Everett from Le Sueur, MN

Who is your under-the-radar player that you think has a breakout season? For me, it's Zach Tom.

Tom's arrow is definitely pointing up, but I don't know if I'd categorize him as an "under-the-radar player" after he received All-Pro votes last year. For me, I'd lean more towards Brenton Cox Jr., Colby Wooden or even Luke Musgrave after his rash of injuries. The best part is watching the unseen become undeniable. I think of Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, and even draft picks like Mike Flanagan whose development was initially stalled due to injuries before he became a Pro Bowl player.

Robb from Orlando, FL

Good morning, gentlemen and fellow IILLAGERS (an online village of IIers). I'm a long-term reader since Vic. I have a question regarding the conventional wisdom of "tiring out the defense" during long, sustained drives or during hurry up offense. I played lineman on both offense and defense while in high school (for Madison Holy Name Seminary, state title in 1985) and I can assure you that both tired me out equally. Is this conventional wisdom really true? What is your take?

I'm reminded of George S. Patton's adage, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." While endurance is needed on both sides of the ball, wearing down a defense mentally and physically is the often most efficient path to victory. Big plays are the name of the game, but they don't happen in random order. Offenses earn those opportunities with how they impose their will on the opposition on each and every down.

Al from Green Bay, WI

I'm seeing too many articles suggesting GB has a huge hole at cornerback with the departure of Jaire Alexander. They go so far as to suggest that the Pack is so desperate that they are looking to transition a WR (Bo Melton) to CB. I know – it's just clickbait. But I'm hopeful the fan base can chill out with the knowledge that the team knows what they are doing, and the back end of the defense will be just fine!

It's as mentally frustrating as it is professionally misguided, my friend. If readers want an intelligent conversation on the matter instead of mindless clickbait, Brian Gutekunst spoke with CheeseheadTV last week and discussed how the team expects Kalen King, Micah Robinson and Kamal Hadden to step up following Alexander's release. If you have a take on the Packers' corner depth, that's where this conversation should be focused. Anything else is either lazy or ignorant.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

What is your favorite "under-the-radar" Packers game you've seen? Not one of the big, obvious ones we all remember, but one that still sticks with you for its own reasons.

Oh, there are many. The first that come to mind are the 2014 game in Miami (Andrew Quarless game-winning TD), 2020 vs. Atlanta (Robert Tonyan three-TD game), 2021 in Arizona (Rasul Douglas game-saving INT), and the 2022 Christmas game in Miami (mostly for the wrong reasons but also the Jaire Alexander INT/postgame interview).

Roger from West Bend, WI

So, Jaire and Lamar Jackson are like best friends and were inseparable in college. An NFL career is short to begin with. I think he saw his chance to make this move and Lamar Jackson told his GM, "Get it done." He's due a new contract soon and it's a bargaining chip for his GM. Jaire came to the Ravens easily affordable, even with incentives it's only six million. But…Jaire stays healthy, able to play like we know he can, next year will cost the Ravens $16 million or so. Guess it all can work out, stay tuned.

That's how this game is played. When a veteran is cut, especially at this point of the offseason, "prove-it" deals typically follow. The Packers have been the beneficiary of that several times during my time covering the team. Jared Cook's resurgence with the Packers began with the Rams cutting him in 2016. Keisean Nixon was non-tendered as a restricted free agent before signing a one-year deal with Green Bay in 2022.

Hanna from Madison, WI

There're some pretty strong opinions out there regarding how the Packers did Ja wrong by offering him no guaranteed money on top of the massive cut he was willing to take. A lot of respected players leave here telling the same story. It seems when we decide we no longer want a player, we simply offer a contract that we know won't be accepted. I don't care one way or the other, I'm just a fan who watches the games. Watching rich folks bargain and bicker is becoming part of daily life in the USA.

You hit the nail on the head. That's life. Without diving any further into rumor and innuendo, I'll say this – Alexander has a new deal with a new team and an opportunity to prove he's still one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. See ya on Dec. 27 (or 28).

Bill from Clive, IA

I suppose this is a question for Cliff, but since it's the dead zone, I thought I'd start with you. I remember as a young kid watching Zeke Bratkowski come in for Bart Starr occasionally and he always made it exciting. I often thought he was better than Bart. Who would you say are the top backup QBs in GB history (based on their play for the Packers, not careers elsewhere)?

I mean, the Packers haven't needed many quarterbacks aside from the doldrums of the 1970s-80s. Bratkowski probably tops the list. The guy is in the Packers Hall of Fame, after all. Matt Flynn probably is the top backup of the modern era given his contributions during his two stints in Green Bay. Brett Favre had some big-name backups, but half didn't even throw a regular-season pass in a Packers uniform.

Josh from Seattle, WA

Malik Willis will also play a big role this year in helping our defense be its best! If he is a starting-caliber QB then going against him in practice every day will be really good for our team and can make a huge difference in preparing for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles this year.

Another underrated part of having a capable QB like Willis on the roster. Iron sharpens iron.

Steve from Rockford, IL

Tidbit of information to yesterday's question on whether assistant coaches have agents or not. The answer is yes. And the interesting example is the issues with the 2024 Bears staff where HC, four assistants and the GM were all represented by the same agent, Trace Armstrong. Lots of conspiracy talk on the whys/hows of the Bears coaching failures and whether Trace's connection with the team induced bad choices. The GM having the same agent appears to be a bad conflict.

