Inbox: It all goes together

Jim from Pompano Beach, FL

Sometimes you just have to step away from Packers nation...so I haven't tuned in to "Insider" since the draft. Have I missed anything?

Well, the Packers cut Jaire Alexander, extended Zach Tom, and Bo Melton now plays cornerback. Oh, and Nathaniel Hackett is back on staff, too. That pretty much covers it.

Matthew from Racine, WI

If Lukas Van Ness can hit his peak, do you think that he can become a name mentioned amongst the elite pass rushers in the league? Or do you think he's always going to be second or just a complementary piece to Rashan Gary?

Let's just take this one step at a time. Van Ness has big paws but again, is just 24 years old and yet to start an NFL game. His focus needs to be on becoming an established player on the defensive front this year. If Van Ness succeeds, we'll be talking about the rest soon enough.

Scott from Palos Park, IL

There appears to be a lot of concern about the secondary with the CBs, in particular. I live in Bears country, therefore I am forever being reminded about the 1985 defense. The front seven was dominant and the safeties were legit, but the CBs not so much. I believe the key contributors to an improved secondary this year might be LVN and Brenton Cox Jr.. Is it off-base to believe that the way to improve the pass defense is through the pass rush?

It all goes together. The quicker a pass rush gets home, the less time the secondary must cover. At the same time, I think the Packers' corners are going to surprise some folks this year. They played well without Jaire Alexander for most of last season and I expect that unit to be even better after the signing of Nate Hobbs and Keisean Nixon having a full offseason to prepare for life on the perimeter.

Rudy from Rhinelander, WI

Is Quay Walker 100% healthy? It seems like when he is, he is very effective and a defensive disrupter. Last year, LB was a concern. It now looks like a strength. GPG

He's getting there. We're seeing Walker do a little bit more each day in practice. Like the corners, Walker is a highly underrated part of what the Packers are doing on defense. He's an elite athlete but also the conductor of that train. A healthy Walker next to Edgerrin Cooper gives Green Bay its most athletic linebacker combination in the modern era.

Darin from Greenfield, WI

What has been the most competitive position battle so far during training camp?

Linebacker. Ty'Ron Hopper has looked good in camp, and it feels like the media is barely talking about him. He's served as the key communicator with the second- and third-team defense. Meanwhile, Kristian Welch is playing all the core-four special teams again. Preseason games are going to be critical for helping sort that position out.

Nick from Gresham, WI

How awesome is it to not have to answer questions about kickers?

The relief washes over me in an awesome wave.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, we all know Tucker Kraft is a beast but how is Luke Musgrave looking this year?

He had a phenomenal day on Thursday, as Spoff chronicled in his “5 things” story and marinated on in his Inbox. Musgrave is a valuable chess piece for this offense. His skill set complements Kraft's strengths so well in a two-TE set. When healthy, Musgrave bridges the gap between the receiving corps and in-line tight ends. He's a tall, athletic tight end who presents a matchup problem for defenses.

Steve from Balsam Lake, WI

Offseason question: How do the coaches prepare the players for practice? When I watched, I was impressed at how smoothly the groups moved from one activity to another, and how little confusion about where everybody was supposed to be at any given moment.

That's the power of meetings and walkthroughs. Players and coaches spend hours in the classroom preparing for the work they do on the practice field.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, when the Packers make their final cuts, I assume they are also monitoring the cuts of the other 31 teams. How do they evaluate what they have seen in their practice to what other teams show on tape? Do they have a method to determine what they saw live versus the tape of other teams?

As much as we like to speculate on who might be claimed, the fact is most players end up returning to their current team because of the situation, knowledge of the playbook, etc. A perennial playoff contender like Green Bay is rarely active on the waiver wire after final cuts because it's already made very difficult cuts to get to 53. In instances the Packers claim a player, it's less about what they've seen on preseason film than it is bringing in a player they liked in the first place (e.g. Ben Sims in 2023). Green Bay brought him in for a pre-draft visit, but Sims signed with the Vikings as a college free agent. When the final cuts came, the Packers came calling and the rest is history.

John from Belleview, FL

In response to Ross from Hudson, if memory serves, I believe Tom Landry (Cowboys) used to rotate guards on every play. In the days before radio communication, the guard would bring in the play that Landry wanted to run. He was criticized at the time for taking the game out of the QB's hands!

Creativity is always met with criticism before praise.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Which player or two will you really be honing in on during the Family Night practice? What are you looking to learn?

As I said on "Unscripted," there's always a young defensive back who makes a big play on Family Night. How cool would it be if this year it was Bo Melton? I'm gonna be watching Micah Robinson, too. The rookie seventh-round pick was getting snaps with the No. 2 defense Friday with Nate Hobbs and Kamal Hadden both out.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

How hard is it for Bo Melton to learn how to play CB?

I was talking with Bo about it in the locker room on Friday. I don't want to say Melton is surprised how well he's taken to his new position – that would be a bit too strong – but the transition seems less daunting than I think everyone thought it might be. Again, if Bo pulls this off, it'd be one of the most impressive things I've seen in 14 years covering this team.

