Davy from Chetek, WI
There goes our shot at landing LeBron.
There's always 2022. Good morning!
Blake from Marion, IA
Two questions answered in one day? I am beyond thrilled to get one in! The two-a-day guys are heroes!
Keep reaching for the stars, Blake.
Chris from Fitchburg, WI
How does playing defensive line work? Do players give it their all every play or do they have to pace themselves to give it their all on crucial plays? Do they try to wear down certain players on the offensive line?
They're there to give it their all on every play, which is why they rotate as frequently as they do. The burden of proof is on them to beat the offensive line and get to the quarterback or running back, but the one area defensive linemen have an advantage is they can get a breather every now and then. If a defensive lineman is in the game, he's expected to go 100 percent or the coaches will put someone in who will.
Roger from McGrath, AK
Aaron Jones said that all he had to do was rest his injured MCL and that he was grateful he didn't hurt his ACL because that would have required surgery. My question is what was the nature of his MCL injury? Torn, partially torn, sprained? It's just hard to fathom that a running back can remain unaffected if the MCL is fully torn.
I don't know the severity of Jones' knee injuries last year, but the fact he got back on the field as quickly as he did indicates it wasn't a significant tear. If an MCL is fully torn, it can require surgery to clean everything up. I think that's what happened with Le'Veon Bell a few years ago.
Monty from Hazen, ND
The debate has raged on about pass rush versus cover corners. I have a different take. Teams with opportunistic defenses win more games. Our defense in 2011 was a perfect example. What are your thoughts on our current defense being able to create turnovers?
The rules favor the offense, meaning more touchdowns, more yards and more highlight reels. The window for defenses has never been narrower, which only increases the importance of takeaways. Pettine builds his defenses to generate turnovers. The moves the Packers made this offseason are intended to make that happen. Wilkerson, Tramon, Jaire, Jackson, all the signings and draft picks – they're here to turn the tide.
Brandon from Fairfield, CA
Do any NFL players come to mind who have had the longevity and success ala LeBron James with at least three or four different teams? Yes, each Cleveland trip counts. The past three stints have all been incredible, and few doubt he will get the Lakers to the playoffs. Is that type of success possible in the NFL?
I don't know of any NFL players who played for three or four teams that were as dominant as LeBron James. Randy Moss, Deion Sanders, Terrell Owens and Kevin Greene did it. I guess Brett Favre, Kurt Warner, Jerry Rice and Reggie White did, too, to varying degrees.
Corbin from Plymouth, WI
In my mind, there is a specific, illustrious aspect about the 2011-12 seasons for Green Bay. I went on PFR to confirm that the receiving corps consisted of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Jermichael Finley. My perspective is that these seasons were an overlap between eras in the passing offense for the Pack, resulting in a legendary arsenal for AR. Has any other corps for the Packers, heck even in the league, ever been as talented as this one was?
It was a special group. It's probably up there with the Rams' greatest show on turf, the early '90s Bills and those New Orleans Saints offenses in the late 2010s. Although the Packers didn't win many a lot in the early '80s, those receivers weren't too shabby.
Brad from Minneapolis, MN
Hey Insiders, I've been watching a lot of games from last season and noticed Corey Linsley is one heck of a center. I feel as if he is quietly underrated across that line and has been for years. Where would you guys rank him amongst the current centers in the league?
Linsley is right there with the top five or 10 centers in the NFL. The Packers wouldn't have extended him if they felt otherwise. Linsley keeps everything moving in the offensive front with his calls and is one of the best pass-blocking centers in the game. He also has the athleticism to get to the second level in the run game.
Ron from Rockford, IL
Who would win a real wrestling match between Mike Daniels and WWE's Big E? Do they know each other from the University of Iowa?
Daniels and Big E played together for a short time at Iowa. Both have a similar body type and played the same position. Big E had some injuries end his football career, but Daniels still considers Ettore a mentor to this day. I have no clue who would win a wrestling match. Big E was a state wrestling champion in Florida. Mike Diesel was a state qualifier in a lower weight class in New Jersey.
