A Defense/Analysis of Mike Sherman

[Young Card]

The first year under Sherman the Packers had a 9-7 record and failed to make the playoffs all told they won one more game than the previous year. That is a small improvement but improvement all the same. In Sherman’s second year they had a 12-4 record and made the playoffs winning the wild card game against the 49’ers before losing to the Rams in the divisional round. This was a great season and I would say the Packers at least met if not exceeded expectations. The following year they, again, went 12-4 but were upset in the wildcard by the Falcons. I would say that they met expectations but would concede that you could be disappointed with the performance in the playoffs. In Sherman’s fourth year the Packers went 10-6. In the playoffs they defeated the Seahawks in the wildcard before losing to the Eagles in the divisional game on the “4 and 26” play. This was a good season though there is no excuse for “4 and 26”. The next season was another 10-6 season and a disappointing wildcard loss to the Vikings. And in his final season they went 4-12 and Sherman was fired. So what went wrong the final season? Was it Sherman’s fault? Well, Marco River and Mike Wahle their starting guards were lost in free agency when Ted Thompson chose not to resign them. The Packers had no real replacements for them and the running and passing game both suffered. Javon Walker their star WR was lost to injury for the entire season during the first game. The 3rd WR Robert Furguson also went down. At RB Ahman Green was lost and his backups were as well. The offense had no one aside from Favre who started chucking picks every other play. Not only that but on defense they let Darren Sharper go (another pro-bowl player). Sherman accomplished a lot on most of his seasons. He did poorly in the post season but would we be complaining about Marty Schottenheimer as our next HC? Furthermore, Sherman really only inherited Favre who can be a detriment as much as an asset. I would say that he developed the O-Line and other key parts that gave the Packers such a high powered offense. Bottom line is Mike Sherman would be an excellent, maybe not the best, choice as our next HC.

 

[General Chaos]

The first year under Sherman the Packers had a 9-7 record and failed to make the playoffs all told they won one more game than the previous year. That is a small improvement but improvement all the same. In Sherman’s second year they had a 12-4 record and made the playoffs winning the wild card game against the 49’ers before losing to the Rams in the divisional round. This was a great season and I would say the Packers at least met if not exceeded expectations. The following year they, again, went 12-4 but were upset in the wildcard by the Falcons. I would say that they met expectations but would concede that you could be disappointed with the performance in the playoffs. In Sherman’s fourth year the Packers went 10-6. In the playoffs they defeated the Seahawks in the wildcard before losing to the Eagles in the divisional game on the “4 and 26” play. This was a good season though there is no excuse for “4 and 26”. The next season was another 10-6 season and a disappointing wildcard loss to the Vikings. And in his final season they went 4-12 and Sherman was fired. So what went wrong the final season? Was it Sherman’s fault? Well, Marco River and Mike Wahle their starting guards were lost in free agency when Ted Thompson chose not to resign them. The Packers had no real replacements for them and the running and passing game both suffered. Javon Walker their star WR was lost to injury for the entire season during the first game. The 3rd WR Robert Furguson also went down. At RB Ahman Green was lost and his backups were as well. The offense had no one aside from Favre who started chucking picks every other play. Not only that but on defense they let Darren Sharper go (another pro-bowl player). Sherman accomplished a lot on most of his seasons. He did poorly in the post season but would we be complaining about Marty Schottenheimer as our next HC? Furthermore, Sherman really only inherited Favre who can be a detriment as much as an asset. I would say that he developed the O-Line and other key parts that gave the Packers such a high powered offense. Bottom line is Mike Sherman would be an excellent, maybe not the best, choice as our next HC.

Thats a good summary, I agree that he would be a vast improvment from Denny Green. I also like that he has personnel experience so we don't have to fully rely on Graves.

 

[Scott MS]

Good information.

 

[football karma]

Thats a good summary, I agree that he would be a vast improvment from Denny Green. I also like that he has personnel experience so we don't have to fully rely on Graves.

I agree only under the condition that Sherman learned something from his first foray into personnel

 

[Mulli]

All this talk about Mike Sherman is so bizarre. Who ever would have thought it would come to this. Whether you like him or not, who ever expected the Sherman inquisitions?

 

[General Chaos]

I am pretty sure he is a players coach too. I remember stories of him taking the whole team bowling during training camp. And we all remember him going after Warren Sapp to back up his injured player. Denny Green had his favorites and I think this caused a rift at times.

 

[PrescottLooie]

Does anyone know anything about his player evalaution skills ? Who did the Packers draft during his time as GM ?

 

[kerouac9]

Sherman is a horrible personnel guy. Horrible drafts, bad free agencies.

I think the thing with Sherman is similar to the knocks on guys like Dungy, Dennis Green, Mary Schottenheimer, and a bunch of other guys. He beat up on crappy teams during the regular season, and then the playoffs come along, when coaching ability is at a premium because the talent levels are much better, and they get blown out and/or embarassed and disappear.

