Steve, I agree that KC did a great job. It sure would have been great to have better receivers. Your point is well taken. But Let’s keep in mind that the cap coffers were pretty much empty in GB. I would have loved lots of great FA’s but we could barely fund the players we have.
The Jets hire Todd Downing as passing game coordinator.
"Notably, Downing spent three seasons in Oakland with Derek Carr, who is a possible quarterback target for the Jets. Downing spent two seasons as Carr’s quarterbacks coach before being promoted to Oakland’s offensive coordinator role in 2017. Carr made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with Downing. Downing also spent the past four seasons alongside Ryan Tannehill, who could be a fallback option for the Jets at quarterback."
@SteveLuke posted:I am on record as saying Rodgers should have been traded a year ago and I believe even more strongly today that he needs to be gone.
That said, the fact that Mahomes targeted 9 different receivers and connected with 7 of them yesterday is, in my opinion, more of an indictment of a front office that has failed to add talent at TE/WR than it is of Rodgers.
In support of my position, I harken back to a SB 12 long seasons ago, one in which the winning QB targeted 10 different receivers and connected with 8 of them in a game in which that QB's team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mahomes is awesome and may well be better than Rodgers ever was, but when KC was forced to move on from Tyreek Hill last offseason for cap reasons it did not just rely upon rookie WRs and a long washed veteran nobody like Green Bay did.
And the Chiefs added 3 legitimate, veteran as well as a 2nd round WR despite the fact it had a hall of fame TE. Meanwhile, the Pack invited back a limited overachiever coming off an ACL to man the TE spot.
Rodgers deserves blame for a lot of different tings, but going into a season with a collection of JAGs or worse at TE, Alan Lazard as the #1 WR, Sammy Watkins, and Amari Rodgers is the responsibility of the guy who neglected to add talent at WR & TE for so many years not the QB.
So you think the fault in the Packers’ shortcoming of recent years falls squarely on the FRONT OFFICE. Hmmm, interesting take. Haven’t really heard that one before.
@Pikes Peak posted:Both?
Rodgers says thats above his pay grade.
Better get ready
Gonna see the light
Love, Love is the answer, ooh-ooh
And that's alright
From today's Wilde & Tausch radio program.
11AM: Let The Love Era Begin?
Those guys talk a lot but don’t say much. That’s sports radio.
Actually, that's the definition of sports talk radio. 
I'm sure he's beyond excited.
As we await Aaron Rodgers decision, Jordan Love’s QB coach Steve Calhoun told me Love’s main focus is becoming Packers starting QB.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 7, 2023
Love began offseason training yesterday w/ @ArmedDangerQBS in OC. 65 throws, refining footwork, mechanics & Matt LaFleur personal improvement notes
It will be a breath of fresh air with a QB who's excited to get into camp and play. Now, all we need Love to do to be perfect is gather all the WRs at his home for workouts...
@GreenBayLA posted:Those guys talk a lot but don’t say much. That’s sports radio.
Terrible show.
Here’s a glimpse of #Packers QB Jordan Love’s offseason workout as he prepares for year 4 in the NFL. @jordan3love
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) March 8, 2023
(📹: Armeddangerous/IG) pic.twitter.com/QCvlLzwJrO
I don't know what kind of career this kid will have, but not unlike at the end of the Favre era, it's just nice to see a player at the most important position in the game making real effort to get better in the offseason. Pretty hard not to be excited about that.
Hard to tell where Martz is on the marbles scale these days. Is he still packin' or did some get away?
@packerboi posted:I don't know what kind of career this kid will have, but not unlike at the end of the Favre era, it's just nice to see a player at the most important position in the game making real effort to get better in the offseason. Pretty hard not to be excited about that.
I think the Jets are about to have one hell of a motivated starting QB. Unfortunately, the Packers haven’t had that in a decade. Yes, I know it is a controversial statement, but I have high expectations for my QBs, and it starts and ends with the way Peyton and Brady handled their off-seasons. The game just meant so much more to those 2 than it has meant to Rodgers.
I hope Love never loses that desire to keep learning and developing.
@DH13 posted:Hard to tell where Martz is on the marbles scale these days. Is he still packin' or did some get away?
Martz' offense is more sustainable these days than it was 25 years ago. He was also a little crazy in that the whole idea was to spread the field, send as many guys out into routes as possible, and assume the QB would get lit up a lot when pass rushers broke free (because almost all the OL were on islands). Kurt Warner went from being a 2 time MVP to almost unplayable for a 5-6 year stretch, mainly because he had the equivalent of PTSD from all the hits he took. To his credit, Warner overcame that and was again a great QB in Phoenix at the end of his career.
Now that you can't tackle the QB low, can't hit them in the head, and can't drive them into the ground or land on them, his offense is a great fit for the new rules.
