Inbox: He believes in his teammates

Dennis from Parrish, FL

What does Wes have against short flippant answers? I resemble those remarks! Isn't it kind of a cottage industry, within the Inbox?

Occasionally.

James from Oshkosh, WI

Yeet cannon? Did I miss something Wesley?

That's apparently MarShawn Lloyd's nickname within the locker room. Jordan Love slipped that one to the media during minicamp.

Ethan from Milwaukee, WI

Re: MarShawn Lloyd being a present yet to be opened … It's Christmas 1993. There's a box under the tree, and your preliminary shaking has confirmed with 95% certainty that it's clothes. Is it the Sterling Sharpe jersey you asked for? Or an argyle sweater from K-Mart "because you outgrew your last one, and I wanted you to have another present to open." You could speculate about it all day (or baloney season) long, but until the day comes, there's no way to know for sure.

It's funny, thinking about jerseys, as a kid I was always more into the running backs than wide receivers. Earl Campbell was my favorite jersey. I also had Billy Sims, which would've turned into a Barry Sanders jersey had I hung onto it.

Jonathon from Sierra Vista, AZ

As a former chess player (who was horrible at speed chess), I approve of Wes's reply to Darrel from Pueblo, CO: "Football is human speed chess, played by men who run 22 mph."

I liked that line, too.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

How would you rate Tucker Kraft among all of the TEs in the NFL?

I'd say the top five tight ends in the league right now are, in no particular order, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Kraft. I know Kyle Pitts just got paid a bunch of money, but I think he's outside that group. Given Kittle and Kelce are well into their 30s, my top three if I were choosing a tight end for my team right now would be McBride, Bowers and Kraft. Then it comes down to hair-splitting. Kraft has had the luxury of working with the best QB of the three. I don't know much about the blocking abilities of the other two, but I know Kraft is a whale of a blocker. I'll put it this way: There's no reason screaming out to pick either of the other two over Kraft right now, but they're really, really good players as well.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

I know I shouldn't type angry, but I'm (ticked)! I come to II for CLARITY, not confusion. And we've got Wes contradicting himself. "The Packers don't need Tucker Kraft to be Superman for this offense to be successful. They just need him to be Tuck." Tuck is Superman. So do we need him to be or not? Who do I talk to about my refund?

Lon from Lake Oswego, OR, along with Peder from Sevastopol, WI, both expressed the same sentiment, though not about the refund. For that you need whom.

Shawn from Colby, WI

Mornin' Spoff. Is it safe to say that our foes to the east just got worse? I'm thinking that's a significant loss.

Losing a first-round draft pick from just two years ago is no small thing. Arnold was no star, but he seemed to be an ascending player after a rookie year full of penalty flags. I still think the Lions will be formidable, but if they fail to make the playoffs for a second straight year after that impressive two-season run, look no further than their 2024 draft. Arnold's now gone, and of the five players from that class still on the team, one has started 12 games. The other four have started a combined one game.

Andy from Crivitz, WI

In regards to a teams' substitutions, how do the players know they are going into a game? You mentioned sometimes a late substitution is a communication problem. Do the Packers have many people on sideline that makes sure all players know? As spread out as they are on sideline, a person would think it would be more confusing than it looks! Keep up the great work. Read it everyday!

It comes down to players knowing what personnel groups they're in, and knowing what changes the coaches have made to those groupings during the game, which each position coach is responsible for communicating to his players on the sideline. To take you back to the McCarthy era for a moment, for a while with Joe Philbin as offensive coordinator, all the personnel packages had the name of an animal that might also correspond to a particular formation (though not always). Names like "Eagle" or "Falcon" might be the same three- or four-wide personnel with different spread formations, while "Hippo" was a different package for short yardage, as examples. The moment an animal name was hollered out on the sideline, the players in that package had to be in the huddle, and for the most part they knew where they were lining up (pending pre-snap adjustments). Due to injury or poor performance, someone might take someone else's place in a given package, and the "new guy" has to be ready for his new assignment. The bottom line: Players must know the playbook thoroughly so the coaches can trust they can plug someone into a personnel package and he'll know what to do.

Patrick from Ashland, WI

A follow-up question to Chuck's from Mexico. How in the world do the OCs (and position group coaches) get the packages subbed in time? They have to hear the play call first, then make the changes, then have the players hear the call in the huddle. Wow it seems almost impossible in 40 seconds, which starts immediately after the whistle.

The game moves pretty fast, but to your question, the personnel package is called out before the actual play is called. If the offense is not changing personnel from play to play, such as in no-huddle or hurry-up, that step is eliminated.

Greg from Perkasie, PA

What are the chances the NFL adopts ref cams like the World Cup has? I would love to see more views from the middle of the action at live speed.

Those have popped up on occasion during NFL games, but honestly I don't think they've provided much for the viewer.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

I hear coach speak about allowing a player or enabling a player to "play fast." Seems obvious; can you elaborate?

It flows from what some folks brought up in the column yesterday, not having to think as much so playing the game becomes more instinctive and reactive. That process starts with knowing the playbook, so alignment and assignment become second nature and don't require thought that slows down movement, and then it continues with gaining experience with the speed of the game at this level.

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

I think what the fans are concerned with is Jordan locking in on a deep throw and not coming off it. A perfect example is Surtain's interception. Granted, Jordan was nailed, so he couldn't follow through, but the shaky line play and the time it gives Jordan to throw is less. So what happened? Surtain, the 2024 defensive player of the year, moves over into coverage of Christian Watson, no separation develops and the odds for success flip, so it appears Jordan sticks with the called deep throw, regardless?

I get where you're coming from, and that was an example I think Love will learn from, given the game situation and the matchup. That said, one thing I admire about Love is he believes in his teammates, genuinely, whether it's the receiver winning on the route or the protection holding up for him. It's the only way to play this game as a QB because without trust, there's no way to play confidently and decisively. Does it backfire at times? Of course. I'm sure he was trying to lay that ball way out there to give Watson a chance, and it would be overthrown if he couldn't get to it. But the inside pressure and hit foiled those plans.

Dan from Inver Grove Heights, MN

Lifelong 66-year-old Packer fan who grew up in Chicago. I've seen them at Soldier Field a few times, but planning my first trip to Lambeau this year. Rookie visitor question: If you aren't parking at the game, is it kosher to wander around the tailgating scene? Not stealing food or anything, but just to take in the atmosphere? And particular etiquette or tips?

It's absolutely kosher and people do it all the time. I'd even venture to say that if you wandered up to somebody's tailgate party with a six-pack, they'd happily share their food.

Bill from Lancaster, WI

My buddies and I have completed a Badger football, Badger hockey, Packer game tripleheader twice. Makes for a great weekend. What other combinations are out there?

I'm sure there's a way to do a tripleheader with a Brewer game, too, early in the football season. Or maybe a quadruple if you go Brewers on Friday night, both Badger games on Saturday, and then Packers on Sunday. When I was a kid, my dad and I did a Badger football/hockey doubleheader on a Saturday once. The Badgers lost both games but I still remember it.

Sharon from Lakewood Ranch, FL

For the record from this longtime II followerer: It's never "baloney/bologna" season to me, it's "keeping Pack alive" until the next season begins! From the "duh" questions with the snide retorts, for the inside info to the heartfelt inquiries, II is an enjoyable daily dip-in to hear from other Pack friends! As you well know, Mike and Wes, I love baloney! Thanks for the "tasty treats"! Go Pack Go!

Two more columns to go until this space gets turned over to the readers. Please keep the regular questions coming. Happy Wednesday.

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