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Articles by Spencer Nelson
Have the Vikings Become A Front For KOC's Side Hustle?
Daniel Jones didn’t hand Kevin O’Connell a rose when he picked the Minnesota Vikings, even though he had given O’Connell the thorns as a rookie head coach. O’Connell admitted he has “been a fan” of Jones when the New York Giants released their $160 million man in late November. Still, he played a little coy. We didn’t know if O’Connell like liked Jones until the Vikings signed the quarterback who eliminated them in the first round of the 2022 playoffs.
The Vikings Are Doing the Same Thing But Should Expect Different Results
As Week 9 approaches, the Minnesota Vikings say they are working Cam Akers into the game plan and are happy to have Dalton Risner in the mix. “Cam’s here for a reason,” O’Connell said. “Dalton’s very much a part of the conversation,” he added. “I anticipate trying to get him up to speed and ready to roll.” Those quotes were from Wednesday’s practice, but they could have been from last year. The Vikings signed Risner on September 19 and traded for Akers 24 hours later.
A Near Perfect Afternoon at Lambeau
We’ve been searching for a complete game from the Green Bay Packers all season. On Sunday afternoon at Lambeau, we found it. This was the Jordan Love we’ve been waiting to see. He was confident, assertive, and completely in control for 60 minutes. This was the dominant defense we’ve been hoping for, one that stymies the run and continues to take the ball away. It helps that they caught the Arizona Cardinals coming off a huge divisional road victory.
The Vikings Need To Get Greedy
Jonathan Greenard said that the most important aspect of the Minnesota Vikings’ defense is its unselfishness. Nobody cares about their stats; they just want to keep the other team from scoring. The Vikings added Greenard in the offseason as part of their plan to replace Danielle Hunter. However, he hasn’t popped off the stat sheet like Patrick Jones II, who has four sacks this season.
Fake Grief - Zone Coverage
Close games and blowout losses physically paralyze me. Nail-biting wins often only make me feel relief. Immediately after the Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2, I questioned if watching sports was healthy for me or anyone else. There’s always something to complain about. Karl-Anthony Towns‘ putback was outside the cylinder. Kyrie Irving fouled Jaden McDaniels in the out-of-bounds review. What the hell is subtle but effective, and how is that different than marginal contact?
What If the Packers Drafted Solely On Relative Athletic Score?
The Green Bay Packers have typically weighed relative athletic score (RAS) heavily when drafting. Therefore, I’ve created a three-round mock draft based solely on draft prospects with an RAS above 9.15. Since Brian Gutekunst assumed his role in 2018, Green Bay’s draft classes have maintained an average RAS of 8.20. Notably, the 2018 draft class stands out with a score of 8.89. In contrast, the 2021 class recorded the lowest average RAS (7.34).
Jordan Love Goes On Record With Big Expectations For 2024
There have been very few, if any, players in NFL history who were more fun to watch than Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers is arguably the most talented quarterback to ever step on a field. Given these riches, it seemed impossible to imagine that Green Bay would somehow be in a position to have quarterback momentum building in a similar way for a third consecutive time. Yet here we are with Jordan Love.
Christian Watson's Untapped Potential Represents the Ceiling For Green Bay's Emerging Offense
The Green Bay Packers have had an uncharacteristically eventful start to the offseason. They filled a massive need in center field with the top safety on the market, Xavier McKinney, and swapped fan-favorite tailback Aaron Jones for former Las Vegas Raiders bell-cow Josh Jacobs. Combined with their hefty capital heading into next month’s draft, Brian Gutekunst is poised to have his team ready to capitalize on the momentum from their late-season surge.
Green Bay Packers Skyrocket Up Colin Cowherd's Offseason Top 10
After spending years criticizing and attacking the Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay, it appears Colin Cowherd could not be more on board with the Jordan Love version of the Packers. In his first post free agency Herd Hierarchy, where the popular FOX Sports radio host ranks the top 10 teams in the NFL, the Packers shot all the way up his board to number four. “I love their young talent, I really do. I think they’re special.” Cowherd said.
How Did Free Agency Affect the Packers’ Draft Plans?
