Inbox: It's his suddenness that catches the eye

David from San Antonio, TX

Mike, there's no other way to say it. Wes was on fire yesterday! How's your day going?

It was going fine until I read Andy's submission.

Andy from College Grove, TN

Wes, I loved the Merchant of Venice reference. There were so many other ways you could have gone: Romeo and Juliet (Jones/Parsons), the Sharpe brothers (The Noble Kinsmen), playing starters in preseason (Much Ado About Nothing), or just the Bears (A Comedy of Errors). It's time for Packers fans to have A Midsummer's Night Dream about February in the smallest (sorry!) Hamlet in the NFL.

You had me at Much Ado, and now you're seeing yourself out.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

Are we really that insatiable and impatient for Packers content? I, for one, would accept an hour or two delay to a recap of Family Night practice so Spoff could watch the fireworks for the first time in 20 years.

Honestly, at that point I'm just focused on getting my work done so I can go home. That day started with covering Sharpe's HOF induction on TV at noon, so earning my right to clock out was the priority.

Rose from Fitchburg, WI

Oh, no. Poor Wes. Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine again. Any thoughts on the late acquisition?

It made a lot of sense given Nate Hobbs' injury and all of Green Bay's unproven depth at corner. Keep an eye out for my story on Ballentine later this morning.

Jessi from Sterling, KS

I don't often disagree with Mike in regards to football, buuuuut I have at last found one. Getting rid of the coaches' handshake would be a travesty. It shows sportsmanship and coaches should be leading their team in it. Whether it's motion or not, it's for sure an opportunity. Opportunity to be set apart, unique, display kindness and congratulations when we have to get beyond the moment of what we feel and think of the other "side." In a word, could it build character?

I figured my take on that would generate some backlash. It's not that I'm against sportsmanship, and I totally agree with what Wes said about hostility. I just think when it's a forced/required ritual, it doesn't really mean anything. I'd much rather watch the players and coaches on opposing teams congratulating, catching up, appreciating one another, etc. Many do in the small fraternity known as this league and the interactions happen naturally, which means more as far as setting examples and building character than a piece of theater staged for the cameras.

Chris from Marshfield, WI

24/30 years GB made the playoffs, impressive. But I also felt 23 seasons of playoff exits in that statement. On pure probability alone, most of those years a playoff team had a 1/12 chance to win the Super Bowl; 1/14 since the recent expansion. Make of that what you will but...it is time.

No math is going to change or impact the way I look at it – get in and roll the dice.

Peter from Clarksburg, CA

At training camp on Thursday, Christian Watson was running and doing some lateral drills. How is his injury progressing?

We haven't received any official updates, but when you look at him you'd never know anything was wrong. But there's a process.

Bob from Ventura, CA

I know it's too early but the stuff I read about Matthew Golden gives me the same vibe that I get when hearing about Greg Jennings as a rookie. Fair?

They're different players with different body types, so there's no real valid comparison. Based on my two-bit observations, I'd put it this way: There was a smoothness to Jennings as a rookie that was uncommon. With Golden, it's his suddenness that catches the eye.

Mark from West Des Moines, IA

Which Packers rookie are you most excited to see play this week against the Jets?

I'll pick one from each side of the ball – Savion Williams and Barryn Sorrell.

Jake from Apple Valley, MN

While I agree with your take on the nonsense of WR1, didn't Keisean Nixon proclaim he wanted to be CB1 at the end of last year, which is why he didn't want to return kicks anymore? It seems to matter to players, too.

It does because it impacts paychecks. Significantly.

Shawn from Kissimmee, FL

The QBs throwing to stationary targets was fun because of Rodgers and why a lot of us felt really good about our QB. Seeing other QBs perform much more poorly on that makes you feel you have to lean a lot more on your WRs to make the play instead of the QB you're paying $55 million per year while your WRs make less than $4 million per year. We also seemed to complain about Rodgers when he was making top QB money yet he was a four-time MVP and a SB-winning QB. Is it because Jordan Love still hasn't peaked?

Do you think the Packers would've signed him to that contract last summer if they thought he had?

Samuel from Skokie, IL

During the offseason there was talk about having to replace T.J. Slaton. I have heard he is having a great camp with the Bengals. My question is why did we let him go? It seems we have cap money. And, as a draft-and-develop team, that's exactly what he was. A draft choice that was improving each year. He seemed like a GB success story. Was his salary demand just too high?

The Packers weren't going to pay $15M over two years for a D-lineman who doesn't rush the passer, given all the other options they have on the defensive front. Also, the Bengals ranked 19th against the run last year. They're a contender trying to fix something, and Slaton fit that plan. That's how this league works.

