Caleb from Knoxville, TN

How big was the smile on your face when you saw we're keeping Kenny Clark?

This is a huge signing for the Packers. Clark is a critical part of this defense. He's prolifically disruptive at his position, extremely durable and a natural leader. We'll hear what Brian Gutekunst has to say shortly, but I'm sure all three of those factors played heavily in Green Bay's decision to give Clark a third contract. At the end of day, you cannot have enough Kenny Clarks in your locker room. I made the remark recently about the NFL not appreciating Clark and everything he brings to this defense. Well, the Packers know and that's all that really matters.

George from North Mankato, MN

We should all be excited to see Kenny Clark extended by the Pack. He has been a consistent force on the field and a leader in the clubhouse. One down, one to go. What a great way to start camp.

Like I've been saying – Clark's extension came out of relatively nowhere. That's how the Packers do business. They don't talk. They act…and get (stuff) done.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

A new journey begins. A new group leader driving a new style bus for half the travelers. The equipment is packed, some old reliable pieces, others new and untested. The road will be filled with potholes, detours and magnificent sights to enjoy. After 6.5 weeks of bologna sandwiches, we will move to 18 weeks of red meat. Ideally, the journey will be extended. Either way, grab a seat, buckle up, and enjoy this unique journey.

I always say the offseason is the second-fastest six months of the year. I cannot believe we're already back to football. It's competition season.

Michael from Baraboo, WI

What camp battles will you be paying close attention to?

It may be easier to list the ones I'm not. There's solid competition at virtually every post with a narrow line between the starters and guys on the roster bubble. To me, the stakes are highest at receiver, offensive line, safety and obviously kicker.

Al from Green Bay, WI

I'm enjoying the "Countdown to Camp" series. On Friday, in your discussion of specialists, you noted that LS challenger Peter Bowden weighs 239 pounds. Matt Orzech weighs in at 245. When I compare those numbers to the "regular" center Josh Myers at 310, it makes me wonder if the lack of beef at the LS position can create a vulnerability to a push up the middle that would cause a FG to be blocked. Thoughts?

Punts are entirely different from what you see on the offensive and defensive lines. Pretty much everyone on the line in punt cover are around 240-250 pounds because they have to get downfield to cover the punt. Rob Davis was a larger snapper but most today are in that 6-3, 245-pound range.

Paul from Northglenn, CO

To what level of convincing the greater good prevailing over stats is needed with this young offense?

I don't think very much. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks didn't get 100 targets last year but still opened the NFL's eyes to their talent. If the offense performs like it did down the stretch in 2023, everyone will get their due.

Tyler from Green Bay, WI

Regarding our collective excitement for moving to a 4-3 defense, I am just slightly skeptical of the impact...because I (we) were just as excited to move to a 3-4 defense in the early 2010s (I believe). Can you sell me on what makes the switch back more plausible for the success we expect this time?

You act like the Packers didn't have any success after the switch to a 3-4, Tyler. They ranked first in defense that first season and won the Super Bowl with the No. 5 unit the next. Everything is about adaptation in this league and we're back in a 4-3 cycle. The fact Green Bay didn't overhaul its personnel should tell you the Packers feel confident about returning defenders fitting into Jeff Hafley's vision for this defense. For that reason, I'd anticipate an even smoother transition than 15 years ago.

Ryan from Manitowoc, WI

With all the excitement of a new D-coordinator and free-agent additions, I can't help but feel Kenny Clark and Preston Smith are the anchors. Why so little publicity for these pros?

Well, I did a post last week calling Clark the most underrated defensive tackle in the NFL. I'm doing my part.

Ben from McFarland, WI

Last year's not surprising poor start was overcome. Can they do that again this year? It feels like an above-.500 record through nine games is important to maintain the optimism that everyone has going in. But I'm generally wrong about this stuff (so I don't gamble), so there's that.

Either way, I hope fans don't overreact because it is a looooong 17-game regular season. After all, the Packers are still a very young football team. It would be advantageous to start better than 4-8 but I'd argue it's even more important to reach peak form down the stretch.

Jake from Marina del Rey, CA

Ahhh – moving backward or pushing forwards. I read Mike's original answer as the LOS moving sideline-to-sideline vs. simply pushing forward.

Sometimes it could be sideline-to-sideline depending on the play call, but the name of the game when it comes to running the football is to move your man.

Dan from Columbus, OH

Watching "Receiver" on Netflix and one of my takeaways is how dysfunctional the Raiders were last year. There's a lot of discussion if we're going to get 2022 Josh Jacobs or 2023 Josh Jacobs and it looks like he really overcame a lot of issues with that team. I just think he's going to rebound in a big way just from a change of situation.

I haven't watched it but saw some of the clips featuring Davante Adams, who was clearly frustrated. Like Aaron Jones, you'll struggle to find anyone with a bad word to say about Jacobs. He was arguably the best running back in the NFL in 2022 and then admirably rolled with the punches in 2023. Hopefully last season proves to be just a minor setback to a major comeback in 2024. If nothing else, stability will help his cause in Green Bay.

Jim from St. Pete Beach, FL

Hi Mike and Wes! I believe it was Vic who spoke about players who tilt the field. I believe a team needs at least a few of those and luck to reach the Super Bowl. Going into camp, who are our field-tilters? Who else may emerge as one this season?

Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary top my list. If those two stay healthy and perform at a high level, Green Bay's defense will be sitting pretty. They're both hungry and motivated to get the job done, as well.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

Regarding the defensive line, when Kenny Clark first joined GB, I personally thought he'd be a better 4-3 DT or 3-4 end. Rashan Gary, though, played best as a 4-3 DE in Michigan. As much as this transition makes sense for the majority of players, could a guy like T.J. Slaton get lost in the shuffle, or will he end up being more valuable as the primary DT in rushing situations?

