Inbox: This is an opportunity to step up and show your talent
There’s no better example of that than Rasul Douglas, himself
Sad to see Rasul go! Good, tough player. The Packers need more guys who fit that description. However, the two main ingredients in a rebuild are draft picks and cap room. The trade of Douglas provides both.
I enjoyed my time covering Rasul Douglas. A co-winner of the Stand-Up Guy award last year, Douglas treated Green Bay media with utmost respect and always held himself accountable. Douglas played every snap with passion. That’s just who he is. The guy wears his heart on his sleeve at all times. I wish Sul well in Buffalo.
Carmel from Green Bay, WI
What will be the immediate impact of trading Rasul Douglas on the next game? What does this do to the morale of the defense?
Trades are rare, but change is constant in the NFL. That’s just the business. I think back to when the Packers traded Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the deadline in 2018. As much as it hurts to see teammates leave, Tramon Williams embraced the challenge of playing safety during the second half of that season. For Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell, this is an opportunity to step up and show your talent. There’s no better example of that than Rasul Douglas, himself.
Rick from Trempealeau, WI
Like a lot of Inboxers obviously, I was shocked at the Rasul trade. Do you think it was Gutey taking a page out of Ted Thompson’s playbook, “You want to trade a player BEFORE his abilities start to decline, not after?”
Brian Gutekunst addressed the media for more than 20 minutes on Wednesday and reiterated the Packers weren’t actively trying to deal Douglas. A phone call came “out of the blue” and Buffalo met Green Bay’s demands. Douglas still has a lot of good football in front of him, but I view this more as the Packers getting value while rededicating themselves to the plan before Douglas signed off Arizona’s practice squad. They have a half season now to see what they got in Eric Stokes and the players I just mentioned.
Remember this summer when you two received an (over)abundance of questions about how the Packers could possibly find enough playing time for Jaire Alexander, Douglas, Stokes and Nixon?
As we responded, these things always have a way of working themselves out – whether it’s injuries, circumstances, or trades.
Jeff from Waterford, WI
With the trade of Douglas, who do you think is going to be starting cornerback?
Valentine has been the next man up for most of the year, though Eric Stokes also could be a candidate once he comes off injured reserve. Green Bay does have a small decision on what to do in base, though. It could plug in Valentine or use Nixon, who has only played nickel cornerback so far.
About The Author
Leave a Reply