Inbox: The answer won’t be known for quite a while yet

Cheesehead

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2019
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Jonathan from Madison, WI


What salary do practice-squad players earn?


They aren’t necessarily all paid the same, but if you go by the minimums, a practice-squad player’s weekly check is about 25 percent of the rookie active-roster minimum. That’s one of many reasons it’s such a big deal when a practice-squad player gets “promoted.” The pay raise is huge.


David from Janesville, WI


Insiders, what timeline do you feel is adequate for UDFAs to make their mark? If they show enough raw ability to make it on the 53 or 63 the first year, how much do they need to show starting Year 2 to keep from being bumped by the new crop? I imagine the team is looking for that raw ability to turn into something within a season or it's time to cut bait and move on. Or do some positions require a couple years of grooming?


It’s not as much about the position as the player’s overall trajectory, and it’s really case by case. Is improvement evident? Is the ceiling still as high as originally projected? What do we know now that we didn’t before? All of it is taken into account and compared to the next rookie infusion.


LeeAnn from Carefree, IN


Matt LaFleur said, "The wide receivers must master the formations. We teach concepts, either three-by-one or two-by-two." What did he mean?


Three-by-one refers to three receivers (or tight ends) split to one side, one on the other. Two-by-two has four pass catchers evenly distributed across the formation. The first step is for the players to know where they’re lining up in certain packages, and then learn the different route concepts that are run from those formations.


Mike from Madison, WI


In your opinion, who do you think was the "best" acquisition for the Packers this offseason? In other words, which player added this offseason do you think makes the Packers a better team?


I think a lot of them make the Packers better, but if I had to pick the top addition, I’ll say Za’Darius Smith. He’s an established player whose upside is enticing in an area that was the Packers’ biggest offseason need.


Trevor from Carmel, NY


I wanted to probe a bit more into your “junk food” comment. From where I'm sitting, it's an endless regurgitation of hot takes. Someone posts a hypothetical story, and then another on a similar website piles on with the same headline preceded by “Report:”. It seems they are mostly young kids hoping for a couple of shortcuts to become the next Schefter. Does this make you worry at all about the future of the profession when there is so much emphasis on breaking the story rather than telling it?


Indubitably. But what worries me more is the public seems to draw fewer and fewer distinctions amongst the products it consumes from the profession.


Steven from Silver Spring, MD


LaFleur has cited tight, bunch formations as a hallmark of the new offensive system. However in the past those tight formations were identified as favorable to the defense because all defenders could crowd the line of scrimmage and bring pressure from various areas. What is the leverage point that allows the strength of the formation to shine and the weakness to be mitigated? If we have the same interior pressure issues as last year will any of it matter?


The leverage point is whether the defense, if trying to bring pressure from various areas, as you say, still has enough numbers to make a play on a quick hitter to someone in the bunch. Or, is the defense vulnerable to getting gashed if someone in the bunch gets open immediately. Yes, interior pressure/protection is key. Those defenders have the shortest route to the QB and have the best chance to disrupt three-step drops in the quick game, which is the adjustment if the QB reads blitz.


Derek from Eau Claire, WI


When it’s time for cut-downs, if player X is evaluated slightly higher than player Y, but player Y is a draft pick and player X is UDFA, who gets the nod?


Whoever appears more likely to get claimed on waivers, which usually has more to do with what’s on film from the preseason games, whereas only in-house evaluators know the practice tape.


Thomas from Evansville, IN


Having drafted a young TE, how do you see the Packers utilizing Jimmy Graham this season?


A lot. No offense to Sternberger, but he will not be threatening for the No. 1 spot at his position in 2019.


Bill from Lyndon Station, WI


I see Scott is the only punter on the 90-player roster. Do you think Gutekunst will be adding another punter or is he confident enough with Scott?


It would appear the second-year punter is getting his opportunity to shine, but any specialist knows he’s competing with everyone in every NFL training camp.


Al from Pueblo West, CO


Hey II guys, love your column. I'm wondering why so few are not including Kapri Bibbs in the running at running back. He grew up a monster Packer fan and has experience in the outside zone concept from his days in Denver. I think he could play the unsung hero this offseason and maybe even be a force come game time this fall. Just an opinion.


The Packers have options at running back, which is a must given the demands of the position and LaFleur’s interest in running the ball. The depth-chart battle behind Jones is going to be intriguing.


Neal from Fort Worth, TX


I just watched all the rookie locker room interviews. Keke and Sternberger said all the right things and presented themselves well. It was Williams that left me wanting more. Great personality who answered everything with a smile. Amongst all the interviews, what stood out or impressed you about any of them from a media standpoint?


Shameless plug here for Tuesday’s episode of “Unscripted,” but Wes and I discussed that very topic.
 
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