matt lafleur politics

You dont always see the superstars do that, LaFleur says. And so the toxins in the relationship between Rodgers and the Packers began to pass. For LaFleur, establishing himself as a first-time head coach in 2019 was one thing. LaFleur's first two teams finished 26 th and 29 th in special teams rankings, so he fired coordinator Shawn Mennenga after the 2020 campaign. He replaced Mike Sherman, who departed for Texas A&M and took with him a Texans quality control coach, which created an opening on staff. History suggests they wont add any in the first round of next weeks NFL draft. And, of course, how often each would pound the table for a particular concept. Pete Carroll uses them. On the postgame stage, LaFleur steps in front of the targeted and invites fire. 12 pick in 2019. who played one special teams snap and no offensive snaps as a rookie, was suspended the last six games of the season. He ran a basic pro-style offense there that was successful, if not wildly creative. And the onus will be on coaches to figure out how to help these players find success. I like practical coaching that makes sense and honest, direct conversation. The most recent tight end the Packers picked in the first round was Miamis Bubba Franks, who went 14th overall in 2000. Trust from the locker room will be crucial as he tries to fill the crater in his offense left by the trade of Adams, whose desire was to play for the Raiders. It's the latest. Im sure hes not gonna sit there saying, When I was with the Omaha Beef in 2003, I hit my fifth step like this but theres something to be said for a guy who understands the position, Ragsdale said of LaFleur. LaFleur has not indicated, at any point, that he wants acknowledgment for what the Packers have achieved with him at the helm. Four years ago, LaFleur was hired to get Aaron Rodgers back to an elite level after a sharp decline in production. The Packers took Christian Watson in the second round and Romeo Doubs in the fourth last year, who is expected to get traded to the New York Jets. Without it, nothing. Best coach in the league, the man says to me. LaFleur has the same job: Make Rodgerss tape look better than it used to be, an increasingly high bar. McDaniel explained that in 2009, the Texans let him go after he overslept for a handful of meetings. You can tell Aaron respects Matt because theres some stuff Ive never seen him do, and the offense is different from when Matt started.. Rodgers was messing around with me quite a bit, LaFleur says. So whether you were vaxed or unvaxed, it doesnt shield you from it. Arguably one of the best receivers of all time, especially when it comes to route running, Packers receiver Allen Lazard said of Adams. He is, and I mean this with all sincerity, out of all the people that Ive known in life, in this profession or not, the most trustworthy human being Ive ever met, McDaniel said. I have 100 percent trust with him. Different late-season rest regiment, play-calling, practice tweaks, anything? Now, the two former quarterbacks are reuniting in. Thats not just because he has to problem-solve an offense without one of the best receivers in football, but because he is entering Year 4 with one of the best quarterbacks of all time and they have yet to make a Super Bowl appearance. One look at the Green Bay Packers depth chart shows they must find additional playmakers for Jordan Love as he prepares to take over at quarterback. Playbook alterations were coming anyway. A lot of people would be like yes, sirand he was very very respectful, but he would ask why, McDaniel said. McVays viewpoint on playoff mentality is simple: The best team doesnt always win. When LaFleur was in Los Angeles for the NFL Honors, he met Clements, who lives in the area. He will do something even if its worse for him. They had lunch al fresco and talked about how Clements could help the Packers. Could you imagine if we could ever find a guy like that? He is so good, in fact, that LaFleur fights the urge to let him pass on every play. He really didnt like the feeling of not knowing everything, so he made it his job to know everything., McDaniel immediately noticed that LaFleur was a quarterback specialist who was obsessed with learning run blocking and line play. But they worked on it. 1: Team first. Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media on Sunday about the mindset of the team after the 15-9 road loss to the Detroit Lions. Stenavich, the Packers offensive coordinator, said, I think a lot of people kind of get thrown off, because hes very direct. He watched Ryan Tannehill throw it as well as anyone in the league. Youre exactly right., So, its a dance of, how do we show up for each other? He had no problem running on two hours of sleep. Glenn Erby. LaFleur came up with his own version. "I don't really anticipate a whole . LaFleur remembers sitting in Washington and seeing the natural throwing motion and athleticism of Rodgers and realizing that theres nothing he cant do. We got to see that early on from Matty.. LaFleur's not going to scream or lecture and he's not so self-absorbed to take his eye off the road. Clements is another spoke in the Packers wheel. If I see any other quarterback do something, I say, We can do that. I just tell our staff, the only thing that limits us is our own imagination.. Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers #12 meet in the fourth quarter against the Washington Football Team in the game at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay . At the time, he had been in a firestorm because he was unvaccinated but previously told the media he was immunized after undergoing a treatment to heighten his immunity. Matt LaFleur will coach one more game this season. Adams is an impossible player to replace, someone capable of lining up in the slot or out wide, and catching passes all over the fieldlast season he had double-digit receptions behind the line of scrimmage, within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, 10-19 yards deep, and then 20-plus yards deep; and according to Pro Football Focus, over the past two seasons, when Adams was in single coverage, passes to him registered a 129.6 passer rating. In the team's virtual meetings, there were far more. LaFleur claims he is the only one who touches his eyebrows. 0 Comments. One of the best things you can say about Matt is that the guys hes worked with usually play their best ball when hes with them, McVay said. Initially, there was some negotiation about how much freedom Rodgers would be given to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Whatever is going to help them be their best, thats what we want. The Packers never got the ball back and lost the game. It wasnt until probably about the last year that [Matt] was having somebody cut his own hair other than himself, McVay said. Those in the building remain impressed with LaFleurs ability to never let anything affect the locker room, no matter the media firestorm. There is something to accepting responsibility, and I think there is a trickle-down effect. While playing in Kalamazoo, LaFleur was the backup to Tim Lester, who would eventually become Western Michigan's head coach from 2017 to 2022. And if they questioned something, he often responded with a reconsideration. That meant many conversations with Rodgers, and many more with Murphy, Gutekunst and Ball, trying to move both sides closer to middle ground. A good relationshipone where each person erases the others mistakes and both make each other bettercan win you a Super Bowl. As head coach Matt LaFleur explained over the weekend, everyone knew what the situation was with Rodgers likely heading to New York. There was also 10-Yard Fight, an obscure video game LaFleur loved as a kid, Tecmo Bowl, and, according to his brother, a lot of EA Sports NCAA Football. Its why he was a Packer in 2021. Hed put on a ludicrous amount of layers before winter games and he kept talking about the cold while addressing the team late in the season. As we walk through the tunnels of Lambeau Field, he explains that, like everyone, he cares what people think of him, but he tries hard to only value the opinion of his family, coaches, and players. I Want To Believe: . And then being able to continually sell Aaron on the things that have been helpful to him playing at as high a level as anybody, arguably, in the history of the game over the last few years., Mike McDaniel, a former LaFleur colleague and now the Dolphins head coach, said a lot of football coaches copy-paste at whatever stop they make, but said LaFleur definitely did not do that. In two of those seasons, Rodgers won the league MVP awardbut LaFleur has never been within 20 votes of Coach of the Year. Stay up to date with our daily newsletter, Aaron Rodgers Hints At Finishing Out Contract With New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens Earn Strong Grades For 2023 Draft Picks, 2023 FIBA World Cup Excitement Hits Fever Pitch In Philippines, 'Special' Jaiswal: From Homeless To IPL Hero, Thousands Protest French Government's Immigration Plans, Wars, Religion And Football: Five Faces Of Erdogan, Qatar Spends Big To Beat Post-World Cup Blues, The Green Bay Packers have finally dealt Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, His departure has firmly entrenched Jordan Love as the Packers star quarterback, Head coach Matt LaFleur is all in on his new lead guy. He was supportive from the start.. We have a lot of conversations during the weekthats why I never want to miss a meeting. That shit doesnt bother me, LaFleur said. The Eagles entered the draft with six selections, including the tenth and 30th overall pick and a second and third-rounder. On March 5, the world was still awaiting confirmation that the