Inbox: There are all kinds of ways

Steve from Ankeny, IA

I tried to come up with a better way to say it but … I hate this upcoming month of no football to talk about except random rumors!

Respites are good for the soul.

Dennis from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Two years ago the NFL changed the kickoff rules to prevent injuries by discouraging returns. This year they changed the rules again to encourage more kickoff returns. It seems like, with the NFL, the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Am I missing something?

Now that they've reduced the high-speed collisions (and injury rate) on kickoff returns with the alignment regulations, they want the play to still matter.

James from Appleton, WI

The front office had to be creative to get through the COVID cap and eating dead money, but the Packers have gotten through it. But is using void years in contracts a road not to go down again or a tool to be used as all these young players look for second contracts? I worry that's a tempting too-easy out to avoid hard choices.

I don't see the Packers going overboard in that regard. They'll use the mechanism judiciously. Interestingly, there are noises about removing void years and such in the next CBA negotiations. Stay tuned.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

I know Dave "Hawg" Hanner is in the Packers HOF. Was he inducted as a player, or as an overall Packer since he is the longest tenured player and coach ever, 28 consecutive years with the Pack as a player and coach (43 including time as a scout). I read he was the DC under Phil Bengtson when Phil was the defensive coach under Lombardi and then when Bengtson became the coach. When I was a kid back in the '60s and my family visited Lambeau field for training camp, "Hawg" was an institution and a heck of a nice guy.

Hanner is in the Packers HOF, but on that "roster" he's listed only as a player. He was inducted in 1974, several years before he was done coaching and before he ever worked as a scout. His extensive body of work is certainly appreciated, but he's in for his 13-year career as a player.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

Over the years, which late-round draft picks or undrafted free agents have surprised you the most with how big of an impact they made in Green Bay? Someone who didn't catch your eye at first, but then turned out to be an important piece of the puzzle.

The gold standard among undrafted players in my time here is obviously Tramon Williams, whom the Packers didn't originally get out of Louisiana Tech. They signed him to the practice squad late in his rookie year a few months after Houston let him go. He was a late November blip on the roster radar, two years later was the third corner alongside Woodson and Harris, and then became a Pro Bowler and postseason hero in a Super Bowl run. Crazy stuff, really. Other undrafted guys in my time who didn't just flash but became key mainstays include Cullen Jenkins and Ryan Grant (who was acquired for a draft pick). It feels like it's been a while since an undrafted player stuck around and played a big role for as long as those guys.

Rob from Prospect, KY

First off a shout-out to my namesake from Louisville, CO. Prospect is a suburb of Louisville, KY. So we've got that going for us. Mike, I'm interested in what stands out in a player when you say he looks like he belongs. Is it more physical like speed and quickness, or is it more about confidence and swagger?

I couldn't care less about swagger. Definitely the physical attributes catch the eye, but so does not seeing hesitation in his play and carrying out his assignment. He who hesitates is lost.

Jordan from Des Moines, IA

Speaking of depth, I think Gutey's commitment to the OL has been a huge factor in getting to the playoffs so frequently. We also had a few years where injury pileups on the OL ended playoff runs. "You need seven" has gone a long way, and the Packers just didn't have seven quality players healthy in the wild card game. Do the Packers have their seven for this year? Do we maybe need eight in the playoffs? Is there a reserve from last year who is ready to step up?

We'll find out, but you never truly know if the reserves are ready until they're thrown into game action. As a young, inexperienced player, Rasheed Walker held his own right away when thrust into action at left tackle for David Bakhtiari in Week 2 of 2023. Others tossed into similar spots haven't gotten it done. You want eight guys on the active gameday roster who are capable, but at least one or two of those guys is usually unproven.

Herbert from Palm Desert, CA

Good morning to all of II. I'll make a statement that really isn't that bold: Depth is more important than health. There will be injuries on every team in the NFL. Does your favorite team have the depth to overcome the losses? I think this is the deepest Packer team I've seen in at least a decade. Bold or obvious statement?

This feels like one of the deeper 90-man offseason rosters that I can recall. But you can't keep everybody, and stuff will happen. I need to see how the 53 shakes out.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Excellent question about practice squad players from Luke from Port Alsworth, AK. It makes me wonder, couldn't the QC coaches call the opposing team's play in Packers terminology? Surely LaFleur and Hafley have lingo for every type of move out there. That way the PS players could both mimic the opponent, and rep on the Packers playbook.

They don't know the other team's terminology. Only what they see on film of the scheme. I'm sure some of that is translated into what the Packers label something, but nobody's "calling" an opponent's play verbally the way they would call it.

