Editor Mike Spofford answered fan questions in his reside chat
Mike Spofford
Hey everyone, thanks for logging on at the moment. I see questions coming in already, so maintain them coming and I’ll get began.
I submitted a remark to II a pair days in the past suggesting the Pack pursue buying Jonathan Taylor. Your ideas? I thinkJosh Jacobs’ days are numbered.
There’s a variety of chatter on the market about Jonathan Taylor. I do not know whether or not the Packers are pursuing him or not. They do not tip their hand in these cases.
Do you sense the Packers are nonetheless evaluating potential adjustments to the beginning offensive line, or have they reached the purpose the place enjoying time funding in and continuity with the present 5 is extra vital than making an attempt one other mixture?
Good query. I might assume at middle whenSean Rhyanis wholesome once more that he’ll step again in there. And barring extra accidents, I believe they are going to roll withJordan MorganandAnthony Beltonat the sort out spots. At guard, what’s their finest combo? Banks’ well being will play into that, and efficiency for all concerned will too. That’s a good distance of claiming I haven’t got a prediction for you.
With Tom Brady returning to Foxborough to name his first Patriots sport for FOX, ought to Packers followers be involved New England has gained an unfair home-field benefit by placing the best Patriot of all time within the broadcast sales space?
I do not suppose it makes a whit of distinction.
Trade for a working again, or higher linemen?
The offensive line has shored up the cross safety issues from earlier this yr. I believe the run blocking can come alongside, too. It’s taken too lengthy, nevertheless it’s by no means too late.
Today my PT, who’s a Steelers and Rodgers fan, stated the Packers have a variety of expertise. I advised him if the Packers had a working sport,Jordan Lovewould be in competition for MVP. You suppose?
Who is aware of. If the Packers had a working sport, he would not be requested to hold a lot of the load offensively and his stats would not be the place they’re. Not that it is all about stats, however that is often what will get the dialog began.
Brady was VERY important of the officers in that GB-DET debacle. As a part-owner, would he be subjected to an identical wonderful construction because the gamers or coaches?
I do not know what the construction is, however he could be topic to self-discipline completely different from different broadcasters.
What’s the over beneath of the Goat calling out the refs?
I’m simply hoping for a clear sport the place we’re not speaking in regards to the refs, like final Thursday vs. Carolina.
Can you clarify the poor kicking throughout the board within the NFL this season? Laser objective posts aren’t obligatory when guys are lacking by a mile.
That’s a bizarre one. Everyone is having consistency troubles at kicker. Cam Achord identified a pair weeks in the past that the groups utilizing “dirty kicks” on kickoffs, the place they’re kicking low wobblers and making an attempt to get them to bounce within the touchdown zone, are asking a variety of their kickers to do this and nonetheless attempt to have a constant PAT/FG swing. Maybe that is a part of it, however that is not the case for each group.
The working sport can come alongside however I would not guess on it
We’ll see. I’ve seen stranger issues occur over the course of an extended season.
Just toured Lambeau on Saturday whereas on trip. Wow! I’m now a Packers fan.
Welcome aboard.
Do followers actually imagine buying and selling advantages the Packers? Assuming the contract is nearing completion, and we probably get a rental… We additionally take picks out of Brian’s arsenal. Our long run cap goes to require low-cost contributors with excessive upside. I did not see anybody definitely worth the commerce offs.
There’s lots to weigh in these conditions. The Packers have a variety of draft capital for subsequent spring, however no first-round decide. That components too.
Have you seen the video ofMicah Parsonspracticing? Our protection is already high in alot of metrics now add again Micah?
I used to be on the market earlier than beginning this chat, watching him undergo particular person drills. It’s good to see him take one other step on the highway again.
I believe we should always make use of the technique of cross to open up the run. Especially on first down. Our receivers and quarterback are too gifted to pressure the run on first down. Comes all the way down to play calling and sport circulation.
The Packers have burned defenses with massive performs within the passing sport all season and it hasn’t helped the run.
Why a brand new QB on the observe squad?
Because the one the Packers had bought signed to a different group’s 53.
Does Swobs not understand that betting is prohibited at Bushwood?
That too.
It appears Morgan had is finest sport at left sort out agains the panthers. How excessive is his ceiling?
