Niki from Hazelhurst, WI

Silver lining after a loss? Wes's and Spoff's hilarious responses to the fair-weather fans. Makes my morning!

Laughter was on the menu for me Saturday.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, it would seem that while improvement is necessary everywhere, the priority is the offensive line. Fix that and the domino effect impacts nearly all the remaining areas of concern, with an opportunity for complementary football. Or do you see it differently from closer to the inside?

The Packers are doing what they can right now. They signed Cordell Volson two weeks ago and added Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton Sr. yesterday. They are acknowledging what many of you have said and turning over every rock they can.

Kevin from Ocean Isle Beach, NC

I cry BS! You can't blame the run game for the Atlanta disaster. We only ran eight plays with the running backs. Two of those eight plays went for six and five yards! Atlanta was never going to respect our run game because we rarely ran the dang ball!

You're not wrong. LaFleur said on Monday that the Packers need to land more body blows to wear down a defense and running the ball eight times isn't going to cut it. Now, it's also tough to be balanced when an offense is sitting in second-and-8 and third-and-9, though. So, when the Packers get their chances on the ground, they have to make them count. Because we've seen what it looks like when the rush pins its ears back and it ain't pretty.

Dave from Valley City, ND

Televised games often show Jordan Love with a towel over his head alone on the bench. Can you explain why he is never shown interacting with ML, other assistant coaches or receivers? During these offensive challenges, you would think that communication would be the start of addressing change.

So, if I have this right, you're telling me the only form of communication and leadership that matters is when a network camera is showing it? It's not conversations inside the team meeting or situations like Monday when Love gets the offense together with Laken Tomlinson and Becton, so everyone can get acquainted? There's plenty of angles a curmudgeon can take right now about what ails the Packers, but this constant dry needling of Love's leadership ain't it. This is real life – not "Remember the Titans."

Andrew from Brownsburg, IN

I saw it reported that the Packers have signed Mekhi Becton. I like the leave-no-stone-unturned approach to improving the O-line play. A quick search showed that he played 88% of the snaps while winning the Super Bowl with the Eagles two years ago. So, my question is … why is he available?

He underwent surgery for a torn labrum in the offseason and only recently got cleared, according to reports. By signing Becton to Green Bay's practice squad, it's almost like the Packers can simulate their own "designated to return" process. Becton enjoyed a career renaissance with Philadelphia two years ago after moving to guard and will look to get back on the horse here in Green Bay.

Rob from Ravenna, OH

Just wanted to say that this reminds me of 2010, when injuries struck and we had players coming in off the street. Let's all hope this ship gets sailing smoothly. Go Pack Go

It's funny to me. I had some people in my mentions that were howling about the Packers signing free agents instead of trading for offensive linemen. Well, sometimes those moves save your season or help round out your club. You wanted the Packers to make some moves and that's what they've done. You're always looking for the next Howard Green or Jared Veldheer.

Mark from Ocala, FL

Great to read the Packers have signed a few offensive linemen. With all the issues with schemes, blocking and pass pro, something had to give. What used to be a staple for previous teams has become a liability. How long does it take a lineman to acclimate to the playbook, schemes and line calls to be starting off if the physical ability is there?

Tomlinson probably could play soon enough if the Packers need him. I was talking to him in the locker room on Monday and he has been longing to get back in an offense like one Green Bay and San Francisco employs.

Mike from Aurora, IL

I don't think having Josh Jacobs with this O-line would have made much of a difference, but my question is what have you seen from MarShawn Lloyd so far? I know you saw some exciting potential in the preseason that just hasn't carried over yet. Yes, there hasn't been many holes to run through, but as we saw Thursday night, when there was space and he just needed to make one man miss, he wasn't able to. Did you expect a little more at this point or is it still just too early and not enough opportunities to tell?

Both can be true. The Packers are 32nd right now in rushing offense. There's clearly work to be done and Lloyd fits into that. Now, it's been two long years since he's last routinely played in actual football games. I think some of that feel will come back to him with the more reps he's takes, but Green Bay also needs to get things going on the ground, too.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning Wes. During the live blog and the Inbox, the next day Mike mentioned that the talent is there on this team. What we have seen on the field this season would say otherwise. What do you think? If we took the division leaders and wild cards at this point in the season, what position group from the Packers would you take No. 1 over any others? Thanks.

The Packers have talent, but the rigors of a 17-game regular season reveal the strength of an entire 69-man roster. Some of the best teams I've covered in Green Bay turned out to be much better from a pure talent perspective than the one that started the season and vice versa. The Packers need to find out which team they're going to be and it falls onto the entire locker room to do that.

Grant from Green Bay, WI

One more perspective on the booing: I'm a massive, lifelong Packer fan who's supported this team through even the worst of times, but the boos last week felt more than fair. They've lost seven of eight now with that Jets OT game being arguably the ugliest win I've ever seen. It's been almost 300 days since we've seen a solid game out of these guys. Fandom is a relationship, and we can only show so much support for those who continue to break our hearts. Give us more to love than just Love.

Sure, but as someone who didn't boo Jose Hernandez in 2002, I just roll with it. That's me. It is your money and your right to fan however you so choose. But the Packers know they're not playing well. The boos don't change that.

John from Brookfield, WI

One of the few bright spots in the Falcons game was Brandon Cisse's ability to run down Drake London after giving up a catch. He closed on London like he was standing still, how fast is Cisse?

He ran a 4.4 at his South Carolina pro day.

Jim from Essexville, MI

Hello guys, I was wondering if it was just me or did you see it also on the blocked field goal Anthony Belton never got out of his stance and the defender ran past him. I saw it on the replay, and it looks like he never moved.

