Bill van Maple Grove, MN
I was one of Snacks’ greatest professors at William Penn. Besides being a good football player, he is also a good person. He returns to Okaloosa, Iowa, every year for the father-daughter banquet.
Are you serious, Bill? What a small world. Move over, Kevin Bacon. The six degree Insider Inbox is genuine.
Time to call Jared Veldheer?
Unfortunately, he currently lives in Lucas Oil Stadium. The Packers have capable reserves, and the flexibility of Elgton Jenkins and Billy Turner keeps all options on the table. People keep asking what the Packers are going to do without Bakhtiari. I really do not know because of how many different ways they can start organizing five.
David Bakhtiari’s knee injury reminded me that every offensive lineout seems to carry a knee bolt on every knee every game when I look at college football. When I look at the NFL, I rarely see an O-lineman wearing a knee brace. Is there a reason why all NFL offensive lineouts do not wear knee braces during games? Do they put it into practice?
Questions about knee braces … I knew you would come.
West of South St Paul, MN
Just an observation. It’s great to see Jordan Love with a hearing aid and to stand with a coach and listen and study and watch. Those who have questioned the choice should keep in mind that this young man is also under a lot of pressure. He is expected to follow two COURT quarterbacks on the first ballot, something less than any young QBs.
Love watched and learned. I know it’s been a bit quiet, because there’s no open locker room this season, but Love is discussing what he’s doing – just like David Yost said.
Paul van London, Ontario
Good morning Mike / West. We all know that Aaron Rodgers is having an MVP season with his phenomenal pass numbers, but how much credit does he also earn for the success of the running game? The threat to his arm is great to be sure, but how many line adjustments and RPO calls / changes does he make during a match?
I think they complement each other, not unlike in 2014 when he was the MVP and Eddie Lacy was one of the NFL’s leading young backs. It’s impossible to say how many RPOs Rodgers calls a game, but he has a high batting average when it comes to the best possible game with the RPOs – and the Packers only got better as the season progressed.
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 from Madrid, Spain
Good morning West / Mike. I remember an incredible Larry’s Rock Report (“Best Play Ever”) to the Saints game over a play-action pass to the tight end, with a running back (and OL) false on one side, and Rodgers rolling out of the pocket to the other side. It amazes me how unstoppable this play is. I just think this is the perfect play. We have done this 20 times already and the first time always came down. I feel like every Rock report I watch teaches something new about ML’s team.
I think it goes back to something that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said a few times this year – the Packers want all their runs and game fakes to look the same so the defense can not get a bead on where the ball is not going to be. . It challenges the linebackers’ eyes and discipline, and lets Robert Tonyan and the tight ends sneak into the flat.
Prosperous new year II. Comment and ask a question. It’s just devastating news to hear from Bakhtiari. This injury will hamper him in the next season, but we all hope he recovers not only to get back on the field, but because he looks like the kind of guy I can drink a beer with. If you get the chance, please tell him that your Inbox readers are attracted to him. Do you think the Bears will plan and plan differently now that they know he will not play? Will it be to our or their advantage?
Maybe they’ll throw a few more tricks on the side of the offensive line, but I do not think you will see anything drastic. In any case, Khalil Mack is usually on the right track.
Linda van Lakewood Ranch, FL
Is there a better way to start the new year than with a win over the Bears?
I can think of no better way to start a playoff game.