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Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: If Only They Had a Defense
If only they had a defense.
That is the puzzle that will sadly never be solved regarding the 1983 Green Bay Packers.
By the end of the 1983 season, goo gobs of points would be scored, records would be shattered, and the team would finish a mediocre 8-8 and out of the playoffs despite scoring 429 points.
If only they had a defense.
Long before Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers appeared on the scene, the Packers had a very, very good quarterback in Lynn Dickey. He was the definition of a gunslinger, and in the wild and crazy season of 1983, he did not hold back one bit.
Throwing for a then team record 4,458 yards and 32 touchdowns in 1983, Dickey benefited from having arguably the best receiving corp in team history. Wide receivers James Lofton and John Jefferson combined for over 2,100 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tight end Paul Coffman chipped in with over 800 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running back Gerry Ellis added another 600 yards out of the backfield just to make matters worse for opposing defenses.
Dickey might have also thrown 29 interceptions during this season, but let’s not discuss that.
It was an exciting offense to watch, scoring points at a record pace throughout the season. Optimism was high among the green and gold faithful, and rightfully so.
Sadly, as good as their offense was, their defense was the polar opposite.
Flashback Friday: The Run Begins
It was the day after Christmas, and Packers fans woke up with a sense of nerves around them. After shockingly losing in Detroit with quarterback Aaron Rodgers sustaining a concussion, and dropping a game in New England the week prior the Packers were left scrambling. A season that began with Super Bowl aspirations appeared to be on the brink of missing the playoffs altogether.
Luckily for the Packers Desean Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown to defeat the New York Giants in stunning fashion, allowing them to control their own destiny. The Packers needed two wins at home to reach the postseason. Standing in their way before the season finale against the Chicago Bears was the New York Giants led by Eli Manning. The last time the Giants visited Lambeau Field prior to this matchup the lasting impression is not pleasant. The Packers were playing at home with a chance to go the the Super Bowl. Instead of a coronation, the Giants dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and Brett Favre threw an interception in overtime allowing the Giants to advance and eventually become Super Bowl champions.
The game also marked the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who had missed the game in New England after sustaining his second concussion of the season in Detroit. Rodgers return was marked with a challenge from head coach Mike McCarthy.
Mark Murphy’s Actions Need to Speak Louder Than Words Regarding Brett Favre
To borrow one of Mike McCarthy’s quotes from the Summer of 08, Packers President is in a tough spot.
He currently holds the distinction of being in charge of the team during the most tumultuous off season in Packers’ history. The divorce between Brett Favre, arguably the most popular player in team history, and the Packers divided fans then, and continues to do so.
The decision to part ways with Favre was in hindsight the correct move for the team. Aaron Rodgers has proven to be equal if not better as a signal caller. A Lombardi Trophy and an MVP trophy are among the hardware Rodgers has already acquired, with many years still to come to add to his already impressive resume.
Regardless of the success the team has on the field, Murphy is still haunted by the spectre of Favre, and his absence from the Packers family. Which is why number 4 is a fairly consistent topic of conversation from Murphy.
Murphy has said for several years the Packers intend to retire Favre’s jersey at some point, even if Favre has said he doesn’t need to have his jersey retired.
He has mentioned the possibility of Favre joining the Packers Tailgate Tour someday.
Murphy has even flat out said “We want to have Favre back in the family.”
Comments like this from the Packers President may seem like sacrelige to some of the faithful, but it makes total sense. Because it is the right thing for the franchise.
Out of the Pocket: Case of the Mondays
Richard, Kelly & Colleen discuss Packers rookie camp, Eddie Lacy’s big toe, Ted forcing Dom’s hand, Charles Woodson’s possible retirement, Datone Jones comments about Colin Kaepernick & Kelly eulogizes her old math teacher.
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…Join two of the PocketDoppler Angels and Richard Chang as they take their show on the road and bring you a weekly dissection of the Green Bay Packers as only they know how. All three are longtime Packer fans who bring their infinite wisdom, passion and snark to the Packers Talk Radio Network.
Check out their work at PocketDoppler.com and Dick’s Favorite Blog. And follow them on Twitter at @WhatRUTinkin , @Ceallaigh_k and @RichardMChang.
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Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: One Devine Season
Not much went well for the Packers following the departure of Vince Lombardi.
After five titles in nine seasons, the team from Titletown tumbled into the lower tier of the NFL. The Lombardi Era team had grown old, and could not recapture the glory of earlier years.
A 6-7-1 season in 1968 followed by an average 8-6 campaign in 1969 did little to inspire much confidence in a return to power. Following another disappointing 6-8 record in 1970, Lombardi’s handpicked successor Phil Bengston was fired, and the hopes of the franchise were turned over to former Missouri coach Dan Devine.
Former Packers Coach Dan Devine
Things did not start well for Devine during his tenure, as he suffered a broken leg on the sidelines during his first game as Head Coach in 1971. It did not improve much from there, as the Packers went through another painful season, ending up a less than stellar 4-8-2, and leaving the fans wanting a return to glory.
And for one season, they did. Kind of.
The 10-4 record of the 1972 Packers came out of nowhere. Finishing in first place for the first time since the Lombardi Packers, the green and gold faithful were able to enjoy the postseason for the first time since Super Bowl II. Although their exit was a quick 16-3 loss to the Redskins, the success of the regular season brought renewed hope that another dynasty was in the making.
Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth.
It is time: for Favre’s Return
Five years ago, the unthinkable happened. The Green Bay Packers traded the face of their franchise. Unceremoniously, Brett Favre moved on to play for the New York Jets, and eventually the Minnesota Vikings. His move to the Vikings caused a divide among the fan base. He went from the most beloved, to the most reviled. It was one of the most controversial moves in NFL history, and still resonates with fans today.
Many have called him a traitor. There was animosity between Favre, and the front office, signs at Lambeau once read “Judas betrayed only one, you betrayed us all”. Favre often talked about playing against Green Bay hoping to “stick it” to General Manager Ted Thompson. Packer fans called defeating the Vikings twice in 2010 revenge because of how everything changed. It has never been directly quoted, but there had to be some extra satisfaction for Thompson as well.
Time has passed, wounds have healed and it is time to move on, and make things right again.
Recent history would suggest to you that the Packers always had some sort of conflict with Favre, that he was a player who caused trouble. In recent history it is easy to come to that conclusion. Favre was consistently in the news for all the wrong reasons. Flip-flopping on retirement, negotiating for players in the media and the previously documented desire for revenge against the franchise for which he was best known.
All Packers Talk: Post-draft Pontifications
In this latest podcast installment from ALLGBP.com, the team is back and busy breaking down the latest in Packerland. They discuss the Packers 2013 draft, including how Eddie Lacy fell to them in round 2. Learn more about this year’s undrafted free agents and which ones have the best chance of making this year’s roster. Is Charles Woodson headed back to Green Bay and what’s really behind the team moving Bryan Bulaga and Josh Sitton to the left side of the offensive line? Which of the Packers’ NFC North foes had the best draft? Will Green Bay have enough left in the bank to keep some of the expiring contracts after this season? Listen in as they break it all down!
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Join the writers at AllGreenBayPackers.com for a fast hitting discussion of all things Packers. Be sure to check out ALLGREENBAYPACKERS.COM, where we are “All Packers All the Time. Browse Packers Talk Radio Network for more Packers podcasts from the best Packers bloggers on the internet.
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