Jeff from Champlin, MN

Mike, as a purveyor of positivity and seller of hope and also armed with extraordinary information relative to players' personal lives and practice performances, how do you guard against offseason/preseason evaluation bias when comparing our guys to players on other teams, including Pro Bowlers, All-Pros? Familiarity can breed comfort and over-evaluating.

I don't spend much, if any, energy comparing the players on the team I cover to those on any teams I don't. I've been doing this long enough to have an idea when a young player looks like he belongs, and when developing players are making strides, but I don't bring other teams' players into that analysis.

Thomas from Oviedo, FL

One year ago I was one of those who thought the Packers needed to play everyone during preseason games. Mike and Wes changed my mind and showed me how the risk far outweighed the reward. My question is, what about Matthew Golden? He is on his way to being just as important to this team as a veteran. Do you think the Packers will or should play him this preseason?

Young players need to take each step along the way, because there's a progression to it. I wouldn't expect Golden to play 100 snaps in these upcoming preseason games, but I suspect he'll be out there at some point.

Matt from Beaverton, OR

Do you think the coaches would have a conversation with Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse about Tate Ratledge and how best to attack him if he is starting for the Lions at guard in Week 1? These guys practiced against him every day and I would think have some pretty good insight into strengths and weaknesses beyond any scouting report.

Those guys are more likely to talk to their teammates, probably.

Florian from Kronach, Germany

Dear Mike and Wes, I tried some online research and couldn't find sufficient information on this topic, so maybe you all-pro rule specialists can help me out. Who determines from which hash mark (L or R) a field goal is kicked? I remember Anders Carlson always missing from right hash, so why not always kick from the left?

It's where the ball ended up on the previous play. At or outside the hash, it goes to that hash. Between the hashes, it stays between. Teams killing clock with downs to waste might run the ball to one side or have the QB shuffle over and fall down to get the ball to the kicker's preferred spot, but outside of those scenarios, teams don't get to choose.

Bob from Mason, OH

My 13-year-old plays hockey and has a tournament in Detroit over Thanksgiving and we are surprising him with tickets in a few weeks. Which comes to my question, as I have been to many Packer road games and am amazed by the Packer fans at those venues. My favorite was in San Diego in 2011 when the then Chargers had to go on a silent count at the end of the game. Phillip Rivers was (PO'd) in the postgame. Any road games stick out as your favorite?

That might be one of the most memorable of my time here. I don't think Rivers was too thrilled about throwing back-to-back pick-sixes in the first quarter, either, but the Chargers' valiant comeback amidst a not-so-home-friendly crowd took over the postgame narrative.

Matt from Ixonia, WI

Practice-squad players have always intrigued me, particularly because they can be signed by any team at any time. How do general managers stay informed about a player's performance on another team if they're not able to watch them practice?

They can't, really, but they have their original scouting reports and they study any preseason film they have.

Jacob from Yuma, AZ

Do you think our defense has a chance to be a top five unit this year?

It finished fifth in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed last year, so, um, yes.

Susan from Santa Cruz, CA

So, that amazing locker room remodel was completed in a few months, but your office is taking years? What top-tier renovations will you be getting? A desktop fan to cool your typing fingers, video screens above your desks, an on-demand root beer dispenser?

Wes got his request for the root beer tap turned down. Full disclosure, they didn't start working on our new office space until after the locker room was completed, and the footprint they're working on is considerably larger. My understanding is it's also going to include a new media auditorium.

Wayne from Lake Hallie, WI

Good morning guys. Just wanted to comment on the powerful article by Jordan Love in the Players Tribune. It really hits home with me, and I'm sure with many others, who did not have a father present during their formative years of playing sports. My mom was also my biggest fan and never missed a basketball game as I played through high school and college. Jordan's message of "sticking with it" and relying on the support of loved ones rings true for us all. He makes it easy to cheer for him.

I'm glad he felt comfortable showing that side of himself to the world.

Markus from Aurora, CO

For me, it's the time of the year (football year) where I am looking forward, with anticipation, to see which step forward our players are taking and how they have improved and/or strengthened their skills. But one thing is true: We shall see.

If you're looking for that in the preseason games, I'll warn that you won't see much. Come Sept. 7, though, that's another story. One month from tomorrow.

Drew from Dubuque, IA

No question, just a compliment for the graphic designer. The new Insider Inbox logo looks good. Oh, and the guys that write the column do a pretty decent job, too.

I thought you were going to say clearly something needed to be upgraded. Happy Wednesday.

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