Inbox: Another wrinkle never hurts

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

The Packers, the jet sweep, and Mecole Hardman. What are your thoughts about seeing more of that combination this year?

Another wrinkle never hurts. Those plays have been a staple of Matt LaFleur's scheme, especially with how it stresses a defense horizontally. For whatever reason, it seemed like the sweeps and end-arounds hit a snag during the second half of the year. Perhaps adding a new playmaker spits a little petrol into the engine.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Wes, while variety may be the spice (of life) in your cupboard, it certainly isn't shown love all the time in the II by all. The herd mentality is alive and flourishing. The Packers didn't just go with a youth movement with receivers in 2022-23 for the first time. This has been a trend for some time now. Agreed? They don't always go on to bear fruit with the Packers. Agreed? Wanting/wishing for growth doesn't automatically make it so.

I would disagree. The 2022 season was a transition point. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs didn't have the benefit of playing alongside a Pro Bowl receiver in the prime of his career like many Packers wideouts before them. Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins were approaching the final chapter of their NFL careers and Allen Lazard would soon depart for free agency. I'd agree anticipating growth (not wishing for it) doesn't guarantee results, but failing to recognize potential progress is a fool's errand.

Ron from Attica, OH

Hi II, ATMRandomR (WCBW), none of the top receivers in GB history (Donald Driver, Davante Adams, Sterling Sharpe, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Antonio Freeman, Greg Jennings, and James Jones) were "the guy" early in their career. For the first 1-4 years, their stats are not a lot different than today's receivers. Most had their best career years after those early years. I prefer to watch the current young group develop and see what they turn into than to spend energy worrying about what they are not (yet).

Nelson had 1,268 receiving yards on 100 catches with just six touchdowns through his first three NFL seasons (45 games with six starts). Packers fans often forget that because A) Jennings was at the peak of his powers and B) Nelson came alive during the second half of the 2010 season and the team's Super Bowl XLV run. If comparison is the thief of joy, I'd offer expectations are the pirate of progress.

Doug from Parker, CO

Top players at any position are a premium; very rarely do they make it to free agency. When they do, it's usually for a reason; if it's solely about money, that's a story in and of itself. Free agency is like a garage sale. Every once in a while, you can find a great treasure, but more often than not, you'll get a puzzle missing a piece, a board game minus the tokens, or a shirt missing buttons.

Strong metaphors. In some instances, however, you're lucky enough to find someone who left a lost Picasso by the glassware (e.g. the New York Giants with Xavier McKinney and Saquon Barkley last year). That's why GMs hunt for those treasures every offseason.

Thomas from Oviedo, FL

The Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl the last three years without a true No. 1 wide receiver. They've tried rookies and veterans, but no one has really shined. 1) How do they do it? and 2) do you think that because of this Mecole Hardman may actually be better than he's been able to showcase?

It's the old "Moneyball" adage – they recreate that playmaker in the aggregate. First and foremost, Kansas City has the best quarterback of his generation. That's going to tilt the scales in a team's favor. The Chiefs also have a future Hall of Fame tight end in Travis Kelce who's served as that pseudo-WR1 fans fawn over. On the Hardman front, I'm not sure how high his ceiling runs, but I know he wasn't properly utilized in New York. So, what we're left with is Hardman's production in KC's system the past six years. Let's see what Green Bay extracts from his talent.

Jim from Prairie du Chien, WI

Good day! On "The Dan Patrick Radio Show" this morning, the discussion was kickoffs and the pending change of touchbacks moving to the 35-yard line. They mentioned the number of returns last year as increasing, which is a good sign. I still think the boat is being missed on onside kicks. Every decision is made with player safety the point of emphasis, which is correct. My hatred of the onside kicks is that I can't remember ever seeing an injury on that play. What am I missing? GPG.

Maybe I'm missing what you're missing, but I don't think there's ever been a major concern over injuries on onside kicks. The play is just a casualty of the changes to the kickoff itself. As part of its proposal, the NFL competition is suggesting a trailing team be allowed to declare for an onside kick at any point of the game. So perhaps that would appease you. If not, feel free to follow up and we can revisit Friday or Monday.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, lots of speculation on the draft possibilities, but in reality, even Brian Gutekunst doesn't know what he will do until the picks start coming off of his board and opportunities for trades present themselves, or not. In Gute we trust!

