Inbox: The Packers wanted options and certainly got 'em

Danny from Chattanooga, TN

Back to Doug from Onalaska about the nickel and safety groups. I see it as the same approach the Packers have used with their "best five" O-linemen. With an absolute all-star like "X" on the field, he can move into the slot (injury replacement or dime package) if we like how our backup safety plays over how our backup corners play on the outside. Do either of you see it like this too or am I making it up?

The Packers signed Xavier McKinney to play safety and I fully expect him to be calling the shots on the back end this season. That said, the versatility of that entire position expands the possibilities in the secondary. Javon Bullard played nickel on a national championship team, Evan Williams has tweener traits and Anthony Johnson Jr. played cornerback as recently as three years ago. The Packers heavily invested in the safety position because they wanted options and certainly got 'em.

Sean from Springfield, OR

So, AJ Dillon isn't the "Quadfather" anymore? Now he's the whole “Bodfather"?

Oh, the quads are still real (and spectacular), but Dillon cut no corners in preparing his entire body (and mind) for the 2024 campaign. Entering Year 5, Dillon has a clear vision for the type of player and teammate he wants to be. I can't wait to watch it play out.

Stefan from Igis, Switzerland

On the bright side: We do not have to discuss playing the starting QB in preseason.

…and now I just realized that even if Jordan Love gets his deal done soon, the conversation immediately shifts to whether he'll play in the preseason. I am sad.

Jeffery from Brooklyn, WI

Most people are upsetting their ulcers with the news about a few more weeks to get Love signed, understandably so since they had since May to get this worked out. Love is missing valuable reps and I'm 99% certain he will get what he's asking for anyways so why are they wasting time haggling?

So much detail is written into these contracts beyond just guaranteed money and bonuses. Kenny Clark mentioned earlier this week his camp had been negotiating with the Packers since the NFL Scouting Combine. While Clark and the team were close on a deal the week before, he added that "there were a couple tweaks we wanted in the contract in the last week." It just takes time.

TK from Grafton, WI

I'm re-thinking my stance on what makes a great defense. Let's say the Packer D has some early-season adjustment struggles, which impacts their season-long averages to result in a middle of the road ranking. However, if they really hit their stride around midseason and continue to excel, sign me up. If the D can get key stops in the playoffs (against good offenses with franchise QBs), I will take that all day!

Defend the run, pressure the quarterback and take away the football. Those are the defense's three keys to dominance. Shoot, even if Green Bay does two of those three things consistently well this season, this defense could be special. There's talent everywhere but it all comes down to execution.

Rudy from Tempe, AZ

Hi Wes. I personally think the play of Eric Stokes this year can be the difference from the Packers being a good defense, to a potential elite one. We know what Ja brings to the table, and Carrington Valentine appears to be an absolute steal for a seventh-rounder. Fair to say Stokes has all the physical tools in the world but was not quite the same player last year due to recovering from a nasty injury. What are your thoughts on Stokes' impact for the defensive unit as a whole?

Stokes looked fantastic on Wednesday, snagging a pair of interceptions. He still had some teachable moments, too. Stokes didn't get his head around on an underthrown deep ball to Christian Watson and was flagged for defensive pass interference. He also wanted back a completion to Romeo Doubs that he didn't break hard enough on. However, Stokes has a lot of skills you can't coach as a former first-round pick who ran in the 4.3s. A healthy Stokes has a lot to offer Jeff Hafley and this defense.

CJ from Cedar Rapids, IA

I'm interested in how seventh-round pick Kalen King is doing. I haven't heard his name mentioned yet. I hope he has a comeback year.

King is competing like the rest of the rookies. With Corey Ballentine nursing a hamstring strain, King is getting a few extra reps in the slot behind Keisean Nixon.

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

Mike and Joshua were right on. The 1985 Bears lost their Monday night game versus the Miami Dolphins mainly because Buddy Ryan refused to replace Wilber Marshall with a corner. Miami had three wideouts: The Mark Brothers (Duper and Clayton), plus Nat Moore. Ryan was stubborn and Marshall was left in single coverage and burned down the sideline. Mike Ditka and Ryan reportedly nearly came to blows during halftime. Marshall was a great linebacker, but he didn't have the speed to cover the wideout.

And that's how the NFL became a nickel league. If teams want to play "11" personnel, defenses gotta match with five defensive backs – at least most of the time.

Sean from Boulder, CO

Why is it popular for everyday Joes to expect athletes to sacrifice pay and earning power when they would never do it themselves? Love holding out doesn't make him a diva or selfish, it makes him smart, and the Packers know it. What would happen to his earning power should he randomly tear an Achilles or suffer some other career-altering injury before cashing in? The contract will come, and the Packers will be just fine once it's settled.

Precisely. We also must acknowledge the risk involved every time a player steps on a practice field. David Bakhtiari is a prime example of that. I don't fault Love whatsoever for protecting himself, especially during the first week of training camp.

Mike from Cottage Grove, MN

Has any Packers rookie draft pick not made the roster or practice squad after their initial training camp?

It happens every so often but not yet in the Brian Gutekunst era. The most recent draft pick who didn't collect a Week 1 paycheck in Green Bay was 2017 seventh-round pick Malachi Dupre, who was waived at the end of camp and signed to Buffalo's practice squad.

Bob from Broomfield, SD

How is Watson looking so far? We really need a full season from him if at all possible. Are they watching his reps or is he a full participant?

It's been a challenge for the offense to get the deep passing game going without Jordan Love, but Watson has looked good in practice. He's full go from what I can tell.

Dale from Aurora, CO

I've heard the term "camp arm." Would Jacob Eason fall under that description?

