Inbox: The Packers gotta keep the Titans honest

Markus from Sea Ranch, CA

Just to set the record straight the best couch is actually a Love seat.

SPOOOOOOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFORDDDDDDD!!!!!!!

Chas from Modena, WI

What will be the biggest challenges the Titans will give the Packers' offense and defense this week?

As much as we've talked about Will Levis, the Packers must contain Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears (if he plays). Tennessee is fully aware of the fact Green Bay is allowing 5.1 yards per run and any takeaway opportunities the Packers earn begin with stopping the run. Offensively, Green Bay has to win the line of scrimmage against one of the biggest and most athletic fronts it'll see all season. They don't need another 261 rushing yards to win this game, but the Packers gotta keep the Titans honest.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, aside from the obvious advantages Jordan Love has in Green Bay (knows the system, players, coaches), how would you compare and contrast him and Malik Willis with respect to talent, skill set, etc.? The similarity in demeanor has been mentioned as one thing they may have in common. Do you see others? How are they different?

Both are smart, possess arm talent and have the right disposition for the position, but Love and Willis really are completely different QBs. I feel like that was part of the brilliance of last week's gameplan. Matt LaFleur and Adam Stenavich played to Willis' strengths (mobility, sideline throws and football IQ).

Barton from Tulum, Mexico

I think the Packers should play Malik Willis against his former team. He was scout QB and practiced against the Titans' D for two years. He knows those guys. It's better for the Packers' long-term success if Jordan Love rests and the rest of team balls out! You guys agree?

I'm just curious if fans will show such restraint and resolve if the Packers sit Love and don't win Sunday. Listen, I feel fully comfortable with whatever the Packers decide to do given the medical staff's conservative track record. If Love goes, it's because he's healthy and ready to play.

Jeremiah from Middleton, WI

I think you mentioned that last week Matt LaFleur benefited from being able to plan around knowing the whole week Malik Willis was starting. With Jordan Love being an uncertain possibility to start, how much harder is it for them to try and prep two separate game plans depending on who ends up playing?

I wouldn't say it's anything as drastic as having two separate gameplans. Love and Willis may be different QBs but it's still the same system. You just gotta maximize the practice reps. Only the Packers know how many team reps Love has taken this week. Whenever Willis is in there, Green Bay just needs to be intentional about giving the backup QB the looks he needs.

Mark from West Des Moines, IA

How does the game plan change against the Titans if Jordan Love is cleared to play on Sunday?

It's a good question because Love is still relatively new as the starting QB. Maybe he's able to handle everything without limited reps and a healing knee. But it's also possible the Packers may need to scale things back a bit. The only way to find out is if Love's out there Sunday afternoon.

Jerry from Grantsburg, WI

"This is LaFleur's sixth season..." Man, time flies while you're watching football! Similar to second-round receivers and franchise quarterbacks, the Packers have a pretty good track record with head coaches since the start of the Ron Wolf era. Even guys who didn't lift the Lombardi, like Mike Sherman, gave us fans some pretty good years. And just like that, it's on to Week 3 of the 2024 regular season. GPG!

LaFleur deserves every ounce of credit for everything he's accomplished in his five-plus years at the helm, but I think his success also speaks to the leadership and vision of Mark Murphy. I will continually remind folks of the flak Murphy took for being part of the hiring process for the Packers' head-coaching position, though it's rarely mentioned how he hired like 100 people as an athletic director for two NCAA Division I colleges. In Murphy's 16 years as Packers president/CEO, he's hired one GM and one head coach. I'd say he knew what he was doing.

Scott from East Helena, MT

I am one of the fans that is frustrated by Christian Watson. It is fair to say that he is inconsistent, even when healthy. Also, I know the Packers don't number WRs, but he is WR3 or 4 by the numbers. He is hyped as a WR1. I like the youth behind him.

And I am one of those writers who is frustrated by one of those fans perseverating on Watson's every waking moment. You guys are the ones who hype him up as a WR1. All Spoff and I have written for two years is Watson is a damn good football player who makes teams defend the Packers differently when he's out there. I am so sick and tired of fans acting like Watson is a $30 million receiver who's played eight years in the league. He's a 25-year-old player on a third-year rookie contract. The Packers passed the ball 14 times last week and Watson wasn't targeted. Oh, the humanity. Even without the downfield passing game, Watson could've easily been involved with the pre-snap motions and jet sweeps. He's also done it before at a high level, but that's not what the Packers asked him to do. So, please spare me on this endless obsession with Watson. I don't have the stomach for it any longer.

James from Appleton, WI

The play that struck me the most in the last game was converting a first-and-20 with a breakaway run. That's something new. That's like learning your dog can open the pantry door. It's a whole other thing defenses have seriously to consider, as if they don't already have a thousand things to consider about the Packers' offense. Like a whole new front on the battle between dogs and humans.

That's a game-changer. In that situation, Green Bay is looking for a way to get 5-10 yards after the penalty and Josh Jacobs gets it all back immediately. Jacobs' vision is outstanding. He's everything you want in a running back with his ability to accelerate through the hole, cut on a dime and make defenders miss in a telephone booth.

Donald from Big Flats, WI

Did I miss something? Is Ellis Merriweather No. 3 on the running back chart now? Haven't heard him mentioned lately!

Merriweather was elevated for Week 1, but the Packers chose to sign Chris Brooks when MarShawn Lloyd went on injured reserve. You can read more on that here. Merriweather remains on the practice squad.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

The league's "emphasis" on certain rules to begin the season (especially the ones that have no effect on the play) make it frustrating and disappointing to watch early-season games. How about next year the emphasis is keeping the flag in their pockets? Make the egregious and obvious calls that actually affect the play. Otherwise just keep the flag in your pocket. The NFL is hurting their product and making games hard to watch. Thoughts Wes?

