Inbox: That's an advantageous position to be

Bill from Forest Park, OH

Wow, Mike's comment (in part) about "the hopeless, apocalyptic gloom that consumes so many when (stuff) goes wrong" really captures the sense of despair some fans feel at times. I'm sure I've been guilty of this myself. Reading this today reminds me of a couple truisms: 1. It's only a game. 2. Things are never as bad as they seem.

You can't just sell the house every time it rains, folks. You gotta trust the clouds will break and the sun will reappear.

Dave from Valrico, FL

With Laken Tomlinson's familiarity with the system and recent playing time, do you think the Packers now view him as a short-term injury replacement, or has he played well enough to potentially hold onto a starting guard spot even after Kevin Zeitler and Aaron Banks are fully up to speed?

Suddenly, the Packers have options up front and that's an advantageous position to be in compared to a month ago. Matt LaFleur was asked about the guard situation on Wednesday morning, and it appears to be a "week-to-week" situation. Banks has been dealing with the knee injury since camp and then hurt his toe in New York. That's added up to a lot of missed time, though Banks is ramping back up again. At right guard, Travis Glover has shown immense growth after missing a full season. You need them all, man, because, as we've seen, injuries can erode depth in an instant.

James from Appleton, WI

Do tackles earn more money because they're often in one-on-one situations, while the guards and center generally block as a unit? And was the Packers' problem that the interior line couldn't get that "as a unit" part down?

Tackles get paid the big bucks because they're primarily tasked with making sure the quarterback doesn't get walloped. Centers and guards are still critical to the success of an O-line. That group determines how much room a running back has with which to work. But it's also muddier inside, which makes for a more difficult terrain for pass rushers to trudge through.

Caroline from Lacey, WA

What is the holdup on Micah Parsons coming back after his ACL injury?

Parsons pretty much covered everything on his podcast this week, so I'll let the man speak for himself. But Parsons said he would be out there if it were the Super Bowl. Obviously, it's not and the Packers and their four-time All-Pro edge rusher want to make sure he's back to full strength and his body is in alignment before getting back on the practice field. Neither side wants Parsons to get back on the field and immediately suffer a groin injury or soft-tissue pull. It's a process. We always knew it was going to be a process dating back to when Spoff sat down with Parsons this summer.

Keith from Fishers, IN

I've seen a lot of Dak Prescott on TV over the years, and two things have stood out. He can connect very precisely on difficult throws, and he seems like someone who is easily rattled by pressure, sometimes putting balls up for grabs. I hope our defense brings every possible rush variation against him, so he never knows how many defenders are coming and from where. Any hints that the Packers' D is preparing that way?

Prescott is quick, decisive, and occasionally a tad reckless with the football. He's been picked off 10 times in seven games against Green Bay (including playoffs), winning only one of those contests. Yet, Prescott still has nearly a 100 passer rating against the Packers because of his accuracy and big play potential (more than 8.0 yards per passing attempt). So, it's a double-edged sword playing Dak.

Jeremy from Rendon, TX

Always learning something from II. Thanks for the explanation on "11 and 13" personnel. Regarding the run game, why is Kaleb Johnson not getting more carries? He seems to be the better fit for the bruising heavy workload and MarShawn Lloyd the change-of-pace back. I believe this was the desired setup for Josh Jacobs/Lloyd, but it didn't work out due to injuries. K.J. is also deceptively fast when he gets in space and doesn't appear to go down as easily as Lloyd. Would you pass my idea along to the powers that be? Thanks!

The Packers have invested a lot in Lloyd, so they want to get him his touches. Johnson is still the new kid in class and also unfortunately fumbled inside the 5-yard line in Tampa. He's getting there, though. It was good to see him bounce outside on that 23-yard run vs. Chicago.

Dominic from Chesapeake, VA

Wes, I know the importance of a solid run game, but I've felt we have the talent to be a pass first offense. I rewatched the Chicago game and kept statistics on all first-down plays, except the kneel-down at the end. 10 runs averaging 1.2 yards; six screens averaging 5.5 yards; and nine passes averaging 24.9 yards. Do you think I am justified in my rants that the Packers need to pass first to set up the run, not the other way around? Thanks.

Definitely justified, but balance isn't optional. The Packers did just enough on the ground Sunday to free up the passing game, but they still need more for this offense to operate at its fullest. I love what I've seen from this O-line configuration in pass protection, though. It looks confident and that's given Jordan Love more time to throw.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, given the injury situation, there have been myriad opportunities for guys on the depth chart. Who has been your Most Valuable Next Man Up to this point in the season? Do you see any returning players who might deliver in that role going forward, maybe a Savion Williams?

Glover is in the conversation. Being completely honest with you, I sort of forgot about him after missing all of last season with the shoulder injury and he's proving the Packers right for keeping him around. Another 2024 draft pick, Ty'Ron Hopper, could wind up fighting for that MVNMU honor by the time it's all said and done, as well.

Bob from Middleton, SD

The better response to Philip from Wonder Lake, would have been: I "Wonder" if you were watching the OL in September? :)

The dichotomy between Love's first three games and the previous two can be seen in his completion percentage. Despite sitting at a 60.5% clip now, Love has yet to finish a game in the 60s this season. It's been either the 50s, 70s or 80s.

Bob from Bement, IL

I just read Wes’s piece on Christian Watson and instantly wondered: When in the heck did he all of a sudden become 27 years old-old?

Life comes at you fast. I'm struggling to come to terms with the Packers preparing to play a 31-year-old Kenny Clark. That said, Watson is at the peak of his athletic prowess right now but also is an experienced veteran with 2,000-plus offensive snaps. He's right where the Packers want him to be.

