Diane from Hot Springs Village, AR

Can the Packers’ offense be more consistent week-to-week? What do they need to focus on?

It’s obvious everyone is cheering for Bo Melton to succeed. After a couple weeks, does he look like he “belongs” or a “work in progress”?

I think it’s fair to say somewhere in between. Like Jeff Hafley said, it’s not gonna happen overnight. But in a “sink-or-swim” scenario, he’s keeping his head above the water. Melton may get beat on a 1-on-1 in individuals but then he breaks up a pass intended for Malik Heath in the end zone of team.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Too bad Nate Hobbs had to have knee surgery. Better now, I guess, rather than midseason. With Hobbs out, what is Plan B at CB?

C.V. and C.B…and maybe C.M. if Bo wants to change his first name?

Wes, when you sign a Corey Ballentine and immediately insert him on teams…that seems like a guy who is going to make the 53. So why release him in the first place? Where is the line between talent and experience? In some cases, signing a vet takes snaps away from young talent, in others…? So, what gives?

Ballentine wasn’t released by the Packers. He was an unrestricted free agent after last season and signed with Indianapolis, which guaranteed a portion of his 2025 salary. I don’t know the full story about what happened with the Colts, but it sounds like they’re pretty set with the top four cornerbacks based on everything I’ve read.

Logo schmogo. Just beat the Jets!? Does that really matter in the preseason?

The result doesn’t matter, but the vibe sure does. The locker room after the 27-2 loss in Denver last year was as somber as any regular-season loss the Packers have had during my time on the beat. They’re all competitors. Nobody wants to have their butts handed to them, especially those fighting to be on the Week 1 roster.

I hope I don’t jinx him, but Brandon McManus has been scary good during camp. I know he’s very, very particular about every aspect of his game. Does he practice with any other players (other than Matt Orzech and Daniel Whelan)? If so, who? Also does he prefer one hash mark vs. the other? Finally, after the best Family Night performance I’ve heard of, does Omar Brown get to practice with the defense first team?

Brown is still running with the threes, but he’s also competing at a stacked position that currently accounts for three-fifths of the Packers’ starting nickel. The most interesting part of covering a veteran kicker to me is learning about their process. Like Mason Crosby before him, McManus has a routine that works for him, and everyone affiliated with the field-goal unit supports it. There’s nothing crazy going on in practice, though. The specialists and special teams coaches just do their thing.

Logan from Kansas City, MO

What is the Packers’ plan with joint practices? Is that schedule released? And do they typically practice against a team they have a preseason game against?

This is how the Packers and most NFL teams structure training camps now. Green Bay will conduct a joint practice in Indianapolis next Thursday and then host the Seattle Seahawks the following Thursday. Both are before Saturday preseason games.

Has anybody told Matthew Golden that he could make a little extra cash by referring customers to his dentist? Guy’s got a smile that could light up a stadium!

I haven’t gotten to that one yet. Maybe after the second preseason game.

Just curious (and I’m not looking for you to list any names), as you cover training camp, do you ever notice a player or two that you can tell won’t make the cut? Not by the number of players in that position but simply because he doesn’t have the ability required to be in the NFL?

Honestly, no. You’re not in that locker room if you don’t think you have a chance.

Good morning, Tuesday evening I was watching NFL Network and saw a blurb crawl across the bottom of the screen saying smelling salts are now banned in the league. I’ve been watching guys sniffing those things for 65 years. It didn’t say why. Is there an alternative? A trainer loudly clapping his hands in front of a downed player? A good slap in the face? Someone running out on the field and tossing a bucket of water in a player’s face?

Devastating. I love me a good smelling salt. However, there is research that shows ammonia can mask concussion symptoms. So, the NFL’s heart is in the right place in outlawing them.