2-MINUTE DRILL
ACCORDING TO . . . PACKERS WRITER BOB MCGINN
Packers reporter Bob McGinn answered your questions Wednesday in an online chat. Here’s an excerpt: Q. Can we contain Russell Wilson and not challenge (Richard) Sherman up the sideline?
A. Russell Wilson will be scrambling like mad because his O-line is so poor. Two weeks ago Tampa Bay beat Seattle, 14-5, because of pass rush. However, I’m told a major reason for the collapse was the play of backup C Joey Hunt, who was starting for injured Justin Britt. Britt returned Sunday night vs. Carolina and the protection was somewhat better. The Packers’ ability to contain depends to a large extent on the availability of Clay Matthews and Nick Perry . . . . As for Sherman, his matchups against (Davante) Adams and (Jordy) Nelson will be worth watching. He’ll be jamming hard, and if the Packers hope to win they can’t give away an entire third of the field. Q. Ted Thompson has taken some heat for not augmenting the roster via free agency and rightly so in my opinion but I guess you live and die by the draft and develop approach. Do you give Thompson a little bit of leeway given that the Packers have lost so many high-level front office guys in John Schneider, Reggie McKenzie and John Dorsey? A. Ted Thompson should receive absolutely no leeway for the departures his personnel department has suffered. Many, many scouts would like to work for the Packers, and many are highly capable. Thompson is well aware of this. At the same time, he appears fully confident in the staff adjustments he has made to replace Schneider, McKenzie, Dorsey and others. Q. How much does the shorter off-season and training camp practices affect the “draft and develop philosophy” success? I wonder if guys like (Jeff) Janis get enough practice reps to really hone their craft, since so much time has to be devoted to starters, that draft prospects and backups get what’s left over, which might not be much. A. I just don’t buy the argument that the new CBA-mandated reduced practice time affects player development. If anything, it might foster player development because players aren’t overworked. There’s plenty of classroom-practice-walkthrough time from April through the end of the season to develop players.