:30 am
I found this line from the article interesting... "Aaron Rodgers is more than justified in being extremely protective of his image and the kinds of things he says to the media." ---Who is the one who gave the quotes yesterday? Aaron is a brilliant guy who understands the media as well as any athlete. To say the media took "benign" quotes and blew them out of proportion is absolutely inaccurate. There's nothing "benign" about questioning the org for not "consulting" him on AVP and especially not in calling other moves outside of OC and DC "strange". Your all time greatest player just called parts of your offseason overhaul..."strange". That's not an endorsement but rather an indictment. He knew exactly what he was doing and no doubt it was completely calculated.
You have a highly intelligent very cerebral QB playing for a meat and potatoes try hard HC. A terrible combo. This is not the first nor is it likely the last Aaron says something like this. Do you honestly think Aaron doesn't look at New England and Brady and think where he plays has hindered him? As noted, his image is very important to him. He knows if only his situation had been different he could be talked about in the same breath as Brady when it comes to winning, but he's in Green Bay going through "strange" things that "we'll see" if they work out. Do you think Brady has lacked any confidence in his organization over the years? I honestly feel for Aaron. It would be terrible to be as gifted as he is and be put in a situation where you have to deal with guys like Ted, Mike and now Mark Murphy. My head would explode. I expect more inflammatory words from him as his frustration continues to grow and none of it will be benign or uncalculated.
NP... I love Bob McGinn. It's unfortunate he's been relegated to fringe media. We're left with milquetoast and puff pieces from the mainstream Packers media. Thank goodness we have some integrity here in questioning things. It's the medias job to question not champion.
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 09:07 am
"I expect more inflammatory words from him as his frustration continues to grow and none of it will be benign or uncalculated."
Inflammatory is a strong word here. If anything, I expect him to minimize what he's said in the near future, at least until his contract situation is squared away.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 09:24 am
This assumes he wants a new contract here. That might be the last thing he desires. We simply don't know for sure. How do we know he isn't upset over not being extended long before this? His contract being out of whack and not in line with his play has been an issue for awhile now.
I absolutely expect him to make more and more inflammatory statements. He's been making more and more of them the longer he's here. Why would they stop? If we do things to win SB's they likely will. He was very unhappy with the handling of Tom Clements his buddy. He had the worst body language I've ever seen from a player in 2015. He's made snide little remarks here and there my favorite of which was ripping the wet ball drill in practice. He really mocked the stupidity of dunking balls in water and then trying to throw them. He's gotten bigger and bigger for his britches as time rolls on in his career.
Read below and tell me how Rodgers comes off? He has no respect for Mike McCarthy's methods after he fumbled the football. It's like he's suffering through the idiocy that he can't believe he has to deal with.
Here's a snippet from ESPN.com on his disdain for being put through ball security drills:
“It’s a silly drill,” Rodgers said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s one of my least favorite drills in the game. I did it today as favor to the coaches because I don’t like that drill because it’s unrealistic.”
Even in a downpour, Rodgers doesn’t think a game ball would be anywhere near as wet as the ones that the Packers submerged in water for Wednesday’s practice.
“If it is an actual rain game, the ball comes into the umpire, he wipes it off and puts it down,” Rodgers said. “You don’t dunk a ball directly in the water and then try to throw it. So yeah, it’s an unrealistic drill, but we do it, and I participated today.
Thegreatreynoldo
February 02, 2018 at 10:17 am
I agree with almost every word, JKirk in this particular post. I just don't agree with your deductions.
worztik
February 02, 2018 at 10:24 am
AMEN to minutia ‘61...
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 11:15 am
Which ones? :)
fastmoving
February 02, 2018 at 11:44 am
your just the kind of guy McGinn is aiming for. Guys who need football get explained to them........
John Ramble Kirk
February 04, 2018 at 12:33 pm
It's "You're". I appreciate your kind words. You move much too fast for me.
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:33 am
I used to like McGinn’s pieces. I have never been a hater, but it slowly became obvious that he is less than dispassionate about non football attributes of certain Packer people. This has got more pronounced I think since newspaper purchases and retirement and now trying to establish a subscription audience. To me this article reaches a new low of personal agenda overlaid to produce a set of conclusions based upon jaundiced non football appraisals.
