Our tour through the Packers’ 2020 opponents continues with a team they don’t see very often, a team they saw way too much of last year, and also the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are...a team. Three more 2020 Packers opponents The Packers face the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars in Weeks 7, 9, and 10. Which one concerns you the most? Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 9 Pass rushers and those that stop them make the NFL world go ‘round. How does their high-speed ches...
Jun 05, 2020•23 min
The early part of the Packers’ 2020 schedule is highlighted by high-level quarterbacks. How scared should you be? Probably not scared at all because they’re not going to hurt you. But how scared should the Packers be? Also probably not scared, but perhaps a little concerned? Let’s discuss. Lane Taylor reworks his contract (5:32) The Packers and Lane Taylor have agreed to a reworked contract, giving the Packers a little depth on the offensive line and giving Taylor some job security. Packers faci...
Jun 03, 2020•29 min
The Packers will play six games against NFC North opponents in 2020, so it makes sense to start our preview of 2020 opponents there. How will divisional opponents change this season? Then, when is a gimmick just a gimmick and when is it an innovation? Which NFC North teams are primed for a regression? (1:48) It's hard to maintain success from year to year. Which NFC North teams are most likely to falter in 2020? Let's see what the data says. Further reading: 2019 Adjusted Games Lost Take Your Ey...
May 29, 2020•27 min
We’ve got a pretty good idea who’s going to be a contender to make the Packers’ roster this year, but every year someone unexpected makes a run. Here’s our best guess as to who that could be this year. Hear Jon on the PackerNet Podcast. Will the NFL be back sooner than we think? (00:38) The NFL is making some noise about opening camps and allowing teams to practice, but there are still some big hurdles to cross. Four sleepers on the Packers roster (4:39) There are (at least) four players with a ...
May 27, 2020•26 min
Leading up to the NFL Draft, everyone seemed to assume the Packers would take a wide receiver at some point. They didn’t, so where does the position stand? Let’s take a look. Analyzing the Packers' wide receivers (00:24) The Packers didn't do much to improve their wide receiver position this offseason. Where does that leave the group heading into 2020? Further reading: ‘I refuse to accept failure’: Reggie Begelton’s remarkable road to the Packers Do wide receivers really make a third-year leap? ...
May 20, 2020•26 min
NFL teams are always thinking ahead, and we should be, too. So let’s take a second and look ahead to what Packers could be up for contract extensions very soon. Then, how did players who left Green Bay do this year? Who needs a contract extension in Green Bay? The Packers should be looking to extend a few players very soon, but who needs a new deal the most? And what's the best move for the team? How did former Packers do last year? It's easy to lose track of former Packers players after they le...
May 15, 2020•30 min
All of the Packers’ offseason activities seem to point pretty clearly towards a new offensive philosophy, but we haven’t really taken any time to dive deep on what that philosophy is, whether embracing it is a good idea, or, most importantly, whether or not it can work. Let’s fix that. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - $1 per month offsets our podcast hosting costs. Buy a T-Shirt or Sweatshirt - Look good while supporting The Power Sweep. Leave us a 5-Star Review on iTunes - It helps more ...
May 13, 2020•27 min
Everybody wants a do-over, and two weeks after the Packers made a controversial pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, we’re going to re-do a different draft, traveling back to another controversial first-round decision. Then, we’re back at it with a very timely chapter of Take Your Eye Off the Ball in the Blue 58 Book Club! More thoughts on roster predictions Oops, we forgot to talk about Oren Burks. Lets fix that, then answer a great question about how the new CBA affects the 53 man ro...
May 08, 2020•27 min
The Packers' roster is already pretty much set. Let's try to predict who will make the final 53. Offense predictions (4:15) Not a ton of surprises on offense, but there is some uncertainty at wide receiver and on the offensive line. Who's the Packers' top backup tackle? Defensive predictions (17:18) After the Packers ignored the defensive line in the draft, it's hard to say what the team will actually do there. And at edge rusher, things are as wide open as things can be. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate ...
May 06, 2020•26 min
After the draft comes the rush for undrafted free agents. The Packers grabbed 15 of them. Are any of them good? We’ll tackle that then try to answer your questions about the draft. Recapping the Packers' UDFA additions (4:46) The Packers signed 15 undrafted free agents in the moments after the 2020 NFL Draft. Are any of them any good? Further reading: Packers’ 2020 UDFA class features mixture of college production and athletic upside Listener questions on the 2020 NFL Draft (23:31) We all had a ...
