Blue 58 - A Packers Podcast

The Packers have a 60 year history with the Minnesota Vikings, and it’s gotten weird at times. Let’s take a look at a few of those weirder moments. But first… does anybody have any idea what this NFL season is going to look like?Does anybody know what’s going on with the 2020 NFL season? (00:44)With every day that passes, someone is floating a new plan for the 2020 season. But does anybody really know what’s going to happen?Raiders’ Mark Davis unhappy with decision to sell ads on seatsSome teams are thinking about game-day travel in 2020LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay on NFL Social Distancing Policy: ‘I Don't Get It'The Packers and Vikings have had some weird moments (11:33)A quick look at weird moments in Packers/Vikings history.Packers have the edge in their rivalry with the Vikings, but Minnesota has its share of winsTake Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 15 (23:15)How do NFL teams treat injuries? It’s extremely complicated...and at times a little morally questionable.Favre has played since '92 with hip condit

Jamal Adams wants a trade and the Packers can always use more help on defense. Should Brian Gutekunst make a call? Well, probably not, it would be insanely hard to trade for Jamal Adams. But here’s why it’s at least worth thinking about.Blue 58 is a top-20 Packers podcast!Remembering Jan Stenerud’s career (1:37)A reader gives us a chance to look back on Jan Stenerud’s Packers career. What a story he’s got!Further reading: Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud was reliable and productive in Green BayThe power sweep went left! (3:19)Eminent Packers historian Cliff Christl talks about Lombardi’s most famous play, but makes a small mistake worth talking about.Further reading: Who are the Packers' greatest offensive players since 1950?Vince Lombardi’s 1966 Packers PlaybookHow do Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon coexist? (7:34)A listener wants to know how the Packers two headliner backs work together. I don’t think the two have to take away from each other.Should the Packers trade for Jamal Adams? (11:09)Adams wants out in N

The Packers added a big-bodied running back to their stable of ballcarriers. Is A.J. Dillon the second coming of Eddie Lacy? Let’s talk about it.ESPN’s QB rankings article is bad (00:26)ESPN ranked the overall quarterback play of every team in the Super Bowl era. The list is bad.Further reading: ESPN’s Super Bowl-era quarterback ranking is bad and they should feel badIs A.J. Dillon the new Eddie Lacy? (4:55)A listener asks if A.J. Dillon is the new Eddie Lacy. He might actually be even better (and Lacy was pretty darn good!)Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 13 (13:36)How is your front office structured? That's Pat Kirwan's question as he examines a few teams around the league.Further reading: Packers' defense could use someone like Micah Hyde SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy a

We have a unique opportunity to talk about something important in our culture and in the NFL. Let's not waste it.Racism in the NFL (00:10)Racism exists in the NFL. Talking about it, recognizing it, and calling it out are the only ways we'll ever make any progress against it.Further reading: Resources on Race and the NFLTake Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 12 (15:45)Intelligence is hugely important in football. Everyone recognizes that. So how do we measure it? Nobody knows.Further reading: Wonderlic Score DatabaseTry the Wonderlic testMike Holmgren's 1997 Packers PlaybookSUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Packers, presumably, are done picking up noteworthy players. But should they be? Maybe not. Let’s take a look at some free agents who might be able to help. Or maybe we’ll just steal some from another team!Could any remaining free agents help the Packers? (00:34)The Packers are probably done making moves, but what if they aren’t? Here are three free agents that could help.Who would you steal from other NFC North teams? (8:56)If we could just straight up steal a player from another NFC North team, who would you take?Further reading: Stealing one player from every NFC North foeTake Your Eye off the Ball - Chapter 11 (11:58)The Packers haven't been all that special on special teams lately. Here are some interesting nuggets anyway.SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out infor

The Packers face a few teams in 2020 that are really hard to pin down. How do you figure out what to make of them now? Take a look at their offseason decision making.Previewing the Colts, Eagles, Panthers, and Titans (0:45)The Colts, Eagles, Panthers, and Titans all feel like they could be pushovers in 2020. Or they could completely wreck the Packers. It depends on the week.Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 10 (16:53)Pat Kirwan talks defensive backs, how they work, and what you should look for in a safety. How does that apply to the Packers?SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 opponentsThe 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 9Pass rushers and those that stop them make the NFL world go ‘round. How does their high-speed chess match work?SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 facing elite quarterbacks early (8:56)The Packers will face some great quarterbacks in the early portion of their 2020 schedule. Are you worried?Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 8 (21:20)Pat Kirwan tells us a little bit about what it takes to build a defensive front. We take that idea and run with it.SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the

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 LostTake Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 7 (12:34)When is a new feature in football a gimmick and when is it an innovation? When it has staying power.Further reading:America's Game - Michael MacCambridgeThe Perfect Pass - S.C. GwynneThe Last Headbangers - Kevin CookBlood, Sweat & Chalk - Tim LaydenSUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast

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 great chance to make a run at a roster spot who aren't currently getting a lot of attention. You should be watching anyway.Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 6 (17:17)Pat Kirwan pens a love letter to offensive linemen.Further reading: The Power Sweep's Wonderlic Score DatabaseSUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/priv

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 PackersDo wide receivers really make a third-year leap? (17:12)It's often repeated as gospel that young wide receivers make a big leap in their third year. Is that true?Which young edge rusher will make a difference this year? (21:38)The Packers need help on the edge. They have five young prospects who could be ready to step up.Further reading: Packers will look to young EDGE rushers to pick up the slackSUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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

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 leave the team. Here's a quick check of how a few have done.Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 5Pat Kirwan's book gives us a chance to talk about something important: matchup football.SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 predictionsOops, we forgot to talk about Oren Burks. Lets fix that, then answer a great question about how the new CBA affects the 53 man roster.Redoing the 2017 NFL DraftThe Packers had some bad misses in 2017. Let's go back and fix 'em!Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 4Pat Kirwan talks power running, something that could be of interest to Packers fans for reasons the draft made very clear.SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and

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 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 upsideListener questions on the 2020 NFL Draft (23:31)We all had a lot of questions about what the Packers did in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here are my answers to yours. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 describe the Packers' selection of Jordan Love. Was it the right one?SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 reportAaron Rodgers contract page See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 PackersHow the Packers will approach the draft (10:26)Rather than focusing on specific players, here's the philosophy the Packers could use as they approach this year's draft.What the Packers will actually do (14:49)With those guidelines in place, here's what we think the Packers will actually do.SUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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 Willie Davis. Here's a look back on who he was as a player and a person.Take Your Eye Off the Ball - Chapter 3 (20:15)Pat Kirwan looks inside the mind of a quarterback. Turns out it's a complicated place!Further reading: Jon Gruden's 1998 Raiders Minicamp PlaybookSUPPORT BLUE 58Donate 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 people find the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy a