Inbox: There's nothing he can't do on the football field 

Scott from Lake Wissota, WI

Cheeky answers Tuesday and a wonderful "Shawshank" reference for good measure! I love it when young Weston is feeling frisky! GO PACK GO!

We're two weeks into training camp with the first preseason game on the horizon. I'm as frisky as a puppy in a pile of laundry right now.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, football season is finally here. Can we get a "Go Pack Go" to start it off?

See above.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. Is there any truth to the rumor that ESPN has bought the rights to "Packers Unscripted" and the Insider Inbox?

Rumor has it the Packers tried to package our shows for sale, but ESPN declined the final offer of two mules and a six-pack of Leinies.

Gerry from Salina, KS

Do you think that using non-humans will make the down-and-distance decisions more precise or will it just cause more controversy?

I watched an NFL referee try using an index card to determine a first down a few years ago. So yeah, I'm good with trying the whole technology thing like the rest of modern society.

Camden from Altoona, WI

Who else thinks Romeo Doubs will have a great year?!

*Man wearing glasses nods in approval*

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

This probably has been discussed before, but I don't recall. If a practice-squad player gets signed by another team, do they have to go or can they choose to stay on their original team's practice squad?

That's entirely up to the player. Nobody can force you to sign. The only time a player doesn't have a say in where he plays is if his NFL contract is claimed on waivers. Once he clears, however, that player is free to sign anywhere.

Bil from Stateline, NV

"...it sends the right message to a society that's grown increasingly hostile towards one another." Thank you, Wes. Call me winsome, if you will, but I believe civility should never go out of fashion. Though the handshake may be largely ceremonial to some coaches, it is a show of respect. We were taught to love our enemies, why show animosity to someone who was only your opponent for the last 3-4 hours, playing a game? Sure, the Bears suck, but can't we all just get along?

Again, I love Mike and have no problem with his take on this subject. His points are valid. That said, do you have any idea how many forced/required rituals I perform on a daily basis to peacefully get back to my bed every night? You think I care about my coworker's son's girlfriend's nephew's soccer game that ended in a tie? No, but I gotta show effort.

Matt from Middleton, WI

I'm good with some forced or contrived civility right about now. In many cases any type of civility would be welcomed.

That was kind of my point. We're not even good at faking it anymore.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Toured Lambeau today. Great time. What is the RB situation with all the injuries?

It's a big week for the backfield this Saturday with Emanuel Wilson and MarShawn Lloyd both out. Even if the Packers play their starters, I wouldn't expect Josh Jacobs to get more than a series or two. So, it's gonna be on Chris Brooks and all these young running backs to step up. Brooks has been everything the Packers have needed him to be and more. There's nothing he can't do on the football field, as Matt LaFleur has said. Israel Abanikanda has my attention, too. The former Jets running back took his first snaps with Brooks and the first-team offense in the two-RB package Wednesday. He has scheme familiarity and has the one-cut running style the Packers like in their running backs.

Al from Green Bay, WI

With training camp winding down, the sense of urgency for our beloved bubble players ramps up. It's make-or-break time in the preseason games for many of these men. The fans love to see splash plays (picks, sacks, great catches, etc.) but are the coaches more interested in seeing consistency and players who are assignment-sure?

Yes and no. You certainly can't be wildly inconsistent in your play and effort, but it's important to see those flashes because it provides a glimpse of the potential a player possesses. That's Sam Shields, right? It took a second, but there was a Pro Bowl cornerback hidden inside that raw prospect in 2010. But obviously, you want to see the waves calm down and guys settle into their responsibilities.

Diane from Hot Springs Village, AR

Can the Packers' offense be more consistent week-to-week? What do they need to focus on?

The ball.

Glenn from Loveland, CO

It's obvious everyone is cheering for Bo Melton to succeed. After a couple weeks, does he look like he "belongs" or a "work in progress"?

I think it's fair to say somewhere in between. Like Jeff Hafley said, it's not gonna happen overnight. But in a "sink-or-swim" scenario, he's keeping his head above the water. Melton may get beat on a 1-on-1 in individuals but then he breaks up a pass intended for Malik Heath in the end zone of team.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Too bad Nate Hobbs had to have knee surgery. Better now, I guess, rather than midseason. With Hobbs out, what is Plan B at CB?

C.V. and C.B…and maybe C.M. if Bo wants to change his first name?

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, when you sign a Corey Ballentine and immediately insert him on teams...that seems like a guy who is going to make the 53. So why release him in the first place? Where is the line between talent and experience? In some cases, signing a vet takes snaps away from young talent, in others...? So, what gives?

Ballentine wasn't released by the Packers. He was an unrestricted free agent after last season and signed with Indianapolis, which guaranteed a portion of his 2025 salary. I don't know the full story about what happened with the Colts, but it sounds like they're pretty set with the top four cornerbacks based on everything I've read.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

Logo schmogo. Just beat the Jets!? Does that really matter in the preseason?

