I’m about to lose control, and… (shoulder shrug) I think I like it.

LOL 😆 🤣😂

Welcome back, man!!!

The Packers actually - smartly - playing preseason to rightfully get up to speed will indeed be welcome.

Gary coming back for Week 1 is something I’ve been against just to best insure ample healing. But I have to admit, if his injuries weren’t severe and limited to the ACL only, if he’s a quick healer, and everything goes right maybe we do see a truly healthy Gary on one side, LVN on the other to start 2023. Rashan Gary is just the kind of player to pull that off. Who was that amazingly quick healer from the Holmgren era?

The Packers WR will be off the chain good in 2023. I firmly believe that. Watson, Doubs & Toure look serious about taking 2nd year jumps, for reals!!! They clearly busted the weight room this offseason! Hopefully that results in fewer injuries, and big 2nd year jumps.

THE VIKINGS ARE IDIOTS. How did they gift us Watson???

I think TE will surprise too. Deguara comes in with a new lease on life. Musgrave already displaying unique gifts that often set the best TEs apart, SMOOTH SPEED, in minicamps. Kraft is no slouch either. Still amazed we got Athlon’s #18 Overall Player from their Top 100 Players at Pick # 78.

Quay & Wyatt? They were drafted as a pair of R1 National Champions for a reason. ILB and DT feed off of each other, and I can’t wait to see these two working off each other’s ques. They know each other’s play so well.

TC just 1 week away.

I don’t throw up in my mouth when I read about Aaron at Jets OTAs, Al. I get really frickin’ pissed off at him for wasting the opportunity to improve his chemistry with the new weapons he was given, and even more glad that his immunized a** is gone.

Many of your “excited” items seem to revolve around the implied assumption that Rodgers was holding the team back through his insistence on doing things his way. It’s my suspicion as well, and I’m excited to find out if it was the case. But I’m also emotionally prepared for the possibility that it wasn’t, and that my team actually would have sucked for several years without that Complicated Fella, and sucks now that he’s gone.

I don’t think it will be the case, but it’s possible. Time will tell.

Yay...Al and Polluted Mindsets is back for the next 48 weeks or so until next years well deserved time off. Welcome back Al! All your points are excellent, but I have a few of my favorites...

The real MLF... Motion should be back, middle of the field throws will definitely be back, especially with two new TEs and Jayden Reed. The middle of the field should be well represented. If I NEVER see another AJ Dillon handoff while in shotgun, that would be okay too.

WR Jumps... If Doubs AND Watson both take off that would be pretty incredible. If Toure plays half as good as he looks this year even better. I'm looking forward to watching all of them, including our new Slot WR Jayden Reed. I'm telling you, I think this kid is special.

Rookie TEs...EVERYBODY is really excited about Musgrave and Kraft including me. Just the thought of having competent TEs running the field. I just LOVE those first 4 picks of the 2023 draft, but Gute did it right grabbing these two.

Quay and Wyatt... I think these two could be the key to the whole dame defense. IF they get the jumps from these two this is a top 5 to 8 defense. I think they plan on using Walker a little but like the Cowboys use Micah Parsons and I think Walker will be more than up to it. Wyatt? Kenny Clark will FINALLY have his running mate.

#NODRAMA!

I'm excited about all of these things too. I like that you include Samori Toure as one of the second year receivers who could make a jump. There will be opportunities for him. I think he and Jayden Reed will be the third and fourth receivers.

My hope for the TEs is that playing time will result in production. Maybe most rookie TEs don't catch a lot of passes because veterans get most of the playing time. The only veterans in Green Bay are Josiah Deguara, whose role is different, and Tyler Davis, who will probably remain as the #4 TE and special teams player.

Al, you say you are excited? Well, I'm really excited and will be heading a little over 2,000 miles east to Lambeau Field for Jordan Love's debut. I grew up in Wisconsin and while I have lived most of my life in California, I still think like a kid from Wisconsin and hold it dear to my heart as I do the Packers.

I've added a few extra days to the trip to visit some of the neat places in the state again and will be trying to swing over to Milwaukee to meet GG "greengold" if at all possible.

Here's how Jerry would have put my feelings.

"Hello, Rodgers."

I can't wait for training camp! Lots of excitement and competition. More pumped then I have been in years now that Mr. Rodgers left the neighborhood.

I am looking forward to the backup QB competition! We have Mr. McGoo now!!! (McGough!)

