Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - If it Makes You Happy...
The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.
By JerseyAl
When the Packers win, are you happy?
To quote Shery Crow...
"If it makes you happy
It can't be that bad
If it makes you happy
Then why the hell are you so sad?"
I am happy the Packers won a game. I can be as critical as the next person, but am I going to go off the deep end because the Packers didn't win by as much as "they were supposed to?" Well, sometimes, but this is not one of those times. The Packers are one of four teams in the league with only one loss. Have you been watching what's going on in the NFL this season? We saw the Giants embarrass the Eagles in Philly, the Patriots beat the Bills in Buffalo, and numerous more upsets like those. Did the Packers avoid getting upset at home on Sunday? Yes they did. So I'm not going to jump up and down and carry on about "what's wrong" with this team, especially only five games into the season. Every team is dealing with their own imperfections and issues. In the end, parity is what the NFL lives for and they have it big time.
So everybody take a breath, and let's talk about a few things on my mind.
WR1 - While the controversy seems to have died down a bit, that doesn't mean it's still not lurking. While Matt LaFleur doesn't even want to talk about it and rejects the idea of a #1 receiver, I think the concept still lives in Jordan Love's head. Romeo Doubs is his #1. As I pointed out in my "three things..." post yesterday, Love looks for Doubs above everyone else. No offense to Doubs, who is a fine receiver, but he's not Jamarr Chase. If the Packers had no one more talented than Doubs in the WR room, then this would be just fine. But they have Matthew Golden, and will soon have Chrisitan Watson back. Golden, despite being a wet behind the ears rookie, has shown the most secure hands on the team, consistently gets open and now has shown the smarts to adjust his when the quarterback is scrambling out of the pocket. Love is playing at a very high level this season, but the next step will be to not zero in on Doubs. If he has to zero in on anyone, do it with the more dangerous receiver - Golden.
Morgan vs. Rhyan - Jordan Morgan looked very comfortable at right guard, which shouldn't be a surprise as it's one of the two positions he has had the most reps at. Morgan started the game and was replaced by Rhyan on the Packers second offensive drive. Rhyan logged 11 snaps during that drive but then was relegated to strictly special teams duty from that point on. In fairness to Rhyan, I didn't see him do anything poorly in that drive. So why sit him down? It's obvious the Packers want to get Morgan into the lineup and bank those reps for the future. Rhyan, like Jon Runyan before him, will likely be allowed to walk after this last year on his contract is up. If you recall, Rhyan was two snaps short last year of earning an extra 2M dollars for 2025. Life in the NFL can be cruel if you're not near the top of the pyramid.
Zach Tom - He got off to a slow start in the game and was kind of getting pushed around at first, but he righted the ship and looked better as the game progressed (perhaps the pain killers kicked in). I heard Rob Demovsky on ESPN Milwaukee state that Tom was in considerable pain after the game and was struggling to just get dressed. Tom said he felt good enough to play before the game, although far from 100%. When Demovsky asked him if maybe he shouldn't have played, Tom wouldn't answer that. Sooooooo, don't assume that the offensive line musical chairs is finally over. The Packers likely still have a problem there and we could see Morgan and Rhyan playing next to each other next week.
Pass rush woes - The success of the defense early this season was predicated on the pass rushers getting to the quarterback, allowing the defensive backs to be aggressive in coverage. The Cowboys showed the NFL how to combat that - get the ball out way before the rushers can get home. After a slow start, the Bengals switched to that approach and a veteran quarterback like Flacco was more than adept at executing it in the absence of a real pass rush. After not getting home with four, Hafley reverted to trying some blitzes, but with the same results. Too often on tape you could see 3 or four Packers rushers bunched together in the middle, kind of getting in each other's way as penetration was not happening. That is where the Packers sorely miss Devonte Wyatt. His alibility to shoot gaps and get in the backfield opens up space for the other rushers. Without it, you just have a big logjam in the middle no one can break through.