Maybe to the layman but all 91 guys are here for a reason. LaFleur is familiar with Eason after recruiting him as quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame. Eason earned this opportunity with how he performed at the Packers' rookie minicamp and now his foot is back in the NFL doorway.

Josh from Seattle, WA

Am I right that by keeping eight OL and three QBs on the 53-man roster, it basically allows the Packers to have 50 men on the gameday roster instead of 48? But then you have to count all that against cap. How do the practice-squad elevations work? I am excited for the team and think the Packers will have some great talent on the practice squad and a roster loaded with talent!

Not quite. The Packers can dress up to 49 players as long as there's an eighth offensive lineman on the gameday roster. The quarterback no longer needs to be on the 53-man roster in order to be eligible in case of emergency. He can be elevated from the practice squad for the game. I'm guessing the practice-squad QB would only collect a game check if he actually plays. Yes, the gameday paychecks for elevated practice-squad players count towards the cap.

Dan from Waupun, WI

Love is holding out after getting some good money. Brock Purdy is practicing after getting minimum wage. Why doesn't Purdy hold out for some guaranteed money? Has Love talked to any press people?

Purdy can't hold out, Dan. Players on rookie contracts can't renegotiate their deal or sign an extension until after their third NFL season. Purdy's situation gets much more complicated after this season.

Josh from Newhall, CA

This outdated idea that players MUST "honor" contracts gets me. Love's not holding out. He's not making divisive comments in the media. He's participating in meetings and all non-physical activities. There doesn't seem to be any animosity from either side. He appears to be simply avoiding injury risk and possibly using a little leverage to move things along. He's looking out for himself while trying not to adversely affect the team too much. Diva? Cut the guy some slack. This is his career.

Especially in a sport with non-guaranteed contracts. Also, I never want to see diva used in the same sentence with Jordan Love ever. The guy has done EVERYthing right since the Packers drafted him. He is a portrait of professionalism.

Ross from Hudson, WI

Any word on how Jacob Monk looks so far? Has he been working at guard or tackle? The word on the street is that Andre Dillard is struggling which could lead to depth issues so Monk may become very important sooner rather than later.

Monk has been lining up at center and guard, like the Packers said after the draft. With Zach Tom not doing team and Caleb Jones out with the hamstring, Rasheed Walker and Andre Dillard rotated at left tackle while Kadeem Telfort and Luke Tenuta repped at right tackle.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Has there been an overwhelming impression that has firmly established a truth in your mind at this point in camp? Has anything been decided?

No, other than Matt Orzech turning back a challenge from Peter Bowden for the Packers' long snapping job.

Chris from Waukesha, WI

One of the hot topics amongst the pundits this offseason has been the likelihood of the Chiefs getting a third consecutive title. A while back, I asked you Insiders if you thought a three-peat was likely in today's NFL, and got a negative response, because of the parity in the league and the difficulty of keeping good teams together under the salary cap. Are you still of the same opinion? I'd like to think a three-peat is possible, but I'd prefer to see the Packers do it if any franchise does.

If anyone can do it, it's Kansas City with that quarterback, tight end and defense. It won't be easy, but I think this Chiefs team could easily be better than the one that won the Super Bowl last year. That doesn't mean KC will pull off the trifecta. It simply has a team to compete for history.

John from Fort Atkinson, WI

Gents, after careful consideration, I have elegantly solved the schedule conundrum: Increase roster size to 500, have each team field an "A," "B," and "C" team, one of which will play on every given weekday. Any player who hits IR is eligible for the Spring Classic league, which runs March through June. We'll never have to turn off the television as fans, and we can finally put the "more games in a season" question to bed because there will not physically be any more games to add!

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen once had a great line when talking about how UFC title fights are 25 minutes over five rounds in contrast to the standard 15 minutes over three rounds: "I like chocolate cake. I do not want to eat chocolate cake for 25 minutes. I want to eat it for 2-3 minutes and move on with my day." That's how I feel about an 18-game regular season. I love football. I love to watch football. I love football so much I don't want the sport to become oversaturated. Sixteen games were perfect and 17 are what they are. You can't convince me 18 is an improvement on either, though.

Dan from Livingston, UK

Me thinks Matt from St. Paul, MN, is a Vikings fan!

Me thinks Matt from St. Paul isn't actually Matt from St. Paul.

Gary from Davenport, IA

The Indoor Football League playoffs begin Friday night with a game in Titletown between the Quad City Steamwheelers and the Green Bay Blizzard. Have you ever been to one of its games? I enjoy watching the games because it holds me over until the NFL begins.

I used to cover the Blizzard when the late Bob Landsee was the head coach. As a "minor-league" affiliate of the old Arena Football League, arenafootball2 had some pretty good players, too. Barring something unforeseen, I'm planning to be in attendance tonight. It'll be my first game in six or seven years. I'm excited for it.

Dale from Fenton, MI

So, will y'all be carrying one of those fit-in-pocket rain ponchos to each practice from now on?

Probably not a bad idea, but Tuesday’s downpour might have given the poncho a run for its money, too.

Jason from Rochester, NY

No mayo? How does one enjoy a BLT without some sandwich lube? Can't eat it dry...

There's a tomato on there. It's moist…ish.

Chase from Carmichael, CA

Hmm, do I trust the opinion of a random person that doesn't work within the industry, a talking head that is paid for opinions that boost ratings, or a reporter that has shown he's not interested in sensational headlines nor gets motivated to do so through his pay? I guess I'm just not the blustery panicky type, so I guess I better give this asparagus thing a try.

Jump in. The brine is fine.

Duane from Bangor, WI

Spoff, you said no vacation this time of year to try and get Love signed... Ha, maybe a sick day could get er done…

Maybe we should send Spoff to Belize. Have a great Friday.