Giants 27 Packers 22: Game Balls & Lame Calls
This time Pack can't recover from playing half of a game.
By KenLass
Aaron Rodgers was right. Winning ugly was not sustainable. The Green Bay Packers won three of their first four games by finding a way to overcome their many mistakes and inconsistent play. But on Sunday in London it caught up with them.
The Packers have some big problems. They have a $50 million a year quarterback who is looking older every day. They have a defense full of highly praised players who have taken a steep decline in the quality of their play. They have a coaching staff that can’t seem to get the team mentally ready to play all four quarters. At this point they are clearly a team in decline. Maybe that will change as the season wears on, but it’s getting more difficult to see where the upside is going to come from. Losing to a battered and beat up New York Giants team, blowing a ten point lead in the process, doesn’t bode well. The opposition is going to get tougher. Traditional doormats on the schedule like the Jets and Commanders are looking better. The Vikings are playing like the best team in the division. The Eagles, Cowboys and Rams are coming up down the road.
Five games is far too early to give up on a season. But it’s getting harder to be optimistic about the immediate future.
GAME BALLS
Randall Cobb
Rodgers had remarked last week that number 18 needed to get more targets. He followed through by tossing in Cobb’s direction thirteen times. Cobb responded by catching seven for 99 yards, and he continues to be a clutch option on third and long. His run after the catch has been amazing considering his age. If only the other veterans on this team could be as consistent and reliable.
Preston Smith
The stat sheet shows four tackles, a sack and a TFL. But Smith was buzzing around quarterback Daniel Jones throughout the first 30 minutes. Sadly, he, along with most of his defensive teammates, became largely invisible after halftime.
Quay Walker
Let’s give one to the rookie from Georgia, who led the team with eight tackles, but I was most impressed with his blanket coverage deep down the sideline on Saquon Barkley.
Honorable mention to Rashan Gary, whose pressure forced a third down incompletion on one drive, he then made a great tackle on a quarterback draw to end another drive, and had a sack nullified by a holding call in the secondary.
LAME CALLS
Bad Secondary Play
Perhaps the most disappointing unit on a disappointing defense is the defensive backs. It is becoming clear that, unless the pass rush forces a bad throw, these guys can’t cover. Darius Slayton owned Eric Stokes all day. Rasul Douglas was called for holding twice and had a costly personal foul in the red zone. Adrian Amos missed a tackle badly on a quick out to David Sills. And how in blue blazes does Saquon Barkley cross the middle completely uncovered for a 40 yard gain? This secondary played so much better last year. They are now a liability.
Futile Long Passes
I’m so sick and tired of writing this every week. These ridiculous long throws are not only wildly inaccurate, but most of them are into double coverage, and mostly on first down, which immediately puts the offense behind the chains. I can’t imagine LaFleur is calling these. My guess is these are Aaron Rodgers decisions on the line of scrimmage. How about making sure there’s a receiver actually breaking open behind the defense before we launch these dying quails.
Stale Offensive Playbook
I loved the double run fake, and the touchdown flip to Marcedes Lewis. But that kind of creativity was all too rare in Green Bay’s game plan. The Giants were totally ready for stuff like the Christian Watson end arounds, and the quick throws to the outside. There was good reason the New York front four was able to knock down those last two passes from Rodgers. Everybody knew they were coming. With third and two and the game on the line from the four yard line, why not play to your strength at least once and run the ball? The coach on the other sideline provided a case in point. Brian Daboll’s imaginative offense clearly befuddled Joe Barry.
THREE AND OUT
-- Amari Rodgers continues his gradual fade into obscurity. Christian Watson replaced him on kickoff returns, until Watson yanked his hamstring. Rodgers then fumbled a punt return. The ball popped right into the hands of Josiah Deguara, who also fumbled it. Somehow, Green Bay still retained possession.
-- Good execution by the field goal unit, as they had to run on to the field at the end of the half, set up, snap the ball cleanly, and boot a 48 yard field goal. Not sure our special teams could have pulled that off the past few years. At least one phase of the team has its act together.
-- After watching Saquon Barkley run the wildcat, I wonder if Aaron Jones could do the same. Might be fun watching him play the zone read with AJ Dillon. Guess that would require Aaron Rodgers to either come out of the game, or come out wide as a decoy. Either one would likely not sit well with him. We know how that ends.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
Comments (119)
MarkinMadison
October 10, 2022 at 07:09 am
I'm starting to wonder of ACR can put together four quarters anymore.
First half the run/pass was balanced and the offense was humming. Second half, not so much.
The incompetence of the defense is baffling. The whole is so much less than the sum of parts.
This team is getting out-coached on the O and the D. Can coach B take over has head coach? His unit is the only one that is progressing this year over last year.
Lazard's athletic limitations are real. Cobb will not keep producing at this pace all year. This offense will develop about as well as Doubs and/or Watson, I'm afraid.
KenEllis
October 10, 2022 at 07:26 am
"The incompetence of the defense is baffling. The whole is so much less than the sum of parts."
Is the incompetence of the defense baffling?
Or is Joe Barry the same Defensive Coordinator who failed in Detroit and Washington?
Packerpasty
October 10, 2022 at 09:44 am
Bingo!! Didn't like the hire at the time, don't like him now..."Mr Play It Safe"
PeteK
October 10, 2022 at 10:41 am
He is part of the problem, but 3 defensive holding calls against mediocre receivers is on the players. Take away one of those plays and we win.
dobber
October 10, 2022 at 07:28 am
"I'm starting to wonder of ACR can put together four quarters anymore."
He looks disinterested for stretches, and his mechanics look off. Is that arm strength starting to wane?
"The incompetence of the defense is baffling."
Passive...passive...passive.
"Lazard's athletic limitations are real. "
Watched Lazard more closely yesterday to see how he fared, and he was getting open more than we'd think. That deep ball that he almost came up with was woefully underthrown (we can make the excuse that he was meant to come back for it). He was open deep on one of the outs to Doubs late in the game.
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:35 am
Do you remember that long pass when Allen Lazard run by the right out line, than, after he drew CB and S he turned in and had 2 steps away from defenders. ACR (Aaron Choker Rodgers) threw the uncatchable ball to the sideline to high for abnybody. Lazard was pissed off that he started to wave his hands in disbelief and anger.
$200 mill? Rookie would make better throw.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 08:40 am
"He looks disinterested for stretches"
Is this because he has inexperienced players running the wrong routes, does he hate the play calls?
"Passive...passive...passive."
Our defense when aggressive is playing downhill. When it is playing downhill, they are playing fast and swarming. When they get into this off the ball crap and dropping back they are allowing WR's free runs off the LOS and are allowing them to get open easily. The crossers are the achilles heal of this defense.
LambeauPlain
October 10, 2022 at 09:30 am
Rodgers does look disinterested. It seems he was really interested in his hairdo. He looks like he got his haircut with a weed trimmer. What is that thing on his head...Tent City, lice infested, homeless chic? He really thinks that is a good look? No wonder he also can't get any good looks with his deep, ineffective, perimeter passes. The Ghost of MM's Chunk Play Mania has returned.
