The official Optimist's thread

Well the defense had its first bad game, so this game might not mean a whole lot for that side of the ball,  especially when we get our starting corners back. I fully expect the defense to bounce back and be okay.

On offense, Tight End was MM's listed spot this offseason to open things up, and it was starting to look that way when Cook went down. Getting him back will be big. 

Ditto getting the rookie running back (or anyone) on the field to spell Eddie Lacy and be a 3rd down back. 

More than anything, it is all about getting AR12 back, and the importance of Cook (and getting Jordy back in football shape) will go a really long way towards that. He needs those security blankets, and success breeds success with him. He just needs to find some, which he will, it is just slower in coming than we all hoped.

Rodgers isn't done. It is a slump. He can beat this and I fully expect he will.

I actually think the D at times was pretty good.  When they failed, it's easy to point at great depth that has been not only depleted but shredded.

For the O.  

I can't.  I just can't.  I have been an optimist for a long time through thick and thin... but right now... 

just no.

Get your **** together 12 and MM. 

My glass half full...

If #12 does turn it on again, we finally have a D that can keep teams under 50 points.

Team has really been a mess ever since the Seattle choke. MM's shelf life has expired and some new thinking is required. My optimism is very limited without a change.

Great week to over come a bad game.  CYA Thursday.

RatPack posted:

Great week to over come a bad game.  CYA Thursday.

Yup, we never lose to the Bears in Lambeau

Pikes Peak posted:

RatPack posted:

Great week to over come a bad game.  CYA Thursday.

Yup, we never lose to the Bears in Lambeau

kinda like we never lose wearing those horrible retro uniforms, right??  I'm still not over it.  I keep thinking of Tiger's slump.....HE'S STILL IN IT.   I'm still not over that either, and it's pretty sad when I woke up this morning thinking about the game.  Ugh.......I won't last this season if they don't get better.    

Those of you have know me for a long time around here I am very optimistic person when it comes to the Packers.  But, I will admit that optimism is being tested this year.  Anyhow my reasons to be optimistic:

I also think that the NFC will be pretty even by the end of the season.  No way the Vikings continue this run and I also think the Cowboys will be beaten a couple more times. 

The OL to me has done a awesome job.  AR usually gets a pretty decent amount of time and Eddie has holes to run through.   but the receivers have to start catching the ball and I don't think this is all on Aaron.

The defense will be fine when the secondary gets healthy, ILB is way better than it has been, and even with the injuries and the other problems the D has had they are still extremely aggressive.

And mark my words at some point this season (and maybe more than once) we will be thankful we have Mason Crosby. 

michiganjoe posted:

Team has really been a mess ever since the Seattle choke. MM's shelf life has expired and some new thinking is required. My optimism is very limited without a change.

Great contribution to a thread about optimism.

Here's some optimism: when Rodgers finally gets over his slump, it's going to be brutal for the rest of the league. He's going to have 2 whole seasons worth of people badgering him about what's wrong with the offense and people doubting him...hopefully he explodes in the playoffs.

The Heckler posted:

Those of you have know me for a long time around here I am very optimistic person when it comes to the Packers.  But, I will admit that optimism is being tested this year.  Anyhow my reasons to be optimistic:

I also think that the NFC will be pretty even by the end of the season.  No way the Vikings continue this run and I also think the Cowboys will be beaten a couple more times. 

The OL to me has done a awesome job.  AR usually gets a pretty decent amount of time and Eddie has holes to run through.   but the receivers have to start catching the ball and I don't think this is all on Aaron.

The defense will be fine when the secondary gets healthy, ILB is way better than it has been, and even with the injuries and the other problems the D has had they are still extremely aggressive.

And mark my words at some point this season (and maybe more than once) we will be thankful we have Mason Crosby. 

 

 

 

There's a story by Pete Dougherty in the JS on why he's getting so much time and it suggests it isn't because of the OL's prowess. AR used to absolutely torch the blitz. Teams have figured that out and are dropping 7 and 8 defenders into coverage. That's why the WR's can't get open even with all that time.  They also ran into a team yesterday that exposed the fact that the Packers defense feasted off of average OL's and RB's. So the hiccuping offense couldn't be saved by the D.

Dougherty gives the credit to Ben McAdoo but teams were doing this to the Packers last year. It was all attributed to Jordy Nelson's absence. That's proven not to be the case. They may have finally figured it out somewhat yesterday but by then the Cowboys were leaving the short stuff open and Montgomery got a lot of Monopoly Money yards. 

 Our GM may have to change some strategy too. Don't overpay. But don't overdue the younger player act either. Some of these guys aren't found gems. They're just bad players. Frankly, the Cowboys have more talent. The Patriots do whatever they have to do to get it.

Jordy is on the field but I would argue that he is not (yet) the Jordy of 2 years ago.  He may become that Jordy but the eyes don't lie.

Sorry, I'm busy eating crow and it tastes like ****. Optimists elude me right now. This slide feels different. I've been really wrong on the assessment of this team. I lack self worth right now. When is the MLB draft?

Talant is not the problem.  That means it all can be fixed.  

Lovie Smith did this for years (dropping extra guys into coverage) and the Bears gave GB more trouble than most.  The counter?  RTFB and then you have an opportunity to soften up the pass D but that hasn't happened because Lacy has been hurt and Starks has been ineffective. 

Next to Monty I thought Lacy was a bright spot but dude needs to get 100%.  I also think TT needs to make a roster move because the Monty and Cobb backfield plays are pure stupidity and throw away plays. 

