Cory's Corner: Don't Take Anything For Granted
The Packers weren't supposed to be here, but they have to take advantage of their opportunities.
You can be positive because the Packers weren’t supposed to sniff the second round of the playoffs. But I’m sorry, the “playing with house money” argument is old because the Packers outplayed the 49ers.
But it was San Francisco that prevailed 24-21 in the NFC Divisional Playoff. Even the 49ers sounded like they lost after the game. “We didn’t play well at all but still had a chance at the end,” said 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who had 128 total yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers came into that game with five first team All-Pros (McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Fred Warner) and a pair of second teamers (Brandon Aiyuk and Charvarius Ward). The only member of the Packers on the All-Pro team was kick returner Keisean Nixon. That’s why the 49ers were favored by 10.5 points. On paper, San Francisco was the better team. They were littered with so many studs.
But on Saturday night in a driving rain, the Packers were better.
There were not one, but two dropped interceptions. Being unable to get a couple inches on fourth down early in the second quarter from the 49ers 14. Finally, a missed 41-yard field goal from the left hash with 6:21 left which would have given the Packers a seven point lead.
And then there was a brutal mistake by Love. With 52 seconds left on first down and two timeouts in Green Bay’s back pocket, Love rolled to his right and basically threw a 50-50 ball over the middle, which was easily picked off. That’s a cardinal rule that you cannot make. Love’s accuracy that we had grown accustomed to the entire month of January, just wasn’t there in Santa Clara. The other pick he threw was well over the head of Tucker Kraft. He was able to get one hand on it, but that pick was a gimme.
“I felt like we had plenty of opportunities to put the game out of reach,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who is now 0-3 vs. the Kyle Shanahan-led 49ers in the postseason. “Unfortunately we didn’t do enough.”
The Packers just crumbled and were up seven entering the fourth quarter. Coming into that game, the 49ers were 0-30 when trailing by seven or more in the final quarter. The first Packers possession in the fourth quarter was a three-and-out. Love completed two passes to Jayden Reed and the third down pass fell incomplete. The most dynamic weapon on the field for the Packers on Saturday was Aaron Jones and he didn’t even touch the ball in that sequence. He snapped San Francisco’s 44-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher, dating back to Week 8 of 2021. Jones had 108 yards rushing on 18 carries but only touched the ball twice in the final quarter.
Then there’s Carlson. The rookie kicker that for some reason was drafted in the sixth round. He was 4-for-9 from 40-49 yards this season including playoffs. He was also 41 of 47 on extra points — including missing four in a dome. The Packers didn’t solely end their season because of their rookie kicker, but he has escalated stressful situations and has probably changed LaFleur’s mind about taking three points as opposed to going for it.
This team had plenty of warts and was still good enough to beat the best team on paper in the NFC. That’s a lot to build on for the future, but at the same time, you don’t know how often you’re going to get there, so you have to capitalize on your chances when you’re there.
The Packers have an average age of 25. They should be knocking on the NFC title door time and time again.
But that’s only if they continue to get better. Don’t take anything for granted.
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__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
__________________________
Comments (131)
stinkycheesehead
January 23, 2024 at 06:16 am
FIRE JOE BERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
LeotisHarris
January 23, 2024 at 08:38 am
That might help. I'd feel badly for the Berry family, but Joe Barry would still be under contract. Per Matt Schneidman:
"...Joe Barry’s contract is NOT expiring, according to a source. Matt LaFleur has yet to make a decision on the future of his defensive coordinator, but it would be a firing and not a decline to renew if he moves on from Barry."
Leatherhead
January 23, 2024 at 08:43 am
The Packer players want Barry. I don't know if that matters at all, but I think it should.
9th in scoring defense, so we're looking to replace him with a guy who will not only improve that, but who also won't ever allow teams to score at the "wrong" time.
Good luck with that.
stinkycheesehead
January 23, 2024 at 10:15 am
Leather: The packer players want berry? ,then why do they play like shit at the most critical time of the game? sorry but barry has to go or we will be going through the same shit next season. I don't feel sorry for JB because if you can't correct problems in three years, then it's time to say Sayonara!!!
Leatherhead
January 23, 2024 at 10:20 am
I don't know. Maybe you should read the articles.
Three seasons: 13th, 17th, and 9th in scoring defense.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 12:44 pm
So, a little above average.
I think the Packers can do better, and deserve better, for the players and the fans -- especially when we go beyond the statistics to the eye tests against the Giants, Bucs, Panthers, and even Bears.
We should go for a dominating defense for the Packers.
After three years or so of overall iffiness at best, occasional agonies of ineptitude at worst, we should try someone new.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 10:40 am
Are you basing that on Preston’s comments? Because I think that’s a bit of a stretch now the season is ended.
In the end, contract status shouldn’t matter. If the guy is the best option he stays, if he’s not good enough then he should under no circumstances be retained. The cost of the contract doesn’t affect the cap and it won’t materially affect Packers Inc. His performance will very much affect the on field product.
Is he the man we believe in and want? Then keep him. If he isn’t, just get it done. If this is in anyway a fear on LaFleur’s part that he can’t do better then we really have a bigger problem.
Either way, make the decision and don’t let the pool of alternatives shrink due to indecision and particularly not as a justification for standing pat. I know what I think, but it’s not just the outcome that will be telling but how the decision is handled.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 11:19 am
I feel bad for Joe Barry and his family as far as him getting fired, but I feel bad for the players and fans if we keep a guy who isn't the best we can find for the highly important position of defensive coordinator.
I feel bad when we let go of players (and am really rooting for MVS still, for example), but we can't keep every player for evermore, and we even have to be willing to replace very good players with better players.
***
I was still living in Chicagoland when the Bulls replaced a very good coach in Doug Collins with an even better coach in Phil Jackson (who, it seems, was willing to keep Michael Jordan under control for his good and the good of the entire team, resulting in six championships).
I struggle with whether or not Barry is all that good as a defensive coordinator (especially in the gut-wrenching and heart-pounding instances of his apparent ineptitude as recently as the stretch of the Giants/Bucs/Panthers games; but even if he is very good at his job beyond my capacity to understand, it seems we could do better.
We want a great coach for a dominating defense.
TKWorldWide
January 23, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Psst! I did a little research on the dark web and found that the whole Berry family is in cahoots with Rogers.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 06:51 pm
Aaron or Mister?
Alberta_Packer
January 23, 2024 at 01:12 pm
Not likely. Especially as he has at least a year remaining - so an inbuilt excuse to retain him (see Mike McCarthy). Besides, when have the Packers ever done anything in-time or prudently early? They often are one year late on many of their decisions (see Rodgers). No different this time despite an available field of better-than-Barry DCs.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 04:30 pm
Alberta_Packer, good to see you, and hope all is well.
