Green Bay Packers' News - 2024

[Cdragon]

I don't think it is protecting the lead, I think it is a failure to anticipate the opposition trying to stop whatever we are doing best. The HC and DC have some words saying we've got to stop Jacobs or it's over. So they call up run blitzes, bring up the safety into the box, shoot gaps. Whatever they have to, to stop what we are doing well. They want to stop Jacobs, instead of running him up the gut like nothings changed, switch to your secondary gameplan. Run wide, spread them out, hit the perimeter. run playaction, and hit Kraft over the middle so these guys have to turn and chase. Hurt them enough and they won't know what to call. Play smarter and not run into the brick wall the first couple of series.

[salmar80]

nobody seems to upset over this, but it has become a trade mark with Lafluer, same with starting the 2nd half of games as though were just protecting a lead, versus trying to increase one.

The Sideline — Clock management, time out management and challenge management were mishandled at various moments, which ultimately are Matt LaFleur’s responsibility. Whoever is in the booth advising the head coach on challenges should be replaced, as MLF is now 0-6 for the season, according to play-by-play man Mike Tirico. It’s an unacceptable number, and they cost the team timeouts. And speaking of timeouts, the team’s penchant for burning them early in halves is too often a reflection of slow or poor communication. This was a Packer staple in the Rodgers/McCarthy era, and it’s disappointing to see it continue. Against Seattle, it left the Packers with no timeouts with five minutes left to play, an eternity. Had a couple of late plays gone differently, the Packers might have needed them.

And finally, the clock management in a sequence at the end of the first half was beyond baffling. With 36 seconds left and timeouts in hand, Jordan Love and LaFleur let the seconds tick down to about 12 seconds before Love threw a deep sideline pass that resulted in a pass interference call near the goal line. But with the clock now under five seconds it forced LaFleur to kick a field goal rather than chance going into the locker room empty-handed.

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/packers-3 ... 35a664be15

I fully agree LaFleur needs to improve in those areas. LaFleur did spank himself about the clock management at end of the half in his PC. All him, not Love's fault.

As for challenges, it seems sometimes especially on D he sometimes challenges without much expectation of it actually working just to try to break the O's momentum or to let D recover after a big play or grueling series of plays. I guess that makes sense, but I sure would like to see us with all 3 available near the end of the half just in case.

[Yoop]

nobody seems to upset over this, but it has become a trade mark with Lafluer, same with starting the 2nd half of games as though were just protecting a lead, versus trying to increase one.

The Sideline — Clock management, time out management and challenge management were mishandled at various moments, which ultimately are Matt LaFleur’s responsibility. Whoever is in the booth advising the head coach on challenges should be replaced, as MLF is now 0-6 for the season, according to play-by-play man Mike Tirico. It’s an unacceptable number, and they cost the team timeouts. And speaking of timeouts, the team’s penchant for burning them early in halves is too often a reflection of slow or poor communication. This was a Packer staple in the Rodgers/McCarthy era, and it’s disappointing to see it continue. Against Seattle, it left the Packers with no timeouts with five minutes left to play, an eternity. Had a couple of late plays gone differently, the Packers might have needed them.

And finally, the clock management in a sequence at the end of the first half was beyond baffling. With 36 seconds left and timeouts in hand, Jordan Love and LaFleur let the seconds tick down to about 12 seconds before Love threw a deep sideline pass that resulted in a pass interference call near the goal line. But with the clock now under five seconds it forced LaFleur to kick a field goal rather than chance going into the locker room empty-handed.

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/packers-3 ... 35a664be15

I fully agree LaFleur needs to improve in those areas. LaFleur did spank himself about the clock management at end of the half in his PC. All him, not Love's fault.

As for challenges, it seems sometimes especially on D he sometimes challenges without much expectation of it actually working just to try to break the O's momentum or to let D recover after a big play or grueling series of plays. I guess that makes sense, but I sure would like to see us with all 3 available near the end of the half just in case.