Trust your training. Trust the board. Trust the process. Like NFL coaches prepare for every in-game possibility, general managers consider every variable during the first round of the NFL Draft. Gutekunst will be ready.

Brent from Delano, MN

I know the booing of Roger Goodell at the NFL Draft has become something of a tradition. I wish it would stop. It shows a lack of class and dignity. I would love it if the crowd at Lambeau would be, what was the word Vic used? Winsome? And cheer for once and show that the fans of the Packers are different. GPG.

If there were ever a draft for Goodell to be cheered, this is it. Lambeau Field has gained a solid reputation for being one of the most hospitable stadiums in the NFL to visiting fans and NFL commissioners. Paul Tagliabue received his Hall of Fame ring here in 2021.

Aaron from Shelley, ID

I'm fine with playoff seeding, but I think draft order for teams that lost in any round of the playoffs should then be tied to the seed, not the record. For instance, why does Tampa get to draft before us when they had a higher seed and a home game? What do you think Wes?

That's a great point. I would tend to agree. Teams shouldn't be able to have their cake in January and eat it in April, too.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

My question before I go on a rant is why can't the NFL quit tinkering with a good thing? First, the 17th game, then talking about an 18th game, then this nonsense of taking a home playoff game away from a division winner. A team plays in a weaker division, racks up a pile of wins and a wild-card berth, and gets a better seed than a team that played in a brutal division and won it. Sorry. I feel so much better now.

It's a strong take. As I've said before, I don't want the NFL to lose the qualities that made it this country's most popular sport in pursuit of the next dollar. There's a reason this place is still called Lambeau Field and not (Insert sponsor here) stadium.

Tom from Lansing, MI

Wes, I was out to dinner last night and saw the first talking heads ranking the NFC division winners after free agency. The program had Tampa (South), LA Rams (West), Philadelphia (East) and Green Bay (North). The talking heads were a former NFL players. This is definitely different from the other talking heads. What do you think?

I'm always interested to hear what former players think because they know the balance NFL teams are trying to strike between internal and external improvement. As much as media outlets like to "rank" offseasons, few consider the talent a team returns. A four-win New England Patriots needed to be active in free agency whereas most playoff teams have their cornerstones in place and are just looking to add a couple difference-makers to the mix.

Richard from Escanaba, MI

If someone like Jaxson Dart or another QB falls into the late second round, should the Packers take him for insurance reasons or are we stuck with Jordan Love for the next five years?

Love is the guy, Richard. The Packers' quarterback search ended the second Love put pen to paper on his extension. If there's a late-round QB Green Bay's brass likes, then maybe you can add one then. But Love is QB1 and the organization must use its premium resources to support him.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. How about if we look at the "tush push" play from an NBA point of view? When Shaq was playing, he caught a of passes in the low post, pivoted and dunked over some smaller defender. The dunk (once banned in college basketball) in not really a basketball action like a jump shot, lay-up or even a free throw but it still requires some footwork, brawn and technique to successfully execute. The most common defensive strategy was to intentionally foul Shaq. See the NFC Championship Game.

Right and I'm not pushing for the tush push to be pushed away. But it is a conversation worth having among the powerbrokers in the NFL, not just talking heads on whatever channel Tom was watching.

Vince from Green Bay, WI

There was a comment regarding giving defenses a break by not allowing an automatic first down on a hold or illegal contact. I don't want to see more of the 2020 NFC Championship Game when Tampa mugged the Packers all game as they weren't afraid of getting called for it. One rule change to help the defense...Make offensive holding a five-yard penalty and loss of down. Maybe that's an Outsider Inbox question: what change to a current rule/penalty would you like to be changed?

