Hey everybody, thanks for logging on today. I see questions coming in already, so keep them coming and I'll get started.

I submitted a comment to II a couple days ago suggesting the Pack pursue acquiring Jonathan Taylor. Your thoughts? I think Josh Jacobs' days are numbered.

There's a lot of chatter out there about Jonathan Taylor. I don't know whether the Packers are pursuing him or not. They don't tip their hand in these instances.

Do you sense the Packers are still evaluating potential changes to the starting offensive line, or have they reached the point where playing time investment in and continuity with the current five is more important than trying another combination?

Good question. I would assume at center when Sean Rhyan is healthy again that he'll step back in there. And barring more injuries, I think they're going to roll with Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton at the tackle spots. At guard, what's their best combo? Banks' health will play into that, and performance for all involved will too. That's a long way of saying I don't have a prediction for you.

With Tom Brady returning to Foxborough to call his first Patriots game for FOX, should Packers fans be concerned New England has gained an unfair home-field advantage by putting the greatest Patriot of all time in the broadcast booth?

I don't think it makes a whit of difference.

Trade for a running back, or better linemen?

The offensive line has shored up the pass protection problems from earlier this year. I think the run blocking can come along, too. It's taken too long, but it's never too late.

Today my PT, who is a Steelers and Rodgers fan, said the Packers have a lot of talent. I told him if the Packers had a running game, Jordan Love would be in contention for MVP. You think?

Who knows. If the Packers had a running game, he wouldn't be asked to carry so much of the load offensively and his stats wouldn't be where they are. Not that it's all about stats, but that's usually what gets the conversation started.

Brady was VERY critical of the officials in that GB-DET debacle. As a part-owner, would he be subjected to a similar fine structure as the players or coaches?

I don't know what the structure is, but he would be subject to discipline different from other broadcasters.

What's the over under of the Goat calling out the refs?

I'm just hoping for a clean game where we're not talking about the refs, like last Thursday vs. Carolina.

Can you explain the poor kicking across the board in the NFL this season? Laser goal posts aren't necessary when guys are missing by a mile.

That's a weird one. Everyone is having consistency troubles at kicker. Cam Achord pointed out a couple weeks ago that the teams using "dirty kicks" on kickoffs, where they're kicking low wobblers and trying to get them to bounce in the landing zone, are asking a lot of their kickers to do that and still try to have a consistent PAT/FG swing. Maybe that's part of it, but that's not the case for every team.

The running game can come along but I wouldn't bet on it

We'll see. I've seen stranger things happen over the course of a long season.

Just toured Lambeau on Saturday while on vacation. Wow! I am now a Packers fan.

Welcome aboard.

Do fans really believe trading benefits the Packers? Assuming the contract is nearing completion, and we likely get a rental... We also take picks out of Brian's arsenal. Our long term cap is going to require cheap contributors with high upside. I didn't see anyone worth the trade offs.

There's a lot to weigh in these situations. The Packers have a lot of draft capital for next spring, but no first-round pick. That factors too.

Have you seen the video of Micah Parsons practicing? Our defense is already top in alot of metrics now add back Micah?

I was out there before starting this chat, watching him go through individual drills. It's good to see him take another step on the road back.

I think we should employ the strategy of pass to open up the run. Especially on first down. Our receivers and quarterback are too talented to force the run on first down. Comes down to play calling and game flow.

The Packers have burned defenses with big plays in the passing game all season and it hasn't helped the run.

Why a new QB on the practice squad?

Because the one the Packers had got signed to another team's 53.

Does Swobs not realize that betting is illegal at Bushwood?

That too.

It seems Morgan had is best game at left tackle agains the panthers. How high is his ceiling?

I don't know. We're going to find out. The Packers are going to give Morgan every opportunity to lock down the LT spot for the long term. That's what he was drafted to play. He's getting there.

Thoughts on JLove and his wife dressing as blind refs for Halloween? Hilarious, but I hope he isn't poking the Bear so-to-speak.