Al, totally agree. First time in years I am excited about the energy vibe, enthusiasm and eagerness everyone on this team gives off, during interviews. I really think AR sucked up all the questions, microphones and energy from the lockerroom. Everyone just kept to themselves. That's thankfully gone & the WHOLE team is energerized and want to openly support each other. No one wants to let the team down. Everyone feels they can and definitely want to contribute. The whole team is ready. I have said this a few times in comments. MLF will have a tough job keeping everyone involved in the offense. Play distribution is critical keeping everyone contributing & feeling apart of the offense. So excited & enthusiasm is high. Good season. GPG!!!!

Al, the thing I'm most excited about, you didn't mention. Having a consistent and (more) dominant O-line right out of the gate.

I don't know what the percentage of TDs was last year per drive, but it seemed horrible (maybe someone here has that data).

This line is going to open up everything in the playbook and they'll not have to settle for FG attempts. Remember how it was to score a TD on the first possession and play with a lead? How much will that help the D too?

Just like you Al, I am excited and optimistic for this team. I don't know what kind of record the youngsters can muster in year one. We may be a 500 club. I don't care so long as the team is competitive and shows the promise that I think is there. I need to know that there is something to build on rather than tear down.

I hope the best for Rodgers (although our draft pick may suffer). He gave us many exciting and successful years. The paradox of Rodgers is inescapable. His talent and experience were the reason we competed for the top BUT his leaving is necessary so that we can, once again be the top.

Go Packers

I'm also excited to see how the offensive line progresses, which I believe is crucial to offensive success this season. " I'm gonna be the sledgehammer, this can be my testimony, let there be no doubt about it."

How odd it seems that when the team loses a multiple MVP, SB winning, Hall of Fame QB, we are more excited about the upcoming season than we have been in years. And the "real" Matt LaFleur offense should be on full display. What concerns me, though, is whether the team will have an offensive "Plan B" when defenses adjust, and start shutting down the Packers offense. Whether it was AR being stubborn, or a lack of a backup plan, this has been happening for several years. Meanwhile, on defense, will Barry allow his players to play to their strengths, rather than trying to fit square pegs into round holes?
Don't get me wrong- I already have all the exhibition games written down, and will watch them very closely when most of the Packers starters are on the field. And I'm definitely pumped about this season, and seeing what this team can do. I still think the division title is a realistic goal, and winning 10 or 11 games is not an outrageous prediction.

I haven't watched Hard Knocks for years, but the 2023 Jets schadenfreude might be too hard to resist. Nah.

It feels damn good to be excited about this TEAM and what it can accomplish, growing pains and all. And, don't sell the long snapper battle short, Al. If you squint, it has all the intensity of a Mad Dog Vachon vs Vern Gagne Cage Match (pulls up soapbox) you know, the piledriver really oughta be barred, you can break a man's neck with that maneuver!)

Welcome back, Al! I also returned...to read your column. Enjoyed it...the last paragraph the most.

Meanwhile Jordan Love, to date, has carried himself more like Bart Starr vs the former guy. Love it that Love doesn't feel the narcissistic need to create news & controversy.

Rather, he seems intent to to create a new culture & continuity on offense by relying on his teammates...all 10 men around him.

I really do appreciate the character this young man displayed since the day he became a Packer. Bart began the same way and never changed.

I have high hopes for Jordan based on how he works.

"I have to be honest, every time I read a quote in my local paper from our former quarterback on how important these offseason OTAs are for building team chemistry, I throw up a little in my mouth."

That was hilarious! Thanks Al!

I'm curious to see....
...how WR spots 3-6 shake out (I don't worry about a 7th WR as that guy is likely a STs specialist). I'm sure that there will be an injury or maybe two that will adjust the depth chart in camp--maybe even a mysterious, late-camp injury to a promising guy they want to stash for 2024. I don't think it's a given that Reed is #3...and I'm very curious to see if the buzz around Malik Heath carries through into camp.
...how the Packers address the C-RG-RT situation. We presume that it will be Myers-Runyan-Nijman/Tom, but I think this is going to be a battle and will probably go a long way toward determining the success of this team. We might be surprised how this all shakes out.
...whether the S position turns out to be at least OK. They've got 3 bodies with starting experience to go with Savage. We might be surprised by who is on top of the depth chart in September, but they can't afford to sink back into the quagmire of the MD Jennings days. If your safeties are bad, it's hard for your defense to be good...and they need this defense to get back into the top third in the league this season.
...if they can figure out how to block on punts and kicks.

The Real LaFleur -
I think as a whole we will see more of of the same type of offense we have seen the last few years. But I do think we will see some subtle changes. I am not expecting a lot of big changes. I think most of the changes will be more based on the personnel they have vs the QB they have. With 2 rookie TE's and a rookie WR, I am expecting to see a lot more action over the middle of the field. They have Reed who I think will be use in motion a lot. Similar to how they used Ervin, a few years ago. But don't be surprised if Watson gets a lot of motion as well.

