2016-2017 Green Bay Packers Thread

[MrTPlush]

I would also like to see if the Packers could trade Matthews or just move on from him all together. No reason to spend $10-$12 million on a guy that is rarely available.

 

He literally started 32/32 games in 2014/2015. Jeez...

[MrTPlush]

Things I personally would like to see in the offseason:

 

1) Sign a solid runningback, but doesn't need to be anything special. Just a guy who can be dependable. Id also like to see a runningback drafted in the earlier rounds. All signs point to moving on from Lacy though I wouldn't oppose bringing him back if he is cheap enough.

 

2) *deep breath* At this point I would not bring back Matthews next year. He hasn't been worth the money for two years now and has honestly been pretty bad all year when on the field. Unless things change drastically closing out the season cut ties and save the money.

 

3) Carry three runningbacks...not sure this has to even be explained. Going with this don't carry so many WRs.

 

4) With the saved money from Matthews(plus more from elsewhere possible) sign a big time defensive playmaker in the secondary. We get burned badly even when healthy and good QBs always do well against us. I'd prefer to get a CB vs. a S because..

 

5) Top pick draft a safety. I feel it is easier to start a roockie safety and get results vs. a rookie CB. For that reason I would like to see a safety with our top pick if the opportunity presents itself. I'd really like to see the secondary shored up. Linebakers is also another potential option as is the offensive line. All depending on what is there when we pick.

 

6) I lean toward firing Dom Capers. It isn't that I think he sicks, but because I just don't think the personel we have fits what he wants to run. It is probably time to move on.

 

7) Fire the offensive coordinator. Honestly someone has to be a scapegoat for the offense and there is no other option. I don't think it is McCarthy's playcalling. Ironically the offense has tanked the last two years and the last two years have been the two and only two Bennett has been offensive coordinator. Sorry that doesn't look good.

 

8)On the fence about Ted Thompson. Mostly because I don't know enough(none of us do) about the potential replacements and what they would do.

 

Bottom line they need to dip into FA badly in the offseason on the defensive side, find a new RB if Lacy isn't the answer, probably fire some coaches, maybe Thompson, and draft impact defensive players.

[pacopete4]

I would also like to see if the Packers could trade Matthews or just move on from him all together. No reason to spend $10-$12 million on a guy that is rarely available.

 

He literally started 32/32 games in 2014/2015. Jeez...

 

 

If it's not this offseason, it should be next. There is no doubt in my mind he's a performance enhancer guy that will continue to be banged up enough after an already 8 year career to miss parts of the season. No reason to pay a guy $15 mil (next season) and $11 mil the next for him being available for parts of the season. And when he's available, he's not even been the difference maker he once was. Let him be someone else's cap hit. Get some young, hungry OLB's that will actually get after the QB.

[tmwiese55]

The old offensive coordinator who left to be the Dolphins head coach is now like TE or OL coach for the Colts (or someone, I could be wrong on Colts). No reason not to get him back and fire/demote Bennett. Maybe get another mind in there on offense so it's not just all on McCarthy and Rodgers. Get the gang back together so to speak

[pacopete4]

fire/demote Bennett.

 

I will say, as Edgar Bennett has moved up in the ranks, the offense has become less and less potent.

[MrTPlush]

fire/demote Bennett.

 

I will say, as Edgar Bennett has moved up in the ranks, the offense has become less and less potent.

 

Right? Honestly I don't understand how he has survived this long as OC.

[Outlander]

If Thompson ends up being done after this year the new GM should at the very least have plenty of cap space to work with. I would think Cobb and Shields are released after the year and Nelson is certainly looking at salary cut or being released. Think Mathews sticks around 1 more year but that would obviously create a lot more cap space as well.

[FVBrewerFan]

fire/demote Bennett.

 

I will say, as Edgar Bennett has moved up in the ranks, the offense has become less and less potent.

 

Because it's MM's offense, make no mistake about it. Doesn't matter who the OC is, as long as MM is HC he is convinced his plays work, they just need to executed.

[tmwiese55]

Shields is going to be forced to retire the way it sounds, so that money will come off. I don't see how they can let Cobb go though. He's still a great slot guy and 10mil per year isn't crazy and is only 26. And really as much punishment he's taken for us over the years he deserves that money. As much as we want to complain about the O it's really the least of their problems. Still putting up 25 or more most games and Rodgers playing poorly in our eyes is still at 25/7. Yes not the ungodly numbers of the past but still really good.

