Inbox: The SBA gives small fish a fair shake

Tom from Santa Paula, CA

Hello II. Thanks for keeping us all informed and entertained during the doldrums! NFL biz question, do you think there is anything to the FCC and DOJ reevaluating the NFL's special treatment under antitrust laws? The NFL has benefitted greatly from special exemptions that not many get under the understanding that the NFL would maintain reasonable customer access to their broadcasts. Is requiring five different streaming services reasonable access in your opinion?

The Sports Broadcasting Act is a complicated subject but also a critical one to address because of the possible implications for a small-market franchise like the Packers. In many ways, the SBA has been the cage protecting the Packers from perilous waters. We've seen in other leagues how difficult it can be for small-market teams to survive when there is no salary cap and clubs must negotiate their own media contracts. When that happens, it's the viewers who ultimately lose. My 95-year-old grandmother from Pulaski can flip on the Packers game every Sunday without fail. However, she was thrown into a tizzy this offseason because the Brewers games were no longer readily available due to MLB broadcasting deals. I commend the Brewers for the job they've done swimming against the current, but there's a final boss in the Los Angeles Dodgers – with nearly four times the payroll – awaiting them in the postseason thanks to the Dodgers' TV deal. The NFL has a tremendous product, and it's led to unprecedented growth over the past 30 years. A big part of that formula for success, however, is the parity created through revenue-sharing and a structured salary cap. The SBA gives small fish such as Green Bay, Kansas City, and Cincinnati a fair shake in this vast NFL ocean. I understand the plight of fans to watch their favorite teams in today's media landscape. We've spoken about it often over the past year. But it's also important to acknowledge the valves and levers that allow the Packers to operate. The SBA plays into that. While it's popular for politicians on both sides of the aisle to say, "Make all the games free for everyone," it feels more like a kid wistfully desiring every toy under the Christmas tree without knowledge of what it took to get them there. The reality is we live in a society where more and more households are cutting cords and switching their media consumption to streaming. Netflix now has more than 80 million domestic subscribers to cable's 55 million. The NFL, like every media entity, is doing what it must to meet tomorrow's consumers where they are today. No different than the challenge the Packers face with private equity money flowing into the league, they must keep finding ways to keep pace with these NFL titans. Losing the SBA, without any proper plan, would jeopardize that. That's why this is such an important topic to discuss. We'll see where Congress goes following the hearing this week, but this feels more and more like messaging to me than meaningful attempts at legislation or oversight. Truly a solution in search of problem. What's most quizzical to me is why a member of Congress from Wisconsin, whose constituents can already watch every Packers game for free within the Milwaukee market, is thrusting himself into the center of this conversation? If the SBA goes away, it's teams like the Packers that would suffer most. Because make no mistake, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago will be fine. Without the SBA, it undoubtedly will be more difficult for the Packers to compete financially while likely being more expensive for fans who are accustomed to watching the Packers for free. So, it begs a simple question…what exactly are we doing here?

Mike from Pekin, IL

Oh my, how the dialog on this site has changed. It was only a few short years ago when the conversation was inflamed with "how could the Packers draft these 'inferior players' from the FCS." Now the talk has turned into when will they be ready for this season. I guess it took a while for some fans to realize how talented Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft are compared to what I already knew from watching them play in college.

The Dakota schools are nobody's underdog. They find talent where others aren't looking and more importantly have a plan to develop those players. When I wrote my profile on Watson four years ago, one of his former NDSU coaches felt strongly that Watson could have played in the SEC if one of those schools had found him. The Bison don't just discover the diamonds in the rough. They can polish them into elite prospects. Over the past five years, North Dakota State has had just as many players drafted into the NFL as Wisconsin.

Thomas from Middleburg, FL

Hi Wes, perhaps you can touch on a factor no one has mentioned, yet, regarding Christian Watson's additional value as an excellent blocker. Yes, he gets paid to run routes, stretch the defense and catch the ball, but a WR who is willing to block with excellence is a treasure to the RB, no? I have seen CW accelerate downfield and pick up another block to get the runner into the end zone. It's a topic I haven't read about yet.

If there is one common denominator among wideouts who received second and third contracts in Green Bay, it's that they're well-rounded, team-first players. Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb were elite pass-catchers but what separated them is how they also embraced the dirty work. Watson dutifully follows in those footsteps and understands it comes with the job description. He not only made some big catches in Fargo but also some big blocks. It was a no-brainer for the Packers to get a long-term deal done with Watson. He's a franchise pillar now like Nelson, Adams and Cobb before him.

Monty from Velva, ND

Has there ever been a more Packers-y player than Tucker Kraft? His style of play, his aw-shucks aura, and his downhome personality just scream Packers. Let's get that new contract done ASAP!

Kraft was born to play in Green Bay. Without knowing anything, that extension is on the horizon. If not for the knee injury, I'm sure it would've already been done.

Dave from Lake Zurich, IL

An internet commentator says, based on 40 times, the Packers' top-three receivers (Watson, Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden) are the fastest top-three receiver trio in the league.

I believe it. The Packers have serious speed in their receiving corps with one of the fastest wideouts in the league (Bo Melton) seconding that trio.

Chuck from Whitewater, WI

I caught a replay of an old TCU game recently that featured Savion Williams at wide receiver. Although it's a small sample size, Savion was making the clutch catches that we've seen Romeo Doubs make the past few years. With his size and talent, wouldn't it be possible that he could fill that role rather than Watson/Reed/Golden/Tucker Kraft?

Doubs is a gifted receiver, but that's not how I view it. The goal for this year's offense is to form an identity around those aforementioned players and asking the rest of its pass-catchers to complement that core. If Williams can stay healthy, I think he carves out a strong niche in this offense whether it's as a traditional receiver or a ball-carrier out of the backfield.

