Inbox: He's a young man hungry to prove himself

Dave from Arlington Heights, IL

Wes, while I respect your opinion on who should be booed the loudest during the draft, I have to disagree. As a lifelong Packers fan, the first game I remember watching was the playoff overtime win against the Colts in 1965, I'd boo the Vikings the loudest. Since Brett Favre's first year, ACTR(WCBW), the Packers are 51-15 against the Bears, 43-22 against the Lions, and 37-32-2 against the Vikings. Bears fans may think they're still our biggest rival, but math doesn't lie.

But concerned readers told me several times this week there is no math in Inbox. How about this – if you're coming to the draft, you gotta be able to boo with equal enthusiasm...depending upon present company.

Jay from Land O Lakes, FL

Guys, is MarShawn Lloyd a good running back? I never saw him play, but he is on our roster. Thoughts?

My thoughts are he's a young man hungry to prove himself. I know Lloyd is frustrated how his rookie season played out, but a good book is more than its first chapter. It was less than a year ago Daniel Jeremiah was calling Lloyd the best running back in the 2024 draft class. Lloyd did everything he could to right the ship this offseason, beginning with a trip to Madison to meet with Badger Athletic Performance immediately after the season. He's looking to put the injuries behind him and become the running back the Packers know he can be.

Cory from Clarksville, TN

Hi Wes! I know Brian Gutekunst will do whatever he feels is best to improve this team, but do you feel he has any added pressure to stay in the first round (not trade out) with the draft being in Green Bay this year?

I don't think so. Gutekunst told reporters in Indianapolis last month he has Mark Murphy's blessing to trade out of the first round if that's what's best for the team. However, trading out of the first hasn't been Gutekunst's M.O., either.

Scott from Noblesville, IN

Hi Wes, a quick "thank you," and a small "request," today. First off, thanks for being kind and respectful by calling age "experience!" You're a fine young man. I commend Ma and Pa Hod! So now the request – please realize, and help others realize through II, we older fans have far fewer "swings for the fences" and/or "bites at the apple" when it comes to getting that elusive 14th title. Thus, many of us in that age group naturally feel a little less patience and a bit greater sense of urgency to win now.

I hear ya, Scott. But NFL coaches and players, too, have a short window to win it all. It feels like I blinked, and Kenny Clark already is heading into Year 10. Trust me when I say the Packers have an extreme sense of urgency heading into 2025. They know the next step must be forward.

Greg from Perkasie, PA

To Ken from Lancaster, OH's question about receiver and defensive tackle, my response is: why not both? I don't really understand people's hesitation to say the Packers need more offensive firepower. Do you think that our current receivers are the same caliber as Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Randall Cobb, James Jones, and Davante Adams were? Especially with Christian Watson injured and some guys coming towards the end of their contracts, I don't understand how people don't see receiver as a pressing need.

I wouldn't call it hesitation. I view it as the Packers made a commitment to going young at receiver in 2022-23 and want to see that investment in player development bear fruit. Really, there was nothing in free agency I would've taken over what Green Bay already has in its wideout room. I'm sorry, but I'm not paying $10 million for Tutu Atwell. We have Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and eventually Watson at home.

Bob from Dundas, MN

Hi Wes, John from St. Albert's letter on "What's the best stadium?" got me to reminiscing: back in 1970, I actually got to stand on Lambeau Field with my Manitowoc Lincoln High School Ships football team. As I recall, the Green Bay high school teams would get to play at Lambeau. One game? More? I don't know how many, but I know I was one awestruck teenager. Do you or others have information about this? I assume it's a tradition long gone.

I consulted the venerable Cliff Christl on your query. It turns out he answered a similar question eight years ago in a Q&A with readers. The short answer to your question is yes, high-school games were played at Lambeau Field until 1977. You'll find a more thorough answer is here. Enjoy!

Yotam from Atlit, Israel

I understand the talk about in/out sensors in tennis, but remember, when the ball is touching the ground in tennis, there isn't a pile with more than a 1,000 pounds' worth of players over it. The problem in football is seeing the ball in the first place. Tennis tech isn't going to work. I'm not saying it's impossible (chips in the ball, anyone?), just that it's a different, well...ballgame.

