Inbox: He continually proves he's a pro

Tom from Two Rivers, WI

Speaking of TV appearances, do they have a crew that does makeup for you guys?

Ha. Good one.

Smuck from River Falls, WI

Can we start to refer to him simply as AC or does Anthony Campbell need to officially make the 53-man roster? Seems like he's done all that he can to make it.

He's the underdog story of camp. Makes this time of year fun.

Jim from St. Pete Beach, FL

With regard to Matt from St. Mary's question about coaching around officiating tendencies, I just hope the crew that likes to call offensive line holding waits until at least Week 6 to have a Packers game.

Noted.

Jim from Augusta, WI

Part of your reply to a question regarding Kyle McCord's "readiness" was that he hasn't played against anything resembling first-team defense. My reply to your reply would be that he hasn't played with anything resembling a first-team offense either. That being said, I think he's looked impressive playing against and with what's been put on his plate.

I agree there, but he's also mostly faced, and executed, the vanilla schemes of preseason football. It's great work, and he's done well, but it's not the real game. That part must be understood, too. It's simply experience he doesn't have, which ratchets up the risk level if he's one snap away.

Mike from Winona, MN

Given Trey Smack's success, any chance Matt Orzech gets Wally Pipped and Cal Adomitis makes the cut?

Cam Achord was asked a version of the momentum question Saturday and basically said he's not worried about it and feels they can't go wrong. In other words, he's leaving it up to the personnel department. Orzech is under contract for three more years and there'd be a modest dead cap charge if he's released. Adomitis would need a new contract beyond 2026. Whether any of that matters, I have no idea. As I said last week, there's been no indication the Packers are moving on from Orzech, based on comments from the head coach and GM.

Chris from UK

"That crew in Denver certainly sent a message it likes to throw flags." But not for blatant facemasks!

It was clearly focused on the more subtle fouls.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

That hit Surtain put on Christian Watson puts me squarely in the "don't play your starters in the preseason" camp. Otherwise, I'm thrilled for Smack to stack good games. As a kicker, he can't take his time to develop as a second stringer in the way other positions can, so this extra pressure is what'll either make him fold or turn him into a diamond that can hit game-winners when we need him. GPG!

I had the same thought when Watson took that hit. Smack is going to encounter bumps in the road. They're inevitable. What will make or break him is how he responds. Ryan Longwell missed his first game-winner as a rookie in 1997, a chip shot in Philly to lose a 10-9 game, and he went on to become the franchise's all-time leading scorer before Crosby came along. More recently, we've seen young kickers here not respond so well early on. Time will tell.

Dennis from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

I have a feeling Lucas Havrisik's record for the longest field by a Packer is going to fall sooner rather than later. I know you're not into predictions, but surely you'd acknowledge Smack has the potential.

Indubitably.

Jeff from SJDM, Philippines

Question, in the spirit of the II (putting the cart before the horse). Has a kicker ever won Rookie of the Year?

Since 1967, the AP has given out both offensive and defensive ROY awards. A kicker has never won either.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

Pierre Strong Jr.'s return for roughly 60 was impressive. What was our longest return last year? We seem to have made improvement in all phases of special teams. On another note, cutdown will be rough as all these kids can play!

The Packers' longest kickoff return last year was 36 yards. Savion Williams and Bo Melton each had one that long.

Marty from Plymouth, WI

I'm guessing ball security for our receiving corps will be emphasized this week, after Friday's first drive. There were two "almost fumbles" on that drive that would've derailed an otherwise decent performance. Just another example of "there's always something to work on."

And another example of what makes Surtain who he is.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good Monday morning all. Man, Chris McClellan is a beast inside. Was watching film on him from Friday night he is a hard man to block. He has good moves and an endless motor. He will be a really good rotational piece for Gannon.

Couldn't agree more. In a couple years, we might be talking about him as a third-round steal.

Curtis from Moreno Valley, CA

Just wanted to give a shoutout to Kamal Hadden. He looked like Woodson on a few of those tackles. I love his aggressiveness and in my eyes the Packers NEED to keep him. He looks like a special player and I'm happy for him.

Hadden's comeback from a nasty injury has been impressive. I don't like to speak in absolutes, but I can't imagine he doesn't make the team at this point. He's learning the slot. He's already played outside corner. He can help on special teams. Always a great attitude. Plenty to like.

Kevin from Jenison, MI

I know the Packers have worked Kamal Hadden primarily in the slot so far, but do you think they'll work him outside yet this camp where he has a shot to get into the CB conversation? If I remember correctly he would have started in front of Carrington Valentine last year had he not been injured.

Interesting thought. But I get the Packers' approach here. If Hadden is the fifth outside option, it's more important to make sure there's adequate coverage in the slot if Bullard is out, or if Javon Bullard has to slide back deep to fill in for Xavier McKinney or Evan Williams. Hadden could be next man up, so to speak, if any of the top three safeties goes down.

Jeremiah from White City, OR

Hey, it seems like McClellan and Hadden are becoming names we will be seeing. Any insight or projections for the two this year?

