Inbox: Your nickname suits you

Jordan Love is doing what leaders are doing now Wes Hodkiewicz

Thomas from West Palm Beach, Florida

I can’t remember ever being more curious and excited about a scheduled release. In a league that loves storytelling, why not kick off the season with Rambo’s Detroit?

I’m fine with that.

TK from Grafton, Wisconsin

Which is the bigger adjustment for an NFL rookie? Mental (much more complicated plays/schemes) or Physical (bigger, stronger, faster opponents)? After careful consideration, the answer is yes. I decided there was. Still, some newcomers can contribute right away! It’s weird, wild, and quirky!

1st day mental, 1st week physical.

Dennis from Parish, Florida

Anyone reading this column has probably seen tapes of first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. I watched it over and over and decided that the way he moved and his abruptness reminded me of Clay Matthews. Slightly larger Clay Matthews. One can only dream of him becoming such a player. I will let you know for the first time in about 3 years!

After only two Minicamp practices, I left the Hutson Center on Saturday with one certainty about Lucas Van Ness.

Chris Chesterfield from England

Greetings from the UK. Today we crowned a new king, but who do you think will be crowned best rookie at the end of the season?

I’m not one to favor carriages over horses, but I think Van Ness is a good bet. He’s set to play a lot this season in positions where several rookies, including Matthews, have made a direct impact on Green Bay.

Rudy from Tempe, Arizona

When the Packers acquired LVN with the 13th pick, do you think Gouty envisioned Zadarius Smith’s 2019 and 2020 seasons? It seems to me that there is Ideally, on third down, we’d see him running through guard/center while letting Rashan Gary and Preston Smith take on the duties of the outside. LVN, Gary, Smith, Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clarke’s pass rushes are already bleeding! go pack go.

Van Ness’ versatility in college is a plus, but I think the decision to draft him was as easy as adding another elite edge rusher to the defense. Requires one solid edge rasher. Van Ness is a young player who can not only assist in early edge rotations while Gary recovers, but also expand his pass rush later in the year as his game develops.

Kurt from Pine Island, Minnesota

From the quick look we got this week, don’t you think some of those new guys really pass the eye test?

I think so. Scout prospects are very hard to spot, but only humans of elite size, agility, and athleticism last long on the list—not just first and second rounds. Even Day 3 picks like Colby Wooden are top 1% athletes.

Jeffrey from Brooklyn, Wisconsin

Hey II, you see the rookie minicamp in your rearview mirror, which player caught your eye more often and why?

Jaden Reed’s speed and explosive power are the real deal. A man cuts a dime. Anders Carlson is also the biggest kicker I’ve ever seen.

Ted from Findlay, Ohio

I’m not familiar with the International Player Pathway program. How many people have made a team roster through the program? Any impactful players? thank you.

In the short time that IPP has been around, the program has enjoyed considerable success. There are several active players who have joined the NFL Undiscovered or IPP. Philadelphia starting left tackle Jordan Mailata (Australia) is perhaps the biggest success in his story. This is an important step for the NFL. Kenneth Odumegu told reporters on Saturday that he is thrilled with the opportunity to not only play in the NFL, but also help grow the sport in Nigeria.

Rick from Bluffton, South Carolina

I was wondering if something happened when we changed the rule of pushing the QB from behind to advance the ball. I figured there would be a change on this that would go to the rules committee in a subsequent owner vote. I think someone said there was already a rule in the book, but it was never actually enforced. thank you.

No…and we fully expect a bunch of franchise QBs to be pushed around like shopping carts this season.

Ernie from Kirkwood, Missouri

I’m really looking forward to seeing Jordan Love use a wide range of young receivers and tight ends. Aaron Rodgers felt locked in by Davante Adams, but other receivers were open, forcing a pass and hurting his chances. was. We hope that the bond of love with young recipients will create a special experience.

Arnie, I know my criticisms are a bit harsh, but I’m looking forward to seeing receivers this summer too. It is rare to have a receiver room in Maturity doesn’t happen overnight, but expect to see significant progress between Love and Wideout from OTA to Week 1. He’s doing what leaders do now.

John from Civano, AZ

I don’t know if you follow other websites, but I enjoy PFF.com. Because PFF.com has logic and statistics about how players are evaluated. They listed Anthony Johnson, Jr. as a Round 7 steal, with his rank of 90 and picking him with 242. GPG!