Bryan from West Salem, WI

Who does the contract negotiations for the Packers? Watching other teams make a muck of their in-house negotiations really puts into perspective how well the Pack go about their business. For the most part they really do an incredible job in that department. The Parsons situation in particular is baffling to me, though Jerry has been botching these situations his whole career.

As an organization, the Packers do an incredible job when it comes to putting players first and that's culture more than contract. But Russ Ball handles negotiations for Green Bay and is one of the best in the business at what he does.

Craig from Lakeville, MN

Growing up in the '80s and '90s, Sterling Sharpe was one of my favorite childhood Packer players. When I was probably about 8, I remember getting "84" shaved on the side of my head to go with my usual bowl cut. It's too bad we didn't get to see more of him play. Whenever I see a Packer wear No. 84, he's the first player I think of. Do you have any memories or stories of Sharpe? Will he be added to the Lambeau facade with his HOF induction this weekend?

I was young when Sharpe played for the Packers, but his reputation preceded him as an incredible football player. I've written this before, but I can't think of many who had one of the best performances of their career in their final NFL game like Sharpe did against Tampa Bay (nine catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-19 win). With Tony Boselli and Terrell Davis now enshrined in Canton, it only made sense for the Hall's doors to finally open to Sharpe.

Jeff from Janesville, WI

Amazing how some players just cannot stay healthy. They set foot on the practice field and two plays later they are injured again.

I mean, they ain't playing shuffleboard out there, Jeff. It's a physical sport, even in a practice setting.

Gordy from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

If Team A trades player to Team B, who arranges and pays to get player to Team B?

Team B.

Charlie from Morgan Hill, CA

Help me reconcile rotating offensive linemen during games vs. the constant talk of how lines need to work together for consistency? Yes, they play the same position, but the players are different. After hours and hours of evaluation, a draw doesn't seem like a good approach for continuity.

It's not a draw. It's keeping good players involved with defined roles. If one proves to be the best option on a every-down basis, then sure you go with that individual. But it's also a fool's errand to act like chemistry can only be built by playing the same five offensive linemen for a 17-game season. Adjustments are made all the time due to injury.

David from San Antonio, TX

Wes and Mike, I decided to check out training camp this week as I was in Milwaukee for a reunion. Never been, except a few games. Everyone from the Pro Shop staff, security, practice ushers, other fans, and especially the players were all kind and so welcoming. What a great experience! As I looked at the Atrium toward the Pro Shop I wondered where your offices are situated. I think they were renovated last year, possibly. If so, how are the new digs for you two?

The people are what make training camp – and really, Lambeau Field – so special. It feels like a month-long holiday in Green Bay. We're still in a temporary office space by our IT department because our new studio and offices are under construction. We'll be in our permanent place next season…fingers crossed.

Joe from Ashburn, VA

Any predictions for the first preseason game?

Probably BBQ pork and Pack-N-Cheese.

David from Independence, MO

I'm sure this has been asked before, but which stadium is the Packer players' favorite and least favorite to play in?

I've never asked. I would think Dallas is high on the list. I don't mean to put the squeak before the curd, but the Packers have yet to lose at AT&T Stadium. U.S. Bank is a tough road environment but also one of the coolest all-around venues in the NFL, so there's a balance there.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. Will there be scouts from the other NFL teams in attendance at the Packers Family Night?

I believe so since it's a ticketed event.

Oliver from Germany

Hi Hod and Spoff, appreciate your work informing us about training camp. Where are you sitting during Family Night? Sideline, stands with your family or press box? What is a special moment for you during Family Night? GPG.

Mike and I will be in the press box. It's just easier to do what we do with a laptop in front of us, though I also have watched from the sideline a few times over the years. I have three favorite memories from Family Night, starting with my son attending his first last year. That was a special night for me. I also fondly recall watching practice in a downpour with Rob Demovsky and Matt Schneidman a few years back. My favorite locker room memory happened in 2015. As a reporter, you have to be delicate when approaching players for post-practice interviews and fast when they agree because most are running to the field to visit family and watch the fireworks. I'll never forget going up to a Packers linebacker who shall remain nameless and asking if he had a second to talk or wanted to go watch the fireworks. He looked up at me and replied simply: "Nah, I ain't 'bout that life."

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Hi guys, I know the First Rule of Inbox, but unsure if "Three Things" has a similar one, so here goes. It's been disclosed that no one knows what Larry will say, but do you guys check to ensure you have different observations? Further, Larry must have several options in his keen mind, which is why he goes last. Finally, an outtakes segment someday would be very entertaining to us insiders.

There haven't been many outtakes this year. We've shot all nine so far on the first take, which means I have jinxed it. I almost always check to see what Mike is thinking before we shoot to avoid running the same route.

Chris from Philadelphia, PA

Considering we're still in baloney season, should we continue with "Wes remembers," or "A Hodkiewicz never forgets"?

"A Hodkiewicz always pays his debts." All right, that's it for me. To those coming to Family Night, I hope you have a tremendous time and look forward to recapping on Tuesday.

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