@packerboi posted:I don't know what kind of career this kid will have, but not unlike at the end of the Favre era, it's just nice to see a player at the most important position in the game making real effort to get better in the offseason. Pretty hard not to bande excited about that.p
Yes, instead of partaking of psychedelics in the jungles of Peru, or meeting with the da lai Lama, expounding on the virtues of a ghee cleanse, or getting tattoos to match those of a witch girlfriend. He didn't seem that interested in his profession during the offseason.
@RochNyFan posted:Yes, instead of partaking of psychedelics in the jungles of Peru, or meeting with the da lai Lama, expounding on the virtues of a ghee cleanse, or getting tattoos to match those of a witch girlfriend. He didn't seem that interested in his profession during the offseason.
How does his personal life affect you?
@packerboi posted:I don't know what kind of career this kid will have, but not unlike at the end of the Favre era, it's just nice to see a player at the most important position in the game making real effort to get better in the offseason. Pretty hard not to be excited about that.
And if he works out they can begin pouring the foundation of that Packer QB HOF wing in Canton. One HOF QB every 40 - 60 years - ok. Three HOF QBs in 60 years with 2 of them in the last 30, that is exceptional. Three consecutive HOF QBs - they better get busy. They are already behind schedule.
With Rodgers (TOG 2.0) out of the way, and Love about to take the reins, the next question to spend our computer space on is which baby born in the recent few years is our next HOF QB? Should we have a thread for that?
@R MaN posted:How does his personal life affect you?
Doesn't affect me at all and I don't think I implied that it did. I just think he seemed less committed to his craft than he was to his "spiritual" journey. These guys make an insane amount of money and the most successful make it a year-round job. He didn't want to take time to work with a new wr group during voluntary workouts last year...not exactly the commitment you seek from the highest paid member and leader of the team. His lax attitude showed in his play last year.
@RochNyFan posted:Doesn't affect me at all and I don't think I implied that it did. I just think he seemed less committed to his craft than he was to his "spiritual" journey. These guys make an insane amount of money and the most successful make it a year-round job. He didn't want to take time to work with a new wr group during voluntary workouts last year...not exactly the commitment you seek from the highest paid member and leader of the team. His lax attitude showed in his play last year.
Yes, instead of partaking of psychedelics in the jungles of Peru, or meeting with the da lai Lama, expounding on the virtues of a ghee cleanse, or getting tattoos to match those of a witch girlfriend. He didn't seem that interested in his profession during the offseason.
All of that could have been omitted in my opinion. I’m not trying to be confrontational.
@RochNyFan posted:He didn't want to take time to work with a new wr group during voluntary workouts last year...not exactly the commitment you seek from the highest paid member and leader of the team. His lax attitude showed in his play last year.
OTAs are NOT where they install the offense. Not having Rodgers there is a bonus because the coaches can concentrate the majority of their time working on Love’s development skills such as footwork and mechanics.
@vitaflo posted:Here’s a glimpse of #Packers QB Jordan Love’s offseason workout as he prepares for year 4 in the NFL. @jordan3love
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) March 8, 2023
(📹: Armeddangerous/IG) pic.twitter.com/QCvlLzwJrO
Not that this means anything, but the most stark contrast I see with Love is how different it is to have a QB that doesn't look like he's wearing concrete boots. He has very smooth movements and makes things look effortless.
Granted, he has no pads on, nor a pass rush in his face, but it's just a start difference from 39-year-old Rodgers. He actually looks smoother and more polished than any of the combine guys I've seen this year. But imagine that...24 years old and 3 years as a pro...
10 years younger then Stetson Bennett too
@Chongo posted:He actually looks smoother and more polished than any of the combine guys I've seen this year. But imagine that...24 years old and 3 years as a pro...
In MLF's offense, Love is not going to be asked to be All-World and play out of his mind. This offense may look boring at times, but the Shanahan style offense that the Packers run doesn't require a HOF QB to make it work.
I think priority 1 will be to surround Love with as much talent as they can and that starts with a solid OL and a good running game. Aside from Center, the Packers are pretty much there now. Bakh looked very much like himself the 2nd half of the season and so did Jenkins. They know what they have with Jones and Dillon.
Love is athletic enough that I think you will see him scrambling for 1st downs here and there and keeping defenses honest. Something a 40 year old Rodgers just can't do anymore.
Much less hero ball, many more high percentage throws and taking what the defense gives you. That alone will be a breath of fresh air
Jordan Love doesn't get nearly enough credit for just being a complete pro throughout this entire Rodgers/Packers saga. Came in as a first round pick behind a HOF quarterback, never complained, never created any issues, just worked his ass off. Complete class all the way.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) March 8, 2023
Agree completely.
@packerboi posted:In MLF's offense, Love is not going to be asked to be All-World and play out of his mind. This offense may look boring at times, but the Shanahan style offense that the Packers run doesn't require a HOF QB to make it work.