Packerpasty
October 10, 2022 at 09:47 am
for another adult to worry about someones hairdo doesn't say much for maturity or intelligence...AR's play is not up to par for sure but to focus on other aspects of a persons life is funny stuff..
MarkinMadison
October 10, 2022 at 11:07 am
The arm strength is definitely going. I don't know why anyone would fear Rodgers throwing the Hail Mary at this point.
Tekraut17
October 10, 2022 at 07:37 am
The Defense isn't baffling...the defensive calls are baffling. We have two speedy LB's and good/great cover corners so why aren't we jamming, manning up and blitzing. We have virtually no interceptions because we sit back in soft zone and let them pick us apart. No aggression on the play calling just scared shitless that they may get the big play. How about we set the tone and MAKE the big play!! Same crap different game
Barnacle
October 10, 2022 at 07:57 am
AR ‘s desire for more “airing it out” lost the game for us. Why do we hear so much wisdom from our $50 million a year hippy and then other cheap QB’s look like world beaters Against our super defense?
Maybe our coaches should call the game, pick the players and tell AR to focus on his responsibilities.
Packerpasty
October 10, 2022 at 09:45 am
maybe they do and they are incompetent, no one knows how many plays AR changes, according to some, all of them he changes...ridiculous...
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 10:30 am
No one can sustain an O based on Cobb and Lazard alone. They are great pieces, but they aren’t transcendental talents. Teams know that: they are choosing to double cover Doubs. Our route trees and formations are shrunk dramatically. We are slow, we are as predictable as MMs last offense. On top of that we don’t stick to the run.
LaFkeur needed to lead this year. He needed to have a plan for this roster and he needed to show he can scheme players advantages. He had neither. He’s just playing Adams balm without Adams or even MVS: he’s allowed Watson to be used so he’s not even a deep threat in favor of Cobb and Lazard.
LaFkeur has LaFkeured this team by enabling Rodgers so diligently that Rodgers seemed baffled when asked if maybe Conbabd Lazard might not be the ideal go to feel threats. There needn’t no thought, no real self analysis. Hubris is rampant: LaFkeur’s teams are living in a self-deluding bubble of belief based on their own hype.
It’s as painful as it has been inevitable from the moment they stepped in the field in Minnesota woefully unprepared. It’s not new, it’s always been there but this year the pieces are t there to cover the mediocrity that has allied Rodgers worst tendencies to undermine his ability.
Savage57
October 10, 2022 at 07:11 am
I can't argue a single point you made.
They need to get their sh... stuff together fast, or this is not going to turn out well.
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:20 am
This is not going to turn out well!
Packers fans are again on the gate of hell.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 10:38 am
Sadly there is nothing here that wasn’t obvious in May. LaFkeur and his team have just been drifting, willfully refusing to, or utterly incapable of, facing reality and thus had no plan because they don’t see the need for one. Entitled, myopic and doomed.
I would fire LaFleur now. It won’t get better with him. Winning a few ugly ones against bad teams means nothing. Rodgers is our best QB, but it’s pointless if he’s going to play this way. Shake things up profoundly and ruthlessly or just write off this year and the Rodgers era as a lesson in the futility of pandering to a great player. Coaches coach, players play and are very seldom good at the other. Rodgers may as well have been HC. He’s not a good one. LaFleur has never been one.
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 11:36 am
Sad to say, we won't know whether or not LaFleur is a good head coach because of his pandering to Rodgers to the point of allowing him to usurp much of his authority -- or so it seems to me.
(I'd be glad for LaFleur to defend himself if it's otherwise by going play by play through some of worst moments of his tenure [e.g., first-and-goal from the 8 against the Bucs in the playoffs]).
The Achilles heel of LaFleur is his capitulation to Rodgers.
As for the Packers as a team, arrogant Rodgers is the fault line around which the team cracks under pressure.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 02:51 pm
Ditto. Good comments!
Todd
October 10, 2022 at 07:23 am
Still shaking my head over yesterday’s game. Continually passing the ball was maddening, if not illogical. With this supposedly vaunted defense, a two-touchdown lead should probably be game over. Still can’t cover the crossing routes, and it wasn’t even Justin Jefferson burning them this time. And Ken, your point about the long passes—so spot on. Lot of season left, but geesh.
dobber
October 10, 2022 at 07:30 am
The turning point in the game was the NYG drive late in the first half with the double reverse that turned into a TD. Dean Lowry misses the tackle on the TE 10 yards deep in their backfield that would've forced a 3 rather than 7 and might have stemmed the tide.
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:25 am
Oh, now Lowry is the guilty one. I do not understand that hate vs Lowry. Maybe he is not pro bowler, but he is giving his best at every snap. Not like some others. If he is not competent player, it is not his responsibility he is on the field, or on the roster.
The turning point of the game was 3 errant passes at the begining of the 3rd Q.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 08:35 am
Lowry didn't make the play he needed to on that one. He read the first reverse well but didn't see the double reverse. Had he seen it, and made the play, it would have been a huge play in the game and possibly changes the game.
dobber
October 10, 2022 at 08:54 am
Just saying that limiting the Giants to 3 at that point might have stemmed the momentum. Doesn't matter what number was on the jersey--it happened to be Lowry. It was an opportunity, and a play to be made that could've directly impacted the game flow that they just flat-out didn't.
By the time they got to the 3 and out, the tide had already turned.
Packers1985
October 10, 2022 at 10:37 am
Yes momentum has clearly drifted by that point. When our defense gave up 3-4 3rd and longs. And when were we see a momentum shift usually Qb 12 heaves up some ugly deep passes this we have seen alot even last yr when the 49er's blocked and scored the FG and the momentum clearly swung towards them. Arod went back to deep passes.
Looks to me that it is his way of showing frustration which is really bad as he is the QB of the team who should handle such situations well.
PeteK
October 10, 2022 at 11:01 am
Even the great QBs miss some passes, but AR has been consistently off lately. Cobb was open for a TD, but instead the pass was short and hit the defender.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 10:50 am
Croat, on this I disagree. Slaton was good yesterday but got too few snaps. Lowry is a pass rushing type who disappears when it gets physical. His snaps should have gone to Heflin. A lesser athlete but a guy who will die trying to get it done in the trenches. It’s just another example of our deluded belief in the ability of internal favorites.
mnbadger
October 10, 2022 at 12:10 pm
amen, CW. Time to offer up a sacrificial lamb to shake things up. Trade Lowery for late rnd pick and elevate Heflin. Go down swinging and send a message.
If nothing else, cut Lowery, again, to send a message.
At this point, we have absolutely nothing to lose. Status quo is not acceptable. It is time for radical adjustments.
Cut MLF as well. Elevate Bisachia. GPG!
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 12:17 pm
I think the missed tackle by Lowry is inconsequential compared to the huge deficiencies pointed out by Todd.
dobber
October 10, 2022 at 07:33 am
"After watching Saquon Barkley run the wildcat, I wonder if Aaron Jones could do the same. "
Whether we believe in 12 or not, teams are still going to account for him. Snapping to 33 is only a gimmick. It screams run and limits what you're doing. The offense works when it's actually being run. Run the offense.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 08:32 am
Can't they come up with another option? having Rodgers lined up behind the play somewhere. Jones could literally run it or pitch it to Rodgers to throw it.