 

I just remember years ago when they ran so many more slants and deep crosses and the guys were often wide open. I now see the Cowboys/Pats play and their guys are just wide open, seems some improvement on play design has to be available and that's maybe where bringing back the old OC could help.

[MrTPlush]

So if Sam Shields and Clay Matthews both go bye bye that is a good $20mil in cap space more than we had this year and neither of them provided anything this season. There is your silver lining.

[MrTPlush]

If Thompson ends up being done after this year the new GM should at the very least have plenty of cap space to work with. I would think Cobb and Shields are released after the year and Nelson is certainly looking at salary cut or being released. Think Mathews sticks around 1 more year but that would obviously create a lot more cap space as well.

 

Keep Matthews over Cobb? No thanks.

 

Good luck getting Jordy Nelson to take a salary cut and no way they are releasing him. He still looks primed for a 1,000 yard season coming off injury and amounts for 1/3 of the Packers TD passes(leads NFL). He is still putting up #1 receiver stats. I don't see the Packers cutting into Rodger's weapon arsenal.

[tmwiese55]

If Thompson ends up being done after this year the new GM should at the very least have plenty of cap space to work with. I would think Cobb and Shields are released after the year and Nelson is certainly looking at salary cut or being released. Think Mathews sticks around 1 more year but that would obviously create a lot more cap space as well.

 

Keep Matthews over Cobb? No thanks.

 

Good luck getting Jordy Nelson to take a salary cut and no way they are releasing him. He still looks primed for a 1,000 yard season coming off injury and amounts for 1/3 of the Packers TD passes(leads NFL). He is still putting up #1 receiver stats. I don't see the Packers cutting into Rodger's weapon arsenal.

 

I agree, really the only problem on O is offensive line and the injuries to it and the RBs.. And even with that their passing game is so good they still score a ton of points. Really at times I'd wish they don't even waste time running the ball, like early in last nights game. Seemed several times it would be runs on 1st and 2nd and then Rodgers has to save the day on 3rd. When they get down in these games and they just go all pass they really can't be stopped, why not just do that right away?

 

I would like to add a shifty, 3rd town receiving type back though (Unless they like montgomery in that role going forward I guess). Don't see the need for two similar guys in Lacy/Starks. But if you have both of them the 3rd guy should be a change-up type, James White, sproles, etc types.

[jerichoholicninja]

Slightly off topic but still relevant. Last night the announcers were having a fit over Washington going for 2 after their second TD, which made sense to do given Gruden's concern about the wind. However, I can't believe that more teams aren't going for 2 almost every time. The last two years kickers are making extra points at a 94% clip. Teams are converting 2-points at a 50% rate, even higher this season at 53%. So your point expectancy when kicking is .94 point compared to 1 when going for 2. It would be even higher if you have a good offense. Pittsburgh has gone for it more than any other team the last 2 seasons and their converting at a 60+% clip. Obviously it makes sense to go for the kick late in a game if you're down by 1 and sometimes you're not going to convert but over time you should come out ahead.

[superfly]

Not buying the injury excuse. Shields, Randall, and Lacy being injured all year is a legit reason why I don't expect them to win a SB. But it's not a good reason for them to be playing uninspired football and heading towards a 6-10 record.

 

 

It really is a BS excuse. There's zero inclination to play well going on out there aside from maybe #12 and Jordy. Belichick played WRs at CB when he was decimated with injuries and STILL won. Good coaches adapt, and since some seem to think MM is a very good coach then he should be compared in the same neighborhood as good coaches like BB and Carroll. Like you said losing is one thing, but losing badly and listlessly is not acceptable.

[pitchleague]

Slightly off topic but still relevant. Last night the announcers were having a fit over Washington going for 2 after their second TD, which made sense to do given Gruden's concern about the wind. However, I can't believe that more teams aren't going for 2 almost every time. The last two years kickers are making extra points at a 94% clip. Teams are converting 2-points at a 50% rate, even higher this season at 53%. So your point expectancy when kicking is .94 point compared to 1 when going for 2. It would be even higher if you have a good offense. Pittsburgh has gone for it more than any other team the last 2 seasons and their converting at a 60+% clip. Obviously it makes sense to go for the kick late in a game if you're down by 1 and sometimes you're not going to convert but over time you should come out ahead.

 

 

I, too, have wondered this. I brought it up at our fantasy football owners meetings and was scoffed at by most people but I thought it was completely valid. I'm pretty sure if I was coaching, I'd be doing what Tomlin does, as well--go for 2 a lot.

