Inbox: A ton of candidates reside on this roster

Ron from Attica, OH

Thank you for keeping a positive approach when dealing with the negativity over an early preseason game. I much prefer hearing about who played well, positive takeaways, lack of serious injuries, etc. The players and coaches know what they need to do, and their careers depend on it. Spending a bunch of negative energy finding fault is as productive as nailing jello to the wall.

Ha, that's a new one for me. I don't keep jello near my toolbox. Those who read me regularly know my approach is to never ignore the negative, but I decline to dwell on it. Life is about moving forward.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

Jordan Love had his left thumb wrapped at the end of practice on Monday. Any word on the extent of the injury? Tough for an NFL quarterback to play consistently with a thumb issue.

We all learned Tuesday morning Love underwent a ligament procedure on his left thumb. It caught a helmet on his last snap in the game Saturday night. It's not ideal he's going to be out of commission for at least a week here, but it certainly could've been worse.

Mark from Amarillo, TX

I got a good chuckle reading Colby Wooden's "diploma." Kudos to the creator(s). Do you think Jordan Love's injury will hinder his ability to operate under center for the first portion of the season? Here's hoping for a very successful procedure and quick recovery. GPG

We'll just have to wait and see on Love. If he indeed can return to practice next week, as is the hope/goal, that still leaves plenty of time to figure everything out if adjustments are needed.

Brian from Twain Harte, CA

The first Rock Report of the new season! It's beginning to smell a lot like football!

The Rock needs no preseason. He's in the groove from the get-go.

Frank from Wake Forest, NC

Good morning Mike or Wes, in regards to the question by Gary from Davenport, IA, while conventional wisdom would lean towards silly, I think there's more to it than that. I think Jacksonville just changed the line to reach for a field goal attempt, especially at the end of a half or game. What do you think?

Well, the kicker has to have the leg to even consider it, but certainly only at the end of half or game. No way that massive a field-position risk is worth it in a normal scenario.

Dave from Hanover, MN

Hi II, I really liked Wes's "Jets preseason opener is not a final exam." I always felt preseason games were like pop quizzes that do not count. It tells the student where they are headed in their grade for the class. Is that a good analogy? Stay calm and move on. GPG

Works for me.

Patrick from Hudson, WI

I'm also curious as to how the players know to go in and out on plays or downs. Say I'm a rotating DL, do I learn that I'm on packages 3, 7, 11, 15, etc., and listen to those numbers to be called? And do each of those numbers signify a different set by the opponent's offense, like 3 is two TE, 7 is empty backfield, 11 is four wide, and so on? And with only 40 seconds between plays, how do the coaches know what the opposing offense is going to run before they even get to the line of scrimmage?

The packages can have names or numbers, but you've got the gist. The coaches don't know what play the opposing offense is going to run, but they're constantly watching the personnel substitutions in and out of the huddle and matching up their packages accordingly. If the offense isn't huddling but trying to substitute, the officials have to give the defense time to sub as well.

Ryan from Sun Prairie, WI

How can people be saying coach LaFleur be on the hot seat due to a preseason game?

Because fan is short for fanatic?

Jeremy from Weston, WI

Championship-caliber teams have elite superstar talent on both sides of the ball. Do the Packers have anyone who qualifies? Make us a case for someone.

Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. Jacobs is a former NFL rushing champ who ranked sixth in the league in rushing yards last season, and McKinney was a first-team All-Pro in 2024. Right behind them are Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom, along with Kenny Clark, who wasn't healthy last year. Those guys are anchors in the trenches who stack up with anybody. Will anyone else reach that level in 2025? A ton of candidates reside on this roster, a list topped by Edgerrin Cooper and Tucker Kraft in my opinion, but they have to go out and prove it.

James from Appleton, WI

Could signing Quay Walker to a three- or four-year extension be the final piece of the puzzle, the validation to be the leader of the defense? The coaches gave him the communications helmet and I can't think of a Packer who cares more about playing football. They want him to be the guy. His deal should be at the top of the list.

For all we know it is, and they're just waiting for him to be fully healthy. He's been through a lot this offseason.

David from Janesville, WI

Gents, what does Indy do well that will be a good test for the Packers in joint practices and the game? Any specific aspects of the game to watch for?

