The 2021 Season is Over, Where Do The Packers Go From Here?

 I must admit, I love this time of the year!!!  I would LOVE it more with a 14th NFL Title and a 5th Super Bowl!!!!!  BUT, it is what it is!!!!  First a QUICK observation!!!!

The journey of all NFL players are different!  Some players, it is a quick whiff of possibilities, part of a 90 man squad, sent away on the first cut & never to return!  Or, a veteran of 10-15 years!  Maybe, just maybe, a Super Bowl ring?  Or, a Hall of Fame career?  The Packers roster is filled with these players, all on their own journey!  Well, the 2021 journey is over, and a new one has already started!  Hold on to your bleachers seats!!!  Here we Goooooooooo Pack Goooooooooooooooo!

Saturday, January 22 - 49ers 13 - Packers 10

January 25 - Signed

QB Kurt Benkert, WR Chris Blair, CB Kabion Ento, QB Danny Etling, S Innis Gaines, LB La'Darius Hamilton, C Michal Menet, K JJ Molson, T/G Cole Van Lanen and LB Ray Wilborn

January 26 - Signed

WR Rico Gafford and CB Kiondre Thomas   

January 27 - Signed

DL Jack Heflin

So, the next season has begun!!

Salary Cap - via Sport Trac    Sport Trac - NFL Salary Cap 2022

Do you see who is #31??  The 2022 Packers are already 47 million OVER the cap!  Now, the Cap Space will most likely be higher next year, but, the Packers will STILL be in trouble!  We will need to let players go!  We will need to let free agents go!!!  We will need to redo many contracts!  So, What do you think??

More to come!

A Closer Look at the Packers Loss

 Well, again, the sun came up!  And, the pain is still there!!  And, the pain magnifies the minute you begin to analyze the game.  I still have issues losing at home, in Lambeau, with the cold & snow falling!  That may upset this Packer Fan more than anything!  We have loss the ability to defend our sacred HOME FIELD!!!!

First a look at the 49er & Packer Drive charts:

49'ers Drives

1 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

2 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

3 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

4 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

5 - Interception

HALFTIME

6 - Field Goal

7 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

8 - Downs  - 9 Plays

9 - Field Goal - Walk Off Game winner

Packers Drives - 

1 - TD  10 Plays - great mix of Pass & Run

2 - Fumble - 5 Plays - moving well and nice pass to Lewis in flat - good tackle & loss FUMBLE!

3 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

4 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

5 - Punt  6 Plays

6 - End of Half

HALFTIME

7 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

8 - FG  14 Plays - good in Red Zone settled for FG

9 - Blocked Punt - 49er TD!!!!!!  (3 & OUT)

10 - Punt   (3 & OUT)

What do you notice first??  How about that Packer Defense in the first half!  Start the game with 4, in a row (3 & OUT)!!  And, an interception before the half!  REALLY!!!!

And, of course the SPECIAL TEAMS!  Bad kick return coverage, missed field goal & a blocked punt for a TD!!!!! REALLY!!!!!

And, our dangerous & talented offense, opening drive for easy TD & NOTHING!!  NO TD passes!!  5, I said 5   (3 & OUT)!!!!!  REALLY!!!

Guess what football fans!  That is a game you lose!!!  And we did!!!

Packers Fans Suffer Another Difficult Loss in the Playoffs - 49ers 13 - Packers 10!

 Sitting in front of my television, on my favorite chair I was ready!  Cheese Curds to my right, brats to my left, and a cold Leinenkugel in my hand!  I had on my favorite Packers sweatshirt, my NEW Packers NFC North Championship hat!  Packers receive the opening kick & Rodgers smartly executes a flawless drive down the field and the Packers go up 7 - 0!  This is great.................... not so fast!

That will be the last Packer TD!

The Packer Defense will play awesome!

The Packer Special Teams?? Well, they basically lose the game!!!  Missed Field Goal before half!  And, yeas the dreaded BLOCKED PUNT for a 49er touchdown - REALLY!!!!

