Author Archives: cbarto66

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – It’s always an interesting exercise to the play the pre-draft “What if?” game involving the Green Bay Packers. For example, what if the Packers draft a quarterback in the first round? That wasn’t an oft-asked question going into the 2020 NFL draft, but it sure was afterward. No … Packers’ draft could land top WR, TE & S

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – A Packers fan’s journey to Mock Draft Land can be either exhilarating or exasperating depending upon one’s viewpoint. Typically, a fan’s reaction is rooted in their perception of their team’s greatest needs, and which players they have seen or read about that tickle their fancy. If the player … Packers’ predictions through four rounds

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ 13-10 loss to San Francisco in the NFC’s divisional playoffs 10 weeks ago was painful but instructive. The offense was lacking despite deploying All-Pros at quarterback and receiver, and the special teams’ units were abominable. Only the defense was stellar. The Packers’ offseason moves have been … Packers’ defense set – weaponry on ‘O’ next

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The prediction remains unchanged. The Packers will be better this season, and they’ll reach Super Bowl LVII. General manager Brian Gutekunst’s decision to trade All-Pro receiver Davante Adams was a bitter pill to swallow. When a player of Adams’ undeniable talent and character leaves, for whatever reason, it’s … Packers trade Adams, keep Douglas, Tonyan

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The NFL’s best teams reload. The worst rebuild. The Packers have taken a more subtle approach: They’re remodeling. If the Packers win Super Bowl LVII it will be an “inside job” that didn’t require (fingers crossed) breaking the bank. Sure, they have acquired outside help along the way. … Packers don’t rebuild, they remodel a winner

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ defense made tremendous strides last season thanks to the always steady and occasionally spectacular play of veteran linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Preston Smith. On Monday, the Packers retained half of that winning tag-team by signing Preston Smith to a four-year, $52.5 million contract extension. Smith, 29, … Preston Smith returns, Adams not playin’ tag

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – After all these long seasons, this is what “all in” looks like. It looks like a 38-year-old philosophy professor with a hip man-bun, Zen outlook and burning desire to finish an uncompleted journey. And it looks like $200 million over four years, with $153 million guaranteed, being delivered … Packers, Rodgers take Super Bowl plunge

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The arrival of the NFL’s first mock draft is like seeing the first robin of spring. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you daydream about all the grand possibilities that lie ahead. When the first 2022 mock draft lit upon my laptop screen … Packers’ draft needs intersect with talent

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ defense improved by Lambeau leaps and bounds under the direction of first-year coordinator Joe Barry in 2021. Green Bay (13-4) finished as the NFL’s ninth-ranked defense under Barry, who replaced Mike Pettine in the previous offseason. It was interesting that the Packers retained every defensive assistant … Packers’ defense has serious cap challenges

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – While the “Aaron Rodgers Watch” rolls into late February the Packers are playing out the scenarios with, and without, their star quarterback. This week, I’ll take a look at the Packers’ offense going into 2022. The specter of life without Rodgers is daunting, but it’s not all doom … Packers’ offense still potent going into ‘22