Inbox: Some trust is required

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Well, I'm disappearing into the Boundary Waters wilderness for four days. Alone with no reception. A perfect way to get ready for the season opener. Kind of like Balboa when he went up to Russia to train.

You're going to make me call up the Rocky IV soundtrack for my drive to the stadium Sunday, aren't you?

Bob from Pembine, WI

Good morning, II! How are you guys getting ready for Week 1? Do you have any special things you do during the week? Who has the biggest pre-game superstition, Hod or Spoff? How's the vibe in the building?

The vibe gains genuine steam today, when the players officially start their "practice week." I've honestly forgotten what it's like to open the season at home, so I'm curious how the air in the building will feel come Friday.

Dave from Hollywood, MD

How much can we realistically expect Micah Parsons to play given he missed all of preseason and has a back issue? Detroit may have dodged a bullet by playing the Packers with Parsons in Game 1.

We shall see.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Welp, nothing like a bad back to make Packer fans nervous. Seriously, though. How could they approve the trade if the medicals didn't check out?

Exactly. Parsons had an MRI done on his back. I'm sure the Packers took an ultra-close look at it. Nothing's certain for Week 1, but the physical wasn't about Week 1. If there were serious long-term concerns about his back the trade wouldn't have happened.

Josh from Newhall, CA

"That's how business is done here." Yeah, no kidding. One of the splashiest trades you could imagine and not a peep was leaked, even though it sounds like the trade was actually hashed out three days before it was announced. Do you have any idea what it is about this organization that causes that? That seems like the norm with the Packers, but NFL insiders in the media always seem to get wind of info out of other organizations with their unnamed sources.

A lot of national reporters get their scoops from agents. They serve as unnamed sources all the time. In this case, Parsons' agent is the same one who negotiated big contracts with the Packers for Jordan Love and Xavier McKinney in recent years, so he knows how Green Bay operates. Agents understand if you want to do business with the Packers, there's a certain way to do it.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

Prior to Parsons/Clark, when was the last time a player was traded between GB/Dallas? My trade knowledge is admittedly minimal, but I cannot think of any other time(s) we did business with Jerry Jones.

In 2003, Mike Sherman sent receiver Terry Glenn to the Cowboys for a sixth-round draft choice, which was packaged as part of a trade up in the '04 draft to select D-lineman Corey Williams. Back in the '93 draft, Ron Wolf traded with Dallas to get an extra first-round pick and select safety George Teague.

Douglas from Johnson Creek, WI

After seeing the Parsons extension numbers, I don't understand how we have kept Russ Ball in the building. If I were any other team, I would be doing whatever I could to get him. The man does salary cap magic with every contract. What have we done to keep him satisfied in his role in Green Bay?

I have no idea what Russ's salary is, but I'm certain the Packers do everything they can to scuttle any inkling he may have of working elsewhere.

Joe from Oakdale, CA

Longtime reader but only ask an occasional question. With the playoffs considered a crapshoot I would view the Parsons trade as a win if the Pack get to one Super Bowl in the next 3-4 years (and win it). I think the head brass would also. What if they get to the big game and lose? Would the front office still view it as a great trade? In other words, for this trade to be considered great is it a Super Bowl title or bust?

Considering the Packers haven't been to a Super Bowl in 15 years, with 11 playoff appearances (and exits) in that time, if Parsons helps get them that opportunity, it's worth it.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

Do coordinators adlib play calls for newcomers trying to quickly learn the playbook? Exempli gratia, could/would they send in a play call to the green dot with a specific function appended for Parsons?

Not necessarily. The process is more about making sure the newcomer knows what his specific function will be when a certain call is made, and building from there.

Rich from Woodburn, OR

With the success Hafley has had in turning our defense around, it would seem the in the not too distant future, he will be in consideration for a head coaching position. Is an assistant being groomed in his approach to possibly replace him?

That's a discussion for another day. If this defense continues on the trajectory Hafley generated last year, and he does indeed get head coaching opportunities, his job here will be one of the most attractive coordinator positions in the entire league.

Tim from Madison, WI

With the Parsons deal cutting into the cap the next couple years, how do you see the receiver room shaking out? We locked down some key players' extensions, but with the receiving core starting to be due next year, I'm curious who will be extended. Thoughts?

I'm curious too, but nobody's making those decisions now when there are at least 17 games to play and evaluate performance, and when one of those receivers is hopefully returning to the field sometime midseason. A lot has to play out before it's worth worrying about.

Erik from Anchorage, AK

Could this week's game storyline be more about the run game and our ability to stop the run? The Lions' rushing attack is no joke and it appears after this offseason our rushing D is our greatest unknown.

