Inbox: That says plenty

Laird from Emmetsburg, IA

The Pack is really starting to gel. You don't think they're going to peak too early?

Whoa there … and in the immortal words of Yosemite Sam, when I say whoa, I mean whoa. Nothing about that performance against Houston on offense or special teams suggested peaking.

Ingrid from Forest Lake, MN

A big missed facemask call at the end of the Vikings/Rams game. Do you think that might be looked at in the offseason to change as something NY could have overturned?

You mean by, maybe, making safety rules reviewable? What a concept. Hey, I know a sports writer, I think he works in the league's smallest market, who's been suggesting that very thing for years. Because such a simple change would not only avoid a ton of controversy, it also would reinforce how important the safety rules are, to see the league doing all it could to ensure those calls are correct.

Jonathon from Raymore, MO

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Lone Spofford gets even bluer in the face (but at least the Vikes lost).

'Preciate you.

Tom from West Palm Beach, FL

I don't understand how, in this time of analytics departments, a coach can justify kicking an XP to go up 28-20 with 6:17 left instead of trying to make it a two-score game at 29-20. Coaching malpractice that got bailed out by a bad no-call on the facemask safety. But I guess we'll take it, along with another Vikings loss. Knowing when/when not to go for two remains one of the last exploitable edges in coaching.

I disagree. I'm kicking it there most of the time. By going up eight, I'm guaranteeing my defense two chances to close it out -- stop the drive, or stop their two-point try.

Mark from Waterloo, IA

Hello II! I wanted to extend my appreciation for both Spoff and Weston on the excellent insights and writing here, but when Wes writes a line like, "It's not 11 guitar solos out there," man! As a guitar player myself, that one hit home! What should we be keying on as the strength of the Jaguars? Their record seems to not tell the whole story of this team.

They lost three close games early in starting 0-4, and their defense has really struggled. They're allowing a 45% conversion rate on third downs and have taken the ball away just three times all season. They're also at the bottom of the league defensively in red-zone and goal-to-go situations. As I said on our latest "Unscripted," the Packers have to play their game. This is much more about what the Packers do than anything the Jaguars do.

Nick from Plainwell, MI

Good morning, Insiders! The Jaguars have played the past two weeks over in London. How much of an adjustment do you think it will be for their team to acclimate to the time zone this side of the pond?

It didn't affect them last year. They played back-to-back London games in Weeks 4-5 in 2023, won them both, then came back and won three more in a row before their bye.

Jonnie from Garden City, MI

Good morning, II! At what point in the season does the record a team has actually indicate what kind of team it is? I know the Jags are 2-5 and have had their struggles. When they do start executing well, what do they tend to hang their hats on? In other words, what do the Packers have to account for on offense and defense to take away what the Jags do well?

Trevor Lawrence has thrown just three INTs all season. Tank Bigsby is averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and Brian Thomas Jr. is averaging 17.1 yards per catch. Plus Evan Engram, a field-stretching tight end, is back from injury. The Jaguars have weapons and will challenge Green Bay's defense. On the other side, Travon Walker (six sacks) and Josh Hines-Allen know how to pressure QBs and the Packers can't let them become obstacles to efficiency.

Jerry from Grantsburg, WI

What are the strengths of this Jaguars team and what can you see the Packers exploiting? Their record says they're improving throughout the season, but other than that I don't know much about them.

Other that what's already been mentioned, opponents have more than doubled the Jags' point total in the first (41-20) and fourth (69-33) quarters. Don't allow them to break profile by starting fast or finishing strong.

John from Ashland, OR

Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley seem to be developing good coaching chemistry. Having Robert Saleh suddenly wandering around as an "advisor" feels like a distraction at best and an insult to Hafley at worst. Just because LaFleur and Saleh are buds? What's the deal? I mean, if it ain't broke…

Hafley is good friends with Saleh, too. They coached together in San Fran. Hafley made it clear to the media Thursday there is no issue here, and Saleh is not really consulting on the defense anyway. Defensive coaches don't have time during the week to provide their perspective on their own team's offense. Saleh can do that for LaFleur.