I'm sure that Sherman is a prepared guy and generally has his guys ready to play on Sundays, but he made bad personnel decisions when he was GM, left the Packers' cap in a shambles, and was routinely blown out in the playoffs when not coaching aginst the Steve Mariuccis of the NFL.

 

[SeattleCard]

Sherman is a horrible personnel guy. Horrible drafts, bad free agencies.

I think the thing with Sherman is similar to the knocks on guys like Dungy, Dennis Green, Mary Schottenheimer, and a bunch of other guys. He beat up on crappy teams during the regular season, and then the playoffs come along, when coaching ability is at a premium because the talent levels are much better, and they get blown out and/or embarassed and disappear.

I'm sure that Sherman is a prepared guy and generally has his guys ready to play on Sundays, but he made bad personnel decisions when he was GM, left the Packers' cap in a shambles, and was routinely blown out in the playoffs when not coaching aginst the Steve Mariuccis of the NFL.

At this point, I'll take beating up on teams in the regular season and then losing in the playoffs, if it means MAKING THE PLAYOFFS and being above .500

 

[General Chaos]

Sherman is a horrible personnel guy. Horrible drafts, bad free agencies.

I think the thing with Sherman is similar to the knocks on guys like Dungy, Dennis Green, Mary Schottenheimer, and a bunch of other guys. He beat up on crappy teams during the regular season, and then the playoffs come along, when coaching ability is at a premium because the talent levels are much better, and they get blown out and/or embarassed and disappear.

I'm sure that Sherman is a prepared guy and generally has his guys ready to play on Sundays, but he made bad personnel decisions when he was GM, left the Packers' cap in a shambles, and was routinely blown out in the playoffs when not coaching aginst the Steve Mariuccis of the NFL.

Every personnel guy makes bad choices no matter who they are. The immortal Denny Green picked Dimitrius Underwood, JJ Arrington, Elton Brown, and others that didnt pan out.

 

[D-Dogg]

At this point, I'll take beating up on teams in the regular season and then losing in the playoffs, if it means MAKING THE PLAYOFFS and being above .500

Said the same thing about Denny.

Sherman looks like Denny 2.0

 

[Mulli]

Every personnel guy makes bad choices no matter who they are. The immortal Denny Green picked Dimitrius Underwood, JJ Arrington, Elton Brown, and others that didnt pan out.

Belichek's drafts in cleveland weren't very good

 

[SeattleCard]

Said the same thing about Denny.

Sherman looks like Denny 2.0

He might be... but one can only hope for different results this time around.

 

[kerouac9]

A Brief List of Mike Sherman's Crimes Against the Green Bay Packers:

1. Singlehandedly dismantling the home-field advantage of Lambeau Field. One of the reasons for all those 12-4, 10-6 seasons was that the Packers could depend on going 8-0 or 7-1 at home. After Sherman--especially after they were dismantled by a non-passer in the playoffs when Michael Vick and the Dirty Birds came to town--they were just another team at Lambeau Field.

2. Steve Warren, Bhwaoh Jue, Torrance Marsharll, Robert Ferguson, Jamal Reynolds, Marques Anderson, Kenny Peterson, and Donnell Washington. Who are these guys you've never heard of? First day draft picks of one Mike Sherman. Jamal Reynolds was the 10th overall pick of the 2001 draft and had something like 3 career sacks. Oh, and I think he released Hunter Hillenmeyer without playing a down in the NFL. That guy now starts at Strongside Linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Very savvy personnel evaluation.

3. Getting outcoached in the playoffs season after season. Yes, he outcoached Steve Mariucci once and slipped by Mike Holmgren once (this was the immortal "We want the ball and we're gonna score!" game), but coaching has gotten better, not worse, since Sherman last roamed the sidelines.

But other than ruining the ressurrection of the finest and proudest franchise in the NFL, I gues he did a solid job in Green Bay.

 

[JeffGollin]

All this talk about Mike Sherman is so bizarre. Who ever would have thought it would come to this. Whether you like him or not, who ever expected the Sherman inquisitions?

Nobody expects the Sherman Inquisition.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

I think he was a solid HC, but what scares me are his drafts... Somebody posted his drafts in another thread and that made me cringe...

 

[Pariah]

Nobody expects the Sherman Inquisition.

For his chief weapon is mediocrity and blandness.

No wait, his TWO chief weapons are mediocrity, blandness and the ability to create overall apathy among the fanbase.

Wait, can I start over?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

So my question is if the players were involved in this interviewing process - what is their input on hiring Sherman?

Personally I think we just alienated the most important player on the team (Leinart)

 

[Russ Smith]

I think he was a solid HC, but what scares me are his drafts... Somebody posted his drafts in another thread and that made me cringe...

He won't be running the drafts though, Rod Graves told us he will.