I do not know. We’re going to seek out out. The Packers are going to provide Morgan each alternative to lock down the LT spot for the long run. That’s what he was drafted to play. He’s getting there.
Thoughts on JLove and his spouse dressing as blind refs for Halloween? Hilarious, however I hope he is not poking the Bear so-to-speak.
I assumed it was terrific. Has the league ever fined a participant for a Halloween costume?
Getting Parsons again will probably be a season enhancing transfer on protection! Defense instantly will get higher!
For positive. A very good protection will get higher. Should be enjoyable to observe.
i feel there’s time for the offensive line to meld right into a more practical run unit. i favored the current enjoying piano analogy.
They must get there sooner or later. It’s crucial or your entire season will trip on a one-dimensional offense, and that is not gonna fly.
Will Parsons’ return trigger a brief setback within the chemistry which the protection has exhibited?
I do not see how it will. Yes, some gamers will not get as many snaps, however extra contemporary our bodies to get after the QB is not a foul factor both.
Brandon Cissehas developed a lot sooner than I anticipated. How a lot has that factored into our sack numbers?
Rush and protection at all times go hand in hand. Cisse has performed rather well. All of GB’s corners have, actually. It’s a superb group on the defensive aspect that’s enjoying cohesively.
When i rewatch video games at 1/2 velocity it looks like an equal distribution of dangerous OL blocks, dangerous TE blocks, and RB not going to an apparent gap. When the issue is that this widespread it appears to recommend solely teaching adjustments will repair it would not it?
I do not know what the repair is, however I do know it is not one factor, as you outlined.
Are we in peril of dropping one other DC after this season?
Gannon is just one yr faraway from a tough tenure in Arizona. Maybe he’ll grow to be a sizzling title once more, perhaps not. I actually do not know.
If we play a sport like TB vs ATL, would it not pressure our hand in fixing the working sport?
You’re saying in a heavy rain? I do not suppose the Packers would change who they’re at this level.
Last weeks Rams sport the announcer stated the Rams switched to a niche scheme within the run sport the second half and it was more practical. Have the Packers tried the identical swap this yr?
The Packers have tried each zone runs and hole runs at completely different occasions this season. I haven’t got any stats in entrance of me, however I believe they’ve had extra success with the hole scheme stuff, for probably the most half.
Been listening to the NFL needs a Japan sport subsequent season. That’s one heck of a highway journey for no matter two groups are chosen
Yikes. No thanks.
Regarding the run sport, aside from #8, it looks like the RBs go lateral on the first signal of resistance as a substitute of going north south for a number of yards. this typically ends in
That has undoubtedly been one of many points, however not the one one.
Lukas Van Nessquestion. Seems to make the most of the ‘bull rush” most of the time and against good OL, he doesn’t get home enough. Thoughts on diversifying his pass rush tools?
That’s something he’s working on. He got shut down by a great O-line in Detroit, but other than that one game, he’s been regularly impactful.
What are the effects of international games? Anything public knowledge at this point?
The travel is exhausting. I can tell you that from firsthand experience, and I’m not trying to play a football game in between flights.
What’s your take onKevin Zeitler, not game-ready or something else? How does a player achieve game readiness if he does not play in a game? It’s like simulating skiing in an app, you see the steps and the techniques but until your own feet are on the snow, you don’t have the feel…
The Packers have said he’s ready, but they liked whatLaken Tomlinsongave them at LG and didn’t want to take him out of the lineup whenAaron Banksreturned, so they flipped him over to RG for now. We’ll see where it goes from here.
The Packers have said he’s ready, but they liked what Tomlinson gave them at LG and didn’t want to take him out of the lineup when Banks returned, so they flipped him over to RG for now. We’ll see where it goes from here.
No argument there.
Japan is closer than Australia, no?
Oh sure, but there’s a reason they took 2 West Coast teams for the Australia game.
Officiating, and wished-for-changes, have been oft discussed and handed through the II. If you could make one change, adjustment, or enhancement what would it be?
I’ve said it many times — make the safety rules (which encompasses pretty much all personal fouls) reviewable. Make sure a 15-yard penalty is the right call.
We can’t go through a whole chat without commendingDaniel Whelan. Go Aggies!!
They signed him last year to a long-term deal for a reason. He’s a difference maker.
