Suddenly, I'm Really Down On This Team

[HarveyWallbangers]

I didn't have high hopes before. I predicted 7-9, but the developments of the last few days have really gotten me down on this team. The demotion of Colledge wreaks of panic, and tells me not to expect any better play out of the interior OL than last year. The one position (OT) where we had good starters and decent depth is suddenly a question mark. Clifton is hampered by an injury, Tauscher is not taking to the new scheme, and we lost Barry and Klemm for the season. We lost a rising safety that likely would have played this year. I have a bad feeling Favre is going to be running for his life. As bad as the OGs were last year, at least they were big enough to hold up somewhat to the likes of Shaun Rogers, Tommie Harris, and Pat Williams--although they were pathetic in the running game. This OL could be worse--as they now have to learn a new scheme. For as bad as the OL was run blocking last year, they were okay pass blocking. This OL could struggle in both departments. Woodson has a lazy attitude. Manuel has been injured. Harris looks old. Collins hasn't made a play. No DE has stepped up. The DTs are decent, but not dominating. The WRs are pedestrian. If Ahman Green isn't healthy all year, this team will be lucky to win 6 games. The only really good things to come out of this camp have been the play of Aaron Rodgers and possibly Greg Jennings.

I'm not ready to give up on them long-term because I think there is some good, young talent on the team--and I like what Thompson is starting and I like what I see in McCarthy, but I'm thinking something like 5-11 and 6-10 is more likely for this season. I'd be ecstatic for 8-8 right now. Looking at McGinn's analysis of the roster, doesn't paint a pretty picture. Christl also said something that stood out. We read the daily Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down, but bottom line, he said, is that this team has been practicing like they played on Saturday night. That's a scary thought.

[MJZiggy]

Good God, Harv, it was one game. Let's see how they respond to this challenge before we doom them for the season. I don't think moving people on the line this week is tantamount to panic, I see it more as adjusting according to the game performance. I mean, really, if Colledge couldn't handle the position, get him out of there and put him where he's more effective and where we need the backup. If Moll stepped up, he deserved to be in there. As to the rest of it, give them the rest of training camp before you just give up for the year.

[Packgator]

Hopefully things will get better each week of the preseason (as they should). What we need to see now is improvement each week. Seeing no improvement week to week will give me my biggest cause for concern. Lets see how we feel after this weeks game.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Good God, Harv, it was one game. Let's see how they respond to this challenge before we doom them for the season. I don't think moving people on the line this week is tantamount to panic, I see it more as adjusting according to the game performance. I mean, really, if Colledge couldn't handle the position, get him out of there and put him where he's more effective and where we need the backup. If Moll stepped up, he deserved to be in there. As to the rest of it, give them the rest of training camp before you just give up for the year.

That's the way I felt last year, and it turned out to be a train wreck. I have a bad feeling that I'd just be drinking too much Kool-Aid if I thought they were going to be better. If San Francisco had this roster, I'd say they'd win 5 games. The only reasons I can see that we might do better are Brett Favre and Ahman Green. Tony Friggin' Moll starting? If Colledge is playing so poorly that the coaches felt the need to bench him for Moll, then I'd say expecting the OL to be better than last year is a reach.

[MJZiggy]

We'll see. It really is too soon to tell. I also want to see who TT brings in. Can't wait for cutdowns.

[GBRulz]

I like the fact that M3 isn't afraid to go in and make some immediate changes. One game and suddenly Colledge isn't our starter anymore.

Perhaps changes like this is a good discipline-like move for the players, it shows that if you can't perform, you'll be replaced with someone who can. You can't tell me that if Colledge gets another shot to start that he won't step up his game just one more notch.

[pbmax]

Re: Suddenly, I'm Really Down On This Team

I'm not ready to give up on them long-term because I think there is some good, young talent on the team--and I like what Thompson is starting and I like what I see in McCarthy, but I'm thinking something like 5-11 and 6-10 is more likely for this season. I'd be ecstatic for 8-8 right now. Looking at McGinn's analysis of the roster, doesn't paint a pretty picture. Christl also said something that stood out. We read the daily Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down, but bottom line, he said, is that this team has been practicing like they played on Saturday night. That's a scary thought.

I agree with you here. I like most of TT's roster turnover so far (except for Wahle and Walker, and not sure Walker was worth it) But the biggest issue facing the team is the run game. If they can block the run game and find someone to run it, then the passing game will be OK.

If Favre has to carry this team by passing then it will be like last year all over again. Not all Favre's fault, but he is not going to play like you could bully Brad Johnson or Rex Grossman into playing.

Its on Jags and Philbin, Colledge, Spitz, Moll and Coston. Maybe White and Wells.

