2-MINUTE DRILL
The Packers recovered from a 4-6 start to claim the NFC North title and a home playoff game against the New York Giants on Sunday. Beat writer Bob McGinn answered fans’ questions during an online chat. For a complete transcript, visit packersnews.com.
Q. How do you think the GM Saga will end in Green Bay? Are we losing guys or is Ted Thompson going to be a high paid semi retired consultant? A.
The Packers have lost Ron Wolf (retirement), Mark Hatley (death), Ted Thompson (Sea), Scot McCloughan (Sea), Will Lewis (Sea), Lenny McGill (Den), John Schneider (Sea), Reggie McKenzie (Oak), Shaun Herock (Oak), John Dorsey (KC) and others from their personnel department over the last two decades. Yet, they continue to win, and they’ll probably continue to win next year and the year after and the year after.
Q. Who has a better secondary — Seattle (sans Thomas, as we played them) or New York? A.
If Janoris Jenkins plays with a bad back, and plays well, the Giants’ secondary rates a razor-thin edge on the Seahawks’ secondary minus Earl Thomas.
Q. Is this another game in which the Packers’ defense gets multiple turnovers? Cold weather, Manning’s tendency to throw possible interceptions? A.
Certainly could be. Eli Manning is a turnover waiting to happen. He has killed the Giants time after time. But Dom Capers must find a way to get people in his space. Not in his face, in his space. At 36, he has no interest in standing tall, delivering and taking a shot. If you just can get near him, the ball’s liable to be thrown anywhere. Then picks happen. Capers didn’t have to blitz much in the first meeting because his front shut down the Giants’ amateurish rushing attack. Rookie Paul Perkins (21-102) was no amateur against the Redskins. If Perkins has reasonable production, the Packers’ defense will have to fight a two-front battle, meaning takeaways would be harder to come by.
Q. Why not try Jeff Janis in the secondary? Can he tackle? Seems to me if he can catch ‘em he can hug ‘em. A.
Jeff Janis would have no chance playing cornerback. He’s a straight-line speed guy with modest flexibility, change of direction and quick twitch. Cornerbacks need more overall athleticism. Janis might have a chance at safety with his body type.