Fire Sherman? Sucked as GM?

December 23, 2005

Anyone think that GB might drop Rodgers in favor of a possible Matt Leinert pick?

Yes.

But, I think Buffalo is going to trade Losman for Leinart and a conditional 1st round pick in 2007 first.

Your Paragon of Virtue · December 23, 2005

Heh, you honestly think people would be willing to give up Leinart AND a 1st round pick for JP Losman?

2GOLD · December 23, 2005

Heh, you honestly think people would be willing to give up Leinart AND a 1st round pick for JP Losman?

Maybe if the Bills throw in all their 2007 picks and half of their 2006 six picks.

Your Paragon of Virtue · December 23, 2005

People don't understand how precious a draft pick is to these GM's. To think that you'd have to give up TWO first rounders for JP LOSMAN is insanity. I would be surprised if at this point, given the nature of his play this year, that they could get ONE second rounder. No way would they get a QB with even more potential who hasn't shown himself to be a complete fuckup, AND another first rounder. If LeeLee could pull that off, she should take over for Donahoe right now.

Considering that he deserves to be fired after the season, she might have her chance.

USC Wuz Robbed! · December 23, 2005

Yeah any team looking for a QB would look at Phillip Rivers first or David Garrard or even Matt Schaub. Not JP Losman.

Black Lushus · December 23, 2005

Buffalo shoulda just kept Doug Flutie...

December 23, 2005

Everyone writing Rodgers off remember our boy Favre's rookie year in atlanta:

5 attempts

0 completions

2 INTs

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December 27, 2005

Change may not be better

Improving on Sherman could prove difficult

By TOM SILVERSTEIN

[email protected]

Posted: Dec. 26, 2005

Green Bay - If Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson is thinking seriously about firing head coach Mike Sherman after the season, one of the things he'll likely consider most is whether he can find someone better to replace him.

According to the estimates of several National Football League executives, there could be more than a half-dozen vacancies due to firings and retirement after this season. Because there were just three coaching changes last off-season - four fewer than the average per year from 2001-'04 - most people expect this to be a year of heavy turnover.

One high-level NFL club official said his discussions with other officials led him to believe there could be 10 changes.

Other than Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and possibly Southern California coach Pete Carroll, there are no blockbuster candidates in waiting, and the list of well-known NFL assistant coaches groomed for the move up appears shorter than ever. Thus, the market could be very thin for a team trying to do better than a coach who has a six-year record of 58-43 and has won three division titles.

"There will be more vacancies than qualified people," said another club official. "It's going to be a horse race."

There aren't many people who can claim they know exactly what Thompson is thinking as the Packers near the end of what could be their worst season since 1958. The Packers' first-year general manager is extremely private and still is figuring out whom he can trust inside the organization.

But several people inside and outside the organization say Thompson is well-aware that his options are limited in finding someone better than Sherman. The fact the Packers played with as much emotion and effort as they have all season in a 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday certainly showed Sherman has not lost this team despite a 3-12 record.

Coming off a horrendous performance against Baltimore on "Monday Night Football," in which they were blown out for the only time this season, the Packers responded with a spirited effort against the NFC North champion Bears.

Sherman has to deserve some credit for that. He said Monday that motivating his team each week has been one of his most difficult tasks this season, but it is something he has refused to lose sight of.

"When you go out that tunnel there is a belief system that you're going to give everything you have to win the game," Sherman said. "That is the coach's job and I take that part seriously.

"You can't just flip it on going out of that tunnel; you've got to be ready to go through the course of that week."

Thompson has refused to discuss his plans for Sherman with reporters and did not return a phone message Monday.

It is known among some members of the organization that Thompson still has a high opinion of quarterback Brett Favre even though Favre is in the midst of his worst season. Through 15 games, Favre has thrown a career-high 28 interceptions, and if he throws two more would become the first quarterback since Vinny Testaverde in 1988 to throw at least 30 in a season.

Only Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, during his rookie season of 1998, has thrown as many interceptions as Favre since Testaverde threw his 35 in '88.

Those who know Thompson say he is concerned about some of the desperation heaves Favre has thrown and what has prompted him to make them so often. Other teams concerned about their quarterback play have changed coordinators or added additional coaches they thought would add a fresh outlook.

Most recently, Baltimore coach Brian Billick fired offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh and hired former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel to help in Kyle Boller's development. He also added former college head coach Rick Neuheisel to be his quarterbacks coach.

