Steve from Hazlet, NJ

Would that inflatable sportswriter be named Otto Correct? Thank you, I'll be here all week, remember to tip your waitress.

And see yourself out.

Jeff from Montclair, VA

Any idea when they announce the themed uniform games? Need to know whether to pack my regular, White Out, or new throwback gear for the Vikings game. Thank you. And take my money.

Those announcements will be made in due time. Nobody's trying to make it a surprise at the last minute.

Andy from Clive, IA

What do you think of the throwback helmets? I think they nailed it! Best leather throwback design I have seen from any team at any level.

Last year, Illinois was the first football program I saw unveil a helmet like that. Definitely a cool look.

Joel from Bangor, ME

In addition to the Chevy Chase requirements for the II curriculum, Colleen might want to be sure she is also fluent in Seinfeld. Here's to hoping that after Day 1 the Packers themselves are as real and spectacular as the new locker room. After being honed in on camp activities throughout the day, how do you reset to have a fresh perspective for the next day so you are able to evaluate what you see on its own merit?

I don't think that's how reporters go about it. At least I don't. You're always referencing what you've already observed. Can a player follow up a splash play or two with more? Can a guy who had a rough day bounce back? Is someone who was running with the ones still there, or did he get relegated to a reserve unit? Training camp is about a player's body of work, not individual, segregated days.

Matt from Middleton, WI

Hi Mike, with the watered-down regular season in pretty much every sport, the baloney stops for me when the playoffs start.

I can appreciate that. At least in the NFL, it's still fewer than half the teams that make the postseason, so the regular season does matter. For now.

Jim from Prairie du Chien, WI

Was the choice to put hometowns by players lockers (vs college) done as a "don't forget where you came from" type of message?

Both the college and hometown are listed.

Terry from Elroy, WI

It was ironic to see the doldrums of the '70s and '80s and a question about what factors influence a player's decision to come to Green Bay in Thursday's II. I remember hearing during the doldrums that opposing coaches would threaten a trade to Green Bay if a player underperformed on their team. What changes (other than winning) did Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren institute to make playing in Green Bay appeal to players from other teams?

Winning was a big part of it, but so was the leaguewide implementation of the salary cap with free agency. It leveled the playing field financially, and the Packers could compete for the likes of Reggie White with contract offers that showed Green Bay was serious about winning.

Al from Green Bay, WI

It's awesome that GB is set at QB with No. 1 and 2 clearly in place. We know there will be a battle for the No. 3 slot. Do you think we'll learn anything about that competition in practice sessions, or is most of the evaluation going to be based on preseason game performance?

I'd say the joint practices and preseason games will be the biggest factors, because in a regular practice, the No. 3-4 QBs really don't get a lot of 11-on-11 reps.

Peder from Sevastopol, WI

Last year I was really pumped to see what MarShawn Lloyd can bring to the table. This year I am really pumped to see what MarShawn Lloyd can bring to the table. If he stays healthy the guy is going to be a beast.

He has a chance to add another dimension to this offense. There's plenty of reason to be excited, but I'm going to temper the excitement until we see where everything stands a month from now.

Steve from Eau Claire, WI

The Athletic just posted the Packers as the NFL's most overrated team, based seemingly upon reader rankings. They state that GB faces pressure to win, and that the team did not fill needs at WR and pass rusher. Do you think that the Packers face more pressure to win in 2025 than say Dallas, Detroit, Buffalo, San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Chicago? And are questions at WR and edge reason enough to justify false optimism? Or are NFL fans just jealous of the Packer legacy of success?

That all just sounds like a heaping pile of whatever. It seems like standard protocol that a team failing to live up to expectations a year ago will be deemed overrated the following year. It's the old fool me once, fool me twice thing. I've emphasized more times than I can count that every NFL season is its own entity. That's how I look at it and always will.

Josh from Compton, CA

Why didn't the Packers move Sean Rhyan to center, let Jordan Morgan take the RG spot, and leave our Pro Bowl guard where he is while saving a lot of bank by not signing Aaron Banks? Especially when drafting Anthony Belton.

Because they felt adding Banks would improve the overall unit, and when they signed Banks they didn't know they'd have a chance to draft Belton with the No. 54 pick. Those two transactions occurred more than a month apart. They also aren't looking to have just five good linemen and foolishly count on them to play every game.

Kyle from Osceola, WI

One point of discussion earlier this week centered on how Jordan Morgan is in competition with both Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan for two starting spots on the offensive line. In general, do you think players would prefer to be focused on honing their craft specifically toward a single starting job, or working toward versatility, and two possibilities?

A player in Morgan's position will want to do whatever gives him the best chance to see the field. If that means competing at two positions, so be it.

Clipton from Pasadena, CA

When a player, like Zach Tom for example, signs an extension before his original contract ends, do the new terms begin immediately or kick in after the first one expires?

It depends how it's written, but most of the time it effectively becomes a mixture. The player pockets the signing bonus immediately, but his new annual salaries don't take hold until the following year.

