OC Edgar Bennett, QBs Coach Alex Van Pelt out as Packers' Coaching Shakeup Continues
The carousel of coaching changes is still ongoing in Green Bay, evidenced by some more staff adjustments that were foreshadowed earlier this week.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rob Demovsky and Chris Mortensen contributed to a report that the Green Bay Packers relieved both offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt of their duties.
This comes just a day following the news that general manager Ted Thompson would transition into his new role as the Packers' senior advisor to the team's football operations, bringing an end to an era under Thompson that spanned for 13 years.
Bennett first came aboard the Packers' organization in 1992 as a player and a fourth-round draft pick in 1992, spending his next six seasons there and amassing over 3,300 yards en route to never missing a game with the Packers.
Three years later, he'd return to Green Bay as a member of the coaching staff, first beginning his quest up the staff tree as a running backs coach from 2001-2010, a receivers coach from 2011-2014 and then the Packers' offensive coordinator from 2015 up until Wednesday.
It's unclear if Bennett is truly ousted from the organization or if the Packers will choose to retain him and situate him in a different position, which could also be the case for Van Pelt.
Like Bennett, Van Pelt is a former player, though, he never suited up for the Packers. He spent the first seven years of his coaching career between Buffalo and Tampa Bay -- and a brief stint as the 2005 Frankfurt Galaxy's quarterbacks coach in his inaugural year of coaching -- before landing with the Packers in 2012.
Van Pelt became the Packers' quarterbacks coach in 2014, replacing former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo who occupied the position previously from 2012 through 2013. Ever since, Van Pelt and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have formed a player-coach relationship that has given Rodgers a sense of security with his position coach.
Rodgers has notably always credited the Packers' quarterbacks coach from 2006-2011, Tom Clements, for being the most critical to his development early in his career. However, Rodgers has grown closest to Van Pelt, whose path may or may not lead him back to the Packers now that he's no longer with the team.
According to Demovsky, Joe Philbin, James Campen and McAdoo are three of the top candidates who are potentially expected to replace Bennett as the team's offensive coordinator. Philbin held that position with the Packers from 2007-2011 and Campen is the team's current offensive line coach where he's been since 2007.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (141)
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 05:44 pm
Bet Rodgers loves this.......oh man
TKWorldWide
January 03, 2018 at 07:41 pm
Was Edgar Bennett REALLY the OC?
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 08:35 pm
No, but he liked Van Pelt
Barnacle
January 05, 2018 at 04:03 am
“Cleaning House”. Ted hangs around looking the same....duhhhh, MM hires the assistants, decides who plays, maintains “versatility”, calls the plays and says stupid things at press interviews and shorten most practices and schedules bowling days.
Sounds to me like a new GM will have both hands tied behind his back. I feel sorry for any assistant hard-up enough to take a one year job under McCarthy........a wasted year for him and the Packers.
Would someone please mention to Murphy that McCarthy is the weak link!
OrganLeroy
January 03, 2018 at 05:44 pm
I don't see what difference it'll make when McCarthy calls the plays and always has. Bennett should go back to Receivers coach, best YAC & lowest drop % in the league when he coached them earlier.
Turophile
January 03, 2018 at 05:47 pm
I had said (before this season ended) that the Packers seemed to have gone a bit stale. I wanted at least a new DC and a minimum of one change in the defensive position coaches.
The Packers saw me and raised me about 1,000.
New GM, Highsmith gone to the Browns, Gutekunst possibly gone. Def coordinator gone, D line coach gone, ILB coach gone, Off coordinator gone, WR coach gone to the college game, QB coach gone.
MAN !!
NickPerry
January 04, 2018 at 05:03 am
If Russ Ball is named GM you'll be watching a whole hell of a lot more than coaches leaving. If Ball is named GM the Packers will have some serious, serious issues moving forward. Ball is Ted Thompson 2.0 only worse. A hard ball money man without the ability to at least pick a winner WR in the 2nd round.
jeremyjjbrown
January 04, 2018 at 06:37 am
Yeah, pretty worried what the drafts will look like with Ball as GM. The Packers had a great run with scouts as GM, I'd like to stick with that. Metrics don't work well in football due to the small sample sizes, the GM needs a really good intuition around prospects.
NickPerry
January 04, 2018 at 06:59 am
I like Russ Ball and don't want him to go anywhere, but by anywhere I also mean I wouldn't want to see him switch to the GM's office. Ball like Murphy are MONEY MEN. They care about profits, anyway to make the organization more money. IMO the product on the field is a distant 2nd, at least it would certainly feel that way should Ball be named GM. Lets HOPE all the reports I've read, all those close to the organization, and all those with tons of football knowledge outside the Packers organization are wrong and Ball isn't going to be the next GM.
