Inbox: That's a lot in one year

Doug from St. Germain, WI

Did you bring Biff along to handle gas pump duties again?

No. Wes swore off the combine forever following his northern Indiana gasoline shower.

Markus from Aurora, CO

What should we look out for this week?

GM Brian Gutekunst is doing his annual extended sit-down with local writers today, and that's the main thing I'm here to cover. I'll have at least one story up by the end of the day.

Paul from West Allis, WI

Good morning all. Can you please remind us as to all of the people who will represent the Packers at the scouting combine? Thanks again for all the great topics and information!

The entire personnel staff and all the scouts are here doing their usual duties, monitoring the workouts and interviews. The medical/training staff is also here for the medical checks. Not as many coaches, if any, come as in the past. They're still part of the pre-draft process, writing their scouting reports on prospects from game film and meeting players via Zoom calls.

James from Eagle, ID

No questions, but the discussion about the 1980 U.S. hockey team made me realize what a privilege I had watching the UW hockey team in the late '70s. I could only get tickets during the break Christmas and New Year's, but was able to watch the Badgers take on the German national team. I loved the games at the time and appreciate them more now.

I grew up a huge fan of UW hockey, when there wasn't much to cheer about with football and basketball. Through my youth and college years, I'd watch the late-night replays on public TV without knowing the final score. I relished any chance to get to the Dane Co. Coliseum for a game, and I saw some dandies. My first live experience with the "hot goalie" phenomenon mentioned yesterday was watching Colorado College's Derek Pizzey make 52 saves to beat the Badgers 2-1. He was just unconscious. It was the most exhilarating and frustrating hockey game I've ever witnessed, but it was amazing to see live.

Larry from Sheboygan, WI

Should the Bears move to Indiana, and as you thought, Hammond, they could change their name to the Hammond Eggs.

Ouch. Please see yourself out. You and everyone else who chimed in with this.

Steve from Phoenix, AZ

You mentioned the Bears have their eye on a future Super Bowl in their new climate-controlled arena. Do you think the NFL has the inclination to host a Super Bowl in a cold-weather environment? Yes, real football fans attend the game but the many privileged attendees who couldn't tell you what a safety is (either one) might be a tad inconvenienced by a polar vortex.

You're right, the league doesn't like hosting Super Bowls in cold-weather locales, but it generally has rewarded a team that builds a new stadium with one game. MetLife in Jersey, U.S. Bank in Minneapolis and Lucas Oil in Indy all got one. But the league has made no noises about going back to those chilly places for the big show.

James from Chicago, IL

Hammond Bears? What airport do the Packers fly into? O'Hare is a long, traffic-riddled trip. Midway is slightly closer, but can't handle jets much bigger than a 737 and the traffic situation ain't any better. Gary is close, but I have no idea if it can handle widebody aircraft, and there are exactly zero suitable hotels in the greater Hammond area. Although, I assume the hotel situation would improve with the stadium.

The Packers have utilized both Chicago airports, including Midway plenty of times, and the team buses get police escorts to and from the airport, stadium, etc. That said, I can divulge from firsthand experience the bus rides in and out of Midway are FAR preferable to O'Hare. The O'Hare ones have shortened my lifespan.

Mike from Aurora, IL

Thoughts on what appears to be no "push" toward banning the tush push? I am disappointed as I hate the play. I don't consider it a football play, I don't understand why you can push a teammate but not pull them and it's almost impossible to referee the play. I assume there is no momentum because the play was less successful this year, but I sure wish it was gone from the game.

Preaching to the choir, bro. Tush-pushes and scrum-shoves are going to drive me to early retirement.

Matt from Madison, WI

One "process" we could criticize is the Packers didn't take full advantage of having a QB on a rookie deal. Their process has yielded stability at the QB position and sustained winning, but not Super Bowls. ATMR (WCBW), since 2012, 10 of the 28 teams had QBs on rookie deals allowing them to spend money elsewhere.

I get where you're coming from, but the number of first-round QBs forced to play early who struggled mightily is significantly higher than the ones who got to a Super Bowl on their rookie contract. Your analysis also counts Wilson and Mahomes twice each among the 10. The list is eight QBs on rookie deals since 2012, one of whom (Kaepernick) didn't begin his Super Bowl season as the starter and never made it back.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

Spoff mentioned that rookie stats were a function of roster construction and opportunity. I've been wondering about coaching and development. I had a huge draft crush on JSN. All the first-round receiver talk, he showed talent and was projected to be available when we were on the clock. Plus we share initials. I was all set to pre-order his jersey on draft night. Would he have become for the Packers what he became for the Seahawks? Isn't that the unknown with draft Monday-morning-quarterbacking?

Somewhat, because no two situations are alike. I liked JSN in '23, too, but when the Seahawks drafted him, they had Metcalf and Lockett at receiver, and Lockett was already in his 30s. They spent JSN's first two years moving on from those guys to elevate him to featured status, and he obviously delivered.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

March 11 is creeping up quite quickly. There's also the legal tampering period to be concerned about as well. Unless you live under a rock, you know the Packers need to make several major moves to free up cap space. When do you expect we'll see the Packers announce contract extensions, contracts restructured, or flat-out releases? And do you have any predictions on who the Packers may be looking at bringing back or go after?

