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.

The sieve of a defense in 1983 gave up 439 points. 439! It still boggles the mind that a team as powerful on offense as the ’83 team was could be so powerless on defense, which would ultimately seal the team’s fate and keep them out of the playoffs.

For as much grief as the 2011 defense got for not being able to stop anyone, the 1983 defense deserves so much more, because it was the reason the 1983 season will forever be remembered as a disappointment.

But my goodness, they were fun to watch.

So sit back, get your coffee, and remember just how exciting the 1983 Packers were with the game which epitomized the extremes between the offense and defense of that season. The Monday Night game against the Redskins is still talked about to this day, and if you’ve never seen it, you will know why after watching it:

If only they had a defense…

Don’t forget to stop by AllGBP.com when you are done and check out this week’s edition of Surviving Sundays. It is a must read every Sunday during the off season.

Have a great Sunday! GO PACK GO!!!

John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com and co-host of Cheesehead Radio. To contact John follow him on Twitter @jrehor or email johnrehor@yahoo.com

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.

Following the loss in New England McCarthy had some strong words about the confidence he had in his team. “We’re nobody’s underdogs, we’re 8-6 we have to get ready for the Giants and get to 9-6.” Said McCarthy.  The confidence was surprising in the national media as the Packers were not expected to win against a Giants team that matched up well with them. That did not matter on Sunday December 26, 2010.

The stage was set, and the message was simple: Win.

The game began and Rodgers just missed what could have been a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson on the first possession of the game, but the possession showed that the Packers could run the ball a little, and hold off that fierce Giants pass rush led by Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora. After allowing the Giants to pick up a first down the Packers defense forced a punt when Rodgers went to work.

Rodgers was in the shotgun and faked a hand-off to Brandon Jackson and hit Jordy Nelson over the middle. Giants safety Antrel Rolle was peeking in the backfield allowing Nelson the necessary space to get open. After catching the ball Nelson outran Rolle and the rest of the Giants defense for an 80 yard touchdown and the Packers took an early lead.

The next Giants possession resulted in an Eli Manning interception, and the Packers marched right down the field as Rodgers hit James Jones to put the Packers up 14-0. Early on, it appeared Fox’s “America’s Game of the Week” would turn into a blowout. The Giants fought back however in similar fashion to the way the Packers scored their 14 early points. After hitting Hakeem Nicks for a 38 yard touchdown, the Giants forced a Jordy Nelson fumble, and hit Mario Manningham for an 85 yard touchdown. What looked like an early blowout now looked as what seemingly every other Packers game was during the 2010-2011 season. A fight all the way to the end.

After the Giants touchdown the Packers needed an answer. The combination of Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings provided just that. After completing a deep comeback route to Jennings and some nice moves after the catch the Packers were in business again. The drive ultimately ended with an eight yard touchdown run by John Kuhn giving the Packers a 21-14 lead going into the half.

The second half began with the Giants receiving the kickoff and immediately began marching down the field. They looked poised to tie up the game. Then just as he had all season, Charles Woodson made a play. The Giants directly snapped the ball to running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and Woodson forced a fumble that was recovered by Atari Bigby. The Packers once again had momentum.

They were unable to fully capitalize however as Rodgers pass to Jordy Nelson on third down inside the red zone fell incomplete and they were forced to settle for a field goal. The Giants countered that possession with a field goal of their own. Once again it was a one possession game midway through the third quarter.

The Packers then went on a drive that included a few nice catches by Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, then with Rodgers classic improvisation, he found Donald Lee in the end zone giving the Packers a 14 point lead with four minutes to play in the third quarter.

By this point in the game the offense clearly had done their part at this point of the game. It was time for the defense to seal the deal. The man who did that was a man who had made plays all season long. Emerging star outside linebacker Clay Matthews. After picking up a first down on third and nine the Giants ran a play off tackle and Brandon Jacobs broke around the right end for what looked like a big gain. Matthews, who was initially beaten on the play caught up with Jacobs and punched the ball out of his arms, and after a mad scramble for the ball it was recovered by another all-pro, safety Nick Collins. The game went into the fourth quarter with the Packers leading 31-17. All they needed was the defense to continue to hold, and they would set themselves up to clinch a playoff berth the following week against Chicago.

The Giants were moving down the field once again when cornerback Sam Shields intercepted an Eli Manning pass giving the Packers the ball with just under 10 minutes to play. They were poised to deliver Wayne Larrivees’s patented dagger.

Lambeau’s new folk hero did just that. It was 2nd and goal from the four yard line and the crowd was raining down cheers for who they wanted to score. All around Lambeau all anyone could hear is “Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn” hoping that McCarthy would call a play for fullback John Kuhn. Whether it was in the game plan or by design Rodgers faked the ball to Brandon Jackson and hit Kuhn in the flat for a touchdown. It was 38-17 Packers, and Larrivee called it. That was the dagger. The Packers were going to defeat the Giants and set themselves up to reach the postseason with a win over the Chicago Bears.

To finish the game Kuhn would score another touchdown after Nick Collins intercepted Eli Manning, and AJ Hawk added an interception of his own to further complete what was sheer dominance by the Packers. 45-17 was the final, Packers win.

In the tunnel leading to the locker room at Lambeau Field a new picture was added after the 2010-2011 Packers season ended with them bringing home their fourth Super Bowl championship. The picture is of highlights of this game. A win over the Giants and it is simply titled “The Run Begins.”

