@MichiganPacker2 posted:Did the Packers blitz at all yesterday? I can't remember them sending anyone extra.
They sent a corner blitz at least once.
@FLPACKER posted:The message from MLF on firing Pettine was clear "we have better players on defense than they played and we need someone to motivate them" ... I think that MLF over estimated the talent on defense.
That's possible, but the move always struck me as being about MLF having his own guy in the position (both can certainly be true).
Based on everything MLF said in his pressers (sad to say but I watch every one), seems like Barry was his choice based on his "energy" and "enthusiasm". Typically when you replace someone, in any profession, the replacement gets the job because their strength is their predecessor's weakness (or perceived weakness). However, you had better be careful for what you wish for .... Pettine had top 10 defenses with three different teams....the guy can coach.
Joe Barry as an upgrade to Mike Pettine simply doesn't make any sense based on his record, unless familiarity was a significant part of the equation (his guy).
@FLPACKER posted:
Based on everything MLF said in his pressers (sad to say but I watch every one), seems like Barry was his choice based on his "energy" and "enthusiasm".
FWIW I used up a lot of energy enthusiastically screaming at the product he trotted out.
@FLPACKER posted:Based on everything MLF said in his pressers (sad to say but I watch every one), seems like Barry was his choice based on his "energy" and "enthusiasm". Typically when you replace someone, in any profession, the replacement gets the job because their strength is their predecessor's weakness (or perceived weakness). However, you had better be careful for what you wish for .... Pettine had top 10 defenses with three different teams....the guy can coach.
Agreed. The enthusiasm thing is way overblown at the professional level. They are well beyond the "go out there and beat our cross-town high school pep talks."
I think the qualities that make people succeed in leadership positions are developing a culture of accountability, competence in your role, consistency in dealing with problems that arise, and empathy to understand how to get the most out of your employees.
If someone blows assignments or isn't putting in the time and effort to optimize doing their job, by all means you call them out (TE coach with Sternberger).
You know who the best motivator the Packers have had this venture is? Charles Woodson. He was a superstar so that obviously gave him some gravitas, but it was the stories you hear about the talks and the leadership. Not a lot of screaming or yelling, just clear, authoritative leadership. There's a story about Mason Crosby's career being saved by Woodson talking to him.
I'm sure he could do the rah-rah stuff when he needed to, but you need Woodson-like leadership (or maybe Reggie White in the 90s), not Rex Ryan-type screaming.
https://www.espn.com/blog/gree...out-of-2012-tailspin
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Kevin King plays so far off the LOS to prevent from getting beat deep.
@Henry posted:
I was just coming here to post this picture.
Shared that one.
Inside linebackers don't exist on this team.
@Henry posted:Inside linebackers don't exist on this team.
The writer for theathletic.com definitely noticed them, and not in a good way.
Definitely worth the relatively cheap subscription for the writing in the theathletic
https://theathletic.com/282514...wout-loss-to-saints/
Campbell’s rough debut
The Packers hoped Campbell wouldn’t be like the washed-up middle linebackers they’ve signed in recent years. Their hope might be for naught, however, if the two plays below (first four screenshots are one play, second two are another) are any indication. I understand covering Kamara in space is one of the hardest things for a linebacker to do, but to make a linebacker look this silly?
So if a current (or recent) MLB yelled to LaFluer on the sideline right before a play, what would they be telling him to watch?
There is wide sentiment that this FO has no idea how to draft defense. And that it's been that way for at least a decade.
@PackerHawk posted:So if a current (or recent) MLB yelled to LaFluer on the sideline right before a play, what would they be telling him to watch?
“Who am I covering again?”
If it was Kirksey - "Get a stretcher ready for me!"
I don’t blame Barry for last week. Offense ran 15 plays to 39 for NO in the 1st half in Florida in the afternoon in week 1 when the starting defense hadn’t run more than a series in pre season. They were gassed by the beginning of the 2nd qtr. Starting offense didn’t play 1 preseason series together. This was destined to look like a clown show.
They’ll boat race Detroit
I blame everybody for that debacle last week. That "performance" was the worst I've seen the Packers to open the season since the 80's
practice/preseason vs regular season - reality can really bitch slap ya
@Boris posted:I blame everybody for that debacle last week. That "performance" was the worst I've seen the Packers to open the season since the 80's
26-0 loss to the Bears and Sexy Rexy in 2006 was probably worse.
I find that most successful organizations really start to evaluate their talent around the second game of the regular season. It must be that new scheme where ILB have the flexibility to be able to play OLB as well. Oh wait, they can't even play ILB. Whoopsie!
Linebackers, anyone?
I've heard the Green Bay Packers were working the phones early in the week to get some linebacker help for their defense following the 38-3 drubbing by the Saints. Green Bay (obviously) didn't get much in the way of help, though, as teams who may have been willing to part with linebackers two weeks ago didn't want to do it now that the season has begun and injuries have already taken place.
@PackerHawk posted:So if a current (or recent) MLB yelled to LaFluer on the sideline right before a play, what would they be telling him to watch?
