2019 Green Bay Packers Season Thread

[nodakfan17]

^^^

I know I straight up whiffed on half of these predictions ... I just thought looking at them again would make for good playoff weekend fodder.

 

Not having to face Mahomes in KC probably explains another win.

[nodakfan17]

^^^

I know I straight up whiffed on half of these predictions ... I just thought looking at them again would make for good playoff weekend fodder.

 

Not having to face Mahomes in KC probably explains another win.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Just realized by going back in this thread than Lazard was cut on August 31 and signed to the PS. Wow.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Just realized by going back in this thread than Lazard was cut on August 31 and signed to the PS. Wow.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

^^^

I know I straight up whiffed on half of these predictions ... I just thought looking at them again would make for good playoff weekend fodder.

 

Not having to face Mahomes in KC probably explains another win.

 

Most people whiffed on their Packer-related predictions before the season started. I know I certainly didn't predict the number of wins they got. They did get them, though, and the wins were legit. The Packers had no control over who they played and when they played them.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

^^^

I know I straight up whiffed on half of these predictions ... I just thought looking at them again would make for good playoff weekend fodder.

 

Not having to face Mahomes in KC probably explains another win.

 

Most people whiffed on their Packer-related predictions before the season started. I know I certainly didn't predict the number of wins they got. They did get them, though, and the wins were legit. The Packers had no control over who they played and when they played them.

[PeaveyFury]

So, it felt like the Packers entered last offseason with a ton of holes, and they addressed them very well for the most part. What do we think needs addressing at this point, and who fits the bill?

 

For my money, it seems like MLB, one of the DE sports, RT, TE, and WR are the big spots. I'd assume they'll move on from Graham and Bulaga (the latter is a free agent). Hunter Henry seems like the best TE in the class, depending on your thoughts on Ebron. Linemen are a little thin, unless you buy Turner at RT and sign someone like Scherff or Thuney. Other thoughts?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

MLB - I like Cory Littleton (Rams), Joe Schobert (Browns) or Nick Kwiatkowski (Bears)

 

DE - Chris Jones would be ideal, but spendy. Arik Armstead is another that would be a great fit. Leonard Williams. Gerald McCoy. Shelby Harris. Michael Brockers. Ndamukong Suh. Carl Nassib. Derek Wolfe. Jarran Reed. Quentin Jefferson. It's actually a really deep FA class this year. I totally expect the Packers to sign at least one of these guys, if not two.

 

RT - Sort of expecting Bulaga to re re-signed, actually. I doubt he gets a huge contract, mainly due to injury concerns. Wouldn't mind hanging on to Veldheer as the swing tackle either. Anthony Castonzo is the top FA tackle, but he'll likely sign a very big deal, and is already 32. Scherff would be a nice road-grader type at guard, but I don't know if I trust Turner at RT. Jack Conklin from the Titans would be a nice sign. Lafleur would know him quite well.

 

TE - Honestly, I expect them to cut Graham, and go with the combination of Sternberger, Tonyan and a rookie. Hunter Henry would be a dream scenario for me, though. I've always loved him.

[JosephC]

So, it felt like the Packers entered last offseason with a ton of holes, and they addressed them very well for the most part. What do we think needs addressing at this point, and who fits the bill?

 

For my money, it seems like MLB, one of the DE sports, RT, TE, and WR are the big spots. I'd assume they'll move on from Graham and Bulaga (the latter is a free agent). Hunter Henry seems like the best TE in the class, depending on your thoughts on Ebron. Linemen are a little thin, unless you buy Turner at RT and sign someone like Scherff or Thuney. Other thoughts?

 

WR

TE

OT

WR (again)

ILB

DE

backup QB

OG

[adambr2]

No one talks about the punter, but JK Scott was quietly one of the worst in the NFL in 2019. 30th in gross average, 28th in net average. My guess is he is back because he's on a rookie deal and cheap but he's definitely a guy you just let walk after his rookie deal expires.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

No one talks about the punter, but JK Scott was quietly one of the worst in the NFL in 2019. 30th in gross average, 28th in net average. My guess is he is back because he's on a rookie deal and cheap but he's definitely a guy you just let walk after his rookie deal expires.