And, to top it off, a last minute drive by the 49ers!  And, with NO TIME on the clock, a cold & frigid football floats quietly through the uprights with the 49ers winning 13-10!  YES!  No more Super Bowl dreams for this season!  And, a cold & sad off season as we watch four other teams fight in the final few weeks of the season!

Questions?

1 - What happened to the Offense?

2 - Why was the Packers Special Teams such a disaster this year?

3 - Will Rodgers & Adams be back?

4 - Will the Packers Special Teams Coach be back?

Many questions?  Time for this old Packer Fan to watch the golf channel & re-runs of the...

Twilight Zone!  Ah, yes!  I am in the Twilight Zone...... the Packers didn't lose!  I was just dreaming it!  What day is it?  What time is it?? Is the game on???  Is my Brats burning???  Is my ......  is my.... it is a dream right!!!!  When do ......  What is........ Who am I?  This is the Twilight Zone...... Right??????

First Playoff Game is Here!

After the longest NFL Regular Season in history, a #1 Seed Bye Week, the Green Bay Packers are ready!  They are the "healthiest" since week #1.  They have a HOME playoff game!  It is Green Bay Weather!  So, as a Green Bay Packer Fan, doesn't get much better!!  Now, one week at a time, one game at a time, one play at a time!

What should be obvious?

1 - Contain Debo Sameuls

2 - Pressure Jimmy G

3 - Hold 49ers under 100 yards rushing

4 - Score on 60% of their drives - How about 4 TD's & 2 FG's = 34 points

5 - Win the turnover battles

6 - Rush for over 120 yards

7 - A clean special team game - NOTHING STUPID!

8 - JUST WIN BABY!

FINAL SCORE

PACKERS 34

49ers 21

At Midweek, the 49ers are Trying to Get Healthy and the Packers are the Healthiest in Weeks!!!

 So, a first round Bye show two obvious points:

1 - The team with the first round bye gets healthier!

2 - The team that played in playoff week #1 (Wild Card Week) tries to recover from their win!

So, the game is Saturday, one less day for the 49ers.  QB, Jimmy G has a sore shoulder, DE Bosa has a concussion, and LB Warner has a bum ankle.  

Also, keep a watchful eye on the weather, my phone app has Green Bay Saturday weather as High 21, Low 6, and a chance of snow!  This is what Packer Fans want to see.  This is what was an advantage for years in the past!  Recently, NOT SO MUCH!  It is time for the Packers to use the weather to their advantage!

And, IT IS A HOME GAME!!!!!!  Lambeau Field!!!!  80,000 fans screaming!!  

Therefore, on Wednesday of game, advantage Packers!!!

Go Pack Go!

9 Teams Left, and the Packers Know Their Opponent!

 So, let the season continue!  We have one game to go - Rams vs Cardinals.  The 49ers will be the opponent.  Packers game will be played next Saturday, January 22, 8:15 EST.  So, what have we learned from the games that have been played?

Bills are for real!  Josh Allen is legit!  And, the Buffalo Bill Team will be a difficult to play!

Chiefs are for real!  OK, we already know that!  A Super Bowl team the last few years.  Many weapons on offense & defense!  That early season slump is FAR in the past!

Bengals are for real!  Another emerging young QB, Burrow!  Many weapons are surrounding the young QB!  And, the defense is good enough to keep this team close!

Of course, the #1 Seed - Tennessee Titans are waiting in the wings!

In the NFC, an easy game for the Bucs & a nail biter for the 49ers!  Rams & Cards tonight!

So, forget what we cannot control & focus in the 49ers!

What this Packer fan noticed:

1 - Energy Counts!  The winning teams just seemed to have an edge in energy & aggressiveness!! Like our young Coach has said, our defense needs to play like their hair is on fire!  The Packers MUST come out Saturday night like there is NO tomorrow!  And, guess what?  THIS IS IT BABY!!!!

2 - As we are hearing, the Packers are getting players back!  Z Smith, Bakhtiari, Turner, Alexander, Cobb, & Meyers!  Rested players Jones & Campbell are fresh!  The MORE the MERRIER!

