Official Packers vs. Colts Discussion Thread

[Fritz]

Seneca the Elder and Hundley had, to be generous, noodle arms. Willis has a live arm, but will likely have trouble with knowing what the defense is throwing at him. I'm guessing they will blitz plenty as that is where young QB's struggle. His timing with the receivers and ability to look off safeties will be a big worry as well.

You're right - it's just that I didn't make my point clear. It's more about the surprise that a backup QB brings - you just don't know what you're gonna get. Sometimes it's super ugly, and sometimes they're pretty okay.

I am sure you're right that Indy will bring the heat to try to make this kid hurry, and it'll probably work most of the time. If the kid can just get a couple bombs and make some big plays with his feet, and maybe not throw more than one interception, the Pack can win this game.

[NewsBruin]

Thr Colts might have a little more scouting on Willis, since he was in their division prior to ours.

[Joemailman]

Impossible to predict how Willis will react to being thrown in there so soon. But with the Colts having 2 starters from their defensive backfield out with injuries, the Packers receiver corps should have an advantage over the Colts defensive backfield.

[MadScientist]

You're right - it's just that I didn't make my point clear. It's more about the surprise that a backup QB brings - you just don't know what you're gonna get. Sometimes it's super ugly, and sometimes they're pretty okay.

I am sure you're right that Indy will bring the heat to try to make this kid hurry, and it'll probably work most of the time. If the kid can just get a couple bombs and make some big plays with his feet, and maybe not throw more than one interception, the Pack can win this game.

That's fair. We won't know what Willis can show until Sunday. I'm sure the Packers are preparing him for Indy bringing the heat. There might be an advantage for the Packers on the blitz. On a blitz, he will be geared up to go with the hot read, so he won't have time to over think anything, and staring down a receiver won't matter in that case. The flip side is that a dummy blitz could lead to a pick.

[texaspackerbacker]

I see Love is up to Questionable. I said a few days ago, 50/50 he plays. I will up that now to 55/45 - still not completely confident.

[smuggler]

Would be a shame to lose to the Colts, but not work risking Love in the game. I'm not watching.

[texaspackerbacker]

I seriously doubt it would be a risk to play him - basically no more so than sending him out there 100% healthy. The question is, would his play be impaired? And I tend to doubt he would be, not significantly at least.

The last game I saw in person was when Aaron Rodgers got messed up against the Bears and came out in the second half, leg injury and all, and won the game.

I read that Willis himself thinks Love is gonna play.

[Patler]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

[Vincenzo]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

We love this!
I mean fall asleep tonight dreaming we have a new hero.

[Fritz]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

I would think there are long-term benefits to starting Willis for the next game or two. The experience would help, if he’s needed down the line, and you’re protecting your bajillion dollar investment in Love by not exposing that MCL to re-aggravation. I’d love to hear the Packer coaches’ conversations about whether they think they can squeak out a win this week.

Finally, I do wonder if players, being human, sometimes get a bit lax in their approach, as everyone around them says “it’s all about the star QB carrying the team.” Do they subconsciously maybe look at Love (or Rodgers or Favre) and wait for them to make it happen? We saw how the offense got stale when everyone waited around for Rodgers to do something.

I’m just throwing it out there. Might be nothing to it. I just wonder if it’d be really good for the psyche of the team to win one with the backup QB.

[ThunderDan]

I would think there are long-term benefits to starting Willis for the next game or two. The experience would help, if he’s needed down the line, and you’re protecting your bajillion dollar investment in Love by not exposing that MCL to re-aggravation. I’d love to hear the Packer coaches’ conversations about whether they think they can squeak out a win this week.

Finally, I do wonder if players, being human, sometimes get a bit lax in their approach, as everyone around them says “it’s all about the star QB carrying the team.” Do they subconsciously maybe look at Love (or Rodgers or Favre) and wait for them to make it happen? We saw how the offense got stale when everyone waited around for Rodgers to do something.

I’m just throwing it out there. Might be nothing to it. I just wonder if it’d be really good for the psyche of the team to win one with the backup QB.

Personally, I think the offense got stale when Fat Mike said the receivers need to beat their man 1 on 1.

MM developed an increadible offense. Once D coordinators had a few years of plays on film the O started to go down hill. Only ARods arm talent safed our O in stretches.

This is why I like young prodigies. They are constantly innovating which is what you need to stay on the leading edge of the NFL.

[Fritz]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

To that end, I've been wondering if Malik Heath will get more snaps than usual, due to his blocking skill. It would make sense, if you're going to design some QB runs (I can see the fake handoff to Jacobs up the middle, then Willis sprinting outside with the option to run or pass), you'd want to maximize those with good downfield blocking. And now that Reed's questionable, that might just increase the chances further that Heath will get more snaps on offense. And he catches the ball pretty well, too. I think he's a pretty good red-zone target.

It'll be interesting to see how The Flower schemes this offense for this quarterback and this opponent.

[bobblehead]

Willis is a very smart guy (scored 32 on Wonderlic) with a big arm (GB receivers have mentioned it since he arrived.) He has running ability many QBs do not have. What he lacks is experience. The coaches need to devise an offensive game plan that embraces both the positives and the negatives that he brings.

He also has 3 training camps under his belt. I recall a QB last year in a similar situation that exploded last season. No one knew what to think for sure, but that guy came into his own.

I loved the trade even though it admitted failure on our other QBs. Lets be honest, Willis was a project coming out and went in the 3rd (sort of like Jalen Hurts). He looked great in this years fake games. I didn't want him on the field yet, I wanted him to get a year of wisdom from MiLF and Love, but we don't have that luxury. I'm excited to see if the guy who made Mariotta look serviceable can do the same or more for Willis.

edit: A point I forgot to make about drafting QBs. Which is a better investment (and its open to debate)....a 7th for a talented guy with 3 camps under his belt but in a situation that just didn't work out, or a 5th for Clifford or a 7th for Pratt??

[Joemailman]

Sean Clifford elevated to GameDay roster.

[Fritz]

Sean Cliffords . . . still the backup.

I've wondered what the hell happens to the offensive game plan if Willis goes down. After working to tailor a game plan to Willis's strong arm and crazy legs, what do you do when Cliffy comes into the game, he of the noodle arm and the leaden feet?