Guts or Glory

[beveaux1]

A whole lot has been said about the 2020 draft. Usually, we talk in terms of how the draft impacts our team in the near term. My reaction after a few days to ponder the question is different.

What kind of cajones did our GM and coach have to have to trade up in the first round, overlook the obvious weaknesses at WR, ILB, and OT, and draft a player with the raw physical tools, but not the proven decision-making of a franchise QB?

He did this knowing first how the team's fan base would react, how the national media would react, and maybe most importantly how his reportedly thin-skinned, ultra talented superstar QB would react.

I know I couldn't have made that decision. I know I would have chosen my top 2nd round graded WR. I never would have traded up. I know I would have chosen the safe route even if I thought that QB prospect would become a superstar.

I don't think I'm alone in taking the safe route. Besides Andy Reid in KC and Thompson in GB, there haven't been many teams that have drafted their QB of the future while their present QB is leading a playoff or near playoff team. It's a decision that defines you as GM. It's a decision that very possibly causes you to lose your job if things fall off the cliff.

It's also a decision that could set up your team for future success for many years. It's boom or bust. Could you have made that decision?

[Bretsky]

A whole lot has been said about the 2020 draft. Usually, we talk in terms of how the draft impacts our team in the near term. My reaction after a few days to ponder the question is different.

What kind of cajones did our GM and coach have to have to trade up in the first round, overlook the obvious weaknesses at WR, ILB, and OT, and draft a player with the raw physical tools, but not the proven decision-making of a franchise QB?

He did this knowing first how the team's fan base would react, how the national media would react, and maybe most importantly how his reportedly thin-skinned, ultra talented superstar QB would react.

I know I couldn't have made that decision. I know I would have chosen my top 2nd round graded WR. I never would have traded up. I know I would have chosen the safe route even if I thought that QB prospect would become a superstar.

I don't think I'm alone in taking the safe route. Besides Andy Reid in KC and Thompson in GB, there haven't been many teams that have drafted their QB of the future while their present QB is leading a playoff or near playoff team. It's a decision that defines you as GM. It's a decision that very possibly causes you to lose your job if things fall off the cliff.

It's also a decision that could set up your team for future success for many years. It's boom or bust. Could you have made that decision?

I could not; because it was two years early IMO

[texaspackerbacker]

It seems like the powers that be don't perceive those positions as quite as weak as some in here. I didn't want an ILB drafted early - the way Pettine uses ILBs, it wasn't necessary. I did want a speedy WR drafted early, but I guess the leadership saw that differently too. OT, we got a couple of possibilities fairly late. I'm ok with that as OT is one of the most likely positions to draft a bust and waste an early pick.

I doubt that Aaron Rodgers is anywhere near as "thin-skinned" as many in here seem to think. And as for fans, there's no reason for the leadership to give a shit what we think until all is said and done and the record is in.

Getting good players becomes the most important thing if you disagree about the needs that some people want to see filled. And it seems like by that standard, we did ok.

[George Cumby]

A whole lot has been said about the 2020 draft. Usually, we talk in terms of how the draft impacts our team in the near term. My reaction after a few days to ponder the question is different.

What kind of cajones did our GM and coach have to have to trade up in the first round, overlook the obvious weaknesses at WR, ILB, and OT, and draft a player with the raw physical tools, but not the proven decision-making of a franchise QB?

He did this knowing first how the team's fan base would react, how the national media would react, and maybe most importantly how his reportedly thin-skinned, ultra talented superstar QB would react.

I know I couldn't have made that decision. I know I would have chosen my top 2nd round graded WR. I never would have traded up. I know I would have chosen the safe route even if I thought that QB prospect would become a superstar.

I don't think I'm alone in taking the safe route. Besides Andy Reid in KC and Thompson in GB, there haven't been many teams that have drafted their QB of the future while their present QB is leading a playoff or near playoff team. It's a decision that defines you as GM. It's a decision that very possibly causes you to lose your job if things fall off the cliff.

It's also a decision that could set up your team for future success for many years. It's boom or bust. Could you have made that decision?

Good post.

This was a ballsy call, if it works or not, time will tell.

I've been wanting a high round QB prospect for a couple of years now, mostly because I see Rodgers skills degrading and concerns about his durability. I think it was the right decision, whether Love was the right pick, we will find out.

[call_me_ishmael]

I could not; because it was two years early IMO

To the end that there are players with similar attributes on paper available at this draft spot, I agree. If this dude becomes a superstar and there is more to him than his paper resume, then it's not too years early and it'll all work out.

Even if it is two years and early and this dude becomes a star, they'll be able to trade him for a haul or unload Rodgers and have ten years of success.

