What’s the fascination with runing out shotgun on 4th and short? It’s ok once in a while, but we seem to have made it a staple, with debatable success.
I don’t know all the ins and outs, but some of those are RPOs where the QB has the choice to hand off, throw it, or keep the ball himself. So that would be the reason for shotgun.
Tickets for the game in MN are going for like 50 bucks. Everyone is checked out on this one.
They’ll be lower come Sunday I would think.
I’m going to college next year to be an athletic trainer, think the Pack could use someone in 6 years?
They hire interns all the time, as the organization does in a number of departments all over the building. Good luck to you in school.
What is your take on the future for Rashan Gary?
I haven’t given it much thought right now. It’s an offseason question when there will be plenty of time to ponder it. Right now, the Packers are trying to get healthy for the playoffs and see what they can do. Next year’s roster can wait.
Since we are trying to rest starters for the playoffs maybe this is the game to let an intern handle the live blog?
Ha. Sure. Except our intern doesn’t travel. He does get it all set up for me to launch, though, which I appreciate.
Is this the week we see Matthew Golden featured, and Melton, Oliver, and Barryn Sorrell getting major playing time on defense? And do you think they might ask Keisean Nixon to take on return duties in the playoffs, at least on punts?
I don’t see Nixon taking on more reps in a game like this. But all those other guys you mentioned, yeah, I expect them to get quite a bit of work.
Apologies if this has been asked already, how much does the delay in Micah’s surgery affect his aspirations to be ready by week 1? And was Lafleur’s response to the surgery question in today’s presser suggesting he wish it happened sooner?
No, not at all. Parsons was bringing another child into the world, and we don’t know if surgery had to be delayed due to swelling or anything else anyway. I have no idea what his timeline will be but he’s going to try to make it as short as possible, knowing him.
Is there a list of the players who will be resting this week?
Not yet. LaFleur said we’d find out Sunday.
What happened to pre-season hype for defense punching ball out? I see little evidence there has been much effort on this.
I’ve seen the effort previously but not the results, and without the results I think the effort has diminished somewhat.
Ironically this was going to be the season focused on turnovers. Turnovers definitely at the forefront but not for what was anticipated. A few more of those and a few more wins happen. Maybe the fortune will turn. Here’s to hoping! Thx Bob
You never know. Considering the lack of turnovers, this defense has played pretty darn well all year, last game notwithstanding. If they get one or two in a playoff game it could mean all the difference.
Hey Mike, how about a re-do of the 2010 playoffs? If things fall right, the Packers head to Philly as the lowest seed in the bracket. Get a win there and then go face the #1 seed (SF or Seattle but not Atlanta like last time). Get a win there, and if the Bears do their part on the other side of the bracket, we could have another NFC Championship game at Soldier Field! Now, if the Steelers hold up their end on the AFC side …. talk about mind blowing!
Sorry, my mind won’t go there. I don’t have the energy for all that speculation.
If writing hadn’t worked out for you, what would have been your next career choice?
I might’ve gone to law school, I don’t know. Fortunately, I got a job in sports right away out of J-school and things have worked out pretty well. No complaints.
Thank you for your grammar corrections, and your kind attitude in which they are administered. Makes me smile.
I’m just trying to have fun, honestly.
Where is the value in this game for the Packers?
The immediate value is in seeing if somebody emerges who might be able to help in a playoff run. Bigger picture, in-game snaps can be valuable experience for any young player coming back to try to make the team next year.
I truly like our chances against Chicago. No false-confidence here, I just see we can outplay them. I like our chances if that’s where we’re headed.
I think the NFC is as wide open as it gets. As I said in Inbox this morning, the only surprise to me would be if the NFC South champ/4 seed makes it to the Super Bowl. Any of the other six would not qualify as a surprise in my book.
Not having an opportunity to see the all 22, is Matthew Golden not getting separation on his routes? I was expecting him to be more of an impact player.
I confess I haven’t studied Golden’s film specifically. It’s not the rookie year he or anyone anticipated, especially after some flashes early in the season. The injuries definitely set him back and it just seems he hasn’t found his rhythm since. Could be a lot of reasons for that we’re just not aware of.
Reading Hafley’s/LaFleur’s explanations regarding our run defense last week, yeah, it seemed to me a lot of guys were running themselves out of plays, but how does that happen this late in the year? Was it just “one of those games”?
Yeah, it happens. It shouldn’t, but it happens. Late in the year, playing on Saturdays, etc., the practice schedule gets adjusted, there aren’t as many padded practices, there are more walk-throughs, and sometimes that leads to lapses. It shouldn’t, because the coaches and players have to stay on top of that stuff at all times, but it happens, and when it does against a highly motivated team, you can get whipped.
Bring in Peanut Tillman during camp as a consultant.
Ha, we’ll see what any future approach might be.
All do it, but do you feel punching the ball with the fist really belongs in football?
I don’t give it much thought. It’s tough to do that and tackle at the same time, so the tackler is giving something up, and when there are multiple guys around the ball, the guy with the ball has to protect it. I also think officials can blow more plays dead sooner when progress is clearly stopped, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
