The 2021 Packers Offense Is Going To Burn Down The League

The Packers offseason may have been stressful, but the regular season will be a lot of fun as Matt LaFleur has what may be the most versatile set of offensive players we've ever seen in Green Bay.

The Packers have some tough choices to make in cutdowns on offense this year, but it's not just because they have great depth, it's because they can run so many different offenses with the personnel they have.

Last week, I wrote about why the Packers might break the all time league scoring record. This week, I want to get deeper into why this offense is so special.

Let's start with a quick inventory of the tools Matt LaFleur has to work with:

  • A solid offensive line that can run block and pass block with high proficiency
  • A deep receiving corp featuring all-world Davante Adams, speedster MVS, big possession receivers in Allen Lazard and Devin Funchess, plus joystick players for the slot in Amari Rodgers and Randall Cobb
  • A backfield with Pro Bowler Aaron Jones, whose quick slashing run style is a perfect complement to AJ Dillon's power, plus twitchy newcomer Kylin Hill
  • A tight end group with "old glue hands" Big Bobby Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, who is like having an extra offensive tackle, Josiah Deguara, who can block on the run so well that the Packers overdrafted him to make sure he came to Green Bay, and (probably after a couple weeks) Jace Sternberger, who finally seems to be showing his big play ability in training camp this year.
  • Oh, and Aaron Freaking Rodgers running the show under center

That's a lot to work with and Matt LaFleur is sure to come up with some creative combinations that will surprise us (and opposing defenses).

Just think of the possibilities. 

The basic offensive set is probably Aaron Jones and Bob Tonyan plus Adams and Lazard on the outside (or MVS, depending on the matchup) with Cobb in the slot. That's what I expect their base set to be and it's already a pretty versatile set.

But what if they want to pass more?

In that case, they could go five wide with Adams, MVS, Lazard, Funchess, and Cobb. That would give defenses some tough coverages.

They could go with a set of big receivers using 6'4 MVS, 6'4 Funchess, 6'5 Tonyan, 6'4 Sternberger, and 6'5 Allen Lazard, too. How many defenses can cover five guys at 6'4 or taller? Imagine that set of guys catching jump balls in the red zone. Matt LaFleur has always favored big targets and that would probably be his biggest group ever.

They could also go small and shifty, running with Adams, Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Allen Lazard, and put running back Aaron Jones in as a fifth receiver. 

What if they ran that set with Jones in the backfield, spreading the defense and then running off center? What if they ran play action with that set and then threw a delayed screen pass to Jones?

Matt LaFleur has endless possibilities in the passing game.

And he has just as much flexibility in the run game.

He can run Aaron Jones from a spread formation, or he could run him behind the mobile blocking of Josiah Deguara. He could also put Lewis in as an extra blocker ahead of Deguara. For a bit of misdirection, Jones could run a fake wide in one direction while Deguara takes a short handoff in the other direction.

The Packers could even run a four tight end set with Lewis as a power blocker and Deguara as a mobile blocker, plus both Tonyan and Sternberger in as big-bodied positional blockers.

That's a lot of mass to have blocking.

Imagine what kind of damage could be done with a powerhouse like AJ Dillon running behind those bodies!

Now, run a play action off that and have Tonyan and Sternberger each sprinting down a sideline.

The Packers could also mix things up and go four wide with Adams, MVS, Cobb, and Amari Rodgers, forcing the defense into a small dime package, but then run AJ Dillon hard between Elgton Jenkins and Josh Myers.

The flexibility is limitless. Best of all, the Packers have all the pieces to run all kinds of diverse lineups that could pass or run and keep defenses guessing. 

To top it all off, a highly-motivated Aaron Rodgers is going to be running the whole show.

This offense is going to be making some highlight reels this year.

I can't wait for this season to start.

 

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__________________________

Bruce Irons has played, coached, and studied football for decades. Best-selling author of books such as A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft, A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap, and A Fan's Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits And Misses, Bruce contributes to CheeseHeadTV and PackersForTheWin.com.

Follow Bruce Irons on Twitter at @BruceIronsNFL.

