Gary from Middleton, WI

Well, the shiny new model was rolled out for the initial test drive. As expected, all did not go smoothly. There were moments of promising acceleration, but also too much sputtering and misfiring. But that's why we must remember there are test drives. Thankfully, we have a garage full of talented mechanics and analysts that will tweak, tighten, and adjust so this baby will perform as best as possible when the real race time begins.

Thursday was FP1 to steal a Formula One phrase and we're still two more test sessions from quali.

Scott from Manson, IA

My two main takeaways from Thursday night: Brandon Cisse and Mark Perry are both willing tacklers, with good technique (others could learn from that); and MarShawn Lloyd had some excellent stop-and-start moves when running inside.

I thought Lloyd ran well. Like you said, he showed his one-cut ability and explosiveness on those inside-zone runs. Cisse is a dude. For a guy who just turned 21, his approach is that of a grizzled veteran. Cisse is not intimidated whatsoever by the moment. He showed great effort on his touchdown-saving tackle of Lew Nichols. Meanwhile, Perry did what he has done all training camp. He's consistently where he needs to be and doesn't back down when a play is there to be made.

Rich from Grand Rapids, MI

The importance of game reps for young players cannot be overstated. Cisse made a great open-field tackle inside the 10 to save a touchdown. But he also got caught filling an inside gap, only to have the runner bounce it outside of him. Penalty negated the play. What is "special" in college (even Power 5) is "routine" in the NFL and illustrates the importance of being fundamentally sound. But I loved his run support.

Cisse talked about that, too, after the game. It was a teachable moment but also one he embraces. The talent, willpower and drive are all there. I feel like Cisse left Acrisure Stadium a better player than he arrived, which is the point of the preseason for rookies.

Eric from Wrightstown, WI

Observations from my couch: Barryn Sorrell continues to impress. He moves sideline to sideline, like a linebacker. Looking forward to seeing him mature in body and technique. There were coverage lapses in the D backfield in the second half, but start to finish, those guys were hitting! Saw guys form tackling, not just going for the big hit and hoping. I am really excited for this year.

I tweeted this during the game, but I picked Sorrell as my player to watch because I thought he'd play a few series on Thursday night. Wrong. Sorrell came out of the game with the rest of the starting defense after the three-and-out. That speaks volumes about what the Packers think of the second-year edge rusher and the role he's going to play on defense. With Micah Parsons on the mend, Sorrell was slotted into that spot across from Lukas Van Ness in the spring and he has not let it go.

Colton from Dallas, TX

Is Kyle McCord going to be the No. 2 guy? Willis is going to be missed after having plenty of quality starts. I don't think Tyrod Taylor has the youth. What is Tyrod Taylor's role?

He's the No. 2 guy. McCord showed poise, particularly in that end-of-half situation, and helped his cause in the competition with Kyron Drones for QB3. But Taylor is the man behind the man. That's why he is here.

Rob from Ravenna, OH

Do you think they could possibly keep both QB3 and QB4 on the practice squad for development purposes barring a run of injuries? Granted they both play well in the preseason. I personally liked Kyron Drones in college.

I can't recall a time in which the Packers have carried four healthy quarterbacks on their 69-man roster. There are only so many in-season reps for the No. 3 QB to begin with, and practice-squad spots are invaluable for scout-team work. I would think McCord and Drones are battling for one job.

Jim from Des Peres, MO

I've harped in my II submissions about special teams being our downfall for over a decade. Last night, ST were so encouraging: a kicker making kicks, coverage teams clamping down, and nothing stupid happening. How refreshing.

And yet still room to improve but it was an encouraging start. I loved what I saw on Skyy Moore's 13-yard punt return, a solid blend of vision and shiftiness. The coverage teams did a good job of keeping the ball in front of them and also benefitted from several penalties on Pittsburgh's special teams unit.

Don from Torrington, CT

Smack it! Stack it! The kid can really whack it!

You can't get too high. You can't get too low. But I'm glad fans were finally able to see Trey Smack's leg talent. It's prototype. He showed moxie, too, in making not one but two strikes from 58 yards in one of the NFL's most volatile venues for kickers.

Bob from Austin, TX

At what point in the preseason does the offensive line need to get established so they can work as a unit? The constant rotation can only go so long.

There hasn't really been much rotation other than Monk taking over at right guard and Anthony Belton sliding to right tackle in Zach Bako-Bewele's stead. The biggest thing I wanted to see this August was Jordan Morgan settling into left tackle and he's done that (and then some).

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

Any updates on the Darian Kinnard injury? The lack of depth on the OL is really concerning.

Matt LaFleur said he didn't expect any of the injuries sustained Thursday to be long-term. While I'd agree the third-team line struggled, I thought the starters and first men off the bench played well. Jacob Monk and Jager Burton got good work in the first half and are both pushing for starting jobs. Meanwhlie, John Williams has emerged as an intriguing depth piece, a versatile O-linemen who can play left tackle or center. That unit needs a little more in the run game, but Taylor and McCord had time to make throws.