For sure, and I was not making an apples-to-apples comparison saying the NFL needs to implement tennis technology. My point was many technological advancements have been made over the past 30 years and the NFL should be open to utilizing it (or at least try). To the league's credit, I was thrilled to see it test the Hawk-Eye system last preseason before implementing it for 2025.

Dan from Catonsville, MD

Hi Wes: If you could improve one item of the Packers' performance throughout the season, what would it be? My selection would be a consistent, ferocious pass rush.

It would be getting home with four more consistently, making a solid defense that much more unpredictable.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi Wes, thanks for keeping the ship afloat while Mike is treading water somewhere. With all the talk about the Packers needing improvement in the receiving group, have you heard anything about Jordan Love and the receivers working out together in the offseason? Would it be beneficial for Love and Mecole Hardman to play a little catch?

I have no update other than there was talk at the end of the season of Love and wideouts getting together again at some point. If something gets arranged, I'm sure Hardman will be more than welcome to join in.

CJ from Marshfield, WI

Wes, regarding prospective players and scheme, drafting Kenny Clark is a great example. An overwhelming majority of pundits had GB taking one of two DTs or a LB all from 'Bama. Clark played in a 3-4 at UCLA, and I didn't see anyone predicting him being chosen by GB. Scheme is certainly not the No. 1 metric, but you have to believe it factored into TT's outstanding decision.

100%. I had the Packers taking A'Shawn Robinson that year, too. Robinson has been a fine NFL player, but Clark was a better fit for the direction Green Bay was heading. He's needed to shoulder the load on the interior a few times over the years, but Clark's ability to stop the run and pressure the QB has made him a future Packers Hall of Famer in my opinion.

Marcus from Superior, WI

Good morning, Wes. I grew up in small town Wisconsin, Glenwood City to be exact. I feel fortunate at 28 years old to have had the opportunity to travel around this great state; Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, Platteville, Minocqua, Wausau, La Crosse and more, plus of course all the beautiful small towns in-between. My question then is, outside of the Green Bay "metro," which area or WI town have you been to that could be considered the most Packers crazed?

I've mentioned this before, but I took a road trip up to Superior after the 2020 NFL season ended. Northwestern Wisconsin was the only part of the state I'd never seen before. Superior, Ashland, and the Apostle Islands were gorgeous. I hope to get back up there someday. I'm biased because my dad is from 40 minutes north of Green Bay, but I truly believe Packers fans in small, Northern Wisconsin towns do it right. Fandom hits different there.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

Is the proposal to ban the "tush push" just for the player taking the snap or any ball carrier? I'd like to see a return to the old "can't assist the ball carrier." What we have now looks like rugby at times. As for playoff seeding, how about this? Division winners host a playoff game regardless of record and remaining teams are reseeded after wildcard weekend based on record.

Taking the snap. The letter of the proposal reads like this: "prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap." So yes, the proposal is a cousin of not assisting the ball carrier. Again, I'm not looking to reinvent the wheel on playoff seeding. If the league chooses to amend it, then it'll amend it. But I prefer status quo.

Todd from Montreal, Canada

On the seeding issue: Why would it be so bad to play everyone in the NFC (15 games) and two against the AFC. Those games can be placed in the middle of the season – half play, half don't. That evens things out for the bye week, too (Weeks 8 and 9). You just rank them as if this is a conference. You still play your former division teams, not just twice a year.

That's too boring for my taste and would mean only one AFC team coming to Lambeau Field each year. Packers fans would miss out on watching so many generational talents play in this fabled venue.

Dan from Rothschild, WI

Not a question, just my annual rant. Don't change playoff seeding. Winning the division has to mean something other than just an automatic playoff berth. Need to throw in a home game. We can't keep changing things just to make everyone happy.

Thank you, Dan. Enjoy the rest of your year.