Nick from Gresham, WI

Can you explain the transaction process between releasing Orzech to activate Ford and then releasing Ford to re-sign Orzech? I am guessing they had to activate Ford to the roster to release him to be eligible to sign up to the practice squad, but I have no idea if that is right.

That's basically it, so they used Matt Orzech's roster spot, for a day, to work through it. As a vested veteran, Orzech wasn't subject to waivers (pre-trade deadline) and his full salary for the season is guaranteed (for being on the roster Week 1), so there was zero impact on him.

Mike from Sun Prairie, WI

When Matt talks about position groups he always says "that room." Within the confines of Lambeau is that a literal or figurative expression? I'm envisioning classrooms in the building with the different groups. Is that how it is?

Literally.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

I know we're not even halfway through this season yet (which now occurs at halftime of the 9th game?). But is Evan Williams the steal of the entire draft? Consistency and longevity are the hallmarks of true impact players, but Williams shows up, down in and down out. Dude is one hell of a football player.

I'm in no position to examine the entire third day of the draft at this point and render such a judgment. But for those like us who watched every training camp practice, Williams showed he belonged. There was no doubt about that. It was just a matter of finding the right role for him amidst this defense's other pieces.

Danny from Joint Base Andrews, MD

I was perusing the NFL stat leaders the other day. I didn't realize how prolific a passing season Jordan Love is having until I saw that he is tied with Lamar Jackson for second most passing TDs, behind only Baker Mayfield, having played two less games than either of them! He's also second in passing yards per game. Why does it feel like the offense is still short of its potential with stats like that?

Because it went three-and-out five times and had two interceptions last week. Seven completely fruitless possessions, yet 24 points on the board. That says plenty.

Roger from Eau Claire, WI

I am all for Jordan Love reducing picks and taking care of the ball better. But without being aggressive with his throws we don't have the Kraft TD (which was a spectacular catch) because it was inches from being a pick. The choices are determined good or bad based on the results, which makes it hard to predetermine the throw unless they are wide open. How do you see the coaches balancing risk/reward with our QB1?

I believe the coaches will focus on concepts and play calls that will give him the best options to attack the defense and find a rhythm. The risk/reward will be learned by Love through experience, by facing different defensive schemes multiple times and figuring out over time where the potential big plays and pitfalls are.

Tom from Southfield, MI

Gentlemen, maybe the most impressive stat about the defense is the meager 49 total points given up in the second half of all games combined so far...and single digits in the last five. And despite allowing only three to the Vikings in a loss, isn't that a recipe for winning?

That's why I brought up that stat on Monday.

Laurie from Sheboygan, WI

I remember several recent seasons where, for the first couple of games, the defense looked confused about who was supposed to be where, when. Even our really good defenders looked lost at times during the game. What has Hafley done differently in installing a new defense which has made the players so certain of their assignments? Because they have played with confidence from the first game and it has been fun to watch.

I'm no X's and O's expert by any means, but Hafley talked way back in the offseason about installing a defense that was simple for the players to understand but may look complex to the opposing offense. He seems to have been true to his word. When players aren't thinking as much, they can play faster, and he got this unit there relatively quickly by however he simplified the scheme in the teaching phase.

Ron from Broken Arrow, OK

Mike, it seems to me one of the differences this year with the defense, is that if one player misses a tackle, there is another Packer there to finish the job. It seems like the past couple of years, if a Packer missed a tackle, the opposing player was off to the races. Are you also seeing more Packer defenders around the ball than in past seasons, or am I imagining it?

I don't think you're imagining it. I think that's accurate.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

Every team stunts along the D-line, but I see a lot of Packer linemen acting almost like a pulling guard. They take out one (or two) O-linemen by pushing them sideways so their teammate can stunt through an opening. Is the success of this move one of the effects of getting more comfortable in the scheme? It seemed to work a lot more on Sunday than I'm used to seeing.

The key for the "front" guy in the stunt is to continue occupying the O-lineman initially blocking him while setting that pick or bump on the second lineman to free up the teammate. The Packers have been running stunts like this all season. Frankly, after my film study, Houston just struggled mightily dealing with this method of attack. When the Packers played the Vikings, the Minnesota O-linemen did a much better job reacting to the stunts and switching off from one rusher to the next.

