Is Aaron Rodgers even good anymore?

[pbmax]

That might work now that free agency is a real option

But it also leads to doing things like selecting cbs with your first picks in back to back drafts, even though you have needs everywhere else

Maybe. But CBs were definitely need picks in last two drafts. If they went BPA is the 2018 draft again, you could arguably have had (without trading down) Davenport or one of the Edmundseses.

[Pugger]

One thing I hope Gute will do is to quit looking much at need and go BPA, BPA, BPA, with the only exception maybe being centers/guards.

I read something the other day about some hotshot Pittsburgh receiver named JuJu Simon-Schuster or something, and he was taken apparently just after the Packers picked Josh Jones. At that time, I don't think there was a big wide-receiver need that was perceived, whereas a safety was needed.

But wouldn't it have been nice to have that guy catching the ball this year alongside Adams? And Josh Jones wasn't that great anyway, so did he really fill a need?

Go BPA, Gute. You'll need that player if he's talented and knows how to play, no matter what position.

I think Thompson's mistake was to try to fill holes with his draft picks, in the order of the size of the hole. So he thought he needed corners more than outside linebackers, having Matthews and Perry on the roster, so he picked Kevin King instead of TJ Watt.

Go BPA. Please. You'll use the guy if he knows how to play.

I think Ted got into trouble by picking for need during his last couple of drafts instead of BPA.

[pbmax]

OK, new theory time or does this fit with people’s current expectations?

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/football/professional/tom-oates-new-packers-coach-matt-lafleur-must-get-aaron/article_16ea8f5b-f47d-5298-944a-af3c95bfb48d.html

One of Rodgers’ complaints about McCarthy was he wasn’t always available for film study and game-planning sessions. With respected defensive coordinator Mike Pettine remaining on board in Green Bay, LaFleur should be able to concentrate on getting Rodgers and the offense squared away, similar to what McVay did in Los Angeles with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Maybe they literally drifted apart in their conception of the offense?

Maybe McCarthy needed someone other than his QB to tell him that his offense was no longer up to snuff?

Please also notice that a play calling LaFluer will be in the same boat as McCarthy as far as a closed feedback system goes.

[gbgary]

I think Ted got into trouble by picking for need during his last couple of drafts instead of BPA.

if you don't draft for need you still have that need...especially in the first round. bpa is for teams who are already in great shape. the Packers aren't that. tt's personnel miscalculations (hyde/hayward) compounded things. king's inability to stay on the field will affect early picks this year for a cb unless they address it in free agency. this draft is going to be heavy on the D side of the ball again.

[Fritz]

I disagree. The things you think you don't "need" often becomes the things you find are your greatest assets a couple years hence.

The Packers didn't "need" Aaron Rodgers when they took him. Packer fans went berserk. Thank god Ted took him.

And that Pittsburgh receiver - JuJu Simon-Smith-Schuster, or whatever his name is. Thompson drafted Josh Jones a pick or two ahead of that guy, I think - due to need. But the Packers still need a safety, as Josh Jones has not developed as hoped, while Simon and Schuster is a hot young receiver for Pittsburgh. And doncha wish the Packers had him this year, to pair with Davante Adams?

Sometimes what you think you need isn't what you could really use.

As I said before, other than maybe a guard or center, I hope Gute takes the top player on his board at #12 - even if it's a quarterback. Or a reciever. Yes, there are limits - I'm not sure I'd like him to take three running backs in a row this year or anything - but all in all, take the top guy on your board. You'll need him soon enough.

[mraynrand]

OK, new theory time or does this fit with people’s current expectations?

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/football/professional/tom-oates-new-packers-coach-matt-lafleur-must-get-aaron/article_16ea8f5b-f47d-5298-944a-af3c95bfb48d.html

Maybe they literally drifted apart in their conception of the offense?

Maybe McCarthy needed someone other than his QB to tell him that his offense was no longer up to snuff?

Please also notice that a play calling LaFluer will be in the same boat as McCarthy as far as a closed feedback system goes.

That seemed like a lot of fluff/speculation. Anyway, I am really intrigued by the OC and the play calling duties. Hope he won't be doing that. Too bad Kitchens is no longer available...

