How Far Can This Packers Team Go?
Three difference-making questions remain unanswered.
Even accounting for the usual pre-season hype, optimism is flooding through the veins of Packer nation, and why not? The next franchise quarterback is for real and secured with a long-term deal; a new (finally), aggressive defensive coordinator is in the house; a top-notch front office and head coach are running the show, and a deep, talent-filled roster is also one of the league’s youngest. So when Jordan Love dropped a 65-yard dime to Dontayvion Wicks on the third play from scrimmage in the Packers’ game Saturday in Cleveland, visions of Super Bowls could be seen dancing in cheeseheads everywhere.
Unfortunately, nothing is higher variance than running the 20- or 21-game NFL gauntlet required to prevail. One ill-timed injury, one bad call by the refs, one Brandon Bostick moment and it all can melt away in an instant. Not to mention the handful of very tough teams standing in the way. As much as possible, everything needs to be top-shelf at the same time, so it’s useful to consider — of the things Green Bay can control — what critical questions remain as the pre-season draws to a close.
On defense: Who’s the middle linebacker?
We know Jeff Hafley has brought a new scheme to Green Bay. We know it’s more of a 4-3, single-high safety approach, with an emphasis on moving toward the opposition and bringing pressure from all angles, as opposed to a more passive, prevent-style defense designed primarily to avoid explosive plays. What we don’t yet know is what the execution will look like and how players will be deployed, which isn’t a bad thing. Brian Gutekunst gave Hafley some interesting chess pieces to play with at safety, and I suspect they’ll be used in a variety of ways from down to down, including three on the field at once as happened Saturday. Evan Williams, in particular, looks to be a pleasant surprise.
But this style of defense, in which the front is focused on upfield pressure, relies on strong linebacker play to handle the short-intermediate portion of the field. (Remember, the Packers feasted on Dallas’ weakened linebacker corps on their way to thumping the Cowboys in the playoffs last year.) Safeties can help, but that in turn puts a lot of pressure on the outside corners to hold their own, on their own, in coverage.
Gute used a premium second-round draft pick this spring on LB Edgerrin Cooper, who unfortunately has missed a lot of practice time with an injury. Can the rookie handle the MIKE role when healthy? We don’t know. Quay Walker has gotten plenty of snaps there in the interim, but it’s questionable whether that’s the best role for him. Isaiah McDuffie is a decent third backer who has been improving, followed by Ty’Ron Hopper, a late-round draft pick. So far, none of these players has shown to be strong in coverage, and it looks like a group that could be attacked and potentially exploited by offensive coordinators.
It is no accident that the best defenses in the NFL have top-tier LBs in the middle, such as Fred Warner in San Francisco, Roquan Smith in Baltimore, Nick Bolton in Kansas City and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in Cleveland. Not only are these players strong against the run and in coverage, they are the defensive quarterbacks on the field. Maybe Xavier McKinney plays that role for Green Bay, but overall this position group remains a question mark.
On offense: The line is thin
The Packers’ reputation for knowing how to draft and develop offensive linemen is richly deserved, and the team’s devotion to positional versatility has served it well. Rasheed Walker seems to have solidified his place as one of the biggest draft steals in Green Bay history, a franchise left tackle drafted 249th in 2022. Zach Tom, settled in as the bookend at right tackle, was drafted 140th that same year. Elgton Jenkins has been solid at left guard, and when pressed into duty at LT when David Bakhtiari couldn’t play. John Myers is serviceable at center.
The problem is that if injuries strike any of these, the backup group is a muddle. It’s great that players can be moved around the line, but they still have to be replaced at their vacated spots. Andre Dillard has washed out elsewhere and did not look great against real competition on Saturday. Sean Rhyan can back up at guard or center but has yet to show true starting chops, and we don’t really know yet what the team has in rookie first rounder Jordan Morgan. Even if that pick eventually hits, it takes time for most rookie O-linemen to develop.
I am cautiously confident that the Packers can manage this well enough, but the wrong injury at the wrong time could really hurt.
On special teams: Will Bisaccia be ahead of the curve?