Alberta_Packer
January 23, 2024 at 07:28 pm
Lovely to re-connect with pen pals. While, all is well. With a drama free season - I thought that I would just sit back and savor the development and progress of this very young team. I certainly was not disappointed. Now looking forward to the off-season - free agency and the draft - in exchanging thoughts and opinions with some of the resident amateur GMs.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 08:08 pm
Now that the Rodgers soap opera of "As the Spiral Turns" has fortunately ended its domineering days in Green Bay (after a previously excellent run that sadly turned weird), there are lots of uplifting story lines of other Packers emerging to follow into the future.
I'm glad to have you around, Alberta_Packer, as one to help to follow all of the good drama.
Alberta_Packer
January 23, 2024 at 11:07 pm
"As The Spiral Turns" cannot truly be ended - only transferred - as the New York Jets had soon experienced. The first NY season off to a roaring start - with one incomplete pass costing 37 million dollars in salary.
Meanwhile, I certainly agree, many good story lines to follow in GB. Plus a little drama, here and there, for added entertainment. Beginning with "to Barry or not to Barry: That is the question." The audience awaits.
TKWorldWide
January 23, 2024 at 06:46 am
Youth, playoff experience, the motivation from how their season ended, and 5 picks in the first 3 rounds.
Giddy up!
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 11:41 am
A succinctly successful summary, TK.
Well done!
TKWorldWide
January 23, 2024 at 01:36 pm
And your alliteration does not go unnoticed.. Touché!
NickPerry
January 23, 2024 at 06:48 am
Win or lose I vowed to be happy with whatever the result was on Saturday night. I mean how couldn't a Packers fan be mega-pleased with a season like the Packers just had. Rookies and 2nd year guys EVERYWHERE. A new starting QB we really had NO idea about, and with Joe Barry back at DC, just about everybody thought about 7 wins. They would have been really happy with 8 or better yet, 9 wins, but the playoffs were never a thought at the start.
IMO we got a whole lot more. We found out SO MUCH about this football team and one of those is they REALLY love one another. There's a tightness with this group, even in this short time together, we haven't seen in GB for a while and it SHOWED on the field. A different guy at WR every week. Musgrave then Kraft coming through. Aaron Jones doing something he's never even come close to...5 straight 100 plus yard games! Yes it sucked losing. It sucked even more watching Barry revert back to "Barry Ball". Cover two, everybody 10 yard off, and let them eat you alive 5, 7, 10 yards at a time...UGH!!!
Love, his WRs, TEs, and hopefully Aaron Jones will be together this winter working out, building chemistry, getting even better. The Packers have 5 picks in the first 100 and a few dollars for FAs. There's a lot to look forward for this team. This team WILL be better next season. Hell, IMO this team will be scary next season. Especially if Love continues his ANYONE can be the #1 WR on any given week. Unselfishness WINS!
Now...Matt LaFleur needs to put on those big boy pants and fire Joe Barry. STOP waiting around. Do the RIGHT thing and bring in a new DC. He had his shot and when it mattered the MOST, he played the same ole, same ole, Bend & Break Defense.
It's a great time for Packers fanes. Be happy and if you struggle with that, just look at the Bears and Vikings and be HAPPY the Packers aren't them!
Thank you to the 2023 Green Bay Packers...Awesome season!
T7Steve
January 23, 2024 at 07:03 am
"Now...Matt LaFleur needs to put on those big boy pants and fire Joe Barry. STOP waiting around. Do the RIGHT thing and bring in a new DC."
He doesn't have to fire Barry. His contract is up and all he has to do is not offer him another. An easy out. If he wants to keep his buddy around, he can ask the new DC if he wants him for a LB coach or something.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 07:37 am
It was reported in JSOnline yesterday that Barry must've gotten at least a year extension after the 2022 season because his contract apparently has at least one more year on it.
So all the assumptions you and I have made about contracts being up are apparently not right. It's going to have to be a firing...and we don't know if LaF has the balls for it.
T7Steve
January 23, 2024 at 07:43 am
I have never heard anything about an extension. Last year MLF said he was keeping him for continuity. Nothing else.
Maybe they were afraid to tell us about an extension.
Secret, secret, I've got a secret, under my hair......
Cheezehead72
January 23, 2024 at 08:29 am
I see that he has one more year so yes he would have to be fired. I did not know anything about that but then they do not consult me.
I am sure they are reaching out to agents of guys they can work with to gauge their interest. If not they should be.
crayzpackfan
January 23, 2024 at 08:25 am
Dobber-
I'm less worried about if he has the balls to let Barry go as I am if he has the intellect to actually hire someone that is better? I can see him hiring a guy who runs the exact same defense with hopes that he just runs it better.
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 08:59 am
It is being reported that Matt Lafluer was heavily involved with the defensive game planning the last 5, 6 games.
Is he going to give up his laser focus on the O/game plan/play calling? I don't think so...with the youngest of the young starters playing on that side of the ball. They need more coaching up as they grow up with Jordan Love.
If Barry was less a DC and more a D assistant, why would he continue being paid as a DC?
Given how much ML is a status quo coach...I expect the current model of the DC and ST Coaches running those teams will continue.
Barry is not the guy to make that model go and the HC now knows this. He also knows it is time for Joe to go.
Will he again be timid in his decision making or show courage? Hope for the former...fear the latter. (Bisaccia should not feel safe either...his advocacy to draft Carlson and the ST penalties were black marks this season!)
Bitternotsour
January 23, 2024 at 09:51 am
where is that being reported.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 10:46 am
LaFleur has never coached D as far as I can tell. How exactly is he “heavily” involved? Dies it mean he actually intervened at some high level? If so, how on earth did it take so long? If LaFleur did need to step in, how does that say Barry is competent to lead us in future?
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Acme, I believe reported it.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 09:09 am
Very real concerns--LaF has seemed to operate within a sphere of personal contacts. The only thing that gives one hope wrt hiring is that they were willing to go outside the sphere and get a name guy to run STs in Bisaccia a couple years ago. We can argue over whether that was a good hire or not, but he was a high profile guy who wasn't part of the LaF network.
So who knows?
That said, the Packers have been drafting personnel to function within an odd-front model (but really are pretty 'multiple') and have invested positionally in guys who tend to fit that mold, but I don't think they're really all that far from being a team that runs an even-front base defense. Recall that when McCarthy dumped Bob Sanders, they shifted to an odd-front--but they also found key parts right away to fill those holes that were made by the shift. I think there's more flexibility in how the defense is run than we might give credit.
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 09:27 am
dobber,
The same thing was reported in an Acme Packing Co. article yesterday.
Worse yet is that LaFleur once again dodged all questions regarding Barry's future, and called the defense's performance on Saturday night "Fantastic" in a post game interview.
If indeed LaFleur truly believes that was a fantastic performance it proves that he's NOT head coaching material, who in hell does he think he's kidding?
He's a coward!
Bitternotsour
January 23, 2024 at 09:53 am
Catch the two dropped INT's and Barry's defense is in the NFC Championship game. It's not scheme but execution. I'll be shocked if Barry isn't back.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 10:02 am
I think they actually did play pretty well, and held SF to 24 points. That's no easy feat.
Get a first down or two on that second last possession rather than a 3-and-out. That allows you to eat a couple minutes, probably force SF to use their TO, and flip field position on a punt. In the end, it's a team effort. The offense didn't hold up its end down the stretch, either. Plenty of chances missed--which is why the Packers were not the better team on Saturday.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 10:49 am
True, but the loss of Deebo and QB struggles had a big role in their offense misfiring. When it mattered, it was all too easy and fast.
Leatherhead
January 23, 2024 at 10:16 am
I agree with you, and would add that if Savage doesn't get dejocked by McCaffrey on the TD run to the list, or if Kittle doesn't break a tackle on his long reception and run, it's the same deal. It's execution, not scheme.
Nothing shocks me anymore, so I don't know what's going to happen with Barry. I've read numerous articles about how the players like playing for Barry, and I think that's a consideration. The bottom line is that I think we're unlikely to replace him with somebody who is going to do better.
The expectations of our defense is not only that we don't give up many points (9th in scoring defense) but also that we never give up points at the "wrong time". IMO, that's a pretty steep hill to climb.
If they don't replace Barry,the nattering nabobs of negativism will continue to chew on him and LaFleur for not firing him. If he's replaced, and the defense doesn't meet the expectations, then LaFleur will get chewed for not hiring better staff.
And then there is the issue of personnel. It's entirely possible we're going to lose a combination of Savage, Campbell, and/or PSmith. Engabare won't be contributing anything until mid-season. Alexander and Stokes are often injured. Owens is a FA. So whoever our DC is, they'll have to deal with all that.
I think that football is driven by the team that has the ball, and that you put pressure on teams by moving the ball and scoring points. I think the remaining four teams are all very good offensive teams, particularly at passing. I'd like to see the Packers focus on improving their #12 ranked offense. Defensively, I think we should bring back Barry and most of the defense (probably not Savage and Campbell) and hope that we can be a Top 10 scoring defense again.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 06:53 am
Granted ?- Tell that to Gutey.
Everyone did everything to win but him.
Trading Douglass-
Kicker Troubles-
Rushing Stats - That never change
And the failure of draft picks in the secondary-
It starts at the top Cory.
And Gutey took things for granted.
News flash- The Lions won the draft, Division, and advanced.
He knew the Needs. The stats don't Lie.
So before we look to the future.
Look upward first.
Untylu1968
January 23, 2024 at 07:14 am
Douglas is making tee times just like the Packers are right now!
As for the lions and their draft picks.
#1 they've been drafting in the top half of the draft for 30 years, about time they won something!
#2 The reason for all those great picks for the lions, they had the balls and the guts to trade their franchise QB at the right time. They got rid of a great character guy, that took balls.
calabasa
January 23, 2024 at 08:09 am
Stafford wanted out. Big difference.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 09:38 am
He was tired of losing and the team needed a boost. The two fit.
The key part was that Goff was effective enough once they protected him that they didn't need to go through the wringer of burning high-end capital on finding a starting QB AND build the OL AND.....
They still have holes. They need to find some DBs. They need help on the DL, yet. Really, they need to invest in all levels of their defense, and they probably will in this draft.
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 11:19 am
calabasa,
Stafford just wanted a shot and rightfully so.
He was a great 'Character guy' in Detroit, took a lot of beatings over the years, and always remained a team guy. Never spoke bad of the organization.
He earned and rightfully deserved a shot.
I'm glad for him that he got a ring.
Untylu1968
January 23, 2024 at 08:11 am
Rodgers didn't??
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 10:52 am
And they built an awesome OL while finding an all star rusher.
NJ-RICK
January 23, 2024 at 07:26 am
I couldn't agree more... It all starts and ends at the top.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 07:38 am
The Packers were 2-5 when they dealt Douglas. They were 7-3 after and 1-0 in the playoffs.
Apparently they know how to win games without him.
Move on.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 07:58 am
And what happened when Savage and Alexander were out?
Move on? OR does someone need to play like expected.
Do as your told- signed Joe Barry
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 09:27 am
"And what happened when Savage and Alexander were out?"
When they were both out, the Packers were 2-1 (W vs. LAC, DET; L to TB)
Individually when Savage was out they were 4-3. Alexander 5-5.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 10:15 am
In other words they got better--
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 10:39 am
Based on the sample size--for a team that played mostly .500 ball--it's all pretty much the same.
To say otherwise is tilting the interpretation pretty handily.
jannesbjornson
January 23, 2024 at 11:24 am
He wasn't focused on Winning, at the time...
PackFanatic99
January 23, 2024 at 08:50 am
Yeah right. Gutey reloaded faster than anyone imagined. 18 teams who didn't make the playoffs are stunned how the Packers can go ALL IN in 2021, be WAY over the cap, then have one down year, then reload and take all the cap hits and move on from their HOF QB and STILL have a good year and make the playoffs. And draft picks galore.
Gutey should probably be up for NFL GM or Executive of the year.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 09:32 am
There are only 3 players left that predate BG as "official" GM in the new power structure: AJones, Clark, and Bakhtiari.
Bakhtiari is essentially gone.
Jones may not be gone.
Clark should return.
This is BG's team.
packer132
January 23, 2024 at 09:47 am
Read Packfanatic99's post, and chew on it. I couldn't have said it better. IF/WHEN Packers go to the Super Bowl and win, you will somehow blame Gute for not drafting a better RB or LB. The sky is blue, man.
Yeah right. Gutey reloaded faster than anyone imagined. 18 teams who didn't make the playoffs are stunned how the Packers can go ALL IN in 2021, be WAY over the cap, then have one down year, then reload and take all the cap hits and move on from their HOF QB and STILL have a good year and make the playoffs. And draft picks galore.
Gutey should probably be up for NFL GM or Executive of the year.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 10:11 am
It's a pledge my allegiance to Gutey!
You keep bringing up the rebuilding.
While I brought up the coaching/this year.
The present situation called for more.
And Gutey gave them less during the season.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 11:00 am
Jordan Love and this bunch of young skill players speaks for itself far more forcibly than anything you can say.
There is more to do, but if you aren’t excited by Love now, it’s because you refuse to be. You did the same with Rodgers till a month or two into his Super Bowl season.
This roster is good, ridiculously so given where we were last year. It’s not finished, but this season Gute won handsomely. One hell of a platform. The excitement for the future is palpable. It’s been a while since we could say that.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 11:33 am
This isn't Tudar electric Football;;
So say something new, and give me your best argument.
I never mentioned Love.
I mentioned MLF. Who spoke highly of Love.
Nobody said the roster wasn't good.
They made the play-offs- AND nearly made it with Rodgers!
BUT THEIR NOT BETTER THAN THE LIONS!
And thats the problem NOW.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 12:18 pm
They were better than the Lions last time we met.
You can’t criticize Gute and not the roster. That’s his role. Love, Reed, Wicks, and co, even Melton are here because of Gute. This roster excites everyone far more than last year’s, except you that is.
Since then we’ve had an offensive draft that may be generational and actually seen Love emerge. Other than maybe you, I doubt anyone here would claim Love has not significantly exceeded expectations, except maybe Snot, who always believed Love would be great. You still can’t move on.
