7) What is the best concert you've attended in the last 365 days?
Kevin from Louisville, KY
Paul McCartney at Lambeau, obviously. Drove up with a friend from Louisville, Ky., the day before, experiencing stomach distress all the way. We arrived and went to 1919 Kitchen for a beer, and I got sick to the point I wasn't sure I would even make it to the concert the next night (I stopped your story here, Kevin, for reasons I'm sure you can appreciate).
Matt from East Troy, WI
Billy Joel.
Glenn from Fort Worth, TX
The best concert I attended in the last 365 days was Trampled by Turtles at the Rustic in Dallas, the same place as the Oct. 5 Pep Rally. The concert was at the end of February and we'd been having relatively warm weather when a cold front came through and the temperature at the time of the outdoor concert was down into the upper 30s or low 40s. The other band there that night was The Ghost of Paul Revere, they are from Maine and Trampled by Turtles are from Duluth. Both bands made multiple comments about how cold it was for Texans and this was like their summer weather. The concert was great and the handful of space heaters all around helped add to fun northern ambiance (I'm guessing we won't need them in October).
Marc from Bloomsburg, PA
The best concert I attended has to be The Who this year. It was the second date of their "Moving On" tour in Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia. Gorgeous evening and Roger Daltry and Peter Townsend were unbelievable. They are using a full symphony orchestra backing the band. The arrangements are great and they are doing a lot of selections from Tommy (For whatever it's worth, The Who was the most popular answer).
Drake from Huntsville, AL
I took my daughter to her first 'real' concert a few weeks ago, 21 Pilots. What a great show! The light show was amazing, and it was so much fun to watch HER have so much fun. Those two guys put on a heckuva show. I highly recommend seeing them live.
Jeff from Richland, WA
Moda Center (formerly Rose Garden) in Portland, Orgeon this past winter, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame great Bob Seger. Grew up listening to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and his music brings back great memories of vacationing "up north." Heard multiple people using the bucket list line. The Farewell Tour continues and I can't recommend it enough - Rock and Roll Never Forgets!
Dennis from Wisconsin Rapids, WI
John Hammond at an intimate one-man show. For those who don't know who that is, he's a blues icon who has 34 albums to his credit and is in the Blues Hall of Fame. At 70 years old, he still puts on an energetic show that is punctuated with short, personal stories. It's like sitting in the living room with a friend. If that interests you, check out "Walking Blues" by him on YouTube.
Luke from Verona, WI
The one and only concert I attended was my son and daughter's elementary school fine arts concert. It lacked pyrotechnics but the audience had smiles from ear to ear (Those are the best concerts).
Mark from Naperville, IL
I'm hoping it'll be a concert I'm seeing on July 5th at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, seeing the Avett Brothers. I got great VIP tickets and made a family RV trip out of it. Hit the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, and the Rocky Mountain National Park. I should be whitewater rafting with family and friends but nursing a broken clavicle which occurred on Father's Day. "Memories make us rich!"
Joe from Eau Claire, WI
Elton John on Feb. 22, 2019, on the "Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour." It was my seventh (and likely final) time. First time was Halloween 1974.
Dan from Plymouth, WI
Does "Daniel Tiger Live" count? (As a new father, absolutely)
8) Who's your guy and why for 2019?
Brett from Green Bay, WI
Jimmy Graham. I think he's really going to surprise some people this year. He's healthy, and it's his second season playing with Rodgers, so I think they're really going to connect this season more than they did in 2018 (Brett? *Clears eyes* Is that really you, Brett? It's been 84 years…).
Caleb from Knoxville, TN
My guy for 2019 is Za'Darius Smith. He and I are both youngish guys who have just moved across the country (he from Maryland, I from Minnesota) to a new job, in a brand new place with little to no prior connections. We're both being immersed in a much different culture than we're used to. I'm excited to see how both of our futures bloom.
