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

Positives going into the game on Sunday against the Bears?

The O-line took a step forward. Too many penalties in Tampa, but the pass protection was vastly improved, and the run game got two big runs despite it still being tough sledding most of the time. Based on practice Wednesday, looks like Kevin Zeitler will be taking over at RG, Laken Tomlinson still at LG (Aaron Banks not back at practice).

Savion Williams back at practice? Nice to have some good injury related news for a change.

Yes, he practiced for the first time today, so his window to return has opened.

I know the offensive line has struggled, but do you feel the RB's are getting what yards are there to be taken?

Yes and no. That's what I've said all season. There are plenty of plays where there's nowhere to go. There are others where there are more yards to be gained.

I feel this is a must win against the Bears. Can't afford to have two losses in the division and three losses in the conference.

This game feels like a tone-setter of sorts for the Packers. A win and maybe this team starts to ascend. A loss and you're still digging out of a hole the rest of the month.

Hi Mike, appreciate the opportunity. How will Hafley adjust the front seven given injuries and the Bears offensive production?

Clearly you mean Gannon. LaFleur keeps talking about Isaiah McDuffie and Ty'Ron Hopper both in relation to Edgerrin Cooper's injury, so we'll see what that looks like. It's Cooper's playmaking that'll be missed most, and Gannon will have to turn to other guys to put them in spots to make high-impact plays. Evan Williams was that guy at the end of last week's game. Xavier McKinney is another option, as is Javon Bullard. I think the big trio of safeties just got more important for this defense.

What's the latest on Chris Brooks? He looked good Sunday.

Wasn't practicing today.

I was blocked from accessing the Live Blog this past week. Was that a problem overall or was I just singled out? The Live Blog is critical for those of us living outside the Wisconsin area since the Pack is not playing as many nationally televised games this year - partly due to the 'product' they are putting out.

All I know is people run into issues with the required cookie settings and what not. It was functioning fine on my end. I know in our "How to watch" post for each game at the end of the week, we post instructions for how to access the live blog.

Mike, what are you most excited about this week? 74 degrees on game day?

I've got a good friend coming to town to see the game, so I'm looking forward to spending some time with him and his wife on Saturday.

Good afternoon, with Cooper out is there going to be a rotation at his position or will they try to keep to one player? Thanks.

As mentioned, that feels like a wait and see proposition. Could be situational based on different packages. Not sure.

I want nothing more than the Packers pulling it together. My we almost lost to Tampa Bay due to terrible timing and sloppy playing. What has happened to them? I will be at Lambeau on Sunday and hope it is not a major disappointing home game. Get your act together.

The offense continues to be plagued by mistakes. That's really the gist of it. Penalties, fumbles, dropped passes. All those things have held the offense back. I think other than the Falcons game, the defense has played rather well thus far.

I second the live blog. I've submitted what I think are thoughful observations and questions but never see them published. :)

You have no idea how fast and furious the comments are coming in during the game. I get a chance to glance here or there to grab something to respond to, but it's a never-ending scroll of submissions. Just how it goes.

Is it still possible for Ben Johnson to pull his normal trickery and have Caleb play?

They would have to say so on the injury report come Friday that there's a chance he'd play.

I thought Packers/Bears would be a viewership juggernaut regardless of record. What lead to the flex?

Caleb's injury, Packers not playing all that well, Micah Parsons not back yet, big West Coast game for the late window (SF v SEA) that can be beamed out as the national game.

What areas are the Packers going to try and expose on both sides of the ball?

The Packers just have to clean up their own game on offense, and they have to stop the run on defense to put the ball in Bagent's hands. Easier said than done. The Bears are a really good rushing offense.

Stopping the run on Sunday is imperative but I also hope receivers aren't running free because of it. Are you confident they can do both?

We'll find out. Ben Johnson's offense loves to use play-action off the running game, and the Bears have two really good backs who set everything up for them.

How much has the TE position improved since the preseason?