Now that the dust of free agency has settled and the Green Bay Packers have made their moves, mock draft season shifts into focus. The Packers shored up safety and running back while neglecting to upgrade at offensive line and linebacker. With that in mind, Green Bay’s potential draft class is easier to decipher. Green Bay may move in the draft, but I’m going to run this mock without any trades. The Packers also tend to target athletic defensive players in the first round.
Why Do the Packers Stop Caring About RAS In Free Agency?
Brian Gutekunst has been general manager of the Green Bay Packers since 2018, which means we have a good sample size for analyzing how he builds the roster. In the draft, Gutekunst targets young, highly athletic players at premium positions. Gutekunst looks for guys he believes have their best football ahead of them and will often take someone with a high ceiling and amazing physical gifts over more proven candidates.
What Is Green Bay's Plan At Off-Ball Linebacker?
The Green Bay Packers will shift to a 4-3 under Jeff Hafley, which means they’ll need to upgrade the off-ball linebacker position. It’s not just the relative lack of experience in their young starting lineup; depth is also a concern. The Packers only have four off-ball linebackers under contract for the 2024 season: Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Kristian Welch, and Christian Young on the practice squad.
De'Vondre Campbell Doubles Down, Unleashes Brutally Honest Attack On Joe Barry
Yesterday we released an article discussing De’Vondre Campbell’s criticism of the Packers after being released. In it, we wondered if, as opposed to some of the other disgruntled players who have left the organization, perhaps Campbell had a case for his frustrations. Maybe he was just angry at the same guy every Cheesehead has been angry at for the past two years, Joe Barry. Well, wonder no more. On Sunday Campbell took to X to respond.
De’Vondre Campbell Takes Shot At Green Bay Staff
It seems De’Vondre Campbell has joined the ever growing list of disgruntled former Green Bay Packers. “Someone is about to get a great football player that’s been badly misused,” Campbell posted on his social media shortly after being released from the team and his 5 year $50 million dollar deal. His latest words come just a few months after his last outburst is which he seemingly accused the organization of not showing him the same respect he had shown them.
Middlekauff Shares The Final Piece Necessary In Making Green Bay NFC Contenders
Although the loss of Aaron Jones has hit the Green Bay fan base hard, NFL insiders seem unphased in their growing belief in the Packers future. Shortly after the team swapped out Jones for a younger Josh Jacobs, respected analyst John Middlekauf took the opening minutes of his show on Colin Cowherd’s The Volume Network, to laud the Packers potential on offense.
Test - Zone Coverage
It’s no secret how much Davante Adams meant to the Green Bay Packers. While his on-field production will be hard to replace, there is precedent for a […]
Green Bay Has Replaced Disappointment With Expectations Original
It was just over a month ago that the Green Bay Packers dropped their fourth consecutive game, skidding to a 2-5 record that had fans checking their preseason excitement at the door. Winning three straight games and four out of five, most notably against contenders like the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, has not only reinvigorated the fanbase but also created a level of expectation for the team over the closing five weeks of the season.
The Key To Jordan Love’s Newfound Confidence
For the fourth week in a row, we can say that Jordan Love had the best game of his career. From a commanding presence against the Pittsburgh Steelers to a standout display against the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense, Love continued his stellar run with exceptional performances against the Detroit Lions and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Love’s streak isn’t just a matter of chance; it’s a testament to his growing confidence and poise on the field.
Christian Watson Was Enchanted and Gorgeous Against KC Original
Taylor Swift might have been at Lambeau Field to watch the Kansas City Chiefs, but it was the Green Bay Packers who put on the love story. (I am the first NFL writer ever to make that joke.) Jordan Love led the Packers to a massive upset victory over the defending Super Bowl champs. For the fourth week in a row, Love had his best game of the season, and the offense is reaching new heights.
Colin Cowherd Says The Green Bay Way Doesn't Get Enough Credit Original
With all the predictions and hot takes that rolled in preseason about the pending ramifications of the Aaron Rodgers trade, the most commonly shouted one was that of “Brian Gutekunst screwed up.” Analysts, former players, and people across social media all seem to agree that the organization had made a major mistake in moving on from Rodgers when and how he did. Certainly no one could’ve predicted, nor would anyone ever root for, the unfortunate injury situation that befell Rodgers season.