Nobody is saying we are perfect. We aren’t. we are a heck of A lot better and younger, the whole feel on O is different. Now we need to retool on D, again. That’s why this is a year to settle on our DC for not merely next year. We need to build in his paradigm. Is that Barry? The draft capital we will be spending will not be as valuable if we keep him and he doesn’t work out and is replaced next off season.
LaFleur is the Head Coach, that’s on him and his decisions will affect what type of players we draft on OL and D, and that’s going to be critical to support this young talent straining what we all hope for. If LaFleur gets it wrong, our drafts won’t be as well targeted as they could be. In my opinion, that’s what screwed up the 2020 draft which always looked to be fot the O design it’s now clear Rodgers vetoed.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 01:59 pm
Your argument should have continued about the Lions!
Last time Rodgers said they were two players away.
Since the last time, the OL improved. Walker and Tom.
Rather than your idealism. And repetitious attacks.
State why Gutey drafted more weapons and finally a PR.
This wasn't about me or we. It was about Gutey's OPTIONS.
Don't confuse Barry and MLF. Their Separate;
and you're trying to kill two birds with one stone. As Always!
Now I'm going to tell about re -tooling.
If you can't see the Regression or Holes only patched.
It isn't on MLF or the player "we" draft.
It's on Gutey! BPA when in doubt.
Your opinion of the 2020 draft ?
Why was that a screw -up.?
Gutey does No wrong in your eyes.
But MLF, his staff, and players, still made the most of it.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 05:48 pm
Barry and LaFleur are joined at the hip. You again miss the difference between LaFleur as a Head Coach and a Coordinator.
How do you think Walker and Tom came to be in Green Bay? They are both Gute draft picks and good ones. LaFleur didn’t manufacture them out of thin air. The OL wasn’t how we beat the Lions last time as much as a certain 2020 draft pick and some young Gute picks at WR and TE. But we did beat them (admittedly with help from their coach on the day). The big difference Year-on-year was a lot of Gute draft picks.
If you can’t see the progress on O from last season to this, I feel sorry for you. Now we need to match it on D. That means players at safety particularly but it also means better game plans and coaching. Ultimately that is the responsibility of LaFleur to ensure.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 06:59 pm
You still miss that Gutey is over them.
And Management did want Petine to stay. -
This isn't about Turkey day.
This is about how to win despite the odds.
How to take a later draft pick, and still win.
Purdy vs. Love is a perfect example.
MLF found the best place for Walker and Tom
this year. It had everything to do with LUCK>
Game ready means just that.
Scheme is the proper fit.
What works for one game doesn't always.
And you can't tell me that both qbs
didn't get coached up.
Gutey doesn't have anything to worry about
but his own butt.
Ball counts the Beans. Mlf does the coaching.
He'll only blame the scouting services if they
don't work out.
11Bravo1p
January 24, 2024 at 04:44 am
I don’t see the regression in the Packers you are talking about. I see a young exciting football team built by Gute through the draft and other teams practice squads. Both Walker and Tom were late round draft picks.
T7Steve
January 23, 2024 at 06:57 am
They lost. It happens.
It's not a bad thing after the initial let down.
I believe everyone involved will learn and get better from this game, including the head coach who has never beaten the 9ers in the playoffs.
The kicker's too young to throw under the bus yet. I think they need to bring in some competition in camp for him to learn with, but he's going to be ok. We don't want a revolving door at kicker or punter any more than at QB. They should be able to tell half way through camp if he's made progress.
PackFanatic99
January 23, 2024 at 08:50 am
I agree. I like your view on Carlson. This is exactly what they should do.
SinceLombardi
January 23, 2024 at 07:12 am
Let’s not forget the 49ers played most of the game without Deebo Samuels. I think that was huge in keeping Barry’s defense from getting blown up befor the final quarter.
I was very disappointed in Rashan Gary during the last two games of the season and the postseason. The Enegbare loss was bigger than I expected. The blitz never got home. Valentine was awful in coverage and came close to getting some stupid dead ball penalties.
Hopefully they will upgrade Savage, and Campbell.. Wyatt and Walker have yet to live up to their draft status. With so many under performing players on one side of the ball , to me it screams Joe must go!
Since'61
January 23, 2024 at 07:32 am
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill
The Packers have so much to build off of from this 2023/24 season especially on offense. The way the offense came together during the 2nd half of the season was impressive even in the playoff loss. The playoff experience this young team earned should be a huge factor as the Packers go forward over the next few seasons.
The key will be where does the defense go from here. Can they evolve into a defense that makes stops at key points in the game? Will they improve at stopping the run? Will they move on from Joe Barry?
The playoff losses always seem to follow the same pattern. We move away from our best offensive player, in this case Jones, and the defense fails to make the key stops late in the 4th quarter. Why does this repeat itself whether it was the veteran team with Rodgers or now the young team with Love? The pattern has been the same going all the way back to 2011. Something fundamental needs to change in Green Bay. Exactly what I'm not sure. Thanks, Since '61
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 07:50 am
Offense- No defensive Coach
could have accomplished what MLF did.
So whats the problem with the Defense?
People are pointing at Joe Barry-
Yet tackling; was a main failure in every loss.
Replace the Free Safeties is priority one.
Next- Stack the Depth!
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 10:41 am
Hold on while I keep shifting these goal posts...
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 11:05 am
A truly good defensive coach has a truly good offensive coordinator. LaFleur might even be one. Does he, an offensive coach have a truly good DC? The questions at the moment aren’t about Gute, but about our coaching and how they will answer them.
stockholder
January 23, 2024 at 11:18 am
I think you have to lookout the stats.
The DL has been near the bottom since 2010.
A true ILB should be taken.
The safeties have regressed.
A business needs good employees
Why wouldn't a football Team?
jannesbjornson
January 23, 2024 at 11:26 am
Two ILBs....
T7Steve
January 23, 2024 at 07:52 am
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill"
A little-known fact is that that quote is taken out of context. He was trying to order another round for the house. LOL
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 09:15 am
Wit and Wisdom from Winston. One of my favorites:
Lady Astor: "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee."
Winston Churchill: "Nancy, if I were your husband I'd drink it."
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 08:54 am
"The key will be where does the defense go from here. Can they evolve into a defense that makes stops at key points in the game? Will they improve at stopping the run? Will they move on from Joe Barry?"
Last to first thing is what happens with Barry. For me reading between the lines in LaFleur's press conference I think they are going to move on. He talked about how great the offensive coaches were, said good things about Bissacia. But when it came to the defense he basically said that he needs to review it and look into it.
So I believe he is planning to make a change. Or he is looking first and if he can get the guy he wants, he will make the change. If he can't get someone he wants, he will keep Barry. I don't think he wants it to happen like the first time he hired a special teams coordinator and couldn't get the guy he wanted. And then for his DC he wanted one guy who turned it down and had to settle for Barry.
