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

How's out injured OL looking?

I just got back from the portion of practice open to the media, and Zach Tom & Aaron Banks were both out there. LaFleur said they'd be limited today. That's a good sign, though it guarantees nothing for Sunday. We'll just have to see.

Hello Mike! I just want to say I am looking forward to the live chat this week as we don't have the game broadcast here in Vegas.

As long as the Cleveland press box has good wifi, I'll be on.

What are you wearing?

Clothes.

I think GB has advantages in most matchups this week - except perhaps against the Cleveland D-Line and our banged up O-Line. If both teams play to expectations, GB should win, right?

I don't like to take anything for granted as you know, but Cleveland's offense is struggling so much to support that really good defense, I don't see the Browns scoring much unless the Packers turn the ball over and/or give them short fields. Protect the football is the biggest key to winning this game.

What are the keys to improving our RUN GAME?

It's going to be tough this week. The only defense that has allowed fewer rushing yards through the first two weeks than the Packers is the Browns. But stay committed to it and maybe they can find some cracks.

Not complaining after a 2-0 start but the Packers opponents' tight ends seem to do well against our defense. Is that the least of three evils (RB, WR, TE)?

You can't stop everybody, but I haven't seen anything alarming. There were a couple of coverage busts against Detroit's LaPorta but those looked like missed assignments, not guys getting beat.

Just wanted to know do you think Matthew Golden will have a much bigger role now that Jayden Reed is injured but where does that place Savion Williams and Malik Heath?

I would imagine Golden's snaps and opportunities would go up, but even without Christian Watson and Reed, the Packers have a lot of capable weapons. Seeing Savion Williams get involved in these first couple of games has been a nice bonus, considering how much time he missed in training camp.

You'd think given the nature of the injuries to the o line and a bye coming up, they'd error on the side of, caution...

They aren't going to put anyone out there who is in danger of hurting themselves worse. If a player can play, he plays. The bye week isn't a consideration just yet.

Hey Mike, do you expect Matthew Golden's targets to ramp up? With Jayden Reed out I feel that it's time for him to break out a bit.

Popular question clearly. Jordan Love and Golden were so close on those two deep shots vs. Washington. It's coming.

You think the Browns are regretting giving up on Baker Mayfield so soon?

Sounds like a rhetorical question to me.

Should we be surprised about Luke Musgrave getting the same amount of snaps as John FitzPatrick? One primary as pass catcher and the other as run blocker?

FitzPatrick really showed something in training camp this summer, and now Musgrave is healthy. So it's a boon to the offense to have three TEs they can go to, making two-TE sets easy to roll with anytime.

Flacco is similar to Goff with even less mobility. Would it be fair to say the DL can just go hard and open a can of whoop A**?

I would imagine Flacco is going to try to play the quick game, hit short passes to get the ball out of his hands, and then if the Browns can establish that, they'll pick their spots to take some shots. Their approach will be interesting to watch.

Absolutely love the quote "don't let victory mask our problems"! What a great life's lesson as well! Exactly how can a team eliminate penalties other than focusing and concentration?

Presnap penalties are focus and concentration. Holding and the like are technique. So there's not one fix for all penalties, but let's hope the 10 flags last Thursday were an anomaly. Packers only had four penalties in Week 1.

Mike, do your family members attend any of the home games? If so, are you able to do any tailgating with them before it's time to get to work?

My family attends games sometimes, but my pregame duties preclude me from tailgating with them. I usually try to visit/see them in the concourse shortly before kickoff when I can slip a quick ride down the elevator from the press box.

Good afternoon Mike! I heard Gute is working on an extension for Quay Walker. Who would be priority more: Romeo Doubs or Carrington Valentine?

Those decisions are a tad above my pay grade. The Packers have a lot of decisions to make over the next couple of years, and that's a good problem to have.

Do you have any concerns about a potential lack of receiving targets with Reed's injury while Watson is still out? Or do you think the tight ends will pick up the slack? Obviously, Tucker Kraft had an excellent game last week

The Packers have Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Heath, Golden and Williams. That's plenty of WR, plus the TE as mentioned. There's no shortage of weapons.

Best packers defense since what year?

Maybe the second half of 2014 after Clay moved to inside 'backer. But I honestly haven't thought about it that much.

