Green Bay Packers: Rasul Douglas strongly challenges coaches’ patience with young 2023 offense   

Green Bay Packers: Rasul Douglas strongly challenges coaches’ patience with young 2023 offense

Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) celebrates the restoration of his teeth during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Even before the start of the 2023 NFL season, the coaches of the Green Bay Packers preached to the media and fans to be patient with their team. While they expect to win a lot of games, they also realize they have a lot of young players with little to no NFL experience. This is especially true in an offense where the entire wide receiver space is made up of first- and second-year players. The lack of experience has been painfully obvious over the past three games. Rookies Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims failed to stop Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl tight end Maxx Crosby multiple times during their Week 5 loss. Musgrave also ran the wrong route, angering head coach Matt LaFleur.

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The young wide receivers, most of whom haven’t played a full NFL season, also made multiple mistakes each week. And of course, starting quarterback Jordan Love is still learning in his first year under Center. Packers news

 

Through all the fluff, LaFleur and the coaches continued to preach patience, but cornerback Rasul Douglas is tired of patience. He says it’s time to grow up.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas wants the offense to grow quickly

Green Bay Packers cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Jarie Alexander

31 July 2023; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) and cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) during the Green Bay Packers 2023 training camp on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis. Mandatory Credit: William Glasheen-USA TODAY Sports

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Several Packers players spoke to the media after Thursday’s practice. During that session, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander told reporters that he believes the defense will have to replace the offense because of their youth. Douglas disagreed. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Douglas said:

 

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“No. Because they’re not young. And if they are, they’ve got to grow up. There’s no such thing as young. Have you had five games?” That’s enough.”

 

Douglas later said:

 

“I don’t really care what they do offensively. I don’t even get into that… We’re trying to be the best defense, so I just focus on that part, not the offense, and knowing when they’re going to do things and how they do it, then we’ll be great.”

 

Part of Douglas’ frustration is that it’s been almost a month since the Packers last beat them. Their Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints took place on September 24.

The Green Bay Packers offense may need to grow up, but so does Matt LaFleur

December 4, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

December 4, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory credit:

Listen: Head coach Matt LaFleur is by no means on the hot seat this season. He will also likely catch a pass if the Packers continue to struggle next season. That’s what happens when you win 39 games in three years.

But the reality is that many of the struggles on offense are due to LaFleur not being able to succeed with his young players. Simply put, there is something wrong with his game design. Jordan Love and the offense have the best second half stats in the NFL. While box score watchers might say it’s because they’re constantly playing from behind, those who actually watch the game will see that LaFleur’s calls are more intentional and lead to weaknesses in opposing defenders’ offense.

The question is, why does he need to spot the opposing team in the lead before figuring out how best to attack them? Isn’t that what film studies are for?

He also needs to start using his players’ strengths more. It’s painfully obvious that Love lacks the ability to throw a consistent, accurate deep ball. So why call so many of them?

Love and offense flow so well when they run short passes and runs and send Love out of the pocket to play the run.

Hopefully, the Bye Week gave LaFleur a chance to reevaluate his game plan, because if he gets stuck in his ways, it could be a very long year.