2022 Packers Stock Report: Week 18

Take a look at the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18.

Well, that didn't go how I thought it was going to.

What was supposed to be a fitting regular season end to a dream run before the playoffs turned out to be a nightmare.

Mistakes compounded, and the Packers never really got it going. Before we knew it, time was out -- and our favorite team's season was over.

So let's get into the stock report for the Green Bay Packers after a 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18.

BUY

Christian Watson- The only player on the offensive side of the ball that posted a higher grade than 70 according to PFF (88.2), Christian Watson was excellent when the Packers did manage to give him the ball. He caught five passes for 104 yards, including a deep ball while a defender was draped all over him. Watson really has a bright future in this league, and I'm excited to see him hopefully take a leap from year one to two.

Devonte Wyatt- Devonte Wyatt saw the field much more in the regular season finale, and produced while he was out there. Take away a boneheaded moment in which he shoulder-checked a trainer, and Wyatt played a solid game. He was an excellent pass-rusher on Sunday, posting a sack and a forced fumble. The main reason I'm including him on the buy list is, like Watson, he's a rookie who improved over the course of the year. I'm buying stock in Wyatt now with the hope that it will continue to rise next season.

SELL

Discipline- Speaking of shoulder-checking a trainer, how about Rasul Douglas open-hand punching an offensive lineman in the face before a field goal attempt after swatting the ball away? Or Quay Walker getting ejected for the second time this season after shoving a member of the Lions' athletic training staff... in the same week that a member of the Bills training staff saved Damar Hamlin's life? Matt LaFleur has been a good coach for the Packers. But one knock on him has always been that his teams have lacked discipline. Only three teams had more unnecessary roughness penalties than the Packers this year. "It not only looks bad, but it hurts the team," LaFleur said. "We can't have it."

Yosh Nijman- I'll give credit where credit is due - after making the switch to right tackle earlier this season, Yosh Nijman played really well for the majority of the year. The last two games? Not so much. Nijman struggled in pass protection against Aiden Hutchinson, often times ducking his head and leaning forward in pass pro, which did not end well for Nijman or Rodgers. He was pulled again from the game in favor of Zach Tom, who ended up playing a bit better. I think Nijman is a decent offensive lineman in this league, but I think Tom could very well end up as the starter at the right tackle position come Week 1 of 2023.

Home-field advantage- This is the third-straight year in which the Packers' season ended at Lambeau Field in January. All three losses were to warm-weather teams [Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Detroit (dome)]. Could it be that teams don't truly fear the frozen tundra? Recent data would tell you that. Lambeau Field is one of the most iconic venues in sports. It's supposed to be an advantage that this team regularly practices and plays in cold weather, when many teams don't. Apparently, for LaFleur's teams, it's not. Shame.

HOLD

Quay Walker- We had seen a lot of improvement from Quay Walker over the majority of the second half of the season. He was playing much more free, attacking the ball and eating up space in coverage. But you can't shove members of the opposing team's staff -- which he's done twice this season. You just can't. It's unacceptable. It sounds like he called the trainer and spoke for a long time with him on the phone. And he posted a seemingly meaningful apology on Twitter, before deleting his account. So I'm hopeful that he'll learn from this season's mistakes, and I'll hold on to his stock for now.

Front office- I'm placing the front office on hold for now. I have no idea what Brian Gutekunst and Co. will do this offseason. I firmly believe that this team will look incredibly different come 2023, however. There are so many guys on this team that have cloudy futures. The biggest? Aaron Rodgers. I'm already not looking forward to the will-he retire, won't-he retire shtick that has taken place the last couple offseasons. Ultimately, there are many, many decisions that this front office has to make this offseason. So... hold.

__________________________

Gunnar Davis is a lifelong Packers fan and a recent graduate of Simpson College, where he was a 3-year letterwinner on the offensive line and graduated with a degree in multimedia communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @Gunnar57Davis.

__________________________

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

5 points
 

Comments (63)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
PackyCheese500's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:06 pm

Biggest sell for me is Matt LaFleur. Time and time again he has failed in playoff games when it matters the most, even when given home-field advantage at one of the most electrifying stadiums in the NFL.

There were lots of questionable decisions I saw made in the Detroit game. Going for it on 4th and 1 on your own 30? Calling 3 straight passes against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL at one point? Refusing to run Aaron Jones in outside zone? I have seen it in other games as well. In the first Detroit game, for example, we passed 38 times and ran it only about 14, if my memory serves me correctly. WHY?

Not only that, but it is clear this team lacks discipline, as can be seen from Quay's actions, and this team also lacks of spirit. The Lions were the more physical team who wanted the victory more, and they earned it.

Whenever I see him in the post-game conference after a loss, he always (to me) seems to be on the verge of tears. He looks lost often on the sideline when things aren't going exactly how he wants. He doesn't have the leadership, toughness, or resilience to be a true Head Coach, like Dan Campbell or Mike Vrabel. They are true leaders. MLF is a good eyebrow-waxer with the occasional good play (and not much else). He will never be able to lead this team to meaningful success.

