Division Championship means nothing

DakotaT
Select Member Topic Starter

10 years ago

It's hard for me to have much satisfaction if "my" team doesn't win the Super Bowl. "Moral victories" don't do a whole lot for me, especially when a team has an elite QB. If losing a few more games allows a team to retool, address weaknesses, and win a Super Bowl in the next season or two, than I certainly would be OK with it. Of course, there's no guarantee that will happen. But generally, I think it's a fairly safe bet that drafting in the top 10 gives a team a better chance of obtaining a franchise changing player than drafting in the late 20's. Obviously nothing is ever guaranteed, though.

Fortunately for the Packers, they are still in a good position for this season, so they don't have to even think about any of this. Players and coaches really shouldn't either, because they have a job to do. I don't see any problem with the thoughts crossing the fans minds, though. As I've said several times, making it to the playoffs and getting embarrassed in the wildcard or divisional round doesn't make me feel any better than only winning a few games and getting a high draft pick. That, of course, is predicated on the assumption that with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and weaknesses addressed, that the Packers will easily be a contender again next season.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower

I agree with you, winning division championship really doesn't do anything for me.I always thought of the Sherman Packers as an epic failure. They had Farve and Ahman Green in the prime of their careers, and it was the same crap every year in the playoffs. It was great getting that 2010 Super Bowl Championship, but eerily I see the same thing happening now as what happened to the Packers in the late 90's and early 00's. I hope I'm wrong of course, but defenses have caught up to McCarthy and Dom's act is as fresh as a Kiss concert.

nerdmann
Premier Member

10 years ago

#2

I agree with you, winning division championship really doesn't do anything for me.I always thought of the Sherman Packers as an epic failure. They had Farve and Ahman Green in the prime of their careers, and it was the same crap every year in the playoffs. It was great getting that 2010 Super Bowl Championship, but eerily I see the same thing happening now as what happened to the Packers in the late 90's and early 00's. I hope I'm wrong of course, but defenses have caught up to McCarthy and Dom's act is as fresh as a Kiss concert.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT

The Sherman years were a great lesson for me.

They were always using the draft to fill holes, paste things over to make "one last run," every year.

Ted's been starting to draft like that. I really feel that the BPA philosophy is where it's at, even when it does end up leaving big holes in the roster at times. How many preferred starters have we lost this year? And we're still in contention. That's a deep team.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

play2win
Senior Member

10 years ago

#3

I agree with you, winning division championship really doesn't do anything for me.I always thought of the Sherman Packers as an epic failure. They had Farve and Ahman Green in the prime of their careers, and it was the same crap every year in the playoffs. It was great getting that 2010 Super Bowl Championship, but eerily I see the same thing happening now as what happened to the Packers in the late 90's and early 00's. I hope I'm wrong of course, but defenses have caught up to McCarthy and Dom's act is as fresh as a Kiss concert.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT

Couldn't agree more. Defenses caught up to McCarthy in 2011, two years ago, and it still seems predictable. As for Dom, we've kept inadequate players and schemes for the last 3 years, hoping something changes. Seems idiotic.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

10 years ago

#4

Saying division championships mean nothing to you, is basically the epitome of being a spoiled fan who doesn't appreciate the accomplishment and one of which of someone who did not have to endure the 70's and/or 80's. Sad kids these days, sad kids.

Couldn't agree more. Defenses caught up to McCarthy in 2011, two years ago, and it still seems predictable. As for Dom, we've kept inadequate players and schemes for the last 3 years, hoping something changes. Seems idiotic.

Originally Posted by: play2win

You think defenses caught up with the franchise record setting green bay packers offense in 2011 while they went 15 - 1?

Defenses caught up in 2012 season when they starting put two high safeties and Packers had no running game to exploit it.

play2win
Senior Member

10 years ago

#5

You think defenses caught up with the franchise record setting green bay packers offense in 2011 while they went 15 - 1?

Defenses caught up in 2012 season when they starting put two high safeties and Packers had no running game to exploit it.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

When was the blueprint established? Yeah, 2011. KC, then NYG.