 

[D-Dogg]

He won't be running the drafts though, Rod Graves told us he will.

Graves also is in charge of the hiring and football operations, but if reports are true and he wants Rivera and we hire Sherman, that is incorrect.

 

[Russ Smith]

Some comments from former Packer LeRoy Butler on Sherman.

"Holmgren wasn't a big finer but (Sherman) is. Sherman seems to give you more chances, and that makes a player feel good. If I'm going to a meeting every day I'm going to be late one time. At least. Work with me. Sherman knows human nature. He treats us like his kids."

Sherman, according to Butler, is better organized than Holmgren - "Oh, my God, he's probably too organized" - and has some Knute Rockne in him, too.

"After you get through listening to Sherman you want to go kill somebody," Butler said. "He's always coming up with something (new).


And a comment on work ethic from a Packer front office guy:


The superior sense of humor belongs to Sherman.

"This guy's funny," Butler said. "He's always raking on somebody. One game we lost this year and he said something (afterward) that we died laughing. At the 9 o'clock morning meeting you don't know who he's going to pick on. He can just break up the monotony of it.

"Holmgren would laugh if there was a joke but he wouldn't go out of his way to joke. More of a business man. Sherman is looking for the smile."

Harlan describes Sherman as a "warm, down to earth" individual and thinks players find him more approachable than Holmgren.

Holmgren still believes strongly in a tightly structured day for his coaches that ends earlier than in most NFL cities, according to Haskell. Holmgren feared that too many hours would become counter-productive.

By contrast, Sherman almost never stops grinding.

"His work ethic is just totally unbelievable," Harlan said. "That's why I want to make sure he always has enough help. He can't push himself to the limit forever, and that concerns me.

 

[Totally_Red]

Mike Sherman

I remember watching one Packer game where one of the safeties commited a totally inexcusable personal foul, hitting a wide receiver like five yards out of bounds. Then the player went off on the ref. Sherman pulled him, and chewed him out on the sidelines. THe guy was marginal at best, and shortly there after, Sherman cut him.

He's definitely got a little of Jimmy Johnson in him in that respect. He expects effort. I suspect that's why he likes the Cardinals opportunity, because he sees guys like Anquan, Adrian, and Chike Okeafor busting their tale and he likes and respects that.

 

[kerouac9]

Anyone who was forced to watch Packer games by FOX and CBS ought to understand why someone wouldn't be upset with a Mike Sherman hire. Packer fans are pretty philosophical and are understanding about a team rebuilding, but none of them were sorry to see Mike Sherman go. That ought to tell you something.

 

[az1965]

The first year under Sherman the Packers had a 9-7 record and failed to make the playoffs all told they won one more game than the previous year. That is a small improvement but improvement all the same. In Sherman’s second year they had a 12-4 record and made the playoffs winning the wild card game against the 49’ers before losing to the Rams in the divisional round. This was a great season and I would say the Packers at least met if not exceeded expectations. The following year they, again, went 12-4 but were upset in the wildcard by the Falcons. I would say that they met expectations but would concede that you could be disappointed with the performance in the playoffs. In Sherman’s fourth year the Packers went 10-6. In the playoffs they defeated the Seahawks in the wildcard before losing to the Eagles in the divisional game on the “4 and 26” play. This was a good season though there is no excuse for “4 and 26”. The next season was another 10-6 season and a disappointing wildcard loss to the Vikings. And in his final season they went 4-12 and Sherman was fired. So what went wrong the final season? Was it Sherman’s fault? Well, Marco River and Mike Wahle their starting guards were lost in free agency when Ted Thompson chose not to resign them. The Packers had no real replacements for them and the running and passing game both suffered. Javon Walker their star WR was lost to injury for the entire season during the first game. The 3rd WR Robert Furguson also went down. At RB Ahman Green was lost and his backups were as well. The offense had no one aside from Favre who started chucking picks every other play. Not only that but on defense they let Darren Sharper go (another pro-bowl player). Sherman accomplished a lot on most of his seasons. He did poorly in the post season but would we be complaining about Marty Schottenheimer as our next HC? Furthermore, Sherman really only inherited Favre who can be a detriment as much as an asset. I would say that he developed the O-Line and other key parts that gave the Packers such a high powered offense. Bottom line is Mike Sherman would be an excellent, maybe not the best, choice as our next HC.

Thanks for the facts!!! I'd love if Cardinals can be consistent playoff team and not be joke of the NFL as a first goal and immediate goal.

Going deep into playoffs should be 2nd and intermediate goal.

Winning it all should be the ultimate goal.

 

[kerouac9]

Thanks for the facts!!! I'd love if Cardinals can be consistent playoff team and not be joke of the NFL as a first goal and immediate goal.

Going deep into playoffs should be 2nd and intermediate goal.

Winning it all should be the ultimate goal.

Truer words were never said... when we hired Dennis Green. Ugh.