Come up with a new wrinkle to it.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 10:42 am
That may have worked in the past—it’s the origin of Adams ball. We now don’t have an O to run worth taking seriously except on the ground and we didn’t run that. The approach to O is so divorced from reality at this point that your sensible aphorism no longer holds water.
I truly believe that this team is in as bad, maybe worse place from a coaching perspective than it was in MMs final days. MM was playing m with a roster so depleted it was some excuse. This roster is good. Even at WR we have talent that a decent coach could get more out of.
porupack
October 10, 2022 at 07:49 am
Right on, Ken. Call the coaching staff out, hold them accountable. We'll see a repeat of the decade long trend. GB falls to weak teams, seemingly unprepared for the competition. Then, they'll rise up and dominate a few vaunted teams. But, they aren't capable of dominating on a regular basis. Rodgers is sub-par. Another couple games of such play, then....its time to open the bullpen for a relief pitcher.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 10:45 am
Murphy isn’t going to do that. He just extended LaFleur, the man he hired for his vision … let that sink in. Murphy runs an organization that has become self laudatory to an extent that is staggering and as delusional as it gets and we are seeing the results.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 02:53 pm
Playing down to weak teams and playing up for better teams is a CLASSIC symptom of poor coaching in ANY sport!
ImaPayne
October 10, 2022 at 07:53 am
1. All the receivers are second string. Rodgers in his mind decided he will make Cobb the new Adams. Bad decision. Tight ends are just for blocking now to protect the franchise guy.
2. The run game only gets you so far. Rodgers needs to feed Cobb to.
3. Control over the offense is in Rodgers hands now. LeFleur is a puppet imo.
4. The pass d last year made a few big plays but they were never any good. I don't blaim Barry. Capers, Pettine had nothing to work with. Never did the pack bundle picks, move up in the draft and get real cover corners. Jairre doesn't work when they avoid him so he is neutral.
This pass d will be shredded by the eagles, bills,rams,and cowboys.
No one will be singing the praises of Rodgers at the end of the year. His run is over. He will just try and pad his stats with shorties or hand off the ball.
The rebuild begins and were in for years of pain.
Packerpasty
October 10, 2022 at 09:49 am
so he's just padding his stats when passing short or handing off the ball, yet people bitch when he airs it out...whats it gonna be??
Packers1985
October 10, 2022 at 10:45 am
Lol that has been the case. In this very forum there were discussions needing aggressive plays down the field. But i get the frustration either we don't have the real receiver for deep passes or right scheme to get somebody open deep or when open Arod has been throwing some errants one's. When he threw some good one's catches have been dropped.
I feared before this season that letting wr1 go is(though it was adam's choice , we should've atleast ready in drafting some young wr's by then) to leave one of the biggest mistakes i know defense wins championships but the Top wr can help us to atleast get to playoffs. Still i hope they can turn it around very quickly and play some good football on both sides of the ball.
PeteK
October 10, 2022 at 11:10 am
Huh, I'll take pass short, hand off, two slices, and a beer. Thank you
porupack
October 10, 2022 at 06:34 pm
Well, to be honest.... if they lose the game, then we'll bitch whether either scenario.
stockholder
October 10, 2022 at 08:02 am
Why can't Walker be like Micah Parsons. Turn the guy loose!
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:27 am
Maybe because he is not Micah Parsons.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 08:33 am
Because he has Joe Barry as a DC.
Is it me or does it feel like Joe Barry is coaching scared? Playing soft zones and a lot of 2 shell.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 11:07 am
Walker is making a lot of mistakes. It’s not surprising and he has great upside. Is that on Barry? I don’t think so really. Walker us a big improvement in pass coverage.
PeteK
October 10, 2022 at 11:17 am
It seems to me that we played nickel/dime much more last season on passing downs. Walker has blitzed up the middle with poor results. Maybe we need to be more creative with a delay or loop with a DE.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 11:35 am
I agree. I think he needs to be blitzing from the outside more. Use his speed off the edge. And if they are going to blitz him up the middle have him time it more with a delay. Let the OL commit somewhere else and then take off. His speed he will be able to get past them before they know it.
I think its the technique/how they are using him that could improve.
Packers1985
October 10, 2022 at 10:47 am
Clearly walker is not Micah Parsons. From day 1 everyone expected this from parsons.
SinceLombardi
October 10, 2022 at 02:19 pm
Because he’s not as good. All his tackles are after 5 to 8 yard gains.
mnbadger
October 11, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Yes, some of it's scheme, but more like why can't Hunter Renfroe be like Henry Aaron I think. Some players are that good. Some are just good. Walker should be okay, but not yet.
Job was handed to him. I can't imaging the rest of the locker room likes to see a veteran starter passed over by a rookie until he earns it. QW hasn't earned it yet. GPG!
packerbackerjim
October 10, 2022 at 08:07 am
Game: Lazard, Cobb
Lame: OL, DL, Offensive Game Plan, 2nd half D
The explanation the Giants filled the box begs the question What is the strength of the OL? It isn’t passing and it isn’t running.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 11:02 am
It was pretty effective when we ran the ball. The fact that we chose not run much at all does not change that.
If you want an OL to struggle, play your games as we are. No team is worried about us beyond 10 yards. By not running they could just blitz and max pressure too, compounding the issue. Double cover Doubs and let them try to go deep to Cobb (small, agile but not fast) or Lazard (tough, large, but not fast). They can and have been covered while packing the first 10 yards now by more than one team.
Realistically, we might be best to start Love against the Jets and let him throw and move. He’s not a better QB, but teams now know they can stymie this O very easily. Of course that would take a lot of guts and admitting the bankruptcy of the prior plan and coaching, but it might actually be the one thing that gives us a chance to shake the foundations enough to pull out of the tail spin. Yes, it’s that bad.
PeteK
October 10, 2022 at 11:25 am
More and more Jenkins at RT seems to be a problem. In a crucial 3rd down, second half,( I believe) on Giants 35, Jenkins mistakenly glanced inside to a covered DE and is late blocking a charging defender on the outside and causes a sack.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 02:59 pm
Great question on the OLine. In the pre season, we were filled with the expectations that the Packers had nothing but depth on the OL even with Bakh and Jenkins coming off injuries. Didn't we all gulp the koolaid down? I think they are average in both run and pass. But the lack of confidence to make 2 yards with 2 good running backs shows how little confidence MLF/AR have in this line.
Tekraut17
October 11, 2022 at 06:30 am
We had short yardage for a first down several times. Why don't we bring in Nijman as an extra tackle like the Pats did and just ram it down their throats? Who cares if they know we're running it...use the tools you have. Beats having a solid lineman wasting time on the bench.
HarryHodag
October 10, 2022 at 08:13 am
9-8 as predicted, out of the playoffs. This is really a very mediocre team. They were mediocre last year too with Adams. He covered up a lot of problems. The defense that Barry put together is vulnerable and every offensive coordinator in the league knows it.
I'd like to be positive but I can't at this point. I shudder to think what the Bills and Philly will do to this team.
