What are the Packers’ biggest challenges this…

That goofy ball makes this game even more interesting

“Home Fridge” – does that imply there’s a “Work Fridge”?

Ha, just wanted to clarify I’m not bringing beer to work, that’s all.

I don’t know about Eagles, but I doubt Panthers, Raiders, Texans, and Cardinals each have 4 corners that are better than Douglas. Good for GB.

It’s funny how this league works sometimes. He wasn’t a known commodity to most of those teams, and the Packers never would have signed him either if not for Alexander’s injury. It has worked out better than anyone could have expected. Credit to him.

Is Mason Crosby fixed?

I sure hope so. It actually helps that PATs are 33 yards, because it’s more like a real FG and those have helped work through the issues, I think.

Hi Mike – Not a football question, but as a loyal Packers Unscripted podcast listener, I noticed this week’s episode had new ads that were randomly interspersed throughout, often cutting off you or Wes in the middle of a sentence… was that a one time thing, or is there any way those can be timed more intentionally? Btw, I really love the podcast, live blog, and all the content you guys do! Thank you!

Might have just been a glitch in the post-production. We’ll definitely take a look. Thanks for letting us know.

Back in my day it was just a sprained ankle.. So whats the difference between a high ankle and a regular one?

Location of the sprained ligaments. Generally speaking, the higher up on the leg the sprain is, the longer it can take to recover fully.

Spoff. With all these injuries to the Pack this year, what was your worst sports injury?

I had a greenstick fracture of my fibula my sophomore year in college. Happened playing volleyball just a week or so before indoor baseball practice started in the winter. Luckily — though much to my mother’s chagrin — it was misdiagnosed by the trainers and I just rehabbed and practiced like it was a high ankle sprain. After 6 weeks, it was still hurting something fierce after every practice, so I finally went for an X-ray. The doc walked back in the room with the film and just laughed at me. Said the bone was cracked the whole time, but it was healing fine and should be good in 2 more weeks. I didn’t have to miss a game that spring.

With Ravens signing another QB today, does that sound like they think Jackson won’t be ready to play Sunday?

They’re protecting themselves in case, as any team would.

Loved your comment this morning about Wes’ desk. That so fits his personality.

He laughed out loud when he read it.

I flew halfway across the country for that 23-0 Ravens game. It was a doozy. 5 turnovers, Kenny Clark got hurt on a cheap shot from the center Jensen. It was a tough day

Yeah, I’ve pretty much blocked that game from my memory as best I can. It wasn’t fun to write about or talk about for a week, either.

Mike, you seem like a competitive guy, did you talk a lot of trash in your athletic career?

Ha, talk trash? No. Not my style. Other guys on teams I played on were in charge of that.

Have you and Wes been bombarded with the “Nevermore” puns yet? You know it’s coming….

Yours is the first reference. I’m sure it won’t be the last.

Not hearing Stokes name, and not seeing him in a lot of highlights sure is reminiscent of Jaire’s rookie year. I try to watch him play, but because of the camera angles, and low volume of passes his way it is tough to get a read on him. Can you compare how his rookie campaign stacks up to Alexander’s?

That’s a tough one. That ’18 season went so south for the Packers I wasn’t as focused on Alexander as I was on the big picture. I recall his rookie season being fine, some ups and downs, but in ’19 was when he really started to show, like, whoa, this dude’s really good.

Mike, didn’t Rasul Douglas credit Gray for telling him to how to watch film and then, when you see it, attack it, or something to that effect? Sounds like that was a big difference for him.

It was, and he has mentioned how Gray showed him a few extra details about how to watch film. But Gray tells all his guys that, really — trust what you see and go for it. If you’re wrong, you live to play another play. If you’re right, one big play can make up for 5 completions against you.

Mike…what’s on your Christmas list? I think I’d like to send you something for all that you do for us…something, really nice…

Great reference there. Classic.

How severe is the Covid in the Green Bay general population?

I don’t know any specific stats, but I heard a news report recently that the local hospitals have very few open beds due to Covid cases.

I loved your Monday comment about a “poem about soccer”. Laughed all day at that one.

That one was put on a tee for me.

Spoff. You’re clearly a talented and hardworking writer with immense football knowledge, how come you’ve never pursued something with a major network/outlet? I don’t want you to leave but fans would eat up your stuff on a national level!

I appreciate the kind words, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for it, TBH. This is a great place to be, and both my kids are out of the house now, but all this time they’ve been within an hour or three of both sets of grandparents, so everything worked out. And I’ve got a great bunch of people I work with here, and I know it’s not like that everywhere. I’m also glad I have a wife who puts up with all the ridiculous hours and crazy schedule from August to January every year.

In ref to the upcoming Raven’s game specifically…(aside from special teams) what do you assess to be Green Bay’s biggest strength and weakness?

I think the biggest challenge aside from getting ST squared away for this game will be running the ball against this Ravens D. Teams don’t often run it very well against them, and this Packers offense is at its best when it is working through Jones and Dillon, in my opinion. Defensively, it’s about containing Jackson and covering Andrews. He’s a beast of a TE who’s having a big year.

Michael, I always enjoy the photos that accompany your chats/stories…all decked out in Packers gear. Does the Pro Shop outfit you? I would think their sales see a nice bump around your promotion of the product

Yeah, they give us gear annually to outfit us for Unscripted and other videos. Can’t complain.

Mike, was Crosby asked about whether he was trying to get kicks out of the endzone, or doing the corner around the 5 yard line the goal on kickoffs ?

No, we haven’t had a chance to talk to Crosby for quite a while. He’s spoken with the media twice I think in the regular season. Another drawback to not having locker room access, but it is what it is.

And now I know what a “greenstick fracture” is. Ouch!

Yeah, I don’t recommend it.

We’re lucky to have you, Mike. I enjoy your work (and Wes’) so much more than the national hot take artists

Appreciate that, and with that, I’m going to call it a chat. Wow, I went a full hour today. Thanks for all the questions everybody, and take care. I’ll be live blogging Sunday’s game and I’ll be back next week on here as well. Best, Mike.