Inbox: He'll get his chance and he's got a chance

Corey from Richland, WA

Okay, I'll play along. What ONE WORD do you think best describes the mood of the team the week after cutdown day?

(Exhale). Because training camp is over and the real deal is coming.

Richard from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

I love and always look forward to the "Three Things" segments during training camp. Humorous and informative. It seemed like there were fewer this year. I know you guys are really busy during the regular season, but any chance you could throw in a "Three Things" occasionally?

We did one after every training camp practice that was open to the public, which has been customary. The series will resume with one per week during the regular season, and we usually shoot it on Wednesdays.

Barb from Snellville, GA

With the cutdown to 53, have there been any uniform number changes?

At DT, Jonathan Ford switched from 64 to 96 and Anthony Campbell changed from 60 to 93, while the new guys took 18 (Jonnu Smith), 26 (Kaleb Johnson) and 86 (Mark Redman).

Tom from Dell Rapids, SD

I just saw in the article on MarShawn Lloyd that he only had more than 15 carries in a game three times in college. And now we need him to be a feature back. I do still think he can be very good! How do you feel about his endurance considering his limited reps in college?

That's a great unknown as this season gets underway. I don't expect the Packers to overdo it with Lloyd given his history (workload and injury-wise), but it's time to figure out what he brings. I'm excited for him and about him.

Matt from Livingston, MT

Hi guys, I just read today's article about MarShawn. Made me think about how much pressure he must feel with the opener approaching. How do the other players and coaches help him deal with that? Thanks for what you guys do.

For the most part, players have their own ways of dealing with pressure. It's not as though it's a foreign concept when they get here. There are also performance psychology/behavioral health resources available to them. But as Jordan Love likes to say, pressure is what they sign up for at this level.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, do you believe the Packers will play running back by committee, or look to one primary back?

I think, for now, Lloyd is the guy with Chris Brooks spelling him initially, but this offense primarily will go through Love.

Randy from Trophy Club, TX

Reference the question from Dan of Greenwood, IN. I beg to differ with your choice; I think being able to run the football is the biggest key to success this year. Other teams know our receivers can be explosive, so I expect them to play Cover-2 or something similar to limit explosive plays. The question is...can the Packers run the ball effectively to make the opponent bring another player into the box, providing more options for explosive plays in the passing game? We shall see.

That's fair. Conventional wisdom says make these Packers earn their way down the field and contain the chunk plays. But one thing I've always liked about LaFleur's offense is the combination of downfield threats with making the opponent defend all 53 1/3 yards of field width. There are horizontal plays (end arounds, smoke routes, etc.) outside of traditional runs that can keep a defense honest to set up the vertical shots.

Eric from Woodbury, MN

Good morning guys! First thing I thought of when we traded for Kaleb Johnson was the trade for Ahman Green. Green fell out of favor in Seattle after one year for his mistakes, which included fumbling. We gave up a non-rotational player in Fred Vinson and acquired our all-time rusher! Can lightning strike twice? GPG!

I think we need to pump the brakes just a bit. I'm as curious as anyone what a change of scenery might do for Johnson. But as Mike from Coleman chimed in, he supposedly got a fresh start with McCarthy and the new coaching staff in Pittsburgh and couldn't win the third-string job. He's a talented player getting a full reset. We'll see.

Edward from Sioux Falls, SD

I'm looking forward to cheering on Mr. Lloyd as he runs over and through the Vikings on the 13th. Who was the last starting RB to wear 32? I'm thinking Reggie Cobb.

How soon we forget the starting running back on a Super Bowl championship team, Brandon Jackson. Two years later, Cedric Benson also wore No. 32.

John from St. Albert, Canada

Good day II. My conclusion, based on observations from afar (TV), was the lack of a consistent run game was a large contributor to the Pack's struggles last year. Teams were not afraid of it, so a lot of two high safeties, couldn't close out games by running for first downs, etc. I felt the OL play was the biggest issue – no gaps, no holes, just lots of runs into a pile or into a sealed edge. I'm excited to see if we have the guys (all 10) provide improvement. And some health luck would be nice.

Injuries led to a lot of moving parts along the offensive line last year, so it felt like the unit never really got settled. And just when it seemed like it did, its best player went down and never returned. This year's group deserves a clean slate. Let's see what transpires.

Mark from Eureka, IL

Regarding getting the big guys: In preseason the talking heads focus mostly on the QB, some on wide receivers and edges. But, when our December friend arrives, there's lots of talk about the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage. Big jars on the shelf are important every game.

Which is also why how the unit functions in December is more important than how it starts the season.

Mark from Westminster, CO

Every fan base wants their team to come out of the gates on all cylinders; however, realistically and based on what you have seen in your career, about how many games or series does it really take for an offensive unit to start clicking?

Impossible to say. With this team, for all the snaps the four main perimeter weapons (Tucker Kraft, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden) have banked with Love, the questions discussed above regarding the O-line need to be answered. Also, early-season games can be full of unscouted looks that can disrupt rhythm and force unexpected adjustments, and some teams lean into that approach more than others. I know everyone gets sick of hearing it, but it truly is a week-to-week league.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

In Mike's article about the new tight end room, it was interesting that Tucker Kraft has never played with an experienced tight end in his locker room. The level he has achieved without that makes me want to watch where he goes with experience talking in his ear.

