Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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Not sure I see any glaring weaknesses this year other than perhaps depth at safety and inside linebacker. Other than 12, I think we are better set up to withstand an injury or two much better than we have been the last several years.
When injuries hurt most are if they occur, obviously, to the most indispensable players (like Rodgers, Adams, Bakhtiari, Clark) or if they pile up at one position. Because no one has the depth to maintain a certain level after a run of injuries at one spot. Every team deals with injuries. You just hope they're spread out and not to certain guys.
The recently drafted running back from ND is listed as running a rather slow 40 yet he ran a 97 yard TD last year. Is this a case of a bad combine test or just game speed vs track speed?
I asked a similar question of Gutekunst on Saturday night, because Williams' big-play track record doesn't speak to a 4.57 in the 40. Some guys play faster than their timed speed. With Williams, Gutekunst also chalked it up to no wasted motion. See hole, hit hole.
What's it like having a former Packer like John Kuhn joining you and Wes? I know he's only been with you a short time thus far, but does he seem to bring a different kind of insight or fresh take on things?
John's been great. The insights of a former player always add to the perspective we can provide. He's off to a great start and if he wants to stick with the media business for a while, I think he'll be really, really good at it.
Is Burks starting this year?
The Packers are looking for Burks to take a major step forward, for sure. Starting will depend as much on Pettine's packages and all that. But they didn't draft an inside LB until the seventh round, and Burks has all the smarts and athletic traits you look for. The shoulder injury in the preseason last year was really unfortunate. It's hard for a rookie to make up ground once the regular season begins. When I talked to him for a story at the end of last season, he mentioned needing to play faster and not think as much out on the field. Those are some of the same things Martinez was saying after his rookie year.
If you had to pick between MVS and EQ for the WR3 spot this year? Who do you give the edge to? I like MVS' speed and physicality, but EQ seems to have good awareness and chemistry with Aaron. Both seem to have great upside and potential.
I would agree, and they're going to get an opportunity to show it. MVS had the better rookie year overall, but I thought EQ was really coming into his own late in the season, closing the gap so to speak. With a new offense, who knows. The competition at receiver with these two, Allison, Kumerow, Davis, etc., will be one of the storylines of training camp.
The OLB acquisitions this year are notable for their larger size than what we have had previously at that position. Do those players have the ability to drop into coverage the way Clay did or are we seeing a shift in the scheme?
Pettine was much more inclined to put a hybrid safety-LB on the field as a coverage player and not ask his OLBs to drop into coverage as much. That's not to say they won't, but he uses a lot of different coverage packages that don't always require the standard 3-4 outside 'backer to do everything.
Looking at some highlights, looks like J'mon Moore can really surprise some people, your thoughts Mike?
He was another guy I talked to in the final open locker room after the last game, and he was very candid with me and a couple other reporters about his shortcomings. Learning the on-the-fly route adjustments and making them right before the snap and at game speed based on the coverages seemed to be where he struggled most. It's not all that unusual. What I think gives Moore a chance, other than his obvious athletic ability, is he was plenty self-aware of what didn't go well and what he needs to do to get more playing time. He wasn't some rookie sitting there saying he deserved to play more. Self-awareness can be half the battle in this league.
Will this be the toughest year in a while to get down to 53 + practice squad? Seems to be legit depth across the board.
It always feels that way this time of year. There's a lot to sort out with LaFleur's system and preferences, and injuries through camp and the preseason will factor in. These things have a way of sorting themselves out, which is why no one worries about them now. They're trying to build the best 90-man roster they can, and when they have to get it to 53, they'll focus on keeping the best 53 and let the chips fall.