Hey everybody, thanks for logging on today. Go ahead and start sending in your questions and I'll get rolling shortly.

Curious about Trey Smack's preparation for this Sunday given his misses last Sunday. Is he talking to you and Wes or keeping to himself?

Ha. I'm sure he'll speak to the media at some point this week, but as I said in Inbox this morning, these guys have their own process for moving on and correcting things, so he's just going to do his thing.

HUGE game tonight. How are we feeling? Go Crew!

They're all huge at this point, no?

Do different RBs thrive better with different OL blocking schemes? We've tried so many different combinations already this season (not to mention Josh Jacobs presumably returning at some point) and it seems we haven't found the right fit of ball carrier and blockers yet.

There is that, but that's also what practice is for. I don't think the struggling ground game is one thing or the other (blocking or backs). I think it lies with both, not always at the same time. All they can do is keep working at it. There were signs early in the Bears game and then that defense decided to crowd the LOS a little more and count on its pass rush getting home to stop the long passes. Didn't work for them.

What's the point of bringing someone like Mike Pettine at this time of the season? Seems like desperation.

Christian Parker, who was an assistant here at one time, is a young DC and a more seasoned advisor/consultant isn't a bad idea. Teams do that all the time. Pettine has been around a long time and has seen it all.

Long time reader. Thanks for your work! Practice squad signings come and go fast it seems. Is it simply to backfill potential key positions, or trying to lock up talent so it stays here for further, long term development? Both?

It's both, and the expanded practice squads now (16, whereas prior to Covid it was only 8) give teams a lot of flexibility to do both with so many spots. Plus the veteran exemptions allowed on the PS have changed the equation too. Not that long ago, no veterans were ever on the PS.

Are you hearing anything about how Savion Williams is doing in his return to practice?

We only get to see individual drills during the regular season, not any 11-on-11 reps, so I can't speak to how he's doing. Given Jayden Reed's injury, it'll be nice to get him back at some point. Maybe this week, who knows.

Packers have any worries about Smack after last week or just working more on wind conditions?

Nobody has expressed any doubts about him.

We can stop asking if Micah Parsons is coming back this week or next week. We can ask how close is he but the real answer is always come from the doctor. If he's ready to play then he will play, I don't think Packers will save him for Christmas if he is ready now.

Right. When he's ready he'll be out there.

"Desperation?" If you need a label, sure. But just like adding 3 OL at once, a team will do what it seems best.

Exactly. It's a long season.

Backtracking for a second. I know a lot it being placed on the O-line, justifiably so, but the caliber of running back surely plays a role in both effectiveness and efficiency. There's a reason GB spent nearly 50M on a few short seasons ago.

Oh no doubt. Top-flight RBs make a difference. That's why they get paid the way they do. But I would caution against that potential change down the road saving the run game. The guys up front have to be more consistent there, too.

How do you expect us to defend Dak?

I'm not the X's and O's expert by any stretch, but this offense will present major challenges. The safety trio of Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams and Javon Bullard (slot) will be key players in this game.

How much more will Dak test the defense compared to the QBs they've faced so far?

Dak is on a different level compared to any other QB the Packers have faced this season. I think that's obvious.

I believe Cowboys will double team Christian Watson this Sunday night. Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft might have a big game.

It's definitely becoming a pick your poison thing defensively the way GB's weapons are producing, but it's the same thing with those Dallas weapons this week, too.

Parsons mentioned if this week were the Super Bowl he'd be out there. So we've got that goin for us, which is nice?

He's on his way back. That's all I know. Everything we've heard is progress has been made every week.

How do we stack up against Dallas at this point?

In short, both offenses are very explosive. I think the Packers have a lot more going for them on defense, even without Edgerrin Cooper.

What did you see from Pierre Strong Jr. this week?

Powerful runner, good ball security, knows how to pass protect. He's a nice option to have.

I mean, if you're going to have growing pains, it's better for Smack to 1. Have them early in the season and 2. Have them during what ends up being a rout.

Absolutely. This was never going to be a smooth road for a rookie. Never is.

Do you believe Jordan Love will have a game Sunday night similar to his past playoff game Dallas?

That game is ancient history as far as the NFL is concerned.

In regard to the muffed punt/penalty situation from Sunday - seems a bit odd you can muff a punt outside the endzone then take a touchback if you recover it inside the endzone.

Right, but if you never have possession of the ball, that's the rule. If the returner gains possession and then fumbles it into the end zone, different story.

What did you notice from the offensive line during the Bears game that wasn't happening in previous weeks?