Overall, however, the biggest problem with the defense is the lack of turnovers. It's not easy to get interceptions when teams are dinking and dunking you to death, so maybe that's not surprising. But not a single fumble created?
Speaking of pass rush, here is your PFF nonsensical rating of the day. Warren Brinson was given the highest pass rush score of 80.6 (ahead of Micah Parsons' 74.8), with 2 pressures in 19 pass rush snaps. Lukas Van Ness, with a sack and two QB hits in just 15 pass rush snaps, was given a 67.5. Huh?
On to Arizona and Go Pack Go!
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of various hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He's a lifetime Packers fan living in the land of the Giants (and Jets). Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP.
__________________________
Comments (75)
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 06:04 am
Wins are tough in the NFL. I will say that the better the team the Packers play, the better they seem to play. Don't know if that makes any sense? It's easier for me to watch other football games when the Packers play well and win. If they play bad and lose, I just get aggravated watching other games and can find better things to do even if it's chores.
Would love to get to game day once and have the same starters on the O-line as the last game. Suck it up Tom. You're going to be sore all season. That's football.
If the teams are going to dink and dunk with the quick passing game, let them. The linebackers need to eat these types of plays for dinner. They're the ones that should be creating turnovers. Apple turnovers are scrumshish.
Razer
October 15, 2025 at 07:43 am
Love the use of the word scrumshish. Having just done our Canadian Thanksgiving, it fits the season. Thanks T7
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 08:00 am
I keep forgetting to celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving. Just think! 2 months in a row trying to get my pants to zip up.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 08:10 am
"Suck it up Tom." Have you ever had an oblique injury, Steve? Because if you have, I doubt you'd say that. It is VERY painful. I did not expect him to play. Surprised he did. And I am concerned he may have exacerbated the pull.
I do think Tom did his best impression of Jenkins on Sunday...who is legendary for putting on the armor and playing through injuries. Tom is a warrior, too. I learned that. Tough kid.
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 08:24 am
Sorry. I was just talking tough and actually was disregarding his injuries and only using Tom for an example for the whole team. They all have their sore bodies.
My old coach used to say, "What? Do you want me to call your mother? Suck it up!"
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 10:03 am
LOL...I had a JV coach like that. Once after we got hammered by an undefeated superior team in a downpour...a real mud bath...we rode the long 60 minute drive all soaked with mud and rain.
When we arrived at our HS, the coach told us all to hit the practice field to do sprints and do nutcracker drills in the rain. Parents were upset and many parked their cars with headlights shining on the practice field and some began honking.
The coach just stood in his raincoat, arms folded like Mussolini scowling. It wasn't his finest hour. We did not win another game that season either.
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 15, 2025 at 11:45 am
Kind of makes me think of Aaron Glenn and his big talk after being hired. Meanwhile, former Jets quarterbacks Sam Darnold, and Aaron Rodgers are having good years.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 10:12 am
Having played rugby through oblique strains more than once I saw Tom through the first 29 minutes and could feel how it felt when the jabs aren’t fully working. It not only hurts a lot but it makes the whole torso tighter, restricting movement as well as power. I watched him loosen. I wondered how much damage that could do (it’s as much luck as anything). I remembered how difficult/impossible it was to dress (wear button up tops) as both adrenaline and the painkillers wear off. Now I’m just hoping that the reaction was just that not aggravation. The only real cure is rest. I hope we made the right decision.
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 10:26 am
I really hope you're right. The Packers need him up to full speed. If not, I can't believe that he can be better at something less than 100% than the next guy behind him. What happened to the depth?
dblbogey
October 15, 2025 at 01:35 pm
Kinnard and Belton out with injuries.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 04:02 pm
Kinnard was out?