26 points
26
0
bjkdad44's picture

January 11, 2023 at 05:52 pm

Agree with this observation 100%…. Couldn’t agree more!!!

0 points
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Tex49's picture

January 12, 2023 at 12:50 am

In all Fairness the Bucs NFC champ game was in a mostly empty stadium.

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

January 12, 2023 at 07:18 am

but it was electrifying...

0 points
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0
SinceLombardi's picture

January 12, 2023 at 06:28 am

The only thing I would note ( and I don’t like MLF) is the offensive line was embarrassing. You might as well burn the playbook. It’s so predictable. If they played SF, Philly and Detroit three times each they would be 0-9. Period.
Although they might rough up a trainer or two.

3 points
3
0
Packerpasty's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:50 am

MLF and his staff have brought in a new low in Red Zone offense..abysmal would be a good word for it..that and no home field advantage in Dec!!! This guy can't fire up a team and he can't adjust mid-game when things go south...unfortunatly he will be back perhaps with another loser in Hackett..

1 points
1
0
Razer's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:23 pm

We don't have the most talented team in the league but we have enough pieces to compete into the playoffs. The issue this season falls upon the organizing and utilization on players. The play of the O-line this past Sunday was a total mystery. Who to block, how to block and what the play required seemed to elude a generally solid line. Over the course of the season, assignment, technique and strategy seem to be a hit and miss thing. So my stock report is coaching - SELL.

17 points
17
0
PackyCheese500's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:25 pm

I think there is a disconnect in the management as well. We keep getting more finnessed pass blockers instead of mauling run blockers (who also do well in PP)

8 points
8
0
coolhand's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:05 am

The fact that Newman was starting for as long as he did tells you all you need to know about player evaluation. Amari Rodgers as well. It also goes back back to the NFCCG and the O line decisions when Bakh got hurt. They also made terrible decisions on the O line last year against SF.

4 points
4
0
Barnacle's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:08 am

We may not have the most talented team, but of the 14 positions on all teams we have two of the highest paid players in their positions. The other 30 teams combined have 12.

Does that tell us anything about our front office or coaches?

“Fools and their money are soon parted”.

3 points
3
0
mnbadger's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:31 pm

Gunnar, are you saving one last Buy/Sell segment to cover just the staff? If not, I strongly disagree with your sell list in that it is totally incomplete.
Sell - mlf. make a list of pros/cons to see if he should be retained. You can do it based on the past 15 months or the next 12 months. Either way, not only sell but price buster, blue light special, everything must go, name your price sell!
My 2 year old grandson would be better at leading this team into a game and managing it through the emotional highs and lows of the game. I say that because my grandson is growing confidence and maturity which are traits totally lacking in our newspaper boy hc.
Sell - JB. availability is a great trait for professional athletes. However, if that's all you've got going for you (see joe barry) you can only be judged by the accumulation of your past performance and your ability to adjust to change and challenges.
Don't even sell the guy. Walk him to the edge of Lombardi avenue and hang a sign on him stating "free to a good home, or any home as long as it's no where near Green Bay!"
Hold - I hold my opinions of the rest of the staff with the hope that a real HC and DC will allow them to elevate their games and improve the play on the field.
Thank you/Sorry!
GPG!

4 points
7
3
Leatherhead's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:36 pm

Buy: Despair, reckless accusations, shiny objects, front office bashing.
Sell: Patience
Hold: Improve the Offense.

Sorry, but I'm a veteran of over 50 offseasons, and it always sucks when you don't make the playoffs, but I don't think that there's any reason for big overreactions to an 8-9 season where a lot of things went wrong. We have some non-drastic ways we can improve before next season.

I'm pro offense. I think you win with offense. Philly, Dallas, SF, Minnesota are all Top 7 offenses, and I think you can bet that two of these teams will be in the Championship game (Not Minnesota) . So I'd use this draft primarily to turbo-charge the offense.

We can strengthen the offensive line so that even when guys get injured, we can put a good guy in his place, not some Day 3 rookie. It was great that Tom worked out for us better than Rhyan and Newman and Walker and Hanson and Jones. If he hadn't, think about who would have been lining up for us........

We have #15 overall, and two more picks in the Top 100, and one early on Day 3. A little moving around, or maybe some draft picks we get in trade, and we could get 5 picks in the Top 100. Get a TE, a RB to replace Jones, a WR, and an OL, all on Day Two.

I think it's Love at QB next year. We get to suit out 20 offensive players around him and, IMO, we should put the 20 best guys we can: 9 blockers, 10 skill position guys, 1 backup QB.

As I see it today:

Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, , Tom, Newman, Hanson, Rhyan, Walker, Jones, Tenuta, Delance. All under contract, at this point, for next season. I like the first 5, I'm not excited about the guys after that. It'd be nice if even ONE of them would make a jump next year ahead of Newman and Hanson. We should try to resign Nijman if we can.

