Bill from Crystal Lake, IL
I’ve seen some comments regarding the need to create more turnovers. I believe those will start to come in bunches as teams will start to take more chances, because our defense is flying to the football, so they aren’t having success with the run game or short throws. Plus, our corners are already able to sit back and jump routes which should start turning into INTs. I think the best part is this D is dominating without creating turnovers right now. A lot to be optimistic about moving forward.
And there just haven’t been a whole lotta downfield throws. I remarked to Spoff how Xavier McKinney has yet to be the beneficiary of a careless airball such as the one Caleb Williams threw to Kerby Joseph or Russell Wilson to Donovan Wilson. The takeaways will come if the Packers keep getting after it like they have been. Don’t press. Only pressure.
Hi II. The guy I think Packers fans (and the Packers) should keep their eye on is Harold Fannin, Cleveland’s rookie tight end. Had the best season any TE has ever had in his last college year (117 rec, 1,555 yards, 119.6/game). They’re easing him in, and he’s already gone 7-63 and 5-48. On THAT offense. Taking snaps at slot, in-line, and even in the backfield. He’s the sort of guy it’s easy to lose track of when you’re worried about the big names. He’s a big talent, only getting started.
The Browns clearly are looking to build around their tight ends. Through two weeks, Cleveland has used its “12” personnel package as a pseudo-base offense. David Njoku has played 124 offensive snaps (83%) while Fannin has played 101 (68%). With Quinshon Judkins now in the lineup, I can only assume we’re primed to see more Sunday.
Would we really try to get rid of Malik Willis?
It’d be like canceling your car insurance before a cross-country road trip to Walley World to save a few bucks.
Hi guys. This is the best explanation for not making the trade for Willis. “Not a chance. I wouldn’t take a second-rounder, either. That’s not worth it to put yourself one play away from being desperate, too. And nobody is going to offer a first-rounder, so that’s that.” We have a backup QB who gives us a fighting chance in case something bad happens. I’ll go with what we got. Thanks guys for all your great work. Take care.
My prior point is you can’t get cheeky now. We’re too far down the road. Every win is valuable whether you’re playing for the lone first-round bye, an NFC North title or a Wild Card spot. You never now when you might need Willis.
Subhadeep from Middletown, CT
Micah Parsons and Joe Burrow are two evidence I put forward the Packers do not trade Malik Willis. We get Micah with boatloads of money, draft capital and sending a player like Kenny Clark to Dallas. We also see what Joe Burrow’s injury is to the Bengals’ hope for a SB run. You get Micah to win now and see a starting QB like Joe put a significant doubt on the Bengals’ hopes. So why would you risk Malik trade? I don’t see that happening either!
That’s the other thing I don’t get about this. Jake Browning is the Bengals’ Doug Pederson. He’s been QB2 in Cincy for four years. If Browning goes down, Cincinnati is in a world of trouble regardless of who’s next QB up. It makes no sense for either the Packers or Willis to part company now.
Steve from McCordsville, IN
Thank you for the well-written article on penalties. For my part, I’m constantly dumbfounded by the special-teams penalties. I just don’t get it. As a player, you can either successfully make the block, or you can’t. Holding and block-in-the-back penalties are inexcusable. I get it that an OL might hold to save his QB. But that is rarely, if ever, the situation on ST. Why is this problem seemingly so difficult to fix?
I get what you’re saying, and the Packers need to get it corrected, but it’s not apples-to-apples with offensive line play. The game changes when you’re defending moving targets vertically rather than a pass rusher directly in front of you.
Jay from Town of Big Flats, WI
Hey guys, I agree with your assessment regarding kickoffs and long field goals. Isn’t the deterrent field position if one of those long kicks is missed? I think we are seeing most of these long kicks made at the end of the half or game (which I don’t mind). And I think we will see some of those gambles fail as we get into seasonal football weather. If the NFL grows tired of it, just don’t give the teams the balls ahead of time.
That’s the inherent risk of missing long kicks. Just look at the Packers’ starting field position after Matt Gay’s miss at the end of the first half. Jordan Love needed one completion to Dontayvion Wicks to give Green Bay a chance at a field goal.
Dustin from Kansas City, MO
Through the first two games, which player has exceeded your expectations the most?
Wicks is off to a great start. He looks more like his 2023 self. LaFleur has done a great job scheming him up, too.