Having some firepower at tight end this season will be a huge boon to the Green Bay Packers offense, but it's very likely that the free-agent addition that will have the biggest impact on the field this season is neither Martellus Bennett nor Lance Kendricks, but cornerback Davon House.
In 2010, the Packers defense got them into the Super Bowl. In virtually every season since, it's killed them in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers and this offense deserve another ring, and as the window continues to close, perhaps it's time to make a drastic change to ensure they get one.
On Sunday night against the Detroit Lions, however, the unit suffered a series of additional blows. Quinten Rollins left the game strapped to a board to go to the hospital after a scary-looking hit to his head/neck; per Mike McCarthy, he avoided serious injury but there's no word on whether he'll be able to go on Sunday against the Giants. Both Damarious Randall and Makinton Dorleant left the game with knee injuries, Randall is considered day-to-day, while Dorleant said initial tests showed no major structural damage.
It's been a rough road for the Packers secondary, which has been hampered by injuries all season. The team has needed leaders and playmakers to step up from within its ranks in its postseason push, and a key weapon who could be instrumental in the playoffs became clear in Week 17: defensive back Micah Hyde.
The 6-6 Green Bay Packers have gotten themselves into a situation in which every game has become a must-win. Two games back from the Detroit Lions and tied, record-wise, with the Minnesota Vikings but not currently holding the tiebreaker against them, Green Bay now has to beat the Seahawks, Bears, Vikings, and Lions to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
Needless to say, it's imperative that every player turns it up to 11 over this final stretch and taps into his deepest reserve of aggression. The Packers have to want this more than anyone else. And, as far as the secondary goes, that's exactly what cornerback LaDarius Gunter has been doing.
The Packers defense is taking on the No. 1 wide receiver in football in Week 8 in Altanta's Julio Jones, and their best option for coverage on him looks like an undrafted free agent who is third on the depth chart: LaDarius Gunter.
In our best-case scenario, Sam Shields is named to his first Pro Bowl, but in our worst-case scenario, Tramon Williams loses his long-time grip on a starting job in the Packers secondary.
The Packers safety is looking to put an early season hamstring injury behind him so he can take part in Green Bay's home opener on Sunday against Washington.
On today's show, Andy completes his deep dive of 6th round offensive linemen Travis Glover and reviews his biggest strengths, weaknesses, and overall Packers fit. Enjoy!