Steve’s Blog: Not just a want, Matt LaFleur…

January 2019 marks two years in a row that the Green Bay Packers haven't made the NFL Playoffs. The last time they missed the postseason in two consecutive years was 2005 and 2006. We've been a relatively spoiled fan base when it comes to pro football.

Now It hasn't been a particularly cold or snowy winter in Wisconsin yet this year. I say yet since I've lived in Wisconsin for a long time and I know how this works. I see you Blizzard of 1947 and last year's mid-April snowmageddon in Green Bay.  

It just feels colder with no home team football to root for. I know there's the excitement of the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs, and cheering against the age-less Tom Brady's Patriots, but it's just not the same. 

When the Packers are in the Playoffs, time stops, fans stay glued to their sets -or their seats if they're lucky enough to be able to go to Lambeau-but watching other teams figure out if they're good enough to be there, isn't the same. I can watch these games halfheartedly, wandering in and out of my family room, not really paying attention, worrying more about a home DYI project, or what kind of sandwich I'm going to eat. 

We need to be engaged with football in Wisconsin in the winter. It's a physiological, mental and spiritual requirement for those of us in the northern climes. 

Which brings me to this week's news. There's a new sheriff in town. Wait, no, that's Earnell Lucas. No, we have a new head coach of the Green Bay Packers. 

Riding into town, fresh faced and eager for the gridiron battles to come, 39-year-old Matt LaFleur takes the mantle of the leader of Titletown, and if he's successful, maybe even the next guy to get a street named after him in Green Bay, or Ashwaubenon, or hell, even DePere would be nice. 

What should we expect? Well, more than one sports guy has told me…

Before I get to their collective wisdom, a quick momentary mid-blog break here-with our new partners down the hall at 94.5 ESPN, this place is thick with sports guys with big sports opinions. Now back to regular blog programming.

…NOBODY knows what the results are going to be in 2019 or beyond. 

As fans, especially fans of the Green Bay Packers, we want Super Bowls and Lombardi trophies. Yeah, annual trips to the playoffs are fun. We all watch more football pregame shows, we probably trot out the old Packers sweatshirts and hoodies a little more regularly, but unless they win it all, which hasn't happened since the 2010 season. it's, if I can use a dating and sports analogy, like getting to 2nd base. Fun, but still a little short of expectations.

But perhaps I shouldn't use a baseball reference when talking about football. Well, it is my blog, after all. 

I want Matt LaFleur to succeed in Green Bay, but it's really more than that. We NEED Matt LaFleur to succeed in Green Bay. I don't want to have think about winter, or my new Arien's Snow Thrower (shameless plug-but they are proud sponsors of the Green Bay Packers) that's sitting in my garage. 

Football takes the pain of our long, cold and usually snowy winters away. It heals us and soothes our collective fan spirit, except, of course, for the time we spend shouting at our TVs. 

HEAL US MATT LaFLEUR.