Inbox: It already happened

Jeremy from Green Bay, WI

Italian restaurant? In New York? Will Billy Joel be there?

I'll keep an eye out.

Eric from Wrightstown, WI

Something learned on Tuesday's "Unscripted." We will be able to tell if Wes is really irritated by Mike if he starts referring to him as "William Spofford's son." I understand you can't be jerks in your professional position (that's our job), but it is good to see the fan side come out on occasion to show you are just as outraged as we are.

We're human, and yeah, duly noted.

Justin from De Pere, WI

Who's the most interesting support person with the Packers that you interact with regularly?

It was probably Red Batty before he retired. I don't know if I've ever met another individual on this planet, working here or not, more interesting than Red.

Mark from Lansing, MI

Regarding Nate from Blue Springs assertation that "based on comments, everyone but the equipment manager was to blame," did he not read the very first submission of the Inbox? Andrew from Quincy squarely placed the responsibility for this loss on the equipment manager for laying out the wrong sock color. Just get the socks right!

The socks Sunday will be green, for what it's worth. The Packers are wearing their traditional home uniform with the Jets going all-whites.

Mark from Austin, TX

"...one game does not make a season." Except this is not one game. This is a long streak of second-half meltdowns that goes back well into last year, and is the single most disturbing problem plaguing GB. CBS showed the stats in game. The Packers have been outscored 90-15 in the fourth quarter and overtime over their last six games. It's not about plays or players anymore. It's about mentality. How do they get out of recurring "quicksand"? – Shane Falco

Just go win a game. Whether they do it by putting a team away late or making the key plays at crunch time, any kind of win will function as a start.

Troy from Menomonee Falls, WI

It's worth remembering that a year ago the Packers started out with convincing wins over what were supposed to be two of the best NFC teams that year, but then quickly fell back to earth. In other years they've started poorly then had good seasons. The start of the season is just the start. It doesn't determine anything.

I've never covered a team that was defined by September.

Jim from Greenville, SC

My wife thinks Jordan Love needs to have a little more snarl and bite amongst his team when things aren't going well. People may point to the pretty boy who played QB for a few years in NE, always barking at guys, as a great motivator and leader, but personally, Jordan's demeanor feels perfect and is more advantageous than the contrary. He's a competitor. They all are. Does more outward emotion generate more wins?

I think leaders have to be themselves or their leadership will lose followers.

Robert from Burke, VA

Your answer to Drew from Jacksonville hit the mark. I remember seeing that poise and fearlessness in J Love's eyes in his Covid spot start for AR against KC and thinking, "Yeah, this is the guy for our future." I still think so.

I fail to comprehend how anyone can even question it anymore. He's not flawless. Nobody is. But he's a really special player.

Peter from Orland Park, IL

Hello II, if you look solely at the box score you would say GB would win 99 out of 100 times based on the stats for overall yardage. Then you look at time of possession and the pass attempts to completions and that's a problem dating back to last year. I get a lot of people like the explosive plays, but I think the way to win is punching the ball down the opponent's throat and wearing them out. How does a team improve the run-control domination necessary to punish a team over 60 minutes? Thanks.

I hate to break it to you, but that's not how the Packers are built, it's not who they are, and it's not how they play. For better or worse, a tiger won't be changing its stripes.

John from Worthington, OH

It's been mentioned many times that the Packers' offense likes to go deep in part to help the run game by forcing the safeties to play back. When in the red zone that deep threat no longer exists, which I think is a big part of why they struggle, particularly running the ball, in the red zone.

You're right, the explosive play isn't a concern for defenses in the red zone, which makes it imperative to be able to run the ball well down there. The best red zone offenses can run the ball in close to set up their pass concepts near the goal line. Some years the Packers have been very good at that, others not so much. In Minnesota, the Packers had first-and-goal from the 7 twice. On the first, Chris Brooks ran for 5 yards, and the next snap was the play-action corner flip to Watson for the 2-yard score. On the second, MarShawn Lloyd lost a yard and two incomplete passes followed.

Ron from Mitchell, SD

Good morning. Watching Matthew Golden catch the ball on the run is a thing of beauty. I don't think I've ever seen another receiver catch the ball so effortlessly and confidently while on the run. I don't want to jinx him, but when I see the ball headed his way, I have zero fear that he's going to drop it or turn it over.

Wes mentioned to me earlier this week he didn't even realize Golden had 95 yards receiving in that game. He was also targeted 12 times, so there was a concerted effort to get him the ball. I expect that to continue.

Curtis from Elizabeth, IL

How soon do you think Golden will have his breakout performance?

It already happened as far as I'm concerned, last January. He's got 10 catches for 179 yards and a TD in his last two games now.

David from Vicksburg, MI

Anthony Belton was the starting RG last year and I thought he played well for a rookie. So this year has he taken a step back?