Preseason Approach -
I don't think we will see a lot of Jordan Love in the preseason, but will definitely see him more then we saw Rodgers the last few years. I'm more excited to see our rookies and 2nd year players. I'm excited to see who is taking a jump and seeing which rookies will help us the most this year.

Rushin' Rashan -
If Gary can come back and at least be a pass rushing specialist to start the year that will improve the front big time! Its crazy to look at the stats of the pass rush win rate from before and after he was hurt. He impacts the whole front.

2nd year WR jumps -
The WR's aren't the only ones I'm excited to see who takes a 2nd year jump. But that being said Watson is looking like he is about to be a star. Doubs before the injury arguably was the teams best WR. And he wasn't the same after. Now that they are our likely starting duo, they will have a major impact on the offense. I really liked what I saw form Toure last year. And from the way it sounds, it sounds like he has gotten stronger. He could be a big time impact WR for us this year. I'm excited to see these 3 guys this camp/preseason.

Rookie TEs -
It typically takes time for rookie TE's to make an impact. That being said, don't be surprised if they perform well in this offense. Both rookies provide a big time abilities and with no true TE ahead of them, they should see a lot of action. Musgrave in the offseason showed his speed and potential as a seam stretching TE. He is a guy that could potentially give us a vertical threat in the middle of the defense that we have lacked. Kraft is more of an inline guy, but he will be more of a receiving threat then Lewis was. A couple of reasons why I think these 2 could have a bigger impact in the receiving game is because most of the attention will be paid to Watson and Aaron Jones.

Quay and Wyatt -
I brought this up in another article, but one reason why I think they let both Lowry and Reed go is because of Wyatt. He didn't get a lot of opportunities last year, but as the year progressed he got better. At the end of the year he was really playing well. I expect to see him playing a lot more.
And Walker, I am expecting a monstrous year from! He will have to prove he has matured, but on the field I think he will be one of the most impactful players on the team.

The Long Snapper Battle -
I don't care who is the LS, just as long as they can get the ball to the punter and holder.

No drama -
This conversation could go a number of ways. Its easy to look at the drama at the surface and throw all the blame at one person. But once you start peeling back the layers, and try to find the roots of the problems, have they been changed? Because, to me that is the most important part. Who created the drama. Some of it is from 12, but at least some of it is from our front office. Which they are still there. We no longer have 12, but the front office is still there. And they were apart of the drama. Which was very similar to what happened 15 years prior.
All i can say is hopefully Love is the guy they want him to be!

I am excited to see what happens this year!

I read somewhere recently that, as it stands right now....meaning if no veterans are added to this current group...this will be the youngest offense the NFL has seen in FOUR DECADES!! That was shocking to read.

With that in mind, expecting that 2nd year jump from all of last years rookie.....Watson, Doubs, Toure, Walker, Wyatt, et.al., while hoping for instant contributions from all/most of this years rookies...Van Ness, Musgrave, Reed, Kraft, Wooden is a bit unrealistic. I still think this a team that is primed for a breakthrough in 2024, while undergoing growing pains this year.

I hope fans and the media have patience while this group of very young players grow together and adjust to life in the NFL.

I just want the winning numbers tonight. Then tacos for everyone.

I keep hearing how excited everyone is but I am just as curious to see the fan base reacts if the year goes south which it very well could. There might not be much drama during camp but if this team even starts 0-2 vs the Bears and Falcons you will start to see it and I am willing to bet this "So Excited" crowd will have a very different feel.

This fan base hasn't had much in the way of losing seasons and they don't stand for it if recent history is any indicator. If they miss the playoffs this year that will be 2 years in a row and if the Jets are contenders the "So Excited" could quickly become the "So Angry" mob.

Excited to watch rookie TEs? Don't hold your breathe here. TEs take a couple of years, not just one to get going. Kelce took a couple of years and I think it was year 4 before Kittle broke out. If these guys are good enough to be contributors as a rookie they wouldn't have lasted that long in the draft. TE is a very hard position to fill and the Packers are one of many franchises looking for a decent one.

Have to give Gary some time before you expect him to return to form, might not happen this year. Lukas was a rotational player in college and will take some time, like Gary did, to become a player at the NFL level. Next year I am excited to see what they can do as a tandem.

WRs very often regress in their 2nd year. Teams will now have film on them and be able to game plan for them. The young player will have to adjust to that and I would expect that to take some time.

I would advise cautious optimism. This so excited crowd are the type of people who like ride the emotional roller coaster and will be howling for heads to be roll when things go south. How the team finishes means more to me than how they start. I would say 7 wins is about right and that is taking into account the easy schedule.

