Fans' calls for Packers firings is premature

Zero2Cool

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By Chris Havel

Ron Wolf's success as a talent scout was fueled by an uncanny ability to project a player's potential to excel in the National Football League.

His foresight included an acute understanding of human nature.

An ignoramus can draw reasonably accurate conclusions from 40-yard dash times, agility drills and strength tests, but only an insightful soul can fairly gauge the intangibles that separate champions and chumps.

Wolf possessed such intuition, and it wasn't limited to football.

When the Green Bay Packers were at their zenith in the 1990s, the former general manager offered a sobering prediction. He predicted the day would come when the Packers would fall, and a lengthy line would form merely for the pleasure of kicking the team while it was down.

There is evidence to suggest that day has arrived.

The Packers' 26-0 loss to Chicago in the season opener — on the heels of a shabby, injury-riddled 4-12 season in 2005 — has the buzzards circling and the wolves howling with delight.

The Packers have been at or near the top since the early 1990s. For years, the Packers were THE feel-good story of the league. Now, they are the target of unrelenting criticism and routinely joyful derision.

Win or lose, the Packers have the ability to make people feel good. Some revel in the team's success. Others delight in its misfortune.

Andrew Brandt, the team's vice-president of player finance, described the ridicule by some fans and media as "slings and arrows" being aimed at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Brandt's reaction, which is similar to General Manager Ted Thompson's and coach Mike McCarthy's, is to offer a simple, straightforward request: Withhold condemnation until the season plays out, if not for 16 games, at least beyond the season opener.

The calls for Thompson's firing and McCarthy's dismissal aren't just premature. They are laughable.

Thompson accepted considerable risk by signing receiver-return specialist Koren Robinson. The GM's reputation is at stake, and he will be held accountable for the manner in which this acquisition plays out.

But to suggest Thompson inappropriately put the storied franchise's reputation and history at risk is to grossly overstate the transaction. Robinson's conduct from this day forward, good or bad, is a direct reflection on the player, the coach and the GM. If Robinson screws up, McCarthy and Thompson screwed up, but the Packers' proud tradition will endure.

McCarthy's debut left much to be desired, and the 42-year-old coach would be the first to admit it. What matters is how he proceeds. Will he learn from his mistakes? Will he make his team see its shortcomings? Will he correct yesterday's mistakes in order to improve tomorrow's performance?

Those questions remain to be answered.

Meantime, the Packers' every move will be subject to the scrutiny, criticism and praise that goes with the turf. Some will choose to kick the Packers while they are down, which is every ticket-paying, banner-waving, second-guessing fan's right.

The Packers' mission is to remain unfazed, and to win games, starting Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.
 

CaliforniaCheez

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The Packers were a playoff team until the arrival of Ted Thompson.

There is a lot of talent that has left/been forced out of Green Bay without getting anything in exchange.

Some blame Ted Thompson for burning things to ground to start over.
Some have blamed previous drafts for not having replacements ready.
Some blame the rookie coaching staff for not getting the players ready.

There is no denying that since the playoff loss to the vikings the Packers have only continued to get worse.

One can only speculate on Mr. Jones tolerance for embarrassment.
 
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Zero2Cool

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lol playoff team


Remember, that was when the division SUCKED.

How did we get into the playoffs?

The Vikings Choked!!!
 

WinnipegPackFan

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Zero2Cool said:
lol playoff team


Remember, that was when the division SUCKED.

How did we get into the playoffs?

The Vikings Choked!!!

OUCH,

But he's right on this year playoffs - can I say OUCH again !!!
 

PackerLegend

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It happens to every team you are good and you have your chance for a run at the SB then you go back down then up over and over again.It is just how the nfl is set up
 

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Canadian packer said:
The thing that burns me is this is one of the easiest schedules the packers have had in years... Too bad we don't have a team to compete.