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:28 am
As it looks now, they are more 6-11 or 7-10 team.
Packers1985
October 10, 2022 at 11:05 am
Yes couldn't agree more that every season most of folks out here brag on how we have put a very talented roster. It is a talented roster but never a complete roster even with Adams in the team atleast one phase of the team has been abysmal. All the rookies so far we drafted in last 4-5 years we got only 3 great picks(Jaire ,Jenkins and Gary) and rest all seems to be just serviceable. We hit better with UDFAs and FA's more than we hit on drafts. On top of it hiring some no name coaches or the coaches who have failed in other organizations have made it even worse.
All these years those holes used to be somewhat hidden becoz of the chemistry between Rodgers and Adams. Now we don't have an Adams Arod fell of the cliff. Let's see the next 3-4 games if nothing pans out better to start looking for the future.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 03:02 pm
Yes, Harry, yes. That is my take on this team as well. I am going to take next week off the Packers and simmer down a bit from their ineptitude. And I concur on the horror show coming with Philly and the Bills.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 03:02 pm
Yes, Harry, yes. That is my take on this team as well. I am going to take next week off the Packers and simmer down a bit from their ineptitude. And I concur on the horror show coming with Philly and the Bills.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 08:29 am
Game Balls:
Packers First half - They were up 20-10 at halftime. They had a good blend of running the ball and short quick throws in the passing game. The Defense played really well early. Forcing 2- 3 and outs and then a FG. They did give up a long TD drive that took 6 minutes off the clock. Other then that they played really well.
Lame Calls:
Packers Second half Offense - The offense went from a good blend of run/pass, to a lot of deep throws. Most people will blame play calling/but it was play execution that really is what killed it. The Offense actually had a good first drive in the 3rd quarter. They had an 8 play drive that ended in a punt. It was 3rd and 8 and Newman got blown up for a sack. Had Rodgers had time perhaps he hits a WR. He just didn't have time. The next drive they went 3 and out with 3 straight passes. I don't think the plays were bad. Cobb had a chance at that play and the last one to Lazard I felt should have been pass interference. But either way, Lazard has to fight better for the ball.
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon averaged a combined 4.7. They had 19 carries total. 21 touches total combined.
Jones had 7 carries in the first half for 35 yards. 2nd half 6 carries for 28 yards.
Dillon had 4 carries for 21 yards. 2 carries for 13 yards.
Packers Defense - They started out good. Forcing two 3 and outs. After that it was 8 plays 55 yards, FG. 11 plays 81 yards TD. 11 plays 56 yards FG. 15 plays 86 yards TD. 6 plays 63 yards TD. Jones had 2 catches for 17 yards.
The defense feels very predictable. It feels like teams know how to attack it and Barry has no answer on how to change it. They actually did well with Barkley. He had 13 carries for 70 yards. With a long of 40. Take away that 1 play and they held him to 30 yards on 12 carries. They did a really good job of shutting him down. But they couldn't stop anything else. They had some bad penalties too. Just a bad 2nd half performance overall.
Three and out:
London - I do not want to give up a home game ever again to play in London. Last year was the first year playing 17 games. Packers had a 8 home games and 9 road games. This year they had 9 home games and 8 road games. But had to give up a home game to have a "home" game in London. This is the 2nd year in a row we will have 9 road games and 8 home games. Next year will be the same.
Watson - is it time to put him on IR for 4 weeks to make sure he is fully healed? This is the 2nd time he has had hamstring issues. Is it time to shut him down for a few weeks to make sure he is fully healed?
Bad Loss - Almost every year there is one loss that everyone loses their shit over and deems this team is not good and will go no where and our season is over. I have heard that after this loss already.
My hope is this is the loss that wakes this team up. That they take a good look at themselves and realize that they have to make some changes. Sometimes it takes a good kick in the ass to wake up. I am hoping this is that.
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:41 am
Packers Diva said himself that he missed all 3 throws. So it was not PI, Cobb did not have any chance as ball was to far from him and, third throw was high throw to the sideline.
Accountability? That always start with yourself. This lesson Diva yet has to learn.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 09:16 am
Ok Croat. You are calling him a diva which whatever. I personally hate calling people names but you do what you want.
You are saying he has to learn to have accountability, but just before that you said that he blamed all 3 throws on himself. Which is it? Is he needing to have accountability or does he have it?
Rarescope
October 10, 2022 at 10:05 am
@RCPackerFan - thank you for calling out the name calling. I like to poke a little fun at people here now and then but overall what keeps me coming back is that we have some people here who are well versed in the game of football and offer valuable insights. IRT the home games, the Packers were the last team in the NFL to have to play in Europe. Other teams were giving up a home game when they only had the chance of 8 home games total. Green Bay is still getting 8 games played in Green Bay, which before the expansion to a 17 game season is what they would have normally had. Packer's own staff writers have been saying that the league has been very accommodating of them in this situation.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 11:14 am
I'm not into name calling. Its more of a bully like mentality and I'm not about that. People can do what they want, but its not my thing.
The home game thing I just hate right now. Losing the home game to play over there will mean we will have 3 years in a row that we won't have 9 true home games. Sure teams in the past gave up home games to go there. I just feel like its different now that every other year you are having 9 home/away games is a big loss/advantage.
I would have much rather had this game in GB.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 11:15 am
I don’t think it’s particularly off color to call a player a diva. I don’t personally, but Croat is hardly the first. I would say that I find it odd that this bothers people. To be offended that Rodgers is so described suggests an emotional sensitivity that I think raises questions about perspective.
Refute the basis of the statement by all means if you think it’s indefensible to describe Rodgers as “a self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please.”
Personally I think Rodgers has an overblown sense of his own strategic and tactical acumen fostered by his years as a star and an obsequious head coach who was the very worst choice to help Rodgers keep perspective and win the big prize. Great players seldom make great tacticians in any sport. Rodgers has unfortunately been enabled to fall into the trap of re-emphasizing the difference.
Philarod
October 10, 2022 at 11:00 am
I posted something similar to yours, without seeing yours at that time.
Thanks.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 11:15 am
Yeah i saw yours as well right after i posted mine. Great minds!
Philarod
October 10, 2022 at 09:22 am
Did you read what you just wrote?
(paraphrasing)
Rodgers said he missed all three throws.
Rodgers needs to learn accountability.
I guess that when you just spew resentment and hate, you become irrational.
Packerpasty
October 10, 2022 at 09:54 am
yup, the hate is real and makes people sound like fools or immature kids, what does a persons hair style have to do with anything football? Starting to sound like Truth Social in here with some..
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 11:27 am
So, it's okay to compare good people to "fools" and "immature kids" whose "hate is real" -- plus to insult anyone who disagrees with the Democratic Party, the establishment media, and Big Tech?
It seems the snide woke crowd is so self-righteously unaware as to flout its own rules even in the process of stating them.
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 11:15 am
I'm glad that I wasn't the only one that caught it.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 11:21 am
Saying things but not changing indicates perhaps that the sayings were superficial. MM was always going to use the run more, so is LaFleur. LaFleyr is always describing passive D as unacceptable. Nothing changes. It’s a technique to deflect I. An interview at that point. Contrition, if real, leads to change. If not you just swallowed a platitude.
