Ralph from Milwaukee, WI
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Man, this thing has even broken Ralph. Good morning!
Nic from London, UK
I CAN'T get enough of the irrational messages and scoured your response with all caps looking for a secret SIGN. I didn't find one but I think EVERYBODY enjoyed your TAKE. I took the liberty of creating my own instead that only A keen eye not a mouth BREATHer can catch. I hope it captures your intent.
Haha, I love you guys. Take a breath, indeed.
Jeff from Littlefork, MN
Best Aaron Rodgers pass ever? Maybe just because it is shrouded in so much mystery but there is a particular no-look pass from training camp that had II agog for a while. I still wish like heck I could see a bootleg copy of that throw. I'm thinking something Zapruder-level video quality has to be around...somewhere.
You may never see the practice footage, but the play lives forever in legend and lore.
Jason from Rockton, IL
Top of the morning to ya Wes, Mike, Spoff and Hod. The green grass is growing. My red hair is growing, the anticipation for next week's virtual basement draft is growing, with each one of those things being progressively more chaotic. Well, maybe the hair should go last in that case...My question is, will this draft be the most-watched event in the history of humankind? It seems the universe is funneling itself in its entirety towards April 23-25.
I don't know about most-watched event ever but I bet this will be the most-watched NFL Draft in league history with ABC now broadcasting all three days, as well.
Tom from Woodbury, MN
Clay Matthews is credited solely with forcing the Rashard Mendenhall fumble in the fourth quarter of SB 45. However, as I replayed it several times, I think that Ryan Pickett has as much to do with forcing that fumble as Matthews.
And it also created the immortal line, "Grease, spill it hard. Spill it hard."
Peter from Port St. John, FL
Just a comment on Thomas from Milwaukee's observation about the regular-season loss to Atlanta in 2010. Matt Ryan was playing for field position and hit a pass in front of Tramon Williams for a field-goal try and it was successful for the win. Moving forward to our playoff game against them that same year, the Falcons were attempting the same approach right before halftime. Tramon recognized the formation and play, steps in front, pick-six. That's when we/I knew Tramon was going to be the real deal!
The Packers don't win Super Bowl XLV without Tramon Williams. His postseason (11 tackles, four pass deflections, three interceptions and a 70-yard INT return) put an exclamation point on an outstanding breakout year. That's for all you "Seinfeld" fans.
Timmy from Chicago, IL
Vic always preached the importance of getting the four premier positions (QB, LT, EDGE, CB) correct. Do I have my "Packers blinders" on or is it hard to find a better core four than the one we have with 12, 69, 55 and 23?
Three Pro Bowlers and an ascending young cornerback whose best years are ahead of him. That's a solid group to build a championship team around.
Julian from Gastonia, NC
In thinking about how it might feel to watch football played for real in empty stadiums, I'm sure it will seem extremely surreal and it will be fascinating to see how it may impact home-field advantage. After a week or two, I think we will realize how important the fans are to the overall enjoyment of the experience. Let's hope we don't come to that, but I think most would rather watch real games in empty venues than no games at all, even though it won't nearly be the same.
Fans are important to any live event – games, concerts, rallies, etc. You can't synthesize that type of emotion and energy. It's the garnish that makes the meal. That's why, for now, we have to play by the rules, so we can get back to experiencing that feeling again.
Glen from Green Bay, WI
With the draft being conducted with all coaches and scouts working from home, what can Gutey and staff do to improve their communication equipment and process to entertain multiple trade offers, checking on prospects' willingness to play a different position, etc., before turning in their choice?
All good questions for Gutekunst, who historically does a pre-draft news conference. The Packers' personnel department has had a month to prepare for this adjustment. We don't know what it's all going to look like on draft night but they'll be ready.
Barry from Aberdeen, SD
Hey II, with pro days being cancelled and not the "normal" opportunities to look at prospects, is it possible the Packers make trades for future draft selections rather than drafting a full slate this year?
You know what I'm going to say – anything is possible with Brian Gutekunst. I don't think that would be the reason for executing a trade, though. The Packers would only make a deal for future picks if the price was right in the present.
Andy from Verona, WI
I imagine the most challenging time during the virtual draft will be when a team is on the clock and listening to multiple trade offers. Has Gutey discussed how he will handle getting the many up-to-the-second updates from teams inquiring about trade packages with his war room members all in different places?
This question keeps getting asked. Scouts constantly work the phone lines during the draft. Distance creates an extra step in the process but it's not like they're having to fly carrier pigeons to each other's houses. Coaches and scouts can still communicate through conference calls, Zoom and texts to relay messages. Maybe I'll be wrong but I don't see it being a huge issue.
Jeff from Belton, TX
The commissioner is holding the first round in his basement; already can see the memes on that. How are you going to do it? For interviews with drafted players, do you have to get information from the club or league to do your work?
We'll also be ready. I've covered 10 straight drafts in the Lambeau Field media auditorium, so this is going to be a little weird, but the bonus room above our garage has been fully converted into my makeshift office/studio. They say it takes a month to develop a new habit. I've developed my routine. I don't know how information will be disseminated but Spoff and I will react to whatever is thrown our way.
Tim from Trempealeau, WI
Are the trainers and conditioning coaches involved in the players' home workout and exercise programs?
If this measure is approved by the NFLPA, strength-and-conditioning coaches are going to be on the front line in making sure players are on track with their training and doing all the right things. That first phase sets the tone for the offseason program – and training camp.
Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA
Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman. I don't care who anyone thinks was better, both have special moments etched in my memory against division rivals. Freeman with his "He did what?!" catch in overtime against the Vikes, and Brooks' 99-yarder from Favre against the Bears. Flip a coin which had me cheering the loudest.
