Cory's Corner: Great Coach And Kindergarten Teacher
Matt LaFleur isn't just coaching, he has passed on the art of sharing.
There are plenty of people that don’t like Matt LaFleur’s GQ haircut, his emotional coaching style or some of his playoff decision making.
But when you are mentioned in the same breath as Vince Lombardi, you are doing something right. The Packers’ 34-13 destruction of the Cardinals put the 44-year-old in lofty company. He is the second-fasted to 60 wins in franchise history behind the man who is named for the Super Bowl trophy.
“It’s never easy in this league,” LaFleur said. “It’s great to be back home, I think that definitely helped us today. But it’s never easy. We can’t take it for granted. You got to earn everything you get.”
And that’s why LaFleur owns a .674 winning percentage in the regular season. Every detail matters. He is coaching a team that has a kicker that leads the league in missed field goals, he successfully navigated a backup quarterback to a pair of wins and most recently, he held the locker room together by suspending Romeo Doubs for one game — showing the importance of team.
The Packers look pretty formidable right now. They are 4-2, with both of their losses being by a combined seven points. The reason why it works is because LaFleur is starting everything up front. The Packers tallied 179 rushing yards on Sunday, marking the fourth time Green Bay has rushed for over 150 this season.
He knows that he has a very talented quarterback, who showed off his arm talent to the tune of 22 of 32 for 258 yards, four touchdowns a pick and a passer rating of 119.5. It’s the seventh time Love has notched a passer rating over 115 in 22 starts.
LaFleur gets the most out of his guys because they genuinely like him. They trust him and know that if they run the offense, good things will happen.
“Honestly we didn’t even have that in the gameplan,” said Christian Watson to ESPN on his 44-yard touchdown. “That was kind of something that we saw when we were hitting our deep shots and hitting our screens early. We saw that they were kind of leaving that post open so that’s something we put in at the last second and it worked.”
Watson had a huge smile on his face after the game, and rightfully so. He has only played in 49 percent of the Packers offensive snaps this year due to injury. That’s a huge drop from last year’s 77 percent.
He obviously has been frustrated but he still trusts the person pushing the buttons. There are so many weapons on this team, which can be a hard thing for some to understand. But LaFleur has proven that he could be one heck of a kindergarten teacher, because makes everyone know and understand how to share.
The next major hurdle for LaFleur isn’t another division title, nor is it advancing to the NFC title game. It’s winning the Super Bowl. There is talent all over the place on this team — Xavier McKinney leads the NFL in picks and Jaire Alexander is tied for sixth with two.
I have enjoyed LaFleur because he doesn’t take anything for granted. He doesn’t care about being the smartest guy in the room. He just wants to win.
And that’s the kind of attitude that wins championships.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
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
__________________________
Comments (74)
NickPerry
October 15, 2024 at 07:05 am
To think I had actually questioned MLF last season amid that losing streak...Like I KNOW something about winning games. Actually I know as much as all the other armchair HC, QB, and/or GM's who are watching the Packers on TV every Sunday but still.
Watching this offense this past Sunday and then watching that shit show that is the NY Jets last night, gave me a whole new appreciation for MLF. LaFleur had to swallow his ego and pride over and over to please AR12, and it ALMOST worked. IMO had Rodgers REALLY bought into what LaFleur was selling, the Packers would have at least another Lombardi Trophy.
I'm glad MLF is here and Rodgers is gone. I'm glad Love is out QB. And I'm REALLY happy Aaron Rodgers is now throwing his New York Jets teammates under the bus (Mike Williams last night) instead of doing it here.
This team WILL win a SB in the next 3 years. Hopefully it's more than one and LaFleur is just the guy to get them there.
PS...Gutey...Please get us a kicker...FAST!
T7Steve
October 15, 2024 at 07:24 am
Nick, where do you find a kicker fast at this time of year? This is starting to be kind of frightening. Look at that Jets game last night. If there's a kicker out there, I think they'll be in on the bidding too. Until then, TDs instead of field goal attempts.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 09:10 am
Carlson. Eat humble pie. It’s pretty clear we would have been better to just stick with him than Narveson thus far. Then see who is free in a couple of weeks when the CFL season ends as well.
PS. Never mind, he’s now on the 49ers PS. Narveson is only 11% below his conversion rate last year and this summer. So a little over 1.5 field goals/ 4.5 points by this point and about 5 field goals and 15 points if projected over the regular season.
