Joseph from Ashburn, VA
What will coaches be watching for most from the defensive player rookies?
Plays.
Robin from Ashburn
What should we be looking forward to seeing most in the preseason opener?
Jordan Love. He's been with the Packers for almost 1½ years and many of y'all have yet to see him throw a pass. I'm excited to see these offensive skill-position players, too. Receiver gets a lot of attention but the position battles at tight end and running back are also tight.
Ambrose from Lyons, NY
Even the greatest quarterback can't throw dimes on every play under constant pressure. And the best running back is as good as his offensive line. With the team aspect of the game so critical for individual success, how easy is it for a coach to grade an individual player's accomplishments when they are lining up next to second- and third-stringers? Do coaches grade players differently in the preseason rather than the regular season?
I mean, it is what it is. Whether it's the first team or the fourth team, you play with who is on the field. The other thing to keep in mind is those players also are lining up against second- and third-stringers, too. Even if they're not, it's still a chance for the young player to impress. I think back to Graham Harrell playing lights-out against Kansas City's starters in the 2012 preseason finale. Whether you're the backup QB or the perceived 90th player on the roster, every snap is an opportunity in the preseason.
Brian from Pensacola, FL
If you were coaching the first preseason game tomorrow, do you start Love with a handoff, short quick pass, or instant deep shot?
I start Love with a quick play-action slant to get him into a rhythm. I start Kurt Benkert with four verts to give the people what they want.
Jeff from Muskego, WI
How long do you think Love will play Saturday?
My prediction is three quarters…or 80 points. Whichever comes first.
Roger from Lakewood Ranch, FL
Good morning Wes. Who will start at running back on Saturday night?
My best guesstimate would be Kylin Hill, because the rookie seventh-round pick has usually been the next guy up behind AJ Dillon in practice. But Patrick Taylor and Dexter Williams are going to play a lot, too.
Paul from Gorham, ME
Insiders, 1. Every year at least one player makes the final 53 who isn't on the team during camp. Do you see that this year, too? 2. Schools in northern Maine have time carved out for harvesting potatoes. 3. My alma mater St. Mary's Spring, in Fond du Lac, has a truly terrible team name: The Ledgers. AMAZING football program, uninspiring, blah name. Not witty, not intimidating, and geological in origin. Go Pack!
Not this year. That happened the past few years because the Packers often were caught short-handed at certain positions due to injuries (e.g. inside linebacker). This is arguably the deepest team I've covered. Barring something unforeseen, I think the Packers' 53-man roster will be built entirely by players currently on the camp roster.
Randy from Bayfield, WI
I always pictured Josiah Deguara as a player who really wants to get his jersey dirty and give his all. That being said, just how important is he going to be in this system for the team?
Essential. Deguara is smart, which only enhances his physical gifts. He can run, block, and catch passes down the seam. He's the perfect player for Matt LaFleur's offense.
Tom from Douglassville, WI
What is the one thing you want to see the Packers do in our first preseason game?
Break a kickoff or punt return for a big gain.
Steve from Bloomington
Not having had the pleasure of attending a Packers practice, can you give us an idea of how a typical practice goes? Is there a conditioning session or are the players expected to get in and stay in shape on their own? What other "sessions" happen during a typical practice? Thank you.
The team warms up in the Hutson Center for 20 minutes before coming out for tackling drills, position work and a ball-security period. When the team is in pads, it will split between OL vs. DL and skill-position player vs. DB/LB one-on-ones for 10 minutes or so. The Packers will then do a few team periods, break for special teams, and close with a move-the-ball or two-minute period.
Chuck from Gold Canyon, AZ
Happy Game Day, Wes. I am excited to see the competition for the last 8-10 spots on the roster that will take place over the next three weeks. With Randy Ramsey being placed on IR this week, does the designation at this point make Ramsey ineligible to return this season since he was not on the original 53-man roster? If that is true, what must Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, Delontae Scott and Chauncey Rivers need to show to strengthen probably the weakest position group after top three? Do you think a possible veteran signing is coming?
