If availability is the best ability, coachability is a close second

Wes Hodkiewicz

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Well, you heard it straight from Gutey. "Nickel is base defense now." Not a bad T-shirt idea either. It's nice to listen to these guys talk football again.

It is official. We are so back.

Yotam from New Zealand

To James from Chicago, IL (and all the coaches and scouts), I would go with the raw talent IF he's coachable. I saw too many very talented people who were not open to learn and were quick to find excuses for any mistakes they made. But if they listen and learn, the sky's the limit.

If availability is the best ability, coachability is a close second.

Dwayne from Rock Rapids, IA

Not sure exactly how long, but nearly 20 years ago while attending training camp I'm walking from Ray Nitschke field up toward Lambeau to watch the players/kids/bikes. I mention how cool the great tradition was to the guy walking next to me. To my pleasant surprise it was the one and only Peter King. His comment back to me was, in his opinion, one of the greatest traditions in all of sports. Quite a statement coming from him. To your knowledge, is there anything in professional sports like it?

No and I don't think anything else compares to it. Bike riding in Green Bay is a 1-of-1 tradition that cannot be replicated.

Tom from Southfield, MI

Hey II, which players from this Packer roster, if you threw them into the Wayback Machine to one of Lombardi's practices, would thrive or survive? Any?

I'd love to seeTucker Krafton the 1960s Packers. I think he'd fit right in.

Gary from Tompkinsville, KY

What kind of injuries do Banks andLuke Musgravehave?

To which Banks are you referring?Brant Bankshas a hamstring injury. I'm not sure whatAaron Banks' injury was, but he is off the physically unable to perform list and practicing again. Brian Gutekunst told reporters the Packers are awaiting more information on Musgrave's neck injury to determine if there are any long-term implications. It was alarming to hear it's related to the same injury that forced Musgrave to drop out of minicamp last month and he's still not been cleared from it.

Anthony from Madison, WI

OK, so what if the pundits are down on the GBP this year? Last year, everybody was high on the Packers and look what happened. Yes, they were ripe and ready, and nobody saw the injuries coming. However, I believe the upside this year is a more balanced team, and a tiger lying in wait. I actually feel a lot more confident in the team this year due to a healthier dose of caution and a lot less hype. Starting slow with more torque generally garners better results.

Personally, I like the idea of the NFL sleeping on the Packers. It seems like that's when Green Bay has played some of its best football (e.g. 2016 and 2023). But I don't think the locker room really cares about outside perception. They feel like they're contenders and are hungry to prove it.

Larry from Chubbuck, ID

It's great to see training camp get started and begin a journey that hopefully takes us into February. It was also nice to watch "Unscripted" yesterday. Nice glasses Wes, they look sharp. I have two thoughts. I hope you prove me wrong on the first one and agree with me on the second. The team the Packers put on the field in Minnesota will not be as good as the one that started against Detroit last season. This team will be better than the one that played Jan. 10.

We shall see, right? Even if you are correct, that still would not be a bad trade. After all, you want to be playing yourbest football in January. While the Packers were game in that NFC Wild Card matchup in Chicago, injuries had taken their toll at that point. The goal for September should be to win as many of those games as possible and then let the real team take form onceMicah Parsonsand Tucker Kraft are back at the peak of their powers.

Nathan from Abingdon, MD

To Keith from Lincoln, the surgery recovery can differ in length depending on what was done. If I recall, Micah also had a meniscus repair along with ACL. Surgeons don't allow for weight bearing for at least a month, if not longer, after meniscus repair because that could damage the repair. A straight ACL repair and you can start weight bearing right away. So, recovery is lengthened by at least six weeks right away, not to mention strength lost from that time off.

Gutekunst didn't go into specifics but reiterated the investment the Packers made in Parsons last year both financially and figuratively. This rehab isn't just about 2026. It's 2027, 2028, 2029 and so on. Green Bay and Parsons know every detail of the All-Pro edge rusher's injury and will act in the best interest of A) the player and B) the team.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

Let's drop the "sign a backup RB" talk. Who was the last HB GB signed? Cedric Benson? Let the young guys get their chance. Sign a veteran and you'll be in the same boat every two years, needing a new backup. If a young guy pans out, you've got a solid backup for five-plus years. So many backup HBs have panned out for us. J. Starks, Brandon Jackson, Emanuel Wilson, Ty Montgomery, and the list goes on. Lastly, contribution from the HBs is more related to your blocking. Build an O-line and the HB production follows.

James Robinson and Kenyan Drake strolled in here over the past few years, but I get your point.Josh JacobsandMarShawn Lloydboth looked fantastic on Wednesday. While Jacobs was finding holes up the middle, Lloyd broke a stretch play to the left side in red zone and found another gear on his way to a touchdown just inside the pylon. If healthy, Lloyd will be a dynamic complement to Jacobs.