3 - What to stop?  First, Deebo Samuel!  He plays RB & WR!  He is used in very creative ways!  And, HIS IS TALENTED!  Second, George Kittle!  Gives 100% on receiving and run blocking!  And, my offensive secret weapon, Kyle Juszcyk, a fullback, YES A FULLBACK!  A dying position!  But, he is in the middle of everything!  An old version, of Packers, Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!  And, on defense, Bosa!  A one man recking crew!  Must account for his location!

4 - Mistakes!  Did you see the Eagles vs Bucs - Eagles young QB, turnovers!!!!  Cowboys?  Penalties!!!!  What will happen Saturday Night!  My guess, the team that plays smart, WINS SMART!

So, let the HYPE begin!  Packers vs 49ers!

2021-22 Playoffs - NFC Playoff Schedule

 Here we go!  Packer Fans, relax and enjoy the battle to play in Lambeau!

The NFC Schedule:

Sunday, Jan 16 - 1:00 PM - Eagles at Bucs

Sunday, Jan 16 - 4:30 PM - 49ers at Cowboys

Monday, Jan 17 - 8:15 PM - Cardinals at Rams

For Packer Fans, the timing of the games is perfect!  First game, if Eagles win, we play the Eagles!  Second game, if Eagles lose, and 49ers win, we have the 49ers!  And........ if Eagles & 49ers lose, we get the winner of the Cardinals & Rams!  YOU GOT IT????

Next, I DO NOT play the game, who would you rather play!  If you are good, you should BEAT ANYONE!  So, Eagles, 49ers, Rams, or Cardinals - "COME ON UP TO LAMBEAU!!!

How Do the Packers Bring Back Players Returning From Injury?

 What a nice problem to have!  Last week David Bakhtiari returned for the first two offensive series.  Rookie center, Josh Meyers also returned.  Lucas Patrick went from center to right guard, and back to center to finish the day.  Billy Turner returned to practice this week.

Aaron Jones & De'Vondre Campbell are returning after taking last week off to rest some nagging bumps & bruises!

Jaire Alexander is on the practice field trying to move into the defensive back group.

And, Za'Darius Smith is also running around the practice field trying to add to our pass rush!

And, add David Moore is back trying to make our punt & kick off return team more of a threat!!  This may be the most important move into the playoffs!

So, a lot of moving parts!  A great problem, but logistical nightmare!!!  How would this old retired football coach make this work???

1 - On defense, I would keep Stokes & Douglas at corner & work Alexander in on passing situations! Depending on his health, I may line Alexander up on the BEST opponents wide receiver.  (And, keep King off the field as much as possible!)  Z Smith?  He has missed almost the entire season, so I would limit his snaps!  But, when our opponent is in an obvious passing situation, he would be in there for P Smith or Gary.  Kingsley Keke has missed the past several games, but may return.  He was just starting to look like a player when he missed games.  Could he be used in the d-line rotation?  And, of course, my Packer Defensive MVP, DeVondre Campbell is back after a much deserved game off this week.  As I have be saying all year, Campbell has proven to be our best inside linebacker in year!!!  His speed & tackling ability & leadership has been critical!!!

2 - On Offense, the shuffling of the offensive line may be the trickiest job!  My starting lineup, left tackle Bakhtiari, left guard Runyan, center Meyers, right guard Patrick, & right tackle Kelly.  I would allow Turner if healthy & Newman to take a series or two, especially WHEN we are winning and need to finish the game!  Randall Cobb should have a few plays from the slot position & MVS is hopefully back from a game off!  And, Jones should be well rested to complement Dillon at running back!

3 - Special Teams, OH BOY!  What a year!  Crosby, our all time BEST kicker all time,  has been shaky!  Our return & cover teams have been inconsistent!  Like I mentioned, Moore seems to be a dependable return man!  Here is my BIG suggestion for the Packer coaches, if possible, use some of our starters on the special teams.  We have hopefully, 3 games left, put the BEST PLAYERS on the field!

