Shut Rodgers down?

[Mondio]

Poker makes a great point. Are you operating with this same mindset in preseason games? If not, why? The stakes are the same if not greater in preseason games because losses currently benefit our team for the future.

they should absolutely play more in the preseason, but no I don't view it the same. Right now is what they play for. This isn't the audition, the tryout, the scout team, these are the money games. Preseason is about installs, learning and getting into playing shape. Just like I don't plan to hit the gym after a 3 week layoff like I'm setting world record lift attempts, i would expect football players to approach it the much the same in the preseason.

However, once the real deal rolls around, mentally and physically i'm in it till the end. Every person I've ever known that ever amounted to anything sports related had the same mentality. Get me to the game and let me go. Once i've done the learning phases, my body is in game shape, i'm hardened and tested and in the real stuff, don't tell me, ahhh, just tone it down, doesn't matter as much as it used to. I don't like giving players mental reasons to check out early. It's not time to check out. There are 2 weeks left.

and it's not about rallying around beating the ****ing jets or lions. It's about a player that has been struggling to do something all year long and hasn't quite gotten it, and because he's kept his mental focus and edge till the end, now he does. He ran the route like Rodgers wanted to and he hit him for a TD. He zigged when he should have zigged and it was awesome. And he takes that moment and that confidence into the offseason. It can be powerful. Just as telling a team to check out early can.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Injured or not he should be sitting the rest of the season. a) why improve our draft position if we dont have to, b)why risk him getting a more severe injury if we dont have to, c)if Rodgers gets hurt not only will it affect him, but it will likely affect the teams choice of HC candidates. Legit coaching prospects will be less likely to take the job if they know there's the potential that AR won't be ready to start the season.

if the top brass lets him play because he wants to it will only reinforce the notion that AR runs the organization and has WAY too much power. there's literally nothing to gain and everything to lose by putting him out there.

Agree. All risk/no return.

 

[gbgary]

But if you're going to go thru the roster and just start plucking guys you don't want to play because they might get hurt and tell others, go play a game we don't give a **** about it doesn't do a lot for the locker room.

guys are held out of games every week for fear of further injury. this is no different...except there are known draft position possibilities at stake in addition to the injury question.

 

[Wi. Mike now in Florida]

Let's treat the rest of this season as "Preseason games" and evaluate the players for next year on who goes and who stays.

 

[Mondio]

guys are held out of games every week for fear of further injury. this is no different...except there are known draft position possibilities at stake in addition to the injury question.

of course they are, like i said, I wouldn't be playing a guy like Kenny Clark who was clearly injured enough not to play. I probably wouldn't play Bulaga. Probably not Jones. If Rodgers was really injured, then he was really injured. But if it's just to keep him from being exposed to an injury, I don't like it. I'm not saying you don't evaluate other players either. But you don't just shut people down to shut them down because you're not in the playoff hunt. So many people see nothing to gain, but there is. There's always greatness to be gained with opportunity. or at least taking the steps towards it.

 

[Ceodore]

they should absolutely play more in the preseason, but no I don't view it the same. Right now is what they play for. This isn't the audition, the tryout, the scout team, these are the money games. Preseason is about installs, learning and getting into playing shape. Just like I don't plan to hit the gym after a 3 week layoff like I'm setting world record lift attempts, i would expect football players to approach it the much the same in the preseason.

However, once the real deal rolls around, mentally and physically i'm in it till the end. Every person I've ever known that ever amounted to anything sports related had the same mentality. Get me to the game and let me go. Once i've done the learning phases, my body is in game shape, i'm hardened and tested and in the real stuff, don't tell me, ahhh, just tone it down, doesn't matter as much as it used to. I don't like giving players mental reasons to check out early. It's not time to check out. There are 2 weeks left.

and it's not about rallying around beating the ******* jets or lions. It's about a player that has been struggling to do something all year long and hasn't quite gotten it, and because he's kept his mental focus and edge till the end, now he does. He ran the route like Rodgers wanted to and he hit him for a TD. He zigged when he should have zigged and it was awesome. And he takes that moment and that confidence into the offseason. It can be powerful. Just as telling a team to check out early can.

We're definitely not going to see eye to eye here and that's ok. But I'd prefer to make decisions based on calculated risks vs reward scenarios and not expose my assets to unnecessary risks just to have some kind of "rah rah" feeling/moment at the end of the season. if i can't count on my players to be professionals and to be appropriately competitive next season because i shelved them for a couple of games last season, do I really want them on my team? For each player you fear to be put off about shelving them there's another prospect further down the depth chart chomping at the bit to play and make a name/reserve a roster spot for themselves.

