We’ve arrived at the Packers’ EDGE rushers and tight ends in our positional reviews. Both positions featured pretty big spending...but only one delivered big results. Packers hire an interesting QC coach (00:23) Matt LaFleur made a bit of a nontraditional hire for his offensive quality control coach. Learn more about Further reading: Long days, big dreams: The grind of a quality-control coach EDGE spending pays off in 2019 (3:36) EDGE rushers Za’Darius and Preston Smith led a reformed group in 2...
Feb 12, 2020•31 min
Aaron Jones had a phenomenal 2019, but what about the rest of the Packers’ running backs. Then, Blake Martinez was pretty much Blake Martinez in 2019. Is there hope of replacing him in free agency? Packers top end RBs deliver in 2019 (3:40) Aaron Jones finally got a chance to really show what he could do in 2019, and he delivered big time. But how did the rest of the Packers’ running backs fare? Blake Martinez & Co. leave much to be desired (16:02) My feelings on Blake Martinez are pretty we...
Feb 07, 2020•30 min
We start our position-by-position look back at the 2019 season, and where better to start than with the quarterbacks? So here we go: 45 minutes on Tim Boyle. Also Shawn Mennenga should be fired. Evaluating the Packers quarterbacks (1:59) Manny Wilkins was never active. Tim Boyle got mop-up duty. But Aaron Rodgers provided some big moments — and raised some even bigger questions. Evaluating the Packers’ special teamers (21:29) Three parts of the Packers’ special teams performance in 2019 really m...
Feb 05, 2020•29 min
Brian Gutekunst has been on the job in Green Bay for two years and in 2019, we saw the culmination of a lot of his work so far. How’s he been doing? Let’s talk about that. No moves happen in a vacuum (00:57) As we evaluate Brian Gutekunst's moves, it's always good to remember that no move is an island; these things don't just happen. You need look no further than the complicated legacy of Ted Thompson for proof. Further reading: Ted Thompson's Legacy Still Looms Large in Green Bay Brian Gutekuns...
Feb 03, 2020•31 min
Let’s talk coaches! The Packers have a new one. Let’s meet Jerry Gray, then talk about the two most important coaches on the Packers: Matt LaFleur and Mike Pettine. Packers hire Jerry Gray (0:25) The Packers have added a new defensive backs coach, bringing in longtime NFL assistant Jerry Gray. Further reading: Packers hire former Vikings DB coach Jerry Gray to coach secondary in 2020, per reports How should we evaluate NFL coaches? (2:20) The entire NFL turns on the idea that we can correctly ev...
Jan 29, 2020•28 min
The Packers won’t need to find a new defensive coordinator this offseason. Mike Pettine will return. Let’s talk about why it might be a good idea. Then, let’s talk a little bit about how I’m wrong a lot. Mike Pettine is coming back (0:22) Matt LaFleur put a quick end to any drama, announcing Mike Pettine would return after a brief period of evaluation. What do we make of this? My predictions were very bad (4:03) Blue 58 made a bunch of predictions in 2019. Were they good? No. Further reading: 19...
Jan 24, 2020•28 min
We’re officially in the offseason, folks. Let’s get the lay of the land before diving into the top priority: decisions on pending free agents. But first, some final thoughts on the NFC Championship. Two last thoughts from the NFC Championship (0:25) After a little reflection, let’s put the debacle in San Francisco behind us. But first, two final parting thoughts. The months ahead for Brian Gutekunst (8:20) After working behind the scenes for months, Brian Gutekunst comes into the spotlight. Here...
Jan 22, 2020•36 min
The 2019 season is over. A strong 49ers team steamrolled the Packers, leaving us to contemplate what happened and, more importantly, what happens next. Are you mad at the ending or mad that it’s over? (0:28) The Packers’ season came to an unfortunate end. How do you feel about that? How did this game go sideways? (5:53) How, exactly, did things go so poorly for the Packers? A few reasons. Should Mike Pettine be safe? (No) (7:43) To say Mike Pettine didn’t finish strongly is a bit of an understat...
Jan 20, 2020•25 min
One game from the Super Bowl, the Packers face a familiar opponent in the San Francisco 49ers. How can they get to the biggest of the big shows? Here are eight ways. What’s changed since the last time the Packers and 49ers played? (3:17) Much has been made about the 49ers' dominating Week 12 win over the Packers, but those teams both barely exist any more. A lot has changed. Here's a quick summary. How can the Packers win? Here are eight ways (6:23) The Packers are decidedly not favored to win t...
