Cory's Corner: Consistency Has Been Missing Ingredient
The bye week is a great time for self reflection.
How did we get here?
Remember when the Packers were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender? Remember when people said that Green Bay’s defense would win the Packers at least a handful of games?
The Packers are 5-8 and according to FiveThirtyEight, they have a four percent chance of making the playoffs. Is that right? Are we really two weeks out from Christmas and the Packers are hanging on by the hair of their teeth?
The offense is averaging 345 yards a game — which is 20 yards lighter from last year. It has taken some time for Aaron Rodgers to mesh with his young and new wideouts. But Christian Watson and Romeo Roubs have since proven that they can be legitimate No. 1 and No. 2 receivers.
The disappointing part with the passing game is the drops. There have been 25 of them. There were 19 in 2021, 30 in 2020 and 31 in 2019. The Packers still have four games left to play. Even if they still played 16 games, this group will get more than 31.
Then there’s the tight end position. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Robert Tonyan because he was coming off a torn ACL last year. In 2020 he had 11 touchdowns — which tied him for the best mark for a tight end in franchise history. It took him awhile to get going and then he set another record in October with 10 receptions against the Jets, which is the most catches by a tight end in franchise history. I still think he’s solid and he has been open down the seam this year — he just hasn’t gotten the ball.
The offensive line was supposed to remain solid. The unit was ranked No. 3 by Pro Football Focus in 2020, No. 14 last year and it doesn’t look like it is going to crack the top 20 this year. The cornerstone of the offensive line has been David Bakhtiari, but a torn ACL in his left knee on Dec. 31, 2020 changed his career. The Packers are going to have to make a tough decision on the 31-year-old, but unfortunately, I think his career is over. The dead cap hit is $23.1 million in 2023, but the Packers cannot keep him on the roster and then hope he plays.
Then there is the elephant in the room. The eccentric number 12. Rodgers has looked both good and terrible this season. He has not had adequate pass protection, but hasn’t always thrown the ball to the open man. His thumb has been a problem, but he was able to spin it pretty well when Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys came to town. The problem is the money. His contract is hanging over 1265 Lombardi Ave. like an albatross. He is due a whopping $59.5 million of guaranteed money in 2023. That is a lot for any team to swallow, let alone a team that is operating under a salary cap.
I think Rodgers comes back and tries to build on his success with Watson. But then the Packers have to decide by May 3 if they are going to give Jordan Love the fifth-year option. You remember him right? He was the guy the Packers traded up to get in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Packers made the bold move to get Love, but have been afraid to play him.
Of course, you really cannot explain the season without saying how unimpressive the defense has been. That unit led by defensive coordinator Joe Barry is so soft that the corners consistently play seven yards off their receiver on third-and-4.
Finally, the tale of this season comes down to the head coach. The purpose of the head coach is to plot out a road map for success and then hold everyone accountable for sticking to said road map. I get that Matt LaFleur doesn’t want to make waves with his star quarterback, but at some point, you have to draw a line in the sand. The coach is the coach and the player is the player. He needs to demand and expect respect, or else his time in Green Bay will not last long.
That’s where we are in this wobbly season. It is not completely wretched but not an offensive fireworks show either.
We honestly don’t know what version of the Packers will show up each week. And that has been the most maddening thing. It might be the version that scored only nine points against Detroit or the version that came back to beat Dallas with a 31-point display.
I still think this team is good enough to win the NFC next year. It has plenty of solid pieces and with some tweaking in the offseason, things can change quickly in the NFL.
But in order for that to happen, consistency has to show up in Green Bay.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (50)
Rossonero
December 10, 2022 at 07:18 am
If we're still talking about consistency and it's December, you know it's a bad sign.
While we sit back and reflect during this week, I hope we're thinking of the following:
1. For anyone who's hoping we slide into the back door of the playoffs only to get destroyed in a wildcard game, what are you smoking?