Apr 29, 2020•42 min
We’ve got a 2020 Packers draft class and it is...different. What do we make of it? And now that the initial Jordan Love angst has cooled a bit, does the pick still look as crazy? General 2020 Draft thoughts (00:29) The Packers had a weird 2020 NFL Draft. What do we make of the class as a whole? Reacting to Day 2 and Day 3 picks (10:08) The 2020 Packers draft wasn't just Jordan Love. What happened on Days 2 and 3? Was the Jordan Love pick really indefensible? (15:57) Jon used one strong word to d...
Apr 27, 2020•27 min
Befuddling, Confusing. Indefensible. Those are some words I’ve used to describe the Packers’ decision to draft Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Let’s take a second and talk through this. Take a deep breath. We’ll get through this together. Relevant links: Jordan Love scouting report Aaron Rodgers contract page Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 24, 2020•21 min
After months of reckless speculation and diving deep on guys who will never play for the Packers, it’s time to do our final guesses as to what will happen in the NFL Draft. Catching up on prospects; trade up scenarios (2:54) A few final names to watch and a look at what it would take for the Packers to trade up (hint: a lot). Further reading: 2020 NFL Draft: Three trade-up scenarios for the Packers How the Packers will approach the draft (10:26) Rather than focusing on specific players, here's t...
Apr 22, 2020•22 min
We've got to say goodbye to another Packers legend. If you didn't see him play, how should you remember Willie Davis? Then, an explanation for that crazy wording in NFL plays. When should you trade for a player in the NFL? (3:10) I'm not saying the Packers should necessarily trade for Odell Beckham Jr., but making a move for an established player is something worth considering. When is the right time? Remembering Willie Davis (8:49) The Packers lost another legend: Hall of Fame defensive end Wil...
Apr 17, 2020•30 min
It is peak mock draft season. Let’s talk about mock drafts. Mine. Yours. Whoevers. These are Packers mock drafts, and each one is its own little gem. My mock drafts (00:24) I did a bunch of different mock drafts from a few different angles. Here they are. Listener mock drafts (12:54) Listeners were kind enough to submit some mock drafts. Here they are, along with my thoughts on them. SUPPORT BLUE 58 Donate to our Patreon - $1 per month offsets our podcast hosting costs. Buy a T-Shirt or Sweatshi...
Apr 08, 2020•21 min
A look at inside linebackers will complete our draft preview series. What will it take for the Packers to get one of the top prospects? Or, perhaps more importantly, do they even want one? Linebackers, let’s talk about linebackers the Packers need a linebacker and we’re here to talk about them, the position the Packers need (00:28) Isaiah Simmons, Kenneth Murray, Patrick Queen, and more. Do they Packers draft one early or try to find a sleeper? Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 2 (18:54) The ...
Apr 03, 2020•27 min
Another draft preview, another position that isn’t technically a need, but definitely still is a need: defensive back. The prospect pool this year is a carnival of talent, skill sets, and crazy athletes. So what should the Packers do? Why running backs are like cars (2:40) Adding one more running back to our discussion, here’s an extended analogy about why picking a running back is like buying a car. What would it take for the Packers to trade down? (8:16) Everyone likes the idea of piling up dr...
Apr 01, 2020•30 min
The Packers have added a receiver and brought back a running back, but today we’re talking about how they still could use more of both. We’ve already talked about receivers in the draft, but what about running backs? Hooray for Devin Funchess (00:42) The Packers have finally signed a wide receiver, but Devin Funchess probably wouldn't have been anybody's first choice. What does he bring? Return of Swervin' Ervin (5:21) The Packers' punt return savior has been re-signed for another year. Get exci...
Mar 27, 2020•28 min
The Packers need an offensive lineman for sure, but could they also be in the market for a QB in the draft? They might be, but if they are they'd better be prepared to pick him early. Fullback takes (1:35) Here are the fullback thoughts you have been waiting to hear. The past, present, and future of the Packers wide receivers (4:45) Why are the Packers in need of wide receiver help? We’ve got to look to the past to understand the future. Interesting quarterbacks in the 2020 draft (16:26) Researc...
Mar 25, 2020•30 min
The Packers don’t necessarily need another edge rusher, but they can’t ignore the position either. That’s why it could be time for Brian Gutekunst to duplicate his free agency strategy and go bargain hunting. Catching up on free agency (1:52) The Packers have continued their free agency spending by re-signing a couple of their own, so we react to those moves. Then, we weigh in on the possibility of a Clay Matthews reunion tour. Edge prospects you should know (8:03) The Packers don’t need to draf...
