Its good to see Mark Murphy get his flowers. He deserves every petal

Wes Hodkiewicz

Dar from Mansfield, TX

Welcome back, Saturday Inbox! It's so-o-o good to see you. You look fantastic. Have you lost weight?

I wish it would've lost my number.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

Wow, that first Saturday Inbox came a lot quicker than I thought it would. Those LCD screens on the lockers do look neat. Who controls the content that's displayed though? Straight line to the personnel department with screens blacking out on everyone's least favorite day?

You're telling me, Hannes. The football technology folks work with the equipment staff on those boards in the locker room. One funny story it wasBrandon McManus' 34th birthday on Friday, so they had a nice balloon motion graphic over his headshot. It's the little things in life.

John from Madison, WI

I just wanted to say I think the 1923 Classics might be our best throwbacks ever. I particularly like the leather design on the helmets. As much as I appreciated the Milk Dud helmets back in 2010, this is so much better.

I agree. While I enjoyed the 1950s throwbacks, my wardrobe is thrilled to have a blue variant back. The hand-designed helmets look great with these unis, too. It gets the juices flowing. We've certainly come a long way, and credit the NFL for relaxing its rules and restrictions on alternate uniforms. It's great anytime a team can honor its past while also letting its hair down a little bit.

James from Appleton, WI

I know every season starts from scratch, but last seasonJosh Jacobsmade it more likely that the Packers might run on third-and-3 or third-and-4. Don't you think opponents would expect that to carry over? What's Matt LaFleur's counter to their adjustments?

I don't get this whole "You gotta change something because the Packers showed it before" thing. This has come up a few times now, especially with the defense. Do you think the Philadelphia Eagles are just scrapping what worked well with Saquon last year? No. Evolve. Don't reinvent. Jacobs is a good back a really good back. There's gonna be new things the Packers do with him (don't ask me to predict those) and also more of concepts that worked well. This game is about innovation and staying ahead of the curve, not rewiring everything on a year-to-year basis.

Kirsten from Madison, WI

I'm sitting here in Lambeau at the shareholders meeting, with front-row seats with my kids, to salute Mark Murphy in person. What a great man. We have been blessed by his leadership. Thank you, Mark!

Is this the first Insider Inbox submission sent from the shareholders meeting?

DT from Bozeman, MT

Regarding Mark Murphy's Hall of Fame credentials, is it fair to say Mark has led a Hall of Fame life given how he has lived his professional, community and personal life?

I did an interview on Friday morning with iHeart radio in Milwaukee and said the same exact thing. Winning trumps everything, so obviously the Packers making the playoffs in 13 of Murphy's 17 years at the helm is a big deal. However, Mark also treated every member of this organization with the utmost respect regardless of whether you're the head coach, general manager or a lowly staff writer. It's good to see Mark get his flowers. He deserves every petal.

Elias from White Plains, NY

It's great to seeLuke Musgraveback into the fold. What do we expect from him this season withTucker Kraftblossoming last year?

The Packers drafted him and Tucker Kraft for a reason. If Musgrave is healthy, the sky's the limit.

Mark from Amarillo, TX

When I seeMarShawn Lloyd, I think Frank Gore. Am I crazy? Very excited to see what he brings to the offense this year.

I don't like playing the comparison game, but both pack a punch at 5-foot-9. While Lloyd is about 10 pounds heavier, he actually ran a faster 40 than Gore (4.46-4.58). You gotta do it on the grass, but it just shows the type of athlete the Packers have on their hands.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

The story onIsaiah Simmonshas put him on my radar. I remember a willingness to take on everything asked of me early in my career, and while I showed the capacity to succeed, I lacked deeper subject knowledge for higher paying opportunities. Ultimately, I found an opportunity that leveraged my skills and the opportunity to specialize. It seems like Simmons is in a similar situation. I'm excited to see how his season goes.

Mike did abang-up job on that story, so please check it out if you haven't already. I mentioned on "Unscripted" this week, I don't know if Simmons has ever had a real opportunity to be a linebacker in his NFL career. Yes, he technically played that position in Arizona, but the defense the Cardinals employed at that time heavily emphasized using hybrid linebackers/safeties in the box. He is a full-fledged linebacker in Green Bay and right now he's making plays. Simmons is off to a good start.

Andrew from Birmingham, UK

How do you young guys stay so focused after receiving such large life-changing sums of money? I remember working days after a decent pay raise or a Christmas bonus when all I wanted to do was get down the shops (or bar!) and spend it. I guess that's the difference between us regular Joes and the Supermen. Focus, focus, focus.

I think sometimes fans take for granted how much pride professional athletes take in their job. Talent and athleticism only get a player so far. In the NFL, we're also talking about some of the most competitive human beings in this country. These guys are driven to succeed, and obviously life-changing compensation is a natural byproduct of that.

