Eddie Lacy holds a special place in Packers history

Wes Hodkiewicz

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

Guys, being able to read submissions like Dyson's reminds me of one of the many reasons why I love to read II every day. And, Mike, if it means taking multiple fishing trips to help you make it through your days, please, take as many trips as possible that you can. All of us need both you and Wes to be as happy, clear headed, and accepting as you guys can be. And tomorrow? I'll be ready to laugh again, and I have everybody connected to II to thank. So, thank you guys, thank you II compadres, and GPG.

Not sure if you'll laugh or cry, but we're here regardless.

Paul from Winnebago, IL

Who has more of a breakout year,Savion WilliamsorMatthew Golden?

Have youread Mikes story? I'm stoked for Williams in Year 2, but I'd take Golden against the NFL field right now after listening to "0" talk on Tuesday.

James from Appleton, WI

FirstChristian Watsonand nowMarShawn Lloyd. You have to wonder how prevalent it is where some past injury basically throws a player out of whack. It seems like a whole new area of sports medicine could open up. Why can't I get going in the morning? I'm going back to my pediatrician to find out.

It's crazy to think of all the players labeled "injury prone" 25-30 years ago who might have had an underlying issue that sabotaged their professional careers. Hopefully, Lloyd is past that and able to prove he is the running back the Packers felt he was when they drafted him in the third round two years ago.

Mick from UK

Competition is Brian Gutekunst's mantra and this year's donnybrook looks set to be the cornerback room. That said, he has nailed his colors to the mast with regard to left tackle and kicker a vote of confidence in two vitally important positions which is hopefully repaid. Has the lower number of draft picks led to a slight change of philosophy?

I'm not sure if one has anything to do with the other. The Packers used a first-round pick onJordan Morgantwo years ago because they believed he could be a 10-year starter in the NFL. Now, we're gonna find out with Morgan back at his preferred spot. That's what this time of the year is all about. Meanwhile, the Packers have placed their faith inTrey Smackto end this recent kicking carousel. I don't care if it takes one pick, two picks, three picks, four. Make the kick and build your lore.

Mark from Shoreview, MN

I understand due process, but no one is discussing the elephant in the room what will Green Bay do ifJosh Jacobsis not available for a number of games? Will he even be on the team?

Because Lloyd is healthy,Chris Brooksjust signed a two-year deal andPierre Strong Jr.is a former fourth-round pick. I'd rather roll with those options than A) trading for a player whom they may not need or could wind up on the open market in September or B) signing a veteran running back nobody else did. It also would be irresponsible to analyze a sensitive situation that is currently unresolved.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

You fellas have covered the Packers for a long time now. Was there a moment, game, or even season that taught you something about football that changed the way you watch or understand the sport?

Eddie Lacy's rookie season taught me the importance of the running game in today's NFL. He holds a special place in Packers history. At that time, "Air Raid" offenses appeared unstoppable leaguewide. But when defenses started peppering Green Bay with two-high safety looks in 2011-12, it took drafting Lacy to keep opponents honest again. Lacy was a second-round pick out of Alabama and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Yet, I contend he is one of the most underrated players in Packers history. He launched the Packers to the playoffs in 2013 and had his best year when Rodgers won his second MVP in 2014. As it relates to the business side of the NFL, one thing I've learned is how malleable the salary cap can be. It's easier to rob Peter to pay Paul than I thought when I started covering the NFL in 2012.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Whatever has happened to Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt? Once seen as potential backups and then both let go. Any of the two or both catch on to another team? I remember watching preseason the year Clifford was a rookie and thought this kid had it. Fans were clamoring for him to start overJordan Lovewhen he struggled a bit. Then Love got really hot the end of the season and then it wasn't meant to be for Sean.

With all due respect to Clifford, any fan who thought Clifford was better than Love was either ignorant or ill-informed. It was not close. It was never close. Clifford is still in Cincinnati after signing to the Bengals' practice squad last September. Pratt had a brief stint with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL but was let go in mid-May.

Andy from Boscobel, WI

Beautiful weather in SW WI lately! Anyway, I couldn't help but notice how we have zero WRs that are PROVEN beyond Christian Watson andJayden Reed. Golden may be OK but even then, it's incredibly thin. Gutey again, whether it's truth or jot, believes it's A-OK. Not sure I believe in glossing over obvious potential issues. This team is incredibly thin at a lot of vital spots. Hope Gutey beats out Roseman for Josh SweatHave a great day.

