Ben from Denver, CO
To Ron from Waukesha. So when House left a couple years ago, we "let him leave in free agency." But when Hyde left this year, we "lost him to free agency." You can't have it both ways. House is back in a system where he enjoyed enough success that a team like the Jaguars gave him a nice contract. Give the guy a chance before you say he won't be good for us. I, for one, love that he's back.
It's a perfect fit. House was born in this defense, his play style fits this defense and now he has the opportunity to show he belongs in this defense. I expect the fire to burn brightly for House this season and the entire secondary.
Dave from Kaukauna, WI
Jahri Evans is in his 12th season. Most offensive lineman learn more than one position. Many guards play center. Does Evans? Has he played center in college or in preseason or regular-season NFL games? Because he has to learn all the plays, are all his reps at guard? I want to know if he's already had reps at center for the Pack.
Evans has started his entire career at right guard. You get those privileges when you've been selected to six Pro Bowls. To the best of my knowledge, he hasn't worked at center before. Prior to the NFL, Evans was the starting left tackle for Bloomsburg (Pa.) University. He'll continue to work as a right guard in Green Bay.
Justin from Normal, IL
Will the coaches ever ask Aaron Rodgers to pick on a particular matchup during practice to better evaluate that DB? Or is it all about making sure the offense makes the proper read and executes?
It's probably more the latter, but Rodgers and a lot of the best quarterbacks in the NFL have been known to test their younger defensive backs to see how they react. This secondary gets to practice against one of the best to ever do it on a daily basis. What better way to prepare for Sunday?
Bob from Park City, UT
Aaron has mentioned several times in interviews the importance and knowledge regarding nutrition on his health and potential ability to play plenty more years. We know Aaron gave up dairy, but can you tell us what books or sources Aaron uses for his nutrition guidelines?
I don't know the specifics, but he and the Packers have a ton of resources. I've lost count of how many players have credited Packers director of performance nutrition, Adam Korzun, for helping structure their offseason diet.
Derek from Eau Claire, WI
The Packers score a TD. A two-point conversion ties the game. It is early in the third quarter. Would you go for two in the season opener? The playoffs?
Not unless there's less than 8 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Craig from Cedarburg, WI
Regarding the press box discussion, do all media outlets pay for their credentials to sit in the press box? Space-wise, is it comparable to the revenue associated with the space it consumes in the stadium?
News organizations don't pay for credentials. It would kind of defeat the purpose of free press if they did. The order of a press box depends largely on the affiliate covering the team. The two longest-tenured organizations, the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, probably have the best seats in the house in the front row near the 50-yard line. It's not like that everywhere. As Spoff said, many teams push the media to the end zones nowadays. The Lee Remmel Press Box is one of the best in the NFL.
Curt from Locust Grove, GA
If I'm a second- or third-string player and want to improve my craft in the offseason, but can't have contact with the coaches, what are my options to help me become a starter when I know I may not get enough snaps once practice starts?
I'd work my tail off at either the team headquarters or an independent training facility before and after the offseason program. Then, I'd study the heck out of my playbook, take mental notes when watching from the sideline and maximize every rep. If you're a young player, you better bring 110 percent. Everyone else will.
Luke from Carrboro, NC
Do you think all of the rule changes towards safety, and promoting the passing game in general, will encourage more teams to tank? The quarterback position is more important now than it ever was, and teams will give up entire seasons to get "the man."
In my opinion, there's only one position really worth tanking for in the NFL – quarterback – and it's not a certainty there's one worthy of taking every year. NBA teams can do it because there's usually a potential superstar lurking at one of those three primary positions.
Grant from West Allis, WI
Certain positions needing time to evolve also may lead to lost games early that cost the team a chance at home field. Training camp is where it needs to be ironed out.
I think you mean wrinkled out.
Ben from De Pere, WI
Enough with all this elephant talk. We've got some lions and cheetahs on this defense now.
Are those like safetybackers?
Trevor from Waukesha, WI
I think Kirk Cousins should be happy he continues to get tagged. He's getting top dollar for the third year in a row.
Not a bad way to make a living. His agent, Mike McCartney, is one of the best. He knows what he's doing.
Sean-Luc from Oceanside, CA
You guys keep saying "there's no way to know what position will get hit by injuries the hardest." At this point the team is just lying to itself. Matthews and Perry haven't been healthy for an extended period of time in the past 3-4 years. That leaves three more injury-prone backups: Fackrell, Biegel, Elliott who all have not seen significant snaps as players. This situation is the equivalent of walking into the 2016 season with your secondary hinging on a player who had a history of concussions. Are y'all blind? Are the coaches blind?
*Wasn't cornerback considered to be one of the strongest positions on the entire team a year ago? It would've been great to stash another two or three cornerbacks for a rainy day, but you can only keep so many on your 53-man roster. *
Dante from Fredericksburg, VA
I don't understand how you guys don't think we're not an injury away at OLB from getting no pass rush.
Before Julius Peppers came to town, the Packers were starting undrafted rookies and waiver claims across from Clay Matthews for years. Matthews, Perry, two young draft picks and Elliott are not a bad lot.