Virtually all of the offseason attention has been on the kicking competition, which is yet to be resolved. But the new kickoff rules bring the potential for innovative return and coverage schemes we have yet to imagine. It’s a fascinating new wrinkle to the game, one that we won’t be able to appreciate until the season starts, because no team will tip its hand before then. But I have to believe that the best special-teams coordinators are in the lab, cooking up creative, razzly-dazzly plays to unwrap at just the right moment. If you thought the tush-push was special, imagine what these new rules might bring.
I’ve beaten this drum previously LINK, and will again because there is nothing in the Packers DNA that suggests anything but a traditional approach to special teams. Making sure kickers hit the landing zone isn’t enough. Figuring out the best personnel for the new alignments isn’t enough. Especially early in the season, I predict games are going to be won and lost because some teams are going to treat this as an opportunity to be bold and to surprise their opponents, while others are just going to focus on feeling their way through and watching what others do.
My concern is that Rich Bisaccia, for all his beloved motivational skills, will do the latter. And if the worst happens, it could mean the difference between a first round bye in the playoffs and playing an extra game in January. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.
Health permitting, the Packers are poised for an exciting, deep run this season. Here’s hoping they push the buttons needed to go all the way.
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Jonathan Krim grew up in New York but got hooked on the Packers — and on hating the Cowboys — watching the Ice Bowl as a young child. He blames bouts of unhappiness in his late teens on Dan Devine. A journalist for several decades who now lives in California, he enjoys trafficking in obscure cultural references, lame dad jokes and occasionally preposterous takes. Jonathan is a Packers shareholder, and insists on kraut with his brats. You can follow Jonathan on twitter at @Jkrim.
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Comments (61)
Cheezehead72
August 12, 2024 at 08:12 am
I would add the RB2 position with Llyod hurting his hamstring. If this is a continuing problem who will be the RB2?
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 10:17 am
I like Lloyd, but I never really expected him to be RB 2 this year. Any RB has to be a proven protector before LaFleur gives him
Meaningful snaps. That battle is between Dillon and Wilson in my opinion and always was. At this point Wilson appears to offer too much to be left off, but there are two games to go.
T7Steve
August 12, 2024 at 08:17 am
It's all on the O-line. They need to prosper in order for this team to compete. We saw what happens when they don't. Three tries starting with 2 and 1 on Saturday. You can't blame Dillon for those guys getting pushed back into his face.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 09:07 am
I’m fully in agreement on the OL. Yes, the standards were lower, and everything was vanilla, but the OL looked a lot better with Caleb Jones at RT and Rhyan at C, even Monk at G made some points. Both Monk and Rhyan weren’t even playing at their main position. Arguably, even Jones, who seems to have been at LT in practice mostly since his return. My concern isn’t just the layers per se but our philosophy and how the personal priorities take shape and the depth in particular this year is evaluated.
I’ve had my doubts about the wisdom of our OL coaches since Stenavich got promoted and Butkus hired. It goes back to the baffling switcheroo that arguably lost us the playoffs when we undid the line that got us there and moved key pieces as well. It runs through the eulogizing of Hanson and Myers and refusal to countenance alternatives seriously ever, despite play. It extends through Newman at T and refusal to try Tom through the continued dalliance with Newman, and now with Dillard as well as the handling of Rhyan, Jones and, of course Nijman.
If our OLine coaching and philosophy is flawed, it undermined the potential at skill positions and in individual players. Yes, Walker is a gem that’s developed, so is Tom but one could argue the main delay was his usage, but how the interior particularly indeed whole line is developed is a perennial question it seems. For all I and others denigrated Dillon on Saturday, my real fear is that the IOL is the cause that any RB has to overcome. It got better when we had less favored players in.
Jacobs did rip off a 7 yarder power run, but our run blocking has to be better without Jones to find non existent holes. I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t shed the concern that, by season end, we are looking at the Line as the weak link that precluded a rounded O and undermined the Jacobs/Jones swap rational. I hope to be proven wrong, of course. We have a power running back attack it seems, but a OL philosophy and personnel choices that don’t seem to reflect that. Particularly if and when we do need depth, the wrong choices have previously been made, and I fear are going to be again.
barutanseijin
August 12, 2024 at 10:19 am
“Eulogize “??
When did Myers and Hanson die?
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 06:00 pm
Too often in a figurative sense on the field?
