LaFleur Officially Takes Over (2023)

@fightphoe93 posted:

And Blair Kiel’s team too, the late QB, not our friendly fellow X4 poster 😀.

That 1990 team wasn’t half bad until Majik went down with the rotator cuff injury.  Then the season quickly turned into a nightmare.  The lowlight of that bad offensive stretch in ‘90 was the Tony Mandarich/Reggie White matchup when we played the Eagles.  Mandarich was dominated so badly, his career completely fell apart and he became known as “The Incredible Bust”.

If you mention me and Majik in the same post…you get a picture of me and Majik. 😀

..and our only child.

@MichiganPacker posted:

Reggie threw guys around that were a lot better than Mandarich. Look at these clips. Larry Allen was one of the best offensive lineman of all time and Reggie threw him around like he was a rag doll.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Aj2PDfGwmWw

The very first play shown in that link was what I called the "God Healed Me!" game.
IIRC, he was already playing with a bad biceps injury, and horribly strained, if not outright tore, a hammy at the end of that season.
He sat out the last game of the season, and we had to go to DallAss for the first round of playoffs the following week.
He proclaimed that God had healed him, and later clarified by saying what he meant was God had healed him sufficiently to play in that game.

So here's Reggie, essentially playing on one leg, with only 1 arm, lifting a 350-plus(?) pound man INTO THE AIR!
It remains the absolute damndest thing I've ever seen in football, before or since.

Best thing about this Carter play was him standing up and glaring at Reggie like someone stole his firstborn. 😆

There are obviously great athletes in the NFL these days, and the average athleticism is only improving as the years go by. However, outside of maybe Aaron Donald, the best defensive players I've seen in my lifetime played were concentrated in a time period from the mid-80s to the mid-90s. That's not discounting what guys like Deacon Jones, Dick Butkus, or some of those other guys in the 60s and 70s did, but they weren't on the same level. I really put three of them on that level - guys that were good enough to lift entire defenses to another level.

Despite the fact that he was about as physical as Darnell Savage and he was an unbearable self-promoter, Deion Sanders was the best cover corner I've ever seen and probably the fastest player on a football field I've ever watched (I'd have liked to see a foot race between Bo Jackson and Deion in their primes). It might be an  urban myth, but he was rumored to be able to run about a 4.6/4.7 backpedalling (that might be an exaggeration, but it wouldn't shock me). His best 40 time was supposedly 4.21. His ability to change direction was just as good. The Niners won a title after the 94 season with Deion on the team and when he went to Dallas the next season that was a big reason the Cowboys overcome the Niners to win their last title. And Deion wasn't even a full-time football player during his prime. He was also a really good baseball player.

Reggie is one of the two best defensive players I've ever seen. JJ Watt was a beast for a 3-4 year period in the 2010s. Watt was 6'5", 290, and ran a 4.8 40. He was unblockable for that short period, but he wasn't Reggie. Reggie was about 15-20 pounds heavier (mostly muscle) and ran a 4.6. Reggie was bigger, faster, and probably strong than Watt and held that peak for about 15 years.

The only guy close to White was Lawrence Taylor. That guy was a physical freak. And while Reggie White played hard all the time and intimidated almost everybody, the only difference was that Taylor did all that and was also bat-shit crazy. I'd rather have Reggie White as a teammate. Also, a lot of opponents probably were worried that he could kill them if Reggie had wanted to, but Reggie was obviously a nice guy off the field. In Taylor's case, opponents were probably actually worried that Taylor was going to actually kill them (or have them end up like Joe Theismann).

@Blair Kiel posted:

..and our only child.

The unabashed Cubs fan.

I wonder how much of the play calling has to do with the youth on this team.  They aren’t doing much in the way of audibles.  Is that because most of the players don’t fully understand?  Are the blocking schemes too simplistic?  Are the routes too basic?  In a way I hope that’s the case because that would mean they should improve as the season goes on.  

If it’s just that MLF is not a good play caller that could mean years of frustrating losses.  Given his overall record, I don’t think he’d be fired anytime soon.

I tend to think he's calling more complicated stuff that the youth on O can't execute yet. I'd like to see him simplify the game. Call things they can do well and add variations on that to give different looks. Give Love a couple of audibles and teach him which to use when -- don't lock him into a play that is doomed. Some RPO would be good, as would more short, quick throws, and medium throws. Give him some confidence instead of all these deep shots where he's a) getting killed by the rush, b) where the WRs are having trouble adjusting to the ball and getting into better positions to catch it, and c) where everyone can have some success.

You can always add in more complexity as the kids pick it up.

You cannot be locked into any ONE play - that's just doomed for failure at the NFL level.

@CUPackFan already posted some stuff about that.

