Effort is and always will be a touchy subject when it comes to pro football.
Reporters often question coaches about effort, or lack thereof, following a loss. The vast majority of coaches will admit to poor execution and other sins. But because the effort of their players reflects on them, and knowing criticism in that direction might cause problems in the locker room, precious few coaches will concede their players didn’t try hard or, heaven forbid, quit.
Thus, it was both noteworthy and refreshing Sunday and Monday to hear coach Matt LaFleur’s take on the Packers’ 28-22 defeat at the hands of the Vikings at Lambeau Field.
After the game, LaFleur said: “I do think the juice, if you will, of our football team isn’t where it needed to be. … Guys have to dig deep sometimes to bring that out, and if you feel like somebody else doesn’t have it, you have to bring them along with you. We need to find the guys that are…