Watson, Doubs, Toure, Cotton, Melton are our WRs under contract. We're going to have to add to this, probably on Day Two. Fortunately, as we know, there are many good WRs available on Day Two.

DeGuara, Guggemos, and Allen are the TEs we have under contract. This is another obvious target in the draft.

Dillon, Taylor, Jones at RB. I would go ahead and trade Jones, one of my favorite guys, to gain the $10 million in salary cap relief. I would draft his replacement.

Those are our 10 skill position guys at this moment. I'd add a TE, WR, and RB, all towards the top of the draft. This is all doable. We can be better next year without burning down the building and starting over.

-4 points
5
9
Coldworld's picture

January 11, 2023 at 02:14 pm

I admire your ability to see foundations capable of supporting reconstruction, but lament the omission of the fact that the mortar is already crumbling.

5 points
6
1
Leatherhead's picture

January 11, 2023 at 02:58 pm

I don't see the mortar as crumbling. I think the Packer organizational structure is good. I think Murphy is a solid Pres. I think Gute is good at his job. I think Ball is good at his job. I think that personnel people and scouting department is good. I think LaFleur has been more successful in his first four years than 98% of every head coach who has coached in the NFL in the last 50 years.

I find it so odd that they get no credit for the accomplishments of the last 4 years (you give all that credit to the guy you wanted to get rid of) but they get most of the blame.

-4 points
2
6
Celise...'s picture

January 11, 2023 at 05:21 pm

you tell me why Murphy changed the structure at the top so he had the final say about everything if he didn't plan on steering the ship. He did a fine job making the title town district a money maker, but when he decided he would start making football decisions it was the start of our downfall. when Bob Harlan took over from Judge Parins he had the foresight to let the GM make those decisions and we started winning, now...we're going backwards...history repeats itself when we don't learn

5 points
5
0
Leatherhead's picture

January 11, 2023 at 05:36 pm

Because every organization needs somebody with the final say.

Gutekunst, LaFleur. Ball, all have their areas of responsibility and have to work cooperatively for the good of the team. Murphy is there to help resolve conflict. but when we get a player, it's because dozens of scouts and coaches have worked collaboratively preparing the board. Everybody has input, and Gutekunst makes the call based on the board

-4 points
0
4
Celise...'s picture

January 11, 2023 at 06:33 pm

so your saying all those years with Bob Harlan at the helm no one had a "final say" ? the final say was the GM who was hired because they had the football knowledge needed to make those decisions. No one likes the 'boss' telling them how to do their job, especially when they have to take the fallout for poor choices

3 points
3
0
Leatherhead's picture

January 11, 2023 at 07:07 pm

Look....I don't understand the big angst over all this. Murphy was, and is, the President. Under the old structure, the HC reported to the GM who reported to the Pres. Now, the HC reports directly to the Pres. The GM isn't the HC's boss anymore.

The three main parties...Ball, Gutekunst, LaFleur, have to work collaboratively to advance the team. Murphy is there to keep everything on track and everyone working together. Which they are. I don't understand the problem.

Murphy has a contract that doesn't expire for a few years. The Executive Board could fire him if they felt they had a cause. Murphy could fire Gutekunst, Ball, and/or LaFleur.

I think it's a good organizational structure, and less vulnerable to one man's error in judgement.

-5 points
0
5
NickPerry's picture

January 12, 2023 at 06:55 am

The Packers were VERY successful with Ron Wolf or Ted Thompson having the final say when it came to player personnel. IMO and it's only my opinion, MLF was a Murphy hire. I think the same thing could be said for the Rodgers extension.

Gute already had a plan. He was drafted a QB, O-Linemen, and a RB in Dillon. He was drafting for a future WITHOUT Rodgers.

IMO the 2022 Packers, THIS team we just watched go 8-9 with the $150 Million dollar man, would have had the same record at least, but probably BETTER with Love.

4 points
4
0
Packerlifer's picture

January 13, 2023 at 05:02 pm

Was there a Ted Thompson, let alone a Ron Wolf, available for the Packers in 2018? Murphy basically chose among Thompson assistants for GM, which resulted in the elevation of Gutekunst.

However, the Packers already had an established HC in Mike McCarthy. In terms of real power and status in the organization Gutey was his junior.

Murphy made the call to relieve MM and hire LaFleur. How much authority was Gutey to have over the hc at that point?

Obviously the situation was made to work for the prior 3 years, playoff losses notwithstanding.

If Murphy will be decisive and make decisions that work well and good. If not then getting in another strong, true GM will be advisable. This coming year will tell.

0 points
0
0
BirdDogUni's picture

January 11, 2023 at 04:07 pm

Realistically, I don't see Murphy, Gutey, or MaLF going anywhere, (anytime soon.)

Defense Win Championships. That being said, I'm on your side Lh. I still expect Gutey to go defense with our 1st round pick. (OLBer, DL, or S)

My dream scenario is: AR12 decides he wants to retire or be traded. Trading him would be the best way for us to recoup at least some value, at least. Even if it were for future draft picks.

