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Friday Cheese Curds: Matt LaFleur mixed past and present to reinvigorate the Packers

The rookie head coach wasted no time in putting his own stamp on the NFL’s most storied franchise

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Divisional Round - Seattle Seahawks v Green Bay Packers Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

When Matt LaFleur was hired as the Green Bay Packers’ head coach just over a a year ago, the common line in the national media was that he was brought in to reinvent the offense and make Aaron Rodgers an MVP again.

In reality, he was brought in to revive an entire franchise.

By all accounts, LaFleur succeeded far beyond anyone’s expectations except maybe former Packers receiver and current NFL Network analyst James Jones.

He made physical changes to places like meeting rooms including big changes like adding photos of current players next to the team’s legends of the past to smaller ones like adding a basketball hoop.

He even played a role in changing the gameday atmosphere at Lambeau Field by adding the flickering lights whenever the Packers scored a touchdown among other things. He upped the music volume at practice and even utilized an app to allow players to make music requests.

LaFleur also held himself accountable first in front of players before turning to them, letting the team know he was still in charge but he was with them in the battle that is an NFL season.

In other words, LaFleur modernized a franchise that perhaps clung a little too much to the past.

To paraphrase something LaFleur said when he was hired, the Packers will always cherish their history but he and his players are there to make their own.

If 2019 is any indication, he’s going to make his own mark sooner than later.

Now for today’s curds.

Building a brotherhood: How Matt LaFleur’s Packers changed their culture—PackersNews.com (subscription required)

All offseason the focus was on LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers. Not only was that overstated but people seemed to forget the other 52 players on the roster. Every single person bought in, including the quarterback. The culture created by LaFleur speaks well for the Packers’ future.

LeRoy Butler hopes call to ‘Hall’ is just a matter of time—Packers.com

LeRoy Butler was the odd man out with two other safeties making the 2020 class, but getting to the finalist stage for the first time is a good sign for him getting to Canton sooner than later.

Packers Positions of Need: Top 10 Offensive Tackles—PackerCentral

Even if the Packers bring back Bryan Bulaga, the team needs to look to the future sooner than later at right tackle. Here’s a good list of players Green Bay could be considering to be Bulaga’s heir.

Ahman Green loved Tecmo Bowl and Madden. Now he’s a college esports coach—USA Today

Former Packer Ahman Green will be leading a team in perhaps one of the fastest growing sports in America: e-sports. Kids, you don’t need to listen to your parents when they tell you to put down that controller.

Cape Town restaurant wins Guiness world milkshake record—Reuters

Guess you could say Gibson’s milkshake brings all the boys (and the girls) to the yard and damn right, it’s better than yours.