Connor from Green Bay, WI
First, I want to thank Wes and Spoff for their hard work and witty answers. My guy this year has to be Jaire Alexander, what he achieved as a rookie last year was astounding and I can't wait to see what he can do this year. I feel he could be the shut-down corner this team needs and not just any player gets his praises sung by Bill Belichick, Oh, and it's a bubbler, what the heck is a water fountain? And as a Wisconsinite, the only food to eat before a game is a brat, it's pretty much the law!
Cindy from Oshkosh, WI
My guy for 2019 is G-Mo. I think he was sorely missed last year and I want him to come back strong with a chip on his shoulder. It works for Aaron.
Mike from Iola, WI
My guy is Kevin King. In Year 3, he's done everything right to get back on the field and has shown the drive to be better. He also get pilloried too much because he's not T.J. Watt. The tape has shown that this defense is significantly better with him on it and he deserves the respect that comes with being that talented.
Zach from Hoagland, IN
Blake Martinez, for sure. I think he is an All-Pro caliber ILB and this is going to be his Pro Bowl season. Look for him to be all over the place and rack up the tackles this season. It is time for the country to know his name like they do Luke Kuechly's.
Zach from Virginia Beach, VA
If healthy, Aaron Jones. A strong run game would open up everything for the Pack.
Al from Green Bay, WI
Mike Daniels – the almost forgotten man upfront. Yes, Kenny Clark has developed into a stud, and yes the emergence of Tyler Lancaster and the development of Dean Lowry make for a nice rotation. But Mike Daniels, when heathy, is a stud. He's now 30 years old, but he still has a mean streak. Playing next to Clark, he will be a disruptive force versus both run and pass. And yes - he's in a contract year!
David from Janesville, WI
My guy for 2019 is Matt LaFleur. If we aren't hearing grumblings about him, it means the team is playing well. The other guy is my youngest son. I've gotten his brothers each to a game over the past few years and now he's waiting on his turn.
Steven from Wilmington, NC
It's tough to heap so much pressure on a rookie but I'll take Darnell Savage. If Savage can be solid on the backend and not give up big plays, then Pettine can unleash as much creativity as he wants especially on third and long. If I can add another it would be Billy Turner on offense. It seemed like there was a lot of pressure up the middle last year. Improvement at right guard should help fix that and give AR12 more time especially on the play action.
Doug from Union Grove, WI
Frank Lamping (Mine too).
9) If you're not at Lambeau Field, where is your favorite place to watch games?
Brett from Marietta, GA
A Packers bar with a lot of people I don't know. Great place to meet new people with a shared interest, make new friends and commiserate on the game and the fortunes of the team.
Lee from Sanbury, OH
Home with the kids! No conversations by others that is not related to the game or the most recent play!
Ben from Pensacola, FL
Living in Pensacola, I've not ever been to a game in Lambeau. That would be a dream come true. However, I will typically go to either Buffalo Wild Wings or Red Robin (BW's always plays the games, whereas Red Robin will only play local or playoff games) to watch. I enjoy the games, but if I'm in a restaurant I'll always be respectful to opposing fans in the area of the restaurant. I'll compliment a play that one of their players makes, or note if the ref gave a call that unfairly benefitted the Packers (doesn't happen a lot, but sometimes it doesn't).
Kevin from Louisville, KY
Either on my couch or at Saints Pizza Pub in Louisville, Ky. The upstairs private bar becomes the Lambeau Loft during games, and the place gets packed with 100 or so Packers fans. When the Packers score, Spike – a shaven-head guy dressed in a full Packers uniform, complete with pads and helmet – jumps up on stage in front of the big screen with a football. The crowd yells "Spike! Spike! Spike!" until Spike violently spikes the ball. Truly a sight to behold.
Keith from Andover, MN
I built an addition on my house a few years ago with a 120-inch projector and 7.2 surround sound. Nothing better.
Andrew from La Crosse, WI
Alone on the middle couch cushion in my apartment. Nothing better than getting to fully immerse myself in the game without distractions.