So, the Packer Team is getting players back, how will this look on the field??

Next up, as we sit and watch the NFL Playoff Game this week, what to expect?

Packers Begin the Second Season - 14 Teams Remaining - The Super Bowl Run!

 Let the Super Bowl Run Begin!

32 Teams started the NFL Season dreaming of a Super Bowl, now, 14 Teams remain!

AFC Playoff Teams & their seeds:

1-Titans, 2-Chiefs, 3-Bills, 4-Bengals, 5-Raiders, 6-Patriots, 7-Steelers

NFC Playoff Teams & their seeds:

1-Packers, 2-Bucs, 3-Cowboys, 4-Rams, 5-Cardinals, 6-49ers, 7-Eagles

With a first round Bye, the Packers have a chance to plan, rest & get healthy!  I agree with Head Coach LaFleur practicing this week & not just giving the players extra rest.  Also, some key players may be returning - Z Smith, B Turner, & J Alexander are all possibilities.  D Bakhtiari & J Meyers did play for a few snaps.  Some rested last week, A Jones & D Campbell.  This is all great, but a logistical concern.  How to make this "football jigsaw puzzle" come together???  First, a look at the decisions?

Offense - QB-Rodgers, RB-Jones & Dillon, WR-Adams, Lazard, MVS, & Cobb, TE-Lewis, Dafney, & DeGuara, OL-Bakhtiari, Nijman, Runyan, Patrick, Meyers, Newman, Turner, Kelly.

The most complex - offensive line!  Bakhtiari & Meyers.  Of course, Bakhtiari has been out since last December 2020!  He did play some last week.  Meyers, our rookie center, started the season, but missed two months of football!  So, the next two weeks, what will be the starting five??  Cobb is back, MVS has a  a sore back.  Rodgers "pinky toe" is improving!  Tight ends are NOT explosive, but DeGuara is showing signs. And finally, Dillon & Jones at running back!  To make a run, my gut says, Dillon & Jones MUST shine!!

Defense - CB-Stokes, Douglas, King, Alexander, Sullivan, S-Amos, Savage, & Black, OLB-Gary, P Smith, Z Smith, ILB-Barnes, Campbell, Summers, Burks, DL-Clark, Lowry, Lancaster, Kingsley, & Slater.  This will be VERY interesting!  First, Z Smith, our Sack leader the last two years!  Has NOT played since week 1!  Will be see him??  Alexander, our young stud corner!  Will he play a few plays??? Campbell, I think our BEST off season pick up, leading the D!  To make a successful run, the D must play well!!!!

Special Teams???? ohhhhhh baby!!!  The 2021 season has been an adventure!!!  We have found something with David Moore!  Crosby, our awesome Packer Kicker for many seasons, is still shaky?  Mainly, with a new long snapper & holder this year!  Our punter, Bojorquez seems solid!  And, our cover teams? COVER!!!!

So, overall, GOOD problems!!  The mystery, how will the Packer Leadership fit this "Packer Jigsaw Puzzle" together???

Time to Enjoy Another Great Packer Season!

OK Packer Fans!  I realize in the "Age of COVID" it is difficult to enjoy anything!  

WELL!!!!!!! 

ENJOY 

THE GREEN BAY PACKERS 

of 2022!!!!!!! 

This season the Green Bay Packers......

1 - Won the NFC North!!

2 - Went 13 wins & 4 loses - #1 SEED & THE BEST IN THE NFL

3 - Aaron Rodgers had a great season! (Forget the Drama)

4 - Davante Adams had a great season!!! (No Drama)

5 - David Bakhtiari is FINALLY BACK!

6 - We FINALLY have a inside linebacker that can run! De'Vondre Campbell

7 - Rookie Stokes, at corner, had an awesome year! (And, Alexander could be back!)

8 - Kenny Clark is a STUD defensive lineman!

9 - All teams must go through Lambeau Field!!!!!!!!

10 - And, what can you say about our head coach, Matt LaFleur - three years, 13, 13, 13 wins!