Greg from Brooklyn, WI
A football question, as opposed to a prognostication about the upcoming season: Can Mason Crosby and his potential holder/snapper get together "on the side" to tune up their operation? I gather players work out away from the facility in the offseason, but how about the specialists?
Players are allowed to train and work out together, but holding is a pretty rudimentary operation. On a side note, my favorite holding story was Tim Masthay going so far as to buy a JUGS machine before camp in 2013 to get used to holding for a left-footed kicker (Giorgio Tavecchio). Classic.
Carl from Marshfield, WI
I would also like to thank Vic for sharing his knowledge and his humor. I was surprised the salary cap wasn't mentioned in his last column. After all, the cap was the subject that started it all, right? It's been an easy offseason in that respect for the Insiders given the FA acquisitions, and I am not sure where you stand. Rewind to previous seasons, perhaps 2014. Was the Byrd the word? Do the Insiders agree you don't know the NFL if you don't know the cap?
I know I can't afford to buy things if I don't have money in my bank account. You gotta be smart with your cash whether you're a lowly sports writer or an NFL executive.
Chadro from Janesville, WI
Mike or Wes, regarding the fastest player on the team, what about Max McCaffrey? I heard he ran his 40 in under 4.4. Why is he never mentioned in the conversation? My guess is because we have never actually seen him play in a game.
I enjoyed talking with McCaffrey for**the story I wrote earlier this month**. He is quick, but I'm careful about talking numbers unless they're recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine. McCaffrey shouldn't be overlooked. I was seriously impressed by his route-running this offseason. He's in the mix.
Brett from Kiln, MS
With Vic gone, might the Packers be looking for someone experienced to field a few questions? Like, say, a former QB, for example?
And you guys think I'm long-winded…
Brian from Kenosha, WI
I predict that Ty Montgomery will have a breakout season at RB and cement his future HOF status. Real question: when he gets his number retired in Lambeau, will it be 88, his new number, or both?
There will be a space under his name reading: "Insert number here."
Eric from Bloomington, IL
If you count characters between Ty Montgomery and the number 88 you will find that there are 12 characters a piece without spacing. TYMONTGOMERY & EIGHTY-EIGHT. Sew the pillow.
Get the man a pillow.
Ryan from Green Bay, WI
I was thinking of a way the game could be changed in a particular aspect, and I believe a minor league system would be beneficiary. While I know NFL Europe didn't make it, a stateside league just might. Allowing guys from the 90-man training-camp roster to sign with the team, as well as other free agents, would allow these players to be called up into game action during times of injury.
I would love to have a bona-fide development league. There is such a steep drop-off from the guys who are good enough to make rosters and practice squads, and other leagues. At the same time, I don't see how it's feasible. So many have tried and failed.
Greg from Hamilton, Ontario
After the 53-man roster has been set, what do the rest of the 90-man roster players do the rest of the year? They all can't be put on the practice squad.
A few will go to the CFL and some may choose to give arena football a chance. Others will never play again.
Griffin from Belmont, NC
Do you ever think draftees are disappointed about going to Green Bay because it lacks the pizazz that a young player with new wealth would want? Or is the chance to learn and play with a winning franchise enough for a young athlete?
Winning comes first. I think every draft pick likes the idea of competing for a Super Bowl right off the bat. At least, that notion would be enticing to Wes Hodkiewicz.
Mike from Raleigh, NC
This summer is extra special for me because I'm going to buy a jersey, something I haven't been able to afford much. I've worked hard and it's almost decision time. Is there a jersey that you cherish stashed away somewhere?
The jersey I cherish the most – and I won't make y'all relive the Rashaan Salaam story again – is probably J.J. Hardy. I wore it all the time in high school. It also reminds me of the first time I went to spring training in 2009. I'd like to add the jersey I cherish the least is probably my Gary Payton Bucks jersey. My parents got it for me as a present. That wound still hasn't healed.
Nicholas from Elkhorn, WI
Congrats on the baby boy! I am in the same boat with the name thing. We have twin boys due on Christmas Day and I am trying to sell my wife on Lambeau and Lombardi Heiser. What do you think?
It's a nice gesture, but please keep in mind those twins will be taking care of you someday. I don't want to be responsible.
Gary from Spokane, WA
Do you feel like a jar on the shelf?
More like a rat in a cage.
Decoda from Memphis, TN
"It's an evolving situation that will attract our constant attention, but we can't fall into the rush-to-judgement trap." – Mike. This reminds me of one of my life philosophies, "Nothing is as bad as it seems in the moment of occurrence." Wes, all we need is a good quote from you that can be attributable to both life and football. What have you?
"I said you need to strive to be better than everyone else. I didn't say you needed to be better than everyone else. But you gotta try. That's what character is. It's in the trying."
Mike from Lees Summit, MO
Now that Vic is gone, I can see this column succumbing to discussions about "Game of Thrones" and everything else that has nothing to do with Packers football. I'm 58, so I'm no kid. But I do know one thing, this website is called packers.com. I also don't care a whit for baseball. It's not football, thank God. I feel cheated every time I see the response, "Works for me." At the very least, hire someone to pick the questions for you. I know what your response will be, "OK". God, I miss you, Vic.
Works for me.