So first step getting a new DC. I think that will affect the defense more then anything else they do. Once LaFleur inserted himself into the defense later in the season they played better. That to me says getting the right coach will improve the current players.
Next step is the development of the young players. They had some rookies making major contributions. We talk about the offensive rookies but we don't often talk about the defensive rookies that played and played well. LVN, Brooks, Wooden, Valentine, Johnson, all played and all should take a step next year.
After that is adding players. There are some decisions to be made on the defensive side. Do they let Campbell and/or Smith go? So they will need to add to those positions if they do let them go. And they need to add to the DB room. With Enagbare likely out for a while, they could need more OLB's as well.
But in general I think they are pretty set there.
bjkdad44
January 23, 2024 at 09:24 pm
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 10:04 am
Since'61,
I always appreciate your level headed approach, I wish I had your patience.
To me, the answer to what you ask is simple, its "Coaching". No 'Killer' instinct! No 'Kick their ass' attitude.
Every cell in my body believes that had Dan Campbell been coaching the Packers on Saturday night they'd have pummeled the 9ers into oblivion.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions do just that.
Alberta_Packer
January 23, 2024 at 12:59 pm
Just an editorial note - the quote was not from Winston Churchill. However I liked the rest of your post.
bjkdad44
January 23, 2024 at 09:21 pm
Coaching needs to change Since!
Since'61
January 24, 2024 at 07:32 am
Yes, at least on the defense. Thanks, Since '61
beerandbrats
January 23, 2024 at 07:46 am
I thought the offense showed significant growth and improvement this year. We're not rookies anymore, and the standard is much higher now, but I believe these young kids will return motivated to achieve even more next year!
The future is very bright for this offense but I'm not sure we can say the same about the defense.
This defense is pretty good but not good enough. We can continue to throw first round draft picks at the defense but I wouldn't expect much improvement without better leadership, development and coaching.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 07:49 am
I don't think any of us were content with the loss to SF, especially in how it played out. I don't think the Packers were the better team...I think that on Saturday they were in a dead heat with SF. SF players say they had a crap game, but that's massaging their egos: there are two teams on the field, and the other team was preventing you from doing what you thought you could do.
I think many of us are concerned that 2023 was a "lightning-in-a-bottle" season. There needs to be an aggressive approach by management and LaF to make this team better. Sit on your laurels and be content and you'll be looking up at the rest of the division in 2024 because everyone else will be making moves.
T7Steve
January 23, 2024 at 08:00 am
They need to get better, especially on the line of scrimmage, and keep evolving and changing the looks. Save stuff for the playoffs. Dominate and execute your will till you get there.
In the past, we didn't seem to have a problem beating playoff teams like the 9ers during the regular season. If they couldn't beat us running vanilla and executing, they were content. They learned what we were doing and our tendencies while the hid their good stuff for later.
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 09:26 am
Yep..."even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." (not my quote, forget the author)
Every leader has to make decisions that will improve the organization's performance. The HC MUST do the same.
It starts with Barry, and the HC knows it. I maintain the talent on the defense plays well at times in spite of Barry's coaching and instincts to always fall back to his personal mean of prevent (the win) D. It is how he has always coached as DC. And to play prevent...you must have a team of outstanding tacklers. Packers are poor tacklers...fully on display Saturday evening. Does Barry ever practice this skill?
It will not be fun to fired a buddy, but it is necessary. But in a few weeks, it would be a win win. Not just a win for the Packers but also for Joe. DC is simply not a good fit for him.
Does anyone believe another NFL team would even consider Barry for their DC?
Leatherhead
January 23, 2024 at 10:30 am
dobber, I think we lost a close game, on the road, to the best team in the NFC, and possibly the NFL. We could have played better and we could have won.
That's our starting point for 2024. I'd like to see us strengthen the offense by improving the OL and adding a premium RB to replace Dillon so we're not handing off to a practice squad guy in the playoffs.
Defensively, I'd let go of Campbell and Savage, I'd try to keep PSmith (because Enagbare will miss most of the year). I'd spend an early pick on a DB, and I'd try to find a gem at DB on Day 3. Hope Valentine improves. Hope Johnson improves. Hope Ford is better.
GregC
January 23, 2024 at 08:13 am
Did anyone else notice that Jordan Love's first season ended the same way Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers' careers with the Packers ended? With a really dumb interception. It was such a familiar feeling. The good news is that it was his first season, not his last, and he will learn from this.
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 09:30 am
And for Favre, the INT leader, the HOFer put exclamation points to that distinction with his last pass for the Packers, Jets and Ugly Purple all being an INT.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Right, Jordan Love will use the pain of his past two interceptions (balanced with the perspective of his overall level of amazing success this season, including much of the game against the 49ers) for an added oomph of determination to become a star and a champion.
Aided by a surge of encouragement and support from the fans, Love will hone his craft each and every season, stay focused and humble and coachable, and be a true leader with the Packers for two or more victories in the Super Bowl.
It's his decision, and to some extent ours as fans.
***
As Bart Starr liked to say (as put in my paraphrase), our futures are not a matter of fate but free will, not a matter of fickle destiny but firm decisions.
With the grace of God, may we all triumph in our lives through the unrelenting perseverance that comes with the humility of knowing we can always be better.
Then, no regrets.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 01:03 pm
This is the exact quote cited by Starr, which comes from William Jennings Bryan:
https://www.azquotes.com/author/2085-William_Jennings_Bryan
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 08:17 am
Plain and simple, we should have won that game. We lost the game more then the 49ers won the game. That is the part that still stings.
2 dropped interceptions to me changed the game and not in our favor. If Savage catches his, there is a chance he has a pick 6. If Nixon catches his, they have at minimum 20-30 yards of better field position. And with his return skills he probably gains an extra 10+ yards.
There were some other key plays in the game that changed the game as well. Doubs not bringing in that TD catch on the opening drive. The missed FG. The bad officiating. To many things.
But the fact that we should have beat the number 1 seed in their house, shows us exactly where we are. We are a team that is going to be a force for the foreseeable future. We are set up well for this offseason as well. We don't know who they will resign and who they will go and sign, and we don't know who they will draft. But they don't have a lot of key pieces leaving in Free Agency. And they are stacked in the draft.
They have 5 picks in the first 2 days of the draft. They are projected to add 3 compensation picks. NFL's website thinks they will get a 5th round for Lazard, and 2-6th rounds for Lowry and Reed.
But the biggest reason why we should be better, is our rookie class was elite. Most players take a big jump from year 1 to year 2. But players also take a big jump from year 2 to year 3. Our last 2 drafts have been excellent and that is one of the biggest reasons why we are set up well for the future!
Bitternotsour
January 23, 2024 at 10:02 am
5 picks in the first 100, and at least 3 of them will make significant contributions. We'll get better in the secondary and at linebacker/edge. The future is burning bright. At the beginning of the season I thought there was a leadership problem, I'm over that assessment. I see zero chance that LaFleur changes coordinators, and I see a better year next year. It will be exciting to see how the team is constructed over the offseason.