I thought it was terrific. Has the league ever fined a player for a Halloween costume?

Getting Parsons back will be a season enhancing move on defense! Defense immediately gets better!

For sure. A good defense will get better. Should be fun to watch.

i think there is time for the offensive line to meld into a more effective run unit. i liked the recent playing piano analogy.

They have to get there at some point. It's imperative or the entire season will ride on a one-dimensional offense, and that's not gonna fly.

Will Parsons' return cause a temporary setback in the chemistry which the defense has exhibited?

I don't see how it would. Yes, some players won't get as many snaps, but more fresh bodies to get after the QB isn't a bad thing either.

Brandon Cisse has developed so much faster than I anticipated. How much has that factored into our sack numbers?

Rush and coverage always go hand in hand. Cisse has played really well. All of GB's corners have, honestly. It's a good group on the defensive side that is playing cohesively.

When i rewatch games at 1/2 speed it seems like an equal distribution of bad OL blocks, bad TE blocks, and RB not going to an obvious hole. When the problem is this widespread it seems to suggest only coaching changes will fix it doesn't it?

I don't know what the fix is, but I know it isn't one thing, as you outlined.

Are we in danger of losing another DC after this season?

Gannon is only one year removed from a rough tenure in Arizona. Maybe he'll become a hot name again, maybe not. I really don't know.

If we play a game like TB vs ATL, would it force our hand in fixing the running game?

You're saying in a heavy rain? I don't think the Packers would change who they are at this point.

Last weeks Rams game the announcer said the Rams switched to a gap scheme in the run game the second half and it was more effective. Have the Packers tried the same switch this year?

The Packers have tried both zone runs and gap runs at different times this season. I don't have any stats in front of me, but I think they've had more success with the gap scheme stuff, for the most part.

Been hearing the NFL wants a Japan game next season. That's one heck of a road trip for whatever two teams are chosen

Yikes. No thanks.

Regarding the run game, except for #8, it seems like the RBs go lateral at the first sign of resistance instead of going north south for a few yards. this often results in

That has definitely been one of the issues, but not the only one.

Lukas Van Ness question. Seems to utilize the 'bull rush" most of the time and against good OL, he doesn't get home enough. Thoughts on diversifying his pass rush tools?

That's something he's working on. He got shut down by a great O-line in Detroit, but other than that one game, he's been regularly impactful.

What are the effects of international games? Anything public knowledge at this point?

The travel is exhausting. I can tell you that from firsthand experience, and I'm not trying to play a football game in between flights.

What's your take on Kevin Zeitler, not game-ready or something else? How does a player achieve game readiness if he does not play in a game? It's like simulating skiing in an app, you see the steps and the techniques but until your own feet are on the snow, you don't have the feel...

The Packers have said he's ready, but they liked what Laken Tomlinson gave them at LG and didn't want to take him out of the lineup when Aaron Banks returned, so they flipped him over to RG for now. We'll see where it goes from here.

The Packers have said he's ready, but they liked what Tomlinson gave them at LG and didn't want to take him out of the lineup when Banks returned, so they flipped him over to RG for now. We'll see where it goes from here.

No argument there.

Japan is closer than Australia, no?

Oh sure, but there's a reason they took 2 West Coast teams for the Australia game.

Officiating, and wished-for-changes, have been oft discussed and handed through the II. If you could make one change, adjustment, or enhancement what would it be?

I've said it many times -- make the safety rules (which encompasses pretty much all personal fouls) reviewable. Make sure a 15-yard penalty is the right call.

We can't go through a whole chat without commending Daniel Whelan. Go Aggies!!

They signed him last year to a long-term deal for a reason. He's a difference maker.

Any updates on Jonnu Smith and Chris Brooks?

Brooks returned to practice today, so his window to return from IR has been opened. Jonnu Smith was a healthy scratch in the last game, probably due to special teams needs.

