The Lass Word: LaFleur Puts the Target Squarely on Himself
Opting against staff changes places the onus on his shoulders.
By KenLass
If you’re expecting changes on the Green Bay Packers coaching staff this off season, you may be disappointed. At his season ending news conference on Monday, Coach Matt LaFleur was asked directly if Joe Barry would return next season as defensive coordinator. “That’s what I anticipate, yes” he replied.
Then he added “Quite frankly, I really don’t anticipate a whole lot, if any, staff changes at all. I do believe in the people, not only in the locker room, but our coaching staff.....it’s my intention to have everybody back. I think continuity is a big part of having success in this league.”
Fair enough. LaFleur is the head coach. He should, and does, have the power to determine who will be on his staff. But by choosing not to make changes, he is putting the target directly on his own back. He is leaving himself no excuses, no outs for any specific areas of vulnerability next season. If the 2023 Packers have an under achieving offense, or defense, or special teams performance, there can be no saving his job by changing coordinators. He has that opportunity now. A year from now will be too late. From here on out it is his head on the block, his seat that should be the hottest. The window for designating scapegoats closes come week one in the fall.
This is particularly applicable when it comes to Barry. LaFleur says he saw improvement on defense as the season progressed. He also said the defense played well enough against Detroit to win the game. I disagree. Green Bay’s defense created no turnovers, sacked the quarterback just one time, and played their worst football when the team needed them the most. They were manhandled in the fourth quarter. They allowed a thirteen play, eight minute drive culminating in the go-ahead touchdown, and then allowed another eight play drive which enabled the Lions to run the final three and a half minutes off the clock. The game included two failures to stop Detroit on fourth down. The offense didn’t give them much help, but the defense can’t use the excuse they were worn down. Green Bay actually had nearly five minutes more in time of possession.
That’s not what I consider playing well enough to win. This was the kind of street fight a defense has to win for you. A playoff caliber team can’t expect the offense to score on every drive and make life easy for them all the time. The Packers finished somewhere around the middle of the league in every important defensive statistic. Considering the draft capital and money poured in to that side of the ball, the result is unacceptable.
Yet LaFleur is accepting it. He is opting to find solutions to the Packers’ shortcomings with the same staff who, by his own admission, has not been able to do it up to now. “There’s going to be a lot of projects that we’re going to do in this offseason that maybe we haven’t done as good a job of in the past” LaFleur said. “Studying other teams and the trends going around the league, you gotta try to stay in front of everything, and certainly we did not do that.”
Not that the offensive staff has much to brag about. With Adam Stenavich as coordinator, the attack has struggled to be consistent, and failed miserably in the red zone. Upon the return of Tom Clements as QB coach, Aaron Rodgers has clearly declined. LaFleur did say he has thought about bringing back Nathaniel Hackett in some sort of capacity, but what sort of role and job title he would have is murky at best.
Granted, the offense is still in the process of reinventing itself, as it incorporates young, new talent into the receiver corps and the offensive line. But the guys who draw up the plays are going to have to get more creative and perhaps more assertive. Much will depend on whether Rodgers comes back, but no matter who is playing quarterback, the play calling has to be more unpredictable. LaFleur revealed he will consider giving up the play calling duties if it will help the team. I don’t think the problem is who calls the plays. The problem is the plays aren’t good enough.
Rich Bisaccia is the one success story LaFleur can point to. Green Bay’s special teams play hard for him and have shown improvement. But they did little to help the team win in the biggest game of the season against the Lions, so there is work to be done there as well.
LaFleur believes continuity on the coaching staff is the best thing for the Packers. So be it. It’s his call. But if this team doesn’t get significantly better next year, it will be time for a housecleaning, and LaFleur should be the first one to get the broom.
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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.
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Comments (48)
Coldworld
January 12, 2023 at 03:09 pm
Inadvertent and typically unaware but given his boss and utter hopelessness as a Head Coach, possibly a blessing we should be thankful for.