In other words, too silly even for the off season
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 08:53 am
All of this minutia just makes me grateful that I don't have and don't need a twitter account. Thanks, Since '61
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 11:17 am
Twitter is an absolute must have if you want maximum information. There is no better source for news on the face of the earth than twitter. You choose what sources of news/opinion you want to be connected to. It's absolutely amazing. Most immediate form of news there is. Nothing is faster.
JDK52
February 02, 2018 at 11:43 am
And it's chock full of BS "news" and unresearched hot takes. Faster does not equal better.
fastmoving
February 02, 2018 at 12:00 pm
yeah, fake, alternative news for smarties...........
worztik
February 02, 2018 at 12:57 pm
You are a man among men ‘61....
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 04:17 pm
Thanks Worztik and you are a champion among champions! You, me and a few others here on the blog are old enough to remember the NFL before it became "Mamby-Pamby" football as Dave Robinson called the current era of football. Since '61
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Since my business currently has clients in 23 countries and I have an office in London and Hong Kong I receive news 24/7 from much more reliable sources than Twitter. I don’t have the time or the need to receive all the BS stupid news that comes out of tweets. I’ll stick with my sources that I have had long before the twits. My sources helped me make a nice living and I have people who pay attention to the news for me now. I’ll be retiring soon and then I can turn it all off. Thanks, Since ‘61
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 01:27 pm
Dobber - I don’t do Facebook either. It adds no value. Thanks, Since ‘61
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 03:26 pm
I do facebook to keep up with family and old friends....and to be a smartass.
I do CHTV mostly to keep up with the Packers...and to be a smartass.
I'm sensing a pattern...
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 04:20 pm
My wife does Facebook. I prefer FaceTime with the grandchildren. You may have a pattern but it's OK because you like cookies! Thanks, Since '61
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 03:36 pm
If you've been a fan since '61, I would've thought you were retired by now. If that is a birth date, you're close.
You don't seem to understand how twitter works. YOU choose the sources you want. The ones you just said you stick with long before the tweets are available in more immediate fashion on twitter. You could follow only those news sources and nothing else. Twitter, itself, is not pumping out news, it is a bastion for any and every source imaginable. You like WSJ and CSM you can follow them. You like CNN and MSNBC you can follow them. You like Alex Jones you can follow him. You can follow ANYTHING.
You don't have to be a Luddite. There's no reason to fear it. I all but guarantee it will be something you'll appreciate once you break out of your comfort zone.
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 03:24 pm
Isn't this like the opening scene from "IT"? He's luring you into the sewers...
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 03:38 pm
Hey Georgie... want your boat back? :)
Try it...you'll like it. If you love the NFL or just the Packers you'll love twitter. Follow all the writers here, JerseyAl, Bob McGinn, Tom Silverstein, Aaron Rodgers. ESPN Wisconsin...CHTV...various Packers media outlets. Ben Fennell, the list goes on and on and on.
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 04:21 pm
Great book and a great movie, which is rare. The movies are usually not as good as the book. "We all float". Thanks, Since '61
Tundraboy
February 02, 2018 at 08:06 pm
Especially Steven King. Pet Cemetery, Salem's Lot were the only exceptions I recall. Shining strayed too far from book but was still good.
holmesmd
February 03, 2018 at 09:32 am
Dobber, now that was hilarious!!LOL
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 04:06 pm
John - I have been a long distance fan Since '61. It is not my birthdate. I'm not retired yet because I have an equity share in my company. On the flip side I don't work "in a traditional sense" very much any longer. I have long relationships with many of my clients so they prefer to speak with me and keep me informed and get my input. They often invite me to their meetings and their high level strategy stuff. My consultants do most of the real work now.
I am also on the speaking circuit within my industry so that takes some time as well. 2018 should be my last year of direct involvement and then in 2019 I plan to travel and visit my clients one last time. Then I'll take my share and enjoy.
I don't fear Twitter, I just don't need it. I'm not threatened by it, in reference to your "Luddite" comment. It is a communication tool, just like our blog here allows us to communicate with other Packer fans. Another source of information would become a distraction for me. I stay focused on what I need to be focused on, the rest is just noise. Besides, the only people that I care enough to follow are my family, friends and colleagues. Most of them, except the younger colleagues, don't have Twitter accounts. If my grandchildren get Twitter accounts some day that could interest me but for now I see them everyday on FaceTime or at my house or their homes. Don't know where you are in life John but grandchildren make everything else go away. Make the most of your Twitter account. Thanks, Since '61
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 04:34 pm
Congratulations making it this far in life. I see you're quite proud of your business success. Kudos. I hope you enjoy your retirement as I'm sure it's well earned.