Richard from Madison, WI

So, Josh Jacobs. Are you allowed to say anything?

Gutekunst was asked about Jacobs again on Wednesday and said it remains an ongoing legal situation. The Packers and NFL are waiting for a resolution. In the meantime, Jacobs continues to practice in preparation for this upcoming season.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

AssumingKeisean Nixonhas one corner locked down (not sure I agree with that), doesCarrington Valentinehave the edge because of his experience or doBenjamin St-JusteandBrandon Cissemake it a three-way competition?

It's wide open, but the Packersgot a good look at all three on Wednesdaywith Nixon not practicing due to a hamstring strain. Valentine and Cisse took the first-team work at the perimeter spots while St-Juste andJaylin Simpsonhandled the No. 2 snaps. St-Juste missed most of the offseason program with an injury and may rotate in, as well, once he gets his feet back under him.

Dennis from Toledo, OH

Good morning, just a bit surprised we swapped out kickers to compete withTrey SmackalreadyI'm certain there is more than meets the surface, but I felt Lucas Havrisik deserved to competeteam record holder when pressed into duty but he can't even get a shot to make his caseadditionallyLenny Krieg's stats don't exactly scream stud, especially on PATs. Perhaps it's the IPP status management likes in backup kicker, so we get a look at another positional player in camp? Anyway, it struck this fan as odd move now. Thanks.

I was surprised to see the Packers cut Havrisik now, but Gutekunst said on Wednesday morning that Krieg impressed during his workout and the team opted to make a change. Like you said, Krieg's IPP eligibility gives the Packers a bit more flexibility if they choose to keep him on the practice squad like they did with Alex Hale and Mark McNamee. Regardless, it is Smack's job to win or lose. I don't think Havrisik's presence affected that much.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

OK, is it emergency time to break the glass on a kicker? I can't even finish listening to "Unscripted" and the competition you spoke of is out the door.

I was messaging back and forth with Lucas on Tuesday and told him that same exact thing. I jinxed it, I guess. Havrisik is a great dude. I think I speak for the entire media corps in saying it was fun getting to know him over the past nine months. Wishing him well in his next chapter.

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

I read an article last year where Micah Parsons said he trains to go just as hard in the fourth quarter as he does in the first. I for one think this is a most desirable trait for any professional. I believe he had some younger Packers work with him in the offseason. If so, if they learned anything I hope it was that philosophy. Is there anything you have seen when he practiced that caught your attention, such as going just as hard at the end as the beginning during your limited time to observe?

You know what I never thought about until now? Since team 11-on-11 is closed to the media once the regular season begins, I've never really seen Micah Parsons practice. Only some individual work on the other side of Hinkle Field. But if Parsons practices at all like he plays, he's gotta be a handful to deal with.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders,Savion Williamsremains a mystery to most fans. He was our third-round pick last year and has an intriguing skill set. The question is can he be an effective player if pressed into duty due to injury to one of our "Big 3" WR?

The short answer is yes. Based strictly on talent, Williams has everything the Packers want in an offensive playmaker. But he needs to stay healthy and take the reps.

Nick from Orlando, FL

How do the players feel about the length of time between the first day of training camp and the regular-season opener? By my count, 45 days. It seems excessive in this day and age when players keep in top shape throughout the year and would seem to increase the risk of injury, even though I'm guessing contact is kept to a minimum. Thanks!

To quote Max Verstappen, "I don't know and I don't really care." I'm not trying to be cute or flippant, but this is all collectively bargained between the NFL and NFLPA. If I'm playing Monopoly, I don't think about how the gameboard is built. I just play the game.

Bob from Ocean View, DE

Probably not the place for this but can you please have your engineer boost the volume on "Packers Unscripted"? I had it cranked (to 11?) and still had difficulty hearing you guys over the traffic on my morning walk.

This has been communicated and hopefully addressed for Thursday's show.

Eric from Wrightstown, WI

Which stadiums offer the best view of the action from your seat in the press box? Which are the worst?

Nashville is the best, Washington is the worst and both are getting new stadiums.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

I'm confident for a very good season but I can't help but be nervous for this team. So many question marks at so many positions. Do you feel the same way or is it just me being me?

I think there's always a certain amount of nervous energy this time of year because everyone knows what is at stake. That said, you can't let fear control you. You have to build your football team and that's what the Packers are prepared to do.

Devin from Bondurant, IA

Hey II, let's play a game. Imagine each of you is exceptionally athletically gifted (not that you're not athletic, but for the sake of this being fun; athletic to the point of being a pro athlete), and you have been drafted by with the Pack. What round were you drafted in? What position would you see yourself competing for? And imagine writing your own camp competition storyline. *Get your popcorn ready*

I mean, have you seen my kick slide? Clearly, I'd be an All-Pro right tackle. Have a great Thursday.

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