Spofford types “I liked both versions of Van Halen equally,” then sprints out to his already running car, and splits for a week to parts unknown. Sorry Hod, this is gonna be brutal for you.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Mike and Davy from Watertown, Wi said a mouthful in Friday’s II that bears repeating. Empathy. “What a concept.”

One more time…for those in the back.

How many spots on the 53-man roster truly open for competition? What have you seen or heard about a player like Karsen Barnhart? Is his goal to make the practice squad?

Anyone on the 90 has a shot at the 53. Now opportunities aren’t equal to everyone on the roster, but they are there. Just ask Chris Brooks, Chris Banjo, Tim Boyle and the list goes on and on. Even if you don’t make the initial 53, there are countless examples of players who started on the practice squad and turned into key contributors (e.g. Tramon Williams, Allen Lazard, Lucas Patrick, etc.). My point is you can’t stop dreaming if you’re on the bubble. Your NFL career depends on it.

I know the baloney doesn’t stop until the regular season kicks off, but I can’t wait for training camp to start and end the ranking/listing season commonly known as the dead zone. Of the new free agent class (Javon Hargrave, Benjamin St-Juste, Zaire Franklin and Skyy Moore), whom would you like to see play above their contract this season? Which of the players lost in FA this year (Romeo Doubs, Malik Willis, Rashan Gary, Rasheed Walker, Kingsley Enagbare, Elgton Jenkins) are you quietly rooting for most? I will be watching Willis’ highlights and checking his stats.

I like the collection of free agents the Packers signed because it’s a low-risk, high-reward bunch and all four you mention have something to prove to varying degrees. But if Moore can help solve the Packers’ return woes, that’s a premium return (no pun intended) on a relatively modest investment. As far as the departed free agents, I’m pulling hardest for Willis to succeed in Miami. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but it’s been annoying having to listen to critics rip Willis’ performance in Tennessee while also diminishing what he accomplished in Green Bay. The sample size is virtually the same, so which is it? You can’t have it both ways.

Is Cam Achord a dark-horse candidate for the most impactful offseason acquisition? (How do you pronounce his name BTW?). Special teams has been lowkey a sneaky Achilles heel for this team for a few years now and if “Do Your Job” ever needed a home it’s Packers’ special teams…

Special teams admittedly are an area in which the Packers have struggled during my 14 years covering the team. Again, I think the horizon is brighter than most fans would say. Regardless, Achord (It’s pronounced “Eh-cord”) is tasked with helping the third phase realize its potential. Undoubtedly, this is one of the biggest hires Matt LaFleur has made in his seven years at the helm.

Offenses strive for rhythm. Defenses can get into a rhythm. Do you want your special teams to get into a rhythm?

Yes, but getting into a rhythm isn’t just returning kickoffs for touchdowns. It’s consistency: Protecting the football, making field goals and winning the battle for field position.

Adrian from Oregon City, OR

Observation on cap and personnel management…the Packers let Quay Walker depart in free agency, a good young and athletic linebacker, but with some weaknesses in coverage and/or diagnosing plays. The stage is set to commit to Edgerrin Cooper long term, a player with potentially more upside. Sign the veteran Zaire Franklin as Cooper’s mentor, and Isaiah McDuffie as a reliable backup on an affordable deal. How about that for taking care of the future, and the present takes care of itself?

Speaking of sneaky, perhaps the most underrated thing about the Gutekunst era is the emphasis the Packers have placed on the inside linebacker position. For years, Green Bay plugged the middle with late-round draft picks, converted outside linebackers, late-summer waiver claims and even safety Morgan Burnett for a short time. No more. With how important nickel defenses have become, you need inside linebackers who can do it all and complement one another. The Packers have not messed around over the past five years whether it was signing De’Vondre Campbell, using early draft picks on Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper or trading for Zaire Franklin. I’d argue their top two “reserves” in McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper would’ve started on defense in the post-Matthews era.

Will the smoke from the Canadian fires impact the number of outdoor practices in camp? Would MLF adjust accordingly or stick to the plan?

That’s difficult to say nine days out from the first practice. We’re close to camp but not that close. I’m sure the team is monitoring it, though.