Inbox: That's how good teams separate themselves

Chip from Beverly Hills, MI

Hey Mike, when Gerry from Richmond read your "obtuse" comment, I wonder if he said, "What did you call me?"

Is it deliberate?

Andrew from Clearwater, FL

Shouldn't we see Brian Gutekunst's name this year as the NFL Executive of the Year? Here is one reason why. Evan Williams. Some have said he lacks the needed physical tools to ever be a reliable NFL starter. Or inconsistent open-field tackling could hurt his chances of becoming a viable backup strong safety. Brian and his team have found a gem, Matt LaFleur and his staff polished it into an awesome player. He does this year after year!

It provides such a lift when a team drafts starting-caliber players on Day 3 and the Packers have done that with regularity during the Gutekunst era. That's how good teams separate themselves. Green Bay has seven former Day 3 picks listed as starters on its depth chart right now and that doesn't even include Williams, who's been perhaps the most impressive player in this year's entire class considering where he was selected.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Wes, there is no gambling in Inbox so I won't ask for an over/under, but do you feel this game may seem like a Lambeau South home game?

I hope so. Like I said on "Packers Unscripted," tickets aren't even that expensive relative to what fans in Los Angeles and Nashville had to pay.

Al from Green Bay, WI

The Packers will win this week, and I'm going to keep this simple. Reasons to believe: 1) You are what your record says you are. The Packers are 5-2 and the Jags are 2-5. Green Bay is simply better. 2) Health. The Packers are quite healthy for this time of the year with many weapons on both sides of the ball. 3) Packers fans will be plentiful in the stands. Florida in late October? Yeah. GPG.

To me, winning this game is all about respecting the opponent but not playing down to its record. The Packers aren't without flaw, but they've overcome mistakes to get to five wins before the month of November. On Sunday, they can make it six while pulling ahead of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North standings. Don't let that opportunity go to waste.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, depth has been a factor for this team all season so far. Would the snap counts on defense reflect that the best 11 is situation dependent? In basketball, the term is "starter's minutes." How many players on the Packers' defense would merit that label?

I went back and forth on so many story ideas this week and one of them was finally diving into the rotation we've seen at so many defensive posts this season. A decade ago, it was virtually impossible for the Packers to get Davon House on the field because of Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Micah Hyde and Casey Hayward. Green Bay has taken a huge challenge and turned it into a strength this year. Yes, there are only so many snaps to go around, but Matt LaFleur and his staff are finding innovative ways to keep guys involved. Just look at Eric Wilson – he had 17 total snaps the past two games and then suddenly found himself wearing the green dot.

Rich from Grand Rapids, MI

I have found the discussion about talking present vs. future to be interesting. I fall into the camp who likes to think about trades, FA, and the draft even during the early weeks of the season, but I understand how others see differently. That's okay. Some fans love salary cap discussions, others hate math. Some GB employees work in the front office, some are coaches. I am fine with Wes/Spoff writing about what interests them. The Brewers' results don't interest me, but so what? I read II anyway.

I have no problem talking about the future when it makes sense. I have little to no interest talking about the future when it reeks of bologna.

James from Appleton, WI

Do the Packers run between the tackles better than other teams? Watching the Vikings and Rams stack up 2-yard runs made me think the Packers would be getting 4 to 6 yards on some of those.

When the Packers are on, I think they're one of the better run offenses in the league. Because even if the holes aren't necessarily there, Josh Jacobs can drag a pile with the best of 'em. Green Bay's use of end-arounds also forces defenses to cover all 53 yards from sideline to sideline.

Tom from West Palm Beach, FL

I've gotta push back on the one-point vs. two-point thing. Assuming the two-point conversion is successful, you have three opportunities to win the game – stop drive 1, run the clock out on offense following a successful opponent drive, or stop drive 2. I don't have access to the numbers, but I'd imagine a successful two-point conversion adds a lot more "win probability" than a successful XP, whereas a missed two-point conversion probably has a negligible impact on "win probability," since you'd still be up seven.

There is one human on this earth whose opinion I care about relating to these scenarios. That's Connor Lewis. I sleep well at night knowing he's the one in LaFleur's ear in these instances and not me.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Brandon McManus drilled the last-second FG...both times! Has the kicking carousel finally stopped?

It's a week-to-week league, but McManus and the kicking game won a game for the Packers. That counts for a lot in this league.

Dave from Waterford, WI

Do you think Green Bay will have a better run game or passing game this week?

The Packers need to throw on this defense to win this game. You obviously need balance – just ask the Patriots – but the Jaguars are allowing 273.9 passing yards per game with just one interception. The Packers must take advantage of that in order to complete a sweep of the AFC South.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

What's the most consequential game the Packers and Jags have played?

The 2004 game. Both teams were 8-6 after Jacksonville came into Lambeau Field and beat Green Bay, 28-25.

Benjamin from Guffey, CO

I agree totally on the Jeff Hafley's pressers comment that Spoff made. I'm sure other DCs do try to adjust here and there from drive to drive, but he seems to do it at a clip we've not seen in GB for some time, and the comment he had the other week about Rashan Gary was also enlightening. No wonder our guys are playing with a ton of effort, and I'd try to run through a brick wall for him as well! Just wouldn't look as good.

As I was transcribing my part of Hafley's news conference on Thursday evening, I tweeted about how I learn something new about the game/strategy of football every time I listen to his pressers. He reminds me a lot of Dom Capers in that way. I can't even imagine what it must be like for his actual players. He's a smart guy and a strong communicator. If you wanna know the "why," he's gonna give you a clear-and-concise answer.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

I understand the facemask was a terrible no-call, but the argument it cost the Vikings the game is really tenuous. They had about 1 minutes, 45 seconds left with no timeouts and had to drive 90-plus yards to score a TD and convert the two-point conversion. Not to mention, their offense struggled mightily in the second half. Does the penalty there give them more life, of course. Does it guarantee they're going to drive another 80 yards to score and convert the two-point conversion with about 1:30 left? No.

