Inbox: It's business time

Mike from Austin, TX

Mike, welcome back. Wes not only did yeoman's work in your stead but also was truly winsome in doing so. Not a question, but a comment. I enjoy when you, Wes, and my II brethren submit their choices for players to draft, especially lower-round possibilities. It gives me some research fodder and broadens my view beyond the many, many clickbait mocks that proliferate this time of year. So, keep them coming!

You're unfortunately still stuck with me for another two days, Mike. Spoff rejoins the rotation Wednesday. In the meantime, I'll work on getting you some late-round names. Good morning from beautiful West Palm Beach. It's business time.

David from Cable, WI

My teeth grinding issue with NFL leadership is the way it drags its feet on things that matter. Using technology to get games officiated properly is years behind where it should be. Instead, we are told there is no problem. And they focus on 18 games, overseas football and the kickoff. Case in point, a decision on the tush push should have been made after the first season it appeared. Either illegal assist or creative coaching. But there should have been a debate then. And a decision.

Be that as it may, we're finally having that conversation. From what the Athletic's Dianna Russini is reporting, it sounds like the notion of banning the tush push is gaining momentum heading into this week's discussion and subsequent vote. Stay tuned.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

I don't support the seventh playoff team change, either. The league had a perfect system that made sense. Why tinker with it?

It's another game to broadcast – and a key one that enabled the league to build its "Wild Card Weekend" with a Monday playoff contest. I've grown to like the seventh seed (and not because the Packers have twice benefitted from the change). I like how it gives each conference's regular-season champion a distinct advantage rather than sharing the wild-card bye with each conference's regular-season runner-up.

Roger from McGrath, AK

Congratulations and welcome to Kevin Manara, described as our "new" general counsel, suggesting there was an "old" one. Whom did he replace and I assume he represents the team, but not so much the players, right? Also, could this be considered Ed Policy's first hire? Thanks.

Manara replaces Policy, as he transitions into his new role as Packers president/CEO this summer. Manara's responsibilities are pretty straightforward. He'll direct the organization's legal affairs and work on benefit of the Packers with the NFL on matters, as well.

Jay from Land O Lakes, FL

Guys, Tet McMillan looks like Randy Moss in highlights. Is he your top WR in draft?

I think Travis Hunter is the best player in this draft, so that's gotta be my guy. McMillan would be next, though.

Jerry from Rockford, IL

Good morning, Insiders. I know it would never happen, but could the Packers pull a Mike Ditka and go all-in on Travis Hunter. This is the guy I'm gonna watch the most of season besides our 53, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.

I don't think any NFL prospect is worth that wager, but Hunter might be the most unique prospect we've seen in the NFL since his college coach. We'll see what level of risk teams are willing to take with him playing on both sides of the ball. Hunter has unreal instincts, rare burst and natural playmaking ability. He's undersized compared to the rest of the receiving class but everything else is blue chip.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

Oh, Seattle fans definitely used to be. I have family there that are big Seahawks fans (contributed to a lot of conflict some years ago). Ever since the team started getting bad and ran Pete Carroll out of town, it put a sour mouth in Seattle. But I agree on the Buffalo similarity comment – that's why they're my second team. Plus, Josh Allen is a likeable person.

What's odd is it's not like Seattle has plummeted like New England. The Seahawks have one losing season over the last 13 years. They were still firmly in the NFC West hunt when the Packers came into town last December and still there were "Go Pack Go" chants from beginning to end. I was stunned.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

I heard T.J. Slaton's replacement is also a Florida Gator, and he is 130 pounds more than the 330-pound Slaton?

Speaking of possible late-round prospects, Desmond Watson did things at his Florida pro day I didn't know a 6-foot-6, 464-pound man could do. He not only put up 225 pounds 36 times on the bench but also ran a 40 in 5.93 seconds. Watson didn't have eye-popping production at Florida (44 tackles and 1½ sacks in 51 games) but that also was sort of the case with Slaton in 2021.

