Packers 2024 Season Thread

[LouisEly]

6 hours ago, homer said:

I am still not sold that you "need" a #1 guy but yesterday showed me you need guys you can count on for tough catches in high-leverage situations. DJ Moore essentially won that game with three really tough grabs.

Agreed, and the guy who best fits that description came down with the flu on Saturday and didn't play.

[adambr2]

This was the defense we showed on 3rd and 15 initially:

then we called a timeout, and “corrected” it to this as posted before.

the majority of the time, I feel like competent people run this organization. Then I see crap like this and I question everything I thought.

I am going to lie to myself and say “we didn’t really care about winning and wanted to put something crazy on tape for Philly that we’d never actually do,” because that’s the only way I can actually wrap my head around this.

[Fear The Chorizo]

That defensive call on 3rd and 11 is just trying to be too cute, and not giving the Bears any respect for being able to gain enough yardage for a 1st down in the middle of the field and being able to get up the LOS to clock it for a FG try.  I get lining DBs outside of the trio of receivers to the right (keep any pass caught from getting out of bounds) - but doing that while taking 3 safeties completely out of any underneath play is insane wit 11 seconds on the clock in that spot.

One of those deep safeties on Moore's side needed to be up 10 yards closer to impact a completion close to the 1st down marker in the middle of the field.  The formation basically put the DB (Vallentine?) on an island against Moore with 2/3 of the field to work with - and impossible cover.

Knowing the Bears needed to get the 1st down on that 3rd down play to even get a FG attempt (had they come up short, clocking it would've transferred possession), GB should've rushed 4 and played coverage at the 1st down yardage - forcing Williams to make a play deeper downfield if they wanted to take a shot.

[LouisEly]

9 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Knowing the Bears needed to get the 1st down on that 3rd down play to even get a FG attempt (had they come up short, clocking it would've transferred possession), GB should've rushed 4 and played coverage at the 1st down yardage - forcing Williams to make a play deeper downfield if they wanted to take a shot.

I hear you on that, but if they play too far up and a WR gets over the top for a 30 yard gain then it's an easy chip shot FG.  Even from where they were, a 51 yard FG is no gimme in GB in January.

To your point though, if they give up a deep pass do they have enough time to get everyone 30 yards down the field and set before clocking it?

[young guns]

12 hours ago, LouisEly said:

I hear you on that, but if they play too far up and a WR gets over the top for a 30 yard gain then it's an easy chip shot FG.  Even from where they were, a 51 yard FG is no gimme in GB in January.

To your point though, if they give up a deep pass do they have enough time to get everyone 30 yards down the field and set before clocking it?

That's the thing, they were barely able to get to the line at 15 yards, another 15 and the answer is probably not.  I'm sure most of those linemen have at best 6 second 40 times, so the extra 15 yards would be at best an extra 2.25 seconds and I believe they spiked it at 2 left.  The real fear would be giving up a td where they get behind you, but we played like that was our main worry.

[Fear The Chorizo]

12 hours ago, LouisEly said:

I hear you on that, but if they play too far up and a WR gets over the top for a 30 yard gain then it's an easy chip shot FG.  Even from where they were, a 51 yard FG is no gimme in GB in January.

To your point though, if they give up a deep pass do they have enough time to get everyone 30 yards down the field and set before clocking it?

it was 3rd and 11 with 11 seconds on the game clock left - they ran a quick hitting play that wound up getting the ball ~14-15 yards downfield right on a hash where the center and lineman could run straight to the line of scrimmage, and the other receivers' job was basically to get set as soon as Moore was tackled.  It was the fastest they could have reset and spiked the ball.  

it wasn't just the lineman getting to the line quickly - it was having all the other receivers basically go straight to getting set instead of being scattered all over the playing field after that play and having to wait on them to get back in formation for the next play, too.

Running anything further downfield that was tackled in bounds or outside the hashes that would've required the officials to run with the ball back to where it would need to be snapped would've ended the game.  

[igor67]

The tackler on that play could also have easily made a difference, he practically helped the player get back up. You don't need to do anything silly that would have drawn a penalty but at least fall onto the guy you tackle and you burn at least 1 more second. Two if you pull some acting and stumble a bit on piling.