It doesn't matter all that much really. Point is we rode a great wave of back shoulder throws, then the other teams in the league caught up to us. I'm not into a beat-down of this current Packers team, but I saw what happened during that time, and I've seen some difficulties since in our blocking, our OL coaching, players lined up where they shouldn't be, game mismanagement, suspect play calling, etc.

I'm just hoping they turn the corner, and it looks like they may have by pulling out the Win yesterday. I've said that I don't think this team is as bad as they have looked at times, and maybe not as good as our run D stats were indicating before facing some of the more proven backs in the NFL earlier this year. I'm hoping they can establish a wave here of good play and coaching, and ride that sucker to another Lombardi Trophy. But, a lot of magic will have to happen.

Maybe Sean Richardson does something to help the others around him in our secondary. Maybe our DL comes alive with the return of Jolly, and starts playing at a really high level. Maybe our LBs will play better. Maybe our OL gets in a good groove, and our play calling in the run and pass games help us realize a string of Wins.

All I know, if Rodgers comes back and plays at a high level, and Dom's D can put this together, and we manage to win the division with a string of Ws, there's no reason to think we don't have a chance to repeat our 2010 season success.

As for winning the Division Championship, I get where Dakota is coming from. It can be somewhat meaningless if the team isn't prepared to do more than that in the playoffs. Get everybody on the same page and run with this. If we can't do that, then what is the point?

DoddPower
Veteran Member

10 years ago

#6

Saying division championships mean nothing to you, is basically the epitome of being a spoiled fan who doesn't appreciate the accomplishment and one of which of someone who did not have to endure the 70's and/or 80's. Sad kids these days, sad kids.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

I think you are missing the point. From my perspective, the Packers may not EVER have a QB as good as Aaron Rodgers again. Packer fans are truly lucky, and most of us realize that. There is no "spoiled fan" syndrome. It has everything to do with having the best player in the NFL, and as a result, the expectation of at LEAST going deep into the playoffs is very realistic. Winning the division is great, but doing so and then getting UTTERLY embarrassed in the playoffs is a complete other. If the Packers won the division and put up a good fight in the playoffs, and still lose, than that's not so hard to swallow. But getting embarrassed two years a row in the playoffs isn't a symbol of success, in my mind. Everything is relative. If the current Packers were the Jacksonville Jaguars, sure, that could be viewed as a success. The reality is, they are NOT, and the metrics of success are different for the teams. There's simply and absolutely NO reason this team should get embarrassed in the divisional round of the playoffs, yet that has happened twice in a row, and who knows when it will end. If a fan thinks that's unacceptable and you think that makes them a "spoiled fan who doesn't appreciate the accomplishment," so be it, but I think it's the exact opposite. I think many of the fans of that perspective realize what the Packers currently have in Aaron Rodgers and a few other core players, and want to take full advantage of that talent while it's available, because who knows when it will happen again (if ever). A culture of acceptance of mediocrity usually perpetuates mediocrity.

It has nothing to do with being "spoiled." It has everything to do with wanting to maximize a once in a generation player at the most important position in the game. The Packers can relish in the victory of divisions championships if and when they have an average or worse starting QB. So long as the Packers can field an average defense or better, and a good special teams unit, there's no reason they shouldn't be seriously competing for a Super Bowl every season. Maximize the team and player window while it's available, because who knows when it will come around again. For that not to be happening the past couple of seasons and instead, embarrassments in the playoffs, is incredibly disappointing because the championship window could be passing.

play2win
Senior Member

10 years ago

#7

I think you are missing the point. From my perspective, the Packers may not EVER have a QB as good as Aaron Rodgers again. Packer fans are truly lucky, and most of us realize that. There is no "spoiled fan" syndrome. It has everything to do with having the best player in the NFL, and as a result, the expectation of at LEAST going deep into the playoffs is very realistic. Winning the division is great, but doing so and then getting UTTERLY embarrassed in the playoffs is a complete other. If the Packers won the division and put up a good fight in the playoffs, and still lose, than that's not so hard to swallow. But getting embarrassed two years a row in the playoffs isn't a symbol of success, in my mind. Everything is relative. If the current Packers were the Jacksonville Jaguars, sure, that could be viewed as a success. The reality is, they are NOT, and the metrics of success are different for the teams. There's simply and absolutely NO reason this team should get embarrassed in the divisional round of the playoffs, yet that has happened twice in a row, and who knows when it will end. If a fan thinks that's unacceptable and you think that makes them a "spoiled fan who doesn't appreciate the accomplishment," so be it, but I think it's the exact opposite. I think many of the fans of that perspective realize what the Packers currently have in Aaron Rodgers and a few other core players, and want to take full advantage of that talent while it's available, because who knows when it will happen again (if ever). A culture of acceptance of mediocrity usually perpetuates mediocrity.