Well, it probably would've been more like a 75-yard drive after the facemask penalty, but your point is still valid. I'm not saying the Vikings would've won, but it's just a tough way to lose. I get their frustration.

Gavin from Albuquerque, NM

I'd say last night's game was a quick reminder of a few things, but mostly "this is a week-to-week league." With all of their weapons back, the Rams were able to take on the Vikings and the adversity of losing their LT probably didn't help.

I'm stating the obvious here, but the Rams are a vastly different football team with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp on the field. Thursday night was a reminder of how dynamic the Rams can be. It's also a huge win for LA to propel itself back into the thick of the NFC West race.

Lori from Broomfield, CO

Just saw Tucker Kraft on GMFB. The only thing more grounded than him right now is Boeing. I'd live with 10 Kraft Klones on my team, and I'll find positions for them. How can you not appreciate such a special person?

Kraft has a massive heart and wears it – along with the pride he carries for his hometown – on his sleeve.

Kevin from Starr Pass, AZ

I enjoyed Wes's piece yesterday about how the defense is rotating so many players. That will certainly keep the D fresh not just late in games, but late in the season. Do you see more teams going no-huddle to prevent so much rotation?

That's for the opponent to decide, but it's also not like Green Bay is trying to switch its personnel on every play. The Packers can use the same 11 guys but also align them differently, too. You don't need new people to look entirely different.

Ben from Sussex, WI

Mike, I have to say the "Sahara Hare" Yosemite Sam reference made my day. A friend of mine and I quote that same "When I say whoa … " often, so happy to hear someone else shares the same affection for the old Looney Toons. Question: I'm curious how the general public gets to know the medical situations of injured players so quickly, yet HIPA laws prevent me from knowing Mike Spoff's medical history/situation? Is there some sort of agreement between players and NFL on this?

Correct. It's part of the collective bargaining agreement because player health is a key part of the whole sports thing.

Jeremiah from Middleton, WI

Not to dwell too much on the Vikings-Rams game, but something at the end of the game confused me. After the safety, the Vikings kicked (punted?) an onside kick attempt, or something that looked very close to it. But I thought you weren't allowed to do an onside attempt after a safety?

No, you can. I couldn't tell you which year it was, but it happened at some point during my time on the Packers beat. The punter is also allowed to kick that short moon shot, though the receiving team is allowed to fair catch without disruption.

Paul from Minneapolis, MN

Isn't team identity something we should discuss AFTER a season is in the record books? It seems like we need to be patient and, as Nathan from Laramie says, allow the tapestry of a season to stitch itself together.

As much as we all try to define it, I think "team identity" is something you feel more than see. Certainly, there are indicators such as takeaways or stingy run defense, but it's also what Jacobs said last week about momentum. It may escape the five senses, but it's still there.

Bill from Bloomfield Hills, MI

I heard once that SF coaches analyzed Montana's picks after his percentage worsened year by year (1985-87, with no SB wins) and realized a handful of play calls were involved in a majority of his picks. Either they tempted him to throw when he shouldn't or by design had too much interception risk. Over the 1988-89 seasons, his pick rate dropped by a third to his career best (and they won two SBs). Do you see a similar opportunity in the types of plays or situations with Love's picks?

Tom Clements has been doing this a very long time with a very tried-and-true process of developing, and grading, quarterback play. Everything is analyzed and corrected. I have no doubt about that. Love has thrown some picks. As I mentioned earlier this week, so have a lot of the league's top quarterbacks.

Scott from Tukwila, WA

Greetings Inbox. With only giving up seven sacks this season so far, I feel we haven't been tipping our hats enough to how well that OL has been playing. As a former high school OL coach, I'm always watching that performance, and these gents have been balling out to the max. They're the true unsung heroes so far this season, if you were to ask me. GPG.

That entire group is deserving of praise. It's been impressive to watch them work whether it's a well-established left guard like Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan settling in as a starting right guard after two seasons of waiting. You can't stop now, though. The O-line has to keep digging.

Matt from Bloomington, IN

A number of former Packers in Jacksonville. Do you know if Josiah Deguara, Darnell Savage, or anyone else we know has been playing a significant role for the Jags?

He hasn't played yet this season, but Suamico native Cole Van Lanen is down there, too. A sixth-round pick by the Packers in 2021, Van Lanen was traded to Jacksonville the following year for a seventh-rounder.

Chris from Waukesha, WI

Regarding players named or nicknamed "Tank," Paul "Tank" Younger played 10 NFL seasons with the Rams and the Steelers from 1949-1958. The Pack played against him 15 times, but it doesn't appear there was another player named or nicknamed "Tank" over that same period. 2024 retains its distinction as the season in which the Pack faced a Tank in successive games.

"Tank" Hodkiewicz has a good ring to it.

Wesley from Kingsland, GA

Wes and Mike, it was eight years ago that I got to meet you both while in Jacksonville for the last pep rally that was here and I'm looking forward to it again today. What is it that you enjoy most about the pep rallies that happen in other cities when the Packers are on the road?

Getting to meet good people like yourself. It's always a thrill, too, when a reader comes up to us and says, "Hey, I'm so-and-so from such-and-such." It's fun to interact with Packers fans. Most NFL teams wouldn't be able to fill a bar or restaurant like we do. I never take that for granted.