The run began with McCarthy’s confidence, Rodgers’ greatness, and a team that continued to show resilience in the face of adversity.

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.

It is a fact that the divorce between Favre and the Packers forever stained his relationship with some of the fans. His actions leading up to that day in August in 2008, as well as some of actions following the trade to the Jets, permanently soured the formerly shiny relationship Favre had with loyal Packer supporters.

But Favre is still the holder of countless all time Packer records, as well as a source of conversation for all time for fans. Because of the joy and heartache he brought during his playing career.

Making comments like the one Murphy has made about wanting Favre back are the type of decisions that Presidents are employed to make. The decisions which may not always be the most popular, but are the best for the organization.

Bringing Favre back into the fold will also bring Mark Murphy’s tenure in full circle. He was partially responsible for his departure, and needs to be the person responsible for bringing him back.

Failure to close this open wound will forever stain Murphy’s presidency. After the trauma the Favre/Packers divorce caused, he needs to stop the bleeding once and for all.

Now all Murphy needs to do is stop talking about doing something regarding Favre, and actually do something about it.

Until he does that, all this talk is just replacing band aids on the open sore.

Meeting with Favre and having some honest conversations about the future between the two sides is the only way to start to suture the wound, and hopefully start the healing permanently once and for all.

Why should Mark Murphy be the one responsible for this? Because it’s what Presidents do. It’s what leaders do.

John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com and co-host of Cheesehead Radio. To contact John follow him on Twitter @jrehor or email johnrehor@yahoo.com

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.

…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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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.

The team plummeted to their losing ways with a 5-7-2 record in 1973. A far cry from the optimism of the 1972 season.

Not even trading for former AFL standout quarterback John Hadl in 1974, generally regarded as the worst trade in Packers’ history, could stop the bleeding, as the ’74 team ended their season 6-8.

Devine was relieved of his Head Coaching duties following this season, later becoming Head Coach of Notre Dame.

While his career in Green Bay is most remembered for the horrible trade which marred the Packers for years to come, Devine did bring them back to the playoffs, something that would elude the team until 1982. During a decade which saw more disappointments than successes, the 1972 season is the high point of this 10 years, and for that, Devine deserves at least a little credit.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s flashback Sunday-a look back at the apex of the 70′s: the 1972 season.

Don’t forget to head over to All.GBP.com when you’re done, and check out this week’s edition of Surviving Sunday. It’s a must read during the off season.

And on this Sunday, I would be remiss if I did not wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. Hope you enjoy your special day today.

GO PACK GO!

John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com and co-host of Cheesehead Radio. To contact John follow him on Twitter @jrehor or email johnrehor@yahoo.com

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.

The truth of the matter is there are four major pillars in the renaissance of the Green Bay Packers in the early 1990s. Bob Harlan, Ron Wolf, Mike Holmgren and Brett Favre. Harlan was the man with the vision to bring in Ron Wolf. Ron Wolf was the man with the guts to take a risk on a player who was talented, but had plenty of character questions after one season in Atlanta. Mike Holmgren was a man who had the patience, and the guts to stick by that player even when his coaches did not support the move. Finally Favre was the player who pulled everything together.

Football has always been a game about quarterback play. By the time Favre arrived in Green Bay the quarterback position was becoming of even higher importance. Quarterbacks like Troy Aikman, Jim Kelly and were stars taking over the league. Wolf traded for Favre with the vision he could be one of those players. Flashes of brilliance came early for Favre as he threw a strike to Kitrick Taylor in the end zone to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals. Favre became the starting quarterback later that season, and took the Packers places they had not been since Lombardi arrived. Within five seasons of becoming the Packers full time starting quarterback Favre had taken the Packers to three NFC Championship games, two Super Bowls, and delivered the franchise’s first title in 29 years.

Without the presence of Favre, other important pieces were not coming to Green Bay. The most important free agent signing since unrestricted free agency began in 1993 was Reggie White signing with the Packers. White was a player who was the best at his position, and changed the culture in Green Bay. White made it ok for other free agents to sign in Green Bay. It was not a black hole anymore. None of that would have been possible had it not been for the young, promising Favre in the fold. Without Favre, the Packers do not get White. Without White the Packers do not win a Super Bowl. Favre, with the help of the four previously mentioned men helped resurrect Green Bay into a lot of what it is today.

Packer fans may still hold a grudge on Favre for his messy exit, and the success of Aaron Rodgers has made it easier to forget him. It is however Rodgers that has made this relationship able to be mended.

During Super Bowl week the NFL had its annual award ceremony. A shocking moment occurred during this ceremony. Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, perceived enemies presented an award together. It was revealed after the event that Rodgers and Favre talked on the phone for a significant amount of time, and Rodgers said what I did earlier. It is time to move on from the divorce. Time heals all wounds, even the wounds of wearing the reviled purple and gold. It is time to accept Favre for what he was and to appreciate the things he has done. Without Favre’s addition to Wolf, Harlan, and Holmgren the Packers are likely a run of the mill franchise as opposed to the model organization they are modern day.

Since the time of the handshake heard around the world, there have been different interviews by Favre saying he will have his day with the Packers to celebrate his storied career with the franchise.

Mark Murphy, Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy, there is no better time than now.  Aaron Rodgers started the movement, and it is time for you to follow the face of your franchise. Bring back the former face of the franchise. A pillar of this organizations rebirth.

It is time, for the return.

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!

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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