Really, the bottom line is if this dude becomes a good player, GB wins even if he rides pine. That said, if they lose by a little bit in the NFCC in the next couple years we'll have to wonder what could have been.

[Gotarace]

I have come to think the Swap was made before San Fran moved ahead of them to take WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State... I think the Packers had him in mind and was out maneuvered by San Fran....the Love pick really makes little to no sense to me.

[pbmax]

Its a ballsy move and forward thinking.

The problem is, does this thinking reduce your chances at a championship? If it works, you are trading multiple shots at a title over a longer time period for a reduced chance now.

The best argument is that especially picking in the 20s, your pick is not likely to be an immediate contributor.

[wist43]

I think it was a power play, pure and simple.

This is Gute and Lefluer's team, and Aaron Rodgers can fuck off.

So we're now essentially into the post-Rodgers era, and beginning an era of power football. If Love pans out, Gute and Lefluer will be here for years. If he's a bust, they're done.

That said, I don't think we'll win any titles with Gute at the helm... he has the same virus TT had - tomorrow is always more important than today. I doubt he will ever put together a complete enough roster. After last offseason I thought he would, but this year he showed his true Ted Thompson stripes.

[Bretsky]

Its a ballsy move and forward thinking.

The problem is, does this thinking reduce your chances at a championship? If it works, you are trading multiple shots at a title over a longer time period for a reduced chance now.

The best argument is that especially picking in the 20s, your pick is not likely to be an immediate contributor.

That's the argument ? Have picks in our 20's contributed immediately.

With the exception of Shitbacon at 12 last year I think they have. Savage, HaHa, our Alexander.....Bulaga (our non QB offensive pick in the last 20yrs..lol).....who else ?

Unless they are a bad decision it seems like those guys contribute

[sharpe1027]

If we just miss out on a Superbowl, it would be a great year but people will second guess the pick. What happens if Rodgers misses a few games and Love pulls off a few wins that get them to the same result?

[MadtownPacker]

I have come to think the Swap was made before San Fran moved ahead of them to take WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State... I think the Packers had him in mind and was out maneuvered by San Fran....the Love pick really makes little to no sense to me.

This makes the most sense. Love was their pick had they not trade up. When John “Midas Touch” Lynch swooped in like the beast he has always been Gute got left looking bad. Pretty much same as last season when it comes to SF.

[MadtownPacker]

I think it was a power play, pure and simple.

This is Gute and Lefluer's team, and Aaron Rodgers can fuck off.

So we're now essentially into the post-Rodgers era, and beginning an era of power football. If Love pans out, Gute and Lefluer will be here for years. If he's a bust, they're done.

That said, I don't think we'll win any titles with Gute at the helm... he has the same virus TT had - tomorrow is always more important than today. I doubt he will ever put together a complete enough roster. After last offseason I thought he would, but this year he showed his true Ted Thompson stripes.

I think Gotorace has the why trade up reasoning and you have the why draft a QB one.

Let’s not forget you said the same with TT and he did win one. For me one per GM is enough. At the end of the day that was always their goal. Even when I wanted TT and M3 gone I never forgot what they accomplished. For that them and even arrogant eyeroller Rodgers get respect and will always be champions in my book.

[Willard]

I think Gotorace has the why trade up reasoning and you have the why draft a QB one.

Yesterday I shared Gotorace’s theory that they originally traded up to nab their last Rd1 WR. But I don’t think so anymore. I think they are totally convinced Twu Wuv is an absolute franchise QB. So much so that they pulled the trigger at least a year earlier than seems to make sense—which means they REALLY think this dude is Mahomesque. The problem for us fans is we don’t trust Gute. He is relatively new and hasn’t really given us reason to pledge “In Gute we trust”. If this pans out (or any of his other picks from the last two drafts for that matter) then maybe he banks some credibility with the fans. Until then, it’s—WTH and hope for the best.

[beveaux1]

Yesterday I shared Gotorace’s theory that they originally traded up to nab their last Rd1 WR. But I don’t think so anymore. I think they are totally convinced Twu Wuv is an absolute franchise QB. So much so that they pulled the trigger at least a year earlier than seems to make sense—which means they REALLY think this dude is Mahomesque. The problem for us fans is we don’t trust Gute. He is relatively new and hasn’t really given us reason to pledge “In Gute we trust”. If this pans out (or any of his other picks from the last two drafts for that matter) then maybe he banks some credibility with the fans. Until then, it’s—WTH and hope for the best.

Lots of truth in that. Really reminds me of the Rodgers pick in Thompson’s first year. Most were ready to run him out on a rail. I can only hope we have similar results.

[mraynrand]

This is Gute and Lefluer's team, and Aaron Rodgers can fuck off.

Or, maybe he could get on board?