Hey everybody, thanks for logging on today. Hope all is well. Go ahead and start sending in your questions and I'll get started shortly.
Now Davante is implying he wouldn't mind going to the Jets. Will folks ever learn the grass isn't always greener somewhere else?
Hey, I don't blame him for wanting to leave the Raiders.
Where can we find optimism with this pass rush?
I'm not about to hit the panic button. They were required to rush in a very controlled manner the first two games. They cut it loose against the Titans. They struggled against the Vikings. More is needed than last week, for sure, but I think it'll come around in time.
Is there concern in the building with the lack of productivity from Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark to start the year?
I'm not really in touch with anyone around the building except those in my own department, and the locker room with the players. Those guys are proven players and they'll get it going. I thought both had strong moments vs. the run last week.
Hey Mike, as bitter as a loss that Sunday was I feel fortunate we are uncovering our weaknesses early in the season with time to correct. Do you feel the same? I believe the Vikings are getting a false sense of security that will punch them in the mouth later.
All I know is it's a long season. The Vikings were the better team Sunday. The Packers know they have plenty of work to do. That's the NFL.
What do you think the Pack needs to work on the most to secure the win on Sunday?
They have to cut down on the penalties, first and foremost, and they have to stop the run. Williams has five rushing TDs this year and Stafford has only thrown for two TDs with the banged-up WR corps.
Hey Mike, do you think Sam Darnold is the victim of "perception versus reality"? Leads the league in TD passes, way up there in yards, and the Vikings are 4-0. That back shoulder throw to Jefferson in the end zone last Sunday was undefendable. I realize he's not had much success up to now, but he's got the Vikes in the hunt.
He was a first-round draft pick for a reason, and plenty of young QBs have gotten off to rough starts by having to play too soon, not being in the right situation, etc. He's got a ton of experience now and couldn't have landed in a better place than Minnesota.
He'll be in the same situation in a year when Arod retires.
I can't pretend to get in Davante's head. I'm sure there's more to the situation than I'll ever know. I hope he finds happiness and joy in football again. That's all.
Do you think Zach Tom is starting to get the national recognition he deserves? Kinda feels like when Bakh started getting more attention, of course all packers fans knew they where really good, but it took national pundits a while.
It'll come. I think the most remarkable thing about Tom this season is he's off to such a strong start after missing all the offseason work with the pec injury and then being limited throughout training camp. You'd never know.
Looking forward to seeing Sofi Stadium?
Definitely. Never been there. Remember seeing all the construction on our way to the LA Coliseum in '18. I think SoFi will increase my list of stadiums in which I've covered an NFL game at 44.
Has there been any updates with Devonte Wyatt? I saw Christian Watson is figured to miss at least 1 week.
Haven't heard anything.
Do you think putting Malik Willis in with some defined running plays might slow defenses like Minn. Who have their ears pinned back every play?
Everyone keeps asking this, but when you have all the perimeter weapons the Packers have, you're just thinning out the opportunities by adding another wrinkle to the mix. Maybe they'll try it. I don't know. But I don't see it as some kind of necessity.
Seems like there's a lot more pre-snap penalties on offenses this year (illegal formation, illegal shift, etc). I can understand penalties after (or as) the ball is snapped, but how can highly paid professional football players not even line up correctly to start the play?
I don't know, but the attention to detail has been lacking clearly. What we don't know is whether these things are happening in practice and not getting corrected, or if practice is fine and the mistakes are just happening on game day.
Is anyone going to address the kicker in the room? When will we get a kicker we can count on?
I don't know. I would say nothing is certain right now, but beyond that, I don't know where the personnel department is on this.
What is the top frustrating and positive team performance items to this point in the season?
I'd say the frustrating thing has been the penalties. The positives have been the takeaways on defense and explosive plays on offense. They've had those in abundance, and those are big factors in winning games.
Hi Mike, I was fascinated by the drop kickoff instead of an onside kick. Does the ball have to hit the ground again, after the kick. If not, a high ball after the kick creating a jump ball possibility has a much higher chance for the kicking team to gain possession. It is about a 40% chance in rugby where a drop kick to start or re-start is a must.
Everyone always asks about the high kick for a jump ball possibility. The receiving team can fair catch a kickoff and get a clean catch if it wants. The pop-up kick is not a viable idea.
How close is MarShawn Lloyd to returning? I think he'd offer one more look for the running game.
He's still on IR and isn't eligible to return to practice yet, so nothing imminent there.