I think the time outs are the more important part, as you said the challenges may be just a attempt to change the course of the game, give players a short break, a ploy to regroup the defense etc. the loss of the time outs though hurts, we could have added 4 points more in the first half.

I question some of his play calling in the red zone, we shouldn't have to run it over and over, that becomes so predictable, yet at times the passing is worse, IMHO Musgrave might remedy this issue some, 22 personal in the red zone, gives us another big body for the run game or as a receiver.

were starting to get healthy at a few positions

[YoHoChecko]

I'm gonna start by saying that MLF is a REALLY good coach and the teams play hard, have great chemistry, have top notch play design, and win lots of games under his leadership. The issues we're having are smaller issues, but...

The challenges are dumb. They're not planned to break the momentum or anything, they're emotional. He's said as much. It's a temper tantrum in the form of a red flag on the field and he needs to stop throwing it when there isn't good evidence.

The time outs are bad. It's been routinely stated that it's because the verbiage for the offense is long and getting the play chosen, called in, called in the huddle, lined up, and still have time for motion and/or adjustment at the line is a challenge. The team HAS gotten better at this over his time, but I do want to see continued improvement.

Time management and 4th down decisions are usually his strong suit, I think at least. Analytics usually say he does a good job on those. He messed up the end of the first half--he says with indecisiveness--but that's not super common.

And kicking the FG from the 4 instead of going for it is the right decision at the end of the half because one of the BIG reasons you go for it near the goalline is the field position impact it has on the opposition. At the end of a half, that field position impact is moot. They will not be backed up against their own goalline. So you take the points.

But my biggest gripe is that MLF seems to need a challenge to do his best. Games with Malik Willis starting or when there are 3 WRs out of the game, he schemes up everything to perfection. He seems to really rise. But when everything is going as expected, he seems to get into lulls where he is on a bit of autopilot. I'd love to see him be as innovative with the run game, for instance, with Jordan Love and the lead, as he was with Malik Willis. Just an example.

Anyway, that's my MLF assessment. I will say he's gotten over his little brother syndrome with Kyle Shanahan and that's been really nice to see. I think this is year 2 of a 3-year window for this general makeup of the team and offense before a bunch of tough contract decisions and such come up, and I'd really love to see the team get hot and MLF get in his bag to pull it out one of these years. We could have arrived early last year. We're a little behind schedule this year in terms of the level of play we're capable of. But there's still time to click and fire. LFG

[go pak go]

I apologize if this has been posted. I'm not here as much. But sounds like Morgan may be done for the year.

[YoHoChecko]

I apologize if this has been posted. I'm not here as much. But sounds like Morgan may be done for the year.

(I'm sort of glad this forced them to stick with Rhyan and let him get into a groove instead of rotating)

[go pak go]

I apologize if this has been posted. I'm not here as much. But sounds like Morgan may be done for the year.

(I'm sort of glad this forced them to stick with Rhyan and let him get into a groove instead of rotating)

I'm concerned on the long term fit of Jordan Morgan. I don't think Right Guard is his position. I also like Rhyan at RG in terms of cost and ROI. Curious if putting Tom at Center (not resigning Meyers) and Morgan at Right Guard is a potential answer and then drafting a swing tackle in 2025.

Could also put Jenkins at Center and have an opening at left guard.

[Yoop]

I apologize if this has been posted. I'm not here as much. But sounds like Morgan may be done for the year.

(I'm sort of glad this forced them to stick with Rhyan and let him get into a groove instead of rotating)

I'm concerned on the long term fit of Jordan Morgan. I don't think Right Guard is his position. I also like Rhyan at RG in terms of cost and ROI. Curious if putting Tom at Center (not resigning Meyers) and Morgan at Right Guard is a potential answer and then drafting a swing tackle in 2025.

Could also put Jenkins at Center and have an opening at left guard.

I think that maybe next years OL, Walker, Morgan, Jenkins, Rhyan, Tom, IMO we didn't miss on Morgan, the injury and improvement of Rhyan kept Morgan off the field

[YoHoChecko]

I'm concerned on the long term fit of Jordan Morgan. I don't think Right Guard is his position. I also like Rhyan at RG in terms of cost and ROI. Curious if putting Tom at Center (not resigning Meyers) and Morgan at Right Guard is a potential answer and then drafting a swing tackle in 2025.