Leatherhead
January 23, 2024 at 10:32 am
Welcome to the Dark side, Bitternotsour. I don't forsee major changes. We're THIS close.....just add to and improve what we have.
Bitternotsour
January 23, 2024 at 11:40 am
I've been evolving. I went from active dislike of MLF based on his kowtowing to his royal highness AR to grudging acceptance that his team is now buying what he's selling.
I watched the defense closely, it's playing a modern hybrid style, and the failures have been execution rather than scheme. Do i feel great about Barry, do I feel he is an innovator, a motivator of men, no. Is there an innovator out there that could/would replace him, I have no idea. If there is a guy, I have no doubt their agent is actively reaching out, but I don't know that LaFleur will upset the apple cart for the sake of just changing bodies.
I've never thought the future wasn't bright, hell, even with LaFleur I thought they'd win 11 or 12 games this year and win the division. Just excising the cancer that was #12 pointed upward for me.
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 10:35 am
As of right now they have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds. Without knowing what they are going to be doing for moves in the offseason, I think the positions they need to hit with those 5 picks are S, ILB, OL. Those IMO are the 3 most needed positions as we stand today. They could always double up on one of those positions, but other needs that they could look for are RB and Edge.
We need to upgrade RB behind Jones. I like Wilson, but we need another explosive RB. Edge maybe a greater need depending on if they would decide to move on from Smith. I thought OT was going to be a huge need but the way Walker played down the stretch, I don't think its as high of a need. I think they will likely move on from Campbell. But I think a speedier ILB to pair with Walker, i think could make the defense even better. Safety to me is the greatest need right now.
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 11:39 am
It’s not about being better, it’s about striving to be the best we can be and, in a parity league, that means not accepting average in and off the field. It may not work, but if you don’t try then it is even more unlikely. Yes, this young roster may carry this team higher simply on increased experience and physical development , but can the coaches take that roster as far as it’s capable or are we asking the talent to make the coaching look better?
Bitternotsour
January 23, 2024 at 11:45 am
Nothing about the recent history this organization suggests they won't be striving to be the best. The last 30 years have been a pretty great indicator of their dedication to getting better.
Would be nice if we could find another Nick Collins this year...
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 11:51 am
It would, though he took till his 4th season to really click. Safety is where I’d spend in FA, as well as in the draft. My concern is that no safety has thrived under Barry.
Bitternotsour
January 24, 2024 at 10:30 am
Adrian Amos had a fine run. Legitimately though, never found another safety with the quality of Nick Collins.
Regardless of the coordinator, we have to get improved safety play.
mjbrogno
January 23, 2024 at 08:20 am
I said it last week that this game had a different feel to it than past playoff games against the 49ers, and it did. But, it hurts like hell knowing that one opportunity out of many chances would have put us in the Championship game. Yes., we were playing with “house money,” in making the playoffs and then crushing Jerry’s team. To me, beating the 49ers was my Super Bowl. Being eliminated by the 49ers at least five times in the playoffs just stings to much right now. Let’s hope that we can return the anguish, pain and heartbreak to them in the future, GO PACK GO!!!
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 08:58 am
"this game had a different feel to it than past playoff games against the 49ers,"
I completely agree about this. I feel like past games we were out muscled. I didn't feel like that in this game.
It sucks to lose to them, especially knowing we could/should have won. But to me it felt different.
ricky
January 23, 2024 at 08:33 am
If Barry, who, at best, is a mediocre DC, can get the defense to play that well late in the season (again), then what could a first rate DC do with those same players? But this hire would have to be someone that brings instant credibility with him. The last thing we need is for the players to take six or seven games to "buy into the new system".
GregC
January 23, 2024 at 08:42 am
I don't think Barry is nearly as bad as most fans think he is. He's average. LaFleur needs to find a DC who is above average, but that may not be easy. It needs to be an inspired choice, not just replacing Barry for the sake of replacing him. That was the problem last time. Barry is pretty much the same thing as the guy he replaced, Mike Pettine.
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 09:56 am
Here are Barry's 7 Defenses with him in charge.
Team: Det Det Wash Wash GB GB GB
NFL Ranking Rush yds/att: 23rd, 32nd, 31st, 27th, 30th, 28th, 23rd
NFL Ranking Pass net yds/att: 25th, 32nd, 26th, 23rd, 5th, 26th, 17th
That is decidedly below average. Packers cannot settle for this incompetence. He may be a good coach, but as DC, he has been in the wrong job.
Art
January 23, 2024 at 10:05 am
Replacing Barry with a much better DC should be easier than you think. the DC position in GB is a very lucrative job. A young fast rising team loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, a winning tradition, a bright future and no menacing owner. What other team offers that? With so many teams firing coaches there are many very good experienced and proven successful DC coordinators/ coaches/former head coaches available. But as teams fill their vacancies the choices will dwindle. MLF needs to act sooner than later. Next year we can't afford to lose games due to soft zone bend and break defensive philosophy which Barry stubbornly believes in. And MLF needs to concentrate on being head coach/play calling rather than watching over /forcing Barry to be aggressive in his defensive calls.
GregC
January 23, 2024 at 10:37 am
Points is a more meaningful measure of a defense than yards, and Barry has done better in that regard. The Packers finished 10th in scoring defense this year. Yards matter though. I agree that LaFleur should make this move quickly while the best candidates are out there.
LambeauPlain
January 23, 2024 at 01:02 pm
It is not just points...it is when they are surrendered. Barry's prevent (the win) defense gives them up at consistently inopportune game situations...mostly at the end of games AFTER the O has given him a lead.
GregC
January 23, 2024 at 01:50 pm
The Packers defense got the job done down the stretch in close wins against the Saints, Chargers, Chiefs, and Bears. They also kept the Packers' awful (at the time) offense in the game against the Broncos and Raiders. The Packers lost those games mostly because the offense crapped the bed.
It's hard to shut a team out in the 4th quarter, with all of the timeouts, clock stoppages, and four-down situations. I watch other games, and I see this all the time. The rules are designed to favor comebacks because that's what fans love to see.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 10:44 am
In this year's HC market, it seems that the candidates with a defensive background are outnumbering those with an offensive background for the first time in awhile--at least it appears that way. Your take that the DC candidates will thin rapidly is spot on.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Art, your comment seems really good.
Although the winning drive by the 49ers may be due more to their offensive efficiency than to our defensive deficiency, I don't think there's convincing evidence that Barry has really changed all that much.
The risk of keeping him around is just too great, given the debacles as recently as those against DeVito/Mayfield/Stroud (and I would say it wasn't all that much better against Fields and the Bears; in that game our offense amazingly ate up the last six minutes, plus three opposition timeouts and the two-minute warning).
It seems the Packers should go all out to get a premier defensive coordinator, but that if necessary, we should be willing to get simply a promising defensive coordinator -- before we settle for Barry any longer.
After three years, Barry should be a resounding success rather than a continuing question mark that unsettles our stomachs in looking to the future.
We can't risk further agonies of stubbornly passive ineptitude.
