Inbox: There's no more powerful coaching mechanism than belief

Tom from Germany

"No", "No", "Yes", "Doubt it", "Never has been." Quite the demonstration in effective writing Mike. Love it! Keep up the great work guys. GPG.

We're all about efficiency in these here woods.

Matthew from Winona, MN

Is there a world where we can see Edgerrin Cooper become a more aggressive pass rusher now that the team has Isaiah Simmons? I see the current approach and think he plays the role well but would be interested in seeing him go after the QB more against teams that have shown that they crack under the pass rush.

The brilliance of Cooper's rookie season is split between his own performance and how Jeff Hafley utilized him. Now the Packers will need to adapt and evolve their defensive schemes in 2025, but Cooper clearly is a difference-maker. He can tilt the field. How much Green Bay can do with Cooper in 2025 will come down to his growth and who emerges at linebacker with a hopefully healthy Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. Along with adding Simmons, the Packers brought back Kristian Welch and are expecting Ty'Ron Hopper to take a step in Year 2.

Al from Green Bay, WI

As we head toward training camp, Packers nation will face the annual ritual of being convinced there are way more than 53 players who are worthy of a roster spot. What insight and wisdom can you share that will help to alleviate the pain and strain of this inevitable syndrome?

In most cases, paring the roster down to 53 isn't as perilous as it might feel in the moment. Yes, there's always the risk of losing a Taysom Hill or Anthony Levine on a long-enough timeline, but most players clear waivers and rejoin the practice squad the following day. Another unfortunate reality is that every established player on the current roster won't make it to Week 1. Injuries do happen and those projected "difficult cuts" often become essential contributors to a season (e.g., Bo Melton and Corey Ballentine in 2023).

George from Kennebunkport, ME

Good morning, II! Thinking back, I recall how things really clicked during Aaron Rodgers' third year as a starter. Now, I am not predicting history repeats itself, but FACTS! We have an ascending D, stable of talented receivers, dynamic RBs and TEs, solid O-line, and, coincidentally, a young, innovative offensive HC calling the plays. Just sayin', I hear an echo. Is my hearing bad?

I want to steer clear of comparisons but find it interesting the season Aaron Rodgers received no individual accolades was the same year the Packers won the Super Bowl. Maybe the league and its media corps hadn't fully jumped on the Rodgers' hype train yet, but I think it also speaks to how a young and resilient Packers team came together. The past doesn't always repeat itself as often as we're told to believe, but it provides lessons and perspective on what it takes to succeed.

Eric from Colorado Springs, CO

Whenever I listen to Matt LaFleur interviews and he's talking about a player, a couple things jump out. One, he's always flattering. Two, it always sounds like he's fielding a question for someone who listed him as a job referral. It almost seems like he's boosting up players' value if they leave or maybe to get drafted stock or something if they trade him. What do you think is behind that approach and do the players respond to it?

The podium is a coach's bully pulpit. It's not only a conduit to a fanbase but also a useful mechanism to deliver messages to the locker room. Like any walk of life, coaches should praise employees for doing the right things. A great example of this is when Derrick Ansley talked up Kalen King early in the offseason program after making some behind-the-scenes strides. There's no more powerful coaching mechanism than belief, which often gives young players a jolt of confidence needed to bring their game to another level.

Mike from Orange City, IA

Who will be our toughest opponent?

That stretch of 13 consecutive games after the Week 5 bye.

Chad from La Crosse, WI

Thank you for answering our (sometimes silly) questions during the dead zone. With the advancements of AI in business, do you foresee the NFL adopting the "trend." Do they currently use AI? If so, in what capacity. Do YOU ever use AI personally or professionally? Thanks again for all you do!

They probably already have, but I couldn't tell you to what extent. Out of everything NFL teams keep under wraps, analytics rank near the top of the list because it's a new frontier and an opportunity for a competitive advantage.

Ryan from Mount Zion, IL

Reading about Ted Thompson's reaction to the 2009 game in Minneapolis got me thinking. Do you have any favorite TT stories or interactions that you may not have mentioned in this column and wish to share? Thank you.

I have a few, but one that always brings a smile to my face is seeing Ted Thompson at the NFL Annual Meeting reception in Arizona while I still was at the Press-Gazette. It's a hoity-toity affair with GMs, coaches and executives all eating good food and drinking fine wine. Off to the side, far from the riffraff, was Thompson…drinking a domestic bottle of beer with a hand in his pocket. It reminded me of Andy Dufresne by himself on the second-to-last day tarring the roof of the plate factory in "Shawshank Redemption." There was a simplicity in how Thompson lived his life I've always admired.

Al from Hartford, WI

In the June 25 II photo, it blew me away to see how early Daniel Whelan has released the ball. It looks like his kicking leg hasn't even begun forward motion! Just another example of how much skill there is in the skill positions. And…helps me see how a punter missed the ball is an extremely windy game I saw, I believe at Soldier Field.

Precision beats power and timing beats speed. Punting isn't just about who has the strongest leg. It's who can do the extraordinary with it.

