Cam Achord new ST coach - Fire him

[Heyjoe4]

Willie is quite a story. I was unaware that he never missed a game in 12 seasons. He wrote letters to 4 teams after being undrafted. Only GB responded, thanks largely to Jack Vainisi. Lombardi was not only impressed by Willie's physical attributes but also by the fact that Willie was a substitute junior high teacher of math and science in D.C. in the off season. Recall that Lombardi once taught those courses in junior high in New Jersey. Tragically, Willie developed dementia and in his later years could not remember even SB I. After he died it was learned that he had CTE, which is a degenerate brain trauma caused by the physical contact to the head.

A sad ending to a great career. The NFL certainly takes its pound of flesh from a lot of players.

 

[rmontro]

Yeah those were lousy years to be a Packers' fan.

Trial by fire.

 

[milani]

A sad ending to a great career. The NFL certainly takes its pound of flesh from a lot of players.

Players who know who suffered a similar fate were Paul Hornung and John Unitas. Jim McMahon could be headed in that direction. And Jim Ringo developed his dementia at an even earlier age. Likely that it was due to the CTE. But they never looked into it.

 

[Half Empty]

Yeah those were lousy years to be a Packers' fan.

I'm one of those who didn't mind it all that much. The team pretty much sucked, but we knew that going in. Hence, a successful year could be just beating selected teams, knocking somebody out of the playoffs, winning more than losing, et. al. I fully understand the folks who love the winning percentage and number of playoff appearances in the last three decades, but in the majority of those years, the Pack was a very reasonable favorite, so the disappointment in not making it any further was severe. Coincidentally, they fell off the year I entered the Air Force and pretty much stayed that way until after I retired.

 

[milani]

I'm one of those who didn't mind it all that much. The team pretty much sucked, but we knew that going in. Hence, a successful year could be just beating selected teams, knocking somebody out of the playoffs, winning more than losing, et. al. I fully understand the folks who love the winning percentage and number of playoff appearances in the last three decades, but in the majority of those years, the Pack was a very reasonable favorite, so the disappointment in not making it any further was severe. Coincidentally, they fell off the year I entered the Air Force and pretty much stayed that way until after I retired.

Referred to as the Almost Glory team.

 

[rmontro]

I'm one of those who didn't mind it all that much. The team pretty much sucked, but we knew that going in.

We did know that going in, but ugh I did not accept it. I hated it, although I didn't foresee it ever changing. I didn't really think they would ever be good again. It's just the way it was. I do remember a few moments of glory though, like beating the Redskins in that high scoring MNF game, and actually winning a playoff game against the Cardinals (one of only two playoff games during the Gory Years).

 

[Heyjoe4]

Players who know who suffered a similar fate were Paul Hornung and John Unitas. Jim McMahon could be headed in that direction. And Jim Ringo developed his dementia at an even earlier age. Likely that it was due to the CTE. But they never looked into it.

What happened to Hornung and Unitas? I'm not familiar with this. Thanks m.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm one of those who didn't mind it all that much. The team pretty much sucked, but we knew that going in. Hence, a successful year could be just beating selected teams, knocking somebody out of the playoffs, winning more than losing, et. al. I fully understand the folks who love the winning percentage and number of playoff appearances in the last three decades, but in the majority of those years, the Pack was a very reasonable favorite, so the disappointment in not making it any further was severe. Coincidentally, they fell off the year I entered the Air Force and pretty much stayed that way until after I retired.

I agree. Even in the drought years after Lombardi and before Wolf/Holmgren/Harlan, it was always fun to cheer on GB. Nothing has changed the fact that the smallest NFL city has produced the most championship teams (13 total I think, and 4 of those is the "SB era").

It makes these last 30 years that much more special. It's an incredible story of greatness not centered on a major city. Most people who are very familiar with the Packers, outside of Wisconsin, likely have no idea where Green Bay is.

 

[Heyjoe4]

We did know that going in, but ugh I did not accept it. I hated it, although I didn't foresee it ever changing. I didn't really think they would ever be good again. It's just the way it was. I do remember a few moments of glory though, like beating the Redskins in that high scoring MNF game, and actually winning a playoff game against the Cardinals (one of only two playoff games during the Gory Years).

The Gory Years were hard, especially on the heels of Lombardi's teams. but I remained a fan and there were some moments, as you noted.

The only QB who stands out to me from that time is Lynn Dickey. He was a very good QB with a great arm. I don't even remember who the receivers or TEs were, but Dickey consistently passed for 300 plus yards/game.

Once a Packer fan……...

 

[milani]

What happened to Hornung and Unitas? I'm not familiar with this. Thanks m.

Hornung developed dementia due to the concussions he suffered. Unitas, although not succumbing to memory loss and died younger, was plagued by the injuries he incurred in his career. He was pretty much crippled by the time he died. Poor physical therapy during his career and the rush to get him back on the field caused him to pay a big price.
But Ringo was the sad one. He developed his dementia younger. And when Jerry Kramer went to interview him with a friend for his book he had to ask his wife who they were.

