Hey everybody. Thanks for logging on today and hope all is well. Go ahead and start sending in your questions and I'll get started shortly.

Have you recovered from the chaos that was Sunday night?

I'm not sure, lol. That was just nuts. I still don't feel fully rested as far as catching up on sleep, but there's also been so much to rehash from that game, and without another game this week the debrief won't stop.

Hi Mike. Going back to the intentional grounding non-call. It appeared the pass sailed directly over the blocking RB. Would the RB be considered a receiver in the area or does he have to be in a position to actually play the ball?

He'd be considered an eligible receiver whether he's looking at the ball or not. I don't think that's where Dak was throwing it, though. I think he was trying to pull back his throw, the ball came out of his hand, but because it still went forward it was a forward pass and incomplete. That's how I saw it anyway.

Good morning. GB needs help on d line, and AZ lost another RB. Would it make sense to sell high on Emanuel Wilson at this point?

I wouldn't trade Wilson at this point, no way. MarShawn Lloyd's injury history precludes even considering it, in my view.

A few years ago, the NFL shortened the OT period from 15 min. to 10 min. in order to reduce player fatigue and injury. Now they decided each team should be guaranteed one possession in overtime. (which I agree with). Won't these two changes together lead to more ties? How many ties will it take for the league to review and make another change to the OT rules?

I don't think the league is worried about more ties, to be honest, even though more are likely to occur as you said. It wanted to create an overtime that gave both teams a fair shake, and it's done that. If both getting a fair shake means nobody wins on occasion, everybody has to live with that.

What do we do with our return game?

LaFleur said yesterday the kickoffs that are landing short of the goal line need to be caught. The effort must be made to field those and return them. On punts, they want Matthew Golden to learn the skill and he's learning on the fly. His hands certainly aren't an issue, but it takes a while to experience all the different types of decisions that can come up.

Any news on Devonte Wyatt's knee injury?

Week to week with the knee.

Which players currently IR can be activated after the bye?

Lloyd, Jacob Monk, Collin Oliver, Christian Watson and John Williams are all eligible to begin practicing, but it doesn't mean they will.

Coach MLF is really good coach but the same issues repeating themselves year after year is continue to hurt this team. Teams will have bad games, drops passes, fumble, miss tackles. The continued special teams errors and penalties need to be improved and to me that is all coaching. I hope he figures it out because I want him here a long time.

He's not happy with where the team is after four games. I think that's clear from his press conferences, and he knows it's on him, and those he delegates to, to fix the recurring problems. He's navigated rough patches before and gotten things smoothed out. What the Packers are dealing with now is nothing like the way 2023 was going for a while, and by the end of that season the team was playing as well as anybody across the league. No guarantee they can get there again, but the track record is there.

4 games in, and it feels like we've seen (at least) 3 different teams. Gotta love September ball! Do you feel the same?

Not really. I thought we saw pretty much the same team the first two games, and then the last two games we've seen a team that can look really really good and really awful on the same day.

but wasn't OT initially added to the regular season to reduce ties?

Sure it was, but over the years the OT system wasn't fair. It came down to the coin toss way too often. So they've adjusted and tweaked it to make it fair. If two teams play 70 minutes and can't decide it, then just call it and go home.

Ok, so if trading Wilson isn't an option (and I don't disagree with your assessment there)...what option do we have to shore up d line with Wyatt dealing with a knee?

More snaps for Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Nazir Stackhouse. Maybe Warren Brinson, who's been a gameday inactive, gets his shot.

I know Xavier McKinney has been relatively quiet. Nobody can live up to last years beginning. What have you seen from him watching the tape?

I can't say I've studied him specifically. Hafley raves about how he's playing and what he does for the defense communication-wise. I'm sure there's a lot they've gone over from this last game, which was rough on everyone.

I am shocked over what seems like Micah Parsons getting an OL's hands to/under his facemask on almost every single rush by him, and not one single flag thrown. What the heck? That is still illegal isn't it?

Lots of fans making this same observation. I'm sure it's something Parsons has dealt with his whole career. I don't know what to tell you.

Do we really want Golden back there taking extra hits like that? Tough kid.

He is a tough kid, and we'll see if they try anybody else, but Jayden Reed's injury forced their hand a bit.