NFLs reigning most valuable player planned to return to Green Bay. First-year coach Matt LaFleur has a chance to lead the Green Bay Packers to an NFC championship and a trip to Super Bowl 54 against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Already, LaFleur has more 13-win seasons in three years than Mike Holmgren had in 17. Rodgers' move to the New York Jets had finally come through after weeks of negotiations with both franchises dealing away a significant amount of picks moving around and it only further solidified how much trust the organization has in him. Rodgers remembers first being wowed by the McVay offense, and the stress it put on defenses, in 2018 when the Rams played the Vikings on a Thursday night. But the Packers never used a first-round pick on a wide receiver or tight end throughout four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers 18 seasons in Green Bay. When LaFleur was a kid, family members called him Matty. Three of his childhood friends still call him that. In 2013, he received the Bill Nunn Award from the Pro Football Writers of America for long and distinguished reporting. The Green Bay Packers have begun the process of moving on from the Aaron Rodgers era. Tight end is an even greater need. Ultimately, we were there to support David and Frankie, and I didnt want to take away from that experience.. I thought my dad had the coolest job in the world when he was DBs coach at Central Michigan.. Whats so exciting about this league is when there is a situation like this, it seems to me guys will always step up and assume the role. LaFleur called off the practice. Players feed off their coaches. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur watch from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in . The only issue was Rodgers was in the middle of a cleanse. The offensive coordinator of that Texans team certainly knew a hell of a lot about football. His unit cost the Packers a deep playoff run. Then, Rodgers explains, LaFleur can make fun of the tempo plays Rodgers asked for, or correct him. Tight end is an even greater need. Be it right, wrong or indifferent, I look at it a little different from some people regarding the whole situation. He guesses that if he called him 20 minutes before a Packers game and hes got a problem, LaFleur might skip the pregame speech. He was cooking dal and kitchari. That was the furthest thing from his mind. As much as anything, its why Rodgers will be a Packer in 2022. Maybe (Lukas) Van Ness from Iowa winds up falling to 15. Youre not facing the defense, turned toward the running back on the fake for most of the play. Its going to be different guys at different times. When LaFleur worked for Dan Quinn on the Falcons in 2015 and 16, Quinn had three rules. Theres a play called strike in the Packers playbook. And until he started getting all that positive deal about what a hot coach he was, now hes finally letting somebody else cut his hair. LaFleur has confirmed this bombshell. In fact, its the best in NFL history. He wasnt grilling T-bones. That exchange of ideas, LaFleur said, is what hes after. Ty, five at the time, had a loose tooth. Thats kind of how my family rolls, LeFleur says. The last couple of years have been really, really seamless for us, Rodgers says. Im walking around a vast, carpeted locker room in Lambeau Field in early August trying to find out why, and generally succeeding: Players are explaining in detail his widely praised management style and describing his football mind, which blends the concepts hes loved for years with those embraced by his quarterback into the best playbook in the NFL. LaFleurs coaching staff has changed more than in any year since he was named head coach, with four additions and five promotions. He also learned how everything ties together: Sometimes, he said, youll trade in a 3-yard pass in order to set up an explosive pass. What are you just going to bang your head against the wall? "I think he definitely understands that he's the guy in charge. If there was a vacancy on his staff, LaFleur wanted to be prepared. Certainly we made our fair share of mistakes because they made plays and we didnt. And then last year against the 49ers in the divisional round: Obviously our defense balled out and we didnt play up to our standard offensively or on special teams., LaFleur said hes talked often with McVay about the playoffs. Even so, he does not feel a ton of pressure. McVay said he looks for a handful of things in an assistant: character, capacity to learn, communication skills, and knowledge of the game from an all-22 perspectivemeaning every position. And they take it like being attacked or something but hes just asking questions and being thorough. Stenavich said they recently changed the rules of a protection scheme not because LaFleur was angry, but because he just kept interrogating why they did it that