Joe from Bozeman, MT

Playtime is over. Let the real games begin!

Some decisions need to be made first, though.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

What's one common theme you've seen through all three preseason games?

The football is better in September.

Reed from Kansas City, MO

Who helped themselves the most on Saturday?

As I pointed out in my game recap, Isaiah Simmons, Kamal Hadden, Kalen King and Deslin Alexandre quickly come to mind. Guys from every level of the defense. Tough calls to make, but that's better than the alternative.

H.R. from Henderson, NV

Wes, in your response to Dustin from Mequon, WI, tell us how you really feel. Sheesh. Try to keep in mind that we ask because we don't know. Yes, lot of garbage out there. But when NFL.com, the site that's supposed to be source of truth for all things NFL, has half-truths, how are we supposed to know without asking? Remember that you're closer to the source than we are, and all we want is honest answers, not condescending scolding.

Don't get me started about NFL.com. I'll leave it at that. I appreciate everything Wes said regarding all the crap out there that supposedly passes as "reporting." It needs to be understood when rumors are being ignored in this column, there's a reason – because there's nothing to them, and addressing them just gives credence to junk. Until now, I haven't posted a single comment regarding Parsons, and I think I answered one question early in the Hendrickson saga explaining in general the double-whammy cost (major draft capital, massive contract) of acquiring such a player, making such pursuits very rare around these parts. Until there's a credible report worth acknowledging, which there hasn't been, that's all there is to say.

Pete from Caledonia, MI

In regards to QB10's injury, what level of concern is warranted about his play being more, or less, consistent than last year? In a healthy 2023, he was (first seven games) mediocre, and last 10 elite. Last year, he was wildly inconsistent fighting thru injury, that caused limited practice, and IMO/WCBW, hurt the continuity of the offense. The pattern, so far, seems to show he has elite ability, marred by lack of cohesion when he doesn't get proper full practice time. #GOPACKGO

Hence why Jordan Love's health is so important to this team's fortunes, and why the left thumb surgery he underwent is not insignificant. But if Love has to miss a couple weeks, I'd rather it be during August than any month of the regular season.

Nik from Moore, SC

Preseason over. Very optimistic about depth of the team. I'm concerned about the star power. Many say you need six "elite" players to truly be a Super Bowl contender. Do we have six? I honestly think we have three or four that are "elite" and several that are very good. Lack of an "elite" WR, LT, CB, and DL is a concern. I think Love needs to be spectacular and tilt the field. LaFleur needs to be better in game situations. This team will go as far as those two take it.

I believe this team has a handful of rising stars capable of becoming elite players. Will they get there? Can't wait to find out.

Austin from Manassas, VA

How has Rashan Gary been? I feel like I haven't heard anything about him this camp while in the past he's been the camp "game wrecker." We're going to need the pre-ACL Bane back if we want to reach our goals. You know, the guy that was at the top of the league in pressure rate. Imagine him with a healthy Kenny Clark, and improved Devonte Wyatt and Lukas Van Ness. That's the key to our D reaching another level.

That's not the only key. There are several. But I hear you. To me, there's a lens through which to view Gary and the entire defense similarly. What I mean by that is Gary made major strides as a run defender last season, as did the unit. Now it's a matter of maintaining those gains against the run while pushing forward with the pass rush, both individually and collectively.

Mark from Westminster, CO

I am so glad we have Daniel Whelan and Brandon McManus. Those two singlehandedly make me breathe a lot easier going into this season.

True that.

John from Belleview, FL

The NFL seems to do okay with ratings on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why are they worried about Labor Day weekend ratings?

As I said the other day, it's a concern from long ago that likely no longer applies given how the NFL has exploded in popularity since 2000, the last time the league opened on the holiday weekend.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Tucker Kraft has got to give some of the more thoughtful interviews from recent memory. Not a lot cliches, just raw honesty. Could he go for 1,000 yards and 10 TDs? Who was the last tight end to hit those numbers?

Robert Tonyan had 11 TD catches in 2020. He was the most recent with double-digit scores. The Packers have never had a tight end reach 1,000 yards in a season. Paul Coffman's 813 yards in 1983 is the franchise record for the position.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

Out of the receivers who have been on our roster for at least a year, which one were you highest on going into their draft year and which one (not taking into account injuries) are you highest on now?

I really liked Christian Watson in the '22 draft and was not surprised the Packers targeted him. I remain very bullish on where his career is headed.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

If the "Mike" LB is incorrectly identified by the center is it relatively easy for the offensive players to quickly adjust to their actual assignments or does it often prevent a play from being effective? Is this something we'd even be able to discern or would we have to ask the center and/or defensive players akin to knowing whether a throw was missed or a route was run improperly.

I probably should've explained this better initially. It's less about being right or wrong on the "Mike," and more about everybody on the offense working off the "Mike" being the same person, regardless of the defensive call. If everybody's on the same page, then assignments are clear, no matter what the defense is showing, bluffing, disguising, etc.

