When asked if Matthew Golden has missed expectations this season, Wes defended him by comparing his rookie seasons to Jordy Nelsons when completing for snaps with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones. Respectfully, our current receiving corps can’t be compared to those three Packer Hall of Famers. Other teams have found ways to get their Round 1 WRs meaningful snaps and production.
I addressed Golden in today’s Inbox. He was on his way to a productive rookie year and then injuries hit. Totally derailed his season.
Is this team tough enough to go into Chicago and win? Regardless of health on both teams. I always feel like if the offensive line gets overwhelmed. Love holds onto the ball too long for my taste.
Love is always looking for the explosive play, and that requires holding the ball at times ,and for the protection to hold up. The weather conditions and Chicago’s defensive approach will dictate whether the Packers can hunt for explosive plays or take a different tack.
With the injuries at TE, can we expect 3 or 4 WR’s on most plays and an extra lineman (eligible) here and there?
The Packers have used the 6th OL (Darian Kinnard) plenty given the thin ranks at TE.
What do you think was the biggest cause for the defensive collapse against Baltimore?
I honestly don’t know, but as long as the guys learned something from it and are putting the lessons to good use, they’ll be better off.
It is Adrian Hill, but not his usual crew…..so when the national media says that a certain referee calls more OPI, defensive holding, ineligible man downfield, etc. it really means nothing, because they’re not his calls to make.
Did Wes have “Chicago Bears No Matter What” written on his notebook for who he wanted the Packers to play in the Wild Card?
ATMRWCBW- it’s Adrian hill, with 3 officials from John Husseys crew and 1 from Wrolstad and Vinovich.
Thanks for the knowledge.
Any chance someone takes a shot at Booker?
That would be ill-advised. I’d rather they just block him.
Rashan Gary has been extremely quiet in the sack market for awhile now. I’m hoping that he steps up against Williams on Saturday.
That would be a big boost to the defense, no doubt.
Remind us… where are your press box seats located in Chicago, and how are they?
Worst in the league. My least favorite. It’s corner end zone, opposite of the main TV cameras. But the worst part is they always put our digital and comm crew in the second row, and the upper windows in that press box have a bunch of wooden frames that make it very difficult to see the action. Just a terrible design.
Growing up watching the Bears training camps in P-Ville, who were your favorite players outside Walter Payton?
Oh man, I got all their autographs. I just enjoyed chasing guys around, even Ditka on his golf cart. Then in high school when I worked at Dairy Queen, I was always making the double cheeseburgers for the offensive linemen when they’d come in a half hour before we closed. You could set your watch to it.
I believe it is a league rule for visiting teams to arrive a day before game. Even Giants travel 90 miles to Philly the day before.
How far away are the team’s hotels from Soldier Field?
Not far. We usually stay right downtown in the Loop, and Soldier Field is just a bit south of the Loop along the lake.
Mike, didn’t you also say the food in the press box is below average too? If so, just remarkable for such a great food city Chicago is.
Yeah, for sure. But last time they had some really good popcorn in small boxes from Nuts on Clark. I’m going to get some more of that.
How was Packers fan attendance at the first game in Chicago? Do you think we’ll be able to show up in big numbers this weekend, or will Bears fans keep that from happening?
The Bears owned their own stadium last time and I expect them to this time. First home playoff game for them in seven years.
What’s your experience with stadium and crowd noise at Solider Field? Do you expect that to be a factor in the game?
That crowd knows how to bring it. When the Bears are good, the atmosphere there is pretty wild.
Is Soldier Field really that bad as a whole or are they just looking to build a higher Revenue generating Stadium that can host a SB?
A little of both but mostly the latter. The early 2000s renovation wasn’t executed well. They dropped a spaceship in the middle of a war memorial.
Seeing 2 of the better kickers in the league this season (Boswell, Loop) miss relative gimmees the other night shows the unpredictability of the kicking game, especially under pressure and in tough conditions. After the past few playoff losses, I think we’re due for a game-winner!
Sign me up. Last time down there, Chicago’s kicker handled the wind extremely well on some long kicks.
Thanks for the chat, Mike and enjoy the victory everyone! Calling it now.
I love the positive give-and-take today in your mid-week chat! Makes me hope you’ll be doing it again next week too!
Let’s hope. With that I will sign off because practice is going to end soon. Thanks for all the participation today, and talk again soon. Take care, Spoff
I’m also hoping the Packers rebound from the defense’s ignominious performance against Baltimore.