If Ball is hired I'll have a really horrible taste in my mouth like Murphy and Thompson had this planned months ago, fixed if you will.
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 07:20 am
Don't sell Ball short. By most accounts, he's shrewd, fair and has the team in great cap shape. He can hire and position good people to do the jobs of scouting, drafting, personnel development, etc.
I'd rather have a good manager of people than a guy who runs his own show regardless of the talent around him. I am thinking of us having an OC (Bennett) and McCarthy running the offense while the rest of the team is in disarray. Manage your resources rather than being one of the pieces.
RCPackerFan
January 04, 2018 at 07:29 am
With Ball, my greatest concern with him is his talent evaluation. I have no clue how well he is as a a talent evaluator. He has no experience doing it.
Also if Ball were to get the GM job, what reason would Wolf and Gutekunst have to stay? They already lost Highsmith who was really well thought of. If they lost Wolf and Gutekunst, they would have almost no high quality talent evaluators left. That worries me more then anything.
Wolf and Gutekunst both have been in the scouting departments essentially since they have came into the league. They know what to look for in players.
Maybe Ball has an eye for talent. I have no idea. I just would rather have someone that has had years of experience doing it.
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 08:54 am
...Also if Ball were to get the GM job, what reason would Wolf and Gutekunst have to stay...
Where are they going to go? They have both interviewed before and remained Packers. Elliot is young and could easily stick around as head of something. Good living and still good opportunities.
I wouldn't worry about losing guys that don't make the cut - I worry about getting the right guy. If Russ Ball is the man - he will keep the good ones and find more good ones.
mrtundra
January 04, 2018 at 09:24 am
I think Murphy had better hire Wolf or Gutekunst for the GM job and of the two, I'm leaning towards Eliot Wolf. He knows talent, as does Gutekunst. Ball knows cap space and money issues. Keep Ball as Cap guru and move the team forward with either Wolf or Gutekunst as GM.
RCPackerFan
January 04, 2018 at 10:05 am
Gutekunst is in the running for the Texans GM job. He was said to have been the top candidate for the 49ers jobs but removed his name from consideration. I have heard he removed his name due to not getting full control of roster and coaching decisions.
Wolf was blocked from the Lions job. He interviewed with the 49ers last year. We have no idea if he was blocked or if he has turned down interviews with others. If he turned down interviews with others, will he now not turn down those interviews? If Ball takes the job, and another team wants to interview him for GM, you have to believe he will be going now.
I get what you're saying. The problem with Ball is he isn't a personnel guy. He essentially is a finances guy. If they lost Gutekunst and Wolf and already lost Highsmith, the top of the scouting group is very thin and the GM doesn't have a history as a guy who scouts players. Their top guy would be Thompson. What would change then what we have done already?
I want the best person for the job. I just question Ball with his background, more then the other 2 guys. Maybe Ball will be great, just as the other 2 maybe as well. Maybe none of them will be good. We have no idea. I just like my GM knowing how to spot talent and willing to go after that talent.
Finwiz
January 04, 2018 at 10:35 am
This isn't the worst thing in the world, assuming they still have a pretty good scouting department that Ball can defer to on talent decisions.
I think the bigger question is the state of the Packer scouting talent.
For the foreseeable future I expect all of that to be under the thumb of TT, so not sure how much will be changing.
It's all a bit curious.
RCPackerFan
January 04, 2018 at 10:53 am
Not the worst thing in the world. But would it be much of a change if the top scouting person is Thompson, and Ball turned to him for all input on players to draft?
It will just be interesting to see what happens.
Finwiz
January 04, 2018 at 11:03 am
If they really DON'T change anything else, and it turns out to be Ball, this will all go down as a big charade, particularly the show that's going on with the search agency. Doesn't make much sense they would hire a consulting firm if they intended to give it to Ball to begin with. Unless they want to sell the public on change, and make it look that way, even though nothing really is. (changing) I can't really grasp the fact they would go to those lengths to manipulate public perception.
Turophile
January 05, 2018 at 06:43 am
Absolutely Razer. Whichever candidate you choose as GM, the other two have a high chance of going...........so you pick the best guy (in your opinion) and move on.
One of the things Ball has going for him is that he seems to get respect from everyone he works with. He is a people person with good skills that can get the best out of others. That will serve him very well in a GM role.
What Ball will NOT do, is let TT make all the drafting decisions. Ball is his own man. He'll take advice (why wouldn't you) and make his own call. People who categorise him as being (in the future) some kind of yes-man to TT, are flat wrong, dead wrong, wrong-wrong.