[DHonks]

Years ago, before Chip Kelly started at Oregon, statisticians figured that teams should nearly always go for 2 (except late in games when 1 is needed) and should nearly always go for it on 4th and short past their own 40 or so. The increase in expected points from resulting TD's would offset the occasional points given up

 

I'd let Cobb go and try to restructure Matthews to a lower salary. Cobb can't play outside and isn't fast enough or elusive enough for the slot. He's really a good 4th receiver or weak 3rd.

 

One side note, those two lobs to Cook were the first two times all season that I saw Rodgers put air underneath the ball and led his receiver.

[FVBrewerFan]

Years ago, before Chip Kelly started at Oregon, statisticians figured that teams should nearly always go for 2 (except late in games when 1 is needed) and should nearly always go for it on 4th and short past their own 40 or so. The increase in expected points from resulting TD's would offset the occasional points given up

 

I'd let Cobb go and try to restructure Matthews to a lower salary. Cobb can't play outside and isn't fast enough or elusive enough for the slot. He's really a good 4th receiver or weak 3rd.

 

One side note, those two lobs to Cook were the first two times all season that I saw Rodgers put air underneath the ball and led his receiver.

 

There's a big difference between college and NFL though. 2 point conversions are tougher in the NFL, and you also have to consider coaches don't want to use their best goal line plays on 2 point conversions.

 

As far as going for it on 4th and short, I think we've already seen that trend the last couple years. Coaches are definitely going for it more often these days. I think it makes sense in today's NFL with all the scoring.

 

Matthews would never restructure his deal! What to do with Cobb? All depends what it would do to the cap. I used to have a great source for cap info, but the guy who kept it updated is MIA.

[MrTPlush]

I don't see them cutting Cobb. Half of his approx. 13mil cap hit is dead cap so you would only be saving $6mil or so by cutting him. Clay Matthews on the other hand has a $15mil cap hit and only $4mil is dead cap so we would save over $10mil by dumping him.

 

I honestly don't get the love for Clay Matthews anymore. He is increasingly becoming less and less of a pass rusher and I personally thought he was pretty average as an ILB. Sure maybe keep him around if he takes a pay cut, but at his full price for next year it seems like a no brainer to cut ties.

[bjkrautk]

We can rest easy, our Packers National Nightmare at Cornerback is over.

 

Makington Dorleant is coming off IR.

 

 

(I mean, sure, that means we can't get Shields or Lacy back in 2016...but why worry about impact players when a guy I didn't even know was on IR will be back in uniform, maybe even by Monday Night.)

[FVBrewerFan]

We can rest easy, our Packers National Nightmare at Cornerback is over.

 

Makington Dorleant is coming off IR.

 

 

(I mean, sure, that means we can't get Shields or Lacy back in 2016...but why worry about impact players when a guy I didn't even know was on IR will be back in uniform, maybe even by Monday Night.)

 

If he gives up less than 3 TD bombs a game, he IS an impact player.

[MrTPlush]

(I mean, sure, that means we can't get Shields or Lacy back in 2016...but why worry about impact players when a guy I didn't even know was on IR will be back in uniform, maybe even by Monday Night.)

 

Sam Shields was done for the year anyway...possibly forever. Eddie Lacy was a long shot to make it back by the end of the year. Lets be honest the Packers need whatever help they can get now. I am sure the Packers would love to get Lacy back, but he is a long ways off.

[MrTPlush]

On another note I wonder what it would take to bring back Lacy next year? Obviously I would want to bring in another running back capable of starting duties, but Lacy is still a really good back. Injuries are obviously a concern, but if he comes cheap enough he could give us good value.

[FVBrewerFan]

On another note I wonder what it would take to bring back Lacy next year? Obviously I would want to bring in another running back capable of starting duties, but Lacy is still a really good back. Injuries are obviously a concern, but if he comes cheap enough he could give us good value.

 

I don't see anyone giving him a big contract, but all it takes is one team. Not sure I want him back, even a cheap base/ incentive laden deal. Lacy is a good RB when he wants to be, which fits perfectly for incentives. Problem is last thing this team needs is 70% effort players.

[DHonks]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/reports-nfl-will-propose-formal-developmental-league-in-2017-163617861.html

 

looks like a developmental league may come back. Looks like I can read minds

[craigharmann]

Shockingly, Gruden just hit the nail on the head with the D. No pass rush, backups in secondary. One can be attributed to coaching, but the other could be coaching just as much as an excuse.