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 01:00 pm
It's interesting if MM (Mike McCarthy) is now developing a potent running game as head coach of the Cowboys -- with also possibly an aggressive defense of dominance.
In any case, his team is 4-1 -- and without its starting QB.
So, maybe people can change.
It may take a firing, or a succession of ugly games, to get change, but change can come.
I'm rooting for LaFleur and Rodgers to change for the better before it comes to firing the former and benching the latter -- with undue suffering for us as fans.
As you indicate, Coldworld: Do they understand the problems, and are they willing and able to make changes?
Gee
October 11, 2022 at 05:46 pm
Hmm let's look at MM and remember a couple of things. At the beginning of the year there was a bet in Vegas when he was going to be fired and Sean Payton taking over. Already under the gun. Next in the off season Jerry made it clear that Zeke was going to fed this year, even if Pollard is the better back right now. Then in the first game their franchise qb, goes down leaving a qb they cut at the beginning of the season. What he did have was a real top 5 defense, that Quinn has playing aggressively, daring the offence to adjust to them, not the other way around. Look I'm happy for MM, just not sure its him changing let's wait to see what happens when Dak comes back. Cause since week 3 of the Rush era all I have heard from Cowboy talking heads, was they better keep this winning formula when Dak returns, cause even they are taking a wait ans see approach.
In regards to Rodgers, I just don't know anymore, ego aside even he must know that until the opposing D stones the run just keep doing it. He stated at the end of the Pats game BB is the greatest coach ever. Well then sir, guess what BB would do with 7 dbs on the field, he would run it down there throat for 50 minutes. LaFleur has aging qb, average to below wideouts, and eight to nine man fronts, time for motion or anything to get the defense moving side to side just to create mismatches. I get it no rbs wants to run against stacked boxes, so help them out. Oh and the O-Line is just stuck in the mud between pass pro and road grading run blockers, and I have no idea how to fix that.
PeteK
October 10, 2022 at 11:41 am
RC, I agree with your positive ending. The next game will ans many questions as to the success of this season. If we lose against the Jets at home after an embarrassing loss, the season will be over.
Rebecca
October 10, 2022 at 08:32 am
MurphyGutekunst will stick with Barry and LaFleur. If LaFleur and Barry can’t pull this team together it will be a season of sadness and frustration. But I’m afraid we’re already there.
Packerpasty
October 10, 2022 at 09:51 am
now we're making sense...I doubt these two will pull a rabbit out of a hat, they both have flatlined no innovation..
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 03:04 pm
Of the 2, I still have a little faith that MLF is not beyond redemption and can change. Barry is a lost, lost cause.
Coldworld
October 10, 2022 at 08:33 am
The rot in organizations starts at the top. This is a function of an incompetent Head Coach. Yes, that affects all those underneath him. Rodgers is possibly in decline, but the reality is it’s mostly him playing Cobb/Lazard ball even when that’s not the right option: it’s refusal to make the most of what he has in favor of making the most use of who he wants to.
If LaFleur wants a more aggressive D then he has to make that happen. To have the secondary be the source of the problem is baffling with the talent that they have there. Is it Gray, Barry or both or just fear of our offensive dysfunction leading to excessive caution?
If you want to give credit to a player yesterday, I’d give it to Slaton. That looked to be him announcing he can really play.
T7Steve
October 10, 2022 at 10:36 am
When I was watching yesterday, I knew you'd point Slaton out today. I think he's looking like he took a step. Don't know how many plays he can take in a row yet before he gets gassed.
Gee
October 11, 2022 at 06:06 pm
That's the thing, the team addressed this in the off season, at least it looks that way. We have 7 or 8 guys they can rotate in and out. Find out what you have and hopefully everyone stays fresh
Packers1985
October 10, 2022 at 11:09 am
Yes even i have seen slayton make atleast couple of plays. Now only lowry seems to the odd one of that DL lot.
MemphoMike
October 10, 2022 at 08:34 am
All great points in your article. One additional note to add, Joe Barry's lack of aggressive play calling is continuing to drive this D into the ground. This D has too much talent to be wasting away due to Barry's poor scheming. Why are our CBs (specifically Jaire) giving up 10+ pre-snap yards to Giant WRs that were on the Practice Squad the week before?? This is EXACTLY the kind of questionable calls that Barry continues to create game after game. We have one of the elite CBs in the NFL and two highly formidable/productive CBs as well that are being wasted. There were several highly vocal Joe Barry skeptics when he was hired. I wasn't one of them. Now I totally am in the FJB group.
In 1958, Ray McLean was the Packers HC. He's considered the least successful HC in Packers history after going 1-10-1 in his one year tenure. The Packers fired McLean and hired a guy named Vince Lombardi. Lombardi takes over in 1959 and the rest is Packers history. My point is, in 1958 there were 8 future HOF's on the roster and McLean can only win 1 game with them. Lombardi shows up less than a year later and coaches these guys into being Champions.
I'm not saying Joe Barry is Ray McLean.....at least not right now. But we have way too much talent being wasted on our D and it comes from JB's weak scheme. Something has to change so that this D is allowed to display its' abilities. MLF has to step up and make some hard decisions. We've seen a large enough sample size of the Barry D debacle on display.....it's time that he be put on notice.
FAN24583
October 10, 2022 at 08:48 am
Absolutely agree! Let’s fire him now! No reason not to.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 03:09 pm
Joe Barry is even worse than Mo Drayton was because (1) he has the talent but misuses it (2) while Mo got promoted up in GB, Barry actually had a resume in his portfolio with Washington and Detroit. A very bad performance in each of these places though. Its like promoting a fired salesman from one company and making him the Sales Manager of your company. The Peter Principle is alive and well in GB!
MemphoMike
October 11, 2022 at 07:46 am
Amen and spot on.....the Peter Principle is very much alive and well in GB!
FAN24583
October 10, 2022 at 08:46 am
Absolutely disgusting 2nd half of football. MLF play designs are so bland he is not an offensive guru and is way over rated. Barry is worse , he is scared. This team is doomed with MLF and Barry but it starts at the top with MM and BG they are allowing this to happen. I mean does anyone think that Amari R has anything to add to this team it’s obvious that he is a wasted roster spot. How long will it take to remedy that bad draft pick?
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 08:51 am
My feeling is that there are turmoils in the locker room. And team is slowly falling apart. You can see it by playing each week worse than previous. It does not look promising.
After game presser from the wealthiest Choker in the world gave me another indication that something is wrong. Choker push his HC under the bus. He said that 3 errants throws was play call got it from side line and he said he liked them a lot, but unfortunatelly they were not well executed.
I do not believe him a letter. He was also pissed of after the question what if Packers lose next game vs Jets. He will not talking about future games, and surely not about losing them. LOL. He will not talking, he will underperforming. That is all! Maybe ayahuesca would help him.
13TimeChamps
October 10, 2022 at 10:04 am
Maybe if you stopped with the ever present...and immature...name calling (diva, choker, etc.), people might take your posts more seriously.