Donster
January 04, 2018 at 07:25 am
You said it Nick. Ball has never been a scout. So he is going to have TT make all the draft decisions. The team gains absolutely nothing. This will also tick off Wolf and Gutekunst. And they will more than likely leave because of it. Let's hope that Murphy has some smarts and doesn't move Ball into the GM position. But from an article by Silverstein at the Journal Sentinal, if he is right, the decision has already been made and Murphy is blowing smoke up everyone's butt.
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 09:36 am
If Ball becomes the GM, you can bet TTs new role is running the Draft. Wolf and Gutekunst won't be far behind Highsmith leaving GreenBay.
Turophile
January 05, 2018 at 06:45 am
Donster, 4zone, the same applies whichever guy gets the GM gig. The other candidates are likely to leave for a GM job elsewhere, or just leave through disappointment of not getting the job they wanted.
Just because he is an older candidate, don't expect Ball to be a lock to stay whatever the GM result - he has been working toward improving his resume to be a GM, for many years. He wants to be a GM.
As I see it, one guy gets the job and two leave, whichever way the hire goes. The Packers will just pick the best guy and live with the consequences.
HankScorpio
January 05, 2018 at 06:56 am
I'm not so sure that it would be TT running the draft over Gutekunst. With Wolf running the show in FA/trades. Ball would be the coordinator of those two separate subsets of the overall personnel dept. An arrangement like that would certainly fit "redefining duties", which was the initial report of what Murphy was going to do after TT's removal from the GM role.
But ultimately it would fail, IMO. A GM's primary job is to bring in talent. I want a guy that has a background in that endeavor in the role of GM.
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 09:38 am
Double tap. . .
Packer_Fan
January 03, 2018 at 05:51 pm
The offense has been stale the past few years. It is interesting that the Pack can start a game moving the ball, even with Hundley, and then get stale. So I am OK with bringing in new coaches and thoughts. Van Pelt really missed on developing Hundley. How do you break someone of looking down when the rush approaches. Could they have set up practice conditions where the rush is in Hundley's face and force him to wait for the receivers to get open.
Bearmeat
January 03, 2018 at 07:20 pm
I'm not surprised. This fits right in with previous MM actions after a position didn't fare well during the year. What surprised me was the firing of DL and ILB coaches TBH. I understand that the entire defensive staff might be let go after the year (assuming there's no internal candidate - Please God no), but the preliminary firing of those particular positions? They were the only positions on defense that didn't absolutely blow goats. There must be something behind the curtain we don't know about.
In this case, AVP didn’t do his job with Hundley and EB has allowed the system around Rodgers to get stale. Although to be fair, that really is both more of MM’s problem on both accounts. But what is MM going to do? Fire himself? He knows he has to go DEEP in the playoffs next year with a big-time offense. Or the new GM will can him too.
stockholder
January 03, 2018 at 05:55 pm
The way things are going, he may be your next GM. Remember the Favre circus. The train is leaving!
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 06:34 pm
I think it would be a monumental mistake to give MM control of personnel.
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 07:54 pm
Agreed
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 02:45 am
Mike McCarthy, by report and by Mike Murphy is not interested in any other position than HC!
So, I think MM is not in competition...
jeremyjjbrown
January 04, 2018 at 06:41 am
Giving it to Russ Ball could be a bigger error.
Turophile
January 04, 2018 at 10:20 am
Any choice could be a huge error.
You just have to hope the Packers, with all the time they have had to see each guy working day to day, know the right choice and make it. They sure as heck have about 1,000,000 times more to go on than we do.
CAG123
January 03, 2018 at 07:26 pm
I’m too sure about it being MM fault, it might fall under something as simple as MM calls the plays and you guys are supposed to prepare them to execute.
Tundraboy
January 03, 2018 at 08:05 pm
MM, GM? Oh God no!
stockholder
January 03, 2018 at 05:53 pm
Good Job MM! Perry and Moss must go too!
jeremyjjbrown
January 03, 2018 at 06:05 pm
I thought Bennett was great as receivers coach. Hope he's actually headed back there.
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 06:37 pm
I don't usually beat my own drum, but I called both of these. The other call I made was McAdoo is the next OC, and MM will let him call plays.
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 06:47 pm
Mmm...please McAdon't
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 06:50 pm
Why not? He was good as OC in New York, and strong background as a QB coach. Rodgers apparently likes him.
Just because he failed as a HC doesn't mean he can't still coordinate an offense.
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 06:56 pm
He also called plays this year........and his team stopped listening to him. Maybe he would sign Geno Smith and bench Rodgers for him when things get hairy???
Bearmeat
January 03, 2018 at 07:21 pm
He did make Eli look really good 2 years ago. Granted, that was with OBJ. DA is great, but he's no OBJ.
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 08:55 pm
Eli is no Aaron Rodgers.
