II, when the Packers make their final cuts, I assume they are also monitoring the cuts of the other 31 teams. How do they evaluate what they have seen in their practice to what other teams show on tape? Do they have a method to determine what they saw live versus the tape of other teams?

As much as we like to speculate on who might be claimed, the fact is most players end up returning to their current team because of the situation, knowledge of the playbook, etc. A perennial playoff contender like Green Bay is rarely active on the waiver wire after final cuts because it’s already made very difficult cuts to get to 53. In instances the Packers claim a player, it’s less about what they’ve seen on preseason film than it is bringing in a player they liked in the first place (e.g. Ben Sims in 2023). Green Bay brought him in for a pre-draft visit, but Sims signed with the Vikings as a college free agent. When the final cuts came, the Packers came calling and the rest is history.

In response to Ross from Hudson, if memory serves, I believe Tom Landry (Cowboys) used to rotate guards on every play. In the days before radio communication, the guard would bring in the play that Landry wanted to run. He was criticized at the time for taking the game out of the QB’s hands!

Creativity is always met with criticism before praise.

Which player or two will you really be honing in on during the Family Night practice? What are you looking to learn?

As I said on “Unscripted,” there’s always a young defensive back who makes a big play on Family Night. How cool would it be if this year it was Bo Melton? I’m gonna be watching Micah Robinson, too. The rookie seventh-round pick was getting snaps with the No. 2 defense Friday with Nate Hobbs and Kamal Hadden both out.

How hard is it for Bo Melton to learn how to play CB?

I was talking with Bo about it in the locker room on Friday. I don’t want to say Melton is surprised how well he’s taken to his new position – that would be a bit too strong – but the transition seems less daunting than I think everyone thought it might be. Again, if Bo pulls this off, it’d be one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in 14 years covering this team.

Bryan from West Salem, WI

Who does the contract negotiations for the Packers? Watching other teams make a muck of their in-house negotiations really puts into perspective how well the Pack go about their business. For the most part they really do an incredible job in that department. The Parsons situation in particular is baffling to me, though Jerry has been botching these situations his whole career.

As an organization, the Packers do an incredible job when it comes to putting players first and that’s culture more than contract. But Russ Ball handles negotiations for Green Bay and is one of the best in the business at what he does.

Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, Sterling Sharpe was one of my favorite childhood Packer players. When I was probably about 8, I remember getting “84” shaved on the side of my head to go with my usual bowl cut. It’s too bad we didn’t get to see more of him play. Whenever I see a Packer wear No. 84, he’s the first player I think of. Do you have any memories or stories of Sharpe? Will he be added to the Lambeau facade with his HOF induction this weekend?

I was young when Sharpe played for the Packers, but his reputation preceded him as an incredible football player. I’ve written this before, but I can’t think of many who had one of the best performances of their career in their final NFL game like Sharpe did against Tampa Bay (nine catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-19 win). With Tony Boselli and Terrell Davis now enshrined in Canton, it only made sense for the Hall’s doors to finally open to Sharpe.

Amazing how some players just cannot stay healthy. They set foot on the practice field and two plays later they are injured again.

I mean, they ain’t playing shuffleboard out there, Jeff. It’s a physical sport, even in a practice setting.

Gordy from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

If Team A trades player to Team B, who arranges and pays to get player to Team B?

Charlie from Morgan Hill, CA

Help me reconcile rotating offensive linemen during games vs. the constant talk of how lines need to work together for consistency? Yes, they play the same position, but the players are different. After hours and hours of evaluation, a draw doesn’t seem like a good approach for continuity.

It’s not a draw. It’s keeping good players involved with defined roles. If one proves to be the best option on a every-down basis, then sure you go with that individual. But it’s also a fool’s errand to act like chemistry can only be built by playing the same five offensive linemen for a 17-game season. Adjustments are made all the time due to injury.