Correct. An injured player must be carried through final cuts in order to be eligible to be designated to return later this season. Placing Ramsey on IR now means his 2021 season with the team is over. Those four edge rushers will all play a lot this preseason and need to seize this opportunity. Rivers has impressed me since the Packers claimed him from Baltimore. He's not the biggest outside linebacker but he has some twitch and explosiveness to his game.
Todd from Brighton, MI
Will Saturday be one of the more unique preseason games you have covered?
Well, I covered a preseason game on an 80-yard field in Winnipeg and once traveled to Canton for a game that was canceled due to melted paint on the field turf. While it's been a minute since I covered a preseason game, I couldn't honestly call this "one of the more unique preseason games" I've covered.
Aaron from Brooklyn, NY
All the talk about the competition for RB3 seems to be assuming that we won't keep four. We kept four last year with Tyler Ervin primarily contributing from positions other than the backfield before his injury. What do you think the chances are that we keep four this year? Would it take having one be the clear front-runner from the perspective of RB duties while another carves out a core special-team role?
No idea. You have to see these young guys play in at least one preseason game before you start cutting the roster.
Scott from Noblesville, IN
I enjoyed Mike's answer and James from Appleton's question about WR/RB duos. It did, however, make my respect for Sterling Sharpe and John Brockington increase, as both played without the GREAT complement at the other position. I still get very frustrated reading various "Cliff" articles on how badly Devine misused Brockington in the '72 playoffs. People also tend to re-write the history of how the '93 playoff team was more Sterling's (and Reggie's) than Brett's at that point in Favre's career.
Spoff was right Hutson and Canadeo would be the best combo. Antonio Freeman and Dorsey Levens are the only other duo I'd add to that list.
Carl from Sheboygan, WI
Besides LeRoy Butler and Sterling Sharpe, are there other past Packers you feel have a legitimate chance to be HOFers?
Cecil Isbell and Verne Lewellen.
Rick from Caledonia, WI
Good morning! Any word on when Kevin King may be back on the field? Nature of his injury or just caution given his past health issues?
King (hamstring) has been activated off the non-football injury list and practiced in pads on Thursday.
Christopher from Frederick, MD
If you could pick one player or coach you have written about, past or present, to have an hour-long conversation with, no cameras or questions required, who would it be and why?
James Campen. Because he's one of the best humans I know.
Nick from Plainwell, MI
Hi Wes, any players around the league you'll be keeping a tab on during preseason action?
Tim Boyle. #TBLS for life.
Kyle from Osceola, WI
Does Jace Sternberger's suspension take effect after the cutdown to 53 or before it? Meaning, do they have to expose another tight end to the waiver wire? I can't remember from past years.
The Packers do not have to carry Sternberger on their 53-man roster through final cuts. He'll go on reserve/suspended for the first two games before he needs to be activated.
Perry from Ishpeming, MI
Happy Friday Spoff and Hod! Did you guys catch the Field of Dreams entrance? Wow! What would be your football field of dreams to attend a game? And which teams?
Packers and Giants on Nov. 24, 1929, at New York's Polo Grounds. The 9-0 Packers turned back the 8-0-1 Giants, 20-6, to essentially win the first of their 13 world titles. Those men knew it was an important game, but I doubt anyone knew what that victory would mean for the Packers establishing their legacy of greatness.
Marin from West Lawn, PA
When a team places a player on waivers during the preseason, can any other team make an immediate claim for his services? Or does the NFL have in place a list giving some teams priority over others in submitting claims for the same player?
Any team can place a claim but teams with the worst records from last year still have priority. I believe the order resets after Week 3 of the new season.
Derek from Eau Claire, WI
Fans back in the stands…
Roster hopefuls take their shot…
Is Dean in the house?
Nope. Hahaha.
Sue from Tomah, WI
The time is now. Gentlemen: Start your laptops! GO PACK GO!
I never thought I'd say this…but after a two-year hiatus, I am ready for some preseason football. Enjoy the game everybody.