Bryan from Stuttgart, Germany
I'm a Green Bay native living in Germany so finding a place to watch the Packers can be challenging. My wife and I have found the best place in Europe to watch the Packers, though. WOS Bar in Paris. The owner, Pierre, is one of the biggest Packer fans you'll find. One of our best Packers experiences (outside of Lambeau) was watching a Sunday night game at his bar (2 a.m. kickoff!). Pierre has been to Lambeau and hosted Aaron, Danica, Donald Driver, Davante and others. We'll go back after not being there for a year and be greeted like close friends by him and all the other patrons. It's not the same as being on the sideline watching LeRoy run through the end zone and jump right into the stands (another fun story) but it sure makes being overseas seem more like home.
Mike from Lancaster, NY
On the couch at my parent's house. My dad and I pay for Sunday Ticket just so we can sit down every week and watch the game together (with my dog Beau...short for Lambeau obviously). My dad is getting older and can't do all the things he once could, but this is something we still look forward to each week. My favorite part of watching the games is when it is time for an opponent field goal I remove my cheesehead and my dad will point it in the direction that the ball will travel. This started about several years back during a Saints game when he pointed the cheesehead off to the side without saying a word and the kick missed in the same direction. Like Vic says, "Memories make me rich."
10) If you are at Lambeau Field, what is your favorite thing to do on game day?
Dan from Morehead City, NC
When I go to a game is to make several laps around Lambeau and talk with fans and observe others tailgating. One memory of this was when I picked up a friend to go to the game and he came out wearing a Santa Claus suit. I thought it was kind of dumb. However, on our first and only lap that day, every child and young lady we came to wanted a picture sitting in Santa's lap with the stadium in the background. He probably sat for over a hundred pictures that day. He had the best time and I was so jealous.
Jim from Mazeppa, MN
Is there any answer besides tailgating? Sure, Packer Pro Shop and Hall of Fame are awesome, but being a Packer means tailgating, eating some brats, using koozy cups on your beer so it doesn't freeze too fast, sharing your food with others, and meeting new Packer fans.
Rob from Wilmington, NC
Talk to fans from the visiting team to get their perspective.
Amy from Bayport, MN
Exuberantly signaling every first down in perfect time with the announcement using my giant foam first down finger. High-fiving everyone in reach after a touchdown (usually with said foam finger). And celebrating a win.
Gretchen from Dousman, WI
It's training camp. I grew up in Green Bay during the Lombardi years. My dad was the star of his high school football team in the late 1930s and he earned a football scholarship to UW-Madison. Football was a huge part of our family culture. Dad would bring us to practice. We just parked alongside the street and watched from the car, or sat in the grass together while dad told us who to watch and why. We lost him way too early, so being at camp and watching the young families there bring him back to me. The bike riding tradition is fantastic and the whole experience is heartwarming for me. Nobody ever loses at training camp!
Liam from Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Staying till the final whistle regardless of the score. I'm always a little annoyed at fans that leave early when the going is tough. You stay till the end to celebrate a win and you should also stay till the end to show your support during tougher times.
Laura from Milwaukee, WI
Entering the club level elevator and traveling to the very top. The view over the entire stadium and Green Bay itself is hard to beat.
Jonnie from Garden City, MI
I love chanting "Go Pack Go" at Lambeau. At that point, the differences between me and my fellow fans drop into the background and we all hope that the players feel bolstered by the will of the crowd, that they execute the jobs that they have been assigned, that they make a play that will make a difference by beating the man across from them.
11) Give one word that best describes the Packers.
Greg from Bordentown, NJ
Hey Wes, Happy Fourth of July! My one word to describe the Packers is: "Enduring." I thought of using "new" to celebrate 2019 with a Vic-ism, but "enduring" captures the spirit of all Packers history in my mind. Whether it was the early legends helping a small market survive, trudging through the doldrums of the 70s and 80s, Favre fighting through injury and loss, or the organization and fans weathering 2017 and 2018...the Packers always endure.
Jeremiah from Madison, WI
Quintessential.
