Suddenly, I'm Really Down On This Team

[woodbuck27]

Being a realist is a long ways from being cynical. Being a realist builds strength, in what we have today - to get to a better tomorrow, Partial.

Best thing I've heard all day. It is true. You guys may think I sound like Chicken Little with my anti-Packer rants today, but I'm really not signaling Armageddon. The sky is still there; it just looks cloudy right now to me.

All will be fine in time.

tyler

In that we have HOPE - TRUST, tyler.

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH for 2006 !!

[woodbuck27]

Woodbuck, you're reading that backward. M3 wants to pound the RUN 55%. He wants to get away from panicking and passing and push the RUN more.

I'm searching for that quote on the run-pass-run ratio that M3 talked about adopting,MJ and in the process found this:

Aug.6, 2006

Coach Mike McCarthy gave the run game a chance playing against the No. 2 defense, but on three possessions the starters didn't get much of anything on the ground. Starter Samkon Gado and backup Noah Herron combined for seven carries for only 22 yards. The Brett Favre-led offense had two three-and-outs with the first five being runs, though later, in a 2-minute drill, Gado scored on a 10-yard run.

It's not unusual for a team to struggle running early in a game and then pick up later. In fact, McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who brought the zone scheme from Atlanta, have preached that their run game is predicated on accepting several short gains early in the game. Their philosophy is that the 1- and 2-yard runs early at least will keep the offense out of second- and third-and-long, and those short runs will turn into 8-yard or longer runs in the second half.

"Running the football is a commitment, running the football is a four-quarter journey," McCarthy said.

"It's not very often you come out in this league ripping people with the run game," McCarthy said. I didn't look at it all that the run game struggled, and we had the run at the end there that Samkon scored on.

"The biggest thing running the football is you don't want negative runs, you want to keep hammering away at the defense for a four-quarter commitment. It was our first opportunity for live work, cut blocking and things like that. I thought we got off to a solid start."

With the run game quiet, the starting offense didn't score against the No. 2 defense until its third possession, when quarterback Brett Favre hit Donald Driver with a 48-yard pass over defensive backs Ahmad Carroll and Tyrone Culver setting up a score.

Sill looking.

[pbmax]

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

I think he might end up doing so--if he sees some improvement this year. I don't understand people that say Favre is retarding Rodgers development. The best thing for Rodgers is sitting on the bench for two, maybe three years. It worked for Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Brunell, Steve Young, and many other QBs. It's better than him going in this year, getting pounded, and losing all of his confidence. My hope is that we can show improvement this year. Anything close to .500 ball would be fine. Then, with a good offseason and maybe a couple of FA acquisitions, we send the Old Warhorse off on a high note. People that think it takes four or five years to rebuild have no clue about today's NFL. Hell, by that time your young guys start to become free agents. I can see them rebuilding in a couple of years--which means they could start contending next year. I'm glad Favre came back because I will enjoy it if he takes some NFL records from Dan Marino.

I find either argument that there is one preferential way to develop a QB as an exercise in futility.

There are too many situations that resulted in success and failure for both methods for one to be called the better plan.

People thought Marvin Lewis was crazy to start and stick with carson Palmer in year two. Aikman started right away. Marino started mid-way through his first year, Kosar same thing. Elway within two years.

Favre stumbled through his rookie year like it was a frat house and then started mid second year.

Staubach spent five years in the Navy then waited on Meredith and Craig Morton. McNair had to wait two or three seasons behind Chris Chandelier.

Steve Young played professional football in the USFL and Tampa before "waiting" for his turn in San Fran.

Very few teams have the patience to wait for the five year plan. In most cases it was a nice story with little relation to reality until Marino and Elway blew it up completely. QBs start when you have no other choice or they are obviously better than the alternative.

Rodgers looks better this year. He doesn't look better than Favre. Will it retard his development, probably. Should that mean he starts ahead of Favre?

No.

[woodbuck27]

Maybe, it's time to read this again?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp06/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2539218

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH in 2006 !!

[woodbuck27]

Woodbuck, you're reading that backward. M3 wants to pound the RUN 55%. He wants to get away from panicking and passing and push the RUN more.

Ziggy.

I have looked back ten pages looking for that quote - and "it's harder than rock salt" to find.

Mike McCarthy's statement of the ratio wasn't exactly 55% Pass and 45% Run Plays, but I could have sworn he weighted it in favor of the pass which really surprised me.

Of course, I may be mistaken. I'll try really hard to find it.

It's not any big deal, as game plans are adjusted to suit the opposition all the time anyway, and it's not always the plan to stick with the same Offense, unless your team is very strong with the run to control the clock. Rest your Defense.

Once we had that advantage, but not any longer, I'm thinking.

Later MJ.

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH FOR 2006 !!

[Terry]

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 !!!!!

Think about what, Woodbuck? Bates wanted to be head coach, that's all. He could have stayed as DC.

I think you need to think more. It's pretty obvious that you've painted a bullseye on Thompson - rarely do you post without bringing him up. I think others have also tried to point that out. It just might be that your perspective is skewed a wee bit because of your issues with Thompson.

But, ok, fine. Maybe you're right. Even so, you could talk about something else now and then. Time will tell. If we don't win more than 7 games, then I would agree that there is a problem at the top - we can argue then about whether it's Thompson or McCarthy (of course, if it's the latter, that falls on Thompson's head as well). Meanwhile, there's not a lot Thompson can do today. So let's get on with it. Back off of Thompson for a few weeks - you're not going to forget your views, but it might be less offputting for others. You want to be careful that you don't begin to effect people like a Chinese water torture. People might be far more amenable to being convinced if you let things unfold and there really is a train wreck.

