Really, really smart; or just lucky?

[Patler]

The Packers could have gone many different ways at the backup QB position. They had two young ones throughout camp, they cut both of them. There were much more experienced veterans available, they ignored them. Roster cutdowns made others available, which likely would have included Willis, but with the risk of not getting him because of waiver claiming priority.

Apparently, of all the players to pick from, Gutekunst & Co. identified Willis as the guy they wanted and did not want to risk the waiver claiming process to get him. A 7th found pick was nothing to pay for a prospect to work with, let alone a guy who engineers 3 wins in two months.

Were the Packers really, really smart; or just lucky?

[George Cumby]

Porque no los dos?

[MadtownPacker]

Based on how the kicker situation played out I’m going to have to go with very lucky. They paid Love so I doubt back up QB was filled with the hope the backup would be the difference in games. The K was dire and they kept fukin that up then lucked out with the Irish Assassin hitting game winners.

[Patler]

Based on how the kicker situation played out I’m going to have to go with very lucky. They paid Love so I doubt back up QB was filled with the hope the backup would be the difference in games. The K was dire and they kept fukin that up then lucked out with the Irish Assassin hitting game winners.

I'm going with "smart," because:
- Backup QB IS important when you have legitimate playoff aspirations. A game or two can make a big difference in having that opportunity. If the time is NOW, you absolutely have to have a backup QB who gives you a chance to win games. What has happened this year is proof of the need at backup QB.
- They went after Willis. They didn't wait to claim him on waivers, or sign any of the many others they could have. They identified Willis as the guy they wanted, and actively obtained him.

As for kicker, sometimes you are just a victim of circumstances. Maybe they picked the wrong rookie last year; but, this year I don't think they had good veteran alternatives available until McManus became available.

[QBME]

Agree to an extent with Cumby, but favor the smart side. Gute saw something.
Yesterday maybe showed a little.
What struck me was how cool, collected and comfortable Malik seemed to be. He ran the offense, the one designed for him. Not a single jittery flinch. When the time came to stand and deliver the downfield strike he did it in rhythm, smooth as silk. Perhaps the play of the game.

[QBME]

Dang Patler, you’re quick on the trigger!
And accurate to boot.

[MadtownPacker]

I'm going with "smart," because:
- Backup QB IS important when you have legitimate playoff aspirations. A game or two can make a big difference in having that opportunity. If the time is NOW, you absolutely have to have a backup QB who gives you a chance to win games. What has happened this year is proof of the need at backup QB.
- They went after Willis. They didn't wait to claim him on waivers, or sign any of the many others they could have. They identified Willis as the guy they wanted, and actively obtained him.

As for kicker, sometimes you are just a victim of circumstances. Maybe they picked the wrong rookie last year; but, this year I don't think they had good veteran alternatives available until McManus became available.

I can’t say it didn’t take intelligence but they didn’t go that hard with a 7th. Being that Willis is not in the same mold as Love doubt they saw him as a fill in or stopgap. Probably more of a young worthy backup to develop. Before this season Love gave no indication he would break so easily. You don’t believe they imagined Willis in 3 games by week 8 right? If AntiPolarBear was that lucky he would be a poker millionaire.

I’ll give you some points on the QB part but hell no on the K. These aholes get paid a lot and I can understand when it’s a QB but kicker? Cmon! They blew that one all summer and if McManus had kept his hands to himself he wouldn’t have been available. The flight attendants get more credit for setting that in motion than Packers management.

[King Friday]

I’m going with smart, largely from the standpoint that by most accounts from Titans land, Willis looked pretty solid this preseason. Of all the potential options available after the preseason, his acquisition made a lot of sense due to the similarity of the two offensive schemes and the possible ceiling for a guy with Willis’ physical talent.

Now, did they expect that Willis would walk in and immediately contribute in the first couple weeks and look as good as he has to this point? No, but who could’ve expected that? His level of maturity and composure, while something you can certainly measure through talking to coaches and teammates, has probably exceeded even the Packers’ expectations in what you could say was a stroke of luck.

[Joemailman]

They were smart because of good scouting. They had noticed that he had an excellent preseason and had improved on his weakness, i.e. reading defenses. It was always known he had great physical skills.

[King Friday]

Perhaps the play of the game.

I don’t think there is any doubt. This wasn’t a play that was scripted for Willis. This was a play that the Packers initially weren’t even confident Love would pull off and took out of the game plan. That Willis was able to perfectly execute it in such a high pressure situation makes it no doubt the play of the game.

[Fritz]

I don’t think there is any doubt. This wasn’t a play that was scripted for Willis. This was a play that the Packers initially weren’t even confident Love would pull off and took out of the game plan. That Willis was able to perfectly execute it in such a high pressure situation makes it no doubt the play of the game.

Also credit to the offensive line. Willis had all day.

[sharpe1027]

Also credit to the offensive line. Willis had all day.

How much was due to trying to keep him in the pocket?

[sharpe1027]

Smart decision that had some risk and required some luck.

All you can do is make moves that have a high chance of success. There's no such thing as certainty.

[texaspackerbacker]

The only good luck was not having bad luck. Willis has been good, and I like the idea of having a running QB. And yeah, I suppose they did some worthwhile scouting.

My take on this, though, is that the Packers are a good enough team all around that Casey or the other guy woulda probably done about as good as Willis.

[run pMc]

it's a bit of both - they got lucky that Willis is a hard worker and has developed a little since being drafted. Lucky he's been something of a gamer as well.
Smart in that he's got another year on his contract, and MLF has a pretty good idea of what he's good at and tailored plays (and the offense) to those strengths.

A lot of backup QBs are smart guys with noodle arms; I think you want a guy with a cannon arm that you can develop. Helps that he's mobile, and that MLF has worked with a mobile QB before (Mariota). Drop back, make two reads, and take off running if neither look good.

Having Josh Jacobs makes a world of difference too. I don't think they regret swapping Jones out for Jacobs, dude is a workhorse with experience carrying an offense.

Someone in the GB pro personnel department knows what they are doing.