Jonathan Taylor is a whale of a back. Without full-on tackling in the joint practice, it'll be hard to judge entirely, but Thursday should be a tremendous test for the run defense.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Question about player evaluation this time of year. Are all practices videotaped for assessment by the coaches? If so, how do they find the time? And how would you break down the importance of performance during exhibition games vs. practice? 60/40, or is it more?

The coaching staff and personnel department are reviewing every snap, drill and rep of every practice. It's part of the gig, and they're all working monstrously long days this time of year. As for weighing practice vs. preseason games, there isn't some magic formula. It's always about the full body of work, and if there are stark contrasts between the two, it's important to figure out why.

Matt from Cedar Rapids, IA

Good day II! No question, just a comment. ATMR(WCBW) regarding playing surfaces for this season, we will play on natural grass 13 times and artificial turf only four times. So we got that going for us … which is nice?

I would think so.

TK from Grafton, WI

Is it "different" for a veteran FA like Jacobs or McKinney to assume a leadership role vs. a player that was drafted by GB and is now in his second or third year? Or does it just depend on the particular player?

It does depend on the player and his personality, but an outside free agent who's already an accomplished player in this league owns a level of credibility that drafted players have to earn over time. One way or another, young players learn who's worth listening to and watching.

Patrick from Coppell, TX

Greetings Mike and Wes from "steamy" Texas. Last year the defense was hobbled by injuries to several key players. Kenny Clark was injured early, but he has a proven track record of production. I am most interested in Devonte Wyatt. He, too, was injured early but I have not read too much about him. How has he looked in preseason so far? Do you have any insights into how he is performing? TYIA GPG

I haven't reported on anything specific with Wyatt, but he hasn't been budged out of his spot on the interior of the No. 1 defense alongside Clark despite plenty of competition behind him. So that says something. His last two seasons have been strangely similar. Early sack production, an ankle injury that throws him off-kilter, and then getting back to his disruptive self in December. If his health can be more consistent, I expect his play to be as well.

Jeffrey from Taylors, SC

Read a national website on the top 50 players in baseball. What do you think about no Brewers on the list, but the Brewers have the best win percentage?

Works for me.

Jackson from Wausau, WI

Spoff, as the Brewers' hunt for October intensifies and the season continues...you cannot convince me Bob Uecker is not on the field, in the clubhouse, in the dugout, etc. For lack of a better comparison, "Angels in the Outfield" appears to be coming true as there has been some captivating magic/wizardry out on the field. Heroes get remembered but legends never die, and Bob is alive and well in our hearts and minds. Enjoy the ride wherever it takes us.

I'm on board.

Nathan from Laramie, WY

Dear Mike and Wes, I would like to commend both of you for having well-developed filters. Not always reacting to a submission with the first thing that comes to mind, yet responding in ways that give the reader that impression, is an art. Therapists are also similarly trained. We can all learn to feather the brakes a bit before laying on the gas. Thank you and a good day to all!

You're applying it a little thick there, but I will say there's no art to discerning which submissions are knee-jerk reactions and which ones come after a reflective pause.

Luke from Marquette, MI

Dude, I'm going to have to take a little ride from Marquette down to Carney and talk to Larry about rule No. 1 of II.

Please do.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Following the relatively short trip to Indy this week, we (and you) won't have to travel away from home for over a month! Is that an advantage or disadvantage? Or being this early in the season will it just go unnoticed?

I'm certainly not complaining from a work standpoint, but the upcoming stretch of four road games out of five (over six weeks, including the bye) will at some point wear on everybody.

Blayne from Blaine, MN

Are there any mulligans at Bushwood? We weren't warmed up, the sun was in our eyes, we forgot our lucky underwear, and didn't eat our Wheaties. Let's hope for more intensity and concentration this week.

Blayne from Blaine, huh? Really?

Doug from Woodington, OH

Good morning, Inboxers. Sometimes being a fan is like being married. In-the-moment overreactions never pay off. It's better to let things marinate and come back to them in time. Then again, it's best when overreactions aren't even a part of the equation. If the players have challenges ahead, it makes sense the fans do, too. Let's stick together and enjoy it all as it unfolds. Thanks for all you do, Wes and Mike!

The plane for Indy leaves in a few hours. Happy Wednesday.

HAVE A QUESTION?