Littlejim51
January 12, 2023 at 05:06 pm
The same play on 4 th and one was a failure against the Vikings and 16 games later it failed against the Lions
The lions shifted to the ball and made the right play. I do not see much chaneyon offense only difference David B and Jenkins were back on the left side
Wow how predictable can MLF get
jlc1
January 12, 2023 at 03:09 pm
Continuity of mediocrity? That is what MLF is saying is important. Yeah, it is his show now and the previews are not good.
Bitternotsour
January 12, 2023 at 05:56 pm
How was it not already his show. Oh noes, now he's really in for it...
He hired the staff that gave us this shit show. He called the plays. This is his team, his doing, his bed, he made it. 8-9 and worse than middling. He failed to develop his future quarterback, failed to call a coherent game and was damn lucky to get to 8 wins.
MLF inspires no confidence. He's soft, his team is soft, and his quarterback has his balls buried in a box in his back yard and only allows Matt to visit them periodically.
coolhand
January 13, 2023 at 10:31 am
I wonder if it really was the flower's choice to hire Bisaccia, or was he forced by management? After last years debacle against the 49ers he sounded like Drayton would be back.
Tundraboy
January 12, 2023 at 03:13 pm
Well I guess he's right about trends around the league. How about the one that has teams knowing all they need to do is smack us in the mouth once..
Guam
January 12, 2023 at 03:23 pm
Most of the article is focused on the defense and LaFleur's failure to replace the DC because it underperformed expectations. However, what were those expectations founded on? The Packer defense has not been particularly good for several years and several defensive coordinators. Just because the defense has a plethora of first round draft choices doesn't necessarily mean it is good. While I am not a fan of Joe Barry and his soft zone, I am not sure the defense is the biggest failure for the Packers this year.
For me the line to LaFleur's failure is more direct. It is the offense that failed the Packers this year. The offense has been very good the last few years, but declined significantly in 2022. The receiving corps was inadequate, the O-line underperformed and Rodgers appears to have lost some mobility and some accuracy. All of these shortcomings exposed flawed game plans, poor play calling, and the continued lack of in-game adjustments. The offense was the larger failure for the Packers and that is directly on LaFleur who is supposed to be an offensive coach.
Joe Barry may be another poor hire, but LaFleur and Stenovich bear a larger part of the blame for the Packers' 8 - 9 record this year.
MainePackFan
January 12, 2023 at 07:48 pm
The failure was on both sides of the ball Guam. Excuses can be made for the offense. Aging QB, rookie receivers, beat up Oline, new OC. etc. The defense was supposed to be dominate so the offense didn't need to be.
With all the draft capital this team has invested in the defense over the last several years, you would think we could put a solid defense on the field. Yes, we lost Gary and Stokes for the season, and Campbell for a few games, but we had the same DC, and when it mattered, we got the same results.
The problem with this team is that AR is no longer able to lift the offense to overcome the defense. We have been ignoring the offense for too long assuming that AR can still lift the tide. He can't. In my opinion, Aaron Rodgers is still capable of taking a team to the Super Bowl. Question is, will it be the Packers.
Guam
January 13, 2023 at 07:33 am
To repeat - the Packer defense wasn't particularly good in 2021, so why were the expectations so high for 2022? Yes, there were lots of high draft picks, but they hadn't proven they could play at a high level in the NFL yet. I think the defense was more a victim of fan expectations than poor play. The defense improved from 2021 to 2022 despite losing Gary and Stokes to injury.
This is not an endorsement of Barry as his soft zone drives me nuts at times. But I do believe Packer fans had overrated this defense at the start of the season. This defense is average and unable to "carry a team". When the offense faltered, the season was done. And LaFleur is the architect of the offense.
MainePackFan
January 13, 2023 at 10:24 am
There was plenty of reason for we the fans to believe this was going to be a dominant defense after last years playoff loss. We added pieces, we kept pieces, and the only one we lost was not a big part of last years team.
