Doug from Storrs, CT
I know it's geeky, but I really liked the question about the ratio of raw talent-mental preparation-locker room that was needed for a successful team. Any chance of asking that question to coaches and players? It would require your sacrifice as the coaches and players would realize you are a geek as well.
Oh, I'm quite confident they're aware.
Ross from Roswell, GA
Spoff, as much as I look forward to football starting soon, the start of baseball is also going to be enjoyable to watch. I too agree that 2021 and getting back to the park and seeing games in person is something I highly look forward. The sights, sounds and smells of an MLB park on gameday are sorely missed.
I say this knowing full well I'm blessed to have a healthy family and a steady income through this difficult time, because not everyone is as fortunate. And I truly appreciate the upcoming opportunity to take a paid week off. But selfishly, one of the toughest things for me these past three months has been the absence of baseball as a daily piece of my consciousness. I really do miss it.
Bob from Port St. Lucie, FL
Mike, baseball without chewing and spitting? How will these guys get through it?
No high-fives either, apparently.
Mike from Cheshire, MA
Is it a possibility that the Packers drafted AJ Dillon to scale back Aaron Jones ' workload? I think it's entirely possible with Jones entering a contract year that the front office would limit the numbers he could put up to potentially re-sign him at a cheaper price next offseason.
Not a chance. How they could do that while also doing everything they can to win games seems impossible to me. You play to win and let the rest fall as it may.
Rick from Kenosha, WI
What hypothetical Packer QB-WR pairing across eras would most appeal to your imagination? I'm sold on Aaron Rodgers at QB, and leaning slightly toward Hutson over Lofton at WR for how much Hutson dominated in his time.
I'll take Favre for the unpredictability and Lofton for the unparalleled athleticism.
Mike from Novato, CA
Hey guys, why doesn't Boyd Dowler get more respect? He was a top WR in his time, and at 6-5, with qualifying for the NCAA championships in the 120-yard hurdles, he had all the measurables anyone could ask. Not that I didn't love watching him with the Lombardi Packers, but imagine him with a more pass-oriented attack, with Dickey, Favre, or Rodgers throwing to him.
I think Dowler's career stands on its own quite well, as is. If he doesn't get enough respect, it's because he played on teams with so many Hall of Famers. He averaged 15.4 yards per catch on nearly 450 career catches for Green Bay. Among those on the franchise's all-time top 10 list for receptions, 15.4 ranks behind only Lofton and Hutson, and is tied with Freeman and Sharpe. That's pretty good company.
Dennis from Beavercreek, OH
To answer the Ron from Round Lake, IL, question about all caps being shouting, what is all lower? It would be a low talker as depicted in the puffy shirt episode of "Seinfeld."
Indeed. Shame on me. Missed opportunity.
Eric from St. Jacob, IL
You get to own one piece of Packer memorabilia (No Super Bowl rings or Lombardi trophies allowed). What do you pick? Football used in the last 16 seconds of the Ice Bowl? The football Desmond Howard carried 99 yards in New Orleans? Coach Lombardi's playbook?
Maybe Wes will want this one for next week, but I was intrigued enough to answer. I'll take the ball with which Don Hutson caught his 99th and final TD pass. No one in the NFL got to 100 until 44 years later, and the type of ball and longevity of the record would make it a truly one-of-a-kind artifact.
John from Gannon, CA
I feel there have been too many questions about which player is going to step up. Until the players have been through in-person workouts it remains to be seen. I feel we were underrated in our draft this year and ML is pursuing his vision with BG working in tandem. My question is do you think GB will add a free agent or two either straight up or through waivers? Appreciate your insights as always. Lifelong fan who reads the Inbox daily, especially during these fluid times.
Gutekunst is always looking to improve the roster, but as you said, with no in-person workouts yet, there's a lot less known about the 90-man currently assembled compared to a normal year. I expect the personnel staff to find out more about what it has before assessing what else it needs.
Daniel from Allen, TX
I have to be up font with you guys. I like the change in the II presentation.
Please see yourself out.
Ron from Waukesha, WI
Looking back at the 2019 draft I see that 133 of the 254 draft picks (52%) in that year were traded. And 46 of those 133 traded draft picks were traded multiple times! Obviously there's always been draft pick trading in the NFL, but this seems like an excessive amount of activity. How did we get here? What changes to the game drove us to this point?
The old mantra of drafting the best player available when it's your turn has been modified over the last 15-20 years to getting the most value for your draft slot based on your evaluations. So that has prompted teams to move around the board much more frequently than they used to in order to maximize value as they perceive it, and opinions vary so widely it's usually not too difficult to find a trade partner.
Stephen from Palos Park, IL
When was the last season the Bears and Packers played both games against each other as day games?
2005. They played at noon in Chicago and at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day at Lambeau Field. Beginning with the 2006 regular-season finale that was flexed to prime time, the Packers and Bears have played at least one night game every season. The streak is scheduled to extend to 15 straight this year.
Mike from Mount Prospect, IL
Gentlemen, as you survey the NFL landscape, name a team or two that you think will regress this year, maybe a playoff team from 2019 who won't be invited to the party this year.
I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle, Tennessee and New England have a hard time making it back to the postseason. The Seahawks because of their division, the Titans because they were just 9-7 before getting hot, and the Patriots because of the obvious QB change.
Eric from Reedsburg, WI
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has come out stating players testing positive for COVID might need to go onto short-term IR. Is this something new that would have to be negotiated with the league?
Roster rules and regulations in the current environment are still in the works.
Alfred from Kingston, Canada
I expect Aaron Rodgers to have an MVP-type season. He is poised to do so. What will be the three keys to that happening?
Good health, stellar offensive line play, and an effective play-action game.
Keith from Chippewa Falls, WI
In regards to Eric from Stramproy, Netherlands, comment about the quote: "Talent can't be taught, but it can be awakened," it is a quote from Nobel Prize winner, historian and novelist Wallace Stegne, who taught at UW-Madison among other places.
Good to know.
JVC from Chandler, AZ
Steve from Scranton's connection between the characters of M*A*S*H and packers.com blew my mind! Spot on! Could it be a coincidence that Steve hails from Scranton, PA?
Because … the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company was founded in Korea or something? Sorry, you lost me.
Randy from Bayfield, WI
What team will surprise everyone in the NFC this year?
If Kyler Murray is indeed the real deal, and early indications are pointing that direction, the Cardinals could be a tough bunch to handle.
Derek from Norton, KS
With players in the MLB and NBA opting out of the season, do you have any idea if there will be repercussions for NFL players choosing not to play this season?
I haven't heard anything one way or the other. I expect a lot of COVID-related negotiating news to be coming out in the days ahead.
CJ from Cedar Rapids, IA
Which player(s) in your time has made the biggest jump from Year 1 to 2?
Jermichael Finley, hands down.
Herb from Palm Desert, CA
Hi guys, just catching up on the internet stories I missed while traveling. I discovered that Rodgers is washed up and was overrated to begin with, Jones is a jar-on-the-shelf RB, Adams is at most the sixth-best receiver in the NFC North, D is a major weakness, overall receiving corps is terrible, O-line only okay, 13-3 was a fluke, the Pack did nothing in the draft nor in free agency and will likely be a .500 team at best. Did I miss anything else while I was gone?
Happy Friday. Enjoy the Fourth. We'll chat again soon. Take care of Wes while I'm gone, and please stay safe and healthy.
