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Blue 58 - A Packers Podcast

Blue 58 - A Packers Podcast

1,045 episodes — Page 16 of 21

294 - The Packers Still Need Defensive Back Help

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 draft picks, but counting the cost is important. Here’s what it could take for the Packers to trade back.Defensive backs the Packers should be watching (14:03)The Packers don’t technically need a defensive back, but they can always use help there. Fortunately, there are a bunch of talented DBs who might solve a variety of issues for 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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 202030 min

293 - Running Back Prospects for the Packers to Consider

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 excited about his offensive potential!Packers running back prospects in the 2020 Draft (7:09)The Packers could use some depth at running back, and there are a few prospects who might be worth considering.Blue 58 Book Club - Take Your Eye Off the Ball 2.0 Chapter 1 (22:04)Pat Kirwan discusses how charting plays can make your football watching experience more informative.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 202028 min

292 - Quarterback and Offensive Line Prospects in the 2020 Draft

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)Research from Acme Packing Company’s Paul Noonan reveals three quarterbacks who we should be watching in the 2020 NFL Draft.Further reading: Scouting Through Stats: Using QBOPS to assess the 2020 NFL Draft’s QB classIs it worth talking about offensive linemen? Who’s to say (22:47)Scouting offensive linemen as a fan is a fool’s errand, but there may be some breadcrumbs to at least get us pointed in the right direction.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 25, 202030 min

291 - Edge Prospects You (and the Packers) Should Be Watching

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 draft an edge rusher early, but they do need to backfill the position a little bit. Doing so will be a little like buying a lottery ticket. We think.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 23, 202025 min

290 - Packers Go Bargain Hunting in Free Agency

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 dealPackers make moves in free agency (4:30)Brian Gutekunst is trying out a new free agent philosophy this offseason. Let’s take a broad look before breaking down individual moves.Christian Kirksey shores up the inside linebacker group (6:11)The 6-2, 235 Kirksey joins the Packers from Cleveland. Will he bring stability to a linebacker group that’s shown itself to be too athletically limited in the past?Further reading: Five Thoughts on Christian KirkseyRick Wagner could be a Bulaga replacement (12:51)Rick Wagner has been a good but not great lineman for the Lions and Ravens. What does he bring to the Packers?Further reading: Three Thoughts About Rick WagnerWhat do the Packers do next in free agency? (16:58)The Packers still have work to do, mostly in the form of making calls on their own free agents. Let’s get the lay of the land, understanding that big changes are still coming.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 202025 min

289 - Please Don't Draft a Tight End Early

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 disappointing to see a relatively weak class of tight ends this year, but there's still some interesting prospects. Still, the Packers should probably look elsewhere early on.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 202027 min

288 - What's a Good NFL Draft Philosophy?

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 into one of three categories. Here’s why.When is the right time to draft a quarterback? (16:33)Sooner or later, the Packers are going to have to draft Aaron Rodgers’ replacement. When should they?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 202028 min

287 - The Packers Don't Need a Defensive Lineman (But Should be Looking Anyway)

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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 linemen still valuable in a shallow class (12:19)There aren't just tons of great defensive linemen available this year, but there's still value to be had. How do you know what's valuable, though?So what defensive lineman should the Packers take? (28:02)That's the real question, isn't it? Here's who I'm looking at as prospects worth considering.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 9, 202031 min

286 - Evaluating a Deep, Strong Wide Receiver Class

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 this year’s wide receiver class (4:45)The 2020 wide receiver class is very deep, but not all of the prospects are winners. How do we find the best ones?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 202034 min

285 - What Stats Matter for NFL Prospects?