Where we were wrong was thinking Rasul and Campbell could reproduce their 2021 seasons. We were also wrong to believe Barry's system would produce a swarming defense week in and week out like it did in that playoff game, and again against the Vikings in week 17. It's understandable that we thought they would be a top defense? We've seen them do it.
Guam
January 13, 2023 at 04:04 pm
They played good games from time to time, but weren't a reliable defense in 2021 nor previously to 2021. Statistically they were slightly below average in 2021. Yes, the Packers added two #1 draft choices, but how often do rookies completely remake a defense? I still contend this defense was unproven in 2022 and to expect them to be dominant was to set up failure versus expectations.
LeotisHarris
January 12, 2023 at 03:54 pm
A lot of people, many, many people are saying the HR Department at 1265 has been receiving anonymous correspondence from an employee seeking assistance in dealing with imposter syndrome. That's just what I heard. Might not be true.
canadapacker
January 12, 2023 at 04:01 pm
A lot of people want to torch the whole thing and bring it down. Maybe it needs to be - not sure - but one thing that I am sure of - GB has been a successful franchise because it doesnt react to hype and listen to the prognosticators especially those who get paid big dollars to yell louder and say outrageous things - ie can you say Stephen A Smith and Mike Florio etc etc. Now just look at how incompetent some other organizations are - Cleveland, Miami, Detroit, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix and until recently and maybe it is a flash but Jacksonville.
So the stay the course is somewhat appropriate - but staying the course too long is detrimental - ie How long MM stayed with DC Capers near the end of his run.
Now one thing that we have had lately is a franchise QB and it hides a lot of the bad coaching. I would say this - Lafleur has been a bad offensive coach the last 2 years. It is his fault and only his fault for the bad red zone issues as he calls the plays and it has been horrible even with Davante last year. Now if AR is changing things then it is still his issue - but it would seem to anybody looking in that there is not anything new or inventive or a go to plan to be so bad for so long - and that is up to Lafleur to own that.
My biggest knock on Barry is the lack of discipline and that includes sitting those not performing and definitely those taking self and dumb penalties. Now again some of that is back on Lafleur as indicated on how long it was to sit Rodgers from the return game. But if there is a lack of team discipline - there are 2 questions - does it emanate from AR - or is it only on the D. If it is only on the D then how can he return Barry to DC when he hasnt the you know whats to control that and why does he think that it is going to improve. And if it emanates from AR - what is Lafleur and when is Lafleur going to stand up to AR. Like TT stood up to the Favre fiascos near the end of his tenure in GB.
Finally I would like to see Hackett back and I would like to see Rich more involved somehow - he has always seemed to be assistant Head Coach both in Dallas and Oakland along with special teams - maybe he can institute some discipline into the organization.
Finally it is time to move on from AR. Not that he doesnt have years left but I would rather find out about Love and cant do that with him holding the clipboard.
TarynsEyes
January 12, 2023 at 04:08 pm
As much as many are now calling out MLF, I remember when he was sitting atop their shoulders, bragging of his excellence after each 13 win season, and eagerly putting the Playoff follies in a box marked 'Do Not Open.' I guess MLF didn't get that memo, because he keeps opening the box, and many here realized what they denied in that box, and now see ALL things clearer.
jimtalkbox
January 12, 2023 at 04:22 pm
I feel like any offseason that retains Joe Barry and Aaron Rodgers is going to end in a 2023 with similar results as this past season (plus or minus a win or two). I've been a big Lafleur supporter from the get-go, but my confidence is waning.
Barry saved his job by stringing together a couple of decent games towards the end of the season, but the coaching is the obvious problem on Defense, not talent. Everyone that played well in 2020/2021 has regressed to some degree.
God forbid if Lafleur hire his brother to call plays. I don't think the Jets mustered a single offensive TD in their last 3 games.
jurp
January 12, 2023 at 04:22 pm
“Quite frankly, I really don’t anticipate a whole lot, if any, staff changes at all. I do believe in the people, not only in the locker room, but our coaching staff.....it’s my intention to have everybody back. I think continuity is a big part of having success in this league.”