Brandon from Imperial, MO

Good morning, Maybe I'm in the minority with this onside kick controversy but isn't it also somewhat a "non-football" play similar to the tush push? It just always seemed like a circumvention of the traditional kickoff to me. If they can keep it in, fine. If it has to go, or be less effective, so be it. Don't you think it's on the opposing team to play better defense as to not need an onside kick in the first place? Maybe it's sour grapes from the game we don't discuss but I'm kind of over it.

Someone passed the Sour Patch Kids in Inbox today, I guess. I'm good with the onside kick other than I don't want the league going out of its way to make the play more probable. Every game starts tied at zero. If you got a problem trailing by multiple scores late, don't fall that far behind.

Chuck from Gold Canyon, AZ

Good morning, Wes. The return nears but thanks for diligently holding the torch through speculation month. A lot of mocks have different players and positions taken by the Packers. One recent site rated the 11 position groups, and I am curious how much Brian Gutekunst takes that into consideration. If that is the case, it wouldn't surprise me if WR is strongly considered. Edge, DT, CB and OT are all considered extremely strong this year. WR, IOL, QB, LB and safety not as deep. It matters where things fall.

Gutekunst will never back himself into a corner at a position entering a draft. The Packers made a handful of moves again in free agency, signing cornerback Nate Hobbs and guard Aaron Banks to premium contracts while also adding depth at receiver and linebacker with Mecole Hardman and Kristian Welch, respectively. The Packers could still draft at any of those four positions, but they have some flexibility if they don't. Either way, it's Gutekunst's job to build the best value-based board possible.

Paul from West Allis, WI

Hello all. I sent a question the other day ago asking about the special teams. It seems as if you're patient enough sometimes these questions answer themselves. With the signing of LB Kristian Welch, we get a two-fer! But if I didn't ask, what question would I have? Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend!

Time and place are so important in this business. As I wrote in the “5 things” article, Welch was one of the hardest cuts the Packers had to make last summer. Gutekunst said it himself that Welch did everything he could to make the team. However, Green Bay was loaded at inside linebacker after drafting Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper. But with Eric Wilson going to back to Minnesota this offseason, there's a massive opening for Welch to reassert himself on the Packers' special teams.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Has AI ever done a mock draft, or assisted an NFL franchise with a draft? It would be interesting to compare its mock draft with what actually transpired. I'm sure advanced analytics play a part now in game strategy, matchups, etc...as in MLB baseball, but teams would be foolish to not at least give it a try. Player acquisition is such an iffy proposition as it is. Another tool couldn't hurt.

Football technology is almost like a silent partner to scouting departments in today's NFL. If a team feels it has an edge, it's not going to willfully let that intel to leak out. However, it is a question worth asking Gutekunst during his pre-draft news conference next month.

Jake from Marina del Rey, CA

So, you're saying Gutey DOESN'T have a crumpled green piece of paper in his pocket that says "Player X, no matter what" on it?

Vontae Mack was a once-in-a-lifetime talent, worthy of such notary.

CJ from Marshfield, WI

Wes, Arn's question was very timely. The USA today published an AI mock draft of Round 1 yesterday. I just glanced at GB's pick for fun, and AI had TreVeyon Henderson, RB, from Ohio State. I mean, AI may be an inevitable force of change in our future, but for now I'd much rather have Al from Green Bay make our picks.

Al from Green Bay > AI from Parts Unknown.

Richard from Madison, WI

Speaking of when the NFL draft ran 17 rounds, do you have any nominees for who was the best 17th-round pick in the entirety of NFL history?

The NFL Draft was 30 rounds back in 1956, but the Packers probably landed that individual in Bart Starr.

Tim from Fayetteville, NC

After Bart Starr, which Packers QB has most franchise championships?

Arnie Herber, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Green Bay native, won four NFL championships in the 1930s.

Justin from Thousand Oaks, CA

To take a break from our own team-building for a moment, what are some of the other moves around the league that have most intrigued you this free agency?

