Inbox: It's an important job that's often overlooked

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Mea culpa. I misread the other comment as referring to getting the next championship. But now I have getting a smackdown from Wes or Mike on my list of II accomplishments, so I have that going for me.

Some would say that's better than an Inbox headline.

Richard from Santa Ana, CA

Are we too optimistic to think Zach Tom would be cleared by the start of training camp? Would Darian Kinnard be the starter by default, or does the newcomer Jager Burton have the size to compete for RT until Tom is cleared?

Kinnard was the swing tackle last year and appears set to handle that role again after taking a majority of the first-team reps at right tackle during the offseason program. The Packers re-signing Kinnard kind of flew under the radar this spring, but that was a big move. Good swing tackles are in short supply. It's an important job that's often overlooked. Championships are won and lost depending on your ability to replace a tackle (e.g. Bryan Bulaga stepping up for Mark Tauscher in 2010). While Anthony Belton can play right tackle, too, it seems like the Packers want him to focus on right guard. As far as Burton, he's in the mix at all three interior positions but not so much on the outside. Like the Packers' other injured players, we'll see how Tom is doing next week.

Jim from Prairie du Chien, WI

Good morning, all! Which current Packer is the fastest? Bo Melton, MarShawn Lloyd, Matthew Golden, Wes Hodkiewicz. GPG!

Bo might be able to run the 40-yard dash twice before I get to the initial finish line. The statistics say Golden (4.29 seconds) is the fastest player on Green Bay's roster, but Melton, Christian Watson and Keisean Nixon might have something to say about that.

Aaron from Shelley, ID

Jarrett Bush is the classic example of I'm glad I don't make the decisions for the team. He seemed to commit a ton of penalties early in his career, but the Packers stuck with him, and it really paid dividends later on. Is there another player you can think of that you thought the Packers should move on from because of struggles early in their career that turned out to be a big contributor later on?

Mike Flanagan. I was only eight, so I give myself a little grace on the evaluation. But I thought Flanagan was a lost cause with all the injuries. I also liked Frank Winters and didn't want to see him replaced. But Ron Wolf believed in Flanagan, who wound up having a Pro Bowl career.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good morning, Wes. It was really interesting the role the backup QB has with running the practice squad and especially going over film of the defense and giving the coaches his input. I couldn't think of a better guy to sit down with Matt LaFleur and talk strategy than Tyrod Taylor. I believe he and Matt are going to get along great. Plus having Taylor on the sidelines with a tablet and talking with Jordan Love in between possessions, this should be fun.

Taylor will be great for that room whether it's assisting Love or aiding the development of Kyron Drones and Kyle McCord. The No. 2 quarterback has a pivotal part to play for the starting defense in practice, too. To that end, it speaks volumes that Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley pursued Malik Willis in free agency. Because nobody saw Willis throw the ball more than Hafley on the look team during in-season practices.

Adrian from Chula Vista, CA

II, no question, just a shout out to an integral, but often overlooked part of the Packers team. I watched Season 3 of "Quarterback" and now have a totally different view of the equipment staff. I didn't realize what a job it is to get a new football into playing condition. Nor did I realize how difficult it is to relay a play to the QB via his in-helmet communication system. Seeing staff walk the field before game looking for dead spots, WOW! Hats off to the staff for a tremendous job. GPG!!!

NFL teams are an iceberg. You see the players, coaches and other dignitaries, but so much of what makes a franchise run efficiently is hidden beneath the surface.

David from Chestertown, MD

Felicitations Inboxers, et al. When using jumbo package of a sixth OL, that lineman must report as eligible if I understand correctly. Doesn't this telegraph run (for the most part) to the D (unless they option to that OL catching a pass)? Now I see the value of the two TE set more clearly as it will keep the D guessing. I noticed Sean McVay was using three TE sets last season, which seemed really creative in fooling the defense – do you see MLF working in three TEs if all are healthy?

The Packers passed once to Kinnard last year and it turned into quite an adventure. The Packers have played with "13" personnel before. They did it with Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara, and a little with Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave and Ben Sims early on. If I've learned anything covering Matt LaFleur the past seven years, there are snaps in his offense for any skill-position player who is deserving. It doesn't matter if that means playing three tight ends, two running backs or five receivers. He's open to all of it.

Jeff from Green Bay, WI

Hi Wes, I certainly remember Robert Tonyan's touchdown catch in Seattle as I was there. When he caught that ball after Rodgers had scrambled and released such a far throw, the Packers fans exploded! It was so loud. The improbability of that play being a touchdown and the noise that followed was unforgettable.

That also was Tonyan's first reception. He announced his presence with authority that night and I cannot think of a better way for an undrafted free agent to start an NFL career.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, if you were to add a multiplier or accelerator to acknowledge the impact a coaching staff can have on a team, what would it be? Football does not have a WAR, but whether you look at coaches individually or collectively as a staff, do they have a measurable impact on individual and collective performances for a team? How would you measure that impact? Play-calling, strategy, culture, preparation, player development? Where do coaches most impact NFL teams?