Mar 23, 2020•25 min
For the second year in a row, the Packers open free agency with a spending spree. This one is a little bit different, though: Brian Gutekunst is going bargain shopping. Buy Take Your Eye Off the Ball and join the Blue 58 Book Club! Labor peace reigns in the NFL (1:01) The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. Here are a few quick thoughts. Further reading: Seven significant CBA changes for Packers as NFL players approve new deal Packers make moves in free agency (4:...
Mar 18, 2020•25 min
Our draft preview series lands on a position that has troubled the Packers for a long time now: tight end. Unfortunately, if you’re hoping for help in the draft, there’s not much to hope for. Christian Kirksey visits (1:24) The Packers brought former Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey in for a visit. Is he worth a look? Why? Jimmy Graham leaves (6:56) This was a foregone conclusion that finally manifested. What to make of the Graham era? 2020 tight end class is not that exciting (10:54) It's di...
Mar 13, 2020•27 min
This time next week, there’s a good chance we’ll be talking about some packers free agent signings. What’s going to happen between then and now? Then, when is the right time to draft a quarterback? Free agency is bearing down (1:41) Whoa! Free agency is right around the corner. Get excited! But also be prepared for your excitement to blow up in your face. Yay sports! Further reading: Blue 58 Episode 21 - Martellus Bennett?! The three kinds of NFL Draft picks (8:31) Every NFL draft pick falls int...
Mar 11, 2020•28 min
The Packers don’t need a defensive lineman, per se, but another big guy is never a bad thing to have. In a year where there’s not necessarily a bumper crop of prospects, who should the Packers take? Don't forget to vote in our poll for the Blue 58 book club ! Which book do you think we should read? Wide receiver discussion follow up (2:01) Let's catch up on a couple of things we missed in our wide receiver discussion, including a question on how to project one specific attribute. Defensive linem...
Mar 09, 2020•32 min
Now that most of the NFL Combine testing is over, we can start diving into previewing positions in the NFL Draft. Why not head straight for the deep end? Let’s take on one of the deepest positions in the draft: wide receiver. Vote in our book club poll! (00:27) Are you interested in joining the Blue 58 book club? Vote on the book we should read! Check out the poll here . Take free agent rumors with a grain of salt (1:19) The NFL Combine always produces a bunch of rumors. Be cautious! Evaluating ...
Mar 04, 2020•35 min
Aaron Rodgers isn’t holding back his feelings on the new CBA, which makes me think of Brett Favre. I’ll explain why. Then, if you want to go beyond the Combine numbers, what do you look for? We’ll get you started. Aaron Rodgers speaks his mind on the CBA (00:25) Aaron Rodgers is a player rep in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations, and he’s not holding back on what he thinks of the proposed deal. That’s an interesting contrast to Brett Favre. Further reading: Favre rips Walker for hold...
Feb 28, 2020•29 min
The NFL Combine is off and running. What should we do with this spectacle of non-football athletics? Then, speaking of athletic: how about a surprise visit with one of the fastest Packers ever? Don Beebe joins the show. Five Thoughts on the NFL Combine (00:25) Everyone sort of understands that the NFL Combine is a weird, non-football circus with dubious value as far as predicting who’s going to be good. And yet, it still has some value. Careers rise and fall based on what happens this week in In...
Feb 26, 2020•29 min
A new collective bargaining agreement seems to be all but done. Let’s take a look at how it could affect the playoffs. Then, we take your questions about the state of the Packers’ roster before free agency begins. New CBA could mean expanded playoffs (00:54) We’re not fans of expanding the playoffs in general, but this could be the best solution for a bad idea. Listener questions about free agency (8:11) You've asked a few questions about the Packers' free agency plans. We try to answer them bef...
Feb 21, 2020•27 min
We take a look at two resource-heavy position groups: offensive line and defensive back. The Packers have worked to stabilize these groups for a long time. Did that work finally pay off in 2019? Packers offensive line holds steady in 2019 (00:35) The Packers’ offensive line could be their most consistent position group top to bottom. But there were questions in 2019, and they’ll only get bigger moving forward. Packers defensive have a solid 2019, but uncertain future (20:57) The Packers’ defensi...
Feb 19, 2020•37 min
The Packers had one really good wide receiver in 2019 and one potential superstar on the defensive line. Let’s dive into these position groups as our recap continues. Should the Packers trade for OJ Howard? (00:31) A listener floats another idea for fixing the Packers' tight ends. Davante Adams and nobody else at WR (3:13) The Packers wide receivers weren't very good as a group in 2019, with the notable exception of Davante Adams. Get Kenny Clark some help on the defensive line! (21:12) The Pack...
Feb 14, 2020•29 min