When Micah returns, do you expect Gannon to call fewer blitzes and play coverage, assuming that Micah's presence will be enough of a threat?

Not necessarily. But the straight four-man rush has a better chance to get home with Micah on the field than without.

Do you get to hold the WS trophy last Thursday night?

No, I never left the press box throughout the duration of the game.

Any news on Luke Musgrave or Jayden Reed? Those neck injuries sound real serious

Haven't heard any updates.

Wasn't Micah Parsons supposed to be back by now?

The hope was he would be back sooner, but there was never any guarantee.

Re: Morgan: are the GB selections in the first round more or less content still drafting with the long time concept of draft & develop? Stability on the coaching staff seems important too!

The Packers look for players with big upside in the first round, where their talent is ready to take off. It can take longer for some than others. Opportunity matters, too. If Morgan becomes the LT the Packers hope he can be, his first two seasons in the league will become an afterthought.

Good question from Richard on effects of international games. I am also interested in impacts of short week Thursday night games.

I don't know how the players do that, to be honest. Playing a game four days after another one is just beyond brutal on the body. The only positive is getting a weekend off afterward. The recovery time is much needed at that point.

Have you had the opportunity to talk baseball with Uecker?

I met Ueck in the press box at County Stadium once, rather early in my sports writing career. I was introduced to him by another media member who knew him very well.

Where do the Patriots rank on offense and defense with regard to running the ball?

They average about 120 rushing yards per game and allow just over 90. Both are pretty good numbers.

How's the health of the Patriots offensive line? Send they have decent rushing numbers, and I saw Gannon is focused on the scrambling. Do you see them taking the approach of making him beat us with his arm?

Maye can certainly win that way, but the Packers don't want to let him out of the pocket, where he's more dangerous. Keep him in the pocket and collapse the pocket.

Cisse has played the most of any rookie I can remember on the Packers. Recency bias I'm sure, who am I missing?

Other rookies have played a lot in recent years. Doubs, Edgerrin Cooper, Q. Walker, Tucker Kraft, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, just to name a few. Starting from Day 1 like Cisse is a bit rare but everyone could see that coming.

At least the Patriots aren't coming off their bye week, so we got that going for us….

They got tested by the Dolphins last week. Trailed 13-3 at half before kicking into gear.

Is the Bears singing of Simmons the equivalent to the Packers signing Micah? Who paid more?

The acquisitions are similar. I haven't compared the contracts. The draft pick compensation was similar.

So much love for Cisse, even his run support is admirable. Is this his ceiling or did the scouts for all the other teams miss on him?

He was talked about plenty as a possible first-round pick. The Packers were thrilled he was there in the middle of the second.

Who were your favorite non-Packer players growing up?

Walter Payton will always be my favorite NFL player. He could do anything on a football field and do it well.

I was fortunate to meet and interview Bob Uecker ... he made self-depricating humor an art form.

And how.

Sounds like the Bears beat up Darnold a bit, he's out this week. Is it fair to say they play a bit... overly aggressive?

That's their style and it has paid dividends for them.

Think Buffalo can do us a favor against Minnesota?

Sure hope so.

Hey Mike, thanks as always for this great forum. What are the differences between what makes a tackle and a guard? Is it size? Is it footwork? Is this where "pad level " comes in?

It's definitely different footwork at the two positions, and the ability to move more in space is required at tackle. Pad level is important at any spot.

I like the Packers chances Sunday. Maye will throw the ball to the defense when he's under pressure.

He's thrown 8 INTs this year and the Patriots are minus-7 in turnover margin. Packers have to take advantage there.

Who are Chicago and Detroit playing this week, Spoff?

Bears have Bucs and Lions have Dolphins

After reading enough of II, I know the type of comments Spoff wants to hear: Just beat the Patriots.

And with that, I'm going to sign off. Just got word practice ended, so locker room interviews coming up. Thanks everybody, take care and we'll talk again soon. Best, Spoff