Is It Just a Disgruntled Former Packer or Is There Truth?

[Fritz]

Just saw this with our favorite third-string quarterback, Kurt Benkert.

He seems to think The Flower is far, far too rigid. Hmmm. Just a bitter guy who got cut, or are his criticisms legitimate?

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2023/10/11/23912489/green-bay-packers-former-quarterback-kurt-benkert-criticizes-hc-matt-lafleur

[bobblehead]

No one who ever walked the planet is immune to critique. Is this one in particular legit? Maybe. What I do know is that this offense needs to show improvement as we move forward. And although Love showed plenty of promise early and flashes he needs to add consistency. I've said many times this is a reset season. A lot of questions needed to be answered going in. The Bak question pretty much has been answered. Even though our D was stout against a really bad team I think the Joe Barry question has been answered. Neither of them for the good. A lot of season to go. A lot of questions to be answered.

[smuggler]

Matt does seem a little stubborn sometimes, and maybe not the coolest of cucumbers, but I also think winning makes his strengths looks better and his weaknesses look trivial.

Just win a few games and it kinda goes away.

[Joemailman]

Just saw this with our favorite third-string quarterback, Kurt Benkert.

He seems to think The Flower is far, far too rigid. Hmmm. Just a bitter guy who got cut, or are his criticisms legitimate?

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2023/10/11/23912489/green-bay-packers-former-quarterback-kurt-benkert-criticizes-hc-matt-lafleur

Meh. He's being criticized on twitter by a guy whose regular season experience consists of talking a knee twice in 2021, and is now out of the NFL.

[run pMc]

I don't think anything Benkert said -- which was mostly related to having different personalities that didn't jive together -- was that bad. Being as public/outspoken about it is probably the thing, is all. He didn't say MLF was a bad coach, just that he liked Shanahan better and that Shanahan was more flexible and didn't act like he had all the answers.

MLF isn't a bad coach, but I don't think he's above criticism. All the times he's ignored Aaron Jones (we need to get him the ball more), or put Dillon in bad positions (run him north south, not outside), or had game plans where they are chucking the ball all over the place when just moving the chains on easy completions would do. And then there's the loyalty over competence thing with Barry, Drayton, and others.

As for the scheme, I don't know that it's outdated. I think he's adapted his scheme over time. I'm not sure he's adapted it to best accomodate his players this year. Scheme, game planning, and preparedness are parts of being a HC, and there have been times he's come up short.
JMHO

[texaspackerbacker]

Rigid in what way? When Benkert was in Green Bay and all the Rodgers/La Fleur years, La Fleur subordinated his ego and ran a Rodgers oriented offense - for better or worse. That's the opposite of rigid in my book.

We're just now seeing La Fleur's scheme this season, and even now, it seems like he's doing what he does based on the personnel of the team as well as the kind of defense he's going against. Supposedly Jones not playing against the Raiders was a late scratch thing. Those mildly successful run plays with Dillon running would have looked absolutely great with Jones. Was that rigidity? Or just not enough time to change before game time?

The only rigidity I see is La Fleur retaining Joe Barry - the clear cause of virtually all the problems this team might have.

[sharpe1027]

All this talk about MLF being too rigid vs too flaccid doesn't matter. What matters is if they win games.

[sharpe1027]

My point is rigid coaches can be successful just the same as flaccid coaches. Back up QBs that never play may prefer flaccid coaches, but their opinion isn't relevant. It's all about the wins and losses.

[Fritz]

My point is rigid coaches can be successful just the same as flaccid coaches. Back up QBs that never play may prefer flaccid coaches, but their opinion isn't relevant. It's all about the wins and losses.

And as is often the case, there's context missing. Read another article about how all that went down, that "interview," and it's all those "content creators" who spin clips from longer pieces, and the clips, minus the context, go viral. Basically, Benkert also admitted the Packers didn't like his focus on his social media development, which he felt was his "future." So there's another element as to why he got cut.

I don't know. Just wondering what MLF's like as a coach.

[QBME]

No one who ever walked the planet is immune to critique.

A gem
Upfront - I'm going to "borrow and reuse" it and let others believe I thought it up myself

[Fritz]

A gem
Upfront - I'm going to "borrow and reuse" it and let others believe I thought it up myself

Wait about Jesus?