I know you have mentioned Clevelands D line and their RB. Anything else we should keep an eye on?

They've got a couple good TEs too in Fannin and Njoku, and their rookie middle LB Schwesinger looks like the real deal.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the career of Jeff Hafley? He leaves a head coaching position at Boston College to become D coordinator for the Packers, transforms the defense immediately, and this time next year will likely be an NFL head coach. An inspiration to career advancement

What Hafley has done here is impressive in a short amount of time. He's also been given two elite-level players the past two years that he's maximizing, Edgerrin Cooper and Micah Parsons. It's always a combination of players and coaching. Never just one or the other.

The worst part of the Micah Parsons trade is the "rumors" turned out to be true, which has spawned countless people that much more convinced the rumors of trading Malik Willis/Walker/etc must be legitimate. Serenity now!

Tell me about it.

Do you see anything that can be done from a coaching perspective to cut way down on the penalties on kick returns? Long returns are one of the most exciting plays to watch but I'm so tired of seeing the flag identifier pop up. So frustrating.

I agree it's frustrating. All that can be done from a coaching standpoint is to harp on technique, which includes body position for blocking as much as anything.

Jayden says: "we're going to the bowl"…. Good enough for me!! :)

That has a chance to become an all-timer as a video.

Has it been Javon Bullard primarily slotted in the nickel, or have other players rotated in over the first 2 games?

Bullard has played both the slot and deep safety, but I'd say he's taken the lion's share of the reps at nickel/slot.

Hey Mike, any idea what will be the longer healing of the two surgeries for Jayden Reed, the foot or the collarbone?

I thought based on what I'd heard before that maybe it would be the foot, but LaFleur said before practice today the additional surgery doesn't change his timeline from the collarbone. So that's good news.

Do you have a "player to watch" on the Packers this week? For Browns, most likely Myles Garrett vs our O Line?

For sure. Garrett lines up mostly over the LT, from what I've seen and read, so it's a big matchup with Rasheed Walker.

I just want to say I'm bummed about Reed's injuries. He's one of my favorites. I was telling my son that first year with all those young guys: Out of this group, I think Reed is the best of the bunch. Here's to a quick recovery.

The guy broke his collarbone and still held onto the ball.

Yeah, that was an incredible play. Just a shame it didn't count and he got such a serious injury from it. Reminded me in some ways of Randall Cobb's incredible catch in the '15 playoff game at Arizona where the mic pack he was wearing damaged his lung. The great catch got wiped out by a flag and Cobb got a night (or more) in the hospital.

The two rookie interior D-linemen didn't see a lot of playing time against Wash. Maybe that's more about Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden doing well?

I think that's exactly it, and Devonte Wyatt getting off to another good start as well. We've seen Wyatt start strong and then get derailed by injury. Hopefully he stays healthy because he's proven to be tough to handle as an interior rusher. Brooks has come along steadily since being drafted, and we just saw Wooden have his best training camp in Year 3.

Does the amount of penalties depend on official crew?

It certainly can. Hearing LaFleur say Monday "We knew penalties were going to be a big part of the game" tells me they expected Brad Rogers' crew to throw a lot of flags.

Mike I would think the O- line would loving nothing more to make statement and run the ball well against the only team ahead them in run yards allowed

Oh for sure. But if the Browns are going to load the box like the Lions did, LaFleur isn't going to run into walls. He's going to turn Love loose and tell those guys to protect like mad.

How did Bo Melton get injured? How is he now?

He's been listed with a shoulder injury. He was back at practice today, too, so hopefully that's a good sign for him.

Kraft reminds me a little of Robert Tonyan a few years ago.

I can see what you mean. I think Kraft has a chance to become that much more dynamic of a player based on what he's done at such a young age.

How great is it to have Malik Willis as a security blanket?

Apparently some people want the Packers to trade him. I gave my thoughts in Inbox this morning on that one.

This team looks so dominant - to me like the mid 90s when they all of sudden started dominating games, with Fritz running Butler around, and Reggie, everyone attacking QBs. And this offense is ascending I think.

How do we temper expectations week by week?

I think it's great to be enthusiastic and fired up, but just understand it's not a video game. There are no guarantees any given week, and the other guys get paid, too.