In New York, Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett was replaced by Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger last January to help Chad Pennington. And the Chicago Bears fired offensive coordinator Terry Shea this past off-season and hired former Illinois head coach Ron Turner.

There have been plenty of examples of teams keeping head coaches but forcing them to make sweeping changes in their assistant coaching staffs. No better one was when Seattle coach Mike Holmgren reluctantly cleaned house on defense the same year he was stripped of his general manager duties.

Three years later, the Seahawks have the best record in the NFC and are guaranteed home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said no one has even hinted to him or Sherman that there would be major changes in the off-season if Sherman remains the head coach, and he said he didn't see a need for them. He said the numerous injuries the Packers have suffered this season are the biggest reason why the offense hasn't lived up to expectations.

"The last five years I think we've had the best rushing year in Packers history, some of the best scoring years, productive years offensively," Rossley said. "We've sent five people to the Pro Bowl. I'm proud of what we've done.

"Do we need help scheme-wise? No, I don't think so."

It's been widely speculated that fired Detroit coach and former Packers assistant Steve Mariucci would be an ideal candidate to inject new life into the offense, especially given his close relationship with Favre. According to a source, Mariucci spoke with a member of the organization last week, but it was on behalf of Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, who wanted his team to visit the Packers facility while in town to play UW-Green Bay.

Mariucci's agent said he would not comment on whether his client had been contacted by the Packers or anyone else.

Even though Mariucci is a logical choice, there are many other options if Thompson decides he wants to shake things up. The number of coaching changes will mean a great number of assistant coaches will be available for hiring, although it would require a significant financial investment to recruit the best ones.

Since arriving in Green Bay, Sherman and his offensive staff have led the team to offensive rankings of 15th, sixth, 12th, fourth and third before falling to 18th with one week to go in this season. But their handling of Favre also will be considered.

"To bring someone in from another organization who's not done more than we have done. . . ," Rossley said. "If somebody has done more than we have and better than we have, you can understand that. But to bring someone in who hasn't performed to the level that we have, then it doesn't make a lot of sense."

Robert · December 27, 2005

That's the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal for ya. Praise them when there on top, and kick him while there down. Christ the Wisconsin and national media makes me vomit. The injury excuse is looking more and more like crap, because the team isn't motivated. Hell, a guy who I worked with did some conditioning work with the Packers, and the back-up's aren't conditioned for play. They need to do some major house cleaning after this year.

December 28, 2005

If Houston and NO win and the Pack lose, GBP will have the # 1 pick

"Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!"

(Fire Sherman)

USC Wuz Robbed! · December 28, 2005

If Houston and NO win and the Pack lose, GBP will have the # 1 pick

"Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!"

(Fire Sherman)

Actually the Jets would.

December 28, 2005

Sorry my news team lied to me.

December 28, 2005

more from the above website:

MJS reports this morning that Tom Rossley is the logical candidate for a sacrificial rub-out at season’s end, given that TT is (a) unhappy with his options for replacing Uncle Mikey, (b) unhappy with Favre’s discipline (particularly the by-now normal three-to-five punt-like interceptions per game), but © generally still bullish on No. 4.

This is insane on so many levels that it might actually threaten one’s mental stability even to consider the possibility. So you’ve been warned:

The scenario presumes that Sherman will accept the firing of his bestest friend, probably to be replaced by Steve Mariucci, who’s Favre’s bankie, not exactly Mr. Crack the Whip in general, a play-caller of proven timidity, and a potential rival to Sherman in ‘07. (It’s starting to sound like Julius Caesar up there.)

It also presumes that Sherman will swallow another symbolic emasculation and a practical further loss of control over his one-time empire—in all likelihood a psychic impossibility for a paranoiac such as Sherman to stomach.

It further presumes that Sherman will stay without an extension (because can you imagine giving him one after a 3-13 season?), putting him in precisely the same position he was before Thompson gave him an extension to prevent lame-duck syndrome (and a shitload of good that did anyone).

It forfeits the chance to promote Jim Bates, the obvious candidate to succeed Sherman, and perhaps also forfeits the chance to keep him as DC.

It maintains the Favre-Sherman axis (hereby known as the Axis of Interception) and promotes the fiction that Rossley was somehow solely responsible for the decline in Favre’s play.

It postpones the inevitable: The dismissal of Mike Sherman.

I’ve probably forgotten something, but I need to stop swallowing my tongue and wipe up this puddle of drool on my desk before my boss comes in.

Next up, no doubt: It’s all somehow Edgar Bennett’s fault.

