My Championship Game Teams....................LOST!!

Well, another blow to my ego!  Saints & Chiefs lost!

What is interesting, is HOW they lost - basically two plays - both decisions by referees!!!!

Saints lost is the most difficult!!  A pass interference NOT called that was OBVIOUS!!

Chiefs loss is attributed to a lining up in the neutral zone by a defensive player!  A play that probably could be called many times during the game!  Issue is, Brady threw an interception, BUT, did not count, and the rest is history!

Interesting game points to stress!

Patriots running game!  Remember, Packers gave up on fullbacks this year!  Patriots used a fullback to dominate the first quarter!  Run the football!  Two reasons, if you can run, everything is easier!  You control the clock, you set up the pass, and you let your offensive linemen wear down the defense!!!

Rams offense - seems the 2nd string pick up Anderson, played more than the "stud" #1 - Gurley?  I would think Gurley would be more dangerous?

Saints, again felt bad for Brees, may be his last dance?   Kamara had only 8 rushed for 15 yards! Did more damage out of backfield - 11 receptions for 96 yards.  Packers MUST use running backs out of backfield next year!!

Chiefs?  Key passing stat - their speed guy Hill - 1 reception for 42 yards!  The TE - Kelce a little better 3 receptions for 23 yards & a TD.  Patriots are VERY good a taking something away!

Overall, good games, but refereeing was bad!  The NFL needs to fix this!

What Can We Learn From Sunday's Playoff Games?

Here we go!  One step away from the Super Bowl!  First, who is this Packer Fan rooting for???

Chiefs.  Why?

Andy Reid. He has been close!  He has helped two NFL teams build good teams!  He has an eye for talent - letting go of Alex Smith, and going with a young Patrick Mahomes.  His offenses are enjoyable to watch & creative.

Chief Players to watch:
TE- Kelce
WR - Hill
QB -Mahomes
OLB - Dee Ford (a free agent!)
S - Berry
DE - Jones

Saints. Why?

Drew Brees.  A quarterback  looking for a second Super Bowl! (Sound familiar?) A team, a lot like the Packers, GOOD times & BAD times!  A head coach, Payton, suffering some bad times, now the good time!

Saints Players to watch:
RB - Kamara
WR - Thomas
QB - Brees
DE - Jordan
LB - Davis
S - Williams

The last ten NFC games?
2018 - Eagles 38 - Vikings 7 (Home Team - Eagles)
2017 - Falcons 44 - Packers 21 (Home Team - Falcons)
2016 - Panthers 49 - Cardinals 15 (Home Team - Panthers)
2015 - Seahawks 28 - Packers 22 (Home Team - Seahawks)
2014 - Seahawks 23 - 49ers 17 (Home Team - Seahawks)
2013 - 49ers 28 - Falcons 24 (Home Team - Falcons)
2012 - Giants 20 - 49ers 17 (Home Team - 49ers)
2011 - Packers 21 - Bears 14 (Home Team - Bears)
2010 - Saints 31- Vikings 28 (Home Team - Saints)
2009 - Cardinals 32 - Eagles 25 (Home Team - Cardinals)

The Last ten AFC games?
2018 - Patriots 24 - Jaguars 20 (Home Team - Patriots)
2017 - Patriots 36 - Steelers 17 (Home Team - Patriots)
2016 - Broncos 20 - Patriots 18 (Home Team - Broncos)
2015 - Patriots 45 - Colts 7 (Home Team - Patriots)
2014 - Broncos 26 - Patriots 16 (Home Team - Broncos)
2013 - Ravens 28 - Patriots 13 (Home Team - Patriots)
2012 - Patriots 23 - Ravens 20 (Home Team - Patriots)
2011 - Steelers 24 - Jets 19 (Home Team - Steelers)
2010 - Colts 30 - Jets 17 (Home Team - Colts)
2009 - Steelers 23 - Ravens 14 (Home Team - Steelers)

What do you see?
First, AFC Patriots - in this game last 7 years!!!  Won it 5 of last 10!
Second, home team wins 9 of 10 last AFC games & 7 of 10 last NFC games!

