Hi everybody, here we go on this horribly cold day in GB. I thought I saw that too, didn't ask anybody about it after the game and didn't look at closely when I re-watched the game, so I don't know if they knew. I guess it didn't matter because they weren't trying to run a play, I'm assuming if they'd tried to run the play, that at minimum Rodgers would have noticed.

Not a lot of insight, practices are mostly closed during the season -- they're open for individual drills so reporters can take attendance, but that's about it. The little bit I've heard is that he looks pretty decent in practice. I can't say for sure whether it's more practice performance or the fumbled punt that have Allison playing ahead of Davis, though my guess is it's more the latter.

Ryan's back, he just didn't play much last week because of the game plan with Burnett at ILB to help cover Graham with a six-DB lineup to deal with the other receivers too, and Thomas played the other ILB to spy Wilson a lot. I'd think Ryan will play a lot more this week because of Howard, looks like he's a pretty good back. Martinez was a limited participant in practice yesterday, but that could mean he only did a little or he did a fair amount. So hard to tell as of right now whether he'll be available. If he's cleared I'd think he'll play some too.

As suggested in the last answer, I'd think we'll see much more of a run-oriented defensive game plan and personnel this week, especially with the brutal cold that's in the forecast for Sunday. Be  a tough day to throw for 300 -- not that it couldn't happen, but it will be tough, especially for a No. 3 QB as you suggest.

Yeah, agreed, if there's a really talented tight end available, that's not that much different than taking a WR. They also need a CB and OLB (IMHO) so I could see any of those positions in the first round. Maybe even RB too, though it sounds like this draft is deep at RB, so maybe they'll think they can get a good prospect later. And yeah, Davis looks interesting. I thought he'd play more and more after his good game at Atlanta, but it hasn't happened. The fumbled punt seems to have landed him on the bench. You never know when that will end. I remember Edgar Bennett, I think it was in '93, fumbled and then Holmgren didn't play him for several games.

No one's coming to mind though if anybody out there thinks of one let me know. Hayward is having an excellent season, hats off to him. But I'm with Bob McGinn on this one, I think Thompson did what he had to do. He had Shields as his No. 1, and Randall and Rollins (first and second round picks) coming into their second season, they had to get those guys on the field. You can't pay everybody, so you have to let some guys walk even if you like them. I'd have let Hayward leave too. He's played great, good for him, but that's the way it goes. I'm trying to buy some time here to think of someone else this has happened with. I think you could say that about Bryce Paup, I think he had a couple really good years after he left. Craig Hentrich had a great career at Tennessee. Maybe Mike Wahle, I think he was pretty good in Carolina after he left. Let me know if anyone thinks of other examples.

I'm still thinking about your main question and want to see the season plays out, it's definitely a subject that worthy of consideration. But I'd disagree with a couple of your criticisms. I"d say that the LB thing has worked out fine, though it took until late in the season for them to find out that Burnett can play an important role as part of the ILB rotation. Also disagree on the CBs. How many teams in this league could lose their top three corners and not suffer greatly? I'd guess none. That said, there are some limitations with Thompson's approach, which is the most draft-oriented in the league, and the Packers need to do some self-examination there.

I can't imagine they'd do that. For one thing, they'd still probably be in the running mathematically for a wild card.

Fines usually get reported publicly on Thursday and Friday, so we might find out today. Seattle did take a couple egregious shots in that game. Lane on Cobb on the kneeldown, and Sherman on Adams downfield -- Sherman later claimed Rodgers left the pocket, but as our Aaron Nagler showed on Vine, Rodgers was very much in the pocket on that play. Oh, and the shot that Avril took at Lang's "midsection," though I don't know if there will be any videotape to prove that one.

They can match the effort, though matching the performance will be tough, that was the Packers' best game of the year. A lot at stake, Packers have everything to play for. Motivation should be high.

He didn't practice yesterday, wouldn't think he'll be available this week. Not sure how many weeks of healing it will take before he can pad up that broken hand and play.

Lions have played great, come through in the clutch time and again. They have two really tough games, though, at the Giants and at Dallas. The best I can say is, we'll see. Trying to forecast the outcomes of these games, it's just impossible. You just don't know what's going to happen. I'd think the odds would say the Lions will lose one of those games, but that doesn't mean they will.

My guess right now is the former. I'd think the price wouldn't be that high because he's coming off ankle surgery. He just won't have a good market out there.

Taking care of the football. Having their short-passing game function in the cold.

Sounds like he's rehabbing at the Packers' facility and attending meetings and all that.

Interesting question. I made that objection when they made the move at the time. It had nothing to do with Hundley, but I thought it was a mistake to trade up and spend in effect two picks on a backup QB with all their other needs. It wasn't that they took a QB at No. 5, but that they had to spend an extra pick to do it. You never know who might end up getting with that pick. So I'm with you on this. But I have to point out, there's a Hall of Fame GM who I think would differ with us, which gives me pause. If you saw the MMQB coverage of the Packers last week, there was a story on Ron Wolf, and Reggie McKenzie talked about why he traded up to draft Connor Cook even though he had Carr and a No. 2 QB he liked. Wolf's philosophy was to take a QB almost every year, that you have to have a QB to function in this league, and even if you end up not needing the guy, if he shows promise you can get a good return on the trade market. So there's that. I'd still be hesitant to do what Thompson did with Hundley (and Rodgers only at age 31 when he did it), but I have to admit that Wolf's thinking on this matter has me questioning myself.

Good question, not sure, though Dallas probably would thrive playing at Lambeau in the cold because of Elliott's and Prescott's running. Getting back Rollins and Randall, and having them getting back into playing shape the last week or two, helps the Packers' defense regardless of surface.

Tom Silverstein wrote that story. It is an intriguing idea, something Mark Murphy has to think hard about if he's convinced Eliot Wolf is his guy to replace Thompson. Because the could lose him in the next year or two otherwise. I don't know Murphy's thinking on this matter, and probably few people do. I don't know if Thompson would do that voluntarily. If he feels good and is enjoying the job, I would think he'd want to keep going. But he plays things close to the vest, so who knows what he's thinking?

Full participation in practice yesterday, so I'd think his chances of playing this week are really good unless there was a setback. They're practicing as we speak, and the update official injury report won't be out until later this afternoon.

Could be either of those two. I personally wouldn't rule out OLB either, if there's an outside rusher they really like I don't know how they could pass that up, those guys win games. I'd think WR still is in the running too. Even though the offense has been better of late, they could use someone who's more dynamic than what they have. If it were equally rated players available at all those positions, I'm not sure what they'd do. Probably CB but that's just a guess.

McCarthy said this morning at his pre-practice press conference that Starks got into a car accident on Monday and sustained a concussion but no other injuries. So Starks is in the concussion protocol.

Nothing official and nothing reported. I'd think there's very little chance he's coming back, though. He's had four concussions in the NFL and had one in college as well. The fourth one sidelined him a month. This one came on basically a normal tackle and it's sidelined him for the season. Those are signs that this is a severe issue. He's also back in Florida, not up here, which as far as I know is uncommon. I know if I were him I'd walk away from the game, the risks are just too great. I'd also think the Packers will move on even if he wanted to play. The risk is great to him, and they'd have to worry on a more practical level that chances are high he'd sustain another one and be done, and they'd be left short-handed at cornerback. So I have to think they'll thank him and move on.