[jack's smirking revenge]

Well, at least you've got some company in your opinion Harv. Overall, I'm down on this team and I don't see how you can be excited. The biggest problem I see is overall depth. Too many busted drafts by Sherman. I think TT has drafted relatively well (2005 was spotty, but is starting to come around; a fair number of the players of the class of 2006 look to be players for years to come--we got lucky with such a GREAT draft!!!!!). We can't afford to have ANY injuries to the lines, secondary, WR corps (throw in the RB corps, since they're already somewhat banged up), or QB position (that goes without saying for virtually every team). This team is as fragile as an egg right now. A few more serious cracks (injuries) and it could break.

I think we have lots of talent at key positions on the surface, but the waters are VERY shallow underneath.

Let's see where we stand at the beginning of presesaon. If we can avoid injuries and get some chemistry in the ranks, there may be something to cheer about. Contrary to Zig's view, I really don't think cutdowns will provide us with much hope. Anyone we bring in will take some time to get acclimated to our system, especiallly if they're offensive lineman that aren't used to our cutblock scheme.

tyler

[Partial]

Good God, Harv, it was one game. Let's see how they respond to this challenge before we doom them for the season. I don't think moving people on the line this week is tantamount to panic, I see it more as adjusting according to the game performance. I mean, really, if Colledge couldn't handle the position, get him out of there and put him where he's more effective and where we need the backup. If Moll stepped up, he deserved to be in there. As to the rest of it, give them the rest of training camp before you just give up for the year.

That's the way I felt last year, and it turned out to be a train wreck. I have a bad feeling that I'd just be drinking too much Kool-Aid if I thought they were going to be better. If San Francisco had this roster, I'd say they'd win 5 games. The only reasons I can see that we might do better are Brett Favre and Ahman Green. Tony Friggin' Moll starting? If Colledge is playing so poorly that the coaches felt the need to bench him for Moll, then I'd say expecting the OL to be better than last year is a reach.

Part of me can't help but think they're not too optimistic about Clifton's injury and are hoping Moll can be effective starting. That way, in a pinch they can play Colledge at LT

[Packnut]

Green

I think a lot depends on Green. This kind of scheme was made for him. If he can stay healthy, things will not be as bad as they seem now.

[jack's smirking revenge]

Re: Green

I think a lot depends on Green. This kind of scheme was made for him. If he can stay healthy, things will not be as bad as they seem now.

But not if our line can't stay healthy or step up to the challenge of a new scheme. Green is not a scatback that can make things happen with zero holes. He's great once he gets past the line, especially with a screen, but isn't very effective at making things happen on his own.

I worry about our line. Yes, it was one game. I'm intrigued by the fact that Moll stoned Merriman for most of the game though. There's a glimmer of hope with that fact. Overall, I think the influx of new players and a brand new scheme will lead to lots of growing pains with this offense.

And the death of Favre if things don't turn around.... (he doesn't have the health to survive being sacked 4 or 5 times a game)

tyler

[Packnut]

Re: Green

I think a lot depends on Green. This kind of scheme was made for him. If he can stay healthy, things will not be as bad as they seem now.

But not if our line can't stay healthy or step up to the challenge of a new scheme. Green is not a scatback that can make things happen with zero holes. He's great once he gets past the line, especially with a screen, but isn't very effective at making things happen on his own.

I worry about our line. Yes, it was one game. I'm intrigued by the fact that Moll stoned Merriman for most of the game though. There's a glimmer of hope with that fact. Overall, I think the influx of new players and a brand new scheme will lead to lots of growing pains with this offense.

And the death of Favre if things don't turn around.... (he doesn't have the health to survive being sacked 4 or 5 times a game)

tyler

But with Green's burst, the hole does'nt have to be that big. How many times have we seen him run the sweep and it look's like nothings there and all of a sudden he explodes through? He does'nt dance around. He looks for 1 opening and he takes it. I also always thought he never got enough credit for his cutting back against the grain ability.

[woodbuck27]

Harvey:

I too went out on a limb many weeks ago with "an all puffed up" prediction of :

7-9 for 2006. Today that looks very optimistic, well ridiculous.

The reality of NFL football dictates this:

OUR GM - Ted Thompson and the HC and Coachs have to somehow provide an OL , that will protect the QB and RB or we go nowhere on Offense. Without a running game, we loose the advantage of the play action pass and we loose the battle of the clock. OUR DEFESE gets run over and wears out by mid season.

We must win the possession game, and hearing Mike McCarthy spout off about the Offensive play ratio going to be something like 55% - 45% in favor of some passing play - smacks of his naievity.

Come On !!!!! That is absolute BULLSHIT !!