Jacob Monk passed him on the depth chart in training camp, and then Belton didn't really get a chance to win his starting guard spot back because they needed him to rep at right tackle in case ZBB wasn't going to be ready for Week 1. Stenavich commented the other day now that ZBB has made it through a game, Belton would be back in the mix at guard.

Al from Brookfield, WI

LG Jager Burton played in all three preseason games for most of the games, yet Donovan Jennings practiced better according to the Packers. If Jennings was better than Burton, why wasn't he playing most of the preseason games?

For what it's worth, the preseason snap counts were Jennings 106, Burton 105.

Jasiu from Wausaukee, WI

Hello gents, was wondering if you had any specific feedback on our top draft pick? I didn't see much of him during the broadcast which is obviously a good thing. Did you see anything else in person you'd like to share about No. 2? I feel like the free play td to JJ he maybe has a slight excuse?

Wes and I talked about Brandon Cisse a fair amount on our latest "Unscripted" if you'd be so kind as to check it out.

Rod from La Crosse, WI

Should linemen be coached to continue toward the QB when obviously offside rather stopping and giving the QB a " free play"?

Interesting thought. That's a tough one, because there is the possibility of getting back onside in time if the ball isn't snapped and no contact is made with the opponent.

Eric from Keene, NH

Something I've wondered about for a while is how much discretion do NFL officials have about calling penalties? In soccer, for example, if the offensive player maintains the advantage, the ref often lets play continue. Is there anything comparable in the NFL, or are officials pretty much expected to flag them if they see them?

I believe some officials use discretion as it relates to the impact on the play, others don't and operate solely in black and white. I would argue the former are better officials, but the mixture is one of many reasons the officiating is wildly inconsistent.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

On a brighter note, I thought the defense was able to generate decent pressure rushing four. Do you agree? Do you attribute it to personnel and scheme, or a weak Viking line?

Also discussed on the show. Blitzing as a surprise and not out of necessity is always the goal, and I thought Gannon was able to maintain the element of surprise.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

Wednesday's Inbox triggered a question. Coach LaFleur always talks about having to go back and watch the tape. After the difficult game that was the Vikings, how much time is spent watching tape (dwelling) on that vs. seeing what the Jets put on tape (prepping for Sunday? Just beat the JETS!

The coaches begin reviewing the film on the flight home to grade all their players on every play. The grades and film review are conducted with the players on Monday. By Monday night, if not sooner, the coaches are prepping for their next opponent and then all of Tuesday (when the players are off) is game-planning. Certain members of the coaching staff begin studying the next opponent in advance of that process as well.

Ryan from Carmel, IN

As I listened to Collinsworth and Tirico on SNL, they mentioned something about being at practice that week and it made me wonder. You guys aren't allowed at 11-on-11 practice, but are the commentators for the week? I know they have a lot of production work, but do they get some of the game plan too? Under the strictest of confidence for sure, but just wondering how much, if any, extra/secret info they get before the game.

Often, the broadcast crew gets to town to watch the home team's Friday practice, which is followed by production meetings with the head coach and select players (the meetings with the visitors are Saturday at the team hotel). Information is shared in confidence, with the understanding it'll be distributed only if and when appropriate, such as during the game when a specific play is run or a certain player does something. If those confidences are broken, the broadcasters don't get much info from those meetings.

Sean from Silver Spring, MD

This is probably not the forum, but I couldn't find another place to send this. Larry McCarren, some 50 years ago in Wausau, WI, was playing in a charity basketball game. I was 7 years old; there were few options to ever get close to your heroes, let alone see them off the field. He got the ball, dunked it, and shattered the backboard! My life was not great at that time and this moment made my year. He is a huge part of why I love the Packers so much to this day. Tell him thank you!

The Rock smashing a backboard? Yowza. I gotta ask him about this.

Dan from Westerville, OH

Aaron Rodgers used to talk about how all it takes to change the narrative is one win. I imagine players don't generally like Thursday games but seems like the Packers now have a golden opportunity with two games in five days to right the ship.

Just beat the Jets.

Lee from Cleveland, OH

Some teams will go 1-1 this Sunday, some 2-0 and some 0-2. By midseason there may be 2-3 at 8-0 or 9-0 that the pundits will anoint as contenders for the Super Bowl but will not make it. The teams that will make it are those who overcome their demons either self-imposed or otherwise and find a way to handle setbacks, disappointments, exposure and learn from everything. Victory is not nearly the teacher that failure and disappointment are. Character and grit are not formed on easy days.

You have the floor.

Michael from Bristol, WI

No, question … Just an observation. I am, by nature, a glass half full person. The abomination that was Sunday is no different. I saw A LOT to build on. An explosive play waiting to happen, an aggressive playmaking defense, and improved special teams. Plenty of scars for sure but "champions are crowned in victory but are forged in adversity." Not all of your loyal readers think the sky is falling. Thanks for all you do fellas.

Happy Friday.

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