[LouisEly]

2 hours ago, igor67 said:

The tackler on that play could also have easily made a difference, he practically helped the player get back up. You don't need to do anything silly that would have drawn a penalty but at least fall onto the guy you tackle and you burn at least 1 more second. Two if you pull some acting and stumble a bit on piling.

The last thing you want to do is draw a penalty.  If there is a penalty on the defense, the offense automatically gets another play even with no time left on the clock.

[CheezWizHed]

To be fair... that was normally only enough time for Williams to run one play... I'm surprised he didn't huddle up to call the spike play.😏

[AKCheesehead]

I can only assume the staff had watched that Seattle game the week before and just assumed the Bears were incapable of doing anything to help themselves win.

Side story, Dad bowls with Gary Cannalte (former weather guy in Madison for those unfamiliar) and was going to rib him a little after that Seattle game.  Gary's a chicago guy originally.  I told him be careful with that one, watch the Bears come beat us in Lambeau next week. 

[adambr2]

30 yards downfield would been completely fine, that would have not allowed for enough time to spike the ball.

Short of the sticks would have been fine as they could not have spiked it being 4th down.

All they needed to do was protect the sidelines and a small zone 11-20 yards in the middle, and they should have figured that out during the timeout. 

The saving grace is that it happened in a game that ultimately meant nothing. So we can only hope they learned from it and make a better call if it comes down to it again in the playoffs.

[adambr2]

I actually am growing warmer on the idea that the Packers should re-unite with Adams. He was asked about it the other day and said he would not rule it out.

I just think the fit is there, and not just because he was a Packer before. The Packers need a leader on offense, a veteran receiver who can be a #1. Adams fits the bill entirely and won’t be a long-term commitment at his age.

[yourout]

6 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

I actually am growing warmer on the idea that the Packers should re-unite with Adams. He was asked about it the other day and said he would not rule it out.

I just think the fit is there, and not just because he was a Packer before. The Packers need a leader on offense, a veteran receiver who can be a #1. Adams fits the bill entirely and won’t be a long-term commitment at his age.

It really would come down to the price tag. 

I'm Not against it for the right price.

[docduany]

The long, cold winter begins

[homer]

11 hours ago, adambr2 said:

I actually am growing warmer on the idea that the Packers should re-unite with Adams. He was asked about it the other day and said he would not rule it out.

I just think the fit is there, and not just because he was a Packer before. The Packers need a leader on offense, a veteran receiver who can be a #1. Adams fits the bill entirely and won’t be a long-term commitment at his age.

I'd take a short term deal w Adams over a big money deal w Higgins.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Maybe WR is an issue, I am pretty meh on bringing back old Packer retreads. It just doesn't seem to work out. At the right price maybe, but I don't think he is going to go for that. 

I think a vet WR could help. But the best WR won't change the fact that Love was off the mark a lot this season. Rodgers is quite literally the most accurate in history so I think everyone has to put that to bed, but Love has to be better no matter who is catching the ball.

[adambr2]

23 minutes ago, homer said:

I'd take a short term deal w Adams over a big money deal w Higgins.

I am fine with Tee at 4/120, but then again it’s not my money.

i am fine with Adams.

I am fine with breaking the 1st round no WR streak and taking a shot on Burden or Bond.

What I do feel pretty strongly about is that you can’t go into 2025 with a gadgety Jayden Reed, a receiver like Wicks who struggles so much with drops, and a concussion plagued Doubs as your 1-2-3 and expect your passing game to improve.

[homer]

Just now, adambr2 said:

I am fine with Tee at 4/120, but then again it’s not my money.

i am fine with Adams.

I am fine with breaking the 1st round no WR streak and taking a shot on Burden or Bond.

What I do feel pretty strongly about is that you can’t go into 2025 with a gadgety Jayden Reed, a receiver like Wicks who struggles so much with drops, and a concussion plagued Doubs as your 1-2-3 and expect your passing game to improve.

Adams struggled with drops his first couple of years too. I think Wicks will be fine. I do think getting a WR in the draft is a priority. Watch them take a guard, a safety, and a tight end in rounds 1 - 3

[adambr2]

6 minutes ago, homer said:

Adams struggled with drops his first couple of years too. I think Wicks will be fine. I do think getting a WR in the draft is a priority. Watch them take a guard, a safety, and a tight end in rounds 1 - 3

I get it, but Adams was a 2nd round pick with a bit more upside, Wicks was a 5th.