Brandon from West Coxsackie, NY

Oh, my Watson! For a team that could not seem to find a WR1 for a time, Watson is clearly the guy. And not only that, but Matthew Golden looks LEGIT compared to last year. Is it safe to say we have one of the best WR duos in the NFL?

And not a single WR1/WR2/WR37 question in sight. I am a happy boy. I put this in my Watson story, but this statistic from TruMedia is telling: Not only does Watson/Golden's 871 receiving yards lead the NFL but it's also the second-most by a pair of Packers receivers since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Potent, potent combination.

Cary from Sioux Falls, SD

Hearing and reading all the comments about Matt LaFleur not mentioning Ben Johnson or the Bears after Sunday's dominating win brought to mind something an old sage named Vic once said: "The worst thing you can do to the other team is beat them."

Chirping is for the birds.

Jeff from Cedar Falls, IA

This may be a stupid question. (Probably not the first one you read today) ML scripts the first plays of the game and the offense usually executes those really well. Why don't they increase the number of scripted plays to get more production? Or why don't they use the scripted plays again later in the game? Are they running the same plays and not executing them as well?

I mean, there is a plan. It's not like LaFleur and Love are pulling plays out of a hat. The reason you don't have like 40 scripted plays in a row, though, is because of the evolving nature of game situations.

Lyn from Oshkosh, WI

I love the new rivalry uniforms just for the Bears. The numbers were easy to read and so were the names. Wayne Larrivee did not know a thing about them. Kudos to all the people who designed them and those who made them, the helmet is great too. I will be happy to see them again next year when we play the Bears at home. I never heard a word about them from the TV guys either and I watched the game after listening to it. This is the first uniform I have liked other than the usual one.

I loved 'em. I felt like they were the perfect mix between a new-age look while still honoring the Packers' past. Our equipment staff did a wonderful job of putting those helmets together, as well.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Wes, in Spoff's reply to Ben from Northbrook, he may have stumbled upon a way to eliminate some of the stupider OPI calls. In short, if the defender doesn't know where the ball is, it should never be considered OPI. This rule clarification might make both of you a lighter shade of blue. Can you work your magic and make this happen ASAP? I mean, now that you've made Roger from Facilities an international name, you might be able to capitalize on your hot streak. Oh yeah, do laser goal posts too.

If a defender doesn't look back for the ball, I fail to comprehend how an offensive player can ever be flagged for OPI. Plain and simple. But so much of how the NFL is officiated these days feels like a weekly roll of the dice.

Dan from Rothschild, WI

Good morning. You guys get a lot of questions regarding the rules of the game. Just how proficient are you at this? Or are you constantly calling the head of officiating?

Oh, I have the NFL rulebook and collective-bargaining agreement bookmarked. In my previous newspaper life, I liked to joke that journalism requires you to learn 100 different professions, all with better pay and job security.

Michael from Rosendale, WI

To clarify my point on the TD. The Pack conceded that drive on that play: all or nothing. It worked on an unbelievable throw (66 air yards equaling the third-longest in 10 years, I think) with little chance of completion. I believe Love gains 15 yards running, giving the team a chance at a long FG or the opportunity to go for it. Incomplete leads to three straight drives with zero points in a seven-point game. Phenomenal result and amazing play. Thank you for the opportunity you provide fools like me.

Ha, you're not a fool and we're always happy to have the discussion. Again, I get the point you were making. There's a risk-and-reward on every play. If Malik Willis was on the field for that play, maybe he would've pulled it down and scrambled for 15. But that isn't Love's playstyle. He wants to put it in the hands of his receivers, which Love did. That touchdown proved to be the liver shot that Green Bay needed to put down the Bears Sunday.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

Bear with me a moment (pun intended). I was at the game surrounded by Packer fans, with two Bears fans in front of me. They cheered when the Bears did good, they shook their heads when they didn't. As the result became clear, the "Bears still suck" chant started in our section with everyone standing to their feet. The two guys in front of me stood and joined right in on the chant. It was hilarious, and they were a class act!

…I suppose that's one way to handle disappointment.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

I'm guessing a minor in psychology wasn't part of Spoff's career plans. Maybe Monday Inboxes should be renamed to "Dear Spoff." Or better yet only publish submissions that start with "Dear Spoff" on Mondays.

Maybe we should do a week of "Dear Spoff" submissions the week after Outsider Inbox.

Zach from Prairie du Sac, WI

I think Roger should make a guest appearance on "Unscripted" and share some of his favorite Packers memories.

Not a chance. I don't wanna get Wally/Roger Pipp'ed.

Doug from Salem, OR

Your explanation of the holding penalty when the ball was run out from the end zone was spot on. Are you and Wes going to become referees?

Never.

Noel from Norwalk, CA

Greetings II! The leaves have turned colors and are wistfully falling to the ground as we approach the end of the first trimester of play. This second phase has started with careful optimism and gleeful emotions as we trounced our most storied rival. What lies ahead, no one knows other than that fall has arrived and fading slowly into winter. Root for our boys of summer as they continue on their quest for a World Series and our beloved Packers who have picked up traction heading in the right direction.

Longfellow couldn't have said it better.

Eric from Holiday, FL

As we approach next week's game, all I can think about is Lou from Major League – "OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it's called 'two in a row.' And if we win again tomorrow, it's called a 'winning streak'...It has happened before!" Just beat the Cowboys!

The Packers have done some of their best work in the month of October under Matt LaFleur. This is a big one on Sunday night. Until then, have a good Thursday, everybody.

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