I can infer from "continuity" that Rodgers will be back. So, another wasted season, then. Got it. Thanks for the head's up, LaFuckup!
Thank goodness the Badgers will be interesting to watch (and scary good, I think) this fall.
coolhand
January 13, 2023 at 10:40 am
And right after that he says there were things they didn't do very well and " we have to look at what other teams are doing"
Well don't you do that all season? You play all season making the same mistakes over and over, but promise those will be corrected in the off season?
This sounds like a guy that can't make a decision on his own.
MooPack
January 12, 2023 at 04:37 pm
Nothing is going to change unless:
1st - Aaron Rodgers is traded (doubtful) or retires (unlikely) or cut (not happening).
If none of those things happen? 2023 is rinse, repeat.
Sad to say, but this is not the same MVP QB. Possibly greatest passer in history doesn't equate to greatest winner when it's do or die. His accuracy is hit and miss more than it has ever been. Short line-of-scrimmage safe throws, sidelines, and then the long ball is pretty much all he does now. His unwillingness to throw to the middle portion of the field is unacceptable. That's a 1/3 of the field. You can't win big games ignoring that. Face it, he doesn't throw the TE seams as much, or WR crossers as much. This is where the smart ass conflicts with what our eyes see. Receivers open, ignored. It's his highly paid job to see them. Instead we get inexcusable sacks, throw aways or flat out missing throws. Over throws, under throws, behind, too far in front. The excuses are always the receivers. Have to protect the ego of the default leader. Therein lies the rub. No one is going to call out Rodgers. He's not going to change. The outcome isn't going to change. And if your really honest, he hasn't been able to lead the team in the biggest games when it counts for a long time. We need to come out of the green and gold bubble of excuses for that one. There will not be a change in season outcome until he is gone. Sadly, that is the truth.
2nd - DC Joe Barry has to be fired. There should be no debate on that. Soft defense scheme portends soft defensive players. Just because he comes out of that trend for a game or two or an aggressive play or two doesn't mean that is his preferred defensive design. He will revert back. He has not been successful anywhere. Unless you call mediocre success. LaFleur is on the hook for his hire. End of 2023 and there isn't significant improvement, They should both be gone.
3rd - Mark Murphy. He may be number one. Was he the one that decided to keep the roster intact? Final decision to dole out the money to hamstring this team for the foreseeable future? Override all common sense to bring in a plethora of draft talent to keep this team relevant? I think you know. Problem is, he won't be gone until July 2025, unless he retires early or is given his pink slip. That's going to be a tough 2 1/2 years.
4th- Matt LaFleur. The HC sets the tone. What tone has he set? Soft all the way around. From offense to defense. ST's finally is coming around, but that is due to Bisaccia. How long did that change take? Speaking of how long it has taken to change, ie., personnel changes. This team is terribly slow to make any changes. From Amari Rodgers, to getting rookie WR's more involved (this may be partly or wholly Rodgers fault), to O-line, to D-line. etc., etc. Don't know how anyone can argue that point otherwise. Loyalty to vets is over-the-top ignorant. If he can't see that or overrule that, then this team will not get better. I haven't seen that LaFluer can see that. And his play calling and time management is atrocious (Is this Rodgers?). Imo, both are at fault. LaFleur, You're on the clock.
Some people think Gute should be on this list. I don't think so. Yet. He has tried to build a roster in spite of the other four. He has done, imo, a pretty good job comparatively to others teams of getting some good draft picks, and free agent signings they can actually afford to make this team better. Bottom line, wrongly or rightly, his tenure will hinge on what becomes of Jordan Love. That's his legacy. Was he right? Was he wrong? No one can say until Rodgers is gone and Love is QB. Right now, Gute is one I'd keep.
As painful as it may be, if the Packers start with the 1st change, everything else would probably flow more naturally realizing that this run has come to an end. Move on and keep pace with teams that are getting better.
