Inbox: KC is still 'bout that life

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello Wes, Hope you enjoyed your time off. The weather was nice here, was it nice where you were? I personally got to do some fishing for the first time this year. Nothing too awesome; just a lot of sunfish to keep me busy.

That sounds pretty awesome to me, Jeffery. Vegas was incredible and I was barely down on the strip at all. Instead, I spent a lot of time on the outskirts of town with friends. I swam, took a meditation class and even ventured into the desert to hike Lee Canyon, which has water near the top. The temperatures drop like 30 degrees once you get to that elevation. Beautiful. I love out there, man. If God blesses me with a long enough life, I could see myself retiring in Nevada or Arizona someday.

Scott from Lincoln City, OR

Hey Wes, welcome back. You missed some extended discussion of 1980s arcade games. Mike left me out to dry when Eric from Holiday, FL, challenged my Asteroids Deluxe world record. Eric's A.I. search mistakenly detailed the record for the original (much easier) Asteroids arcade game. I set the current Asteroids Deluxe record of 3,458,850 on January 28-29, 2024, after I had just finished watching a very blah NFC Championship game (that the Packers should have been in) and decided to do something fun.

Sounds like I missed a laugh riot.

Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

Hey II, I've been reading every day for a few months now, but I'm confused about this "Outsider Inbox?" What is it?

It's the one week every year when I ask readers the questions and we post your responses. This year's seventh (or eighth?) installment begins Monday. Again, please check out the end of Mike’s Tuesday column for the 12 questions if you missed them.

Sam from Odenton, MD

How do we submit answers to the Outsider Inbox? Is it the same way as with the Insider, or do we have to send those somewhere else?

The same way you asked this question, Sam. It's sort of like the old Dane Cook joke about Burger King, "Where do you go? You follow the one road you're on to me…"

John from Temple City, CA

Good morning II, Kenny Clark has been a monster for the Pack since drafted in the first round, I believe out of UCLA. He had an injury last year but played through it. He is still only 29 years old with a ton of experience. My question is do you think he has done enough to merit Hall of Fame consideration?

Clark is absolutely a Packers Hall of Famer. He's played in Green Bay for a decade now, made three Pro Bowl appearances and has recorded more sacks than any other Packers interior defensive lineman since 1982. He's also a former team captain and two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. Last year was a season of adversity, but Clark still has plenty of good football ahead of him. I feel like he's in for a big bounce-back year. KC is still 'bout that life.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What are your top five favorite away game destinations and why?

1) New York. Meh stadium/location but one of my favorite restaurants in the country, "Via Della Pace," in the East Village. Shout out to my guy, Giovanni Bartocci. 2) Dallas. The Cowboys get a bad rap. Yes, the team and city represent the white-collar side of the NFL, but their heart is in the right place. Those fans love the game and their team. Dallas also has great hotels, an amazing stadium, and probably the best press-box food in the league. 3) Seattle, where I ate my first oysters, sushi and salmon jerky. Talk about a trifecta. I love Pike Place Market, too. 4) Las Vegas. I just went on vacation there…need I say more? 5) Carolina. Darin Gantt lives there and that's good enough for me.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

Since a "pancake block" isn't an official NFL statistic, it got me thinking: what constitutes a successful block or partially successful block and who judges, or keeps track of it?

PFF and all these other outfits take their best shots at it, but only the Packers' coaching staff knows everything that's going on. They grade players on a plus-minus scale and coach players off those metrics. Offensive line is such an "in the eye of the beholder" position, perhaps more than any other in professional sports. You can't latch on to a few convenient stats to summarize a player. You have to see it to know it on the offensive line.

Nathan from Manitowoc, WI

Bob Harlan renovated Lambeau. Mark Murphy built Titletown and got the NFL Draft here. If you had to take a wild guess, what do you think Ed Policy's legacy moment will be?

Hopefully a whole bunch of winning. Policy could conceivably be leading this organization for the next 17 years, so it's hard to just throw out crazy upgrades or ideas. At the end of the day, Policy's charge is to lead the Packers into this brave new NFL world, with the league never more popular and revenues never higher. I'm sure there will be plenty of innovation in the not-so-distant future, though.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

There has to be concern if three-fifths of the projected O-line does not report or practice when training camp begins. Offensive line needs reps to build cohesion, why is there a delay in negotiations? Why not create a positive vibe and get these guys signed?

I'm not sure where you're getting the three-fifths number, Ray. If Anthony Belton is included in that, I'd just say most second-round picks across the league remain unsigned. As for Elgton Jenkins, I expect the situation to work itself out in due time. Given the strong relationship between player and organization, I don't expect contract discussions to ruffle vibes at all. Jordan Love sitting out the first week of training camp last year certainly didn't. It's a business. Everyone understands that.

Bob from Ashburn, GA

If you are the coach and go to Brian Gutekunst (general manager) regarding the unsigned second-round pick, what do you tell or ask him?

"What brings you into the office on July 3? Training camp doesn't start for another three weeks…"

Richard from Ham Lake, MN

Who do you will be a breakout running back behind Josh Jacobs?

Take your pick. As Spoff said, MarShawn Lloyd possesses elite physical traits and next-level burst but needs to stay healthy. If he does, Lloyd definitely adds a new dimension to the backfield. In Lloyd's absence, Emanuel Wilson proved to be more than just a feel-good undrafted story. He admirably carried the RB2 torch last season. What could have been a dire situation with AJ Dillon out for the year turned into an opportunity for growth and improvement in the backfield, so I'm very bullish on the prospects for 2025.

Woody from Kill Devil Hills, NC

If Brandon McManus had been the kicker all season last year and performed at the same level, how many Ws might we had? I would think having him all year would add another W or two for this season.