It has nothing to do with being "spoiled." It has everything to do with wanting to maximize a once in a generation player at the most important position in the game. The Packers can relish in the victory of divisions championships if and when they have an average or worse starting QB. So long as the Packers can field an average defense or better, and a good special teams unit, there's no reason they shouldn't be seriously competing for a Super Bowl every season. Maximize the team and player window while it's available, because who knows when it will come around again. For that not to be happening the past couple of seasons and instead, embarrassments in the playoffs, is incredibly disappointing because the championship window could be passing.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower

BRAVO!!!! Well said DoddPower. I couldn't have put it any better. That is exactly the way I feel, to a T.

That's why I've wanted this team to take some chances in FA, or with some trades to shore up problem areas of this team. Sure, there is a risk, but I believe it may be a greater risk to think we can do it all on the cheap, exclusively via the draft and rookie UDFA pool, with the Rodgers window where it is. Last season, to me, was lost opportunity, as was 2011. Now, in this 2013 season, we have what we have, and I hope we realize ultimate success. That is pretty much all I can do as a fan, because other teams are looking to be FAR stronger, better prepared, more cohesive, more ready to make the title run.

Limping into a Division Title through the back door is nothing I take great pride in, if we are to be wiped out in the playoffs. As proud as I might be of this team should they give us that chance… If we don't do some damage once we are in, I don't think it is me being a "spoiled rotten fan" if I'm disappointed. I've thought much has been in disarray to this point. We should have pulled out at least one more win while Rodgers was out. We are in a precarious place, and I think some things could have been done far better in his absence, and while he was in as a matter of fact. We had no business losing to CIN. We had no business throwing 42 pass attempts with Wallace and Tolzien v. PHI. Pre snap penalties, players not ready, predictable schemes as we've seen, etc.

I expect more. Call me spoiled, but I don't agree. Strike while the Aaron's HOT! Be prepared, always. Show up with your best, nothing less.

hardrocker950
Member

10 years ago

#8

BRAVO!!!! Well said DoddPower. I couldn't have put it any better. That is exactly the way I feel, to a T.

That's why I've wanted this team to take some chances in FA, or with some trades to shore up problem areas of this team. Sure, there is a risk, but I believe it may be a greater risk to think we can do it all on the cheap, exclusively via the draft and rookie UDFA pool, with the Rodgers window where it is. Last season, to me, was lost opportunity, as was 2011. Now, in this 2013 season, we have what we have, and I hope we realize ultimate success. That is pretty much all I can do as a fan, because other teams are looking to be FAR stronger, better prepared, more cohesive, more ready to make the title run.

Limping into a Division Title through the back door is nothing I take great pride in, if we are to be wiped out in the playoffs. As proud as I might be of this team should they give us that chance… If we don't do some damage once we are in, I don't think it is me being a "spoiled rotten fan" if I'm disappointed. I've thought much has been in disarray to this point. We should have pulled out at least one more win while Rodgers was out. We are in a precarious place, and I think some things could have been done far better in his absence, and while he was in as a matter of fact. We had no business losing to CIN. We had no business throwing 42 pass attempts with Wallace and Tolzien v. PHI. Pre snap penalties, players not ready, predictable schemes as we've seen, etc.

I expect more. Call me spoiled, but I don't agree. Strike while the Aaron's HOT! Be prepared, always. Show up with your best, nothing less.

Originally Posted by: play2win

Both of you hit the nail on the head. Actually Dodd's post is one of the best I have seen in a long time. There is no guarantee that we will see another elite QB in our lifetime playing for this team. I see no harm in wanting them to be in competition for the Lombardi every year - especially with the play makers we currently have. Couldn't have been said better.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

10 years ago

#9

Division Championship = home playoff game and a chance to win Super Bowl.