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 02:49 am
Correct, DA is not OBJ. DA is much better and much more reliable player than OBJ...
NickPerry
January 04, 2018 at 05:42 am
Ummmm...Common man, that's just plain ridiculous.
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 06:03 am
Ridiculous?
Let see stats, will we?
OJB has 2 highlight catches per season. How many TD he has in the last 2 season?
2016 Odell had 13.5 y/catch, 101 reception for 1,367 yards, 10 TD, Davante Adams had 75 reception for 997 yards, 13.3 y/catch, 12 TD
2015 & 2017 we can not compare because Davante was injured during 2015 and Odell is injured after several games in 2017...
So, their numbers are similar, BUT Odell Beckham is/was No. 1 receiver and majoritty of throws went his way, while Adams was treated from Aaron as No. 2 receiver in 2016, still he was able to have 2 TD more, while received ball 1/3 times less....
So, what is ridiculous here?
Bearmeat
January 04, 2018 at 09:25 am
lol
stockholder
January 03, 2018 at 08:42 pm
I think Joe Philbin may pop up again.
fthisJack
January 03, 2018 at 09:03 pm
i thought Philbin had the offense humming before he left. i wouldn't mind seeing him come back.
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 10:51 pm
Rodgers had said that Philbin was a perfectionist that always made sure the scout team defense was giving the offense the most accurate representation and look of the next week's opponent's defense, down to the last detail, and it made for the offense having unrivaled preparation for every contingency they'd likely face on gameday.
I'd be happy to see Philbin back at OC.
baldski
January 04, 2018 at 01:34 am
Yes, I agree, Philbin as OC would be an improvement.
NickPerry
January 05, 2018 at 06:01 am
Hey Oppy....Good to see you back posting comments. Haven't heard from you as much as we used to.
I'm with you, I'd like to see Philbin back. As much as I'd like to see a guy brought in with some newer, fresher ideas, McCarthy's stubbornness would probably get in the way of "New" ideas.
Mojo
January 03, 2018 at 06:40 pm
Will the last one out of 1265 please turn-out the lights.
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 06:44 pm
This is what a lot of folks around here have been asking for...
Irish_Cheesehead
January 03, 2018 at 07:11 pm
Time will tell whether folks will be happy or suddenly realize how good they had it for 8 playoff years...
Thegreatreynoldo
January 03, 2018 at 08:23 pm
Sort of, Dobber. This is just chaos. Any shake up would have an element of chaos, but this is not orderly. We have a meddling BOD. Get the new GM in place and things will move more smoothly.
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 10:52 pm
To be fair, a lot of people had been calling for "Fire MM! Fire Capers! Fire TT! Fire Mark Murphy! CLEAN HOUSE!"
That's kinda asking for chaos.
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Side note, if the board of directors is meddling in football affairs, the Packers are doomed and they learned nothing from the hard lessons learned from the 70's and 80's and did not take Bob Harlan's wisdom to heart.
Woe are we if the BOD is actually pulling the strings.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 04, 2018 at 01:38 am
I would assert that we are not guessing that the BOD is meddling. Murphy has said that MM will be the HC in 2018. So the new GM does not have authority to fire MM and hire his own HC, at least not in 2018. By extension, MM will hire a new DC (and now a bunch of assistant coaches). I assume that the BOD will give assurances to the new DC for 2018 at a minimum as well.
I suppose this isn't that radical. The BOD saddled TT with Sherman as HC for a year back in 2005. Regardless, I hope a new GM is named by next week as is being reported, and that GM ignores everything Murphy has said about keeping MM, unless of course the new GM would have extended MM. Just want the GM to have his traditional authority.
Bear
January 03, 2018 at 06:54 pm
My concern is who is willing to take the gamble to take a coaching position with the Packers when the head coach has only a 2 year contract,
Would you uproot your family and move across country and in two years or less McCarthy gets fired and a new head coach is hired and brings in his own people.
Irish_Cheesehead
January 03, 2018 at 07:13 pm
To be fair, the Packers do have a history of hanging on to people for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time. It's a safer place than with many teams.
Coldworld
January 03, 2018 at 07:16 pm
Opportunity with a good QB is a powerful motivator. I think a little hunger would be a welcome injection. Let’s get some folk who believe in themselves.
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 10:54 pm
TT and MM believed in themselves, their system, and their people.
You know what most Packers fans called that?
Not self confidence. They called it arrogance.
I never agreed, but an awful lot called it arrogance.
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 02:55 am
Oppy I become your fan...
HankScorpio
January 03, 2018 at 07:22 pm
I think the opportunity to work with Aaron Rodgers is a tremendous lure.
zoellner25
January 03, 2018 at 07:35 pm
And if MM does get fired, a coordinator might be able catapult up to HC
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 07:45 pm
There's very little security in coaching.