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 08:40 am
I was another fan who was critical of LaFleur and I will happily have some salt and pepper with my crow.
LaFleur's offense has always been imaginative and creative. In the past I was critical of his inability to make in game adjustments and that issue has disappeared in the last couple of years. The Packers second half offense has been highly effective since mid year 2023 and I attribute that to growth by LaFleur and a young QB open to adjustments.
My largest issue with LaFleur has been his personnel choices in coaches (Mennenga, Drayton and Barry) and he has corrected that with Bisaccia and Hafley. LaFleur was very young as a first year head coach and has grown into a better coach with time and experience. I am delighted he is the Packer head coach.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 09:32 am
I remain more skeptical with respect to his head coaching. As an offensive mind, I think his play design is outstanding. He’s a white board wizard. Tactically, I’m less certain, though he seems to be improving.
As far as personnel and culture, I’m not yet convinced. Hafley has had some howlers but he is showing signs of learning. I’m actually quietly excited that, once he’s fully adjusted to the league as a Coordinator, he’s going to be very good. At the moment he’s up and down tactically, with the biggest up being last week and I’m not yet convinced that he’s as assertive as I want or that his system is quite perfected, specifically regarding the front 7.
It’s certainly not been a negative year, but it’s a positive one mainly on our perceptions of potential. Whether LaFleur can deliver on that, individually and through his team, will go a long way to resolving how far he’s developed beyond an OC.
This week is likely to be a sterner and more multifaceted test. Let’s win that one before we start anointing. I’m still not sure how much our opponents to date have really taught us about this team. I think we are about to start finding out in the next part of the season.
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 10:00 am
I think I give Hafley a bit more credit than you do. Hafley's defense has shown steady progress through six games. His first game against the Eagles was not good, but every game thereafter has shown progress, even the Minnesota game where the defense was embarrassed in the first half but adjusted in the second half. Those kind of second half adjustments haven't been seen in GB in quite some time. I think Hafley is going to be a very good DC for the Packers.
I also like how LaFleur handled the Alexander issue of last year and the Doubs issue of this year. He has grown into his role as leader of the team. I think there is more than perception of potential going on with LaFleur.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 10:50 am
I see a number of signs with Hafley that are extremely encouraging. I also never really expected the new D to really come into its own until mid season. To me it’s a definite step forward to see real adjustments in game and week to week, but the degree of that this year and beyond is less clear. Hopeful merely caution, but until it does come together tactically and on field consistently then I’m not ready to declare the outcome.
crayzpackfan
October 15, 2024 at 10:20 am
CW - This is exactly where I am at too. Any coach looks to be making all the right choices with a blowout lead and win like this. It's how he coaches with a narrow lead and narrowly behind is where he lacks sometimes. But yes, he is getting much better at managing everything that a HC needs too. He's a lot better than some of the garbage HC's currently out there for sure.
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 09:37 am
My issue was and is his complicity in his own undermining by the former quarterback. He didn't have sufficient spine. MLF occupied the "bro zone". McCarthy took the reigns back from Favre who essentially did whatever he pleased under Sherman. McCarthy led the team and hoisted it on his shoulders. Ripped off in Seattle by the refs, he stood tall and took the heat for his team. It happened over and over, McCarthy is a mensch. No such equivalence from MLF.
Perhaps it was his youth that let him be overwhelmed by Rodgers, but now that he has a second year of having the youngest team in the league, well, I believe he is growing into leadership. Too often in the Rodgers era, Matt stood on the sidelines, mouth open, overmatched. He was however always well-coiffed.
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 09:49 am
I think your last paragraph is spot on Bitter. LaFleur and Rodgers were almost the same age when LaFleur became head coach. Rodgers was already an obvious first ballot HOF QB and LaFleur was a young, first time HC. Not hard to understand the dynamic.
Contrast that with Doubs this year and Alexander last year. An older and more experienced head coach and two one game suspensions for conduct not in the best interests of the team. LaFleur is growing nicely into his role as HC.
I wouldn't let the past determine the present.
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 10:05 am
I was a better manager at 50 than I was at 40 (I was disinterested at 60). No reason not to assume that LaFleur will grow and continue to grow. He's not stupid, they self-scout, it's all about getting better.
Andy Reed got better when he got to KC. He didn't sweat the small stuff, he made his own job more fun. You gotta believe LaFleur is having a lot better time with a certain quarterback plying his trade in New Jersey.