What happened to Hornung and Unitas? I'm not familiar with this. Thanks m.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hornung developed dementia due to the concussions he suffered. Unitas, although not succumbing to memory loss and died younger, was plagued by the injuries he incurred in his career. He was pretty much crippled by the time he died. Poor physical therapy during his career and the rush to get him back on the field caused him to pay a big price.
But Ringo was the sad one. He developed his dementia younger. And when Jerry Kramer went to interview him with a friend for his book he had to ask his wife who they were.

Thanks milani. Very sad stuff. Dementia/Alzheimer's are awful conditions and take a huge emotional toll on all involved. The NFL should do everything in its power, including a requirement for "guardian" helmets.

There have certainly been great strides since the 60s. But football is and always will be a violent game.

 

[milani]

Thanks milani. Very sad stuff. Dementia/Alzheimer's are awful conditions and take a huge emotional toll on all involved. The NFL should do everything in its power, including a requirement for "guardian" helmets.

There have certainly been great strides since the 60s. But football is and always will be a violent game.

Right now, Tua has to be someone who you hope does not develop that especially at an earlier stage in life.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Right now, Tua has to be someone who you hope does not develop that especially at an earlier stage in life.

Some guys seem much more prone to concussions, with Tua T being one of them. Favre had his share too, but that may have been due to his style of play.

 

[milani]

Some guys seem much more prone to concussions, with Tua T being one of them. Favre had his share too, but that may have been due to his style of play.

Rodgers had two concussions in the 2010 season. Favre had one against the Giants and came back in one play later and threw a TD.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Rodgers had two concussions in the 2010 season. Favre had one against the Giants and came back in one play later and threw a TD.

When Favre played, and for probably most of Rodgers' career, concussions could be hard to spot. Most players aren't going to ask to be removed from a game for a check up if they get their bell rung.

Now the NFL uses "eyes in the sky" and if they spot a guy stumbling, or even after a vicious blow to the head, they get pulled immediately and sent to the blue tent. They also take away the player's helmet until he is cleared by a doc.

These were good moves by the NFL. Now that more is known about concussions and CTE, these can be life-changing calls.

And it sets the NFL apart from boxing. Well if there were any sense in the world, boxing would not be a sanctioned sport. (Although I did enjoy boxing in the era of Mohammed Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman.)

 

[Poppa San]

I don't even remember who the receivers or TEs were, but Dickey consistently passed for 300 plus yards/game.

Lofton, Jefferson, Coffman, Ed "toolbox" West

Interesting; while verifying names I noticed Packers were 8-8 in '81, '83, '84, 85. Usually in 2nd place. It was '86-'91 they bottomed out with 4-5 wins. Except for '89.

 

[milani]

Lofton, Jefferson, Coffman, Ed "toolbox" West

Interesting; while verifying names I noticed Packers were 8-8 in '81, '83, '84, 85. Usually in 2nd place. It was '86-'91 they bottomed out with 4-5 wins. Except for '89.

89 was the Majik year. Should have made the playoffs. Just missed.

 

[rmontro]

89 was the Majik year. Should have made the playoffs. Just missed.

That was disappointing. We didn't see many opportunities in those days.

 

[rmontro]

Since we're reminiscing, I was just thinking that more years have now passed since our last Super Bowl win, than passed between the Bears Super Bowl win and our Super Bowl win against New England. From the Bears win to Super Bowl XXXI was 11 years, and it's been 15 years (and counting) since Super Bowl XLV.

For some reason that time between the Bears Super Bowl and our win in XXXI feels like an eternity, while our win with McCarthy and Rodgers doesn't seem all that long ago. I think this is an example of "old age time distortion", time passing much faster as you get older.

In fact, it was only six years after the Bears Super Bowl win that Mike Holmgren became the Packers coach. And that was the point where I actually started to feel hope again - because he was a product of a winning (49ers) system.

I keep referring to the Bears winning the Super Bowl because that was the low point of my football fandom life lol. I remember going to a bar after the game and everyone walking around in Bear jerseys going "Whooo!". And Ric Flair wasn't there either. It was so depressing I decided to just go home.

 

[gopkrs]

89 was the Majik year. Should have made the playoffs. Just missed.

Around 1982 a buddy gave me a hat that said The Pack Will Shine In 89

 

[rmontro]

Around 1982 a buddy gave me a hat that said The Pack Will Shine In 89

Wow, seven years!. Shows you how bad off things were back then. Had to wait a little longer than that though...

 

[gopkrs]

Wow, seven years!. Shows you how bad off things were back then. Had to wait a little longer than that though...

And amazing we came out of nowhere to have a good 89 season

 

[rmontro]

And amazing we came out of nowhere to have a good 89 season

Not good enough to make the playoffs though.

 

[milani]

That was disappointing. We didn't see many opportunities in those days.

2 losses to the Vikings and 1 to the Bears hurt.

 

[milani]

Wow, seven years!. Shows you how bad off things were back then. Had to wait a little longer than that though...

Want to know something? The Cubs used that motto in media all season....in 1969! Little did they know it would be 47 years before a World Series Championship.