Inbox: It captured a lot about who he is and always will be

[Cheesehead]

Dennis from Parrish, FL


As an owner of a No. 87 Packers throwback jersey, Nelson is definitely one of my favorites in the last 10 years. In that Super Bowl, if he wouldn't have had several drops, he probably would have had over 200 yards! He would probably agree?


I found it interesting Nelson said on Tuesday he’s never watched the film of the Super Bowl, suggesting primarily it was for that reason. Which is why I started there with the retirement piece I wrote from his press conference. That little nugget made me smile. It captured a lot about who he is and always will be.


Dean from Vienna, VA


Jimmy. Jimmy is salty.


Jimmy is a prideful player who is not happy with how last season went, and for as little as he speaks with the media, he’s made no bones about that.


Matt from Des Moines, IA


I really enjoyed watching Jimmy Graham address the media. It seems like he has a real chip on his shoulder, and is determined to have a remarkable year. What do you think improves the most: his red-zone stats, or his stats between the 20s? He seems like a fascinating individual. I would love to hear more about his flying!


I don’t care which stats improve the most. What matters is the offense is counting on him, and he knows it. I wish he’d speak with the media more. I find him an engaging guy when he does answer questions.


Jim from Woodbury, MN


Concerning the combined practice, how was your coverage different from normal training camp practice coverage and game coverage?


The joint practices were harder to cover, because so much more was going on. The 11-on-11 was split on opposite ends of the field, so you could either watch the Green Bay offense vs. the Houston defense, or the Houston offense vs. the Green Bay defense, but not both. I tried to watch a few periods on each end, but you’re always going to miss something.


Joshua from Coon Rapids, MN


I really love No. 62's attitude!


It might have been a bigger story had Lucas Patrick not been the first guy into that fray. He’s a team-first dude all the way.


Terrance from Sun Prairie, WI


What do you think will be the best thing that comes out of these joint practices with the Texans?


The film for the young hopefuls fighting for roster spots. It gives them a pre-preseason evaluation against an opponent, and the ones who use that to their advantage will get a leg up in the actual August games. As an aside, I admit I was taken aback when Rodgers said Tuesday both teams ran very limited schemes in the practices. I guess I was naïve in thinking two teams could agree to keep everything amongst themselves. But I also didn’t know Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano’s brother John is on Houston’s coaching staff, so there’s that. In any event, I apologize for misleading anybody in my previous characterizations of the workouts.


Dean from Leavenworth, IN


Watched the highlights from Family Night and Jake Kumerow continues to stand out. His ability to not give away where the ball is with his eyes, hands, and body language stood out last year and continues this year (great example on long pass from AR). Do the coaches work on this much in practice or is it something receivers learn on their own?


This was another thing Rodgers talked about, Kumerow’s “late hands,” a technique that’s been passed down by Packers receivers through the years. It’s more emulated than taught, because there’s an instinct required for it to become second nature in the heat of the moment. Greg Jennings was the first receiver I saw really master it.


Christow from Dallas, TX


Hey Insiders, how is preseason performance weighted for the WR competition? Are there things that the coaches look for specifically past yards and TDs? I ask because in the past there have been skill position players that are studs in the preseason that get me excited (Jeff Janis, John Crockett) that never pan out in the regular season. So in talking about Davis, Kumerow, EQ, J’Mon, what will set one or two of them apart other than stats?


It’ll all be on the film, whether or not the ball came their way – how often they were open, which corners they were matched up against and how they fared, whether they carried out their alignments and assignments correctly and made the proper decisions on option/choice routes, their footwork and timing on the routes, etc. No personnel department sits down and looks at preseason game stats and says, “Well, this guy had the most catches and yards, so he’s on the team.” Far from it.


Thomas from Dunkerton, IA


Which one stops on Sept. 5, baloney or bologna?


To each his own.


TK from Grafton, WI


With cohesion, coordination, being in sync so vital to successful offensive line play, is it difficult for a young offensive lineman to win a starting job within an established veteran group? Are the coaches hesitant to upset the apple cart even if a new prospect appears more talented than an ingrained veteran?


In my experience, the better player plays. There may be some adjustment to the group dynamic, but the best players have to play for the team’s long-term interests and for the message it sends to the entire locker room, regardless of position.


Corey from Bethlehem, PA


Based off the highlights of Family Night, it seems the WR competition is going to be a great one. They put on a show. My dark horse is Trevor Davis.


If he’s just now your dark horse, you haven’t been paying attention. He moved on from that status before the lights came on at Lambeau the other night. Hopefully the stinger from the hit he took in Monday’s joint practice won’t keep him out long.


Matt from Orlando, FL


With Jones and Williams out, who is getting the lion’s share of the reps at RB with the ones?


On Monday, the first reps at running back went to Tra Carson, followed by Dexter Williams. But then Carson sat out Tuesday with neck spasms, so I would expect the sixth-round pick from Notre Dame and Corey Grant to be the top two backs on Thursday night.


Mark from West Bend, WI


With Corey Linsley sitting out with his bicep injury, who has been taking the first team reps at center against the Texans and how has he performed in your opinion?


Those reps have been shared by Lucas Patrick and Justin McCray, and both have taken plenty of snaps at guard as well. I like the Packers’ depth on the interior of the offensive line.


Cindy from Los Angeles, CA


Hi Insiders, who are the UDFAs that you'll be paying special attention to in the first preseason game?


Speaking strictly about undrafted rookies, receiver Darrius Shepherd has made an impression in practice, so he intrigues me. Outside linebacker Randy Ramsey has flashed on occasion. I thought inside linebacker Curtis Bolton was off to a good start, but he’s been out this week with a groin injury.