Kansas City Is Love's Chance To Show How Far He's Come Original
The Green Bay Packers’ Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions is the first time Jordan Love faced a familiar team, which is unsurprising given that he’s a first-year starter. Love will likely face the Lions twice a year for the next 15 years until the Packers trade him to the New York Jets. But Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs is his second game against a familiar team, and it’s a different story. Green Bay only plays the Chiefs every few seasons.
How Is Jordan Love Going To Handle Spagnuolo’s Blitzes?
Jordan Love faced a ton of pressure in his first career start. The Kansas City Chiefs blitzed him on 53.8% of his dropbacks, while Green Bay’s offensive line allowed 28 total pressures. Love finished the game 19/34 for 190 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The Chiefs beat Green Bay 13-7 at Arrowhead. Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 only four days before the game, so Love had to step into the starting role with limited time to acclimate.
Rashan Gary Is Proving the Doubters Wrong
A few weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers were in a slump. They had fallen to 3-6 after starting 2-1, and fans were starting to scapegoat edge rusher Rashan Gary and his freshly signed $100 million contract extension. But after a sack and a fumble recovery in the Week 11 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Gary ruined Thanksgiving Day for the Detroit Lions. He dominated with three sacks and two forced fumbles, picking an outstanding spot to show exactly why the Packers paid a player of his caliber.
Rich Eisen Jumps On Green Bay Packers’ Playoff Bandwagon Original
What a difference a couple games can make. A few weeks ago the Packers were “one of the worst teams in football,” Jordan Love was a “disaster,” and the team needed to consider tanking for a high end quarterback in the draft. Now after their big win on Thanksgiving, the football world has once again started to fall in love with Green Bay.
Green Bay Has Found A Complex Solution To Help Kenny Clark
Gone are the days when the Green Bay Packers had multiple playmakers on their interior defensive line. The Packers have been looking for a replacement for Mike Daniels since he left in 2018. And during that time, Kenny Clark’s been a man on an island along the interior. The Packers tried to find some replacements for Daniels in players like Montravius Adams, Kingsley Keke, Damon Harrison, Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, and Jarran Reed.
A New Signature Win Highlights LaFleur's Greatest Skill
In past years, beating the Detroit Lions wasn’t an impressive achievement, even on Thanksgiving. But the Green Bay Packers’ recent win was their best of the season. Opening the game as -8.5 point underdogs, the Packers upset the Lions in front of a national audience thanks to Jordan Love‘s evolving play and success in all three phases. The Lions are a good football team for once, even though their performance in the last few games hasn’t been spectacular.
It's A Good Week To Be Brian Gutekunst
It’s a good week to be Brian Gutekunst. While this hasn’t been a good season for the Green Bay Packers, and the path to the playoffs is still an uphill battle, we can see the vision now. Thanks to a bright national spotlight on Turkey Day, the rest of the country does, too. After getting embarrassed on their home field in Week 4, Jordan Love went into Detroit and gave it right back to them in what was a dominant statement win.
Brett Favre's Huge Praise For Jordan Love
Sometimes, in the NFL, a singular performance can change an entire narrative. That seems to be the case in Green Bay. After their statement making win on Thanksgiving over the Lions, the national media has all of a sudden decided that perhaps Jordan Love does have a future. But those close to the team, and those who have played the game, have been telling us for months that a moment like Thursday was on the horizon.
Why Is Green Bay's Offense Struggling In Short-Yardage Situations? Original
In recent matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers’ offense exhibited moments of smart football. However, despite finding success through the last 12 quarters, a perplexing issue looms over the team: They’ve struggled in short-yardage situations. The team’s offensive resurgence contrasts starkly with their inability to convert crucial short-yardage plays, a deficiency that has proven costly by squandering multiple possessions over the last two games.
