Nothing against John Kuuuuhn, but it’s a shame James Lofton is no longer providing color analysis for the team’s preseason games. The Pro Football Hall of Famer isn’t appreciated nearly enough as a broadcaster – either by the Packers or the networks – because his low-key style isn’t fashionable at a time when schtick and screaming is unfortunately all the rage. Anyway, here are three more Packers-related thoughts that ran through my mind in recent days:
1) It’s difficult to believe now, but there was a time not so long ago when the Packers could actually find good long snappers. Former general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson procured Rob Davis, Brett Goode, Thomas Gafford, Clark Harris, J.J. Jansen, Rick Lovato, and Taybor Pepper. The first three are retired after long careers, and the latter four are still in the league with Cincinnati, Carolina, Philly, and San Francisco, respectively. Meanwhile, current GM Brian Gutekunst missed with Hunter Bradley, who was shockingly drafted, and Steven Wirtel, and the early returns on Jack Coco aren’t very encouraging. To be fair, the rookie from Georgia Tech should be cut some slack since he hadn’t snapped for punts since high school before being signed in May. Gutekunst has made plenty of really good personnel decisions since being hired, but when it comes to locating long snappers, maybe it’s time for him to outsource the search.
2) Despite a rough night on defense in the preseason opener against the 49ers, which included getting beat for a 62-yard touchdown by wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, cornerback Rico Gafford probably didn’t hurt his chances at making the 53-man roster. That’s because the former Raider did a very good job on special teams. He played a team-high 10 snaps on five different units, and his blazing speed was used most effectively as a gunner in punt coverage. In the video below, Gafford easily beats two blockers at the line of scrimmage and is the first man down the field to meet the returner and force a fair catch. If the goal is to improve special teams dramatically – and considering how much money new coordinator Rich Bisaccia is being paid, it definitely is – then keeping a player like Gafford should be a no-brainer.
3) The Packers need to get down to 85 players by Tuesday afternoon, and there’s at least a chance one of the four moves will be placing Dallin Leavitt on IR. The former Raider hurt his shoulder against the 49ers last Friday, and Matt LaFleur admitted the veteran safety would be “out for a while.” Considering how tight-lipped the coach usually is regarding the severity of ailments, we can only assume Leavitt either had his arm amputated or will be undergoing surgery. Losing the 28-year-old for the season or an extended period of time would be a severe blow to special teams. Even though he covered only two kicks and one punt before leaving the game late in the first half, it was obvious why Bisaccia was so anxious to get him to Green Bay. Leavitt was extremely physical as he ricocheted off multiple 49ers on his way down the field. Ironically, he got injured playing defense, which probably never would’ve happened during the regular season.
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The Leavitt injury was brutal to watch. I had hopes it wouldn’t be too severe based on how he was moving as he walked off the field, but sounds like it might’ve been as bad as it looked.
I was surprised Bisaccia didn’t ask for a veteran long snapper to be signed during the offseason. I’m guessing he’ll give Gutey some good intel on the long snappers that get released on cutdown day.