2024 Weekly Report Card: Matt LaFleur

[DoURant]

I'm externally disappointed in the results of this game. This was far from a well played game, which they needed desperately to have a chance to win. I give MLF a "D". I thought about giving him an "F", but the players deserve some responsibility too. 6 drops, 3 botched snaps in shot gun, Love's INT... you can't say those are Matt's fault. Coaches need to coach, and players need to perform, and after watching today's game, there is a lot of blame to go around for this loss.

 

[DoURant]

I just realized that Matt didn't call one jet sweep all day.

 

[Magooch]

I’ll repeat what I mentioned in the game thread: when it comes to your team’s behavior, preparation, discipline, etc… your head coach is either coaching/encouraging that behavior or they’re permitting/tolerating it.

 

[milani]

I'm externally disappointed in the results of this game. This was far from a well played game, which they needed desperately to have a chance to win. I give MLF a "D". I thought about giving him an "F", but the players deserve some responsibility too. 6 drops, 3 botched snaps in shot gun, Love's INT... you can't say those are Matt's fault. Coaches need to coach, and players need to perform, and after watching today's game, there is a lot of blame to go around for this loss.

And mental preparation in bad weather conditions are paramount. When Lombardi won the 1962 championship it was barely 20 degrees with 25-40 mph winds. They won the game in the trenches with turnovers and FGs. No big fancy highlights.

 

[GBkrzygrl]

Well, let’s see.

Outplayed on offense
Outplayed on defense
Outplayed on special teams
Less disciplined and less prepared than the opponent
A ten point loss that felt like it could’ve/should’ve been thirty

If a few weeks ago vs Arizona was some of the best from LaFleur, today was some of the worst.

I guess I could call it a “D” if I’m being generous but from a coaching perspective I imagine that’s as close to an “F” as we’ll see. The comparison to Campbell’s team - specifically when it comes to preparation, discipline, and execution - couldn’t be more jarring.

I saw one creative play. When La Fleur had Kraft run for the 1st down. Where was all the creativity he used when planning with Willis?

 

[XPack]

Bye Week Summary:

Loss - Week 1 vs Eagles: C
Win - Week 2 vs Colts: A
Win - Week 3 vs Titans: B
Loss - Week 4 vs Vikings: C
Win - Week 5 vs Rams: B
Win - Week 6 vs Cardinals: A
Win - Week 7 vs Texans: B
Week 8 vs Jaguars: B
Week 9 vs Lions: D

* Winning record, Losing record, Tied

I've went through everyone's comments and tried to average and round out the scores and end up with 2xA, 4xB, 2xC, 1xD. It's a decent enough performance but have to note that for Texans and Jaguars, we were 1 FG away from those Bs turning into Cs.

It's well below MLFs capabilities. Overall across 9 games, I'll give MLF a C (would ideally be a B- or something, but the Lions loss irks me greatly) till Bye Week.

Top things to improve:
1. Stop Love's gunslinging (and resulting INTs). Rein him back and make intelligent plays. He's not AR, so go back to strategy of second half of last season!
2. Stop stupid penalties. It's just training and discipline.
3. Get some FA support for Linebackers and Corner.

 

[OldSchool101]

Conceivably we should get some support for our Chicago contest.
My best guess is J’aire and Evan will be back for that to bolster the D. Im merely just guessing, but we should conceivably begin to see sightings of Musgrave and Marshawn over the next couple of weeks following our Bye to inject the Offense with more talent.

Even so, I still think CB is a priority if an option presents itself to upgrade. Almost getting to the juncture we need 3 Perimeter CB’s to cover 2 spots due to injury.
As you submitted, an inside LB (that has some Pass Rush prowess) could be another Avenue.

 

[OldSchool101]

The One good thing we can always lean back on is this is 1 week. The sun will come up tomorrow, but we’d better work on those infractions until they are automatic. We needed a wake up call and we got exactly that.
Position coaches need to review that film thoroughly and revisit scenarios in practice to address each flag. It’s way too late in a season to commit 10 flags in 3 Quarters.