[mraynrand]

As I said before, other than maybe a guard or center, I hope Gute takes the top player on his board at #12 - even if it's a quarterback. Or a reciever. Yes, there are limits - I'm not sure I'd like him to take three running backs in a row this year or anything - but all in all, take the top guy on your board. You'll need him soon enough.

They have enough holes whereby they can probably do this. But, even at #12, (and at most positions) there's usually several guys who are all equally rated by the team. So they do have to rank which positions are most valuable to fill. Let's say an OT and Pass rushing interior lineman, a LB, or a defensive back are all available (Say Clelin Ferrell, Polite, Gregg Little or a Williams, Devin White, and Deandre Baker are all available, who do you take?) What if some are gone and N’Keal Harry is sitting there? Take a flyer on him? I see some mocks have 3-4 QBs and 3-4 OT being taken before the Packers. So maybe you get lucky and a couple of positions lose their round one rated guys...

I dunno. I'd hate to do this for a living.

[ThunderDan]

I disagree. The things you think you don't "need" often becomes the things you find are your greatest assets a couple years hence.

The Packers didn't "need" Aaron Rodgers when they took him. Packer fans went berserk. Thank god Ted took him.

And that Pittsburgh receiver - JuJu Simon-Smith-Schuster, or whatever his name is. Thompson drafted Josh Jones a pick or two ahead of that guy, I think - due to need. But the Packers still need a safety, as Josh Jones has not developed as hoped, while Simon and Schuster is a hot young receiver for Pittsburgh. And doncha wish the Packers had him this year, to pair with Davante Adams?

Sometimes what you think you need isn't what you could really use.

As I said before, other than maybe a guard or center, I hope Gute takes the top player on his board at #12 - even if it's a quarterback. Or a reciever. Yes, there are limits - I'm not sure I'd like him to take three running backs in a row this year or anything - but all in all, take the top guy on your board. You'll need him soon enough.

And then there are injuries and you are starting your 4th and 5th string DL in week 14 of the season. Or the year we had so many CB we didn't know what to do with them and then Shields has a neck injury and Packer hammy gets the rest of the DBs and we are playing Dorleant and Pipkins.

[Rutnstrut]

Drafting bpa and not for need works IF you are not dead set against FA and other means.

[pbmax]

Drafting bpa and not for need works IF you are not dead set against FA and other means.

The draft SHOULD come before FA, I agree with you there.

[Pugger]

I disagree. The things you think you don't "need" often becomes the things you find are your greatest assets a couple years hence.

The Packers didn't "need" Aaron Rodgers when they took him. Packer fans went berserk. Thank god Ted took him.

And that Pittsburgh receiver - JuJu Simon-Smith-Schuster, or whatever his name is. Thompson drafted Josh Jones a pick or two ahead of that guy, I think - due to need. But the Packers still need a safety, as Josh Jones has not developed as hoped, while Simon and Schuster is a hot young receiver for Pittsburgh. And doncha wish the Packers had him this year, to pair with Davante Adams?

Sometimes what you think you need isn't what you could really use.

As I said before, other than maybe a guard or center, I hope Gute takes the top player on his board at #12 - even if it's a quarterback. Or a reciever. Yes, there are limits - I'm not sure I'd like him to take three running backs in a row this year or anything - but all in all, take the top guy on your board. You'll need him soon enough.

Thank you for saying this better than I did.

[Fritz]

I did?

[Pugger]

I did?

Yup!!

[pbmax]

All he cares about are his stats and his commercials.

“I’ve had multiple conversations with Aaron,” said LaFleur, who actually revealed during his introductory news conference last week that he spoke with Rodgers before formally getting the job. “I’ll tell you what, the one thing that came across early is how passionate he is for the game of football and how much he wants to win. There’s nothing that’s going to stand in his way of really getting after it.

https://madison.com/wsj/sports/football/professional/after-multiple-conversations-with-aaron-rodgers-matt-lafleur-knows-partnership/article_26be5cf7-5ac6-513d-98b7-db727cb9c839.html

[pbmax]

Wilde And Tausch @WildeAndTausch
Whitt on Aaron Rodgers: I don’t care what anyone out there says, I’ve seen him in the locker room for 11 years, he is all about winning and the success of the Green Bay #Packers.