I also agree we need more weapons, no matter who is playing QB. My crush right now is Rashee Rice WR SMU 6' 2" 205 lbs, long arms, big hands, high volume of college receptions, and 4.36 speed. Hoping he will be there for our 2nd round pick.

I also agree we probably need to draft at least one RB. The trio of big backs I'm most intrigued by are: Zach Charbonnet, Tavion Thomas, and Roschon Johnson. I haven't looked at the smaller RBs yet, but I am sure if they want to find a guy who is Aaron Jones like, they can do it. Would love to be able to find a trade partner for Aaron Jones. (Not because I don't love him, because I think we all do, but for cap reasons and the added draft picks, so we can get younger and more rookie contracts.

TE - I came back from overseas in '90, and TE has probably been the worst position group overall for the last three decades. You know it has to be when I'm excited we signed Austin Allen, UDFA TE out of Nebraska. Allen caught a bunch of balls in the middle of the field for Nebraska. Decent size and hands, but we can't depend on UDFAs, so if we could trade Aaron Jones for a 3rd round pick or a 4th round pick, maybe we can package them up with our 3rd round pick and get up into the bottom of the 2nd round for a S or TE? I hope Gutey trades our 3rd or uses it to trade up or down, because he's been terrible in the 3rd round, as was TT.

I'm with you Lh, I don't expect big changes, even though Murphy and MaLF should go. There is still hope that Barry gets canned, but who knows.

The more I think about it, the more I feel certain Gutey will draft another OLBer/DL in the 1st round this year. Tyree Wilson, Isaiah Foskey, or Andre Carter II, would be my guess, but what do I know?

1 points
2
1
Leatherhead's picture

January 11, 2023 at 05:49 pm

Well, that cancels out the anonymous chickenshit downvotes.....

I also expect a defender to be our first pick, but I could still see a scenario where we could trade down and move around and get 5 picks in the Top 100.....that would be my goal. I'm looking at Day 2 guys for WR, TE, RB, OL. We also might get some draft help in a trade, so I'm still optimistic we could get 5 picks, use the first one on a defender, and still get 4 good offensive players.

I like Big Backs, I cannot lie. I wanted us to draft Henry.

-2 points
0
2
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 11, 2023 at 08:23 pm

The 15th pick has to be for the best prospect. If it is a defensive lineman, that's a no-brainer. If it is an OLB, another no-brainer. If it is a safety, yeah, probably should go that route.

The history of TEs is so bad that I'd be hesitant to take one that high. GB will have already made their decisions on guys to get under the cap. If they kept Bakh, Nijman, and they have already decided to keep Jenkins, taking an OT with the 15th pick becomes almost a luxury. Do they like Rasheed, Caleb or Tenuta? Newman played RT ahead of them, but they are young.

GB is okay at ILB with Campbell, Walker and McDuffie and they can get by at CB with Jaire, Douglas, Savage as a slot corner, and Stokes when he returns (Nov. 11 ankle and knee injury - but I can't find a mention of the specific surgery he underwent).

It would have to be a heck of a prospect for me to take a guard or center at 15. They really need a wide receiver as well. Watson isn't as good as Davante, Doubs isn't as good as Lazard, and Toure isn't as good as anybody or Cobb, but all might develop and be good enough. Can't rely on that.

Whichever position GB does not take puts a lot of pressure on pick 46. Teams can get good guards and centers when taking a guy that high, and it often is a good spot for WRs and RBs and often enough, safeties. There might be a good-looking TE at 46. If they still need a DL or OLB, then I suppose, but a good result is a guy who is okay on a rotational basis.

Guys who can come in a play are available in rounds one and two, and then if the GM has a good eye, maybe he gets another one guy in rounds 3, 4, and 5 who can come in and play as a rookie. With needs at DL, OLB, S x 2, TE, WR, IOL, RB, some positions will be left out in the cold.

1 points
1
0
stockholder's picture

January 11, 2023 at 09:08 pm

Love Rashee Rice. But if he doesn't run 4.36. He'll drop. Currently rated top 40.
If Barry comes back. Nolan Smith out of Georgia should be his choice.
I prefer Offense: Red Zone threats - Bijan Robinson- age 20. -or Jaylin Hyatt. @15.
Jones is not living up to his 20 mil contract. And Dillion will walk next year.
I say Take their replacements now.

0 points
0
0
SinceLombardi's picture

January 12, 2023 at 06:39 am

I too am a veteran of 50+ off seasons. I don’t share your opinion on the current state of affairs. With the current from office and staff the 8-9 record will be something to be longed for soon.
Face it if not for a putrid Bears team and a concussion to the Dolphins QB in the second half we are looking at an 11 loss team.
Three straight years of devastating home losses.
Sticking by names like Kevin King, Mo Drayton, Mike Pettine, Joe Barry, Dean Lowry and more until they cost your franchise a given season!
I am not overreacting when I say this ship is not only sinking ( quickly) but there appears to be no rescue plan.