And, sadly, Packersin last 3 of 10, and go back one more, last 4 of 11!!!!

You are the Packers General Manager for a Day - What Would You Do?????

OK, Packers fans, Packer Shareholders like me!  Would would you do if you were GM for a day?

Packer Free Agents?
The 2019 List:
Top 12
- Clay Matthews - $13,200,000
- Randall Cobb - $10,000,000
- Muhammed Wilkerson - $5,000,000
- Mercedes Lewis - $2,100,000
- Lance Kendicks - $2,000,000
- Byron Bell - $1,600,000
- Devon House - $1,005,000
- Bashaud Breeland - $880,000
- Eddie Pleasant - $790,000
- Ibraheim Campbell - $705,000
- Jake Ryan - $684,000
- Geronimo Allison - $630,000

Here are the top 12 salaries from last year....  I would keep some.....for a price? My price?
- Clay Matthews - $3,200,000
- Randall Cobb - $2,000,000
- Muhammed Wilkerson - $3,000,000
- Mercedes Lewis -NO
- Lance Kendicks - NO
- Byron Bell -NO
- Devon House - NO
- Bashaud Breeland - $680,000
- Eddie Pleasant - NO
- Ibraheim Campbell - $500,000
- Jake Ryan - $750,000
- Geronimo Allison - $700,000
Add it up -  $10,830,000

The NFL website had a list of top 25 free agents, he is the ones I would go after and what I
would pay next year:
1 - DeMarcus Lawrence - DE, Cowboys -
3 - Jadeveon Clowney, OLB, Texans -
4 - Grady Jarrett, DT, Falcons -
5 - Trey Flowers, DE, Patriots -
7 - Dee Ford, OLB, Chiefs -
8 - Frank Clark, DE, Seahawks -
9 - Landry Collins, S, Giants -
10 - CJ Mosley, LB, Ravens -

Chance are, most will sign with their present team.  But, if we could get 2????
My picks - Dee Ford, OLB & Landry Collins, S

My first two draft picks - these positions - DE or OLB, & Offensive Tackle.

We have around $40,000,000 to spend.  And 10 draft picks! 

What Is The Reason For The Patriot Success??

OK, the Patriots!  Why?  What makes this organization work????

1 - Owner, Mr. Kraft.  He is all in.  Anything the Patriots need, they receive!

2 - Coach Belichick?  Just watch.  Every year new players.  Average players achieving!  A defense & offense that seem to work!  At times, during the season, they look very average!  BUT, by year's end, they are there!

3 - Tom Brady, quarterback.  The 16th highest paid QB!  There in part is another reason, more money to spread around!  And, he is intense!  And, he using the system!  And, he wins!

4 - The AFC East Division - Patriots, Bills, Jets, & Dolphins!  The perfect division to be in!!
2001 - Patriots     2010 - Patriots
2002 - Jets           2011 - Patriots
2003 - Patriots     2012 - Patriots
2004 - Patriots     2013 - Patriots
2005 - Patriots     2014 - Patriots
2006 - Patriots     2015 - Patriots
2007 - Patriots     2016 - Patriots
2008 - Dolphins   2017 - Patriots
2009 - Patriots     2018 - Patriots

Are you kidding me!  The last 10 years!  In the last 18 years - 16 titles!!!  This guarantees a trip to the playoffs EVERY year!!!

5 - The System - mentioned earlier.  The offense, allows a QB, that in NOT mobile & 41 years old to succeed!!  Quick passes & creative plays!  A defense, that is not always good, but good enough! They do not give up big plays, but make the other team drive the field!  Special Teams that are not fancy, BUT, do not beat themselves!!!

Watch this weekend.  What will they do to challenge the Chiefs? A team with more talent, but, talent does not win every Sunday!!!!

What Do Packers Learn From Playoff Games?

Here we go, what did we learn this weekend??