Anthony Johnson Jr. is this year’s Day 3 pick. He is the textbook definition of a football player. Johnson may have been in the draft last year trying to catch up with an NFL team as a cornerback, but he understood that his best shot to play at the next level might be safety. So Johnson returned to school for his five years, earned All-Big 12 honors on the back end, and is now in a position to compete for the job.

David from Rainier, Oregon

Are we currently the youngest team in the NFL?

All the teams are young now. The real barometer of that comes in September, when the Packers have only three players over the age of 30 right now.

Blues from Jackson, Wisconsin

Karnak (Wes) The Magnificent, where will our offense primarily come from early next season? Still not getting the gold stripes on your uniform in a passing game against a receiver? Or is it the TE you’ve had for years as a blocker? If you game plan accordingly, it’s possible! GPG !

Sounds like a broken Spofford here, but the Packers will have to resort to a run game early on. Not only is that the biggest certainty about the current composition of the offense in 2023, but it’s also where the NFL-proven sustained production comes in. No problem. I’ve said it 12 times in this column – in Round 1 he drafted an O-lineman of the Generation or leave the position alone. The Packers have brought back 12 more he-O linemen since last season. I say let them fight it out and make the best starting five possible.

Richard from Caledonia, Wisconsin

Hello! What additional information can I share regarding the announcement that Kevin Kings was trying to return to Green Bay but suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Bad news!

My heart goes out to Kevin. For all the flak King took from part of his fanbase, I had a lot of fun covering his five seasons with the Packers. I have never personally taken criticism from the outside. He enjoyed interacting with the media and gained a deeper perspective on what we all do. As I tweeted in response to Kevin’s post, I will forever be aiming for his #20. We wish King a speedy and complete recovery. I love nothing more than watching him get his way in the NFL.

Jeff from Indian Lake, New York

Julius’ comment from Providence really caught my eye. Specifically, that Matthew Slater has been playing for 16 years?!Talk about making an impact on a special team.

10 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pro teams, 3 Super Bowl rings. From a pure coverage player standpoint, I think Matthew Slater has to be part of the greatest conversation ever. Since 2012, Slater has played his snaps offensively 236 times, and has scored 3,191 reps on the special team.

Sam from Harlan, Iowa

We all know the NFL facilities for players are very good. I think they are really well fed at team sites like OTAs, training camps, in-seasons and trips. Have you ever talked to them about how their college experience with food and facilities compares to life in the NFL? seems to be done.

I never asked, but rookie receiver Grant Dubose, a former DoorDash driver, gave me a very complimentary meal at Rambo on Saturday. The team dining staff have an unrealistic job.

Thomas from New Berlin, Wisconsin

Questions about why players can’t be kept and answers about caps. My question is why can’t the league establish a cap that can give teams enough money to re-sign the players they need?

It’s the same reason I always call for lower cable rates. Money doesn’t grow on trees, even in the NFL.

Margaux from Tallahassee, Florida

How are you feeling with us at Wes on Monday? Any jitters? I was very impressed with the voices of the newcomers in the interviews. If they play as well as they sound, we’re on to something. Anybody in the group you really want to delve into their story?

We’re working on it as we speak, Margaux. Interrupted to sit, she hopes to start working on a couple this week if she can concentrate for 10 minutes.

Vinnie from Arlington, Virginia

At least this offseason will be busy with 13 draft picks and nearly 10 undrafted free agents to cover, but there’s no shortage of articles and topics to cover!

That’s certainly one way of looking at it, Vinnie.

Doug from Nina, Wisconsin

My new favorite player is rookie tight end Luke Musgrave. Because he is an avid angler. Have you had a chance to go fishing with any Packers player? Quiet for an in-depth (pun intended) interview, including fishing salmon and lake trout off Algoma, and chasing trophy walleye and muskies in the bay. It seems to be a relaxing environment. thank you.

Four years ago I was fishing in Kentucky with Mitchell Henry’s father and brother.I don’t know if Spoff ever went fishing for stories…but he had Jeff Janis Sprays Pee On Him, So he’s doing it well…it’s, uh, good. Have a nice Monday.

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