Matt from Boston, MA

I just rewatched WYMM and on the first play you break down there looks to be some confusion at the line by our defense, but on second examination it looks more like gamesmanship. Do defenses ever disguise their plan by acting like they are less ready than they are?

Maybe. On that particular play, it was hard to tell.

Mike from Niles, IL

Jeff Hafley has proven so far to be a good DC. He is no magician or miracle worker. He does what all good DCs do, he learns the strengths of his resources and, with his assistants, puts them in positions that maximizes their abilities, and makes necessary in-game adjustments when the opposition finds weaknesses in the initial defensive game plan. His players believe in themselves, when used properly.

Well said.

Michael from Fort Wayne, IN

I saw all the Hafley posts on X so I watched his full presser. I couldn't agree with the beat more. Such a learning experience hearing him speak. The halftime craze explanation was fantastic. What has been your biggest takeaway from being around our defensive leader?

It's impossible to pinpoint one thing. Thursdays listening to Hafley talk defense at the podium are so enlightening. Hearing that certain 'backers or DBs are chosen to rush the passer in certain situations in order to keep a back or tight end in to protect, and prevent him from running a route, reminded me the complex level at which the pro game is played.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

It's evident that Hafley is not afraid to send a blitz from any position, which is a great way to keep opposing QB's from getting too comfortable. What's the Packers team record for most sacks in a season by a DB? My gut says it's gotta be Charles Woodson or LeRoy Butler.

It's Butler. He had 6½ sacks in 1996. Woodson's single-season high in Green Bay was three in 2008.

Jared from Rigby, ID

Gents, every NFL team is still growing and learning from mistakes, no matter who they are. At what point does the growing from mistakes need to be over, because the mistakes need to be over?

The mistakes are never over. This league is too competitive. But there's a difference between those forced by the opposition and those brought upon oneself. The first type are going to happen, no avoiding them, but the game is 60 minutes long. Start avoiding or severely limiting the second type and a team starts really helping itself.

Richard from Woodruff, WI

Hello II, what's your take (view, opinion) on Derrick Henry being one of the best ever running back in the NFL? That guy's a beast! I know comparisons are relevant, but compared to Josh Jacobs? Aaron Jones? If the Ravens keep it going all season, KC's three-peat will be very difficult. Thanks.

I came away from Monday night's Baltimore win thinking the Ravens, right now at least, have the best shot of any team in the AFC at stopping Kansas City, and the combo of a monster like Henry in the backfield with a speedster like Jackson at quarterback is the biggest reason.

Gerry from Richmond, VA

Mike's answer to Phil from Carlsbad makes good sense from a Packer reporter perspective, but it also brings up some interesting points. There's no use in discussing potential draft picks anymore, no point in talking about any player's promising future, and really leaves nothing to discuss except the past. Sounds like fun.

Apples and orangutans, dude. Seriously? That's an incredibly obtuse take. The offseason, including training camp when games don't count, is seven months long and we discuss all of that, and then some, during that time.

Chris from Minneapolis, MN

A different perspective for Phil from Carlsbad: One of the most prescient things my mother ever told me, when my wife and I were in the throes of sleep deprivation with our first child, was "Don't wish away time." If we believe this team can be special, and I do, then we should take time to appreciate every step of the journey, no matter the opponent or perceived importance of any given game. Not telling anyone how to fan, just sharing a different way of looking at things.

I'd like to emphasize that I am not telling anyone how to fan, either, and I 100% understand where Phil is coming from in terms of how he and others like to talk about their teams. I get it, sincerely. I just felt the need to explain why I don't engage right now.

Mark from Antigo, WI

Can't we stop the trap game nonsense, once and for all? In the NFC North division, every game may be the difference between first or second place in the division or last place. There is no luxury of being an odds-on division champion. This young team has no time for complacency; and particularly with a young team, with everything on the line from week to week, I think that will increase their focus and work in our favor when it comes to any "trap game" nonsense.

I believe this still-young team is perfectly aware it lost to five teams last year that didn't make the playoffs.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

All right, now that the Inbox will receive no further queries containing the word(s) "trap," "look past," or "let down" until at least the remaining major holidays what do you think the Packers need to focus on heading into next week's pivotal matchup with the Lions?

Happy Friday.