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Inbox: Packers training camp wasn't the same without them

Romeo Doubs has picked up right where he left off during OTAs

RB AJ Dillon
RB AJ Dillon

Roger from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Good morning, Wes. Now that the first week of training camp is over, what has impressed you the most?

Romeo Doubs. He's stacking days and making plays. I also love his temperament. You can tell he is a cool customer who is confident in his abilities. That's what you need to succeed at this level. He's picked up right where he left off in OTAs.

Brian from Reno, NV

Being in Reno, home of the University of Nevada Wolfpack, it is no surprise to me how well Romeo Doubs has started training camp. When at their games he caught everything thrown his way and celebrated like it was no big deal. Never about him, always about team. When Doubs got drafted, my brother and I were ecstatic and said he would surprise everyone at the next level. The way he works and plays he will be successful! Just stay healthy, Romeo!

That's exactly what Spoff wrote on Friday. It's not that the kid is just making plays – it's the professionalism he shows after making the play. Matt LaFleur's comments before practice were telling, saying Doubs is one of the first guys in the building every day and how he's already developed his routine.

James from Ottawa, Canada

II, it's been interesting to see the rotating combinations on the OL. It speaks to the versatility of many of those guys; something we all know the Packers covet and which has paid dividends in the past. I'm curious if you think there is a particular point in the preseason programming by which specific positions will be assigned to these guys, or do you think they will go through the preseason games in positional rotation, meaning we may not know who will play where until Week 1 rolls around?

I think usually going into that first preseason game you'll see the line start to settle in. It was around that time Royce Newman emerged as the starting right guard last year. With David Bakhtiari's status still up in the air, it might take a little longer to figure out what the starting five looks like, but the Packers will take all the data and make the best decision possible. The two guys who haven't been rotating are Josh Myers and Jon Runyan, who's remained the No. 1 left guard throughout the first three days of camp.

Craig from Milwaukee, WI

Which WR do you think will be the real No. 1?

The most consistent one.

Harry from Bessemer, MI

Who is lining up on the other side with Quay Walker? I haven't seen a lot of chatter about how he is doing.

Walker has been lining up alongside De'Vondre Campbell in the first-team defense, with Krys Barnes and Isaiah McDuffie coming in with the twos. Linebacker is a tough position to give a review on before we see guys in pads, but Walker bursts with athleticism. He's a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker and it speaks volumes the Packers already are working him in with the starters.

Ryan from Ripon, WI

What changes will Joe Barry make so that teams don't catch up to his scheme?

Walker is part of that. Jarran Reed is part of that. Rasul Douglas lining up in the slot is part of that. Barry doesn't need to reinvent the wheel after what the Packers did last season. He just needs to evolve what his unit did well last season and identify the strengths of the emerging core.

Scott from Las Vegas, NV

Do you think Christian Watson's late contract signing and recent injury will hurt his chances as a starter this season or is there still enough time for him to show what he's got?

Of course. None of these receivers were drafted to start Week 1 in Minnesota. The Packers picked them in hopes of finding some future stars and contributors. Watson caught a tough break with the knee but I think everyone is breathing a sigh of relief there's no long-term concern. When he's healthy, Watson will get his chance to show he can make a Year 1 impact.

George from Olympia, WA

What's wrong with Sammy Watkins?

He had a hamstring injury but returned to practice Friday. It was at a jog-through tempo, but I thought Watkins looked good, uninhibited.

Mike from Franksville, WI

From observing practice does it appear that the base offense still includes a second tight end in the H-back role? Or in light of Robert Tonyan's injury is the team moving away from that formation?

Definitely, and that doesn't have really anything to do with Tonyan's injury, either. Josiah Deguara and Dominique Dafney have been rotating as the "F" tight end with the first-team offense. The position isn't going anywhere.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

We've already talked a bunch about the new players so far this training camp. Which new coaches have stood out to you? And why?

Rich Bisaccia. Why? Because it's not just Rich Bisaccia. For as much as we've talked about Bisaccia's fiery demeanor, his assistants, Byron Storer and Micheal Spurlock, are active and vocal in special-teams periods, too. Shoot, even Keisean Nixon (who's currently on NFI) was shouting instructions to the kickoff return unit on Friday. Bisaccia doesn't want to be the only voice out there. He encourages communication from all his coaches and players.

Tom from Douglassville, PA

Should Aaron play in the preseason games this year?

Like I've said the past three years, I'm perfectly content with never seeing Aaron Rodgers play in the preseason again. He didn't play in 2019 when the Packers were installing a new offense and it didn't seem to impede him at all during his back-to-back MVP seasons. I'm good.

Sam from Sumter, SC

Hey Mike/Weston, it's been a long while since I've submitted a question. So I'm just wondering why we haven't heard much about Amari Rodgers in the first few days of training camp? How is he doing since no one seems to talk about him?

Maybe that's on us, the reporters, because I've thought Rodgers has looked good so far. He made a big change with his body and looks more at ease within the offense. Doubs has balled out early on but plenty of these other receivers have been making their presence felt, too.

