Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. Do you have anything new and different planned for this year's version of your game day "live blog"? I'm looking forward to it already. Thanks.

Nothing new planned. Just hoping it works reliably. That's always a win in the live interaction world.

Jonathan from Muenster, Germany

Hi guys, I really enjoy reading your articles on the different players like Daniel Whelan or Kenneth Odumegwu. Has it at some point happened to you that you wrote an article on a player and then that player got released before you could publish the article?

It's never happened to me, fortunately. There's always a risk in camp, when you work on a story and plan to publish a few days later, the player could get injured. We cross our fingers.

Mark from West Des Moines, IA

Which side has looked better in training camp, the offense or defense?

The defense thus far. But the offense hasn't had its No. 1 offensive line intact yet. Zach Tom returned to 11-on-11 Tuesday, but Jordan Morgan dropped out of practice, so the beat goes on.

Nathaniel from Brighton, CO

How do you feel our run game is right now? What strengths are you seeing from Josh Jacobs? I know that last year was a "down" year for him, what new things do you think he will bring to the Packers' offense?

I'm impressed with how quickly Jacobs can hit the hole and explode through it. Maybe it's my brain still being accustomed to Aaron Jones, but with Jacobs a bigger back, he doesn't look like he'd be that fast. I think his combination of speed and power can bring something different over four quarters. I asked Love a version of your question Tuesday and this was a portion of his answer: "His cutting ability in and out of the holes is crazy. It's fun to watch … He's going to be a hard player to tackle."

Ryan from Bloomer, WI

What happens in the new kickoff format when the wind is blowing the ball off the tee? It seems like a considerable disadvantage to the kicking team if they have to line another player up 30 yards behind the setup zone. Or will the holder be able to start running up to the setup zone after the kick? What about the kicker, what are his limitations after the ball is kicked but before it lands on a normal kick? So many questions.

If the ball is blown off the tee twice, the kicking team can send a 12th player onto the field to hold for the kickoff, but he must immediately sprint to the sideline after the ball is kicked. I don't think the kicker has any limitations on where he can go.

Dave from Westminster, CO

Hi guys. Under the new kickoff rules, I understand onside kicks can only be attempted in the fourth quarter and must be declared. But what happens if a normal kickoff is not covered by the receiving team, say a kickoff goes to the 8-yard line and does not go into the end zone, and is first possessed by the kicking team? Is it the kicking team's ball, or is the kick downed there, or?

If the ball reaches the landing zone on the fly and remains there without being touched by the receiving team, it's a live ball.

Bob from Covington, KY

Hi, guys. I hope I misunderstood the safety kick answer. The team kicks from their 20 and the landing zone is unchanged? So a kick/punt of 60+ yards is required to reach the landing zone or the ball is automatically spotted at the 40?

Correct. That's an average distance for a kicker or punter to hit. For a kickoff from the normal spot, that's like crossing the 5-yard line. For a punt, that's equivalent to a statistical 45-yarder that doesn't include the snap.

Robert from Salem, WI

Aside from the new kickoff procedures, what rule changes do you think would have the biggest impact on games?

I think we're going to see a lot of trouble with this ban on the hip-drop tackle. I believe it'll be very difficult for the officials to get those calls right in real time, and they aren't getting any assist from replay. As with RTP and other personal fouls, we're going to see players get fined without getting flagged, and vice versa.

James from Appleton, WI

Which position group has a ceiling highest over where their heads are now (linebackers?) and which group is closest to what you see is what you get (O-line?)?

The highest ceiling remains the receiving corps to me. So young and so numerous. The answer to the other question is probably cornerback. Only one of the top four at that position (Carrington Valentine) has less than three years of NFL experience.

Troy from Westminster, CO

Seemingly the fourth amongst an explosive quartet of receivers, it's good to see Romeo Doubs getting the accolades he's been receiving lately. Every time he catches a ball in traffic, he reminds me of James Jones. If his number were 89, I wouldn't know the difference. Fair comparison?

When Doubs first arrived, he reminded me of JJ in terms of physical body type. I think he's developed more reliable hands and an attack-the-ball mentality sooner than Jones did in his career. So much so it was an absolute shock to see Doubs drop a pass over the middle Tuesday.

Lori from Broomfield, CO

I can truly appreciate the value of diversity for the receiving group and the challenges it poses to opponents. At the same time appearances would lead one to believe Romeo Doubs gets more critical targets and a has a phenomenal success rate and not by coincidence. Has a special bond developed with him and Jordan?

For sure. As a rookie in '22, Doubs took a lot of snaps with Love in spring and summer practices, and those two work out together all the time.

