Inbox: It's just the tip of the iceberg

Craig from Appleton, WI

Seeing the contract signed by Zay Flowers this week was really eye opening. He gets the same money as Justin Jefferson annually. It makes the contracts signed by Jayden Reed and Christian Watson seem like a bargain by comparison. Where does the madness end? Makes the Packers look even smarter by comparison.

As Fat Joe once stated so eloquently, "Yesterday's price is not today's price." That's why it's better to get a deal done now rather than wait for the ceiling to rise another level or three.

David from Janesville, WI

Gents – just saw Cam Achord's demonstration on holding for placekicks. I thought it was hard enough to just get the ball caught and down consistently and now they are tilting to factor in wind and personal preference. Hard to grasp how many tweaks even during a single game. Every time we get a little peek into the depths of the NFL coaching window, we realize how little we really see from the outside.

Achord's impromptu coaching clinic on holding and other musings on special teams was awesome. It was enlightening conversation with reporters and a great way to better understand what coaches expect from their specialists. We often fall victim to thinking we know everything about what's happening on the field, but really, it's just the tip of the iceberg. In regards to the field-goal operation, Achord not only explained why wind patterns at Nitschke Field can be so tricky but also shined a light on how tilting the ball ever so slightly can have a massive impact on field goals. The Packers have work to do, but I'm eager to get to the preseason and see how Trey Smack and Co. perform.

Martin from UK

What are the main factors for starters playing in preseason? Are they more likely to play in the first game or if there is a game at Lambeau? Is there some advantage to having a couple of drives in each game to build up some rhythm rather than one in one game then nothing until Week 1? Any personal preferences that you would like to see? Thanks for the insight you give. GPG.

I've covered 14 preseasons – seven with Mike McCarthy at the helm and seven with LaFleur – and seen the playtime pie cut every way imaginable, all the way to starters playing in the preseason finale. The roster is only 90 players. You can't sit everybody. But obviously you gotta be smart. LaFleur and his coaches will determine the best course of action in Pittsburgh and see how the rest unfolds from there.

Earl from Springfield, IL

You mentioned numerous players are injured; where are they during practice? Are they on the practice field watching or where are they?

Depends on the injury. Sometimes injured players are rehabbing inside the Hutson Center or off to the side at Nitschke. You'll usually see a few guys stick around to watch team periods later in practice, as well.

Jesus from El Paso, TX

That story you ran on Micah Parsons working on his return has me worried about the poor soul who has to line up against him on his first snap back. While he's out, is there someone playing his role who knows they'll step off when he returns, or is it more nuanced than that?

I don't know about all of you, but I definitely felt a Daniel LaRusso-esque tunnel of focus emitting from Parsons during his media scrum on Tuesday. He remained entertaining as ever, but Parsons is locked in. There's a calm confidence there that made me believe Parsons will be back and Parsons will be better than ever.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, no Jager Burton mentions lately. How's he been looking?

Good. Burton's hamstring is fine and he's back in team periods. He was rotating in at guard with the first-team offense the past two days.

Steve from Bloomington, IL

Training camp practices always seem like good news/bad news. When player A gets a sack, it means player B got beat. When Player X catches a 60-yard TD, Player Y gave up a 60-yard TD. Just the natural yin and yang of this time of year. I love hearing the positive and try to believe it means more than the accompanying negative.

You have to take it all with a grain of salt, but it's always interesting to see which young players take a step during the summer. Development has to start somewhere, after all. Before Davante Adams or David Bakhtiari became All-Pros, they earned their opps on Nitschke Field.

Curtis from Moreno Valley, CA

Looking back, how lucky are we that Gute drafted Tucker Kraft right after Luke Musgrave? Musgrave has been a huge disappointment so far simply because he is rarely available. If Gute didn't pull the trigger twice that year our TE room would be quite bad right now.

That's why Brian Gutekunst likes to double- and triple-up when overhauling positions. If things go according to plan, you get the Smith Bros. and a developmental pass rusher in Rashan Gary. If you miss on a pick or guys get hurt, you still might wind up with Eddie Lacy and Jaire Alexander.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

Lots of talk about Jager Burton during OTAs but really haven't heard anything about him in camp. Anything you can tell us that is different from your observations? Also haven't heard much about Domani Jackson with the opportunities at CB. Any updates on how he has looked so far?

Jackson missed most of the offseason program with an injury and has not participated in team periods yet. So, all we have to go off right now is individuals. Jackson has speed, but I haven't been able to discern much else at this point.

Benjamin from Charlottesville, VA

Hey Wes! Haven't heard anything about Josh Jacobs. How's he doing in camp? Thanks!

Jacobs looks healthy. That's the main thing that jumps out in team periods. Obviously, there is an off-the-field situation that must be sorted out, but Jacobs looks like Josh Jacobs again on the field.

Terri from Williams, AZ

I hear the expression that a rookie is raw. Does that refer to technique, knowing the playbook, anticipating what the other guy is going to do? Or all of the above? Which is the easiest to develop/ correct?

It could be all of above, but I always think about technique whenever the "raw" term is used. Athletically, the prospect has the tools. It's a matter of implementation.

Al from Green Bay, WI

So looking forward to the first preseason game next week. If you're the coach, how long do you let Tyrod Taylor play? On one hand, new team, and new system. On the other hand, savvy vet who doesn't need reps that may risk injury.