Spock
January 03, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Bear, Coaches (and their families) are well accustomed to being uprooted and moving to new locales. I doubt that that would be much of an hindrance for taking a job with the Packers.
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 09:44 am
Philbin might, he could see it as an insider's ticket to replace MM should he get fired. I think he's our best option there. Has experience, won a SB with GB. Has ties already and isn't a hot HC commodity.
Houndog
January 03, 2018 at 06:55 pm
Is this an example of blaming others for your own shortcomings?
I suppose it was VanPelt's fault McPuffy couldn't see Hundley was in way over his head.
I'm not suggesting either of these guys were doing a great job, but the 'Head Coach" can change whatever he wants whenever he wants, and he let it slide, right into the toilet.
One more year!
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 07:49 pm
Ultimately, whose job was it to get Hundley to improve from week to week? It's on the position coach to make in-game and week-to-week adjustments, not the head coach. Now, I don't believe they schemed to Hundley's strengths, but there was no consistent improvement.
If you're suggesting that the HC should have "changed whatever he wants" by changing his starting QB to Callahan, you have to ask whether it would be reasonable to expect Callahan to do any better, and why?
Thegreatreynoldo
January 03, 2018 at 08:33 pm
Chain of command. MM hired Van Pelt as a running backs coach, and moved him to QB coach in 2012 (which Van Pelt had coached previously). IDK, should MM have recognized that Van Pelt had shortcomings as a QB coach sooner? Anytime prior to 2018? Is he even at fault for not developing Hundley, or Coleman? I am not even sure that Hundley is coachable, but the results weren't there.
If you're a manager and you hire a failure, surely some of that is your responsibility?
fthisJack
January 03, 2018 at 09:07 pm
the buck stops at MM. whatever is wrong with this offense is ultimately his responsibility.
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 10:25 pm
Good point, pretty sure Hundley is not coachable,
Van Pelt: Hey Brett step up into the pocket there and go through your progressions.
Hundley: Okay, Coach, I will look down at the rush, run to the right every single time eliminating half the field and by the time the defense catches on to me doing this every play I will sling one 7 yards off target falling away.
Van Pelt: Yeah I might get fired
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 03:04 am
TGR, you are partialy correct. When you recognize shortcomings, you act. MM did, didn't he?
When you are hiring person you never know how that will pan out (do you know what is "Peter's principle"?).
Brett Hundley development can not or could not be judged just by practice and how he plays in practice (speed of game, protected position from true pressure etc...). Lack of every week progression showed that AVP did not do what was expected from him... His contract expired and he was leted go...
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 09:46 am
Same could be said of Callahan Croat.
Bear
January 03, 2018 at 06:55 pm
My concern is who is willing to take the gamble to take a coaching position with the Packers when the head coach has only a 2 year contract,
Would you uproot your family and move across country and in two years or less McCarthy gets fired and a new head coach is hired and brings in his own people.
Houndog
January 03, 2018 at 06:58 pm
Why not, he's a "highly successful NFL coach"?
And an idiot!
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Just wondering what you do for a living, and how many plaques and awards are hanging on your walls?
fthisJack
January 03, 2018 at 09:12 pm
i think the reward in this case is worth the risk. when you have the best QB in the league and a franchise that is a perennial playoff contender, i don't think they will have trouble getting the guys they want. knowing that the defense is being revamped might add to the attraction. it really can't get any worse than its been.
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 07:32 am
...My concern is who is willing to take the gamble to take a coaching position with the Packers when the head coach has only a 2 year contract...
It sure doesn't help when the team is turning over the management, the OC, DC and a slew of positional coaches. The Packers could look like a cluster or an opportunity for someone who isn't afraid of a little blood. Still, I think it makes the DC job harder to fill.
Since'61
January 03, 2018 at 06:59 pm
I am glad to hear that Philbin is in the running for OC. However, it may difficult for him and his family to return to Green Bay.
After watching McAdoo completely melt down with the NY Giants I don't think that I would want him back in Green Bay.
I like Campen but I don't think he would bring much innovation to the offense. An OC from the outside would not be the worst thing that could happen.
Thanks, Since '61
jeremyjjbrown
January 03, 2018 at 07:14 pm
McAdoo's Geno Smith gambit might be the dumbass move of the year.
Since'61
January 03, 2018 at 07:20 pm
His GM told him to do it. That's why the GM is gone too. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
January 03, 2018 at 09:17 pm
As bad as Sean McDermott sitting Tyrod Taylor to play Nathan Peterman? At least the Giants had nothing to lose...
Brian
January 03, 2018 at 07:41 pm
Agreed, new blood and fresh ideas would be welcomed.