 

Or .... you coach him up and hope he improves his consistency. I mean, you know he has a huge leg, and he's only 24 years old. He was one of the top punters in the league the first half of the year, then hit a wall for some reason. It's obvious that the talent is there, though.

[adambr2]

No one talks about the punter, but JK Scott was quietly one of the worst in the NFL in 2019. 30th in gross average, 28th in net average. My guess is he is back because he's on a rookie deal and cheap but he's definitely a guy you just let walk after his rookie deal expires.

 

Or .... you coach him up and hope he improves his consistency. I mean, you know he has a huge leg, and he's only 24 years old. He was one of the top punters in the league the first half of the year, then hit a wall for some reason. It's obvious that the talent is there, though.

 

Well like I said that's probably what they're going to do for two more seasons because he's cheap and on a rookie deal. But at some point at that position the results need to be there. Hasn't been good enough through his first two seasons.

[patrickgpe]

I'll be interested to see if there are any changes to defensive coaching staff. They started the season wonderfully, but I thought they got worse as the season went on.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

No one talks about the punter, but JK Scott was quietly one of the worst in the NFL in 2019. 30th in gross average, 28th in net average. My guess is he is back because he's on a rookie deal and cheap but he's definitely a guy you just let walk after his rookie deal expires.

 

Or .... you coach him up and hope he improves his consistency. I mean, you know he has a huge leg, and he's only 24 years old. He was one of the top punters in the league the first half of the year, then hit a wall for some reason. It's obvious that the talent is there, though.

 

Well like I said that's probably what they're going to do for two more seasons because he's cheap and on a rookie deal. But at some point at that position the results need to be there. Hasn't been good enough through his first two seasons.

 

It's not because he's cheap and on a rookie deal. They are punters. They all make near the minimum. The highest paid punter in the NFL makes less than $4 million.

 

It's because they drafted him, and he has a lot of obvious talent.

[adambr2]

But if he continued this level of production over 4 seasons he wouldn't be signed back for a FA punter deal (usually starting around 2M a year), that's all I was saying. He's cheap and yes they spent a draft pick on him which factors in and makes it easier to bring him back by default. But every punter at this level has obvious leg talent or they wouldn't be here.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

But if he continued this level of production over 4 seasons he wouldn't be signed back for a FA punter deal (usually starting around 2M a year), that's all I was saying. He's cheap and yes they spent a draft pick on him which factors in and makes it easier to bring him back by default. But every punter at this level has obvious leg talent or they wouldn't be here.

 

If he puts up the same numbers he did in 2019 over the next two years, his next deal is going to be for the minimum. I don't disagree with you that he needs to improve. Just that his spot on the 2020 roster is almost assuredly secure.

[adambr2]

But if he continued this level of production over 4 seasons he wouldn't be signed back for a FA punter deal (usually starting around 2M a year), that's all I was saying. He's cheap and yes they spent a draft pick on him which factors in and makes it easier to bring him back by default. But every punter at this level has obvious leg talent or they wouldn't be here.

 

If he puts up the same numbers he did in 2019 over the next two years, his next deal is going to be for the minimum. I don't disagree with you that he needs to improve. Just that his spot on the 2020 roster is almost assuredly secure.

 

I agree with your last sentence for sure. Maybe not for the exact same reasons but I would be very surprised if they moved on from Scott.

[xisxisxis]

What were the major injuries for this team? I don't remember any other than Adams missing several games. Pretty much a dream year for injuries.

 

Given that there wasn't a huge dropoff in talent due to injury what areas actually improved during the year?

 

What evidence that any of the coaching staff should be retained? (I'm leaving MLF out of that question) But really, where is there a clear improvement that indicates that the coaching was good/exceptional.

 

The problem is that they went 13-3 so there won't be any tough decisions made. Gute will address the talent, but will MLF evaluate whether he has the right guys in place on the coaching side?

[PeaveyFury]

Given that there wasn't a huge dropoff in talent due to injury what areas actually improved during the year?

 

I'd say o-line play, the running game, and pass rush all improved significantly, as did FG kicking. The return game was much better after Ervin was acquired as well.

 

Still deficiencies in run defense (and d-line, LB play), underneath pass coverage, and the passing game.

[thebruce44]

What were the major injuries for this team? I don't remember any other than Adams missing several games. Pretty much a dream year for injuries.