We covered that in the post-game notes.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, now a few days removed from an entirely forgettable game, we can recognize that two losses (no matter how ugly) won't keep this team out of the playoffs. It's all ahead of them, and I suggest we watch to see what happens. It's time to remove expectations until such time as they are allowed to resurface based on actual results. Is there any other way to play this?

It's good for fans to have expectations. I wouldn't have a job without them. It's also understandable to be disappointed when any team falls short of those expectations, but it's harder to win in the NFL than the Packers have made it look for the past 35 years. While fans wallow, this team has to keep pushing for improvement. Loyal readers know how I like to quote Jordy Nelson when adversity hits – the only way out of it is work, not words.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Looks like The Pack may have caught Tampa on the right week. If ever they needed a "get-right" game, this is it. If Jalon Daniels is Tampa's QB, what can we expect from him and the Packer D?

I actually watched Daniels a fair amount at Kansas because I'm fan of Lance Leipold. He was a good, dual-threat quarterback who played a lot of football for the Jayhawks. The NFL is obviously a different game, though, and it ain't easy for a rookie quarterback to come in and keep his head above water, especially as an undrafted free agent. The Packers can't overlook Daniels, especially since he has nothing to lose, but also need to attack him like a rookie who's thrown one unsuccessful Hail Mary in the NFL.

Andrew from Saddle Brook, NJ

ATMR(WCBW) GB has had a bit of history in playing down to an opponent and losing to an unproven or backup QB. How does the team stay focused on the next two games?

Look at their record.

Mick from Tampa, FL

When players lack time on task, why aren't the practices lengthened by 30/45/60 minutes to get more experience and to reinforce the fundamentals and the proper execution of the plays?

There are collectively bargained rules pertaining to any organized practice from OTAs to the week before the Super Bowl. There's even a limit on how long teams can mandate players are in the building each day. That's why teams have to make every second count for something.

Adrian from Oregon City, OR

With the continued controversy around the roughing the passer calls (and non-calls), whatever happened to the "in the grasp" rule? Was it changed because of "early" whistles? I don't know how you can simultaneously protect the quarterback and require him to be tackled to the ground before the whistle. Any insights?

I think "in the grasp" technically still exists, but it's rarely whistled. In the modern era, we go with the much more objective, "Well, what do you feel in your tum-tum?" application of unnecessary roughness calls to quarterbacks.

Tim from Greensboro, NC

Hey Wes. You mentioned the missing among our top 10. Our top 10 by APY make $230-235 million, I think. Missing five can happen in the NFL. The other five seem to have taken a step back. Argument might be made for nine, but I believe he has more drops than TDs and the penalties do not help. Also, take a look at that fourth-down pass play near the goal line. OL went two different directions and Sean Rhyan and Anthony Belton ran into each other. We have not had great OL play since Steno became OC and Butkus OL coach in 2022.

Thank you for your question.

Nik from Moore, SC

Could an unintended consequence of throwing questionable flags for "body weight" on the QB be the defensive player just landing on the QB or driving him into the ground...since the flag is going to be called anyway?

Here's what I don't get – remember the hip-drop tackle emphasis? Remember how the league said it was going to officiate that more through fines than in-game calls? Why is that not applicable to unnecessary roughness? I'm sure Chris McClellan would much rather have the league discuss whether a fine should be levied than to draw a bad 15-yard penalty without any further discipline.

Douglas from Parker, CO

Watched the Broncos/Rams game last night. I liked those refs. Can any team hire them, or do they work exclusively for the Broncos?

Unsurprisingly, the referee was Bill Vinovich.

Tim from Superior, WI

Thanks to modern day technology it was possible to watch eight games at once during the early game time frame. It's a dizzying pace, but one thing is crystal clear. The NFL has a penalty flag issue. Realizing there's no simple solution, but is there anything that can be done to give games a decent rhythm without totally taking over the games? Saw way too many third-and-30-plus yards to go to think this is an enjoyable entertainment option.

No different than Matt LaFleur saying the Packers' offense needs to figure out what it does well, the National Football League must determine what really matters. The league is making money hand over fist, though. So, maybe that's the goal and everything else is whatever. I don't know.

Brannon from Greenville, SC

I've been thinking about Thursday night's game. I was certainly disappointed, but as Vic said, "All we can do is watch." I'm also not convinced that a Thursday night game after an overtime game is an appropriate measure of the team. Other than a win, what should we look for against the Bucs as a measure of realistic progress?

An effective run game and the job doesn't get any easier on Sunday. The Bucs have major question marks on the offensive side of the ball but still rank second against the run in both yards per carry (3.12) and yards per game (76.0). The Packers may not need to top 76 yards to win this game but definitely need 15-plus carries to take weight off Love.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

After seeing the Jets almost beat the Lions, maybe our ugly win wasn't as ugly as we thought. Or perhaps the Lions are not the juggernaut they once were?

Whether you have three wins or none, every team is working through something right now, my friend. Even the Bills.

Kurt from Munising, MI

A question keeps popping up in my head...Where are the jars on the shelf?

The hand is in the cupboard, Kurt. They're feeling around for one.

Matt from Greensboro, NC

Some entertaining football this weekend. Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy laid an egg last week. Bounced back well this week. Why can't we?

It's almost like that's life in the NFL or something.

Brian from Conroe, TX

What's the definition of insanity? A quick AI query provided several options to overcome poor pass protection where the QB has limited time and run blocking does not seem to be opening many holes for RBs. Running the same plays from the same formations was not listed.

The definition of insanity is having readers tell you what AI tells them is the definition of insanity. Have a good Tuesday.

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