2. Jordan Love learns nothing by sitting and watching Rodgers miss throws with a bad thumb. The only way to develop him is to PLAY HIM. We've got to get him some meaningful snaps with these last few games left.
3. During this bye week, I hope LaFleur pauses and realizes how underachieving and terrible Joe Barry's defense is despite all the talent that's been given to him. If anyone needs to go after this season, it's Barry, but since he's LaFleur's boy, he'll get to hang around for 2023 in all likelihood too until he screws that up.
4. Very nice to see that Watson and Doubs could be a nice combo of WRs for years to come.
5. Where the hell is Devonte Wyatt? You spent a FIRST ROUND pick on him and he gets what, 8-9 snaps per game? Again, like Jordan Love, the only way to develop him is to play him. As Nagler said on CHTV, let's see what the kids can do.
Johnblood27
December 10, 2022 at 07:22 am
Inconsistent - does this mean just from game to game or can we lump season to season inconsistency here as well?
where to start... how about with the 2 big "benefits" GB got from not paying Davante?
Rasul - big drop-off
Campbell - big drop-off
how about Jaire? does he get a pass? big drop-off
Savage? did anyone really expect him to play well? I didn't. even so - big drop-off
Kenny Clark? big drop-off
even with low expectations that are consistently met I would submit that Dean Lowrey has had a drop-off
anyone for an Adrian Amos sighting? look down, big drop-off.
Stokes before his merciful injury - big drop-off.
is Preston Smith still on the team? tup, another drop-off.
...and thats just on the defense.
Rodgers - big drop-off
Dillon, yup - big drop-off
lets just save some time and lump the entire OL in one pile - big drop-off
all of that crap coupled with an exposed group of over-their-heads coaches and a front office that is meddlesome at best... big drop-off for the entire management side.
there is your recipe for a LOST SEASON.
and now we get to hope for some positives to come from the last 4 meaningless games.
will the coaches and management do the right thing and play the kids to see what they have?
most probably NOT. big drop-off.
Rossonero
December 10, 2022 at 07:52 am
I will submit that Dillon had a drop off in part because MLF inexplicably refused to use him and Aaron Jones consistently. It's been maddening to watch them let Rodgers try to sling it all over the yard and play hero ball when our most talented players are the RBs.
You nailed it on the defensive players. Rasul and Campbell got paid and now they regressed.
Amos - I can't figure out what happened to him, but he'll be gone after this season. He was really solid though for his first 3 seasons.
Johnblood27
December 10, 2022 at 08:08 am
dillon was running into players backs and missing creases and holes early in the year. It was obvious and puzzling.
Coach Cleve Steamer
December 11, 2022 at 02:40 pm
He played as if he was distracted earlier in the year. Then again he got married has a kid on the way. I cut him a bit of slack. He’s picked it up the last few games.
jannesbjornson
December 10, 2022 at 09:29 am
Watson is now the most talented player on the offense. Amos should have been moved at the trade deadline.
Reboot, rebuild? Best to start with the Front Office. Extending the 5th to Savage was naive.
stockholder
December 10, 2022 at 07:56 am
Consistency has nothing to do with the packers. When you have great players, it doesn’t matter!
Consistency is for Just PLAYING. Not Winning! They're here because of the money. And thats just a Fact.
Pointing the finger here or there isn't what Rodger's needed. He came to Win. An he ran into coaches who didn't see it his way.
Players that were experiments. Players that should have never been starting. Players that were loyal but were No longer great.
Players that wanted to rehab. New coaches getting their feet under them. And disagreements on HOW to Win. Not to mention shock.
So if it's Great players that WANT TO WIN. Why just focus Rodger's character? He didn't start the losing. The coaches did.
The accusations of it being Rodgers fault, or being insubordinate. Is a press accusation, and nothing more.
He's committed; and he found the people around him were not. There is No rift when the goal is winning.
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 08:10 am
"Players that were loyal but were No longer great."
You just discribe your man crush aka ACR. I hope you understand that!