1 - You are allowed to pass over the middle of the field!!! (And, you get first downs!)
The Packers offense the past few years seemed to NEVER attack the middle of the field!  Either McCarthy was to blame, or Aaron did it on his own? 

2 - You DO NOT need to spend a lot of money on receivers! ((Patriots)
Before Jordy moved on to the Raiders, the Packers had the highest paid 3 receivers in the NFL!  The Patriots seem to move the ball, and the receivers seem to change every season!

3 - Tom Brady is the 16th highest paid QB! (That allows you to spend on other!)
The ego of today's players seems to be out of control!  The next contract ALWAYS must be higher!  Brady seems to be focused on winning rings and not the bank roll sweepstakes!

4 - You can get free agent pass rushers! Bennett - Eagles, Mack - Bears, and draft!! 
Remember Reggie White!  And, our last few drafts have NOT helped!!!!!

5 - Offensive Creativity!
All you needed to do was watch the games!  Will we get this with our new head coach?  Creative formations, miss-direction plays, short quick passes, using running backs, and attacking the entire football field!!!

We are down to four team!

Patriots - Chiefs
Saints - Rams

Old versus new!

QB - Brees vs Groff
QB - Brady vs Mahomes

Watch Packer Fans!  

What will we look like in 2019??

Define Success in the NFL - Playoff Game Chiefs vs Colts AND Cowboys vs Rams

OK, what can we learn from Game 1, (Chiefs vs Colts) for this weekends NFL playoffs?

Chiefs - QB Mahomes - throws to Hill
Patrick Mahomes, 2nd in the league in yards - 5, 097 &1st in TD's - 50
Tyreek Hill, 4th in the league in yards - 1479 & 4th in TD's - 12

Colts - QB Luck - throws to Hilton
Andrew Luck, 5th in the league in yards - 4,593 & 2nd in TD's 12
TY Hilton, 12th in the league in yards - 1,270 & 24th in TD's - 6

Explosive!

Game #2 (Cowboys vs Rams)

Cowboys - Elliot, Running Back - 1st in the NFL, 1,434 yard, & 2oth in the NFL in TD's - 6
Rams - Gurley, Running Back - 3rd in the NFL, 1,251 yards & 1st in the NFL in TD's - 17

Game #1 (Defense)

Chiefs - 31st yards per game - 405 & 10th in points per game - 21.5
Colts - 11th yards per game - 339 & 24th in points per game - 26.3

Cowboys - 7th yards per game - 329 & 6th in points per game - 20.2
Rams - 11th yards per game - 358 & 20th in points per game - 24.0

Watch carefully!  
                           What is successful?
                                                  What makes a winner in 2019?

Let The Packer Re-Build Begin!

Alright!  Things are changing in Packer Land!

New Head Coach - Matt LaFleur - CHECK!

Second Year GM - Brian Gutekunst - CHECK!

Releasing old assistant coaches - Ron Zook, Special Teams - CHECK!

2019 - Packers Have 21 free agents(listing top 12 & present salaries)
- Clay Matthews - $13,200,000
- Randall Cobb - $10,000,000
- Muhammed Wilkerson - $5,000,000
- Mercedes Lewis - $2,100,000
- Lance Kendicks - $2,000,000
- Byron Bell - $1,600,000
- Devon House - $1,005,000
- Bashaud Breeland - $880,000
- Eddie Pleasant - $790,000
- Ibraheim Campbell - $705,000
- Jake Ryan - $684,000
- Geronimo Allison - $630,000

Building Blocks according to ME!

Offense
QB - Aaron Rodgers
LT - David Bakhtiari
WR - Davante Adams
C - Corey Linsley
RB - Aaron Jones

Defense
DT - Mike Daniels
DE - Kenny Clark
LB - Blake Martinez
CB - Jaire Alexander

Everyone else, need to prove themselves! 

Cap Space left this year - $5,300,000
Cap Space next year - $32,300,000

NFL - other team free agents
NFL Draft - Packers have 10 picks (2 in the first round)

There you go, let to re-build continue!