Stickfish
January 13, 2023 at 06:35 pm
“4th- Matt LaFleur. The HC sets the tone. What tone has he set? Soft all the way around”
I thought he upped his arm waving game this year, so there is that. Name me another coach either college, Pro or Little League who is in the same arena. I can almost imagine Lombardi standing on the sidelines going “gosh darn, I wish I would have raised my arms more to help inspire my defense.” Almost.
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Since'61
January 12, 2023 at 04:37 pm
MLF has a soft team that gets out played physically far too often. The playoff losses highlight this aspect of the team but it happens often during the regular season as well. Then there are the coaching decisions on both the offense and defense that make no sense. There are weaknesses in either personnel or planning that are allowed to go on forever. Just look back at all the blocked kicks during the 2021 season which ultimately ended the season against San Francisco when the 49ers didn't score an offensive TD. The repeated mishandling of the OL. Poor coaching hires etc.
Yes it's all on MLF now and that's where it should be all of the time. He is the HC he is responsible for the W/L record and for making the decisions to improve the team and correct the mistakes.
If MLF were a CEO he would be on his 3rd envelope. For those who don't know the CEO and the three envelope story it goes like this.
A very successful CEO of a very strong corporation decided to retire. He hand picked his successor. As the old CEO was leaving his office for the final time the incoming CEO asked him if he could give him some final words of wisdom he could use in difficult times. The old CEO opens his desk draw and tells his successor,"Here I have left you these 3 numbered envelops to use if things go bad. You must only open them one at a time and in the exact numbered order 1,2 and 3. if you use them properly they will show you the way."
Well a year goes by and the new CEO is preparing his annual corporate results presentation to the Board. The company has had a good year but it hasn't grown as much as it did under the old CEO. He wonders what to say to the Board. Then he remembers the three envelopes in his drawer and decides to open envelope #1. The message inside the envelope says, "Blame it on your predecessor." OK great the new CEO thinks to himself.
Year two ends and the company is slipping. Results are slightly down and customers and employees are complaining. He is preparing his annual Board presentation and once again he remembers the 3 envelopes and decides to read envelope #2. It says, "Blame it on the economy." Great idea and off he goes.
By the end of year 3 results are bad, customers are leaving, there is increasing employee turnover and he needs to explain all this to the Board. So once again he goes for the 3 envelopes, #3 this time. He opens Envelope #3 and it says. "Prepare 3 envelopes."
That's where MLF is now or will be after the 2023 season. Thanks, Since '61
jurp
January 12, 2023 at 04:48 pm
I'd never heard that story, so thanks for telling it. Personally, my experience has always led me to believe that there were five excuses (envelopes):
1. Predecessor
2. The Market
3. Unfair foreign competition and a useless federal government
4. The economy
5. The workers and their poor productivity (if a union shop, this becomes #2)
There is a no sixth envelope, just a golden parachute.
Since'61
January 12, 2023 at 06:01 pm
jurp - I know exactly what you mean. That story is old joke that goes around the consulting community. Thanks, Since '61
Starrbrite
January 12, 2023 at 08:56 pm
Excellent ’61.
Minniman
January 13, 2023 at 03:18 am
If anyone wants to see this softness typified, then go back to Al's 3 Plays article and re-watch the ill-fated Chill Alaska play footage in slow motion.
1) The Lions 3 man D front manhandles the Packers 5 man o-line
2) Runyan and Myers are both on the deck 2 seconds after the snap
3) The Lions D shifts 3 players to their right, and the Packers still run the play to that side.
4) Jones remains in the back-field and plays virtually no part in the play
You could run a teaching session of just how far the Packers offense regressed this year just on that one play!