For what it's worth.

[Willard]

Regarding the runass ratio McCarthy said the following (I am paraphrasing, and I don't have the link, but I think it was from one of the videos on Packers.com):

A lot of coaches think that a balanced offense, 50% run & 50% pass, is the ideal to shoot for. We definitely want to establish a strong running game, but in this league you need to score a lot of points. I think 45% run & 55% pass provides a good balance as well as the explosiveness to score the points necessary to win in the NFL.

[woodbuck27]

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 !!!!!

Think about what, Woodbuck? Bates wanted to be head coach, that's all. He could have stayed as DC.

I think you need to think more. It's pretty obvious that you've painted a bullseye on Thompson - rarely do you post without bringing him up. I think others have also tried to point that out. It just might be that your perspective is skewed a wee bit because of your issues with Thompson.

But, ok, fine. Maybe you're right. Even so, you could talk about something else now and then. Time will tell. If we don't win more than 7 games, then I would agree that there is a problem at the top - we can argue then about whether it's Thompson or McCarthy (of course, if it's the latter, that falls on Thompson's head as well). Meanwhile, there's not a lot Thompson can do today. So let's get on with it. Back off of Thompson for a few weeks - you're not going to forget your views, but it might be less offputting for others. You want to be careful that you don't begin to effect people like a Chinese water torture. People might be far more amenable to being convinced if you let things unfold and there really is a train wreck.

For what it's worth.

Thank YOU Terry, for your criticism of me. It's duly noted.

I'm not always the negative critic Terry.

This is nothing about Ted Thompson personally, but me wanting him to focus on priorities. To me that is now. I want the Packers to be in every game.

I believe I am one of the realists here and I am analytical by nature. I have a bigger purpose here than to BASH Ted Thompson. I am sorry Man.

I don't trust him. That may change in time, but I expect alot from the GM of the Green Bay Packers. Ted Thompson enables us as winners or losers and that is a fact. He has a heavy responsibility and some fans like me will be his watchdog.

I don't feel threatened by posters that take exception to my views. I'm a Canadian. I'm a Canadian Packer fan. I'm a Packer fan.

I post honestly, in terms of searching for direction as a Packer fan. I have like you been a Packer fan for a very long time Terry, and I don't want younger Packer fans to suffer two and a half decades of losing.

I also and foremost, don't want to see Packers that have offered us so much for the past ten years (more), trashed on the field and OUR team in the press.

I expect Ted Thompson to do more for OUR team soon. We need help badly. It's not too late.

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH FOR 2006 !!

[woodbuck27]

Regarding the runass ratio McCarthy said the following (I am paraphrasing, and I don't have the link, but I think it was from one of the videos on Packers.com):

A lot of coaches think that a balanced offense, 50% run & 50% pass, is the ideal to shoot for. We definitely want to establish a strong running game, but in this league you need to score a lot of points. I think 45% run & 55% pass provides a good balance as well as the explosiveness to score the points necessary to win in the NFL.

Thank You so much Willard. I appreciate that.

I hunted and hunted for it this afternoon.

Thanks alot.

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH FOR 2006 !!

[Brainerd]

I'm glad Favre came back because I will enjoy it if he takes some NFL records from Dan Marino.

I'm with you there! The only record that is probably out of reach is passing yards.

There is a poll on SI right now about whether or not Favre is tarnishing his reputation by playing "too long". 68% currently say yes. Well, let's see that poll again after he's rewritten basically every QB record in the book.

The only thing that SI poll shows is that 68% of those who watch football are idiots.

[woodbuck27]

I'm glad Favre came back because I will enjoy it if he takes some NFL records from Dan Marino.

I'm with you there! The only record that is probably out of reach is passing yards.

There is a poll on SI right now about whether or not Favre is tarnishing his reputation by playing "too long". 68% currently say yes. Well, let's see that poll again after he's rewritten basically every QB record in the book.

The only thing that SI poll shows is that 68% of those who watch football are idiots.

Way to stand in there for OUR Man !

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH FOR 2006 !!

[woodbuck27]

Bump . . . for Bretsky.

[Bretsky]

First off, it's ludicrous to discredit Favre to staying too long for the records.

Marino, that was a guy who stayed two years too long. He'd lost a third of his arm strength by the time he retired.

Favre is 2x as talented now than Marino when he took his ice pack off his arm.

That polls crap

[Bretsky]

Bump . . . for Bretsky.

I've tried not to comment because I agree with much of Harvey's views.

Let's step back from our Packer Homerism.

Our expectations were VERY HIGH with how that 35,000,000 would be utilized to win this year and in the future.

Ted Thompson could have done more and chose not to, or he failed to attract players he really wanted to sign.

He left us bare on the OL and I've said from Day one the OL will determine our 2006 success.

Maybe he sees immense talent in the youngyans, maybe he's overvalued his own ability to find young NFL ready players, or maybe he's willing to go through more immense growing pains....aka...struggles...aka....losses.

Either way IMO he should have done more. And MOST of you would agree with me if you'd think about your expectations of how GB was going to spend the 35MIL and now reflect on how he did it................well........28MIL of it at least..........much of it frontloaded into Woodsen's contract because ........well.......we had to find a way to spend it

[Iron Mike]