Inbox: It's all about offensive balance

Randy from Klamath Falls, OR

So, now I've had the answer to one of my questions referenced in someone else's question. That's gotta be worth something, right? A month's free subscription to the Inbox maybe?

Or Jelly of the Month club. Take your pick.

Sean from Boulder, CO

Ugh, what a moron. I apologize for missing the context of the running back question. I generally pride myself on my reading comprehension but missed the boat on that one. Well done, Mike.

All good, man. You were far from a lone wolf there. I posted this not to excoriate you but to commend your mea culpa.

Nathan from Williamstown, MA

Sorry, Mike, I think my memory of the attempt to "fix" pass interference calls in 2019 was erased by the one of Clete Blakeman suddenly remembering that pass interference existed with two minutes left in the 2020 NFC title game.

Understood.

Eric from Oceanside, CA

All this talk about win probability with turnovers, etc. I wonder how many games Favre should have lost and was able to overcome statistics.

ATMR (WCBW), and for what it's worth, in Favre's 16 years as starting QB, the Packers finished the season with a negative turnover margin seven times. They still made the playoffs four of those seven years (1993, minus-1; '95, minus-5; '98, minus-11; 2004, minus-14). They also made the playoffs twice when breaking even (1997, 2003).

Will from Rochester, MN

Mike, I love the Eddie Lee Ivery reference! He gave me so much hope when he touched the ball as a very young Packers fan. Didn't he share the backfield with Gerry Ellis? Anyways, there have been mentions of Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons and Zach Tom injuries, but I believe the loss of Devonte Wyatt ranks right up there especially after trading Clark. How would you rank all four injuries?

Wyatt's absence was especially glaring in the Derrick Henry game, and he would've made a difference in others, too, particularly against Chicago's running attack in all three meetings. But on balance, I thought the Packers still matched up pretty well against the Bears without him, and the other injuries hurt worse. Based on how it played out, I'll put it this way: In the wild-card game, I don't think having Wyatt would've produced a win. But if the Packers have Kraft or Parsons or Tom in that game, I think they would've been off to Seattle. Or just make a kick or two, but I digress.

Matt from Forest Falls, CA

Mike said, "I think it'll be difficult to top last year, when 11 of the NFC's 16 teams won at least eight games, and a 12th team had seven wins and a tie." Maybe, but the NFC has an extra home game this year which might affect the outcome.

I'm not seeing how that matters one way or the other.

Davy from Watertown, WI

"Just doing my best to explore all perspectives" is a great way to sum up one of the biggest life lessons I've learned. The ability to understand that other people have different experiences and beliefs, and that those differences do not make them bad or stupid, is a major lack in our society. And to clarify, I'm not saying all viewpoints are equally valid (such as rooting for the Bears). I'm just saying people can have valid reasons for having those views.

That sounds like empathy to me. What a concept.

Keith from Dodgeville, WI

Guys, what does MarShawn Lloyd need to make sure he is healthy enough to play this season, or has he already done all he can and just needs luck to be on his side for once?

Lloyd has done a lot of work to get answers about his body and improve his chances of staying healthy. But the young man could use a little luck for once, too.

Jason from Ammon, ID

Greetings and good morning, friends! Jon from Rochester's question got me thinking about the 2021 preseason. Am I correct recalling that that year the scuttlebutt through camp was how dominant the D was looking? And then, well, yeah … Always wise to remember the humility with the confidence. Enjoy your day.

If I was touting the defense's preseason success in 2021, I guarantee it came with a plethora of caveats. That said, the 2021 unit ended the year with the best defensive performance in Aaron Rodgers' playoff career, to no avail. But back to the preseason … I've been around this long enough to know that one-sided games in August are likely rooted in one team game-planning for the opponent while the other doesn't. Depending on where a team is in its development/trajectory (new coach, culture-building, etc.), it might game plan for a preseason opponent to practice its process, so to speak. If the other doesn't, an ugly mismatch ensues and it means, frankly, nothing in the bigger picture.