Dave from Germantown, TN

I see a lot of clickbait about the Packers signing Player X or trading for Player Y. The one that intrigues me is Asante Samuel Jr. Do you think he could be a low-cost addition like Campbell was a few years ago?

Samuel's situation is more complicated than Campbell's, who was healthy but waiting for the right opportunity when the Packers signed him in 2021. While only 25, Samuel underwent surgery in April to address the neck/stinger issue that limited him to four games last year. ESPN reported in May he's expected to have a checkup in "early July." It's something to monitor, but it's not like Samuel is unsigned for no reason.

Cary from Sioux Falls, SD

In Tuesday's II someone said, "Time of possession is a big factor in who wins the game." Later that day I was listening to Bill Polian on SiriusXM, and he said time of possession is not nearly as important as number of possessions. He said that stat is the one that more often determines who wins the game. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

To me, it's cutting pizza in different ways and debating the taste. Time of possession and number of plays both can be strong indicators of success. However, turnover margin and red-zone efficiency matter, too. You can run 80 plays and/or control the ball for 40 minutes, but it won't matter if you have too many turnovers and too few points. In the end, it comes back to that "E" word: Efficiency.

Gary from Bear Valley, WI

I heard Caleb Williams has never won a game against the Packers at Soldier Field. Does Caleb know that?

The Packers have a chance to remind him in December.

Wenzel from Tomah, WI

I believe in how important Christian Watson is to this O. Is there any wins and losses data when Watson starts games vs. not starting during his playing time?

The Packers are 7-7 in the 14 games (including playoffs) that Watson has missed. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me but also know the offense averages significantly more explosive plays when No. 9 is on the field, too.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, just curious, where does the NIL money come from?

The simple answer is donors, collectives and third-party entities such as sponsors and businesses. Those funds must be separate from the actual university or institution.

Ted from Findlay, OH

After golf, my buddies and I were tossing around ideas to make the NIL version of college sports better and more competitive. We tossed around contracts, player buyouts, some form of draft, etc. We also discussed a recent interview with major conference ADs who were essentially asking Congress for help. So, what would be the first one or two things you guys would implement to rein in this annual free agent frenzy we now have?

I support players having the freedom to make money and explore new opportunities, but the NIL is wreaking major havoc at the mid-major level. I don't know what the answer is, but not counting JUCO years towards four-year eligibility is not it. I don't understand how that strategy benefits anybody. It's a shame we'll never see a mid-major powerhouse like Butler rise to national prominence again. Under the current structure, Gordan Hayward, Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard would all have left for more money at the biggest programs in the country. I always enjoyed how mid-majors benefited from finding the hidden gems top 25 teams overlooked. Now they just throw money at their mistakes and press on.

Bill from Menominee, MI

Baseball coach here. As I very stressfully put together my 8U baseball roster for a no-stakes Wednesday night game, realizing every position switch needs to be calculated based on how it could affect the outcome, I say to myself: "Self, can you imagine trimming a roster of 90 amazingly athletic and capable humans down to 53?" Self simply replied, "No."

Here's hoping the "No-stakes Wednesday night game" went well. If not, I hope Johnny's mom took it easy on you in the postgame snack line.

Keith from La Pine, OR

Since it is the dead zone and all things are between something, where is the one place you have never been, but really want to go?

Japan, Alaska and the Maldives are top three on my bucket list in no particular order.

Joel from Bangor, ME

Good day everyone in II land! I absolutely appreciate the in-depth and informative answers to many of the questions, but often I get more enjoyment from the more succinct replies. As I was reading Wednesday's Inbox the string of five one-word or single-phrase answers had me laughing, especially as I scrolled down and saw one follow the other. Do you ever choose questions (this one included) simply to facilitate such a response?

Only if that's what first comes to mind. I try not to force it.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

I have to say Wes's response to Kent from Homosassa, FL, was spot on. While the Fox divides the east- and west-siders, you're never more than 15 minutes from anywhere. What I could never figure out though was while living on the east side of Green Bay, Appleton was still only 20 minutes away. That is except for after a home game when it takes an hour and a half to go those 20 miles. Go figure.

And people typically handle delays quite well in these parts.

Dale from Prescott, WI

When it rains at a practice that's open to the public, do they automatically move it inside or do they practice in the rain sometimes?

Lightning is typically the only thing that pushes practice inside the Hutson Center. Otherwise, the Packers usually stay on the grass even through downpours (e.g. the video of me completely drenched at training camp last summer).

Eric from Wausau, WI

Weston let it slip that he is headed to Lost Wages for UFC 317. Now, I understand that there is no gambling in Ashwoebegone, or wherever, but in Wages it is as much a part of the culture as the Packers. This time also coincides with the World Series of Poker, so I was wondering if Wes is planning on playing in one of the 300 or so tourneys a day? It might be a way to kill some time during the dead zone!

Ha, no…I'm a retired casino poker player, though I'll brag I cashed in a tournament in the U.P. on my 18th birthday. I love Vegas, especially during International Fight Week. I love the food, the vibe and just the ability to go anywhere at any time. Can't wait to get out there. See y'all next week.

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