It's too bad Luke Musgrave can't get/stay healthy, and I'm not sure of his prognosis. But it sure appears Mark Redman and Jonnu Smith were good veteran pickups who can help out.

This feels as though it's beyond a problem Matt alone could or should fix, doesn't it? Not calling out any one specific player, but you need your A-guys to be A-guys. They have to show up on every play, on every down, and rise to the most critical moments. They aren't right now. It almost seems like those few captains on each side of the ball need to galvanize each other - no amount of instruction can do it for them.

Right. I don't get to watch 11-on-11 practice during the week, but I know they're not trying to false start or drop passes or fumble. The players have to fix those things. It's on them.

Mike is great managing the blog. Have you seen this man's fingers typing away and watching the game? He is almost as good as Superman. Unfortunately, he can't answer everyone.

I wish the live blog could be more interactive at times, but there's a portion of the audience that is not watching the game on another screen and is following it for the live updates. I've got to try to provide as much info as quickly as possible. The game moves pretty fast.

Could we see a spot open up for Pierre Strong Jr.? He looked good in the preseason and ended up on the practice squad.

I'll be curious to see if Strong gets elevated for this week.

In a way, I'd rather have Caleb play. At least we know what we're facing. You never know with backups.

Bagent is not as elusive in the pocket as Williams and not as big a threat to extend plays. Williams can play hero ball with the best of them and he made some hero throws against GB late last season.

Mike, do you often have to rewatch the game to catch things later? If you are getting carpal tunnel for 3+ hours it has to be hard to diagnose the entirety of what's happening.

I'll go back and watch the film if/when I have time. I definitely miss a lot from the press box, plus I don't always see the replays on TV bc I'm focused on my screen. Part of the deal.

Do you think Packers players are trying so hard not to make mistakes that they're psyching themselves out and making themselves more prone to making them?

I don't think that's it. It's just a focus and concentration issue. Maybe some guys are pressing. Hard to say.

Actually, the broadcast map is still fairly large for this game, given the flex out.

Yeah, I saw that. Most of the western half of the country gets to see this game.

Not to compliment the opposition, but do they possibly have, top to bottom, the best QB room in the league?

I'd have to study all the teams to make that assessment. Keenum sure came up big for them on that MNF game vs. Philly.

Do we have enough big bodies to stop the expected run game from the Bears?

I think the Packers do. The run defense, and defense overall, has been fine except the short week game vs. Atlanta. But the Bears present the most well-rounded offense, I believe, GB has seen so far this season, even with a backup QB.

I've seen critics of MLF say he's not passionate because he doesn't act like Ben Johnson. While Johnson is a good coach, I personally don't like his demeanor. What's your take on how MLF can be more like Johnson without becoming Johnson?

Honestly, this narrative and line of questioning bores me. I couldn't care less.

Just don't get DeVito'd!

Tyson Bagent is a much better QB than Tommy DeVito. Not close.

Wow, I assumed that you had at least one moderator to screen submissions during the live blog! Much respect!

No, I'm the moderator. It's a one-man band for 3-plus hours.

Very strange start to the season so far. Big injuries to key players, backup QBs in weeks 1, 4, and 5. I feel like I find myself saying "this is such a weird year" every year.

That's this league. You never know what's around the next corner.

Echo to the Pierre Strong comments, as with the rash of RB injuries across the league, not certain we can keep such a vet on the PS!

Given where the Packers are at RB currently, especially with Brooks injured, I don't think GB would let him get away if another team pursued him.

I agree. Just don't know where coaches can really impart and influence that professionalism and accountability with these guys. You'd hope captains can bring that, but I feel without pointing out specific players, we've had some attitudes or chips on shoulders that lead to unsportsmanlike garbage, flags, and an overall shooting ourselves in the foot. I think that respect has to be present and come from the top down. And these guys have to rise to the level of expectation if we're going to seriously contend. Can't wait for Micah.

When it comes to pointing out specific players, just because the coach isn't doing that at the podium or the players aren't doing that in interviews doesn't mean it isn't going on behind the scenes.