Most NFL position coaches have agents and there are far fewer of them than player agents. Don't ask me why. I have no idea. Armstrong represents a ton of NFL coaches, though. So, that doesn't surprise me at all about the Bears. I think it happens quite often in the league.

Mark from Winona, MN

Isn't the narrative of Green Bay Packers being a small-market survivor in the NFL a bit overstated? We have a worldwide fan base spending money on all things green and gold, a national TV contract and a sold-out world-class venue. There is no reason I can think of in the current state of the league that the Packers would ever leave and I suspect we contribute more than most teams to revenue sharing. GPG!

Under no circumstances can it ever be said that "the Packers being a small-market survivor in the NFL (is) a bit overstated." Cliff Christl might hit you over the head with a pica pole for saying such things. Spoff handled this question brilliantly and I'm not going to add to it other than to say don't forget where things stood with this organization 33½ years ago when Ron Wolf took over. The Packers aren't going anywhere, but they also can ill-afford to let complacency ever set foot into this building. In this train station of giants, the Packers remain the little engine that could.

Bill from North Liberty, IA

I often hear references to "small market" and "big market" teams. I'm a little confused about the difference/advantage of either. The Packers draw as many or more fans as anyone else. TV money is split evenly. The salary cap prevents a "big market" team from outbuying players. So, what's the difference that gives an advantage?

Yes, the league has a hard salary cap and revenue sharing, but that's only one act of the play. Deep-pocketed owners have the money and resources to wade through unpredictable economic landscapes. Green Bay sort of synthesizes that with its corporate reserve fund, but the Packers' structure is competing against some of the richest individuals in the world. Winning has helped Green Bay stay ahead of the fiscal curve, but those challenges are still there.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Seriously Ed? "Not trusted journalism?" Come on, man. Show me a more reliable site than this one. Sure, the "breaking" news may be delayed at times, but that's understandable. The day-to-day content is more than trustworthy IMO. In the days of clickbait-crap, I'll stay here, thank you very much!

I mean, what is journalism now anyway? Seriously? Is it two people paid by the same broadcast company yelling at each other for two hours a day, five days a week? Is it someone who's never stepped into the Packers' locker room aggregating quotes from our stories for another site? Is it a guy dancing on TikTok while giving his list of the top 10 best-dressed players of Week 8? I was 19 years old the first time I helped a colleague clean out her desk at the Press-Gazette because the quarterly earnings weren't to Gannett's liking. I was 25 when I gave up on the only professional dream I've ever had – to become the sports editor of that same newspaper – because my mentor became expendable. I've been doing this since I was a teenager and managed to be valuable enough to my employers to survive 20 years in one of the most volatile industries a young person could enter. You think I made it this far by caring about what anybody thinks of my journalism credentials? L-O-L

Mark from Fremont, CA

Just a follow-up to a comment yesterday by Mark from Weston about how he enjoys Packers games because of Jordan Love's presence. My wife of 16 years is from China and knew nothing of American sports when we married and was always off in the background while I watched every Packers game. Once she saw Jordan on the bench and asked, 'Who is that?' I told her and she immediately Googled him and said, "He's cool!" Since Love became a starter, she now watches every Packers game with me because of JL10!

That's wonderful to hear, Mark. Having an investment and connection with athletes is the secret sauce of sports. Michael Jordan got me into the NBA in the 1990s. Kimbo Slice and Ronda Rousey piqued my interest in MMA in the 2000s. In the 2010s, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen and Daniel Ricciardo brought me to Formula One.

Ken from Arvada, CO

Wes, no question just a comment regarding your response to my query you posted the other day. I was actually referring to your feature articles. You are a gifted writer, and those features are always a treat. Please tell us you are compiling them all for a book. Thanks for your efforts!

I don't own them. The Packers do. I'm merely an at-will employee trying to make my monthly car payments.

Chad from La Crosse, WI

Welcome to the dead zone...Thanks for keeping us in tune and entertained! Would you rather, for the rest of your life, have to cut your pizza with an ice cream scooper, or scoop your ice cream with a pizza cutter?

I like pizza a helluva lot more than ice cream, so I'll choose the latter.

Theresa from Sylvania, OH

Loved the story on Ed Policy! My favorite part was how he read the angry letters his dad received for trading Joe Montana. Wow. What an amazing firsthand learning experience. Could you please write more stories about those individuals who support the work in the organization? How about some love for the social media crew!

I'll check with Renae if she's willing to share her experiences working at U-Haul.

Dan from Toledo, OH

The dead zone has some great useless questions. I hope it gives your football minds a break. Have you ever run the stairs at Lambeau? Have you ever gone into a press box, opened a window, and yelled "Lambeau" like the silly guy in the brat commercial? Is Bakh coming back? Will "69" retire? Are the interviews as nice for reporters, like yourselves, as they are for us fans? June is Dairy Month. Do you get free ice cream in the office cafeteria in June? Free Spotted Cow? Stressless June!

Yes. Yes (during COVID). No. I don't know. I hate that locker room interviews are widely disseminated but I get it. Interesting. No. No. Maybe. Have a great Monday.

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