Inbox: The Packers do their homework, and it shows

Randy from Klamath Falls, OR

I'm flying in for the game on Saturday. I get to read the Inbox in Green Bay in the morning. How cool is that?

Hopefully even cooler now that you're batting leadoff.

Johnny from Nasewaupee, WI

II, good to see a story about the tight ends. Each year since the days of Mark Chmura, I hold out hope that GB tight ends will play a more significant/impactful/valuable role as pass receivers. Do you think that might happen this year or more of the same as extra offensive linemen?

If there was ever a year, this is it. The Packers have two legitimate playmakers in Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, and both are *knock on wood* healthy right now. Green Bay and its injury-riddled receiving corps were struggling to get the downfield passing game going against Seattle, but Kraft and Musgrave stepped up and set the tone for the No. 1 offense in the joint practice.

Jerry from Rockford, IL

Good morning gentlemen and all Insiders. Do you ever see anyone breaking the scoring record of Mason Crosby? Ryan Longwell was great and he's No. 2 on the team I believe. One last question, what are your hopes for Week 1 besides the win? Health is mine.

My hope is that all the receivers are back, and this offense can start the regular season as close to 100% as possible. I don't see anyone breaking Crosby's scoring record in my lifetime. So many things had to line up for Crosby to play 16 seasons here, including the amount of points the Packers scored. The position is skewing younger these days, too, with fewer kickers playing into their 40s anymore.

Scotty from Lombard, IL

Insiders, I was at Thursday's scrimmage with Seattle. I had a front row seat to watch Christian Watson run. Wow, even when he does not run hard, you can see how fast, graceful and fluid he is. I hope we can get him healthy, and back on the field. With Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, Josh Jacobs, and Watson on the field at the same time, good things will happen. Also, from what I saw, Kraft looks unstoppable.

Based on what you outlined, that's why I feel it's critical for the Packers to get most/all their receivers back. If they can, this is the deepest collection of playmakers I can recall at running back, receiver and tight end in Green Bay…and they can all make each other's lives easier. Kraft had a good day aside from the fumble.

Alan from Wausau, WI

Early in camp it was noted that the defense was working more at punching balls out to create more fumbles. Since then, I haven't heard or read anything about increased fumbles. Has that stopped being a focus in camp?

It's an emphasis, not a prophecy. The Packers punched at the ball during the joint practice with the Colts and Javon Bullard forced a fumble. They did the same against the Seahawks, but the ball didn't come out. The opponent isn't just going to give you the ball, but the effort has to be there to make it happen.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, you discussed roster flexibility on "Packers Unscripted." Is there a max number of players who will be rostered, on the PS, or designated as IR next Wednesday (or whenever)? Sounds to me like the Packers could have closer to 75 players under team control considering all those on IR in one form or fashion.

Fair observation. If the Packers designate two players to return and place all three eligible players (Christian Watson, Collin Oliver and John Williams) on regular-season PUP, they could have up to 76 contracted players (53 active, 17 practice squad, three PUP, two IRDTR and Travis Glover on season-ending IR).

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Wes mentioned this the other day, but Keisean Nixon's rise is truly incredible. When we signed him a few years back I don't believe he was on anyone's radar even as a returner. More so just a special teams ace who could help the other players get up to speed in Rich Bisaccia's system. Meteoric may not be strong enough. Is there someone on this roster with that potential in them? I suppose that's the million-dollar question?

I think it's more a lesson in why teams have to be patient with players and provide them with opportunities than necessarily projecting which undrafted free agent could be the next Nixon. As I alluded to in my previous post, the Raiders' decision to non-tender both Nixon and Alec Ingold in the 2022 offseason made absolutely zero sense. Their mistake worked to the benefit of both Green Bay and Miami.

Ted from Amherst, NY

With all the talk about the depth of the Packers' offensive line, I keep thinking about Jared Veldheer – one of my favorite short-term Packers players. My question is what are the limitations on picking up players like that at the end of a season?

Their retirement?

Keith from Lincoln, IL

If you were magically transformed into a member of the Packers' personnel department, which would you find more satisfying: advocating for a college player who developed into a solid pro, or advocating for a player buried on another team who eventually developed into a solid pro with the Packers?

I'm sure it's a wonderful feeling to pluck a hidden gem off another team's roster (e.g. Tramon Williams, Rasul Douglas or Allen Lazard), but drafting someone who becomes a star in this league must be even better. Not for ego but rather validation of all the hours and airline miles these GMs, personnel executives and college scouts invest into finding players. Davante Adams didn't have Alabama or Ohio State calling for him…but Fresno State did and eventually Ted Thompson, too.

Mark from Bettendorf, IA

All this talk about the value of trading or keeping Malik Willis, and no one has mentioned the extension Tyson Bagent just signed. Seems like a lot for a backup to sit the bench. Or I'm just cheap...

