Inbox: That's begging the opponent

Brian from Dunkirk, WI

Wes tells a guy from "Show Low" to aim higher. That's gold Spofford, gold!

I can't keep up anymore.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

But Mike, you doing the sponsor ads through "Unscripted" is just as much a part of "Unscripted" because it comes at random times throughout the show!

Oh, the ads will still be at random times. I can toss to them whenever I want. And just getting to say "toss to them" sounds like I know what I'm doing.

Steve from Orem, UT

Good morning II. What a great story about how the team honored the Murphys with the donation to JAS. Is there a way that the faithful II readers can donate to this wonderful cause?

Here is the organization’s website, which has a "donate" button in the upper right corner.

Joe from Saginaw, MI

The part of the story about Mark and Laurie Murphy that really touched me was the fact that they were foster parents to three children during their time in Green Bay. With the responsibilities that they had, for them to open their homes and hearts in this way is an incredible humanitarian gesture that most of us would find difficult to do. Thank you, Murphys, for showing us a way to love our neighbors.

That was news to me, too. I had no idea they'd been foster parents. It's just another example of the people they are, with or without the fanfare. I'm sure they've been involved in any number of efforts they kept quiet, unconcerned about attention or credit. This community is a better place for serving as home to the Murphys the past 18 years.

Derek from Lexington, KY

Do players follow the same concussion protocol in training camp that they do in the regular season?

To my knowledge.

Paul from Chicago, IL

And how exactly is that $700 million dollar reserve fund invested? The Packers need to get every bit of financial efficiency out of their assets!

The details aren't divulged, but within the board of directors there's an investment committee that manages those assets and makes those decisions. They certainly know what they're doing.

Scott from Sauk City, WI

Mike, I never thought I'd see "depreciation" show up in an Inbox. This accountant approves. (I'll ignore the incorrect usage of balance sheet earlier in the same answer, though.)

Can't win 'em all.

Tom from De Pere, WI

How do you think the NFL and/or the other 31 teams feel about the revenue sharing figure being public information because of the Packers' structure?

I'm sure they're not crazy about it, but a little transparency is a small price to pay for what the Packers and all they entail bring to the league.

Mark from Columbia, SC

I see the Steelers announced they will be wearing their 1933 throwback uniforms vs. the Packers, who will also be wearing their 1923 throwback uniforms. Can you confirm this?

I did see the Steelers announced they're wearing their new throwbacks in Week 8 vs. Green Bay, but the Packers haven't announced any games for their throwbacks yet.

Ken from Grapevine, TX

Will the Packers retire No. 12?

Indubitably.

Jack from Chicago, IL

I saw an irritating statistic that Green Bay has the youngest 90-man roster by average age. Obviously it's ridiculous because it's not the 53, but for the season I'd like to see total NFL snaps of all players on the 53. That will be more insightful to me.

I don't know if anyone puts together such a leaguewide chart, but if we see one we'll pass along the info. Obviously we all know the Packers are still young by some metrics, but not by others.

Tom from Rochester, NY

What are Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks and the other WRs doing to focus on correcting the drops from last year? Have you seen any new drills this year so far?

Nothing new has caught my eye, but Reed told reporters on Friday he bought a JUGS machine in the offseason, and he and Wicks fed it to each other when working out together.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

Did Nate Hobbs break up another TD pass today? Asking for a friend named consistency.

I don't know about TD passes specifically, but Hobbs has been a presence every day on the practice field thus far, and his defensive mates continue to rave about him.

Scott from Maple Plain, MN

Hello Wes/Mike, seems like we have heard a lot about Lukas Van Ness living up to his draft-day potential this year. What are your thoughts on two other defensive first-round picks, Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker, for the upcoming season?

Health is the key for both. Wyatt started last season really strong and then got derailed by injury. Walker is trying to get healthy now, and he was watching some of the 11-on-11 Sunday from 30 yards behind the defense, so I suspect he's getting close to full clearance. His second year in Hafley's system, combined with being paired regularly with Edgerrin Cooper, should allow him to shine. Gutekunst continues to talk about him as a long-term piece to this defense.