GregC
October 15, 2025 at 07:16 am
Glad to see some perspective on this one. It was not a great win, but it was plenty good. The Packers were favored by 14, and that's exactly what they led by with about three minutes left, before Jamar Chase made an acrobatic TD catch against tight coverage on 4th down to keep the Bengals alive. The Bengals' other TD also came on 4th down, with a pretty great catch by one of their tight ends, also against tight coverage. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team. It's not like the Packers are the Harlem Globetrotters playing against a bunch of ringers.
Now that opposing offenses have counterpunched against the Packers defense by throwing short passes, I'm hoping to see the Packers respond to that. Maybe they've been putting too much emphasis on preventing big plays. It may be better for them to take more risks, blitz more, and trust their CBs to cover. It seemed like when they blitzed in the second half against the Bengals, the CBs were playing too loose at times. It might be worth giving up the occasional big gain in exchange for an increased chance of getting turnovers.
Jordan Love has been fun to watch. It's made a big difference having him able to run the ball with confidence again, unlike last year when he was banged up. I watch other games, and I see other good QBs (some of whom are headed for the Hall of Fame) make "dumb" throws that are intercepted. What sets these QBs apart is that they come back from their miscues and finish the game strong. We are now seeing that more with Love. Against the Browns and Cowboys, he led late drives for scores that should have been game winners, but the special teams and defense were not able to seal the deal. Against the Bengals, he led them to a score that iced the game.
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 08:09 am
Yes. Watching the Chiefs' game the other night puts the QBs in perspective. Pat M. runs like he's got a death wish. Don't know how he's going to make it through the season if he keeps it up. Love has done a couple of those which were fun to watch. If it doesn't mean the game is on the line (and maybe even then), I think he needs to go down to protect himself even if it means a punt. Live to see another day / play.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 08:19 am
Yeah. Some Love haters (oxymoron alert) were whining about his slide on Sunday that came up short of the first down. He saw the full speed freight train coming at him and did the exact right thing.
The same Love haters would have complained had he dove head first for the first down and stayed on the ground with an injury calling him reckless, having poor field awareness, or stupid.
Love is really seeing the field well and knows the plays cold. He's doing a great job pre snap and knowing where the best target will be on a pass play. That dime to Golden's adjustment was a fantastic QB/WR play...and Love zipped it with a defender about to sack him.
PeteK
October 15, 2025 at 09:16 am
I'm not a Love hater and agree to not take unnecessary hits, but come on he slid 3 yards ahead of defenders for a needed first down.
murf7777
October 15, 2025 at 10:04 am
And if he didn't slide, what might've happened? You can't take that risk this time of the year and given the game circumstances. It would've been an unnecessary hit. Now, if it was a playoff game or one to get you there towards year end, I'd agree go for it Love.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 10:18 am
That slide happened in front of me near the Packers sideline and I could see guys motioning him to get down...maybe even LaFleur was...because Love is coached to try to avoid full contact hits. He did have an unblocked Bengal bearing down on him.
You are also making the assumption Love lost a sure first down on that play. I don't believe it was a sure first down, Petek.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 10:05 am
It’s odd, or that play was, because Love is willing to take hits and often I think unwisely. In that case I think it’s 50:50 whether he can get the ball over the first line down and I thought he would go for it based on past play. My immediate reaction was that he should have just dived and got the down.
I think his prime thought was safety of the ball while staying in bounds. That’s probably correct as a priority, so I’m not going to chide him too much. On replay I still think it’s 50:50 and I do think he’d have taken a significant hit on the ground. Should he have? Too close to call in the context of both game and season for me.
dobber
October 15, 2025 at 10:16 am
"I think his prime thought was safety of the ball while staying in bounds. That’s probably correct as a priority,"
That's where I come from on that play. If you look back over his first couple years as a starter, Love has a tendency to get his clock cleaned and take heavy hits when fighting for yardage.