Tundraboy
January 03, 2018 at 09:29 pm
Philbin had the O running like a top. I could see him having the same impact again.
Spock
January 03, 2018 at 09:57 pm
'61, I really, really, like Campen as a line coach. Maybe he'd be great as an OC and I'd hate to limit his personal goals, but I think he's great just where he is. I think Edgar B. was a fantastic RB coach and surprised me as a very good WR coach, but as an OC coach who even knew he was there? I think MM could use an outside OC to get him out of his predictableness in play calling. Interesting developments today.
Since'61
January 04, 2018 at 06:21 am
Spock - I'm good with Dampen as OL coach as well. Let's see if he survived the purge. Thanks, Since '61
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 07:38 am
...I'm good with Campen as OL coach as well. Let's see if he survived the purge...
If we let Campen go after all he has been able to do with the low round O-line, I will pull the fire alarm. If he can get the results with the pieces handed to him, maybe he would make a good OC.
zoellner25
January 03, 2018 at 07:33 pm
I’m shocked MM actually did this
fthisJack
January 03, 2018 at 09:15 pm
MM is the one responsible for shuffling these coaches around. it seems like he took them out of positions where they were successful and stuck them where they really were not that good. its on him.
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 07:45 am
I agree. He had this novel concept of training coaches in other disciplines and we ended up with guys not knowing what they are doing. How about this: we hire a good WR coach that can teach Trevor Davis, Janis, Michael Clark and Yancey how to run routes, read defenses. etc.
McCarthy keeps losing sight of what is going on with his team and we get to see 12 men on the field, blown coverages and receivers running into each other. MM needs to head coach and ensure his positional coaches are teaching and prepping their players.
zoellner25
January 04, 2018 at 09:26 am
agree as well. I'm just very surprised he actually had the balls to fire some friends of his.
Packer_Pete
January 03, 2018 at 07:34 pm
Thanks for Bennett ousted - dude was a waste as OC... vanPelt I don't know. Was Hundley bad because he couldn't coach, but then the highly successful football coach said Hundley was good and 3 years were invested in him...
Murphy said a new GM would have the right to fire the HC. I truly do hope that McCarthy is shown the door. I heard real good things about him as a human, and he may be as good as they come as a human and a family man, but I think he has been HC for the Packers for 1 year too long... Nothing personal, I just show in the coaching business at some point changes are needed.
Brian
January 03, 2018 at 07:43 pm
I'm on the fence with MM. I think if this shakeup doesn't light a fire under him nothing will. I also think some stability, especially with Rodgers, is beneficial. The next year or two will tell.
Packer_Pete
January 03, 2018 at 08:44 pm
we've seen twice now the past few years that Rodgers went down with injury. It was as if the Offense, McCarthy's brain child, totally stopped after that. And not just during the game Aaron got injured. It seems that he can't put players in position to succeed if he doesn't have his top player. Now don't get me wrong. Nobody can replace #12. But one can still have a semblance of an NFL Offense.
We all have moaned and groaned about his non existing time management skills with TOs... His W-L record without a HoF QB is nothing to write home about. I can sit there and watch the game and tell my wife the next play just from the formation. Anybody who doesn't believe me, just come and watch. And if I can as a complete amateur with no coaching or any other ability relating to the NFL, what do you think a professional DC on the other team can do?
I'm not saying it is easy. I couldn't do it, in all likelihood. But does anybody really have confidence that McC is still the best choice for HC? He has been coaching this team for a long time. And anybody will admit that over time, your message runs stale. Players start tuning the coach out. And that has nothing to do with McC. I really think he is a good and decent human, and I actually do think he is a good football coach. But it may be time to move on. It will happen to anybody at some point. And do we all really want to sit here in 2019 and say, well should've cleaned house totally and let McC go like most coaches at the end of the 2017 season... By then #12 will be 2 years older...
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 11:02 pm
I think next season you should set up a camera and record yourself calling out the plays based on formation before the snap.. for every game... and post them here on CHTV.
If you could actually do that, you'd be worth a large 6 figure salary to every team in the NFL.
So go ahead, put together your video resume, and give CHTV your best mock interview next season. It'll be really cool for all of us to be able to say we knew you before you hit it big in NFL front offices as a strategist/consultant.
Spock
January 04, 2018 at 02:38 am
Oppy, LOL, that is hysterical! I always love the fans who claim they can call the plays out ahead of time. Would love to see this "video" proof! Hindsight is a beautiful thing. Disclaimer, I'm not saying that some plays (from the comfort of your couch) people can't make an educated guess on what's coming next, but I subscribe to the "blind squirrel" theory on that. Heck, even I am sometimes right about what play I think is going to happen. :). When someone claims they can "call every play" it just cracks me up.
