Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
- 0
Al from Green Bay, WI
Mike, it's been suggested for the last couple years that the Packers' defense lacked "playmakers." I'm not sure how to define that term, but which of the GB defensive guys do you expect/hope to earn the label "playmaker" in the 2019 season?
Alexander would be my top choice, then any of the edge rushers and Savage.
Etienne from Gaspesie, Quebec
Are we a healthy Kevin King away from a great defense?
A healthy Kevin King will allow this defense to be at its best, same as last year.
Jon from De Pere, WI
With the trade of Josh Rosen to Miami it got me to wondering, does Miami have the right to the fifth-year option on him since he was a first-round pick, or does the fifth year only apply if the player is on his original team?
Miami gets the fifth-year option on Rosen. His contract as a first-round pick, which includes the team option, went with him.
Shawn from St. Peter, MN
I think we are starting to see what Pettine, LaFleur and Gute are looking for in a defense: a savage but classy group of ball hawks that puts pressure on the quarterback and forces turnovers. In today's offense-oriented league, do think this is the way to be a championship-caliber team?
It’s about making key plays at key times on defense in the NFL now, and those key plays come by affecting the quarterback and taking the ball away.
Collin from Kirkwood, MO
I’m seeing a lot of draft reviews claiming the Packers opted for defense again “instead of helping Rodgers.” I don’t get it. Aside from protection, the biggest way the Packers can help Rodgers is by putting together an elite defense. He’s an all-time great QB, but frankly, this franchise has relied on his playmaking for too long. The Packers will be legitimate championship contenders again once either side of the football team can go get you a win.
A head coach I know well used to call that “complementary football.” I don’t believe the Packers have had that type of team since ’14.
Alexis from Mitchellville, MD
First off, I love our draft class this year. Since we did not draft any WRs, who will do you think will be our slot receiver this year?
Too early to say with LaFleur bringing in his system. As Wes and I discussed pre-draft, there are several candidates, and it may be a work in progress until LaFleur figures out who fits best. Or it’s a shared job amongst many depending on different packages and concepts, which gets Adams into the mix as well.
Mark from Grayson, GA
What is the difference between an UDFA and rookie camp tryout player? Why is one player a free agent and another on a tryout basis? Shouldn’t all players brought in to camp after the draft be considered an UDFA?
They’re all undrafted free agents, but some have a contract upon arrival, and others are looking to earn a contract via the tryout route.
Dennis from Rhinelander, WI
So that’s the reason the Raiders sent their scouts home early. Mike Mayock reads the II every day and viewed the Prospect Primers and made his selections from there? Genius on his part as a cost-saving move.
Ha, sure. You and Daniel from Delta, PA, had the same thought.
Doug from Eugene, OR
It seemed to me there was an unusually high number of players in this year's draft who had talent and abilities that were "off the charts." Should the NFL step in and do something about this? The charts are clearly incorrect and I am concerned about this problem.
The charts are shifting, and players getting bigger, faster, stronger is nothing new. But it’s also a reflection of how refined and effective the training techniques are for the combine tests now.
Mike from Algoma, WI
Good morning Mike! My question pertains to Prospect Primers. Last week you said “we were severely limited on available video footage of Big Ten players . . . lo and behold . . .”. Was the limitation of footage because those in positions of authority (the GM) limited it or was it for some other reason? Just curious.
No, it had nothing to do with anyone upstairs. It had to do with what our video guys had ready-made access to from outside sources.
John from Yakima, WA
How many, if any, of the Packers’ draft picks or UDFAs will miss rookie camp or OTAs due to their college academic semester/quarter not being over?
None. That rule no longer exists.
Robert from Byfield, MA
Hi, I have a question. Assuming everyone exaggerates their measurements, I'm wondering how small Savage actually is in stature. I heard one analyst say he was 166 pounds. I heard another say he was closer to 5-8 than 5-10. Having a son who is an athlete, I know many schools push measurements up. What worries me is durability. He might be a great hitter, he might be a tough kid, and he might be fast. Yet when a 166- to 190-pound kid flies into a 6-4, 240 tight end, what then?
Savage measured 5-11, 198 at the combine. The league does official measurements on every player in Indy. It doesn’t take what the schools say.
Tom from Douglassville, PA
So who was the biggest steal of the draft for the Packers?
I’ll say Sternberger again. In a year without two sure-fire first-rounders at tight end, he’s probably talked about as a higher pick.