Theresa from Sylvania, OH

Regarding Thomas from Iowa's question about loudest "boos" at this year's draft, I attended last year's draft on Day 2 at Detroit with both of my boys. While the folks in Honolulu Blue definitely were loud when the Packers were up on stage, the loudest noise we heard was when everyone united to boo the Dallas Cowboys. My kids thought it was hilarious that such a large group of people could agree on something. Looking forward to this year's visit!

The NFC North is healing thanks an opponent everyone can despise.

Carl from Sheboygan, WI

Morning II, with regards to free agency signings and/or trades, etc., I think we all agree that great teams "on paper" don't equate to on-field success. GM gets players, coaches coach, and players execute. It's a total team effort! Remember when the Bears brought in Jay Cutler? A lot of pundits thought he was the answer. A division title or two but no rings. Josh McDaniel was supposed to be the next Bill Belichick but couldn't get it done. We have a great TEAM in GB. In Gutey/Matt LaFleur we trust! GPG!

A bird in the hand is worth two in front of the bus…or something.

Dave from Rockford, IL

I have had great success picking the Packers' first-round draft choices over the last five years. What I do is take all the Packers mock draft choices and eliminate those names. I subtract the WR names and pick from the players that met with the Packers who are from top college programs. Nothing to it.

I'm gonna start calling you Shawn Spencer from Rockford.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. The Packers beat the Saints 34-0 at Lambeau on December 23. Were there any other shutouts in the league last season?

Denver blanked Kansas City, 38-0, in Week 18. Poor Carson Wentz.

Jay from Altoona, WI

Hollywood movies often require some suspension of disbelief. Re-watching "Draft Day" has me wondering what was the most unlikely aspect: 1. That the sixth-overall pick could be acquired with three second-rounders; 2. That a team could get more in a trade for the No. 6 pick than they spent on the No. 1 pick and more than they spent on the No. 6 pick; 3. That Roger Goodell was cheered and not booed at the draft; or 4. That Wisconsin had a generational quarterback considered to be one of the best ever prospects?

Yes.

Mark from Bettendorf, IA

Regarding age, a wise man once said growing old is a privilege. Not everyone gets that opportunity. Anyway...shoot, I can't remember what I was going to ask...

You said all that needed to be said, perfectly.

Randy from McDonald, TN

Dan from Livingston asked about all the questions Al from Green Bay gets posted. Tell Dan that he is my brother, not yours. He is also retired and can spend all day thinking up great questions, while I am busy with tax season. My question today: Can we get some in state love for Mark Johnson and the UW women's hockey team? Eight national championships to date. The latest in the most dramatic of fashions. It's a great day for hockey!

My apologies. It's been a busy few days. A shout out to Bruce from Jackson, who also sent word of the Wisconsin women's hockey team's achievement. Incredible. Eight national titles for the incomparable Mark Johnson, adding another chapter to one of the most decorated hockey careers our country has ever seen. Bravo.

Al from Green Bay, WI

"Brother Wes" (a shout out to Dan from Livingston, UK), truth be told, I'm honored to have my questions posted and answered with some regularity. And while we're not "real" brothers, I honestly feel a level of brotherhood (and sisterhood) not only with Wes (who I've met only once) and Spoff, but also with the others in this unique column. It's a daily blessing for which I am eternally grateful. Keep up the great work!

The haters are furious.

Michael from Kenosha, WI

I just recently (about six months ago) found the greatness that is II. As a new reader, would you provide a key to your commonly used acronyms? (ATMR/WCBW...etc). I applaud II for providing a respite from the increasingly asinine amount of clickbait on social media and other sports websites (ahem...BR). Thank you for your hard work and great insight.

You know how people get Roman numeral tattoos for important dates? There's a decent chance "ATMR/WCBW" will be tattooed on my body before I leave this earth. Michael, it means "According to my research (which could be wrong)." That's the only one I'm giving you. The rest you gotta figure out on your own.

Graydon from Menomonie, WI

I thought there was no math in the Inbox and then I read "The Packers are working to build their team to win as many games as possible in 2025, which obviously includes those six division matchups that make up 35% of the regular-season schedule." Care to explain?

I blame Dave from Arlington Heights, retroactively.