Two mistakes that fans often make is confusing "proven" players with household names and inflating perceived needs. As I've written several times, the Packers are in a good spot with Watson, Reed, Golden, Williams andBo Melton. Even better, you haveTucker Kraftcoming back and there undoubtedly will be another young receiver who steps up to complement that core.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, we know OTAs are bland, but did you see if Golden was lined up more in the slot or out wide?

A little of both, but mostly I saw him blazing across the middle of the field on crossing patterns. Not a bad asset to an offense with a pair of receivers in Watson and Melton who can blow the top off the NFL's fastest secondaries.

Jeff from Littlefork, MN

Who needs to go where for Tucker Kraft to get an extension right now? If it is PTO for fishing or a trip to a Brewers game, I volunteer to buy the bait or nachos (respectively) to get this done!

I'm resigned to the fact Spoff likely will be on a lake with his phone in the toilet the day Kraft puts pen to that paper.

Nate from Kewaskum, WI

I love the rabbit holes II drags me into. I was looking into Russell Wilson's HOF chances and while the game is one of what-ifs the "pass-that-should-have-been-a-Beast-Mode-run" in 2015 changes the legacy of many players involved in that game. Fourteen starting quarterbacks have won two or more Super Bowls. Earl Morrall is one of only six to win three or more. He started one (for Johnny Unitas in 1971). Not bad for a guy who threw three TD and seven INT in 15 career playoff games.

History has its quirks, but Russell Wilson is not a Pro Football Hall of Famer. I throw him in the same category as Eli Manning. I don't care how many Super Bowls your team won. I don't care how many Pro Bowls you played in. You can't have one second-team All-Pro selection and make it to Canton without paying admission. There are simply too many legendary players and coaches not in that building to make that type of concession.

Randy from Stevens Point, WI

I agree with the sentiment that the Bears probably should remain in Chicago. But you have to admit, the Gare Bears has a nice ring to it.

Oh, I can want the Bears to stay in Illinois while still appreciating the humor of them relocating to Indiana. I'm not a total prude.

Doug from Parker, CO

In response to Brian from Urbana, I'm willing to bet the Bears bring more economically to the state (including tourism) than people realize and judging from test scores across the nation, maybe spend a little more time in class than protesting at Springfield, because the return on those investments isn't showing.

I don't want to make this about politics. I don't even want to talk about dollars and centers. As someone who grew up in Green Bay and also feared our state might lose the Brewers and/or Bucks, this is a matter of availability. It's the ease of driving to a sporting event with friends and family on a Sunday morning and the memories you can create.

Eric from Wausau, WI

Regarding private equity and ownership groups, would it be possible for the Packers to buy part of the Bears to assist with the Bears staying in Chicago? Something poetic about the Packers saving the Bears in Chicago after Halas saved us.

No, the Packers can only own the Bears in the figurative sense. It would be kinda funny if Rodgers buys a minority share someday, though.

Cary from Sioux Falls, SD

Yesterday Dave asked about a surprise blitzer from the defensive backfield. If memory serves, when the Packers lost to the Broncos in the 1998 Super Bowl, Denver strong safety Steve Atwater surprised everyone when he blitzed and made big plays. Mike Holmgren said the Packers were caught completely off guard because he hadn't blitzed once the entire season. Surprise!

It's always the punches you don't see coming that lead to knockouts.

Josh from Seattle, WA

On the topic of blitz strategy, if we plan man coverage behind the blitz andEdgerrin CooperorZaire Franklinis matched up with the RB that is staying in to block, it makes all the sense in the world to shoot out of cannon after delaying initially so that the OL don't pick up the blitzing LB and then you get a one-on-one with LB vs. RB and I'll take our guys to win that more often than not. I remember seeing Lavonte David do this all the time, anyone else come to mind?

Several Fred Warner, Patrick Willis, Roquan Smith and recently Zack Baun. People also forget A.J. Hawk had a solid run pressuring the QB. The guy did have 20 career sacks. I'll never forget that two-month stretch in 2013 when Hawk was wrecking shop, specifically that three-sack showing in Baltimore on the day Randall Cobb broke his leg.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

We have Phoenix friends coming for a visit to our Marinette summer home. We have secured tickets for the Packers-Cardinals preseason game to show them the Lambeau gameday experience. Where is a good place to take them for a perch/walleye fish fry not too far from Lambeau?

None of my favorites are really near Lambeau (unless, of course, you wanna try 1919). I like Buck's, Highland Howie's, Kropps in Mills Center, and Rustique Pizza has sneaky good perch. The big one in GB is Maricque's, but I've never eaten there.

Richard from Canton, GA

Do the moveable goal posts have laser wheels and rims?

We're working on it. Have a great Thursday.

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