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Inbox: They connected with that

The signing proved prudent

T David Bakhtiari, G Elgton Jenkins, offensive line coach Adam Stenavich
T David Bakhtiari, G Elgton Jenkins, offensive line coach Adam Stenavich

Brett from Lakewood, CO

"I proposed to my wife and then got chickenpox the following day at 23 years old." If I were on "Jeopardy!" and if that were the clue, even without any prior information, I would say, "Who is Wes Hodkiewicz?"

I don't know why exactly, but this wins the internet for me today.

Richard from Farmington Hills, MI

The Ice Bowl drive was not only the best drive in Packers history, it was the best drive in NFL history. The team hadn't made a first down the entire second half; it was bitter cold; the field was icy and rock hard. Yet, with 5:02 left they found a way to drive 68 yards to win the game.

Amen.

Jacob from Madison, WI

Submission for the Packers' greatest drive: the divisional round of the 2015 playoffs against Arizona. Fourth-and-20, Green Bay backed up at their own 4-yard line with 55 seconds left and no timeouts. Rodgers moves them down the field and into the end zone by uncorking a pair of Hail Mary throws to Jeff Janis. That touchdown pass – rolling to his left, falling back with a defender in his face – might be the greatest throw of all time. If the Pack win in OT, is that drive talked about in higher regard?

Indubitably.

Former Packers head coach Vince Lombardi was born on June 11, 1913. Take a look at photos of him from his coaching career.

Al from Green Bay, WI

There is something inside us that makes us root for the underdog. Thanks to II, many of us will be pulling for Reggie Begelton and Marc-Antoine Dequoy in camp. Which other guys are great underdog stories you will be watching closely?

With no rookie camp or OTAs to watch to get an introduction, I'm not really tuned into the UDFA class. I think one key storyline of training camp will be to watch where the careers of several members of the 2018 draft class are headed – Josh Jackson, Oren Burks, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown. It's an important year for that group.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

Among Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, Montravius Adams and Kingsley Keke, which one of these defensive linemen will likely have the best season in 2020? We need at least one of them to show much more in performance in 2020.

Lowry is the one who's proven the most in his career thus far, so he's the safe bet, but there are expectations for all four to do more. That's another group hitting a key stage.

Derek from Norton, KS

Matt LaFleur seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to relating to players and confronting the issues at hand. Do you think his age is a major factor in his ability to relate to players?

It doesn't hurt. Growing up as the son of a football coach is a factor, too.

John from Hudson, WI

Gentlemen, when Matt LaFleur announced his coaching staff last year, there was a fair amount of angst about Adam Stenavich in his first coaching position. In addition, he was succeeding James Campen, who was well-regarded by his players and the league, carrying a decade-plus experience. Since that time, I don't recall much in the way of follow up comparing year-over-year statistics, etc. Team record says it all, but can you provide a little more insight on the Packer rookie line coach?

From conversations I recall with the linemen, one way Stenavich quickly earned respect, especially from the veterans, was how he handled questions about the new scheme installation last year. Multiple linemen said if he didn't have an immediate answer, he told them he'd get the answer for them, and he brought it to them the next day. He never acted like he knew it all, and he threw himself into learning it just like the rest of them. They connected with that.

Ryan from Colfax, WI

So Mike, we got the answer from Wes on who is the greatest Packers QB of all-time. What say you? Who do you deem to be the best?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think Aaron Rodgers has the most pure talent at the position, and he could still accomplish so much more. Favre's career passing records (many since surpassed) and consecutive games streak (never to be) are legendary in their own right. Starr obviously won the most titles and was at his best in the postseason. If I had to pick one at the peak of his powers to win me a game, I'd lean toward Rodgers.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Mike, I could see the preseason cut to two games or possibly scrapped altogether. I've heard starters and veterans say they get more out of a practice or 11-on-11s than a preseason game, but I know how important they are to the young players and guys fighting for a roster spot. How do you feel that would play out for them and do you think the NFL would consider an expanded roster (65-70) for the first 2-4 games before a final cut to 53? Those guys need every chance they can get.