way. What Lambeau, Lombardi, McCarthy and Holmgren have that LaFleur does not are championships. Some of the leaders didnt think it was in the teams best interests and told LaFleur a day off their feet would be more beneficial. For some strange reason, LaFleur promoted from . And hes a guy I have a special place in my heart for. I want him to hear why I like something or why he might not like something, because if hes not comfortable Im not going to call it., Matt Ryan, who LaFleur worked with as quarterbacks coach in Atlanta in 2015 and during Ryans MVP season in 2016, remembers how much translating went into learning the offense, how different the terminology was and how much trust it took. It was well-received, so LaFleur instituted a new policy that vets never have to stay at the team hotel on the night before home games. Now, heres the hard part: On March 18, the Packers traded away All-Pro receiver Davante Adams for a first- and second-round pick. Whether its real or not doesnt matter. The best coaches push you to do things that youre uncomfortable with, Ryan says. Teams are going to practice what theyve seen on tape, so take what theyve practiced and run the counter to it. He also gave embattled defensive coordinator Joe Barry a vote of confidence. And I get to say, Youre right. Aaron audibles a lot. The flip side of that is that LaFleur empowers his assistants and wants input, Stenavich said, and lets assistants address the room in ways other coaches might not. Im in Green Bay to find out why more people dont say that. Its a mindset. If that means staying in their own home, in their own bed, do that.. When the team hosted kids and their families from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the coach noticed Rodgers did more than provide autographs like he was signing checks to pay bills. "We're going to have to add some bodies to that room," coach Matt LaFleur said last month at the NFL's owners meetings. Its not about me, its about everybody else. I just have so much trust in these guys that they are doing the right thing, LaFleur says. Now, with the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday the Packers could use the 13th pick (the reported compensation by Adam Schefter for the Aaron Rodgers trade) on another edge rusher or, at the very least, figure to pick one during Day 2. Motion, fakes. Certainly, when we only score 10 points offensively, I put that all on myself.. And the team has playmakers in other offensive positions, like running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. I think the ball can bounce either wayI dont want this to come off sounding like an excuse, because it is what it is. It doesnt matter to your brain, doesnt matter to your body if you believe it, that becomes the reality. LaFleur was a former undersized midwestern quarterback and the son of a MAC coach. And LaFleur moved past the question almost impossibly quickly. And in Houston the following year, LaFleurs first task was to draw the run plays for legendary offensive line coach Alex Gibbs. His name was Kyle Shanahan, and hed been promoted from quarterbacks coach under Gary Kubiak. But right now, Aaron Rodgers needs me to understand something: that he trolls LaFleur constantly. But it was not a favorite of Aaron Rodgers at the start. I know a lots been speculated, Oh, theyre gonna lean more on the run game. Well, maybe. He has chilled to the point that he is comfortable dealing with failures. The Packers lack of pass-rushing depth was exposed last season after Gary tore the ACL in his right knee. And these days, you can watch the Packers practice on the street called Mike McCarthy Way. Try a week on us. "I've praised Mason up here a . The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. For others, they are growth experiences. video. The Rams won that game 35-30. He went on to coach in the minor league UFL for two seasons with the Sacramento Mountain Lions before Shanahan brought him back on staff in Washington in 2011, a year after LaFleur, Shanahan, and McVay were hired there. With more help at the tight end spot coming in the form of Tucker Kraft, an extra edge rusher in Colby Wooden and Virginia's Dontayvion Wicks for receiver depth, the Packers pretty much hit on all of their picksoutside of the Sean Clifford pick. And of course he is. From MACtion, I learned you better have a quarterback, he said. On ESPNs Jan. 3 Manningcast for Monday Night Football, Rodgers joked about his coachs eyebrows and hair and also pointed out his game-day attire has included Jordans, lululemon pants and a quarter-zip sweater. And he was still so spooked when he returned to Green Bay that he talked to offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich about it. If I can stand up and say I could have done things better, I think people are more receptive to accepting constructive criticism.. And when the Packers lost to the Chiefs 13-7 in November with Rodgers absent because of COVID-19 protocols, LaFleur took the blame again. Josiah Deguara, who had 13 catches for 114 yards last season, is the top tight end under contract. I think it's going to be a process, but one I know that he can handle," LaFleur went on to mention. 