Now, what has been missing??  Ah, ........ will discuss later - Enjoy the Day!!!!!

GO!

              PACK! 

                             GO!

Game#17, Packers vs Lions, What Would a Perfect Last Game of the Regular Season Look Like?

 OK, let us think of a perfect way to end the 2021 Regular Season!

1 - Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, Kenny Clark, & De'Vondre Campbell play first half only, and "Chill Out" in the second half, with the Packers leading 21 to 6.

2 - David Bakhtiari & Jaire Alexander play one series in the first half.  Then, David puts his hair in a pony tail and Jaire coaches up Stokes the rest of the game!

3 - Jones & Dillon together, rush for 125 yards in the first half.

4 - Davante Adams catches 1 TD pass

5 - The special teams looks average.

6 - In the second half, Rasul Douglas comes up with a pick 6, to put the Packers up 28 to 6.

7 - Jordan Love, manages one drive for a field goal, Packers hang on to win 31 to 24.

8 - Aaron Rodgers says, he will refuse to talk until after the Super Bowl

9 - Coach LaFleur signs an extended contract.

10 - The Packers go into team hibernation to avoid the 3rd, 4th, & 5th COVID variant!

And, for kicks..............

Packer vs Lions, Game #17, The Longest Season in NFL History!

 How do you feel about a 17 game season?  Is a longer season better?  Is the NFL wise to extend the season???  Is, the NFL really interested in the health & well-being of it's players?  What will the NFL look like in 10 years???

OK, did you think about your answers?  My answers.......

1 - How do you feel about about a 17 game season?

NOT GOOD!  

2 - Is a longer season better?

NO!

3 - Is the NFL wise to extend the season???

NO!

4 - Is, the NFL really interested in the health & well-being of it's players?

Making the season longer - NO!

5 - What will the NFL look like in 10 years???

The NFL is lengthening the season for one reason - GREED!  Both, the owners & the players are aware of what one game will add to the "POT"!  Players get 1/17 more salary, depending on base salary.  Owners will get "tons" of money!  Good news, one less pre-season game!  Four games was tooooooo many!  The expansion will stay at 17 games, until the CBA runs out in 2030. (Unless parties agree to open sooner)  

The injury issue continues.  Torn ACL's, hamstrings popping, concussions, shoulder issues, etc.  The players are getting BIGGER and FASTER - so, collisions are more violent.  Some other observations I discussed earlier:

1 - Playing on too many different nights & some with little recovery!  Sunday day & night, Monday night, Thursday night, and then at the end of the season Saturdays!  The Sunday - Thursday game is crazy!  With a recovery of 3 days, this is asking for issues!

2 - Bye Weeks?  Some VERY early Week 6 & late, Week 14.  Not fair, because NOT equal.  I would think, coaches would like bye weeks near the end, say Week 11-12?  If, you have a Week 6 early bye week, and make the playoffs, you could play 15 weeks in a row, up to the Super Bowl!

3 - Games?  - 2 minutes game - 3 minute commercial - 4 minutes game- 3 minute commercial - 2 minutes game - 3 minute referee review of a play - 5 minutes game - 4 minute commercial - 4 minutes play - 5 minute commercial - Begin 2nd Quarter!!!  That is a LOT of Stop & Go!!!!

4 - Equipment??  No knee pads, small thigh pads, tiny shoulder pads, rib pads(maybe), ........

5 - Playing football in January & February?  Some indoor stadiums, but outdoor anything in winter - NOT a good idea!  Especially playoff games!

So, here we are, Packers vs. Lions.  Packers, playoffs & clinched #1 seed!  Lions, out of it fighting for the NFL first round draft pick!  Packers players, trying to maintain momentum, but stay healthy & Lions playing for jobs & pride!  

Word is, from Head Coach LaFleur - starters will play, how long, who knows!  This is always a BIG decision!  With a bye week, too much time off, will sometimes hurt a teams momentum.  Taking a chance on injury, yes.  I personally agree with the starters playing some football!

