2018 Season = Philosophy Change

[McKnowledge]

I am a Packer's fan, through and through. However, more realistic than being a Homer. This season is a wash. I love the fact that all the players except Martellus Bennett, are willing to play hard and stay on task. However, I think its time for a change in team philosophy going into next season and beyond.

I am not a Ted Thompson fan. I think McCarthy can be an elite coach (he definitely IS NOT), and Capers can be a great chef with the right ingredients. Thompson has consistently under performed as a GM for several seasons now. Thompson must go after this season is over.

While I'm tempted to go into which players should stay and which players should go beyond this season, I'm going to offer my philosophy that the Green Bay Packers need to follow this season and thereafter. That philosophy is complimentary football, which currently and in the past, the Green Bay Packers have never done.

Rodgers is elite (duh). However, he's easing into his thirties, and playing the savior every damn game will ruin him. His huge payday is coming, he deserves it, he's earned it. So let's plan for that expense.

I love the playmakers we have, the receivers, the running backs, the versatile tight ends. However, none of them are dominant. None of them strikes fear into the opponent, when its the fourth quarter and plays needs to be made. 2018 Green Bay Packers need to target a RB a la Gurley, Elliott, or Lev Bell; a playmaker that not only compliments Rodgers, but can exist alone as an offensive weapon. I think the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys (yuck!) should serve as the template for the 2018 Packers and seasons after. Also, replenishing the O-Line, and actually investing more effort into the strengths of the Lineman and not their versatility would be helpful. A guy playing LT shouldn't move anywhere else. Guards are guards, tackles are tackles, centers are centers. If a Lineman is versatile and elite at playing multiple positions; bring out the gravy.

Defensively, if your front seven is not producing pressure, your not going anywhere. Stop holding onto guys well past their prime, and get with the times. Spread the wealth literally and figuratively. Pass rushers! Pass rushers! Pass rushers! At all three levels, there should be at the very least competent pass rushers. Huge contracts doesn't guarantee anything. Great evaluation and great coaching does. The Packers win and win big when they produce TO's. An effective pass rush increases your chances of forcing them. That let's Rodgers and the Juggernaut RB control the clock, extend the drive and destroy the other team.

2018 should be about spending wisely, dispassionately evaluating this current roster, letting go of the excess, and becoming a complimentary football team that is multi dimensional and doesn't rely too much on one player.

I'm tired of the complacency and just being good enough; waiting on a shot. 2018 Packers should create opportunities and not wait on one.

 

[rodell330]

Packers don’t need to change their philosophy...but what they do need is better coaches and management who can really install that philosophy.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think they just need 5 straight Super Bowls to shut us all up! That would teach us!

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

I think Aaron Jones is your elite back. I think we need to get an elite skill level TE and there might be one in the draft for us to pick up. We need the QB of the future ASAP whether it is in fact Hundley or not. Defensively, Clay Matthews is DONE! We haven't seen the monster in 5 years, Perry at times has been better and IS improving. Something inside at linebacker isn't working, but I can't tell you want. Safety is a huge concern. Fix this in the draft AFTER putting Ted out to pasture along with Dom and possibly even Mike and we'll be fine.

 

[PackerDNA]

I think they just need 5 straight Super Bowls to shut us all up! That would teach us!

I'll take it...
I still won't shut up, but I'll take it.

 

[McKnowledge]

Packers don’t need to change their philosophy...but what they do need is better coaches and management who can really install that philosophy.

So...you agree with me?

 

[Reggie White Cheese]

The days of smash mouth football are over with running backs, ie (Green, Levens, Grant) Aaron Jones is the guy for us in the future going on. But I do agree with most of your analysis. Excess, run down, middle of the road players need to go. But what has been working for Green Bay in the last.. I don't know 30 years is QUARTERBACK. Keep a good quarterback on the field that mirrors Rodgers and Favre, and it doesn't matter who else is on the field, we will have a chance at making the SUPER BOWL every year. What team can say that? But change is a coming.... I can feel it.

 

[gbgary]

Packers don’t need to change their philosophy...

i disagree. draft and develop, to build a roster, at the expense of proactive free agency and trading has to stop. ending each season in the top half of the league in unused salary cap has to stop. not doing EVERYTHING possible to win has to stop. this is the gm's job and it should be a 365 day a year job.