Are you aware of any plans for the Packers to extend MLF and Gutey? Not doing so soon, I'm convinced, would be terrible shortsighted mistake.

That's up to Ed Policy, and both guys have multiple years on their contract currently. I'm sure those decisions will be made in due time.

Chris Brooks receiving out of the backfield has been productive when targeted. Another nice op with Reed out?

Maybe, but Josh Jacobs proved last year he can be productive in the passing game, too.

It's so nice that the narrative of poor tackling is a result of not playing in the pre season. I've seen a few missed tackles but nothing egregious. Do you agree?

Yes. The Packers have begun the season with very sound tackling. Hopefully it continues. There are always lapses in a season. They're inevitable. But GB is off to a great start in that area.

I recall Flacco playing lights out season or two back when everyone gave up on him

When his days in Baltimore ended, if you had told me the Packers would be playing a game in 2025 with Joe Flacco as the opposing starting QB, I would've said you're crazy. Kudos to him for his longevity.

In today's Inbox you said there's no way you'd trade Willis for a 2nd. But he's a free agent after this year and we potentially get nothing (depending on whom we sign in free agency) No consideration at all to recoup some draft capital with no first rounders for the next two years?

Nope. Not when trading him puts you one play away from being as desperate as those teams trying to trade for him now. This team has big aspirations. I'm not messing with it.

How much chipping with the TE do you anticipate seeing on Garrett? It seems like a logical way to at least slow him down a bit. More 12 package?

That's what the Packers did to Hutchinson in Week 1. They chipped him constantly, and it had to be frustrating for him. The TEs have proven to be very effective at it. Kraft is really slick at getting in the chip and getting into his route smoothly and quickly.

Was sorry to read QB Joe Burrow will continue to elude you. Any other QBs in the league you're still hoping to watch with your own eyes?

Lamar Jackson is coming to Lambeau later this season. When the Packers played at Baltimore in 2021, our website crew wasn't traveling due to Covid restrictions. Same reason I missed Burrow live that year.

Do you think the Viking's GM is saving face and using injury to sit JJ McCarthy is "ready" to start?

O'Connell was pressed on that point and said it's medical. He's earned the right to be believed.

Mike, can you ask Josh Jacobs or Matt Lafleur why the offensive plan doesn't include passes to him? Or do u know? Besides keeping him as a blocker

So far that's been probably the biggest factor, is he's needed to pick up blitzing LBs so he's not out in the routes. That could change in the coming weeks. Love's numbers vs. the blitz are pretty impressive so far and teams are going to pick up on that.

Could increased penalties be due to the short week? Less recovery time, less practice?

Definitely can be a factor. During those short weeks, they really don't do any live practice reps. It's all walk-throughs so their bodies can be ready to play. Lot of give and take in those weeks when it comes to preparation.

With so many down field passes why are teams still crowding the line

We'll see if it continues. It's only been two games.

All this defense talk takes some attention away from where it goes on most teams, the QB. Love just looks healthy (minus left thumb) and comfortable. If the offensive line can settle in and the weapons get more in sync I think Love will have the opportunity for a special season. Or do you see some issues?

There's a lot to like so far. I think Jacobs and the run game will get going, and Love has shown he's not afraid to be aggressive and push the ball down the field. Kraft is going to be a problem for defenses. I think Golden will be soon enough, too, and then later on Watson and Reed are coming back. There's a lot to look forward to, methinks.

Man, there sure was a lot of injuries this last weekend. What are your thoughts on Sean Clifford to the Bengals practice squad?

I'm glad for Sean that he's found another spot in the league for now. He's a Cincinnati native so I'm sure that makes it pretty cool for him. I wish him the best of luck.

Where are we on Salary cap right now in case we need to make a trade/move when the trade deadline comes around?

I don't have the numbers in front of me but there aren't any restrictions to worry about at the moment.

You got a 1 pm (est) game this Sunday, so you got that going for you. How many early games are scheduled for this year?

This is the first of six as the games are currently listed, but flex scheduling could change all that.

I've been rooting for Anthony Belton since he got here -- local Tallahassee guy does good.

Do you think he has a chance to be one of the real good ones longterm?

For sure. He's just getting started. Been through some adversity already and come out the other side better for it. I think the Packers found another good one up front.

Parsons hate for trick plays reminds me of Vic's Players not plays...

