Bob from Rossford, OH
In a bold move, I predict today's Inbox blows up over questions on...Punter?!?!?
You called it. The news broke in the early afternoon and the flood of submissions began. Good morning (and Happy Cinco de Mayo)!
Aaron from Miami, FL
So much for a healthy competition at punter. I didn't have a problem with the pick but can't say I understand the decision to cut a guy that wasn't terrible.
There's so much that goes into cutting a player. We'll hear what Mike McCarthy has to say about the decision at punter Saturday morning, but my sense is it was just a matter of opportunity. The Packers drafted a very talented punter they feel comfortable with in JK Scott. Now, it's up to Scott to take the ball and run with it, figuratively speaking. As for Vogel, I feel this is a chance for him to catch on elsewhere early in the offseason. He has an NFL leg. He'll compete somewhere for a job.
Dave from Huntsville, AL
Oh well, so much for the most anticipated battle of training camp.
What are you talking about? There's still two snappers on the roster.
Russ from Hentico, VA
Sorry to see Vogel gone, but how big a deal is it for a punter/holder to get all the reps in practice for now?
There's no question the reps will benefit Scott, but I'd argue it's even more important for Mason Crosby. He had to weather so many changes over the past few years. If the Packers are going to make another change at punter, at least Crosby now has an entire offseason to get acclimated to Scott holding.
Dave from Breed, WI
After free-agency signings, we now get why Joe Callahan was let go – not enough footballs to go around.
It's tough to keep five quarterbacks and get them all enough work, especially when you have a legitimate starter. The Packers found a QB they liked in the pre-draft process and want to take a longer look at behind Aaron Rodgers, DeShone Kizer and Brett Hundley. I give Callahan a ton of credit for what he put on film during his two seasons in Green Bay.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Wes, which rookies impressed you most on Day 1?
J'Mon Moore jumped out to me. Jon-Eric Sullivan said last week how the Missouri receiver plays faster than he timed at the NFL Scouting Combine and I believe him after watching Moore practice Friday. He explodes off the line of scrimmage and gets better at the top of his routes. There was one play Friday where he got behind Jaire Alexander on a deep ball during one-on-one drills. Some things you just have to see for yourself.
Brandon from Cavalier, ND
It seems every time someone asks which rookies have the best chance to make an immediate impact your answer is the two cornerbacks. While I don't disagree, I think Burks has to be in the conversation. With all the pass-happy teams we are playing this year I would think a coverage linebacker would get a lot of snaps.
There are so many jobs up for grabs in the secondary it only makes sense Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson have the most obvious path to the playing time. However, Burks is in a good place to contribute as a rookie with Morgan Burnett and Joe Thomas moving on this offseason. Burks has a background at safety, but he carries 235 pounds naturally. Both of the draft picks I thought might be undersized – Burks and Kendall Donnerson – looked the part Friday.
JJ from Cayce, SC
Lacked any one true star pass rusher but relied on quality depth of rushers with various skill sets to get sacks? Sounds like the perfect scheme for our roster. I think way too much is made about the pass rush because Mike Pettine has been more successful with a lot less talent than Clay Matthews or Nick Perry at edge, not to mention our bevy of young rushers all with promise.
Sacks are a byproduct of pressure, but there are ways to make a quarterback uncomfortable without lighting up a stat sheet. Pettine's best defenses had the perfect blend of consistent pressure and cohesiveness in coverage.
Nick from Loberger, WI
With Tim Boyle being 6-4 and 232 pounds. Do you think the "Gute" brought him in so that after he is done being a training-camp QB, we can move him to either ILB or TE? Maybe he can play both ways!
I sense the sarcasm in your submission, but it brings me back to last spring when everyone wanted to move Taysom Hill to running back or tight end. Death, taxes and converting your fourth-string quarterback to Position X.
Matt from Waunakee, WI
Jimmy wants to know how a long snapper tears his ACL three times.
A long snapper didn't tear his ACL three times. A tight end did. I'm going to be writing more about Hunter Bradley next week, but he said Friday the two tears at Mississippi State happened on near-identical dig routes. After the third tear, Bradley decided to give long snapper a try.
Jake from Oxford, WI
A little bit of edge in the Inbox lately, I like it fellas! My question is in regards to what I interpret as a preference for RB by committee, but want the top few receivers to be set in stone. Is there a reason for this approach other than Rodgers and his WRs need to be on the same page and that cannot be a realistic expectation with a committee of receivers?
Running back is a little different because of the wear and tear of the position. That's great if someone runs away with the starting job, but the second- and third-string options are vital over the course of the season. I take no issue with a committee of receivers depending on the situation, but Davante Adams and Randall Cobb are established playmakers. You want those guys on the field as much as possible.
Roger from McGrath, AK
I read an article about how the Packers and the whole NFL has punting "all wrong" and drafting a punter is nuts. So, what kind of "flip-the-field" differences can we use to measure a good punter versus a poor punter and what is the range of those differences?
I'd agree with that assessment if I only looked at statistics, but that's not how the game is played. Field position is so critical to winning and losing. If you watch a live NFL game, you see how valuable it is to have an elite punter. Scott projects as the kind of punter who can tilt the field for a defense. I'm on board with it.