George from North Mankato, MN

Shoutout to Evan for the pictures of the players riding kids' bikes today! He knows how and when to catch the joy on everyone's face. My favorite was the picture of Jack Heflin next to a youngster while riding his bike. The guardian cap looked just like Captain America's shield emblazoned across his chest. What's your favorite Packers bike-riding memory?

It's still Corey Linsley and Travis Kohlbeck. I miss Corey. Sure, he's an All-Pro center but his dry sense of humor is world class. Corey's bond with Travis was special.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

I thought the clip of Coach LaFleur joining the bike ride was terrific and a first for me. Any chance that becomes a regular occurrence or any of the other coaches join in? Also when do the pads go on? Today perhaps?

I'm not sure but it definitely was cool. It's been great having the kids and bikes back this year. As LaFleur said Friday morning, Packers training camp wasn't the same without them.

Nathan from Manitowoc, WI

Of the new draft picks, does any one of them have a particular personality that will connect with the fans?

Devonte Wyatt seems like a hoot. The video of the Packers' first-round pick interacting with his bike kid was amazing. I think Aaron Rodgers even linked it in his IG story.

The Green Bay Packers held their third practice of training camp at Ray Nitschke Field on Friday, July 29, 2022.

Jake from Elkhart Lake, WI

I have now been to my first training camp practice at 39 years old after being blessed with attending many games at Lambeau Field. Wow. What an experience with my 10-year-old son. Everything is just fantastic. When was your first training camp and what were your thoughts after? Also, Doubs catch was off the charts! GPG!

My first training camp practice was in 2012 and my initial thought was Jarrett Bush is going to get the first shot at replacing Charles Woodson as the perimeter cornerback in the base defense. Let's go talk to him about it. My wife did bring our son down to a practice three years ago, though. That made my entire camp.

David from West Central, OH

My compliments to whoever or whomever are responsible for this year's media guide. The design from the cover to last page is the best I can remember! Very cool and no doubt like the Packers the best in the NFL!

It's fantastic. That's a credit to our communications staff, and our brand and marketing department.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. Please tell senior management at 1265 to be careful when handing out jersey numbers to new players, especially No. 5. I'm old enough to remember some great runs by him against Cleveland in the 1965 NFL Championship Game and Vince Lombardi saying something like, "There will never be another...". Inboxers are probably overwhelming you with their outrage. As long as nobody is rolling over in his grave, we should probably all be safe.

We may never see No. 1 or No. 5 in an NFL regular-season football game again, but the players have worn those numbers during training camp over the years. There are 90 players on the roster right now and six retired numbers. So, you gotta use everything that's available to you.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Which Pro Football Hall of Famer had the shortest career?

Jim Thorpe, though he also played baseball. Thorpe played in 52 games for six teams from 1920-28, and also was the first president of the American Professional Football Association. If Cecil Isbell ever gets in, his 54 career games played would tie Ernie Nevers for the second fewest among Hall of Famers.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

I see some awful big guys on some very small bikes. Has anyone ever broken a bike when they sat on it?

J.J. Watt supposedly did. I don't recall any Packers having that issue. The larger linemen typically pick a bigger bike to get down to practice.

Josh from Milwaukee, WI

Do players on the preseason PUP list need to make the final 53 first, and then be transitioned to regular-season PUP, or does keeping them on the PUP throughout free up spots during final roster decisions?

The latter. PUP players revert to regular-season PUP if they haven't been activated yet, requiring them to miss the first four games (that's down from six games).

Michael from Berrien Springs, MI

"One of my recurring work-related dreams/nightmares is covering a road game and not being able to find the interview room or locker room after the game." Spoff, this is a version of what we in theatre call the actor's nightmare. In the dream, you suddenly find yourself in a play where you are supposed to be the lead role and have no idea what your character is or lines are. Many times you're also naked...so you have that going for you...which is nice.

My worst nightmare is the press box running out of food during the pre-game meal for the media but to each their own.

Mary from Pewaukee, WI

I know the Packers have different uniforms for different occasions, but will they ever change the style of their helmets?

No.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes/Spoff, are there two areas you are diametrically opposed on Packers things?

Packers things? I'd have to think about that one a little, but I do believe there ought to be a Constitutional amendment outlawing AstroTurf and the designated hitter. See what Spofford says about that.

Rick from Peshawbestown, MI

Good morning, Mike/Wes, with all these highlight-reel catches during practice, can you get the Legovision up and running for us out-a-towners? Great job as always and GPG!

I'll get my son on it.

Ed from South Milwaukee, WI

All due (and massive) respect to the way you, Wes and Larry do your jobs but Doug from Neenah's dress-up suggestion HAS to happen. Maybe a quick change to film the Three Things segment during Halloween week? Pretty please?

Harry Potter? Nah, I don't see the resemblance.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, because we need our ace digital reporter to stay off the PUP list, here's a little evaluation and advice from an Insider:

Wes went to Inbox to admit

Discombobulation hadn't hit.

Should it attack,

We've got your back.

Recombobulate, Wes. Stay fit!

I'm fit to be tied, Lori. Have a great weekend, everyone!

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