 

[milani]

Conceivably we should get some support for our Chicago contest.
My best guess is J’aire and Evan will be back for that to bolster the D. Im merely just guessing, but we should conceivably begin to see sightings of Musgrave and Marshawn over the next couple of weeks following our Bye to inject the Offense with more talent.

Even so, I still think CB is a priority if an option presents itself to upgrade. Almost getting to the juncture we need 3 Perimeter CB’s to cover 2 spots due to injury.
As you submitted, an inside LB (that has some Pass Rush prowess) could be another Avenue.

We need more than 1 TE to perform. That is a strength of both the Lions and Vikings.

 

[OldSchool101]

We need more than 1 TE to perform. That is a strength of both the Lions and Vikings.

Yes. I didn’t realize until just after I wrote that on Monday that Musgrave just had foot surgery. Surprisingly they still expect him to return before the end of regular season. I think he was more hurt than we originally anticipated. He’s one tough dude. He even suited up in Week 5 to play if needed.
Sims did really well against Detroit. He was our highest graded Player on Offense, but he still doesn’t take the place of having a healthy Musgrave and Kraft together.

For now, I’m eager to get Marshawn Lloyd going. Brian made mention of him using Preston’s roster spot on Lloyd. That tells you his thoughts there. I hope Matt can find a way to ramp him up the next couple games. He’s a very dynamic RB, think Rookie Aaron Jones and how he struggled with injuries early on. Then he’d come out and just a bust a big play. RB’s are one of the few positions that can have an earlier impact (if you find a good one)

 

[milani]

Conceivably we should get some support for our Chicago contest.
My best guess is J’aire and Evan will be back for that to bolster the D. Im merely just guessing, but we should conceivably begin to see sightings of Musgrave and Marshawn over the next couple of weeks following our Bye to inject the Offense with more talent.

Even so, I still think CB is a priority if an option presents itself to upgrade. Almost getting to the juncture we need 3 Perimeter CB’s to cover 2 spots due to injury.
As you submitted, an inside LB (that has some Pass Rush prowess) could be another Avenue.

Had we played a better game it would have forced Goff to go to the air more and that would have been the dress rehearsal for our pass D without those two.

 

[eric]

Why didn't ya'll warn us McCarthy is a bum? Bro is stuck in 2008.

 

[milani]

Why didn't ya'll warn us McCarthy is a bum? Bro is stuck in 2008.

We like Jerry too much.

 

[OldSchool101]

Had we played a better game it would have forced Goff to go to the air more and that would have been the dress rehearsal for our pass D without those two.

Yes. There’s no question that a healthy J’aire covering St Brown was preferred. I like Nixon but imo he shouldn’t be lined up over the best WR in football either. I get the enthusiasm he’s probably a good CB3 level guy that can play CB2 level in a pinch. Short term. We need to address that and I like Nixon it’s not personal at all. Seemed to me he played his best in the Slot just my opinion here. Often wonder if he’s not more of the Safety type. Good for fill in CB

Personally I’d go get a CB. I think it’s our biggest need.

 

[shockerx]

Wish ML would use Kraft and duplicate some of those high precentage 5-7 yard chain movers to Kelce. That simple 7 yarder where he zigs in two steps to the middle then reverses out to the numbers two to three steps.. and throw meets him there. Use Kraft like that and keep Love out of trouble, couple that with lining up under center with heavy ground game. Make things simple going into Nov-Dec get Love's confedance back.

 

[OldSchool101]

Wish ML would use Kraft and duplicate some of those high precentage 5-7 yard chain movers to Kelce. That simple 7 yarder where he zigs in two steps to the middle then reverses out to the numbers two to three steps.. and throw meets him there. Use Kraft like that and keep Love out of trouble, couple that with lining up under center with heavy ground game. Make things simple going into Nov-Dec get Love's confedance back.

It’s unfortunate Musgrave didn’t heal up properly. They finally had to operate on his foot. Might might have a chance to get him back a couple weeks before playoffs. I think going 12 Personnel with Kraft and Musgrave is hard to defend. I just never imagined Musgrave would miss most of the season.

