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Inbox: He ain't going down without a fight

Kenny Clark’s impact continues to be felt inside this Packers locker room

TE Tucker Kraft
TE Tucker Kraft

Norm from Theresa, WI

I like our chances vs. Big D. Jordan Love and Co. will get the G-train back on track and I see Dak Prescott and Co. having a tough time vs. our swarming, attacking D. Beat Dallas, get to 3-1 going into the bye. Pretty decent all things considered.

The Packers are still the team they were a week ago at this time. If they make the adjustments and remember who they are, the train keeps rolling. But you gotta earn it. This Cowboys team isn't backing down.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, what would you consider to be a breakout performance by Luke Musgrave? Is he the clear TE2, or has John FitzPatrick muddied that distinction?

I don't think the distinction matters because A) how differently Musgrave and FitzPatrick play the position and B) how much two TE the Packers run. I'm sure Musgrave was the one who'd fill Tucker Kraft's void in the offense if he didn't go against Cleveland. Instead, he played 88% of the snaps, which limited Musgrave's opps.

Charlie from Caledonia, WI

In defense of Xavier McKinney's interception, I'm wondering if his instincts took over. He is a very instinctive player, the ball is in the air coming at him, so...

Playmakers make plays. Acting like McKinney, or any elite DB, is going to knock that ball down is a colossal waste of time. If you watch the film, Nate Hobbs and Evan Williams are going for the ball just as hard as McKinney. In addition to wanting to make a play, McKinney has no idea how much time was left on the clock when he caught that ball. We gotta stop acting like that had any impact on the game, too. The Packers did two dozen things wrong in Cleveland. Failing to knock down the ball is barely honorable mention.

Will from Bristol, UK

During the broadcast there was a graphic comparing Jordan Love's career to date to Aaron Rodgers' at the same stage and the statistics were remarkably similar. Was Rodgers elite? Yes. Does this mean Love will be as successful? Who knows? It shows that playing QB in this league is hard, particularly for one who is still in the relatively early stages of their career. Comparing Love to peak Rodgers is naive and unfair. Let's give him a break and let him continue to mature into the best player he can be.

Comparison is the thief of joy and there's a whole lotta folks failing to enjoy a burgeoning young QB's ascent. Love currently has the highest "big-time" throw rate (downfield/tight window completions) in the NFL right now at 8.2%, according to Pro Football Focus.

Sean from Bel Air, MD

There's been a lot of commentary on the Love INT, but I don't think I've heard anyone mention that Cleveland was in a zero-high look. With no deep safety and a crowded box, the play has to be (and this goes from Pop Warner all the way up) an audible to your two widest receivers on each side of the formation for a go route. Take a quick drop and loft it towards the outside shoulder. No way you try to throw the ball anywhere near that scrum in the middle. An unforgivable decision for a pro QB.

My bad Sean. I keep forgetting we have all these assistant quarterback coaches. Next time, I'll make sure to send the Zoom link before the QB meeting. Also, I love me a good reference to Pop Warner and/or high school football. Great time in my life, but you know who I never saw rushing Eric Mommaerts during any of the football games I watched at Bay Port High School? Myles Garrett and Maliek Collins.

Darrin from Sparta, WI

Perusing II all week and the amount of questions/comments related to Love's interception are astounding and I think I know why. He just doesn't throw that many, but when he does, it's exacerbated to the nth degree. Chill people, it's a child's game played by very well-paid adults, for entertainment purposes only.

If social media was around 25-30 years ago, fans would've lost their collective minds on a weekly basis.

E.J. from Caledonia, WI

One of the best things I learned from Vic first and both of you since is all we can do is watch. Game's over, I move on…It's hard to win in the NFL! Fans seem to forget that one of our previous Hall of Fame QBs is still the all-time interception leader and our other Hall of Fame QB wasn't 100% perfect all the time and had his share of "earned" losses. Love leads the league in deep balls and is exciting to watch…So we need to sit back, watch and enjoy the ride.

That's a nicer way of saying what I just said.

Doug from Woodington, OH

How is TK85 doing after playing through a bum knee in Week 3?

Tucker Kraft was limited on Wednesday with knee and elbow injuries but keeps chugging along. Kraft has shown time and time again that he's gonna rub some dirt on it and keep going. He ain't going down without a fight.

John from Green Bay, WI

What are the keys to winning this weekend against the Cowboys?

Clean up the penalties and get after Dak Prescott, who'll be without CeeDee Lamb. Offensively, the Packers need to get their foot on the gas. Dallas just conceded 385 yards and 31 points to Chicago. Score 20-plus points, win this game.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

Teams so far have defended our run game pretty well. I think Josh Jacobs is a key player this week and he could really, finally go off. I would love to see us destroy Jerry's beloved run defense. Who are your three key players this week?

Jacobs is one of them. The Packers have played some strong run defenses, but it's time to get back to establishing the ground game. Elgton Jenkins has a major role to play in that while a huge matchup looms against Kenny Clark, his longtime practice rival. My third key player is Micah Parsons. Emotions will be high, but he needs to tune everything out and play his game.

Randy from Raymond, IA

A lot has been said already about Parsons returning to Dallas this week. But I'm betting Kenny Clark will have some mixed emotions about playing against so many friends and former teammates. He has always been such a class act. Do you think you will have an opportunity to talk to him?