Will from Bath, UK
How many comments have you had about Vogel after Spoff raised how much the punter competition intrigued him? Talk about a kiss of death!
I'll have to nudge him in the side during this afternoon's media availability as retribution.
Karl from Santa Fe, NM
It's strange, but my choice for biggest "second-year jump" is Lance Kendricks. The guy was the 47th pick in the draft, consensus All-American, his yards per catch have increased each year from 2015 to last year. As much as Graham brings, the one-two punch of these two athletes together may elevate both of their games, especially with AR slinging it for the whole year. Your take?
I think it's a great take. It took some time for Kendricks to get comfortable last year, but now he has a year under his belt in this offense. Kendricks needs to clean up some of the drops from last year, but he's a good secondary option and fits well into the locker room.
Richard from Pelham, AL
If you're going to answer a legit question with an irrelevant answer, then why post it?
My own personal amusement.
Greg from Hamilton, Ontario
What do coaches do to improve their skills and craft?
The Packers' coaching staff does a lot to stay sharp. I know Joe Whitt often travels back home to Alabama to shadow high-school teachers in order to pick up on different teaching techniques that may help in his own classroom. The Packers also like to do their across-the-hall meetings to open up lines of communication between the offense and defense. Self-scouting is such an important component of the NFL.
Lori from Heredia, Costa Rica
Have you ever caught a pass from 12? Have you ever heard one of 12's fastballs "sing" through the air more loudly than footballs thrown by other QBs?
Thankfully, I have never been a position where I'm required to catch a pass from Aaron Rodgers, but I have heard his ball sing before. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. A freight train on a frozen rope.
Joe from Dover Foxcroft, ME
I think we had an exceptional draft. What about our divisional foes?
I like what the Bears and Lions did given some of their constraints. I truly feel Anthony Miller is going to be a player in this league and Roquan Smith should be a good fit for Vic Fangio's defense. The Lions had to improve their running game. Frank Ragnow and Kerryon Williams will help that cause.
Derek from Eau Claire, WI
Which of the QBs selected in the draft will be starting Week 1?
Sam Darnold and Josh Allen.
Zach from Rochester, NY
I watched a lot of Syracuse football games the past few years. I really believe that Parris Bennett will not only make this final 53-man roster, but make an impact on this team. You heard it here first.
There is a lot to like with Bennett, a three-year starter who had at least 100 tackles each of the past two years for the Orange. He has some tweener traits worth developing. I'm excited to learn more about him.
Anthony from Southington, CT
I thought you used to post a transcript of "Packers Unscripted." Are you going to do that again?
No transcripts.**Just links**to audio.
Chris from Reston, VA
Another Lavar Ball reference, Wes?
Did I win or lose? Did I win or lose? All I care about is the W.
Stephen from Chicago, IL
Wes, what's your opinion on the Ryan contract? Was either the total, length, or amount of guarantee surprising to you in any way (high or low)?
I wasn't surprised at all. It's exactly what I expected it to be. Matt Ryan is one of the very best at the NFL's most important position. The cap goes up, the price goes up. That's the way things go.
Tony from Eau Claire, WI
Discounting the QB position, which former NFL player do you believe did the best job of using his mind (studying the game, etc.) to compensate for shortfalls in his physical abilities?
Jarrett Bush. He was one of the hardest-working players I've ever been around and squeezed every ounce of talent out of his body. It led to a nine-year NFL career.
Jonas from Sundsvall, Sweden
Was the international player Carl Johan Björk? He played for a couple of seasons in Green Bay. He is now in broadcasting, covering the NFL in Sweden and always speaks so well of Green Bay as an organization.
Yes! We have a winner! 2007
David from Dubuque, IA
Insiders, I just want to say thank you. As I go through some changes in a young man's life, it is nice to have a little "family" who brings me insight and comedic relief. Thank you for the companionship through all (my) heart breaks, career changes, and changes of season. I look forward to the season.
That's what we're here for. "Bull Durham" references and camaraderie.
Tony from River Falls, WI
What are your thoughts on the Raiders moving to Las Vegas?
I hate Oakland is losing the Raiders, but I'm glad Vegas is the new destination. Vegas rolled out the red carpet for the NFL and I expect no different for the Raiders. It's 2018. The city is ready for this opportunity.
Steve from Wauwatosa, WI
As we move from the "who are we getting" season to the "what have we got" season, can I hope the new DC we got gets rid of those goofy tackle doughnuts?
Would you prefer those goofy tackling robots?
Scott from Woodland Hills, CA
Please answer a debate for us. Where did you get the quote, "Good day sir, I said good day!"? Us older folk say, "Willy Wonka," the younger are saying "That '70s Show."
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
Paul from Pawleys Island, SC
I don't hate me some sentences that start "I love me some ...." I dislike them all. But I must admit, it's kind of funny when the Insiders do it!
I love me some I love me some.
Kyle from Los Angeles, CA
Wes, would you rather do Inboxes on M/W/F with Saturday mornings off? How did you guys decide who would do Mondays after Vic left?
Hey, I just do whatever Spoff and Glen tell me to.