Ha. Yeah.

I can't remember the last time GB played in Cleveland. What's their playing surface like these days? Grass? Turf?

It was 2017, when Brett Hundley was filling in for Rodgers (collarbone) and Davante Adams caught a TD pass in OT for the win. It's a grass field.

Advantage to Micah or advantage to Dallas next week, since they know each other so well?

Let's get through the Browns game first.

Mike, I'm coming to the Cleveland game. Where can I buy you a beer?

I don't even know what hotel we're staying at yet. If you find that out, you can probably find me, ha.

With teams that play a lot of man coverage, is the expectation that Love will take off and run more with the DB's backs turned?

That's when those explosive scrambles happen, vs. man coverage, which is often played behind a blitz. It's much harder to scramble vs. zone.

The deep threat Golden presents should buy him a lot of space on the LOS

Or corners are going to try to jam him hard and throw him off his route early. Easier said than done. We'll see.

Do you know what approximate percentage of the playing time "0" Golden is getting? I know he hasn't seen much action, but I assume that's because Love/LaFleur spread the ball around quite a bit. Lots of different receivers.

I don't have his snap count in front of me, but it's not something I'm worried about. Lotta mouths to feed in this offense.

Mike the more you see clubs draft a very talented (based on draft position and scouting) QB and just throw him to the wolves, it's gives this fan such an appreciation for the process and luxury the Packers have enjoyed over the years! Nothing tops long term planning I guess !

The Packers have proven their way works. But not every team has a HOF QB who doesn't need to be replaced right away. That changes the equation too.

Cleveland is very tough to run against. Care to predict whether Jacobs will keep his streak alive?

Yeah, the TD streak faces a really tough test this week. I'm not into predictions but if he continues it this week, it might not stop for a while yet.

In recent articles there has been a suggestion that scoring points is easier via long field goals. Will the kicker become more valuable than a premium WR and will the salary cap adjust with the increased value for a kicker?

No, I don't see that. Teams will still be reluctant to try those super long kicks unless it's the end of half or game because of the field-position risk. But what kickers are doing these days sure changes end-of-game scenarios for defenses.

I know I shouldn't look at this stuff but there was a listing this week of the top ten backup QBs that omitted Willis but had Jaxson Dart third. Why do I waste my time?

You asked the question.

Mike, during the pre-season, there was a lot of talk about digital tracking/removing the chains. I don't recall seeing any digital tracking action during games. What am I missing?

I've seen a couple of virtual measurements but they haven't been that common yet.

Do those close throws to Golden become completions this week?

At some point they will be.

How's the food in the press box in Cleveland?

It's been 8 years. I can't even remember what I ate last weekend.

Side Question - There seems to be a lot of talk on sports radio about Tom Brady being an owner AND having access to players as his broadcast job. What's your take on that? Big deal or no big deal?

From what I've read, Brady does not have access to the production meetings the network conducts with teams, but it still seems dicey to me when anyone from FOX in those meetings can pass info onto him. Not saying they'd do it for any advantage, but to help their broadcast. I don't know. The whole thing sure looks questionable.

How much did the packers use a spy against J Daniels?

On occasion there definitely was one, usually Cooper or Walker. I don't think that's a concern vs. Flacco, though.

Jacobs get 100 this week?

That would be an MVP performance against Cleveland's run defense.

I personally like the fact that kickers might trend toward the super long kicks...it is FOOTball after all.

Many disagree with me, but I don't see really long field goals being good for the game. The rules are already geared so much toward offenses. I like good defense being rewarded, too.

One topic that could be explored further is Packers tendency to either go three and out or have a beautiful long drive. Assign that project to Wes? I know, it's only two games.

No project needed at the moment. We'll see what transpires in the coming weeks. Two games is barely more than 10% of the season.

Given Joe Flacco's age and limited mobility, does Hafley dial up more blitzes this week?

We'll see. If rushing four is getting to him, there may be no need to blitz. One thing we know about Hafley is he's always looking to mix things up.

Packers should allow you in production meetings to prepare for your blog!

Ha, that would be awesome, but I'm not holding my breath.

All right, with that, I think I'll call it a chat. Thanks for all the participation folks, and enjoy the rest of your week. I'll be back on this platform Sunday from Cleveland. Take care, Mike