FYI, last year they ran a similar play with Lazard in motion. Last year he stays tight to the LOS and Rodgers shovel passes to him running behind the LT and LG for a redzone TD. This year he stays in Jet sweep 3 yards behind the LOS (turning 4th and inches to 4th and 3) and runs directly into the aforementioned traffic. Why Rodgers did not kill that play the instant he saw Tonyan go in motion to the left - and the Lions responded by moving 3!!!! players there - I will never know! Lastly, Cobb stays out on the right with only a CB in soft zone coverage...... an easy completion and 1st down begging to be had.
Packerpasty
January 13, 2023 at 06:44 pm
MLF was successful at first, the team and Rodgers were playing good football in his first couple of years so the guys bought in to him and his scheme, but when things went a little south they look to the coach and see this guy with no fire in him and soft as can be, looking bemused and befuddled on the sidelines and they lose a little respect and go soft like him...maybe not necessary to go the Campbell route of "bite their kneecaps" but it sure wouldn't hurt...Campbell's teams suck the first season but the players could see hope and fire from their head coach...they bought in...I think many on the Packers are checking out...
ricky
January 12, 2023 at 06:03 pm
Apparently, the status quo is good enough in Green Bay. The offense is mediocre? OK. The defense is so-so at best, and sometimes just terrible? Fine. Oh, the special teams are now supposed to win the game? Well, they were the only group that improved- but becoming better than the worst is a pretty low bar. The QB still runs the team, because the front office decided that is what they wanted, when they gave him that contract. So, let's bring everyone back, and expect different results. Oh, well.
jurp
January 12, 2023 at 06:12 pm
To your point:
A coach that values consistency, when the team finishes at 8-9, is a coach that is a consistent loser, since a coach that doesn't value consistency is one that wants to IMPROVE from 8-9.
Consistent losers is, I'm, afraid, this team's future as long as LaFuckup is coach.
Since'61
January 12, 2023 at 11:36 pm
"Show me someone who accepts losing and I'll show you a loser." Vince Lombardi
What else is there to say? Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
January 13, 2023 at 09:04 am
Consistency can be important, but all too often it’s thrown around as a justification for an absence if ideas or ability to improve. It is then essentially admitting that we don’t know what to do to improve but we might do so simply by more experience doing what we are doing.
It’s similar to organizations telling themselves to just focus on what they do best, yet can’t answer when asked if, when others visibly do it better, how that will help? It’s a euphemism for “it’s all we know” in such circumstances.
canadapacker
January 13, 2023 at 06:19 pm
Come on man - until this year 39-10 . Name another team that has had a 3 year run like that????
Now 8-9 is totally unacceptable and if it is followed up by another non playoff record - then I say burn the place down. But Geesh man - as they say Come on Man,
Now what is really disappointing to me - is with a 3 time MVP with a running back like Jones and last year with Davante - and with the supposed talent of a supposed Offensive Guru by the name of Lafleur - to have back to back years of the poorest red zone conversion. That is totally unacceptable. And that is starting to give me some nerves that maybe he ( Lafleur) is not the hero that the press and people think he is . Maybe it is/was only because he had a MVP QB --and that when there was some decline in play - he could not overcome it with his play calling. But if one looks at Tampa - the same thing has happened - and maybe just maybe Byron Leftwich is just not the next big thing as far as coaching is concerned - maybe it was always just Brady and his cohorts.
Just saying Come on Man - ONE YEAR doesnt just make history disappear.
BirdDogUni
January 12, 2023 at 06:26 pm
"LaFleur Puts the Target Squarely on Himself" - As well it should be. I do like MaLF, but his schtick is getting as old as MM's before he was fired. He's got to make some changes, so I hope he actually does do some self-scouting, because if he doesn't, I don't hold out much hope for '23 season.
Barry better hit up some coaching clinics, he needs some serious help.
coolhand
January 13, 2023 at 10:56 am
I have to question the flower's decisions. Especially after Hackett left he doesn't bring in an outstanding offensive mind to run the offense. Instead he chickens out and just promotes the O line coach to OC?
That didn't make any sense to me.