I think football coaches have the biggest impact on the overall performance of their team. Talent is king. Players, not plays, right? But preparation is critical to performance. I'm not sure what exactly that multiple is, but if your team isn't ready, it'll show on Sundays.

Rudy from Rhinelander, WI

What player has the "inside track" on replacing Micah Parsons until he is healthy? Opportunity is knocking (loudly) on the door – who will answer it?

I've probably named every edge rusher on the roster in response to this question throughout the offseason. A few days out from training camp, I'm gonna leave it at this: Whoever wants it most.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

To be fair, the NFL already does sort of have their own version of the yellow and red cards. Two unsportsmanlike flags (yellow cards) and you are ejected. You can also jump straight to an ejection (red card) if you do something heinous enough. The thought of relegation in a salary cap league is intriguing though. I assume there would have to be some expansion involved to get enough teams to make it work. Perhaps it is something they could work in when they start basing teams overseas.

I still think it's a laughable that a taunting penalty counts towards an ejection but not unnecessary roughness.

Kirk from Burlington, WI

One place I think the EPL has a leg up on American sports is their ticketing system. I am a club member of Crystal Palace, I can get access to about any home game and if for some reason I need to sell my ticket, the club will buy it back and ensure another CP fan has a chance to go. Not to mention they are significantly cheaper than NFL tickets. I know cats already out of the bag on this, but what do you think it would take for any American sports team to break away and do something like this?

I hope we're edging closer to it.

Bob from Jensen Beach, FL

Wes, I'm glad the writers get a little time off at this part of the season. Do the coaches and staff also get away for a while before the training camp ramps up?

The coaches take a lengthy break between minicamp and training camp to refresh and recalibrate. The hays in the barn. Everyone's just waiting to eat at this point.

Bob from Kennesaw, GA

Wes got it wrong when attempting to dump on Eric from Kenosha yesterday. Eric may have counted championships incorrectly, but at least he did refer to them as "championships". Wes, on the other hand, committed the all to (sic) common and embarrassing gaff of referring to any American football championship as a "world championship". For that to be accurate, it would require the participation of, at minimum, one additional country. I don't care much for soccer, but at least "World Cup" is accurate.

OK.

Dean from Easley, SC

Wes, you stated yesterday that Matthew Golden gets from first to forth gear in the blink of an eye. As an aficionado of Formula One you know that is only halfway through the gearbox. Thank you, I know where the door is...

I'm sorry, Dean. I guess I've been watching too much of the AMR26.

Tommy from Washburn, WI

The most hated NFL team is an interesting topic. I think mine is the Eagles. Now, don't get me wrong, I hate the Bears. The Bears suck. But Eagles fans are the worst. They are arrogant, obnoxious, and just downright rude. Nothing to do with rivalry or anything like that, just their whole attitude and culture rubs me the wrong way.

I don't hate teams or fanbases, though Philadelphia was indeed the first place I've ever been mooned. For me, it's more fun to root against rivals and certain players. *Cough* Kerby Joseph *Cough*

Dave from Gwinn, MI

What was the NASCAR package; one down lineman and six or seven LBs? Didn't we once have a "Psycho" package similar to that, too?

"NASCAR" peaked in 2014-15 when the Packers would line up Julius Peppers and Mike Neal inside and rush Clay Matthews and Nick Perry off the edge. "Psycho" was similar in theory but included one defensive tackle (usually Cullen Jenkins) with his hand in the dirt and everyone else lined up in a two-point stance on the line of scrimmage. It challenged the offensive line to figure out where the pressure was coming from.

Shilo from Wildomar, CA

Any updates on Packers Everywhere rallies this year? I'm hoping for LA so I can see you guys again but I'm not holding my breath since the GB-Rams game is Thanksgiving Eve.

Our 2026 pep rallies were officially revealed on Tuesday. Unfortunately, no pep rally in LA this year but we are excited to see some of you in Tampa and New Orleans.

Jeff from Flemington, NJ

Hi Wes, I can't disagree with any of the picks you or Dan made for locker room interviews, but I immediately thought of Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. Whether it was as individuals, or a tandem, those two always put a smile on my face. Polite and professional, but also always fun and entertaining. They just seem like good people that were easy to get behind and root for.

Williams was interesting, for sure. Jones is on my short list of favorites and may even have a slight edge on Tramon. Jones is incredible. He always made time for reporters and provided thoughtful and respectful responses to any question.

Eric from Bangkok, Thailand

Hiya! I know training camp hasn't started until next week, but I miss the "Packers Unscripted" podcast. You guys do a great job with it! Will regular episodes start up again next week?

We have missed you, too, and greatly appreciate your listening/caring. "Unscripted" returns Tuesday.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

We have survived. The dead zone is dead. Enjoy your last weekend off for the next 6½ months.

That's what I fully intend to do. Have a great weekend, folks.

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