Jan 17, 2020•25 min
The 49ers only lost three games this season. The Packers hope to make it four on Sunday. How? Let’s turn to the 49ers losses and see what we can find out. The nuts and bolts of the 49ers’ three losses (1:35) The 49ers’ three losses each had their own unique characteristics. Read more about them here. Further reading: NFL Gamebooks Week 10 - Seahawks @ 49ers Week 13 - 49ers @ Ravens Week 15 - Falcons @ 49ers What do these three games have in common? (7:24) Drawing sweeping conclusions from only t...
Jan 15, 2020•30 min
Don’t look now, but your Green Bay Packers are one game away from the Super Bowl. Let’s talk about how Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, and a timely couple of plays helped stave off the Seahawks. The referendum on Rodgers (00:51) We said Aaron Rodgers was under pressure like never before. Did he deliver? How did Seattle come back? (4:14) For a while, it looked like the 2014 NFC Championship game all over again. Did the Packers' defense let them back in or is Russell Wilson just that good? The brill...
Jan 13, 2020•23 min
For years, pundits have chided the Packers for not giving the Packers a defense. Now they have. What will Rodgers do with it? Russell Wilson leads a dangerous Seahawks offense (4:11) Wilson is having another stellar season, but there are more names to know here. Further reading: How the Seattle Seahawks used D.K. Metcalf against the Eagles Not the Legion of Boom (but who is?) (10:15) The Seahawks defense might be more than the sum of its parts, because a few of those parts are really, really goo...
Jan 10, 2020•25 min
Aaron Rodgers is still pretty good, but a new stat from a source we trust says he’s...the best player in the NFL? Does that make sense? Let’s figure out what to make of Total Points, a new stat from Sports Information Solutions. What's the deal with Total Points (0:45) Sports Information Solutions, a reputable source for advanced football analytics, introduced a new metric recently that says Aaron Rodgers is not only still good, but the best player in the league. Should you trust it? Further rea...
Jan 08, 2020•30 min
A week out from the Packers’ first playoff game since the 2016 season, we’ve got two great listener questions. Is the Packers’ offense too complex? And since the Packers have been bad at returning punts this year, what if they never did it? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 06, 2020•25 min
Big news for two Packers safeties from very different eras. What does Raven Greene actually bring to this defense? And can LeRoy Butler finally get into the Hall of Fame? Then, we dive into a full season of polling data to find out what Packers fans really think. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 03, 2020•21 min
The decisions Brian Gutekunst makes this offseason will have a huge impact on the team in 2020 and beyond. Here are four resolutions he should make to guide his process. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 01, 2020•25 min
Your Green Bay Packers won’t be playing in the wildcard round thanks to a Week 17 win over the Lions. It sure wasn’t pretty, but they got it done when it mattered most. Let’s discuss. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 29, 2019•25 min
The Packers will wrap up their 2019 season this weekend with a Week 17 tilt against the Lions. Let’s dive into the history books and find the best Week 17 performances ever. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 27, 2019•12 min
The best way to become a better football fan is to learn from smart football people. Here are three books that will help you do just that. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 25, 2019•27 min
In a year highlighted by inconsistency and lackluster play, the Packers needed a big win to lock up the NFC North. That’s exactly what they got. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 24, 2019•23 min
After meeting in Week 2, the Packers and Vikings renew acquaintances in the second-to-last week of the season. This game has a lot on the line...but it also might not affect much of anything. Confused? Me too. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 20, 2019•23 min
The Packers are 11-3 and cruising for the playoffs, but we should stop and talk about Mike Pettine. Does he have a future in Green Bay? Should he? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 18, 2019•16 min
The Packers are winners over the Bears again...and this win comes with a bonus prize. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 16, 2019•21 min
The Packers and Bears are renewing acquaintances for the 200th time, and there's plenty on the line late in the season. What more could you want? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 13, 2019•22 min
Aaron Rodgers has been better in 2019 than he’s been in a few seasons, but some people seem to think he’s a big reason for the Packers’ struggles in the passing game. Do they have a point? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 11, 2019•24 min
The Packers earned their 10th win of the season but didn’t look all that good doing it. Where does this win leave them heading into a crucial three-game finish? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 09, 2019•15 min
The Packers have another “should-win” game on the schedule this weekend, but let’s put it this way: it’s probably more accurate to say there’s no way this game should even be close. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 06, 2019•24 min
The Packers’ offense has been better this year than in 2018. Or has it? In one specific way, Matt LaFleur’s team is behind Mike McCarthy’s. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 04, 2019•18 min
The Packers took care of business against a bad team. How should we feel about the Packers beating a team they were supposed to beat? Probably fine. More importantly, what big questions are still out there? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 03, 2019•21 min
It’s redemption time! The Packers need a win to get back on track in their race for supremacy in the NFC North, and fortunately, the Giants look poised to comply. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 29, 2019•19 min
