I‘m old enough to recall when the NFL wouldn’t permit network pregame shows to mention point spreads, and now gambling is as big a part of the game as awful officiating. Speaking of which, that sure feels like a dangerous combination that’s eventually going to bite the league in the ass. Anyway, here are some Packers-related thoughts that ran through my mind in recent days:
1) After winning his first Super Bowl at age 28, it seemed possible that Aaron Rodgers would secure enough titles in his career to overtake Tom Brady as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. That never happened, as the gap between the two only widened in the ensuing dozen years. So where does Rodgers currently rank among the all-time greats? That’s obviously subjective, but I’d place him behind Brady, Joe Montana, John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Patrick Mahomes and just ahead of Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger. And while finishing sixth among all the quarterbacks who’ve played the position in the past 50+ years is very impressive, it’s nevertheless a little disappointing considering how things appeared when Rodgers triumphantly left the field at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 6, 2011. Of course, assuming he doesn’t retire in the next few weeks, there’s still time for the future first-ballot Hall of Famer to crack the top five. What uniform he’ll be wearing as he attempts to make his way up the list remains to be seen.
2) Allen Lazard sounded resigned to leaving the Packers when he met with reporters after the final game of the season. That’s because the 27-year-old already knew he’d almost certainly be playing elsewhere in the fall. As much as coach Matt LaFleur appreciates Lazard’s dependability as a possession receiver and physicality as a blocker, there’s very little chance Green Bay will be able to afford the former Iowa State star. With so many teams flush with cap space and so few decent wide receivers hitting the open market next month, Lazard will probably command at least $10 million per year. While that seems extremely pricey for a player who caught only 60 passes for 788 yards as Rodgers’ favorite target last season, it’s important to remember that 1/3 of the league will be running some version of the Shanahan/McVay scheme, which puts a premium on receivers who can plant a defender in the ground on first down and keep the chains moving on third down.
3) The Eagles are extremely talented at the skill positions, but what really separates them from the Packers are the big guys in the trenches. While left tackle David Bakhtiari, left guard Elton Jenkins, and defensive tackle Kenny Clark are three of Green Bay’s top seven players, none would even be a lock to start for the NFC champions. If Brian Gutekunst wants to build a roster that can win a Super Bowl, he needs to start prioritizing size over speed. Since being hired as general manager five years ago, Devonte Wyatt is the only lineman drafted by the Packers in the first round, and he made almost no impact as a rookie this season. While overachievers like guard Jon Runyon, tackle Yosh Nijman, and defensive end Dean Lowry are nice stories and easy players to root for, they wouldn’t get on the field for either of the teams in last week’s NFC title game. In fact, they would’ve had a hard time making Philly or San Francisco’s 53-man roster.
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Would love to keep Lazard (he’s from my hometown and we attended the same HS) but I agree that he will make more on the open market.
Hope there aren’t any hard feelings as sometimes can happen when a player isn’t retained – see Jennings, Greg or Hayward, Casey.
It been reported that Allen Lazard is seeking a contract in the 15 to 17 million per season range with the Packers offering half. Aaron Rodgers maybe the most gifted QB to every play the game. However ego and just plain stubbornness made him difficult to coach and limited his true potential. It’s one thing to tell yourself you’re the smartest person in the room full of football players. It’s quite another to say you know more than medical professionals and scientists. Most men have family and girlfriends to help keep them grounded. Rodgers couldn’t keep a girlfriend for very long and constantly feuded with his family. Leaving himself to his own devices he spiraled out of control. Stats make you wealthy but don’t make you a champion. Awards are remembered like who wins the pro bowl. That is to say not at all. Wherever Rodgers ends up on such lists, in 20 years he’ll be replaced by the next group of players who collect stats and very little else. While players like Brady, Mahomes, and Montana transcend the game.
Rodgers failure in his earlier playoff years speak more to the inept game management and lousy defenses. His last 3 playoff appearances losses defiantly were those of his own failure coming up small in critical points in the game, mostly by choosing to throw into double coverage instead of hitting open receivers to keep the chains moving. His mechanics look horrible, his decisions and holding the onto the ball is problematic and he appears like he doesn’t take to the coaching. To bad ego is his worst enemy because there is no telling what his and his teams accomplishments might have been.
I have felt for years the D line has been lacking in size and length especially in the middle. I get that you’re closer to the QB rushing up the interior but you still need a stout defense that plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage, it helps the linebackers flow to the ball. I have issue with Guteys construction of the team in general because he doesn’t build it to compliment each players strength. Example….TE’s are undersized and not athletic, DB’s have speed but aren’t tacklers or instinctive , DL is 6’3” 300lbs more quick than stout. Of course there are a few outliers on those examples but mainly the same type of players. Hard to build a solid team when your toolbox has a few of the same tools but are missing so many others.
I was surprised that MVS got over $10 million a year last year, and I’d be even more surprised if Lazard gets that type of money this year. He’s a nice No. 3 WR and a good blocker but lacks MVS’ speed and big-play ability. I guess teams with a ton of cap space can afford to overpay.