Hi Wes, it’s very apparent that II is a community of its own because the general rapport between everyone is outstanding. I assume that Mike and you need to be in a certain state of mind to answer the questions. I am wondering if you do any warmup exercises before jumping into answers. Maybe a two-minute plank or 15 squats with 100 pounds or so? I think all would like to know your tricks of the trade.

I start with a fresh cup of coffee before sitting down to write Inbox. Some days I’d prefer something stronger, but it probably would be frowned upon inside my masking tape.

II, a lot of comments on JL10’s ability to run if the opportunity presents itself. What is his 40 time, or do QB’s not run the 40?

I’ve said this for years, but Jordan Love can run. He clocked a 4.74 in the 40 at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, which was just a couple hundredths of a second off Aaron Rodgers’ time. To this point in his career, Love has operated more from the pocket than his predecessors in Green Bay, but it seems like a point of emphasis this offseason for Love to use his feet more – both in his locker room comments and his play on the practice field.

Seeking permission to incorporate just a bit of math in order to frame my question. Each NFL team has a 90-man roster, of which 65 are “non-starters” (counting specialists as starters). 65 times 32 teams mean 2,080 non-starters playing in the preseason in 48 preseason games. How many bodies on Team Gutey are needed to make evaluations and observations of all these players across the preseason? It seems like a daunting task!

Not to sound trite, but this is their livelihood. It’s not a hobby. Pro personnel scouts spend day and night surveying the NFL for prospects – even if it’s just to build the rolodex for in-season tryouts or practice-squad spots. It’s a sea of film and data to consume, but that is the gig. Strong NFL scouting departments like Green Bay utilize a lot of checks and balances to find as much talent as possible.

Klay from Great Falls, MT

Is Isaiah Simmons getting any time with the first-team defense yet? Thanks.

Yeah, he’s been platooning in that third linebacker spot with Isaiah McDuffie depending on the situation. Simmons is right there on defense while also carving out a unique role on special teams. I can’t wait to watch him play tonight.

Michael from Saint Louis, MO

While reading the article on Javon Bullard‘s versatility, I couldn’t help but think of Isaiah Simmons and his desire to focus on one position instead of juggling multiple roles. How does a coach know when a player has too much on their plate? The Cardinals and Giants failed to recognize that Simmons needed a narrower role. How will the Packers handle Bullard differently?

It’s undoubtedly a challenge for Bullard, but you’re comparing too very different situations. There is a lot of synergy between playing strong safety and nickel cornerback, including technique concepts that translate to both positions. Simmons was a prodigal linebacker who was asked to be a hybrid in Arizona and a safety in New York. The guy is a linebacker in Green Bay, and if Simmons makes the team, he will do so as a linebacker.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

A feisty Hod is an entertaining Hod. I enjoyed the discussion about the HOF’s gerrymandering of the induction process on “Unscripted.” Spoff mentioned briefly the committee to put forth candidates might go another direction to try someone else since Mike Holmgren was turned down. Can you explain more about that? While I understand being leapfrogged by locks like Belichick, what incentive is there not to continue to argue for whomever is the most deserving vs try someone else?

The Blue-Ribbon Committee could make a statement and present Holmgren again for enshrinement, but usually these things are one-and-done. Here’s my only request: When the Pro Football Hall of Fame changes its selection process again – and it will change its selection process again – don’t forget about what happened here with Holmgren. He deserves to be in Canton. As I said on “Unscripted,” the amount of disrespect the 1996 Packers team has been shown by the national media is deplorable. How soon everyone forgets the dire straits Green Bay and its football team were in prior to Bob Harlan, Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren. Those men didn’t just turn around a wayward franchise. They saved the soul of the NFL.

I just wanted to take a moment to note the death of Billy Howton. He was an underappreciated Packers legend who deserves to be on the short list of greatest Packers receivers ever. Rest in peace.

Howton was another one of those Packer greats from the forgotten 1950s. He had one of the finest rookie seasons in Packers history after catching 53 passes for a whopping 1,231 yards and 13 TDs in 1952. To finish with more than 8,000 receiving yards while playing in that era is remarkable. After his career, Howton also had a major impact as the Packers’ player representative and as the first president of the NFLPA from 1958-61. My sympathies to the Howton family but also congratulations to Mr. Howton on a life well-lived.

Jerry from Fort Wayne, IN

This time of year truly puts the “special” in special teams. Besides our very capable kickers, who all seems to be standing out when kicking/punting/receiving? How much does doing something special in that aspect of preseason games count into making the final cut?

It’s critical. I’ve spoken before on James Crawford making the team in 2018 based solely on his play on special teams. The Packers hadn’t even made up their mind on whether he was an inside or outside linebacker at that point, but Crawford made himself undeniable with his performance in the preseason finale vs. Kansas City that year. Special teams likely will dictate who prevails in many of these position competitions. It’s also something a guy like Bo Melton has in his back pocket as he transitions from receiver to corner.

The Packers now have a game called “Packers Predict.” If you had to “predict” how many series that Jordan Love plays tonight, what would your prediction be?