__________________________

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13 points
 

Comments (69)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Bure9620's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:16 am

It all comes down to the O-line. Aaron Rodgers had the best protection of any QB last year. I have to belive there is a natural drop off with Bahktiari likely beginning the season on PUP, losing Linsley and likely also having a rookie guard in Newman if he wins that job, also either Runyan or Braden at guard. I doubt this is a the best unit in the league but a solid one.. a line you can win with. Rodgers is going to have to get the ball out faster this year.

I would like to see MLF lean heavier on the run game, I think we have a really dynamic backfield. If player GM allows it......

7 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:24 am

I’m leaning to it being between Patrick, Braden and Newman at G at this point. Runyon has been disappointing to me and Kelly has been poor. Nijman will make this team. Braden and Newman can play RT if needed. Who will be the back up C while Bakh is out? That is still an interesting battle unresolved.

0 points
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croatpackfan's picture

August 23, 2021 at 03:44 am

Back up C is Patrick

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Alberta_Packer's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:03 pm

Agree - it all starts with the O-line. I'm particularly fascinated with Jenkins starting at LT and what drop-off - if any - will there be. If little or none - we may be looking at Bahk's replacement - perhaps as early as next year. As a seasoned veteran Kelly may be just be in pre-season mode - waiting until the regular season to level-up. At least, I hope so. Nijman may be my most pleasant surprise. After almost sending him a farewell card - he has finally flashed what the long wait has been all about. If sustainable, it gives the team valuable depth at the tackle position(s), and overall, a deep o-line.

5 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

August 22, 2021 at 07:58 pm

Since Bahk just signed an extension, I have to imagine the amortized bonus they'd eat would be more than the cap savings if they moved from him next year. If Jenkins plays well enough at tackle to keep him there, it's more likely he'd replace Turner as our starting RT, but I think they'd rather have Jenkins at LG since he is so good there and there is such a drop off between him and the other options at guard. If DB can't get off the PUP list by the end of the PS, though, he will be on ice for a minimum of 6 weeks.

I think the young guards will do better once they have actual starting tackles and get a few weeks to gel together as a unit, but I'm sure the Packers are looking forward to having their best guard back in his regular position, and then they can evaluate Turner and the RT spot next year.

5 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

August 22, 2021 at 08:33 pm

Good points about Bakh, and I do think that they'll retain him - at least for next year. However, Jenkins highest payday will ultimately be as a LT. So if he is capable - I wonder why wouldn't he try? Unless he really enjoys the interior. Regardless of where he ends up - his next contract will be a very lovely one.

2 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

August 22, 2021 at 09:45 pm

Agreed. I'm not sure if Jenkins is a Packers starting LT... but he probably represents an upgrade for enough teams to drive up his value more than what you'd see from a premier guard.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 23, 2021 at 07:55 am

If he can start at RT and provide cover at LT for any team, even if he doesn’t prove a candidate for a permanent replacement at LT, his next contract is not going to be guard level, the only question is whether it is RT or LT. There is also the versatility premium. The cost is going to be higher than a standard RT starter at least.

The cap economics will eventually require the Packers to make choices regarding Bakh. Due to huge dead cap hits, that probably wouldn’t be until 2023, by which time Jenkins will be on his second contract or will have signed an extension (likely as, if he proves himself at T, I suspect he will have a good case for a raise).

0 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:10 pm

its a line you can win regular season games with... we had that last year too. and last year was a disapointment. no bakh, no chance. not against a healthy tampa or san fran.

4 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 22, 2021 at 07:02 pm

Well, they did handle the Rams in the playoffs, and they were the #1 defense with a very strong defensive line.

Losing Bakhtiari hurt, but we still rolled up over 400 yards of offense and had many, many opportunities to win that game. Don’t use that to malign the line.

3 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

August 22, 2021 at 08:06 pm

Agreed. It wasn't the OL. It was the Bucs keying in on a Rodgers tendency. Once the Packers get behind he gets laser focused on trying to get the big play, ignoring the run and short/intermediate pass plays. The Giants showed how to beat Rodgers in the 2011 playoffs and damn, it turns out it still works.