 

[McKnowledge]

I think Aaron Jones is your elite back. I think we need to get an elite skill level TE and there might be one in the draft for us to pick up. We need the QB of the future ASAP whether it is in fact Hundley or not. Defensively, Clay Matthews is DONE! We haven't seen the monster in 5 years, Perry at times has been better and IS improving. Something inside at linebacker isn't working, but I can't tell you want. Safety is a huge concern. Fix this in the draft AFTER putting Ted out to pasture along with Dom and possibly even Mike and we'll be fine.

I'm not sure about any of these RB's, with the exception of Montgomery. He's still converting from WR to RB, which is a huge challenge. I respect the hell out of him, he could be an elite change of pace guy. However, I really want a guy like Derrick Henry. He's a bully brawler, with deceptive speed. Any RB in that mold that can catch consistency out the backfield would be a nightmare along with AR12. I'm not sure about a QB for the future. I think having a veteran backup for at least the next three seasons would be great insurance. I'd rather have a replacement level backup than a kid just learning the system without any gametime experience. I like Hundley, I'm rooting for him. Watching him play, I would lock him up as a long term backup. HE IS NOT A STARTER!!! Clay Matthews isn't necessarily done, he is overvalued. I think if he bulked up and most importantly took a pay cut, he could be a situational DE/LB like James Harrison. I like Martinez at ILB, didn't like him last year, but he has grown considerably. Perry is solid, but only one man. Ted should go. Hold onto Capers and McCarthy, but the next GM should also have input on assistants and strength/conditioning coaches. I think McCarthy is loyal to his guys, to a fault.

 

[McKnowledge]

The days of smash mouth football are over with running backs, ie (Green, Levens, Grant) Aaron Jones is the guy for us in the future going on. But I do agree with most of your analysis. Excess, run down, middle of the road players need to go. But what has been working for Green Bay in the last.. I don't know 30 years is QUARTERBACK. Keep a good quarterback on the field that mirrors Rodgers and Favre, and it doesn't matter who else is on the field, we will have a chance at making the SUPER BOWL every year. What team can say that? But change is a coming.... I can feel it.

I agree for the most part. Green Bay is the gold standard for QB play. Since the 60's, QB is usually set. Hell even Dan "The Magic Man" balled. I like Hundley, however you bring up an interesting point. A QB that mirrors Rodgers would keep the offense in rhythm in the event of an injury. I forget the kids name (help), but the QB that got cut in preseason had some potential and some swagger to him.

 

[Reggie White Cheese]

I agree for the most part. Green Bay is the gold standard for QB play. Since the 60's, QB is usually set. Hell even Dan "The Magic Man" balled. I like Hundley, however you bring up an interesting point. A QB that mirrors Rodgers would keep the offense in rhythm in the event of an injury. I forget the kids name (help), but the QB that got cut in preseason had some potential and some swagger to him.

Taysom Hill??

I think GB should take a QB next draft say rounds 4-7 get someone to escape the pocket. Accurate arm.. And a little work to be done. (Your not getting ELITE in 4-7) Just my two cents.

 

[McKnowledge]

Taysom Hill??

I think GB should take a QB next draft say rounds 4-7 get someone to escape the pocket. Accurate arm.. And a little work to be done. (Your not getting ELITE in 4-7) Just my two cents.

I respect your two cents. Taysom Hill is the guy, he was all right. I think an elite QB can be found in the draft in any round, or hell at the supermarket off the street (i.e. Kurt Warner). I definitely agree, a QB with accuracy on the run and some moves in the pocket, can offset things. Rodgers is that guy, just without the O-Line. Could you imagine Rodgers with an elite O-Line that could protect the pass and create run lanes? Yikes!!!

 

[rodell330]

i disagree. draft and develop, to build a roster, at the expense of proactive free agency and trading has to stop. ending each season in the top half of the league in unused salary cap has to stop. not doing EVERYTHING possible to win has to stop. this is the gm's job and it should be a 365 day a year job.

What I mean is you just have to draft the players. The thing with Thompson is he usually misses on his high picks, if you find a GM who can draft young studs who can contribute right away then the system works. TT can’t draft Very well

 

[rodell330]

I'm not sure about any of these RB's, with the exception of Montgomery. He's still converting from WR to RB, which is a huge challenge. I respect the hell out of him, he could be an elite change of pace guy. However, I really want a guy like Derrick Henry. He's a bully brawler, with deceptive speed. Any RB in that mold that can catch consistency out the backfield would be a nightmare along with AR12. I'm not sure about a QB for the future. I think having a veteran backup for at least the next three seasons would be great insurance. I'd rather have a replacement level backup than a kid just learning the system without any gametime experience. I like Hundley, I'm rooting for him. Watching him play, I would lock him up as a long term backup. HE IS NOT A STARTER!!! Clay Matthews isn't necessarily done, he is overvalued. I think if he bulked up and most importantly took a pay cut, he could be a situational DE/LB like James Harrison. I like Martinez at ILB, didn't like him last year, but he has grown considerably. Perry is solid, but only one man. Ted should go. Hold onto Capers and McCarthy, but the next GM should also have input on assistants and strength/conditioning coaches. I think McCarthy is loyal to his guys, to a fault.