2 points
2
0
Packerlifer's picture

January 13, 2023 at 04:51 pm

If you're going to look at the "coulda, shoulda" season, yes Chicago and Miami "could have" left us with an 11 loss team. But Washington and both Detroit games " could have" left the Packers with 11 wins. Just sayin'...

0 points
0
0
BAMABADGER's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:36 pm

"Matt LaFleur has been a good coach for the Packers". The only sentence I disagree with.

9 points
10
1
Coldworld's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:55 pm

The challenge to one making that comment is simple. Write a piece justifying what LaFleur has done to merit the statement.

There’s been a lot written here pointing out grievous shortcomings, so there has to be some clear excellence or that statement is bull.

Don’t just point to achievements that can be ascribed to Rodgers and the roster: the record is not a justification alone. Give us an insight into how he lifts this team and roster. Then compare that to what Campbell, for example, does for the Lions. Time to back up that clap trap or stop regurgitating it. Too much sycophancy in the Packersphere. That exercise might just exorcise it.

6 points
8
2
barutanseijin's picture

January 13, 2023 at 07:55 pm

It’s obvious: if you want to argue that Lafleur is a good head coach you talk about the won-loss record.

0 points
0
0
Packerlifer's picture

January 13, 2023 at 05:06 pm

The key part of the statement is "has been." 39-10 in the first 3 years is nothing to disregard. Whatever he was then he wasn't in 2022.

https://packerswire.usatoday.com/lists/what-went-right-and-what-went-wro...

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:53 pm

I think Nijman was struggling with a shoulder but gave it a go. I will hold in him. He only managed 8 snaps the prior week.

Really, beyond that I think Dillon gets a bad rap-3.2 yards average after contact and a lot if that was behind the line or at it. Myers is on my sell list. Not a lot of credit to go around, apart from Watson on field. None off.

2 points
4
2
splitpea1's picture

January 11, 2023 at 12:59 pm

Looking ahead to next season:

Wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole right now: The offense, simply because of too much uncertainty not only with personnel, but the coaching staff. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hackett back in some capacity.

Worth a sniff: Savage. Was his recent solid play the real deal, or just fool's gold?

Tepid Buy: Bisaccia. The special teams weren't great, but they did offer some glimmers of hope. And when they did goof, they sometimes responded with big plays of their own on their next opportunity. Besides, you can't keep disposing of coordinators like chewing gum wrappers--some continuity would be nice.

Sell: MLF and Barry. I don't know what they were thinking for much of the season, but I'm not eager for a repeat display.

Literal sell: Love if Rodgers comes back. Do the young man a favor and free him to contribute somewhere else.

Sell: Murphy. Throw him in the cargo hold on the next plane to Timbuktu.

Buy: A red zone offense that results in TDS, not FGs.

Locate and buy: Some home-field culture. Forget about the weather. I just made this comment in the last article, but this team and coaching staff has to have a different and elevated attitude at home--one where they find a way to get it done and not be denied.

5 points
7
2
croatpackfan's picture

January 11, 2023 at 02:51 pm

"Sell: Murphy. Throw him in the cargo hold on the next plane to Timbuktu."

What you have against Timbuktu? What wrong they did to you?

3 points
3
0
SinceLombardi's picture

January 12, 2023 at 06:40 am

I think Bisaccia was great. He didn’t make a bad bunch good… he turned a historically bad bunch to better than average. And his hands were tied on the Amari Rodgers fiasco.

2 points
2
0
T7Steve's picture

January 11, 2023 at 01:07 pm

Buy: Have to go along with Gunnar and add all the rookie class to the list. I think there's lots to look forward to with this class with the exception of a couple lineman that might improve and were put into games before they were ready for NFL football (leads back to coaching again).

Sell: Am I allowed to buy Gunnars discipline sell? I'm not even talking about the penalties. I see no repercussions for a player not preforming their assignments. Not unless they're young and on the wrong side of someone. I will say that I think Nijman is big and good and was playing hurt. He's a good future with the Packers.

Hold: The defense. All of these 1st round picks and other free agents would thrive in any other situation if used properly. We could nit-pick a couple youngsters like Stokes and Savage, but they've shown promise that hasn't been utilized, especially their speed (get the coaching theme here?).

1 points
2
1
Gman1976's picture

January 11, 2023 at 01:36 pm

Buy: Agree with you on Watson. He was easily the best player on on offense.
Sell: MLF and anyone else who is designing and calling offensive plays. The downward spiral of the offense continues and it's sad to see how far AR has declined this year (If he was playing hurt, Love should have played). Also sell Barry who did so little with so much and could not play tight defense in the 4th quarter again.
Hold: Agree with you on Walker. This rookie has the potential of being an All-Pro. He will either be great or thrown out of the league for his lack of discipline. He has heart and can be a game changer.

