Inbox: They’ve been doing it all season

Cheesehead

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Mar 19, 2019
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Matt from Waukesha, WI


Do you see Rashan Gary getting more snaps in Sunday's game?


The Packers obviously want Za’Darius and Preston Smith on the field as much as possible, especially once the playoffs begin. Depending on how the first half goes against Detroit, however, this could be an opportunity to get Gary more involved.


Mike from Fort Wayne, IN


What is your assessment of Rashan Gary's development this year? I like to watch players develop, and "The Tortoise and the Hare" story seems to apply to the Packers’ plan for Rashan this year, especially playing behind the Smith duo. But I can see improvement.


As I wrote last week, Gary is making the most of his opportunities. The Packers aren’t asking him to be Za’Darius or Preston Smith right now. They want him to be a 22-year-old rookie learning from two of the best at his position. According to Pro Football Focus, Gary has 15 pressures in 136 pass-rushing snaps.


Dennis from Seal Beach, CA


Longtime fan (Waukesha native). First-time writer. Like most fans I tend to watch nervously. But even after the third turnover, there was something in the intensity of the defense that caused me to feel certain of a positive outcome. Likewise, the offense felt resolute they would handle business. Cousins look scared and confused. How far does confidence carry a team through the playoffs?


Confidence is everything, in any sport. All that matters starting Monday is whether you feel like you can beat any team in front of you to claim the game’s ultimate prize. And that’s where the Packers’ headspace is at the moment.


Aaron from Brooklyn, NY


For anyone still hung up on the narrative about how bad our offense is because we don't have the yards, four of the top 10 offenses by yards (TB, ATL, LAR, LAC) are not going to the playoffs, and the NFL's "best" offense (DAL) needs some help to make the playoffs. And if you look only at passing yards, that number jumps to six of 10. It may be a QB-driven league, but it still takes 53 players to make a team.


Yards don’t win or lose games. Points win or lose games.


Mike from Augusta, GA


How much momentum do you think Gute has for NFL executive of the year? I can't think of any GM who has done more in a short time. Brought in four free agents and ALL of them hit! Not sure that's ever happened. Scored an extra first-rounder while still getting Jaire Alexander. Made tough calls on some Packer legends who were on the downside of their careers that turned out to be correct. I can't think of any GM more worthy!


I’ll bang the drum for Gutekunst until all the ballots are turned in. The stakes were high in March and he hit the jackpot. Gutekunst built this team up for instant success, while not losing sight of the bigger picture. He signed the right players, held onto his draft picks and is still unearthing gems as we speak.


Josh from El Sobrante, CA


Hey II, hope your Christmas was wonderful! As I was listening to my daily dose of "Packers Unscripted" the thing I really enjoyed was Mike's statement that the game vs. DET is almost like winning your first playoff game. Can we CC: Coach ML and the Big Dog ML to add that into their pregame speeches? Seems like a great way to add fuel to the fire.


Matt LaFleur echoed that same line when he stepped to the podium later that day. If LaFleur is saying that to the media, you can bet that’s a message he’s driving home this week in the team meeting room.


Paul from Bay View, WI


Guys, with the emergence of Marshawn Lynch returning to the Seahawks, would it be that far-fetched to think we could use Jordy Nelson during this stretch run in the postseason? If we do get that bye week by beating Detroit, I'm sure Jordy would have enough time to prepare. I just think having No. 87 on the field could make No. 12 more confident regardless of how much Jordy could even contribute. I'm hoping you guys could make sense of it in some way? Why not?


I knew this was coming. Right after I saw the Seahawks re-signed Lynch, I said to one of my colleagues, “Well, that’s going to open the floodgates on the Jordy questions.”


Janet from Brown Deer, WI


The Packers have been winning ugly and it’s been entertaining, but can you win a Super Bowl ugly?


Peyton Manning was benched for Brock Osweiler the year the Broncos won it. Winning ugly all the way to a championship is possible.


David from San Antonio, TX


During the ML presser on Christmas Eve, I was impressed with the caliber of the questions from the media, maybe because they asked about things I wanted to know! How do you assess the room and are you all collegial with one another? Thanks for the great work!


I like them all other than Demoski. I kid, I kid. I don’t know what it’s like in other markets but I’ve always found Green Bay to be a very collegial beat. We’re all competitive but there’s a lot of mutual respect. Matt Schneidman has been a fun addition, too, this year.


Steve from Wauseon, OH


We are making our first trip to Ford Field on Sunday. What are the chances of running into an II “celebrity”?


Not good. I don’t believe Margeaux will be at the game.


Bill from Piedmont, SC


Just curious, as are others. Average Inbox readers daily? Highest all time? Also, every game my neighbor comes and watches on NFL ticket, the Packers have won.


I’ve answered this question before but I want to use this to mention how blown away I was by the amount of engagement the Christmas edition of the Inbox received. I was expecting Saturday numbers. Instead, it was one of our most read columns of the season (that wasn’t a postgame II). So thank y’all for that.


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