6 points
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BradHTX's picture

August 23, 2021 at 07:56 am

Truth. Unfortunately. If not laser-focused on the big play, laser-focused on Adams in the end zone.

1 points
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BruceIrons's picture

August 22, 2021 at 10:18 pm

I still think Bakhtiari's injury (coupled with Veldheer's illness) was the biggest reason they didn't win the Super Bowl last year. They absolutely need good line play and I'm optimistic they have the depth to go the distance this year.

-1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:29 pm

Bruce, the two turnovers converted to 14 points. We were 0-6 in goal to go. We had a game ending interception in our hands. We were at home, we got more yards in the air and more on the ground, we got three takeaways and held Brady to a passer rating around 80….and still lost.

Our inability to have a different outcome on any one of a dozen plays cost us the game. It was ours for the taking and we just couldn’t. Much like 2014.

3 points
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croatpackfan's picture

August 23, 2021 at 03:57 am

This is very honest analyze of what is going on in NFCCGs. Only fluke when we can blame whole team, O, D and ST was NFCCG against 49ers. That game Packers were dominated from the very first second to the very last second. And I say that was HC, who honestly took responsibility later for that defeat. He was outcoached.

Our D played well in the last NFCCG and in 2014 NFCCG, but offense was terrible, especially in the 2nd half in both games. Aaron Rodgers is in the league 16 years (just before take his 17th) and clever coaches, like Bruce Arians and Pete Carroll knows easily what tendencies Aaron Rodgers has and how to stop him using his habits. If he followed MLF play-calling last season Packers might won SB.

1 points
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murf7777's picture

August 23, 2021 at 07:31 am

Bruce, I agree with you it was the OL play that cost us the game. In the second half especially, Rodgers was running for his life most of the time.

-2 points
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Dr.Rodgers's picture

August 23, 2021 at 11:24 am

‘’ I still think Bakhtiari's injury (coupled with Veldheer's illness) was the biggest reason they didn't win the Super Bowl last year.” That may be true of the NFC Championship game in Green Bay, but they can’t win a Super Bowl if they don’t play in it. That NFC Championship game was the disaster still haunting us. La Fleur and Rodgers didn’t adapt well to the loss of D. Bahktiari. Probably the head coach and QB cost them as well. Kevin Kinghas also taken the rap for that loss. The simple fact is the Packers didn’t rise to the occasion in clutch time.

0 points
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jurp's picture

August 23, 2021 at 09:02 am

MLF may want to run more, but will AR allow it? Seems like he checked out of a lot of running plays in the NFCCG last year. After all, QBs don't set records for handing the ball off.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:18 am

Deguara is so good that they over drafted him? If a player is that good at the role for which one wants him then that is BPA. Let’s see him in action a little more before assuming that, but if proven, that’s a value pick unless one still can’t get over the idea that he is not a TE in the traditional sense and was not picked for that role. He was picked to be a starting H-Back.

4 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:09 pm

haha. yeah this was quite the strong comment. the guy hasnt doesnt a damn thing yet. we have no idea what he is. and i think the plan is for him to play hback and also slide out to try and get a mismatch on an lb. he seems to have some speed in the little action we saw him in last year. interchangeable parts is the goal here. try and get him lined up outside on a bj goodson type.

1 points
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mbpacker's picture

August 22, 2021 at 01:29 pm

I think D is going to ball out. Have to look at him within the context of the offense. A swiss army knife and just another weapon that other teams D will have to account for. I liked him last year before he got injured. Of course, he has to be available like any player.

2 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

August 22, 2021 at 10:04 pm

everybody thought last year was sternbergers year. sometimes it takes longer for tight ends. its not an easy position. took tonyan til his 3rd season.

1 points
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NickPerry's picture

August 22, 2021 at 02:58 pm

I think a lot of people, especially all those "Draft Gurus" and a few people here on CHTV are going to be singing a different song about Deguara by the end of the year. I really like this kids versatility and in THIS offense I can really see him taking off.

I totally agree with you...He's an H-Back and a part time TE. This kid is MLF's Kyle Juszczyk. I think he's really smart and just a solid FOOTBALL player who gives 100% all the time. Anybody thinks that's just homer talk just go watch his college highlights if you're not convinced.

