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By ZONE COVERAGE After using the past two drafts to power a rapid rebuild, Brian Gutekunst was cooking again last weekend. In typical Gutey fashion, he targeted guys with elite athletic profiles, filled needs, sneaked in a trade-down, landed a standout University of Georgia defender, and said, Screw all your mock drafts when he passed on rumored top target Cooper DeJean. There’s a strong possibility that Gutekunst selected three starters in the first three picks. Jordan Morgan’s versatility ensures he finds a spot on the offensive line. Edgerrin Cooper could team up with Quay Walker to patrol the middle, and Javon Bullard may line up next to Xavier McKinney in the secondary. The NFC North has had a pretty strong weekend. The Chicago Bears landed Rome Odunze alongside Caleb Williams and completed an offense that looks more potent than anything we have seen from them in years. Chicago has a reputation for being champions of the offseason and failing to push it much further than that. But Williams, the slam-dunk No. 1 pick for over a year now, is far less polarizing to scouts as a player than Justin Fields and Mitchell Trubisky. The Minnesota Vikings landed Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy to replace Kirk Cousins without moving heaven and earth. Still, it remains to be seen just how much upside he has and how long it will take him to settle into the system. If this Packers draft class turns out as strong as it appears, this was the latest masterclass in a remarkable rebuild that began when Gutekunst shocked the world by selecting Jordan Love in 2020. It basically included only two months of adversity before Green Bay returned to contention with the league’s youngest team. In adding Cooper, Bullard, and McKinney to fill massive defensive holes this offseason, the Packers finally set themselves up to be the year that the personnel translates to output on the defense. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has to be pleased to inherit this unit. Gutekunst has become predictably unpredictable in the war room. While he’s markedly more aggressive in free agency than his predecessor, Ted Thompson, Gutekunst has carried on the Packers’ longstanding draft philosophy. Impressive athletic profiles and versatility continued to show up in Green Bay’s picks. However, needs were a noticeable point of emphasis, demonstrating the front office’s intention to go all-in following a breakout season. McKinney and Bullard will take over for the revolving door of Darnell Savage Jr, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford at the safety position; Cooper will bring youth, energy, and physicality to the spot that the aging De’Vondre Campbell held last season; and Morgan is another high-upside piece to add to Love’s offensive line. His arrival also opens the door for Zach Tom to move to center, a possibility the Packers are reportedly intrigued by. It’s a long road between now and opening day, including crucial transitions for the young guys, but they have flipped multiple key weaknesses into potential strengths overnight — at least on paper. As they addressed need after need, the elephant in the room became cornerback, the major position Gutekunst opted not to dip into early on. Star defensive back Jaire Alexander has one side of the field under firm control, but there are a plethora of questions on the other side. Former first-round pick Eric Stokes flashed aggressively in his rookie year, but major injuries have sidelined him ever since. Seventh-round rookie Carrington Valentine held his own in a handful of starts in 2023, but it’s still difficult to view him as a long-term solution. In a post-draft presser, Matt LaFleur addressed this by saying Stokes “looks great,” suggesting he will be ready to go as CB2 opposite Alexander. That brings the number of Georgia defenders in the starting lineup up to four, with Bullard joining Stokes, Walker, and Devonte Wyatt, another high draft pick primed for a big leap. One of the primary factors in Gutekunst’s draft domination these past couple of years has been the diamonds in the rough he finds in the middle rounds. This year, seventh-round corner Kalen King feels like a guy who fits that mold. Around this time a year ago, King was forecasted to go on Thursday or Friday. However, he had a rough 2023 season and slid the entire length of the draft. Jayden Reed and Sauce Gardner were among those who shouted him out as a steal. Interestingly, two of their late-rounders have gotten the better of potential future villain Caleb Williams. Fifth-round safety Kitan Oladapo sacked him in an Oregon State victory over USC, and seventh-round quarterback selection Michael Pratt outdueled him in an absolute boat race of a Cotton Bowl in 2022. Pratt has maintained a decent national profile as the leader of an overperforming Tulane team, and it will be interesting to see if he winds up with the backup quarterback job that currently belongs to Sean Clifford. Overall, it was an incredibly successful weekend for Gutekunst and the Packers. They put the cherry on top of the Aaron Rodgers trade with the addition of Cooper and have this roster locked, loaded, and ready to make noise in the NFC. Over the next few months, the onus will fall on the coaches to turn personnel into production. LaFleur’s system looked polished and potent in Love’s first year at the helm, and it feels like the sky’s the limit with the entire young core returning. Hafley’s defense will be far more interesting to see. Time will tell if he can avoid the fates of his predecessors, but one thing is certain: Brian Gutekunst has put them all in a position to succeed heading into 2024.
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Brian Gutekunst Was In His Bag Once Again On Draft Weekend
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"Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada
"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help.
As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game,
particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "
-Kayle
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
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-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."
-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly