Inbox: The crowd got a kick out of it

Mark from O'Fallon, MO

There's no math in II but now there's physics? My head hurts.

Welcome to the club.

Dave from Middletown, CT

As an out-of-market fan who doesn't get to see the Packers play as often as I'd like, I'm trying to figure out if WCBW (frequently touted in this forum) is a radio or TV station. Do you know the frequency? ATMR must be an airport abbreviation for their city but I can't make it out. Do they broadcast in my area?

We really have taken this too far.

Scott from Lake Wissota, WI

If we're going with "Les Hodkiewicz" shouldn't he then start showing up on "Three Guys" and "Unscripted" with something always taped, wrapped or bandaged? Asking for a friend…

Yup, definitely too far.

Tom from Wauwatosa, WI

After a successful (two Pro Bowls) 12 year NFL career with the Packers followed by a successful (four-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year) 27-year career in broadcasting, Larry McCarren came back to the Packers in 2015, and we've been blessed with his knowledge, insight and creativity ever since. So who have you seen on the roster over the last 10 years or so who could be the next Larry 15-25 years from now?

I sincerely doubt there'll ever be a next Larry. His career is one of one as far as I'm concerned. Currently, Packers fans are fortunate John Kuhn has stuck around to share his insights via radio and television, but I don't see John anchoring a nightly sportscast in Green Bay for 25-plus years.

Mitchell from Lebanon, MO

Dear Mike and Wes, in reference to Luke's submission yesterday about going down to Carney to talk to Larry about rule No. 1, have either of you ever been in a position where two IIers ask you to give their contact information to each other so they can connect in real life? Are there II couples out there who met through this column? There could be some amazing relationships that started from this Inbox. Fascinating stuff!

I'm not aware of any II-generated couples, but I have connected people via email at their request before.

Brian from Twain Harte, CA

Was it a conscious decision to limit the recent Packers Daily segments to about one minute each? I am a fan and believe the longer format was better.

Those are contractually produced for a local sports cable channel, and they asked to shorten them.

Dan from Carmel by the Sea, CA

If players are splitting first-team reps in practice, how do the reps trickle down to second and third team? Do the splitters of first team also split second team or does the "normal" second-team guy also get all the second-team reps? Seems like that would be an advantage to the second-team guy.

There's no hard-n-fast rule. It depends on the situation. If two guys are splitting first-team reps, they aren't also splitting on second team, but one of them (usually the guy considered the "challenger" for first team) might be taking some second-team snaps as well. Or, in the case of Jordan Morgan, he might also be splitting first-team reps at another spot, too.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Who's one player being slept on right now?

Isaiah Neyor, the undrafted rookie receiver from Nebraska whom the Packers just signed less than 10 days ago. He's 6-4, 218, and looks and plays bigger than that. He made a whale of a TD catch in Green Bay the other day, and he made a couple nice grabs in Indy on passes from Taylor Elgersma. Intriguing developmental prospect.

Scott from Duck Creek Village, UT

Guys, how does Rashan Gary look? I haven't heard his name much at all so far this preseason.

The edge rusher generating the most buzz on the practice field is Lukas Van Ness, and deservedly so, but Gary is steadily doing his thing from what I've seen. If the improvements he made as a run defender last year start to become second nature, he'll play freer as a pass rusher.

Rob from Provo, UT

With the NFL moving to 17 games and wanting 18 soon it seems you will need a really good run game (and depth) in order to have a great defense. Otherwise injuries and just getting beat up happens without an O that can control the ball. Do you agree?

The longer the season, the more important depth is. But I don't think strategically there's going to be a shift back to 1970s-style running games and ball-control offenses just because the season is getting longer, if that's what you're implying.

Roger from Roseville, MN

Among the least important things an NFL player has to worry about, after seeing the photos of the team arriving in Indy, why don't they deplane through a jetway as the rest of us would?

Because the buses to go to the hotel are waiting on the runway. The only time I can recall deplaning into the actual airport at our destination was when we stayed at the hotel inside the Detroit airport once. No bus, no fuss.

Ralf from Arnsberg, Germany

Reports say Brandon McManus just hit a 70-yard FG (was not in live periods the report suggests). Did you see it? If reports are correct then wow! I realize he would never try it in a game unless it's one second left in a half …but still.

I did see it. It was an interesting sequence in the joint practice. Right before the field goal session against the Colts, McManus lined one up from 55. Behind the goalposts, there's a gray camera pole smack dab in the middle, and McManus actually hit the pole, dead center, from 55 so I figured he was feeling pretty good. Plus there was a nice breeze (but not a gale-force wind by any means) at his back. So during the session with the Colts, on his last kick, he's good by plenty from 56, and as the Colts leave the field, he tries one more without a rush from 70. It hit the crossbar and bounced over. The crowd got a kick out of it, no pun intended.