 

Given that there wasn't a huge dropoff in talent due to injury what areas actually improved during the year?

 

What evidence that any of the coaching staff should be retained? (I'm leaving MLF out of that question) But really, where is there a clear improvement that indicates that the coaching was good/exceptional.

 

The problem is that they went 13-3 so there won't be any tough decisions made. Gute will address the talent, but will MLF evaluate whether he has the right guys in place on the coaching side?

 

I'm really curious to see if MM's Cowboys have lots of injury problems. If so, I think you could reasonably conclude that there is something about MM's practices or game planning that has an effect on overall team health. I can't remember the last time prior to this season that we had this level of consistency in the starting lineup.

[xisxisxis]

Given that there wasn't a huge dropoff in talent due to injury what areas actually improved during the year?

 

I'd say o-line play, the running game, and pass rush all improved significantly, as did FG kicking. The return game was much better after Ervin was acquired as well.

 

Still deficiencies in run defense (and d-line, LB play), underneath pass coverage, and the passing game.

This may shock you, but I actually agree with most of what you posted. I liked the post from LouisEly (in another thread somewhere) that the Niners built through the draft by emphasizing their lines (offensive and defensive). I have always and will always be an advocate that you build them and over-draft for the lines because with dominant OL and DL play you can tolerate average performances in so many areas.

 

I'd like to see the Pack emphasize the following this offseason:

 

2 x DL

1 x OL

2 x ILB

1 x WR

1 x TE (although I still think Sternberger will end up as an above average TE, so maybe 2 x WR)

1 x QB (need to start drafting for Rodgers replacement)

[adambr2]

Richard Sherman heard the chatter from the Green Bay Packers locker room earlier in the week heading into the rematch against the San Francisco 49ers, but the sequel was just like the original -- a box office flop for Green Bay.

 

"There was a ton of confidence," Sherman said, via NFL.com. "We took our starters out in the fourth quarter of that game. It could have been worse, and we knew that. I think they were trying to pump themselves up. They were trying to hype themselves up, talking about a revenge game. Like they weren't coming in with an advantage into that game. We were coming off of a battle with Seattle, and they were coming off a bye (entering the Week 12 game). So saying payback. Saying when you stay ready you don't got to get ready.

 

"They were trying to hype themselves up like 'man, we're going to be ready this time.' If you weren't ready the first time and that was in front of the whole country, that was a Sunday night game. It wasn't like it was a middle-of-the-day 1 o'clock game. It kind of bothered us a little bit. Like 'oh my god, we're going to be ready this time.' Like do you not take the game seriously? When do we not take games seriously in the regular season? If you would have won that one-seed, we would have been going to Green Bay. But, hey, it wasn't that big of a deal you were going to be ready this time."

[bjkrautk]

Given that there wasn't a huge dropoff in talent due to injury what areas actually improved during the year?

 

I'd say o-line play, the running game, and pass rush all improved significantly, as did FG kicking. The return game was much better after Ervin was acquired as well.

 

Still deficiencies in run defense (and d-line, LB play), underneath pass coverage, and the passing game.

 

It's easier to highlight individual guys than it is to talk about systems / areas, but I will say there were far fewer "shot" plays given up due to miscommunication in the second half of the season; Jaire Alexander looks like the closest thing we've had to a shutdown corner since Charles Woodson.

 

In addition to Tyler Ervin, I think Sternberger is an example of a player who was a bit behind after an injury in the pre-season, but continued to work and get better to the point of catching a touchdown in a playoff game (after dropping a chance at one during the regular season). Rodgers having the confidence to throw to him is a positive sign moving forward.

 

Aaron Jones is also a guy who took a major step forward, both in the running game and in the passing game; he actually got highlighted during the game yesterday for a blitz pickup...and he's shown the ability to catch and run as a receiver.

[homer]

What a tool. Just take your win and go home. I've never seen a more insecure elite athlete.

[adambr2]

What a tool. Just take your win and go home. I've never seen a more insecure elite athlete.

 

Yeah, there was really no need to rub salt in the wound. You kicked our asses again, congrats. Try to be gracious about it for once. What did he expect us to say? "Oh great, 49ers again, here comes another ass kicking."