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 11:13 am
Ooh, how horrible to call our quarterback a diva and a choker (which seem to be aptly descriptive names for him, and rather tame).
Gimme a break with the accusation of being "immature."
So, all of a sudden CHTV fans are so prim and proper and prudish.
I guess this kind out of outrage is only for select cases.
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 11:29 am
Thanks, Swisch. But it is OK. I'm mature enough to know how people do not like to hear the truth.
If ACR is normal person, who accept his faults, as we all have more than one (nobody is perfect), I might be on the side to even defend him for his flows, but he try to keep himself above everybody and everything, so my description of him is what I see. He is Diva (with capital letter) and proven choker. Who wants to see that will see, who don'n want will never see.
I also do not think that anyone should be treated as mistake free because of his former achievements. Everything changes and we have to evaluate ourselves and our capabilities, abilities, etc, often.
I never post for thumbs up or down. I just express my opinion and I'm prepared that anyone here prove wrong. If somebody will prove me wrong, I will admit and correct myself.
Everything change and we have to evaluate ourselves and our capabilities, abilities, etc.
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 11:56 am
Sad to say, croat, the level of discussion in America has deteriorated to the point of being almost non-existent -- not because of good-natured name calling, but because of mean-spirited character assassination to the point of censorship, cancellation, and ostracization.
The spirit of wokism is not reasoned debate but the senseless trashing of anyone who disagrees.
It's not a big deal to call someone a "diva"; what is savagely cruel is labeling someone as a bigoted rube, and idiotic hater, a deplorable fascist.
To call out someone for arrogance is not the same as actually despising them with ridicule and scorn.
***
So many people want to be with the supposedly cool kids of elitism that they're willing to taunt and tarnish average Americans of common sense and common decency to the point of persecution and prosecution, even personal destruction.
To a lesser extent, it even affects discussions about sports, the mad or misguided desire to be in the supposedly sophisticated clique of our social betters.
***
We can criticize Aaron Rodgers while still rooting for him as a player and a person. Indeed, we criticize him because we do care about him, and hope for him to change for the better, for his sake and ours. After all, his real arrogance is bringing the Packers to dysfunction on the way to ruin.
Along the way, we can realize and remember that all of us are flawed and faulty.
As this is a sports site, we may not be all that delicate in describing Rodgers as a diva and a choker, but ultimately we do want what is best for him.
13TimeChamps
October 10, 2022 at 11:40 am
It's one thing to consider one's actions as that as of a Diva, but to constantly, repeatedly never even refer to a player by his given name, just diva and choker over and over ad nauseum is, in my opinion immature.
It kind of reminds me of a certain poster on here who continually obsesses about a player who hasn't been on the team for over 50 years.
Personally, I think you both should get a hobby and stop taking football so seriously. You both act like Rodgers is personally disrespecting you. He's a football player. Try to keep that in perspective and you both might be much happier.
Swisch
October 10, 2022 at 12:09 pm
We wouldn't want to remember and emulate a winner like Bart Starr who unassumingly but strongly led the Packers to an amazing and unequaled five championships in seven seasons -- including three in a row, also unmatched before or since.
We have in our own history of the legendary Lombardi Packers the keys to success on an incredibly high level of character and achievement -- but, hey, that's not relevant to today, when we are captivated by crass self-seeking and garish bling.
All style and no substance -- and then again, even the style deteriorates in its self-important superficiality.
***
I sincerely hope all the best for you, 13TimeChamps, but you may want to stop harassing me with snide remarks. Skim or skip my comments if you are so bothered by them to the point of obsession.
Move on!
croatpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 05:16 pm
Well, I trully believe when you spend your time on watching someone who live and earns money from you, just because you are watch him, you should expect you get his respect.
Second, you have to admit that being fan includes emotions. And emotions are little tricky to control. Especially when you are fan of organization, who paying that person money you'll will never see, nor touch. After that organization made him star he is, he shit on that organization with no reason and still do that.
If you are fan of Aaron C Rodgers, I can understand your position, but I am fan of Packers, not this or that player. Therefore he offended me much harder that I can do that ever to him.
And, please do not tell me that I did not contributed to money earned by following Packers. I invested time, that many companies respects by paying huge sum of money just to show me their commercials during games. And I'm one of those millions ants why broadcasters pay NFL and owners huge money to be able to broadcast.
Also, I'm Game Pass subscriber and I pay every season to be able to watch the games.
Because of all of that, I believe I earned some right to express my opinion on this Diva Choker, calling him by the way he is presenting himself to me and some others.
13TimeChamps
October 10, 2022 at 05:50 pm
So you contributed money by watching commercials during games, while sitting at home on your couch. And for this reason Rodgers owes you respect and you get to call him names. Got it.
Glad you cleared that up Croat.
The irony here is that I'm not even a Rodgers fan at this point. I was among those who hoped they would have moved on from him this past offseason. Just don't like the name calling. And, yes, it is immature.
barutanseijin
October 10, 2022 at 05:53 pm
Look who rode in on his high horse.
The obsession with “immaturity “ is the province of skinny high school freshmen afraid of being mistaken for junior high schoolers.
Sorry the pigeons are crapping on your idol, but given how decrepit it’s been looking, you’re going to have to deal.
13TimeChamps
October 10, 2022 at 05:59 pm
If that was meant for me, Rodgers is hardly my "idol". Get a clue, my friend.
PearlyBakerBest
October 10, 2022 at 09:09 am
Illegitimate loss. No big deal.
GratefulMed
October 10, 2022 at 03:28 pm
More than my wine
13TimeChamps
October 10, 2022 at 09:39 am
We have officially become the Charles Dickens version of a football team...'A Tale of Two Halves'.
One week it's a terrible 1st half, followed by a much more respectable 2nd half. The next week it's a really well played 1st half followed by a terrible 2nd half.
This is on the coaching staff, pure and simple. Whether or not this is a Super Bowl roster is certainly debatable, but only playing NFL quality football one half per game falls squarely on the shoulders of the coaches. If you have the players to take a 20-10 lead in the 1st half...you have those same players in the 2nd half. It's up to the coaching staff to make sure the team stays focused.
LambeauPlain
October 10, 2022 at 10:07 am
Inconsistent play = poor coaching.
I was surprised when McIntosh fired winning coach Paul Chryst...but the Badgers were hemorrhaging badly, especially in undisciplined penalties and the Badgers (the Badgers!) were leading the nation in red flags. Terrible sign. Kind of like blowing a head gasket in your car. If you keep driving, the scrap heap awaits.
Chryst is a lot like ML where most of his day is spent concerned about the offense. Neither man is involved with the D or STs. Totally delegated...no matter what. It is why Drayton was allowed to flop around all season.
For the first time in years, Saturday I saw the Badger HC standing next to the OC Bobby Ingram discussing the game with the O on the field.
I believe coaching would improve if ML became a real head coach and not just a highly paid OC. I believe the coaching would improve even more if ML did a "McIntosh" and fired Barry. Then hire an interim DC like Wade Phillips.
Phillips has been an average/below average HC, but as DC, he is one of the best.