Bure9620
January 04, 2018 at 06:12 am
I like to record myself autdition style throwing the football with my giant orange van in the background.
Oppy
January 05, 2018 at 08:47 pm
Uncle Rico!!
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 07:57 am
I'll come over and watch this game of yours but you need to have good beer and maybe brats.
To your point, I agree that MM has not evolved enough to keep this team in front of the competition. A real OC with new ideas would benefit Rodgers and the offense. Mike needs to facilitate this not control it.
Coldworld
January 03, 2018 at 08:49 pm
This is his shake up. I hope this signals recognition that the assistants had got weaker overall rather than prior years of reshuffling and, perhaps, over-promoting.
I see few offensive or defensive areas with consistent improvement of players last year. The exceptions being ILB (coach gone for reasons unknown), running back and O line. I am also giving a pass to the QBs due to past coaching and constant injury churn.
The rest showed little ability to raise their payers’ game. I think a shake up is long overdue if we want to rejuvenate our offense. I am waiting to see if Moss is also a casualty.
FAN24583
January 03, 2018 at 08:37 pm
When is the ST coach getting fired???
FAN24583
January 03, 2018 at 08:40 pm
They are cleaning house!! I personally don’t believe Murphy made the move on his own. The BOD or Executive panel surely told him it’s time. I don’t care what Murphy said at the press conference. But I would expect that he wouldn’t admit it. No big deal either way as long as they made the decision! Looking forward to the draft and free agency!!
Coldworld
January 03, 2018 at 08:51 pm
I think that would be highly out of character. Decades since the BOD did anything close to that
Bure9620
January 03, 2018 at 08:46 pm
There is a new campaign at 1265 Lombardi.
Just Say McAdon't to Offense
GBPackerBacker12
January 03, 2018 at 08:44 pm
Do you think Rodgers should have a strong input in who the next Offensive Coordinator will be? Or is that a bad idea?
Coldworld
January 03, 2018 at 08:56 pm
Even the best need to have some constraints. Too much power is a distraction and can hinder the ability to contain Roger’s bad habits. He does have a few, for example hanging on to the ball too long.
Oppy
January 03, 2018 at 11:07 pm
Worst idea ever.
Players play. That should be all.
gary g
January 04, 2018 at 08:38 am
With a name like oppy you should be more tolerant of others.
dobber
January 04, 2018 at 08:46 am
Hi Pot, I'm kettle...by the way, you're black.
marpag1
January 04, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Racist.
Oppy
January 05, 2018 at 08:54 pm
Hi "Gary G",
Poster asked if it was a good idea or not.
Did you know, letting employees make the rules or choose their own boss is such a universally poor way to run an organization (for obvious reasons) that western culture has penned a common expression for such an act?
It's "letting the patients run the asylum" or to "let to prisoners run the prison."
I'l stand by an entire culture's judgement on the idea.
Worst Idea Ever.
digitaldean
January 03, 2018 at 09:21 pm
Good God, not Campen for offensive coordinator! I kind of understand Philbin or McAdoo because of the familiarity.
Boy, this is getting to resemble a purge in Green Bay. No changes for years and now the long knives come out.
I get why because there has to be accountability.
IMO, Capers was partially to blame. Thompson's outright fear of FA gave Packers no clear veteran depth. That was evident in the O-Line and the DB's.
I just hope that the team will pull the trigger on MM if next year goes in the tank.
TKWorldWide
January 03, 2018 at 09:39 pm
And just what makes Dean tick?
dobber
January 04, 2018 at 08:45 am
We have absolutely no idea what Campen would be like at OC. Why would we object so strongly? Besides, at this point, MM calls the shots anyway, so what impact would he really have?
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 09:55 am
dobber, Camper is way too good at OL to move him.
Samson
January 03, 2018 at 10:40 pm
It seems like it would be much easier if MM was given a ticket out of town and told to take his entire coaching staff with him. -- If not now, it'll happen after season 2018.
Since'61
January 03, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Not if the Packers win the SB next season. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
January 04, 2018 at 08:45 am
He might retire, if that's the case...
Thegreatreynoldo
January 04, 2018 at 01:55 am
BTW, Davante Adams cleared concussion protocol.
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 03:12 am
FInally. I'm glad he is capable to play this week....
dobber
January 04, 2018 at 08:46 am
LOL!
Tundraboy
January 04, 2018 at 09:20 am
Any more Injury updates?
sheppercheeser
January 04, 2018 at 05:29 am
Maybe bring McAdoo back to coach GB's QBs? Did AR get along with him?