Again.... Not putting the players in the best position to succeed setting them up for failure

One of the first things I was told in management was never to put a person in a position to fail. The seems simple enough until you see Peston Smith trying to cover Davante Adams.

I saw this on an inspirational poster:

you have only failed, unless you have failed to try*.

*not in this case, tho.  that had failure written all over it.

The number 1 reason I was excited for this season was Matt Lafleur. Finally getting to see his offense executed by a young, explosive team. This hasn't happened. He is looking more and more like a guy whoe offense was carried by Aaron Rodgers.

I am sure the young team is missing all kinds of assignments and making errors that would make our heads spin, but he needs to get them settled down. He needs to help them with his game plan and play calling.

@Goalline posted:

The number 1 reason I was excited for this season was Matt Lafleur. Finally getting to see his offense executed by a young, explosive team. This hasn't happened. He is looking more and more like a guy whoe offense was carried by Aaron Rodgers.

I am sure the young team is missing all kinds of assignments and making errors that would make our heads spin, but he needs to get them settled down. He needs to help them with his game plan and play calling.

Good point Goalline. I didn't think about it that way but maybe MLF was crying not because the other team was winning but because we weren't executing and missing all kinds of assignments.

@PackerRick posted:

One of the first things I was told in management was never to put a person in a position to fail. The seems simple enough until you see Peston Smith trying to cover Davante Adams.

That is the absolute truth as a manager.  Know your people and what they are good at and what they are not good at.  If we as a bunch of fans can see that its a horrid Idea to put Smith on Adams not once but I think a couple of times why can't Barry?  Ah never mind...

@Shadow posted:

Good point Goalline. I didn't think about it that way but maybe MLF was crying not because the other team was winning but because we weren't executing and missing all kinds of assignments.

Well, they also made me cry. 😊

@PackerRick posted:

One of the first things I was told in management was never to put a person in a position to fail. The seems simple enough until you see Peston Smith trying to cover Davante Adams.

And that is Barry being Barry. Even when the defense performs well, situationally he is downright awful. He basically handed the Raiders a first down on what became a TD scoring drive. Why?

Think of the playoff game against the 9ers when the defense was absolutely dominant until they had to make a stop to win the game. Then they fell apart allowing the 9ers to take a lead they never relinquished.

@Goalline posted:

The number 1 reason I was excited for this season was Matt Lafleur. Finally getting to see his offense executed by a young, explosive team. This hasn't happened. He is looking more and more like a guy whoe offense was carried by Aaron Rodgers.

I am sure the young team is missing all kinds of assignments and making errors that would make our heads spin, but he needs to get them settled down. He needs to help them with his game plan and play calling.

You know what helps young teams execute better? Not running stupid fucking plays like flea flickers and QB options runs. MLF did less of that vs the Raiders, but keeping it simple is paramount going forward.

There's a whole lotta blame to go around...MLF, youth, lack of tallant at many positions, playcalling, QB making dumb mistakes...it's never just one thing.  Every week there is a new area of failure...just like last season.

@Goalline posted:

And that is Barry being Barry. Even when the defense performs well, situationally he is downright awful. He basically handed the Raiders a first down on what became a TD scoring drive. Why?

Think of the playoff game against the 9ers when the defense was absolutely dominant until they had to make a stop to win the game. Then they fell apart allowing the 9ers to take a lead they never relinquished.

And my other Barry strategy/game from last year.  His defense took it to the Spermheads the second to last game of the year.  Then at Lambeau in the last game of the season and you win and you are in the playoffs he goes in to soft shell look a good portion of the game.   What does he do on a critical 3 and short towards the end of the game?  Has the CBs playing at least 10 yards off when they only need 2 or 3 yards to get a first down.  Shoot my old fat ass could have waddled those couple of feet to get that first down against that defense.

@The Heckler posted:

  Shoot my old fat ass could have waddled those couple of feet to get that first down against that defense.

Let's not exaggerate.

@PackerRick posted:

Let's not exaggerate.

Well I never said I would catch the ball if I manage to make it.  And I would probably pass out from lack of breath if I made it that far.

@Goalline posted:

I am sure the young team is missing all kinds of assignments and making errors that would make our heads spin, but he needs to get them settled down. He needs to help them with his game plan and play calling.

You mean..... GASP!! actually be a HEAD COACH?!??

I'm still waiting for LeFleur to FaceTime Rodgers for help

@The Heckler posted:

And my other Barry strategy/game from last year.  His defense took it to the Spermheads the second to last game of the year.  Then at Lambeau in the last game of the season and you win and you are in the playoffs he goes in to soft shell look a good portion of the game.   What does he do on a critical 3 and short towards the end of the game?  Has the CBs playing at least 10 yards off when they only need 2 or 3 yards to get a first down.  Shoot my old fat ass could have waddled those couple of feet to get that first down against that defense.

