Marc from Holmen, WI
Interesting post about the origin of Prospect Primer. I have to admit I always read it as primer (short i) rather than primer (long i) with two relevant definitions from Merriam-Webster, 2. a small introductory book on a subject 3. a short informative piece of writing. Irrespective of the derivation, I appreciate the informative pieces to prime me for the draft. They are primo.
Now we’re working in the long e sound, too? Mercy.
Jessi from Sterling, KS
How can time be so fast and snail’s pace at the same time? I feel like I was just watching a podcast where you were six months counting down to the draft in Green Bay. But it seems an eternity since I’ve had the joy of listening to Packers Unscripted. Will you do a podcast after the draft?
We haven’t determined when exactly we’re resuming Unscripted. We will soon.
Keith from Dodgeville, WI
Guys, who pays for the players that come for pre-draft visits and does that $$ count in the cap?
The teams absorb those costs and they’re unrelated to the salary cap.
Jeff from Indian Lake, NY
The recent discussion of Kenny Clark‘s toe has me thinking defensive tackle is a sneaky big need for this squad. T.J. Slaton is a Bengal and Devonte Wyatt is entering a contract year while KC is getting up there. No surprise from the Adirondacks if the first name called for the Pack is a big man in the middle. What do we think about Walter Nolen or Kenneth Grant if they’re still there at 23?
Nolen, Grant or Derrick Harmon could be worth considering, and there’s a decent chance they won’t all be gone by 23. We’ll find out what the Packers think when the time comes, but I’m never against taking the big guys early. As I’ve said before, if the evaluation says the next Kenny Clark is there at 23, I’m not hesitating to call in that name.
Al from Green Bay, WI
I don’t pretend to know who GB should draft at 23 in the upcoming draft. Still, I’m hoping it isn’t an edge rusher. I’ve learned from the Prospect Primers that edge guys projected to be available have the label “developmental” attached to them. I believe that the Packers have ascending players in that position including Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby. Any of these can become a great complement to Rashan Gary. Thoughts?
No offense to any individuals mentioned, but as a GM I wouldn’t be counting on a part-time former fifth-rounder and two undrafted guys to become the “great complement” on the other side. They’re solid rotational options and hopefully remain so. Van Ness is the one with the highest ceiling. That’s why he was drafted where he was, and the jury is still out. While I wouldn’t go chasing one, if a developmental edge rusher is the best player on the board, trust it.
Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL
Has Jaire Alexander fully recovered from his injuries from last year?
Presumably yes, but I don’t know that for a fact.
Mike from New Orleans, LA
This being the baloney season, there’s always discussions and focus on a plethora of topics, some more impactful to the game of football than others. What do you see as the most overblown story fans/pundits tend to key-in on this time of year? What about the under-the-radar stories which will end up having an outsized impact? My sense is “winning” free agency for the former, and re-signing one’s own players the latter. Though there’s an argument to be made those are the same topic.
“Winning” the offseason, whatever that means, definitely gets overblown, naturally so. Any team’s “improvements” are always outlined by the free agents and draft picks brought in, which overlooks which teams have younger roster bases that lend themselves to progress and development with players already on hand. Also, projecting the immediate impact any draft picks will make is just as much a crapshoot as the draft itself.
Chris from Richfield, WI
Good day gents! I’m very curious to see the development of Ty’Ron Hopper, considering the little playing time he received last year. From what I remember, he was portrayed as a fast and athletic linebacker. Putting him on the field with Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper would give GB arguably the fastest group in the league, and they would also have the most potential. Could you see him developing into that role as the third linebacker?
Sure, but he’s going to have to beat out Isaiah McDuffie for that role. That will be no easy task.
Charlie from Cross Plains, WI
Mike, love II. I have to disagree with your response to Joshua from Milwaukee. The NFL should never get rid of illegal contact. If they did you go back to the mauling that happened back in 1977. The teams leading this year had 70 total TDs, 43 receiving TDs, and 4,918 passing yds in 17 games. The leaders in 1977 had 41 total TDs, 23 receiving TDs, and 2,803 passing yards in 14 games. Fans love scoring, they should not go back.
The game is played with different athletes, different rules protecting QBs and far different schemes compared to 50 years ago. I don’t think there’d be a sudden reversion to 1970s football if illegal contact were eliminated, as long as they called defensive holding and DPI appropriately. Realistically, what I’m asking is for illegal contact to be called only if the contact is legitimately restrictive, which is how the rule is written, but we’ve all seen how some officials call just about anything beyond the 5-yard range.