I am just wondering would last Sunday's game be any different if J Money had played.
I think there's no doubt the game goes differently. Jaire Alexander's one of the defense's best players, and Carrington Valentine being out along with him was a tough spot for the GB secondary. I'm not saying the Packers win if Alexander plays. Nobody knows that. But I'm sure the game doesn't unfold the same.
You think they'll start to get Jacob's going more this upcoming week?
If they don't fall behind 28-0, yes. Absolutely.
How short of a leash do you think 44 is on? MLF cannot afford to lose games because of him.
I don't know the length of the leash, and it's honestly not up to LaFleur. It's up to the personnel dept.
Packers made a lot of mistakes and only lose by 2 pts. I'm wondering what would a mistake-free game will look like.
There's no such thing. The Vikings were far from mistake-free. But you have to limit the miscues and make fewer than your opponent. That's the bottom line.
How do you think the packers answer their problems on defense caused by injuries in the secondary? Do we see less man coverage? Some zone blitz stuff ?
I could see varying up the pass-rush plan a bit with some different looks and bluffs, etc. But guys have to win their one-on-ones too, both up front and on the back end.
Did you ever get the chance to see Pete Rose play in person? Sad to hear of his passing, and wondering what your first thought or memory was upon seeing the news.
I never did see Rose play in person but I certainly watched him a ton as a kid. Always loved the way he played the game.
I'll throw this out there just like last week. Will Xavier McKinney keep his interception streak going this week?
I think my answer last week was I'm not going to bet against him at this point. Not changing that tune now.
I saw the Rams OL is currently ranked worst in the league for pass pro. Is this the week for another sack fest ?
That's a bit simplistic, but Stafford has been sacked 13 times in four games. He's going to start getting in a better groove with the receivers he has, though, and he's often got answers to blitzes with hot reads and such. The Packers have to play this like they played the Titans game. Get a lead, build on it, and then come after him when you know he has to throw.
I think Willis is better then Jordan Love he has won two games for us needed to keep that same momentum to win games.
The defense gave up 65 points in the games the Packers lost, 24 in the games the Packers won.
Seems like the WR group excluding Jayden Reed are off to a slow start. Is that a manifestation of Love missing games? Seems like more drops this year than last.
Yeah, there have been too many catchable balls missed. Also some of the throws could've been better. Plenty of blame to go around. Love needing to get his feet under him again is a big part of that, and the chemistry.
If Jordan Love isn't moving in the pocket as he does when he is 100%, he needs to rest. Malik Willis has proven he can win games, rest Love until is he fully healthy, it isn't worth the risk.
Jordan Love needs to learn how to perform on a knee that probably won't be 100% for a while.
How about that perfect passing performance from Goff? Looks like the NFC North has the potential for three powerhouse teams.
It's shaping up to be a dynamite division. Goff's performance Monday night was something else. Literally zero mistakes.
This team is very talented, just keep fighting. Everything will be fine.
That's pretty much how I feel. There's plenty of talent and they need to play up to it. I think they will. The sooner the better.
Hey Mike, always appreciate you jumping on here. It seemed to me that the Vikings really took their foot off the pedal defensively in the 3rd quarter which helped lead to the Packers coming back into the game. Do you see this "prevent defense" being utilized a bit early in NFL games like that?
I don't know if it was that so much or Love just settling down and getting the offense moving again. Defenses with a lead in the second half are always guarding against the big play. They don't want to give up explosives and allow quick scores. The Vikings D didn't really do that until more midway through the fourth quarter. What got the Packers back in the game really was the strip-sack on the blindside blitz by Keisean Nixon.
What does the Ram defense do well that we should be concerned about?
The unit is struggling statistically. I think opponents are averaging 165 yards per game on the ground. They've only generated three takeaways all season. Just seven sacks. The Packers have to keep them struggling.
The Pack remind me a bit of the Brewers this year. Can beat you in a variety of ways and will not lay down for anyone. I'm looking forward to them improving as the season goes along in the areas they are struggling. LaFleur is the right coach/leader to make that happen.
I agree. Not sure I get the comparison with the Brewers, because I can't say the Packers have proven this year the "variety of ways" thing. But I think they will in time.
Seemed like we had less motion last week. Any word on whether that was because they didn't want Love turning and twisting this way and that? Or do you think it was because of the speed of Minn.'s defense.
That's always a situational/opponent/game plan thing according to LaFleur.
Hi Mike, just wanted to say hello from Oktoberfest in Munich,
You're killin' me Smalls.