LeotisHarris
October 15, 2025 at 10:32 am
". Pat M. runs like he's got a death wish. "
I've seen his running style described differently. I think it was Drew Magary who said Mahomes runs like a man hit with a sudden bout of diarrhea, running from his car to the rest stop bathroom, sphincter fully clenched, leading with his torso.
egbertsouse
October 15, 2025 at 07:20 am
When MLF starts yapping about not needing a WR1 and saying , “That’s not who we are” I respond with two words “ “Davante Adams”. He seems to have forgotten that for his first 3 years Adams got like half the targets. That is who you are when you have an All-Pro.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 09:58 am
LaFleur famously said that 75 percent of our offense goes through Adams.
To me LaFleur’s statement after the game translates to system over players. It’s not that far off from late era McCarthy saying trust the system, just beat your man. Ultimately, surely, the better way is to adapt so the system features your best players as priority targets more often?
Moving to Al’s point, Doubs gets targets because he’s predictable. He’s turned into a technician. Love knows what he will do and when. That’s a good thing to have. Just ask Rodgers. The issue isn’t the over targeting of Doubs for me but how the others are being used to get them in space without needing a broken play and improvising.
I do think Watson helps. Wicks is not a classic X route type and Golden at this point isn’t going to provide the physicality to be out there in a full X role. Both are better running a mix of slot and cut routes. Watson will provide a more classic X (Williams obviously isn’t trusted/ready to do so based on almost a complete lack of use despite his size and speed).
When Reed returns LaFleur is going to have a good problem, but a nevertheless real one if how to balance him with the best use of Golden. Right now I think we lack that true bigger X with speed and that is having knock on effects. In the midst of that, Doubs is doing what he does and well, and thus is the central cog if not the most spectacular.
Ray L 1122
October 16, 2025 at 09:35 am
Davante Adams. ...and how did that work out every January when defenses knew exactly where Rodgers was going?
JerseyAl
October 16, 2025 at 09:51 am
I meant to put this in the post, but forgot once I started writing:
I personally believe the reason for LaFleur's WR1 aversion is the experience of losing playoff games with a HOF QB forcing the ball to his WR1 in key moments and failing.
Savage57
October 15, 2025 at 07:46 am
We thought the new DL coach would be a difference maker. Apparently blitz timing is the most difficult thing to teach pass rushers.
As to #1 WR's, that's something that develops organically between passer and catcher, and can be situational. Think how Rodgers used Cobb and Nelson.
Love has had a comfort level with Doubs since early on. We all had "our guys" in sports.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 08:28 am
I simply do not understand those demanding LaFleur and Love anoint their favorite WR as #1 and force feed him targets. Adams was not Rodgers top target until year 3 in his development.
I side with LaFleur on this issue. I can certainly see Golden developing into the top WR target with more experience and becoming a better blocker.
Blocking as a Packer WR is likely very new to him. But his teammates...Nixon in particular...rave about Mathew's upper body strength so he should develop into a solid blocker.
Doubs, Wicks, Watson, Heath and even Reed all take pride in blocking. So will Golden and that will get him increasing game snaps. We all see the rookie's talent. His work ethic seems outstanding. The targets will come.
dobber
October 15, 2025 at 10:31 am
I think what we learned from Adams was that force-feeding a WR1 is great for fantasy football stats, and is great as long as it works...and then it doesn't and you don't go to SBs much less win them.
Last week's graphic in this column seemed to indicate that Golden and Wicks are both on the high end of getting separation (and finding themselves open). I think good QBs naturally tend to find those guys, and then learn to look for them to move the chains and generate chunk plays. I also think good QBs find other open guys when their WR1 is blanketed. At this stage, it seems that Love is starting to find Golden.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 10:39 am
If the question is a return to the later Adams era, then I agree with you. Adams was superb at that time and it was still taken so far as to bring diminishing returns. Talent only gets you so far that defenses can’t shift the potential to other, less talented but less well covered, targets.
However, that’s not how I read these comments. To me that is more adjusting play calling and perhaps formations to give more emphasis to routes where Golden and Kraft are priority targets more often and where their particular skills are most accentuated.