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 08:10 am
Double
Johnblood27
December 10, 2022 at 08:11 am
call a cryptographer, I WANT to understand... but you make it soooo difficult...
LeotisHarris
December 10, 2022 at 08:53 am
Maybe it's a cry for help?
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 09:50 am
I think I hear the nurse coming with his meds.
barutanseijin
December 12, 2022 at 06:36 pm
You should try posting in a second language so we can make fun of your syntax.
jannesbjornson
December 10, 2022 at 09:32 am
Preach it ! The church Ladies will always defend the sledding hill/ ice rink committee.
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 09:42 am
No issue with the sledding hill/ice rink...more and more, those things are necessary to keep revenue up in the NFL, and just about everyone has something like it or is planning something like it. The fact that the Packers are ahead of the curve on that is actually a feather in the cap of the committee.
When the sledding hill/ice rink committee injects itself into the day to day operations of the team, THAT'S been proven to be a problem more than once--even if the chair of said committee used to play ball and sees himself as a "football guy". The groundwork has been laid for the NEXT chair of the committee, who likely will be even less of a "football guy" to inject him/herself into the system and really make a mess of it.
Hire good people, let them do their work, stay out of the way as much as possible.
jannesbjornson
December 10, 2022 at 10:27 am
It was mandated from Park Avenue. Goodell's deal.
PackyCheese500
December 10, 2022 at 02:00 pm
"Players that were experiments. Players that should have never been starting."
What do you mean by this? In my opinion, Lowry and Watkins shouldn't be starting over Wyatt and Toure.
I will admit the coaches haven't been great, but I have liked MLF's play calling for the most part. Also, you cannot say that Aaron has not regressed from 2021. Yes, he has been dealing with a thumb injury, and that has been a large part of it, but there have been other moments where he is missing open receivers. If he were to be on a different team with a better O-line and oodles of great skill position players (not to mention being fully healthy), then that would give him the best chance of winning a ring before he retires (I'm talking about the Jets)
mrtundra
December 10, 2022 at 08:06 am
Every area of this team seemed to be a let down, this season. Our QB situation is strange due to the huge contract they gave Rodgers. If Rodgers were to quit, we will really be deep into cap hell. I think Love stays, as they have too much time invested in him to let him go. What I've seen from Love, when he has played, I really liked. Watson started off slowly, and often injured, but finally broke out of the fog, into a stellar TD scorer for the Packers. Pair him with Doubs, when Doubs gets healthy, and we have some real excitement in our WR room that many here discarded after Adams left. Toss in Toure, who rarely plays, and we have a young, talented group of players who will grow together under either Rodgers or Love. Tonyan has been good for the Pack, until his injury, and as Corey has said, he doesn't get thrown to, often enough. Our Defense was a let down from last season and this past training camp. These guys have the talent but need some inspiration from the coaches and DC. As far as repairs to this team go, I think the Packers look to the draft to get a TE, early, another O Lineman, a Safety and another pass rusher or LB. I doubt we go to FA, unless a cheap guy can be found, ala Watkins, or an OG. Depending on what happens to Aaron Jones, this off season, we may need to grab a RB, as well. Jones's full-time fill in, is not on this team, right now. Patrick Taylor has shown flashes, but he is not Aaron Jones. I feel better with him coming into a game, in relief of our starting RB. It will be a rough off season as the make up of this team will drastically change. Not only in personnel, but with attitudes of those players and coaches who remain. Will Gute fire Barry? That might go a long way to changing attitudes here. Then again, I don't work at 1265 Lombardi Avenue, so, what the hell do I know?
Johnblood27
December 10, 2022 at 08:12 am
tundra with my pic, paragraphs my man!
good thoughts, but a real slog to get through it.
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 08:20 am
I would never advocate signing cheap player who will bring what Watkins brought to Packers. Also, we have one intriging RB on PS (Tyler Goodson) whose play style is similar to Jones style. I have no objection by keeping AJ on team if that will be possible.