Since'61
October 10, 2022 at 10:15 am
I agree with Dobber. The turning point was the Giants last drive in the first half. The Packers defense had stuffed Saquan and the Giants to that point in the game.
The Packers are up 17-3 and Gary gets a sack which is nullified by the first of Douglas’ 3 bad penalties. The Giants then went to a High School offense with Wildcat and a double reverse to score a TD!! Lowry missed a TFL on that reverse which probably would have forced an FG and the Packers go into the half with a 20-6 lead rather than 20-10.
Whether or not the team would have disappeared in the 2nd half in that scenario we’ll never know. But the team played like they left for the airport at halftime.
I am becoming increasingly concerned about the Packers coaching staff. Once again they are outcoached by a rookie HC. Why? I noticed that the Giants patchwork receiving corps totally outplayed the Packers receiving corps not to mention the Packers DBs. What does that tell us? Better coaching and preparation. Did we blitz Jones even once in this game? Why isn’t Walker blitzing up the middle and utilizing his speed to get to a less than mobile QB? We let Jones stand back there and pick the defense apart. This is stupid.
Back to the offense. What are we doing? The offense played a good first half and then disappears completely in the second half except for one drive late in the 4th quarter.
What happened to Jones and Dillon in the second half. Even the one drive deep into Giant territory was completely screwed up at the end. 3rd and 2 to get to first and goal. The Packers come out of a timeout and attempt 2 passes that are batted down!!! Really, that’s all MLF has in that situation??? Where is Dillon??? That is the exact situation he is on the team for. What happened to the 2 back set in that situation. Or why not use DeGuara to lead Dillon and run for the first down.
The Packers are playing stupid football and there is no reason for it. I don’t like stupid and I don’t do stupid. I don’t know what is going on with the coaches but they are responsible for the in field results and they are making or allowing stupid decisions.
If Rodgers is in fact changing the play calls then MLF should hold Rodgers accountable. If MLF cannot or will not hold Rodgers accountable then he should not be an NFL HC. End of story. Can you see Andy Reid, or Shanahan or numerous other HCs allowing that to happen?? I don’t think so.
Even with Rodgers as part of the offense problems what’s the story with the defense? In spite of everything I’m very confident that Rodgers is not calling the defensive plays. No blitzes, soft zones, missed tackles, non-aggressive, why?
Why are we allowing our opponent’s offense dictate the game? More stupidity.
How did we get here? First Murphy decided to hire MLF as HC. Murphy also agreed to Rodgers current contract. Rodgers gets blamed for his contract but that is ridiculous. I’m confident that no one including Rodgers held a gun to Murphy’s head. The Packers made the offer and Rodgers signed end of story.
The point is that Murphy has made at least 2 of the critical decisions that are part of the current situation. He may have decided on Barry and Bisaccia as well.
We are witnessing questionable management decisions play out on the field. Can the Packers right their ship? Can MLF take control of the team? Will the defense be enabled to play aggressively? Should changes be made? It’s too soon.
But if the current coaching staff pull this team together they should be made by season’s end. Thanks, Since ‘61
T7Steve
October 10, 2022 at 10:57 am
Wow that was a long one Since 61. You nailed it. These coaches seem to start with a good plan that has nowhere to go if it doesn't keep working. Let me rephrase that. If something is working too well they must change it. That's how they adjust. "Running the ball is working too well we better get away from that. We don't want to shove it down their throat."
RCPackerFan
October 10, 2022 at 11:32 am
Since '61 -
I like reading your takes. I don't always comment on others as I just haven't had as much time to do so. But I try to read most and I always read yours.
Just to go over a few points of yours.
(Back to the offense. What are we doing? The offense played a good first half and then disappears completely in the second half except for one drive late in the 4th quarter.)
They actually had a really good driving on the first drive in the 2nd half. Then Newman got blown up. I read a thing this morning on twitter about pressures allowed along the OL from PFF. Bakhtiari 1, Yosh 0, Runyan 0, Myers 0, Newman 4, Jenkins 0. I think this says enough.
(In spite of everything I’m very confident that Rodgers is not calling the defensive plays. No blitzes, soft zones, missed tackles, non-aggressive, why?)
My greatest concern is the defense. I think the offense will figure it out. I have faith that Rodgers, Lafleur and coaches will figure it out. We knew this would be a work in progress. Lets not forget they not only lost Adams, but also lost MVS, their OC, and QB coach. There are a lot of changes. It takes time. I'm not worried there.
I'm more concerned with the defense. This was supposed to be the best in the league. And we absolutely have shown the ability to be that. But we are playing way to soft way to often. We are not attacking offenses. They have 2 fast ILB's. Why are we not blitzing them more often. Why are we not bringing Amos up more often and using him as a run defender/blitzer? I'm more concerned with Joe Barry then anything else on this team. If feels like to me he is playing scared. So scared he doesn't want beat over the top he is willing to play soft and back. Something has to change.
Since'61
October 10, 2022 at 12:09 pm
RC your points about the defense are spot on. And this is one of the reasons that I posted that the Packers are playing stupid. they have the players to be much more aggressive on defense. Alexander's side of the field is covered. Stokes ca n also play one on one if necessary. There is no reason not to blitz Walker and bring Amos down into the box. All of this depends on down and distance of course. But it's looks like we're playing a prevent defense from the opening kickoff. I just don't get it.
I agree that we have many changes on the offensive coaching side. However, MLF and Steno are still there and should be able to maintain continuity. I believe the offense will figure it out but there is still no excuse for the 3 and out with long passes and the failure to use Dillon to pick up 2 yards with a 3rd and 2 and 2 downs to get it done. That demonstrates no faith in either Dillon and or the OL. Makes no sense to me.
BTW, I always read all of your posts as well. Stay safe. Thanks, Since '61
wildbill
October 10, 2022 at 11:02 am
When a player comes into the NFL we expect growth in their abilities as they adapt and learn. By their 4th year we expect them to be hitting their stride and near their peak. This is LaF’s 4th year as HC and he not only hasn’t grown, he has regressed badly. No one is afraid of him! Not the opposition and none of our players and coaches. He is a milk toast X&O guy with no imagination and mediocre cheerleading skills.
Couple that with Rodgers not having anywhere near the heart of Favre. Yea Rodgers is tough and a better QB, overall, than Favre but no way would Favre passively play as we have seen this year. That being said, Starr is still the best, and toughest, QB we have had. Favre may have been a turnover machine but he always left it all on the field and I’ve never gotten that feeling with Rodgers
Ritzy
October 10, 2022 at 11:13 am
it's only 5 games into the season, so everything can be fixed but the bottom line is we need to consider a change at Qb. This loss had an air of finality for the Rodgers era. Is it time to build for the future and give Love a chance? Aaron looks old and slow and is getting more inaccurate each week.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 10, 2022 at 03:39 pm
Ritzy, Agreed!
Need some young legs to take off when things break down. Keep defense off balance. Need a QB who distributes the ball and gets it to difference makers. Need a QB who runs the plays. Time to bring in Love for 2 or 3 games. Let's shake it up and see what we have.