Bryan from Madison, WI

Christian Watson is routinely mentioned in II as a "game changer/field tilter." No argument from me. At the same time, Ja has made a point of highlighting Doubs, going so far as to call him amongst the best in the league. This isn't a "who is better" question, just wondering how we are supposed to interpret these comments? Is Doubs a really good WR who just hasn't yet received the praise of pundits? My gut says yes.

As far as the outside/pundit view, folks have to remember Doubs didn't have a 100-yard game in his career until the playoffs in Dallas last season, and he's had just one multi-TD game (Week 1 at Chicago last year). In fact, he had just two career games with more than 73 yards until topping that mark in both playoff contests in January. If he picks up where he left off, the attention will follow. As far as Watson and Doubs, they're different types of players, and Watson dictates defensive coverages because of the obvious big-play threat. That's not to say Doubs can't burn a defense with the right matchup, because he certainly can, but he's not the type of player who keeps defensive coordinators up at night. That doesn't make him any less productive.

Mark from Greenville, SC

It sure sounds like Grant DuBose is making a name for himself in camp. What do you think of the possibility that the Packers keep seven WRs on the 53?

Difficult to say. How the depth chart shakes out at other positions, and on special teams, will all factor in. Decisions like that aren't made in a vacuum.

Michelle from Watertown, WI

Who do you foresee will be the Packers' main punt returner this season? Any new promising prospects (other than Trace Martinez)?

Ha. I'd be surprised if the punt returner isn't Jayden Reed or Keisean Nixon.

Matt from Middleton, WI

Hi Mike, why hasn't Greg Joseph stuck with his previous teams?

Good question. Teams have always felt they could do better, I guess. Part of the business. The Browns went with a rookie (Austin Seibert) in 2019, the Titans turned to a more accomplished veteran (Stephen Gostkowski) in 2020, and the Vikings decided to move on and draft a new kicker (Will Reichard). One thing Joseph has clearly shown this summer is he's been through these kicker competitions before.

Richard from Menasha, WI

Thinking about the kicking competition I was wondering to what level of detail is each missed (and made) kick evaluated? It must be more than just made it or missed it. I'm guessing the snap and hold are part of it. Does it go any deeper than that (footwork, angle the ball was held, location on the ball where it was struck, etc.)?

Everything is scrutinized, not just for the competition, but for how kickers go about their craft. Every detail matters.

Bob from Jensen Beach, FL

Gentlemen, if a player (such as a kicker) sees he's unlikely to make the team but his agent says might have a chance on a different team, can he asked to be released during the preseason to pursue the other opportunity?

An agent can always make that request on behalf of his player, but teams are likely to cover themselves in case of injury first, unless the club knows that player's not making the squad.

Pat from Hudson, WI

After attending Family Night I have a few questions about the Guardian Caps. What are the made of? Are they heavy? I understand the added safety but in such a competitive sport I can't imagine a player, especially a "skills" position player, wearing one if it slows them down in any way. From my vantage point in the stands they looked really bulky.

They do look that way, but from my conversations with players and former equipment manager Red Batty when those first came on the scene a few years ago, there's virtually no weight to them. They've made of a very light foam.

Andy from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

If the safety competition remains as tight as it is by the start of the regular season, could you see the player lining up next to McKinney being game-plan specific?

I highly doubt it. But if, for example, Javon Bullard is the starting safety and also the defense's best dime back vs. certain personnel, I could see another safety ( Evan Williams or Anthony Johnson Jr.) coming in for the dime to allow Bullard to slide up to that second slot position.

CJ from Marshfield, WI

Mike, you featured 10 changing protections rather than plays in an enlightening 2023 WYMM. 12 was known more for changing plays, which is not to say both QBs did not do both. Stenavich also talked about play-call flow as an advantage of only changing protection. If the D gives us this look, do we stick with the play and change the protection, or do we need to change the play to be successful? I imagine fascinating discussions between the coaches and 10. What are your expectations for 2024?

The more LaFleur and Jordan Love work together, the more latitude I expect Love to be given and assume. But having worked with Love from the beginning, and with this being the only NFL system Love knows, I suspect it'll be easier for LaFleur to communicate the reasons for certain play calls at certain times and the flow he's trying to establish or what he's aiming to set up.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

I was surprised Love's extension includes void years, especially after all the salary cap pain from clearing post-COVID contracts. To me it sends two messages. One, the Packers view their title window as wide open and want as much flexibility as possible to retain young talent when their rookie contracts expire, and two, they clearly expect to extend Love again before that huge cap hit in the final year of his current contract.

Sounds like a pretty fair reading of the tea leaves.

Michelle from Ringgold, GA

What can we expect to be surprised by this year?

If you're expecting it, how is it a surprise? Happy Wednesday.