Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
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Bret from Hertel, WI
Ibraheim Campbell has made an impact with his return. I could see in the Carolina game that it gave Adrian Amos more looks deep, which led to the pick by Tramon Williams. He also caused a fumble, which was not recovered by the Packers but it was what Campbell did last year. Are there any other benefits coming out of the bye from players that have not been playing much to this point?
A veteran with fresh legs can benefit a team late in a season. I mean, how many times have talked about what Erik Walden and Howard Green brought to the Super Bowl XLV team? Campbell is a smart, fearless player who’s playing in the perfect defense for his skill set. His presence also frees up Amos to play his best position. It’s a win-win.
George from Vancouver, BC
Wes and Mike, one of the many curious things I notice over GB’s offense is the split of downs between Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. I just saw an ESPN article that suggested that GB’s O is far more effective when Jones is on the field? So why not use Jones more?
Because you don’t play Texas hold ’em with one card.
Al from Green Bay, WI
The tight end position will be interesting to watch in the remaining games. With Jace Sternberger now off IR and Robert Tonyan’s impending return, might we get more explosive from that position?
The past month was telling about the importance of tight ends in LaFleur’s offense. He had no issue using Sternberger or Evan Baylis as the third option in Tonyan’s absence. It was enlightening, as well. I thought Sternberger looked good in what was essentially his debut against the Panthers. If Tonyan is active Sunday, those are two more aces up LaFleur’s sleeves. And with that, I’ll stop with the card references.
Bruce from Appleton, WI
What will the Packers’ defense have to do to slow down the 49ers’ offense?
Contain the run without having to constantly load the box.
Matt from East Troy, WI
II, I saw someone evaluated BG’s first draft class already. It is too soon. The bright spot being Jaire Alexander is stated and true. Is it best to evaluate after the third season playing, or after three years from the draft date meaning four years playing?
I’ve never liked grading draft classes because of how many of those players are still on the roster. Just look at how much we learned about the 2016 draft class last year and the 2017 group this year. The 2011 and ’15 classes largely didn’t work out. We can go back and say that definitively now, but as long as draft picks are still on the roster, you can’t predict how the story will end.
Lori from Heredia, Costa Rica
Wes, who did the 49ers choose with the extra draft picks they received from da Bears in 2017 so da Bears could move up one spot and have Mitchell Trubisky?
With the actual picks acquired, the 49ers took Solomon Thomas (2017 first round, third overall) and Fred Warner (2018 third, 70th). They also separately traded the other two picks (2017 third- and fourth-rounders). The fourth-rounder helped move up to draft C.J. Beathard in the third round in 2017 (No. 104). The third was used to acquire a 2018 second-round pick from New Orleans, which they traded to Washington to move up and take Dante Pettis. I think I have that straight.
Gina from Waukesha, WI
Mike, thank you for your article on Campbell and the practice squad. I know that they are valuable players for the team. Are there separate coaches for the practice squad or do the offensive and defensive coaches provide the coaching for the squad?
Mike McCarthy always made it a point to refer to the team as the 63-man roster, not the 53. While they don’t suit up on game day, practice-squad players are in the same position room as their active counterparts. It not only brings out the best of those players in practice, but also prepares them for inevitably being promoted at some point during the year.
Dale from Kettering, OH
It seems like some casual fans would rather just have one player to know and still sound like a fan. How would you (delicately) edge them into an appreciation of the team aspect? After all, it's hard to explain what the O-line does, but without a good one, everyone else looks very average.
I’d say re-watch the Panthers game. The Packers weren’t dominant in any one area of that game but it was a good enough overall performance to win. Everyone wants a blowout but it’s those type of victories that show you a team’s mettle.
Jason from Austin, TX
At this point in the season, no matter how tempting it would be sometimes, I would stop challenging PI calls if I were a coach. It's not worth the loss of challenge and timeout. There's almost a greater chance of returning an onside kick than overturning a PI call. It might be greater. I haven't looked at the numbers.
I agree. Hence my tweet during the Carolina game saying, “I’m not sure about that OPI on Allen Lazard. I’m definitely sure about the reason not to challenge it.”
Jason from Albuquerque, NM
Just a follow-up to your response to the new PI rule: "At this point, I’ll be shocked if the rule isn’t scrapped in the offseason." Scrapped? Heck, the NFL will make another rule to make the rule this year is more confusing for everyone. I am just saying.
I do not think the NFL owners and coaches will scrap it completely, especially if something controversial happens in the playoffs. I think that would be allowing the league office in New York to win. I could see this whole thing being the same massive headache as last offseason.