TK from Grafton, WI

Almost forgot how much the run defense drastically improved last season. Any main reason HOW Hafley was able to accomplish this?

By emphasizing it, schematically and otherwise. After the Bears ran wild, racking up 179 rushing yards in mid-November with the QB running for 70 and Swift busting off that 39-yard TD, Hafley talked sternly about not allowing that to happen again, and it didn't. The next six opponents averaged 68 rushing yards per game. The Eagles wound up with big ground production in the playoffs, but the defense wearing down under the weight of the offensive struggles had a lot to do with that.

Dave from Sparta, WI

Which position generally has the steepest drop off in talent as you get down the depth chart? Excluding QB.

If I had to narrow it down, I'd say the other premier positions – pass protector (tackle), pass rusher (edge), pass defender (corner). That's why they're premier positions.

Tom from Rochester, NY

According to nfl.com the Pack was in the top 10 for scoring but only ran 1,067 plays from scrimmage which put them at 23rd in the league. We also were near the bottom on third-down attempts and those converted. When it comes to guys like Tucker Kraft increasing their numbers then it has to start with more first-down conversions so they all get more attempts. MLF loves the big plays but hoping we have better balance between big plays and conversions this year.

The big plays help generate momentum and get the defense on its heels. Converting the next third down after a big play keeps things that way rather than shifts them back.

George from Edinburg, VA

Mike, in your article about the Packers' finances, you didn't mention the impact of the draft. Does that money go to the NFL or is it accounted for separately? Also, as the new locker room pictures are displayed, is the information available regarding what upgrades were done across the complex and what they cost?

The Packers' fiscal year ended March 31, so everything draft-related will be on next year's balance sheet. I've been told the franchise broke even at best, and probably lost money, on hosting the draft due to all the expenses that went into it, but that was to be expected and the investment was made for the community economic impact, which was enormous. As for the new locker room, I haven't heard how much it cost, but that's not on the books next year, either. As a facility investment, accounting-wise it'll be spread out as depreciation over time.

Dan from Minneapolis, MN

Longtime fan and II reader since the Vic days. Regarding the Packers' financial report release, the one thing I always look to first is the level of the reserve fund. No billionaire owners in GB. This franchise was in serious trouble in the 1980s, and sentiments among owners like Denver's Pat Bowlen were not unique. Green Bay has to be financially successful and winning to maintain long-term relevance and even continuation in the NFL. I hope Policy emphasizes this aspect as much as Murphy did.

The corporate reserve fund certainly gets that emphasis, even more so now that other owners can sell private equity in their teams up to a 10% stake. The Washington Commanders were just sold two years ago for $6B. That means their new owner could raise $600M in capital at the drop of a hat. The Packers have been able to raise $60M or so every once in a while with a stock sale, but the private equity route (which GB doesn't have) changes the financial ballgame. The Packers' corporate reserve fund is currently approaching $700M and it will get the attention it deserves.

Robert from Verona, WI

It's nice to see the Packers organization had another financially successful year. Even without a traditional owner, it's important that the team has the resources necessary to continue to compete and provide a top-notch experience for fans. Nonetheless, I'm wondering if either of you uttered the following upon hearing the news: "Hey, Ed, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know?"

Ha. I'm not on easy street with this job by any means, but I'm not complaining. There's a tremendous benefit package – literally and otherwise – that comes with working here.

Richard from Madison, WI

There's no question that Mark Murphy will go down in history as a superb football team LEADER, but there was a time when he was a PLAYER. What were his lifetime stats (college and pro), and is he in anybody else's hall of fame?

Murphy was inducted into Colgate's Hall of Honor in 1985, shortly after his NFL career ended. With Washington, he had 27 career interceptions (plus one more in the postseason), leading the league with nine in 1983, when he was named first-team All-Pro and tied for eighth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Twice a week "Unscripted" until February? Music to my ears! Excellent first episode that set up well all of the intrigue to watch throughout camp. And welcome to new sponsor Pit Boss Grills. The self-imposed challenge has begun on how fast I can memorize the ad read to say it with Spoff.

Rumor has it we might be pre-recording the ad reads so I don't have to rattle them off live every single show. Stay tuned.

Jackson from Wausau, WI

Spoff, are the planets and stars aligning for the Brewers this year? There's a long ways to go, but this team appears to be the real deal. The pitching staff is deep, defense is top five, and they are getting timely hitting in big moments. Imagine if they didn't start 0-4.

I'm not entertaining any thoughts of planets and stars aligning given how recent postseasons have gone. And yes, still a long way to go. The 0-4 start? Heck, they were three games under .500 just two months ago, on May 25. I don't regret the rough beginning, though. I truly believe the adversity toughened them up.

Douglas from Naperville, IL

If the baloney stops at 3:25 pm CT on Sept. 7, then yes, very good, can I have a steak sandwich, and another steak sandwich?

I'll even put it on the Underhills' bill for you. Happy Friday.

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