In other words it’s to stop just putting scheme first all
the time and to adapt to players and how they are playing, from week to week and in game—if Wicks is tearing it up against an opponent then do the same for him, for example.
Not doing so is a great way to not exploit matchups, hot streaks and thus lose the tactical battle ore-and in game. In fact it might be a major cause of LaFleur's struggles to keep his offenses playing consistently and to his potential. Making that kind of conceptual shift in approach might in fact be the best possible move for both LaFleur and the Packers.
Razer
October 15, 2025 at 07:47 am
I think what bothers Packers fans the most about this season is the pop-ups when they are trying to get a word in edgewise. Horrible website design.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 08:31 am
Yeah...pop ups are irritating. Every site has them now. CHTV though is definitely NOT the worst...far from it.
PeteK
October 15, 2025 at 09:22 am
Oh yeah, ESPN is the worst. If I don't hesitate a few seconds before choosing an article, I wind up clicking the wrong article.
mnbadger
October 15, 2025 at 09:33 am
Can't expect the chtv team to produce consumable content for free.
Pop ups allow me to follow without a charge.
This sight is better than most, including a couple of newspapers that I pay a monthly premium to follow.
Nothing of value is truly free.
GPG!
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 10:38 am
Good point!
NickPerry
October 15, 2025 at 07:54 am
"While Matt LaFleur doesn't even want to talk about it and rejects the idea of a #1 receiver, I think the concept still lives in Jordan Love's head. Romeo Doubs is his #1."
It sure seems that way Al. This past Sunday I watched Love throw the ball to Doubs on multiple occasions when it just wasn't there. On a few of those plays he had other receivers more open with a better shot at catching the ball had it been thrown their way.
I've appreciated the effort by Doubs all season thus far. MFL has always rejected the idea of a #1 because after Adams left, he did NOT have a true number 1 WR. Doubs is a nice WR to have. He IS James Jones 2.0 but he's no #1. He can reject it all day long but sooner or later (hopefully sooner) he'll realize he does have a #1 brewing in Matthew Golden.
Please give Golden the opportunities he deserves to keep proving it. Either that and continue to force feed Doubs when he covered and see how that works for you. Remember, Murphy isn't there to save your ass anymore.
Guam
October 15, 2025 at 08:09 am
Hopefully LaFleur/Love learn to spread the ball around this year, but it will forcibly happen next year when the FO doesn't resign Doubs. With Watson, Golden, Reed, Wicks and Willams available next season, Doubs is not going to get a second contract from the Packers.
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 08:14 am
That sucks, but hopefully he'll enjoy playing for the Jets. Maybe a sign and trade type deal?
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 08:36 am
I have been reading the Packers are indeed looking for a way re-sign Doubs. Maybe even negotiating some?
He and Golden have the best hands on the team. Watson is secured for 2026. Wicks, Heath and Reed will be here too unless one is traded for a DT.
Guam
October 15, 2025 at 11:22 am
There is only so many snaps at WR and with Watson, Golden and Reed already in the fold, how much playing time would be available to Doubs? Particularly when signing Doubs likely means not being able to sign R. Walker or Q. Walker or D. Wyatt. The Packers can afford to lose Doubs more than any of the other three in this draft class.
Ihappydirt
October 15, 2025 at 04:59 pm
I'll be very surprised R. Walker is resigned. Pretty sure Gute wants him to play well, get a big deal, and get GB a high compensatory pick.
NickPerry
October 15, 2025 at 08:39 am
That's what I thought Guam but several times last week I heard Wilde & Taushe talking about the Packers ARE trying to get Doubs signed to an extension. I don't know what that would look like but the talk was like a 3 year 35 Million dollar extension or something like the Ravens gave Rashod Bateman.
Guam
October 15, 2025 at 11:19 am
I've heard the rumors too, but do you sign Doubs and not R. Walker, Q. Walker or Wyatt? They all are from the same draft class. The Packers have a lot more WR depth than they do at OT, LB and DT. Unless there is some real cap magic it makes no sense to sign Doubs instead of the others.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 11:45 am
In theory yes, but who would take over what is a pivotal role in a LaFleur O outside of just catching? Golden is not physically robust enough yet or a good blocker. Wicks perhaps?
