Category Archives: The Scoop with Chris Havel

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt will trade their Georgia “G’s” for Packers “G’s” as Green Bay’s “D” just became more daunting, with perhaps another Georgia peach – receiver George Pickens – still on the way. The Packers added scheme-specific defenders in Walker and Wyatt, who starred on Georgia’s … Packers’ pivotal draft brings Walker, Wyatt

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. –The Packers have several advantages entering the NFL draft. Their greatest asset is a talented, deep roster on both sides of the football. They don’t have to do the “Jacksonville Dance” and spin themselves into a seizure trying to decide which of a dozen or more gaping holes they … Prepare to be thrilled by Packers’ 2022 draft

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. –The Packers’ goal isn’t merely to replace Davante Adams. It’s to make the offense more potent despite his departure. Green Bay’s top three receivers are Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and the recently signed Sammy Watkins. Individually, none is in the same universe as Adams. Collectively, though, recent history suggests … Packers’ offense preps for life without Adams

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – It’s always an interesting exercise to the play the pre-draft “What if?” game involving the Green Bay Packers. For example, what if the Packers draft a quarterback in the first round? That wasn’t an oft-asked question going into the 2020 NFL draft, but it sure was afterward. No … Packers’ draft could land top WR, TE & S

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – A Packers fan’s journey to Mock Draft Land can be either exhilarating or exasperating depending upon one’s viewpoint. Typically, a fan’s reaction is rooted in their perception of their team’s greatest needs, and which players they have seen or read about that tickle their fancy. If the player … Packers’ predictions through four rounds

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ 13-10 loss to San Francisco in the NFC’s divisional playoffs 10 weeks ago was painful but instructive. The offense was lacking despite deploying All-Pros at quarterback and receiver, and the special teams’ units were abominable. Only the defense was stellar. The Packers’ offseason moves have been … Packers’ defense set – weaponry on ‘O’ next

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The prediction remains unchanged. The Packers will be better this season, and they’ll reach Super Bowl LVII. General manager Brian Gutekunst’s decision to trade All-Pro receiver Davante Adams was a bitter pill to swallow. When a player of Adams’ undeniable talent and character leaves, for whatever reason, it’s … Packers trade Adams, keep Douglas, Tonyan

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The NFL’s best teams reload. The worst rebuild. The Packers have taken a more subtle approach: They’re remodeling. If the Packers win Super Bowl LVII it will be an “inside job” that didn’t require (fingers crossed) breaking the bank. Sure, they have acquired outside help along the way. … Packers don’t rebuild, they remodel a winner

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ defense made tremendous strides last season thanks to the always steady and occasionally spectacular play of veteran linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Preston Smith. On Monday, the Packers retained half of that winning tag-team by signing Preston Smith to a four-year, $52.5 million contract extension. Smith, 29, … Preston Smith returns, Adams not playin’ tag

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – After all these long seasons, this is what “all in” looks like. It looks like a 38-year-old philosophy professor with a hip man-bun, Zen outlook and burning desire to finish an uncompleted journey. And it looks like $200 million over four years, with $153 million guaranteed, being delivered … Packers, Rodgers take Super Bowl plunge