Brad from Solon Springs, WI

Mike, ope! Biff really hit ya with a big hammer yesterday! If you ever do have an autograph table I'd gladly trade my "Indubitably" T-shirt for a signature. It would look great on my wall!

I'd be prouder to see that shirt on somebody's wall, honestly.

Richard from Santa Ana, CA

Did my eyes deceive me or was Keisean Nixon playing more as a boundary CB in the first half? Was this to give the safeties more snaps to evaluate, or more attributed to both Jaire Alexander and Carrington Valentine not suited up?

Both. The Packers want to get the young safeties slot reps on occasion, and they were thin at boundary corner for that particular game.

Garrett from Rockford, MI

With MarShawn Lloyd's unfortunate injuries, AJ Dillon's early struggles, and Emanuel Wilson's recurring preseason successes, who do you see as the most likely candidate for the second back and why?

This won't be a popular answer, but I don't get the armchair GM desire to move on from Dillon. He's experienced in all phases and responsibilities in this offense (running, pass catching, protection, two-minute) and has proven he can produce in the NFL. Has everyone forgotten he had 1,116 yards from scrimmage and seven TDs in 2021? I'm excited for Wilson's apparent trajectory and can't wait to see a full dose of Lloyd's talent, but neither brings the complete package to the position Dillon does, yet. One series of unblocked short-yardage runs shouldn't define his 2024.

Dave from Waterford, OH

To add in my opinion to your response to Brian from Twain Harte, and Gutekunst's past comments, that's the main reason they moved on from Savage and wanted Xavier McKinney so badly. Also, that's why Gutey almost completely rebuilt the safety room. We now have several aggressive ballers at the safety position.

Bingo.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

In Monday's column, Ben from Fort Worth, TX, mentioned similarities of the '96 Packers team and the '85 Bears D. I went and looked back at the QBs that Bears D faced. It was not good. I mean you will literally laugh at the quality of the starters that team faced.

C'mon, man! They had to face Lynn Dickey! (who had one of his worst games, by the way, throwing three INTs in his first seven passes and was done for the day). I doubt he was crushed he only faced them once that season. Great trivia question … name the other Packers QB to start against the '85 Bears. The answer is later in this paragraph if you want to stop and ponder it for a minute. But enough with the digression. It's actually an entertaining comparison, looking at the opposing QBs those two defenses faced. ATMR (WCBW), and this is not an exhaustive list … on the one hand, the '85 Bears saw Theismann, Montana, Marino and Simms while the '96 Packers dealt with Moon, Aikman and Bledsoe. On the other, the '85 Bears ledger included Steve DeBerg, Eric Hipple, and Tony Eason twice each, plus David Archer, Mike Pagel, Dieter Brock and … Green Bay's Jim Zorn, while the '96 Packers enjoyed Dave Krieg and Elvis Grbac twice each, plus Rodney Peete, Stan Humphries, Rick Mirer, Steve Bono, Tony Banks, Bill Musgrave and Scott Mitchell. Mercy.

H.R. from Wausaukee, WI

When discussing best throws, I always go to Super Bowl 45. Fourth quarter, third-and-10, Pack up 21-17. Nelson just dropped a pass, but Rodgers went right back to him for a major gain down to the 2. Because of the situation and how clutch that play was, that is the throw I would vote for to be on the Rushmore of throws.

Sorry, but when it's not even the best throw in that particular game, it's not making it up there. Others mentioned the Rodgers-to-Cook sideline playoff throw in Dallas, and the off-balance, body-torque Hail Mary in Arizona, additional examples that only illustrate how difficult it is to narrow down the list.

Chip from Bev Hills, MI

If the league outlawed the wedge 15 years ago, what is the rationale for okaying the tush push? Don't both plays feature one or more players helping the ball carrier advance down the field? They both seem unfair to me, but were more injuries associated with the wedge?

Yes, due to the high-speed nature of the collisions.

Jason from Woodbury, MN

Could you please walk us through the Bo Melton drops and what went wrong on those plays? I recognize as fans, we only get to see the end product and not all the work players do to get where they are. But does putting drops on tape in a game situation greatly affect coaches' evaluation of a player for a roster spot?

It all matters. To be fair, one of the drops I've seen charged to Melton looked like a harsh grade on what appeared to be a very difficult catch. The throw was well behind him. On the other two, neither throw was great, but those were catchable and he knows he has to catch them. What matters now is not that Melton had a rough game, but how he responds to it.

Tony from San Juan Capistrano, CA

Hello II, overall the Packers looked good in their first preseason game. I tried to focus on our O-line and Sean Rhyan in particular as he comes from my town. I believe I'm being objective when I say he played a good game, mostly at center. Would you concur?

