Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

How much contact is there in a joint practice? I assume the QB wears a red shirt and can't be hit but what about live tackling? While I see the value of joint practices, I fail to see how they can equal a preseason game for evaluation purposes. Please enlighten me.

There was no live tackling but plenty of contact between Green Bay and Arizona; a few shoving matches, too. It was a productive day overall, though. The Packers got the better of the Cardinals early on before Arizona won the two-minute periods at the end. But in the end, I felt like I was watching two teams making each other better. While preseason games may be a better tool for talent evaluation, most starters are going to sit Friday night. With the preseason already down to three games, joint practices are the best available option.

Pat from Redgranite, WI

I'm of the opinion Murray will be QB1 for the Vikings, at 5-foot-10, thinking maybe will the Pack consider the batted ball proficiency of Anthony Campbell as a legit addition to the 53 for this reason? It's likely to impact two games in the year…I see no downside so far, but you guys have seen him throughout camp, and know what other attributes he'd bring to the team. Go Pack Go!

I don't know what the future holds for Anthony Campbell, but he was on the field with the No. 1 defense for two-minute and that tells me the Packers want to see more of what this guy can do.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

Mike suggested it seems unlikely to him that another team would snatch Kyle McCord off waivers. I wonder if you could illuminate the differences between McCord's situation and Taysom Hill's situation. He did get snatched up by the Saints.

Hill was a unicorn who could play special teams. He was more than just an emergency QB3 likely to be inactive every week. That's where Green Bay went wrong in cutting him. What kept Hill in the NFL for a decade was his ability to do everything. The Packers kept a QB3 for the next three years after losing Hill, but I don't see that correlation now.

Mike from Geneva, IL

This may have already been answered, but the final preseason games are this weekend. When is the official cutdown day for all teams?

It's 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, so get ready for a late night. I was pleased to hear Brian Gutekunst is not a fan of the change, either. I thought the NFL had it perfect when it started slotting cutdown day on Tuesdays, but alas.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

With all the talk about Tyrod Taylor vs. McCord for QB2, isn't it more about Taylor vs. some other QB that gets released that the Packers have interest in?

Tyrod Taylor is QB2. Period.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't see how Pierre Strong Jr. doesn't make this team? He won't clear waivers. Josh Jacobs has legal and health issues. MarShawn Lloyd is a health gamble. Chris Brooks is a third-down and blocking back. If I'm wrong you can give me the business, just don't hurt the last feeling I have. Thoughts?

I love the definitive "He won't clear waivers" proclamations this time of year. Maybe Strong does make it. He's had a good camp, but none of us knows what the cards show until the hand is dealt.

Pat from Hudson, WI

The general rule has been that the longer the field goal, the lower the trajectory of the ball coming off the kicker's foot which allows for a greater chance of the kick being blocked. Are we now looking at kickers with stronger legs than their predecessors, allowing them to get more lift off the ground while still traveling the further distances?

I think that's what the entire NFL has done and one reason why we're seeing fewer and fewer 40-plus-year-old kickers in the league.

Dennis from Hanna City, IL

Your thoughts on a player who participates in an NFL training camp, gets cut/released, clears waivers and wants to play another year of college ball? And the coaches who recruit/welcome them?

It's bad for both the player and the coach. First off, any college team that's so desperate to find players hours from the start of the season isn't prepared. Secondly, at some point you gotta move onto the next phase of life if you're a player. If you really love football, then sign to an NFL practice squad or play in a development league.

Jake from Herriman, UT

"(Tucker Kraft) is too elusive for linebackers and too physical for most DBs to handle." How does the physicality vs. DBs manifest itself in the passing game without it being OPI?

When I say Kraft plays with physicality, it's not just before the ball is thrown. It's competing for a 50/50 ball or running through a DB after the catch.

Tim from Fayetteville, NC

What GBP TE holds record for most receptions in a single game?

You obviously forgot about Big Bob Tonyan's 10-catch, 90-yard game against the New York Jets in 2022.

Sandy from Green Bay, WI

When the Cardinals come to town, will the brothers LaFleur spend time together off field as family, or will they keep it football/coach related and maintain a competitive distance during the Cardinals' time in Green Bay?

The LaFleurs set aside time to spend together with themselves and their families. It is worth mentioning that Matt LaFleur and his staff typically get together with the opposing coaching staff during these joint practices regardless of relation. It was cool to see the LaFleur family before, during and after practice. At one point, Matt's son Ty came over to the Cardinals' sideline and shared a hug with Mike during the final two-minute period. You can just tell there is a lot of love and appreciation in the family.

Detlef from Breitenstein, Germany

Regarding the question on Brandon Cisse to be removed from special teams due to his importance on defense: Am I imagining seeing Xavier McKinney on kickoff team regularly during last season? If my memory doesn't fool me, talk about importance on defense and still playing ST! Or do you think it is handled differently for rookies to get them acclimated to playing in the NFL?

Two different players, two different positions. Playing gunner on punt coverage is no joke. You're in the fire there. whereas McKinney was more of an emergency wing on kickoff coverage. He's lining up near the sideline to protect against a returner bouncing outside. It's not like Nick Niemann or Isaiah McDuffie playing near the hashes.

Patrick from Paducah, KY

I've always wondered during training camp, joint practices, and full team 11-on-11 work, where do the officials come from? Are they hired independently by each team or are they NFL game officials that get assigned to those spots in order to prepare themselves for game action before the start of the season?

The Packers usually have local retired referees working most practices. On Wednesday, however, actual NFL officials were here for the joint practice. I'm pretty sure it's the same staff that's working the preseason game Friday.

Tom from Lisbon, WI

I got to attend my first training camp practice ever a few days ago. Wow! The sheer amount of people and activity is mind boggling. How do the coaches keep all of that running so smoothly, much less actually get work done? I'm even more impressed that you are able to notice the details you are for your stories every day. I can't even imagine how the practice with AZ must have looked. (Best part was far and away getting to shake your hands – thanks again to you both!)

It's what they do. Months of meticulous planning goes into these practices. When it's go time, there is no time to waste.

Bill from Forest Park, OH

More thoughts on the Rivalries uniform – I hope they find a way to keep this as an alternate uni in the future. It's just too clean, classy-looking and IMO downright sharp to only use as a one-off this season. I'd even go so far as to suggest (sacrilege!) it would make for a fabulous baseline uni. Also, my new favorite word is "alabaster."

The Rivalry uniforms are sweet. I love the color and the inclusion of the Lombardi monogram on the chest plate.

Randy from Lebanon, KY

Thinking about your displeasure with travel from away games made me wonder, have either of you missed or almost missed a flight to or from a game?

No. The closest I ever came was missing my alarm the morning after the Packers' divisional playoff loss to Arizona. I was supposed to be in the lobby at 4:15 a.m. for our flight back to Green Bay and didn't wake up until 4:25. I told Pete Dougherty and Ryan Wood to go and I'd take the tram. I made it to the gate with like five minutes to spare. That's the last game I covered for the Green Bay Press-Gazette before joining packers.com.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, is this team ready to move to regular-season football?

They better be. Training camp is over (for the most part) and there is a hungry Vikings team waiting for the Packers on the other side of Sunday's roster cutdown.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Like our kids said when they were little, "Are we there yet?" Don't envy Gutey and staff with the decisions they'll have to make next week. Some quality FB players will not make the roster. Better than the alternative, though.

As much as it may hurt…the more jars, the better.

HAVE A QUESTION?