To be able to fire Joe Barry, Brian Gutekunst have to "kindly request" Mark Murphy. Then Mark Murphy will demand (if) from MLF to do that if Ball will aprove that (do not forget that all coaches has new contract). Still MLF might advocate for Barry, claiming that it is on players, not on DC. And I believe MM would listen him.
So do not blame man who has nothing to do with coordinators hire. That is not his job.
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 09:47 am
"I would never advocate signing cheap player who will bring what Watkins brought to Packers."
I would argue they were emboldened by scrap heap pickups like Campbell and Douglas, and took a shot on a lottery ticket with Watkins playing with a QB coming off his second straight MVP. They didn't sign Watkins to get what they ended up getting from him. If they did...well, that's just stoopid.
I think they need to look for a way to keep Jones on this roster for 2023 (at least). He's an important part of this offense, and--if used well--should make life for a young (or declining) QB easier. He's not young in terms of RB years, but doesn't have a lot of wear on his tires.
Coldworld
December 10, 2022 at 10:41 am
I’d say they put themselves in a position where they had to get something for next to nothing: long odds to beat and they didn’t.
The bigger issue for me is how it took so long to for the coaching staff to accept the obvious and move on. Gute isn’t LaFleur’s boss, so I suspect just another sign that this coaching staff is remedial as far as talent evaluation and personnel usage.
jannesbjornson
December 10, 2022 at 01:27 pm
Boy band needs heavy metal...
PackyCheese500
December 10, 2022 at 01:34 pm
As much as we all want Jones to stay, it isn't contractually or practically feasible. The Packers need that cap relief regardless of whether he is good or not.
Also, at his age, Jones may be on the decline soon, like Adrian Amos has this year.
PackyCheese500
December 10, 2022 at 01:32 pm
Yes! I have been pounding the Goodson drum for some time!
MLF is a wimp, and I hope he isn't our head coach next year. If possible, I would demote him to OC. If, on the other hand, he can have the guts to show Barry the door, then I would like him to stick around. His play-calling has been good for the most part, and I think a new DC would be enough to re-ignite a defensive culture chance
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 08:20 am
Double
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 10:04 am
"Depending on what happens to Aaron Jones, this off season, we may need to grab a RB, as well. Jones's full-time fill in, is not on this team, right now. Patrick Taylor has shown flashes, but he is not Aaron Jones."
A quality OL makes the name on the back of the RB's jersey way less important. I'd worry about that more.
jannesbjornson
December 10, 2022 at 10:34 am
Sean Tucker, Eric Gray
PackyCheese500
December 10, 2022 at 01:35 pm
Good point, Dobber!
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 08:25 am
"I get that Matt LaFleur doesn’t want to make waves with his star quarterback, but at some point, you have to draw a line in the sand."
If MLF draw the line in the sand, ACR/coHC will just blow it away and there were no line any more. That line has to be engraved in the stone, but I doubt MLF has neccesary tools (balls) to do that.
Just noting Cory.
LeotisHarris
December 10, 2022 at 09:01 am
These guys have been consistently inconsistent within games. A collection of lost units searching for an identity without any clues. Roll in all the production drop-offs Johnblood mentioned with injuries and has been a lost season so far. These last four games should tell us a lot about these players and this organization.
Unrelated but related. ESPN did an excellent piece on Andrew Luck this week. The Defector did a good article on Russell Wilson last week. I saw pieces of Aaron Rodgers in both. Check them out, both are paywalled.
The Defector is worth $79/year IMHO. Great writing not only limited to sports. Ray Ratto alone is worth the price.
croatpackfan
December 11, 2022 at 11:30 am
LH, thanks for both "links". Surely you can find a lot of ACR in both articles. And that is what I am and was talking (writing) about. Team is in disarray because of his "I can not be wrong" behavior and unwillingness to accept the influence of father time.
Also, good conclusion on Hackett. We can see the same diagnose can be used for MLF.
