Inbox: In this game, positions come second to playmakers

Matt from Greensboro, NC

It's not "a long, long time ago." It's only one "long." The correct opening line to the crawl is "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…"

Past you nothing gets, Matthew from Greensboro.

John from Cary, IL

Is there a sense that Sunday's game has been circled on the schedule, as a payback game for the playoff meltdown last season? Or more of a one week at a time approach while the team continues to find its identity?

It's Packers-Bears, man. If this game isn't circled on your calendar, you can't find a pen. These two have been battling since before my grandfather was born and will keep doing so well past my time on this planet.

Rob from Wilmington, NC

To add on to Tom (from Germany)'s thought on QBs. Obviously, they have to have the talent to make it, but the ones who are great leaders often deflect praise to their teammates after a win and also will take on the responsibility after a loss. You can tell a lot about a player's leadership with how and when they assign credit and blame. I can think of plenty of QB press conferences around the league over the years that fall on both sides.

It's what great leaders do. I actually wrote my Gameday program story on Jordan Love and how he's led this team through a challenging first month of the regular season. It's a huge part of who he is as a person and as a quarterback.

Scott from Palos Park, I

Tyson Bagent looked good for the Bears last week. However, I read that on passes of 10-plus yards he was only blitzed seven times. I would suspect the D would like to do much more blitzing this week. Does the need to control the run game of the Bears limit the risks you can take on extra rushers?

Matt LaFleur made a salient point about Bagent Wednesday morning. He's a backup in name only. Bagent is a great undrafted success story and has the tools to compete for a starting job in this league. He did what was necessary for Chicago to win on the ground Sunday but also can air it out if that's what Ben Johnson's gameplan requires. We'll see what Jonathan Gannon cooks up to defend Bagent and that elite running attack. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter who's lining up at quarterback if you don't keep D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai in check.

Steven from Luck, WI

Do we think Johnson could hit a curveball? Doubt it. He's too busy making this rivalry about himself. I'd bet (hypothetically, of course) that MLF could hit a curveball.

Words don't matter. Just win. If you want to get the best of Johnson and the Bears, do it for 60 minutes on the football field this Sunday.

David from El Segundo, CA

Do you guys think that maybe part of the RB fumbling issue could be the running back by committee approach? If those guys are standing on the sidelines, cold, it seems it could be more difficult to be situationally ready. I compare it to a pinch hitter. Super hard to sit on the bench and then suddenly be called upon to get a hit.

I don't think so. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams platooned throughout their time together in Green Bay and Williams did not fumble once in his four years wearing a Packers uniform. I think Emanuel Wilson had two fumbles in three years in a secondary role to Jones and Josh Jacobs. It comes down to concentration, fundamentals and ball security. Gotta protect the rock.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders, my concern with the Bears is their speed on offense. We lack team speed this year with McDuffie replacing Cooper, Franklin replacing Walker, and Cox or whomever replacing Parsons. I sense their TEs are licking their chops. How do you see us addressing their edge in speed?

I don't disagree the Packers' defense takes a hit without Edgerrin Cooper's athleticism on the field, but by Gannon's own admission, his job is to build a gameplan around the players who are available. Fortunately, the Packers have three very good safeties – all of whom could line up against the Bears' tight ends and slot receivers.

Scott from Manson, IA

While I understand the hand wringing regarding the loss of Cooper, I for one am so glad that the Packers retained Isaiah McDuffie. He played extremely well down the stretch last season, is assignment sure, and displays so many of the characteristics that we Packers fans love. Makes the loss a little less of a sting.

Losing a player of Edgerrin Cooper's caliber is gut punch, but the Packers have never been deeper at linebacker during my 15 years on the beat – especially with the move back to a 3-4 front.

Bob from Emmaus, PA

Edgerrin Cooper's season-ending injury is significant to the linebacker corps. Are Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper and Nick Niemann up to the challenge and can they continue on special teams? GPG

They are, but like Zaire Franklin talked about on Wednesday, it's not just the Packers' linebackers who must step up in Cooper's stead. No different than how Cooper affected multiple aspects of the defense, the entire unit will need to take on the responsibility of replacing him. In this game, positions come second to playmakers. This past Sunday, Evan Williams was the hero. Four days from now, it could be Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt or Brandon Cisse. To the other part of your question, Kristian Welch is back on the 53-man roster and should be able to plug any holes McDuffie and/or Hopper vacate.

Steve from Middletown, KY

Good morning! Will we own the Bears this week? It seems to me we need to have early and often scoring. Long methodical drives. If the Bears get to run 90 plays on us, we're probably in trouble. Their two RBs are dangerous on every play, so contain seems paramount. Maybe throw in a turnover or two. GPG!

Johnson wants to turn games into marathons and use that two-headed backfield to wear down defenses. Aside from conceding that late explosive, the Bears played a near-flawless game on Sunday given the circumstances.

Dominic from Chesapeake, VA

Wes, I liked and got your "slab of meat with mittens" reference on the Tucker Kraft touchdown. My thought was the referee was "standing there like a penny waiting change." Moving on to the Bears, I have not seen any of their games so far, but I'm curious as to how their DBs have handled the deep passes this year. Do they have the talent to stay with Matthew Golden and Christian Watson? Thanks.

You can't beat a Dennis Allen-coordinated defense with speed alone. You need a well-executed game plan built around receivers running their routes and making the plays. Chicago took a big hit when Coby Bryant went down this offseason, but Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson can match up with pretty much any receiving corps. What's more, Kyler Gordon was a full participant in practice Wednesday, So, we'll see if he's also lurking around the corner as a possible activation from injured reserve.

