I remember Jerry Kramer telling a story (was it in "Instant Replay?) where the Packers had just destroyed the Cowboys something like 56-3 in a pre-season game, and Lombardi was livid in the film room, berating the whole team, running one play several times to show how bad they stunk, just tearing into them on and on. Lee Roy Caffey whispered to Kramer"Who won that game, anyways?"
MM lost me when his response to questions about the team's performance before the AZ game was "I'm tired of the negativity! We're 10-4!"
It's when I became more than 50/50 in the opinion that things have gone stale, and that maybe just getting double digit wins and being in the playoffs every year had become the goal and maybe not winning it all.
Nobody today wants to hear about Lombardi, but everything he taught in the 60s holds true today--and it shouldn't be ignored. It ought to be the Bible, particularly in Green Bay. Winning was important to him, of course; but he would rip into the team much more after a win if it came in spite of poor play than he would in a loss if the play was to his level of excellence. The latter didn't occur many times, in large part because of the former. I don't see this in the current version of the Packers. MM's praise of his team's "heart" after the lucky win in Detroit is example A. I'd like to see some real heart in a blowout against the Yikes on Sunday.
We're of kindred spirit and I'm as nostalgic as the next guy when it comes to Lombardi, a once in a lifetime coach so superior in his profession that the most prestigious trophy in the game is named after him. Whether his coaching style would be an inspiration for today's player culture and the values and attitudes they possess would make for an interesting discussion. Another time, perhaps.
Many posters have focused on the symptoms of this season's failures and their observations have been accurate. This or that player is under-performing; a lack of commitment to the run game and a tug-and-pull between a "balanced" offense and wide-open passing game; injuries to key people at inopportune times; personnel decisions and apparent player favoritism that chronically tolerates the mistakes of some players more than others; etc. Personally, when I distill those down it has led me to the same conclusion consistently.
STs have improved. They do not represent the root problem. The defense has also improved, so they're not the cause of this year's struggles, either. At first glance the obvious would appear to point directly towards the players on offense. The root problem goes much deeper than that, however. Their struggles are also merely a symptom of what truly ails this team.
The coaching hierarchy on offense is seriously flawed. That's the underlying problem that contributes to the symptoms that we see on offense from week to week. Because there has not existed a clear, consistent chain-of-command this season it has resulted in the dysfunctional mess that we have been witnessing.
Clements title is the Assistant Head Coach, Offense and he's also the immediate past play caller. What's his primary function now that he's no longer the play-caller or the Offensive Coordinator: high-paid sidekick, close friend and soul-mate confidant of Aaron Rodgers? Edgar Bennett is still the Offensive Coordinator. Alex Van Pelt is the QB coach. Who reports to whom? Who's in charge of what? Try drawing-up an accurate organizational chart representing the functions and responsibilities of this offensive coaching staff. Good luck.
Alex Van Pelt is both QB and WR coach since these assignments have merged. Both position players now share the same coach and combined meeting room. How's that worked out for both positions? Which of the two positions has improved since last season? The answer, of course, is neither. In fact, both have been in serious decline, and that's indisputable whether you're a stat geek or prefer the eye-test method for determining such things. As if that were not problematic enough, back by popular demand is Mike McCarthy who has cannon-balled back into the mix as the once again play-caller. Responsibilities have been displaced, undoubtedly along with pride and confidence.
These coaches are human beings. They have egos. Demotions and hollow titles affect them the same as it would any of us. It directly affects their players, as well, with whom they all must have a professional relationship and respect. Plus, in some cases close friendships have developed. Instead of setting-up all of them for success the McCarthy reorganization has unintentionally caused just the opposite due to its muddled, dysfunctional coaching structure. It must be recognized for what it has clearly produced: an offense lacking in both efficiency and consistency. Has any offensive coach or player enjoyed an improvement in the value of their career stock as this season has progressed? Do you see an offense that is thriving on any level?
McCarthy prefers to retain his coaches and he has a history of denying them the opportunity to interview for better opportunities elsewhere --even anointing them with titles that make them unobtainable for other teams by design. Clements, for example. But after this year's fiasco, who would now seek Clements' services? His age combined with this season's developments may make future advancement all but impossible for him. He no longer has a place even within the Packers' structure. How do you think this affects the morale of good friends Clements and Rodgers? Other members of the coaching staff? Bennett and Van Pelt? That's a daunting problem in itself. McCarthy may have over-thought and over-reacted to last season's disappointing conclusion and we are seeing the results of his knee-jerk reaction to that. He meant well with the reorganization, I'm sure, but a downward spiral has resulted.
I give McCarthy the benefit of the doubt regarding his good intentions for this team in this or any other season. But he deserves to be held accountable for the effect his reorganization has caused to spiral the offense downward this season. Based upon his previous record he has also earned a chance to make things right again unless he stubbornly fails to acknowledge his mistake.
The opportunity for him to facilitate successful corrections has already begun. Whether there is any hope that he can salvage his current coaching and player relationships is about to be ascertained with blunt finality. If not, a disappointing end to this season culminating in several departures from this coaching staff should be anticipated, especially if he's "lost" some members of his staff already. If that has happened then he may be well on his way to losing some of his players, too.
