Inbox: There are no guarantees

Cheesehead

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2019
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Craig from Laramie, WY


For the Packers Everywhere file: As in many past Septembers, I am in alone in elk camp at 9200'. Today I am riding out a winter storm in my wall tent, over a foot of snow already and still coming down. Happily, I have cell service and can keep up with all the Packers news. My question is will there be any "virtual" Packers Everywhere events or activities in light of COVID?


We are having virtual pep rallies for the first three road games. Here's the info on the first one Saturday night.


Bubba from Kenosha, WI


"...I keep saying the table is set for Robert Tonyan to break out this year." Besides Tonyan, there seems to be a higher number than normal of third- and fourth-year players with the opportunity to have breakout years...Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and Oren Burks. I include Josh Jackson (Pettine says he'll play significant minutes, now focused on one position and Coach Gray). If just two break out, add the potential of a rookie splash, and the usual leap of first-year players, I'm really excited for a team coming off 13-3.


As I've said all along, there are areas the Packers could be significantly better in 2020. But there are no guarantees, either. Will the pass rush be as good? Can Aaron Jones produce like that again? Can the team stay as healthy? Can it repeat a plus-12 turnover margin? Some of what produced 13-3 last year won't or can't be maintained, so breakouts and other improvements can help offset inevitable setbacks elsewhere.


Chuck from Santa Ana, CA


Which position group(s) do you think have probably improved from last year's team? And which position group(s) do feel might be a little worse than last year's team? My feel is that OLB is going to be even better than 2019 while I am concerned that OL is weaker than what we had.


This starting secondary playing another year together could take a talented group to another level. I also like what Rashan Gary can bring as a third edge rusher, and I like the depth at running back. But every team has question marks. Right tackle and tight-end production on offense, plus defensive-line depth and stopping the run consistently on defense, are the ones attached to the Packers. I think a lot of teams' question marks are more glaring than that.


Reed from York, PA


Is there a bigger roster surprise for previous Packers than Josh Jones being a starting SS for Jacksonville?


While Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is without a team and looking to latch onto his fourth different one since leaving Green Bay two years ago. As Ferris Bueller would say, "Life moves pretty fast."


Daniel from Allen, TX


Latching on to Dave from Rockford's question about why centers aren't used today to be the long snapper. In my younger years, the centers generally were the long snappers. My question for the II is, would you consider center to be the most taxing position to play, when you consider the physical and mental aspects of the game? You have to snap the ball, then engage some huge guy, then maybe another guy on a stunt. And you have to make all the line calls. To me it is like a catcher in baseball.


Interesting comparison. Combining the mental and physical demands, it's probably a close call between center and middle/inside linebacker, the latter because of the defensive signal calling and high number of tackles he's involved in.


Pat from Kennesaw, GA


When the COVID started and there were questions about fan attendance for each team, it was stated that the NFL would decide and it would either be fans or no fans. It wouldn't be left up to the teams because the NFL didn't want some teams having fans and some teams not. What happened? Why is Goodell now saying it's not really an advantage if some teams allow fans?


This is what I expected all along, for it to be left up to the teams and locales. The NFL never officially announced there would be a uniform policy. Some assumed there would be. In a year where revenue losses will be significant across the board, the NFL is not going to turn down any partial revenue streams that can be generated safely. Money outweighs total fairness in these circumstances, and I'm not the least bit surprised.
 
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