Inbox: What exactly it'll be is hard to predict

[Cheesehead]

Kyle from Osceola, WI


Looking at Krys Barnes again, it's quite possible he earned his spot on the 53-man roster coming out of training camp. But he was simply the most likely of the four linebackers (Oren Burks, Ty Summers, Kamal Martin) to pass through waivers. Gutekunst knew they needed to stash Martin on IR, and Burks and Summers are certainly better-known commodities that might have been claimed. Thoughts?


Mine exactly.


Brian from New Port Richey, FL


Will our opponents ever commit to the run as the 49ers did? Each week our run defense struggles. But then we either get a lead, or some other circumstance happens that thankfully causes our opponents to give up on the run. Shanahan seemed to be determined to run the ball against us come hell or high water. I'm very happy that other teams haven't taken this approach. Do you think this can keep happening without the rest of the league catching on? Can we ride this format to another Super Bowl?


Ride what format? It's been one game. Yes, the Packers are going to get their run defense tested every week. I've been saying that all along. But it's also very much a team game, so if you're going to start disparaging victories that result from making the opponent change its plans, you'll never stop. That's football. In San Francisco last January, Green Bay's offense had gained two first downs and taken 13 total snaps when the score was 17-0. Then the next offensive possession was a turnover. The Packers' defense had a horrible day, but the offense also didn't really give it a chance. I repeat: It's a team game.


Brian from Moncks Corner, SC


Biggest improvements are typically from Week 1 to Week 2. What are you looking for as biggest improvement or even sustainability from Week 1 to Week 2? By extension, what will you be looking for throughout the first quarter of the season?


Offensively, continuing to smooth out the operation and communication, and executing better on the goal line. Defensively, cutting down on big plays.


Brandon from Atlanta, GA


I'll wager $50 to the charity of your choice that Rodgers has a perfect completion percentage in the record books on "free plays."


Howie from Saint Ignace, MI


I'm thinking that AJ Dillon's future in the Packers' offense begins next year when unfortunately one of the dynamic duo of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams will probably be departing. But do you see a role for him this year on the offense barring injury to one of the before mentioned players?


The fact that he got two carries in his first game, without any preseason prep, and LaFleur has already commented on getting him some more would say yes. What exactly it'll be is hard to predict, and what it is now may not be what it is in three months.


Bruce from Las Vegas, NV


Wes should know that Don Hutson was league MVP as a WR back in the day. His trophies are in the Packers Hall of Fame.


The Associated Press Most Outstanding/Most Valuable Player award began in 1957, after Hutson's time. That's what Wes was referring to. Hutson won the Joe F. Carr Trophy, which was awarded to the league's official MVP from 1938-46, for the '41 and '42 seasons.


Taylor from Story City, IA


Since Rodgers has been reviewing his previous seasons on film, can we expect to see a fake spike for a TD on the road for the win in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter this season?


Another good one. That happened in Week 6 of 2014, at Miami, in his second MVP year. This year's Week 6 game is at Tampa. Same state, bigger opponent. Stay tuned.


Tom from Woodbury, MN


Why in the middle of the fourth quarter with one timeout remaining with the play clock running down, would the offense take a timeout instead of a 5-yard penalty if they still have a challenge left? I see teams taking that timeout and then have a challenge opportunity that they cannot use.


That's definitely a concern with the timeout usage. For that reason alone, using the last timeout with 10:52 left in the fourth quarter was problematic, not to mention all the other factors.


Nic from London, UK


I know it's not cool to ask a parent who their favorite child is, but who do you think is/was the best at the height of their powers: Driver, Jennings, Nelson or Davante Adams?


Nelson, but I'm not sure Adams has reached the height of his powers yet. This is Year 7 for him. In Nelson's Year 7 (2014), he had 98 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 TDs. Then in Year 9, after the ACL recovery, he had 97-1,257-14.