Iain
January 04, 2018 at 07:15 am
If MM calls the plays does it really matter who the OC is?
croatpackfan
January 04, 2018 at 07:45 am
OC participates in preparing game plan for O, prepare offense to execute game plan, prepare combination of players, prepare plan B & C, prepare himself for adjusting to new/unseen on tape and prepare players for modified actions. So, yes, it matters who is OC. More than, by my opinion, who call plays...
Roaddog
January 04, 2018 at 07:51 am
MM would have time gone a long time ago if Farve and Rodgers weren't his quarterbacks.
mrtundra
January 04, 2018 at 09:37 am
Philbin at OC, either Fangio, Gus Bradley or Nolan at DC and either Eliot Wolf or John Gutekunst at GM. Keep Ball as overseer of Salary cap issues. At DC I like Fangio but he knows Capers' system and don't we want to get away from Capers' system? So I think either Bradley or Nolan would be better at DC for the Packers, IMO.
sheppercheeser
January 04, 2018 at 09:59 am
Kinda ironic that Capers, Trgovac, McCurley, Bennett and Van Pelt all reported to McCarthy and all are fired. Plus the guy that hired McCarthy is fired. How does McCarthy still have a job?
Finwiz
January 04, 2018 at 10:32 am
Because bottom line, he's a pretty good coach.
You could do far worse, I'll tell you that.
The only guy I'd consider replacing him with would be John Gruden.
If Gruden wanted the job, I'd give him a 4 year deal and be happy as a clam.
Don't think that's happening, so let's hope MM can find some of that earlier magic.
marpag1
January 04, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Gruden is a turkey-hole.
Finwiz
January 04, 2018 at 04:26 pm
Well guess what, he's got the same number of Super Bowls as our MM, with much less QB talent I'm sure.
Tundraboy
January 04, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Agree. Finwiz
Barnacle
January 04, 2018 at 04:11 pm
Exactly!!! I have lost respect for Murphy too. Top quality GM prospects would probably want to hire their choice for head coach, not be stuck with someone who just fired his subordinates and is going to pick a bunch of replacements. Do you think he will do a better job this time?
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 10:04 am
I'm all for giving Kevin Greene a shot at DC. His attitude would be great for the team. Philbin for OC. He has a past here and helped win a SB with AR. And Wolf or Gutekunst for GM. I don't like McKenzies work in Oakland and no way I give draft picks to SEA for Schneider.
One caveat, I would definitely look at New England's #2 guy under Belichick to see if he would be interested in GM.
Barnacle
January 04, 2018 at 04:13 pm
Kevin Green is too smart to work MM again?
Finwiz
January 04, 2018 at 11:51 am
I would prefer they bring back either Philbin or McAdoo.
Both were great in their tenures with GB.
Something was missing in the offensive flow the last few years, so I'm not surprised by this.
Plays were always late getting into Rodgers, and all those time outs with 2 seconds remaining on the play clock were telling.
We're finally getting the change we've wanted as fans.
I guess this season really shook them up in GB.
Surprising it took them so long, having wasted 3-4 very productive years of 12's career. Not sure what they were thinking being so loyal to various people over that time period. Too much complacency.
4zone
January 04, 2018 at 11:41 am
McCarthy gushing in his presser about Hundley makes me think he doesn't have a clue. Yes his players dropped a lot of passes, but that doesn't take into account Hundley can't get a ball within 5 yards of a receiver over 20 yards down the field. Expect more of the same next year.
I'm beginning to get this creepy feeling that all this action in Green Bay will only end up in a changing of letterhead for people already withiin the system. No real change, just re-assignments. I hope not, but the feeling isn't going away anytime soon.
Razer
January 04, 2018 at 12:58 pm
I understand that MM wants to appear to be supportive of his players but his Hundley love is unwarranted. Yes, guys dropped passes and yes Hundley threw balls behind guys but the bottomline is Hundley is not an NFL QB. Can't read a defense, can't stop staring at the rush and doesn't have an accurate arm. If we don't invest in a real backup, then shame on us again
Barnacle
January 04, 2018 at 04:04 pm
Why would any organization retain the guy who hired and managed all of these coaches that are now “cleaned from the house”.
Now I guess he gets to hire a new bunch to blame for his failures. This is very sad. McCarthy should have been fired first. Instead some new GM is going to be required to keep this moron and his new coaches for at least a year. I think Murphy should be booted for requiring a new gm To keep McCarthy. This a very stupid scenario.
4thand1
January 04, 2018 at 04:56 pm
It will nice going into a game when the other team doesn't know what we're going to do. A lot of people have gotten there wish this off season, and what an off season it's going to be. This year we won't know what to expect, maybe some big trades, a FA signing or two, move up in the draft. It's not going to be the same ol same ol that's for sure. Football fever in the off season, I love it! GO PACK GO!