The Luddite comment was meant to be humorous. I hope it didn't come across as insulting. This medium leaves a lot to be desired as to intended tone. I still think you should try twitter, once, and see what you think. I always thought it was stupid. 140 characters? Are you kidding? I'll name drop for fun, but when I was working for the Vikings flagship and I would call over to the PR staff their old director, Dave Pelletier, referred to me as, "Mr. Message". I left some long doozys. How could I ever function within 140 characters? Now, it's a more comfortable 280 and I love seeing all the old guard go off on the change. Personally, I gave up twitter. I felt it was bringing out things in me that were better left alone. I may find this does the same if Hank, you, WKU and others don't leave me alone. :)
I smiled when you mentioned FaceTime it begged the question...How did we get by without it for thousands of years? :) To slam poor twitter under that line of thinking and then mention FaceTime? I never. :)
Your thoughts on grandkids are taken to heart. I have 3 kids I'm raising right now and I hope each one produces a boatload of grand kids. I can't wait for that. Kids are what I desired most from life. Nothing else really mattered, outside of my faith, and still doesn't. Well, the Packers are up there. Ha ha. BTW, I hate when I type Ha Ha that we have a player by that name. Still can't get over that.
carlos
February 02, 2018 at 06:23 pm
I have four children and three grandkids. Survived cancer twice. Family and friends get you through. Don’t know where I’d be without them and my faith.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 07:18 pm
God bless on getting through C, twice. I've only had to do it once and couldn't imagine having to go through it a second time. Glad there's at least one fellow survivor on here. I hear you on how you got through. Couldn't imagine i'd have made it without faith.
You're super blessed with 4 children and 3 grands!
cheesycowboy
February 02, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Less scrolling for everyone if you followed Twitter rules here Mr. Kirk. Sincerely,
carlos
February 03, 2018 at 06:16 am
Thank you for the kind words John Kirk. Cancer in my mouth twenty years ago. Surgery and radiation. Never smoked or chewed. Luck of the draw doctor said. Just last summer spent time at Mayo. More intense surgery. Cancer was caused from my radiation twenty years ago the doctors said. I’m still going strong-won’t let it slow me down. Still sore and don’t talk like I used to, but I can deal with that. Thanks again and God Bless.
John Ramble Kirk
February 04, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Inspired by your story!
dobber
February 04, 2018 at 01:37 pm
Packers fans support each other, Carlos, and I'll be prayin' for ya!
carlos
February 04, 2018 at 03:53 pm
Thank you so much guys. It’s what we all would do. Keep fighting and a lot of prayers from so many helped. My Doctor said I have friends in high places because he thought he’d have to take my jaw out. Blessed it didn’t happen. The support means a lot. Thanks again.
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 08:20 pm
Agree that electronic communications can create misunderstandings and confusion. Another reason why I prefer tools that allow direct communications like FaceTime, plus the chance to see my grandchildren. I have nothing against Twitter I just don't use it. I utilize FaceTime because I can see who I am speaking with. I believe that is still important in relationships. It is still very important to my international relationships as they prefer personal interaction/communication over electronic. I appreciate your generous thoughts. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
February 02, 2018 at 12:50 pm
I remember someone saying similar things about facebook...
marpag1
February 02, 2018 at 02:24 pm
"Twitter is an absolute must...."
LOL.
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 04:12 pm
Marpag - and yet humans have survived hundreds of millennia before it even existed. How did we ever get along without it? Coffee is an absolute must for me, after that first cup it's a great day. Thanks, Since '61
marpag1
February 02, 2018 at 04:55 pm
“Twitter user” generally means that you’re 50% less likely to be able to do math in your head.
;)
carlos
February 02, 2018 at 06:25 pm
Nothing like the first cup of the day.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 07:15 pm
Never had a single taste of the stuff. Coffee is to me what twitter is to you...unnecessary!
Tundraboy
February 02, 2018 at 08:10 pm
Coffee has fueled civilization since......