Kraft has proven he doesn't need that sort of assistance, but if any sage whispers help him make one extra key play per month, then it's worth it.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

I just watched the locker room interview with Jonnu. I don't think anyone can ever eclipse the TED talk-like wisdom and strength that poured out of Marcedes Lewis, but Jonnu definitely had a vibe that made me think of him. He seemed to emit a calm, assured, confident energy that I really like. What have you thought so far?

In short, he's a vet who gets it.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. One preseason game against second-string offensive linemen is a small sample size, but didn't Dani Dennis-Sutton look the part of an edge rusher who can immediately contribute this year?

He'll get his chance and he's got a chance, and the best part is the Packers aren't going to ask him to play 40-50 snaps per game. He'll have a rotational role with a chance to give it all he has every snap he gets.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

I was reading an article from a Vikings beat reporter that spoke about how the Packers are not going to be a threat to them this year. From your perspective, have you ever written anything about a player, team, etc. that you later regretted? Everything today is about clicks, but I don't understand making those kind of statements before the first snap of the season has taken place.

One problem (of many) with today's sports media consumption is predictions are worthless but it's what everyone wants to hear/read. If I posted a story on our website with the headline "Here are predictions for the Packers in 2026" it would get more clicks than anything else I've ever written. But it would be meaningless, and that's not the content business we're in here.

Gavin from Albuquerque, NM

The phrase "it's a copycat league" is used regularly in this space. Then why are the Packers so good at developing quarterback talent and others continue to struggle? How is it that we have done so well for so long and many have not figured out the recipe? I get that we have great coaching, but what is it about that coaching that is so unrepeatable? I would think training drills, both physical and mental, could be copied. Or is it the lucky combination of talent with coaching? GPG!

I think it's the last thing you mentioned. The Packers have their process and their system, but it has to be matched with the right talent. It doesn't work out with everybody. Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt were draft picks who came and went. Kyron Drones didn't pan out this year. That list goes on. But the Packers are committed to bringing in QB talent from all directions and seeing who takes to their process and shows growth. It's a commitment to the position in general that allows for good things to happen.

Matt from Bloomington, IN

I think Kraft is going to get extended before the start of the season. My question is, do you think he's going to reset the TE market? We tend to take care of our homegrown stars, so I suspect he is about to become the highest-paid TE in the league (at least until Brock Bowers gets extended next year).

I expect Kraft to get a very lucrative contract, but beyond that I don't really care whether he resets the market or whatever, because as you noted it's all temporary until the next top-tier guy gets his new deal anyway.

Randy from Bucksnort, TN

The media is treating the return of Aaron Donald to the Rams as a major boost to their D-Line. That may be the case. He is two years removed from his last time playing and two years older. While he has had a prolific career and certainly will be enshrined in Canton someday, is it realistic to consider that he will be back to his dominant self? I think it is likely that he will be average or just above, although I wouldn't be shocked if he is very good, especially with Myles Garrett on that line.

Garrett is going to draw more double-teams than Donald, and you can't double everybody. If Donald proves he can't be single-blocked, then opponents will adjust, and that's when it gets difficult.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Boy, the NBA sure came down hard on Ballmer and the Clippers. Can you recall any instance where the NFL or any of the major sports leagues penalized and owner and team so severely?

I think the two harshest punishments handed out in the NFL were to Miami for tampering (first- and third-round picks plus a $1.5M fine) and Washington for a toxic workplace ($10M fine). Both of those pale in comparison to this Clippers deal. Adam Silver has set a new precedent for bringing the hammer down on a franchise.

Jerry from Grantsburg, WI

Is it too early to ask about Week 1 in Minnesota? I'd imagine that if Murray is in good form, the biggest potential mismatch in the Vikings favor would be WR versus CB. At least on paper, what appears to be the Packers' biggest advantage?

Quarterback.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

There's so much to be excited about, but there's also a little to be worried about. With that said, I'd like to see one worry instantly turn into optimism with a game winning kick in a hostile environment such as U.S Bank Stadium. Like everyone else, I believe we have the kicker of the future, but we all know the NFL is a show me league. So, what are you most excited about and what are you most worried about?

At the risk of being accused of shameless plugging, your question is exactly what Wes and I went back and forth about for 35 minutes on our latest "Unscripted." Please check it out, and if you've got some follow-up queries, holler.

Dale from Prescott, WI

Will you two guys get any days off before the first regular-season game?

This weekend. We have to work on Labor Day because the players will be back, but they're off until then so we'll recharge a little bit, too.

Tucker from Belton, TX

It's about to be Friday before Labor Day weekend. The vibes are high, the beer is cold. Football is back Wednesday and Thursday, and then obviously Sunday. The Packers haven't lost, all of our goals are still in front of us. What a time to be alive.

Happy Friday.

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