Can the Brewers recover in such a short series? Will need a win today and then a road win.
The whole series is in Milwaukee. Win tonight and then take your chances tomorrow. All you can do.
Lost in all of this with our kicking game is how strong of a start our Punter is having!
There's been plenty of praise for Daniel Whelan and rightly so. He's really booming it.
I know it's Stafford, but this feels like a week where we will see more base defense and attention to the run. Not enough weapons to need to be in nickel all the time?
That's really dependent on the personnel the Rams use. If they go with 3 WR, then you go nickel unless you want a safety or LB matched up on a WR. If they go 2 WR, then yes, I could see plenty of base.
Why do teams "can" a play at the line of scrimmage and then almost always just run up the middle to gain nothing? If fans know what's coming next, I'm pretty sure the defense does too.
I've seen plenty of plays canned to a play-action pass. Canning a play doesn't always mean it's a run.
ATMR this is the most penalized team thru 4 games in ML's tenure with 34. Problem is it's not all the rookies. Do they have to sit folks to get their attention?
I don't think that's the answer. The right techniques, etc., need to be emphasized in practice to get through this.
Was it a combination of coming off an injury and a good disguising defense that lead to all the INTs? that's not Love's MO normally
The Minn LB made a great play on the first INT. The second one was a bad route combo by GB. The third was a bad decision by the QB. There wasn't one thread to them.
Ball placement was not great to start the game, as Love got more comfortable so did his precision.
Agreed.
Jordan did not look to well with his knee i say let him rest up another 2,3 weeks but still limited practicing.
But then how does Willis get ready to play if that's your approach? There are only so many reps to go around. When Love is able to play, he plays. This isn't a difficult concept.
Any updates on Jaire?
Nope. I'm heading out to practice right after I get off this chat.
Mike can you clarify why the referee would not allow the timeout that resulted in the unsportsmanlike penalty?? It appeared the referee just ignored the coach?!
I have no idea. Looking at one of the replays, it appeared the side judge may have turned his head back and forth and just the wrong moments, I don't know. But any official on the field can see LaFleur and call that timeout. It was just poorly done all around.
It is exciting to see the impact Reed has on the flow of the game. Averaging over a 100 scrimmage yards per game in addition to having a top 10 rusher in Josh Jacobs (#7 now) really gives this offense a look like the CA NFC teams. The number 3 offense in the league, just behind SF and ahead of the Lions.
Reed is a dangerous player whom defenses will be game-planning around now, I believe. The Packers will have to have answers to that so he can still get the ball, but also look for openings for others.
Who is due for a break out game in offense and defense? My picks are Romeo Doubs and Gary.
Those are as good a choices as any.
How close is Valentine? His attitude and ability is necessary, especialy if Ja is out another week.
No idea. He's gone from a hamstring injury to an ankle now. He was limited in practice last Wednesday but then it didn't carry through the week. We'll see what this week brings.
Do you think there's any chance Davante could come back? Seeing Love with a true superstar would be amazing and he would make a great replacement for Watson if he's out long-term.
No. Don't see it. At all.
How long do you see it taking for Jordan to learn how to work as best he can on a leg that isn't 100%? Do you think he will have to change his approach game to game?
I can't answer that for him. Hopefully the knee continues to improve as he also gets more accustomed to playing with the discomfort. But he's just in his second year starting and hasn't played with an injury at the NFL level before. It's not easy.
I think people forget that the Vikings are one of the older teams in the league and were rolling last year until Cousins got hurt.
Yeah, their season got blown up when Cousins went down. They signed a ton of free agents and have made all the new pieces work. It's a veteran squad, no doubt.
It was unfortunate Jaire wasn't able to play last Sunday. I think that could have changed the outcome. My question is: Did he get injured in practice and if so, how does that happen with the minimal contact most practices now allow?
LaFleur said the groin injury occurred during a play in Thursday's practice. Plenty of soft-tissue injuries happen without contact.
Can the packers win this weekend?
Sure.
How surprised are you with the Commanders and Daniel's start to the year?
Very. It's not normal for a rookie QB to come in and play like he has right away. It's been impressive, and has given that whole organization a jolt.
Hi Mike, I want to get more familiar with the more in depth side of football, talking about it in a more analytical way instead of just my base knowledge. Does that just come with watching more games?