4 points
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BruceIrons's picture

August 22, 2021 at 10:22 pm

I'm definitely grading him on potential since his year was cut short, but I believe they drafted him as high as they did because LaFleur /needed/ a guy like that for his offense to hit its potential and there just plain aren't a lot of guys who can fill that role.

He won't be an All Pro, but I believe he will have a much bigger impact on the team than will show up in the box score.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 23, 2021 at 08:05 am

He was the most experienced H-Back in the draft (not a big group to start with) and has excellent metrics for that position. The fact that those metrics don’t make him a great candidate for a traditional TE is largely irrelevant. That’s not what he is here for.

Injury robbed them of the chance to capitalize on his readiness to play from the start, but the plan was to hit the ground running with a H-Back in place. The silver lining is that we did find Daffney, who was great on STs and has had an off season to work on becoming more of a H-Back than FB. Previous conversions had not worked, but Daffney seems like a much better candidate.

This year we should get to see how LaFleur will use the H-Back and why he sees the role as central to unlocking the full potential of his O.

0 points
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Vforrest's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:34 am

Hope the O line jells early because they can do everything you outlined and the first seven games are brutal. Worst case they struggle mixing the line together before Bak come back, but can you imagine how good they be at the end of the year! The options are really going to be hard to prepare for even if they only script 5 new plays a week…scary indeed!

3 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:42 am

The author makes the case of the endless possibilities of the offense that is in the hands of MLF. This is true, but the truer thing is they need to play the games, and the in-game play/play calling usually paints a different picture of possibilities and outcomes.

This team has had the offensive ability for many a season, and this team still hasn't been able to prevail, much less dominate offensively when it needed to, and not to ignore the defensive side of the team.

What's that adage, something about defense wins what the offense fails to achieve.

5 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:06 pm

yeah cant argue there. as much as i want to. maybe the nfc championship game would of went differently with bakhtiari. maybe not. but the second half of the bucs game is all im thinking about after reading your comments. the offense failed over and over again when it needed to produce the most. the 49er game the year before, same shit. tom tried to give it to us by actually throwing at jaire alexander. and we couldnt capitalize. one more year to see what happens. very tough road ahead tho with this schedule.

5 points
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murf7777's picture

August 23, 2021 at 07:34 am

Or should we say Defense wins championships and Offense gets you there.

1 points
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calabasa's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:20 pm

Methinks you’re a little high on the unproven quantities on O- specifically the receivers not named Adams and the new O-line parts.

Otherwise I agree the scheme, QB, TEs and RBs are exciting. Hopefully the WRs and O-line show up!

7 points
7
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Matt Gonzales's picture

August 22, 2021 at 08:23 pm

OL scares me a bit, at least for the first chunk of the season based on what we have seen so far. I think they'll be fine once they start playing together, but fine isn't dominant. The Packers can easily cure that, though, by running early and often, and forcing defenses to play the run, which will open up coverage windows and shorten up the time the young guys need to hold their blocks.

The thing that excites me the most about this offense is that this roster is chock full of unselfish guys capable of playing strong complementary football. Whether it is WRs giving 100% on decoy routes and throwing blocks for the running game or veterans coaching up the bottom of the roster guys to help them get better at their craft, it is clear everyone has bought in, and when that happens, it really is one if those "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" kind of situations.

1 points
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BruceIrons's picture

August 22, 2021 at 10:26 pm

Lazard, MVS, Funchess, and Cobb are all veterans and fairly known quantities. They aren't all All Pros, but they have specific roles they can play well (blocking possession receiver, deep threat, big body possession receiver, and slot security blanket, respectively).

I think having guys with that many different niche specialties (plus the best receiver in the game) is what makes the possibilities so exciting.

3 points
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ReaganRulz's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:47 pm

Can’t disagree with much of the comments…..but I do like your optimism!! If our OL delivers as we all are hoping, I would also add that the offense is well positioned for all sorts of weather too. I just hope our defense/special teams-gulp! can improve and make some stops to help our offense become the powerhouse that you are talking about!!

