1st, I’m glad to know I’m not the only nutjob who watches every preseason game to the last second.

2nd, all this fuss about Carlson is recency bias. His rookie-year FG percentage was right at the CAREER average for the two top packers FG percentage leaders, Longwell and Crosby, at 81%. And I expect Carlson to improve year-over-year.

3rd, Payton was coaching like it was the Super Bowl. MLF was coaching like he didn’t want to be there. Matt exudes apathy when he is inconvenienced (See London) and it affects the team. I know he’s not a Rah-Rah guy, but I wish he was “full throttle” regardless of the circumstances.

My bar for exhibition games is no injuries.Next!

I find it interesting that the present two time Super Bowl Champions were playing their starters while MLF decided to rest his starters. Maybe that is why Andy Reid has been so successful. He does not hold back. He coaches to win and his his team does.

When the Packers were looking for a new HC years ago I wanted them to hire Sean Payton instead we got McCarthy. Ok both won a SB. After what Payton said last year I did not and still do not care for him but once again I see a coach that is going to try to win every game even if it is preseason. He will be successful.

There is something to be said about a winning culture. “Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.” "Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing." Vince Lombardi He knew what it took to have a winning culture. If the coaches coach scared the team plays scared.

Oh and there is the point that our kickers who are all average at best make up 3% of the roster. Let's get it over with and make Carlson the kicker and release the other two. At least he is younger than Joseph. But I agree we need to start looking for a different kicker.

I am glad the Packers brought back Pearson. Not that I think a FB is required in this offense I do think a FB provides a different look to the offense and yes they can be used on STs. I believe with the new kickoffs you want a good blocker in the landing zone with the returner to block. Let's see if this coaching staff tries that.

After that thoroughly enjoyable preseason game in Cleveland, we were due for a letdown, but not THIS. My wife stopped watching in the first half and cleaned the bathrooms, and I think she enjoyed the evening more than I did. I did find it hilarious, though, that the Packers ended up with 2 points. How often does that happen? A part of me was hoping they wouldn't score at the end, just so that 2 would stay on the scoreboard forever. And it did! When the safety happened, I was excited for half a second because I thought it was Lukas Van Ness making that awesome play, but no, it was not #90, it was #60--some guy who has zero chance of making the team.

For what it's worth, Matt LaFleur said that after watching the film, he did not think there was a lack of effort from the players, it was just a lot of mental mistakes. He could be right. I can't say I saw anybody lollygagging out there. They just played terrible--most of them anyway. I'm hoping for some redemption against the Ravens so they don't go into the season on a sour note.

I managed to watch the game all the way through. Except for the game it was kind of funny because it was a Denver broadcast team, and they were acting like it was their Super Bowl.

I wouldn't be worried about the game result so much if it didn't sound like they got their asses handed to them in practice too. I'm sure the 1s got reps then.

If there had been a major injury, I'm sure the comments would be 180 degrees different about throwing it all in on winning in the preseason.

I'm grateful to Nagler and hoped he cashed in on allowing Clint to borrow that movie title. Brilliant. The Good, the bad and the ugly.
That eerie echo sound; wahwawhaaa............ will never die. Let's play that over the stadium whenever the pack gets into the red zone. whaawawhaaaaaaa..

On brining back Campen, I posted this last night on another thread:

Thank the Lord. I think OL is the weakest link the Packers have. I thought it was one before the draft and it slightly improved, although I thought better choices were available. For whatever reason the Packers have not made good choices with OL draft picks, scheme, personnel, and rotation with this group since LaFleur took over. Bringing back Campen is a great move. Hopefully he is given a lot of leeway going forward on those decisions.

The Campen hire seems like a shot across the bow for Stenovich and Butkus (and maybe LaFleur). Campen developed a lot of talent and seemed to be able to plug and play his way to winning seasons. I had no idea he was only 60. That he answers directly to Gutekunst is sort of eyebrow raising.

And yes I think it's time to consider whether it's nature or nurture.

Nope, 3-38 to Saints was way worse. 1. It was a regular season game 2. Starters playing, so we put everything we had on the field. I was hoping I am having a nightmare and when I wake up it will be normal again. The only reason Broncos game was worse it is from viewer's perspective, it was menaingless so we've had less emotion and emotion is what keeps us watching - positive but also hope for improvement.

Honorable mentions: regular season 7-23 Vkings in 2022, preseason 0-19 Bills 2021.

Thanks Al. You obviously care a lot and so do a lot the posters here.
How about a twist to the discussion from an old geezer.

LeFleur is a guy who learned under some very young bright innovative minds. He got his job under their coat strings as many other coaches do.

The difference, while trying to make this a LeFleur team, hes doing some things wrong and some right.