Could also put Jenkins at Center and have an opening at left guard.

STOP. TRYING. TO. MOVE. OUR. BEST. OL. TO. THE LEAST. VALUABLE. POSITION. (Centers statistically get paid the least, are drafted last, etc)

Also, I said from the moment of the pick that Jordan Morgan was a bad fit because we couldn't tell if he was an OT where we needed a developmental depth piece or an OG where we needed a competitor for an immediate starter but he wouldn't be ready at a new position. And he wasn't the potential starter at C we could have been looking for.

He was none of the things we actually needed right away. And he rotated in and out of the lineup before getting hurt and the OL has not missed him. So my pre-draft assessment of this pick stands. He was a poor use of a first round pick who has little to no use this season, needed development, doesn't have a clear position, and even when he settles into starting for us, he likely won't out-perform guys we routinely get later in the draft. I hated the pick even though he's likely going to end up being an ok player. And nothing that has happened this year has changed my mind.

Maybe this will be my new Jordy Nelson, where I felt vindicated for 2 years before being very very wrong. But in the mean time, Jordan Morgan was a dumb pick. I hope he can eventually start at OT when we re-sign Tom and let Walker walk because we have to pick one financially. But man, woulda been nice to have a more useful player at a more premium position from round one if he ends up being a G.

[Acrobat]

I'm gonna start by saying that MLF is a REALLY good coach and the teams play hard, have great chemistry, have top notch play design, and win lots of games under his leadership. The issues we're having are smaller issues, but...

The challenges are dumb. They're not planned to break the momentum or anything, they're emotional. He's said as much. It's a temper tantrum in the form of a red flag on the field and he needs to stop throwing it when there isn't good evidence.

The time outs are bad. It's been routinely stated that it's because the verbiage for the offense is long and getting the play chosen, called in, called in the huddle, lined up, and still have time for motion and/or adjustment at the line is a challenge. The team HAS gotten better at this over his time, but I do want to see continued improvement.

Time management and 4th down decisions are usually his strong suit, I think at least. Analytics usually say he does a good job on those. He messed up the end of the first half--he says with indecisiveness--but that's not super common.

And kicking the FG from the 4 instead of going for it is the right decision at the end of the half because one of the BIG reasons you go for it near the goalline is the field position impact it has on the opposition. At the end of a half, that field position impact is moot. They will not be backed up against their own goalline. So you take the points.

But my biggest gripe is that MLF seems to need a challenge to do his best. Games with Malik Willis starting or when there are 3 WRs out of the game, he schemes up everything to perfection. He seems to really rise. But when everything is going as expected, he seems to get into lulls where he is on a bit of autopilot. I'd love to see him be as innovative with the run game, for instance, with Jordan Love and the lead, as he was with Malik Willis. Just an example.

Anyway, that's my MLF assessment. I will say he's gotten over his little brother syndrome with Kyle Shanahan and that's been really nice to see. I think this is year 2 of a 3-year window for this general makeup of the team and offense before a bunch of tough contract decisions and such come up, and I'd really love to see the team get hot and MLF get in his bag to pull it out one of these years. We could have arrived early last year. We're a little behind schedule this year in terms of the level of play we're capable of. But there's still time to click and fire. LFG

Good post. Yeah the challenges drive me wild. And 2 minute clock management is just unacceptable sometimes, partly due to lack of timeouts. I honestly feel like he should get someone on the payroll just to manage those two phases of the game. I would gladly do it for $200k per year. I'll be the first to admit that MLF knows the game of football better than me by a massive margin in all other phases. But challenges and timeouts, nope.

[YoHoChecko]

I honestly feel like he should get someone on the payroll just to manage those two phases of the game. I would gladly do it for $200k per year. I'll be the first to admit that MLF knows the game of football better than me by a massive margin in all other phases. But challenges and timeouts, nope.