A Eulogy is for the dead because, well, one typically doesn’t speak ill of the dead, but the verb means “praise highly in speech or writing.” You don’t have to be dead but there can be an inference of excess.
T7Steve
August 12, 2024 at 10:26 am
That line got warmed up and started playing better together as they went along as you noted with some of the running later. Switching around is smart and helpful, but the 1s need to play together enough to gel. Wherever #6 and 7 play best, then if you have to switch the 1s to help them.
dobber
August 12, 2024 at 09:24 am
At this point, assuming Morgan can play and isn't ready to play OT, I think the third OT might actually be Jenkins.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 10:18 am
I thought Caleb Jones had a pretty good outing.
CanPackFan
August 12, 2024 at 10:25 am
I'd like to know which 3 interior OL were on the field for that 2nd and 1 debacle? I feel sorry for AJ. Those 3 linemen got crushed on 3 consecutive plays. If it were backups, then I kind of get it? But if any were starters, then I'm concerned. Like last year, I wonder if this O line will put an emphasize on run blocking?
T7Steve
August 12, 2024 at 10:29 am
They were the backups (TGR's snap counts show the starters for only 3 plays), but they were playing against backups too.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 02:22 pm
Jacobs ran behind Walker, Jenkins, Myers, Rhyan and Dillard for his snaps. Morgan and Tom didn’t suit up. Rhyan had yet to move to Center, Dillard to LT and Telfort to come in at RT. Dillon ran behind that second line, I think the guards were Newman and Monk. Lecetius Smith looked better than Newman to me, as an aside.
Since'61
August 12, 2024 at 08:27 am
The OL is the most critical question mark for the team at this point. The play of the OL determines how far the offense will go and in effect how far the team will go. While the starting 5 look reasonably solid the situation with the depth behind the starters remains a concern.
On defense the LB situation will remain an open issue until Cooper can get on the field. I will not be surprised if it takes a few games before the defense is completely implemented and becomes fully effective early in the season. The Packers will need their offense to carry them early on as the new defense settles in.
As for the Special Teams the Packers need to settle on their kicker and they need to make the correct choice. IMO it's very difficult at this time of the year to know how effective a kicker will be in November and December at Lambeau with the wind, cold, rain and snow.
We have 25 days remaining of hype and propaganda before the first game of the regular season. At that point reality begins and the results will show how well the Packers have dealt with the issues which will determine their season. Hopefully and most importantly the Packers reach Week One with a healthy roster.
Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 09:14 am
I agree on picking a kicker. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hales on the PS, which would suggest that there will be at least some continuation through the season for whomever we select.
Equally important though, we need to be looking hard at our LS. There seems to be no competition but regularly errant snaps. No kicker is going to thrive with that happening. Relying on Whelan, who is an extremely good holder as it turns out, to paper over it won’t cut it forever. I’m somewhat baffled at the apparent lack of concern or competition in contrast with that at K.
GregC
August 12, 2024 at 10:07 am
I was disappointed when they cut the rookie long snapper, Peter Bowden, to bring in a fourth QB during the first week of training camp. They brought him back a few days later, but their willingness to cut him suggests that he's not a serious contender for the job. Maybe they need to find a long snapper on the waiver wire. Matt Orzech makes me nervous.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 09:53 am
Of course you know that makes you a kicker picker.
What if ALL the kickers perform pretty well? With no one really asserting dominance? Glad I don’t have to make that choice. Talk about an easily second-guessed situation. Yuck.
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 10:27 am
As a switch, I find dominance an overrated evaluator.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 11:30 am
You make a fair point.
I’m happy to take a back seat in this regard.
Rebelgb
August 12, 2024 at 09:35 am
Since '61 once again your comment is well thought out and on the mark. You really did sum up the biggest concern for me and a potential SB run, the OL. Especially if we suffer even 1 major injury which league wise is almost a given in the NFL when it comes to linemen.
NitschkeFromTheGrave
August 12, 2024 at 09:08 am
The biggest questions are still the Achilles from last year, A) OL consistency and depth and B) Linebacker/s that strike fear in the opposing.
C) I know its pre-season and nobody wants injuries but its fundamental- arm tackling is still an issue. Cmon guys put your shoulder in it !
