Packers chat with Ryan Wood

Submit your Packers-Cowboys post-game questions for Ryan's regular 1 p.m. Monday chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

Hey folks, Ryan Wood here. Fresh back from Dallas, and a thrilling game it was. Let's get to your questions.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:02:25 PM
Would having more guards than tackles in the O line have anything to do with the improved running game? I'm pretty impressed with Lane Taylor and encouraged by the work of McCray. O line depth would be great to develop/prove this early in the season.

by Steve H 10/9/2017 6:02:57 PM
I think it had more to do with the running back than offensive line yesterday. What I mean by that is, I think the offensive line didn't block any better or worse than past games. What you saw was Aaron Jones show burst hitting the hole, and an ability to get downfield fast. With that said, Bryan Bulaga returned to right tackle, and that certainly couldn't have hurt. Yes, Lane Taylor has done better at left tackle these past two weeks than anyone could have anticipated. It was especially impressive how he handled left tackle in an environment with more than 93,000 fans on the road.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:04:30 PM
Interesting to see how MM uses Jones and Montgomery when Montgomery returns. Reminds me a bit of 1996 when you had both Edgar Bennett (a solid upfield runner) coupled with Dorsey Levens (fluid running style, great hands as a receiver). How do you see the two splitting reps?

by Rich 10/9/2017 6:04:42 PM
A lot like you just mentioned. Ty Montgomery isn't going anywhere, but the Packers have needed to complement him with a conventional running back. It's only one game, but think they might have found something with Aaron Jones. What he showed yesterday was an ideal fit with Montgomery's dual-threat play style.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:05:42 PM
We seem to have weathered the initial injuries on the OL. How much better of a team will we be at year end with guys like McCray getting substantial playing time and Taylor "playing out of position" for 2 (or more) games?

by Rich 10/9/2017 6:06:01 PM
I thought before the season the Packers would probably be better in December than September, which is especially impressive now that you consider their 4-1 start. It isn't just the offensive line injuries, something we couldn't have foreseen before the season. It's the fact that, potentially, two of their most important players on defense were rookies, and it would likely take time for the free-agent additions, especially the new tight ends, to find their roles in the offense. Can't understate how big it is for the Packers to have started the season 4-1, while playing three primary contenders in the NFC.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:07:40 PM
Jordy was not in on that last series. Did you hear anything about possible reasons why?

by Peter 10/9/2017 6:07:55 PM
Mike McCarthy said he was being evaluated, but did not specify for what. We'll hopefully find out a little more today.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:08:13 PM
One bad snap, one bad hold. How patient will the Packers be with the new long snapper?

by tghn 10/9/2017 6:08:25 PM
I don't think he's going anywhere this week, but jobs don't last long with those issues. He'll need to correct it immediately.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:08:49 PM
Rodgers was sacked what, four times, and hit six others? Could have been worse, I suppose, but who was it that gave up the most pressure?

by Slade 10/9/2017 6:09:19 PM
I haven't had time to go back and look at the game film, but my memory is that it was pretty spread around. Overall, the offensive line played very well considering it had a left guard at left tackle on the road. Two of their sacks came on the same series early in the game.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:10:02 PM
The difference between Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams seems to be patience at the line. Do you think Williams can still be the better runner?

by tghn 10/9/2017 6:10:11 PM
I'd throw vision and burst into the hole in there too. As far as going forward, it's very early in both their careers. Yes, Williams could end up being the better runner. Far too soon to know.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:10:50 PM
Was D conceding the final TD?

by Travis_Jervey 10/9/2017 6:10:58 PM
Doubtful, no matter how much it might have looked that way.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:11:10 PM
Hey Ryan - wondering if there are any updates you can provide on Morgan Burnett and/or Jordy Nelson's injuries yesterday...how did they look on the sidelines/locker room? I'm hoping we're not going to have to read cryptic injury reports on these two for the next 4-6 weeks.

what is it with this team and hamstring injuries?

by Tyler 10/9/2017 6:11:15 PM
We haven't spoken with Mike McCarthy today, so I don't have anything on injuries. Of course, Mike McCarthy will probably say he doesn't have anything on injuries either.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:11:38 PM
Aaron Jones - clearly the best runner on the team, although we haven't really seen Mays yet. In my mind, he's earned the #2 job and possibly pushing for #1. What say you?

by Slade 10/9/2017 6:11:47 PM
Mike McCarthy has long favored a two-tailback rotation. Going forward, those two tailbacks should be Ty Montgomery and Aaron Jones.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:12:29 PM
Hey Ryan!

