Inbox: Take a swing. Maybe it's a home run

Dan from Naples, FL

Hi guys, my first submission. Yikes. I've been an "Inbox" reader for many years. My question: I'm curious to know how many questions on average (no specific math necessary) you receive each day? I'm just curious about how many other Packers fans read these great "column." Thank you.

Are you trying to get me in trouble again, Dan?

John from Sussex, WI

As Rob from Brooklyn, NY, said, "Wes, Spoff, so help me God, if you continue to post more insubstantial II in this dead zone, I will READ it and I will be UPSET about it. Thanks." I wholeheartedly agree and wish for more!

I suppose we better give the people what they want whether they want it or not.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

Has the NIL created discontent among the younger players? Most drafted players are "stuck" with a team for roughly four years. They no longer have the ability to chase money or playing time until after their rookie deal.

I think it's done the opposite, actually. Based on my conversations with players, it makes guys even hungrier to get to the NFL and start chipping away at veteran status. There are only a handful of college players making big money – and most are quarterbacks whose NFL prospects might not be great. A rookie contract – and the big money that comes after it – is significantly more than NIL in the long term, especially after the NFL bumped up minimum salaries during the last CBA.

Kevin from Clinton, NC

In response to James from Chicago, who implies a young cheap backup QB is better than an $8 million veteran. Remember 2017? GB went from Super Bowl contender to losing record because it didn't have a capable veteran backup when Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. Sometimes an $8 million insurance policy is worth the cap hit.

You don't need $8 million to have a plan. Sometimes all it takes is a spare seventh-round pick. The Packers obviously need to get it right, but saying "Oh, we're good at quarterback" because you paid a veteran a bunch of money is not an insurance policy. It's an educated guess with a fee.

Al from Green Bay, WI

We've seldom been treated to having a healthy Christian Watson and Matthew Golden on the field together. Different body types, but with the common ingredient of speed. What must defenses do differently to prevent the deep ball with these two on the field, and which other ball catchers may benefit the most?

It strains what defenses can do with their safeties. If there is no fear of getting beaten over the top, that free safety can creep closer to the line of scrimmage on any down and do whatever he wants. But if the opponent has to play two deep, that makes life easier for Josh Jacobs and the run game. It also could open up the middle of the field for Jayden Reed and the tight ends. That domino effect can be very powerful if Watson and Golden can work in tandem next season.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

What's your favorite interview question you've ever asked a player, coach or team executive, and why?

What about NFL commissioner? My first training camp covering the Packers on a full-time basis in 2012: "Roger, what's your level of concern about the possible ramifications of using replacement officials and the effect they might have on games and league emphasis on player safety?" One month later…

Dennis from Toledo, OH

Hello II, with addition of Skyy Moore to the return game, are we fooling ourselves a bit to assume the return game will be automatically improved? I totally understand the impressive numbers from a year ago but doesn't the schemes and other SP doing their 1/11th have had much to do with the ultimate success Moore can generate? He just kicked butt with another team's special teams coach, scheme and teammates. I'm optimistic but all is new again. It's incumbent that new coach, scheme gel with Moore's skill set.

I can't disagree with any of that, but I'll add that it is a new day in Green Bay with Cam Achord taking over special teams. The Packers are looking to reform that phase and having a returner like Moore is important because the position comes naturally to him. Once Romeo Doubs got involved last year, it felt like the Packers were trying to limit the damage rather than putting their foot on the pedal.

Harry from Rochester, NY

In your opinion, who do you think Green Bay will take with its first pick (second round): QB, RB, WR, OL, TE, DT, DL, LB, CB or S?

Defensive line.

Pat from Redgranite, WI

With Dexter Lawrence wanting out of NY, some of the other sportswriters are calling (some screaming) for Green Bay to swing a trade…giving all sorts of draft pick combinations to get it done…but not a one of them addresses what you guys rightly emphasize as part and parcel in situations like this, SALARY. He's a great player, but I feel we just can't afford another potentially huge contract when we have so many upcoming FAs to extend/resign next year. Your thoughts?

Lawrence is one of the best in the game, but the Packers have a sturdy interior with Javon Hargrave, Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks. I feel like the goal now should be to find the right mix of young players to rotate alongside them.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

In Spoff's response to Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA, he said, "Aaron Rodgers – uncanny recall of plays/details/moments." Is it safe to assume Aaron has a photographic memory? Without such a great memory, is he still one of the best QBs to ever play? Favre had such a short memory in terms of picks (also what a dime defense is), it just has me wondering how big a part it plays.

Rodgers still would have been a Hall of Fame quarterback even without his encyclopedic memory, but what makes him legendary is how Rodgers uses that recall to influence the game in real time. Every play provides data and Rodgers leveraged it to its fullest on the field here in Green Bay.