This article seems to be part of the Packer problem!  And, the Packer buddies have been on top of it!

Packers admit “complacency” 

had infected the football operation

  During the past 2-3 years, it seemed the Packers making the playoffs was enough & a huge amount of attention was focused on Titletown! Instead of winning football games, the football operations were building hotels, breweries, & snowboarding hills! THIS IS A FOOTBALL TEAM!!!

 Some quotes:

“They wanted someone who would hold the players accountable,” Murphy explained. “They felt a complacency had set in among some players and coaches. . . . Is there something we could do to shake people up so they don’t have the complacency?”

"It’s no surprise, especially in light of the absence of a traditional owner."

So, what can we take from this? My guess, it was a McCarthy problem first, a Murphy issue second, and an organization problem third!  The next head on the block, may be Murphy?  And, the way our football operation is run from top to bottom!  

My advice, worry about football and not what to build next to the snowboarding hill!  Worry about Lambeau Field and not the new condo's next to the stadium!  And, DO NOT wait till the Packers are in last place and fighting it out with the Browns for the 1st draft choice!  

By the way, the Browns had a better record this year!

 

What to Make of The First Matt LaFleur Press Conference?

Did you see it?  If not, here is the link, click here: Matt LaFleur Introduction

So, we have our:
President, Mark Murphy
General Manager, Brian Gutekunst
And, behind the scenes, Director of Football Operations, Russ Ball

Matt LaFleur, first impressions:

Authentic

Family

Approachable

Well Spoken

Young

Motivated

Now, what kind of head football coach will he be?  Time will tell!

Next up, The NEW Packers Coaching Staff!

KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!

Just Saying:

2017 Colts - 4 wins & 12 loses

Hire New Head Coach - Frank Reich?

2018 Colts - 10 wins & 6 loses

Colts in the Playoffs!!!

2017 Bears - 5 wins & 11 loses

Hire New Head Coach - Matt Nagy?

2018 Bears - 12 wins & 4 loses

Bears in the Playoffs!!!

2018 Packers - 6 wins & 9 loses & 1 tie

Fire Head Coach Mike McCarthy!

Hire Head Coach Matt LaFleur

2019 Packers - ????????????????

New Packer Head Coack - Matt LaFleur!

Did that seem quick?

Where you surprised?

Do you feel confident as a fan?

Who is this guy?

My answers: YES - YES - NO - Let's find out!

Matt LaFleur:

College

LaFleur's coaching career began at his alma mater, Saginaw Valley State, in 2003 where he served as an offensive graduate assistant. During which time Matt also substitute taught in the local highschools, specializing in math. He proceeded to Central Michigan University where, from 2004–2005, he assisted the offensive staff. In 2006, he coached quarterbacks and receivers at Northern Michigan University. He was the offensive coordinator at Ashland University in 2007. In 2014 he served as the quarterbacks trainer at the University of Notre Dame.

Houston Texans

LaFleur then was hired in 2008 by the Houston Texans to serve as an offensive assistant. He assisted both wide receivers and quarterbacks during his two-year stint there and developed a close relationship with coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Washington Redskins

When Shanahan's father Mike was hired by the Redskins, Kyle brought LaFleur to Washington to coach the quarterbacks.^[2] A primary responsibility of LaFleur's for the 2012 season was to mentor rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, whom LaFleur was particularly fond of.^[3]

Atlanta Falcons

On February 5, 2015, LaFleur was hired to be the Quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons working under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, whom he previously had worked under when with the Washington Redskins. Matt's brother, Mike, was the offensive assistant with the Falcons as well.^[4]
In the 2016 season, Matt helped coach Matt Ryan to winning the league MVP. LaFleur and the Falcons also reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. In the Super Bowl, the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.^[5]

Los Angeles Rams

On February 8, 2017, LaFleur joined the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff as the offensive coordinator, working under Head Coach Sean McVay, whom he previously had worked with during his tenure with the Washington Redskins.^[6]

Tennessee Titans

On January 30, 2018, LaFleur left his position with the Rams to take the same position with the Tennessee Titans.^[7] Joining new head coach Mike Vrabel, LaFleur had the opportunity of calling the plays for the Titans, essentially being a promotion from his former position as offensive coordinator with the Rams.