4 points
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NitschkeFromTheGrave's picture

August 22, 2021 at 12:49 pm

Listen, on paper it's rainbows and butterflies when looking at the offense but don't book your hotel room in Las Angeles just yet because everyone knows it's defense that create the win for the offense to capitalize on. To that point, if we continue to see panzy arm tackling, missed high tackles and weak pursuit like we saw in Saturday's game against the Jets then teams won't worry about the green and gold's weaponry, they'll just have their way with us when in possession.
I know the Jets game was a preseason scrimmage mostly of the B team but these guys were motivated for a spot on the roster and if any of this shows up with the A team D then it's going to be trouble.

9 points
12
3
Tundraboy's picture

August 22, 2021 at 01:13 pm

No hotel plans but I am so pumped up now I’m going to order that 1929 wool flannel Lewellen jersey I have been coveting!

GPG

3 points
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LeotisHarris's picture

August 22, 2021 at 09:54 pm

That's a sweet jersey I've admired a number of times. Are you confident in the sizing? No info available on the site, but I guess they'd work with you on an exchange if needed.

1 points
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mbpacker's picture

August 22, 2021 at 01:31 pm

Yep, we may have to outscore teams again as usual and need to finish in the playoffs.

2 points
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wildbill's picture

August 22, 2021 at 01:43 pm

Oh how I have missed you Ray

1 points
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BruceIrons's picture

August 22, 2021 at 10:28 pm

They were the number 1 offense in the league last year and only lost who player, who is being replaced with a high draft pick. Then they're adding Deguara, Funchess, and Amari Rodgers.

I don't think it's silly to expect a lot out of them.

1 points
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HawkPacker's picture

August 23, 2021 at 09:00 am

And don't forget Cobb~

0 points
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Lphill's picture

August 22, 2021 at 01:07 pm

JK Scott is God awful !

-1 points
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canadapacker's picture

August 22, 2021 at 01:14 pm

As Nitzke alluded to - And as I have quoted these famous coaches before "That's why they play the games". Now we had some stinker games last year. And one has to think - is it because some teams found our Achilles - heel - or is AR looking for Davante either always first, or when things get tough - our Achilles heel ?? I just hope that several things occur - Firstly the Oline of course doesnt let anybody get a cheap shot on AR. I hope that Dillon can have a couple of good Tennesse type of games - or even just a couple of punishing quarters to really soften the other teams linebackers up. If they stack the box to try and stop him - everyone knows that AR will have a field day with the likes of Adams, MVS and hopefully now the other Rodgers. Never mind the likes of Tonyon, Taylor and especially mr underated Lazard. And start sneaking out Cobb, Funchess and Deguara with Jones doing wheel routes and screens - this could be great. But we still need to get off the field and not make it that the O needs to score every possession. Things look good - but I think that after 2 preseason games -Stearnberger gets cut - probably after his suspension ends - if the O is clicking and nobody gets a boo boo. So that is why I am so looking forward to the NO game. They will play us tough and to be sure Winston will play well and this time it will be noisy in there.

4 points
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1
AR2ADAMS's picture

August 22, 2021 at 08:11 pm

I don’t understand this sentiment among many Packers fans. There were even people trying to claim the offense was better without Adams when he was injured lol. That is ludicrous. Davante Adams is the best WR in the game. You get your best players the ball. If he’s open, Rodgers will throw him the ball. It just so happens that he has one of the fastest releases off the line of any WR ever and is always open. Green Bay’s best pass catcher outside of #17 for years was their RB. Now there’s finally a good WR corps to spread the ball around a little more. But don’t be surprised if Adams still logs 100+ catches. Nobody questioned whether Manning or Brady forgot how to play football when they were throwing to Marvin Harrison or Wes Welker 150-200 times a season.

3 points
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AR2ADAMS's picture

August 22, 2021 at 08:06 pm

.

(My comment posted twice and there's not delete button)

0 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

August 22, 2021 at 08:46 pm

I think both can be true. Davante is an absolute game changer when he is on the field. However, the Packers offense was much more diverse and unpredictable in the games when he is out. Nobody is upset when the Packers win and DA has 150+ yards and multiple TDs, embarrassing defenses all day, nor are they upset when AJ and Tonyan are lighting things up.

