Inbox: It's gonna be a real chess match

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Happy Labor Day weekend. Thank goodness you guys get the weekend off. We need Mike to be away so Tucker Kraft's new contract can be announced.

Just leaving this here.

Lyn from Oshkosh, WI

Listening to national sports people, they think we can't do anything without Micah Parsons on the field. Since we don't have him for a while, I am almost glad because the defense has to develop and win without him instead of everything revolving around him. I think they can do it, then when he comes back, he is like an ace in the hole to add to what they have developed rather than change everything that is working well, barring injuries of course. What do you think?

That was point I made during our latest "Unscripted." The Packers are going to learn a lot about themselves during this first month without Parsons. Hopefully, that makes them a better defense when Uno is back on the field. But outside of your own fanbase, the NFL is a bandwagon business and winning changes the manifest. Win and you're the toast of the town. Lose and the critics question everything down to the sock color.

Matt from Waunakee, WI

It's been mentioned consistently in this column that a strong rushing attack is needed to bring the opposing defenses out of Cover 2. Wouldn't a good dose of Tucker Kraft and crossing routes from Jayden Reed accomplish this?

For sure. It all fits together and that's where the danger lurks defending the Packers' offense. Because the safeties can't cloud everybody. Someone will have a 1-on-1 and must win those reps whether it's Reed underneath, Kraft in space or the running backs carrying the ball.

Jesse from Appleton, WI

Matt in Livingston asked about MarShawn Lloyd dealing with the pressure at MIN. I maintain every NFL player is a physical and mental freak (I mean that in a good way). They need to be at this level. I remember 'Tae Adams getting "ear-holed" by a Bears defender. My first thought was I witnessed a player die on the field; it was that bad. Adams spent a night in the hospital and didn't miss a single game. "Normal" people would have stopped playing after a hit like that. They're just built different.

Football players are absolutely cut from a different cloth. As far as Lloyd is concerned, though, I see a young man who's playing free and clear. Yes, there is pressure for Lloyd to stay on the field but he's a football player who's had the game he loves taken from him the past two years. I sense a guy champing at the bit to get out there and perform.

Steve from Phoenix, AZ

My two concerns for the early season are the offensive line and the pass rush. I think we are better equipped to stop the run than in prior years. As to Game 1, I was so impressed by the defense the last time we faced Kyler Murray. We didn't need a dominant pass rush; we needed a disciplined one and that attack was brilliant. Murray was out of sorts all game, rushing for 14 yards in seven carries and every time he left the pocket, he was harassed.

The Packers had a brilliant plan for Murray that day. We'll see which direction Jonathan Gannon chooses to go against his former quarterback, but one thing is certain – each man knows a lot about the other. It's gonna be a real chess match.

Thomas from Madison, WI

Can you give a brief comparison between the typical Brian Flores defense and the defense we might see JG employ this year?

A lot of disguise, a lot of deception, and a lot of "mugging" the backers in the A-gaps. Where Gannon and Hafley use those pre-snap looks to confuse offenses, Flores sends it more than any other defensive coordinator in the league. It's a high-risk, high-reward proposition.

David from Janesville, WI

Gents, a lot has been made of the depth of the D-line, but what I like is that it seems like fairly consistent capabilities from top to bottom. If Gannon likes to substitute the big guys a lot, consistent depth helps avoid an opposing offense going into hurry-up to keep lesser defenders on the field. Do you feel there are any specific tiers in the edge rusher group in terms of rotational drop-off (outside of Parsons)? Or is it too early to tell?

It's not like that. Lukas Van Ness obviously leads the way, but Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr. and Dani Dennis-Sutton will each have their chance to show what they can do.

Jack from Chicago, IL

Ah, Mike and Randy talking about the good ol' extension of the run game. I wonder if/when/how much we see Jonnu Smith get involved there. Stinks Savion Williams is out because he seems like a prime candidate to participate in that kind of role. Blocking, end arounds, screens, etc.

Once Smith and Mark Redman get caught up in the playbook, I think both will help open up the run game, and really the entire offense. I doubt we ever see Green Bay run more "13" personnel than Sean McVay in L.A., but Matt LaFleur would love nothing more than to get more packages involved with two tight ends on the field. Smith and Redman can help achieve those goals.

Marshall from Mesa, AZ

I agree that while having your lines performing their best in December is more important than how they start the season, they can't be a slow work in progress. At what point do you feel they need to start hitting their stride? Game 5?

I think the strides happen by keeping a consistent starting five together, or even a top six with the swing tackle. You'd love to have a year like Green Bay had in 2014, but even then, Corey Linsley had to replace an injured JC Tretter days before the season. If you get the same three or four guys starting virtually every game together, that goes a long way for the synergy of the whole group.