His team was not motivated to win. He was the only coach to play vanilla ball with non starters the whole game. Reid and others used the starters and playbook to work out kinks. Thus Reid wants to win and knows who sre the players that will be playing day one. LeFleur is afraid of injuries and misses the objectives because, he just aint that good a coach. Keep in mind he inherited Rodgers and a good team

Admittedly a small thing. Since Payton is coaching in Denver, the "Mile High City", wouldn't he be trying to set a winning tone "up there" instead of "down there"? This is what happens when the game is so terrible, you're afraid of getting a flag for "piling on" if you give an honest assessment. That the OL doesn't look that good is no real surprise. Stenavich was an excellent coach. But as an OC? I suppose "mediocre" or "bland" would be applicable. And Butkus, from what has been shown on the field, is not ready for prime time. And ready or not, in 15 days the games will begin counting. Add in the Packers recent problems with slow starts to the season, and this could once again be a story of two seasons. Then again, winning the SB is getting hot at the right time. Just ask Eli Manning.

Let's not forget--the Broncos embarrassed our starters as well during their joint practice.

It's easy to shrug this off as a preseason game--and every team will just flat-out lay an egg at times--but the extent to which this performance sucked was epic. We're crapping about the fact that the Packers sat their 1s and some 2s. It's nothing new: this was pretty much the M.O. for this team in preseason for several recent years.

This wasn't a situation where there were many bright spots, even among guys fighting for roster spots. If anything, it felt more like guys were playing their way out the door more than onto the 53...that's not how you want to form up your roster. That said, it sounds like the team has had spirited practice time since...but that's in the echo chamber of playing against yourself.

There are hard decisions to make on the OL. I was supposing they would keep 10 with contracts coming up and the need to develop the depth chart, but some of these guys who were on the edge are making themselves look like easy walks to the PS and it's hard to justify keeping them.

I don’t get caught up in “exhibition “ football. At least the “result”. My only problem is what did we accomplish? Sure seemed like most of the game was handoffs up the middle to keep the clock running. The very first set of plays included not one but two long passes that seemed like throw it up and see what happens. They were close but no cigar After that? Slant routes galore and runs up the gut. Not sure anybody got anything out of this game. We can’t complain about injury risk because most of the team wasn’t even active.

The recent Broncos game was close in horrible to another Packers-Broncos game I saw at Lambeau. It was the Bart Starr coaching era and after a decade of losing the Packers fans were in no mood to watch yet another inept team take a beating from Denver. By the end of the third quarter the Broncos were moving the ball at will. When the Broncos scored the vast majority of fans were cheering for the Broncos, cynical and frustrated at yet another bad team.

Bart was asked after the game about the reverse cheering and claimed he didn't notice.

But Sunday's game was very close in bad vibes.

"How much of a pass do you give the Packers since they sat all of their starters and some key reserves?"
A pass for the game? yeah. I mean how many teams backups would beat a teams starters? Also how different would this game have looked had a couple of DPI's been called against the broncos.
Lets be real about this. The Packers won the night. Did they win the game, no, but they won the night. They did not have an injury that could have derailed the season. Think back to Jordy Nelson tearing an acl in a preseason game.

BREAKING NEWS...
I love this! I love that they are bringing Campen in as a scout. Its a great move!

"THE HORRENDOUSLY UGLY - Greg Joseph field goal attempt. As it stands, I believe Carlson will be their kicker, but I sure hope Gutey is monitoring other kicking competitions around the league for waiver wire pickups."
I'm good with Carlson. Just go with Carlson, and if someone better comes available, go with him. I'm with Nagler on this.

Since James Campen left the Packers in 2019 to become the Browns Associate HC/OL Coach, he has bounced around every year until being let go by the Panthers new HC in January.

I am thinking Matt is recognizing he has OL issues with thin depth. Campen would have been a good replacement for Butkus in January, but Matt has shown tremendous patience with coaches, even when they fail.

Having him report to Gutey but be step one to eventually taking over as OL Coach. It seems Jim wants to remain in FL for now.

Al, One of the two positives you mentioned was Whelan "booming" punts. In the thin air of mile high stadium that's less of a positive and more of an expectation (don't get me wrong, I love his punting). I like the Campen hire, but as others have stated his working from long distance isn't likely to have a massive impact on the current roster, but I'd love to be wrong about that assessment.

"It's hard to believe there's that much of a talent gap between the Packers backups and the Broncos starters." As far as our OL backups go, that could be part of it in addition to the lack of development and experience with a few of them. But does Newman survive the Turk this time like he did last season? You would think not.

Speaking of cuts, I prefer the old way of doing it gradually after every preseason game. Get rid of some of the clutter and focus on the players that have a more realistic chance of making the team.

