Inbox: It's a new year and new opportunity

[Cheesehead]

Bruce from Norfolk, MA


Much has been made about Nick Collins leaving the game early due to his neck injury. What was the specific injury? Given medical advancements, is the injury today still considered career ending?


Ten years later, I think it would be the same situation. Collins had a herniated disc at the C3/C4 level, which required surgery. The fusion ensures quality of life but a herniation that high makes football players, especially safeties, vulnerable to re-injury because of the strain the surgery puts on the neighboring discs and potential nerve damage that close to the brain.


Andy from Kalamazoo, MI


Dang Wes, after reading your HOF case for LeRoy Butler in today's Inbox I had to drop my phone in a bucket of ice water to keep it from bursting into flames. Thanks for making it so clear! Where do I vote? P.S. Thanks to you and Mike for a great Inbox and website of stories this season. Looking forward to next year!


On a personal level, I'm happy for Atwater. He sounds like a great man. And I hope John Lynch gets in someday, too. I just don't like how Butler has been viewed as a lower-tier safety. It's not right. He has six more years of modern eligibility. It would be a crime if he's not enshrined in that window.


Mike from Franksville, WI


First Jerry Kramer, now LeRoy Butler. Once again, Packers fans are left stumping for the last remaining player of an All-Decade team not to be in the Hall of Fame. Steve Atwater's out of the way so theoretically Butler should move up in the pecking order, but do you think Charles Woodson being a likely first-ballot Hall of Famer next year hurts Butler's chances for 2021? What are the odds two Packers DBs make it in the same year?


The incoming class in 2021 is tough but you never know. Woodson and Peyton Manning are first-ballot Hall of Famers, so that's two spots. Megatron probably is too.


Bernabe from Monterrey, Mexico


I know you meant first team all decade, but Carnell Lake and Tony Boselli and others haven't been selected. I found it surprising that Atwater got in, to be honest, but two safeties getting in should help Butler's future considerations.


I keep telling myself that.


Taylor from Loves Park, IL


I really am upset kickers don't get selected to the HOF. They make the most points and in most cases are the ones who largely make last-second points to win games. It is points that win games, not stats. They are highly underrated when it comes to the HOF. They aren't behind-the-scenes players. They are right before our eyes. They are the ones who start the game. They need more love.


The days of kickers winning MVP awards may be behind us but have no fear, Taylor. Adam Vinatieri will be in Canton in the not-so-distant future.


Zach from Stevens Point, WI


Missed a couple of IIs so I apologize if this has already been asked/answered, but which former Packers can we look forward to watching play/coach in the XFL?


Here are the notable names I noticed: Winston Moss (LA), Jerry Fontenot (LA), DuJuan Harris (LA), Donatello Brown (Dallas), Josh Hawkins (Dallas), Malachi Dupre (DC), Jhurell Pressley (DC), Carl Bradford (Houston), DeAngelo Yancey (NY), Marquise Williams (NY), Justin Vogel (NY), Christine Michael (STL), Dillon Day (SEA), Jordan McCray (TB), Jake Schum (TB), Joe Callahan (Team 9) and Marwin Evans (Team 9).


Derek from Eau Claire, WI


Do you think that the 49ers should have played their starters more in the preseason?


I legitimately laughed, Derek. Thank you for that.


Lynn from Butler, IN


Do you believe Patrick Mahomes is the coming of the next Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady?


He's special. As long as Mahomes stays healthy, I can see him carrying a torch for the NFL over the next 10, 15 years.


Elliot from Minneapolis, MN


So what is Mahomes' contract going to look like? I'm guessing it'll make Rodgers' contract look like peanuts.


He'll be the highest-paid player in NFL history if he wants to be.


Brian from Menominee, MI


I've been hearing more about a potential uncapped year in 2021, and am wondering if you think that could be dangerous for today's NFL? One of the wealthiest owners recently stated doing whatever it takes to win. Signing free agents is never a guarantee for success, but it could also pull talent from several other teams. Also, would there be anything stopping a team like the Chiefs from signing Mahomes to a $200 million+ contract and taking a $120 million cap hit in the uncapped year?


There was an uncapped year before the last CBA and it wasn't a big deal. Teams still need to be fiscally responsible to remain under the cap once the new CBA is agreed upon.


JR from East Moline, IL


It seems to me that the biggest obstacle between Mahomes and the amount of championships he wants to win is whether he wants a large amount of money he'll never be able to spend or a small amount of money he'll never be able to spend. And just to be clear, if I were him, I'd take as much as I could get.


I don't know about any of you but I've yet to turn down a raise in my 14 years doing this writing thing. If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense.


Andy from Lancaster, PA


Happy Super Monday to you II! Quick question about the salary cap: With Equanimeous St. Brown on IR the entire year and never having been added to the 53-man roster, did he get paid? Did anything count against the salary cap? And did this year count as one of his four years on his rookie contract?


Yes, yes and yes. Players on rookie contracts who were taken on the third day of the draft usually have split-salary language worked into their contracts. So they do get paid – just not the full amount.


Eric from Bloomington, IN


While I appreciate Joel from Yagur, Israel's enthusiasm, I think he got a little carried away. Andy Reid has palindromic win numbers 121, 131, 141, etc. as well as 202 and 212. So 111 was not his last palindromic win before Sunday. Still cool, though, and couldn't be happier for the guy.


I was told there would be no math.


Dylan from Belgrade, MT


How'd your oil change go? Synthetic?


Smooth. My car is primed and ready for Thursday's trip to the Bucks-Sixers game.


Andrew from Fullerton, CA


Hey Wes, I had a dream last night that I was looking to buy a house in Green Bay. In my dream, the name of the street we bought our house on was called Hodkiewicz Lane. So you have a street named after you in my dream world, which is nice.


Markus from Aurora, CO


Good morning, Insiders! I'm glad the Chiefs were able to prove that the 49ers are beatable in the postseason. At least this year. What's next?


A lot of quiet Sundays.


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