Inbox: It's a different animal at this level

[Cheesehead]

Matt from Minneapolis, MN


Do you think Kylin Hill could be the best value pick of our draft? When I read his draft profile I can't help but be reminded of Jamaal Williams when they talk about his size and violent running style. I know those are big shoes to fill, Williams was incredibly reliable – he never fumbled, was a great pass blocker and solid receiver out of the backfield. But Hill was reliable as a college back and brings a different running style to the offense.


I agree on the different style, and the no-fumbling trait is certainly reminiscent of Williams. But I've learned to reserve all judgment on a running back's abilities in pass protection until seeing him execute it in NFL practices and games. Like most things, it's a different animal at this level.


Gary from Davenport, IA


Wes said he would be replaced by another writer if he didn't show up for work, but Rodgers would be much harder to replace because he's on another level. Wes shouldn't sell himself short because he's no slouch. I, on the other hand, am a tremendous slouch.


Nicely done.


Mike from Cascade, ID


Hi Mike, has any NFL MVP played for a different team the following year? Have any retired or sat out the following year?


No reigning MVP has ever played for a different team the following year. Norm Van Brocklin (1960) and Jim Brown (1965) both retired.


Drew from Dubuque, IA


Assuming Fields wins the starting job in Chicago, is there any value in defensive players or coaches having a chat with Josh Myers about his college QB while preparing for the Bears?


Probably not much. I doubt there's a whole lot Myers could say that the coaches wouldn't glean from their usual film study. He won't be running Ohio State's offense, he'll be running Matt Nagy's.


Nathan from Philadelphia, PA


As if anyone needed another reason to wish Corey Linsley success in LA, OvertheCap has calculated that the comp pick the Packers get for Linsley next year is right on the bubble between the third and fourth rounds. That means the pick could turn out to be roughly either No. 99 or No. 135 (and we know Gutekunst likes to trade pick No. 135...). To get bumped up to the higher option, Linsley would need to stay on the field all season and/or make the Pro Bowl or All-Pro squads.


Duly noted.


George from Keenebunkport, ME


Devin Funchess opted out last year. Reggie Begelton and the rookie skill players did not have the benefit of an offseason due to COVID. There appears to be a lot of competition shaping up at WR and TE. Do you see any of the 2020 non-contributors (Funchess, Begelton, Josiah Deguara, etc.) making any impact in 2021?


Funchess is a proven pro, so if he didn't age too much or lose his edge in the year away and is able to make the team, I would expect him to contribute. But Begelton and the other young receivers aren't just going to hand him a roster spot, either. Deguara was a Week 1 starter as a rookie. If he's fully recovered and healthy, he'll play plenty.


Steve from Wauseon, OH


Am I the only one who wishes Rodgers would've hosted "Let's Make A Deal" instead of "Jeopardy!"?


Dalton from DeForest, WI


The Packers clearly prioritized the offensive line with their picks and UDFA signings. Are they concerned with their starting lineup on the O-line, or was that more about depth with the number of injuries they sustained in that position group last year?


It's mostly the latter and the uncertainty of the timeline of David Bakhtiari's return. But I also think if the Packers had selected one of the top-tier offensive tackles before they were all gone by the middle of the second round, they may not have felt as compelled to stockpile as many options up front by the end of the process. The flip side of that is perhaps they didn't feel compelled to get one of the top-tier tackles because they felt good about the possibilities on their board later in the draft. That's why it's always said no one ever knows how it's gonna fall.


Joe from Wausau, WI


It seems that college offensive tackles are oftentimes viewed as guards in the NFL. Is this all based mainly on physical measurables or is there other main factors that goes into these decisions?


It's a combination of measurables and footwork. If a prospect doesn't show the type of nimble footwork required to play on the outside at tackle, scouts are likely to say his better NFL position will be guard.


Doug from Neenah, WI


Good morning. Two of Green Bay's undrafted free agents are defensive linemen. Jack Heflin played his senior year at Iowa and Carlo Kemp played for Michigan. Did you know both were invited to the Hula Bowl and actually played right next to each other at times in that game? Small world. Kemp was the defensive player of the game for his interception of a short pass and 62-yard return for a touchdown. Also, who is Carlo Kemp's uncle?


You made me look it up. Chuck Pagano, didn't know that. For the record, the Packers are listing Kemp as a linebacker, so they are trying him as an edge rusher.


Bill from Savannah, GA


To continue the discussion about QB coaching in college vs. the pros: Would a QB like a Russell Wilson really have been drafted higher than the third round this year? He's an incredible athlete, and super smart to boot. But he had one year in a D1 school, and he's 6-foot in 4-inch heels. Are those guys more sought after by college recruiters now than they were? I suspect someone like that will always be a sleeper pick.


Wilson had four years in Division I, three at N.C. State before his finale at Wisconsin. He fell to the third round primarily because of his height. I don't think it would scare teams off as much anymore.


Jay from Sacramento, CA


Hey Mike, back in the day before ESPN/Twitter/etc. there was the AP Wire. It came into the newsroom I worked in Wausau, and every Sunday Dave Krieg's folks would call me to get the score and any info on the Seattle game that day. Led me to wonder your thoughts … who was the better quarterback to come from the state of Wisconsin, Dave Krieg or Tony Romo?


I'd have to give the nod to Romo, though I wholeheartedly admired the career Krieg put together. He won more than 100 games as a starter (101-83, including playoffs) coming from tiny, now-defunct Milton College. It wasn't just the humble roots, either. Krieg's toughness as a QB was vastly underrated. I think I've mentioned before how he was on the receiving end of Derrick Thomas' single-game NFL record seven sacks (the Chiefs had nine sacks in all that day), and got off the deck to drive the Seahawks 66 yards in three plays in the last 48 seconds, hitting a 25-yard TD pass on the last play of the game for the win. He also, at age 37 for Arizona, absorbed a league-high 53 sacks, and still came back the next year to start 12 games for the Bears.


Trev from Omaha, NE


I will be starting next week in my first assistant coaching role for baseball. I'm extremely excited to get going. What is one piece of advice or knowledge you could pass along to me?


If it's bases loaded, two outs, and a dropped third strike, make sure the catcher knows all he has to do is pick up the ball and step on home. That, and prioritize having fun.


Shilo from Murietta, CA


If you cut the media noise, I think that the core issue is that Rodgers wants a commitment, but the Packers want flexibility, and the question is if they can find enough common ground to continue together. They both have reasonable desires, and there's no need to villainize either side. That's it, and I hope they find a way forward.


There is no place in our current world for this type of rational, level-headed, sensible analysis. Where do you get the nerve?


Dar from Mansfield, TX


Spoff, how many new "Seinfeld" references are you planning on crafting now that there is a Newman on the roster?


Happy Friday.


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