7 points
7
0
Starrbrite's picture

January 11, 2023 at 01:58 pm

Cold weather games are the most overrated alleged advantage in football—the historical record proves this.
In the 2nd coldest game ever, San Diego should have beaten the Bengals; and we have lost to Tampa, Atlanta, San Fran….Detroit.
Hot weather however can be a huge advantage.
Very disappointed in the Packers loss to Detroit.

4 points
6
2
Crazedcamel's picture

January 12, 2023 at 12:22 pm

I was at the Bengals/Chargers and Fouts couldn’t throw a spiral in pre- game “warm” ups. San Diego didn’t have a chance in the -59 wind chill, especially after playing the previous week in extreme tropical humidity in Miami.

0 points
0
0
Starrbrite's picture

January 12, 2023 at 02:12 pm

That is true—Fouts had 4 turnovers.

-1 points
0
1
stockholder's picture

January 11, 2023 at 02:27 pm

Buy - ACR
Sell - Business side: I'd sell every Free Agent on this team.
I'm tired of the Fumbles changing the momentum of the game.
Unfortunately; trading for picks might be the best option.
While most think it's time for Love. I say trade him.
And instead of paying Jones 20 mil. Trade him. Stop the can.
Didn’t Christian McCarthy just get traded?
And Let's face it. The Lions traded Matthew Stafford.
So Jordan Love is tradable. And he needs an out.
Oh, and let’s not forget Bahk. Because if Rodgers Retires.
Bahk, Lewis, Cobb, Crosby, And Tonyan are gone.
So the rebuild will start. And MLF will be fired like MM.

-5 points
3
8
croatpackfan's picture

January 11, 2023 at 03:01 pm

"So the rebuild will start. And MLF will be fired like MM."

That would be the best beginning of rebuilding any team can start!

3 points
3
0
stockholder's picture

January 11, 2023 at 03:03 pm

Ken Ingalls - Packers Cap
https://twitter.com/KenIngalls
Top 5 Scheduled Cash Payments (not salary cap) for the 2023 Green Bay Packers: 1⃣ Aaron Rodgers $59,515,000 2⃣ David Bakhtiari - $17,500,000 3⃣ Kenny Clark - $16,250,000 4⃣ Aaron Jones - $16,000,000 5⃣ Jaire Alexander - $14,250,000 A running back being on this list is not ideal
Twitter · 1 day ago
David Bakhtiari is scheduled to earn $17.5M of cash in 2023, but his cap hit is almost $29M Why? His contract has been backloaded 3 times in 3 seasons. 2020 - Signing bonus deferred $24M of cap 2021 - Restructure deferred $8.3M of cap 2022 - Restructure deferred $7.7M of cap
Twitter · 8 hours ago

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Untylu1968's picture

January 11, 2023 at 03:01 pm

Sorry, but i think you had a typo? Did you mean Bye-ACR? Although, if we keep him and his large salary, and declining skills around a few more years, we will maybe have a shot at Arch Manning.?

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stockholder's picture

January 11, 2023 at 06:11 pm

You must want a top 10 draft pick in 2024

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Coldworld's picture

January 11, 2023 at 11:32 pm

Better than a top 15 I suppose.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 11, 2023 at 02:47 pm

BAMABADGER left this link on the Al's Confessions of a Poluted Mindset - Lion Eyes

As there is no much reaction on this article I decided to copy it to the post. You have author and date when the article is written. If I, by any chance made violation on any US authors law, I kindly ask moderator to delete this post. Thank you!

The Many Red Flags of Matt LaFleur

BY PAUL NOONAN - JAN. 10, 2019

A quick look at Football Outsiders’ list of the most efficient offensive teams, which, in order, includes the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, will tell you why the Green Bay Packers went after a young, offensively minded alleged-wunderkind like Matt LaFleur.

Every one of those teams not only made the playoffs, but are still alive in the playoffs. Their counterparts on defense, the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, have all been sent packing. At the moment, offense wins, and the Packers are built for offense. It makes perfect sense that they would focus on offensive-minded coaches, and eventually hire one.
Everyone is looking for the next Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan, and LaFleur has experience working for both, but there is a great deal of risk in chasing that archetype, and in hiring someone so inexperienced. LaFleur may show some promise, but there are a number of red flags around him as well.

1. LaFleur hasn’t really been in charge of anything substantial.

LaFleur worked as offensive coordinator for Sean McVay before joining the Tennessee Titans, but he didn’t call plays, nor did he call plays while serving under Kyle Shanahan as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. Last season was his first shot at actually running an offense, and it’s hard to categorize that effort as anything but a failure. The Titans were greatly hampered by injuries to quarterback Marcus Mariota, and to other skill position players, but they finished 25th in passing DVOA, and it’s hard to argue that LaFleur made the most out of the few weapons he did have. If you are hiring an offensive coordinator, I think it’s fine to take a chance on a younger coach with some projectability. For a head coach, I would like to see some on-field accomplishment of some kind.

