Hi Mike, will Brian Gutekunst speak to the media so far, or will he make himself available on draft night next time? Has it also been decided whether mini-camps will be held this year?
Gutekunst will make itself available once before the draft, probably when the first round is a week or less away, and then at the end of each draft night. I did not hear any specific plans regarding the off-season program.
When can the players get their new defensive playbooks?
Once contact with mail coaches and coordinators is allowed, it is usually somewhere in May.
Who lined up the Packers with the fourth player for Clinton-Dix?
A submission by Sid of Burlington, WI, almost had it, but I’ll make it clear. When the Packers traded in the first round in 2019 to get Darnell Savage, they traded the extra first round that Gutekunst secured the previous year plus two fourth rounds, one from the Clinton-Dix trade.
In response to Justin from CA, West said he would not be shocked if the Packers set up a position other than QB and RB in the first round. Not TOO? With Kyle Pitts long overdue at the end of the first round, it would be a good chance to put together a TE series in the first round, right? Or do I miss someone?
I think you’re right. A solid finish at 29 would at least be a surprise to me.
Brian van Twain Harte, CA
The Packers have not had a consistent short-term RB since Kuhn (no offense to Lacy). Do you see AJ Dillon in the role this season as the Packers have third-and-1 or fourth-and-1?
Sure, but how quickly do we forget Jamaal Williams’ reliability in short-yard situations.
Jeremiah van Madison, WI
In response to Jordan from Virginia Beach, I believe Chris Long and LaGarrette Blount won against each other and played on the Patriots and then against the Patriots (on the Eagles). And technically, LeSean McCoy only did it this year from the Chiefs and then against the Chiefs (on the Bucs), even though I think he was inactive in both games.
Several readers cite these examples, while Johan of Pembroke, Ontario, also raised Brandon Browner for the Seahawks and Patriots in 2013-14, although Browner did not play in Seattle’s Super Bowl victory.
No combination in 2020 due to COVID, and a bunch of pro-days have been canceled. No combination in 2021 due to COVID, but the pro days are held. I think the question is whether it is necessary to hold the harvester longer? I understand why it was originally set up, as a way to get all the scouts and players and teams together on a common field to test. But with the rise of pro-days, and players not practicing at the harvester (when it was held), why is the harvester still needed?
For the record, the harvester was held in 2020 (pre-COVID). It is still the most effective way for the teams and players to handle medical examinations and interviews. In any case, it has always been more important than the field test. On top of that, the NFL has made a big media event, so it’s not just going away.
Rodney van Colleyville, TX
Can Aaron Rodgers repeat the same performance as last year?
This is his challenge, and it’s a big challenge. Though I’m sure his mindset is not about repeating, but about improving.