As I said, I expect the starters to want to play, I'd question them if they didn't. But that's not in the best interest of the team.

 

[swhitset]

Moot Point.

https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-philbin-packers-playoffs-wont-shutting-aaron-rodgers-190726496.html

The issue seems to have been decided... however this article seems to be written by an amalgam of different posters from this thread lol. Philbin say he will play... but the writer seems to want to change his mind lol.

 

[Mondio]

We're definitely not going to see eye to eye here and that's ok. But I'd prefer to make decisions based on calculated risks vs reward scenarios and not expose my assets to unnecessary risks just to have some kind of "rah rah" feeling/moment at the end of the season. if i can't count on my players to be professionals and to be appropriately competitive next season because i shelved them for a couple of games last season, do I really want them on my team? For each player you fear to be put off about shelving them there's another prospect further down the depth chart chomping at the bit to play and make a name/reserve a roster spot for themselves.

As I said, I expect the starters to want to play, I'd question them if they didn't. But that's not in the best interest of the team.

i wouldn't want people like that on my team. I also wouldn't want a staff that introduced that method of thinking on my team either. It's not about rah, rah. It's about learning. It's about maintaining focus when it's really really hard to. it's about doing what seems like is a waste and doing it the best you can anyway. It's about the things that make your character grow and make you a better player.

 

[gbgary]

of course they are, like i said, I wouldn't be playing a guy like Kenny Clark who was clearly injured enough not to play. I probably wouldn't play Bulaga. Probably not Jones. If Rodgers was really injured, then he was really injured. But if it's just to keep him from being exposed to an injury, I don't like it. I'm not saying you don't evaluate other players either. But you don't just shut people down to shut them down because you're not in the playoff hunt. So many people see nothing to gain, but there is. There's always greatness to be gained with opportunity. or at least taking the steps towards it.

fans and reporters saw him injured (on that hail mary before ht) and reporters asked him about it after the game. he confessed it was a groin and it gave him problems in the second half. otherwise i agree with your other points.

 

[gbgary]

Moot Point.

https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-philbin-packers-playoffs-wont-shutting-aaron-rodgers-190726496.html

yeah...joe said as much yesterday. doesn't mean it happens.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Moot Point.

https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-philbin-packers-playoffs-wont-shutting-aaron-rodgers-190726496.html

The issue seems to have been decided... however this article seems to be written by an amalgam of different posters from this thread lol. Philbin say he will play... but the writer seems to want to change his mind lol.

Different matter, but who were those guys in here around mid season that were saying Rodgers knee was 100% healed and shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Scotland Yard]

There is no chance that Philbin wants to coach whatever mess the offense would be with Kizer at the helm in his final few games as interim head coach. If the GM overrides Philbin then you have an issue that might concern future coaches about working for a GM that acts like Jerry Jones (not saying that Gute does that, just that he's a new GM and coaches might be concerned if he starts overriding his coach).

Disagree.

The Brewers GM David Stearns is in complete control of which players are available. In meaningless end-of-season games he brings in guys and they play ahead of veterans in many cases. Doing that two years ago did not stop the Brewers from improving...this year they were within one game of the World Series.

Philbin has no interest in the 2019 season, knowing he is likely coaching somewhere else. His only motivation is to win these two games to improve his resume. Why should Philbin care if Rodgers gets an ACL vs. the Jets? What does Philbin care about the 2019 Packers' roster?

Gute should have the same power as Brewers GM Stearns. Gute does have the Packers' best interests at heart for 2019 and beyond, Philbin does not. As such, Gute should have authority over Philbin to say Rodgers goes to IR, or, only plays two quarters each game, whatever he wants. It is Gute who will have to deal with any repercussions from these last two games, not Philbin.

Gute has a rare opportunity to see Kizer and/or Boyle in live action (also Spriggs, Tonyan, etc.), much more real than preseason, and that can provide him valuable information affecting the draft, future trades, etc. Why waste that opportunity padding Philbin's resume?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Come on AR, slap a band-aid on it, wrap it in duct tape, put some ice on it.....we need you out there to win these last 2 games, the hell with 2019!

 

[gonzozab]

There is literally no upside to Rodgers playing anymore this season.

 

[GBkrzygrl]

i wouldn't want people like that on my team. I also wouldn't want a staff that introduced that method of thinking on my team either. It's not about rah, rah. It's about learning. It's about maintaining focus when it's really really hard to. it's about doing what seems like is a waste and doing it the best you can anyway. It's about the things that make your character grow and make you a better player.

There's something said about playing for pride.

This is the time to play Toyion (spell?) Put Kumerow out there along with Moore, etc. Let's see what they can do.

 

[Ceodore]

i wouldn't want people like that on my team. I also wouldn't want a staff that introduced that method of thinking on my team either. It's not about rah, rah. It's about learning. It's about maintaining focus when it's really really hard to. it's about doing what seems like is a waste and doing it the best you can anyway. It's about the things that make your character grow and make you a better player.

you continue to cite all of these intangible things that you feel would benefit the players for some reason by playing the final two meaningless games. problem is, there's no tangible evidence to show that it would benefit anyone. I like to think at this point in AR's and the other veterans' careers, they don't need 2 meaningless games to improve their focus and make their character grow.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

There is literally no upside to Rodgers playing anymore this season.

Not unless your name is State Farm.

 

[ShockwaveRider]

I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of a "groin injury" but I'm guessing it must hurt like hell.

Oh sure, I've worn a few layers of skin off, but it usually grows back fairly quickly, and I'm only out of the game a week or two.

Seriously, why NOT sit AR12 and see what DSK9 has to offer? I'm not the biggest fan of DSK9, but why risk AR12 any further?

Put the practice squad out there the last two games.

The season is over.

Shockwave

 

[Mondio]

Come on AR, slap a band-aid on it, wrap it in duct tape, put some ice on it.....we need you out there to win these last 2 games, the hell with 2019!

yeah, that was the message

 

[Mondio]

you continue to cite all of these intangible things that you feel would benefit the players for some reason by playing the final two meaningless games. problem is, there's no tangible evidence to show that it would benefit anyone. I like to think at this point in AR's and the other veterans' careers, they don't need 2 meaningless games to improve their focus and make their character grow.

because that was my point right LOL

if the light comes on in these 2 games between Rodgers and EQ, yes that can pay dividends for next year. It's the mental prep for the game, and keeping everyone in it. intangible? you've played sports before I'll assume, you know this isn't feel good rah rah. This is exactly the type of stuff you must go thru at some point to get better. and you don't get better by looking at the opportunity and saying, nah, i'll do later.

Or you can keep thinking that my real intent is to say Rodgers needs to beat the Jets to make his character grow. Though if you ask me, it could use a little work even as Aaron Rodgers

 

[Royal Pain]

Flying up with my family for the Lions game. Would like to see the Packers at full strength and playing to win. I hope the Packers take that into consideration.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Flying up with my family for the Lions game. Would like to see the Packers at full strength and playing to win. I hope the Packers take that into consideration.

Define "full strength". Not sure any of us have seen that this year from the Packers.

I will get your message to Gute and Joe.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Rotoworld reports Arod suffered a groing injury and that he has had some pain in his knee all season. I say shut him down, let him heal and lets see what Kizer can do. Is he a bonafide backup or not?? Philbin says Rodgers should play. I say let Philbin go if that is the case.

We can't kick any more coaches off this team until the end of the season, except for Ron Zook who I think we could fire and not get any worse on that unit.

Now having said that, I'm open to the idea of seeing if Kizer is worth keeping around as a backup, but even if we perceived him as being good enough for that role, our next HC may not. Now if Rodgers's knee/groin has gotten worse, it may be wise especially with the sacks he takes. But I'm not a doctor who can x-ray that.

We were eliminated several times from playoff contention under Favre, and in none of those years did our coaches or front office take the approach of "Shut Favre Down" because we need to see what Hasselback/Nall/Rodgers have as backups, or fear risking Favre's health. Granted Favre was an iron man who never missed a start here, but still that move has not been done before, and I don't see it starting now.

 

[LambeauLombardi]

I saw a post that said 'What better way to alienate Aaron from his teammates than sitting him in meaningless games and expecting everyone else to play'.

I get why people think the way, but an injury to him and an injury to the backup RT isn't really the same thing. Does developing a rapport with these teammates in the last 2 games in an offensive scheme that's likely to vanish at the new year mean more than keeping the highest paid player in league history safe? I'll tell you this team is a joke and many players and coaches shouldn't be in the organization next year anyway, so playing these final 2 games is almost meaningless to me. The Packers aren't here to try to help out Joe Philbin's resume, they are trying to build for after this year. At least they should be.

 

[pacmaniac]

Shut him down so he can stop embarrassing himself and hurting his legacy. The way he’s playing, he’ll lose to both the Jets and Lions.