Jason from Ammon, ID

Greetings, II friends. I'm a sucker for anything "5 things." First thing I click on when there's a new one. Still thinking about Mr.Rasheed Walker's quote from a couple days ago, "They don't make band-aids for feelings." That's a candid, mature perspective on the business side of football. I wish the man and every other player the best as they compete for one of the most coveted jobs in the world. I can't imagine that pressure.

Walker also talked about how he's been competing since the day he started playing football. You don't become a starting left tackle at Penn State, let alone the NFL, if you're not forged by fire. Walker overcame a lot of adversity to start 35 games at one of pro football's most difficult positions. He ain't backing down from anything.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, it's early in camp but it seems this season and the success of this Packers team is gonna rest on the ability of the defense and especially the DBs to shut down opposing receivers.

Sounds good to me.

Don from Boise, ID

With the recent back injury toAaron Banks, I am now worried about both our backfield and OL. Is there anything you know, can share, that might give me hope that they both will be whole and not a weakness come regular season?

Banks is "day-to-day," and the Packers are the deepest they've been in the backfield during my 14 years on the beat. Is that good enough?

Monty from Velva, ND

There have been some questions regarding the signing of Aaron Banks and whether it was necessary. Do you think the signing was in response to the lack of depth displayed in the playoff game against Philadelphia?

I think it was in response to the 49ers drafting a really good guard out of Notre Dame four years ago and the Packers believing he could help their offense.

Steve from Green Bay, WI

There's always a feel-good story about an undrafted player trying to make the roster. Who's on your radar this year?

All of them.

Caleb from Lena, IL

What are the odds thatBo Meltonwill play CB?

Better than they were a week ago.

Theresa from Sylvania, OH

With all the discussion on contract value when switching positions (see previousElgton Jenkinsconversations), does Bo Melton's switch to corner increase or decrease his market value? It would seem to be a gamble if he tries to transition to a position and is not successful.

I don't think so because the Packers and NFL already have seen what Melton can do as a receiver. I can think of three former Packers Damarious Randall, Ty Montgomery and Rico Gafford who all bounced between positions throughout their careers and kept getting NFL opportunities.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

I saw Wes's tweet about camp Day 3. Rookie WRSavion Williamsis out with a concussion? Did he get his bell rung in one of the first two days? Does he have a concussion history or just have me overly gun-shy?

I have no idea and am not gonna speculate. LaFleur talks again Sunday. I will say Williams was in the locker room on Friday, which is a good sign.

Aidan from Suwanee, GA

Well II, it looks like there are some coaches down in Florida that read the Inbox and were intrigued with one of the suggestions. Did you see the Gators are trying out 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux on special teams to block FG and extra points? As fun as it's going to be seeing someone 7-9 in football pants, I can't wait to see how this pans out. We may be witnessing a future trend, that all started during baloney season when I suggested signing Tacko Fall! Get your popcorn!

What works at the college level sometimes finds its way to the pros, though it would be tough to hold a roster spot even on the practice squad for a field-goal-blocking specialist. I'm sure the league will be watching to see how the young man fares, though. Scouts always are.

Bill from San Antonio, TX

I, like many others, enjoy "Unscripted." Is it truly freestyle? It kinda sounds like you wind Wes up, throw him a line, and off he goes. Informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work.

Thank you very much for listening. Spoff said it during the offseason, and I'll say it again "Unscripted" is one of my favorite parts of this gig. It's also validating for me, personally. Because I desperately wanted to do a podcast when I was at the Press-Gazette and kept getting shot down. Now, here I am 10 years later still talking Mike's ear off.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

My granddaughter won a dance scholarship to Hollywood for a dance convention. She immediately made a new circle of friends including one girl from Wisconsin. I asked her mom if they were Packers fans and she said "of course." They live in Appleton. We chatted about Packers history. After the convention was over, we went to In-n-Out because my granddaughter wanted to try it for the first time. I smiled to myself when we were given order number 88.

That's awesome, Joe, and congrats to your granddaughter. Culver's is still better, though.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Watching "Unscripted," and Wes, it's not just the women you need to apologize to. We all love to see the flow.

Thank you, Mike. This healed me.

Zach from Glen Ellyn, IL

Not really a question, but watching Thursday's "Packers Unscripted" show, I noticed Mike's shirt. I just got that shirt delivered yesterday. And of course, I got the 2025 Packers Yearbook and look forward to reading the articles that both Mike and Wes wrote! After seeing Spoff in the shirt, I'm so glad I got one of my own to wear!

Mike Spofford, fashionista.

Joel from Show Low, AZ

Welcome back Saturday Insider! I've been a reader since Ask Vic. Just been submitting in the last two years. I encourage other readers to join with submissions. When you share your stories and questions, it strengthens the bonds of Packers Nation. I've had several submissions printed, an opening lead, an Outsider also. Shooting for the ending submission. See you all on Monday. GPG!

Aim higher, Joel. Have a good weekend, folks.

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