Mike, do you envision MarShawn Lloyd being used more in the screen game this week to take some pressure off of Jordan Love?

The offense definitely tried to run more screens last week. I'm not sure it's crucial which RB is catching the pass.

Do you think Kaleb Johnson gets more reps this match up? I think he can be a solid running back for us.

I'm not sure what the Packers are going to do with the RB reps. LaFleur was not happy about Lloyd and Johnson both putting the ball on the ground in Tampa. They both did so vs. the Jets, too. It's gotta stop.

Do you think the Packers will have Micah Parsons against the Cowboys?

He hasn't returned to practice yet so I highly doubt it.

Top three Spofford reasons for fans to have hope for this season?

This defense is solid, the O-line is coming around, and the QB/weapons group is formidable.

Going to be able to stay awake to watch the Brew Crew tonight?

Oh yeah. The hard part for me is getting to sleep after all the drama. Every game is coming down to the last pitch.

Is there an extra bout of intensity in practice and the locker room leading up to this week? Obviously it's a week by week league (as you always say) and you show up no matter the opponent, but after how last season ended I can imagine the boys having a chip on the shoulder and hungry for revenge

Not sure how that's being handled internally. Might get a better idea during locker room interviews after practice today. I doubt any players are going to talk about some intense focus on last year, though, because I don't think that's true. This team has plenty that's been going on this year to worry about and get corrected.

I assume no news on Brandon Cisse's injury?

He was at practice today. LaFleur said he wasn't put in the concussion protocol and had a neck injury.

Will Cisse play?

We'll see over the next couple days if he's a full participant in practice or limited in some way. But just the fact he was out there today was a good sign.

Do you see Packers bring in a veteran LB either as free afent or trade?

They signed Kristian Welch from the PS to the active roster yesterday, so that's the main move for now. I could see them trying to find another linebacker for the PS at this point and then see how it goes.

Do you think the Packers will rotate right guard to slowly acclimate Kevin Z?

Interesting question. My gut says no. Once Zeitler feels he's ready, I think it's his position.

Is the jet sweep motion a thing of the past for this offense? Haven't seen it much.

That's always been a game-plan thing based on the opponent. Some weeks they see it as a key element for attacking the defense, other weeks not.

With the offense have problems finding a rhythm do see them going no huddle at any time to try to get rhythm?

The issues with penalties, pre and post snap, aren't going to be fixed by going no-huddle in my opinion. They have to play more sound fundamentally, and hurrying up all the time won't help that.

12 straight road losses in the playoffs. Wow. That's hard to do

Don't remind me. Really hoping that streak ends tonight.

Offensively, how do we best attack the Bears D? The quick game was effective last week for the most part, but I am cognizant of our desire for explosives. I know the need for both but do we know any more about our "go to" after the Tampa game?

As I said in Inbox this morning, the Packers have to come in with everything. If the quick game is there, use it. If the defense is sitting on short routes to take that away, then try to make them pay downfield. The Packers haven't been consistent enough on offense to know what to hang the proverbial hat on. Yet.

I think if we stopped beating our selves every game with the penalties and dumb mistakes we could still be a very competitive team.

I agree.

After practice does the team head straight to meetings giving you time to prepare for interviews and do this blog?

No, meetings aren't until after the players eat lunch, which they do while the locker room is open to reporters.

I have to be honest.. when I saw the pre-game chatter that Travis Glover was starting at guard I was pretty confused, discouraged, and concerned. Then I didn't give him a second thought all game long. Kudos to him! And shame on me.

Glover deserves major props. It wasn't a perfect performance, but given everything he's gone through since the playoff game in Philly 20 months ago or whenever it was, to step in and hold his own in that game was really big.

Has Jayden Reed had surgery already? Is he doing okay?

Haven't seen him myself.

There's plenty of doom and gloom among the fan base, but I see a.500 team that is continuing to fix issues and improve. With the upcoming four games, even if they are still .500 but improving, I like their chances.

