When a player leaves the Packer organization for a division foe, which of these factors contributes most to a player’s personal motivation? Money, revenge or ego factor. If you ranked them 1 to 3 and why, I’m interested in your take on that. I’m sure the answer isn’t cookies, but losing Big Bob might come back to haunt us.
Other than Favre, I would rank the factors as money and opportunity. That’s it, that’s all.
Matthew from Sheboygan, WI
I recently enjoyed hearing Tre Watson, an XFL player and Christian Watson’s older brother, on a podcast. Tres’s perspective as a family member with a keen understanding of the Packers’ offense and Christian’s role within it opened up a new dimension in my fandom. Have you ever met a family member or members who impressed you with how thoroughly they understood their Packers’ work on the field? Or is such an understanding common? By the way, Tre has the skills to be a great NFL analyst/commentator.
I can’t say I’ve ever had such an encounter. The only one that comes close occurred in one of my first years in this job. The Packers had an undrafted DB named Tra Boger trying to make the roster. His father is Jerome Boger, the NFL official. I chatted with him and he shared how some of the conversations are going with his father regarding civil servant. It was short but informative.
Bill from Raleigh, NC, pointed to the last game against Detroit as a reason not to trust our defense. Let’s not forget that D held the high-flying Lions offense to 20 points. That’s seven points less than their 2022 average. They held them to 15 in the first game. The D didn’t put up a ton of points, but most were in the fourth quarter. Part of that could be on the offense. When the offense puts the defense too much on the field, they wear themselves out both physically and mentally.
It truly is a team game.
Michael from Berrien Springs, MI
Based on previous readings in II, I’m guessing Wes is happy to see Cecil Isbell considered for the Hall of Fame. I hope Sterling Sharpe comes in at some point as well. He was so dominant in his playing time. It’s a shame that a neck injury derailed the career path of such a fantastic talent. Throw in Mike Holmgren and a few others this year and the Packers are well represented.
Wes will stop for Isbell every chance he gets, so I’ll leave that up to him. I think Sharpe and Holmgren will both come in at some point, but it could still take a while.
If Terrell Davis is a HOFer, Sterling Sharpe is a HOFer. That is all.
In a general sense, I tend to agree. I’ve said all along that what separated Davis in this discussion was what he did in the postseason — 204 carries, 1,140 yards and 12 TDs … in just eight games, including a Super Bowl MVP.
Unless Jerry Rice and Sterling Sharpe, the two best wide receivers I’ve ever seen, did 35 reps on the bench press. PLEASE explain to me why bench pressing would ever matter at wide receiver?
The position is asked to block on occasion, you know.
Another site has put together a team of the best Packer players in the 30 years of the Favre/Rodgers era. Of the five cornerbacks selected, two were undrafted free agents. What does this mean to you?
Several things. Tramon Williams and Sam Shields were both late bloomers, they had incredible guys like Charles Woodson and Al Harris to learn the ins and outs of the game from, and Joe Whitt Jr. was a very valuable assistant coach in the McCarthy era.
Paul of Wolcottville, IN
Not a question, more of an observation. As a Reds fan (don’t show me the door just yet!) I had very, very low expectations for the season. But this team of young players is a thrill to watch and grow together. I didn’t have high expectations for this year’s Packers squad, but after seeing what this young, rebuilt Reds team is doing, I think this could be one of the most entertaining seasons we’ve had in a some time. No expectations, just joy of what could be!
Professional sports seasons are long and as such can grind and spit out young players trying to find their way. They also give young players and teams the opportunity to grow and come into their own. You never really know.
Troy from Bakersfield, CA
“Don’t lose the game in the first 55 minutes, win it in the last 5.” I don’t throw around the term “deep” loosely, but I found Mike’s description of the new style in the NFL to be exactly that. Perfect product for the league as it keeps viewers and spectators around much longer. As an entity, what has the NFL done to nearly perfect its product over the past few decades to achieve so many one-possession scores at the end of games?
This is due to all the factors that together contribute to competitive balance – primarily the salary cap, but also the reverse draft order and freedom of action. An additional factor, I think, is the rules are geared toward the overwhelming importance of quarterback play, so any game that matches two teams relatively evenly matched at QB will increasingly come down to the final minutes.
What’s a potential team strength we’re not talking about yet?
The kicking game? Who knows, Anders Carlson might be the next big one. We will see.
Yes, defense GB played differently after Watson got going. He’ll have a lot to grow/build on, but I was amused/excited how despite that adjustment, Watson was only slowed down a bit. That speed alone won’t get him very far this year, but the more he mixes technique with it, watch out.
That’s the plan, Stan. I mean, Ben. Happy Friday.