Ron from Roscoe, IL

I could be off-base here, but with the way Ben Johnson appears to encourage his players for this particular game, it's like he is trying to encourage his players to try to intimidate the Pack. Chippy little extracurriculars seemed to be their norm last year. Not retaliating makes a team look weak, but the flags are generally thrown on the second action. How does a team prepare to make sure they don't look weak, but also don't fall into these traps that have proven to derail momentum?

Control your emotions, play to the whistle and defend your quarterback if anything happens after the whistle sounds. It's really not that complicated.

Bill from Sheboygan, WI

I agree with the suspension of the referees as their product on the field is suspect at best, but at what point do they have to take the verbal abuse from players and not fire back? What was said was inappropriate, the players should be held accountable also.

Correct. It's called "unsportsmanlike conduct." There's a flag for that. Sometimes players even get fined and everything. Wild stuff.

Wes from Sheboygan, WI

Is the Luke Musgrave era in Green Bay over? Haven't heard any updates in a long time.

Nothing to report there yet, though everyone on the reserve lists is now eligible to practice. As of Wednesday, Savion Williams is the only player doing so at the moment.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

How long do we have to wait for a decision from the commish on Josh Jacobs?

That's another situation with season-altering implications and no timeline.

Allen from Batavia, IL

On Tuesday, Wes mentioned that the O-line opened holes in the running game against the Bucs. If you take away runs of 31 and 27 yards, the RBs had a total of 28 total yards on 23 carries for an average of 1.2 yds per carry. I'd say the O-line didn't get it done for the RBs. I often wonder if Wes and I are watching the same game.

OK.

Mark from Westminster, CO

Well, it seems the front office is officially in scramble mode for players. I'm not sure what to think at this point except try and make do. The team went 2-2, but could have easily gone 0-4, and this is before they start hitting the tough part of the schedule. Unless the trajectory of play dramatically improves by leaps and bounds, this season feels like it will just limp along. What does it feel like to you?

It feels to me like fans perseverate too much on what could have been and not enough on what could be. Like it or not, the Packers are 2-2, not 4-0 and not 0-4. What they are is four games into a 17-game regular season with 13 more chances to prove they are who we thought they could become.

Steve from Middletown, KY

Ha, Wes. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." But didn't he get punched in the face? The homestand couldn't come at a better time. Work out the penalties and we can continue to own da Bears. GPG!

If the Packers are going to maximize these next 13 weeks, they have to solve their penalty problem. Green Bay is the most penalized team during what's been the NFL's most penalized season. For the Packers to remove themselves from Mark's bleak trajectory, that trend cannot continue.

Teddy from Brimfield, MA

How does the league determine if a team wears their home uniforms on the road?

Home teams have the choice of uniform, hence why teams in sun-soaked, hot climates often opt to wear white at home.

Mike from Minneapolis, MN

Shoutout to the team that updated the colors and look of the mobile app for the Rivalries game/uniforms this weekend. It looks incredible!

Our digital team did a phenomenal job with the website and app redesign. I love the Rivalries branding and uniforms. It's been great to see the integration with our platforms.

Yotam from New Zealand

I know you cover the Packers and not other teams, but do you think Lamar Jackson is already a lock for HOF with two MVPs, three first-team All-Pros, and four Pro Bowls besides being the benchmark for a running QB?

100%. The Hall of Fame is for game-changers and Jackson has done exactly that during his short time in the NFL. Hopefully, this ankle injury doesn't sideline Jackson for too long because I felt like he's firmly in the conversation for MVP again based on what I've seen so far this season.

Dwight from Brooklyn, NY

I'll be in Vermont over the weekend in a rural location that not only puts me off the grid but also doesn't have a TV (hard to believe, but true; long story). I'm obviously hoping for a win against the Bears. Do you have a read on what's going on in the locker room?

Love Vermont, but it's the season of the sticks. Felt good vibes in the locker room, Dwight. As a whole, the Packers feel like they took a step forward in Tampa. They need to hold their ground against the Bears, though.

Ross from Pine Island, MN

Will officiating send Spoff to an early retirement?

He and I both.

Bob from Rome, NY

Wes: LMAO with "I wish the ref would've just signaled touchdown to trigger the automatic replay. Instead, he just stood there like a slab of meat with mittens." Just letting you know both students and staff came into my room to check on after laughing so loud I had tears running down my face! Classic! GPG and thank you.

I punched myself in the shoulder after writing that one.

Ted from Findlay, OH

I am looking forward to buying my Packers vs. Cancer winter hat this weekend at the Pro Shop. I had prostate cancer surgery last year and am completing radiation treatment for a bit of lingering cancer in a lymph node. Yet as I sit in the cancer center waiting room, I feel for the others there who are facing a much more uncertain future than me. Kudos to the Packers for the worthwhile causes they support. And thanks to the others who contribute to my daily Inbox fix. GPG

God bless you, Ted. Keeping you in my prayers.

Tracey from Madison, WI

A bit south of you, we are celebrating a long-hoped-for Nobel Prize in Physics. Those at UW-Madison have known for IceCube advances and understand the complexity, work, and collaboration from all types of roles and people here. Visionaries who pushed past the norms and mentored future leaders. Supporters are near and far. Sure seems like if there was a global prize given for a professional sports team plus city, Green Bay would check all the boxes too. (But please, just beat the Bears.)

Amen Tracey. Have a good Thursday, everyone.