Guam
October 15, 2025 at 04:09 pm
Watson Reed and Wicks are all good to very good blockers. Which should be enough to keep the running game going while Golden learns.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 05:30 pm
Reed struggles away from the slot as a catcher and route and get off technician. Watson is a primary threat opposite Doubs (or any replacement) and already blocks in that capacity. They aren’t obvious candidates to play that role.
Golden may be on the longer term, but he’s going to need to add mass and blocking and other non catch related technique first. It’s worth noting that Reed was tried and struggled and then they have since used Heath rather unsuccessfully (or at least a much more limited success) if Doubs was not available.
Golden may be the long term plan, but Golden is visibly not there yet physically (he’s described as having strong hands, not a strong upper body), Until that question is answered better than “maybe Wicks” or by the potential for Golden to take a big physical leap (never mind whether that’s optimal usage), Doubs retention is a legitimate proposition despite the numbers in the room I think. I did not expect that to be the case this time last year.
Guam
October 16, 2025 at 07:26 am
The issue is not about Doubs' ability but his potential cap hit and its use elsewhere. Yes, Doubs is a good receiver, but he is more easily replaced than R. Walker, Q. Walker or D. Wyatt. The Packer's cap limitations after the Parsons deal is going to cause choices. Are you really suggesting that the Packers retain Doubs over the other three players from the same draft class?
murf7777
October 15, 2025 at 10:17 am
"On a few of those plays he had other receivers more open with a better shot at catching the ball had it been thrown their way."
I agree, I think Love did force feed a couple of difficult plays to Doubs in the game.
That said, its not always easy for a QB to find that other open pass catcher, at just the right time, before the rush gets there. It's also not always their fault. Sometimes they only have 2.5 or less seconds. We might see something, especially with the use of All-22, but at the moment, the QB may not have time to see it, or when they see it, there was a certain coverage there that would've made the throw dangerous to attempt.
In the NFL, many times we are talking fractions of a second to make a decision. I'd say Love is doing one hell of a job and is a top 10 QB in the league. Just wait till Watson comes back and how much that will change the dynamics of the field. Personally, I don't care what pass catcher gets the targets. We have a lot of very good ones. Just win baby!!!
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 10:34 am
Doubs and Love are very familiar with one another. Love has seen all of Doubs routes on called plays many times and trusts he will be where he should be.
Love will begin to trust Golden with more practice and game experience together. He WILL get more snaps because he is executing with his routes and vice-like hands. On Sunday he caught a pass in front of me and I saw him catch the spiral only 3 inches from the end of the leading tip of the ball and quickly secure the ball. Guy who sits in front of me turned and said "did you see how Golden caught that...watch the replay on the screen." Amazing hands.
Watch him block, though. He has a ways to go doing that job...but he can block. Just not consistently like the other WR vets.
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 10:41 am
" for a QB to find that other open pass catcher, at just the right time"
Not only that, he has to throw it before the guy gets to that spot not after he gets open.
I remember a favorite announcer expression. "He threw his receiver open." To do that the CB has to be in tight coverage, and the receiver has to on the same page and adjust to the ball thrown away from him that hopefully the corner doesn't see while he has his back turned. That used to work for Favre about half the time. Of course, he still holds the record for the other half of the times.
bjkdad44
October 15, 2025 at 10:39 pm
Love IS being paid to make those decisions…
Canam73
October 15, 2025 at 08:25 am
It would be nice if MLF and Love realized they have a #1 TE too.
NickPerry
October 15, 2025 at 08:42 am
YES!!!!!
Kraft has caught 18 of the 22 targets thrown to him for 268 yards and 3 TDs. He's averaging 14.9 YPR.
Throw it to him MORE please!