A reasonable starting ask

[Yoop]

I'm concerned on the long term fit of Jordan Morgan. I don't think Right Guard is his position. I also like Rhyan at RG in terms of cost and ROI. Curious if putting Tom at Center (not resigning Meyers) and Morgan at Right Guard is a potential answer and then drafting a swing tackle in 2025.

Could also put Jenkins at Center and have an opening at left guard.

STOP. TRYING. TO. MOVE. OUR. BEST. OL. TO. THE LEAST. VALUABLE. POSITION. (Centers statistically get paid the least, are drafted last, etc)

Also, I said from the moment of the pick that Jordan Morgan was a bad fit because we couldn't tell if he was an OT where we needed a developmental depth piece or an OG where we needed a competitor for an immediate starter but he wouldn't be ready at a new position. And he wasn't the potential starter at C we could have been looking for.

He was none of the things we actually needed right away. And he rotated in and out of the lineup before getting hurt and the OL has not missed him. So my pre-draft assessment of this pick stands. He was a poor use of a first round pick who has little to no use this season, needed development, doesn't have a clear position, and even when he settles into starting for us, he likely won't out-perform guys we routinely get later in the draft. I hated the pick even though he's likely going to end up being an ok player. And nothing that has happened this year has changed my mind.

Maybe this will be my new Jordy Nelson, where I felt vindicated for 2 years before being very very wrong. But in the mean time, Jordan Morgan was a dumb pick. I hope he can eventually start at OT when we re-sign Tom and let Walker walk because we have to pick one financially. But man, woulda been nice to have a more useful player at a more premium position from round one if he ends up being a G.

we all wanted the first rounder to start and contribute, and the best OL's in the league also have the best centers, it all starts with center, run blocking to pass pro center maybe under rated, and make less money ( as though other positioned are not under payed, till lately, position priority was never cast in stone? Jenkins was touted to become a center, course that was said of tom and others.
the biggest reason Morgan didn't start is that we had 5 that were more ready.

we will find a spot on this line for Morgan next season.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best ... -rankings/

[BSA]

.
I might have posted this previously, but the Packers are # 3 in Total DVOA- that means they're currently playing better than Bills, Eagles, vikes, and all the others

https://ftnfantasy.com/dvoa/nfl/team-total-dvoa

Our opponent this week, the nawlins Saints are ranked # 19, one behind the seahawks at 18

GB is favored by 13.5 vs Saints and while that's an IMMENSE number in the NFL - the Packers covered that on the road vs SEA last week

[BSA]

.
Per the updated Sagarin ratings, Packers are # 4 team in the league - despite having faced the 2nd hardest schedule so far this year

http://sagarin.com/sports/nflsend.htm

[salmar80]

[BSA]

Here's one from bukowski at the leap:

https://www.theleap.football/p/as-the-p ... -big-plays

"As part of the evolution of this offense, the Packers moved away from under-center play-action where the tight end has to lock down defensive ends one-on-one in pass protection and into designs where the tight end can block momentarily, then release.
LaFleur confirmed this change came by design."

“Throughout the course of my career (play-action) is off a legit run action, where we’ve kind of gotten away from that where, with those actions, you’ve got a tight end trying to lock down a defensive end,” LaFleur said in mid-November.
“I think a lot of these (edge rushers) nowadays, they’re very tough to block. We’ve kind of gotten a little bit away from that and make sure formationally that we’re presenting the same look as we’re running the football and may be doing more chipping with the tight ends.”

More in the article - talking about how Kraft has really thrived in this offense and with this new wrinkle

[APB]

[BF004]

[APB]

I was just coming here to post that! Awesome stuff for those of us who were around for that era of Packer football!

[BF004]

I was just coming here to post that! Awesome stuff for those of us who were around for that era of Packer football!

I was just a tike and couldn’t have told you who Andy Reid or Jon Gruden were, but I remember that bears game, maybe ‘93 or ‘94 and both teams were those terrible throwbacks.