2. Sean McVay let him go.

In the NFL, an organization can block a lateral move, and teams frequently exercise that right. When the Titans hired LaFleur away from the Rams, the Rams could have blocked him from interviewing. Instead they wished him well and sent him on his way. Perhaps more troubling, the Rams offense actually improved without LaFleur, moving from 6th to 2nd in DVOA, while Tennessee declined from 18th to 22nd. I remember when the Patriots bid farewell to Charlie Weiss and their offense drastically improved. I’ve been wary of Patriot coaches since then, and Sean McVay is at least as wise as Bill Belichick in understanding who on his staff is important, and who is replaceable.

3. LaFleur was not hired as head coach of the Titans.

Originally LaFleur interviewed to be head coach in Tennessee, a job that eventually went to former Patriot linebacker Mike Vrabel. The Titans offered him the consolation prize and he took it. That strikes me as an odd and questionable decision, as success was always more certain under McVay, and LaFleur would likely be unable to move up in the Titans’ organization.

4. No one else wanted LaFleur.

Despite the fact that a quarter of the league needed a new head coach, only the Packers interviewed LaFleur. When the other teams do free scouting for you, it’s often wise to listen.

5. The Packer process was weird, and possibly dysfunctional.

The Packers did not conduct a second interview for any candidate including LaFleur, which strikes me as managerial malpractice. For a position as important as head football coach, it’s wise to vet your candidates carefully, and a single interview is hardly enough time to do so, especially considering LaFleur’s lack of NFL accomplishments. Mark Murphy also took time to thank Packer communications director Jason Wahlers as instrumental to the hiring effort, which seems odd.

6. LaFleur is keeping Mike Pettine.

I’m not a huge fan of Pettine, but even if you are, you should still be wary. I would like a new head coach to have his own people, and his own vision. It would be fine if the Packers employed some legendary, or at least highly successful defensive coordinator, but Pettine is neither, and allowing holdovers from the old regime when you are supposed to be implementing a progressive new regime is inconsistent at best.

7. LaFleur’s offense may feed into Aaron Rodgers’ bad habits.

In Tennessee, LaFleur leaned heavily on a vertical passing game with easy dump-off options, often to running backs. Part of the issue with Rodgers this year was too much of exactly that. Rodgers was very boom or bust in either attacking deep or running around searching for what would eventually become a short comeback, or a hopeless dump off. While Sean McVay’s offense is more horizontal, and makes good use of the intermediate routes and the middle portion of the field, LaFleur’s tendencies may exacerbate some already bad habits. Rodgers may like it, but it may not be good for him.

8. Rodgers may walk all over LaFleur.

LaFleur may be a dynamo on the field, but in his press conferences, including his most recent, he comes off as a bit awkward and slightly passive. Rodgers is supremely confident, and understands his own brilliance, a dangerous combination that makes earning respect a very real challenge. This hire is all about Rodgers, and if Rodgers isn’t happy with LaFleur’s gameplans, personality or anything else, Rodgers will win that battle.

9. Buy low, sell high.

With everyone looking for the next Sean McVay, the price of Sean McVays has skyrocketed, while the supply is shallow. Everyone wants offense because, at the moment, it works. But there are not an infinite number of McVays just sitting around. The bargains right now are on defense, and a defensive-minded head coach would have been perfect for the Packers, who could have gambled on someone like LaFleur at OC, while shoring up the weakest part of the team with a new head coach and relying on Rodgers to not let the offense get too bad. Bears’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is going to Denver, which strikes me as a horrible fit for all involved. Denvers’ defense is already quite solid already, and Fangio will contribute nothing to the offense. It is a win for the Packers to have him out of the division, but he would have been a nice zag to the league’s general zig and a perfect fit for their specific situation.

I hope Matt LaFleur is a dynamic, creative offensive mind who turns the team around, and given his lack of track record, and the fact that I wasn’t in the interview room, it’s entirely possible he will do so, but what we do know of LaFleur isn’t exactly encouraging. This hiring will serve as a referendum on Mark Murphy and Brian Gutekunst’s managerial processes, and determine the fate of the franchise for years. Given the stakes, the process seemed a little light.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 11, 2023 at 02:47 pm

double

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Rarescope's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:02 am

I was grateful that link was shared as I wasn't following the NFL outside of just watching the games until I started reading CHTV in 2020 (I seem to remember lots of people taking up new hobbies that year). To me the biggest revelation was that he wasn't interviewing anywhere else. I don't know how common that is for NFL HC since it's a pretty tiny job market overall, but that doesn't bode well for the view of someone's skills. I definitely don't buy into anything anyone says at a media podium this time of year - of course you're going to say everyone did a good job and will be hired back. Criticism is for behind closed doors unless it's something really egregious.

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Packerpasty's picture

January 12, 2023 at 10:06 am

excellant!!! Two teams never fought at all to keep the guy and the Packer search for a new HQ was poor for a large organization...