Leatherhead
October 15, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Andy Reid got better when Mahomes showed up.
dobber
October 15, 2024 at 03:58 pm
...and he was pretty good in Philly, and pretty good in KC before that, too.
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 08:51 am
I watched the Bills - Jets game last night and found the Jets to be eerily reminiscent of the Packer's last two years under McCarthy. A static offense, Rodgers glaring at teammates and grimacing on the sidelines, and a team finding ways to lose.
I am so glad Gute had the stones to draft Love and Packer management had the guts to move on from Rodgers when Love was ready. The Packers will have almost no rebuild time to suffer through and the Jets will continue to flounder. A tale of two polar opposite franchises........
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 09:49 am
Rodgers has everything he wants. Full power over the team, the coaches and the owner. That was a peak Jets performance. Eventually the media and the town will turn on him, and boy oh boy is it going to be ugly.
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 10:18 am
Yeah, the New York media is not known for its kindness. Either the Jets start winning quickly or Rodgers will be the new whipping boy for the media and fans. And I don't see the Jets winning much.....
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 10:58 am
I don’t think the Jets got better by canning Saleh. That says it all for me about where they are heading.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2024 at 12:25 pm
And what is Hackett doing now...holding the Jets clipboard?
Oppy
October 15, 2024 at 06:43 pm
Closer to holding Rodgers' jockstrap.
Green Bay Shareholder
October 15, 2024 at 11:50 am
What happened to the days of Garo Yapremian, George Blanda, Jan Stenerud, Jim Bakken, Fred Cox, Roy Gerela, Tom Dempsey, heck we had Chester Marcol etc.. Did the football change shape, did the goal posts get narrower, did it get windier ? I am talking 40 years ago, most of the skill positions have got bigger / faster / stronger - what is going on with field goal kickers ? Is there something I don't understand here.
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 07:22 pm
Check the percentages Sherlock, Garo Yepremian has a lifetime average of 68%. Chester was more successful drinking than he was kicking a football (I loved Chester) 61.7% lifetime. Tom Dempsey? Jesus he was at 61%. He barely made 9 0f 10 extra points and they were kicking them from point blank not the 30. Jim Bakken he was 43% from 40-49 yards; and was 1 for 21 from 50 yards or more. This is the fucking golden age of kickers. Narveson would be in the hall of fame if he kicked in the 70s
T7Steve
October 15, 2024 at 07:18 am
Just keep the run game clicking and everything else will work fine.
"I have enjoyed LaFleur because he doesn’t take anything for granted. He doesn’t care about being the smartest guy in the room. He just wants to win. " I'm glad he's not trying to move in on me.
stockholder
October 15, 2024 at 07:36 am
I knew everyone would be happy.
He was right in wanting Rodgers to stay too.
But most here thought that was ignorance.
The only thing we have to Question is Gute.
MLF has done everything to Keep this team winning.
The problem is Gute keeps screwing up the
small details.
Example- Kicker-
Earlier Example - returners /Safties.
Drafting for the 3-4-4 and now changing it.
Splashes don't matter. Good coaching does.
EricTorkelson
October 15, 2024 at 07:48 am
Stockholder.... Gute keeps screwing up ??? Go over the 2022 and 2023 draft and how many starter or contributors are on the roster....
packer132
October 15, 2024 at 08:00 am
Let his posts go in one ear and out the other. Packers could win the Super Bowl and he will criticize the GM for something. Gute is consistently mentioned in the top GM's in football. We that are Packers fans appreciate his drafting and year-round work.
stockholder
October 15, 2024 at 10:37 am
Then those have nothing between your ears.
Because the packers will never win a super-bowl
under Gute.
And that is my point. Not Rodgers.
I guarantee if this comes down to Gute or MLF.
You would show no fan appreciation.
Like I stated- It isn't the revolving doors of the draft.
It's what Gute takes away from MLF,
to keep his door revolving.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 11:02 am
I recall you saying the same of the Packers under TT right through most of the 2010 regular season: will never win a Super Bowl.
stockholder
October 15, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Got Witnesses?
You recall is to repetitive.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 01:08 pm
No, your peals of woe back then were too repetitive. Were they not, I and a few others here would have managed to forget the endless whining about the betrayal of Favre and TT’s treachery.
