Inbox: That’s everything you need to know

[Cheesehead]

Dan from Cross Plains, WI


I'm in agreement with Mike on the cheese curd debate. Totally seasonal. Of course, it’s all personal preference. Take for example last weekend, we were celebrating my niece's ninth birthday and ordered fried cheese curds for appetizer. My niece likes to take off the fried portion and just eat the cheese. To each their own, right?


This submission led me to look deep inside my soul, probably more so than any Inbox comment in 3½ years doing this. The bit about your niece pulling the fried part off brings me back to the day I realized I didn’t like cheese. My aunt, wonderful lady, asked me when I was about six or seven if I wanted cheese curds. Young Wes had only known the squeaky variety and I thought they were always squeaky. The ones she gave me were a few days old and I didn’t like them. So she tried to microwave them for me and I REALLY didn’t like them. I swear I didn’t touch cheese curds for like 10 years after that. Working in this organization has caused me to change my stance…slightly. Good morning!


Lori from Brookfield, WI


Wes, what has impressed you most about Coach LaFleur after his first five games? What has surprised you?


His willingness to adapt. He doesn’t try to fit square pegs into round holes. LaFleur identifies the strengths of his personnel and tailors his system to accommodate those players. That’s what makes good coaches great. The biggest surprise is how he, Brian Gutekunst and Mike Pettine developed such a strong team chemistry in less than a year. Win, lose or tie, this team fights together. When speaking to the character of a team, that’s everything you need to know.


Austin from Minneola, FL


Aaron Jones had a monster game while Jamaal Williams was out. After seeing what Jones can do with more touches, do you expect Williams and Jones to continue to split carries as they have in the past?


I wouldn’t say even split but I expect both to be part of the offense, especially over this next month. The Packers have five games between now and their Week 11 bye. They’re already without their top guy in Davante Adams at the moment. Jones and Williams both have something to offer.


Joe from Las Vegas, NV


Here we are again, getting ready to play another good football team. It seems like the secondary gives up a lot of yards in the fourth quarter and they got tired legs. How does the defense stop Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter or at least slow the Lions down? I never played but even at my best my legs would wear down with that kind of demand.


Pursuit and finish. Mike Pettine really harped on keeping the foot on the gas pedal, himself included, when working with a big lead in the second half. Stafford is cut from strong cloth. He’s seen adversity and he’s risen above it. The biggest key is getting consistent pressure on him. The Packers haven’t done enough of that the last two years. The more pressure, the more chances for the secondary to make a big play.


Erik from Sisters, OR


If you're looking at stats to confirm what your eyes are seeing from this Packers D, what stats are you looking at? Third down, red zone, and turnovers would be the most important for me. Packers overall sit at No. 22 according to NFL.com, but according to my three stats they sit more around 10. I'm not comparing for comparison sake, I want to know just how good this defense is by means other than eyes and guts, know what I mean?


I’ve said for a number of years “total defense” shouldn’t be “total yards.” That’s an archaic way to rate efficiency. A better stat is the average of total defense, takeaways and red zone. Why don’t we call it “total dominance”? Every defense is searching to succeed in those three aspects of the game.


Jake from Athens, GA


How much do you read into the phone conversations with opposing head coaches, or do you mostly take their comments at face value? Coach Patricia said about Aaron Rodgers, “He just looks very comfortable.” Is that a clue that a big part of his game plan this week will be trying to make Rodgers uncomfortable?


I was on Patricia’s conference call. I just took it as Rodgers looks at home in LaFleur’s scheme. The Lions obviously will try to make Rodgers as uncomfortable as possible on the field Monday night, but that’s entirely independent from how QB1 has adjusted to Green Bay’s new offense.


Bruce from Green Bay, WI


Green Bay is really going to be challenged Monday running the ball against a very talented Lions defense. Hard to believe a stout player like Mike Daniels is a backup. Could this be the week that play-action opens up the passing game with so much success against the Cowboys last week on the ground? Because Detroit plays the run well, would it be better for Green Bay to play-action to the pass to open up the running game or vice versa?


People (not saying you, Bruce) who want to bang the Daniels drum are going to have to hold off for another two months. He hasn’t practiced this week and it stands to reason he won’t play Monday night. Also, with all due respect to Detroit, the Lions right now are 27th in total yards, 20th against the run and 30th against the pass. The challenges Detroit presents are different than the Dallas game and the Packers must plan accordingly. Regardless, the Packers need to get Jones and Jamaal Williams going. That’s a must.


Oscar from Sherman Oaks, CA


Has anyone brought up Mason Crosby’s tackle on the kickoff? That man was not afraid to get in there and prevent a return TD. I held my breath when I noticed he stood up and walked back gingerly. I’m glad he’s doing well. Also, if he couldn’t kick, and JK Scott has to carry the kicking duties, who would be the holder?


Mason Crosby is not to be trifled with. I am not privy to who the emergency holder is, though. Maybe Tim Boyle?


James from Chicago, IL


I know power rankings don’t mean a thing, but I have to admit it makes me smile to see James Jones giving his continued plugs and love to Green Bay


As an aside to this submission, how flippin’ good is James Jones on TV? I knew he’d be successful if he chose to go the sportscasting route after his playing career, but Jones has blown me away by how seamlessly he’s transitioned into that field.