Tom from Rochester, NY

If the draft experts are correct and Rounds 2-3 players are basically equal, then I would be more surprised if Brian Gutekunst doesn't trade back out of the second round to grab one extra pick. What do the numbers say about trading back from 52 to the third round? Would we get a third and a sixth or seventh?

It depends how far the Packers trade back, but they'd likely get an extra fourth-rounder and maybe more for sliding into the third. But I'd rather see the Packers pick at No. 52. Not only is that a good place to find an impact player but this front office also has a strong history of finding Pro Bowl players in Round 2. Take a swing. Maybe it's a home run.

Stephen from Fort Atkinson, WI

How does losing front office personnel and coaches affect the draft? Does it change our strategy since they now carry insider information to a new team? Does Gute keep his information close to the vest knowing that people leave the organization every year? Seems it could be a frowned-upon strategy to try and hire people from other organizations just to get insider information – even beyond the draft – playbook, etc.

It's not nothing, but that also doesn't make it something. Scouts know what's happening in the building before they leave but that intel ends once they walk out those doors. While Jon-Eric Sullivan might have an idea about which players Green Bay liked back in January, he doesn't know what that board looks like today…after the Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine and pro days. With coaches, it's always a different ballgame. We're talking about 180-degree changes year-over-year, especially when a team has two new coordinators like Green Bay does.

Mark from Apollo Beach, FL

Hey Wes, I try to make it up for a preseason game as often as I can (last one was pre-Covid). Any idea when they will release the schedule? I hope it will be as much fun since I gave up alcohol. It's sure to be much safer.

Congrats Mark. I hope you guys have a blast regardless. Adam Schefter said on his podcast the NFL is expected to release it between May 12-14. So, we're getting closer.

Kevin from Bogart, GA

Regarding Vikings and Herschel Walker trade – wasn't his first game against GB and he returned the opening kickoff for a TD? If memory serves correct, he showed his speed as no one was near him.

Walker didn't return a kickoff for a touchdown but had arguably his best performance in a Vikings uniform during that debut against Green Bay: 18 carries for 148 yards in a 26-14 victory. It took Walker nearly two years before he again hit 100 rushing yards in a game.

Dave from Plymouth, WI

Speaking of bad trades, how about Ditka giving up his entire '99 draft and two of his first three picks in 2000 for Washington's No. 5 pick to take Ricky Williams, who was traded three years later! The kicker is he offered the Bengals even more for their No. 3 pick. Who did the Bengals select at three after turning him down? Major bust Akili Smith! Geesh!

Packers legend.

Richard from Canton, GA

The drop-kick style PAT and field goal is still in the rulebook, right? How about four points for that (two for PAT) style of kick?

How about we just stick with the current scoring format? Would that be OK?

Matt from Bloomington, IN

Perhaps beating a dead horse here, but I think the most important thing is that a TD (plus PAT or conversion) is worth more than two field goals. Awarding more points for kicks of ANY distance would ruin a good thing.

I think we're in the sweet spot right now. Yes, kickers are making record-long field goals since this change with K-ball preparation, but there still is inherent risk attempting field goals from that far. I just think field goals should forever be worth three points – no more, no less.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Going for the double-post Inbox achievement! If you could be a fly on the wall in any other team's organization this offseason, which intrigues you the most?

New England.

Scotty from Lombard, IL

The home team receives 60%, and the visiting team receives 40%. Is this just gate attendance? Or does it include parking, concessions, pro shop revenue?

Pretty sure that's just tickets.

TK from Grafton, WI

"Not inclined to forgo the opportunity?" or "Disinclined to acquiesce to your request?"

Nothing against Spoff' wonderful header, but I never turn down a good opportunity to work "acquiesce" into copy.

Jessi from Sterling, KS

If you were to do another podcast and it COULDN'T be about sports, what would you like to jaw about? Co-host?

Pokémon cards.

Dale from Prescott, WI

Forgive my question if the answer was obvious but for example, the Prospect Primer format was changed this year, do you guys have full range of changes or does someone above your pay grade have to sign off on it? Asking for a friend.

A little of both.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

Spoff admitting that his job is to raise revenue, and we are free labor. Sign me up!

You think they just hired us for our looks?

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Guys, I ask every year. Sometimes you answer, sometimes you don't. Who is going to win The Masters this weekend? I am picking Jon Rahm. Mostly because I just like saying Jon Rahm.

I'm going with Scotty – best golfer, best storyline.

Christopher from Greenfield, WI

Finally see some media outlets using better quality sources when talking about the draft. "According to Mike Spofford, of the team's official website, Clemson's T.J. Parker could be an ideal fit." Nice to see them giving credit to the people who actually put together realistic scenarios when it comes to the draft.

I don't know if we should be honored or horrified.

Mike from Dubuque, IA

Hi II, are you sure the missing hands of the clock on the back of the scoreboard aren't meant to be a visual reminder that attending a game at Lambeau is a "timeless" experience? Which way is the door?

I think you know, Mike. Have a good Thursday.

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