Things are changing in a big way with the Green Bay Packers. There’s a new general manager, a new power structure, new coaches on both sides of the ball, new personnel and long-time players have been shown the door.
Potentially the biggest change might be with coach Mike McCarthy, who is said to be revamping everything from the ground up.
“This offseason resembles a Year 1 offseason,” McCarthy said. “Obviously the defense is going through that because they’re building a brand-new playbook, new coaching staff, new philosophy. There is some carryover from our old defense. But offensively, when you have the same offensive system for 12 years, you’re playing late into the playoffs, you usually turn the page and evaluate and just try to evolve off what you did last year. We’ve taken a totally different approach. We’ve gone back to Page 1 in the playbook.”
It’s interesting that the playbook is being rebuilt — that includes language, formations, declarations and pre-snap adjustments.
People have long complained that McCarthy’s play calling had become predictable and the plays had become stale. Will this change things?
We’ll have to see. However, the last time Joe Philbin was the offensive coordinator for the Packers — 2011 — they led the league in scoring with 560 points.
Nonetheless, with all the change, McCarthy says this is the toughest offseason he’s been through.
“Then to jump in with this new approach with Joe Philbin and [new assistants] Jim Hostler and Frank Cignetti — these guys all have history in this offense. The best question you can ever ask is ‘Why?’ Why did this change? Going back through all that. We’re having conversations that the other guys in the room have never heard. That’s a great learning lesson, because when you’re around a place that long and you have coaches leave or move on, the existing coaches are supposed to pass it forward to the new coaches coming in. That probably wasn’t done as well as it could have been. We were able to go in and clean that up. It’s kind of a back-to-basics approach on offense, and defense is obviously is a whole different deal.”
One thing to keep in mind as the season begins is that teams that install new offenses or defenses typically start slow. It takes them some time to feel comfortable in and fully grasp their new system.
With what is being advertised as new systems on both sides of the ball, we wouldn’t doubt the Packers will fall into that category this season.
“the existing coaches are supposed to pass it forward to the new coaches coming in. That probably wasn’t done as well as it could have been.”
Here we go again, back to square one. McCarthy accepting responsibility for nothing and pointing fingers elsewhere.
That means starters will need significant playing time during preseason.
This also could mean that McCarthy is clearing house because his assistant coaches didn’t perform well. It could also mean that the team is preparing an offense that a younger QB can have success in, just in case Rodgers is injured again.
This is partly what i meant about “rebuilding”. when you start from scratch, you are rebuilding. Basically what the defense is doing.
I guess this is McCarthy admitting his offense is predictable and stale. Or as close as we’ll get.
My hunch is, when Pettine got hired, he shared with McCarthy what he saw in his offense. The next thing you know McCarthy was crowing about “pre-snap” predictability. My guess is that originated from Pettine. Like i’ve always said, McCarthy learns his job on the go, we all do, but he’s usually 2 or 3 years too late to catch on. Now he wants to rebuild the offensive playbook, wisely bringing Philbin on board.
For years and years some of us fans have been calling for some changes to be made. finally in 2018, some of those changes are implemented (wasted years). When i say some of us fans, i’m talking about some fans who were as vocal as i was concerning obvious problems we saw. But going back, we were clearly the minority. The problem was, the cause of the problems are still there, the disease is still in the building, and i’m not talking about Ted.
I’m at a dilemma as a Packer fan. I will always be a die hard (fuck off Lonely boy) Packer fan. I can’t change that if i wanted too. But i just can’t defend this current team like i used to and it pisses me off. I’m under no illusion this team is close to playing in the Super Bowl even with Rodgers. You cannot undo the damage that has been done in one off season. Also, if you are one to believe a rookie draft class can propel you to the big show, you have serious flaws in your thinking process. Maybe in 2 or 3 years, but player acquisition would have to be over the top successful.
So…where does that leave me (us). Personally, i’m just biding my time until the disease leaves the building. I’m looking for ways to be entertained and suffer through it even if that means making fun of my team or the people who run it.
Could we reach a Super Bowl again before Rodgers retires or leaves? I guess it’s possible, but would you bet any money on it? Neither would i.
Yep. Frustration.
Now resigned to hoping this change will eventually fix all.
Problem is, if MM is the problem, we really want to bomb this year and next.
If we dont, five yrs yrs from now, we’ll have the same issues holding us back…that have been more obvious since Favre left, esp player development… lack of taking games to next level, playmakers. ProBowlers. A defense. Sack leaders.
Being swept by the Lions, shutout at home, how does this guy get paid millions when he cant even control what he stuffs in his face
I mean’ who else is that close to the finest workout equipment in the country for their job’ for decades and looks like that