12 pick in 2019. This was in the wake of Rodgers positive test for COVID-19. On the day I was at practice, a reporter asked LaFleur whether he was worried about Rodgers being suspended for admitting to using ayahuasca on a podcast. It is a web of inside jokes and roasts that hasnt ended despite their respective rises up the ranks. This, I assure you, is part of the story. Congratulations, LaFleur. Serving as the officiant of the marriage for teammate David Bakhtiari and Frankie Shebby at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in Montecito, Calif., Rodgers undoubtedly was having thoughts beyond the everyday variety. He explained that he should not have expected Love to use the same tools to deal with blitzes that Rodgers could, given the difference in their experience levels. All Rights Reserved. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Someone else would be Maryland's wide receivers coach. In LaFleur's first three seasons, they had 13, 11 and 13 turnovers. Its like religion and politics. Thats artwork to me., His success, said Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who was on the 2017 Rams staff with LaFleur, it is so hard to do in this league. Others shared the sentiment. Between LaFleur and Rodgers, there is trust. And that says as much as you need to know.. He was really good, said Mike LaFleur, Matts brother and the offensive coordinator of the Jets. They have this really cool working relationship thats two competitors who can really find a common ground to get things done. The good news is that the offense is built for just that. I definitely spent my time on the sticks, he says. LaFleurs winning percentage of .796 is better than the winning percentages of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi. Holmgren is in the Packers Hall of Fame and soon could be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Matt is a big part of that puzzle of why to get up every morning, Lewis said. Tight end Marcedes Lewis said if he didnt have LaFleur as his coach, he might not be in the leagueand not necessarily because LaFleur uses his skill set perfectly (though he does, letting Lewis be a dominant blocker and catch passes off those blocks). But neither season ended the way they wanted. A relationship that falters, even for one series in one game, can alter the course of the franchise forever. The week after the Saturday Christmas Day game, the Packers had an extra practice scheduled. That would be a steal.. And he is so damn good at it, man. Only it was a ruse to get the two to shovel snow and park cars all night long. That move could lead to the exit of free agent Mason Crosby, who has a franchise-record 1,918 career points over 17 seasons. The West Coast offense, what he was used to, is very guy for a guy when it comes to protection. In their second season together, Rodgers won the third of his four NFL MVPs. What Rodgers didnt know was that LaFleur was listening to the broadcast while game-planning. Can we take some motion off to get some tempo practice? And he can say yes without being sensitive, Rodgers says. To win consistently the way he has is not appreciated enough., His quarterback, though, has a different take: Its because he just won the lottery, man. This means, he said, one of the few things you can control is giving players as much confidence and as much clarity going into the game as possible. But the Packers never got the ball back. The Packers played in Green Bay last Christmas Day. We live in this. This, a handful of Packers told me, is the backbone of the team. The group effort means personnel and schemes. Staying disciplined on that is a constant challenge for me, LaFleur said. The Packers also have one pick each in the second, third and fourth rounds, two picks in the fifth and four in the seventh. In LaFleurs first offseason, he saw something in Rodgers that made him take notice his big heart, in the words of LaFleur. After the Packers lost to the 49ers 13-10 in the divisional playoff round, LaFleur didnt speak with coded words about how Rodgers failed to capture the big moments or hint at his dissatisfaction with a special teams unit that gave up a blocked punt, a blocked field goal and had 10 men on the field for the 49ers field goal that won the game. Daily. Its so cool, he said, to see your entire friend group rise up in your profession with you. LaFleurs commitment to the Packers and Rodgers led to a spirit of cooperation from the quarterback. And theyre gonna make you throw the football? When team leaders Rodgers, Adams, Kenny Clark, Adrian