Ah the joys of your sermonizing over our foolishness in not seeing how Favre was taking Minnesota where he would have been taking us if the Packers had a real GM …
Untylu1968
October 15, 2024 at 08:23 am
Gutes biggest failure, holding onto good old #8, one year to long! You have my deepest sympathy stock! It's always tough seeing your hero/idol fade away into the abyss.
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 08:39 am
That Jets game last night was what you wanted for the Packers. You should be ashamed.
stockholder
October 15, 2024 at 10:46 am
Adams is going to the jets for a 3rd rd pick.
Interesting after last nights game!
Gute should be ashamed.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 11:10 am
The Jets are just doubling down on their mistakes. Getting older, not building around young talent, piling on cap from older vets. A conditional second and that contract. Desperation after last night.
That tells us they know they need a miracle now or the media and fan base are going to explode. Their division is weak, as is their conference. They might legitimately already have been the second best team by some margin. It might squeak them briefly to the playoffs and keep the myth of hope alive another year while deferring the chance to regroup and progress.
In doing so, Rodgers just ran out of excuses. It will be interesting to see how many targets Wilson gets now and how that plays out. The 75% of the offense goes through Adams mantra might not sit well if it materializes. He won’t need to learn the scheme.
stockholder
October 15, 2024 at 12:48 pm
The missed FG lost the game.
There going All-In.
I see nothing wrong with it.
We Did.
A coaching change hurts everybody.
We didn't!
Adams knows Rodgers.
My money is still on Rodgers to
get them to the play-offs.
Untylu1968
October 15, 2024 at 03:19 pm
We have too many JETS fans chiming in! It's almost as if they want the packers to lose, so they can have something to bitch about, while still worshipping #8.
NJ-RICK
October 15, 2024 at 08:41 am
I agree, you know from my previous posts I'm not a big fan of Gute... It think he has had more misses then success in his drafts. Why he drafted Lucas Van Ness with the #13 pick in the 1st round still baffles me.. The guy is an young average football player. Another Dean Lowry perhaps...? Its obvious there was a reason why he wasn't a starter for Iowa... I would cut my losses now and trade him.. And bring in a more physical aggressive DE. The Lions, Bears and Vikings have all made significant modifications in their Defenses... Trading isn't up for another few weeks I hope Gute is looking for an upgrade... GPG...
dblbogey
October 15, 2024 at 11:30 am
I love when people say "trade him". For what? To who? You think there's a big market for him?
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 11:30 am
Dean Lowry needed to go, I don’t disagree. Subsequent play has only confirmed that. However, the problem with your argument starts with the fact that Gute didn’t draft him. Lowry was drafted in 2016, 2 seasons before Gute’s first draft as GM.
In fact, as a 4th rounder, Lowry wasn’t a terrible pick. The error was in the coaches announcing him as an every down starter that led to ridiculously overvalued new contract and refusal to play others over him. Gute is responsible for not vetoing the second deal. The rest of that one is on the coaches. The current comparative might be Myers. Consistently replacement level yet inviolate in the eyes of the coaches.
Todd
October 15, 2024 at 09:47 am
Stock…let me get this straight re: your comment that “Drafting for 3-4-4 and now changing it” is an example of Gute “screwing up the small details.”
Several previous DCs going back at least a decade played a 3-4. The GM then would draft players that had the potential to play well in that particular defensive scheme. The previous DC who ran a 3-4 is then fired less than a year ago. A new DC that the HC (LaFleur) wants is hired. This new DC (Hafley) wants to run a 4-3. So, the GM adjusts and looks for players that may work well in the new defensive scheme.
Yet, you’re saying that the fact the GM would look for players to fit one scheme and now looks for players that fit a different scheme—even though the new DC the HC wanted runs that scheme—is an example of the GM “screwing up the small details.”
SMH…all righty, then.
dobber
October 15, 2024 at 03:33 pm
Winner!
Oppy
October 15, 2024 at 06:46 pm
He drafted for the 3-4 because that was the defensive system in place, you nitwit.
Gutekunst doesn't hire/fire assistant coaches.
Give up your manufactured hate campaign, you twat.
EricTorkelson
October 15, 2024 at 07:40 am
I always thought MLF was an excellent coach, Glad we have him , Its not easy to have a long career in that field
I will say he does seem to get a little condescending sometimes when answering to reporter questions... Like them or not a reporters job is to represent the fans and for the most part they do that well.
Its also nice to have a GM who can draft a 2022 and 2023 class for MLF has to build a future on .....
lecko
October 15, 2024 at 07:56 am
Isnt the saying in the NFL: You are as good as your record is.
