Inbox: That won't be the only measure

Robert from Brookeville, MD

Mike is slipping a bit. He missed his chance at layered Caddyshack references. "If only we all could've seen the moment of enlightenment" could have been, "If only we could've seen the moment of total consciousness."

My bad. Nicely done.

Adrian from Chula Vista, CA

With training camp starting next week, can IIers expect our twice-weekly podcasts starting Tuesday?

Yup, "Packers Unscripted" returns Tuesday and we will do our best to record two episodes per week from now until the season ends.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, with Anthony Belton finally signed what position will he compete at?

That's a good question. They drafted him in the second round with the idea he could play guard or tackle. I recall seeing him take more reps at tackle this spring, but we'll see.

Tony from Titusville, FL

Are there any limitations set by the league on the number of coaches and assistants a team can have?

Not to my knowledge.

Ryan from Chippewa Falls, WI

Will Christian Watson begin the year on IR or on the PUP?

PUP. Decisions regarding IR are made later. Anyone who can't practice the first day of camp due to a football injury is placed on PUP, and he can come off anytime once he's ready to go. Players on PUP (the current list, according to reports, is Watson, Quay Walker, Collin Oliver and Micah Robinson) can attend meetings and such but just can't practice until cleared. In Watson's case, assuming he doesn't practice at all in July/August, I'd anticipate him being transferred from active/PUP to reserve/PUP at the end of camp so he won't count against the 53, and then we'll see when he can get on the practice field during the regular season.

Chris from West Allis, WI

Almost missed the cut for my dead zone question! I've only ever been to an NFL game at Lambeau where seats are famously sold out and generally held by season-ticket holders, so I've always bought tickets on the secondary market. Does it work drastically differently for other NFL teams? Can you actually go to their team websites and purchase tickets directly?

Often yes, but the opponent impacts availability and demand.

Darren from UK

Have you guys caught Season 2 of "Quarterback"? It never ceases to amaze me the work that goes into playing the most difficult job in sport.

I did see it and liked it better than the first one. It was interesting to see Cousins again but navigating a completely different situation. And no offense to anyone, but I found Burrow and Goff to be more interesting than Mahomes and Mariota.

Max from Annapolis, MD

In Friday's II, Mike warned against getting swayed by hot names of the day in training camp because "Someone might have a great practice or dynamite preseason game, and we'll all write about him because that's the job." But if you believe the key is consistency and watching how they react to moving up the depth chart, and only the reporters have access to monitor that day-to-day, why isn't the job to tell us that stuff? Why is the job to duplicate coverage about "the hot name"?

As a beat reporter, you have to write the story when something happens or you're behind and not servicing the readers. Anytime I write about a "hot name," I include caveats about consistency and repeat performances, and a follow-up will find its way into our coverage down the road. That's also my job. But casual (not thorough) and occasional (not everyday) readers will see only the original headline, focus on the hot name and assume that guy is making the team. It happens every year. I see/read it in the questions sent in here.

TK from Grafton, WI

I have believed for a long time that the challenge in the NFL is to get young players up to speed with the mental aspect of the game (plays, schemes, adjustments) while they still have the physical aspect intact before injuries or aging take their toll. Am I all wet here?

No, but I wouldn't call it THE challenge, just one of many. The aging part is down the road, but initially, teams want to get the most they can out of players on cheap rookie contracts before deciding whether or not to make a more significant investment for a player's so-called prime years. Progression, projection, etc., are all part of the equation, which brings us to …

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Mike, can we talk turkey? Can there be any tougher job than the GM? Knowing when to pull the plug on players who fail to perform to expectations must be tough. On the one hand, no one likes to admit they might have made a mistake. You research and vet them only to have it come down to what seems like uncontrollable variables. Let them play out their rookie contracts and you may be writing off a few seasons. I see some critical decisions at the WR position this year. Thoughts?

There will be ongoing decisions at receiver, with two in a contract year in 2025 (Romeo Doubs, Watson) and two more next year (Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks). The Packers can't re-sign everybody. It's just not practical or sensible. How do they choose? This year will tell us a lot. Making those calls to keep players or let them walk is what comes with the territory. The best GMs pinpoint a value range for their own players and stick (reasonably) to it, letting them go if other teams place a higher value on their services. To me, though, the position to sweat the least is receiver. The college game churns out more talent at that position than any other, so receivers can always be replaced via the draft – and the Packers took two more in the top 100 picks this spring. Decision time on contracts will be fascinating, but we're not there yet.

Austin from Manassas, VA

There was talk about not being able to increase targets for everyone. I disagree – staying balanced and eliminating drops will lead to longer drives and more targets for everyone. Not only is this possible, I think it's likely. I have confidence that Jordan Love and our receivers will take a step forward together this season. Am I crazy?

No. I'm just trying to caution against "progress" or "steps forward" (or whatever one's favorite terminology is) being judged by statistics. That won't be the only measure.

