In response to Jeff from Brooklyn, Spoff said something along the lines of it’s on the personnel department to know if a prospect is developing as they should. Can you expand on that? Do we have scouts that just watch our practices and young players to see how development is coming? I would think the coaches can handle that but maybe they are too invested in installs and who is making the correct play? How does that shake out? Loved to hear from Vic, eagle on a par-4.
If it’s filmed, someone is watching. Obviously, coaches grade players in the classroom but Brian Gutekunst and his top lieutenants also attend practices to watch players and get feedback. Away from the field, Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur also meet frequently to discuss the state of the roster.
Josh from Playa Majagual, Nicaragua
I think we may be a little naïve in stating coaches in the NFL aren’t teaching their players how to bend the rules. Offensive linemen are taught how to get away with a hold by keeping their hands inside the frame of the body, DBs are coached on when and how they can get away with a late grab to close the gap, and WRs are instructed how to draw PIs on uncatchable balls. Most coaches are former players, and they all learn and teach how to gain an edge without getting flagged. No longevity!? See: Bill Belichick.
What I took from Spoff’s response was you can’t teach bad technique. That’s how bad habits develop. There’s a difference between understanding where the lines are blurred (e.g. an O-lineman keeping his hands inside the framework of the body) and where contact could get you in trouble as a DB. Even if it’s not called in a game, teams review tape every week. If you’re putting bad film out there, the opposition will work to expose it.
Justin from Harrisburg, PA
I did not check the second round, but the last time all first-round QBs were re-signed by the teams that drafted them was in 2008. The Falcons drafted Matt Ryan No. 3, and the Ravens drafted Joe Flacco No. 18.
It’s rare for a draft to produce first-rounders who all become franchise quarterbacks for the team that selected them, especially in this day and age when six QBs come off the board in the first 12 picks.
Daniel from Chillicothe, MO
Could a visiting team ever “buy” a win on the road? What I mean is if the visiting team’s fanbase could acquire enough tickets via home-team resale on the secondary market, would it make a difference in the outcome of the game. I’ve been thinking about this ever since we hosted Detroit last year and they had way too many fans in attendance.
I’ve never attended a more Packers-friendly road game than Green Bay and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019. There might have been 500 Chargers fans at 27,000-seat Dignity Health Sports Park and Philip Rivers didn’t care one bit during a 26-11 drubbing of Green Bay, which was 7-1 heading in.
Woody from Kill Devil Hills, NC
Pickled asparagus! That actually makes sense. I often put pickled cabbage on my brats (aka sauerkraut). It is time to try the asparagus. I’ll have to try it with spareribs too. Thanks Wes.
Ninety percentage of the brat-constructing process is pickling the asparagus. The other half is mental.
There was a moment in the first episode of the offseason edition of “Hard Knocks” with the Giants where there was some tension between the GM and owner when discussing Saquon Barkley’s future with the team. Do you think the Packers lack of a traditional owner creates any sort of advantage in regard to situations like that? I assume there may be some more freedom for a GM if they don’t have to worry about keeping the owner happy.
I’m sick of “Hard Knocks.” There, I said it. Feels good. To your question, the Packers have the best setup in pro sports. The results speak to that.
Thanks to Mike for sharing news from Vic, and a thanks to Vic for willingly sharing a brief life update. Selfishly I want to ask if the Packers media team would ever consider asking Vic if he’d be interested in engaging in a one-off Ask Vic column. But I think this is a case where it’s better to let nostalgia alone than to try to chase it. Thanks again.
Not every classic band requires a reunion tour. What’s important is Vic is living his best life. Count me among those happy to hear his update.
As long as we’re trying out names for Mr. Policy’s new columns, how’z about “Ed Talks?”
OK, these are getting better.
Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL
Insiders is such a gift to us retired folks, not the least of which is the posted date at the beginning of every Inbox. I may not know the day, but I damned sure know the date. Just don’t ask me the date on Saturday or Sunday.
Haha, Insider Inbox…keeping you locked into the current date since 2017. See y’all tomorrow.