The Packers are strawberry in a jelly of the month club world

Wes Hodkiewicz

Steve from Surprise, AZ

Hi guys. Is the lead up to the week before the first game busier/different for you than the rest of the season? Or is it business as usual? Appreciate the forum and what you provide to us fans.

Nothing too out of the ordinary other than the anticipation of Sunday. It feels like hopping in a car that's been warming up for 10 minutes in the driveway on a 10-degree morning. I'm ready to go.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

Big ballgame coming in less than a week! They are all BIG games, because we only play 17 of them! I will say it first, just beat the Vikings!

It feels good to have an opponent to defeat again.

Craig from Brookfield, WI

Our brand new DC is, to me, the most intriguing change this year. Jeff Hafley had a successful run in terms of raising GB's ranking among NFL defenses. He's highly regarded enough to land a head coaching gig. But I have a hard time getting past the fourth-quarter collapses in the most meaningful games late last season. As you correctly point out, there certainly are other factors (injuries, special teams play, etc.). But I'm hoping our new DC, Jonathan Gannon, can do more to mitigate the other factorsand seal the deal!

Echoing Spoff's point in Monday's column, I think this is the most talented team, and defense, the Packers have fielded during theJordan Loveera. Green Bay needs to getMicah Parsonsback and a few other dominoes to stay upright, but Gannon has everything he needs on paper to do what he wants on the field.

Peter from Mequon, WI

Hi gentlemen, looking forward to an exciting Packers season. Have the Packers changed their approach to the OL? In recent past, they have drafted tackles and tried to move them inside. This year they draftedJager Burtonas a G/C and signed three UDFA linemen, all of whom played guard in college and played them all primarily inside. They also movedJordan Morgan,Anthony Belton,Travis GloverandJohn Williamsto tackle where they played in college after trying each of them at guard. Are we seeing a change in philosophy with OL?

I don't think so besides maybe going back to their roots of signing interior offensive linemen who slipped through the cracks of the draft because they weren't left tackles from teams in the power four conferences. Sometimes you can find good value in signing a UDFA guard who played extensively in college but didn't get picked for one reason or another (e.g. Lane Taylor, Lucas Patrick, Evan Smith, etc.). Versatility is still the name of the game. I think the Packers have just broadened the scope by keeping 10 offensive linemen with varying backgrounds and skill sets.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

What was the last major extension signed mid-season? Rashan Gary? I hope they getTucker Kraftdone before you get a chance to post this, but it's been done before. R-E-L-A-X

It was at the beginning of the year, butChristian WatsonandDaniel Whelansigned extensions within a week of each other last September.

Rodney from Covington, VA

Why does it seem when awards are handed out that the Packers players and coaches are snubbed because he coached this player or coached during this period and that one. I like the QB didn't win any or only one SB, when the last time I watched it was a team that won the SB. There are numerous players that didn't play in one. I would hate to see AR not make it just because he only won one. It was already a tough pill to swallow ML not winning coach of the year because he coached the Pack and AR.

Because the Packers are strawberry in a jelly of the month club world. Everybody wants to get excited about the next big thing. Perhaps the next big thing is already right under your nose.

Dan from Rothschild, WI

Regarding the use of binoculars at football games, they are fine for viewing the players before the snap. But once the action starts, they suck for actually seeing anything. Very hard to keep track of the action. One man's opinion.

I only use binoculars for tracking personnel pre-snap and occasionally to see goal-line plays on the opposite side of the press box in stadiums such as Soldier Field, FexEx Field and Highmark in Buffalo.

Clayton from Slinger, WI

Good morning. All the talk leading up to the regular season has rightfully gone to several position groups, key player injuries and our new DC, etc., but I feel like QB1 has been barely touched on. Jordan has long settled in as "the man," earned his big contract and played in some big games in the postseason. What do you see as the necessary next big improvement for him? Thanks for all the work you do for us cheeseheads.

We're entering the nitpicky era of Love's development because he's refined his tools as quarterback and is now taking greater command of the offense. In Year 4, I look for Love to use the experience he's gained to his advantage whether it's recognizing coverages, managing the blitz or navigating those "winning time" situations. He's close. He's really close.

Jeff from Monument, CO

Two-word question...Raheem Mostert?

Two-word responseBut why?

Matt from Gallatin, TN

WithMarShawn LloydandChris Brookson the roster, why should we expect to seeKaleb Johnsonany in Week 1? What does he bring to the table that's unique?

Johnson is a power back with experience running in an outside-zone scheme. That said, his Week 1 availability depends on how quickly Johnson picks up the playbook and adjusts to Matt LaFleur's offense. Green Bay also has the option of keeping him down this week and elevatingPierre Strong Jr., who's been here for a full calendar year now.

Marty from Rancho Cordova, CA

I have a hunch that MarShawn Lloyd is going to catch a couple of passes this Sunday. It strikes me as the "unscouted" thing to do.

He has the hands to be a force in the pass game. Unfortunately, the groin injury in Indianapolis last August overshadowed Lloyd making one heck of a catch on that wheel route that went for 33 yards.

Joe from Prairie Du Chien, WI

Hi there, just a quick question. Who do you think the Packers use in the backfield for short-yardage situations withJosh Jacobsout? Thanks!