The result doesn't matter, but the vibe sure does. The locker room after the 27-2 loss in Denver last year was as somber as any regular-season loss the Packers have had during my time on the beat. They're all competitors. Nobody wants to have their butts handed to them, especially those fighting to be on the Week 1 roster.

Herb from Mosier, OR

I hope I don't jinx him, but Brandon McManus has been scary good during camp. I know he's very, very particular about every aspect of his game. Does he practice with any other players (other than Matt Orzech and Daniel Whelan)? If so, who? Also does he prefer one hash mark vs. the other? Finally, after the best Family Night performance I've heard of, does Omar Brown get to practice with the defense first team?

Brown is still running with the threes, but he's also competing at a stacked position that currently accounts for three-fifths of the Packers' starting nickel. The most interesting part of covering a veteran kicker to me is learning about their process. Like Mason Crosby before him, McManus has a routine that works for him, and everyone affiliated with the field-goal unit supports it. There's nothing crazy going on in practice, though. The specialists and special teams coaches just do their thing.

Logan from Kansas City, MO

What is the Packers' plan with joint practices? Is that schedule released? And do they typically practice against a team they have a preseason game against?

This is how the Packers and most NFL teams structure training camps now. Green Bay will conduct a joint practice in Indianapolis next Thursday and then host the Seattle Seahawks the following Thursday. Both are before Saturday preseason games.

Richard from Madison, WI

Has anybody told Matthew Golden that he could make a little extra cash by referring customers to his dentist? Guy's got a smile that could light up a stadium!

I haven't gotten to that one yet. Maybe after the second preseason game.

Barb from Marengo, IL

Just curious (and I'm not looking for you to list any names), as you cover training camp, do you ever notice a player or two that you can tell won't make the cut? Not by the number of players in that position but simply because he doesn't have the ability required to be in the NFL?

Honestly, no. You're not in that locker room if you don't think you have a chance.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Good morning, Tuesday evening I was watching NFL Network and saw a blurb crawl across the bottom of the screen saying smelling salts are now banned in the league. I've been watching guys sniffing those things for 65 years. It didn't say why. Is there an alternative? A trainer loudly clapping his hands in front of a downed player? A good slap in the face? Someone running out on the field and tossing a bucket of water in a player's face?

Devastating. I love me a good smelling salt. However, there is research that shows ammonia can mask concussion symptoms. So, the NFL's heart is in the right place in outlawing them.

John from Grand Rapids, MI

On "Unscripted," you say that you do not have enough time to discuss certain subjects. Does "Unscripted" have a time limit?

Yes. It's called Matt LaFleur's daily news conference that was set to begin in five minutes.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

Good morning! I bought my tickets to the joint practice with the Colts yesterday. Will y'all be in Indy for it? If yes, do you need me to bring a specific Steak 'N Shake milkshake flavor for you?

For the first time in several years, we'll both be in Indy. I'm looking forward to enjoying a shake or three.

Matt from Watertown, SD

It came out Tuesday that Jordan Addison has been suspended for the first three games of the season. The Vikings have Chicago, Atlanta, and Cincinnati on their schedule for those three games. With the need for teams to start fast and carry through, how much does it affect those first three games being down a playmaker like Addison? I would expect the Chicago game to have significant consequences down the road.

That's a big hit to the Vikings' offense, especially during this transition to J.J. McCarthy under center. The rules are in place for a reason, though. That's an early hurdle Minnesota will have to overcome.

Alex from Bozeman, MT

It makes sense but I see you're always wearing Packers gear in your videos. Do the Packers supply you with X amount of shirts a year or are most of them paid out of your own pocket?

I'd say it's 60/40 for how much gear I'm given. The Packers give us quite a bit, but I definitely spend in the four figures for gear every year.

Chris from Lewis Center, OH

"A new media auditorium," does that mean we will finally be able to hear the questions during pressers? Love all you guys do.

On the list of my concerns for upcoming renovations, whether fans can hear questions ranks right above will there be fluorescent or translucent light fixtures?

Dave from Hollywood, MD

Will your office cube remodel include leftovers from the locker room, say a locker stall to hang your jacket with a lockbox for your lunch?

I don't know, but it better just be "office." I've been doing this for 20 years professionally. I'm cubicled out.

TJ from Springfield, IL

Best place for breakfast in Green Bay?

Deerfield Diner in Howard/Suamico or Toast in De Pere. Voyageurs Bakehouse is great too, if you like cafés.

Paul from Kilrush, Ireland

Wes, your comment on the strength of the roster reminded me of a quote from a famous English soccer manager. "We had a good team on paper. Unfortunately, the game was played on grass."

Paper makes for great kindling. At the end of the day, you gotta get it done.

Jim from Tucson, AZ

The temperature outside is 111 degrees. How you doin'?

Better?

Jim from Westland, MI

You're not noticed until you're noticed...Yogi-isms from Wes, and we're not even in preseason yet...

I'm glad you noticed. Have a good Thursday.

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