 

[shockerx]

It’s unfortunate Musgrave didn’t heal up properly. They finally had to operate on his foot. Might might have a chance to get him back a couple weeks before playoffs. I think going 12 Personnel with Kraft and Musgrave is hard to defend. I just never imagined Musgrave would miss misting the season.

Feels like they misread Musgrave injury early on...hope he gets back. I feel the WR group not named JR are regressing overall at this point...maybe more to do with Love though.

 

[OldSchool101]

Feels like they misread Musgrave injury early on...hope he gets back. I feel the WR group not named JR are regressing overall at this point...maybe more to do with Love though.

I really believe they pressed Love back sooner than ideal. In doing so it’s slowed his progression as far as healing. I think he’s been playing hurt idk what they say to defend that.

 

[Magooch]

I guess I could call it a “D” if I’m being generous but from a coaching perspective I imagine that’s as close to an “F” as we’ll see. The comparison to Campbell’s team - specifically when it comes to preparation, discipline, and execution - couldn’t be more jarring.

Well, maybe I stand corrected.

Obviously we got the dub so that's better than last week, but I don't think we looked any better on the field...and we were playing against a much, MUCH worse opponent.

Still think there's a lot of things MLF does "right" but given adequate prep time it feels like just about any coach in this league can get one past him.

 

[milani]

Well, maybe I stand corrected.

Obviously we got the dub so that's better than last week, but I don't think we looked any better on the field...and we were playing against a much, MUCH worse opponent.

Still think there's a lot of things MLF does "right" but given adequate prep time it feels like just about any coach in this league can get one past him.

MLF just shoots us in the foot in red zone areas. Runs when you need to throw. Throws when he should run. Even Brady questioned it. He is used to Belichick and his OC. We could have had 2 FGs. Got zip.

 

[PikeBadger]

LaFleur's worst game of the year (or very close to worst). Hafley failed to keep Williams contained and 3rd down was a disaster most of the day it seemed. No better than D for this week.

 

[DoURant]

I think there is a valid reason for all the audibles Aaron used to make. I give him a "D-" this week, can't give an "F" since they won. If he would have coached a "C" game, they would have won by 2 scores.

 

[OldSchool101]

MLF just shoots us in the foot in red zone areas. Runs when you need to throw. Throws when he should run. Even Brady questioned it. He is used to Belichick and his OC. We could have had 2 FGs. Got zip.

I understand him being aggressive and I’m not as tiffed about that. But yeah 4th and more than 3 and you take the points 17-19

 

[OldSchool101]

I think there is a valid reason for all the audibles Aaron used to make. I give him a "D-" this week, can't give an "F" since they won. If he would have coached a "C" game, they would have won by 2 scores.

See for myself it was a more C-/D+ Offensive performance. F??? Really? Cmon. This was a D allowing the 7th least points and they ranked top 3 in many Defensive rankings. Top that it’s their house. Winning on the Road is always tougher imo

For me? It’s OUR Defense that got gashed a bunch. We allowed 300 yards in under 3 Quarters. Chicago was pacing 215 rushing yards when I checked with 1 Quarter to go. You’re not going to win much allowing >200 Rushing imo. Chicago wiped out butts with the gameclock.

This was Chicago Offense that had not scored a TD since Dec 1922! They went through us like we were Jacksonville. The bears were 12/19 on 3rd/4th downs vs Packers 1/6

 

[DoURant]

See for myself it was a more C- Offensive performance. F??? Really? Cmon. This was a D allowing the 7th least points and they ranked top 3 in many Defensive rankings. Top that it’s their house. Winning on the Road is always tougher imo

For me? It’s OUR Defense that got gashed a bunch. We allowed 300 yards in under 3 Quarters. Chicago was pacing 215 rushing yards when I checked with 1 Quarter to go. You’re not going to win much allowing >200 Rushing imo. Chicago wiped out butts with the gameclock.

This was Chicago Offense that had not scored a TD since Dec 1922! They went through us like we were Jacksonville.

I didn't give him an F, I gave him a D- because they won. If they would have lost, it would have been an F. Better play calling in goal to go situations they would have put a 30 burger up and this game would have been a 2 score victory.