Martin from UK

Rebecca from Madison saying about the players having to know the playbook inside and out got me thinking about how much each player needs to know about each play. For example, does an O-lineman need to know what route Christian Watson needs to run and exactly where he might need to cut, or just who they need to block and for how long so the play works? GPG

The linemen don't need to know the ins and outs of the route combos. But the better they know all the positions and responsibilities up front, the better they can adjust and help their linemates when the crazy (stuff) happens live.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

I've heard the saying that a good run game opens up the passing game, but could this year require the inverse? Is unleashing Jordan Love in the passing game a big part of the answer to last year's running woes, Josh Jacobs' health notwithstanding?

People always approach this as a chicken-or-egg question. I don't. I think it's all about offensive balance. Because balance keeps a defense honest and breeds rhythm, and rhythm keeps a defense on its heels and breeds control of the line of scrimmage, and control of the line of scrimmage wins games. I don't think it matters how balance is achieved, and it could even vary from week to week. But achieving it is imperative for a team to play its best football.

Linda from Mosinee, WI

I'd like to know if teams have a say in the season's scheduling of games. We are season-ticket holders. Our entire family has a total of eight tickets – Green package. We make sure all family members have an opportunity to attend a home game. We have five children and 10 grandchildren who want to attend games with us. We're retired. The others work or are in school. Many travel, one from Minnesota. With almost all evening games, they are unable to attend. What factors are considered?

The team has no say, really. The league sets the schedule. You're not alone at being frustrated/annoyed/disappointed by the night-heavy slate at Lambeau this year. It's less than ideal for many ticketholders, and I suspect it's going to produce a flood of tickets available on the secondary market. I'm already picturing a strong contingent of Dallas fans at Lambeau in mid-October, and an even stronger one of Buffalo fans in mid-December, especially since the Bills haven't visited Green Bay since Josh Allen's rookie year.

Steve from Seven Devils, NC

Fully knowing neither of you care about the talking head and their offseason predictions … I would like to hear your thoughts as we near the start of training camp, that no one is talking up Green Bay. I mean no one. Yet, just a few short months ago before and even more so after the trade for Parsons, many had the Packers winning it all. Assuming Parsons comes back healthy, why the dramatic fall from grace?

First, you're right, I don't care. Second, in the national picture the Packers have been a disappointment the last two seasons, getting just the No. 7 seed and going one-and-done in the playoffs. Two years ago they were the team on the rise that came within an eyelash of beating the NFC champs in their barn. Then last year, as you said, Parsons arrived. Lots of hype in both instances, only fizzle out. The pundits don't examine the whys, just the results. So I consider it the once bitten, twice shy approach on their part. Totally fine, their prerogative. No matter the talk or power rankings, it doesn't change the fact that for the Packers it starts with winning the NFC North again. Do that, and they're no worse than the No. 4 seed and set up to make some noise in the playoffs. That's the focus. The rest is blather.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Hi Mike, The Packers will have chance to win the SB if … 1) The offensive line can play great without injuries and no shuffling around. 2) Both Lloyd and Jacobs rush for about 750 yards apiece. 3) Kraft, Watson, Matthew Golden, and Jayden Reed each have around 800 yards receiving. 4) Defense can be top 15 in all defensive categories until Parsons returns. 5) Our ST is top 3 in the league all year.

That's a nice outline. I prefer to keep it simple. Give me a division title and the team's best players healthy in January and I'll take my chances.

James from Appleton, WI

Rather than assessing the last three seasons by the W-L records alone, we should judge them in the context of the pretty massive roster rebuild the Packers have done. This season is the payoff.

Let's hope. Last year was building toward that payoff at 9-3-1, and they hadn't really hit their stride. Then they never could.

Daniel from Estacada, OR

What is the most iconic must see thing to check out at Lambeau Field?

The view from the platform just underneath the south end zone scoreboard. It's real, and it's spectacular.

Matt from Waunakee, WI

Last season the Brewers had the best record in MLB. This season they have the second-best record. They get so little respect the Philly fans didn't boo them at the All-Star Game.

They have to win something first. Then those respectful boos will come. Happy Thursday.

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