Spike from Crescent City, FL

A much improved performance by special teams. Cal Adomitis, our new long snapper, had a really good game, all field goal and punt snaps were right on target. At a minimum, we should sign him to practice squad once Matt Orzech is back. What say you?

I've been high on Adomitis since the 2022 NFL Draft and was admittedly bummed when he signed with Cincinnati as a college free agent. That said, the Packers signed Orzech the following year and the snapping situation is in a much better place these days. Whatever happens, I think Adomitis is proving once again he is a snapper in this league.

Doug from Salem, OR

Commenting on Dan from Rothschild about QBs wearing redshirts in preseason games. Believe me, I have no problem protecting the most important players on the field. But I'm wondering if there is a benefit to having live action to prepare for the season. Does it help for a QB to practice protecting himself in live game action?

Without question. I was talking with Brenton Cox Jr. about that after the game in regards to his sack of Mason Rudolph. In practice, the pass rusher has to veer off, and the quarterback still gets the ball out. There's no better way to work a 2.5-second time-clock drill than having a 270-pound pass rusher in your face with dire consequences. In that way, it is definitely beneficial to both parties. However, we also saw Aaron Rodgers in street clothes while the Steelers' reserves played in front of a sliver of the announced 64,000 in paid attendance.

Dave from Comer, GA

Watched the highlights from the game. It appeared to my (very untrained) eye that the Steelers' last two touchdowns were scored using the very same play. I'm guessing that it will be a "teaching moment" for our defense.

I thought Spoff summed it up perfectly in Friday's column. The defensive performance in the second half left something to be desired but you also gotta keep things in perspective. The Packers have not been two-spotting this summer, so a majority of the third-team units were getting their first extended work of training camp on Thursday. Heading to Denver next week, they must do a better job of tackling, keeping plays in front of them and seizing opportunities.

Tony from Wauwatosa, WI

What is the largest amount of points made by a Green Bay Packer kicker in a single game?

Mason Crosby, Ryan Longwell, and Chris Jacke are all tied with 17 points in a single game. Jacke did it against the Raiders on Nov. 11, 1990, Longwell vs. Arizona on Sept. 24, 2000, and Crosby vs. Minnesota on Sept. 16, 2018.

Marc from Califon, N.J.

Good morning, I am guessing the Steelers fans figured out very quickly that McCarthy ball is very different than the Tomlin plan! Yes, both have been successful but in much different ways. Super happy for Robert Tonyan (long journey back) and Trey Smack. I do love preseason games (minus penalties). I am sure you will receive one or two (maybe a thousand) panicked Packer fans but please let them know we will be fine.

I had a smile on my face watching Tonyan catch those three passes in a row. He's been on quite an odyssey over the past three years, playing mostly on special teams while catching just 12 passes for 113 yards in 39 games. For the most part, fans have been rational about the opener aside from some bizarre analysis of Green Bay's backup QB situation.

Cassidy from San Diego, CA

Why fret over the collective performance of fringe players? The point is to find out which ones can hack it. I'm curious: Are all preseason plays pretty vanilla or do coaches challenge some player with more complicated schemes/reads. Is the speed and strength of NFL caliber-ish opponents challenging enough?

It's pretty much all the same. Even if coaches choose to work on a particular concept, they're not calling it out of thin air. The first-team offense and defense know what's asked of them. Once the backups come in, the goal is to show out while playing fundamentally sound football.

Dale from Prescott, WI

Wes, did you or Mike get a chance to chat with Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy or any ex-Packers players?

Coincidentally, Rodgers was the only former Packers player or coach I had a chance to see. He stopped to say hello to Mike Clemens and me on his way to visit with other Green Bay players and personnel after the game. It was great to see him and shake his hand. Rodgers was never anything short of a professional during both my time at the Green Bay Press-Gazette and packers.com. He never turned me down for an interview and always treated me with the utmost respect.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Are there any current Packers on the roster that played under Mike McCarthy?

There is only one person left on the player roster or coaching staff who worked for McCarthy: RB coach Ben Sirmans, who's been here since 2016.

Bil from Stateline, NV

Wait, what? Wes's family name was changed at Ellis Island, and they changed it to Hodkiewicz? I shudder to think what it was before the change.

The "C" got cut off of our surname. Not that complicated.

Douglas from Brooklyn Park, MN

It's the first preseason game, wins and losses don't matter, but I'll relax a bit after we win one. No team has ever gone 0-4 in the preseason and won the Super Bowl. Just saying.

Washington did in 1982.

Justin from De Pere, WI

What's the worst part of covering training camp?

Trying to do 500 things at the same time without error.

Curt from Pine Island, MN

Gents, we focus on hosiery color because that's where our expertise starts and ends.

When sock color seeps into the Inbox, you know it's time to shut 'er down for the week. Two more weeks of camp to go.

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