The issue is AR falling back on "Bad Aaron" tendencies when things dont go well, holding the ball too long and trying to force the big play to his favorite target. Abandoning the run and abandoning the quick rhythm passes when the Packers came out of halftime behind was also an issue under McCarthy so I don't think this is just a play calling issue, nor is it DA's fault. The irony is that in those games where the Packers offense sputters because AR is trying to force the ball to Adams as he is double and triple covered, they would be making hay running the ball, forcing defenses into fronts that are much more favorable for the pass.

6 points
6
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mbpacker's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:12 pm

I hear the Deep Purple Burn song in the background! Burn Packers Burn! Meaning scorching our opponents offensively.
Addendum: Optimistically-speaking of course.

3 points
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marpag1's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:01 pm

Well.... ok. No one can really know what "burn down the league" means, so I guess no one can really argue with that premise. But this is definitely leaning to the optimistic side. For a less rosy and perhaps more realistic take, compare this team to last year's.

Realistically, how likely is it that ARod will be able to improve upon, or even just to maintain, the MVP level he showed last year? The odds aren't great.

Will Meyers be better at center than last year's Linsley, who was first team all-pro? First team all-pro is the best center in the league, and we all know that Meyers isn't going to be the best center in the league, at least at this stage in his career. That's a clear downgrade.

Bakhtiari is coming off a blown out ACL, and might not even be ready for the first several weeks. What are the odds he is as good as ever in the first weeks and months after his return? Doubtful, for sure.

The story says that Sternberger "finally seems to be showing his big play ability." When did that happen? Are we saying that one nice seam route in a preseason game makes him into a gamebreaker? Not likely. He's on the bubble to even make the team.

Tonyan was such a statistical unicorn last year, with catch percentage ratios and TDs per catch ratios at utterly absurd levels. In other words, pretty damn hard to repeat.

Amari Rodgers has not shown much to be excited about. Calling him and an over-the-hill Randall Cobb "joystick players" just seems kind of silly. Randall Cobb was no longer a "joystick player" when GB let him walk. (I'm not sure he ever really was. He had that one year when he earned 40 million dollars on his second contract.... but whatever.)

Maybe Kylin Hill can play. He's your third RB. How many snaps are you planning to give him?

I'm not sure Funchess is on the team. His WR talent probably warrants it, but the dude doesn't play special teams. I'm guessing that Packers trade him for a late round pick, or a player.

Lazard, MVS, Lewis etc were on the team last year. What have we seen to make us think that they are much improved?

Josiah Deguara has a 31-snap NFL career at this point. He was widely regarded as a reach when he was drafted as a D3. He spent almost all season on IR after blowing out an ACL, and just started practicing about 2 weeks ago. But now it's a slam dunk that he's a demon when blocking on the run?

0 points
5
5
13TimeChamps's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:35 pm

A very level headed approach to the upcoming season.

The one player I'm really looking forward to watching is AJ Dillon. He looks like a freight train once he gets past the line of scrimmage.

3 points
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Fubared's picture

August 22, 2021 at 06:27 pm

well said. one addendum, didnt mention we play the toughest schedule of anyone this year. said questionable players wont have anything easy to lean on.

0 points
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BradHTX's picture

August 22, 2021 at 09:21 pm

I can’t believe it took until your comment for someone to mention the Sternberger hot take: “… and (probably after a couple weeks) Jace Sternberger, who finally seems to be showing his big play ability in training camp this year.”

I think this is a wildly optimistic assessment. Everything I’ve read so far has been pretty much the opposite, that he’s still pretty inconsistent, and that with Tonyan, Lewis and Deguara as locks and Dafney’s ST play, Sternberger may actually be on the roster bubble assuming they don’t want to go with 5 TEs (which they ideally wouldn’t).

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 23, 2021 at 08:15 am

Sternberger was horrible on Saturday. Yes he caught the TD, but he had a bad drop, failed to get open regularly and whiffed on several blocks in the ground game. PFF hated his performance and it seems like the Packers don’t trust him to be a positive in the run game. I sense the wind is blowing towards him being cut after his suspension barring injuries. Had Nuata avoided IR, I hear whispers that Sternberger’s fate might have hit before his suspension.