I think the special teams will get fixed and we have a kicker who can handle the pressure. Should we be concerned about the defense or do we chalk it up to one game?

We'll see. After the way the first three games went on D, I'm not going to indict the unit for an off night. Prescott was really, really good, and the Cowboys made some tough plays. I still think this defense will hold up and put together winning performances way more often than not.

Do you think a lot of the speculation about trading Romeo Doubs, aside from the impact of extending Watson, has to do with the brief suspension? That's seems a nothing burger relative to the quality character and performance he consistently displays. Are the odds we keep him going up with ever touchdown he scores?

I think the trade speculation results from him being a free agent after the season and the Packers having so many young receivers on the roster. He's going to hit a different pay grade next year. Whether or not the Packers will want to pay that remains to be seen. It's a discussion for another day. Right now, he's producing and helping this team immensely.

Good afternoon, Mike. Given Rich Bisaccia's coaching pedigree, are you surprised the special teams units have not performed better during his 3+ years in Green Bay?
P.S. I would be delighted if Ron Torbert and his crew don't officiate another Packers' game this season!

The breakdowns have been frustrating. I get it. I'm sure they're frustrating for Bisaccia and everyone on the coaching staff involved with ST. The Packers got their punter and kicker straightened out after some time in the wilderness at those two positions, now they have to figure out the rest.

Has Stackhouse had any time on defense in the regular season?

Yes. I don't have his snap counts in front of me, but he has seen game action.

I am sure I am not the only fan a bit frustrated with ST overall. between the long returns and blocked kicks they have possibly cost us 3 of the last 5 regular season games not to mention the playoff fumble at Philly.

I don't even want to go back to the playoff fumble in Philly. Yes, that was ST, but that was officiated poorly from all directions.

What is your assessment of Jordan Morgan's play so far this year?

Up and down. He's got talent and I think when he settles in at one spot in a given game, he gets better as the game goes on. He wasn't afforded that luxury in Cleveland, and he always has to be ready to move around. It's part of his job description right now. Not an easy one to master.

Any thoughts on the penalty Elgton Jenkins took down by the goal line for moving the ball? That wouldn't seem to have any impact on the play.

I've seen a ton of questions about this and haven't answered any because I really don't know what to say. I can't recall seeing that called on the goal line before. I think plenty of centers move the ball, it's just whether the official sees it and/or feels like bothering to call it. That one did in that situation. Whatever. Glad the Packers overcame it and hopefully it's a lesson to be wary of it.

If the opponent QB can get rid of the ball quick. What can Packers D do other than just cover longer?

The simple answer is disrupt routes more at the line of scrimmage, but that's easier said than done. If you miss on the jam, the receiver is taking off down the field and putting his hand up.

Gotta throw in a prop for Doubs. Malik Heath describes him as the undisputed leader in the WR room.

I think Watson is very much a leader in that group as well but obviously he hasn't been playing this year yet.

I know we all expected Parsons to be the savior of the defense, but it seems like he's been very quiet. We don't get to see how he does on every snap. What is your opinion of how he has changed the defense and how other team's play us.

He's an incredibly dynamic pass rusher, and opposing offenses are paying attention to him at every moment. They're providing help and focusing on getting rid of the ball if he gets free, and he gets free sooner than anyone else out there. The Packers will face a lot of good QBs this season, but Prescott in his own building is as tough as it gets. I expect visiting QBs at Lambeau to have a difficult time against the pass rush Parsons & Co. will bring.

PFF grades have been impressive for Parsons, for the most part. I don't know what that means, but I thought I'd mention it.

It's because his pressure rate relative to his number of pass rush snaps is at or near the top of the league.

On the moving the ball, I think they mentioned on TV that it was another point of emphasis this year. As if we needed another one.

Oh interesting. I wasn't aware of that. I guess I'm surprised I hadn't seen a call until Week 4 then. But maybe they all started watching it more closely when the edict came out to officiate the tush push more tightly, too.

I also think Rashan Gary's sack total speaks volumes about Parson's value.

For sure. Gary wasn't able to get a sack in Dallas, but 4 1/2 in the first 3 games is high impact, absolutely. Pass rushers are always at a slight disadvantage on the road, because the home QB can vary his cadence and do hard counts, all of that. Not so much when the QB is on the road and the silent count is in use.