PackAttack4155
October 10, 2022 at 11:20 am
What surprises me most about the team, so far, is the absolute lethargy that exists on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. That comes down to the coaches, and the captains. Time for somebody to knock some energy into the team!
Mark Murphy needs to grab LaFleur by the shirt, remind him why he was hired (offensive guru, innovative ideas), and tell him to start being the part, not merely acting it. After tossing him aside, Murphy should then grab Joe Barry, and in his best Alec Baldwin from The Departed impression go, "The world needs plenty of bartenders, two weeks with pay!" Then, making eye contact with Jerry Gray, Murphy reminds him of who he is: a former first round pick, four-time pro bowler, two-time all-pro, and tell him to get the defense playing like Gray did in the 80s: hard, mean, and with no excuses. Finally, turning to the captains on the team, who by now are likely huddled together in collective fear, tell them nothing lasts forever, either get it done, or get out.
All kidding aside, if Barry isn't feeling the heat from management, there are bigger issues at work in the front office. Enough with the soft defense! LaFleur needs to go back to the drawing board, and work on his "innovative ideas," and the captains need to start leading.
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 03:16 pm
This was a good, funny comment. My compliments. But it assumes that Murphy is not part of this problem. I happen to think he is the top of the problem and that his style/sh** flows down from it. He is just waiting for his big retirement package from the Board. I would love to be wrong but a leopard doesn't change its spots. Mark - please grow a pair and prove me wrong!
Packers2020
October 10, 2022 at 11:48 am
I know most of you will not like this but here goes.
Okay let's look at this without rose colored glasses:
Aaron Rodgers is now 38 going on 39. He has lost a little. Father time is undefeated. AR has played ok but not great. We have young WR's that do not have everything down yet. Example, the play that Lazard and Doubs almost ran into each other on a play. This o-line is not good. At least in pass protection. Bak is not 100% and may never be again. He has had 3 surgeries on the same knee in 18 months. Jenkins is not a tackle yet they continue to play him there because there is nobody better. Newman is junk at Guard but we still continue to play him. I personally think Tom cannot be worse.
Defensively, nothing has changed. We have a d-line that gets pushed around and we cannot stop the run. Our defensive coordinator continues to play zone defense because that's what he believes in, yet we have man to man CB's and not zone CB's.
We have a head coach as well as a QB that refuse to admit that Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion are the best playmakers on the team and refuse to use them as much as we should.
Our ST's might be the best area of the team right now and that is saying something since they have been average at best. At least we have a solid punter.
Sorry but I see a lot of issues here and unless the HC looks within himself, figures out how to make adjustments at halftime, and has a come to Jesus meeting with his D-coordinator to play differently, I do not see this changing.
My two cents.
PackAttack4155
October 10, 2022 at 11:58 am
I can't speak for anyone else, but I agree with pretty much everything you said. Your comment on how the defensive backs are being utilized is spot on. They are physical, attack at the line, just try and beat me sort of DBs, and they should be allowed to play as such.
I don't disagree with the OL needing a shakeup, but if Tom isn't in games, there's a reason for it. A reason we aren't seeing, but the coaches are, in practice.
PearlyBakerBest
October 10, 2022 at 02:54 pm
BC?
MITM
October 10, 2022 at 11:50 am
The people blaming Rodgers and calling for Love to start make me laugh. Such short memories we all have. We don't beat the Patriots with Jordan Love at QB. Belichick - Rodgers is "too good" "too smart" "too accurate".
The offense was going to be a work in progress for the first half of the season. It doesn't help that our prized offensive top pick has been COMPLETELY USELESS since day 1. It was the defense that was supposed to be able feast on teams like the Giants who are limping around barely clinging to life.
Lafleur and Barry are not good coaches. Idgaf about Lafleurs record, in 2019 they were the luckiest team in the NFL. 2020 was a botch, 2021 special teams was always going to be our undoing.
Quay Walker is an athlete playing LB. Every crosser that hit was on him, and his run fits have been bad. He will get better though. Campbell and Douglas are serviceable starters getting paid like stars. Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Adrian Amos and Preston Smith are the only premium talents on this defense.
This team is awfully coached and even less motivated. A good defense makes it look like they have extra guys on the field. Like the Bucs or 49ers. Packers look like they play with 10 or less on defense. But its all Aaron Rodgers fault because of his body language....sure
gpt999
October 10, 2022 at 02:49 pm
Generally, this is a good article.
On reading post game comments from the GB coaching staff and AR, I see the usual trend of justifying poor coaching decisions. Its just the MLF/Barry way. But for AR to call out the players for frustrating comments confuses me?
When AR was having troubles with GB management, he had no problems calling them out in subtle ways. Now that the players are being thrown under the bus for being frustrated/badly coached, now he is suddenly a team first guy/pro management advocate? I guess an undeserved $50Mil contract can do that to a guy?
But I understand the players concerns. They have a limited career and can make BIG money if their skills are properly utilized. Poor coaching decisions can only bring down/stall their careers. This is especially true on the defensive side of the ball. Not allowing stud DBs to play more press coverage is just a waste of talent. But again, how much personal talent does Joe Barry really have in his DC role? Other teams must laugh and be thankful that Joe Barry is still in charge of this defense. I, myself, cry.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
October 10, 2022 at 03:28 pm
I'm glad Cobb had a great game. I love Cobb and a fan, but at the same time the very fact AR was targeting Cobb that often vs Doubs speaks volumes that we have a problem. Cobb needs to be used as a specialist on 3rd down, or in red zone. He is not meant to be the #1 receiver in attempts, receptions, and yards.
AR has not played well all year, but is adamant he doesn't need to play at OTC, or work with the young WR's. AR also won't run and pick up 1st downs anymore when things break down and defenses know it. While it might piss off some of you it has become apparent Jordan Love needs to start a few games to see how the offense functions without AR. Maybe the offense plays much better with a younger QB who can and will run the plays and scramble when he should. Also, maybe AR becomes pissed off and comes back with that chip on his shoulder and plays like it. Personally, I don't see the fire burning in AR like I used to.
crayzpackfan
October 10, 2022 at 03:50 pm
I would like to see them drop the dead weight of Packer #8. He has had 4 catches his entire career and is nothing special enough as a returner to justify holding a roster spot for him. Add Goodson in his place. He can do return duties and give the RB’s a breather by rotating him in.
Make some changes at the RT and LG spots and start running the damn ball. We have blockers all over the place on offense! Run it. More quick slants, shallow crossing routes, scheme the TE’s open. Rhythm. Get to the line and snap it! Out pace the defense. Physicality.
Give the DC a stark warning to start blitzing more and having our corners move up and challenge the WR’s. Again, physicality. We are creating zero turnovers while dying of paper cuts out there. Would rather give up a big play now and then if it meant more pressure at the LOS with more opportunities creating turnovers.
This team is being coached so soft. Someone please stand up a be the adult in the room?! Show me some urgency and a willingness to stay with what is working. Damn!!
fthisJack
October 11, 2022 at 07:54 am
3rd and 2 at the 6 and you throw 2 passes when you have Jones and Dillon who most certainly could have got the first down. Is it Rodgers changing the plays or MLF's call. I would really like to know how many plays Mr. Rodgers changes.