0 points
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Packer_Fan's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:00 pm

Yes!

-2 points
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Packer_Fan's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:00 pm

Yes!

-2 points
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Packer_Fan's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:00 pm

Yes!

0 points
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BradHTX's picture

August 23, 2021 at 08:05 am

I’ll have what he’s having…

1 points
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NickPerry's picture

August 22, 2021 at 03:13 pm

I agree with Bruce and like him I'm really stoked about this offense. The possibilities are endless just like he's pointed out. The Packers are so versatile they can finesse you one week, pound the hell out of you the following week. Hot, cold, wet, snow, indoors, or outdoors, it's not going to matter because they can play anywhere, anyway, and do it efficiently.

They have All-Pros and Pro Bowlers throughout this offense, and once David Bakhtiari gets back it will be even better. IF they can stay healthy this offense could be record setting but I'll settle for a SB.

4 points
4
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Tundraboy's picture

August 22, 2021 at 04:07 pm

Yah man!

1 points
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NickPerry's picture

August 23, 2021 at 04:44 am

Hey TB!!! I haven't seen you in a while but I haven't been around quite as much either. Good to see your comments again, it's going to be an awesome year!

0 points
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egbertsouse's picture

August 22, 2021 at 04:22 pm

Based on this article I am calling Roger Goodell first thing Monday morning and tell him to skip the season and hand the Lombardi Trophy to the Packers. No need to play the games, nobody will be able to stop them.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 22, 2021 at 05:19 pm

Do you have his number? There's a few things I'd like to discuss with him as well.

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Archie's picture

August 22, 2021 at 05:46 pm

Two lacklustre pre-season losses against two cellar-dwellers and most have us going to the SB. Really? I mean I too am always optimistic this time of the year but for real bro? We still know very little about this team.

OFFENSE
1 - OL - Turner may be the only returnee playing in the same position. All the new guys will take time to jell, assuming they have the talent to make it in the NFL.

2 - WR - Everybody's back that matters, everybody is in their prime or still ascending and we have at least 3 quality additions.

3 - RB - Dillon in year 2 should be an upgrade over Jamaal Williams. K Hill looks ready for prime time if needed. AJ needs only to avoid injury.

4 - TE - looks loaded.

5 - QB - Goat plus JLo plus Benkert?

DEFENSE

1 - DB - Barely seen any of last year's starters. Depth at S looking improved and Stokes/Jean-Charles look like quality add-ons but both are rooks playing very tough positions.

2 - ILB - Early reports say Martin has gone backwards. They also say Campbell is looking good. Is Burks that same guy or not? Kris Barnes "51" looked faster, may emerge as star in 2nd season. He looks better than Blake Martinez to my eyes.

3 - OLB - Kind of a big blank. Lost our #4 to injury and top 3 have sat out game action while practice reports suggest a big year from all three.

4 - DL - KC is supposedly healthy. Ditto Kingley who is reported to be poised for a breakout year. Lowry reported as having a much improved camp. Maybe he only comes to play in contract years. The big news is Slaton. He could be what the doctored ordered for this line. Other guy to catch my eye is Heflin. He is at least 50/50 to make 53.

Even if we have improved in absolute terms, have we improved in relative terms? Tough to know until at least a month into the regular season. Best thing we have going is we are still a very young team. C is the only position where we figure on paper to have gone backwards. But we have a fine young prospect already in place.

Biggest questions:

1 - Will OL hold up; and,
2 - Will front 7 show significant improvement.

If answer = yes for both, we should have a fine year assuming injuries aren't too bad.

It would be unwise to speculate on our ST at this point. I am hopeful they pull it together once at full strength.

Will this DC be an upgrade over Pettine? Too early to say. He likes to play zone and zone seems to be our Achilles heel. Maybe this DC can change that. Hasn't done it yet in pre-season. I like our chances of being improved at stopping the run this year. If that is correct it will help big time against teams like NOR and Vikes.