Team will swallow a lot if they believe one person is helpful for their success, but when that excellency start to diminish, no one would like to eat the shit produced by arrogant behavior.
I will repeat what I saw in the 4th Q when Jordan Love came to lead the offense. It looks to me that OL played suddenly better than when ACR was in the game. It might be for several reason, but it might be telling.
Charvid
December 10, 2022 at 09:28 am
When this many facets of a team have such a big drop off in production—with little change in personnel—one has to believe it is on the staff and the scheme. It’s just too big of a coincidence.
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 10:01 am
You need to ask yourself, "What's different?"
The staff and scheme largely didn't change on the defensive side...LaF/12 are still primarily the play callers. Despite 12 winning the MVP, the 2021 offense wasn't nearly as productive as in 2020 and wasn't a dynamo...that's continued into 2022.
Despite a statistically good showing, the defense played sporadically down the stretch in 2021--that's continued into 2022.
A couple guys got paid. Who got paid? How are they doing?
A couple guys left. What went with them?
Coldworld
December 10, 2022 at 10:46 am
You also have to ask your self what’s the same? If traits show up across multiple grouping and both sides of the ball, then you know it’s coming from above the coordinator and reflects the Head Coach. This is perhaps consistently the worst coached team prepared team since Rhodes. Let’s not lose sight of that because there are so many symptoms to debate.
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 11:36 am
I'm arguing that the trajectory from 2021 hasn't changed. Some of the faces, some gambles, some rewards, but not the trajectory.
Could be we're really arguing the same thing.
Coldworld
December 10, 2022 at 11:57 am
Yes, it’s just lacking the cloaking it had previously. I agree this is simply a continuation of prior problems now rendered more visible.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 10, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Its culture. Thats what changed. Last year, this team had hope. This year, the culture was shot in the face during training camp when Rodgers took to the microphones to criticize his teammates. Thats where the death of this team's culture began. I remember 12 talking to reporters about the receivers one day after a training camp practice when he said something to the effect of "Im not sure they will ever get it right". He condemned this season before it even started. Imagine trying to play on a team led by a guy like that. And just a few weeks later he was blabbering on about the power of manifestation while criticizing another teammate publicly. Cant make this shit up.
LeotisHarris
December 10, 2022 at 02:10 pm
I love the tone here, dobber, and all the replies to your post. It all generates an Oliver Stone feel, with mystery and cloaking. Who did it and who had the power to cover it up?
I'm sticking with the shots coming from the grassy knoll.
pantz_bURp
December 10, 2022 at 09:30 am
Thanks Cory. You mentioned #12 referencing an elephant and an albatross. I think of an elephant and a rhino = elifino?
I like the sound #12 makes when he doesn't talk. He rolls his eyes like a beanbag toss into the clown's mouth game at a carnival.
Sit down clown!
I will see myself to the door. The one that says Part Owner on it.
Pantz "lil' coach Lombardi" Burp
pantz_bURp
December 10, 2022 at 01:45 pm
5 down votes, so far....
Let's see: Bakh, Cobb, Big Dog, Coach LaF and Crosby? :)
*it is a bye week.
Since'61
December 10, 2022 at 12:20 pm
The inconsistency on the 2022 Packers began during the off season when the Packers had their chance to trade Rodgers. Instead they chose to extend Rodgers on an exceptionally high contract and to bring the band back together, except for Adams, and take another shot at an SB. They gambled on a retread like Watkins, did not expect the injuries to the receiving corps and their HOF QB, hoped that 2 OLs would rebound fully from ACLs and that their defense would improve. Then they compounded their lost gambles by continuing to play their starting QB with a broken thumb!!!