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 holdoutWhat college numbers matter when it comes to evaluating NFL draft prospects? (13:16)There are some analytics and advanced stats that can help us understand which NFL prospects are worth watching. Further reading:The Race to Make the NFL Draft an Exact ScienceThe NFL Is Drafting Quarterbacks All WrongThe secret to drafting a wide receiver is looking at the numbers that matterShould We Be Concerned About Rashan Gary's Lack of Production at Michigan?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 202029 min

284 - Former Packers WR Don Beebe (Plus Five Thoughts on the NFL Combine)

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 Indianapolis. So what should we make of it? Here are some thoughts.Former Packers WR Don Beebe (10:53)Don Beebe joined the Packers for their run to the Super Bowl in 1996 and was kind enough to join us for a few minutes to reflect on his career. He’s now the coach at Aurora University and has implemented some of the lessons he learned in the NFL with his young players.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 202029 min

283 - Expanding the Playoffs and Answering Listener Questions

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 before free agency begins.How should the Packers allocate their resources? (20:35)The Packers have limited cap space and eight draft picks to use this year. How should they spend their resources?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 202026 min

282 - Packers O-Line is Solid, Defensive Backs Succeed in 2019

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’ defensive backfield finally felt like it reached the point Ted Thompson was trying to build to for most of the latter half of his tenure. But that status may be short-lived, as age and free agency may soon take their toll.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 202036 min

281 - Why the Packers Need Help at WR (and DL)

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 Packers seem like they are one piece away on the defensive line. Again.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 202029 min

280 - Evaluating Two Big Money Packers Positions

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 coachEDGE spending pays off in 2019 (3:36)EDGE rushers Za’Darius and Preston Smith led a reformed group in 2019.Point Three (16:06)The Packers tight ends were basically a nonfactor in 2019. How do they change that for 2020?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 12, 202030 min

279 - Aaron Jones Dominates, Packers Linebackers Disappoint

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 well known, but is he the exception or the rule in the Packers’ linebacker corps? And who, if anyone, could you turn to in free agency as a replacement?Further reading: Tackles Don’t Matter: Evaluating Run Defense Through StatisticsSUPPORT 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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 202030 min

278 - Aaron Rodgers is Still (But Not Always) Elite and Shawn Mennenga Should be Fired

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 merit further consideration: the field goal kicking, the punting, and the punt returning. In two of those situations, Shawn Mennenga was a big factor — and not for the better.Further reading: Packers' JK Scott works to get his mojo back after tinkering leads to inconsistencySUPPORT 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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 5, 202029 min

277 - Evaluating Brian Gutekunst's Second Offseason

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 BayBrian Gutekunst's offseason moves (3:33)Gutekunst made a bunch of moves in the offseason, and in this section of the podcast, that's what we talk about. Not every description has to be profound.How did Brian Gutekunst allocate his draft resources? (10:29)The draft is the NFL's ultimate example of opportunity cost: if you take one player with a pick, you can't use that same pick on another player. As a result, we can evaluate every pick as a question of resource allocation. So how did Brian Gutekunst do?Further reading: Should We Be Concerned About Rashan Gary's Lack of Production at Michigan?Brian Gutekunst's in-season roster moves (25:08)More than his predecessor, Brian Gutekunst has shown a willingness to make in-season roster tweaks. How did those pan out this year?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 3, 202031 min

276 - What's the Right Way to Evaluate the Packers' Coaches?

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 reportsHow should we evaluate NFL coaches? (2:20)The entire NFL turns on the idea that we can correctly evaluate coaching performance. Is that true? And if so, how do we do it?Further reading:How much do coaches matter?Coaching Evaluation CriteriaWas Matt LaFleur's rookie season any good? (11:34)Matt LaFleur was hired to fix Mike McCarthy’s broken offense. Did it work?Was Mike Pettine's coaching better in 2019 or did they just have better players? (20:32)Mike Pettine’s defense was generally better in 2019. Was that due to Pettine or just having better players?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 202028 min

275 - Let's Review Our Bad Predictions

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 Predictions for the 2019 PackersSUPPORT 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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 202027 min

274 - Brian Gutekunst's Offseason To-Do List

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’s a look ahead at his calendar.What will the Packers do with their 13 unrestricted free agents? (14:37)Priority #1 for Gutekunst and the Packers front office is making decisions on their 13 unrestricted free agents.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 202036 min

273 - Packers Conclusively Demonstrate How Not to Beat 49ers

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 understatement. Should this be his last game?How does this game affect Aaron Rodgers’ legacy? (12:02)Fair or not, legacies are made in championship games. How does this one affect Rodgers’ standing among the greats?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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 20, 202025 min

272 - 8 Ways the Packers Can Beat the 49ers

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 this game, but that doesn't matter. They can still win. Here are eight ways it could happen.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 202024 min

271 - What Can We Learn from the 49ers' Three Losses?