ImaPayne
January 23, 2024 at 02:47 pm
I dont give Barry credit for Purdy spending three quarters trying to make a pass. If his passing was accurate the Niners would have ran up points because there were no defenders vying for the ball other then the one almosy interception. Bary had luck no skill.
2. Dallas entire game is based on Dak to Lamb. They fed off each other and for some reason were way off and that again had zilch to do Bary. A lot of our interceptions are errant throws nowhere near the receiver but we have someone out of position.
No if Barry D was working then Purdy wouldnt have had a second life at the end and they wouldnt have marched down field un abated. They made big plays down field, lots of them and we did nothing to stop them.
Even Mullins who in one late game was very hot and moved the Vikes up and down the field but against us his arm was off and he looked like crap and it had nothing at all to do with our secondary coverage.
Guam
January 23, 2024 at 08:50 am
Two interesting articles in the local Madison newspaper this morning.
(1) During Lafleur's press conference Monday, he refused to comment on retaining Barry which is the opposite of last year when (in the same press conference) he stated he wanted to keep Barry. Don't know if that means Barry is gone, but at least Lafleur appears to be thinking about it.
(2) John Runyon was openly crying while cleaning out his locker and seemed to indicate that he doesn't expect to return to Green Bay. Said he loves the organization and team and wants to return, but understands this is a business and he may not be offered the opportunity to return. Also apparently has had no contact from the Packers about returning.
The offseason begins.......
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 09:03 am
"(1) During Lafleur's press conference Monday, he refused to comment on retaining Barry which is the opposite of last year when (in the same press conference) he stated he wanted to keep Barry. Don't know if that means Barry is gone, but at least Lafleur appears to be thinking about it."
Bill Huber had a good report about this as well. He essentially said if you read between the lines it seems as if LaFleur is prepared go in a different direction. Because he praised the offensive coaches, and the special teams coaches. But when it came to Barry, he wouldn't comment on it.
That was the same vibes I had as well while watching it.
Rob Demovsky openingly thought that there was a chance LaFleur maybe was looking to hire someone he wanted before he moved on from Barry. Basically that he wants to make sure he has his guy before he moves on.
Guam
January 23, 2024 at 09:44 am
Hopefully we will know in a few days RC. I will be very disappointed if Lafleur retains Barry. Barry's default defense is just too passive and I don't think you can win a championship with it. If you look at the four remaining teams in the hunt for the SB, they all play aggressive defenses.
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 09:55 am
The comment above that this late defensive run was catalyzed by adding the HC to the defensive coaching meetings, and that the HC as offensive play-caller likely can't maintain that involvement, should be a telling one.
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 10:02 am
I think we will.
I can't remember for sure but I thought Wilde asked LaFleur if it was sustainable for him to keep being as involved in the defense as he was. I believe that is when he commented about how much faith he has in Steno and whatnot. I could be off on that and could be mixing things up in my brain, it is Tuesday afterall. But I think LaFleur realizes that he can't keep doing what he had to do to finish the year.
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 09:50 am
RC,
I hope your interpretation above is more accurate than my take. Hearing MLF call Saturday's defensive performance "fantastic" in the post game interview had smoke coming out of both of my ears!
Maybe MLF's going to take another shot at Leonhard (or others) before he fires Barry, and with that I'm OK. It makes some sense, but with all the HC openings time waits for no one, the good DC's will disappear fast.
If he sits for 2 weeks and then announces that he's keeping Barry, I think I just might fucking explode!
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 10:08 am
But who is he praising? The defense did perform well overall. And you can't blame some of the things on Barry. 2 dropped interceptions, some badlly missed tackles. that stuff isn't on Barry. But the final drive where he basically played 2 deep and allowed them to dink and dunk down the field was.
My first hope is Leonhard. There are others that would be great too. I wonder if he wants to go young or go old. I could see it go either way. I know he sent high praise to Wink Martindale when they were going to face them. Maybe they look at going with someone like Al Harris.
I will say this. I wonder if he sits and waits 2 weeks and says he is bringing back Barry. I wonder if what Rob Demovsky said is true. That he reached out behind the scenes to other guys he wanted and if they turned him down.
But for the position it has to be an attractive one to a lot of people. We have a young emerging offense. We have a lot of really key young players on defense. Its set up well to be an attractive position!
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 10:31 am
RC,
That's just it!
You mention a lot of things, and say it can't be put on Barry, and you're not wrong there.
But, my point was that how can anyone call that "Fantastic"? Certainly NOT anyone who knows anything about football. Could you have called it that way considering the things you list? No, you wouldn't have!
Barry's lack of aggressiveness has me convinced it's about personality, and its not uncommon for a team to mimic the personality of their coaches. Passive doesn't cut it on a football field.
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 10:44 am
"But, my point was that how can anyone call that "Fantastic"? Certainly NOT anyone who knows anything about football. Could you have called it that way considering the things you list? No, you wouldn't have!"
They held the 49ers to 14 points at the end of the 3rd quarter. The 49ers were the 3rd highest scoring teams in the league. They had them on the ropes.
Now it didn't finish great, but for 3/4 of the game they really did play well!
"Barry's lack of aggressiveness has me convinced it's about personality, and its not uncommon for a team to mimic the personality of their coaches."
Completely agree. Its why I think LaFleur will move on from him. I could be wrong. But with how I interpreted what he said, it seems to me he is preparing to let him go. He just has to go through the process of it.
He praised Clements, Steno, and had good things to say about Special Teams coaches. But when it came to the defense it was "no decisions have been made".
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 10:48 am
RC,
Allow me to Edit my post.
"Could you have called it that way considering the things you list?"
No, you wouldn't have! We're Not Idiots! :)
dobber
January 23, 2024 at 09:53 am
"Basically that he wants to make sure he has his guy before he moves on."
Even if LaF wants to work that way, it will be a hard secret to keep--namely that he's inquiring and looking--in today's media world.
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 10:11 am
yeah Rob Demovsky brought that up. So how much of that goes on that we don't already know about?
Coldworld
January 23, 2024 at 11:59 am
Runyon also mentioned that he was struggling with multiple physical issues throughout the season. He stated that the rotation wasn’t ideal, but he admitted it did help him physically at first.
This is where unreported player health is a factor (this could apply to Gary and Campbell off the top of my head too). Was Runyon just impaired? The team should know, but we don’t. His best games were all recent though, which could support the fact that he was playing below full capability.
RCPackerFan
January 23, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Yeah Runyan definitely went downhill this year. Could definitely be injury related. Or maybe he wasn't that good to begin with. Not really sure.
I definitely believe Campbell was injured. He just looked slow. Which is to be expected when you are injured.
I wondered with Gary if he wore down with his knee.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 12:35 pm
We should be careful about moving on from solid young players like Runyan, and always treat them with respect and appreciation.
However, stand-up guys will understand if we move on to another player who seems to be a real upgrade, for the good of all of the rest of the players and coaches, as well as the fans.
The coaches have a real responsibility in determining whether guys like Runyan are ready to take a step up, or have reached the limits of their potential and should be replaced.