I'd call it a solid effort. I thought Rhyan got better the more he played. Wes has a more in-depth look at Rhyan's game.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning. Rookie Jacob Monk seemed to fare much better at blocking from the center position than right guard. Small sample size but is that where do you see his long-term future? Thanks.

That remains to be determined. Monk is a promising prospect at any of the three interior spots right now. His performance might've been one of the more eye-opening because early on he had some rough moments in camp, but he had a serious edge to his game in Cleveland. That "rip somebody's lips off" comment from Coach Butkus was a new one for me but seemed apropos. It also could only come from a Butkus.

Isaac from Columbia, TN

It seems there were fewer penalties on kickoffs. Does data back that up for a weekend of games? And will there be more penalties as teams try to gain an edge on kickoffs?

I think the nature of the setup, with the blockers and coverage players starting just five yards apart, would naturally reduce the blocking-in-the-back flags that have been common on traditional kickoff returns.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi II, I don't get the games on TV here, but I read the live blog and listen the live cast of the game on my laptop. I realize that it was just one preseason game, but I was impressed how well so many of the second-team guys stepped up. I'm wondering if the difficult task of cutting players down to the 53-man final roster has been made that much more difficult?

That's the objective. The harder the better.

Robert from Newtown Square, PA

Considering the players who are likely locks to make the 53-man roster plus the 2024 drafted players, how many active roster spots are actually likely to be available for those vying for a spot? How many of the 90 current players would either be cut or make the practice squad?

I ran my eyes down the roster very quickly and counted 43 players whom I'd consider shocks not to see on the 53. So that leaves 10 spots, plus the 16 on the practice squad, and two big weeks left.

Scott from Sussex, WI

With four No. 1 receivers (in some capacity) does it seem like two of them are competing more directly for playing time than the other two? With Jayden Reed in the slot and Christian Watson the big-play threat, does it seem like Romeo Doubs or Dontayvion Wicks will take more snaps in three-receiver sets assuming great health all around? Can you compare/contrast the strengths of Doubs and Wicks?

I wouldn't pigeonhole anyone like that, and I don't view the big picture that way, either. The 65-yard TD to Wicks in Cleveland came with him in the slot, I believe. If all are healthy and producing, the playing time decisions will be based on how the offensive coaches want to attack the defense and what looks/threats they want to present. Then it could be a whole different game plan, with different personnel groupings, the following week.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

In a video recently a pundit compared the Packers receiver room to a basketball team! All different sizes, speeds, and skills. It made complete sense and I loved the comparison.

I recall that analogy being used back in 2011 as well.

Dale from Aurora, CO

The Packers have a WR problem. The best kind to have. Who makes the 53? Is it inconceivable that one of these young WRs would not be a trade asset for another player for a position they might want to improve their depth?

Wide receivers are everywhere. Every team's got 'em. The college game cranks out more of them than any other position. I'll never say never, but outside of a team just being decimated by injuries at wide receiver, the possibility of getting anything in trade for one who's not making your team feels remote to me.

Scott from Holly Springs, NC

Who do you think as of right now will be the starting safety next to McKinney?

I'd still say Javon Bullard is the favorite, but I wouldn't put it past the coaches to be figuring out a package to get McKinney, Bullard and Evan Williams all on the field at the same time.

Barton from Tulum, Mexico

I'm excited about new kickoffs! Love watching the special teams players/coaches learning how to block for what basically is a new running play. But some teams say they'll just kick the ball into the end zone and settle for the 30-yard-line start for the opposing offense, thus negating the intent of having more returns. Do you think the NFL should move the kickoff back from the 35 to the 30-yard-line like it was from 1994 to 2010? Kicking the ball 70 yards to the end zone ain't so easy!

If kickers just start booming balls into the end zone to take the 30-yard touchback, moving the touchback to the 35 or moving the kickoff back as you suggest would both be options to encourage returns.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

What kinds of things do teams work on in joint practices? Is it just 11-on-11s with simplified playbooks? Positional drills? Karaoke sessions?

They feature a lot of one-on-one action (pass pro vs. pass rush, pass catcher vs. pass defender) and plenty of 11-on-11 pitting ones vs. ones, twos vs. twos, etc. They'll also do competitive special-teams periods (punt return/cover, kickoff return/cover), but most likely without live tackling.

Mark from Fort Collins, CO

Do you guys know what the joint practice schedule in Denver will be this week? I'd love to make the drive down to Denver with my son to watch a practice.

The joint practice is scheduled for Friday, and while there's no admission fee, I've heard all tickets have been distributed already.

Justin from Waupun, WI

What is the one thing you think the Packers could do better to have a better chance at a Super Bowl run this season?

Late-game situations.

Bill from Fort Worth, TX

Evan Williams "straight." C'mon! It's supposed to be "neat."

Wes doesn't drink and I drink beer. No apologies. Happy Wednesday.