Every team has just as many if not more

Mike Spofford

Davy from Watertown, WI

If it's any consolation to Bil, apparently I moved to Waterford at some point, and didn't even realize it.

Ha. Priceless. We still love you, Davy.

Kevin from Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Just a long snapper story. John Hill, Lehigh U and New Orleans star was a legend in my fraternity. He was known to practice his long snapping in the fraternity second floor hallway. Snapping from one end to the other, hitting a target he hung on the wall.

Sounds like a scene for "Animal House: Gridiron Gang."

Eric from Roswell, GA

Spoff, this whole who/whom thing has pushed me over the edge. You have even corrected me personally in a response. I couldn't take it any longer so I spent five minutes yesterday learning the difference. How dare you force me to educate myself? Grrrrrr.

I always find small ways to entertain myself. This happens to be one of them.

Duane from Fort Collins, CO

Seriously? Dallas serves better food than New Orleans? I can't believe I even typed those words in that order. Say it isn't so, Mike.

The food in Dallas is top notch, for sure, and I've enjoyed it many times. I haven't covered a game in New Orleans since 2014 (the last time the Packers played there, in 2020, Wes and I weren't traveling due to Covid), so I have zero recollection of the food. I'll get a refresher this season and report back.

Joshua from Milwaukee, WI

Earl Campbell and Billy Sims? Hate to make you feel old, but I didn't realize they sold NFL replica jerseys that long ago. I imagine back then it wasn't the billion-dollar industry it is today. Or was it?

They weren't the replica jerseys sold in a team shop. They were Sears knockoffs that I would mark in the catalog for my mom to order for birthday and Christmas presents.

Paul from Vientiane, LPDR

All the recent discussion about substitution packages took me back to my childhood in the '80s when the "tight end shuttle" was the sub package to get the next play in. If this were done today with current substitution rules, would the defense be allowed to sub as many players as it wants or only one player to match the offense?

As many as it wants, within a reasonable response time.

John from Falcon, CO

Where do you think the NFL would be today without a salary cap?

Much less enjoyable for at least half of the teams' fan bases.

TK from Grafton, WI

18 games are simply too many. That is all.

For the players? Absolutely. But when that day comes the TV ratings won't say so.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning guys. I've heard many times, "You can't win a title in the first quarter of the season but you can lose one." With all the injury questions looming that first quarter of the season seems vital. Thanks.

I won't dismiss that out of hand, but with the advent of the No. 7 seed in each conference and only the No. 1 seed getting a first-round bye, nobody's really out of the title chase after the first quarter of the season now unless devastated by injuries.

Sam from Sumter, SC

Hey Michael, I'm very excited that the Packers drafted a hometown player from Sumter, SC!Brandon Cissehas a chance to be something special for the Packers! We will know more about his journey as training camp progresses. He is smart and has good instincts to be an up-and-coming CB. What have you seen from him so far that gives you the sense that the Packers made the right choice in drafting him? Looking forward to this season and seeing a strong Packers defense compete in the North! GPG!

Our exposure to him has been limited thus far, but I love his aggressiveness. Initially, he strikes me as a dude that never backs down, and that's needed at his position.

Rudy from Rhinelander, WI

It would appear from a fan (actually SUPER fan) that two LB spots are lockedEdgerrin CooperandZaire Franklin. Who or whom will be the other starter and backup at least at the start of games that count?

Isaiah McDuffieandTy'Ron Hopperare 3-4 at linebacker right now, as far as I know, but McDuffie missed the on-field work in the spring due to an injury.

Alex from Bozeman, MT

A lot of pundits are picking the Lions to be back in the playoffs due to having a favorable schedule after their finish last year. Looking at the Ravens' schedule they would be my pick to make it back to the playoffs this year and get a high seed. If betting was legal at Bushwood which team(s) that made the playoff in 2024 but not 2025 would be your pick to make it back to the playoffs this year? Chiefs, Ravens, Commanders, Lions, Vikings, Bucs.

Chiefs and Ravens definitely top the list.

Robb from Orlando, FL

Hi Mike and fellow fans, while still recovering from the way the last playoff game ended, I found myself wondering which injured player we missed more in that game. The Bears scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, so a healthyMicah Parsonswould have surely helped on this front. However, GB punted four straight times and gained only one first down in the third quarter andTucker Kraftpicking up YAC's or his blocking would have changed this scenario. Whom did we miss more in that playoff game?

Flip a coin.

Mark from Winona, MN

With all the speculation surrounding Parsons' return and what he brings to the GBP my question is what would this team look like if the trade was never made? A serious contender, middle of the pack, non-relevant? I suspect the answer might come in the first four to six games. However, I recognize that other players would still be with us and the draft would have played out differently, probably rendering my question a moot point. Keep up the good work, look forward to this column every morning.

Probably is a bit understated. There is absolutely no way to know.

Nathan from Williamstown, MA

The best QBs are constantly evolving and adding new facets to their game. What do you hope to learn aboutJordan Lovethis season?

To steal a phrase McCarthy once uttered to me about Rodgers in a one-on-one interview, I hope to learn he can bore us with his consistency.

Don from Cedar Rapids, IA

Does ANYBODY like it when watching a sports game on TV, a split-screen is shown and an interview with a player or coach is being conducted while the game is being played?

