He started preparing his Week 1 speech in the spring. This defense's new edge rusher is not shy in our chat, either. Now a Viking, Smith wants a piece of the Packers. What happened anyways?
I'm still confused as to what his actual beef with Green Bay is. It doesn't make any sense that he would be ostracized for an injury, particularly by the locker room. I can see where the front office would take that into consideration in cutting him loose, especially for a back injury, which I find it hard to fault them for. I guess the article didn't really specify who was allegedly treating him in such a way. I was really hoping to get a more detailed reasoning besides "everyone hates me now for no particular reason." Seems fishy. Usually when that happens, it's the person's own fault, i.e. when everything smells like shit, check the bottom of your shoes.
I wish him the best and for all he gave Green Bay these last few years, he was absolutely a part of changing the culture on defense, but it seems like with most of these things, we'll never know what truly went down behind the scenes. I have a feeling that the emergence of Rashan Gary played a role in Green Bay's decision to cut Z more than anything. But that's what happens in the NFL, it's a game of replacement. The Vikings can continue their tradition of plucking our salty leftovers, it helps keep the rivalry fresh.
The shear number of players who are no longer good enough to play for the Packers and end up in Minnesota never ceases to amaze me. It has been going on for years, never the other way around. With "Z" it has always been more hype. I wonder how "Z" will be perceived once he does his classic "I'm hurt and need trainers immediately" on the playing field, and then goes out for 1-2 plays before jogging back in. He is the Master of that particular move. Best of Luck!
"I got all in my feelings about my contract and put off needed back surgery until *week 2 of the regular season* and proceeded to sit out the rest of the season save for 20 snaps in the playoffs. Also, never mind the fact that Green Bay paid me every red cent they owed me and the fans did nothing but lavish praise on me."
Maybe, just maybe, had Z taken care of his business in the offseason, he could have played last year and the Packers would have been willing to extend him during the season.
Great player and a great Packer, but you can have him Minnesota.
Smith’s “story” isn’t even coherent. What a blabbermouth. I hope the Packers run and bootleg and screen all day against his undisciplined ass. And then we have O’Neill implying that Smith is better than Rashan Gary. Brother, you have zero idea what’s coming. Gary is going to whip you and your mates like plough horses on Sunday.
Love it, TD! Z is right, the beat writers here, some of them specifically, (ribbet) reported Z had quit on GB. Glad to get his side of the story. I thought he was so impactful those first 2 years I never believed a prideful player like him would "quit". Hope he has a great season!
Great, hearty discussion here everyone.
Packers-Vikings should be a quite the brouhaha on Sunday.
Will get into all the above on the podcast with Jim Monos tonight -- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/go-long-with-dunne-monos/id1542095361
I'm still confused as to what his actual beef with Green Bay is. It doesn't make any sense that he would be ostracized for an injury, particularly by the locker room. I can see where the front office would take that into consideration in cutting him loose, especially for a back injury, which I find it hard to fault them for. I guess the article didn't really specify who was allegedly treating him in such a way. I was really hoping to get a more detailed reasoning besides "everyone hates me now for no particular reason." Seems fishy. Usually when that happens, it's the person's own fault, i.e. when everything smells like shit, check the bottom of your shoes.
I wish him the best and for all he gave Green Bay these last few years, he was absolutely a part of changing the culture on defense, but it seems like with most of these things, we'll never know what truly went down behind the scenes. I have a feeling that the emergence of Rashan Gary played a role in Green Bay's decision to cut Z more than anything. But that's what happens in the NFL, it's a game of replacement. The Vikings can continue their tradition of plucking our salty leftovers, it helps keep the rivalry fresh.
The shear number of players who are no longer good enough to play for the Packers and end up in Minnesota never ceases to amaze me. It has been going on for years, never the other way around. With "Z" it has always been more hype. I wonder how "Z" will be perceived once he does his classic "I'm hurt and need trainers immediately" on the playing field, and then goes out for 1-2 plays before jogging back in. He is the Master of that particular move. Best of Luck!
Yup. Paid, what? $15mm last year for about 10 plays. And the Packers are the bad guys.
Boo f**king hoo.
"Green Bay treated me bad"
aka
"I got all in my feelings about my contract and put off needed back surgery until *week 2 of the regular season* and proceeded to sit out the rest of the season save for 20 snaps in the playoffs. Also, never mind the fact that Green Bay paid me every red cent they owed me and the fans did nothing but lavish praise on me."
Maybe, just maybe, had Z taken care of his business in the offseason, he could have played last year and the Packers would have been willing to extend him during the season.
Great player and a great Packer, but you can have him Minnesota.
Smith’s “story” isn’t even coherent. What a blabbermouth. I hope the Packers run and bootleg and screen all day against his undisciplined ass. And then we have O’Neill implying that Smith is better than Rashan Gary. Brother, you have zero idea what’s coming. Gary is going to whip you and your mates like plough horses on Sunday.
I'm 100 percent drinking the purple kool-aid, can't wait for Sunday. Great article once again
Love it, TD! Z is right, the beat writers here, some of them specifically, (ribbet) reported Z had quit on GB. Glad to get his side of the story. I thought he was so impactful those first 2 years I never believed a prideful player like him would "quit". Hope he has a great season!