The_Justicar
January 12, 2023 at 07:02 pm
(Not that anyone cares abiotic this analogy but…). Reminds me of the Florida Gators in 2020. Coach Dan Mullen had an incredible offense led by Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts, and Andrew Toney. Averaged like 40 ppg. However, the defense, led by Todd Graham was especially bad. One of the worst in school history. Not just bad statistically but plain stupid tactically. Tons of pressure to fire the coach responsible for the worst defense in school history. But Mullen refused to do so and by not doing so, he hung his career on the success of Grantham. Had he replaced him, Mullen would have received 1-2 years of just good will and time for new DC to improve team.
2021…after several horrible performances, the AD laid down the law after like 8-9 games, forcing Mullen to fire the DC. 3 weeks later Mullen was also fired, he hitched his wagon to what every outsider new was a sinking ship.
MLF doing the same here.
coolhand
January 13, 2023 at 11:02 am
In a way I hope the same thing happens to the flower
arthurl
January 12, 2023 at 08:56 pm
This guy is loyal to a fault, same as his predecessor who kept coaches longer than he should. He (McCarthy) got the hook finally. So by bringing back the same staff are we to assume they will look to run it again with the players? Another big mistake as that ship has sailed. I thought MLF was something special, but the warts showed this past season and now it appears he can’t get out of his own way. If the team crashes and burns again next season chances are MLF will be shown the door. That will only be because of the fan uproar; after all, this is Murphy’s wiz kid.
Starrbrite
January 12, 2023 at 09:41 pm
I am a loyalist. I believe loyalty is a virtue and I applaud those who are loyal.
I do not however, have a high tolerance for stupidity. The personnel decisions (specifically the coaching hires) are patently stupid, and border on insanity.
I believe a cognitive test is in order for MLF.
Since'61
January 12, 2023 at 11:44 pm
I'm with you Starrbrite. Loyalty matters.
Yankee fan since 1958
Packer fan since 1961
Married once 37 years and counting
First car - '69 Mustang GT purchased in 1972 - 50 years and counting.
Gave my company to my employees when I retired.
But I have zero loyalty to stupid and I have never suffered fools well. There is no legitimate reason for either so I move on usually quickly.
"The truth has no chance when a fool chooses to believe a lie." Mark Twain
Thanks, Since '61
Starrbrite
January 13, 2023 at 12:37 am
‘61 —yours is an excellent life course, which I admire greatly.
We have some parallels, although I didn’t become a Packer fan until ’66-‘67.
I’m married 41 years and a federal agent for nearly 40—now retired of course.
Your many comments regarding the coaching, strategy, etc, have been superb—keep them coming.
Since'61
January 13, 2023 at 08:24 am
Starrbrite - I applaud your service to our country as a federal agent. That's a long haul and I'm happy that you made it through to retirement.
41 years married, congratulations on a great milestone.
I enjoy your comments as well. Thanks, Since '61
egbertsouse
January 13, 2023 at 07:30 am
I don’t think loyalty is a valid concept in the world today. I see no evidence of it, at least in the business or political world. What everyone is describing as loyalty is merely a fanatical devotion to maintaining the status quo, which is the hallmark of the Packers’ organization. They all have jobs and there is money in the bank. Why change? Change might help but it might make things worse. Don’t rock the boat.
Since'61
January 13, 2023 at 09:14 am
egbertsouse - loyalty is a matter of how it's defined and where it holds a place in our value system.
First loyalty is something that needs to be earned and something that can be given to the people who have earned it similar to respect.
I would agree that loyalty does not exist in business or political worlds. I'm not sure that it ever existed in the political world. In the business world it's more difficult to define. Including myself I have known numerous business leaders who been loyal to their employees and have had their employees loyal to them. Loyalty in the business world began to decline/disappear in the mid 80s and increasingly so in the 90s. From my experience The Reagan era campaign to break up unions began to diminish loyalty in the business world. Millions of Blue collar and middle class Americans saw it as a promise broker by their Corporate and is some cases government employers. Then came the attack on Defined Benefits Pension plans in the 90s and early 2000s which diminished another significant financial pillar that nearly all Americans saw as another broken promise. By then Corporate US which had been about building careers for their employees transitioned to being all about the stock price, quarterly early earnings and executive bonuses. The Federal government, led by the Republicans, sacrificed the US workers for their rich business executives and their donations, while telling the Americans that they were now free to invest their money on their own. Instead they destroyed a critical safety net for millions of American workers. At that point I went from a registered Republican to a registered Independent. My loyalty to US workers and their families was stronger than my loyalty to any political party (I had originally been a Registered Democrat) I've been an Independent ever since.
