Post Game Thread : Falcons Take NFC 44-21 Over Green Bay

[Dr Jones]

In my mind, this is probably the worst possible end to the season we could have had.
An NFC North Championship and huge run means that no meaningful change within the coaching staff or front office will take place.

It also means we can look forward to another traditional off-season where we keep a bunch of guys who really need to re-work their deals (Cobb / CM3), overpay a bunch of guys we already have because you know that's what we do (Hyde / Haha / Perry), let some guys walk we probably shouldn't (Lang / Tretter), all while we totally ignore free agency.
We're now picking at the very back end of every round in the draft, which will make it more difficult to find actual difference makers.
This organization is in desperate need of dramatic paradigm shift (WIN WHILE WE HAVE AARON vs. be competitive every year), and there's just zero chance that happens.

 

[rpiotr01]

Aaron uttered the magic words after the game that finally bring him full circle: we need to go all-in every year. We know who said those words before and TT is certainly familiar with them.

Now the question, who do the Packers side with? TTs method or NFL cold hard reality?

 

[GBP4EVER]

Aaron uttered the magic words after the game that finally bring him full circle: we need to go all-in every year. We know who said those words before and TT is certainly familiar with them.

Now the question, who do the Packers side with? TTs method or NFL cold hard reality?

Well signs could be coming perhaps the BOD is getting sick of the close but no cigar every year and want a more active GM that's why we are hearing Ted might be stepping down as GM into a scout role.

The BOD is made up of people who live in WI and you know they are getting asked every time people see them why does Ted not do this or that to improve the team. While they are most profit driven the BOD does like any fan want to see the team win a Super Bowl.

 

[57packer]

It was a fun ride while it lasted, but with the injuries and complete lack of CB talent it's surprising they hung in as long as they did. I watched the 2nd half on my basement TV in the workshop. Working with wood kept my mind off what I was watching. I didn't want the season to end with me just bitching about the team and yelling at the TV. (Between Rip's fumble and the completely inept secondary play I'd pretty much lost it by halftime.)

Agree with others . . . the run probably saved coaches, players and maybe TT himself. This team needs to take the next step but it won't with everyone likely coming back. We'll lose Peppers and Shields and return the balance of a mostly ho-hum defense. Capers will probably be back, and we can look forward to much of the same next season.

At least at one point in the season we were looking at drafting a little higher, now we'll be in the late 20's again, where we'll get a "nice" starter. We'll get a couple of other decent picks, sign some UDFAs, maybe a lower buck free agent and come back and do the same thing again next year, with likely similar results.

I'm not bitter because it could obviously be worse. I still really enjoy being a fan of this team, but I have really gotten quite ready over the past year or so for the team to move on from TT for sure and maybe even MM, but now I suspect things probably stay the same.

Well, on to the off-season. Time to do a little draft prep.

 

[Pugger]

Well, the team kept it together for an improbable run - frankly, an amazing run - and it ended in extremely probable fashion.
Obviously, the team suffers from a significant lack of play making depth in key areas defensively. Losing Shields for the season was catastrophic. Letting a pro bowl CB leave for nothing was a complete failure given the absolute regression from those treasured TT draft picks. And, speaking for myself, it's quite easy for me to not be overly invested in this loss - you can't win big games against more talented teams on the road given injuries and lack of organizational aptitude.

Given the hindrances of the current Packers way, we can simply thank the heavens we have the genius of A-Rod to look forward to. If the Packers philosophy is flawed - and we all know it is - then embrace the fact we have an all-time great in A Rod. If we generally disagree with the Packers in coaching facets and talent acquisition - done in a manner that one could argue does not set the organization up to actually win a Super Bowl (let alone get there) - it is only sensible to change expectations as a fan. I don't expect Super Bowls given I hold these sentiments. I expect A Rod to lift the talent of everyone around him.

The Packers desperately need a version of him on defense - hell, they actually just need the 2015 version. Anywho, it could be worse...they could be the Bucks. There is always that

What Pro bowl CB left? Hayward? He wasn't a pro bowler when he left and we thought we were deep at corner. No one could foresee the carnage at that position this year.