It's gonna be a huge challenge, especially near the goal line. Jacobs is pretty automatic inside the 5-yard line, which was an area Green Bay really struggled in before his arrival. Perhaps that's where Johnson could get involved early.

Mick from UK

LaFleur has a pretty good idea what a Brian Flores defense will look like. Does Kevin O'Connell have any idea what our defense sans Parsons will look like?

O'Connell surely will have some idea of what to expect based on Gannon's history, what the Packers have shown (e.g. the Penny base) and what's been reported about the defense this summer. The real question is how he and Kyler Murray handle what Gannon throws at them in real time and who wins that first battle in third-and-pass?

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, Murray may be a generational talent, but his career win-loss record is 38-48-1. How do you assess him as a QB1? I give JG the significant advantage in the chess match. Just sayin'.

Here's where I fall on Kyler Murray. If I'm a Vikings fan, ask not what Murray can do for you, but what you can do for Murray. He's a talented quarterback, but realistically this is about getting the football in the hands of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings threw Sam Darnold in Kevin O'Connell's offense two years ago and look what those two receivers accomplished. Murray broke out in 2020 when he was throwing to DeAndre Hopkins, who had a 1,400-yard receiving year that season. As much as the eyes will be on Murray on Sunday, keeping a cloud on Jefferson and Addison is the key to the game.

Bill from Forest Park, OH

I don't understand why the Pro Football Hall of Fame has to set limits for how many candidates under the different categories can be selected in a given year. Take coaches for example; as Mike pointed out, there are several worthy and deserving candidates for the Hall currently, yet only one can go in this year. I just don't see a problem with admitting three or four if they truly belong. Then next year if there are none, don't admit any. This isn't Highlander for crying out loud.

I don't like looping the senior finalists in with modern-day candidates but also don't feel like throwing down on that hill right now. Trying to see the glass half full here, it appears there should be a cleaner path for coaches and contributors to the Hall of Fame now. Discussing this with PFF's Nathan Jahnke on Friday, it's my understanding voters will vote for six of the seven finalists. In theory, that should make it easier for finalists to reach that 80% threshold than when it was 50 voters blindly voting for three of the five seniors/coaches/contributors.

Richard from Telford, TN

I'm 82 and have no idea what Madden football is all about, but with the increase in AI will something similar start to evolve in game-week planning? Run simulated plays by computer to see what works and then shift those to scout team looks in practice. Is it already being done?

I'm sure there are some general concepts and ideas that NFL teams are utilizing, but I think there's also some reluctance to dive too far into AI yet because it's a bit of a black hole for information. We still don't know where all that data goes once it's entered.

James from Appleton, WI

Is it just my fevered imagination, or are special teams coaches beginning to act as if the new kickoff return is more like a running play than a passing play? Has Larry McCarren mentioned anything about blocking adjustments?

That's the direction the play has headed since the "dynamic" kickoff was introduced and then refined. The blocking principles are different based on the kickoff rules, but that's the direction the league wanted to go with it making it more like football in a phone booth than a high-speed collision. It took a little time, but I think the league got it right after some trial-and-error.

Mark from Walford, IA

Hello II! Aside from you guys, I follow a few other Packer reporters which got me thinking about something. Several reporters write articles diagnosing what JG is going to do and describe his philosophy that he will implement based on what has been seen during training camp and the preseason. I am wondering if those early looks are all misdirection to keep opponents guessing early on. Your thoughts?

Training camp snaps are too valuable to waste time building smokescreens. You gotta practice it to play it. There are certain concepts that will be staples in Green Bay's defense, beginning with its utilization of three safeties. You gotta know if you can do it. The 2014 defense wanted to run a 4-3 "Quad" front but didn't have the practice reps or linebacker personnel to do it effectively. This summer the Packers repped what they needed to rep and learned what they needed to learn.

Ian from Kirkwhelpington, UK

Gents, based on what you know, should we expect Tucker Kraft to appear on Tuesday's injury report? I expectZach Bako-BeweleandAaron Bankswill be questionable all week but I'm hoping for no major concerns otherwise.

Probably not because the first injury report doesn't come out until Wednesday. Humor aside, LaFleur was non-committal about the plan for Bako-Bewele and Banks for Sunday, saying only "We'll see." So, we shall seeon Wednesday.

Richard from Caledonia, WI

Thanks for the terrific insights! It appearsJacob Monkmay be starting? He has worked hard to recover from last season's injuries. How well did you feel he performed in the training camp and preseason games?

Monk reallyshowed his growth this camp. He's always had a good build and the right temperament for a starting interior offensive lineman. Monk just needed to stay out there and he did this summer. "We'll see" what it all means on Sunday.

Adrian from Oregon City, OR

So, no predictions, no betting, no math, no speculation on trades, cuts, or free agent signings, no insights on contract negotiations or extensions, and don't ask about sock color. Is there anything that's OK for us to ask about?

Stolen lunches.

Stan from Jupiter, FL

Wes: How about this analogy instead? Win and you're the toast of the town. Lose are you're the dirty glass in the back of the dishwasher.

To steal my favorite Spoffism: "Works."

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

The hay is in the barn. That ship has sailed. Play the hand you're dealt. The bait is on the hook. The horses are at the gate. It's time to cash the check. The pieces are on the board. The die is cast. All the chips are in the middle. Did I miss any?

Or like an old friend used to say, the proof is in the pudding. Have a good Tuesday.

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