Packers rate 7th in dysfunction?

[The Leaper]

Using the "He can't win the big one" is crap. With that idea it would have been OK if Indianapolis had fired Dungy after the 2005 season.

Dungy's record in the playoffs was far better than Sch-NOT's. The Sch-NOT is 5-13 in the playoffs. 5-13! Compare that to Dungy's 6-8 record prior to last year. It wasn't close. Dungy has gone to the playoffs more often (9 times in 11 seasons vs. 13 times in 20 seasons), and has had more success when he has gotten there...even if he hadn't got over the hump prior to last year. You always had the feeling Dungy was close...I've never had the feeling that the Sch-NOT was close.

The Sch-NOT has won 12 games in the regular season 5 times. In those 5 years with teams that were reasonably dominant in the regular season, he has a sparkling 1-5 playoff record. I'm sorry...that sucks.

Sitting here and defending the Sch-NOT is pointless. The guy is absolutely useless in the postseason. The Chargers are a highly talented team that had a great coaching staff (outside of the Sch-NOT) who won 12 or more games twice in the last 3 years...without a playoff win to show for it.

Rivers will be fine. He has a guy to hand the ball to...maybe you've heard of him. He has the best receiving TE in the game. He has a ridiculously talented defense to fall back on.

The Chargers may take a year to get accustomed to Turner...but Turner probably has a far better chance to take the Chargers to the top than the Sch-NOT offered.

[Guiness]

How can you say the Chargers are most dysfunctional? They were dumb for firing Schotty? Why? The guy has proven time and time and time again that he is a failure when it comes to the postseason. The Chargers are talented...and are more likely to take the next step to an AFC title without Shotty in charge.

Agreed that dumping Schotty was not a bad idea. I would think their dysfunction comes more from losing Wade Phillips and Cam Cameron - they essentially lost their whole coaching staff. However, they're talented enough, and I think after a slow start while they get things together, and institute whatever new system is brought in, they'll do fine.

#1 has to be the Bengals. I mean come on, it's not even close this year.

And yes Rastak, the Vike's have been quiet. They've deservedly fallen off the list. I'm sure the writer was thinking there was something missing when he wrote it up

[Patler]

I don't consider any team in the NFC to be a true "contender"... In no way, shape, or form do I consider the Packers to be contenders.

Somebody from the NFC will make it to the SB, and since they're in the game, they'll have a "punchers chance"; but really, no one in the NFC is worthy of making it to the big game.

It's just a tiny bit early to make a conclusion about the ability of a team or teams come next January. Perhaps you should wait until they maybe play a game or something!

There is always the possibilty of a decent team hitting their stride. A team like the Bears, with a solid defense and great special teams. If Grossman suddenly matures, it could be a team that is worthy of being in the Super Bowl.

[Charles Woodson]

I don't consider any team in the NFC to be a true "contender"... In no way, shape, or form do I consider the Packers to be contenders.

Somebody from the NFC will make it to the SB, and since they're in the game, they'll have a "punchers chance"; but really, no one in the NFC is worthy of making it to the big game.

The saints are pretty solid

[Guiness]

I don't consider any team in the NFC to be a true "contender"... In no way, shape, or form do I consider the Packers to be contenders.

Somebody from the NFC will make it to the SB, and since they're in the game, they'll have a "punchers chance"; but really, no one in the NFC is worthy of making it to the big game.

The saints are pretty solid

Saints are my pick too. Last year they were the feel good team, that hit on all cylinders all year long (even though we almost beat them).

We'll have to see how the sophomore jinx works for them. Colston was a big part of things, and I'm not sold on him. Can Payton pull it off again? Cause I think last year was a little bit of him getting players to go beyond their abilities.

[Joemailman]

Packers are dysfunctional because they didn't draft the players Favre wanted? Who wrote this? Bus Cook?

[Bretsky]

I don't consider any team in the NFC to be a true "contender"... In no way, shape, or form do I consider the Packers to be contenders.

Somebody from the NFC will make it to the SB, and since they're in the game, they'll have a "punchers chance"; but really, no one in the NFC is worthy of making it to the big game.

The saints are pretty solid

Yes, don't forget about the Saints; rumor has it they drafted a great talent in round one

[Zool]

I don't consider any team in the NFC to be a true "contender"... In no way, shape, or form do I consider the Packers to be contenders.

Somebody from the NFC will make it to the SB, and since they're in the game, they'll have a "punchers chance"; but really, no one in the NFC is worthy of making it to the big game.

The saints are pretty solid

Yes, don't forget about the Saints; rumor has it they drafted a great talent in round one

So you think this is Reggie Bush's year?

[wist43]

Well, yeah, the Saints have a shot in the NFC... Seattle has a shot, Philly has a shot.

In the end, none of them belong on the same field with NE, Indy, SD, Balt, et al.

The AFC is light years better than the NFC - that's just the way it is. Go back to the 80's, the NFC was the dominant conference, and the AFC was the weak sister.

[CaliforniaCheez]

I think Seattle misses the playoffs.

I look for the 49'ers and Packers to return to the playoffs.

Look for the Wild Card teams to come from the NFC South and North.

In the NFL there is change every year.

[Fritz]

Just another national writer given an assignment and coming up with manufactured crap in order to fill some space.

[BobDobbs]

Not to mention that he didn't even mention the front office firing, Bob Harlan staying on and trying to scramble to find a replacement. Think about the organization before Harlan took over. THAT was dysfunctional. He leaves us with a Super Bowl, a new stadium, economic stability, and a rejuvenated tradition.

The uncertainty at the top may not impact two a days, but it definitely will impact the 'functionality' of the team.