Hey everybody, thanks for logging on today. Hope all is well. Go ahead and start sending in your questions and I’ll get started shortly.
Did you think the blocked kick was illegal?
No, and I explained why in today’s Inbox. Looked to me like the long snapper kept his head down longer intentionally, and he can’t try to protect himself that way.
Well Mike, I guess Wes didn’t post my comment in II, but I felt it was T-shirt worthy. When asked in the game blog if the Bears’ press box food was still bad (OK, I did use a common Bear adjective when asking Wes), I loved your response, “Today did not alter reality.” Is that a Spoffism, movie quote, or what?
Oh, that was just my line. Came up with it in the moment. I’ve been covering games at Soldier Field since 2006 and have yet to feel like I had a good meal in the press box. It is what it is.
The outcry over the blocked FG is amusing to me. Pretty sure you’re Spoff on. (sorry)
It’s interesting because on the previous Bears placekick, the chip shot FG early in the third quarter, the Packers got pretty good penetration up the middle. Both Brooks and Wyatt were in there, it looked to me.
Saw Evan Williams and Javon Bullard switched spots on the depth chart–is this something you see often?
It’s not so much that as Bullard has become the top nickel back with Williams playing safety full time. They’re playing the spots they’re best suited for in the defense right now.
Any news on Jaire Alexander‘s injury?
Nope. I’ll be headed to practice in less than an hour.
Brenton Cox Jr. made a couple nice plays when unblocked. Did you notice how he did setting the edge, or with the read option?
I focused my film study on the offensive and special teams film this week. Didn’t really look closely at the defensive film.
Bears sent that play into the league. Not sure they’ll be happy they get told it’s fine.
Happens to teams all the time.
Do you think MarShawn Lloyd will get any carries this week? I know it’s a bit early, but curious.
Lloyd had an emergency appendectomy last week, from what I understand. He’ll be out a while yet.
Hi Mike, thanks for the content. It was so nice to see Jordan Love look like himself again. I thought the 2nd quarter 3rd and 11 that he converted to Christian Watson was what we needed to see. A chaotic pocket around him and he bounced around, stepped up, and fired a rocket. That’s a guy who’s confident again in his base.
I thought that was a very telling play, too. He maneuvered just enough to stand in the pocket and find a throwing lane, without getting all the way out and throwing the play off schedule. Then he fired a dart. That was a heck of a throw.
Mike, a non-Packers question. Have you had a chance to look at HOF semifinalists? Curious if you think Adam Vinatieri is a lock in his first year eligible, or any of those other first year guys.
I just glanced at the list this morning. Hadn’t thought much about it. I think Vinatieri will get in at some point. Not sure on first ballot, though.
Were you surprised that the Badgers took Oregon all the way down to the wire? Sadly, I was expecting like a 52-14 game, with the Badgers not on the top of that.
After the way UW’s defense played against Iowa, I thought Oregon would score a lot more than 16. That was an impressive defensive recovery and effort by the Badgers.
Mike, huge fan of yours and the Packers here in Ohio. In your opinion, what is the biggest issues on offense & defense so far this season?
On offense it’s been finishing drives and the interceptions. I think that’s obvious to everyone. But this offense is explosive and moves the ball pretty well. Just has to take the next step. Defensively, the pass rush is inconsistent. Some games they’ve made QBs uncomfortable, other games the QB is way too comfortable back there. I don’t look at sack numbers as much as what my eyes tell me by how the QB looks and feels back there, and it’s very different from game to game. Also, regarding the defense, I will say it would be helpful to get the No. 1 corner back. The unit needs Alexander to reach its peak and play its best.
Hi Mike, Regarding the Pack utilizing a spy on some plays, what caught my eye was Edgerrin Cooper being outrun by Williams a couple of times. Cooper’s interweb 40 time is faster and we recently saw him keep step for step with a WR. Cooper took bad angles on both plays so he must have been surprised by his speed. Was he the spy you were noting?
That’s what it looked like to me. Cooper’s speed is something to behold, but he just lost leverage and Williams took off quickly enough to get the angle on him.
I wouldn’t give a carry to anyone else other than JJ right now unless he’s out of breathe.
As I’ve said many times, I love the way Josh Jacobs plays and what he brings to this offense, but the Packers can’t overuse him and wear him out. They need him for all seven remaining games (and hopefully more).
Will we be able to afford all of are star Wr when we have to resign them?
No. Of the Packers’ top four WR, I wouldn’t expect them all to get second contracts here. That’s just the nature of the business.
Hey Mike. Do you think this week will get labeled as a “revenge game” for the Packers? If they find a way to get the job done, it’ll really put the Niners in a bind for this final stretch…
As I said in Inbox this morning, postseason demons can’t be exorcised in the regular season. Apples and oranges. And honestly, while a Packers win Sunday would put a damper on SF’s wild card hopes, if Seattle beats Arizona, then everyone in that division is still in the hunt for the crown.