Mike from Huntington Beach, CA

"Quoth the Biff, nevermore." I am still chuckling.

Likewise.

Travis from McCordsville, IN

I bet Spoff is putting on '90s rock and classic rock all day.

Oh, look what you're done to this rock 'n roll clown. Oh, look what you've done.

Ryan from Mt. Zion, IL

Was it just me, or did the Ravens players seem to really enjoy their bike rides to practice? It was awesome to see a visiting team enjoying the tradition!

Agreed. I'm glad they partook.

Gary from Sheboygan, WI

Insiders, during preseason games does a team ever hide some of their developmental players that would fill a void of the team they are playing? Ravens supposedly are thin at WR and the Pack has an abundance.

I've never heard of a team taking valuable practice reps away from a player in that setting for that reason. If any scouts are attracted to someone, it's just part of the deal. You never know, maybe it leads to a trade discussion for a late-round draft pick.

Mark from Mt. Vernon, WI

Top of the day. After final cutdown day and practice squads are filled, what do you think the majority of unclaimed players do? Continue working out and still keep chasing the dream or call it quits? Thanks for the time.

If they feel they've still got a shot, with something to offer, they'll stay in shape and their agents will keep working the phones looking for tryouts and interest. It's certainly not fun, but they don't want to regret letting their conditioning go and then getting a call.

Mark from Eureka, IL

Players go through a great deal of physical, mental, and emotional prep for a game. Do they prepare the same way for a joint practice?

No, but they do look at their opponent a little bit so they aren't going in blind.

Dan from Beechgrove, TN

Been reading since Vic, much appreciate the exchange and the Insider humor! What would be the rationale for starters being allowed to participate in the joint practices but then sitting out the preseason game? From a fan perspective, fans would much prefer that tradeoff be inverted so they could see the starters play a series or two in the game, but less in the joint practice. Is there more risk in the game situation, other than the QB wearing the red jersey?

There's clearly more risk, not just for QBs but for any players tackling or being tackled, which doesn't happen in practice. Plus, if the play-callers on both sides of the ball are cutting it loose a little bit, the work is better for the starters than in a vanilla-scheme game. Based on the Packers’ solid showing Thursday, I'd be stunned if any starters are suiting up Saturday.

Ummy from Two Rivers, WI

A thought. If they would change MVP to MOP (Most Outstanding Player), I think it would be easier for a non-QB to win such award.

The league does award an Offensive Player of the Year, which in recent seasons the AP voters have used to honor the top non-QB, with the MVP award becoming so QB-dominant. A QB hasn't won OPOY since Mahomes in '18, when he got both awards. Since then – Michael Thomas, Derrick Henry, Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, Christian McCaffrey.

Jason from Green Bay, WI

I can attest to Coach Campen's character. In 2015, my son (9 years old at the time) and I were shopping at the Packers Pro Shop when a big guy approaches my son and asks if he could take some photos of him with some relatives. My son agreed and snapped some pics. Afterward, he shook my son's hand, thanked him, and introduced himself as Coach Campen. Then he let my son try on his Super Bowl ring! I captured the moment with some photos of them, together, with my son rocking the ring.

That sure sounds like the Campy I know.

Dan from Tallahassee, FL

With cutdown day near, what are the differences in approach, mindset, goals, etc., between the GM and head coach when it comes to these decisions?

Generally speaking, a head coach is mostly going to be focused on who can help the team win right now, while a GM has, in addition, the future and the developmental process in mind. But that's why those two are in constant communication about what they're seeing and where their thoughts are. I've seen LaFleur and Gutekunst chatting at practice multiple times over the past month, and I'm sure they have many more conversations behind the scenes. That's how you avoid any major conflict cropping up when decision time arrives.

Jason from Hartselle, AL

We've gotten to see on shows like "Hard Knocks" how a GM will sit down with a player and have a tough conversation about his release or trade to another team, but how does this work on roster cutdown days when so many guys are being released at once? I can't imagine the GM has time to sit down with 40 guys individually to let them know they are released.

There usually is time for a brief meeting with either the head coach or GM, or in some cases both. At least that's been the protocol around here. The decisions are usually made over the course of a couple days, not all at once.

Jeffrey from New London, WI

Could you see the Packers trading Josh Myers to a team in desperate need for a starting center and then moving Zach Tom to center, Jordan Morgan to RT, and Sean Rhyan to RG?

Tom has not taken a single rep at center this spring or summer and Morgan hasn't taken a single rep at right tackle in training camp, so … no.