Regular season:
89 games, 60 wins, .674
Playoffs:
7 games, 3 wins, .429
And LaFleur is an excellent regular season coach as his record. He is a bit less successful in the postseason. Let s hope that he learned a lot from those games and will improve next time.
NFLfan
October 15, 2024 at 08:10 am
MLF has character, integrity & empathy and those qualities make his players want to play hard for him. Robert Saleh has those rare traits as well.The universe chose not to reward Rodgers, last night, for his cruelty towards that man.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 11:37 am
The last thing a lot of great athletes need is to have total free rein beyond the scope of playing their sport. I’ve always felt that the victory over McCarthy was handled in such a way that gave Rodgers influence that exceeded his best interests and therefore negatively affected both his career (in terms of chances of winning another) and that of his teams and probably leeched beyond football too for him. Ultimately, sometimes, the person you want isn’t the same as you get if doing so means that power shifts significantly.
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 08:58 am
On a completely unrelated note, the Lions lost Aidan Hutchinson for the season during the Dallas game with a gruesome broken leg (both major bones broke). That will put a significant dent in the Lions defense as Hutchinson was their best player and primary pass rusher. Hate to see that happen and I hope Hutchnson can make a full recovery, but Detroit took a major blow to their Super Bowl hopes.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 09:19 am
That kind of injury makes me hope he had the insurance. Bad enough that his career trajectory may be permanently changed after recovery. Sad to see in an elite player particularly, regardless of team. At least he’d signed on major contract.
He had been the Lions rush, essentially. Most of the rest was sweepings. This could have a massive impact on their defensive capabilities. At best, he’s just impossible to replace, at worst it critically exposes their secondary.
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 09:44 am
I'd argue that broken bones are the easiest recovery. Tendons, knees, torn muscles are the injuries that take real time. Bones knit themselves together. Hutchinson is young. He will fully recover, and he can use those "vitamins" that they give at the University of Michigan to speed the plow...
Guam
October 15, 2024 at 10:25 am
While I hope you are correct, Derreck Sherrod comes to mind. Sherrod suffered much the same injury and it ended his career. Breaking both bones in a leg seems far more catastrophic than one bone. Don't know why, but there is some history that says this could be a long term problem for Hutchinson.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2024 at 12:58 pm
When you break both bones in the leg, muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments are all damaged. And often the bones knit improperly too.
The young man faces a long recovery. And like you say, hopefully not ending his pro football career.
dobber
October 15, 2024 at 03:37 pm
You beat me to this, Guam and LP.
There are many injuries that used to be career threatening that have become speed bumps: UCL in baseball, ACL in football (all depends on whether there's damage to just those)--even an Achilles tear isn't as damning as it used to be. But a complete break on both bones in the lower leg is still a daunting injury...that's two weight-bearing bones that need to get right, many suffer infections post-injury, there aren't that many returns, and most who do aren't the same player. He's got a long road ahead of him.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 11:43 am
It depends on the nature of the break. That in turn tends to determine the amount and scale of ancillary soft tissue and nerve damage. The bone mend is often the least of one’s worries unless it’s horrendously shattered.
Starrbrite
October 15, 2024 at 09:42 am
I was initially very pleased when we were hired MLF. I changed my mind when he continued with Drayton and Barry. I’ve changed my mind again and believe he’s a top five coach in the NFL.
I wanted Van Ness as our #1—believed he would become what Hutchinson is—but he has been pedestrian so far; maybe it changes?
Hutchinson is Max Crosby—a one man game-wrecker. This will severely dampen the Lions chances going forward.
Go Packers!!!
Leatherhead
October 15, 2024 at 10:01 am
The guy comes in and gets to the Championship game his first year, and again his second, and wins 13 games 3 years in a row. That's impressive all by itself.
I think the VanNess stuff is overwrought. He turned 23 a couple of months ago. He's 12th in tackles, right there with Gary and Smith, despite getting fewer snaps than either of them. He's part of a very solid 4 man DE rotation right now with Gary-Smith-VanNess-Enagbare. This depth will keep people fresher during the season and in the 4th quarter. It's working fine. It just doesn't show up in PFF.
Bitternotsour
October 15, 2024 at 10:10 am
People have unrealistic expectations as fans. Van Ness is explosive and massively talented, he is also as you note young. He is essentially playing a new position in a new defense, and he has a huge upside. The team is evolving, the scheme is evolving, and I'd hazard that everything is pretty much going according to plan.