Amy from Hudson, WI

I agree with Wes regarding the Packers' QB success that it takes commitment to the position in general that allows for good things to happen. I would also submit that it's significant they are willing to do so no matter the current QB. It took a lot of resolve for Ted Thompson to draft Aaron Rodgers when we had Brett Favre and Brian Gutekunst to draft Jordan Love when we had Rodgers. The pundits roasted them. Yet teams that wait to draft a QB until they need a QB can struggle for years.

A little pain for a whole lotta long-term gain. Every GM worth their salt occasionally needs to stake their reputation – and even their job – to a player or decision that'll affect the future of the franchise. Wolf did it. Thompson did it. In 2020, it was Gutekunst's turn and we're talking about the Packers as title contenders in 2026 because of it.

Laura from Arlington, VA

Whom to watch in first game?

Whoever is in the backfield with Jordan Love.

Tony from Chanhassen, MN

I gotta say, I loved the Bo Melton mic’d up video! That was a lot of handshakes. Considering all the people, including officials, that he shook hands with though I would say it wasn't even a handshake tour, it was a full diplomatic mission.

Bo Melton loves a good handshake.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

I have read a few references to smoke routes recently. Can you explain both how the route is run and also how it is designed to affect/confuse/reset an opposing defense? Thanks for your help!

It's just a hitch route when the cornerback is playing off. It's sort of like a hot read for a QB.

Richard from Madison, WI

I was intrigued by your feature photo of Dani Dennis-Sutton because of his thigh pads. One of them showed his jersey number (51) but the other was the scary face from the "Scream" horror-movie series. Can our players order up anything they want for that uniform accoutrement? Seems like this is one of the few areas left where the NFL is allowing some personal preferences to override its own obsessive need to approve everything.

I believe it's allowed as long as it's in good taste. Rashan Gary had his own logo on one of his thigh pads if my memory is correct.

Bruce from Yuma, AZ

Unless there was a spy at practice, there must be at least one Packers fan feeling really guilty about posting a video. With Hafley disclosing that the Eagles had videos from 2024 Packers practices which were open to the public before Philly's season-opening win over the Green and Gold, what changes should we expect? No more open practices? Ban on phones at open practices?

Packers guest relations ramped things up this summer, but there's only so much you can do. Unfortunately, there were quite a few videos posted from the stands during the joint practice with Arizona. At the end of the day, it's up to the fans to be pragmatic about what they post on social media.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

With the talk from Coach Hafley about the Eagles knowing our blitzes from social media, how much of an issue is this really? There are no real secrets in football too much anymore. Everyone basically knows your plays and what you like to run. It's more about player execution and the coaching of the game within the game.

Philadelphia was calling out blitzes that the Packers never showed before in a game. I'd say that's a fairly big problem. Congrats to Jake from Baileys Harbor on the 16 likes and two follows, though.

Don from Cedar Rapids, IA

If a team signs a player to its active roster from another team's practice squad, does it have to keep that player on its active roster for a minimum number of games? Or could it just have that player on its active roster for one game, then move the player to its own practice squad?

You have to pay the player three weeks' salary regardless of whether he's on the roster for one week or three. The player must clear waivers before signing to a practice squad.

Alex from Bethany, CT

"[Making predictions] would be meaningless, and that's not the content business we're in here." Amen Mike! The flood of clickbait consisting of opinions, predictions, lists, etc., is no substitute for the news and insights we get from packers.com. Thank you for keeping your eye on the ball.

As a wise, mustached man once said, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

Ethan from Milwaukee, WI

On a Tucker Kraft extension: Tucker has stated explicitly that he would love to remain in Green Bay long term. Personally, I would also love that. Is there any way to draft a contract so that it (a) keeps him here for longer than the standard 3-4 year extension, (b) is team friendly, and (c) is Kraft friendly?

A good contract achieves all three. My expectation – without any inside knowledge – is it'll be a four-year extension that leverages the last year of Kraft's rookie contract to soften that cap number for the Packers. Kraft gets his cash. Green Bay gets a little flexibility. The two run through the league together for the foreseeable future and everyone lives happily ever after.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Can the term trap game be banned for the upcoming season?

The real question isn't whether it's a trap game for the Packers but a trap column for Insider Inbox.

John from McFarland, WI

I hope this message is lost in a multitude of similar accolades, but "we'd rather have less clicks than post predictions" is precisely the reason I read precious little aside from packers.com for NFL news. The trusted voices I knew from less than a decade ago have either retired or modified themselves. Mike, Wes, and the rest are more than just a breath of fresh air in this space. Thank you all so much. (And yes - I mean "less clicks," with all the pejorative force it could imply)

Love us. Hate us. But we are not trying to bait you into overreactions for the sake of engagement. We're just here, fighting the good fight and writing the so-so write.

Tom from Two Rivers, WI

I hope you guys are able to enjoy some family time these few days before the season starts. We appreciate you! Just a few days are left before the madness begins that destroys hopes and elevates a champion. Let's all hope you guys are writing for a champion this year. Go Pack Go!

That's what I plan to do. Because starting Monday, it's game week once again.

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