GPG
GregC
August 12, 2024 at 09:11 am
The defense is the biggest mystery. Will Hafley's scheme actually work? I am cautiously optimistic. They may have to tone down the aggression a little, but I still think it will be an upgrade over the previous scheme.
I was hoping Edgerrin Cooper would play middle linebacker, but it looks like they settled on Quay Walker for that role even before Cooper got hurt. And I believe Walker will be calling the defensive plays.
I'm not sure what makes some people think there are going to be a lot of long kick returns with the new rules. That's not what happens in the XFL. Even if a team figures out how to do it, opposing teams will counter by not kicking the ball to the returner.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 09:25 am
The more I watch the kickoff, the more I doubt that this will work to revive anything. The incentive appears to me minimal. It looks hard to break a big one and therefore incentivizes touch backs in part due to the changes to the old XFL rule. I very much hope I’m wrong, because I want this play to be revived, but thus far the signs don’t seem promising from any game played.
dobber
August 12, 2024 at 09:32 am
How far? One game at a time.
After one preseason game, I think the OL depth is the biggest concern. It's hard to say much about the defense based on this one, un-gameplanned showing where most of the key players only got a handful of snaps, but it was a nice defensive showing for that first time out.
My observations...
...early returns are that Evan Williams is a gamer. He'll be hard to keep off the field.
...Grant DuBose is going to push Malik Heath and Samori Toure off the roster.
...the Packers will be forced to trade one of their WR at some point.
...they need to find snaps for Lukas van Ness.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 10:39 am
I’m not sure I agree on the trade imperative. Next year Doubs, Walker and Toure enter a contract year. Toure may no longer be with us. Unless both Watson and Doubs have massive breakout seasons I could see us extending both or letting one or both play out their deals just as easily. To some extent it depends on talent, but Hicks aside, who could physically create an option or Wicks dethroning one, I don’t see a strong trade imperative in 2025.
If you meant this season, we aren’t trading our top 4 unless we are out of it by deadline day. Unlikely and, if that is true, we’ve got a whole host of problems not contemplated anywhere here. Of the remainder, only Melton and, if he keeps it up, Dubose perhaps have trade value.
Melton is the only guy on this roster bar Watson with elite speed. He’s also the most obvious depth behind Reed. I don’t see us passing on that after last season. He’s probably the one who edges Toure out. If the league has noticed Dubose, then a continuation of Saturday might give him value. He’s an X/big slot, a role filled by Watson and Wicks. We could spare another given that Heath has proved serviceable in that limited role and as a goon. Heath I doubt has trade value. Behind that, I don’t see any either. Hicks we should in any case want to hold on to, to get on our PS.
Just my thoughts, I’m interested to understand how yours differ?
dobber
August 12, 2024 at 01:06 pm
Correct: they don't have to do it now, but in the next 12 months, the Packers will deal a WR.
The reasons...
...1) a year left on a rookie contract increases the value
...2).the depth at WR means that paying more than one of Doubs or Watson will be a bad move re: other WR coming up the following year
...3).the likely return of a comp pick will be less than what they'll get in return for one of these guys in trade
Rebelgb
August 12, 2024 at 09:33 am
Ok im going to get greedy.
Thank you Team for updating the site. We complained, you listened. Thats how things are supposed to work in the business world!
Now im going to go one step further. Im going to get some heat from this but I can take it. Most sites work this way so im not out of line to ask it:
If I am browsing an article and am not logged in and I decided to hit REPLY to any specific comment, I love that the site automatically takes me to the sign in page, great, that is as it should be, HOWEVER after I sign in, the site should return me to exactly the spot I left. I shouldnt have to scroll around and look for the comment I wanted to reply to.
Seems trivial I know but it is a common web feature and I would think easily implemented.
HawkPacker
August 12, 2024 at 10:04 am
Bottom line is get logged in right from the start.
Ferrari-Driver
August 12, 2024 at 09:33 am
Barring a significant injury to our quarterback, I will put my 2 cents on the Packers winning the NFC over any other team in that conference. I'm concerned about going into the season relying on Carlson as our kicker. At this point in the preseason, Joseph just seems like the more accurate of the two but who knows who will get the final nod. I watched quite a few of the preseason games replayed on the NFL channel and the kickers around the league don't miss many field goals these days and I would hate to see a repeat of what happened in the game against the 49er's last season which could cost us a trip to the Super Bowl.