For 2017 on defense we need a corner and an edge rusher. It would be nice if Ted would consider a FA...

On offense we need a running game to take the pressure off Aaron. I like our WR corps and Cookie at TE.

 

[Pugger]

The reasons we lost:
Defensive CBs
7 dropped passes
2 TOs
Defense is, has been, and will continue to be the problem as long as TT and Capers are here. That means no more titles for AR. It sucks and you could see the frustration on his face tonight. He knows his days are numbered.
I also want to point out the frustration of MM not running the football. I understand we wont run it 30 times a game and the O starts with AR but Ty had 3 carries in the first half. We could have tried longer methodical drives to keep Ryan off the field a little. But MM always says we will run more and we don't. It would also have helped the pressure and hits on AR.

Its hard to run the ball when Monty is in the locker room, Michael doesn't have a clue and your only other option is a FB.

 

[Pugger]

Capers contract is up now that this season is over. I wonder if he'll be encouraged to "retire"?

I don't have an issue with McCarthy. He kept this team together when things were looking dire 2 months ago.

I'm weary of Ted not supplementing this roster in FA. He doesn't have to go hog wild but one or two veterans wouldn't hurt. Look at the contributions of Peppers and Cookie have made this year.

 

[GBP4EVER]

Capers contract is up now that this season is over. I wonder if he'll be encouraged to "retire"?

I don't have an issue with McCarthy. He kept this team together when things were looking dire 2 months ago.

I'm weary of Ted not supplementing this roster in FA. He doesn't have to go hog wild but one or two veterans wouldn't hurt. Look at the contributions of Peppers and Cookie have made this year.

Looking at FA list at CB and OLB it looks like a who's who's list of over the hills guys and 1st round busts.

 

[TW]

I'm a realist. After a certain point, the injuries push you so far down the depth chart that you just aren't competitive. That happened to the Packers, and getting as far as they did was a victory in itself.

The offense is solid. They need Cook and another TE who can move down the field, and make catches. He also has to be a blocker. We need a RB who can stay healthy, and hang onto the ball. Someone who can get that tough yardage guard to guard. On defense, we need to realize that our secondary has only two players, and both are safeties. They can pretty much scrap the rest of them and rebuild through the draft, and free agency, but above all, that's an urgent matter.

But, I wouldn't do any of that until I installed a new Defensive Coordinator, who had a different perspective on the 3-4, and knew how to adjust their coverage without having wholesale personnel changes that signal the offense their intent.

In other words, despite injuries, Capers defense does not measure up to keep the Packers competitive. If there was one change in coaching that I'd definitely recommend it would be replacing him, and letting the new DC help in determining who should stay, and go, as assistants, on that side of the ball. We need to develop a defense or watch the rest of Rodgers career waste away without another ring.

I'm anxious to see where the front office goes with all of this. I'm not confident they'll make the change. They've become complacent.

 

[Cheesedog]

Aaron uttered the magic words after the game that finally bring him full circle: we need to go all-in every year. We know who said those words before and TT is certainly familiar with them.

Now the question, who do the Packers side with? TTs method or NFL cold hard reality?

That quote from R says it all.


This year exposed/reinforced a few things. MM can't handle it if Arod isn't playing like an MVP, he just isn't creative enough to win on scheme. That run of losses to teams like IND, TEN, and WAS perfect examples. And TT didn't get MM enough depth on defense despite all the picks invested there. If Arod is down this whole team seems to collapse, from coaches down to players. Just don't have that mental toughness...

Positive end of season thoughts though. TT brought in jared Cook and it appears it has been one of his best moves. Immediate connection with Arod and as long as he's healthy he's the TE they've desperately needed.

Monty may be a nice base for the RB core. Even Rip. I saw the replay of his fumble, and while you have to hang onto the ball, that kid was fighting with everything he had to keep moving forward. I gotta respect that.

At least we will have a lot to talk about in the offseason. An underwhelming list of team FAs and lots of cap space means GB could add some nice pieces if they play the game right.