I don't know the Packers' plans, so I'm not going to try to predict them. For creating cap space, any straight restructures won't be officially announced. Reporters find those out from agents and then word travels. There's no timeline on potential releases, but two years ago, the Packers released Aaron Jones, David Bahktiari and De'Vondre Campbell all during the three days (negotiating window) leading up to the official start of free agency.

Richard from Caledonia, WI

Good afternoon, is it accurate that the Packers have 25 free agents this season? An online article suggested the number was that high which seemed too many? If true there will potentially be some very significant changes in the roster.

There are always significant changes. Par for the course in the NFL. But the Packers' number of free agents only reaches 25 if the exclusive-rights guys (like Bo Melton) and already-released street FAs (like Trevon Diggs) are included. Looking just at unrestricted and restricted free agents, I believe Green Bay's number is 17. What's unusual is the eight RFAs. That's a lot in one year. Nine UFAs is not.

Mutt from Blaine, MN

Good morning II. I saw a list with four Packers in the top 25 of available free agents. That speaks to some good drafting. It also means a lot of talent likely leaving the building. Good problems to have, but with last year's free agents not being productive and shortage of early draft picks, what kind of pressure does this put on BG? Seems like we're going to need some draft picks to play early this year?

Not necessarily, but we'll see. The Packers have two first-round picks from the last two years who are in line to play a lot more.

Mike from Pewaukee, WI

What is a "futures deal"? How's it work and what is the advantage of doing them?

It's just a team making an early commitment to a player (and vice versa) to be on the 90-man offseason roster when the new league year begins in March. Players who ended the season on practice squads or were otherwise not on an active roster (or IR) can sign futures deals in January/February with teams whose seasons have ended.

Bill from Rewey, WI

Would the NFL ever consider giving teams a cap break on drafted players? When re-signing a drafted player only 75% counts against the cap?

I doubt it. I can't see the union agreeing to such a provision that could act as a restriction on players' freedom of movement.

Ron from Attica, OH

Hi! Further to the ST discussion and how injuries affect them. Gameday experience also plays a part I believe. If a rookie/substitute/new player plays a three-and-out series, they have three game-time plays of experience. A punt coverage person might not get three plays in a game (assuming the O is having a decent day). No matter how they practice, game time and practice time are not in the same time zone. Does it take as long for the game to "slow down" on special teams as on O or D?

A valid question and point, which highlights the value of experienced players on special teams to lead those units. You can never have enough of those guys, but nobody's special teams are exempt from young players learning the game.

Mark from Sturgeon Bay, WI

Pretty sure I know the answer but want to confirm. When a team hires a new head coach I believe they get like an extra week of organized practice during the spring. Is there any similar consideration when a team hires a new defensive coordinator?

No.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Do you think the road to the SB is a harder path in the NFC than the AFC right now?

It definitely was this past season, but the AFC playoff QBs didn't include Mahomes, Burrow or Jackson. If those three get back in, along with Allen, Nix, Maye, etc., it's a different story.

Shanna from Corunna, IN

Morning II! I read an article on ESPN about the Vikings being non-committal to J.J. Do you think they'll bring in a vet and have him "compete" for his position? I know the kid had a rough year with injuries but he showed some flashes. Can he take a Year 2 jump? Personally, I'm just hoping Malik Willis doesn't go there!

It sounds like their plan is to acquire a veteran and let the best man win the job. But it remains to be seen how much money they'll be willing to spend, and how attractive the opportunity will feel, for a vet not guaranteed to play while a first-round pick constantly looms.

James from UK

Hi Mike, have you read "Bluegrass Baseball" by Katya Cengel? It follows four minor league teams for a year. It's a good read, and I don't like baseball!

Appreciate the rec. I switched to a fiction kick when training camp started last summer, and I'm seeing how many Grisham novels I can whip through in a year. But at some point I'll go back to sports non-fiction I'm sure.

Dave from Edina, MN

Can we really call this the 15-year anniversary of II? I suppose it's like the Indianapolis Colts including the Baltimore Colts in their history. Transitions happen, names change, but the team lives on. As a reader from Vic's first day on the job, I have to admit I was a little worried about the transition to II. You guys have done an amazing job filling large shoes while adding your own flavor. I'll continue to read every day until the next transition causes me angst. Cheers to 15 more!

Thanks. But if I'm still writing this column then, something went seriously wrong.

Justin from Thousand Oaks, CA

Regarding the Ketchman prevent and concepts of similar ilk, are there any formation restrictions at all on defenses the way there are for offenses, or can you set them up however you want? Could you stick all 11 guys deep or in a bunch at the LOS or all on one side if for some unforeseeable reason you wanted to?

Defensive formations? The rules are there ain't no rules. Okay not quite, but just these: Must be onside, maximum of 11.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Just a thought: If Vic were writing for II today, he might just modify his prevent defense to a 1-10 alignment, because if Micah Parsons is the one, there still may be pressure on the QB!

Fair point. Happy Tuesday.

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