That's tough to do if all you have access to are TV broadcasts. The TV view is so limiting in terms of what all is going on out there. But if that's all you have, I'd suggest watching replays of TV broadcasts but not watching the ball. Look at line play. Look at defensive formations. Look at offensive personnel used in certain situations. You'll start to understand the complex level at which the game is played in the NFL.
What? You didn't speak to the trainers before this chat? ;)
Ha, good one.
Just read that GB is second in the league in averaging 6.4 yards per play, that is the definition of an explosive offense.
Indeed. Explosive plays put defenses on their heels. If the Packers keep executing them, the rest should fall into place on offense.
As much as I was happy to see the team step up in the later half of the game what can the team do to prevent deficits like that happening again? I know reality would say penalties but is there anything else that can be done? But as it is I'm really poring of them overcoming a big hurdle as a team
You can't miss field goals and turn the ball over. GB's first four drives vs Minn went missed FG, INT, missed FG, INT. Can't do that. For as rough as the defense started, if you make the FGs it's 21-6. That's a whole heck of a lot better than 21-0.
This feels like Jacobs week (part two) to me. Don't let the wheels come off early on D and win TOP.
I like running the ball a lot in this game, too.
Doubs doesn't get enough credit he is a constant player really strong and who loves football
He's definitely a solid, reliable guy. I'm sure he'd like that one back over the middle Sunday, though, when he snatched it with his hands by his helmet but then let it hit the ground as he came down. He usually comes down with that. That was going to be a nice gain.
To add to my brewers comparison. Offensively they can run it down your throat or generate chunk plays in the air. Defensively take it away and sack the QB. It's just doing this all consistently is what they are missing.
Consistency is what every team seeks and is nearly impossible to achieve in such a balanced league.
Too bad Wyatt got hurt. He was having a massive impact at times in games. Any word on his recovery?
No, but that is a tough blow. He was off to a really good start this season.
The Pi on Stokes in the first half near the goal line with Jefferson looked like offensive PI. Did I miss something?
Both guys were engaged. It was a pretty even fight. Then when the ball came, Jefferson tore one arm away and flailed at it in a fake attempt to catch the ball. He just drew the call, plain and simple.
J-Reed is off to a great start. Watching replay, his blocking is under-rated! Who is coaching the WR blocking scheme?
They all get coached on that. Several coaches are involved in that aspect of it.
Mike, thoughts on Rams health ?
It hasn't been easy for Stafford without Cupp and Nukua, and the defense no longer has Aaron Donald. Big adjustments to make, and the Packers have to take advantage of a team still trying to make them.
How about the job Tucker Kraft has been doing at TE? Seems like he's now eclipsed Luke Musgrave on the depth chart.
Kraft is the better blocker so he's going to be on the field more. He's developing into a complete player. I still think we'll see Musgrave making his share of plays soon.
If Wyatt is out this week, how does that affect the defense? Will other guys have to step up more in run stuffing, pass rush, or both?
Colby Wooden has been a healthy scratch the past few weeks due to the depth. He'll be active, I would imagine, if Wyatt is out.
Mike, outside of attending the event when watching sports for pleasure, what is your preferred environment? Personally, I cannot watch my team in a bar setting, hearing too many uninformed opinions that detract from my enjoyment.
Oh, I still love being at live games if I'm not working, but the serenity and cheaper refreshments of my TV room at home works fine too.
While many like Reed and compare him to some of the Packers greats...he's completely different because he's far more shifty/faster than the other receivers, or are my eyes deceiving me?
That's part of it. It's just a different athletic body type than many of the traditional receivers who have had great careers here.
I remember Brooks (#94) blocked a lot of passes last year, has him been playing any snap this season?
He's getting his share. I thought he had a couple nice run stops vs. the Vikings last week too.
Hafley is struggling to find a pass rush. What's the problem? Surely can't be lack of talent with 7 first rounders on D . Clark and Gary are ghosts .
I keep saying people have to remember the pass rushers weren't cutting it loose the first two games because of the QBs they were facing. That's part of the equation. Yes, the pass rush needed to be better Sunday, but it also was dominant the previous week. Let's play some more games.
If we allow the muffed punt time to finish bouncing into the endzone is it a TD?
Yes. In fact, the Falcons scored that very way against the Saints last Sunday. Fall on it in the end zone and it's a TD.
Reed is the Randall Cobb replacement we've been wanting for years. Except he might be even better than the original.
Time will tell. With that, I'm going to call it a chat. Thanks for all the questions. Enjoy the rest of your week and if you're a live blog follower, I'll talk to you from SoFi on Sunday.
Take care,
Mike
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