This is why Bill Vinovich is my favorite official. His crew typically seems to be on top of the difference-making penalties, not the ticky-tacky variety. It's not that you have to swallow the whistle for 60 minutes, but just don't interrupt the pace of play. That's where Ron Tolbert and Co. came up short in Brazil, calling phantom holding penalties that had no impact on the play whatsoever. Give me an NFL game where guys are allowed to play any day.

Tim from Fayetteville, NC

Which Packer holds the record for most career tackles for the franchise?

The Packers recognize A.J. Hawk as their leader in career tackles (1,118) since they began tracking the statistic in 1975.

Kevin from Kirkland, IL

You want reasons for the low passing TDs this year – nine of the top 35 TD WRs from last year hurt (Addison 10, AJ Brown 7, Samuel 7, K. Allen 7, Nacua 6, Kupp 5, Higgins 5) or contract holdout (Chase 7, Aiyuk 7). Add in two of the top five TD QBs from last year hurt (Love 32, Tua 29) and you can see why passing TDs are down. Also, the proliferation of two-high safety looks/fewer defenders in the box has pushed the pendulum back towards rushing.

It's a cyclical league. I can vividly remember having this same conversation in 2012 when two-high safety looks became prevalent to counteract the wave of elite passers, including the Packers' reigning MVP quarterback.

Greg from Big Lake, MN

Minnesota signed a defensive practice-squad player off the Texans, whom it plays this week. Wouldn't that require the Texans to change all their signals and cues? Seems a bit bush league on the Vikings' part. Is this a common practice?

Correct me if I'm wrong here – and I know many of you are salivating at the chance to do so – but most teams switch up their signals each week. There's a Tuesday deadline to sign players off another team's practice squad for that reason.

Thomas from Oviedo, FL

Regarding the question from Matt from Greensboro regarding going for it on fourth down when it looks like you're just trying to get them offsides. How do you think Dan Campbell would answer that question?

He's always going to push the gas pedal. But like I've said since Day 1, Campbell's approach is a bit too spicy for my palate. That's not to say it's wrong. He's had a ton of success in Detroit but also some big setbacks when he rolls seven.

Steve from Beaver Dam, WI

Could you explain the NFL's insurance rule? My understanding is the CBA allows cap money to be refunded if a player is injured and the team has an insurance policy on him. Is that something teams do for every player or just the highest paid, like Jordan Love?

It only makes sense for your highest-paid players. I'd assume the Packers took one out on Love, but I don't know that definitively. They have done it in the past with Aaron Rodgers and other high-profile stars.

Nathan from Manitowoc, WI

How long does a player need to play to qualify for an NFL pension?

I believe it's four accrued NFL seasons, though a full year on injured reserve doesn't count towards that.

Damien from Perth, Australia

It was nice seeing Aaron Rodgers out there doing well on TNF. I still admire that man, and what he did for this organization.

Love him or dislike him, you need to appreciate him. Aaron Rodgers is the last of that generation of QBs and there will never be another quite like him.

Justin from Sammamish, WA

I saw the Vikings are alone at the top of the division which made me wonder: When was the last time they led the division this late in the season?

They won the NFC North less than two years ago.

Austin from Manassas, VA

I noticed Jabrill Peppers wearing the Guardian cap in the Pats-Jets game. You could barely tell. Why isn't every player choosing to wear these?

It's up to the player, but I thought New England's helmet cover looked pretty slick. I didn't even notice Peppers was wearing a Guardian cap the first time I watched the video of the Pats' pregame huddle.

Duane from Oak Creek, WI

Have you ever seen so many injuries this early in the season amongst all NFL teams?

Yes.

Don from Marshfield, WI

Hi guys! I don't know how contracts work in professional sports. Is it possible a team like the Brewers could start a fund me account for Willy Adames in order to keep him next year? I will set on my sofa, patiently waiting!

I used to have an idiom when I was a Brewers fan in the 2008-11 window: Don't re-sign anyone. Let everyone walk who requires a long-term extension after their controllable years. Adames was a real find for the Brewers, but the reality of MLB is the rich will break the bank for him next year. Meanwhile, it's Matt Arnold's job to find the next one.

Paula from Apple Valley, MN

"The play Willis couldn't throw the vomit ball." The phrase made me chuckle, but I hope we can move on from it soon.

I prefer "the emesis ball." It kind of sounds like "eephus pitch."

Steve from Wauseon, OH

Wouldn't you say illegally downfield is more like hockey offside? Soccer offside occurs because you cross an imaginary line created by a defender. Dumbest rule in sports. Defender is slow getting back so offense has to be slow

Tuh-may-toe. Tuh-ma-toe.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

If we're dismembering the Titans on Sunday, does that make the Packers the entire pantheon of Greek mythology? I seem to remember they locked the Titans up in Mt. Olympus or something. If Willis or Love is throwing lightning bolts on Sunday, I'd be down. Enjoy the game everyone!

I'm reminded of my cat coughing up a furball. I don't know why that submission happened. I just wish I wouldn't have.

Ben from Guffey, CO

I bet the Titans' D is very good. Part of me wonders how much going against a rookie QB in his first start without a decent OL and then against a team with Aaron Rodgers at QB that only played one game together. I guess we'll find out Sunday.

We sure will, which is why they play the games. Have a great weekend, everybody.