Growing up in the late 50s and the 60s the concept of loyalty was still fairly strong at least in my family, my NYC neighborhood and my circle of friends. I think for many "baby boomers" it remained part of our value system in our lives. Now most of us are retired or close to it.
In the sports world there was a time when teams like the Packers had actual relationships with their fans. Back in the 60s many Packer players lived in Green Bay and were neighbors with their fans. But once the NFL moved into the Free Agent/ revenue sharing era the NFL became huge money almost overnight and at the players level it became everyman for himself. I don't blame the players. Prior to FA they were essentially indentured servants to the teams which drafted them.
We know where the owners stand on loyalty to their players and their fans; nowhere, none, zero. Due to Fantasy leagues, and legal gambling fans are now returning the favor becoming loyal to their FF players and their gambling plays rather than to their teams.
But there is a cyclical nature to all of this. Employees unions are beginning to pick up some traction again and hopefully will continue to do so. Maybe it's the beginning of a return to focus on the US worker.
Bottom line is that loyalty is up to us and how we choose to earn it and who we share it with.
For me Family first, then friends and colleagues, then causes and non-profits organizations I believe in. Of course CHTV as well. Always my fellow veterans regardless of when they served but a very special warm spot for all of my comrades who served in the Nam. Every American of every status should never forget our Veterans. That is where all of us should have at least some loyalty. Without them and their sacrifice the rest of this would be meaningless. So for me there is still a place for loyalty to our veterans and our first responders. Thanks, Since '61
Packerpasty
January 13, 2023 at 06:37 pm
Respect to you!! Proud to be union, vet and "libtard"...and Packer fan..excellant write up..
Dragon5
January 12, 2023 at 11:09 pm
'23
Home: Bears, Lions, Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, Rams, Saints, Buccaneers
Away: Bears, Lions, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Giants, Steelers
Since'61
January 12, 2023 at 11:46 pm
At least we're not going to London in 2023. Thanks, Since '61
Packerpasty
January 13, 2023 at 06:34 pm
piece of cake with Rodgers, Hackett and MLF's brother at the helm!!! I smell something, maybe Super Bowl
Ferrari-Driver
January 13, 2023 at 10:56 am
It's not a pretty picture.
The Packers had the second highest payroll in the NFL this past year and had a losing record and no playoffs. Someone is to blame is it's not the fans! Come on Packers 7-members of the executive committee...let's hold someone responsible, it appears Murphy won't.
Booner
January 13, 2023 at 02:37 pm
I thought big Mike was a yes man! La Puss takes the cake! WOW! Burn it down! Going nowhere with this management team and coaching staff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brenner
January 13, 2023 at 11:06 pm
First and foremost Murphy needs to at least hand over team control and go back to worrying about sledding hills.
Rodgers will be there next season. Would be nice to have him there for ota. If I were BG that would need to be addressed. Tell Rodgers well trade for Hopkins if he pays for it outta pocket.
Still want Sean Payton to take lafleurs job and Leonard to take Barry's... Either that or put bisaccia in charge. Either way Barry has to go. Still don't think that Vikings game was Barry's call.
Outside of dipshit getting ejected twice happy with this year's draft. Need a bunch of hits in the next one fore sure. T, TE, S, OLB, WR... Maybe a couple safeties now that I think of it. Still think they gave up on Rodgers the wr too soon. Rodgers the returner however... How was that not figured out by preseason I can't get.