Inbox: There's a flip side, too

Andrew from Quincy, IL

Good morning II. I just have to wonder how the game would have gone if they had worn green socks. I'll see myself out.

Seeing yourself out is for really bad puns. You can stay. For now.

Mark from Willmar, MN

At least we were a part of scorigami again, so we got that going for us.

I heard the Bears game was, too, though I'd imagine the grid has several open squares in the 59 column.

Brandon from Bettendorf, IA

While most of the fanbase is lamenting the bad, what were the most encouraging things you observed in Week 1? Mine were Tucker Kraft contributing immediately, special teams returning the ball for positive/big gains, and more confidence that our kicker has the leg to be game-changing when the event arises. This team has the talent and potential to be dangerous, once it figures out consistency.

I hear you, but consistency isn't realistic in a highly chaotic, imperfect game. It's loaded with mistakes, and in the midst of trying to be aggressive and control the action, you aim for fewer than the other guys, especially in the most crucial moments. That last part is what this team must conquer, and I believe it will, because it has proven it can outplay opponents in difficult places for long stretches of games. Now it just has to do so at the right stretch.

Krystl from Annville, PA

After that Week 1 loss, what is the ONE thing you think the Packers need to clean up most before Sunday against the Jets? And do you expect to see a noticeably different team this week?

It's clearly the offensive line play. Not a news flash. The Packers need to protect better, and they need to run the ball better, which will help them protect better. I asked Adam Stenavich about the connection between the two Tuesday and he replied, "The best pass protection is running the ball. There's no doubt about that." I do expect it to look different, because given the shuffling up front, Flores' one-of-a-kind scheme and that noisy building, there literally couldn't have been a worse Week 1 matchup than that one.

Taylor from Hull, IA

I know Flores blitzes more than anyone else, but what keeps the rest of our opponents from following suit after Game 1?

Because they don't have Flores' playbook, nor his personnel, nor U.S. Bank. That said, Aaron Glenn's Detroit defenses certainly gave the Packers trouble at times, and he'll be dialing up some tricky stuff for Green Bay to deal with based on the film. It's a vulnerability opponents will test until the Packers prove it's been shored up. But the film also shows pass completions of 23, 30, 32, 42, 43 and 81 yards, most against pressure looks. The risk component for defenses is also evident.

Andy from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Was starting Donovan Jennings on the OL and the heavy use of Chris Brooks at RB not only because of playing at U.S. Bank, but also because of the complexity of Flores' defense? Their experience alone must have been a big factor compared to a rookie guard and basically rookie RB.

I think you're right about the OL/RB decisions, and for all those asking about Jennings over Jager Burton, I have to believe that decision was made at the end of training camp, or shortly thereafter, not last minute. The Packers had two weeks of practice without media seeing any 11-on-11, so that's why it came as a surprise to us. But Stenavich said they had evaluated practice film from the back end of camp/preseason and thought Jennings was performing better than Burton. So I suspect he got the "time on task" during game prep with Aaron Banks limited/questionable.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

Not sure if you know this, but I have never actually coached in the NFL. With that context in mind, am I wrong to be concerned that all these second-half collapses come from other coaches making adjustments at halftime, and our coaches simply aren't making comparable adjustments?

The Vikings didn't make any halftime adjustments. They kept blitzing the (heck) out of the Packers and eventually the dam broke because the communication broke down and blockers somehow got on different pages with the protection calls.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

With an entire offseason to prepare his team to put the past behind them, the way the game played out Sunday was like an instant replay. The most significant moment to me was that after the game Coach LaFleur looked different than he ever looked before. Tone of voice, body language and word choice gave a sense that this loss was different. He seemed more defeated than he has ever looked before. Did you notice these subtleties?

Defeated? That's not what I saw and heard. I saw a coach who, yes, was on the losing end of another winnable game that got away. But as it relates to that context and the game itself, he knew every question coming his way, gave his honest viewpoint, knew the task ahead, and just wanted to go dig into the film to get to work.

Juan from San Antonio, TX

Mike made a great observation on "Unscripted" that the offense looked discombobulated on the third down before Jordan Love was sacked and fumbled. Many times AR was criticized by fans for wasting timeouts too early in the game to regroup. I think this could be another area of growth for Jordan. I would appreciate your perspective.

Perhaps. It was third-and-17 on your own 23 with five minutes left, all three timeouts, and he was clapping his hands and stomping his foot to get the ball snapped before the play clock expired. But there's a flip side, too, which I didn't explain on the show. Maybe they had a play on and got the exact defensive look they needed for it, and he thought everyone was square on the pass pro call, so in that moment it was a monster opportunity he didn't want to lose. If he thought he was in danger of getting clobbered two steps into his drop, I imagine he'd have called a timeout.

Grant from Kent, OH

I believe it was pointed out in your 5 takeaways about the game that Jordan Love had two play calls for the fourth-and-1 play. He called the QB sneak. Do we know what the other play option was for that down?

He didn't say, and there's no reason to clue in future opponents.

Ron from Roscoe, IL

Just watched today's "Packers Unscripted" and wanted to say thank you for eloquently discussing the poor officiating from Sunday. You put into colloquial terminology things that I could only articulate with many curse words. Do either of you ever just let a few naughty words out when in the press box or away from the camera? Thanks for your perspectives. Go Pack Go!

We're human. I'll say that.