Thanks for taking time to do this!

Here is something I think about often that I would like to get your insights on. It was clear yesterday that the Cowboys left too much time on the clock for our boys to come back and win. But at what point, if any, do you think about letting the other team score just so you know you can get the ball back with some time? If the Cowboys played it a little bit smarter, they probably could have killed the time with the possibility of a win. If this scenario started to play out last night and given the fact our D couldn’t stop them, do you let them score early to get the ball back? Or do you always put faith into your D to stop? Thanks!

Kyle

by Kyle 10/9/2017 6:12:59 PM
When you have a four-point lead, you never, ever willfully concede a touchdown. Because a stop means you win the game, and don't need the offense to score. The Packers almost got a fourth-down stop. Ultimately, they were playing one of the league's most talented offenses in their building, and Dak Prescott played out of his mind.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:14:20 PM
Ryan pass defense still not good, what needs to change here?

by Kyle 10/9/2017 6:14:26 PM
Kevin King needs to get out of concussion protocol. It was clear the Packers missed him when he went down early.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:14:40 PM
Can we be optimistic about that defense? It's like our best defense is keep the ball with the offense right now.

by Erick Tavares 10/9/2017 6:14:51 PM
Yes. I thought yesterday was much more about the Cowboys offense playing well than the Packers defense playing bad. The difference between the Packers and Cowboys defenses were that the Packers made the Cowboys offense work, especially in the second half. The Cowboys defense rolled over.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:15:37 PM
Was the final play (lateral) blown dead at some point. That was a strange sequence with Perry just dropping the ball standing there it seemed like play was still live?

by Chad 10/9/2017 6:16:00 PM
It looked like a lot of people were confused, and the Packers were fortunate it didn't cost them the game.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:16:21 PM
Does Aaron Jones have what it takes to carry the running game this year?

by tghn 10/9/2017 6:16:30 PM
He won't have to carry it. Ty Montgomery isn't going anywhere.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:16:38 PM
Hi Ryan I live in upstate ny and see how amazing Micah Hyde is for the bills!!! He never played like this for the pack considering what happened with Randall last wk. is it just possible we have good talent on defense but maybe the system is too confusing or the defensive coaching is not that good? Joe Whitt included? Thank you. Thoughts

by Janet Maguire Yaekel 10/9/2017 6:17:02 PM
No. Micah Hyde was very good for the Packers, too. There's a reason he got paid in free agency.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:17:15 PM
Did Dez catch it?

by Nick 10/9/2017 6:17:32 PM
Maybe.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:17:35 PM
Was the roughing the passer penalty against the Cowboys legit or a timely make up call for the phantom defenseless player penelty against Martinez?

by John Z 10/9/2017 6:17:49 PM
I thought it was kind of weak. Initially, I was confused because it looked like Aaron Rodgers threw it to nobody while inside the pocket, but didn't realize he was called down. It was hard to hear the whistle. It certainly worked in the Packers' favor.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:18:38 PM
Thanks for the chat, Ryan. I've had broken ribs and it's very painful. With Jones running so well yesterday, do you think the team will give Ty a little extra time to heal rather than rushing him back and risking further damage?

by Slade 10/9/2017 6:18:50 PM
It certainly helps, yes.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:18:56 PM
Sure, the pick6 was great... but the penalty afterwards was a real jerk move. Really have to wonder if 23 will ever "get it."

by GBslacker 10/9/2017 6:19:21 PM
Indeed. Thought colleague Michael Cohen wrote a terrific peace on that subject. Check it out on PackersNews.com ... after the chat!

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:19:47 PM
If Rodgers would retire tomorrow. Is he HOF? Do you retire his uniform at Lambeau?

by Pippen 10/9/2017 6:19:57 PM
First ballot, and immediately.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:20:11 PM
I can understand staying committed to Monty at RB but what if a WR goes down

by Digger 10/9/2017 6:20:26 PM
There's depth at WR. Much more than there is at RB.

by Ryan Wood 10/9/2017 6:20:35 PM