I think priority 1 will be to surround Love with as much talent as they can and that starts with a solid OL and a good running game. Aside from Center, the Packers are pretty much there now. Bakh looked very much like himself the 2nd half of the season and so did Jenkins. They know what they have with Jones and Dillon.
Love is athletic enough that I think you will see him scrambling for 1st downs here and there and keeping defenses honest. Something a 40 year old Rodgers just can't do anymore.
Much less hero ball, many more high percentage throws and taking what the defense gives you. That alone will be a breath of fresh air
They have to invest draft capital or in free agency at the TE position. Maybe DeGuara will look better in what will be fully MLF's offense, but I don't think he's more than average at best. Having a TE that can actually scare someone in the passing game will make the WRs look much better.
I have low expectations for a first year starter...even one as seasoned as 10. Playing well in a game here and there is different from being QB1 when teams have film to prepare for you and learn your tendencies.
Packers need weapons...I've said that for a while. This offense works well when you've got weapons...look at the 49ers and 2021 Rams as evidence. 9 has potential to be a superstar. Doubs the jury is out, but has shown promise. Lazard is what he is...solid vet, will never be a difference maker. 33 is at least as good as McCaffrey...probably the best weapon we have. That is where the real weapons talk ends. We don't have one NFL quality pass-catching TE...for whatever reason. I am not saying we need George Kittle or Travis Kelce 2.0...but Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews or Tyler Higbee isn't a big ask. We cannot effectively run 12 personnel (2 TE, 2 WR, 1 RB for those unfamiliar) with the TE we have.
If 10 is indeed QB1, 9 wins is a realistic expectation...anything above that is gravy. But Gute needs to throw some higher round draft capital at offensive skill players...not saying if you have the chance to get a defensive difference-maker you pass to take a weapon, but the data shows defense has been the priority since he took over.
@Herschel posted:OTAs are NOT where they install the offense. Not having Rodgers there is a bonus because the coaches can concentrate the majority of their time working on Love’s development skills such as footwork and mechanics.
Did you forget the sarcasm emoji ?
@Herschel posted:OTAs are NOT where they install the offense. Not having Rodgers there is a bonus because the coaches can concentrate the majority of their time working on Love’s development skills such as footwork and mechanics.
That's your opinion and rong at that. Super Bowl winning QB Patrick Mahomes would disagree with you.
@Chongo posted:.Packers need weapons...I've said that for a while. This offense works well when you've got weapons...look at the 49ers and 2021 Rams as evidence. 9 has potential to be a superstar. Doubs the jury is out, but has shown promise. Lazard is what he is...solid vet, will never be a difference maker. 33 is at least as good as McCaffrey...probably the best weapon we have. That is where the real weapons talk ends. We don't have one NFL quality pass-catching TE...for whatever reason. I am not saying we need George Kittle or Travis Kelce 2.0...but Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews or Tyler Higbee isn't a big ask. We cannot effectively run 12 personnel (2 TE, 2 WR, 1 RB for those unfamiliar) with the TE we have.
Christian Watson, so long as he stays healthy, will be awfully good in this offense. Kids a burner who can absolutely stretch the field.
Absolutely, they need a total overhaul at TE. And they need a real slot WR.
Let's get back to the pre-snap motions, the jet sweeps, and a lot of the stuff we saw when MLF arrived.
Not gonna happen but Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Kincaid or Washington would shift this offense into the next gear.
@packerboi posted:Absolutely, they need a total overhaul at TE. And they need a real slot WR.
MLF wants a large stout Lazard/Deebo sized dude in the slot - he does not want a jitterbug in that role. He will use Watson, Bo Melton and others in the jet sweep role, but the slot WR has to be able to handle some dirty work and he has to be able to swat away the annoying little DBs
@Herschel posted:OTAs are NOT where they install the offense. Not having Rodgers there is a bonus because the coaches can concentrate the majority of their time working on Love’s development skills such as footwork and mechanics.
In hindsight Rodgers actually did Love a lot of favors last year. Brushing off OTA's gave Love more time with the 1's in practice. Not playing in the preseason at all gave Love more playing time. Rodgers being injured meant Love practiced the gameplan with the 1's almost every week while AR rested his thumb. Rodgers also gave Love the task of teaching the WR's his hand signals last year.
Easy to dog on Rodgers, but all of this certainly benefited Love. I'd actually say it did so much that it helped prove to the Packers that Love was ready.
If he really wanted to help Love he would have sat a game or 2 to allow his thumb to heal a bit.
True. I think that would have helped Love, the Packers, and Rodgers himself.
@ammo posted:That's your opinion and rong at that. Super Bowl winning QB Patrick Mahomes would disagree with you.
Except it’s not my opinion, it’s what OTAs are, especially for rookies. It’s a lot of mundane stuff. They also talked about it back when Favre was(n’t) around it gave them more time to work with Rodgers, time backups don’t get in camp and especially during the season..