1. I think they are going to throw this to the guy Kevin King is covering.
2. So you expect me to cover Alvin Kamara one on one? The Saints are laughing at me.
There are definitely holes on this defense and it’s going to get worse if Z is out for an extended period of time.
Then again, it’s not like our WRs looked very good either getting separation and making plays.
Any chance we could play Detroit like the next 16 games?
I got a feeling the Detoilet Loins are going to score more than 20 pts.
The way GB looked last Sunday I’m not taking any team for granted at this point.
While it's important to not have glaring weaknesses at any position (say, inside linebacker), the great teams are usually cumulatively stronger than other teams at 4 positions: QB, LT, Edge rusher, CB#1.
Last year, the Packers had the best QB, the best LT, a top 3 CB#1, and a good edge rusher.
This year, they will be playing without Bakhtiari and Z. Smith for at least the next month. Jenkins is good enough to get by with at LT, but you don't lose a Hall of Fame level LT and a multiple-time Pro Bowler at edge rusher and not have it affect you.
I think the offensive line issues will get better even without Bakh as the young guys get more reps. Unless Gary emerges as a great player, they don't have a pass rush. But if you don't have any threat of a pass rush even guys like J. Winston, J. Goff, and Cousins can make you look bad.
Staying in the playoff hunt is going to come down to whether someone like Gary or P. Smith can win 1x1 matchups in the passing game or whether Barry can manufacture pressure by blitz schemes or stunting. I'm not holding my breath on that second part.
In addition to having better players at those 4 positions, those players have to play well in the biggest games. Going back to NFCC game, AR played fairly well, Bak didn't play, Alexander played well, and Z Smith was a non factor. IF; AR didn't throw the one pick, Bak played, and Z had 2 sacks, we probably win that game.
@FLPACKER posted:In addition to having better players at those 4 positions, those players have to play well in the biggest games. Going back to NFCC game, AR played fairly well, Bak didn't play, Alexander played well, and Z Smith was a non factor. IF; AR didn't throw the one pick, Bak played, and Z had 2 sacks, we probably win that game.
I think if Bak played they win that game. Pettine's schemes worked very well. THey didn't need Z. Smith to be a factor. The Bucs had 4 TD drives.
1. King mistimes his jump on a third-down on a pass to Mike Evans. Bucs get 7 instead of 3.
2. Savage gets outjumped on a 50-yard lob on third and long. Bucs score on next play.
3. King gets toasted right before the half. Bucs get 7 instead of 3 or 0.
4. Defense gives up a 1 play, 8 yard drive after the Jones fumble.
Of course, the braintrust decided that they needed to fire the guy that put his players in place to make those plays and resign Kevin King.
While some feel Barry was a shit hire, he's only been DC for two games. It takes time for teams to pick up what he's trying to get done. Same thing was going to happen if they got Leonhard...and assuredly if there were similar results, people would be screaming "we hired a college coordinator!!!"
Not saying Barry is going to be the 2nd coming of Buddy Ryan, but cut him some slack.
King made mistakes in Bald Man's system...and he was in it for 3 years. It just looks worse now because he's the same meathead he always was...and he knows less of what's going on.
Hopefully going forward, they will give Stokes more reps...if he makes mistakes, which he will, they will be rookie mistakes.
The pass rush with 4 is shit because of 3 reasons...no Z, Lowry and Lancaster. The Double L's are, and always have been the consummate chicken shit into chicken salad. Z will be back in hopefully 3 weeks...but the L's we are stuck with. So that means Barry needs to come up with creative ways to get push in the middle...
This squad could well start the season 1-3...but could also be 3-1.
Patience...
@Chongo posted:This squad could well start the season 1-3...but could also be 3-1.
Patience...
I'll be happy with 2-2. The goal should be to win the North to ensure a spot at the dance and continuously improve the defense along the way. That's a little disappointing coming off a season where I thought we could win the Lombardi.
We're not going to be hosting the NFCC game this year but IF the D can catch fire at the right time, we have a chance to go on a 3 game winning streak to end the season.
Interesting conversation with NFL Insider Ross Tucker and The Fan in Milwaukee with Gary Ellerson and Leroy Butler. They read him this quote from MLF last night:
LaFleur said that he told defensive coordinator Joe Barry to either play coverage or get after the quarterback because playing man and sending just four in the first half wasn't creating any pressure. Barry started to bring pressure more in the second half and it helped.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) September 21, 2021
Tucker was somewhat shocked by the quote but said that is consistent with what's heard around the NFL about LaFleur and his being overly involved in the defensive side of the football. Essentially that it's well known MLF is a micromanager of his coaches and if he had said that to Pettine, Pettine would have told him to go pound sand. Then both hosts said they also heard this was something known about LaFleur and that's a key reason Pettine had no interest in re-signing with the Packers.
Then they eluded to perhaps that's a reason Leonhard may have turned down the DC position.
Anyway, take it for what it's worth but some interesting takes for sure.
Well, perhaps if they were to produce some results then they wouldn't get micro managed?
We were all thinking the same thing at the start of the game. The entire country was thinking it after the 1st couple drives save for Barry who had to be told.