December 28, 2005

I would totally agree with that move. Firing Rossley and bringing in Mooch would be fucking PERFECT. No reason why Jim Bates needs to be promoted right now either, and the litany of injuries and bad luck this year have really fucked over Sherm. He does deserve at least one more year to prove himself, but Rossley has needed to go since like, last year. He's a health problem waiting to happen, and I don't think there's any coincidence that every time Sherman takes over the playcalling, the offense lights up. Happened last year, and also happened this year (Remember the 52-3 New Orleans game? Yup, that was The Sherm. Who I think would actually make a great o.c. somewhere).

Rossley and Bonadego (special teams coach) definitely need to go. Mike has to win with the guys most qualified for the job, not because they're "his boys". Which is why some players like Tony Fisher won't get cut. Or some other coaches as well have left for the same reason.

December 28, 2005

Some fans on the GB Packers news board are actually calling for mark Churmura to come out of retirement. The end times have arrived for Packer fans.

December 29, 2005

Brett gave an interview yesterday basically implying he felt the Packers were trying to subtlely give him the boot. He felt he's earned the right to be told man to man.

He's not sure if he wants to go through the core training again, and he doesn't want a new offense so its Sherman or Bust.

December 29, 2005

It came out this week that Sherman has scolded his coaches for yelling at the players. Tom Rossely was fired 2 years ago as a scapegoat for 4th and 23, but also because after the game Rossely went off on rookie MLB Nick Barnett cause Barnett bit on a fake and didn't cover properly on the play. Rossely was letting him know what a blunder it was and how now the whole team is losers. Sherman was upset as he felt Tom was out of line.

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Favre wonders if Packers really want him back

Brett Favre

By Dylan B. Tomlinson

PackersNews.com

Brett Favre hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since Thanksgiving weekend.

Favre has thrown 28 interceptions, which are 11 more than any other quarterback this season. It’s also tied for the most by an NFL quarterback since Vinny Testaverde threw 35 in 1988.

The Green Bay Packers are 3-12 and Favre stands to make more than $10 million next season.

Given all that, Favre couldn’t help but publicly ponder something that previously would have seemed unthinkable.

Do the Packers want him back?

“It’s a business, and up to this point, we’re 3-12, and from a business standpoint, wouldn’t you think they’re sitting there going, ‘OK, if we’re running a risk of this happening next year, we might as well save the money, and put that money elsewhere, for the future,’ “ Favre said Wednesday.

“I’ve said this over the last several years: It can happen to anyone. It really can. I’m not immune to it.”

General Manager Ted Thompson has said repeatedly that he wants Favre back.

When coach Mike Sherman was asked whether there was any doubt that he wanted Favre back, Sherman didn’t pause.

“No,” Sherman said.

But when Favre takes the field in the season finale Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, it may be the last time he plays for the Packers.

Or, it may not be.

“I don’t know what I’m leaning toward,” Favre said. “I want to make the right decision. I want to make it for the right reasons. Maybe even I don’t realize how difficult of a decision it is or how big of a decision it is.”

Favre said he knows there are no guarantees that next season will be better than this one. If the Packers are in rebuilding mode, he can’t help but wonder if they might be better off without him.

“Maybe I’m just not as productive as I once was, or maybe I’m not the type of player they need now,” Favre said. “Maybe they want to go in a different direction, and they don’t know how to tell Brett Favre, ‘We want to go in a different direction.’ “

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who coached Favre from 1992 to 1998, said when he watches Favre, he doesn’t see a huge difference from the player he coached to two Super Bowls and three MVP awards.

“When I watch him on film, physically, he looks like he’s the same guy,” Holmgren said. “Now I’m not there every day and all that kind of stuff, but to me he still looks like he has zip on the ball, he’s moving very well. If he wants to continue playing, more power to him.”

Some have speculated that Favre is likely to come back next season because he won’t be satisfied to end his career on such a down note. Favre said it will have virtually no effect on his decision.

“I’ve had so many people say, ‘You can’t go out that way. You’ve got to come back and redeem yourself and redeem this team's season,’” Favre said. “But in all honesty, if this is it, I have gone out on top. I mean, I really have.

“One season does not define me, no matter how good or how bad it is. And this has been a bad season, but I’ve had so many great memories here, so much success, to go out on top. I don’t have to win a Super Bowl to go out on top.”

While Favre said he has made no decision about his future, he said when he runs on to the field Sunday, he realizes it could be for the last time.

“Absolutely. I’m well aware of that,” Favre said. “I have thought about this maybe being it.”