Rebelgb
August 12, 2024 at 09:38 am
The 49ers are going to be a tough nut. Top to bottom they are the most talented team in football. The only real difference between them and KC is Brock Purdy and Andy Reid.
The one advantage we have is the 49ers have Purdy. If our new defense can cause panic for him in the pocket it will negate the rest of their very talented offensive weapons. Purdy can be beat.
So lets hope our defense lives up to the expectations.
HawkPacker
August 12, 2024 at 10:07 am
Yes, having a good kicker is paramount to our success.
Has Joseph had much experience kicking in cold weather? When he came to GB in cold weather in the past he did not do very well. He was used to kicking in a dome.
Carlson has at least one season under his belt in the cold weather which is a plus. Also, if I remember correctly, his brother's second season was much better than his first. Hopefully, that will happen with our Carlson too.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 10:52 am
Joseph has been worse than Carlson was last year while playing the majority of games in domes. In camp he’s looked reliable, but the difference between the two is essentially one day. As we know, even the greats have those days, all kickers will.
Additionally I’m not sure how statistically significant the difference is at this point. I don’t see that Joseph has done anything wrong, but I do wonder what’s different over his past too. Moreover, how much growth has Carlson had and has the effect of the LS issues been equal.
I’m no kicking guru, but from where I stand we haven’t proved one candidate stands out markedly from another. Unless we do, I’d stick with the younger guy, simply because kickers generally do improve over their first 2 or 3 seasons. At some point though, they have to make a call and it’s not obvious either will make it for them.
Bitternotsour
August 12, 2024 at 11:29 am
see also: Carlson's brother - the Vikings quit on him too early and the Raiders reaped the windfall.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 09:55 am
Yes! Therein lies the difficulty!
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 10:32 am
As a person who fled Wisconsin in my teens I have a much more optimistic vision. I prefer we kick zero field goals and punts this year. All gas, no brakes. Our kicker needs only be proficient at kick-off. The punter more of a Lamar Jackson type.
fireball
August 12, 2024 at 10:13 am
Nothing new with AJ Dillon. Same as last two years: stuffed at the line and point of contact.
My understanding is that his one-year contract of 2.7 million dollars is guaranteed. A terrible contract once again by management.
I also thought that Pratt has a much better arm than Clifford.
GregC
August 12, 2024 at 10:41 am
I looked up Dillon's contract, and it's confusing. However, it is generally regarded as a team-friendly deal because there is so little impact on the salary cap: $1.2 million if they keep him and only $167,000 if they cut him before the season begins. Dillon actually makes more than that though. You may be right about the $2.7 million. I couldn't find any article that explains it clearly.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 11:07 am
Dillon got a 167k signing bonus. Nothing else is guaranteed, so your understanding is incorrect. Minimal risk resigning, and the bonus is already lost: no cost to cut him now if they were so inclined.
vermontaigne
August 12, 2024 at 10:26 am
I clicked on LINK and nothing happened.
PatrickGB
August 12, 2024 at 10:47 am
Fire the Strength and conditioning coach!….wait…we just did that. Never mind.
LeotisHarris
August 12, 2024 at 10:52 am
Any ideas on the origins of "dropping dimes" to refer to an accurate pass? The interwebz suggests it goes back to use of a pay telephone to contact the police with an anonymous tip. Seems like a reach to me with the expression being a relatively recent commonly used phrase. Can't remember Johnny U or Joe Namath 'dropping dimes" in print media or play-by-play. Bart never dropped dimes. Curt Gowdy, Pat Summerall and John Madden never uttered the phrase. Who's in charge of CHTV You Ask, We Answer?
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 11:32 am
Turn on a dime is a version of a much older English phrase mentioning a small coin as descriptive of a tight or tiny space. Conflate that with the concept of threading a needle and basketball evolved the phrase to describe threading a pass through a tiny opening that could be shortened Quite possibly the ad line “drop a dime, stop a crime” that was very well known just influenced the choice of analogy through familiarity.
Now you can relax and just worry about preseason football.
LeotisHarris
August 12, 2024 at 01:13 pm
I knew you'd come through. I'd question turn on a dime as an origin, though. To me, that implies a sudden change in direction.
