Friday Cheese Curds: What’s the deal with Preston Smith?

When Za’Darius and Preston Smith signed with the Green Bay Packers a year and a half ago, they quickly endeared themselves to fans by forming a pass rushing tandem the likes of which hadn’t been seen in Green Bay in years.

The two always did their locker room availability with the media together and the Smith brothers were all the rage.

A quarter of the way through year two with the Packers for both of them, one half of the dynamic duo is leading the league in sacks while the other currently has half a goose egg in the sack column.

So what exactly is going on with Preston Smith?

Well, some of the issue is by design. Kyler Fackrell last year served as more of a coverage outside linebacker and with his departure, some of that has fallen to Preston Smith.

For his part, he does still trust the system and knows his time is coming much like how Za’Darius had his breakout game against the Atlanta Falcons and suddenly was tied for the league lead in sacks heading into last week’s bye.

Regardless of reason, if the Packers can get the other Smith brother going and combine that pair with an offense that is absolutely humming right now then the Packers will be lethal against any opponent.

Packers’ Preston Smith believes in defense’s plan despite lack of sacks—PackersNews.com

Sometimes the value of a player doesn’t show up on a stat sheet and that’s where Preston is right now. He’s by no means a liability but he’s going to have to take advantage of his opportunities when they come.

Packers’ defense looking for ‘spark’ in takeaway department—Packers.com

The Packers defense has generated three turnovers so far this season and Mike Pettine believes more are on their way. They’ve been able to knock the ball out a decent amount, they just haven’t been able to recover it.

In a Turbulent NFL Season, the Packers Are Keeping Calm and Letting Aaron Rodgers Carry On—The Ringer

GM Brian Gutekunst opens up on the difficult free agency decisions awaiting the team in the spring as well as how the ongoing pandemic has changed the way he builds the roster.

Mutual admiration at center of Brady-Rodgers relationship—Boston.com

We never got the Aaron Rodgers/Tom Brady Super Bowl we so deserved but it’s clear the two quarterbacks respect the heck out of each other as both understand the blessing and the curse that comes with being an NFL star quarterback.

Halloween Fire Decoration Is So Realistic, People Keep Calling 911–Huffington Post

Pro tip: make sure something is actually on fire before calling 911.