NFLfan
October 15, 2025 at 08:55 am
Kraft is on blocking duty to shore up the OL
dobber
October 15, 2025 at 10:47 am
Kraft (141) has run about the same number of routes as Doubs (143), but their targets differ 22 (Kraft) to 28 (Doubs). Kraft has played about 30 more snaps than Doubs. In all, I'd argue he's not being asked to stay in and block as much as we'd think.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 11:34 am
No they are trying to use Musgrave and particularly Fitzpatrick more to do that. Unfortunately neither are very good at it. We would have benefited from a true blocking TE or a 6th OL who does it more. Right now we have Kraft and less talented versions of him as catchers who are also less good at blocking. We have the same type on the PS too, unfortunately.
Canam73
October 15, 2025 at 11:19 am
Nothing to do with blocking duties. Kraft's targets per route run is .16 which is near the bottom for a starting tight end.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 11:37 am
He does a lot of selling blocks and leaking out or chipping, which reduces the scope of routes he can run and tends to make him a tertiary option on the progression
Canam73
October 15, 2025 at 11:51 am
I'm pretty sure I've seen TEs on other teams get the ball fairly often on those routes. And with his YAC he's still as likely to pick up a 1st down as anyone else on the team.
Bitternotsour
October 16, 2025 at 10:28 am
this isn't other team's offense. this is LaFleur's concept and this is how it works, and how it's supposed to work.
Tundraboy
October 17, 2025 at 01:35 am
And a not so shabby No 2 as well.
NFLfan
October 15, 2025 at 08:51 am
Davante Adams had to wait several years to prove he was WR #1. Golden has played 1 month in the NFL and though he is clearly talented, he is a rookie. Jordan will transition to throwing more to him.
Re: Tom's oblique injury-if he's having difficulty getting dressed after a game when likely being loaded up on IV Toradol and stronger stuff (narcotics), he was put back out there too early. Same happened w/Love last year.
The lack of O-Line depth and competence is forcing his premature return. Oblique injuries are real and like any strain are defined by degree. He could have sustained a Grade 3 tear.
LambeauPlain
October 15, 2025 at 08:52 am
Hafley's objective to generate consistent pressure with the front four was happening when Micah arrived. That went "poof" with Wyatt's injury. It surprised me...but it shouldn't have because I experienced it playing football.
It is instructional how, in a team game, the loss of a key player creates negative ripples all through the starters on the field.
Jersey Al identified the crazy first 6 weeks of incredible parity where we see upset after upset...because the difference between good and bad teams is often just one player missing the field.
Is Team Gutey looking to acquire more DT talent before the trade deadline? They need to or Hafley will be using his LBs and some DB blitzes more like he did last year. It can work and it can burn you if you get predictable.
T7Steve
October 15, 2025 at 09:18 am
Cincy seems to be in the trading mood. Bet they could get Slaton for the asking and he'd love to be back. At least that would help with the running D and would let those others rush the passer.
Ray L 1122
October 16, 2025 at 09:54 am
What draft pick would it take to get Kenny Clark if the Cowboys loose a couple more games?
NFLfan
October 15, 2025 at 09:09 am
As important as Wyatt has become, he has proven to be injury-prone and unavailable for a number of games in the past. What was the realistic 'Plan B?' I guess it was 4th-round pick, Wooden?, UDFA Stackhouse , who is playing out of position and Karl Brooks?
Dragon5
October 15, 2025 at 01:34 pm
I don't blame Gute for shipping Kenny out--I would have done also given he's in his enemy year; but all eggs in one basket (Wyatt) is / was foolish. I warned trading up for him was also a foolish move given he's a 7 life path (highly injury prone). Karlaftis should have been the pick, and then Gute wouldn't have had to perform his patented 1st round reach the following year for Van Ness🙄
<<Dragon5
April 02, 2025 at 11:22 am
Enemy year 🐍 for 🐷s: Kenny Clark, Elgin Jenkins
Also increased injury risk: Devonte Wyatt
draft accordingly>>
mrtundra
October 15, 2025 at 09:33 am
Please! I beg of this team to not underestimate the Cardinals! "Mediocre" teams are kicking the "great" teams' asses this season. Don't let it happen with Arizona!
murf7777
October 15, 2025 at 10:25 am
Hopefully, they learned that lesson in Cleveland. I was happy it was towards the beginning of the year and against the AFC. I'd be shocked if they took another team lightly anymore this season.
