Bill from Maple Grove, MN
I was one of the top Snack teachers at William Penn. In addition to being a good football player, he is a good person. He returns to Okaloosa, Iowa, every year for the father and daughter banquet.
Are you serious, Bill? What a small world. Get out of here, Kevin Bacon. The six degrees of the Insider Inbox are real.
Time to call Jared Veldheer?
Unfortunately, he currently resides at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Packers have competent reserves, and the flexibility of Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner keeps all options at stake. People keep asking what the Packers will do without Bakhtiari. I really don’t know because of how many different ways they can organize their first five.
David Bakhtiari’s knee injury reminded me that when I watch college football, it seems that every striker wears a knee brace on each knee in every game. When I watch the NFL, I rarely notice an O-lineman wearing a knee pad. Is there a reason that basically all NFL attackers do not wear knee pads during games? Do they use them in practice?
Questions about knee pads … I knew you would come.
Wes from South St Paul, MN
Just an observation. It’s great to see Jordan Love with a headset and a trainer listening, studying and watching. Those who questioned the choice need to keep in mind that this young man is also under a lot of pressure. He is expected to follow two HOF quarterbacks in the first vote, something that few, if any, young QBs face.
Love is watching and learning. I know it’s been a little quiet because there isn’t an open locker room this season, but Love is connected to what he’s doing – just as David Yost said he would.
Paul from London, Ontario
Good morning Mike / Wes. We all know that Aaron Rodgers is having an MVP season with his phenomenal passing numbers, but how much credit does he also deserve for the success of the running game? The threat from his arm is great to be sure, but how many line adjustments and RPO calls / changes does he make during the game?
I think they complement each other, not unlike 2014, when he was the MVP and Eddie Lacy was one of the best young running backs in the NFL. It is impossible to say how many RPOs Rodgers calls a game, but he has a high average hit when it comes to putting the attack in the best game possible with the RPOs – and the Packers only got better over the course of the season.
Dan from Inver Grove Heights, MN
Am I the only one who looks at AJ Dillon and has fond memories of John Brockington or am I just old?
I prefer the word “experienced”.
Ignacio de Madrid, Spain
Good morning Wes / Mike. I remember an incredible Larry’s Rock report (“Best piece of all time”) after the Saints game about an action pass to the tight end, with a fake running back (and OL) on one side, and Rodgers rolling out of the pocket to the other side. I am surprised at how unstoppable this piece is. I just think it’s the perfect move. We did it 20 times and always got the first one. I feel that with every Rock Report I watch, I learn something new about the ML team.
I think it goes back to something that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has said a few times this year – the Packers want all of their runs and fakes to look the same, so the defense doesn’t know where the ball is going. It challenges the eyes and discipline of linebackers, and allows Robert Tonyan and the tight ends to enter the flat.
Happy New Year II. Comment and a question. It is devastating news to hear about Bakhtiari. This injury will hurt him next season, but we all hope he will recover not only to get back on the pitch, but because he looks like the type of guy I could have a beer with. If you get the chance, tell him that your inbox readers are looking for him. Do you think the Bears are going to plan and plot differently now that they know he won’t play? Will this work in our favor or theirs?
Maybe they’ll play a few more stunts on that side of the offensive line, but I don’t think you’ll see anything drastic. Khalil Mack usually lines up in front of the right tackle anyway.
Linda from Lakewood Ranch, FL
Is there a better way to start the new year than with a victory over the Bears?
I can’t think of any better way to start a sequence of playoffs.