The O-line started coming around at Tampa and that continued against the Bears. The pocket formed much better, they took away the free hitters from the earlier games, and Love could survey the field and move around as needed. Things have stabilized.

Is there a limit to the number of games a player can be on the commissioner's exempt list? Can the NFLPA step in? Or is it entirely up to the Commish?

No idea how that all works. Out of my realm.

Did Love get Player of the Week?

Based on a vote update I saw, it would appear so, yes.

Who's the next man up at WR if Skyy Moore is injured? Is Williams ready to go? What does his skillset add to the mix?

If Williams is ready, he could definitely get some of Moore's snaps. Maybe he'd be back on kickoff returns too. Bo Melton and J. Michael Sturdivant have both been playing as well.

The long passes were there last Sunday, but it seemed the Packers used the short pass plays much more to supplement the run. Can that work against 2 high safties?

Sure, if you get a couple of blocks on the perimeter, those short passes can pick up 5-7 yards. But just like a running play, one missed block and it can get wrecked.

Seems the Defense is playing a little better the last couple of games. Think they are starting to learn J.G. System?

I think the defense has played quite well in 4 out of the 5 games so far. Atlanta was a rough night, but the defense has played winning football otherwise.

MarShawn Lloyd looks more and more comfortable with each game. What do you think he needs to improve upon over the rest of the season? What deficiencies does he need to make a focus?

I don't think it's deficiencies, just getting his legs under him at this level. He basically missed two years of football and hadn't played NFL games until now. He's seeing things quicker, being more decisive, running with more power instead of trying to juke everybody. It's taking time but he's getting there.

"OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it's called 'two in a row'. And if we win again tomorrow, it's called a 'winning streak'... It has happened before!"

Thanks Lou. I mean, Eric

I did enjoy some of the TV commentary about how the defense is built to be played with a lead and a bit looser and more aggressive. Do you feel that was accurate of the overall scheme and approach? Or that we play quite different when behind vs. leading?

Every defense looks different when playing from behind vs. ahead, because the opposing offense has a different approach as well. This game is very situational. It's hard to get takeaways on defense, for example, when playing from behind and the opponent isn't dropping back to pass as much. That's just the odds/probabilities.

Great to see faster play, tires defense and we looked more confident.

The entire offense looks more confident when there's confidence in the trenches.

Do you expect the same starting 5 on the OL to take the field on Sunday night? or do you expect a change?

That's the question everyone's asking this week. Every time LaFleur talks about it, and Stenavich yesterday, it sounds like they're inclined for now to stick with the group that has performed well the past couple weeks and not disrupt it. They're probably going to take it week by week at this point.

How are you feeling about the Brewers? Can they finally win the whole thing? What do you think they need to do best to close out this NLCS?

It feels great to be up 2-0 on the Dodgers, but this is still the Dodgers. Part of me believes this series starts tonight.

What do you think Ty'Ron Hopper brings to the table filling in for Cooper this season? Has he taken a step this offseason compared to seasons past?

Definitely. The coaches have talked about how much growth he's shown. Hopper isn't as fast as Cooper, but he can hit. He packs a punch. He's also got 2 INTs now, one from the playoff game last year, and then last week, which is amazing for how little overall he's played on defense.

Packers are treating Micah's situation as health first football second, which I agree with. that being said, with Micah seemingly being so involved even from the sideline, how soon after he eventually returns do you think it'll take for him to get caught up to speed and make a real difference?

A pro of his ability and experience, not long. I'm sure he's been learning JG's system as much as he can on his own. Plus, when he is ready, it's not like they're going to ask him to play 50 snaps right away. They'll ramp him up and they can use him in certain situations in his first couple games.

Any idea what the NFL's next actions may be on Josh Jacob's situation?

Nope.

Some teams don't have a standout WR. It certainly seems like a luxury to have the tandem we're seeing currently. Fans have clambered the Packers haven't had a clear cut WR1 since Adams. Tossing around the terms 1A and 1B is a fun change of pace. They certainly seem to be able to cause havoc in the secondary.

The 1-2 combo developing with Watson and Golden is fun to watch, and then you've got Kraft at TE too. Anybody is capable of a big play at any moment, which keeps defenses on their heels.

Nationally televised game thus Sunday. Will the energy level of the team be that much more excited? It's a chance for the team to make a statement to a national audience!

Some players do get hyped up a bit more for night games, but honestly, they're so common around here it's pretty much business as usual.

Really want to see more of J. Michael Sturdivant.

That could be in the offing. He made a great play on that TD catch that got nullified. Hated that call.

I don't see the concern of having a WR1. If you remember the playoff loss to the Niners at home in 2021, Rodger's threw to Adams while triple teamed and the WR who went to the Jets was open across the middle of the field.

