Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
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Joseph from Ellsworth, WI
The scheme employed by the Patriots and Chiefs in the playoffs against the Titans is likely the same scheme the Packers have planned to stop the 49ers' ground game next season. The playoff announcers pointed out that to stop the outside zone, bringing an extra player or two to crash the C-gaps disrupts it. The Patriots contained Derrick Henry on many of his 34 carries and the Chiefs held him in check.
Win the edge. Win the game. Henry is going to get his yards. He's too big and powerful not to. But defenses need to make sure they don't give those types of running backs much after contact, though. That's how Kansas City was able to calm those waters in the divisional round.
Jon from Eden Prairie, MN
One thing that I don't think gets mentioned enough about Kamal Martin is his penchant for creating/capitalizing off of turnovers. The young man really knows how to get the ball out, and he can read the QB to make plays on the ball as well. I think with his plus measurables and underrated ability to play in coverage, in the gaps, or even on the edge, he could end up being a very nice pick in the fifth round.
This was perhaps the most predictable draft choice the Packers made. Early on Day 3 has been that sweet spot for Green Bay addressing inside linebacker. What I like about Martin is he projects as a guy who can play early downs right away and grow into a dime role, if that's where his career takes him. Coverage is a tough task for any ILB but Martin showed a knack for playing zone in the Big Ten. That could be valuable with Blake Martinez (the starter) and Fackrell (the zone-drop LB) both gone.
Matt from Minneapolis, MN
It seems there are parallels between Kingsley Keke and Mike Daniels out of college. Both fell to the middle rounds despite having great quickness and pass-rushing success because they were undersized to play inside at the NFL level. It was said that both needed some time to add some size and strength. Do you think Keke can make a second-year jump similar to Mike's?
I do. I don't know if it'll be a jump to 6½ sacks like Daniels did but Keke should contend for a starting role in Year 2. I liked what I saw from him late last season.
Travis from Bowie, MD
More of a comment then a question. Equanimeous St. Brown, Allen Lazard, Valdes-Scantling and Devin Funchess are 23, 24, 25 and 25 years old. This is the age that a lot of players are primed for a break out year. I trust Gutekunst and like our odds of one of these guys having a monster season.
I said this on "Unscripted" but it bears repeating – the Packers are much higher on their holdings at receiver than the general public. Just for example – when he needed help at cornerback, Gutekunst drafted Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson. When the Packers felt the need to overhaul the pass rush and deep secondary immediately, they spent for veterans in free agency. If this is the route they chose to go at receiver, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they know what they're doing.
Beau from Greenwood, IN
For all those fans that have been clamoring for a WR, we just got one. OK, a WR COACH, but we still got one. Best of luck to Ruvell Martin as he comes back to the Pack to coach.
I love everything about the internship and Martin being the first recipient. It not only reunites Matt LaFleur with his former Saginaw Valley State teammate but also Aaron Rodgers with his former receiver in Green Bay.
Joel from Milwaukee, WI
Wow, I wasn't expecting apologetics from you guys in your answer to a previous question about the Packers' poor run defense against the 49ers. They blew us off the field. With regard to your answer about it being a different 49ers game plan in each game, Coach LeFleur said the Packers knew exactly what the 49ers were going to do and were unable to stop the run. Thus far we spent very little resources to fix the middle of our D. So please, try again – how are we going to fix this?
A lot of submitters, such as yourself, tried to really get cute with this question and it's not that complicated. It comes down to what the scheme is trying to accomplish, player alignment and individual assignments. Are the defensive tackles jet-rushing or are they holding their gaps? What is the edge rusher's primary objective? Where is his outside help? Where can he afford to gamble with containment? If so, who's fitting the gaps at the next level? How is the integrity of the front? Are you going light in the box with a safety or two back? Is another safety dropping into the box with single-high coverage? Any combination of these questions plays into how a team defends the run. That's why run defense is more than just one player. It takes all 11, not just signing a guy whose name you recognized because he had an "84" rating in "Madden" last year. Where did the Packers fall short in San Fran? They didn't get the job done. That's where. And it's spelled "LaFleur."
Steve from Kansas City, MO
Am I the only one that wants a great running game to help out our defense? If the D gets no rest in between series, they will always degrade with fatigue as the game wears on. And add to that really bad-weather games where you have to run because nobody can hold on to a pass. Spending all your draft capital on a pass offense that is clearly adequate makes no sense. Plus, we have running backs coming up on contract time. Rodgers is way smart enough to appreciate this, no?
I believe Mike McCarthy was right when several years ago he placed a heavy emphasis on winning the battle for time of possession. The analytics support that hypothesis. I just don't know if the spread version of the West Coast offense was a great fit to accomplish that goal. What I learned in LaFleur's first year was how important a diverse and multiple ground game is to winning the game over 60 minutes.
Jim from Boynton Beach, FL
Good morning! Bob Costas said recently that the NFL may consider starting in November with the Super Bowl in March. He said the league might have to look into hosting games at a regional domed stadium because of freezing temps in outdoor venues like Chicago and Green Bay. "It's one thing to play playoff games in arctic conditions in Green Bay or Chicago in January," Costas said. "It's another thing to play regular-season games under those conditions." Huh? We play in 100-plus degrees in JAX and MIA.
Yeah, I don't know. Everyone is saying a lot of things right now…because the only thing most of us can do is talk at the moment. I'm not thinking about six months from now. I'm focused on tomorrow. But rest assured, the league is running the gamut with contingency plans.
Doug from Denver, CO
If the NFL plans to play a full season without fans, do you see them pushing for all games to be pay-per-view? I feel the NFL has been trying to move this way for a while.
Ha. One, PPV is a dying industry (See: WWE Network, DAZN). Two, broadcast deals wouldn't allow it. Remember, there are no fall sitcoms or specials being taped right now, either. Networks are in need of live content now more than ever.
Tyler from Calhoun, GA
Hey guys, what is your U/O for primetime games this season?
4.5 and I'd probably take the over. I mean they had five primetime games last year following a 6-9-1 season. The Packers are the Packers.
Russ from Billings, MT
So...why is it that we are subjected to the ungodly number of articles being published regarding the future of Aaron Rodgers?
Because controversy drives more clicks than the cool (stuff) like what Billy Turner is doing to raise money in support of medical professionals battling COVID-19 on the frontline.