Green Bay Packers

On January 7, 2019, it was announced that the Green Bay Packers would hire LaFleur to fill their head coaching vacancy. This is LaFleur's first head coaching position.

So, why should we feel good!  Matt Nagy & Frank Reich!  Bears & Colts!  Now, from my view, growing up in Central Pennsylvania, I already knew the two new head coaches!  What did we learn?

The Bears & Colts hired these two gentleman and this season was VERY rewarding!  Our choice, has many similiarities!

1 - First time head coach!
2 - Offensive oriented!
3 - Creative minds!
4 - Quarterback Oriented! Matt Nagy, ex-QB, Frank Reich, ex-QB, & Matt LaFleur, ex-QB!!!

We now have our Head Coach!  

Matt LaFleur!

What Do The Packers Need In 2019?

Watch the playoffs closely & what do you see?

Teams with attacking, creative defenses.

Seattle

Chicago

Teams with attacking, creative offenses.

Kansas City

Los Angeles Rams

Teams with great stories.

Eagles, with back-up QB Foles again!

Chargers, with veteran QB trying for first ring!

Teams with veteran QB's looking for another ring!

Patriots, Brady #6??

Saints, Brees, #2?

So, what do we learn?  The Packers,...............................

1 - Need to be creative on offense, watch Rams, Patriots, Chiefs.

2 - Need impact players on defense, Bears, Seahawks.

Our first two players picked in the draft MUST help us NEXT year!

Free agent players must impact Packers - linebackers, offensive line, a speed threat on offense!

We really are NOT that far away!

At The Beginning of 2019, I Am Thankful to Be a Packer Fan!

Why am I thankful to be a Packer Fan?

First, it is the Green Bay Packers!!!!

Next, Lambeau Field!

We have the most NFL Championships of ANY NFL Team
- 13 in our 100 years!!!!
- 4 of those are Super Bowls!

The Ice Bowl!

Our quarterbacking, Bart Starr & the past 27 years Favre & Rodgers!
- Favre, 16 years & 11 playoff years & 1 Super Bowl
- Rodgers, 11 years & 8 playoff years & 1 Super Bowl

And, the Green Bay Fans!

And, of course. my Packer Buddies!!!! Bill, Terry, Jim & Phil!!!

So,

I AM THANKFUL 

TO BE A 

GREEN BAY PACKER FAN!!!!!

Important Dates for Packers in 2019

OK, we are NOT in the playoffs, BUT, as a fan watch the games & see what a good team looks like!

And, here are the dates to put on your "Packer Fan Calendar"!

February 19 - First Day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players

Feb 26 - Mar 4 - Combine Timing and Testing, Indianapolis

March 5 - Deadline for Franchise of Transition Player

March 11-13 - NFL teams permitted to contact free agents

March 24-27 - Annual League Meetings, Phoenix, AZ

April 1 - Clubs that hired new coach may begins off-season workouts

April 15 - Clubs with returning head coaches may begin off-season workouts

April 19 - Deadline for restricted free agents to sign

April 25-27 - NFL Draft, Nashville, TN

So, start studying the free agents, start looking into college players, and start looking over the head coaching prospects!  An exciting time for Packer Fans!!!!!

Happy New Year Packer Fans! 2019!

First, Happy New Year Packer Fans!!!

OK, that is what I looked like after that 31-0 game


Here we go, no playoffs, but PLENTY to discuss!!!

Head Coaches??

Interviews:

Jim Caldwell

Chuck Pagano

Joe Philbin

Coming up:

Josh McDaniels

Dan Campbell

Brian Flores

Pete Carmichael

Matt LaFleur

There is the list!  Take a look, I am doing my homework!  More to come!

Happy New Year!