You may be cheap, Mark, but thankfully self-aware. It's a smart deal for the Bears to reward a high-achieving college free agent. Because Bagent had two seasons left on his undrafted contract, Chicago can spread his contract out.

John from St. Albert, Canada

Mike, welcome to the curmudgeon zone. "I've always said 'marker' and always will. And get off my lawn, you whippersnappers!" My thought on having legitimate starters for QB1 and QB2 is that it's a luxury the team cannot squander. If you are truly trying to win today, not in the future, you hang onto QB2 as long as you can. Heaven forbid, but career-ending injuries happen. If it happens to QB1, you are in rebuild mode, potentially for decades.

I wrote the cover story in today's Gameday program on Willis for this reason. For years, I didn't get why teams would pay so much for a QB2…and then last year happened. There's obviously a butterfly effect with every decision a team makes, but the Packers might not have made the playoffs last year if it wasn't for the Willis trade and the three crucial wins he helped produce. Like Nixon, Willis is a great example of the Packers striking gold where others weren't digging. He changed a lot of perspectives, including this writer's.

Robert from Verona, WI

The Brewers organization has really proven to be savvy in their player acquisition process, to the point where I'd almost think other teams would question if they're giving up a player that they should be keeping. In the NFL, do you think there is a team that stands out as a leader in unearthing hidden gems and seems to consistently get the better end of trade deals? Would you consider the Packers to be high on the list?

It's one of the things Brian Gutekunst has done best as GM whether it's signing unrestricted free agents, practice-squad players or veteran players on prove-it deals. The Packers do their homework, and it shows.

Oscar from Boston, MA

I feel as though I haven't heard much about Edgerrin Cooper as I would have hoped. Has he been playing much? Any highlight plays so far that should continue to give us hope for his high performance?

Respectfully, that's on you. Cooper has made quite a few plays throughout training camp, particularly when it comes to rushing the quarterback. On Friday, we literally posted a graphic with Cooper saying, "I'm coming for it all." I don't know about y'all, but I believe him.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

I understand that the two main people making the final roster decisions are the head coach and the GM. I also understand that the GM has the final say (correct?). Do either of you two remember a situation when the head coach adamantly wanted a certain guy, but the GM ultimately went a different route?

Oh, for sure. But that's why – in most cases – the buck stops with the GM and not the head coach. It's also the GM's job to keep an eye turned to the future while the head coach coaches the team in front of him right now.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

How many jobs in this country can you throw "haymakers" at employees from another company, and your punishment is that you just have to sit on the side for a little bit! I heard "Iron Zach" Tom was messing around against the Seahawks?

You clearly don't work in our department.

Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

I must buy a Mike Spofford backup punter jersey now!

I hear they're next to the left-handed footballs in the Pro Shop.

Brian from Dunkirk, WI

Looking at a promo picture of the alternate leather-style helmets, and seeing "87" in the pic, made me wonder, is it possible the Guardian cap might actually look cooler that the hard shell?

Adding the helmet design and color scheme has helped. They were kinda eyesores when they were off-white.

Mike from Cashton, WI

Not a question but just wanted to chime in on two-a-days. It was a long time ago when I was on the high school gridiron, but what I remember most was that we were so thirsty during practice that when we did get a water break there was one spigot for all players. We would form a line by seniority and when we got to the water, we just filled our helmet, drank out of it what we wanted, then dumped the rest over our head. Water never tasted/felt so good!

All I gotta say is that musta been some high-quality H2O.

Duane from Oak Creek, WI

Do you think the practice against the Seahawks was productive?

1,000%. Maybe even more so than Indianapolis because of how Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks' offense tested the Packers' defense. While you'd rather not have that much fighting in practice, I felt Green Bay had a bit more juice on Thursday compared to the week prior.

Monty from Velva, ND

The talk about not wanting to start Labor Day weekend seems silly to me. Most schools are in session before Labor Day so wouldn't the attendance be better because fans would get a travel day to get home without having to take time off from work?

I fear it's not about the fans, though.

Dustin from Mequon, WI

Did Gute really offer all that draft capital for Micah?

Some of you gotta learn how to properly identify the difference between real reporting and garbage posts on Facebook with the sole purpose of generating money. As someone who grinded for years in the newspaper industry, it's sickening to be asked these questions, especially with how traditional media is struggling. Read Rob Demovsky, Pete Dougherty or Tom Silverstein. Listen to Jason Wilde's show. Watch Aaron Nagler's Packers Daily report. Do anything but regurgitate garbage off Facebook in this forum with no names, no bylines and no sourcing. I'm done talking about Micah Parsons until there is credible reporting that links him to the Packers. If Mike wants to entertain it, that's his business.

William from Dallas, TX

I would assume back in the day against the Bears' defense, the opposing center would ALWAYS point out Mr. Singletary since, no matter where he lined up, he was always the Mike. Yes? I'll be here all week!

And I'm suddenly out of tomatoes…and Tylenol.

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