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 08:24 pm
That's OK, I'm sure that you have a food or drink that you enjoy. To each their own. Vive' la Difference. Thanks, Since '61
croatpackfan
February 02, 2018 at 04:57 pm
I agree completelly with you on this matter. I also run business here and do not have twitter, facebook, instagram or any other madia of similar type... I have account on google+, because I have to, but not using it...
So, assertions like "anyone have to have" account on any of social media is ... I do not know how to title that statement and do not offend person who said (wrote) it...
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 05:09 pm
Context. Please, context. I said IF YOU WANT MAXIMUM INFORMATION twitter is a must have...and it is. You'll get to the news you're interested in and more of it light years faster than you would by jumping from site to site.
Scrolling is your friend you Luddites! Who is more reliable? The people who have never been on twitter or the people who have when it comes to an informed opinion on twitter?
croatpackfan
February 03, 2018 at 04:55 am
If you want to make qualified decisions and conclusions, so you can act properly and with success, you need to have same kind of information. On social networks you'll find 99% of lies and "alternative" facts.
CONTEXT:
YOU NEED QUALITY INFORMATION TO RUN QUALITY BUSINESS! You do not need noise.
If you think that you can live quality life based on social network, you have my simpathy...
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:39 am
Information perhaps but random often spontaneous unthought out micro thoughts are hardly a basis for any rational assessment of fact or reality. Chatter is beguiling but not often enlightening.
dobber
February 04, 2018 at 03:07 pm
The modern age has provided platforms to every idiot with a thought or theory. The key is picking the right idiots to listen to. I'll let you judge whether any of us fall into that category for you...
carlos
February 02, 2018 at 10:04 am
Jk, we can monitor Rogers comments in the future and maybe get a feel for what he actually thinks. He is very calculating in what he says and is very smart. I saw him on Jeopardy. I just hope he is all in, as a Green Bay Packer, not a diva.
worztik
February 02, 2018 at 10:26 am
Maybe AROD wants to go play for the Chargers... stranger things have happened!!! Just sayin’...
flackcatcher
February 03, 2018 at 02:51 am
HA!
carlos
February 03, 2018 at 06:21 am
Work-he is a California guy. Seems to like Hollywood.
carlos
February 03, 2018 at 06:22 am
Meant Wortz
4zone
February 02, 2018 at 10:47 am
Only people who seem to be overreacting are the media who have nothing else to write about.
Big Moe
February 02, 2018 at 10:55 am
RELAX... after all the Vikings aren't playing this weekend!
Go Pack!
stockholder
February 02, 2018 at 11:11 am
Just more distractions. 30 mil is to much money for an old man shooting off his mouth. Why can't todays players just stay clean and be humble. A-Rods time is ending in Green bay. It's up to him how he wants to be remembered. "Remember when" isn't worth 30 mil. Looks like he wants to do Jean commercials, than play football. The comparisons are starting to surface.
marpag1
February 02, 2018 at 11:25 am
I hadn't even seen this "huge over-reaction" until now. Kinda wish I still hadn't.
Since'61
February 02, 2018 at 04:23 pm
I'm with you Marpag. Thanks, Since '61
worztik
February 02, 2018 at 11:46 am
OK... here’s the bottom line!!! AROD spoke about losing his coach (Friend) and he has every right to feel bad and sad that AVP left. However, AVP apparently turned down a contract extension (renewal) in ‘17 so as to pursue greener pastures (coordinator position), which apparently didn’t come to fruition. Fine... you aren’t 100% in as a Packer coach... see ya later, buddy! AROD was out of line criticizing the organization for a business decision it made! Then he makes a threat, really sounds familiar, about playing somewhere else. Not cool... NOT COOL AT ALL!!! If this is his way of negotiating a new contract, it is way, way beneath him. This doesn’t sound like a player that wants the BEST for the TEAM! If he’s so unhappy ONLY making $22 million a year at present, he better ditch his ego or move to Hollywood. I can’t see a Jim Kelly lipping off like a kid having a quiet tantrum! Many of you will call it posturing. I call it bull dung!!! Do what ya gotta do AROD but, please, leave it out of the media!!! It’s beneath you!!!