Not at all. The Packers signed Ryan Pickett when they were running a 4-3. He played in that scheme during his first three seasons in Green Bay. Years pass and football evolves but you always need big people clogging the middle of the defensive line on first and second down.

Monty from Velva, ND

Training camp always triggers me a bit. My first trip to Lambeau was a preseason game in 2008 with my family and my parents. My dad is a lifelong fan who had never seen a game live. It just so happened that Brett Favre flew into Green Bay the same day we drove in from North Dakota. It was only a preseason game, but we made huge memories. Don't dismiss the excitement of preseason.

Until the Brown County tickets, the preseason was often the only time I could attend Packers games. So, I forged some really cool memories watching the likes of Tim Couch, Akili Smith and eventually Aaron Rodgers during the exhibition slate. That nostalgia is probably a big reason I've pushed back so strongly at the idea of reducing the number of preseason games. Well, that and not wanting the NFL season to last all winter.

Dale from Aurora, CO

Here we go. Training camp soon to begin and Packers on PUP. Tucker Kraft and Zach Tom, two most noteworthy guys on PUP, would be on the not-known-when list. Are they allowed to be present for any team activities, or totally in limbo?

Kraft and Tom can do everything except practice. Once they do, they're no longer allowed to be placed on in-season physically unable to perform. Again, it doesn't sound like it'll come to that. Matt LaFleur told reporters during the offseason program he doesn't anticipate either Kraft or Tom missing much time during training camp.

Rich from El Cerrito, CA

Wes, I feel like I have a good sense of all the key position battles, but we seem to have overlooked who can fill the H-back role. Who in theory is competing for the job? It seems like AJ Dillon has many of the traits that would fit the role – solid in pass pro, and adept in catching out of the backfield. Could Dillon be used there as well?

It could depend on the makeup of the 53-man roster. The Packers have a natural fullback on the roster, Henry Pearson, who spelled Josiah Deguara last year and was playing H-back with the first-team offense this spring. But certainly, Dillon has the tools to play there if that's what's required. He was vocal this offseason about his willingness to do whatever is asked of him.

Johnny from Nasewaupee, WI

Disappointed to see Alex McGough not get an opportunity at WR. Probably wouldn't have made sense given the abundance of pass-catching talent, but the thought of an ex-QB running routes was intriguing. Any chance he gets another chance or are his GB days done?

It unfortunately just wasn't meant to be. We barely saw McGough during the spring due to a hamstring issue. He was waived injured on Friday, which means he still couldn't pass a physical. I'm not sure what McGough's next move will be but wishing him the best.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Mike, I was reading Cliff Christl's write-up on 1970s RB Barty Smith and Eric Torkelson. He mentioned Willard Harrell and I smiled inwardly. Why? That's nostalgia which is a yearning for a better time or place which it certainly was not for the Packers. Do you think it's only because of the Packers' success of the past 30 years that allows us older Packers fans to be nostalgic about the 1970s players and teams?

It's funny you ask because I was just thinking about the woeful Milwaukee Brewers teams from the early 2000s. For whatever reason, I remember so much about those lean years – from fans cheering for Jose Hernandez to break the strikeout record to Fox Sports Wisconsin having a ticker for the 2005 Brewers to have a winning season (they finished 81-81). I don't know what it is about losing that makes those memories so vivid. Maybe seeing the other side after all that adversity makes success taste just a bit sweeter.

David from Goldsboro, NC

With Randall Cobb transferring to the broadcast booth for the SEC got me wondering. Do players typically keep the same agent when transferring to broadcasting or do they switch from a sports agent to an entertainment agent?

I don't know of a high-profile sports agent who handles everything for one player, but some of the larger agencies have marketing and business sectors to handle off-the-field opportunities for their players.

Rob from Springfield, IL

Wes, I loved your response to the DQ question. While personally I love me a Reese's PB cup with hot fudge blizzard, the cherry-dipped cone and Dilly Bar are solid choices. Not sure if they have these in Wisconsin, but in Central Illinois, they have cherry Dilly Bars – such a perfect blend of the traditional Dilly Bar and the cherry-dipped cone. Highly recommend if you get the chance.

Cherry Dilly Bars are actually the only ones I order. Unlike Spoff, I am not a butterscotch person.

Roger from Lakewood Ranch, FL

The dead season is over. Training camp is upon us. Does that mean there will be an II on Saturday? I know that means more work for you, but us fans look forward to another day of II.

That's correct. This week, Inbox reverts to its six-day format each week.

Peder from Sevastopol, WI

One more comment on identifying the "Mike." Maybe the Packers should change it to identifying the "Wes." That would confuse the crap out the opposing defense.

It wouldn't be the first time someone confused the "Mike" and "Wes."

Chuck from Richfield, WI

Wes (and Mike before) thanks for publishing my two submissions. Big picture, I love how you both mix history, present, levity, and X's and O's so well in the Inbox. Thank you! And loved this answer, "Walking down to practice each morning and hearing kids' laughter."

I may have a new favorite tradition now after seeing my son participate in his first Packers 1K Friday night.

TC from Waunakee, WI

Wes, I just saw a video on the book of faces that showed Wisconsin's four big league teams all currently have winning records against their Chicago counterparts (Brewers vs. Cubs…White Sox would take that matchup). So, my question is: hot and spicy pickled asparagus or just dilly?

Just dilly. I save hot and spicy for my wings.

Ken from Boynton Beach, FL

T-minus 22 days until first preseason game at Cleveland. Are you happy time flies on the dead season? Like Groucho Marx used to say, "Time flies like arrows and fruit flies like bananas." GPG!

As Spoff would say…once again we're off, so we might as well get going.