Marty from Guelph, Canada
“Dumbassery”? “Nip it in the butt”? Hmm. II is sinking into a theme we should leave “behind” shall we say? On my way out!
Bob from Port St. Lucie, FL
Either you have ignored posting the usual negative diatribes after a depressing game like our last one or people just weren’t that surprised at the result. Have we actually found Vic’s perspective on the game?
Some, but certainly not all. Plenty of readers want everyone fired, no different than after a season-ending loss any other year. I think I’ve posted plenty of disappointing commentary this week, as I’ve done after other losses, but I generally stay away from mindless ranting because it serves no purpose.
Jeanne from Holliston, MA
Wes/Mike, so in the end, what is/was the identity of the 2022 Packers? Would it be: They never quit?
That’s the best I’ve come up with.
Mike, Wes mentioned his game-day routine and it raised a question whether you (two) have external sources you go to regularly to spark ideas or broaden your perspective. Are there other journalists with a “take” you appreciate or leverage?
I read just about everything written by the local beat reporters who cover this team regularly, to see things from different angles and make sure I’m not overlooking anything. But my analysis is my own. I rarely read or listen to national pundits and their “takes” on this team because they’re not here every day and usually just have a narrative they’re trying to sell.
Thanks for the “5 plays.” It was “salve” for the wounds. Can I get more salve, please?
If you haven’t given “Unscripted” a try, Wes and I did our best on the season wrap-up show.
Do either of you have a favorite for the championship this year? Personally I think SF has some nice storylines.
We hit on this on “Unscripted,” too.
Mike, how many “difference-makers” would you say the Packers currently have on the team? Which position getting a new “difference-maker” would improve the team the most?
Leaving out QB for the time being, because that position takes on a status all its own, I would say the Packers’ true elite-level, difference-making players in 2022 were Aaron Jones, Jaire Alexander, David Bakhtiari, Rashan Gary, Keisean Nixon, and Christian Watson. One problem, due to differing circumstances, is the latter two didn’t really emerge until the second half of the season, and the middle two couldn’t play the whole year. In the past, players like Elgton Jenkins, Kenny Clark and De’Vondre Campbell qualified, but I don’t think they played to that standard the entire year, again for various reasons. The reliable, consistent Preston Smith has been on the verge before, too. Other young talent could get there, but you never know. My point is there’s certainly a lot to like about this Packers roster, whoever the QB is next season, but it all needs to come together with players staying healthy and playing their best. As to where a new difference-maker would help the most, almost anywhere. High-impact players change how teams game plan and attack/defend you, as long as they’re on the field every week.
Did it seem like the Packers had more drops than a leaking faucet this season? We all remember Watson’s in Minnesota (I’m willing to overlook that as rookie nerves) but it seemed like an uncharacteristic problem for all of our receivers as well as running backs that never really went away, all the way through Week 18. Do you have any thoughts on why? And how does that get fixed?
I don’t know how it gets fixed aside from players refining their fundamentals and skills individually. The Packers did have a much higher number of drops this season. I didn’t chart them all, but I saw several where the pass could’ve been sharper. I don’t know how many times I leaned over to Wes in the press box and said, “Should’ve been a better throw, still should’ve been caught.” Other drops were with the ball right where anyone would want it. Both parties could’ve helped each other out a lot more as far as that goes.
Neil from Tunbridge Wells, UK
Any chance of brothers working together next season?
Anything’s possible now. We shall see I guess.
I haven’t thrown in the towel on the season completely – I still have BUF in the race. By the way, did you see Hyde was back at practice? Golly, if he could at least play in the DIV/SHIP round, and can play back to his level, with Hyde and Poyer, that defensive backfield for BUF looks much better against CIN and KC. Let’s go, Buffalo!
Hearing Hyde returned to practice this week put a smile on my face.