As an hysterical nutjob, it's somewhat comforting to know that Jersey Al saw this embarrassing debacle of a game by the Packers somewhat the way I did.
This is not to say that Jersey Al would agree specifically with my postgame comments. Almost no one agreed with my postgame comments, and indeed many made sure to register a dislike, or to say something in disagreement, if not displeasure.
Oh well.
I do wonder about how quick people are to criticize me but not to criticize the Packers.
I guess I'm the Lisa Simpson of CHTV.
***
In any case, I think it's Matt LaFleur who sets the tone of timidity for the Packers.
He seems like the kind of person who is afraid to do anything that isn't popular, who is exceedingly careful to fit in to a fault -- which, I guess, makes him much different than me, although I prefer popularity if possible.
I don't think that lack of leadership gets the Packers another title.
However, here's hoping I'm wrong or that LaFleur changes for the stouter.
I like the guy, and am rooting for him to grow as a coach.
We all have room to grow. The hard part is knowing what to keep about oneself that is good, and what to change.
I hope LaFleur and I figure it out in good time.
***
P.S. I think I was right all along about Aaron Rodgers being the fault line around which the Packers would crumble under pressure for heartbreaking losses at the end of the season -- as can be seen in my comments of September 28, 2021, a couple of weeks after the debacle against the Saints referred to by Jersey Al.
As indicated in my main comment of that archival thread (5 likes and 13 dislikes), I was unpopular in my concerns about Rodgers in those days and months and years.
Maybe I rubbed some people the wrong way by using such words as "arrogant" to describe Rodgers in many of my comments of days gone by.
I wonder how many fans would admit today that they didn't want the Packers to part with Rodgers in the past, because I doubt there are many fans today who would still want Rodgers to be on the Packers in the present.
That seems like the kind of question Lisa Simpson would ask -- uncomfortable and unpopular.
Maybe I'd be better off sticking a crayon up my nose ;-).

Jersey Al, I appreciate that you stayed until the end. I attended the game in person and did not. We left after the Pratt fumble. I will watch the entire game on NFL+ this week, when I get over the helpless/hopeless feelings I have after watching the joint practice on Friday and the game on Sunday. My goal in preseason is to avoid injuries and to see if there is genuine talent among young players to get excited about. I still remember the impression that I had watching Nick Collins and BJ Raji in their first GB preseason games.

What we witnessed in Denver on Friday was disheartening. The Packers' offense played most of their snaps on the field away from where we sat so I focused most of my attention on the Packers' defense. Going into year 3, I am still not sure what GB has in DT Wyatt. I saw him get double-teamed but wondered why because he did not do much in man-on-man situations, including the 1-1 drills against Denver. I don't see a 5th year option in his future.

The CRAZIEST thing I saw in the practice was TJ Slaton dropping back into zone coverage on two consecutive plays in the final 2 minute drill. I hope that play is scrapped from the playbook - shades of Preston Smith manned up against Tae Adams last year (NEVER AGAIN!!!!).

E. Jenkins in 1-1 drills was incredible. His opponent did face plops on two consecutive plays. Mr. Jenkins is a STUD and GB is so lucky to have him. On the other hand, Mr. Newman has no place on the O-Line this year. It was evident in the practice and the game. My favorite rookie lineman this year is Jacob Monk. He gives 110% effort at all times. I do hope that Jordan Morgan gets healthy and is able to challenge Rhyan for the RG spot. If he does, then GB will be in good shape because Rhyan looked good in 1-1 drills and in the practice reps I saw.

P. Surtain II is a stud CB for Denver. I think Jaire is going to bounce back and I have been very excited about what I have seen from Stokes so far. I wish I could figure out what happened to Kalen King last year at PSU but it looks to me that he is limited athletically and will be a PS candidate.

Biggest weakness for GB, other than Kicker, is easily the LB crew. Mr. Hopper impressed in the game but not so much during the practice. I am sorry that Goforth suffered a concussion because he impressed considering how short his time in camp was. I am looking forward to Cooper's return. I was very high on him coming into the draft and feel like he will be a key contributor to the D. The rookie safeties each had their moments over Friday and Sunday and AJ, Jr. deserves to stay on the 53 man roster at S too. A young, young S room but loaded with potential. They are running a ton of single high safety and McKinney and Bullard are both going to do lots of running to the sidelines to get in on plays this year. GB's interception numbers should be up this year.

Finally, a shout out to Mark Murphy!! He gave my son and I Field Passes for the pregame warm-ups. It was an incredible experience and did blunt the sting of having to sit through another poor performance by the team when the whistle blew (same as last year in the same place).

Jersey Al, one reason we left early is that I had to get an early start Monday for my drive back to St. Louis. All my best JA.

Maybe the one positive aspect from the game is that Newman is gone.

Hopefully, the packers K is on another roster. The 3 in camp right now are all too inconsistent.

It was a brutal game to watch. I made it to 4th quarter but not to the end. I do not remember the last time i didn't make it the end of even a preseason game because I like watching to see any future bright spots. I remember thinking during game that the Broncos backups were far superior. There was nothing. Kind of wish the 3rd string qb was brought in earlier.

If my memory serves me correctly, the 49ers in their glory years would lose all kinds of preseason games; and of course go out and stomp the competition for another Superbowl win. Getting stomped in preseason may not mean much for some, but it sure grates on me. I just hate losing.

I'm with you. And listening to the Denver minor league announcing...... I even found myself wondering why they were taking a knee. There were 20 seconds left I wanted to see something,!