I was with you until you said hold on to Capers. Man hell no!

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

I agree for the most part. Green Bay is the gold standard for QB play. Since the 60's, QB is usually set. Hell even Dan "The Magic Man" balled. I like Hundley, however you bring up an interesting point. A QB that mirrors Rodgers would keep the offense in rhythm in the event of an injury. I forget the kids name (help), but the QB that got cut in preseason had some potential and some swagger to him.

Do I need to remind you that during the time since the 60's we've had an actor start a game at QB for us...Blair Kiel, Mike Tomczak, David Krieg, Anthony Dilweg, so yeah it's only been set since '92.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Taysom Hill??

I think GB should take a QB next draft say rounds 4-7 get someone to escape the pocket. Accurate arm.. And a little work to be done. (Your not getting ELITE in 4-7) Just my two cents.

Starr? Brady? Theismann? Staubach?

 

[Poppa San]

Do I need to remind you that during the time since the 60's we've had an actor start a game at QB for us...Blair Kiel, Mike Tomczak, David Krieg, Anthony Dilweg, so yeah it's only been set since '92.

Speaking of actors, you neglected one of the most famous Packer QBs from the off field world. Brian Dowling.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Yes THAT Brian (BD) Dowling from Doonesbury fame.

 

[McKnowledge]

What I mean is you just have to draft the players. The thing with Thompson is he usually misses on his high picks, if you find a GM who can draft young studs who can contribute right away then the system works. TT can’t draft Very well

Yes. Either the scouts are not doing their job up to high standards or Thompson isn't following the recommendations of his scouts that are doing their jobs up to high standards. In the end, it stops with Thompson.

 

[Mondio]

he usually misses on high picks? Besides Datone, Sherrod who had a devastating injury, and Harrell, who did he miss on? Raji? Matthews? Rodgers? Bulaga? Dix? Kenny Clark? I just don't see all these 1st round busts everyone claims? Jury is still out on Randall, but if he keeps up what he's doing the past month, he surely isn't a bust by any stretch of the imagination. Who else?

 

[Carl 2]

What I mean is you just have to draft the players. The thing with Thompson is he usually misses on his high picks, if you find a GM who can draft young studs who can contribute right away then the system works. TT can’t draft Very well

Almost every GM usually misses on high picks. That's the nature of the draft.

Unless you compare TTs misses to the rest of the league to see who misses more, your statement means nothing.

 

[Carl 2]

I am a Packer's fan, through and through. However, more realistic than being a Homer. This season is a wash. I love the fact that all the players except Martellus Bennett, are willing to play hard and stay on task. However, I think its time for a change in team philosophy going into next season and beyond.

I am not a Ted Thompson fan. I think McCarthy can be an elite coach (he definitely IS NOT), and Capers can be a great chef with the right ingredients. Thompson has consistently under performed as a GM for several seasons now. Thompson must go after this season is over.

While I'm tempted to go into which players should stay and which players should go beyond this season, I'm going to offer my philosophy that the Green Bay Packers need to follow this season and thereafter. That philosophy is complimentary football, which currently and in the past, the Green Bay Packers have never done.

Rodgers is elite (duh). However, he's easing into his thirties, and playing the savior every damn game will ruin him. His huge payday is coming, he deserves it, he's earned it. So let's plan for that expense.

I love the playmakers we have, the receivers, the running backs, the versatile tight ends. However, none of them are dominant. None of them strikes fear into the opponent, when its the fourth quarter and plays needs to be made. 2018 Green Bay Packers need to target a RB a la Gurley, Elliott, or Lev Bell; a playmaker that not only compliments Rodgers, but can exist alone as an offensive weapon. I think the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys (yuck!) should serve as the template for the 2018 Packers and seasons after. Also, replenishing the O-Line, and actually investing more effort into the strengths of the Lineman and not their versatility would be helpful. A guy playing LT shouldn't move anywhere else. Guards are guards, tackles are tackles, centers are centers. If a Lineman is versatile and elite at playing multiple positions; bring out the gravy.