It's a reason for me to unmute the TV, otherwise I'm never listening.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Mike, I appreciated your taking Kelly's question regarding letting it fly or going for the three yards. Unfortunately, none of our opinions count as the buck stops with the coach. I might agree with you if we still had Tae, but we don't. An occasional heroic aside, letting it fly hasn't paid off the last five years. Until we fix our short-yardage game and play ball control, we're right back to wearing our defense out. I appreciate you, Wes and the II. Thx for occasionally letting us ramble.

I agree the short-yardage game can always improve, but it's blanket statements like "letting it fly hasn't paid off the last five years" that are just lazy, unsupported narratives. If by "hasn't paid off" you mean not reaching the Super Bowl, fine. That's the standard you're using. But this offense routinely ranks among the league leaders in explosive plays, and its scoring ranking almost certainly would be higher if not for kicking issues each of Love's three years. People assume ball control comes without risk. Every snap in this game carries risk someone could commit a penalty, bobble the ball or miss a block, which means a negative play or worse. The other guys get paid, too, remember. Explosive plays limit what could go wrong. So there's give-and-take across the board. I understand the view the Packers try to force the explosive play too often. I said that from the beginning. But at the same time I understand why they take the approach they do, and I've simply been trying to explain that side of it.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

Mike, I need your help. We're planning our family vacation, and I'm trying to convince everyone to head to Wisconsin so we can catch Family Night at Lambeau this year. The problem is my little family consists of two Chiefs fans and one person who's completely indifferent to football. I need a good sales pitch because I figure if I can just get them to Lambeau, I've got a chance of winning them back to the green and gold. Got any brilliant ideas?

In the spirit of Clark W. Griswold stopping for the world's largest ball of twine on a cross-country family trek, you could pitch the opportunity to see the world's largest fully chromed structure, as well as the chance to see four actual Lombardi trophies up close on a visit to the Hall of Fame, for which my daughter might sell you the admission tickets if she's working the desk that day. How's that?

Benjamin from Bear, DE

There's so many variables needed to ensure a great season and a long playoff run. Team health, chemistry, turnovers vs. takeaways, and the list goes on and on. In my humble opinion, success begins with a great pass rush and all the things a defense can do because of that pass rush. So, with all that said, in your humble opinion what's the key variable to a successful season? Thank you for considering my question.

I'd put health and turnover margin at the top of the list, but turnover margin is also greatly influenced by pass rush/pass pro, of course. Both also involve varying levels of luck.

Mike from Franksville, WI

Ever think about how funny it'd be to travel back and talk to Packers fans in 1992, considering how dismal the team had been and where our SB31 contributors were in that point in their careers? "Don't worry, in four years that coach we just hired leads Green Bay to a Super Bowl victory. Desmond Howard and Andre Rison both score touchdowns in the game, and Reggie White notches three sacks for our defense. Oh, and the third-string Falcons quarterback we just traded for? He's going to win MVP three times."

But it works the other way, too. If someone had told me in February of 2011 that I would cover the next 15 seasons without another trip to a Super Bowl, and I'd cover four NFC title game losses along the way, I wouldn't have believed a team could get that close that many times without getting it done. Ah, sports.

JP from Geneva, IL

It's July. Training camp opens this month! Will Parsons return as the same player he was before the injury? When will he return? Who steps up on the DL? Will Love take the next step? Will this year's Packers finish games? Will this year's Packers stop the self-inflicted wounds? Will this be MLF's best year or his last year? How many games will WRChristian Watsonplay? WillMarShawn Lloydovercome the injuries and play football? Will this year's Packers respond to adversity? Soooooo many questions.

And every team has just as many if not more. That's this league.

Jeff from Edgerton, WI

Hello Mike. If you were a regular fan and had tickets to a game, what would be your ideal experience? Location of tickets? Time of day? What day? Weather? Opponent? Just wanna know what your perfect day at Lambeau would look like. I think I like this question for next year's Outsider Inbox also so maybe I'll bring it up again next June.

Mid-October, crisp fall day, noon or 3:25 p.m. kickoff, sideline seats about 40 rows up between the 30s, against the Bears or Vikings.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, we find ourselves again in a lull. Not much news; just lots of clickbait and silliness. It's also that time of the year (or one of them) where I long for "Packers Unscripted," but since there's nothing to report, no show. I shall survive ... somehow ...

We appreciate your patience, because we aren't in the business of doing shows when there's nothing new to discuss.

Rob from Louisville, CO

Hey Mike, did you see Aaron Ashby is now 12-1? How do you like his chances of becoming the Brewers' first 20-game winner since Teddy Higuera?

I think it would be pretty cool. I realize baseball "scoring" remains a bit old-school for the modern game, but breaking a barrier as a relief pitcher would still be neat.

Sheila from Hudson, WI

Greetings M&W, everyday reader here. Our granddaughter McKinley was selected as the Jr. Power Pack 2026 Jr. Reporter and we have accomplished the first of two trips to GB for interviews. Hannah P. and Adam from your team were beyond amazing in coaching and capturing her 6-year-old essence.Shemar Bartholomew,Donovan JenningsandKarl Brookscouldn't have been more gracious. Total studs. My question: Would you guys be available for an interview when we return to training camp? Might blow up the internetGPG!

Ha, I doubt that blow up part, but if McKinley would like to chat with us, talk to Hannah and Adam about arranging it. Sounds like fun. That said, we wouldn't want to interfere with her opportunities to interview any players, and she should definitely take advantage of that experience first.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Plans for the 4th of July, Spoff?

A family gathering for my wife's birthday, and then next week is the Yearbook deadline. Enjoy Outsider Inbox, everyone. Happy Friday.

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