HOW FARES THE SUCCESSION?

It's almost time for professional football, and we'll see if the Packers' quarterback drama is over for now.  "Best case scenario, the new quarterback continues to develop, the young receivers gain experience, and the transition to another quality quarterback occurs."  Milwaukee radio producer Brandon Sneide, doing his sports thing before probably being drafted in to cover the candidates' debate, suggests that the transition is promising.

There is no doubt – Jordan Love has won over the Packers fan base. #10 jerseys filled Lambeau under the bright lights over the past weekend, and his performance in his first home game as the starter shined even brighter.

Love & Co. began the game shaky – a botched snap led to a Patriots early score, but unlike years past, when the hits came, this time, the Packers responded.

It’s an early sign of the times ahead. Love isn’t backing down, nor has he ever. He is poised under scrutiny. He is in command of the huddle and a leader both on and off the field.

Without question, he looks to be built for this moment – a moment he has been waiting three years in the making for.

I'm reserving judgement until I see a few snaps played for real stakes.  "Is the current high draft pick in Green Bay another Aaron Rodgers, or Don Horn?"

Recall also how last season ended.  "The Green Bay Packers had a chance of making the playoffs, but two loss-of-composure penalties on defensive players in scoring situations helped the Lions put up points, and two ill-timed turnovers, the final an interception airmailed by Aaron Rodgers at the end of the game, put an end to those hopes."  That was the way the season went, much of the year, with the defense failing to stop anybody.

Since then: go to London, give up a second half lead and lose to the Giants; return home and underwhelm the Jets; go to Washington, D.C., give up a second half lead and lose to the Redskins Commanders; go to Buffalo, which no doubt the schedulers anticipated was going to be a highlight game between contenders, stage a second half rally and cover the point spread; then go to Detroit and score all of nine points against a Lion defense that had been giving up thirty.

Mr Sneide notes that the onus might be on the defensive coordinator this season.

Jordan Love undoubtedly needs to prove to GM Brian Gutekunst & Co. that he can play. I think most fans would agree with that, but this is not a one-year test for Love or the offense.

However, it is for defensive coordinator Joe Barry and the defense. Typically an offense takes more time to get into a rhythm and develop a good rapport, whereas a defense is much easier to find their groove.

The excuses, barring any catastrophic injuries, are out the window.

At every level, from the beef up front to the signal callers in the middle, to the cornerbacks on the back end, this defense has an all-pro player at every vital position. It is also a defense littered with first-round pick after first-round pick – including eight since 2016.

This is a team that, let’s be honest, easily should have a top-ten unit on defense. The talent is there. The investment has been made. It’s time to start seeing all of it pay off.

Perhaps for the first time since Matt LaFleur rose to head the House of Lambeau, he will have his own personnel and game plans in place on both sides of the ball.  The Packers have surely dealt a lot of their veteran talent to Aaron and the Jets.