That's fair. If I'm Lions OC John Morton, I'm going to sternly test the Packers' front with Gibbs and Montgomery and see what I learn.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

Fans have expressed concern about the Packers' run defense, first with losing Slaton and then Clark. Now some people question Parsons' run defense. I think people are forgetting Jeff Hafley had a huge impact on the big improvement in run defense last year, and now we have DeMarcus Covington coaching the D-line. I don't see the run D taking a big step back.

As I said the other day, some trust is required. There will be a transition to not having Clark in the middle of the D-line anymore, so it could take some time for the dust to settle. But over the long haul, Hafley will get it figured out.

Paul from Franklin, WI

Hello II, been awhile since I've submitted a question. But since we now have Parsons, will this change opposing OCs' approach to the hurry-up offense? If MP doesn't play on the first or second downs, do you think other teams will employ the hurry-up to help keep Micah off the field? Or do you think it will be business as usual? Thanks for all you do.

That could be a strategy early on. I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand. But the hurry-up means the offense stays in the same personnel for all downs, because if it substitutes, the defense also must be allowed to substitute. So the offense would be limited somewhat. Also, the reverse is not true. If the defense can get a sub onto the field fast enough, it's allowed to do so without any concession to the offense, which could try to get a free play via the 12-man flag. A lot of back and forth if that's the way someone wants to play it.

Kirsten from Madison, WI

How do you think opposing offenses will try to neutralize the double threat of Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons?

It's only natural to assume Gary will get fewer double-teams and chips/thumps in pass pro with Parsons on the field. If he takes advantage of those chances, then opponents will be in a bind because if offenses have to devote double-teams or chips/thumps to multiple pass rushers, the QB has fewer targets in the early stages of the play. So it's on Gary to cash in when Parsons draws the extra attention, which is where I'm assuming it'll go.

James from Chicago, IL

Several fans have commented about Hafley "tearing up his defensive game plan." Why would he have to do that? Wouldn't a star player just make his game plan work that much better? Wouldn't it be more likely the OCs on the other side of the field have to tear up their offensive game plans?

This game is all about adjustments. Some are made on short notice, some are made on the fly. Some are fun to make, others not so much.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Do we know what limitations, if any, Jordan Love's thumb surgery will have on the passing game?

Because it's his left thumb, none really. Now that he's taking snaps under center, it seems the only question is, on a running play to the right, whether he can hand off with his left hand or if he has to do it somewhat awkwardly with his right.

Al from Green Bay, WI

In last year's opener, from a fan basis, all eyes were on X and Josh Jacobs, the new FAs. This year, I feel like all eyes will be on Parsons and Matthew Golden. Where else will your eyes be trained?

Edgerrin Cooper.

Bruce from Appleton, WI

Who will take over as a leader in the locker room now that Kenny Clark is gone?

This locker room has plenty of leaders. Clark was a big one, but far from the only one. Defensively, McKinney and Gary are probably the most visible leaders now, but Quay Walker, Keisean Nixon and Devonte Wyatt have played a lot of football here, Cooper is just coming into his own, as are others. And then there's Parsons himself. I don't see a shortage.

Chris from Tustin, CA

What's very intriguing is a lot of talk about Tate, Parsons, the linebacking core, etc. The one big thing I don't see a lot of talk about is that the Packers have possibly one of the best running backs in the NFL. I know you guys bring it up, but lately it seems WRs and Parsons.

When we shot our "Total Packers" season preview show the other day, Larry asked me the offensive player I'm most excited about for 2025, and my answer was Josh Jacobs. Now that the coaching staff knows him and his strengths that much better, and with the line upgrading at center with Elgton Jenkins plus adding a mauler in Aaron Banks, I can't wait to see what Jacobs does in his second season in LaFleur's offense.

Jeff from Ely, MN

Shout out to the ladies holed up in a smallish room deep in Lambeau sewing the players' jerseys prior to the Lions game! The photos reminded me of my mom 50-some years ago sewing patches, etc., on my clothes or making a jersey so I could play outside as my favorite Packer (at the time it was John Brockington). Somehow, I had imagined that, in this day and age, much newer, high-tech methods would be used. It was comforting to see the gals "going old-school." Good job ladies!

Dedication to a craft comes in all forms and locations around here.

Mark from Westminster, CO

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that fan bases for 16 teams are going to complain that their starters should have played more in preseason games because they were unprepared for the season opener. What's your prediction?

Wes is back with you tomorrow.

Jeff from Janesville, WI

Almost time for the baloney to stop.

T-minus four days and counting. Happy Wednesday.

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