Peter Schrager Shares Amazing Untold Rashan Gary and Matt LaFleur Story Original
Of all the stellar performances turned in by different Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, there was one that stood out above the rest. While most of the media has been focused on Jordan Love’s “breakout” performance and what it means for he and the Packers future, it was a defensive member of the team that shook the Lions to their core Rashan Gary obliterated Jared Goff and company on Thursday to the tune of 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 tackles.
Brian Baldinger Gives Perfect Breakdown Of Jordan Love’s Growth Original
Former NFL player turned analyst Brian Baldinger is as good as it gets when it comes to breaking down NFL film. There are no hot takes or harsh opinions attached to what he does, just a thorough explanation of what he’s actually seeing when it comes to the players and teams that everybody is talking about.
Packers Get Charge(r)s Dropped
Well, what do you know? Maybe these young Green Bay Packers are learning how to win. Then again, maybe the Los Angeles Chargers are just really good at knowing how to lose. A handful of inexplicable drops by LA’s receivers were probably most responsible for the Pack’s 23-20 win on Sunday. However, Green Bay did some nice things that show they may be figuring things out.
Assessing The Kirk Cousins To Green Bay Rumors Original
With the Josh Dobbs era taking off in Minnesota and Kirk Cousins in the final year of his deal, the Minnesota Vikings may be in the midst of a changing of the guard at quarterback. If Minnesota chooses to move on without their longtime signal caller, many believe Cousins would be the pre-eminent free-agent quarterback on the market. Of the teams that make sense as a landing place for Cousins, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the Green Bay Packers are a sleeper.
What Are the Packers Playing For At This Point In the Season?
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers suffered their fifth loss in six games and dropped to 3-6 when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat them. That’s not the way any team wants to be playing in November. It doesn’t get any easier for the cheeseheads, though. They play the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend, then they go to Detroit on a short week for a Thanksgiving game. The Chargers are 4-5, but they are much better than their record shows. Three of their five losses have been close games against good teams.
Packers Picked the Right Throwbacks To Wear This Weekend Original
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers will wear their throwback 1950s uniforms: all green, with gold numbers, green socks, and plain gold helmets. The uniform harkens back to that unforgettable run in the early 50s when they went 3-9, 3-9, 6-6, and 2-9-1. You know, the more you think about it, the more sense it makes to wear those threads this season.
Dan Orlovsky Gives Perfect Assessment Of Jordan Love's Struggles Original
When it comes to the Jordan Love conversation, there hasn’t been much nuance. Analysts and experts generally have their hot takes and they’re usually black and white. “This guy doesn’t have what it takes!” “The Packers made a mistake!” And on and on. But leave it to ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky to bring some rational thought to the conversation.
Why Is Love Having Trouble Connecting With Watson?
Jordan Love will enter Week 11 with 10 interceptions on the year — half of which occurred when he was targeting Christian Watson. While throwing to Watson, Love had one interception in Thursday night’s matchup with the Detroit Lions, two interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football, and two against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s important to recognize the intricate world of X’s and O’s that defines football.
The Packers Need A Lot More From Rich Bisaccia Original
It seems impossible for the Green Bay Packers to play complementary football most weeks. Through half of a season, it rarely seems like the offense, defense, and special teams are on the same page. The offense mostly did well in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As always, there were mistakes, but we’re seeing the growth we expected from these young players.
Christian Watson's Dad Goes Off On Love And Packer's Fan Base Original
The Christian Watson situation has gone from bad to bizarre in Green Bay. After an up-and-down 2022, Watson’s 2023 campaign has spiraled. On Monday a stat about his absurdly low catch rate(121st out of 121 eligible offensive players) went viral. Watson’s father, Tazim Tajed, took to social media to absolutely go off on the Green Bay Packers’ fan base and the quarterback throwing him the ball.
The Brutal Christian Watson Stat That’s Killing Green Bay Original
The Christian Watson experience has been nothing short of a roller coaster in Green Bay. From dropping the first pass in a disappointing 2022 team campaign to looking like a breakout star a few months later to appearing like a bust part way through 2023, it’s hard to assess exactly what the Packers have in the former North Dakota State University product. One thing is for certain, some of the numbers are less than ideal.