Saw an article saying Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker weren't involved enough in the pass rush last week. Was that by design or even accurate?

The Packers didn't blitz much in Dallas, so the LBs weren't rushing much. They thought their four-man rush could do the job, and they figured Prescott would be getting rid of the ball quickly, which he was. When the opposing QB is taking three-step drops and firing, if you've got a blitz on, there are fewer guys back there to make the tackle on a short throw and that's when those plays can rupture. It's always a cat and mouse games. Sometimes the DC guesses right on a call, sometimes the OC does.

I think the aggressive play call before halftime in Dallas isn't being talked about enough. It seems Lafleur is overestimating how easy it is to drive down the field in 30 seconds based on his time with Rodgers at the helm. I can think of plenty of times Rodgers executed the :30 drill to perfection (including in Dallas). That is not the norm, and there's no reason to force it with a halftime lead when the game is going the way it's going.

He admitted after the false start put them back on the 27, he should've shut the drive down. With the first down at the 32, one more substantial completion over the middle or a couple of short sideline throws and Brandon McManus has a shot. The false start and not reacting to it properly was the problem.

This early bye gives the team to reset and recover. Too many folks have already written off this season. I'm looking forward to seeing a refreshed team v Cincy. At least we haven't lost our top dogs (knock on wood)! :)

I've been doing this too long to just throw up the hands and say they won't get it done. Every year, teams look different in December and January compared to September. Sometimes it's for the better. Sometimes not. But the goal is always to improve and progress, especially with young players coming into their prime. This team has a lot going for it. Will they maximize on it? That's what's worth watching.

Love looks to be playing very well, particularly given the health of the OL and some high levels targets. At the same time, I think he's got another gear or two in him and his arrow is pointing up. What do you think of his current performance relative to expectation or comparative development?

I think he's playing really well. He's going to have a miscue here or there, and unfortunately the one in Cleveland was really costly. The strip sack in Dallas wasn't on him. He shouldn't have been in that position (see above) and the protection broke down on his blind side. There's a ton to like about the way Love is playing, and it's not just the stats. Did anyone else notice on the 18-yard TD run by Josh Jacobs in Dallas, Love canned to that run play. He made that call at the line (hands to the ears) and it was the perfect call for Jacobs to break it.

To my untrained eye, it seemed like the cornerbacks continually played 8-10 yards off the LOS. I feel like this is as a big reason parsons or the pass rush wasn't getting home. Dak seemed to always have the quick pass open since our corners were giving such a large cushion. Not sure if they were scared to get beat deep, but super frustrating to watch them march right down the field on short pass after short pass after short pass.

I agree it was frustrating, but there were times they were trying to press the receivers at the line and getting beat. That leaves the DC in a tough spot.

Through 4 weeks, you think Quay has earned himself an extension?

I know Gutekunst has expressed his desire to keep Quay around long term. His play these first four games has only confirmed that.

You watching any football this weekend or taking a break and just watching baseball?

I'll take in my share of both. Really wish the Brewers Game 2 was Sunday, but it's not until Monday. I was hoping for two Brewers games this weekend.

Packers are my ride or die so I don't watch many other teams, does it seem to youike it does me, that we are the starting point for these point of emphasis calls?

That sounds a little paranoid. But when you play the national game of the week in Week 1 late Sunday afternoon, the Thursday night game in Week 2 and the Sunday night game in Week 4, you're in the spotlight a lot and that kind of stuff happens.

Do you think being a younger team has resulted in inconsistent play early in the season, this season and previous seasons?

This team isn't as young as it's been in terms of experience. I just think every season is a new one and in these early stages coaches find out what needs to be emphasized again, perhaps, for games and what things are more settled. Practice isn't game action, and you just have to find out when it's real.

You know, I'm kind of tired of hearing MLF say it's on him and he needs to be better. After CLE, he stated he shouldn't have given Love a play at the end of the 3rd. Now he says he shouldn't have tried to be cute at the end of the half in DAL. How does a normal fan hear this and not think MLF can't do the job?

I think it's refreshing to hear a coach admit his mistakes and not try to hide behind anything or act like he's infallible. That goes a long way leadership-wise in a locker room of 70 men.

Prior to the start of training camp, I thought Dontayvion Wicks could be the odd man out in the WR room. Do you have any thoughts on how he advanced his game this season?