The fascination with dimes was embraced by my Jr High football coach who used "sh*t purple dimes" to express surprise. His lexicon also included "like sh*t through a tin horn", which was encouragement to do something with speed and vigor. Maybe his fascination was really more with sh*t than with dimes.
Coldworld
August 12, 2024 at 02:52 pm
A sudden change of direction yes, but on a point or spot: a tight area like a dime.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 09:58 am
I’d recommend prunes, all bran, and magnesium supplements. That oughta keep er movin.
Just my 2 cents.
Anybody got 8 more?
Bitternotsour
August 12, 2024 at 11:35 am
Dropping a dime is to rat someone out. The intertubes are correct. I remember another colloquialism that may bear some connection - connected on a dime. I think it may have some sports specific analogue. Of course there's always the "finding of dimes" - a message from a deceased loved one. We might consider a well-thrown ball, Love to Wicks an expression of a similar pass from Favre to Sharpe, or Rodgers to Jennings a fair comparison because both Favre and Rodgers are dead to me.
LeotisHarris
August 12, 2024 at 01:15 pm
Trust I haven't taken your posts for granted. The finding dimes-Favre-Rodgers connection is pure gold.
Bitternotsour
August 12, 2024 at 07:18 pm
I only write for 3 or 4 people on this site (besides finding myself infinitely clever), so thanks for noticing.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 10:01 am
My female coworkers used to refer to me as a “dime piece”. Does that factor into this discussion?
(My goal is for you to add me, thus increasing your crü to FIVE.)
Bitternotsour
August 13, 2024 at 10:14 am
You are in the parlance of the site, a prospect.
Also, dude - a dime piece! High praise indeed.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 11:32 am
My workday often felt like a long walk past a construction site. I took to wearing earplugs to drown out the whistles and verbal assaults.
mvprzy
August 12, 2024 at 02:43 pm
In basketball, "dropping a dime" refers to when a pass to a teammate allows them to score easily - an assist. Magic Johnson is a good example.
I can relate to dropping a dime being an accurate pass into a receiver's hands for a score.
Wisma Packer
August 12, 2024 at 11:13 am
"One ill-timed injury, one bad call by the refs, one Brian Bostick moment and it all can melt away in an instant."
Did you purposely mis-spell Brandon's name because you cannot bear to hear/write the correct name?
Bitternotsour
August 12, 2024 at 11:36 am
PTSD is strong in this one
splitpea1
August 12, 2024 at 11:15 am
After one preseason game where the starters/potential starters either played sparingly or not at all, it's tough to make even an educated guess on how far this team can go. Remember we have plenty of unanswered questions throughout the process of implementing the new defense, and that will continue in the early stages of the season. I liked what I saw from Van Ness and E. Williams, though.
Maybe this article should be re-posted at roughly the quarter pole.
stockholder
August 12, 2024 at 11:38 am
Walker is your ILB ,and can stand alone.
LeotisHarris
August 12, 2024 at 01:19 pm
Hi-ho, the derry-o!
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 11:34 am
The Cheese (head) stands alone
LambeauPlain
August 12, 2024 at 01:42 pm
How far can this Team go? To answer your question, Jonathan...farther than last year, farther than 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
While the distance is the same, that Lombardi looks less far away today...the road more straight and narrow.
PhantomII
August 12, 2024 at 02:10 pm
This TEAM has the pieces on offense and defense to go all the way. Unfortunately, we will live or die by special teams gaffs.... ST is BY FAR the most limiting part of 2024's makeup. Unless we address ST, I would go for it on 4th down every time as we are built now. I have zero faith in ST doing their part.
ImaPayne2
August 12, 2024 at 10:16 pm
Good points. My concern that kind of ties in with a lot of this on defense, do we have speed and agility.
IMO Andy Reid makes monkeys out of other coaches approach to football. Speed kills always had. The niners were gassed in the 4th quarter in the super bowl. Those fast backs, fast receivers, fast tight ends wear defenses down. Even good defenses. Andy drafts the fastest guys in the draft when he can.
They are my favorites to repeat.
TKWorldWide
August 13, 2024 at 10:03 am
I don’t see middle linebacker as an issue. 70% (or more) of the time there will be only two linebackers on the field, and I 100% expect the two will be Walker and Cooper.