What is the point of playing times that arent any good so when you get to the playoffs and have to play a good or great team we get killed?
 

cheesey

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PackerLegend said:
Canadian packer said:
The thing that burns me is this is one of the easiest schedules the packers have had in years... Too bad we don't have a team to compete.


What is the point of playing times that arent any good so when you get to the playoffs and have to play a good or great team we get killed?

You mean like "Da Bears" did last year? :wink:
Your right........but it still would be nice to make it back to the top of the division.
 
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Zero2Cool

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cheesey said:
PackerLegend said:
Canadian packer said:
The thing that burns me is this is one of the easiest schedules the packers have had in years... Too bad we don't have a team to compete.


What is the point of playing times that arent any good so when you get to the playoffs and have to play a good or great team we get killed?

You mean like "Da Bears" did last year? :wink:
Your right........but it still would be nice to make it back to the top of the division.

Hmm. I dunno. I did like the excitement for sure. But I think I'd rather take a year or two of developing a solid team for the future instead of being a 'did they make the playoffs last year' forgotten team.

Yea we won division titles, but look at the other three teams. It's like saying a grown man beat up a 13 yr old.
 

vikesrule

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Zero2Cool said:
Yea we won division titles, but look at the other three teams. It's like saying a grown man beat up a 13 yr old.

I agree with most of what you said.
Unfortunately for the Packers, the grown man has grown old, and the 13 year olds have matured.
 
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Zero2Cool

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vikesrule said:
Zero2Cool said:
Yea we won division titles, but look at the other three teams. It's like saying a grown man beat up a 13 yr old.

I agree with most of what you said.
Unfortunately for the Packers, the grown man has grown old, and the 13 year olds have matured.

Very true.

I'd like for the division to be considered one of the top three, not the bottom three when the Packers win it.
 

vikesrule

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Zero2Cool said:
vikesrule said:
Zero2Cool said:
Yea we won division titles, but look at the other three teams. It's like saying a grown man beat up a 13 yr old.

I agree with most of what you said.
Unfortunately for the Packers, the grown man has grown old, and the 13 year olds have matured.

Very true.

I'd like for the division to be considered one of the top three, not the bottom three when the Packers win it.

Victory is much sweeter, when it is against a worthy opponent. It would be much more gratifying for the Vikes to win the division when the Lions, Bears, Packers, and Vikings, are all good teams.
Don't know if I'll ever see that (All four teams being good at the same time), but it would make for a great season!
 

Cdnfavrefan

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I'd even settle for 3 of the teams being good. When's the last time 3 have been over 500 counting when the Bucs were in it. Mind you it didn't make a difference when the bucks were in it cause they were like a 10 year old. They didn't even ever reach puberty in the division. LOL
 
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Zero2Cool

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Cdnfavrefan said:
I'd even settle for 3 of the teams being good. When's the last time 3 have been over 500 counting when the Bucs were in it. Mind you it didn't make a difference when the bucks were in it cause they were like a 10 year old. They didn't even ever reach puberty in the division. LOL

Exactly. So when a team wins the division in tha weak crop of teams, how can one say a GM inherited a 'playoff' team which implies a team that is one of the top six in that conference?

Bah, I'm sorry. That theory just gets me going.

I dunno. Picking the NFC North champ is like choosing the president. You take the one who has the least flaws. Doesnt mean he is the best though.
 

CaliforniaCheez

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Seattle and the NFC West last year? Fewest flaws in a bad division.
Why run down a team's achievement? They were better than their division rivals and were a playoff team even if a wild card team did not come from their division.

Under the current system every team in a division has 14 common opponents. To win a division you did better against common opponents than your rivals. 2 games are based on the previous year's achievement. To repeat as division champions the repeating team had the more difficult schedule within the division.

The Packers to repeat as Division champions was an achievement.
 

packerfan4ever

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the article is so true.alot of fans left before the 4th quater maybe i'll get to go to a gam4e this year as long as they play a good game losing is hard,to watch but more exceptable ey play a good game :)
 

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