Michael from Grovetown, GA

Chester Marcol's rookie all-pro season, he made 68% of his field goals. He was considered a great kicker that year. Anders Carlson made 81% in his rookie year and we are worried about him. When did the performance bar get so high for kickers?

About 15 years ago, a threshold was crossed in which more than half of the league's kickers made at least 85% of their field goals, and the numbers have stayed steadily there or above ever since. Last year, it was 19 regular kickers at 85% or better.

Ryan from Ripon, WI

Have the kicking issues had anything to do with the holding or snapping? I don't think anyone has mentioned those operations.

I haven't seen any glaring issues in that regard. Daniel Whelan has rather rapidly developed into a top-notch holder.

Craig from Sussex, WI

How long before all football helmets have a foam outer coating right from the factory?

There is one new helmet with an interior and shell design that exempts players from having to wear the Guardian cap in practice. I've seen Tucker Kraft, Tyler Davis and AJ Dillon, among others, wearing it this summer. It may be only a matter of time before more players switch to that design.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. Where do we stand on using the term "gunner" to describe the outside position on the punt team? Seems like a few years ago there was a movement by some to rename it something more PC. Thanks.

The term "flyer" is more commonly used now.

Nhoj from Windsor, WI

Latest roster move makes me a little uneasy. Feels like a loophole. Yes, Alex Hale is an international player, but he played football in college at a D1 school. I feel like there should be verbiage added into the IPP rules that a player who played in the NCAA is ineligible for the slot. Keep it true to developing players who have no football background.

All I'll say is if the league feels like the spirit of the rule is being circumvented, it'll probably get adjusted.

Duane from Oak Creek, WI

It seems like joint practices are happening more and more. Do you think this will increase in the future as the league tries to add more games to the regular season and in turn cut back on preseason games?

Indubitably.

Ken from Tucson, AZ

Gentlemen, new to this forum and have really enjoyed your insights. Not sure if this has been discussed in the past, however, has it ever been proposed where there is a limit to field goals attempts in a game? I often thought teams should be forced or limited to three field goal attempts a game. Once they attempt the final kick, done. If they attempt three kicks in the first half, done. No extra attempts in OT. Save your kicks for second half, strategy fun. Opens more offense opportunities.

This is the type of idea that's way out there, and I don't see it happening. That said, if this newfangled kickoff rule eventually leads to touchbacks putting the ball on the 35, you wonder if down the road – way down the road – some stipulation regarding field goals would be discussed. I doubt it, but it's worth filing away. The game does evolve over time.

Brian from Reno, NV

To just keep going on this free-kick issue, I really like the 40-yard line idea but also give the receiving team a choice. If you have a dynamic returner or maybe the weather has a heavy wind, you might want to try the kick and get better field position.

It would take rather extreme circumstances, in my opinion, for a team to turn down taking the ball on the 40. One flag on a return could cost you dozens of yards in field position.

Allan from Austin, TX

Are waiver claims blind, or can all organizations see them, so a team with a higher order can jump ahead and "steal" a player?

Teams put in their claims and find out if they've been awarded the player. After the process is complete, the league wire indicates all claims submitted, but nobody has any knowledge in advance of the deadline.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Would the Packers keep six linebackers on the 53? As I read "5 things" from Tuesday you listed the competition in that room. As I read the names I thought each one of these guys seems deserving of a roster spot, for a variety of reasons. But keeping all of them seems unlikely.

Wes keeps track of initial 53s and tells me the Packers have never kept six inside/off-ball linebackers over the last dozen years or so. If they do this year, it would be out of the norm.

Matt from Middleton, WI

Hi Mike, last week the fans cut AJ Dillon. Then he sat out with players who are assumed locks to make the roster. What gives?

Dillon missed the Denver game due to a stinger injury, and the team is awaiting various medical opinions to see how best to proceed. The stinger is similar to the one that sidelined him for the regular-season finale and playoffs last January, so the recurrence is a legitimate concern.

Keith from Andover, MN

Long time, no see, guys. I have to confess I haven't watched a single down of the preseason and hardly remember any of the names from the draft. At what point do I have to turn in my Die-Hard Fan card and exchange it for a Casual Fan card? Hope you guys got the cookies.

We did! Thanks so much. The whole office is enjoying them, and you can call yourself whatever kind of fan you want.

TK from Grafton, WI

Matt LaFleur gets nauseous when asked about a No. 1 receiver. I get indigestion when fans question play-calling. Do you have a question or issue that doesn't sit well with your constitution?

How much time ya got? Happy Friday.