I'd also note that PFF is pretty much worthless, I wish people would stop basing their evaluations off obscure individual metrics and start looking at the whole of the defense. Because football is the quintessential team sport, and the only evaluation that matters is your record.
LaFleur's shortcomings have been weeks 18 thru 20, he needs to get that corrected.
T7Steve
October 15, 2024 at 10:18 am
What do you think happened to Cox? I had high hopes for him.
Leatherhead
October 15, 2024 at 11:03 am
IMO, a numbers game.
Our LB unit is Walker, McDuffie, Cooper, Wilson, and Hopper.
Walker has played 100% of the defensive snaps, just like McKinney at Safety. So he's always on the field. McDuffie is playing 75% of the snaps, so he's usually out there. And then on about half the plays, it's either Cooper or Wilson out there. Hopper has not received a defensive snap but he dresses out for games and plays on special teams.
Our top 4 are taking 100% of our LB snaps. Keeping Cox to be our #5 or #6 LB wasn't as desirable as keeping guys like Mosby and Rochelle.
T7Steve
October 15, 2024 at 12:20 pm
I thought Cox was more of an edge rusher than a LB.
Leatherhead
October 15, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Well, our rotation at DE/EDGE is pretty solid, too. Gary, Smith, VanNess and Enagbare. Mosby.
I thought he'd be in contention for the 3rd LB spot in the base, maybe as a weakside backer.
Coldworld
October 15, 2024 at 01:00 pm
That would be interesting. Mosby has switched somewhat and is amore likely situational dual role candidate if we wanted one.
Hafley likes his 4 man rotation. They are healthy. No space for a DE. Mosby is active because he’s a pretty good STer, whereas Cox doesn’t have that background in college and hasn’t emerged on STs while here. If a DE were out pre game, it wouldn’t shock me if Cox were called on first. He’s more similar to what we have than Mosby.
GregC
October 15, 2024 at 01:11 pm
X
GregC
October 15, 2024 at 01:16 pm
Cox is now well into his second season and has seen virtually no action, even on special teams. Very unusual. Part of his problem is that the DEs ahead of him have mostly stayed healthy, knock on wood, but even when Enagbare got hurt in the playoffs last year, they brought a guy up from the practice squad rather than having Cox suit up for the next game. Maybe if Preston Smith goes elsewhere next year, as he probably will, Cox will get his chance.
EricTorkelson
October 15, 2024 at 01:46 pm
Agree Leather.... VanNess is young football smart and has all the physical tools, hes one to keep an I on as the year progresses and becomes a starter next year ....
HarryHodag
October 15, 2024 at 10:38 am
When you look around the league you see the losing teams change coaches like you change underwear. Winning teams keep a good coach. MLF's offense was never the issue, always the defense. That might be changing given the early returns.
What MLF did to navigate the Rodgers egofest and keep his team winning is remarkable. MLF has yet to have a horrible season(knock on wood) and that says much given what he has. Winning two games with a backup QB who only vaguely knew the playbook is astounding.
MLF has put a notch in Packers history with his record to date. He has yet to bring the team a Super Bowl victory but that could well be in the works if not this year then more likely next year. The main problem is the other North Division teams have all dramatically improved and it will be a dogfight to the very end.
Leatherhead
October 15, 2024 at 11:09 am
""The main problem is the other North Division teams...."
That's the Annual Problem. That's always the case, in some shape, way, or form. The main challenge of the season is to win the division and play your best football at the end of the season.
Look at what LaFleur has done with December. Look at his record against the division. As long as those numbers remain impressively high, I'm glad he's coaching the team. If he actually wins a Super Bowl, then that'll pretty much guarantee him another 5 years.
T7Steve
October 15, 2024 at 01:46 pm
It really doesn't seem to matter how good the teams are in the rest of the division. It's always a real tough game. Throw in a beat down now and again but that's very seldom and usually accompanied by injuries. Black and Blue for a reason.
GregC
October 15, 2024 at 12:46 pm
I've always thought LaFleur was a good coach. To be considered as a great coach, he needs to win a championship or at least have more success in the playoffs than he has had so far. I think his best days are still ahead of him, so I am hopeful. What he did with Malik Willis at QB was outstanding. He seems to be learning from his mistakes and improving. Remember, it took Bill Bellichick and Andy Reid a long time to break through, and it didn't happen for them until they had possibly the two best QBs to ever play the game.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2024 at 01:24 pm
I believe Matt has showed growth as a HC but more growth as an OC.
