Inbox: That’s what leaders do

Jim from Whitmore Lake, MI

Good morning. On the Total Packers video, Xavier McKinney really impressed me when he said “Adding three more guys to the safety room is an exciting thing…helping them to learn the game…seeing those guys and seeing what their tape is like…” I’ve never heard of one player checking other players’ “tape.” I always thought that watching tape is the coaches’ job. So, is it normal for one player to watch tape on another player in order to help them to be a better player?

That’s what leaders do. Whenever the Packers sign a big-name free agent, it seems the player’s on-field performance is what fills most of the column inches. But when making those sizeable investments, the person is just as important. Green Bay has signed several high-character veterans over the years, and by all accounts, it got another one in Xavier McKinney. For McKinney being only 24, he’s demonstrated a lot of maturity in understanding his role in helping develop the young safeties in his room.

George from Kennebunkport, ME

Deception is frequently used in defensive schemes to hinder a QB’s ability to “read” coverages or alignment. QBs frequently use the entire play clock, searching for the slightest hint. The past few years we have not seen much disguise in the Packers’ defensive schemes. How much do you think that will change under Jeff Hafley? Does a single-high safety offer the potential for unexpected blitzes?

It can, especially if you have a physical strong safety and quick linebackers. I can’t paint you a vivid picture of how the defense is going to look this year, but the comparisons to San Francisco, Houston and the New York Jets caught my attention – not because of the scheme but the playstyle. Those defenses get after the quarterback whether the coordinator is sending an extra blitzer or not. That’s where Hafley is trying to get the Packers – playing with tenacity.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

It’s pretty clear Brian Gutekunst wanted an OT with his first pick. We can debate whether he wanted to move up for another OT, but he got the versatility and athleticism he wanted with Jordan Morgan. Then he gets the first LB off the board and the second safety. But Tyler Nubin’s low RAS eliminated him for the Packers that early in the draft, so Javon Bullard was clearly their top safety. Top OT at 25, then top LB and top safety on their board. That’s a pretty successful draft with…