Inbox: It's taken many things

[Cheesehead]

Michael from Berrien Springs, MI


Today, one can truly look back with 2020 hindsight.


Only here can you find wisdom like this, folks.


John from Fox River Grove, IL


Gentlemen, it may not be a happy start for the new year if the news I heard is true. Did David Bakhtiari tear his ACL in practice Thursday? If so, who's his replacement?


The reports on Bakhtiari are distressing, to say the least. It's not appropriate for me to comment on the situation until LaFleur addresses the media after practice today. Let's see what he says.


Deb from Green Bay, WI


Just heard that Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID. The NFL has done so well in getting thru the season. Boy is it going to be important for the team to be careful for the next six-ish weeks. The margin for error is so slim. Stay safe everyone!


That threat hasn't dissipated, either.


Trevor from Cheyenne, WY


I like the idea of bringing in Damon Harrison. Who loses snaps if he plays? Is he just a 10-15 snaps a game player on potential run plays, or can he get to the QB too? Only downside is I feel like the defense is really starting to gel. Any issue with throwing a monkey wrench into that with a new guy?


I don't think so, not with a veteran guy who's going to be given a specific role. He's a run-stuffer, pure and simple. I think he might take a few snaps from Tyler Lancaster and/or Kingsley Keke, the latter being better in the pass rush anyway.


Chris from Eau Claire, WI


With how well the offense is performing, the defense can be overlooked. Jaire Alexander might be the best player on this team. With his lack of traditional stats, is there any chance he is in the running for DPOY?


Unfortunately, no, but that's no disrespect to him. History shows that it's pretty much required for a defensive back to have the INT stats to win it, and some touchdowns don't hurt. Last year's winner, Stephon Gilmore, had six picks, two returned for TDs. In 2010, Troy Polamalu had seven picks, one TD. In '09, Charles Woodson for the Packers had nine picks, three TDs. In '04, Ed Reed had nine picks, one TD. The only exception in the last 20 years was Indy safety Bob Sanders in '04, who had just two picks, but he also had 3½ sacks. Prior to those mentioned, you're going all the way back to Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson in the early '90s for DBs who won it. It's a tall order for a DB to get it.


Mike from Algoma, WI


Good morning Spoff. Could you ask Davante Adams how much hopscotch he plays to practice his get-off at the line?


He had to be the schoolyard champ in his youth, right?


Mike from Allen, TX


Gentlemen, Jimmy Graham is enjoying more success in Chicago than his past few years. Are the Bears scheming differently? Is it the dearth of pass-catching talent around him? What do you see?


His stats aren't drastically different from his years in Green Bay, except for the touchdowns (eight this year compared to five over two Packers seasons). Frankly, I think he's just caught the ball better on those scoring opportunities with the Bears than he did here. The Packers gave him a lot of red-zone chances and he wasn't as efficient at coming down with the ball.


Doug from Castle Rock, CO


Can you explain what it's meant when they say "the quarterback trusts this receiver"? Does he target a receiver specifically, or if all things are equal, he will look to that receiver first?


Sometimes, but not necessarily. It means he's confident the receiver will be where he's supposed to be when he's supposed to be there, and that the receiver reads defenses and sees the field much the same way the QB does. Whether he's first in the progression or someone the QB can go to in a bailout scenario, trust is everything.