They do, but it won't come at the expense of the owners forking out regular-season game checks to that many extra players. We'll see what gets negotiated as far as roster rules and regulations in the coming weeks.

Kyle from Bell Buckle, TN

Ethan from La Crosse was right. We should only allow for pertinent questions. So who would win in a fight between Rodgers and a hurricane? … But the hurricane's name is Hurricane Rodgers.

Other than random mentions of "Da Bears," this might be the first legitimate Superfans reference in the Inbox. OK, carry on.

Don from Riverton, UT

A tweet attributed to a GB Press-Gazette writer says Mark Murphy will retire in 2025 due to the Packers having a mandatory retirement age of 70? Is that true?

That was in the bylaws when Harlan retired. He was granted an extra year when planned successor John Jones' health took an unfortunate turn, which led to a search firm finding Murphy. To my knowledge the age stipulation still applies.

Don from Swaledale, IA

Why would one be concerned about locker-room social distancing when once the players are on the field they'll be in much closer contact?

Math. Reducing opportunities diminishes risk, even if only partially.

Brandon from Orlando, FL

Do the fans who don't want to see players expressing themselves also call for the end of teams wearing pink to promote cancer awareness? For wearing camo for Salute to Service? My Cause My Cleats? It sounds like it's not the expressing they have issues with, but the message. To that I say, try and open your minds.

Thank you.

Jim from McLean, VA

Hello Mike. How do you see the NFL and/or players changing their stance on the blatantly racist name of my local team?

I don't think the league or any current players would have any objection to the name changing. It's the owner who refuses.

Joseph from Ellsworth, WI

I would take a hungry Devin Funchess on a prove-it deal over any rookie WR that fell to us in the draft. Funchess knows the grind, responsibilities and expectations for an NFL season, and he is playing for a bigger contract next year.

Regardless of how the draft fell, the signing proved prudent for 2020 when all the on-field offseason workouts were nixed. New to the offense and Rodgers, Funchess shouldn't need as much time as a rookie to get in sync.

Robert from Katy, TX

Biggest free-agency move of the NFL this offseason.

If we're picking something other than Tom Brady to the Buccaneers, I'll say Melvin Gordon going to Denver.

Braden from Aurora, CO

Mike, who is a guy you have seen in training camp and thought, "Wow, he will be good!" and they never panned out?

Aaron Rouse, third-round pick in 2007. Big safety (6-4, 225) who could run pretty well. He really looked like he could play. Midway through his second season he intercepted Peyton Manning and ran it back 99 yards for a touchdown. Then he just faded away.

Sean from DeSoto, TX

Couldn't help but notice that every player on Cliff's 10 Packers defenders of all-time list are all in the Hall of fame (or will be very soon), except for LeRoy Butler...

Patience should eventually pay off.

Matt from Irvine, CA

Interesting article on the best Packers defenders of all time. If you had to pick one current Packer who might make that list after his career is over, who would you choose and why?

I'm partial to the homegrown players, so I'm going to say it's a toss-up for me right now between Kenny Clark and Jaire Alexander.

Keith from Bend, OR

Is there a minimum number of days that have to be available for training camps, contractually?

Not that I'm aware of. Off days for players after a certain number of practices are regulated, though.

Jake from Lake Mills, WI

Taking into consideration any perceived "holes" on the current Packer roster, if you could take any Lombardi-era Packer and put him on the current team, who would you choose and why? In this scenario, the player you choose will also have their skills adjusted for inflation to match the bigger, stronger, faster NFL of today.

I'll take Henry Jordan. Adding a Hall of Fame defensive tackle would end the incessant questions about how the Packers are going to stop the run.

Gary from Cross Plains, WI

If the NFL starts using drone cameras to capture the action, who is the first QB throwing one away to aim for one? But wait, would that mean if it bounced off one, it would still be in play and could be caught (or picked)? Then we'll have to have rules to cover that like baseball stadiums (like the Trop) to address how hitting the low support beams count. It'll be pandemonium!

Can't wait. Happy Friday.

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