The Packers simply wanna see the child play. We all do.Wes Hodkiewicz
John from Livermore, CA
I’m questioning what the vibe is across the crew with all the brand new younger gamers coming in.
Vibrant.
Brian from Columbia, MO
I’ve a sneaky suspicion Jordan Love goes to essentially shock the media speaking heads. We’re all used to new QBs beginning off with modest expectations and a few acclimation time. I think Mr. Love goes to return out of the gate enjoying like a veteran QB and it is going to catch some individuals unprepared. We can solely hope the identical applies to all our rookies and sophomore gamers…
I do not need to overplay the Philadelphia recreation final November, however I consider it was a important turning level for each the Packers and Love. He seemed like a very completely different quarterback than the one who was thrown into motion on quick discover in opposition to Kansas City in 2021. The passer ranking and landing cross to Christian Watson have been nice however my lasting reminiscence is the boldness Love displayed within the pocket. Talking heads can fill their programming nevertheless they so select. The Packers simply wanna see the child play. We all do.
Jake from Decatur, GA
Thanks for the tidbit yesterday about Love texting the brand new receivers. I had missed that one way or the other, however I feel it actually speaks to a quiet however vital profit of getting him on the bench the previous couple of years, and to having such a younger secure of pass-catchers: Love is essentially the most veteran participant in GB’s passing assault. His management has a sort of legitimacy that almost all rookie signal-callers do not get, and it comes with the duty of bringing the younger guys alongside. I’m glad he is embracing that.
You wanna understand how quick the league strikes? Jordan Love is the Tenth-longest tenured participant on the Packers’ roster.
Bill from Arlington, VA
If the offense is run heavy to begin the season, ought to we count on some large play-action passes out of Love as defenses attempt to pack the field? Will they be to the WRs or the TEs?
Perhaps. First, the addition of Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft suggests the Packers need to assault the center of the sector. Beyond that, I do count on a number of pre-snap movement and play-action this season. It not solely retains defenses from stacking the field in opposition to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon but additionally permits Love to make performs together with his ft. This is now a recreation of motion and pace, which performs to Love’s strengths.
Darrel from Pueblo, CO
II, I used to be flying out of GRB Sunday morning and was according to Dontayvion Wicks. What a pleasing and well mannered younger man. If his recreation is something like his demeanor and manners, he will probably be on the crew. What a thrill to fulfill him in-person.
I used to be blown away by all of the rookies with whom I spoke, particularly Grant DuBose. Jason Wilde, Kassidy Hill and I talked with him for greater than 20 minutes on Saturday and what a formidable younger man. We’ll be writing extra on DuBose within the days and weeks forward.
Bret from Hertel, WI
Dear Wes, now {that a} participant has been drafted and/or signed, what do you search for at practices and/or drills to see that the participant has potential on the subsequent stage?
Two issues – how place coaches work together with their rookies and the way these rookies react to teaching.
Brendon from Payette, ID
Is all this emphasis on signing and drafting good particular groups gamers the Packers’ model of “Moneyball?” With a good wage cap and a younger, possible emotional group of fellows, it does make sense that our greatest bang for the buck can be in inflicting turnovers and getting nice subject place and maintaining the opposite groups from doing these issues to us. Is that the strategy to our particular groups insanity this yr?
My thought all offseason has been the Packers noticed vital enchancment from particular groups and needed to maintain as lots of their special-teams stalwarts round as doable. Green Bay had a number of floor to make up when Bisaccia arrived. One yr later, the core has been established and a brand new commonplace has been set for particular groups. So, I am unable to wait to see Eric Wilson, Dallin Leavitt, Rudy Ford, and the opposite returning veterans work with the incoming rookies.
George from North Mankato, MN
Although it was definitely a risk after signing a protracted snapper in free company, I used to be a bit of stunned to see Jack Coco was launched as we speak. I do know it’s a recreation of fixed enchancment and the analysis of his play will need to have indicated room for an improve. Just a bit of stunned to see a yearlong starter jettisoned so quickly in camp. Was he the weakest hyperlink?
I used to be stunned however that is the unlucky enterprise aspect of this sport. The Packers clearly preferred what they noticed from Broughton Hatcher throughout the rookie minicamp and needed to maintain him round. Hatcher has pelts on the wall. He was one of many high lengthy snappers within the nation popping out of highschool and loved a productive profession at Old Dominion. I loved attending to know Jack and commend him for the hassle he put into his craft over the previous yr. Coco has nothing to hold his head about. He gave the Packers all the pieces he had.
TK from Grafton, WI
Does Rich Bisaccia, as particular groups coach, really coach the kickers and punters on method? And has the proliferation of the passing recreation on the school stage modified the way in which quarterbacks, receivers, and DBs are evaluated?
You betcha. Bisaccia tutors the specialists in live performance with assistant Byron Storer, who spearheaded Coco’s transition to lengthy snapper final yr. I agree the enlargement of passing offenses on the collegiate stage has modified the sport. While we have seen loads of rookie quarterbacks achieve Year 1, it is changing into more and more frequent for receivers and cornerbacks to return in and carry out at a Pro Bowl stage proper out of the gate.
Laurie from Sheboygan, WI
Now that pushing the QB throughout the road is prone to explode all through the league, do you foresee that changing into a scenario the place a working again or backup quarterback takes these snaps, so franchise quarterbacks are shielded from harm? It appears extremely dangerous to place arguably essentially the most consequential participant on the crew in between two opposing pushing teams of large linemen.
Perhaps however the quarterback-center trade is not nothing. It is not all the time pure for a working again to go below middle and take a direct snap when their thoughts is hellbent on gaining a primary down.
Vinny from Arlington, VA
I see that now we have each a Ballentine and Valentine within the secondary. This follows a yr when GB drafted a Walker, Wyatt, Watson, and signed Watkins. Does the entrance workplace and personnel workers secretly prefer to have some enjoyable with you and the followers? And that is not even stepping into the entire Romeo, Love, and Valentine connection. Just some quirky roster composition.
The Packers certainly have a pair of cornerbacks named “Ballentine” and “Valentine,” and it is giving me every kind of suits. We needed to reshoot a phase of our “Total Packers” draft report as a result of I saved mispronouncing Valentine’s final title. Spoff has known as me out on it earlier than.
Monty from Hazen, ND
I learn someplace that Lukas Van Ness was a hockey participant. A dude that large on skates can be a scary prospect. Do you assume that the stability required to play hockey helps him to play on the sting?
Absolutely. I coated hockey for almost a decade on the Press-Gazette. Hockey gamers have my undivided respect. They should be robust, sturdy, fast and intensely well-conditioned. I hope to have extra on Van Ness’ exploits as a hockey participant within the not-so-distant future.
Jack from Wauwatosa, WI
Hey Wes, glad Tuesday to you! I’ve been round a very long time having distinct reminiscences of Lombardi Era video games. I’ve despatched good vibes for lots of underdogs over time. In 2023, I’m positively hoping that Kenneth Odumegwu finds a spot on the roster or observe squad. What an excellent story he has, so let’s hold our fingers crossed for him. GPG!!
I used to be excited to study the Packers had been allotted a global participant this yr. I’ve learn a number of tales of different International Player Pathway gamers across the NFL and was hopeful one would finally make their technique to Green Bay. I could not have been extra impressed with Odumegwu on Saturday. He’s a humble large who has lived a rare life. This transition to professional soccer will not be straightforward however Odumegwu has nice leaders to work with in Jason Rebrovich, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary.
Evan from Durango, CO
Wes, Kenneth Odumegwu mentioned a fan on social media dubbed him “OD,” since he could not pronounce his final title. I feel KO, KO’d, or just “Knockout” would have been higher nicknames.
Odumegwu might need to wrestle Kirk Olivadotti for the “KO” moniker.
Jeffery from Brooklyn, WI
Hey II, with two gamers having the identical deal with as a nickname how do they resolve who will get to maintain it? Lukas Van Ness and Kenneth Odumegwu each go by “Hercules.” Maybe Odumegwu can grow to be our Nigerian Nightmare?
I suppose we’ll should make it a winner-take-all, triple-threat match then.
Jim from Whitmore Lake, MI
Because of his expertise on this system and years as a professional, it may actually be useful to the brand new tight ends if Marcedes Lewis have been part of the crew this coming yr. Unfortunately, I learn that the Packers will not be bringing him again. Would it make any sense to rent him as a good ends coach if he have been curious about doing so?
I feel Lewis would make for an unimaginable coach or player-engagement rep, however I get the sense he totally intends on enjoying an 18th NFL season, which might be unprecedented for a good finish. Whatever occurs, I want Marcedes nicely. He’ll without end have a spot on my Mt. Rushmore for favourite Packers gamers. If Lewis isn’t again, I even have one fewer particular person within the Packers’ locker room to speak UFC with.
Patrick from Gulf Breeze, FL
Good morning, with the tight finish changeover, I’m very interested in Josiah Deguara. There’s little question the 2 drafted TEs are gifted, however the place often takes a while earlier than significant manufacturing and maturation. With Deguara being the de facto chief of the TE room, I’m actually hoping for a bounce from him. The proven fact that he was scouted out of school as somebody who may line up at completely different spots on/behind the road of scrimmage, I consider his versatility will bloom this yr. Thoughts?
If Big Dog actually is not again, it is as much as Deguara to steer that room in 2023. Deguara has been used as a Swiss Army knife on this offense, however he is listed as a good finish for a motive. That is his pure place and alternatives may very well be plentiful for Deguara this yr. As you mentioned, Musgrave and Kraft have a lot to study and it is essential for Deguara to set the tone within the assembly room and observe…similar to Lewis and Robert Tonyan did.
Aaron from Phoenix, AZ
Wow…TWO references to Johnny Carson in ONE inbox. My late, nice, Grandpa Ben, of Milwaukee, would have been proud. He handed once I was solely seven, however my two most vivid reminiscences of him are watching him root for the Pack on Sundays and sitting at his kitchen desk with a Sony micro-TV watching “The Tonight Show.” He was in WWII so his arms all the time shook from PTSD, however he gave the very best bear hugs. Thanks for bringing again some lovely reminiscences, II!
That’s what we’re right here for…and actually all we’re good for.
Dar from Mansfield, TX
Weston, you continue to have cable?
My spouse has cable. I simply pay for it.
John from Highlands Ranch, CO
II, thanks for all you do! Wes, did you attend the Kentucky Derby? I have never seen any footage of you.
I do not use FaceTime.
Steve from Lampson, WI
Hey Wes! My dad and I’ve talked about this Packers draft advert nauseam, in keeping with our wives, so it obtained me considering: What does the Hod Father consider this yr’s draft class?
I attempted to get a solution for you, however Pa Hod left me on learn. I’ll forgive him, although. It’s my mother’s thirty fifth…ish birthday as we speak! Happy birthday, Ma Hod!
Markus from Aurora, CO
Good morning. Simple query: what’s subsequent?
The 2023 NFL schedule launch…presumably, possibly…hopefully. Have an excellent Tuesday, everybody.
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