Who's to say, but there isn't a shred of doubt in my mind McManus' presence in Green Bay was the hairline difference between a win and loss on several occasions. He was essential for the Packers in their path to the playoffs.

Ted from Findlay, OH

Further thoughts on the question from Jack of Black Mountain, NC, regarding why punters are holders for placekickers. It also seems obvious that punters already need to have the hands and eyes to handle balls from the long snapper. I am sure there are some differences between the types of snaps (height, distance) but the basic elements of handling the snap seem very similar.

Not to be flippant, but punters have a lot more time on their hands (pardon the pun). You should see how often Daniel Whelan is catching snaps from Matt Orzech off to the side during a standard training camp practice. No different than golfers on the driving range, specialists are constantly working on their technique, rhythm and all-around chemistry.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, are deferred contracts like the one that Bobby Bonilla has for his big payout allowed in the NFL?

You can't defer money like that in the NFL, and that's 100% the right move. I shudder to think about the Los Angeles Dodgers paying Ohtani all that money a decade from now. The NFL is great for many reasons, but the salary cap structure is the best in all pro sports. It gives all 32 teams and their clubs a real chance every season.

Tom from Lisbon, WI

What a day for the Milwaukee Bucks! But it really got me thinking about how different the NBA and NFL approach their offseason. With the NFL the major events are spread across several months, with weeks of buildup between each. With the NBA, it seems like the dust has barely settled on the Thunder's championship and now we've already had the draft and free agency. Why do you think the leagues approach these offseason events differently? And which do you prefer?

I also prefer the NFL because everything is more balanced and strategic. I don't blame the NBA. Its season is so long that once the current season ends preparations must begin for the next. Shoot, the summer league starts in two days while the exhibition season is just three months away.

Jim from Hudson, WI

Just curious to know if either of you two are "owners" of the Packers. Am I correct in assuming you are eligible despite your employment?

I'm not an owner but bought a share for my dad during the last stock sale, so I guess, technically, I sort of am an owner?

Mike from Pekin, IL

Good morning, II, in response to Mike's response to William from Raleigh, NC. Have you not watched one of my favorite movies "Miracle" the story of the 1980 USA Hockey team's gold medal? Coach Herb Brooks drew up a play on the glass only for the players to be totally confused. No matter how many are involved, it's STILL about the execution and intelligence of those involved.

My coworker, Jennifer Brien-Ward, is a massive "Miracle" fan. I think it's her second favorite movie behind "Top Gun." I watched it a couple times with my ex-girlfriend, who really liked it. We broke up and I haven't seen the movie, or the girl, since.

Michael from Berrien Springs, MI

I have a story similar to Kevin from Ocean Isle Beach, though I am sad to say my ending was not as positive. In junior high, my friend and I were regulars at Packers training camp (my friend's dad was DP). At one of the games, I caught a field goal kicked by Paul Hornung. Obviously, they didn't use nets back then. I was immediately jumped on by three or four guys who started pummeling me. So, I just tossed the ball up in the air and ran. In my defense, I was barely 5 feet tall in junior high school.

You made the right call, Michael. Those nincompoops probably lost it anyway.

Shawn from Kissimmee, FL

Wes, if or when you got in trouble, did the parents have a certain name they'd call out? "Wes!" "Weston!" Wesley!" "Weston [insert middle name]!"

I've been asked this question before and can think of only two people who call me "Weston" with any regularity: My mom (especially in moments of disapproval) and my co-worker Haylee Becker, whose father Lee is an II reader and one of the finest men/Brewers fans I've ever met.

Dennis from Seal Beach, CA

Just catching up on my Inbox reading. Mom's in the hospital (again) and it's been kinda hectic. Amused by the Ms. Packman "missed your soulmate" response. I've been waiting 45 years for my wife to become my Packer soulmate. Hope springs eternal. Maybe that's what heaven is for.

Keep on trucking on, Dennis, and all the best to your mama. I'll be praying for her.

Dan from Herriman, UT

Wes, Mike answered a question yesterday about best fireworks show he has attended. Do you have a favorite? My family sat on the mall just outside the Washington Monument years ago. Hands down, my favorite back drop.

I drove out to Boston 10 years ago to see the fireworks. It was special to celebrate the Fourth of July in one of the great cities that forged this great country we live in.

Wayne from Lake Hallie, WI

I've been intrigued by the recent debate on foul balls. I took my son to his first Brewers game when he was nine years old. We sat in right field on the second level directly above Corey Hart (Brewers right fielder at the time). After one of his warmup sessions between innings, Corey tossed the baseball into the stands and a gentleman to our left caught it. He immediately handed it to my son. Such a nice gesture and a thrill for my son. The ball has "Noonan" written on it with an ink pen. Memories.

I only caught one baseball in my life, and it came off the bat of Brady Clark during pre-game batting practice many years ago. There was a little girl nearby, so I gave the ball to her. I also have a not-so-fun story about the time a foul ball darted into my area down the first baseline. Prince Fielder hit a screamer and there was a man three rows in front of me who wasn't paying attention. The ball hit him square in the orbital. It made a grotesque sound, like a chuck roast hitting a brick wall. Fielder hit the next pitch out for a home run and nobody in our vicinity even noticed. We were all too busy handing over our free giveaway T-shirts to the man who was waiting for EMTs to arrive. He was eventually taken out on a stretcher. It's a scene, and sound, I'll never forget. Thank goodness the MLB extended the protective netting all the way down the field. And…since there's no great way to follow that, I won't even try. Keep the Outsider Inbox responses coming. Have a good Thursday, folks.

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