Jack from Naperville, IL
Tradition. The 2017-18 seasons haven't ended well, but they haven't taken away the family get-togethers, the Sunday morning prep of deep-frying the wings, the Bags at halftime, the 620 pre-and-postgame broadcasts, the countless workday commutes with "Unscripted." As I like to say: Win or lose, the beer still tastes the same.
Jan from Flat Rock, NC
"Iconic" with the unique ownership structure, the venue, history, and legendary coaches, players, and fan base; the Packers are a one-of-a-kind sports phenomenon that will never be duplicated anywhere!
Scott from Charlottesville, VA
Classic.
Peter from Huntley, IL
Answer: "Everywhere." I have been to many places in this great land of ours....Tombstone, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Florida Keys, the Green Mountain State, Washington, D.C., Louisville, Kentucky.....and everywhere I go I always run into Packers fans. Greatest fans ever!!!!!!!!!
Michael from Savage, MN
Historical.
Bret from Hertel, WI
Family. Thanks for letting us be a part of the greatest organization in professional sports.
Ted from Overland Park, KS
Revitalized.
Brian from Twain Harte, CA
Describe the Packers in one word: Indubitable.
12) Who is your 2018-19 Inbox MVP and why?
Jennifer from Middleton, WI
Inbox MVP: Wes... for one single sentence: "That's why we can't have nice things DUANE!" I cried and laughed so hard. It was the perfect summation of what was happening in the Inbox that I greatly appreciated as a regular reader. Even now, when I see a question that someone could easily answer with a Google or on topics widely covered in other articles, I think, "That's why we can't have nice things," which makes me laugh instead of being annoyed. It's the answer that keeps on giving. (I should have mentioned Spoff and I aren't eligible for this award, but this answer made me laugh. I forgot about Duane).
Dean from Leavenworth, IN
Inbox MVP? Lori from Brookfield. Over the past couple years we've experienced more lows than highs and no playoffs. It can be frustrating and difficult to maintain interest and enthusiasm and keep a level head on both sides of II. Week after week, Lori's a gamer. She consistently contributes level-headed intelligent questions and her efforts keep showing up for our enjoyment. Thanks Lori.
Jack from Jackson, WI
Lori from Brookfield. She always has the timeliest question and it is concise. She must be an II writer's dream. Is she real or did you guys make her up to "ask" questions that you wanted to answer? (I couldn't come up with questions that are as good as Lori's if I tried).
Kyle from Kearns, UT
CAIT! Without a doubt, Cait is the MVP. When she answered that question about whether or not hotdogs are sandwiches right after the Super Bowl this year, I knew Wes had lucked out!
LeeAnn from Carefree, IN
Inbox MVP? Any servicemen stationed overseas. I'm sure that any submissions that make the Inbox are a bright spot in their long difficult days. I appreciate their efforts and their service (Well put).
Josh from Melbourne, Australia
All the Aussies who write in who have to get up at 3 a.m. to watch games.
Trevor from Carmel, NY
II MVP? If we are talking readers, has to be Derek from Maple Grove, MN. His outside the box observation on the Drew Lock visit is one of II's 'Greatest Moments.' If we are talking players, could it be anyone but Kumerow? I'll admit I was one of the people that thought we were wasting our breath talking about him last summer. Shoot... I might as well double-up... he's my guy for 2019. Can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Bob from Beaver Dam, WI
Everybody that participates in the comment section. We are a family. Still the Dan 59.
Derek from Eau Claire, WI
The Insider Inbox MVP for the 2018/19 season is Al from Green Bay. It's tacky to vote for yourself ;)
Lane from Kihei, HI
My favorite Insider is Derek from Eau Claire because he always asks insightful, concise questions that I am anxious to hear answered. Thanks Derek.
Patrick from St. Paul, MN
A GPS-tagged shark with laser beams wearing a No. 88 jersey, but playing inside linebacker (And that concludes the second-annual Outsiders Inbox. See you all, Saturday).