There's also the middle ground of keeping Runyan as possibly a top-quality starter for the long term, but as at least a backup for now.
***
I'm sad to see players go, but accept it as necessary at times for the good of the team and the fans.
However, the Packers should be just as willing to upgrade with their coaches as with their players.
No cronyism, or even undue sentimentality.
Lphill
January 23, 2024 at 09:53 am
maybe Joe Barry will except one of those other job offers he received , or will receive, or hope he receives or heard he might receive , or maybe not.
Houndog
January 23, 2024 at 10:12 am
LOL!
Thanks LP, my first really good belly laugh of the morning.
ImaPayne
January 23, 2024 at 02:50 pm
McDonalds is still in need of managerial trainee's
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 10:38 am
I'm glad Joe Barry did a better job with the defense late in the season, but that doesn't mean he's the best man for the job going forward.
We should be looking to upgrade at defensive coordinator with a stellar replacement to lead our defense into dominance.
***
As the record I think would show, I've been highly reluctant to move on from Mason Crosby over the years, because he's been so clutch.
As I remember it, I even put forth the scenario that if Anders Carlson was really a spectacular find, but not quite ready for the big moments of the NFL, he could be put on the practice squad to hone his craft for a year.
My analogy has been to compare a field goal kicker in football with a relief pitcher in baseball. It's devastating for a team to play hard for an entire game, then fall short at the end because of not being able to close it out.
It takes a special makeup to handle pressure situations, and guys like Crosby aren't to be taken for granted a long as they still have significant life in their leg and steadiness in their nerves.
Near the end of last season, Crosby showed he can hit from 50 yards; would that the Packers had had him ready to try that key attempt against the 49ers from 41 yards.
***
Overall, I look at the glass half full in the effort against the 49ers.
The Packers had to travel halfway across the country on a short week coming off a demanding game against the Cowboys, while the 49ers had two weeks off.
Also, when there is a steady, soaking rain, it throws everything off.
I'm amazed that the Packers were able to hang with the 49ers so competitively until the very end, and think this game featured lots of good football from the Packers on offense, defense, and special teams -- with the offense verging on the spectacular with some amazing play-calling from head coach Matt LaFleur.
We do well to encourage Jordan Love to reflect on how wonderfully far he has come this season -- including his impressive efforts under pressure against a top defense in the 49ers -- while also exhorting him to use the hurt of the two bad interceptions to increase his determination to go forward with a career of excellence.
***
However, the main point of Cory's column is critical to heed.
The Packers can't let up at all, but must strive for continuous improvement.
Turn the pain of this 49ers game of the past into championships for the future.
That starts with a new defensive coordinator, an analysis of coaching strengths and weaknesses throughout this past season, then a close look at every player at every position on the roster.
The Packers have to treat all of their personnel with respect and appreciation, while at the same time being ready to upgrade to even better.
WestCoastPackerBacker
January 23, 2024 at 11:39 am
Yay, nice article to stir up negativity, when there is so much to be happy about. Yeah, they didn't play a perfect game; they let one slip away. GB hasn't had a real ball hawk on defense in some time. Maybe time to draft one that can catch interceptions. But they played beyond what anyone thought their abilities were.
You wanna fire Joe Barry, but that D was playing against some of the most dynamic players in the league. McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Samuel. And GB was playing with not much talent at safety and a 7th round rookie starting at CB. They need more talent in the secondary and at ILB that can cover the middle of the field better.
Every team makes mistakes and some teams can overcome those mistakes on certain days. But SF is way more playoff tested that this group in GB. They have every opportunity to restock some on defense and continue to grow. It won't be this year that they will be able to afford free agents, but next year should have that opportunity to fill holes with some veteran talent.
They are going to be a challenge in the NFC for some time.
Swisch
January 23, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Respectfully, WCPB, we have to look at Barry's work with the Packers in its entirety, and discern after three season whether he looks to be a top defensive coordinator that the Packers deserve.
***
By the way, those weren't easy interceptions to be made.
The one not made by Nixon was especially difficult.
The one to Savage should have been made, but wasn't as easy as it looks.
It's surprisingly difficult to make a catch right in the middle of the chest as far as positioning the thumbs up or down, and as far as catching the ball against the body or in front of it.
It's especially hard when running toward a pass that's thrown with a good amount of velocity.
That being said, we could use as many ball hawks on defense as possible; and we should have our coverage guys continually improving their catching skills.
I still think we should have kept Rasul Douglas as a ballhawk and a gamer. If he was upset with the Packers defense, that's probably mostly in his favor.
***
The main point with Barry is to not depend too much on statistics, but to also go with the eye test, the gut-wrenching test, and the heart-pounding test.
NFL players are highly competitive, and need to be let loose much more than has been consistently the case with Joe Barry.
Our defense needs to be disciplined, but it also has to be allowed to be much more daring.
The talented cast on defense for the Packers -- and those players to come -- will thrive on the challenge of more blitzes and tighter coverages.
Starrbrite
January 23, 2024 at 01:57 pm
My view is much the same as Cory’s, but I would say that when you arrive at the doorstep of opportunity, you must seize the moment. There is nothing promised for the future—“the future is now.”
After we beat the Steelers in the SB, I was certain we would win two/three more. Then Raji, leaves, Collins has to retire, etc etc.
Am I optimistic about the future—yes. Is it a done deal—nope!
I am positive in my own mind had we beaten the 9rs, we would have been in the SB—but you have to seize the moment.
Go Packers!!!
beerandbrats
January 23, 2024 at 02:20 pm
The Milwaukee Bucks just fired their first year head coach! They are not messing around because they want to win a championship! Hint Hint: FJB
ImaPayne
January 23, 2024 at 03:01 pm
The NFC North in general is going to be a tough cookie next season. IMO the top conference in football. Here why:
The Vikes coach mid season said this year will be a rebuild. That tells me they were viewing all the players year long and know who needs to go and what their needs are moving forward via draft/free agency. thus they've been doing their homework.
The Lions per draft analyst my end up with the best pass rusher coming out of college based on their position in the first round. They hope to give Hutchinson some much needed help and make the pass rush vicious.
The Bears possiblilities are endless with lots of money under cap (free agents) and a slew of draft picks, two in the first round, one could be traded for more picks. If they do their job right this year - last year not so great, they could become far younger then the pack with playmakers on both sides the ball. No easy out next year.
Green Bay needs one O linemen, and then must do something to fix this secondary that lacks speed and size. If they can find some early talent with true skill sets, they can make things very interesting. Just worried a Barry D scheme may skrew their brains up?
Thus our enemies will get younger, faster, tougher and more talented too.
gsd3
January 24, 2024 at 03:37 am
Joe Barry does have to go. Stats are one thing. Shutting the opponent down when the game is on the line is something else. Upgrade is needed.
I hope they do not go on a re-structuring binge. Must get the cap under control so if they need to add a vet in a position of need down the road they can do so.
I like the youth movement and are hoping for a secondary rebuild through the draft this year.