Examples: Love is hand in glove with the O, truly understands it... and that is due to coaching and mentoring. Willis has been a microcosm of the same thing...really well prepared and given a game plan that matched his skills...intelligence, discipline, ball handling skills/athleticism. The skill players seem to be on the same page. O line is playing better (stop those mental penalties!).
I am not sure how much input Matt has into D or STs. I hope he is taking a bigger role. I do notice he is more direct and stern while maintaining his cordial, even tempered personality in public and expect directions behind closed doors are even more so.
I missed the kindergarten teacher analogy for Matt. When you call someone leading a group a "kindergarten teacher, it would seem to be insulting to either the teacher or the "students".
"Hi Coach LaFluer! You have become a great Kindergarten teacher!"
GregC
October 15, 2024 at 02:04 pm
A Cory article would not be a Cory article without at least one odd thing in it. The idea is that he can get his players to share, which is something a good kindergarten teacher does. Whatever.
dobber
October 15, 2024 at 03:41 pm
"He is the second-fasted to 60 wins in franchise history behind the man who is named for the Super Bowl trophy."
Boy, it's a good thing it isn't the "Hairy-backed Mary" Trophy...it'd be pretty embarrassing for Vince to take on THAT name...
LeotisHarris
October 15, 2024 at 04:00 pm
It's like that whole Lou Gehrig thing, you know? Why would his parents name him after a disease?
I also didn't now LaFleur fasted.
canadapacker
October 15, 2024 at 04:51 pm
It was quite interesting in reading all these posts. But we all need to remember that it is only October and the tough stuff is about to come and we still have not had to do it when the going gets tough ( other than the Minnie game). When you look around the league - it makes you wonder about how guys take their foot off the gas once they get paid - ie Dak and CD - and a few others - We seem to have a few that are not producing especially on Defense - Gary Smith. Defensively we seem to also fall back into the soft mode when ahead - and other than some dumb stuff by Arizona - ie fumbles - we let them march the field a few times in the s 2nd half. I am also not convinced that we have solved our Special teams as we either make bonehead plays and take too many penalties and miss too many coverages and cant make field goals. Seems like a top down issue there. As far as Lafleur - he does get stagnant with some of his play series and definitely has not solved his redzone issues ( and that is just not a this year issue ) so I will not give him a big pat on the back for being an offensive guru - even last year he got stagnant with very little motion - which fits these offensive players. It is nice to be where we are - dont get me wrong - but the going will get tough and hopefully the tough will get going.
NFLfan
October 16, 2024 at 09:53 am
.
marpag1
October 16, 2024 at 02:02 am
Good to see that some of the dunderheads are finally figuring it out with MLF, although Stock and a few other notables are still a-dunderin’ along. I find it rather comical when some of these want to pass off their obvious mistakes as growth from MLF, or that new evidence has suddenly sprung to light. Yeah, right. Couldn’t see what was right in front of everyone’s faces after three years of 39-10, not to mention two NFC championship games and one divisional game, and yet another divisional game last year with Jordan Love, but now that MLF has managed to beat two shitty teams with Malik Willis at the helm… suddenly everything has changed. Got it. He’s learning, you see. Turned the proverbial corner, so to speak. So be patient with this youngster, and someday LaFleur’s performance might match our righteous expectations and maybe even his eyebrows.
*eyeroll*
And it’s funny how ARod is still evil incarnate when these guys want to bash Arod, yet he suddenly reverts to a first ballot Hall of Famer and four-time MVP when they want to bash MLF.
Seems like a lot of people are also wondering where LVN is. Maybe he’s hiding in the same place as Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark? Find those two guys and you’ll find LVN. Remember in camp when everyone was saying that Rashan was doing superhero things? What happened to that… other than that he’s not abusing the likes of Caleb Jones and Donovan Jennings anymore? And Kenny… we damn near paid him Aaron Donald money. I don't know if LVN is our biggest d-line issue.
That point differential stat that everyone has been talking about recently is completely amazing. The four teams in the NFCN are 1,2,3 and 4 in point differential. The division is +211, and the next closest division is +20. That’s dumbfounding to me. Totally unsustainable, of course, but dumbfounding nonetheless.