Inbox: There’s no better formula

Cheesehead

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2019
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Mike from Ames, IA


Can we get the Pro Shop to sell a Smith jersey with No. 55 on the front and 91 on the back? Will make the choosing process easier for the fans and probably sell like hotcakes. Let's lean into the power of the combined Smiths!


Now there’s an idea. Good morning!


Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL


Great article on the defense, Wes! I love watching good offense and in recent years have averted my eyes and turned off the sound with our defense on the field. Not anymore, with our speed and attacking style the defense has become a must-see.


The Packers’ defense is must-see TV right now and it looks sustainable. In the past, even when the defense was playing well, there always seemed to be questions whether it would be sustainable week-to-week. Barring injury, this feels like a unit that can contend with the league’s most dynamic offenses. And as we all know, there’s no better formula for building a championship team than a suffocating defense.


Kyle from Santa Cruz, CA


I was at the game on Sunday and I only have one urgent question, is Jamaal Williams ever not dancing? It’s not just game breaks, he’s doing it in the huddle. I’m surprised he can stay still in the backfield before the snap. I love it.


I can’t say I’ve ever covered an athlete quite like Williams. It’s not only his dancing and pregame antics but also the way he answers questions in the locker room. He dropped “Mermaid” and “Spongebob” in the same reply about playing in the rain Sunday night. He’s one-of-a-kind and a criminally underrated running back on top of that.


Mike from Fort Wayne, IN


I have been wondering why Jake Kumerow and Danny Vitale haven't been playing more and was excited that Danny almost scored on that pass. I know it was only training camp, but I remember both players getting accolades from the coaches and even “12” himself. I know there is an earned pecking order and only so many balls available out there, but I still wonder if they could inject some juice into our offense, especially since they seem to have a knack for making plays and 12's trust.


Well, Kumerow was hurt. He sat with a shoulder injury. However, it was good the Packers put that wheel route on film with Vitale, who played a season-high 19 offensive snaps. Not only does it show defenses they need to respect Vitale’s route-running but it also showcases the type of impact he can make in this offense. Unfortunately for my fantasy team, he was just millimeters short of the end zone.


Paul from Hewitt, WI


The Packers are getting more pressure and sacks so far this year on the opposing team's quarterback. Do you know if they are blitzing less and getting more pressure? If they are this much more sustainable than relying on the blitz.


While Mike Pettine is willing to put seven players on the line of scrimmage and occasionally throw the kitchen sink on third downs, the Packers seem to be winning more with their even three- and four-man rushes this year. I think that’s what’s wearing down offensive lines and quarterbacks over the course of four quarters.


Justin from Ivins, UT


Of the remaining undefeated teams, who do you think has faced the toughest opponents thus far? I'd say it was the Packers, Chiefs, Rams...but I may be biased.


The Packers passed two big division tests during the first two weeks and did what they needed to do to dispatch the Broncos on Sunday. The work continues on Thursday.


Brian from Sussex, WI


I'm sure Rashan Gary getting some official stats helped mellow the howl. But what I notice when watching is how often I see him close to the runner or QB – taking away a running lane, not letting the QB escape or step up. It appears he's creating impact fairly often compared to the number of snaps he's had so far this year.


Gary looked good the first two weeks, but with the Packers living in their base defense, the rookie first-round pick didn’t see much of the field. With the Packers showing more of their dime personnel against Denver, Gary played 26 snaps and responded with four tackles, his first career sack and a fumble recovery.


Glen from Leesburg, VA


When you have a game where your two first-round picks have an interception, sack and a fumble recovery, you have to like that kind of progress. I feel good that games like this will go a long way to build confidence in young players such as Savage and Gary. It's a long season, so it has to give the Packers a good feeling they can count on the young guys to contribute this early.


I’ve always been a bit leery of players who are “climbers” in the pre-draft process but Savage has made me rethink that stance. I expected to see the athleticism right away, but Savage is playing well beyond his 22 years right now. The stage hasn’t been too big for either first-rounder.
 
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