Shawn from Kissimmee, FL
When do you start answering questions for "II"? Do you complete it the night before, or do you wake up really early the morning of the submission? I read every day, even if that means some days I have to read two or three to catch up if work is too busy. Today was a Cuban sandwich lunch break reading. My favorite are days I don't work where I can read "II" with a cup of coffee and my girlfriend seeing me and already knowing what I'm busy reading.
Inbox and coffee – a match made in heaven. It depends on the time of the year. If it's my day during the regular season, I'll answer questions while Spoff is at practice and finish it after I write my daily story. During the offseason, I usually try to finish it the night before. I'm not a morning person.
Philip from Fishers, IN
Where would one go to watch Packers games of years past? I would love to re-watch the 2010 Super Bowl season, and the previous two Super Bowls, as well. I was too young for the Brett Favre ones and would love to watch him on the big stage.
The NFL uploaded three Packers games to YouTube last year based on a fan vote: **Super Bowl XLV**, **Super Bowl XXXI** and the **Packers-Raiders game** following the death of Brett Favre's father in 2003.
Adam from Rochester, NY
I realize the franchise tag is a way for the team to keep a player, but do you ever think there will be a player incentive to stay like the NBA has?
I don't see it happening unless "max contracts" get introduced at some point. There is so much more wiggle room for NFL GMs trying to fit the top 51 contracts under an offseason cap than in the NBA, whereas there are only 15 guys accounting for a $100 million cap.
Karl from Santa Fe, NM
Wes noted: "Reggie White had sacks against 29 of the 30 teams he played. He was shut out by only one team - the Houston/Tennessee Oilers - in three tries." Interesting in the footage for Moment 7 "Fabulous Free Agent", it shows him clearly getting at least a half sack against said Oilers. Did they credit sacks differently then?
That's what his career splits say. I double-checked with the 1998 Packers media guide, where it lists every player White sacked. No Oilers. So I don't know what to tell you. He had a ½ sack against Anthony Dilweg and the Packers, so the league obviously has been tracking it for a long time.
Mike from Marquette, MI
I understand the thinking behind you saying the Vikings made a good move in signing Kirk Cousins. He is a proven commodity. But do you think he is much of an upgrade over the Vikings' 2017 trio of quarterbacks? I am reasonably sure Cousins will outperform the Keenum/Bradford/Bridgewater combo in 2018, but do you think he will be better than they were last year?
I do, especially since it wasn't feasible for the Vikings to keep all three of their quarterbacks from last year. Keenum was fine last year, but I thought his limitations showed in the playoffs.
John from McHenry, IL
Y'all?
Would you have preferred "Youse guys"?
Kyle from Osceola, WI
Wes, I'm fairly certain that every one of us is a free agent, including basketball players, because we didn't get drafted in the year following the expiration of our NCAA eligibility.
Where I get hazy is didn't Brock Lesnar have to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine and the pre-draft process in 2004? Didn't he graduate from Minnesota in 2000?
Roger from Indianapolis, IN
Would you consider a rule that does not allow a game to end on a kneel-down? A pitcher can't just kneel down on the slab to get the last out. It would make the last play actually count. I know the fear of violent injury would be a factor, but since the famous Herman Edwards play years ago when there should have been a kneel down, it would keep the fans interested. Or is this kind of rule for the new league to prose? Or the old XFL?
Not in today's NFL. Even if a change was implemented, teams would scheme around it. They'd draw up plays where a quarterback just dives or slides sideways after the ball is snapped. Moves and counter moves.
Brian from Monck's Corner, SC
What date in Packers history would you compare with July 4?
The first stock sale in 1923?
Denny from Alexandria, VA
Best baseball movie ever? "Eight Men Out." The tragedy (and comedy) of the Black Sox scandal with a great roaring 20's musical background makes it better than any other. Underrated film.
