Are there different personnel groupings for special teams as well? For instance, could different players be used if you’re trying to block a punt as opposed to setting up a return? If so, couldn’t that tip off the opponent?
That’s exactly what teams try to avoid, so they don’t tip their hand. Personnel adjustments are made due to injury or performance, but the main unit for punt return/block is generally speaking the same unit ready for a specific call.
The stat about the Detroit 2024 draft class really underscores how hard it is to keep a winning football team with the late draft picks it entails. How do the Pack keep doing it when many other teams are flash and burn?
An unprecedented run of elite QB play is the biggest driver there, but it’s also avoiding a complete whiff of a draft class. I know Rodgers’ second collarbone was an obvious setback in ’17, but it also wasn’t just a coincidence that after Thompson’s worst draft class in ’15 (which included Rodgers’ backup QB), a couple years later the Packers missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the GM/head coach transitions in ’05 and ’06.
Chase from Diamond Springs, CA
Talking about the Lions’ 2024 draft has me wondering how often you need to hit on players to field a Super Bowl-capable roster. One bad draft or one good draft alone will not sink or champion a team. Holes can be filled with free agents to an extent. I’m thinking a team needs pretty good overall success in the draft over a rolling three-year period – assuming they’re paying for the man at QB.
Rolling success is always the goal, and a collection of home run picks over a two- or three-year stretch can put a contender over the top. It took until 2025 for Seattle to get its QB in place, but the ’23 draft gave the Seahawks Witherspoon, JSN and Charbonnet. Then the ’24 draft got them Murphy, and ’25 added Zabel and Emmanwori. That’s a ton of high-level play from guys on rookie contracts in their Super Bowl year.
Mike, as I look at this Packers team, the offense outside of WR, QB, and maybe TE consists of question marks. I see uncertainty at RB and all along the O-line. When I look at the defense, while some position battles are unresolved, I see opportunity. My only real concern is at CB. So, the offense would be keeping me awake at night if I were the HC. Is that a fair assessment at this early stage?
The uncertainty at running back is obvious, but “all along the O-line”? Zach Tom‘s injury is my biggest concern there, and Aaron Banks needs to stay healthy, which he did down the stretch last season. But Sean Rhyan played better ball at center than anywhere else in his young career. Anthony Belton took so seamlessly to right guard his arrow is pointing straight up. And at left tackle the Packers are replacing a seventh-round pick who faltered badly at the end of the season with a first-round pick who’s been waiting to play there, and about whom the GM said he did enough to win the job last summer, but because he had the versatility to fill in elsewhere, he became the everyman/super sub. Honestly, I think the line would be worse off if they’d re-signed Walker and kept Jenkins at a spot he didn’t particularly care for. The Packers have moved on to the next iteration of the group, and that’s a good thing.
Adam from Chippewa Falls, WI
Jordan Morgan. Can he be the next set-it and forget-it left tackle for the Packers?
That’s the hope, but one step at a time.
Good morning. Every article written about MarShawn Lloyd lately includes some sentiment along the lines of “the Packers don’t know what they have with him.” Couldn’t the same logic be applied to 2025 draftees Collin Oliver and John Williams? Thanks.
Of course, but when you’re a top 100 pick like Lloyd and waited two full years to play, the attention is more significant.
Adrian from Chula Vista, CA
II, has the average fan finally hit the wall? The Buffalo Bills are now ready to play in their new stadium. Great for them! But, the average cost of a ticket to watch the Bills has now risen to over $700 a seat. How does the average Joe or Jane attend a game, let alone bring their family, or purchase season tickets? I think I’ll watch from home.
Which the NFL is fine with, honestly, because the TV ratings for its product continue to set records and the really big money is made via the broadcast deals. At some point, if too many high-priced tickets go unsold, the league or individual teams will have to look at pricing structure. But it’s currently not an issue, so prices will continue to rise until not enough people are willing to pay them. Does that approach price out the average fan? Yes. Does the league care? Not right now.
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