Mojo
February 02, 2018 at 01:41 pm
... and it's hard to believe that for over 1 year AVP didn't let ARod know of his plans. Seems odd to me that Rodgers was at all surprised by this.
John Ramble Kirk
February 02, 2018 at 03:32 pm
Excellent point, Mojo... If Aaron and AVP were such close friends how could Aaron possibly be blindsided like this and insulting to the org? Most people won't want to go down the rabbit hole but I love this stuff.
How does Rodgers reaction square with your point? What are some possibilities?
First, the most likely possibility is that MM didn't accurately portray AVP's situation. He may have been fired and Aaron may have said something yesterday because of how AVP told him MM handled it with him which is not what MM said to the media. Second, Aaron and AVP may not be as close as some think so Aaron may not have been up on what was going on with him.
I think the first possibility is the most plausible There are others I'm not considering, I'm sure, but there is a reason Aaron was upset and seemed like this was fresh to him. I guess it's possible AVP did want out and kept that from Aaron as to not upset him during the season but you would think they would've spoken during the offseason about what was going on for 2018. Not likely that Aaron learned of this through the news.
Whatever the case this is definitely newsworthy stuff when your franchise QB says things like this. Perhaps, Bob McGinn will get to the bottom of this. He is likely the only one who will even bother. Wilde should be able to dig something out but he's reticent to touch controversial topics and plays it down the middle the majority of the time. Maybe, Pete will do a piece similar to the one on how things went down with the GM hire. That was the best piece of journalism I'd seen from the current crop in forever.
TXCHEESE
February 02, 2018 at 02:43 pm
Here is the thing I see with Van Pelt leaving. There's more than one QB on the team to coach. Hundley did not perform this year as if he was well coached. Van Pelt probably looked and felt pretty good as long as Rodgers was healthy. Hundley's performance may have exposed his lack of ability as a coach, and maybe, just maybe MM didn't pursue keeping him. Rodgers may not need to be coached hard, but Hundley needs someone to get him over the hump.
carlos
February 02, 2018 at 06:31 pm
Good point ‘cheese.
Point-Packer
February 02, 2018 at 05:12 pm
You talk to the franchise before you fire his coach. WTF is wrong with Mike McCarthy? He may be good at the x’s and o’s, but his emotional intelligence is lacking severely. This is on him, big time.
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:46 am
So you talk to Rodgers before you don’t rehire his coach? How would that go? “Hey, AR, I don’t think Alex is doing a good job generally, is it OK if I try to upgrade to improve the team?” “No Mike, he is my mate and I don’t need another coach and I don’t care about back-up preparation because we only win with me.”
So much wrong with that.
Point-Packer
February 03, 2018 at 10:47 am
I don’t trust Mike McCarthy to do anything right at this point. And yes, you at least give him a heads up. Apparently McCarthy didn’t even do that.
comeonman
February 02, 2018 at 06:32 pm
Steven A Smith " AR should walk in and demand a trade"?? Over react much Smith? These guys will say damn near anything to make a headline.
It is interesting though that AR is as frustrated as the fan base that GB management has not surrounded him with as many impact players as possible the last 6 plus years. AR is a generational talent, as is the BEST QB in the NFL (imho) I am encourages that TT and DC have FINALLY been fired, and it sounds like the new regime is going to do everything they can to restock this roster with some playmakers!
Coldworld
February 03, 2018 at 08:56 am
At this stage in Rogers career, we need a QB coach who can prepare backups to play and, eventually, groom a successor in part because of injury, in part because the franchise must protect itself against being held to ransom just as Rogers provided insurance at the end of the tractor watch era.
Right now, it would be inexcusable not to have a QB coach felt able to encourage the greatest chance of winning if Rodgers is unable to play precisely to maximize the chance of additional Super Bowls. Look at how NE have approached this over the last 5 years or so.
If (and I don’t know for sure) the team decided Hundley’s debacle was in part due to van Pelt, letting him go was not only right but it was essential and certainly not a matter for debate even with Rogers.
I have to think that the fact that the excessively loyal MM did not want van Pelt back even if, as alleged, he couldn’t get another team to offer him a promotion is a pretty telling. Compare that with the likes of Perry.
dobber
February 03, 2018 at 09:23 am
My cynical thought has been that it's possible that #12 was teaching AVP more than vice versa. I can understand why he'd like that relationship...