Jerry from Des Moines, IA
Yesterday Tim from Superior, WI, asked about ML being conservative with playing time for starters in preseason. With two joint practices does neither JL10 or MW2 play in preseason games? Or is it important for Malik Willis‘s career to show what he can do, especially if Jordan Love is healthy all year?
I would expect Willis to play plenty in the preseason.
Hod’s answer on OTAs vs. minicamp got me thinking about all the changes to the NFL offseason in recent years. Do you think the limits on practice times make it tougher or easier for a drafted rookie/UDFA to stand out these days?
It definitely makes it tougher on the undrafted players, especially compared to the era of two-a-days providing significantly more opportunities on the practice field. But the trade-off now is the larger practice squad, which allows more young, developmental prospects to stick around, make an impression on the scout team, and perhaps get elevated to the active roster if needed, or at least show enough to be brought back on the following offseason’s 90-man roster for another crack at the 53.
So, what is the actual “issue” with Jaire Alexander? I’ve read all offseason about his “situation” and I don’t really know what it is? Is he unhappy with money? Or scheme assignment? And where is it even coming from? I’d just Google it, but I respect both of your reporting. Just give me the actual facts. Go Pack Go!
In a nutshell, the issue is salary vs. availability. He’s one of the highest-paid corners in the league who’s missed more than half the season in three of the last four years. But the last two full seasons he’s played (2020, ’22), he’s been second-team All-Pro. The Packers would love to have that player, but the injury history says that’s a big risk for a vested veteran whose salary is fully guaranteed come Week 1. A restructured contract requires both sides to agree – whether here or with a trade partner – and Gutekunst has made it clear he’s not interested in an outright release that gets nothing in return. At some point, someone will have to make a move.
Jeff from Indian Lake, NY
If you could pick one player (other than JL10) to stay healthy this year who are you picking? I feel like it has to be Edgerrin Cooper. The defense is just different with him on the field and by all accounts he has transformed his body this offseason. I hate to rush the summer but I can’t wait to watch him hit someone.
I’d concur on the Cooper pick there.
I know it is early, but who do you think gets the left tackle job?
I got out of the prediction business long ago, but I’ll just say neither outcome would be a big surprise. One candidate, Rasheed Walker, has done a solid job there the last two years, showing particular improvement after a mini-rash of early-season penalties last season. The other, Jordan Morgan, is a first-round draft pick. May the best man win.
I agree the Favre documentary didn’t contain anything new, but I found it interesting that even with all his dirty laundry presented at once, it still didn’t change my view of him as the hero I watched as a teen/young adult. I’m not sure what that says about me, or sports fandom in general, but it got me thinking: Was there ever a player (obviously without naming) everyone loved but you knew was not the person everyone thought he was, and was it difficult to be objective in your coverage?
I haven’t written about any player’s off-the-field life if I thought or knew I’d be misleading readers.
Does the Pack want to develop a “go-to” play used like the “Green Bay sweep” from the past?
Every offense has its staples, but the game isn’t played that way anymore. Anything resembling a “go-to” play on film, opponents gear up to stop it. Why couldn’t anyone stop the Lombardi sweep then, y’all ask? In part because defenses didn’t substitute, and certainly nowhere near as liberally as they do today. Every coordinator now can come up with a sub-package to take away what somebody does best. Different players create different matchups and hence different results. That’s today’s game.