I've been impressed with Wicks, especially given he missed so much of training camp with his calf injury. He's performed well and been reliable. Love trusts him, and he's proven to be ready even if he goes a stretch without getting targeted. That's what it takes to succeed in this league.

The perfection of canning the play and giving Jacob's his chance was mentioned instantly by Collingsworth. Good on him.

Good to hear. I'm not listening to the TV broadcast when I'm live blogging, but I saw Love go to the ears and then the handoff busted for a big play. That's a great pre-snap read of the defense.

Does our focus on youth play a part in our abysmal ST play?

Every team has young players on special teams. But all it takes is one guy missing a block or committing a penalty and the whole unit gets criticized.

Which team has disappointed and over achieved for you through 4 weeks?

Well, I didn't think Baltimore would be 1-3, but the Ravens have played a really tough schedule. Tampa Bay pulling out all those last-second wins for their first three was pretty impressive, too. We'll see if Baker can keep it up. The Colts have been a surprise. They should've beaten the Rams to get to 4-0. They had that game.

i'm really looking for a packer defense rebound coming out of a bye week and playing a joe burrow-less bengal squad. what say you?

I'm looking for the same. The Bengals are really struggling on offense without Burrow.

Jacobs is running aggressively and when the OL gets healthy, watch out.

Another of my thoughts, yeah.

The turnovers committed by the Packers, including the 2 blocked kicks, have been game changers vs. the 2 interceptions made not leading to points. A turnaround there would go a long way toward wins moving forward.

No doubt. The offense has turned the ball over only twice in four games, but the two have been killers. The defense hasn't succeeded at taking the ball away. One turnover could've stemmed the tide in Dallas and gotten the D some mojo back.

In OT, Suppose that the team that gets the ball first puts together a 9 min. 59 sec. drive and kicks a field goal as the clock expires without the other team getting a possesion. Would OT be extended for that?

Nope. If the team that gets the ball first burns all 10 minutes, that's it.

Knowing that QBs are looking to get the ball out quick, should be an advantage for our secondary. Not a hindrance. Right?

It should be, but then you never know when the QB is going to take a deep drop against what he's hoping is not a blitz so they can take their shot down the field. That's what I mean about the constant cat and mouse game.

Is it unrealistic to think that ST should have been able to make a tackle on the PAT return?

If a small guy on the FG block team gets the ball, there's no catching him. The FG kicking team has all bigger guys plus a holder and kicker out there.

Josh Jacobs is #1 in the league in Rushing Attempts (80) and only 13th in Rushing Yards (266) for a 3.3 yard average on the season. What needs to change?

Get healthy up front and keep feeding him the ball. He's got 119 receiving yards, too. That's 385 total yards in four games.

The announcers mentioned that Jenkins keeps looking between his legs to snap the ball and that isn't typical. Watching him it looks kind of silly and seems to give the defense a bit of an advantage at the snap. Any thoughts?

If it's what works between Jenkins and Love, I wouldn't mess with it. Every team has its own comfort zone with that sort of stuff.

How many of Jacobs' yards rushing are before and after contact?

I don't have any stats in front of me on that, sorry.

Agree about the deep shot and cat & mouse game. Thats football. And two can play at that game! My main point was that the defense needs to be able to adjust quicker in the middle of a game. It's only week 5. Let's hope there's growth from Sunday night.

I think it got difficult to make adjustments when they lost Nate Hobbs to the concussion. Just my speculation there.

Has there been any update on the Wyatt knee? It seems as soon as he exited the game, we lost our internal pressure being put on Prescott.

I saw Lukas Van Ness get some internal pressure when he lined up inside, but yeah, Wyatt was off to a great start this season, for the third season in a row, actually, and every time he's been hit with an injury that has halted his game.

There is so much for this team to build on. Fans are losing sleep over full consistency in week 4. How good has Love looked? Seems like his progression is being lost in the madness

I agree there. Folks expect mistake-free football and that's just not realistic. That performance by Love in Dallas was really impressive and hopefully a great sign of what's to come.

Two games in 5 days against very good teams and then two road games. I'm liking our chances after the bye, getting healthy and settled in with the addition of #1.

Me too. And with that, I'm going to call it a chat. Thanks for all the participation folks and enjoy your Packers-less weekend. Talk to you again soon. Best, Mike