Time to turn this ship around but it's got to happen sooner than later.  In a way I am glad they play again Thursday as there is no time for self pity.  Make some adjustments (hear that Mike?) and let's get it rolling again. 

Va. Packer posted:

The Heckler posted:

Those of you have know me for a long time around here I am very optimistic person when it comes to the Packers.  But, I will admit that optimism is being tested this year.  Anyhow my reasons to be optimistic:

I also think that the NFC will be pretty even by the end of the season.  No way the Vikings continue this run and I also think the Cowboys will be beaten a couple more times. 

The OL to me has done a awesome job.  AR usually gets a pretty decent amount of time and Eddie has holes to run through.   but the receivers have to start catching the ball and I don't think this is all on Aaron.

The defense will be fine when the secondary gets healthy, ILB is way better than it has been, and even with the injuries and the other problems the D has had they are still extremely aggressive.

And mark my words at some point this season (and maybe more than once) we will be thankful we have Mason Crosby. 

 

 

 

There's a story by Pete Dougherty in the JS on why he's getting so much time and it suggests it isn't because of the OL's prowess. AR used to absolutely torch the blitz. Teams have figured that out and are dropping 7 and 8 defenders into coverage. That's why the WR's can't get open even with all that time.  They also ran into a team yesterday that exposed the fact that the Packers defense feasted off of average OL's and RB's. So the hiccuping offense couldn't be saved by the D.

Dougherty gives the credit to Ben McAdoo but teams were doing this to the Packers last year. It was all attributed to Jordy Nelson's absence. That's proven not to be the case. They may have finally figured it out somewhat yesterday but by then the Cowboys were leaving the short stuff open and Montgomery got a lot of Monopoly Money yards. 

 Our GM may have to change some strategy too. Don't overpay. But don't overdue the younger player act either. Some of these guys aren't found gems. They're just bad players. Frankly, the Cowboys have more talent. The Patriots do whatever they have to do to get it.

 

I will definitely have to read that article I have heard about it but I need to check it out.  I can see how teams would take that tactic because it will keep them from getting open and it could reduce the yards after the catch which has always been one thing the Packers were really good at. 

Not entirely sure I agree that Dallas has better talent though.  On the OL absolutely and is WAY better at RB no doubt but besides that I could argue if the Packers had their entire team on the field they match up really well. 

But, doesn't matter to me now I have moved on to Bears week!!

MM did a post game with Larry McCarren. There was a hint from MM that maybe he wasn't simply going to look at the film and get that thing fixed. That's encouraging. I think. 

Optimism?

4 TO's - Nelson fumble. Rodgers fumble. Montgomery fumble. Rodgers interception. Rodgers overthrows Cobb. Rodgers throws Adams into a concussion. Correctable issues.

Top 3 CBs out for the game.

Green Bays 2 L's are against a 5-0 MIN and a 5-1 DAL. And they played like crap in both of those games.

El-Ka-Bong posted:

Talant is not the problem.  That means it all can be fixed.  

Bingo, talant  is not the prob, talent could be tho

Nope, skale of talant is leaning on the positive side.  Only an idot would say otherwise.  

The Vikings are a Bradford injury away from mediocrity again.

The Packers can't seen to shake the injury bug. Year after year. Maybe time to look at the strength and conditioning regimen?

Positives? They can probably go 10-6 and catch a favorable wild-card path. If they can get and stay healthy they could make a run.

Packers were more than healthy enough in 14.  AR had a bad calf but again, injuries weren't what made them collapse in SEA.

Pikes Peak posted:

RatPack posted:

Great week to over come a bad game.  CYA Thursday.

Yup, we never lose to the Bears in Lambeau

Is Favre going to be in town through Thu?

The QB position is such a huge contribution to a team's success.  My guess is:

1)Rodgers absolutely must return to some semblance of his former self.

2)Receivers have to get more separation.

3)The offensive scheme needs to more utilize "take what the defense gives" such as the many dumps to Montgomery and less the higher risk long passing approach.

So much rides on #1, of course.

I lived through the 80's

70's and 80's

me too.  Gotta love the Randy Wright-Jeff Query combo!

Hungry5 posted:

 

Green Bays 2 L's are against a 5-0 MIN and a 5-1 DAL. And they played like crap in both of those games.

That's the concern, regardless of who they were beaten by. Heck, if the offense plays even decent they win in Minnesota as the defense was nails that game. 

Dallas o-line aside, the defensive front has played very well otherwise, though, and if the offense can get off the schneid, the team can make a serious run. 

Hungry5 posted:

70's and 80's

Time to get in 70's and 80's mode as a fan. Just watch the game and hope they can pull one out once in awhile.

With great optimism comes great deniability.  I'm not giving up yet...

and its sunny out this afternoon to boot.

Pull one out once in a while is the prequel to cheaper by the dozen.

I'm currently conducting experiments to decide which to root for more, based on higher probability of success:

A. Packers win

B. Vikings loss

3. All of the above.

That wasn't an option.  Get out of my lab!

Failed experiment.

When experiments have poor ecological validity...

A. Packers win and the Vikings situation takes care of itself. 

Playoffs??!?!?! PLAYOFFS??????

I'M JUST TRYING TO WIN A GAME! 

Let's start with Thursday. Because lose that game & optimistic views will be dead.

I'm optimistic Crosby will kick a FG. YAY!