I posted this because I found it humorous after sifting through several individual questions about McClellan and Hadden, you mentioned them both together.

Kathryn from Greenville, WI

What player surprised you the most in Denver?

I won't say surprised, but I'll use this opportunity to give a shout out to linebacker Kristian Welch. Here's a dude that's been in the league since 2020, came in undrafted, been cut a handful of times in his career, fighting for his NFL life at age 28, packing a punch as a tackler with the third-string defense and still bringing it on special teams as well. I don't know if there's room for Welch on the squad or not, but he continually proves he's a pro.

Jackie from New Freedom, PA

During preseason, when folks are fighting for a spot on the roster, how much, if any, input does the starting QB provide when it comes to evaluating receivers?

Virtually none, unless he's asked, which I would consider rare.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, the lack of a pass rush seems problematic. When Micah Parsons returns he will get double-teamed most likely and little changes. Are you concerned or do you see someone stepping up?

The pass rush will be the weekly question for this defense until Parsons returns. I suspect Gannon is using the preseason to get a handle on how much he just lets guys do their thing, and how much he'll scheme up to help them out. But once someone, be it Parsons or whoever, gets doubled, the equation does change. There's either one fewer target out in a route, or one fewer blocker to help elsewhere.

Collin from Brookland, AR

Did you notice who Jordan Love looked like on that first drive, dancing around in the pocket and stepping up and making some off-platform throws? The fourth-down strike to MG looked eerily similar to the last guy that played quarterback here. It was heartwarming to see him bail out some shaky O-line play. The O-line has to play better though, that first drive wasn't sustainable for four quarters.

I don't know, I thought Jordan Love looked like Jordan Love, a still-ascending quarterback with a lot to his game. As for the O-line, that was a massive test in Denver against arguably the best defensive front in the league. The Broncos have been tops in sacks two years running. I didn't expect two new starters at guard, a new left tackle, a relatively new center and a substitute right tackle to just stone them. The offense didn't face anything worse than third-and-3 on that drive. Not bad.

Doug from Albert Lea, MN

Watching the game Friday night my wife asked me when the Packers started playing preseason games and I had to admit I didn't know. So when did Packer preseason games begin and how many were there in the first few preseasons? Many thanks for all you do to keep us fans informed and enthused.

What's listed in the media guide as preseason or "non-league" results began back in 1921, with anywhere from one to four games up through the 1940s. Then it was five or six games annually (including at times the game against the college all-stars) up until the 1970 league merger. Then six games until '78, when it dropped to four (or five if playing the HOF game) through 2019. There were no preseason games due to Covid in '20, and it's been three per year since '21.

Brian from Alta Vista, IA

Do you think Matt LaFleur has changed his approach when it comes to rookies? The way he threw his rookie kicker out for a 58-yarder when even his special teams coordinator said he wasn't ready. Also Brandon Cisse looks almost like a lock to be one of the starting corners Week 1. I don't think a rookie has ever started Week 1 at cornerback under LaFleur. It almost seems like LaFleur is ready to cut things loose and be more aggressive this year I think he's tired of coming up short in the postseason.

I guess I haven't been watching the same LaFleur teams the past few years when it comes to rookies. Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed all had productive rookie years. Quay Walker and Josh Myers started from Day 1. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft both had rookie years among the best of any Packers tight ends in team history. Edgerrin Cooper, Bullard and Williams all played a bunch as rookies. The list goes on. This current regime has never been shy about playing rookies. At times out of necessity, sure, but it's also paid dividends in their development.

Justin from Thousand Oaks, CA

If Cisse starts the opening game, would he be the youngest player to start a season opener for Green Bay? I know Clark was really young, who else is up (or down) there?

I don't know about the Packers' all-time youngest Week 1 starter. Maybe Dope Sheet gurus Nate and Tom in the communications department will figure it out. Kenny Clark didn't start the opener in 2016, but his first NFL start was in Week 3 that year, nine days shy of his 21st birthday. Two years ago, Bullard's Week 1 start in Brazil was one day after his 22nd birthday.

Bruce from Yuma, AZ

Good morning, II. Friday's game is hardly over and various fans are promoting keeping so and so because he looked so good. The roster limit is 53 and keeping an "extra" player at one position means keeping one less at another. That is a hard choice to make. Perhaps readers should also offer up which position loses a player when they want to keep that extra man. How many players at each position are typical and which position would you give up a player because so and so looked so good?

There's no set number at each position, more like minimums required, and then the numbers shift around to account for injuries and such. Your original point is a salient one. This is not an easy process. Generally, I say big guys are harder to find in emergencies, so I'm more inclined to make room for an extra big guy if warranted.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

Okay Mike, only one more preseason game left and I'm sure everyone wants to know if you are in regular-season form for the Live Chat. Will we see some mistakes until you get in a few more quarters of typing time? Do you work with the training staff to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome? Do you practice on the keyboard outdoors to prepare for the cold-weather games? Man, I can't wait for the regular season to start.

You said it. Happy Monday.

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