Kenny Clark’s Questionable Status Could Put the Spotlight On TJ Slaton
The Green Bay Packers secured a 20-3 win over the LA Rams this past Sunday, but they also saw star defensive tackle Kenny Clark leave the game during the start of the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Clark would later head to the locker room on the cart, and the Packers would rule him out for the rest of the game. Luckily, Matt LaFleur noted that there wasn’t any long-term concern for Clark’s injury after the game. And Clark logged a limited participation in Green Bay’s Wednesday practice.
Luke Musgrave Is Starting To Put It All Together Original
The Green Bay Packers gave rookie tight end Luke Musgrave the proverbial keys to the tight end room. Musgrave was TE1 from the first day he stepped onto the Don Hutson Center grass. Green Bay threw Musgrave into action immediately. Tight end is one of the most difficult positions to learn in the NFL. The knowledge needed to play the position is second only to center and quarterback. As a tight end, a player must be able to block like an offensive lineman but move like a receiver.
Why Are the Packers So Reluctant To Make Lineup Changes?
Besides a few phantom offsides penalties on crucial downs, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line played their best game in a long time. Coincidentally, it was a game that saw Yosh Nijman start over Rasheed Walker, and Sean Rhyan played some snaps in relief of Jon Runyan Jr. These were changes we speculated could elevate the unit weeks ago, and they seemed to pay off. Of course, it took continuous struggles for Walker and an injury to Runyan for these changes to occur.
Kay Adams Sees Hope In Green Bay Original
If one were to take a quick glance across social media it would be easy to think that this year’s Green Bay Packers team is the worst football team in NFL history. The criticisms and hot takes have run wild as the packers have sputtered out of the gate to a 3-5 start. Perhaps it was the high-profile quarterback change? Maybe it was simply the constant expectations surrounding one of the league’s most impressive and historic franchises?
Sean Rhyan May Be the Guy To Break Green Bay's Third-Round Curse
On Sunday, Green Bay Packers fans witnessed the team’s third-round selection in 2022, Sean Rhyan, get his first career snaps against the Los Angeles Rams. Rhyan exhibited crucial blocking in the run game. His agility shone through as he adeptly engaged in blocks at the second level of the defense. He neutralized none other than Aaron Donald, paving the way for Aaron Jones’ touchdown run.
A Step In the Right Direction - Zone Coverage Original
Progress. That’s what we were looking for on Sunday from the young Green Bay Packers. It’s fair to say we saw some. We wanted to see the offense look a bit more dynamic, and the defense put the clamps on a low-end backup quarterback. Check and check. Let’s start with the defense. Everybody knows you can’t let Brett Rypien beat you, whether you’re playing at Lambeau Field or Strawberry Fields.
It’s the Dawning of a New Reality for the Pack Original
For me, last week felt like a line-in-the-sand game for the Green Bay Packers. Win the game, and you’re very much in the mix for an NFC wildcard spot at 3-4. Lose, and you’re realistically out of the postseason hunt at 2-5 and in evaluation mode for the rest of 2023. The Pack’s performance against the Minnesota Vikings left no doubt where this team is.
Brett Favre Gives Perfect Defense Of Jordan Love
The Green Bay Packers are two and five and the blame is flying. fans long for the day when Joe Berry was the only divisive name in conversations. From Matt Lafleur’s play calling to Brian Gutekunst’s decisions to Jordan Love’s performance, Cheeseheads are getting loud. But former Packer great Brett Favre, appearing on Tyler podcast Go Long, made it a point to defend Jordan Love’s performance, contrasting his starting situation with that of his own and Rodgers. Here are the best excerpts.
It's Jordan Love vs. the 2024 Draft Order In A Lost Packers Season Original
Rasul Douglas was honest about his former teammates coming out of the early Week 6 bye. “They’re not young,” he said. “And if they are, they gotta grow up. It ain’t no such thing as being young. You had, what, five games? That’s enough.…We got to do whatever it takes to win.” At the time, the Green Bay Packers’ season had been a mixed bag, with a pair of thrilling wins and a trio of abhorrent losses. Heading into Denver to face a franchise in shambles, it felt like the season was on the line.
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