The question from Devin from Kansas City struck a chord. During the 2023 season, I was fighting a winning battle with cancer, with all the accompanying angst and challenges you can imagine. One of the many things that got me through each day was the entertaining diversion that is II. Don’t ever doubt what this column means to us fans, for reasons you might never imagine. Thank you.

Just when I needed a little push during a hectic week in Westfield, Ind., leave it to Devin from K.C. and Joe from Swansea to bring the bulldozer. Powerful stuff, gentlemen. Echoing Spoff’s comments, I hope you’re both well given the challenging circumstances.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

With joint practices becoming more common in the NFL, what is the biggest benefit you see from them? Sharper competition, better evaluation opportunities, or just breaking up the monotony of camp?

All the above. Checkpoints are important to keep things fresh and make five weeks of training camp less daunting. Joint practices provide quality work when everyone is on their best behavior. You tip your cap to both sides for that. It was a clean but competitive practice and that applies to all three phases. Nobody wrote about special teams outside of Brandon McManus‘ field goals, but Green Bay’s core-four getting live reps against another team instead of just scout-team reps is extremely beneficial.

Wes, it sounds like the defense dominated the joint practice versus the Colts. It also sounds as though Jeff Hafley threw more curveballs at the Colts than we would expect to see in a preseason game. If true, and given the starters’ playing time will be very limited, is the game actually less important than the practice this week?

The game is significant for a few reasons, beginning with finishing strong here in Indy. The Packers set the tone in the joint practice and now want to build on that momentum into the game itself. Also, they have the unique opportunity to dress most of the players who practiced with the first-team offense against the Colts. Maybe the passing game took a few lumps on Thursday, but the playing field should be a more level this afternoon for Malik Willis and Co. against Indianapolis’ reserve units. The practice served a purpose, but they play the games for a reason.

As a Gold package ticket holder, I just read that Sterling Sharpe will be honored at halftime of the Commanders game. One of my favorite Packers of all time, I am so excited to be there for a well-deserved celebration.

Seeing Sharpe get his name on the Lambeau Field façade will make for a special evening. It’s one of several cool events planned for this year’s home slate at Lambeau Field. Click the link if you didn’t see the full rollout from Friday.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

Re: Chris, last year proved no division game is a must win. Obviously, that’s not how we want to advance, but in my opinion, no game is a must win unless it literally eliminates the team or drastically changes a team’s playoff odds (e.g. a win putting them in playoff position, a loss causing them to lose a game and the tiebreakers with two weeks remaining). That’s not possible until later in the season. The most Week 1 can ever be is one game of many that cultivate a must-win scenario.

The Packers cannot afford to go 1-5 in the NFC North again this year, but you can’t put every egg from here to Door County on the opener. It’s Week 1, not the NFC title game. A fast start would be preferable, but consistency over the course of a challenging September is what’s required. The outcome of the Lions game is just a quarter of the equation.

How nervous are you about Jordan Love not being full go until the season starts?

Minimally. Love had a full offseason in Green Bay and went through all the installs during the first two weeks of practice. So, I’m good with him healing up while many of his top receivers do the same.

Scott from Noblesville, IN

Kudos to both of you for hanging in the Westfield heat here in Hamilton Co., yesterday. Besides the 70-yarder, IMHO MarShawn Lloyd was the most impressive player on the entire practice field, and I can hardly wait to see what his performance will be like Saturday. GPG

That heat was no joke, but thankfully we weren’t on a rubber surface like Green Bay. I don’t want to set the bar too high for Lloyd, but I just want Packers fans to see what we’ve seen at training camp. Lloyd is a fun football player to watch.

Wes, your excitement about getting to watch Lloyd in game action is palpable, and I believe most of Packer Nation agrees. Given the injuries to QB10 and the receiving corps, I get the sense it may take a few regular-season games for the passing game to start clicking. So, the early success of the Josh Jacobs/Lloyd combination (perhaps interspersed with a dose of WR jet sweeps) will likely be critical in getting the Pack off to a good start of the season.

A healthy Lloyd, in any dose, would add flare to this offense. I feel like his playstyle would complement Jacobs and the rest of the backfield well. But Lloyd just needs to stack days right now – run after run, practice after practice.

Bill from North Liberty, IA

When you say that MarShawn Lloyd is a unique back because of his size, speed and explosiveness I guess you’re too young to have seen Earl Campbell and Herschel Walker!

Yeah, pretty much. Sure. I’m not putting the guy in the Hall of Fame. I’m just saying you can see why the Packers used a Day 2 pick on the young man.

I’ve heard a lot of chatter about Isaiah Simmons‘ performance in the first preseason game and saw a couple of clips that looked bad. Could you assemble video of a few busted plays and make any HOFer look like a chump? Has Simmons redeemed himself since then or is there real cause for concern that he might not find a role in this defense? I was excited when the Packers signed him and still have hope he’ll right the ship.

That’s life in the arena – everyone is watching and then there’s all-22 to enhance your hindsight. Simmons had a great practice against the Colts. Like I said on “Unscripted,” Simmons’ interception of Daniel Jones in two-minute drew cheers from Packers fans in the stands, but he also had some good fits against the run in 11-on-11s earlier in practice. Today is another day and a new opportunity.