The Rams swapping out Cooper Kupp for Davante Adams, the Vikings letting Sam Darnold walk and the curious case of Aaron Rodgers. Right now, Pittsburgh has two receivers who must be fed in D.K. Metcalf and George Pickens and only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson at quarterback.

Mike from Las Vegas, NV

If the NFL wants fewer touchbacks, why would they give more yards to the offense? Wouldn't you incentivize them by moving it back to the 20? And then maybe to the 35 if kicked out of the end zone.

Because the league wants to deter the kicking team from blasting kickoffs into the end zone like we saw last year. It wants kickoffs to fall inside that 20-yard "landing zone."

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, winning the Super Bowl is hard and involves good play, players and possibly a bit of luck. Who are the winningest coaches who have never won a Super Bowl?

Based strictly on wins, it's Marty Schottenheimer (200), Dan Reeves (190), Chuck Knox (186), Jeff Fisher (173) and Bud Grant (158). Paul Brown (175 wins) didn't win a Super Bowl but won four AAFC titles and three NFL titles.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Sorry Dennis, but Roger Goodell was not hired for your happiness and approval. He was hired for his intelligence, business sense and to make the owners happy, move the game forward and keep peace with the players and their union. I hope GB and Wisconsin show their hospitality and kind nature and stop trend to boo the commissioner and others that has become a sad display in so many other cities. Thanks Wes.

I was not expecting a Dean mic drop on a Monday morning but here we are.

Benjamin from Burlington, VT

Wes, I just watched the Packers Daily video from March 27 and I'm sorry to have to inform you that you missed a spot when you were shaving. Seriously though, is this the result of losing a bet with Demovsky, or are you gearing up for the big "Magnum PI" convention?

Just wait until my next in-studio Packers Daily. You ain't seen nothing yet, Ben.

Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

Hey Wes, how did you get to work for the Packers? Did you apply? Did you know somebody? Because man, that would be really cool to work for them one day when I'm done school.

I was hired as a sports clerk at the Green Bay Press-Gazette when I was 18 and have been climbing my way up ever since. I loved working for the GBPG but made the jump over to the team media side in 2016 after seeing where things were headed with the newspaper industry. All the best on your journey, Jesse!

Ricia from St Johnsbury, VT

No question. I've read II since Vic; Packer-backer for more 70 years. Through good years and bad II has helped. II helped me through several surgery recoveries, cancer treatments, joint replacement, and rehab stays for fractured femur (three months) while I couldn't stand. As I've lived in six states, the one constant in my life is my collection of Pack memories. Bart threw passes to me, and I tackled Ray the day I met Coach Lombardi. Of course, I own a couple shares. Of course, I married a pack backer.

Awesome to hear, Ricia. Maybe we'll use one of the Outsider Inbox days in July to have readers explain how their love for the Packers originated and/or times when the team helped get them through life's trials and tribulations.

Nathan from Laramie, WY

Greetings, Wes! Your tantalizing revelation regarding your Pro Day has me curious; what was your 40-word time? Did Mike have you do any infinitive splits? I'm timing myself as I type this submission, and I am finding this a very de...press...um...I think I'll stick to my day job. Thank you. You're a beast.

I'm not sure about the 40-word time, but I did a quick test and hit 93. So, I have that going for me…

Scott from Lincoln City, OR

Hey Wes, Scott from Kenosha forgot to include soccer in his list of humorous topics from the Vic days. Were you reading Insiders Inbox back then or did you have to do some catching up before you became part of the writing team?

Oh, I was a reader…and well aware of Vic's affinity for the other football.

Brent from Delano, MN

Winsome, lose some, it's just a game. Hope you have a great week at the NFL meetings! Thanks for all that you do! GPG

We'll have wall-to-wall coverage of the league meetings all week on packers.com. The festivities begin this morning with the AFC coaches breakfast and Gutekunst addressing the locals.