Inbox: It's the great equalizer

[Cheesehead]

Nathan from Philadelphia, PA


The Packers probably don't let even team reporters within sight of the room with the draft board, but as far as you know, does the big board have every eligible player on it somewhere? Or does a team ever consider the red flags about a guy's character or history so significant that they would not draft him in any round?


You know, I've heard of the phrase, "Taking a player off the board," but I never followed up to ask if that's to be taken literally. Maybe there's a smaller board off to the side?


Nik from Moore, SC


How many immediate "starters" do we need from this draft/FA signings? I'd say two: one IDL and one OL (OT or C). This seems very attainable. Some may not like Kevin King or Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but they are starters in this league on many other teams. I don't think our "needs" to improve are as great as many in the media think they are. Dean Lowry and Kingsley Keke may not be stars, but they are starting quality NFL players. This draft may turn out to be more about depth for '22-23. I can't wait for those comments.


The Packers don't paint themselves into a corner like that, so I don't know if there's any position where they need to draft a starter. Now, are there some positions where it would behoove the Packers to have a rookie compete for a starting role right off the bat? Absolutely. Both lines, cornerback, linebacker and even receiver top that list for me.


Scott from Sheboygan, WI


Insiders, a wizard comes to you and says "I can guarantee the Packers will play in the next Super Bowl, or I will grant you invisibility for three days so you can be in the Packers' war room during the draft." Which do you choose?


I stop the wizard at "The Super Bowl" before he can finish his sentence.


Roger from Lakewood Ranch, FL


So, I'm guessing the Packers will play their first international game in London in 2022 or 2023? They may be giving up a home game, but they should still have eight games in GB. Looks to me like refusing to give up a home game in the past has worked out for the area's economy just fine!


This was the biggest silver lining for me with the expanded schedule. The only two things I haven't done as an NFL beat writer is cover a Super Bowl (see previous answer) and an international game. Hopefully, we check both off the old Hod bucket list in the coming years.


Steven from Edgewater, MD


NFLPA president JC Tretter argued that teams' ability to function the way they did this past season proved that you do not need preseason games or OTAs; things veteran players have typically seen as a lose-only proposition risking injury for no benefit. He inadvertently may have pointed out that regular team practices are plenty to evaluate and develop players. Do players get better by playing preseason games or is it just showing what the coaches already figured out from training camps?


I get where JC and veterans are coming from. I mean, you all know my feelings by now on a 17-game season. That being said, I still believe there is a huge benefit to conducting a preseason for young players and undrafted free agents to compete. Without a preseason, there is no opportunity for NFL teams to see these players, and teams aren't going to blindly claim players unless the active roster is expanded beyond 53 players. Those spots are too valuable. Personally, I don't believe it's fair to young guys making a couple thousand dollars a week with no guarantees past Sept. 1.


Josh from Oshkosh, WI


With the expansion of the regular season, will any padded practices be added?


I highly doubt that.


Ferdinand from Woodbury, MN


Am I missing something? Won't the Packers now be guaranteed TWO international games every eight years instead of one (one home and one away)? Unless the NFL makes some other division play three in an eight-year period...


Potentially. But it depends on whether teams will still be allowed to protect one home game like the Chargers did in 2019. If they can, there's no way any NFL team is letting the Packers game be played anywhere but its home stadium.


Bruce from Jackson, WI


Welcome back Wes. When asked earlier this week if there was a chance with the 17th game being added the NFL might add an additional game to the total number of games a team can participate in primetime, Mike responded, "Selfishly, from a work standpoint, I hope not." Do you think he was serious? We're talking about one additional game. I would think with more basketball and baseball evening games you both would be more night owls than morning folks. The exposure has to be better for the team.


Spoff was absolutely serious and I concur with him. I don't get much sleep after night games. As the Monday "Packers Daily" guy this past season, I needed to be back in at 9 a.m. CT regardless of when I left the building. Spoff's lot is even worse because he's responsible for penning Inbox for the next morning after already filing two game stories. If we could play every NFL game at noon, that would be grrrrrrrrrrrreat. OK?