I do think Wicks has value, I just think Packer fans (and I’m sure fans of all teams do this) tend to overrate their own. 

There’s plenty of Packer fans out there who think Romeo Doubs is a legit #1, because well, he’s our guy.

I still recall folks convinced that Equanimeous St. Brown was a 2nd round talent, who, with great fortune just happened to fall to us in the 6th.

Every so often a Puka Nacua slips through the cracks and fools everybody, but for the most part, these scouts are pretty good at their job and most guys still on the board in the 5th and 6th are in fact 5th and 6th round talents.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think it's entirely possible one of the current WRs becomes the "true #1" everyone is clamoring for. I think it's probably Reed. I think some are being way too dismissive of where these guys are in their development.

Doubs is starting to give me Terrence Murphy vibes (not a similar situation just a high-ish pick who is going to have a short career). The suspension and the head injuries are just not a good thing. 

But I think going into next season hoping it happens is a bit of a risk.

[Joseph Zarr]

Wicks had drop concerns coming out of UVA. BUT, this season was an absurd regression beyond what anyone would have anticipated. It was like a WR version of the yips. He was not ever that bad. But, it certainly is cause for concern. If a player had drop issues, then had a solid rookie year but an atrocious year 2 catching the ball I don't think you know what you have.

[RobDeer 45]

I came here to say I too think we need to figure out how to get a very good WR added to the roster.  I think Reed has shown a lot, but I'm not convinced he can be a game changer type.  I do like the mix of WRs we have, but I think we need someone who can put the team on his back in crunch time.  Someone who can find a way to get open when Love needs a big play.  

I think Love did a good job this year.  He looks so good once he gets in a rhythm.  I'm not sure who is to blame more, WRs or him, when they get in these funks.  Obviously there was talk about our WRs not getting open for stretches (a few weeks ago) so it's made me think about that more.

The team is close but we are still missing a few key elements.  And yes we absolutely have to nail our first round picks!  

[bigred]

6 minutes ago, RobDeer 45 said:

I came here to say I too think we need to figure out how to get a very good WR added to the roster.  I think Reed has shown a lot, but I'm not convinced he can be a game changer type.  I do like the mix of WRs we have, but I think we need someone who can put the team on his back in crunch time.  Someone who can find a way to get open when Love needs a big play.  

I think Love did a good job this year.  He looks so good once he gets in a rhythm.  I'm not sure who is to blame more, WRs or him, when they get in these funks.  Obviously there was talk about our WRs not getting open for stretches (a few weeks ago) so it's made me think about that more.

The team is close but we are still missing a few key elements.  And yes we absolutely have to nail our first round picks!  

That shouldn't be difficult to do, because GB will be about $65M under the salary cap. I think the main problem, could be coaxing a top WR to sign with such a young team. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

It doesn't help that the most physically gifted WR on the roster (Watson) hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to develop, and the receiver who appears best suited for those intermediate/possession type routes (Doubs) also now has head injury concerns.  Those are probably #s 1 and 2 on the depth chart when healthy, and them on the field would make the depth the Packers have with the rest of the young wideouts look really damn good (especially Reed and Wicks as #3-4 options).  

It's not a surprise to me that the offense struggled with big plays in the passing game the last month or so, when both Watson and Doubs were taking turns missing games due to injuries.  Both of them being question marks (or in Watson's case a likely afterthought with that knee injury) heading into 2025 means the Packers need to target signing a big time veteran WR and draft one early.  Depth isn't valuable at a position in the NFL unless it's led by at least one impact talent - right now the Packers don't have that in their building at wideout.

[adambr2]

Make no mistake, any of Tee Higgins, Davante Adams or Chris Godwin would be the #1 receiver on the 2025 Packers.

I don’t think Jayden Reed is a #1 and I don’t think he has the ability to become one. I think he’s a versatile playmaker in the same mold as Deebo Samuel and isn’t a 1 in the same way that Deebo isn’t a 1.

If I had to bet money on a receiver on this roster becoming a 1, it would be Wicks, which kind of contradicts one of my earlier posts, but that’s the degree to which I don’t really believe there’s a 1 on this roster.

We could go back to the well in the draft. There’s a lot of good receivers being drafted at the back end of the 1st/early 2nd range that we keep passing on.