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 GamebooksWeek 10 - Seahawks @ 49ersWeek 13 - 49ers @ RavensWeek 15 - Falcons @ 49ersWhat do these three games have in common? (7:24)Drawing sweeping conclusions from only three games is dangerous, but they did have a few things in common.What should the Packers do with this knowledge? (15:15)Three things the Packers can implement after studying these losses.A brief word on analytics (22:17)A passive-aggressive war over analytics has Jon wondering how we should use them. A few thoughts.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 202030 min

270 - Packers Beat Seahawks to Move Within a Game of the Super Bowl

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 brilliance of Davante Adams (9:27)A bit of historical context for Adams's excellent night.Emptying the notebook (13:09)Odds and ends observations from the Packers' win.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 202022 min

269 - This Week's Playoff Game is a Referendum on Aaron Rodgers

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 EaglesNot 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 good.Who's gonna win? (16:28)Jon makes his pick.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 202025 min

268 - Should You Trust Total Points?

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 reading: Introducing Total PointsPunters are people too! (20:31)Punters can play a big role in field position, and this research paper shows exactly how they affect games. It's in depth, but you should give it a read.Further reading: A flight-based metric for evaluating NFL puntersThe fates of the Packers and Eagles after the 2014 NFC Championship (21:50)How have the Packers and Seahawks fared since they met in that fateful NFC Championship game? They're closer than you might think.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!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 8, 202029 min

267 - What if the Packers' Offense is Too Complex?

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 6, 202024 min

266 - What We Learned From Polling Packers Fans This Season

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 3, 202021 min

265 - Four New Year's Resolutions for Brian Gutekunst

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 1, 202024 min

264 - 14 Thoughts About the Packers' Win Over the Lions

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, 201924 min

263 - 16 of the Best Week 17 Performances in Packers History

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, 201912 min

262 - Three Football Books You Should Read in 2020

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, 201926 min

261 - Packers Overcome Turnovers to Dominate Vikings

 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, 201922 min

260 - Packers/Vikings Rematch Might Mean Everything or Nothing

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, 201922 min

259 - What Should the Packers Do With Mike Pettine?

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, 201916 min

258 - Packers Complete a Bears Sweep (And Earn a Playoff Berth)

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, 201920 min

257 - Can the Packers Duplicate Their Week 1 Win?

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, 201922 min

256 - 5 Questions About Aaron Rodgers

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, 201923 min

255 - Where Do the Packers Stand After Beating the Redskins?

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 9, 201914 min

254 - The Packers Need to Blow Out the Redskins

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 6, 201924 min

253 - Why is the Packers' Offense Less Explosive in 2019?

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 4, 201918 min

252 - Packers Beat (Very Bad) Giants - So What?

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 3, 201921 min

251 - Packers Look For Redemption in New York

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, 201918 min

250 - Explosive Plays, Offensive Line Questions, And Thankfulness

Are you still thankful for the Packers? Of course you are, so let’s talk a little bit about what we’re thankful for in the spirit of the season. But first, following up on a couple storylines from Sunday’s meltdown in San Francisco.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 27, 201921 min

249 - Packers Fail Test Against Elite 49ers

The Packers were roughly handled by the San Francisco 49ers, and how it happened could (and probably should) give us a big reason for concern for the rest of the season.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 25, 201920 min

248 - Packers Have a Chance for a Statement Game in San Francisco

The Packers are facing one of the top teams in the NFL this weekend. Or are they? The 49ers may be more mysterious than we’ve been led to believe.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 22, 201920 min

247 - What the Packers Should Worry About Down the Stretch

The Packers are 8-2 heading into the stretch run of their season. What should be bothering Matt LaFleur and company? I have some ideas.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 20, 201924 min

246 - What Are the 2019 Packers?

The Packers are on their bye week, so we need to talk about one big question: what are they?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 15, 201925 min

245 - Packers Put Away Pesky Panthers

The Packers hung tough on a wild weather day to move to 8-2. How’d they do it? Let’s discuss.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/blue-58. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 11, 201920 min