Any updates onJonnu SmithandChris Brooks?
Brooks returned to practice today, so his window to return from IR has been opened. Jonnu Smith was a healthy scratch in the last game, probably due to special teams needs.
When Micah returns, do you expect Gannon to call fewer blitzes and play coverage, assuming that Micah’s presence will be enough of a threat?
Not necessarily. But the straight four-man rush has a better chance to get home with Micah on the field than without.
Do you get to hold the WS trophy last Thursday night?
No, I never left the press box throughout the duration of the game.
Any news onLuke MusgraveorJayden Reed? Those neck injuries sound real serious
Haven’t heard any updates.
Wasn’t Micah Parsons supposed to be back by now?
The hope was he would be back sooner, but there was never any guarantee.
Re: Morgan: are the GB selections in the first round more or less content still drafting with the long time concept of draft & develop? Stability on the coaching staff seems important too!
The Packers look for players with big upside in the first round, where their talent is ready to take off. It can take longer for some than others. Opportunity matters, too. If Morgan becomes the LT the Packers hope he can be, his first two seasons in the league will become an afterthought.
Good question from Richard on effects of international games. I am also interested in impacts of short week Thursday night games.
I don’t know how the players do that, to be honest. Playing a game four days after another one is just beyond brutal on the body. The only positive is getting a weekend off afterward. The recovery time is much needed at that point.
Have you had the opportunity to talk baseball with Uecker?
I met Ueck in the press box at County Stadium once, rather early in my sports writing career. I was introduced to him by another media member who knew him very well.
Where do the Patriots rank on offense and defense with regard to running the ball?
They average about 120 rushing yards per game and allow just over 90. Both are pretty good numbers.
How’s the health of the Patriots offensive line? Send they have decent rushing numbers, and I saw Gannon is focused on the scrambling. Do you see them taking the approach of making him beat us with his arm?
Maye can certainly win that way, but the Packers don’t want to let him out of the pocket, where he’s more dangerous. Keep him in the pocket and collapse the pocket.
Cisse has played the most of any rookie I can remember on the Packers. Recency bias I’m sure, who am I missing?
Other rookies have played a lot in recent years. Doubs,Edgerrin Cooper, Q. Walker,Tucker Kraft,Javon Bullard,Evan Williams, just to name a few. Starting from Day 1 like Cisse is a bit rare but everyone could see that coming.
At least the Patriots aren’t coming off their bye week, so we got that going for us.
They got tested by the Dolphins last week. Trailed 13-3 at half before kicking into gear.
Is the Bears singing of Simmons the equivalent to the Packers signing Micah? Who paid more?
The acquisitions are similar. I haven’t compared the contracts. The draft pick compensation was similar.
So much love for Cisse, even his run support is admirable. Is this his ceiling or did the scouts for all the other teams miss on him?
He was talked about plenty as a possible first-round pick. The Packers were thrilled he was there in the middle of the second.
Who were your favorite non-Packer players growing up?
Walter Payton will always be my favorite NFL player. He could do anything on a football field and do it well.
I was fortunate to meet and interview Bob Uecker … he made self-depricating humor an art form.
And how.
Sounds like the Bears beat up Darnold a bit, he’s out this week. Is it fair to say they play a bit… overly aggressive?
That’s their style and it has paid dividends for them.
Think Buffalo can do us a favor against Minnesota?
Sure hope so.
Hey Mike, thanks as always for this great forum. What are the differences between what makes a tackle and a guard? Is it size? Is it footwork? Is this where “pad degree ” is available in?
It’s undoubtedly completely different footwork on the two positions, and the power to maneuver extra in house is required at sort out. Pad degree is vital at any spot.
I just like the Packers probabilities Sunday. Maye will throw the ball to the protection when he is beneath stress.
He’s thrown 8 INTs this yr and the Patriots are minus-7 in turnover margin. Packers must take benefit there.
Who are Chicago and Detroit enjoying this week, Spoff?
Bears have Bucs and Lions have Dolphins
After studying sufficient of II, I do know the kind of feedback Spoff needs to listen to: Just beat the Patriots.
And with that, I’m going to log off. Just bought phrase observe ended, so locker room interviews developing. Thanks everyone, take care and we’ll speak once more quickly. Best, Spoff