Amos, Marcedes Lewis, DeVondre Campbell, Preston Smith and others had something to say, LaFleur stopped talking. LaFleur visited Rodgers in California a second time in 2021 before Rodgers acquiesced to playing for the Packers last season. But this only hardened LaFleurs resolve to not say anything. More than 48,000 people died by suicide in the US in 2021 . LaFleur's. Its important to really think about how we talk because our words are spells. The Packers drafted Auburn kicker Anders Carlson in the sixth round on Saturday. Matt never told me this, I didnt find it out until years later, McDaniel said. And why the Packers are 39-10 under LaFleur. (Larry Radloff / Icon Sportswire via Associated Press). Theres no question in my mind I could trust him with anything. First of all, he's earned the respect of his actionsthe way he worksfrom all his teammates, I would say. #10 Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers. I always felt like it was a belief that you could really lock in an advantage, Rodgers says now of that interaction. After GM Howie Roseman made seven trades, Philadelphia finished the weekend with seven picks and more 2024 ammo. I get hired by the Texans, Im 28 years old, our offensive coordinator was my age and I was thinking, This kid cant know that much more than me. And I was blown away. So hes like, Whatever, Im not gonna concern myself with the trivial nature of getting mad. He just wants to know the answer.. His departure has firmly entrenched Jordan Love as the Packers star quarterback Head coach Matt LaFleur is all in on his new lead guy The Green Bay Packers have begun the process of moving on. (Todd Rosenberg / Associated Press), Matt LaFleur willingly shields his players and assistant coaches from blame: As a leader, you have to own everything. (Jeffrey Phelps / Associated Press), Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers chat at the NFL Honors show on Feb. 10. Theres almost a rom-com-y feel to how Rodgers and LaFleur talk about following each others careers long before they joined up. Theirs has been the most scrutinized relationship in the NFL, and it has held up under the surgical lights. Mike Shanahan told me what was unusual about the group was not just how late they stayed, after arriving before 6 a.m. to work out, but also that they wanted to understand every single position. I want them to feel part of a team. And we're excited for him.". ), I still feel like theres still the opportunity for the same amount of yards and touchdowns. As a coach, you have to be careful of having too many rules because you can paint yourself into a corner. Join Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur and analyst Larry McCarren as they recap the regular season finale vs. the Detroit Lions. (Its not.) It eventually came out, giving Ty a story that he might tell his grandkids. While the Packers rarely draft receivers in the first round, theyve had great success finding them in the second including Greg Jennings (2006), Jordy Nelson (2008), Randall Cobb (2011), Davante Adams (2014) and Watson (2022). Copyright 2023 IBTimes LLC. Its not why we were there. Aaron is a great player, said Mark Murphy, the teams president and CEO. Also at the wedding was Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who had the opportunity at the reception to lead Rodgers to the bar, offer him something strong and straight up, and make a pitch for Rodgers to come home with him. Ill always wish him well.. He didnt know everything, and that really bothered him, McDaniel said. Is he trying to get under my skin to rile me up? I tried to play a poker face as best I could, but internally, my heart might have skipped a beat or two. LaFleur said the jokes came from multiple guests at the wedding. Obviously I would rather have him on my team than someone elses, but we know that in this industry, nothing is forever., Well, Ill be honest with you, LaFleur begins. "I don't think there's many things we're leaning on very well right now," LaFleur said after the loss to the Jets. You could trust him with your life or your family. He said that if he was going through something and had to call one person who he knows would drop everything, it would be LaFleur. Nobody wants any of these guys to be miserable when theyre coming to work. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers kiddingly said his toe issue, later revealed to be a fracture, was COVID toe. Though I . As a leader, you have to own everything, he explains. "It's hard to lead when you're not the guy, and he knows he's the guy now. With all the trust I have with everybody, I would like to think Ive chilled out a little bit, LaFleur says. He has a calmness to him, Murphy said. Take the emotion out of it, and be able to have an honest conversation without being triggered or sensitive by what was said.

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