If they sat Rodgers after his injury initially occurred maybe Love wins a few games against our weak opponents like the Jets and Washington. We would be sitting much better playoff wise at 7-6 or even 8-5 at this point. But they were over committed to go all in and expected/hoped that Rodgers would bail them out in spite of the injuries to the OL, WRs, and the defense. Wrong, wrong and wrong again. Poor management causes poor results. This entire season has proven that the FO and the coaching staff have depended upon and were depending again on Aaron Rodgers to carry the team. Can't happen and Rodgers has reached the point where he needs help on the field. The coaches should have stepped in much earlier in this season and let Rodgers sit and heal.
The Packers didn't sign an experienced backup QB. Why? Because they have Love. OK then why wasn't Love playing when Rodgers was injured? That's on the GM and the HC. End of story. If Murphy is getting involved in game decisions about who is playing each week this teams has much bigger problems than we have even considered here.
In any case we are once again at a point where it's time to play Love and many of the younger players like Ford and Douglas at the Safety positions to see what they have in those spots. Not to mention Wyatt on the DL. The inconsistency is not with the players, it's with the FO and the coaching staff. Thanks, Since '61
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 10, 2022 at 12:28 pm
This team, as currently constructed, has zero chance of winning the NFC next year. And with their salary cap restrictions and so many unrestricted free agents, theyre not going to have the money to make any "tweaks" beyond midlevel veteran free agents on cheap contracts. They have to cut the cord, move on from the old guard players, get the cap right again, and look to compete in 2024 when the cap is set to explode. If they wait till after next season to cut the cord, they will be paying all the dead cap hits that year while other teams are using their new found cap space to make their teams better. Bite the bullet, accept a potentially shitty season, and get this franchise headed in the right direction again.
PackyCheese500
December 10, 2022 at 01:41 pm
This is what I have been saying all along! Use 2023 as an opportunity to trade away veterans for a king's bounty of draft capital and feast in the 2023 draft (which is expected to be one of the highest-quality drafts in recent memory!). In the 2023 season, get the young players more experience and try to finish with as best record as is possible while absorbing the cap hits that allowed us to contend in '20 and '21. Then, in 2024, we will have a strong core of talented, young, cheap players and oodles of cap space.
In 2024, we can build the next great contending Packers team. For them to do that, though, the Packers must lay the foundation for that in 2023. We must be patient, but this is the most responsible approach, and this is the approach that gives us the best chance of winning a championship in the nest 5-6 years.
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 04:17 pm
I'm affraid 5-6 years would be to late for Mark Murphy "we are not idiots" so there is very tiny chance what you and many others suggest.
When someone make huge (or costly) mistake and expect that nobody will notice it, he behave like small child. It is like if I cover my eyes, I can't see, so neither you can see me.
When you are around or pass age of 60 and do that, what would you say, what level of intelligence have that person?
croatpackfan
December 10, 2022 at 04:17 pm
double, as you already noticed
dobber
December 10, 2022 at 07:38 pm
"trade away veterans for a king's bounty of draft capital "
Why would anyone trade you a king's bounty when they know you're going to be forced to cut or fire sale these guys just to make cap?
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
December 10, 2022 at 08:27 pm
Agreed, Dobber. Rodgers would likely be the only tradable piece. Nobodys trading for bakh ($29 mil), Clark ($23 mil), or Jones ($20 mil).
dobber
December 11, 2022 at 05:40 am
Remember too, though, that for those guys their 2023 cap $$ value to another team is less than it is to the Packers--who need to eat guarantees if they cut or trade. Still, most teams would rather write their own contracts, so your point still holds.
Thegreatreynoldo
December 11, 2022 at 07:22 am
All three have high cash amounts owed to them. Clark = $16.25M, Bakh = $17.5M, and Jones = $16.0M. GB would eat the difference between Bakh's $29M and his cash owed of $17.5M, and that assumes that the acquiring team pays each of their roster bonuses, which are due on March 19 or 20th. Bakh has $9.5M, Jones $7M, and Clark $2M.
Only Bakh would be paid less than he is worth IF HE IS Healthy and has returned to his elite form. 82 PFF grade and had been improving. Now he probably misses at least a couple and perhaps all of the remaining games.