Thanks, Al...it's great to have you back and I hope you had a wonderful time away too.
All said, I'm happy to trade to:

"I'm So Excited"!! and new, freshness, hope that provides and can now stop humming

"Easier Said Than Done" with it's lyrics that start:
My friends all tell me
Go to him, run to him
Say sweet lovely things to him
And tell him, he's the one
Deep in my heart I know it
But it's so hard to show it
'Cause it's easier, easier said than done

It is time to see how good of a coach ML actually is.

I know some of you will not want to hear this but I am not optimistic. ML kept an inept D-Coordinator, kept an inept ST's coach, and has made horrible decisions in the playoffs. Now he has a QB with little experience.

I hope I am wrong.......

I'm most excited about the rookies because just about all of them should have a chance to contribute. We really don't have the luxury anymore of a protracted development process at this juncture, which is fine with me. The only looming anxiety I have is watching the new kicker. What's he going to be like in crunch time? There may be a few of these moments in close games.

Thank you, Al, and welcome back.

What a difference from last year's nonsense...

Al, I love your weekly drainings. This one makes my top 5 all time. I share your optimism, though it is guarded.
I especially giggled regarding former qb's coverage and reaction.
I know he's way out east in the swamplands, but I can smell the Jets' team chemistry decaying from here in MN!
I'd feel worse for them, because they're a likable team, with a likable coaching staff.
Thank god the owner got his shiny toy to show off. He deserves what lies in front of him.
The only drama in Green Bay is how long it will take before this "TEAM" takes off!
GPG!

I support Love 100 percent he is my QB I met him and spoke with him a few months ago, very nice young man but lets pump the brakes a bit, some here have him entering the HOF already , lets let things play out and just watch him grow and mature and hopefully we will be pleasantly surprised, that's all we can hope for in his inaugural season .

As late attendance to the party, I can only say WELCOME BACK AL!

I hope you had nice vacation and enjoyed your time.

What to add to your article or to all those posts. Nothing special was left for me. Mostly same ideas, views and position about our Packers is here.

Only one small difference - I really do not pay attention what is going on with Jets (or Bears, Lions, Vikings, etc.). I really do not care. Packers are again ours, they again belongs to fans. Packers are freed from their captor, FPQB. He found himself new toy. I really do not care!

Just a few more comments if you missed them-
I always believe in myself first & I bet on myself first.
I want Clarity - Did he get it?
Jets players say Aaron Rodgers is making everyone better. Can Love?
Rodgers says Jets can win it all.
Jets 1968 ring- Noticed it was getting Lonely.
Jets OTAs ‘Most fun I’ve had in a while” Wow!
The last one had hit some jugulars.

Rodges on many things ae just selfserving! And yes I want to puke when he says off season wok is so important! Last year with 3 new rookie widereceives he said it wasn't! He has been such a tool the last few years!

"SO many things could (and should) be different this year. Can't wait "to see what happens."

" I have to be honest, every time I read a quote in my local paper from our former quarterback on how important these offseason OTAs are for building team chemistry, I throw up a little in my mouth."

Welcome back Al! Oh how I missed your column.This week surely makes up for it.

Living in New York now, I avoid any of the local stuff as much as possible. Truly is bizarre to hear Rodgers now.The sheer gall is shocking but yet not really.

Anyway who cares. Drama is gone and there is so much that can and should change on the field. Can't wait to watch it unfold finally

GPG

This.

I'm actually pretty worried about this season. I think Mark Murphy has been great for the business side of things (which is hard to judge since its not out there for public consumption) but has been horrible for the football side of operations. I cant blame the Packers for not wanting to fire a coach every time they crap the bed cause coach contracts are guaranteed and u end up paying for coaches that arent with the team, thats not sustainable in GB.
I do think that they low ball the coaches with that corporate mentality of we can pay you less cause our brand is so awesome bullcrap (the trophy is called the Lombardi cause coaches are that important). thats what happened with the ST coach till it bit them in the butt and id bet its why they have guys like jim leonard turn them down and why they hire the barry's and pettine's of the league.
Lafluer is not a bad coach but he is not a great one. Love wasnt developing till clements came back (big THANK YOU! to AROD for that suggestion btw). Gute has actually been ok at finding talent for the roster but then guys have a great year and fade, rookies show potential and dont develop... it screams inadequate coaching and then you realize they are playing moneyball with below market coaches salaries and Murphy is the one making this call.
Basically Murphy is cheap, he has what he paid for and when better coaches adjust and ours dont this young team is gonna first feel lost and then Lafluer is gonna lose the locker room when they realize the coaches arent that good. All cause Murphy doesnt think its worth it to pay for good coaching . The packers dont have to pay out the nose but they cant be cheap and trade on the legacy and success of the past.