Though I think he kind of set up Judas, and you could ding him for that.

[bobblehead]

Wait about Jesus?

Though I think he kind of set up Judas, and you could ding him for that.

Jesus should have taught a few others that trick about feeding 100 people with a loaf of bread. He kept it to himself. Therefore I am going to criticize him for that.

[Joemailman]

Jesus should have taught a few others that trick about feeding 100 people with a loaf of bread. He kept it to himself. Therefore I am going to criticize him for that.

Wasn't just bread. Was also an all-you-can-eat fish fry. Must have been a Friday.

[run pMc]

So you're criticizing him because he didn't get his fishing license from the DNR?

[bobblehead]

So you're criticizing him because he didn't get his fishing license from the DNR?

Just another criminal I guess.

[Jaire]

Mike Daniels in two minutes names the problem with the Packers defense for a long while. I would not say every year or post season. But most. Same for the offense, which is too finesse.

"We knew we were tougher than you guys."

They did bring it a few years and post seasons, but overall this has been the problem. Just need a new DC. LaFleur does not exude toughness, sorry to say.

https://x.com/gameonwi/status/1715011146715943241?s=20

[bobblehead]

Mike Daniels in two minutes names the problem with the Packers defense for a long while. I would not say every year or post season. But most. Same for the offense, which is too finesse.

"We knew we were tougher than you guys."

They did bring it a few years and post seasons, but overall this has been the problem. Just need a new DC. LaFleur does not exude toughness, sorry to say.

https://x.com/gameonwi/status/1715011146715943241?s=20

As I've been saying, I want one of those asshole DCs that nobody likes. Schwartz, Williams or some other prick. They need some attitude.

[Joemailman]

As I've been saying, I want one of those asshole DCs that nobody likes. Schwartz, Williams or some other prick. They need some attitude.

I don't think it has to be a guy like Schultz or Greg Williams. I don't think Barry is a mediocrity because he doesn't have enough attitude. I think he's a mediocrity because he's a mediocre defensive mind. Were Fritz Shurmur and Dom Capers "attitude guys"?

[sharpe1027]

I don't think it has to be a guy like Schultz or Greg Williams. I don't think Barry is a mediocrity because he doesn't have enough attitude. I think he's a mediocrity because he's a mediocre defensive mind. Were Fritz Shurmur and Dom Capers "attitude guys"?

This. There's multiple ways to coach and motivate. We like to oversimplify things. TOO SOFT! If only we yelled at them more and made them eat more read meat!!!

[texaspackerbacker]

I don't think it has to be a guy like Schultz or Greg Williams. I don't think Barry is a mediocrity because he doesn't have enough attitude. I think he's a mediocrity because he's a mediocre defensive mind. Were Fritz Shurmur and Dom Capers "attitude guys"?

+1 to this. I always said we don’t need a rah rah guy. We need a cerebral guy. The trouble with Barry is he doesn’t seem to have much imagination or ability to adjust.

[bobblehead]

Shurmer was a little bit of an attitude guy and Capers got worse each year. Give me Rex Ryan or someone with a proven record of building a dominant D. Fangio isn't an attitude guy, and I would have loved to have had him. My point is half tongue in cheek. We play soft. Half the guys don't attack ball carriers. The system is soft in and of itself. No, we don't need a prick, but we do need someone with an attack mindset. We've been playing on our heels for 2 decades because our HCs are terrified of the big play.

[texaspackerbacker]

Give me a young creative thinker as there are so many of around the league.

[run pMc]

I don't think it has to be a guy like Schultz or Greg Williams. I don't think Barry is a mediocrity because he doesn't have enough attitude. I think he's a mediocrity because he's a mediocre defensive mind. Were Fritz Shurmur and Dom Capers "attitude guys"?

Agree. Barry has had 3 shots at being a DC, and he has never coached an above average defense in... what, 7 or 8 seasons now? There's enough data at this point. Defense varies quite a bit year over year because of things like schedule and turnovers, but you are almost certain to at least luck into a top half defense at some point and I'm not sure Barry's defenses ever have.

