Should the Green Bay Packers give up on the season? If they somehow lose this weekend, then yes.
Even if they do win this week and the rest of the weeks, the Packers’ playoff chances are slim. People seem to be talking to team president Mark Murphy about tanking. Resting starters, giving young guys a chance, trying to improve draft position, etc.
Well, old Ginger Gap Tooth is having none of that. Murphy penned an online diatribe saying the Packers will not willfully lose.
I’ve heard from a lot of fans this week regarding the state of the team. Many have said that, since the chances of making the playoffs are so slim, we should sit some of our starters (including Aaron Rodgers), play more of our younger players and focus on the future. Others have said that we shouldn’t worry about winning and that a benefit would be that we would have a better draft position.
While I appreciate the input, I’m not ready to give up on the season. Now, I realize that we are 4-6-1 (and as Bill Parcells famously said, “You are what your record says you are”) and that we haven’t played well. However, we still have almost a third of the season left to play. I know that the odds of making the playoffs are slim (I’ve seen odds range from 3 to 15 percent), but we still have a lot to play for. If we can finish the season strong, even if we don’t make the playoffs (and crazier things have happened), it will give the team confidence that can carry over to next year. Also, from the individual player’s standpoint, the average career is so short (3.1 years) and every game means so much, they all have much to play for over the next five weeks.
Thing is, Murphy doesn’t suit up. There have been whispers that Aaron Rodgers is purposely trying to sabotage Mike McCarthy. That he wants McCarthy out.
While Rodgers may want McCarthy out, I seriously doubt he or anyone else is trying to throw games.
McCarthy, meanwhile, knows he’s coaching for his job the rest of the season.
The Packers have five winnable games left. That may not ultimately matter in terms of the playoffs, but I’d bet they win at least four of them.
If Rodgers can’t play 4 meaningless games at the start of the season why should he play 4 meaningless games at the end?
So Murphy had to pull out the “famous” Bill Parcell’s quote. What I want to hear is the next Packer President, and I hope that is soon, pulls out a famous PF4L quote from a couple of years ago in response to a stupid Murphy comment about getting to the playoffs.
PF4L in part said, “you also won’t win the Super Bowl, when you can’t get to the Super Bowl.“
I remember writing it, finding it would be another thing. Thank you Howard.
In other pieces of Mark Murphy entertainment, Rob Reischel had a chance to interview Murphy before the start of training camp. Enjoy the excepts and Murphy’s next level sense of humor and insight.
So with training camp less than four weeks away, how does Murphy believe his changes are working?
“Well, we’re undefeated,” Murphy said with a chuckle during an extensive interview with me in Green Bay on Thursday………………………… (DEEP LONG FORCED CHUCKLE)
“I think we’ve been a little bit more aggressive in free agency,” Murphy said. “I think we helped ourselves there, but not at an exorbitant cost”………………(not if you consider 13.25 million pocket change.) ….Name me one free agent signing who has helped this team this season. I remember we had one in 2017 (Jahri Evans). That’s one in two years of free agency.
“From a coaching standpoint, getting Joe Philbin back makes a big difference,” Murphy said………(Yes Sir, it’s been wonderful.)
“I tried to go to a lot of practices in the past, but I’m making it a point to getting to quite a few more of the practices,” Murphy said. “Just being a little bit more involved in football than I have in the past”…..(You are the Boss, large and in charge improving this team.)
So what are Murphy’s expectations for 2018, a season that will mark the Packers’ 100th year of football?
“Well, we are in Titletown,” Murphy said.
Yes we are Murph, please repeat that 1,000 times, then start packing.
I’m looking forward to the follow up interview with Murphy titled..”How did all that work out for you?”
BROKEN
Here is the full article, murphy’s full comments and complete article comments from almost 2 years ago.
https://totalpackers.com/2016/12/mark-murphy-confirms-playoffs-will-good-enough/
lol…thanks again Howard.. if i may say so, i was on top of my game then. So you can understand my angst when i didn’t receive any awards at the totalpackers year end awards banquet held at KFC. I’m not saying i was bitter, but think Aaron Rodgers sitting alone in the green room waiting to get picked.
BP-257
I always totally amazed by this site/blog, whatever it is. Monty and Rob and Bonzo, all you do is criticize everything about the Packers. Murphy,in this case is right, you don`t tank the season. What would that prove?! So you get a high draft pick! He might suck! As Herm Edwards said “you play to win the game”. You don`t lose on purpose.
You are correct Sir….But…..when Murphy speaks, you over estimate the level of respect and give a shit the readers here should be giving him. No one cares what he says because most times he speaks, he’s a trainwreck. Hell…the man can’t even cut a ribbon without looking stupid trying to do so. Want the video?
You are so totally amazed by this site that you spend so much time hanging out here that you didn’t know Rob has been MIA for several months now? And when he was here, Rob as wasn’t critical of the Packers like those 2 other meatheads. But hey, thanks for your “contribution”. I’ll be sure to look for more gems from you in the future. Hell we all might learn something from you good sir! Yeah, not exactly.
Rodgers will still miss wide open receivers until McCarthy is gone. He tried to get McCarthy fired in 2015, but around mid 2016 when he realized contract renegotions were about to begin, he started to play again.
Breaking news! Mark Murphy wants you all to know the Packers cleared 3 million in profits last winter from his brilliant sledding hill and skating rink ideas. That money will be used directly for player mouth guards, jocks, nut cups, and socks. The Packers thank you for your continued patronage.
Suggestion…if i may….please provide little marshmallows for the hot chocolate. $5.00 for a 7 oz. cup is bs without marshmallows.
Thank you.
Tank, don’t tank. Who gives a shit. Here’s a novel idea. Probability says the Packers aren’t going to make the playoffs. Rodgers is gonna play regardless. Rodgers is probably going to be here several years after McCarthy is gone. Play the scrubs. I mean how do they expect players to make that all important second year jump if they really didn’t participate during the first year? Win-win as Rodgers plays when the stats matter (for those that believe his is merely a stat whore) and the Packers get to evaluate their overall lack of talent. It might get worse before it gets better.
I’m not suggesting they treat it like preseason and insert all the second string together, then the third string. Disperse them here and there. See who has heart and who needs to go elsewhere.
Agreed – at this point you’re just watching more veterans hit the DL ….
How does this organization seem to continuously lead the league in injuries, year after year ?!
The same names every season – Porcelain Players – it’s friggin’ Bull-Butter ! – they need to go – make room on the cap for kids who are hungry to play
agree, most of these guys just want the season over. They’re more concerned with off season and getting outta town. Play some guys that want to. Maybe you’ll find a player or 2. Also where’s Gutie? Why’s Flat Dick talking?
Hey, whatever happened to Guter? You never hear from him anymore. He must be playing pinochle with Uncle Ted over at the rest home. It seems like Alfred E. Murphy is doing the talking lately.