I respect your take, Vinny, but I don't know if the 2020 NFC title game fits well with the argument. If anything, wouldn't it validate the removal of automatic first downs for defensive holding because then both teams would know the playing field? I agree the Bucs were overly physical, but Clete Blakeman chose not to do anything about it until Kevin King tugged on an undershirt in the 11th hour. It is, as they say, what it is.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Loved your insight into Packers fandom in Northern Wisconsin. My Packers love, I'm sure, stems from my father living in Antigo, and we always assumed every NFL city had Titletown billboards lining the roads into town — until Dad corrected us. That was more than half a century ago, and the pride in the Green and Gold burns brighter than ever.

Growing up in Green Bay, it can be easy to overlook the unique surroundings you're immersed in. But this place is special, man. Every NFL team has diehard fans. Per capita, however, the Packers are in a league of their own.

Dave from Kaukauna, WI

Did the league make Aaron Rodgers' choice for him?
Is he left with Pittsburgh? What will it be like if he signs on April Fools' Day?

Then I suppose I'll have a lively Tuesday in Florida. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll don't have the benefit of time. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin do. The Giants couldn't wait any longer. If they wanted a capable placeholder for potentially Shedeur Sanders, they needed to move now.

Graydon from Menomonie, WI

Cliff Christl has done an incredible job on the articles in his oral history series on the NFL Draft! Please give my compliments to "the chef."

Cliff is a machine, possibly AI. I just edited his 1989 recap. Be sure not to miss it. It's Cliff's best one yet.

Billy from Verona, WI

Hi II, Shawn Spencer would be a great scout. An infuriating one to manage, but an insightful one, nonetheless. Which position in the Packers organization would Gus excel at?

I feel like Gus would be great in player finance.

Wes from New Phila, OH

It's that time of year when most of the Inbox pines for a couple of possible draft picks and then is thoroughly disappointed on draft night. Maybe we should take a different approach this year. Start pushing for the long snapper, punter, or water boy from a community college (no disrespect) as guys we just gotta have. Then maybe, just maybe, the one secretly pined for may finally happen. Can't hurt. By the way, nice name, Wes.

But what if they still don't draft that individual, Wes. You can't wallow over the long snapper who was never truly yours.

James from Appleton, WI

You could triangulate a Wi-Fi/bluetooth signal that could "see" through the pile, but you'd have to know the moment the ball carrier was down to determine the position of the ball, and allowing for the farthest distance gained before the carrier was down. Just be sure to inflate the ball through the air hole and not the charging port, and vice versa. And before the snap, the center has to remember to type in the password.

Delay of game on the offense; No. 62. Maximum password attempts reached. Fifteen yards. Still first down.

Peter from Wauwatosa, WI

Wes, when I visit Lambeau Field I always look forward to waking up early for a morning walk around Lambeau Field. During my walk, I swear I can hear the faint whispers of "Go Pack Go" which puts a winsome smile on my face as I stroll around that beautiful venue. Do you ever escape the hustle and bustle of your busy work life to walk around Lambeau Field?

Two "winsomes," one Inbox. I enjoy running around Lambeau Field and the surrounding neighborhoods, especially in the fall when we start losing daylight. I also like walking the stadium on gamedays, both beforehand and afterwards. That's the city of Green Bay at its finest.

David from Lewisburg, PA

Forget about Al. If your name is Dave or David, you have a GREAT chance of getting your question answered.

The secret revealed.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hi Wes, I'm learning about AI in relation to Search Engine Optimization in a class. I tested something. ATMR(WCBW) it appears Michael or other II readers have been Googling the acronym to find out its meaning (that made me giggle), but AI is not thorough enough to go so far back to give the answer, aside from pulling in today's column. It appears your jobs (and the other inside jokes) are safe.

Good to hear. *Wes nervously wipes sweat from his brow in relief*

Scott from Sauk City, WI

Michael from Kenosha - A hearty welcome to II readership! I remember when I was new to II, I found it so fascinating that I went back and read every single one. Of course, that was many years and many postings ago. But I couldn't get enough of Vic's humor. If these are archived, go read some of the originals. If you go back through lasers, "88," the thing, "hunting" pictures and pumping gas in winter, I'd say you're all caught up. Our memories do make us rich. Vic, Mike and Wes have made us all wealthy!

Just trying to keep the lights on.