Inbox: That's where the biggest questions are answered every summer

[Cheesehead]

Stephie from Flowery Branch, GA


So...did training camp start today or not?


Not. Isn't 2020 great?


Joe from Dundee, IL


Oh boy, what will happen now after a number of positive tests of Marlins players and coaches? Will this give the NFL pause? Will it cause the NFL to add some more protocols?


The Marlins' situation is a reminder we have to listen to the medical professionals at every step of this wayward journey – in sports and otherwise. This is going to be a daunting challenge for the NFL and it's going to be up on everyone to avoid getting complacent over these next five or six months. The antennas must be raised at all times. With daily testing in place and no preseason to worry about, the NFL needs to use these next six weeks to determine if the necessary protocols are in place to keep players safe and healthy once the games begin. I fear for baseball, though. Time is not on its side if teams have to get quarantined for 10-14 days and the schedule starts to get dusted.


Mike from Fort Wayne, IN


My buds and I played sandlot football or baseball every day, whichever season it was. We chose different teams each time. We didn't get paid and had no one cheering us on, but we played like that was the case. We just had each other, pride and bragging rights for the day. I don't think the pros will have an issue with motivation to win.


They're world-class competitors. These players wouldn't be here if that internal motivation wasn't already instilled in them.


Craig from Appleton, WI


With no preseason games, do you think the coaches will hold any scrimmage games? Players often mention needing to get their bodies ready for game-type physical contact. With fewer padded practices and no preseason games, it seems harder to prepare for this.


The teams won't be scheduling scrimmages in these conditions, even if they're only intra-squad. Whatever padded practices teams can get in will have to do.


Mike from Austin, TX


As the battle zone is being redefined from the edges to the middle of the field, the safety position is emerging to that of elite status. Given that the 49ers are leading edge in taking the middle, isn't the Jamal Adams trade actually brilliant for the Seahawks? Is the Pack ahead of the curve with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage?


What matters most is having a stable one-two punch on the back end, but that isn't a new revelation or anything. That's how I felt in the late-'90s with LeRoy Butler, Eugene Robinson and later Darren Sharper. So I credit Brian Gutekunst for identifying an area the Packers needed to shore up and devoting resources to that cause last year. Whatever you think about what the Seahawks gave up, John Schneider has seen firsthand how a stellar back end affects a defense and obviously wants to get back to that.


Morris from Eau Claire, WI


From our pool of skill players, do you see anyone aside from Davante Adams reeling in over 1,000 receiving yards in the upcoming season?


Yes. All it takes is 62.5 yards per game if someone plays in all 16 games. And there's plenty of snaps to go around if a No. 2 receiver distinguishes himself from the pack.


Curtis from Brookfield, WI


Hi Mike and Wes, I know we have asked some questions about the practice squad, and I don't think this question was asked: If a player gets (signed) off a practice squad and for some reason would fail his physical for his new team, does he still remain with his new team for three games or does he go back to his old team, or is he in some kind of limbo? Thanks guys.


The new team would have to pass that player on his physical for the deal to go into effect. If he should fail, he would then revert back to the practice squad of his original club.


Dean from Leavenworth, IN


With the salary cap reportedly going to $175M in 2021 from $198M this year, will teams be able to credit the money they are under the cap this year to the 2021 cap? If so, how do you think that might affect cuts (especially high-priced veterans) and signings through Sept. 5?


Any unused cap space in a season automatically rolls over to the following year. So those considerations would have to be made before a team agrees to sign Jadeveon Clowney, for example.


Dennis from Parrish, FL


Our favorite South Carolina beachcomber always talked about every unpadded camp produces an underwear champion. His term for a guy who can't play once the pads come on and real hitting starts. I have a pretty good idea EVERY team in 2020 will keep on the roster a couple of underwear champions who won't finish the season!


Underwear champions and I bet a few classroom guys who impressed during the virtual offseason program and retained that knowledge to get off to a strong start with the installs during camp.


Robert from Harris, MN


As a coach, I am getting a kick (or something) out of the fans that are wringing their hands at how difficult it will be to make decisions on roster spots with no preseason games. I understand the concept of "gamers" but seriously, a single practice can create 10 times the number of touches/reps that a game can. Trust me, everything being even, replacing a preseason game with a practice gives the coaches much more information than you think.


Exactly. Brian Gutekunst always talks about how preseason games often reinforce what a player does in practice. That's where the biggest questions are answered every summer. I'll miss the preseason because it gives us writers some tangible numbers to ascertain how certain players are performing, but there's still plenty to be gleaned from what happens over at Nitschke Field.