Scott from Lincoln City, OR

Hey Mike, I challenged my son to do Packers Predict along with me (big mistake). My first attempt was on par with the Packers' first preseason game performance. At 0% I can't go any lower so all I can do is look to improve. What improvements will you be looking for against the Colts?

Just cleaner football. The turnovers, drops and penalties all need to be reduced. Saturday night isn't about winning the game or scoring a certain number of points. It's about executing and not hurting yourself.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

As we move along through the preseason, which position battle has been the most fun for you to watch so far? Also, what is one you think is going to come down the wire and may surprise us all?

It's getting very interesting watching Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan rotating at left tackle with the first unit. That one could go all the way to Week 1, or even beyond, who knows. Now that Emanuel Wilson and MarShawn Lloyd are practicing again, backup running back is another one far from decided.

Ron from Mitchell, SD

Yesterday, it was said of MarShawn Lloyd: "If he can stay healthy, he has uncoachable traits that could make him a problem in this league. His speed and explosiveness are different for a back his size." My question: Is it possible for someone to be too strong and athletic for their size, hence the frequent injuries?

I'm no kinesiologist, so I don't know. I've certainly seen plenty of players have a bad run of injuries and eventually come out the other side. Hopefully Lloyd's the next one, because he really is different.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

In responding to Ben from Cripple Creek, Wes declares Marshawn Lloyd uncoachable! See? This is how clickbait starts.

Indubitably.

Mark from Two Harbors, MN

There has been a lot of change in the NFC North over the offseason. Detroit is starting with new coordinators on both sides of the ball, Minnesota is trying out a new quarterback, and Chicago has a new head coach. Is the continuity in Green Bay an underrated advantage?

We'll see. I'd feel better about that if the Packers' top guys were all practicing right now, but so it goes. I do think it's interesting that with all the major changes in recent years for the Packers – no Adams in '22, transition from Rodgers to Jordan Love in '23, new defensive coordinator in '24 – that this year Green Bay for once has the least amount of change in the division.

Dave from Germantown, TN

Help me out here. Right now we have QB1, the top four wideouts from last year and last year's starting tackle not practicing. On defense our presumably No. 1 CB, and our All-Pro safety not practicing. Please tell me that all of these players will be ready to go once we have to play Detroit and Washington.

That's the plan, Stan. I mean, Dave.

Chris from Marshfield, WI

Without using the worn-out cliches about a long season, just one game, just beat the Lions, etc., can you change my mind that the Detroit game is seemingly everything? It's a must-win to me. I think it would be different if we hadn't been a blocked FG from going 0-6 in the division last year. As it is if we lose, it will be hard to get excited for another game until Philly in November. Useless, negative mindset? Yes. But we gotta win this game.

I'm not downplaying the importance of facing the two-time defending division champs at home in Week 1, but there's no such thing as a must-win opening game. There's just not. It's a big game. It'll have significant implications, win or lose. But it won't make or break the season.

Devin from Kansas City, MO

Hey II. I've been battling a lot of health problems over the last few months and have really been struggling. But I've been "stacking" some more good days than bad recently. Similar to how you talk about a player "stacking" good days in training camp to get noticed. On my good days, reading this thread really has helped me, hopefully leads to more "stacking" in the future. Thank you both for what you cover and how you cover it. To some, it means more than you know.

All the best to you. Hope you get well soon.

Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

Hey Mike, I've asked Wes this before but how did you get to work and write for the Packers?

Right place, right time. I had stepped away from sports writing after 8½ years in newspapers when my second child was on the way. My shift of gears didn't quite take, so after two years I was looking to get back in. Found out from my old sports editor the Packers were looking to hire a full-time website writer for the first time. They were already interviewing candidates but I knew someone in the communications department who said he'd tell his boss I was applying last-minute, but I had to hurry. My wife and I pulled a college all-nighter getting my resume and clips together and I dropped off my packet in person the next morning. A day or two later, they called and wanted to talk to me, and the rest is history. I had no idea 20 seasons later I'd still be here, but I consider myself very fortunate. That was a life-changing all-nighter.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Mike, 12 in a row for the Brew Crew. I gotta say the lack of coverage outside of WI for the hottest team in baseball is criminal.

I've actually seen a significant amount of national coverage of the club. Their success is not being ignored. What's hard for me is being just two hours from Cincinnati and not having a car to see if they can extend the streak to 13 tonight.

Karen from South Beloit, IL

MICHAEL! I think Wes needs a vacation. Or Xanax.

Training camp will do that to the best of us. Happy Friday.

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