I'm sure of it. Clark told reporters in Dallas on Wednesday that it was one of the biggest shocks of his life when the Packers told him that he was being traded. Like Parsons, I'm sure there's a little extra fire in the oven for Clark to play well against his former team. But beyond this game, Clark's impact continues to be felt inside this locker room. He was the standard bearer for that defense for nearly a decade and helped bring along so many young defensive linemen. You have the entire D-line room scrapping to swap jerseys with the man. That's the definition of a legacy. I'm hoping to catch Kenny before the game, which I know may be difficult. I'm sure I won't be the only one.

Luke from Dubuque, IA

Besides Micah Parsons, who on the defense needs to step up and have a big game to shut down this stingy, sometimes flashy, Dallas offense?

The defensive front against Javonte Williams, who's quietly off to a terrific start to his first season in Dallas. The Cowboys currently sit third in yards per rush (5.36) after ranking 30th last season (3.97).

Larry from Green Valley, AZ

Other teams make it a point to try and punch the ball loose when tackling. Why not GB? You never see that with them. The Lions had it on full display Monday. Thoughts?

The other guys get paid, too.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

What are some key ways this Cowboys team has changed since that 2023 playoff game (besides the obvious one)?

It's nearly impossible to compare the two just because of how much Dallas has changed in that time on both sides of the ball. There are several veterans, though, who have taken some big losses to Green Bay over the years and would love nothing more than to turn the tables.

Charlie from Caledonia, WI

Hi guys. I have a question or two about the offensive line. The team has drafted offensive linemen with the idea that they can be flexible and cover at least two (or more) positions on the offensive line. This has seemed to be an organizational philosophy. Who makes the decisions on who plays where? Is it GM Brian Gutekunst? Head Coach Matt LaFleur? Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, offensive line coach Luke Butkus? How about who fills in for injury?

There is constant dialogue between the coaches and scouts, but ultimately, it's the job of the personnel department to stock the cupboard and the coaches to cook with the ingredients. The Packers put all the pieces and contingencies in place and that's the team they send onto the field.

The Green Bay Packers held practice at Clarke Hinkle Field on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025.

Pat from Redgranite, WI

OK, here's a the-sky-is-falling question…Howzabout moving Elgton Jenkins back to his left guard position until Aaron Banks is healthy enough to play effectively? Sean Rhyan could take over at center, Darian Kinnard at his usual RG and Anthony Belton at RT…would Matt LaFleur even consider that?

Jenkins can play anywhere, but you're displacing a lot of pieces with that approach. It's usually best to allow established starters, such as Jenkins and Rhyan, to man their station while plugging the best available around them.

Al from Green Bay, WI

We all know the Packers need to rebound from a bitter experience in Cleveland. No unit has been more criticized this week than the O-line. Count me among those who are going to watch this unit very closely this weekend. I expect to see an inspired performance. What are you most interested in watching for Sunday evening?

Funny how quickly narratives can change. I'm old enough to remember when Love had only been sacked twice during the Packers' 2-0 start against Detroit and Washington. The Packers may have to do it without Zach Tom and Aaron Banks this Sunday, but I think we're going to see a strong response to some early adversity.

Margo from Solvang, CA

Hi guys! Seeing Clay Matthews' eligibility for the HOF announcement reminded me of a great comment by a TV announcer. Clay had just sacked the opposing QB and did his signature pose -arms outstretched and flexed. The announcer said, "My God, if I had arms like that I'd never wear a shirt with sleeves again!" Any fun stories about Clay you can remember? What are his chances of making the HOF?

I'm not sure about Matthews' HOF chances, but I'm glad to see at least he was nominated this year. I was shocked to not see his name on the modern-era nominees for the Class of 2025. I always loved how Matthews had a photo of Kevin Greene working in WCW in his locker during his tenure with the Packers and kept it even after Greene left the team. He also had a trademark way of getting ready before every media scrum that involved him putting his hair up, spinning around and saying simply "What's up guys?"

Brian from Charlottesville, VA

Any word on why Mecole Hardman was released? Normal roster shuffling or is he done as a Packer? It seemed promising when he was originally signed.

I think it's the standard roster-churning Gutekunst and the personnel department often do during the season. Hardman came as advertised in the locker room, but there just wasn't quite a spot for him here at this time.

Joel from Annapolis, MD

Hardman was quietly released from the practice squad. Got me thinking: A football career is short. A player such as Hardman is a "veteran" but a young man. In your experiences as reporters, have y'all garnered any insights into what goes into such players' decisions about when it is time to call it a career? I doubt Hardman is done, he was a SB hero just yesterday. But if you're cut and the calls aren't coming in, I wonder when and how one decides it's time to move on and be new.

It's a good question. As much as players love to talk about going out on their own terms, the league often makes the decision for them. In the rare cases, such as Aaron Donald and Calvin Johnson, it comes down to the person and how their body is holding up. Again, wishing Mecole well. He's a stand-up dude. I see why he was so well-liked in Kansas City.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Do you two get a break after a night game? Maybe get to the office a few hours later in the morning? I pray you do.

Hopefully during the back half of next week (other than Inbox, of course). I'm still scratching and clawing to finish this profile I've been writing.

Josh from Newhall, CA

It seems a lot of folks feel like the sky is falling. Is it strange that I really wasn't all that bothered by the loss? Disappointed sure, but I feel the same about the rest of the season that I did a week ago. That wasn't what I would think of as a "bad" loss. Were people really expecting 17-0, or that we should win every game by two scores? Thank you, gentlemen, for wading through those waters and providing rationale in a sea of irrationality.

Nobody wants to lose, especially in that fashion. But sometimes in life you fall short and need to quickly gather yourself. That's what the Packers will look to do Sunday night against the Cowboys.

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