I nearly went that direction, but felt that strongly about "Moneyball."
Stephen from Menomonee Falls, WI
I'm thinking about getting personalized Packers plates for a new car. According to my research, the Packers' first season was in 1919, but they became the ACME Packers in 1921. Do I go with 1919 or 1921?
1919. Duh.
Benjamin from Chicago, IL
Wes, I humbly request you to reconsider reading "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. Even as an incomplete series the first two books are amazing. Not reading because the series may not have an ending is like giving up on a season that might not go to the playoffs. Don't be like those fans. If you're still worried just try reading "The Wheel of Time." Also, congrats on the little one! We welcomed twins back and April. The twins and our two-year old keep life busy these days.
Thanks you and congrats. Now I'm torn on whether or not to read the series. I guess we'll see where the season takes us.
Dave from Frederic, WI
When the Packers travel to Minnesota or Chicago, are they traveling by plane or coach?
Mule.
Adam from Madison, WI
The answer to the question regarding "The Bears Still Suck" might be my favorite from the Inbox in a long time. I actually laughed out loud and had people making faces at me. Thank you, Wes!
Insert Robert Redford/Jeremiah Johnson GIF here.
Jeff from Hagerstown, MD
If we all submit half a photo for our questions, would the Inbox be half full or half empty?
Half full. Always half full, Jeff.
Dan from Plymouth, WI
Can we please have an update on Ben from Pensacola's "date?" First, I want to know if it was a real date, and of course how did it go? Did they hold hands? We need answers! Maybe we can get Ben to tell us if he remembers the score of the game. If he does, then that's enough of an answer for me.
Well, Ben…inquiring minds want to know.
Bill from Fort Worth, TX
Has the window completely closed on retiring Lynn Dickey's number?
Someday. Maybe someday.
Amy from Bayport, MN
Aaron Rodgers can "neither confirm nor deny" that he will be making a cameo appearance in the final season of HBO's Game of Thrones (please, please, please). However, he did confirm that if he were on the show, he would want his character to be killed. Obviously, with your exhaustive knowledge of both AR12 and the show, you would be called in as a guest writer for that episode. What fantastic death scene would you write for the GOAT on GOT?
It would have to be a competitive sword fight with the winter wind howling and snow blowing in the final battle between the living and the dead. But which house would he represent?
Theodore from St. Louis, MO
How in the wide world of sports, does "Bad News Bears" get left off the list of best baseball movies!?!?!?
Because that Billy Bob Thornton version happened.
Dean from Leavenworth, IN
Over the past 20-25 years of the Favre, Rodgers era optimism for a championship always runs high for Packer fans going into camp and this year is no different. Although there's still some questions I'm higher on this year's roster than the past two. During your time covering the Pack how would you rank this team overall compared to the others going into camp? I'm looking forward to your questions. The pressure is on Wes.
I'd have to agree. I know there are some questions about outside linebacker, but the Packers have depth at a lot of key spots. In that way, it reminds me of 2014. OK, OK, OK, it's the time you all have been waiting for. Are you ready for the Outsiders Inbox? Here are the questions for the July 4 column. Answer as many questions as you like. See ya then.
1. What three Packers, dead or alive, would you want to have dinner with?
2. Which Packers Super Bowl/NFL Championship game would you have most liked to attend?
3. What's your earliest Packers memory?
4. Butter or no butter on movie theater popcorn?
5. Who is your favorite current Packers player who has not been selected to a Pro Bowl?
6. Have you seen the movie "Rudy"?
7. What's your Packers' pregame ritual?
8. What time do you read Inbox?
9. Crunchy or creamy peanut butter?
10. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
11. Who is your favorite Inbox questioner?
12. Who's your guy and why for 2018?
Mike from Fort Wayne, IN
What if someone bans you for one of your questions? Do you have the power to un-ban yourself?
That could be a problem. I might have to beg Spoff to unban me.
