Stealing an idea from the Brewer board, I thought it would be nice to throw any chat questions regarding the Packers in here for everybody's enjoyment. I'll try to keep it updated from the ESPN chats as I usually read almost all of those.

Aaron (Chicago)
The Packers first team offense in 2 preseason games has scored 35 points, and the first team defense has shutout both opponents. Are the Packers going to surprise some people this year?

Jeremy Green
(12:43 PM)
I don't think I would say surprise people... They were projected as a 10 win team last year at least by me and they lost a ton of close games that could have gone either way. The Packers have 10-win talent so if they win the North and make the playoffs it would not surprise me.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)
Kevin, What do you think of the packers new defense?

Kevin Seifert
(1:02 PM)
So far, it's been exactly what the Packers said it would be: Intense, aggressive and focused on creating turnovers. That's a good start. But we all know that preseason performance isn't a fair predictor of regular season achievement, either positively or negatively.

Jeff (Mpls)
How would you rate the QB's in the NFC North?

Jeremy Green
(12:52 PM)
Tough call here because some have better weapons so if each guy had the same weapons and at this point in their careers i would go... Cutler, Rodgers, Favre, Stafford

al_harris (IL )
so im starting to think finley will be the starting Te this yr ? your thought?

Kevin Seifert
(1:12 PM)
Whoever starts, Finley or Donald Lee, is secondary. By the end of the year I think Finley will be the Packers' best tight end.

David (Minnesota)
How is Quinn Johnson of the Packers performing thus far? Is it possible for him to be the first string FB heading into the season?

Kevin Seifert
(1:14 PM)
Wouldn't rule it out. He is a monster and I saw a few nice blocks on the highlights the other night. They didn't draft him to sit.

Aaron (Chicago)
Are early critics beginning to regret their criticism of the Packers switch to the 3-4? The first-string defense hasn't given up a point in preseason, and they have been playing without some key payers.

Kevin Seifert
(1:16 PM)
I don't know if anyone was critical as much as they were wondering how long it would take to make the adjustment. I still think it's fair to ask that. They're off to a good start, but don't make the mistake of believing it's a good indicator of anything. Most offenses aren't gameplanning at this point, or really preparing for the blitz at all, and the Packers are coming hard on every play. That's the way the preseason is.

Melissa (Hartland, WI)
Kevin, I never see any questions posted from women on your chats! What would your wife say about this? My question is, it seems like Atari Bigby is having a very quiet camp. Is it possible Anthony Smith will supplant him as a starter?

Kevin Seifert
(1:21 PM)
I guess I assume every name on this thing is made up anyway, so I don't even pay attetion. As for the safety position, Bigby has been quiet but if Smith is about to overtake him on the depth chart, no one has mentioned it.

Matt (Louisville)
Hey Kevin, hows the Collins contract thing gonna adjust with this rib injury?

Kevin Seifert
(1:25 PM)
I guess it depends on whether it's serious, but I doubt in the long term it will change their approach one way or the other.

Here's a good promotion for Rodgers:

Brandon LA [via mobile]
Give me your top 5 QBs in the NFL 5 years from now mine are 1 Big Ben 2 matt ryan 3 Rivers 4 Eil 5 rodgers

Matt Williamson
(11:02 AM)
Five years from now? Seriously? So-hypothetically, I could select a senior in high school right now? I have no problem with your list. Rodgers would be higher though and clearly ahead of Eli. Would put Cutler over Eli. Five years from now though?

And some support for Jennings:

Big Dan (Bartonville)
TJ Housh or Greg Jennings?

Matt Williamson
(11:18 AM)
Jennings by far-not even close


KJ (WI)
G. Jennings, R.White or A. Boldin?

Matt Williamson
(11:20 AM)
I will take them in that order

Chuck (Minneapolis)
Are you surprised at the way the Packers' LB corps have adjusted to the 3-4? They seem to have transitioned well, not only in the preseason games, but in the live portions of practice. It sounds like they have a good group with a lot of versatility. Thoughts?

Matt Williamson
(11:20 AM)
I have always contended that that D has a lot of good football players. But in all honesty, I really don't see the LBs transitioning all that well. Kampman still looks like a DE to me much more than a OLB. Hawk will get swallowed up inside and Barnett may as well. However, the depth guys/role guys do seem to fit quite well.

Brad (Appleton)
Will Jermichael Finley finish with top 7 stats for TEs?

Matt Williamson
(11:28 AM)
That seems too lofty. There are a ton of great TEs out there right now. I love his talent and his supporting cast, but GBay also uses a lot of different personnel groupings and D Lee surely will see the field a good amount as well. Finley just won't get as many targets/opportunities as guys like Keller, Z Miller, Cooley, Carlson and of course the bigger named guys.

Mike (Canada)
Aaron Rodgers for MVP this year?

Matt Williamson
(11:28 AM)
Wow-look at you. We just had to turn in our predictions for 2009. I picked A Rodgers as the Offensive Player of the Year...but not the MVP. He is a big time player.

Jerrod (Not Subway)
Love Chris Johnson also and took him 5th. WOuld you rather have Warner, Rodgers or Rivers for fantasy. I took P Rivers but had my choice at all round 4.

Matt Williamson
(11:37 AM)
Nice move at #5 by you. It will pay off. Rivers and Rodgers are the same guy to me-excellent. Warner would be third. A lot of boom or bust to Warner-just from a health standpoint.

Eric (brewerscubs.com)
Should the Packers be on the lookout for a backup QB with Flynn banged up and Brohm disappointing?

Matt Williamson
(11:54 AM)
Wouldn't be a bad call. Someone mentioned Thiggy up there-I can buy into that.

Shane (Los Angeles, CA)
MW: You dont think the Packers announcing they will retire Favre's number on 1 Nov 09, then changing their minds, then saying they might do it next year and drag it on for a few years wouldnt be funny? Just another chapter in the soap of Favre!

Matt Williamson
(11:57 AM)
I like that.

Nate (Madison)
What's your take on how the Packers 3-4 has performed so far? Green Bay a sleeper to make some real noise this year?

KC Joyner
(4:13 PM)
I did a post for the NY Times Fifth Down blog a couple of days ago that said this very thing. GB ranked #1 in forced bad decision percentage last year, so they already know how to make the opponent do low percentage things. All they need to do is learn Capers methods. That's a learning curve but I'm betting they make it over that curve sooner rather than later.


Mike (Jersey)
You had mentioned that GB was #1 in forcing bad decisions. Do your methods consider opponents? Just asking because I know GB faced the Lions, Bears, and Vikings twice and none of those teams had great QB play last year.

KC Joyner
(4:19 PM)
Not directly but let's not forget they will play those teams six times again this year.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)
Hey KC, you provide my favorite insight of all football writers! Can you rank Romo, Rodgers, Warner and Big Ben?

KC Joyner
(4:36 PM)
Thanks for the kudo! I don't know if you mean rank from a fantasy or regular perspective.



Craig G. (Fairfield, California)
for fantasy production purposes, please

KC Joyner
(4:39 PM)
Rodgers, Romo, Warner, Ben.

Andy (DC- Metro)
Isn't the list of qbs you just made the same if you were talkinb about in a game? If not, what change would you make?

KC Joyner
(4:44 PM)
Ben goes to the top of that list.