You can debate who was better but their contributions to the Packers' renaissance in the '90s is what matters. And both came to Green Bay as third-round picks. I'd say that's a pretty good return on investment.
Marty from Galena, IL
Not a question, but I agree with Wes's comment on Saturday regarding Freeman acknowledgements. Great memories, especially the "roll over" catch against the Vikings! Another pass catcher not heard much of is Mark Chumra. It sure would be nice to have the TE talents of "Chewy" again.
I didn't realize Chmura only had 2,253 yards and 17 touchdowns. I would've thought he had twice those numbers, but most of that production came in a very successful four-year window from 1995-98. Another remarkable talent whose career ended too soon.
Chris from Bettendorf, IA
Wes's response to Tim from Muskego was PRICELESS! It is HILARIOUS to me to see the not-so-subtle dig at the overuse of ALL CAPS. For the record, I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of the answer but have to admit Brandin Cooks did help me WIN MY FANTASY LEAGUE TITLE TWO YEARS AGO. So I got that going for me, which is nice.
Cooks helped me win my fantasy title in 2018, so I get it. But that's not reality. The Packers went on a shopping spree a year ago because the 2015 draft class didn't pan out. They hit on some premier players in 2016 and '17, though, and you want to reward those players, in addition to the established veterans coming up for contracts ( David Bakhtiari, Corey Linsley, Davante Adams, etc.).
Gary from Tompkinsville, KY
Mike Holmgren and Ron Wolf used to draft a quarterback every year. They would develop them and trade them to other teams. I believe we have a coaching staff that can do the same; not in the first round of the draft.
It's going on five years since the last time the Packers have drafted a quarterback (Brett Hundley, 2015). That's actually the longest Green Bay has gone without taking a QB in team history. So they're due to draft one. But I'll believe it when I see it in the first round.
Mike from Franksville, WI
Not taking into account postseason results...in terms of total team talent and level of play, which season do you consider to be the peak of the Mike McCarthy era?
It's gotta be the 13-game winning streak to start 2011, especially with the Packers coming off their magical Super Bowl run.
Nick from Appleton, WI
I fully understand the argument against what I am about to propose, and not sure I would support this, however I would find it intriguing to watch it play out. With a full commitment from ownership, a franchise willing to let their QB go after five years, could continually take advantage of the rookie contract most deem an "advantage." They would be able to commit a huge portion of their salary cap to strengthening the team around the young QBs, and recoup third-round comp picks regularly. Thoughts?
Good luck getting Kansas City to let Patrick Mahomes walk in two years. Sell that idea to your season-ticket holders. To get that third-round comp pick, they'd also have to avoid signing any unrestricted free agents. Also, can you guarantee you're going to hit on a Day 1 starting quarterback every five years? If you find a franchise QB, you hold onto that guy regardless of the cost.
Robin from Racine, WI
Pretend there are three generational talents in this 2020 draft and they happen to play WR, T, and ILB. Let's say they are basically the future versions of Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, and Ray Lewis and somehow they all fall to pick 30. Which do you add?
I immediately narrowed it to Johnson or Lewis, and then got stuck. I want to say Lewis because that fills a need on defense for a decade but adding a future Megatron to the offense is too good to pass up. Give me the receiver.
Dylan from Holmen, WI
What about UW-La Crosse's Bill Schroeder being an impact player from an obscure college?
I almost said that one, too, but UW-L has produced four draft picks in the last 36 years. Shippensburg? 1966, and it was a kicker (Steve Ecker) drafted in the 14th round.
Jeff from Chandler, AZ
I would like to ask a non-football question. How horrible would it be if the NBA can't finish this season. The Bucks were in a prime position to win it all this year and who knows if they will continue to play as well as this year. I for one will feel very sad if they can't finish. The Deer are very fun to watch and deserve their shot.
I'm with you but sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles. As much as I want to see the Bucks win an NBA title in my lifetime, I want this country to recover and heal. That's my top priority.
Mark from Birmingham, AL
For the sake of argument, let's say that the entire NFL season was cancelled. How would the 2021 draft be handled? Are there any contingency plans in place for a situation like that? I would imagine that there are since there's always the possibility (however remote) that a season could be lost due to a labor dispute. Would the teams just draft in the reverse order of the rankings for the last completed season? Maybe a weighted lottery? Thanks!
What's better than questions asking us to speculate on what will happen? Questions asking us to speculate on speculation. I don't know, Mark. How about we just get through the 2020 NFL Draft first?
Dan from Kenosha, WI
Insiders, another good female character from an underrated sports film – Amy Adams' character in "Trouble with the Curve." Worth watching during quarantine as the list gets smaller.
Oh, good one. I loved that movie.
Mike from Lake Villa, IL
I would like to thank Mike and Wes for the humor you provide each day in II. You both offer us much needed entertainment in addition to the great insight we receive on a daily basis. As for the topic of great female characters in sports-themed movies, I suggest Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy in "The Blind Side."
And another one. I'll throw in Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman) in "Days of Thunder" as a great character, too. That movie was ahead of its time on so many levels.
Dave from Las Vegas, NV
I agree that going forward, movie theaters as we know them might be in trouble. But instead of drive-ins, don't you think it's more likely that movies will be released in some type of paid streaming format?
We're already there. "Trolls World Tour" was released as a digital rental Friday, the same day it was scheduled to hit theaters.
Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL
The main question is: Will Wes do the finger point on "Unscripted," or is that saved for the studio?
Oh, you know we still pointin’. There's plenty more draft preview coverage to come between now and April 23. Have a great Tuesday, everybody.