Brian from Fort Atkinson, WI

Good morning. I just watched the Micah Parsons interview. I came away thinking his head seems to be in a good place. It also seems that there may be a silver lining to his injury. Based on his interview, it sounds like he is much closer to many of the players, coaches and the organization than he would have been if the injury had not occurred. Do you think the injury for lack of better words has sped up the clock on him becoming a true Packer?

I just think that's Micah. When you look back to his time in Dallas, this is what he does. He connected with the locker room before his injury and continued to foster those relationships after the torn ACL. He's an extrovert and a natural communicator who's quick to forge bonds with teammates. That's essential for the culture of a locker room.

Patrick from Oronoco, MN

Hi Wes, nice article on Javon Hargrave. The Packers' DL coach mentioned Javon doing well at doing a shade, zero, nose and three-technique. Can you describe what each of these refer to on the field? Have a great day!

It just indicates gap assignments and where the D-lineman is on the front. Zero means he's playing directly over the center. Shade refers to the center's outside shoulder and three-technique is when the defensive tackle lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard. Hargrave can wear all those hats. He's out of that same Kenny Clark mold. Throw in Hargrave's experience with Jonathan Gannon, it makes for the perfect partnership.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Football players peak at different ages based on position. Jordan Love is 27, and either in his prime or close to it. What would you put as the "peak" age of quarterbacks overall? Then what about receivers and running backs?

It's funny you ask because I talked with Love about this last Wednesday for a story I'm writing in this year's Packers Yearbook. Love keeps a healthy perspective on his development. Yes, he's only 27 years old but also the longest-tenured player on the roster now. That's a massive reminder of quickly an NFL career can fly by and reiterates the importance of winning with the team you have today. Love has years of football ahead of him, especially given how he plays the quarterback position. But he is in his prime now and wants to maximize this moment.

Kevin from Janesville, WI

Regarding camaraderie and competition in light of the softball game, we hear from Brian Gutekunst how his job is to promote roster competition, but other than a training camp scuffle we don't hear much from GB about actual conflict. Is our locker room culture different than other teams, who may be more cut-throat? I imagine second-contract guys are semi-comfortable, but for bubble and drafted players they're talking about potential millions on the line. How about relations between O and D after going head-to-head?

The Packers have scuffles, too. They just rarely result in a melee, which speaks to culture and discipline. But these players know how to stand up for themselves, too. I watched Elgton Jenkins get kicked out of a joint practice in Cincinnati after tussling with D.J. Reader. When practicing against themselves, though, the Packers keep the main thing the main thing.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

In the "OLD DAYS" teams had regional scouts that sliced the country into area regions. They crisscrossed those areas watching games and visiting practices. Today with technology, is most of the scouting of players performed on film? Do scouts spend much time on the road?

Scouts still live on the road because that's where the real information is. It's a "Who you know" business, and creating a vast network of connections is imperative for NFL personnel departments. The thing everyone seems to forget with technological advancement and the rise of artificial intelligence is you still need source material. Information just doesn't appear out of thin air.

Dave from Germantown, TN

Brandon Cisse, Chris McClellan, and Trey Smack as well as second-year draftees such as Golden and Barryn Sorrell have gotten a lot of ink in the OTAs. Has there been anyone who was on the practice squad last year who has impressed during the OTAs?

Isaiah Neyor intrigues me. He was a late arrival last August, but like Watson, Neyor is a big receiver who runs much faster than you'd think for a man his size. I like what I've seen from Pierre Strong Jr., but it's only been two practices.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike, one challenge at this time of year is sifting the online wheat from the chaff. So many takes from so many sources so far removed from the squads themselves and actual regular-season football. It's enough to drive you away completely from the beauty of the game. I look forward to seeing what this team can do, given all the puts and takes this offseason. Would you say it's been business as usual, or has this been a bit more churn than is typical of the LaFleur era?

That's life in the NFL machine. Narratives spawn and re-spawn every offseason. Maybe there have been more this year, but I don't think this building pays much attention to it. The Packers recognize what happened at the end of last season. They need no reminders. They need to win football games.

James from Appleton, WI

I can't help but think two games against Kyler Murray is the "Jeopardy!" answer to "How do the Packers speed up learning how to deal with Caleb Williams?" Of course, Green Bay will be without its best Justin Jefferson stopper: J.J. McCarthy.

Zing.

Roger from West Bend, WI

I loved your answer Mike, about Watson tilting the field. It was a reasonable question, and you provided a great answer. I am wondering if it really is going to be the Hammond Bears. It will take a special session called by the governor which I think is not going to happen. Follow the money, right?

As much as I'd love to call them the "Chicago-ish Bears," the organization isn't gonna remove Chicago from its name if it relocates the field to Hammond. It's not the New Jersey Jets, correct?

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

After the first seven days of "30 in 30," Tom Grossi and his fanbase have already raised more than $240,000 for St. Jude! Let's frickin' frackin' go!

The legend grows by the minute.

Dave from Kaukauna, WI

"... one pick, two picks, three picks, four. Make the kick and build your lore." I "found" this poetry at the end of Thursday's answer by Wes to Mick from UK. Is this a case of "a poet who didn't know it" – an accident, or intentional?

A little of both. I was halfway through my response and just decided to roll with it.

Kenton from Rochester, MN

"Yes," "No," "Agreed," "Indubitably" – love all your one-word-answers. In fact, I think II should reserve one column each month where only questions requiring one-word answers are posted. Additionally, that would encourage readers to ask sufficiently succinct questions. What do you think?

OK.

HAVE A QUESTION?