Return of injured?  Bakhtiari, our all pro offensive tackle,  has been a mystery?  Tearing the ACL a year ago, has not played a game this year.  I tend to think - he will not!  Alexander, our best CB, could have had shoulder surgery, did not, may be back - I think he will. Jenkins, our second best offensive linemen, I doubt.  Z Smith, our best outside linebacker, has not played since the first pre-season game.  Doubt if we will see Z Smith!  Cobb, our 3rd or 4th receiver and AARON's BEST buddy, recovering for core surgery, may be back.  So, the bye will help!  And, all teams, must come through Lambeau to get to the Super Bowl!

So, Lions!  The all time record!  Packers 105 wins - 72 loses - 7 ties

Playing since 1930 - Lions were called the Portsmouth Spartans (Went to Detroit in 1934)!

So, how about game # 185????

Go Pack Go!

Packers Over Vikings 37 to 10, Secure #1 Seed for the Playoffs

 The Packers will be the #1 Seed for the NFC.  The Packers win over the Vikings was not as difficult as expected!  With both teams missing key players, the Packers won the battle of COVID, injuries & COLD WEATHER!  The defense played great, Rodgers was special as usual, Adams could not be covered, and the Special Teams looked OK!  So, my 5 points for a win............

1 - Turnovers - Packer 0 - Vikings 0 - A Draw!

2 - The battle of QB's Rodgers 29 for 38 - 288 yards - 2 TD's & Mannion 22 for 36 - 189 yards - 1 TD that looks like a Packer WIN!

3 - Rushing the football - Packers - 174 - Vikings - 27, that was a HUGE Packer Win!

4 - Sacks - Packers 2 - Vikings 1 - a SMALL Packer Win

5 - Special Teams - Packers were NOT UGLY!  That is a Packer Win!

How about the Drives Chart?

11 Drives a piece........

Packers - 7 Scores - 4 TD's & 3 FG's - 2 Punts - 1 Downs - 1 End of Game

Vikings - 2 Scores 1 TD & 1 FG - 6 Punts - 3 Downs (6 of the drives were 3 & Outs!)

So, the Packers will take on the Lions in Detroit with NOTHING on the line. That means, Jordan Love at QB, starters used sparingly & who cares about the score!!!

Go Pack Go!

5 Ways the Packers Beat the Vikings

 Packer vs Vikings!  A win is in the "Frigid" Air!

1 - Of course, win the turnover battle! A c-c-c-c-c-c-cold night. A sub at QB! A HOME game in Lambeau in December!  I see turnovers for the Vikings, do you?

2 - Aaron Rodgers vs Sean Mannion - REALLY!!!!

3 - Jones - Dillon vs Cook -Mattison a BATTLE of Running Backs

4 - Sacks - Packers 5 - Vikings 1

5 - Special Teams - Packers................................ NOTHING STPID!

Final Score???????

Packers 27

Vikings 14

After Last Season and This Season, What Will History Say About Sports in the USA?

OK, Packer Fans, we are just part of the story!  What will History say 100 years from now about Sports in the USA?

1 - "The COVID Virus, The New Opponent for Your Team?"

2 - "Another Player Becomes a Member of Your Team & Their Name is COVID Virus!"

3 - "The IR, the Practice Squad, and the CIVID List, and What is Left is Your Team!"

4 - "Who is the COVID Player of the Year?"

And, last.......

5 - "And This Years Super Bowl Winner is, The COVID Survivors!"

So, the Vikings are without their starting QB.  The Packers, get a few players back from their COVID List, and the Frozen Tundra Makes It's Return to Lambeau Field!  For all you Packer Fans that have been to a REAL COLD GAME, this is special!  It is what makes the Packers, the Packers! (Remember, the wimpy Vikings has a Dome, YUK!)  My Packer Buddies will remember Favre's last game in the playoffs in a frigid & windy game!!! (Terry, Bill, & Phil!)  Or, my Packer Buddies eating breakfast with an older couple that attended the Ice Bowl Game!  Yes, enjoy the game Packer Fans!  This is what we are all about!!!