Mark from Winona, MN

The question regarding performance-based incentives got me wondering, how does the NFL monitor salary caps? An honor system with penalties invoked if caught bending the rules, a league office full of accountants and investigators pouring over every NFL player's contract, or some other combination of checks and balances?

Every contract must be filed with, and approved by, the league, and its specifics are then plugged into the cap equations.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

After reading “Weekend hangouts,” thank you Wes for the superb story by the way, it occurred to me that all players come from diverse backgrounds which affects how they watch film. Is there a Packer way that is part of the new player training process? If so which member of staff is assigned the task?

Players usually turn to a position coach or a peer if they want any help or guidance with film study. I remember Sam Shields talking about how he learned to watch film from Charles Woodson, and how Rasul Douglas learned from Jerry Gray.

Ian from Kirkwhelpington, UK

Mike, following on from Wednesday's II, the Jaguars played two games per season in London in 2023 and 2024 – a "home" game at Wembley and an "away" game at Tottenham's stadium. So the Vikes are following in the Jaguars' footsteps.

True, but as an organization, the Jaguars have played in London every year since 2013 (except '20). This is doing that with a club much less accustomed to going overseas, which makes it feel even more like a trial balloon to me.

Doug from Salem, OR

In regards to the Vikings playing consecutive games in the UK, it seems to me a decided advantage when playing the Browns. The Vikings will be there for two weeks, while the Browns only have one. It seems to me jet lag is a real issue. Having two weeks compared to one seems a bit unfair. Thoughts?

I agree it appears to be an advantage for Minnesota. We'll see. The Jaguars won the second of their back-to-backs in both '23 and '24.

H.R. from Henderson, NV

Count me among those who are against taxpayer-funded stadiums. That money can be better spent to feed, clothe, house, and educate kids instead of building something for a billionaire that I will likely never see the inside of. I didn't support it when I lived in Brown Co., and I didn't support it when the Raiders came calling. If my taxes are going to be used for this, shouldn't I get the chance to see what I'm paying for? And no, I don't mean by having the "right" to overpay for seats.

I can appreciate the sentiment. But that's why I said yesterday it depends on the city when it comes to those big asks for taxpayer money. Vegas without the Raiders is still Vegas. What's Green Bay without the Packers? Back at the turn of the century as a new husband and father covering high school sports at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, I strongly considered voting against the Lambeau Field referendum for public tax dollars based on principle alone. Then I got into an involved discussion with the paper's news columnist who ultimately said, "Do you know what Green Bay becomes without the Packers? Just another Beloit." No offense to Beloit specifically, but that perspective doesn't apply everywhere.

Sam from Ronan, MT

Hey II writers, why does it seem like the '95-96 GB defense doesn't get the love it deserves? Their numbers are better than the '85 Bears and '91 Redskins ACTMR. I know within the Packers fan base everyone is aware of how dominant they were, but it seems like you always hear defenses being compared to other units.

The '91 Redskins' defense was statistically behind the '96 Packers in yards and points allowed, but the '85 Bears' unit was better. The '96 Packers surrendered 4,156 yards and 210 points while generating 39 turnovers. The '85 Bears' numbers were 4,135 yards, 198 points and 54 turnovers. Those first two stats aren't gigantic differences by any stretch, but those defenses' postseasons also factor into the legacy. The Packers gave up 48 points on their way to the Super Bowl title (and the Redskins 41). The Bears gave up 10.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

I have often heard people talk about the importance of a great QB elevating the players around him. I was intrigued to hear you talk about the players also helping elevate JL10. Outside of eliminating drops, what are some examples of how that would work?

Diving catches, mistake-free defensive reads and route adjustments, flawless blitz pickups, breaking tackles for extra yards. There are all kinds of ways teammates can help their QB get in a rhythm and build confidence.

Chris from Fort Wayne, IN

Over the past two years there's been an undertone among GB fans (and media) that inconsistent performance is a function of youth. Sure, the "youngest team in the NFL" is likely to make dumb mental mistakes, and they did. But most of those youngsters now have two years of professional experience. When will we drop this narrative, re: youth and inexperience? When can we expect everyone to just play better? As Gutey said recently, "It's time we start competing for championships."

I think that's exactly why Gutey said what he said. It's time for the narrative to change.

Bill from Urbana, IL

Spoff, I do have lots of football questions but … what is your go-to crappie bait?

I'm just a simple jig man, and I've got to get the gear packed up now. Happy Thursday. See you next week.

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