Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Two sides to this story
Packers beat writer Ryan Wood answered questions from readers Monday, a day after Green Bay’s 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Read the complete transcript at jsonline.com/packers.
Q: All the fire McCarthy reporting is asinine and lazy. If I hear the word “stale” again I am going to throw up. What is stale is all the food in the Packer cupboard from the 2015-2017 drafts. Not to mention drafting players to play different positions (Datone Jones, Nick Perry, Ty Montgomery, Damarious Randall) and not replacing O-line with quality guards, and several other bad personnel decisions (Jared Cook, Micah Hyde, Casey Hayward, J Peppers) and to top it all off Aaron Rodgers is still hurt. This is why we are struggling, not McCarthy’s playbook.
A: Always refreshing to hear another fan perspective. I’m not sure stale is the operative word here, either. I think the better term at 4-4-1 is mediocre. The Packers generally beat the teams they should, but they haven’t yet been able to beat good opponents. Mediocre teams also struggle on the road and win at home; the Packers are undefeated at home and winless on the road this season. Look, this is always evolving. The Packers could change their perception this week with a tough win in Seattle. But through nine games, they’ve been the picture of mediocrity. That’s not what a team should be when Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback.
Q: The (Miami) victory will bring out FALSE hopes in many fans — there are still major issues that can only be corrected by replacing the coaches in charge. Special teams have been a complete disaster. Zook must go and the relationship between McCarthy and Rodgers is fractured to the point that only replacing McCarthy will solve it. Passing game is horrible. Same old plays. New
blood is needed.
A: Ah, yes, the other perspective. Here’s the deal: I’m going to let this play out. The Packers control their own destiny right now, both in the division and wild-card races. They’ve been mediocre, but that doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. Is it false hope? Only if the Packers lose. If they win, it’s signs of a turnaround. I have no idea what will happen. That’s why they play the games. My advice would be to wait and watch.
Q: In hindsight was trading Clinton-Dix a great idea? Doesn’t seem like they are stacked at safety.
A: I still don’t think it was a bad idea. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how Ha Ha has played in Washington, because I haven’t watched them. I think the Packers are better with Tramon Williams as their deep safety than Clinton-Dix, but that does thin out their secondary. Especially when injuries hit. Bottom line, they need to continue the luck they’ve had with health.