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mnbadger's picture

January 12, 2023 at 12:30 pm

thank you for making this available. It stands up from point 1 thru point 9.
I never understood why so many have been so hard on MM. This article provides very sound reasoning for the angst.
As much as I want to move on from the flower, I'm afraid we're stuck for at least one if not two more years. He may eventually open from a promising bud to a beautiful flower, but why did we have to have him while the bud was still developing on the branch.
GB isn't Cleveland, we should be able to attract the best.
mlf is not even in the top 25 in my humble opinion.
GPG!

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13TimeChamps's picture

January 11, 2023 at 03:38 pm

I'm leaning more and more towards a Sell on MLF. It was hard to disregard his record his first 3 years, the best in NFL history for a rookie coach, if I'm not mistaken. But for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling that he always came across as more of a glorified OC as opposed to a true HC. But the team kept winning. This year his warts as a HC kept showing up. His coaching hires, his seeming deference to his QB (shouldn't it be the other way around?), very questionable play calling, etc.

I've always been impressed with Gutekunst as a GM. Of course, he's had his misses with draft picks, but what GM hasn't? I'm guessing he's done as well, if not better, than most GM's in that regard. And, he wasn't afraid to bring in free agents, something his predecessor was loathe to do. I will always wonder if he would have had the power of Thompson and Wolf would 2 things have happened:

1) The hiring of MLF as head coach after one 2 hour interview.
2) The re-signing of Rodgers to that ridiculous, salary cap crippling contract.

Unfortunately, we'll probably never know.

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CheesedDeadHead's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:20 am

"It was hard to disregard his record his first 3 years, the best in NFL history for a rookie coach, if I'm not mistaken."

I always thought given his record in his first 3 years why he hasn't really been recognized in coach of the year voting. (sure popularity contests are fraught with error, but it's still data even if it's low quality). Maybe year 2/3 would be recognized as Rodgers MVP play leading the team, but in year 1 MLF took a team that was 6-9-1 under MM to 13-3. Kyle Shanahan finished in 2nd place taking a 4-12 team (that he coached, had huge numbers of injuries and a draft position to get Bosa) to 13-3. MLF was a distant third with 3 votes to shanahans 25+. Tomlin got 2 votes for his 8-8 Steelers. That tells me there is a lot of external opinions that MLF really isn't that great of a coach even with the "record". Maybe the results from 2022 are more in line with what a lot of the industry thinks of MLF the head coach and we, the Packer faithful, have really been behind the curve with respect to MLFs true capabilities (or blinded by our emotional attachment to anything in Green & Gold). I'm beginning to think a lot of that 39-10 record may have been the same with 99% of head coaches in charge.

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Duneslick's picture

January 11, 2023 at 05:31 pm

Sell Gute. Continues to overpay and push out salaries into the future. Greenbay cant pay their current players next year whether rodgers his here or not let alone sign free agents to help. An 8-9 salary maxed out team. Not good

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13TimeChamps's picture

January 11, 2023 at 05:51 pm

"Sell Gute. Continues to overpay and push out salaries into the future."

Russ Ball is in charge of contracts, not Gutekunst.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 12, 2023 at 12:22 am

No, Russ Ball is balling under the orders of Mark Murphy.

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Packerlifer's picture

January 13, 2023 at 05:15 pm

And Murphy puts in his $150 million worth as well.

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Qoojo's picture

January 11, 2023 at 06:14 pm

Sell Packers: they appear posed to try the exact same thing next year. I can't stop thinking about the draft ransom that they would have received by trading AR this year. Especially, when I think their record and performance may have been better.

Sell AR: when the games truly matter, AR fades. You can't fade at 50 mil.

Just read another story that mentioned if Barry returns next year, it's the first time he made it to year 3 as DC.

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SinceLombardi's picture

January 12, 2023 at 06:25 am

I’d say the market crashed. MLF should be gone. He’s a byproduct of an MVP run from Rodgers. That’s over, so is LaFluers effectiveness.
There is a problem when a team gets pushed around by tough physical teams, yet gets a lot of unsportsmanlike, unnecessary roughness penalties. IS THAT THE KIND OF TEAM THAT SHOULD REPRESENT TITLETOWN???
Will it change under LaFluer? Gutekunst?? Murphy?
Why don’t we bring in Charles Martin to run some sportsmanship clinics in the off season.
Soft team, no coaching or player leadership, terrible home record in important games, totally overrated roster with many holes and salary cap hell.
It’s not only a sell, it’s a fire sale.

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Johnblood27's picture

January 12, 2023 at 07:17 am

Buy???
Sell???
Hold???

IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!

This market has crashed!

Time to move to Costa Rica and open an ex-pat bar on the beach.

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Rarescope's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:06 am

Haha funny you should mention Costa Rica - I recently found out they have a digital worker's visa that lets you stay and work remotely there for 12 months that can be renewed for another 12. As soon as I can convince my parents to start sharing some costs around here (they've been staying with us while newly retired Dad is working on a fixer upper in the neighborhood) we're gone ;)

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Johnblood27's picture

January 12, 2023 at 09:39 pm

I am actually looking hard at Portugal...

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