I'd let Taylor play two quarters. Even if Taylor doesn't need the reps like Kyron Drones or Kyle McCord does, having a 37-year-old veteran out there could give the Packers a truer assessment of the other 10 men on the field with Taylor.

John from Stevens Point, WI

The Falcons lost a guy they were counting on to rush the passer (Walker). Prayers/thoughts for him. He went down with an ACL tear. That hits too close to home. Seems we read/hear of an athlete tearing an ACL weekly. Why is it that so many athletes seem to be suffering this injury? Is it better or more easily diagnosed these days? Is it the torque athletes put on the knee joint? Is it the footwear? Is this a sign that the human body is nearing its limits? Can proper training help players?

Unfortunately, ACL injuries are to football what UCL (or Tommy John) injuries are to baseball players. There are exercises and other techniques athletes can utilize to curb against ligament tears, but there are limits to it. Non-contact injuries are a hazard of the job in the NFL when elite athletes are pushing the gas and cutting hard.

Michael from Thomson, IL

Wouldn't it be nice to have a field goal kicker take the job and secure it as his with no waiting involved to see?

Sure, but you can't microwave success. It takes time.

Rich from Combined Locks, WI

Who was the first ever No. 1 pick of the Packers?

Russ Letlow, the seventh overall pick in the 1936 NFL Draft. A guard, Letlow played eight seasons with the Packers, won two NFL titles and made two Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1972.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Wes, I would also like to give a shout out and props to Kamal Hadden for his attitude in returning from his injury. I fractured both my tib and fib right at the malleolus last July and was immediately put on the II IR list. Gruesome doesn't near describe the feeling. You probably didn't notice but I was absent for a good three months. Recovery for an old-timer (69) like myself takes longer, and my ankle will probably never return 100%. So, count me squarely in Kamal's corner for a long career. GPG!

I don't know how they do it. It's not even the rehab and recovery. It's how players are wired and that internal drive to get back on the field after suffering such a painful injury. It takes a rare breed to do it.

Vince from Sioux Falls, SD

As a born and raised SD boy, I am stoked that Tucker Kraft has become the player he is today. With his injury, at a point where contracts are coming due, I get why he is working so hard to get back to his best self. But what amazes me is Micah Parsons, with his injury and the fact that he is making a boatload of cash, also has that amazing will to return better than before, and wants to dominate, when he could potentially take it a little easy in his situation.

Like the previous answer, these guys are cut from a tougher fabric than me. The same force that drove Parsons to become one of the highest-paid pass rushers in NFL history is now pushing him to prove he can return a better player than the one who was injured in Denver last December.

Alivia from La Crosse, WI

Hey Wes! Drake recently wore a Packers jacket and some people are upset because of the "Drake curse," which is a long-running internet joke that any team Drake publicly supports ends up losing. Have you heard of this curse? Do you think we will be the first team to break the curse?

I have heard about the Drake curse, but I also recall Aubrey cheering his Toronto Raptors to an NBA title back in 2019. Hopefully, the 2026 Packers can be the beneficiary of Drake's "a broken clock is right twice a day" foresight.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Help me understand the angst over giving up two seventh-round picks for Smack. People think that the two seventh-rounders were going to be missed Pro Bowlers. Remember 1997 and Brett Conway in the third round? Kicker like other positions has turnover. The goal is to minimize it.

Not to mention the Packers paired one of the last picks in the entire draft with their seventh-rounder to move back into the sixth round to take Smack. At the end of the day, every NFL draft pick is a lottery ticket and there are no sure things. Neither you nor I knows what the future holds. Brian Gutekunst felt the value was there to make the trade.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

You people have Mike driving a Ferrari? I thought it was public knowledge, that he prefers an "Oldsmobuick"? Just like Fletch!

I've been holding in for a Ferrari for more than a decade now and nobody other than Collin seems to notice.

Mike from Bradenton, FL

Really enjoy your columns and your Three Guys videos! What's it like working with Larry? The Packers HOFer seems to have "elder statesman" status after all his years as a player, broadcaster and media guru. Thanks and GPG.

The best at their craft in any occupation have a way of making difficult tasks look easy. Whether it's his on-camera work, emceeing a live event or doing color commentary for Packers radio, that is Larry McCarren.

Evan from Syracuse, NY

I love fantasy football; it keeps me in contact with friends and family and very up to date with players around the league. My dynasty team is blessed with a couple young Packers which makes it even more fun for me. However, there is no question, even if my opponent had an entire roster full of Packers, I would still be cheering on the Green and Gold. It's that simple. We can love the Packers and fantasy football a little bit too, right?

Do you, brother. Just don't inflict it on me.

James from Oshkosh, WI

Mike, so nice to see you and Larry after practice as my grandson was trying to get autographs. I was thinking it was better to refer to you first over a Rock. It was the first time for me (practice-wise) and it was a rather pleasant day for watching practice. If I was on my game, I would have said, "Hey two guys, where's Weston?"

And the correct answer would've been, "He's over there talking to Tim from Charlotte."

Dan from Waupun, WI

Will Friday's II go better with coffee or beer?

Maybe both.

Dale from Prescott, WI

To the person tasked with Fridays II, here's hoping you fit into Wes's sneakers.

It won't take much. Have a great time with our guest writer on Friday. I'll see ya next week.

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