He’ll have to earn them

In today’s NFL, the offense most often dictates to the defense. With the exception of a five-WR set, is this Packer defense getting to the point where it could dictate to the offense? Go ahead, make a substitution, we’re staying with our best 11.

I’m not so sure. I think this defense’s best 11 will be a traditional nickel, and they’ll get to play it plenty. But if the offense puts a fourth receiver on the field, and the defense doesn’t want to go with a fourth corner, then the offense either gets a linebacker mismatched on a receiver, or a safety on him leaving only one safety for over-the-top help. I don’t see Joe Barry putting his unit in a compromising position unnecessarily.

Does David Bakhtiari start Week 1 for the Pack? Man, I miss him.

Everyone does. Let’s hope we find out next week that all signs are pointing in the right direction for the “Big Giraffe,” as Aaron Rodgers likes to call him.

To me, the greatest tradition in pro sports is the bike riding at Packers training camp. What traditions – college, pro or other – do you like. BTW, the “pour Gatorade on the coach” tradition should have ended 20 years ago in my opinion.

We’ve discussed several in this space before, but one I’ve neglected to mention – mostly because it has lost some luster with the Badgers hockey program no longer what it was – is the “Sieve!” chant at the opposing goalie when he allows a goal. I know it’s cruel and very unsportsmanlike, but it’ll always be one of my favorites.

Benjamin from Evergreen Park, IL

I was watching NFL Network’s documentary “The Perfect Backfield,” a story about Csonka, Kiick and Mercury Morris. The genesis of it was inspired by our own, Hornung, Taylor and Elijah Pitts. 1970s football seems to be making a comeback with all the sub-package defenses dominating the NFL. Can Patrick Taylor or Kylin Hill turn our duo of Aaron Jones and Dillon into a trio?

With all due respect to those young backs who may get their number called at some point, Jones and Dillon…