Jeff from Hagerstown, MD

I know coaches and players publicly state they can't leave the games in the referees' hands. From my perspective however, none of those potentially drive-killing penalties were particularly egregious. Exactly what could the players do differently? It's not two-hand touch.

As I explained in detail on "Unscripted," the flag that bothered me most was the first one on Javon Bullard, because it's clear on the film Wentz is already turtling up in the pocket to take the sack when the "illegal contact" is made. Based on the timing, that flag simply shouldn't be thrown. On the Chris McClellan RTP, I mentioned the idea of replay assist stepping in, because that can be used on RTP calls now. But upon further study, that's only as it relates to blows to the helmet, not the body-weight rule, apparently.

Tom from Horicon, WI

The one rule or penalty I would like changed is the illegal contact after 5 yards. Like offensive holding, this penalty could probably be called on each pass play. How do you go a complete game and then have it called at crunch time?

I've said it many times, the college game functions just fine without this rule. It exists in the NFL solely to make it harder to play defense. With all the safety rules now in place that have different priorities but the same effect, that list is too long.

Tom from West Palm Beach, FL

What do you make of the Lions' "incomplete pass"? I've been watching college and pro football a LONG time and never remember a backwards pass being called incomplete because of QB intent. I guess the officials are practicing mindreading in the offseason, too?

Most bizarre call/ruling I've ever seen, hands down. If the arm isn't going forward, and the ball never goes forward, but it's still an incomplete pass due to intent, then I feel as though a TON of strip-sacks – where the QB is cocking his arm but the defender hits body but not the ball directly – should've been overturned in the last 25 years. Did the replay center in New York suddenly just remember this supposed rule? Anyone? Bueller?

Matt from Waunakee, WI

Hi Mike, do you consider an eight-point lead a one-score or two-score lead?

I consider it a one-possession game with the defense getting two chances to keep the lead – stop the drive, or stop the two-point play.

Derek from Kennebunk, ME

Disheartening game, but the "Same ol' Pack/Fire LaFleur" opprobrium is unfounded. Critics demanded boldness from LaFleur, but now condemn him for taking points off the board. Love said he chose the sneak from two plays himself. The defense responded the way we needed. Suspect officiating and gambling's threat to the sport aside, the ensuing Vikings touchdown understandably broke the Packers. No team is immune to such momentum swings – that's football's greatness.

Opprobrium makes its Inbox debut. "Very strong public criticism, blame, or a state of extreme shame and disgrace." I'll file that one away.

Drew from Jacksonville, FL

Now that the overreactions are over (ha!), can we take a moment to appreciate that we have a QB who can stand tall and deliver enviable stats while getting almost murdered on practically every play?

Love's performance was more impressive than anyone will remember once that loss disintegrates into the dustbin of history.

Tom from Keota, IA

Hey II. So...there are some points of concern at this stage, it seems. (uncomfortable cough) But, I think we did get to see an improved, and maybe even "dangerous" or "scary" or at the very least "competent" D-line in that game. And that was (checks notes) without Micah Parsons. I was seeing pressure, sacks, and even some authentic havoc being created by Lukas Van Ness, McClellan, Jonathan Ford, Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave. I was also seeing some good coverage from Brandon Cisse and Keisean Nixon. Arrow up on those concern areas?

It was a solid start for those you mentioned.

Glen from Eugene, OR

I know we don't have what you might have missed anymore, but, what might we have missed?

In addition to the above two items, it would be the defensive effort overall. Three of the Vikings' TD drives covered 28, 1 and 14 yards, so 39 points doesn't tell the story even though the unit has to wear that number statistically from here on out. Edgerrin Cooper and Keisean Nixon impressed. The run defense allowed only one explosive as Minnesota's top two backs had just 71 yards on their other 26 carries (2.7 avg). The Packers played a lot of good football in that game. They just need to maximize the scoring impact of their best play and expand it to crunch time.

Dan from Henrico, VA

Biggest injury news of the weekend is the damage to the Packers' psyche. I know every week is a new game, but this has to be on everyone's mind. How does the team manage this?

By focusing on their individual jobs and blocking out the rest. That's players, coaches, everybody. I don't think anyone's psyche is damaged from a tough Week 1 loss. You'd be surprised what doesn't infiltrate a locker room. At this point, the players would barely give a second thought about anything that happened last year if they weren't forced to answer the media's questions about it.

Nate from Blue Springs, MO

After a loss like this where, based on comments, everyone but the equipment manager was to blame, how do you process the angst, doom, and gloom you know will be waiting in the Inbox? An extra cup of coffee, couple two-tree root beers, or just a deep breath? Seriously asking how you all handle the stress in an effort to learn a few things myself.

At the risk of violating rule No. 1, it's relatively easy to distinguish those who are mindlessly ranting from those who are frustrated but sincerely want your perspective. I lean toward the latter.

Tucker from Belton, TX

While everyone can be unhappy with the result of a play or game, etc., virtually none of us are remotely qualified to speak on what should have been done instead. Be outraged if you want, but in your outrage don't fool yourself into thinking that the solution is simple and that you're able to comprehend it.

Words to live by.

Doug from Salem, OR

If "No phase escapes blame," does that make it complementary football? Thought a little levity might help…but I doubt it. Just beat the Jets! GPG!

Not bad, honestly. Happy Wednesday.

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