I'll never forget that. It's funny you bring that up, because hearing LaFleur talk about making a "rage call" on the deep ball to Watson after the frustrating OPI on JMS, it makes me think that throw from Rodgers was a "rage throw" because what had been going on offensively was so frustrating. Oh well.

Looks like the Cowboys have struggled to stop the run game. Any insight on what changes the Packers may see from them to shore up their run D?

I don't think the Cowboys will be that concerned with their run D in this one. I think they'll be figuring out how to take away the big plays.

With Watson and Golden hitting the ground running and Kraft slowly becoming more involved, who looks to have the lion's share at slot receiver with Jayden Reed out?

It's been spread around, but now the options are dwindling with Moore's injury. But again, we'll see when Savion comes back.

Why don't the tv people tell you the rules after a penalty is called?

Often they don't know them. That's why they have the rules analysts, but when it's not an exclusive broadcast game, the rules analyst might be on another game at the moment an explanation is needed.

I realize you can't fix everything at once, but why has the jet sweep seemingly disappeared? I wasn't a great fan of how often LF used to use it, but once in a while it might be effective enough to keep the defense from stacking inside against the (struggling) run game.

Those jet sweeps are game-plan decisions based on the opponent and what the coaches see on film. They have those in the plan if they think they can be effective against that particular defense, but not always.

Mike, does the league have a window in which they have to make decisions on players on the exempt list? It seems odd to me to continue to allow a player to be paid but keep them suspended from activity.

I don't know how it all works, but the part about getting paid right now is irrelevant because if he gets suspended, then he loses the money from those games and the suspension counts toward the games he's been on the exempt list.

Why do the schedule makers hate us? Dallas coming off a Thursday game and then Detroit next week coming off a bye.

There are quirks like that all over the schedule. Can't worry about it.

Hy Mike! We talk a lot about the offense, but the Parsons-less D showed great promise. Do you think we have a championship caliber unit once Micah will came back?

I don't get into labels. I think Parsons will improve what already looks like a pretty good defense. Losing Cooper was a tough blow, but Parsons will help make up for that in his own way.

Defensive game plan Sunday; try to pressure Dak early, and get him off his mark like he was against the Bucs, or play more aggressive in coverage to try to limit damage from the 2nd best WR group in the NFL?

Again, my answer on this kind of stuff is DCs usually like to mix things up, and they're going to play to their players' strengths. It's not as easy as copying what somebody else did. Never is.

Haven't heard anything about Luke Musgrave lately. Anything you care to share or speculate on?

I haven't heard anything either.

Silly uniform question. How far in advance are they locked in? I would love to see the Rivalries again sooner than next year, or even the White Cheddar from the last few years.

Those decisions are all made well in advance.

There's been a lot of discussion about the way that Wash. vs. Giants game ended in OT as a tie. That clock mismanagement couldn't ever happen to us, right?

Well, it almost did a year ago, if you remember the end of the OT in Dallas where the pass out of the back of the end zone was with 1 second left. If the clock had expired, the Packers lose that game and don't get the tie with the FG. It's a bad look when stuff like that happens, for all involved.

Your choice for rookie to show the biggest improvement from now to the end of the season? I'm going back and forth on Chris McClellan and Dani Dennis-Sutton.

DDS is a good pick. He's coming on. Needs to stay home on the play-action bootleg stuff and secure his edge, but he's a very active player figuring it out.

Lot of chatter and interest re: uniforms by us fans. But, realistically, do you think it has much impact on how the players perform?

No. I'm sure they like all the photos of them playing in different uniforms, though. Makes for a nice collage on the wall at home, right?

Lost in the excitement is Wheldon had a great game (50+ yard average).

I assume you mean Daniel Whelan, but yeah. Big game from him. He's really talented and glad he's going to be around here a while. Cool guy too.

We'll see a couple of familiar faces on the Cowboys defensive line. Obviously their defense has struggled overall as a unit, but it doesn't sound like Clark or Gary have had great years individually. Who on the Cowboys defensive line will be the focus in the Packers meetings this week? Quinnen Williams?

Williams is their anchor now. Much younger than Clark and a really tough customer. Big challenge for the interior of GB's O-line.

Did you notice on Watson's contested catch that he only reached for the ball at the last split second, just like Davante Adams did/does?

Late hands is a common technique now. Receivers work on it all the time.

Yeah, sausage fingers. Whelan.

You're forgiven. Ha.

All right, with that folks, I need to run. Practice will be over soon. Thanks for all the participation and we'll talk again soon. Take care, Spoff