David from Buena Vista, CO

I recall Arizona and NY having pretty toxic cultures over the last five years. I was so excited when the Pack signed Isaiah Simmons. A fresh start in a great culture could let him shine and reach his true potential. I remember telling a friend I think he could end up beating out Quay. Obviously that would have to be earned. Yet, it's great to hear the way-too-early signs are looking good. When was the last time the Packers had a player on their roster drafter at or higher than him?

Simmons isn't taking Walker's place anytime soon. They don't actually play the same position within the linebacking corps. To answer your question, Julius Peppers was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft. Vince Young (No. 3 overall, 2006) was with the Packers in the 2013 preseason but didn't make the team.

Dave from Germantown, TN

Do you think with Simmons, Walker and Cooper as linebackers that the Packers might play more traditional 4-3-4 on defense than the 4-2-5 that is usually played, particularly on passing downs? With the speed and athleticism of these three it could give the Packers more pass pressure (any one of the three linebackers could be coming).

What they play on passing downs, and on most downs for that matter, will be a reflection of the offensive personnel. The defense won't have only four DBs on the field if the offense has three wide receivers. That's begging the opponent to attack a mismatch.

Richard from Santa Ana, CA

Has Coach LaFleur set a target for total touches per game for Josh Jacobs? I know he's the workhorse for the O, but I figure they want to keep him fresh the entire year. Gonna be a gauntlet right out the gate.

LaFleur doesn't operate that way, as far as targeting touches per game over the entire season. It's a week-to-week business. Every game plan is different and every game flows differently. How the offense is functioning and how the defense is attacking the offense help dictate where the ball goes, and decisions/adjustments are made from there.

Jerry from Fort Wayne, IN

"Unscripted" is both well-informed and top-of-mind – kudos for the insight! Speaking of insight, do coaches track how each player performs against each level of competition? In that vein, a play made by a "two" against a "one" should get more credit. How is all that tracked, and how much does it count?

I can't speak to whether or how it's charted specifically, but it's definitely noticed and noted, especially in the preseason games.

Tommy from Washburn, WI

At training camp Friday I saw Nate Hobbs hit Wicks pretty hard after a reception. Wicks didn't seem too happy about it. I'm sure there's a line somewhere between competitive practice and unnecessary roughness, especially without pads on yet. Nobody wants to see injuries before the season begins. Where do you think that line is?

That's a tough one. Some players are always right up against the line, and therefore are bound to cross it in certain moments. The preference is to protect your teammates first and foremost. There are ways to play aggressively without endangering anybody, and those discussions are had behind closed doors.

Grant from Oxford, OH

Hi! I saw Wes's tweet regarding an observation on how through the first few practices is that there has been more two-point stances on the four-man front. Why do you think that is? Is there a better advantage compared to the others?

It depends on the player, but some edge rushers feel they can win with their hands better if they attack from a two-point. It may be something Covington as the new position coach is trying to emphasize.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Who has surprised you most so far in training camp?

I won't say I'm surprised, and I don't say much about linemen on either side of the ball when they're not in pads, but I'll mention two young guys about whom I really like what I've seen – Carrington Valentine and Ty'Ron Hopper.

George from Lacey, WA

Who will be the breakout player for the Pack?

Let's hope there's more than one.

Dave from Comer, GA

I love this time of year. No matter which team's website you go to, EVERYBODY is going to win their division and make a deep run in the playoffs. EVERYBODY improved their roster dramatically and EVERYBODY has a secret weapon that nobody else knows about. Isn't it fun being delusional?

It's why the baloney doesn't truly stop until Week 1.

Mark from Apollo Beach, FL

Hey Spoff, will you be blogging the preseason this year? Hope so.

Yes, I will be live blogging the preseason games. I have to check this week if I'm live blogging Family Night. We'll see.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Second week of training camp, just wondering when do the pads go on, Mike?

Today. Happy Monday.

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