Barry plays not to lose. He sets those guys off the LOS so they don't get beat over the top for an easy TD. It's a loser's strategy, not a winner's. Barry is the epitome of "better safe than sorry."

As for your "old fat ass," well Barry would give you plenty of cushion because he would still think you might beat the DB down the field. Heck, he'd give Betty White 10 yards. My money's on you waddling for the first down. A TD? That I'm not so sure about.

@Fandame posted:

Barry plays not to lose. He sets those guys off the LOS so they don't get beat over the top for an easy TD. It's a loser's strategy, not a winner's. Barry is the epitome of "better safe than sorry."

As for your "old fat ass," well Barry would give you plenty of cushion because he would still think you might beat the DB down the field. Heck, he'd give Betty White 10 yards. My money's on you waddling for the first down. A TD? That I'm not so sure about.

Heckler yes, but I don’t think Barry should worry too much about Betty White.

Because she’s white?

Racist.

Oh, or because she’s dead.

But still.

She’s both dead and White. I suppose she’s also white.

Goddam I hate arguing with you. You are on top of things.

Hopefully just not Betty.

You should try being married to me. On second thought, don’t.

@Goalline posted:

She’s both dead and White. I suppose she’s also white.

Double minority.

@PackerRick posted:

Double minority.

For the NFL, yes. Otherwise, she’s an American double super majority:

@Goalline posted:

You should try being married to me. On second thought, don’t.

I thought your wife was the top.

Monday may have been the worst game, play calling wise, since MiLF came to GB.

@Fedya posted:

I thought your wife was the top.

I wish.

@H5 posted:

Monday may have been the worst game, play calling wise, since MiLF came to GB.

Wonder what will happen in 2 weeks?

Denver and Wilson look terrible against KC. That scares me. Wilson is under a lot of pressure and Denver's defense is actually seriously rushing the passer, making Mahomes scramble a great deal. Two things that can give the Packers lots of problems.

Get your aces in their places I was always told. That means AJ33 on the field,  and Preston91 on the Dline.

@Goalline posted:

The number 1 reason I was excited for this season was Matt Lafleur. Finally getting to see his offense executed by a young, explosive team. This hasn't happened. He is looking more and more like a guy whoe offense was carried by Aaron Rodgers.

I am sure the young team is missing all kinds of assignments and making errors that would make our heads spin, but he needs to get them settled down. He needs to help them with his game plan and play calling.

I didn't want to admit this either, but it's looking more and more like this in the case. Listening to MLF's PC after Denver loss, I hear a guy who obviously knows his football, but most likely is a good OC, but not head coach material. I've seen too much of a pattern of this team not coming out prepared week to week and this was off a bye week against a shit squad, cementing the fact in my mind that this GB team is a shit squad under MLF's leadership.

I'm disappointed. Thought MLF was a lot better than this. He clearly is not and Rodgers was carrying this entire team including the head coaching position.

Let that sink in....

For all the crap we give Joe Bury, the defense has allowed less than 20 points in almost every game except the Lyeins. They should be winning but they're not because the offensive play calling is horrendous. That falls squarely on MLF

@Tavis Smiley posted:

I didn't want to admit this either, but it's looking more and more like this in the case. Listening to MLF's PC after Denver loss, I hear a guy who obviously knows his football, but most likely is a good OC, but not head coach material. I've seen too much of a pattern of this team not coming out prepared week to week and this was off a bye week against a shit squad, cementing the fact in my mind that this GB team is a shit squad under MLF's leadership.

MLF came to GB and after a year of adjustment we saw the best years of Aaron Rodgers. I was so excited for this project. What a disaster it’s been, and the head coach seems at a loss. No freaking ideas, no clue. This is not a coach you want coaching a young team. Also not a coach you want coaching Super Bowl contenders, apparently. What’s the point?

Rodgers did better under MLF but maybe it's because Rodgers just took control which actually gave him free reign. When the results were there MLF couldn't really say too much. Maybe that's why Rodgers liked Hackett so much. They worked on a game plan for the week and then Rodgers would just change plays at the LOS and everybody that wasn't so smart looked smart. Hackett and now MLF both did poorly without Rodgers, their on the field OC.

As poorly as the Packers have played they've lost 3 games by a total of 5 points so it's been kind of a one more play thing. There are a lot of bad teams in the NFL so it wouldn't take much improvement to get rolling.

The defense has been better but seems to fail when they are needed the most. I think in all of those close losses they gave up the lead late. The biggest weakness is the OL. The run can't be established and there is no time to throw anything but the underneath stuff which is getting suffocated.