Defensively, if your front seven is not producing pressure, your not going anywhere. Stop holding onto guys well past their prime, and get with the times. Spread the wealth literally and figuratively. Pass rushers! Pass rushers! Pass rushers! At all three levels, there should be at the very least competent pass rushers. Huge contracts doesn't guarantee anything. Great evaluation and great coaching does. The Packers win and win big when they produce TO's. An effective pass rush increases your chances of forcing them. That let's Rodgers and the Juggernaut RB control the clock, extend the drive and destroy the other team.

2018 should be about spending wisely, dispassionately evaluating this current roster, letting go of the excess, and becoming a complimentary football team that is multi dimensional and doesn't rely too much on one player.

I'm tired of the complacency and just being good enough; waiting on a shot. 2018 Packers should create opportunities and not wait on one.

It's so simple!

Just find a GM who can get an elite RB, build a line 6 deep at tackle, and find multiple stud pass rushers in one off season and we are set.

Also, if lineman didn't switch positions this season, they literally would have had nobody at LT sometimes. Both Taylor and McCray moving around have made the line better.

The line's performance this season with down five tackles at one point has been impressive.

Makes me question if you've paid any attention to the line this season.

 

[Carl 2]

I respect your two cents. Taysom Hill is the guy, he was all right. I think an elite QB can be found in the draft in any round, or hell at the supermarket off the street (i.e. Kurt Warner). I definitely agree, a QB with accuracy on the run and some moves in the pocket, can offset things. Rodgers is that guy, just without the O-Line. Could you imagine Rodgers with an elite O-Line that could protect the pass and create run lanes? Yikes!!!

Pretty easy to imagine Rodgers with an elite pass blocking libe since he had one each of the last two seasons. (Last year and the year before).

 

[McKnowledge]

It's so simple!

Just find a GM who can get an elite RB, build a line 6 deep at tackle, and find multiple stud pass rushers in one off season and we are set.

Also, if lineman didn't switch positions this season, they literally would have had nobody at LT sometimes. Both Taylor and McCray moving around have made the line better.

The line's performance this season with down five tackles at one point has been impressive.

Makes me question if you've paid any attention to the line this season.

Oh. I get it. Sarcasm!!! But seriously, Thompson is garbage as an evaluator, and letting both Sitton and Lang walk was asinine. Bulaga looks the part, is overrated, and is always injured. Linsley is solid, but I wish Thompson would've went after Alex Mack two seasons ago. Also, it is definitely possible to find multiple pass rushers in one off season. Never once did I suggest the Packers needed stud pass rushers. An elite pass rusher and franchise QB are the two hardest things to find. If you can't find a JJ Watt, I'll take a couple Freeneys and Avrils. Allocation of resources. Can't get a stud? Build up depth.

 

[Carl 2]

Oh. I get it. Sarcasm!!! But seriously, Thompson is garbage as an evaluator, and letting both Sitton and Lang walk was asinine. Bulaga looks the part, is overrated, and is always injured. Linsley is solid, but I wish Thompson would've went after Alex Mack two seasons ago. Also, it is definitely possible to find multiple pass rushers in one off season. Never once did I suggest the Packers needed stud pass rushers. An elite pass rusher and franchise QB are the two hardest things to find. If you can't find a JJ Watt, I'll take a couple Freeneys and Avrils. Allocation of resources. Can't get a stud? Build up depth.

Not sarcasm at all. You literally posted that a GM find all those players in 2018 alone, which is highly unreasonable.

Your assessment of the o line is still way off. Taylor has replaced Sitton no problem and Evans has replaced Lang, both for much less money.

Finally, by stud, I meant solid, not elite. We just had different definitions there it looks like.

 

[Mondio]

Oh. I get it. Sarcasm!!! But seriously, Thompson is garbage as an evaluator, and letting both Sitton and Lang walk was asinine. Bulaga looks the part, is overrated, and is always injured. Linsley is solid, but I wish Thompson would've went after Alex Mack two seasons ago. Also, it is definitely possible to find multiple pass rushers in one off season. Never once did I suggest the Packers needed stud pass rushers. An elite pass rusher and franchise QB are the two hardest things to find. If you can't find a JJ Watt, I'll take a couple Freeneys and Avrils. Allocation of resources. Can't get a stud? Build up depth.

and this is pure comedy LOL

Lang and Sitton were both replaced and more than adequately. Bulaga is always injured yes, the rest of your assessment, well it is what it is. Freeny is where? Avril hasn't been a FA for years and we had Matthews in his prime and Peppers, so just what the **** are you talking about? just talking I suppose, no thought necessary LOL