Kevin from Jenison, MI

I enjoyed the Countdown to camp – OL edition. Although Jacob Monk took the majority of reps at center when Elgton Jenkins wasn't there, is he really the backup center or do you think it would be Sean Rhyan and the rest of the OL moving accordingly?

That all has to get sorted out as players compete and rep different spots in camp. I'm sure the coaches want options.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Can you think of a player who was maybe not up-to-snuff football talent-wise, but did one thing at such an elite level they were still a major factor in games? Not counting specialists.

I won't say his talent wasn't up to snuff, but your query brought Jarrett Bush to mind. He was a lightning rod for criticism – not always deserved – when he filled in at defensive back. But he was an absolute maven on special teams, as a blocker, tackler and leader, to carve out a nice career. Then lo and behold, when injuries hit in the Super Bowl, he picked off Roethlisberger to set up Jennings' first TD for a 21-3 lead.

Derek from Sheboygan, WI

Will the offensive line competition truly be an open one in which the best player gets to start? I'm not a fan of draft status determining these things.

I expect the best players to play. If players don't earn their spot on the field, other players know, and that doesn't sit well.

Mike from Aurora, IL

I know you two prefer to focus on the players on the roster, but with what I think is a fairly universal concern of depth in the defensive backfield and strong veteran options out there in free agency (one of which I'm sure is getting a fair amount of "clamoring"), what do you think is the main downside for signing one? Is it the price tag, player development or something else?

It's usually a combination of the price tag and the reps that would be taken away from younger players the personnel department wants to see compete and grow. Sometimes, the combo of the price coming down with a fuller assessment of what's on hand can spark action.

Chip from Bev Hills, MI

I've read a time or two that Lukas Van Ness needs to develop pass-rush moves beyond the bull rush. How difficult is it to add a few good moves to your repertoire and how do coaches approach that?

It comes down to finding a move that's comfortable, drilling the technique until it becomes second nature, and finding the right spots to try it. In training camp, pass rushers often will work on new moves during one-on-ones against O-linemen. Reporters are always charting wins and losses in those drills, but sometimes a player is just trying something new before incorporating it into his 11-on-11 work.

Ari from Milwaukee, WI

All offseason, the coaches (and Gute) have emphasized the important of more pass-rush productivity from the front four. Kenny Clark has discussed a philosophical change in how they plan to approach the pass rush (or at least reversion to past practices). In that vein, have you seen anything so far in the offseason that is decidedly different from last year? New drills or noticeable differences in how the defense attacks the QB?

No, and I don't expect to get any feel for that until 4-5 games into the regular season.

Bill from Clive, IA

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and predict that this season will look different than last season in the NFC North. How's that for a risky proposition? My question for you is: What record against the North do you think will be necessary for GB to take the division? I'm thinking 4-2, and even that might only earn us a tie for the title. Probably 12-5 or even 13-4 overall to make it a lock. I think this year will be a return to the black & blue division days, where we are closer to parity.

Last year, the top three teams in the NFC North lost a grand total of four games outside the division. I don't expect that to happen again. The schedule looks starkly different this year.

David from De Pere, WI

Interesting question last week about the most meaningful loss in Packers history. I would throw in the most consequential meaningless win. That would be 1988 last game of the year. Packers have the No. 1 pick and Troy Aikman locked up, but decide to beat a horrible Cardinals team on the road. They drop to No. 2 and take Tony Mandarich. Win that game, we don't trade for Favre, sign Reggie and someone else gets stuck with Mandarich. The next 25 years would have been very different, to be sure.

My great unknown hypothetical (from my tenure) goes back to Rodgers' first playoff game, the shootout loss in Arizona. What if he hits Jennings open deep on the first snap of overtime, the Packers walk off with the win, and then Rodgers is subjected to the bounty-hunting Saints' defense the following week and disaster strikes? There's no telling where the Thompson-McCarthy era might've gone from there in the wake of the unthinkable. Considering how 2010 unfolded, I'll always consider that '09 playoff loss in the desert one of the most fortuitous defeats in franchise history.

Jeff from Green Bay, WI

Regarding your walk-up song back in the day Spoff, it should have been "For Whom the Bells Toll."

Or "bell tolls," take your pick, I guess. Funny but true story – the last name of one of my college baseball teammates was LaBelle. The English majors on the squad (I wasn't the only one) had a lot of fun playing Chris Berman with that.

Ben from Afton, VA

To piggyback on to the Jennifer/Pete comments, not only do you two seem like really good dudes, but I want to thank you for curating my cultivation of the football. You've made me a better fan. And, no, I didn't know that was a thing.

We try. First practice in two days. It's almost here.

Colleen from Blair, NE

How did the "no gambling in Bushwood" come to be? I understand the no gambling part, but why Bushwood?

Your moment of total consciousness has almost arrived as well. Happy Monday.

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