It's a long season. If this team is going to hit its stride at some point, it just has to have enough wins chalked up for it to matter.

Will we see more of the Tucker Kraft sneak this year on short yard

I would think so.

If the Bears run the ball (200 yards per game) the Packers are in trouble. Agree?

The Packers won't beat the Bears without containing the run game to some extent. That doesn't mean they have to hold them to 50 yards or something, but they can't let that ground game dictate how the whole contest unfolds.

2-2. Bears at Lambeau. Not do or die by any means, but a win sure could be a big boost for the rest of the season.

Totally.

I have to admit when we fumbled at the 4 yard line I turned the game off. I couldn't bare to watch another collapse.

Or bear. Ha. But I hear you. That was rough.

Do you know the typical time to recover from a achilles tendon tear? How long a road does Cooper have?

With most players it's a 10-12 month recovery. It can vary.

Which GB player is the most similar to Coop in play style and performance?

There is no equivalent. That's what makes him so hard to replace. He's their fastest linebacker, which makes him the best at chasing down the run, covering tight ends and blitzing the QB. He's at a different speed than a normal LB.

Is Kraft fully healthy and shaken any rust off or is he still building ramping up?

He's fully healthy but based on his play I think it's fair to say he's not fully Tuck just yet. But he's getting there.

What causes an achilles to tear when one is stationary or just jogging onto the field?

I think if anyone knew that in advance the injury would be preventable.

Huge key is likely red zone performance. "Stops" on defense, "goes" on offense. Has been a bit of a problem so far. Good game to turn that in the positive direction.

Red zone on both sides of the ball always matters.

With the game moved to noon, what time will your day come to an end on Sunday?

After a noon home game, I usually get home sometime during the first half of SNF.

Maybe this isn't relevant, but I believe that other than Kraft's injury, the injuries to our major players (Parsons, Cooper, Reed, Devonte Wyatt, and Zach Bako-Bewele) have all happened on the road. Just a coincidence or is GB playing on some bad fields?

Your guess is as good as mine. Reed's injury last year came at home, and I don't think the surface at MetLife had anything to do with the hit he took. But other than that ...

Neck surgery is never a good thing. C spine affects everything.

It's a long road to recovery for Bird. I truly wish him the best. Super good dude.

How do you think the Packers will do against the Chicago Bears this Sunday? How do you think Jordan Love will do?

They need to play cleaner football to put themselves in position to win. The mistakes they've made to this point won't cut it against a team as good as the Bears.

Who was the master mind behind Wes's The Takeaway?

Wes and our video guru, Matt. That's all them.

Which players give the most thoughtful answers in the locker room to reporter questions?

A lot of guys in the Packers' locker room are good interviews, and we're thankful for that. As a new guy, Franklin has been a treat to talk to.

Do you think Skyy Moore can fill Bird's shoes well?

That's a tall order, but there's a lot to like about Moore. I can definitely see him getting more involved.

It's been a weird start to this NFL season. No teams look totally dominant and even the unbeaten team like Minnesota is squeaking out wins by only kicking field goals.

The Vikings are 4-0 and didn't score a TD in two of their wins. There's so much to sort out for so many teams yet. It's a long road.

Do we see Pierre Strong Jr this week? We need a north south runner who can get the yards that are blocked. Lloyd has been great in space, especially as a pass catcher, but he's been lacking between the tackles.

As mentioned before, I'm curious to see if the Packers elevate Strong this week.

Who is more comfortable in front of the camera, you or Wes?

I think we've both gotten pretty comfortable, honestly. We're in front of the camera a lot more than I ever envisioned when I came here 20 years ago.

After getting to know the players through interviews, etc., do you find yourself rooting for certain players more than others at their position, or is it just business?

I wouldn't say rooting for them any more or less. But when you know a player a little better than another, an injury hits different.

All right folks, practice will be ending any minute now, so I'll call it a chat. Thanks for all the questions and we'll talk again soon. Best, Spoff