So let's be patient and have this chat again at the quarter pole, when it will be much more meaningful.

2 points
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AR2ADAMS's picture

August 22, 2021 at 11:22 pm

I agree with everything you said about tempering expectations (and the question marks on OL and front 7), except the "lackluster preseason games". They really don't matter much and seem to have almost no bearing on regular season performance. Especially in GB's case, where they've sat nearly every single starter and even a lot of the 2nd string guys. When Detroit went 0-16, they went undefeated in the preseason. Just some food for thought.
Plus, the fact that the Jets game was even close, considering they played a bunch of their 1st string guys against our 3rd-4th stringers for a chunk of that game, is kind of hilarious.

There are some valid reasons to be optimistic: You have arguably the GOAT at QB, and the best WR, LT, and CB in the NFL. As well as Top 10-15 players at RB, OLB, NT, Safety, TE and LG (or wherever Jenkins ends up when 69 comes back) etc. This team is loaded with elite talent at nearly every position group.

This is a team that has gone 13-3 two years in a row and had the #1 offense in the NFL last year. 90% of that offense is returning, along with some added firepower in both the run game and at WR. They *could* set record offensive numbers if everything clicks.

As you mentioned, the biggest question marks are up front on both sides of the ball. If an OL that lead the league last year can offset the loss of an All-Pro in Linsley; and a defensive front that has been poor against the run for a decade can make any sort of improvement whatsoever, then this team has to be the favorite in the NFC.

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Crankbait's picture

August 22, 2021 at 09:08 pm

That's nice but if the defense and special-teams are not improved it doesn't matter.... it will be one or two playoff games and out once again.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 22, 2021 at 10:14 pm

I loved the offense last year, when we led the league in scoring. We scored thirty or more 13 times and went 12-1 in those games. We did this at home, on the road, missing key guys, in crappy weather. And on the rare occasions where we don’t score 30, multiple turnovers are usually to blame.

And we’ve got all the skill guys back except Jamaal Williams and we have Dillon to replace him. We’ve effectively added Rodgers, Cobb, Deguara (who basically missed all last year) and Hill. Why shouldn’t this year’s offense be better as long as the blocking holds up?

From what I’ve seen, this is probably the best group of run blockers we’ve had since 2003. The vets…Bakhtiari, Turner, Jenkins and Patrick…..can all get their guy blocked . Marcedes Lewis gets his guy blocked. Myers looks like he’ll at least hold his own. So that’s our front six against their front six (because they have to play nickel).

Unless we stop ourselves, we’ll score 30 or more and win every game. There’s no way to defend against this.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 23, 2021 at 08:18 am

And on D we do not have Pettine. That’s a win even without Barry being one.

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canadapacker's picture

August 23, 2021 at 09:19 am

Entirely agree Leatherhead - and I too think that the Offensive roster has improved with the exception of not having a pro-bowl center and losing Bak at the start. But we had Oline issues during the season last year as well - mostly it wasnt for long periods of time - including losing our center for a few games. My question is going to be - in looking at our loses last year - and I am more concerned about Minnie and Tampa loses ( as opposed to MVS fumble that cost us a game). What did their D do to stop us and make us so- so? I also think that others have said - if we get some motion and some serious good plays off of that motion - we can make hay by spreading their D out a bit. The reason that I think that Sternberger will get cut is because he cant block on those plays.

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Ferrari-Driver's picture

August 23, 2021 at 07:10 pm

I hope that we have a player who will allow Matt LaFleur to effective use the motion that he has implemented during his first two years. Amari Rodgers has a forty time of 4.44, so perhaps he could fill that role. I like the versatility of Deguara, but his forty time of 4.72 may not make him the best fit. An effective motion play can cause the linebackers to pause and make the running plays by Jones and Dillon more dynamic.

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murf7777's picture

August 23, 2021 at 08:40 am

I see this offense to be as dynamic as 2011. The potential for this Defense is to be top 5. If that happens, this team will be extremely dangerous and make it to the SB.

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Michael Nault's picture

August 23, 2021 at 03:47 pm

The "GM",will be too busy looking for Cobb or Adams.

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