Jeff from Woodridge, IL

II, I often see references to the players' union continuing to try to soften up and reduce practices, etc., as a bargaining chip for an 18th regular-season game. What I don't understand is why is the union continuing to try to negotiate less preparation and thus a poorer product for the field? Everyone certainly has to know that at a certain point in time there hasn't been enough practice for the players to be able to perform well. Performing well is in the player's best interest too.

The players prioritize limiting wear and tear on their bodies, with an eye toward their long-term health, over preparation making for a better product, and I don't blame them. If everyone has to follow the same rules, the product is the product.

Adrian from Chula, CA

II, I have a few questions about the playbook. Are players allowed to use their own tablets, or are they issued tablets by the team? (I assume tablets are issued.) Naturally, if a player is released or traded, the playback is returned. What happens to the notes taken by the player in meetings: Do players keep them, or do they have to be shredded? Can players modify their playbooks (additions or deletions)? What happens if a playbook is lost?

Any content on a playbook tablet can be wiped remotely if/when the need ever arises.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. How surprised would you be if the Packers opening day O-line is L-to-R: Rasheed Walker, Jordan Morgan, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom?

If Aaron Banks isn't healthy for Week 1, that's the lineup I would expect. If Banks is good to go, he's playing left guard, and then I think it becomes a question of whether Morgan is playing left tackle or right guard.

Mark from West Point, MS

Good morning, men. Which position (offense or defense) do you see as the weak link in this team?

I'm not labeling it a weak link, because I'd call it more an unknown. But the biggest question mark for me remains depth at corner, because it's still so largely unproven. After Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine, we'll see amongst Bo Melton, King, Micah Robinson, Hadden, Corey Ballentine, et al, who makes the squad. But with the exception of Ballentine, it'll be trial by fire for anyone called upon to step up.

Jim from Greenville, SC

"The story of this camp to me, though, has been Bo Melton. I think he's going to make the 53 . . ." I didn't think you guys made predictions.

This being training camp No. 20 for me with packers.com, that should tell you how I feel about what I've witnessed.

Bob from Jensen Beach, FL

Insiders, almost every year, there is one UDFA to make the team. Any prediction before cutdown announced?

The most eye-catching UDFA to me has been Nazir Stackhouse.

Donald from Big Flats, WI

Mike, do players picked up on waivers Wednesday have to be put on the team's 53-man roster? For teams that are really needy, in certain areas, there are going to be some good players available. Almost like the old expansion drafts used to be. There are going to be some really good players available across the league. Come Thursday there'll be guys that know deep down, they have seen their last field, including veterans hoping for that one last shot.

Any club awarded a waiver claim must make room for him on its 53. The corresponding move then makes another player available on waivers, unless he's a vested veteran.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

Tuesday is almost here. Prayers are answered and dreams are smashed. Who do you think will be the biggest surprise in both? Secondly, with Bo Melton having the potential to play defense and maybe offense in a pinch does that affect the wide receiver choices?

There are always surprises. No matter how good a feel I think I have for how it's going to shake out, something I didn't anticipate always enters the mix. As for the receiver decisions, I don't know if Melton's duality factors in. Depending on how high he is on the depth chart at corner, other considerations could be dangerous.

Roger from McGrath, AK

Where are our Packers in the waiver wire queue?

Same as the draft order, 23rd.

Mark from Chincoteague Island, VA

In discussing who makes decisions on the final cut the GM and HC were noted. In addition you mentioned the personnel dept. What/who make up that department and why do they have more input than the coaches and coordinators?

The Packers have a handful of personnel execs under Gutekunst, individuals with "director" or something similar in their titles who oversee all the pro and college scouting operations as well as contribute themselves. They are Gutey's right and left hands, and they're the folks who have studied these players, written the reports, projected their upsides, etc., and represent the eye on the future Wes referenced that comes with a GM's job description. At decision time, there's always a balance between keeping the players that can help most now, and not letting developing talent that could help you more down the road walk out the door. It's never an exact science, but the personnel execs are watching every snap of practice film just like the coaches are, looking to confirm or refute what they believe about the players they acquired. This is admittedly a glib oversimplification, but if coaches and coordinators, whose jobs depend on winning in the here and now, were in charge of selecting the roster, you'd risk too many talented, developing players winding up on other teams trying to beat you in the near future.

DT from Bozeman, MT

During the draft process there is a lot of talk about best available player versus drafting for need. Are there similar considerations during the cut-down process?

There are required minimum numbers at most positions, and then injuries factor into needs. Beyond that, teams like to keep the best players they can.

Dave from Comer, GA

Cut down day is Tuesday. Please let's remember this is the INITIAL 53, not the final 53. A lot can happen between Tuesday and opening day.

And in Week 2, and Week 3 … you get the idea.

Megan from Quincy, IL

It is so nice to know that football is back!

Another step closer to the real thing.

Gregory from Myrtle Beach, SC

Well?

We're waiting … Happy Monday.

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