Home · Sports · Oct 5 archive
LaFleur Threatens Bench Players Over Fumbles
Confirmed
In Short: Packers head coach Matt LaFleur warned Sunday that he's willing to bench players if the offense doesn't improve its handling of the football.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur warned Sunday that he's willing to bench players if the offense doesn't improve its handling of the football.
The Packers have struggled with fumbles this season, contributing to a 2-2 start.
LaFleur emphasized the importance of discipline, noting that the team also leads the league in drops and penalties.
"So, if guys don't start holding onto the ball, they're gonna be sitting on the bench," LaFleur reiterated.
The Packers' fumbling issues were evident in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings and their narrow victory over the New York Jets.
In Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, the Packers lost linebacker Edgerrin Cooper to an Achilles injury, adding to their injury woes.
"That’s just not to our standard and we have to find ways when we’re in the red area to convert. We can’t be turning the ball over. We can’t have penalties," LaFleur said.
The team's running back situation has been a particular concern, with LaFleur's comments possibly targeting players like Devonta Freeman and A.J. Johnson.
"If not for the error, the Packers could have put the game away with a touchdown," LaFleur noted.
The Packers need to address these issues to make a deep postseason run.
"We can’t be turning the ball over. We can’t have penalties. That is a stingy defense. You have to give them a lot of credit. … But we also have to clean up a lot of stuff. It’s gotta get fixed and it’s gotta get fixed now," LaFleur concluded.
What's confirmed
- "I think a great teacher is the bench," LaFleur told reporters after a 17-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- "So, if guys don't start holding onto the ball, they're gonna be sitting on the bench."
What's still developing
- It sounds like LaFleur could be making some changes to the depth chart soon if the issue doesn't improve.
- “There were some positive things but we’re never going to be satisfied with scoring 17 points in a game,” LaFleur said.
- Green Bay kept giving Tampa Bay opportunities to extend the game, but in the end the Packers (2-2) defeated the Buccaneers (0-4), 17-14.
- With Cooper likely out significant time, the Packers must move forward without him while already dealing with other injuries.
- Granted, the Packers didn’t call another running play after the gaffe.
- With his comment about benching running backs who fumble, LaFleur could have been referring to Johnson or Lloyd or both.
- Johnson is getting regularly playing time with the Packers.
- Johnson averaged 5.3 yards per carry while leading the Packers with 42 rushing yards.
- That’s what Packers head coach Matt LaFleur strongly inferred during his postgame press conference Sunday after Green Bay defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14.
- The Packers could really use a boost from their backfield, which is why they were interested in Johnson after the preseason.
- Green Bay didn’t give up much to acquire Johnson from the Steelers, but his acquisition spoke to the desperation the Packers had at running back without Josh Jacobs.