Do you think training camp and the preseason is mentally tougher on a player that is not guaranteed a roster spot if he’s a late-round pick or UDFA rookie, or a veteran possibly nearing the end of his career? On one hand, you’ve got a young guy coming into the league trying to learn everything and make a name for himself well enough to stick on a roster, and on the other hand you have a guy fighting to prolong his career knowing his opportunities in the league could be dwindling.

It’s probably harder for a young guy on the bubble, but there’s one easy answer for any player competing for a roster spot – focus on yourself and control what you can control. Bo Melton, a first-year player, and Corey Ballentine, a fifth-year pro on his sixth NFL team, were prime examples of each scenario last year. Both players succeeded because they fought tooth-and-nail in training camp and kept that same energy while on the practice squad.

Troy from Westminster, CO

Looks like Caleb Williams has a decent chance to throw a TD pass to a first-rounder this year. Thank goodness.

Hey, sign me up for at least one Marcedes Lewis touchdown (against anyone but the Packers). In Green Bay, however, it remains one of life’s great mysteries how the Packers have won all those games the past 20 years without a prolific first-round pick catching all the touchdowns.

Wayne from Stevens Point, WI

I always love a season surprise. I haven’t seen much about Andre Dillard a former first-rounder. How can a first-round lineman fail when the hit record across the board for linemen is so high? I would love to see him as one of the “five.” Any insights?

Dillard was in a tough spot in Philadelphia. He was injured early on and Jordan Mailata pretty much locked down that left tackle spot in Dillard’s absence. There wasn’t much film on Dillard when Tennessee bet on his upside last offseason and the sixth-year veteran told reporters on Tuesday that “wasn’t a great fit all around for everybody.” Now, he has a fresh start in Green Bay with a team that’s had an eye on Dillard since he entered the league in 2019.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

When is the last time the Packers drafted a player and switched them from offense to defense (or vice versa)? Any unusual transitions (as opposed to a more common/obvious conversion such as a WR switching to a DB)?

The only player I can think of is Korey Hall, a sixth-round pick in 2007 who played linebacker at Boise State but switched to fullback in Green Bay.

Tim from Fayetteville, NC

Who was the first GBP player to be offered a million-dollar-plus contract?

That is an excellent question. I’m not 100% confident on this, but Sterling Sharpe might be the guy. He was the first Packers draft pick to receive a $1 million signing bonus in 1988. He then received a $1.5 million bonus when he signed a 10-year, $15.5 million contract extension in 1991. In 1989, after a holdout, Tony Mandarich received a $2 million bonus on his four-year, $4.4 million rookie deal.

Craig from Brookfield, WI

Spoff made an interesting point about the Packers “missing out” on Khalil Mack, instead ending up with QB10. On the flip side, what’s the biggest woulda, coulda, shoulda in Packers history? My nominee: Taking Tony Mandarich in 1989 when the next three picks were Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders – all HOF. To add salt to that wound, the Pack won their last two games that year to go 4-12, missing out on the chance to pick Troy Aikman at No. 1. The Bay was angry that day, my friends.

You can lament the Mandarich pick, but we don’t know the possible butterfly effect if Green Bay drafted someone else. Everything worked out the way it needed to.

Bill Belichick is for sure one of the best head coaches ever. But we saw what happened the last few years to the Patriots without Tom Brady. It makes you wonder how some of the great coaches would’ve fared without those top-notch QBs they had. One guy I think doesn’t get near the credit he deserves is Mr. Joe Gibbs. I think he should be in the top five of all time. What other coach has taken basically three different teams, with three different QBs (who were good but not great) to a championship?

And then came back a decade later and led that same team to the playoffs twice in four years. Gibbs is an all-time great whose name doesn’t get mentioned nearly enough in comparison to Belichick, Parcells, Shula, and Johnson.

I’ve never been a big NBA fan, and certainly never rooted for the Lakers, but I did raise a toast yesterday in honor of the late great Jerry West. When all the pundits and even your former competitors have nothing but praise for you as a player, coach, and front-office leader, you know you did something right. RIP, Mr. West.

Being immortalized as a silhouette on your sport’s official logo is greatness on a different level. I don’t know if anyone has ever done it better as both a player and personnel executive.

I went to the Pittsburgh game last year and I agree with Mike, Acrisure has a vibe to it. People were playing games outside the stadium before they opened the gates. Everybody was friendly, and I saw plenty of people together, one with a Steelers jersey and the other with a Packers. The concourse is pretty cool, too. Of course, it was disappointing for the Pack to lose, but what d’ya expect from an opera – a happy ending?

No disrespect to the stadium formerly known as Heinz Field – its history is truly unparalleled – but it’s difficult for me to pick a venue that isn’t even the best stadium in its own city.

Jordan from Virginia Beach, VA

Along with all the great coverage and banter in the Inbox, I love looking at where all the submissions come in from. I know this has been talked about in the past but the submissions from TX (two from San Antonio) makes me even more excited to move there at the end of September with my new bride. She is a Cowboys fan so it’s nice to know I’ll have plenty of cheese brothers and sisters in my new hometown. Go Pack Go!

I took a trip to San Antonio in 2011. It’s a beautiful city, especially the riverwalk. Safe travels to your new home.

Douglas from St. Germain, WI

Hod was in Eagle River? So that’s why the root beer was sold out at Krogers. Next time try out Tribute Brewery.

Hey, Pa Hod and I might make a return trip before camp. We won a free 18-hole round at Eagle River Golf Course during our Trees for Tomorrow fundraiser.

Good day all. I knew someone who inevitably had to leave only to miss the BIG plays of the game. Question is, have you ever had plans to go to a game and missed it (with regret – missing a great game) or missing a HUGE play or turning point in a game?

Nothing comes to mind. I guess, maybe UFC 246? I was in very preliminary discussion to attend the Conor McGregor-Donald Cerrone fight, which lasted a whopping 40 seconds. Instead, I was in Santa Clara when the Packers advanced to face San Francisco in the 2019-20 NFC Championship Game.

Some people enjoy a relaxing day on the lake fishing for crappie, others prefer watching two guys beat the crappie out of each other. Different strokes for different folks.

Dead-zone appreciation: Whenever someone writes II as an abbreviation, my brain turns it into Roman numeral two. Makes sense, right? Second incarnation of Ask Vic, led by two writers, one of whom was the second in command back in the early days of the column. I wonder if anyone else does the same thing?

Yes, but only a few times a month instead of five (or six) days a week. By the way, congrats to Michael who celebrated 18 years with the Packers organization on Wednesday. That’s quite an accomplishment deserving of an extra lunch.

“That’s all folks!” Dead zone time, here we come 🙂

In all its wonderful monotonous glory. Have a great rest of the week.