As for the next DC, I actually agree with Tex. I think you need someone new and creative. Capers fell asleep in the booth once teams figured out his defense (and players left), Fangio's defense has been copied and is run in a lot of places and offenses are starting to figure that out too. Denver actually has Vance Joseph running the Fangio defense (not his own) and he's not good at it. I think your best bet with a Coach X-style defense is to actually employ Coach X. They understand all the nuances, how it should be taught, coached, implemented, and used to counterpunch when an offense throws a curveball. All the copycats are unlikely to have that deep innate understanding of the scheme and why/how it was created.

[bobblehead]

I'm fine with a young innovative thinker as well. I would have loved Emero or Leonhard. I wonder if Leonhard even wants the gig at this point.

[Bretsky]

Give me a young creative thinker as there are so many of around the league.

Say it with me TEX; it'll feel good

JIMMY
JIMMY
JIMMY
JIMMY
JIMMY

[texaspackerbacker]

I wasn’t real thrilled with Jimmy as Badger DC. His D actually reminded me a lot of Barry’s - pass rush that comes close but mostly doesn’t get home, weak against the run, and giving up big pass plays. And he didn’t seem too hot at adjusting either.

It just seems like most of our opponents do a helluva lot more with less talent.

[ThunderDan]

As usual Tex doesn't remember what really happened.

The actual stats of WI D at the time.
2021 - 1st in Total Defense, 4th in PPG allowed, 2nd nationally in yards per play 4.17
2020 - 5th in Total Defense, 9th in PPG allowed
2019 - 8th in Total Defense, 10th in PPG allowed
2018 - 41st in Total Defense, 43rd in PPG allowed
2017 - 1st in Total Defense, 3rd in PPG allowed

[Anti-Polar Bear]

As usual Tex doesn't remember what really happened.

The actual stats of WI D at the time.
2021 - 1st in Total Defense, 4th in PPG allowed, 2nd nationally in yards per play 4.17
2020 - 5th in Total Defense, 9th in PPG allowed
2019 - 8th in Total Defense, 10th in PPG allowed
2018 - 41st in Total Defense, 43rd in PPG allowed
2017 - 1st in Total Defense, 3rd in PPG allowed

Substitute Southern Kentucky Confederate State A&M for the Ohio State University, and ole Tex actually has an argument. Leonhard’s defense feasted on cupcakes while it got feasted on by all the hotshot semi-pro teams like OSU and Michigan.

[ThunderDan]

Substitute Southern Kentucky Confederate State A&M for the Ohio State University, and ole Tex actually has an argument. Leonhard’s defense feasted on cupcakes while it got feasted on by all the hotshot semi-pro teams like OSU and Michigan.

No wonder you are flipping burgers and not a CPA. You don’t do any research to support your conclusions.

From 17-21
3-2 head to head against MI. O-3 head to head against OSU

MI - ignoring the 2018 year. Held MI offense to 11.5 less points and 114.25 yards less than MI ave for those years.
OSU - didn’t play in 18. Held OSU offense to 12 less PPG and 115 yards less PG than OSU ave for those years.

Considering the drop in talent level of recruiting for MI and OSU vs WI those numbers look even better.

[sharpe1027]

No wonder you are flipping burgers and not a CPA. You don’t do any research to support your conclusions.

From 17-21
3-2 head to head against MI. O-3 head to head against OSU

MI - ignoring the 2018 year. Held MI offense to 11.5 less points and 114.25 yards less than MI ave for those years.
OSU - didn’t play in 18. Held OSU offense to 12 less PPG and 115 yards less PG than OSU ave for those years.

Considering the drop in talent level of recruiting for MI and OSU vs WI those numbers look even better.

What's more is against OSU, the defense often held up really well for about 3 quarters with very little offense to support them.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

No wonder you are flipping burgers and not a CPA. You don’t do any research to support your conclusions.

From 17-21
3-2 head to head against MI. O-3 head to head against OSU

MI - ignoring the 2018 year. Held MI offense to 11.5 less points and 114.25 yards less than MI ave for those years.
OSU - didn’t play in 18. Held OSU offense to 12 less PPG and 115 yards less PG than OSU ave for those years.

Considering the drop in talent level of recruiting for MI and OSU vs WI those numbers look even better.

Yeah, good enough to make Brazzers Dot Com and Naughty America Bowls, and good enough to get the head coach and then himself canned.

[bobblehead]

What's more is against OSU, the defense often held up really well for about 3 quarters with very little offense to support them.

Huh....this rang true last night even with a new DC.