Super Bowl victories are what we measure the Packers success by, not Division Championship's. Judging from the responses, I made a mistake in assuming we all were in agreement there.

Packers were 5 - 2 with Aaron Rodgers at the helm and they might get him and Randall Cobb back soon. Most of the defense has returned healthy and Sean Richardson is looking like the future starter.

This Packers team has a chance to make a special run, but guess what ... if they don't make the playoffs we will NEVER know. And the best chance for them to get into the playoffs is winning ... the ... DIVISION.

I appreciate division championships for one main reason. It gets you into the dance. So, yes, when I see a fan say a division championship means nothing, I feel they are spoiled because for me it comes off as if they feel the Packers have to be 10 - 2 on a roll with four games go to be in the playoffs and have a chance. If that's not happening, then just TANK it for a "higher draft pick". I say fuck that. Get the best QB in the game into the playoffs and lets see where the chips fall.

No one has won the Super Bowl in the regular season. No one.

2007 Patriots 16 - 0 LOST in Super Bowl.

2011 Giants 9 - 7 WIN Super Bowl. Why can't the Packers "limp" into a home playoff game, run the table? Because the last six weeks haven't gone well without the best player on the field?

Here's another fact to think about when saying I am the one missing the point. Aaron Rodgers will not last forever. We are massively fortunate to have Rodgers follow Favre. All the more reason I want the Packers IN the playoffs EVERY season because ... you just never know who will strike it hot and make a run. Winning the division gets you into the playoffs AND home game AND a chance.

play2win
Senior Member

10 years ago

#10

Division Championship = home playoff game and a chance to win Super Bowl.

Super Bowl victories are what we measure the Packers success by, not Division Championship's. Judging from the responses, I made a mistake in assuming we all were in agreement there.

Packers were 5 - 2 with Aaron Rodgers at the helm and they might get him and Randall Cobb back soon. Most of the defense has returned healthy and Sean Richardson is looking like the future starter.

This Packers team has a chance to make a special run, but guess what ... if they don't make the playoffs we will NEVER know. And the best chance for them to get into the playoffs is winning ... the ... DIVISION.

I appreciate division championships for one main reason. It gets you into the dance. So, yes, when I see a fan say a division championship means nothing, I feel they are spoiled because for me it comes off as if they feel the Packers have to be 10 - 2 on a roll with four games go to be in the playoffs and have a chance. If that's not happening, then just TANK it for a "higher draft pick". I say fuck that. Get the best QB in the game into the playoffs and lets see where the chips fall.

No one has won the Super Bowl in the regular season. No one.

2007 Patriots 16 - 0 LOST in Super Bowl.

2011 Giants 9 - 7 WIN Super Bowl. Why can't the Packers "limp" into a home playoff game, run the table? Because the last six weeks haven't gone well without the best player on the field?

Here's another fact to think about when saying I am the one missing the point. Aaron Rodgers will not last forever. We are massively fortunate to have Rodgers follow Favre. All the more reason I want the Packers IN the playoffs EVERY season because ... you just never know who will strike it hot and make a run. Winning the division gets you into the playoffs AND home game AND a chance.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

Yeah, I get it. We really want the same thing. Of course I want them to win the division. I'm wanting that every season, but wanting more than that, like you said, Super Bowl victories. Every season, that is our ultimate goal.

I'm not saying you are missing the point. Just that, if I'm "spoiled" because I am a Packers fan, and a Rodgers fan, and I've come to realize how special this is that we have him and other great players on this team, and I want them to be in real, serious contention every year, well, I don't understand that. No, I won't be happy if we take the division and lose in the playoffs, especially if we were to get blown out. And, we just got blown out a week ago. Had our asses handed to us.

I expect our personnel staff to provide us with the players to get the job done, and our coaches to prepare players and call games that will get the job done, and I expect our players to perform at their best to get the job done. We beat ATL, now let's see if we can take it to DAL…

I agree with you, if this team comes around, if Rodgers comes back this Sunday and is able to perform at a high level, and if we do win the division, I wouldn't count us out either. Just hoping for the best.

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