Mike's Mid-Week Chat: How many surprises are in store for Week 1?

[Cheesehead]

Would you expect Minnesota to test the right side quite a bit this week?


Why wouldn't they? They're going to line up with Hunter on one end and Yannick on the other, but as far as twists and stunts, I could see a lot of games being played on the right side to see how the Packers respond.


I see the Packer yearbooks are out. Just curious as I have everyone since 1960 when they first came out. Are all the Packer yearbooks displayed somewhere in the building? I know of 2 other persons who have them all also.


I know there's a full collection of them in the Packers Hall of Fame, but I don't think they're on display. They have them all, though.


Is Lambeau closed to tailgating?


How many members of the media are allowed at practice?


It depends if the practice is inside or outside. Today because of some rain, it'll be inside the Hutson Center, so media attendance is very limited.


Will Matt LaFleur let me air it out this year? I think I'm good for 5,000...


I think LaFleur wants to have a productive ground game and run as much of the passing game, on first and second downs anyway, off play-action as possible.


I think that Aaron Jones will have more total yards than Cook's rushing yards. Am I wrong?


I don't know. I could see both guys having monster years.


Any particular areas of emphasis this year as far as officiating is concerned ? Pass interference ? Protecting the quarterback ?


Use of the helmet. That's the main point of emphasis with the officiating this year. The helmet rule they put in for 2018 is going to be watched very closely.


Any idea what either team or the league will do in terms of making a statement about social justice (e.g. messaging on the field)?


The end zones will be painted with messages. One will be "end racism" and I can't recall off the top of my head what the other one will be. The players haven't said anything publicly about what they might be doing.


Mike, great to see the chat back. Thanks for your time. Which player or two do you think the Packers need to have circled when they are on offense this week?


Minnesota's two ends (Hunter, Yannick), two top LBs (Kendricks, Barr) and two safeties (Smith, Harris) is as good a half-dozen players as any defense could ask for. That unit will be a lot to handle, even with all the young CBs that will be thrown into the fire.


I read that if vested veterans are added before week one and start the season their contract is guaranteed but if their added after week one it is not. First is that true and how much is that a factor in so many good players out there that can still play?


It is true, and it does result in a few veterans every year being signed after Week 1.


Who in you opinion will be the most impactful rookie will be this year?


I would have said Kamal Martin before his knee injury. He looked headed for the spot next to Kirksey. With his outlook changed, it's probably Dillon or Deguara, but as I said before, it wouldn't surprise me if their impact is later in the season rather than earlier.


Besides Packers/Vikings, in what games will you be interested this week?


It's a big start in the NFC North with the Bears and Lions squaring off, too. Otherwise, Seahawks-Falcons looks intriguing, as does McCarthy's first Cowboys game, on the road at the Rams.


With Minnesota's young corners Rodgers should have some deep looks.


I think that depends on how the Vikings play their safeties. It's going to be a chess match from the first snap.


Will Adams get his 1000 this season?


Good health willing, he absolutely should. It's crazy he's 6 yards away from two more 1,000-yard seasons, with two finishing at 997.


Is the Packers' practice squad still at 14 players?


No, two more signings were made official this morning. WR and LB. The practice squad is now full at 16.


Did the team replace the two players that were moved to IR?


One was the signing of CB Parry Nickerson. There remains one open roster spot on the 53.