I can't believe my eyes reading such crap. If that is his real thinking, starting out as OUR Head Coach ? if he's really into believing that will work ? Then if that's actually the case, he will soon be out of a job forever as an NFL Head Coach. Few team's can be successful over the long run in the NFL if they can't run the ball well. That depends on a solid OL and a dedication to team blocking.

This is still what I'm seeing. Ted Thompson wants his man in there to get his QB in there. Aaron Rodgers and they are designing an Offense specifically for Aaron Rodgers not Brett Favre. Anyone not seeing this. . well. . . too much can only be explained by Ted Thompson's Off season in this agenda. Out with Brett Favre and Ahman Green and the Old regieme and on with the wonders of Ted Thompson.

It makes me sick. It's too obvious.

As long as we - as fans of the Green Bay Packers don't intelligently discern what is going on inside of OUR team - happenings off the field. We can't as Packer fans influence proper direction.

Proper direction to me means a REAL opportunity to win a Super Bowl not act as " the doormat - doorman ".

Right now as a Packer fan !! I'm calling OUR GM Ted Thompson, to get more done, with his every means. Either get something done or resign. The Green Bay Packers need help today on the OL, but we need help all over.

We need help at RB at WR at TE at DE at CB. After Favre - Aaron Rodgers? What a joke. A joke on poor Aaron Rodgers and Ted Thompson acts like he's frozen. Have any of you got any clue why Jim Bates left as he did, and got payed for leaving?

Think !!!!!

Sorry but I hate the direction we are going in since Ted Thompson arrived.

I'm sick of this:

His inability of a quick and decive response to obvious adversity all over on OUR team with his well it will take time approach. We don't deserve to play horribly as we did in 2005. I'll chalk that one up to adversity weighted heavily against us, but he see's OUR need now, and what in "H" is he going to do about it?

Ted Thompson spent way too much money on Charles Woodson, that could have been used to really assist OUR OL, or maybe a solid RB or WR. He's sitting on alot of money now below OUR CAP, that could be used to bring in WR Jerry Porter; and it would only take a third round pick to attain WR Ashley Lelie (maybe a player as well?). He can't sit back in his office and come out on the field and cover his face anymore.

Some will argue - why bring in another RB or WR when the basic problem lies in an OL in disarray? OUR OL sucks !!!! Well I challenge all of you Packer fans, to explain to me why Ted Thompson waited for "the DRAFT" to do anything with OUR OL? THE DRAFT ?????

What was that supposed to do for Brett Favre's and Ahman Green's and Donald Driver's and Bubba Franks's and Chad Clifton's and Mark Tauscher's and William Henderson's . . .

hopes to give their team and their fans team - WINS ????

Ted Thompson has to start just being a full time GM of the Green Bay Packers. Either that - or he's lost this Packer fans realistic support.

End of that story !

[woodbuck27]

Good God, Harv, it was one game. Let's see how they respond to this challenge before we doom them for the season. I don't think moving people on the line this week is tantamount to panic, I see it more as adjusting according to the game performance. I mean, really, if Colledge couldn't handle the position, get him out of there and put him where he's more effective and where we need the backup. If Moll stepped up, he deserved to be in there. As to the rest of it, give them the rest of training camp before you just give up for the year.

" Dreamer - Your nothing but a dreamer " . . Supertramp.

[jack's smirking revenge]

Woodbuck, you make some very good points.

We diverge on Favre though. I don't think its folly to gear this whole team toward the Rodgers future. Favre is NOT the future. Honestly, beyond the money, I don't know why he's hanging on. Love of the game? Perhaps. Money? Probably. Records? Most likely. I'm not disappointed that he is still our QB, but the "intelligent" Packer fans all know that Favre is just around for records. There's no Super Bowl team right here and Brett knew it when he decided to come back. Rodgers is the future BF (beyond Favre). We're a team in transition, a team rebuilding. "Retooling" is just a marketing spin to cover up the fact that the team is going in a different direction. It's changing ALL OVER the place--lines, schemes, personnel. This is a drastically different team than even a year ago.

There are two schools of thought around Favre: TT should throw money at building the best team possible so he can have his last show and/or TT is not going to mortgage the future just so Favre can have one more shot. I for one am content that TT is doing what he can to build this team back up. There is much damage throughout, much more than a single offseason and a huge cap can fix. In my opinion, 2007 may offer Favre the chance to return to the Super Bowl if he can hang on this year. We're starting to get some really talented depth AND we'll have a nice cap number next year to go after some more free agents.

Build through the draft. Plan for a dynasty with youth. Augment with reasonably-priced free agents.

Unfortunately, Favre is probably not part of that picture unless he sticks around until next year.

tyler