J-Rome
October 15, 2025 at 09:38 am
The defense is giving up throws underneath and out routes. Against the Bengals I'm sure the plan was to not have Chase and Higgins beat us deep. How long before we see Nixon undercut one of those out routes for an interception? ( i don't trust Hobbs is capable) If that happened one time I think we'd all be happier and it would give QBs something to think about too. Getting Parsons didn't fix everything and until our secondary creates a turnover we are going to get dinked and dunked ( possibly to death) It would also help if Parsons wasn't getting assaulted on almost every play with no call. The other option is press coverage and hope the rush gets there before they get beat deep. That strategy would probably have been a disaster against Chase and Higgins.
dobber
October 15, 2025 at 10:52 am
All the dump offs and short routes impact Cooper and Walker in their chance to play aggressively, either rushing the passer or playing run. I'd argue that part of what helped the defense early on was its ability to dictate play with the LBs.
Coldworld
October 15, 2025 at 12:04 pm
Get a significant lead and this D is better. One reason is how the ILBs can play, which you astutely observe. It’s not just the rushers and DBs that are affected.
bjkdad44
October 15, 2025 at 10:44 pm
Assaulted… is so true!!… where are the refs looking???
Spock
October 15, 2025 at 11:08 am
"Pass rush woes." A viewer sent this info. into the Packers team morning inbox:
[Matt from Madison, WI
I'm not saying it's every hold on Parsons, but more fans need to know the rule that holding will not be called "if, during a defensive charge, a defensive player uses a 'rip' technique that puts an offensive player in a position that would normally be holding."]
(I hadn't seen that explanation for the non-calls on Parsons before.)
stockholder
October 15, 2025 at 02:10 pm
Wr#1 - When you have better talent behind Doubs.,
You don’t have to make him #1. Or over-pay him.
But the true recipe for success.
Is making that talent the strength of the offense.
Rhyan vs Morgan
I’m all for performance expectations.
But the values of integrity are replaced.
Which creates a toxic, lower morale, environment.
Keep in mind- Jenkins vs Myers too.
When you clear out the depth on the chart.
For those expectations, you lose roster strength.
Tom vs musical chairs
Moving Jenkins back to LG would be my first move.
And since Walker doesn’t appear to be part of the pyramid.
Use Morgan at LT and Walker at RT before he leaves.
Pass rush woes - Gary still is the key.
Trade rumors have surfaced for Kingsley Enagbare.
I still feel Gary should be tried at DT as he slows.
Putting Gary’s speed at the forefront, makes Wyatt replaceable.
Over-all - I still believe Bullard and Williams must play.
The help behind them just isn’t there.
PackerBackerAZ
October 15, 2025 at 03:24 pm
Your love of Morgan at LT is mystifying. What have you seen that the coaching staff is missing? If the coaching staff believed that Morgan would be a more effective LT than Walker, he would be the LT. His only path to starting is RG.
Why would you move Walker to RT, a position he has never played for Penn State or the Packers?
Want to talk integrity and creating a toxic, lower morale, environment. Move Tom from RT, a position he's played at a high level, to center and see how he responds.
stockholder
October 15, 2025 at 04:46 pm
I have No Love for Morgan.
I have always backed Walker.
He will get paid.
I'm trying to keep in GB.
I feel it will be a mistake to let
Walker go.
Yes - Tom to center works for me.
I would have put him there before Jenkins.
Tom already is showing he's injury prone
at RT.
He'll never be lane Johnson.